When we rolled into Zion National Park, there were only two of us left. We had dropped off half of our posse in Las Vegas and made our way into Utah. Most of my excitement leading up to the trip was centered around this part of the journey. Not only had I read about the ridiculous terrain that was about to greet me but also I had the good fortune of winning a bet which meant that my remaining traveling companion and I were going canyoneering.
I only learned that hiking for the sole purpose of throwing oneself over ledges could be a thing within the last year or so. Previously, my experience with rappelling was either self-fashioned with neighborhood kids and trees or was the result of a climbing wall in a gym circa 1998. Regardless, there was much effort to get up in order to get down. It had not occurred to me that perhaps there was another way.
I do that in life quite a bit. My previous experiences dictate my options. And that's incredibly boring because you lose creativity with your outcomes. You tell yourself over and over again that there is one way, one path to reach your goals. And of course in this scenario your goals are myopic as well since a static route can really only have one destination.
We were our canyoneering guide's last trip of the season and probably a bit anticlimactic but I like to think we made up for it with our northeast camaraderie and crass. Who wouldn't find that endearing? As the day wore on, we got to chatting about future plans and their tendency to not go the way they're supposed to. And as he shared how his failed plans resulted in something much better than he could have created, I turned a deaf ear in the moment. I refused to see myself in the story because I have my plan. I know the way things are supposed to go. If I dot my i's and cross my t's, then everything will fall into place. And if I don't, then nothing will work out. Dramatic? Yes. But it's a surprisingly easy trap to fall in to. In the days that followed though his words stuck with me, holding me accountable to the rigid mindset I had subconciously created.
Work/vacation mash-ups are a funny thing for me because it juxtaposes two different lives - my science nerd life and my let's explore all the wild things life. You could easily say that these two are related. Research requires a certain level of risk-taking which is inherent in the adventures I seek out and lately my sabbaticals into nature have included my direct supervisor at work (ain't no party like an epidemiology party). But these two parts of my life still feel very, very different. My previous and for all intents and purposes current way of dealing with this perceived dichotomy is to divide myself into completely separate entities. I've become resigned to it. But thinking about life this way makes work more blah and play more escapist. It's not a mindset made for longevity. I have by no means figured this one out but at least I've been challenged to use my imagination a bit more. (PS I am open to almost all suggestions on how to meld these. Emphasis on the almost.)
Oh Zion, you ended up being good for my soul in ways I could not anticipate as I was forced to be outside of my own head and stare in awe at the monstrosities surrounding me. I really only scratched the surface of places to visit and trails to explore - a fact I regret as I could have used at least a week here... Or maybe more like a year. Something about those giant canyon walls has turned me into a total Utah-convert. Not that I'm ready to give up my salt water addiction quite yet. I'm just a little bit more open to a temporary leave of absence from my beloved Atlantic Ocean. Until next time Zion.
notes:
- we pitched our tent at watchman campground. there used to be a bunch of free spots around zion but those are now closed to protect the environment. make your reservation early - these sites go fast.
- there are no showers at watchman but there are showers down the road in springdale at zion mountain school. while you're there book a canyoneering, rock climbing, mountain biking, etc. trip with a guide. you won't regret it.
- two other things you won't regret - dinner at oscar's and breakfast at deep creek coffee.