Pohtaytoe.

My dog is howling.

I just got back from Subway and Orderville Gulch. Holy crap they were fun hikes. I definitely want to do those ones again. They were both about as equally cool, although we got to play around on Orderville a little bit more, and wasn't as rigorous of a hike.

Chris and I left on Monday night to go visit some friends in Cedar City. That was also super awesome. I met one of Chris and Jessica's friends from when they went to school, and then we went and visited Danelle. I played with her carpet, wax, and read that super awesome book of her's. Then we left to go down to Zion and had to go buy the permit for the Subway hike. Then we went on this nice little walk on a trail called The Watchman Trail. It was named after a mountain I think. We didn't go all the way up because it was getting dark, and we needed to find a place to stay.

First we went into Zion park campgrounds to try and find a camping spot. But then we found out they cost $16 each, and we are cheap. So instead I told Chris where the church was and we went around into the back and slept on the lawn behind this fence. And by slept, I actually mean we both laid there for several hours under the disguise of sleeping. First, we were being eaten alive by bugs. Then there were a lot of lights in the parking lot that kept us awake, and to top it off, it rained. Thunderstorms, about four times during the night (good call Danelle). Not so fun. We woke up at about six and messed around for an hour before we went back into the park and got the Orderville Gulch permit. I found out permits are incredibly difficult to get, actually. Some of those guys that were there had been there since about 5:30! I couldn't believe that. So after that we went to a nearby gas station and got some hot water to eat our oatmeal for breakfast. That was quite the day.

We then waited for Richard to call us so that we could go and find the Subway trailhead. Chris and I got lost of course and ended up about an hour in the opposite direction of where we needed to be. Chris got very frustrated - it didn't seem like we were having a very good time with directions and communication most of our trip. Finally we hit the trail. It was boring hiking into the canyon, but we finally got there and it was a lot of fun. It was my favorite hike I've been on so far. I know that because I was enjoying the hike as it was happening. There were a few cool repels, and these really funny Swedish group that was ahead of us. They got stuck in this one hard part, on a repel I think and started cursing (I think) in Swedish. The guy that was with them just said "Oh don't mind them. They're Swedish."

When we finished that hike I was very sore. The hike out was awful. We climbed something like 500 ft. in less than a mile. It was incredibly stranuous, although it was cool to look back at the river and think that just like ten minutes ago you used to be walking in it.

Afterwords we met up with the rest of the family that came on Orderville with us, had some more miscommunication that resulted in Linda driving about half an hour up into the canyon. Arguments and sour faces, but then everyone went to sleep alright. Nate and I slept in the bed of the truck. It was actually a really good sleep, although more padding would've been nice. I decided that whoever I end up marrying, I want to take them on a hiking trip to Subway and Orderville and sleep in the bed of the truck. It was a lot of fun.

Then the next day came and we left for Orderville. That hike was more exciting as there were more deep pools to jump into off of rocks. That was what I was looking forward to pretty much the whole time we were doing both hikes. I will go back there someday!

Then, yesterday, Chris and Jessica went to the St. George temple to recieve their endowments. It's so funny that Chris has to wear garments now. I was making fun of him for it when he got home. He said that it's all very overwhelming, they give you a lot of information that deals with a lot of symbolism. Chris was worried that they were going to have to sacrifice something, but was relieved when they didn't. And Jessica almost got brought into the bride's room because the lady thought she was married, not a missionary.

Also, my papers are submitted as of last Sunday. Along with Nate's. If my stake president is correct I should be expecting them next week, although he also said that July is the month that the general authorities take their time off so it might take longer. Either way, I'm very excited. I'll be sure and let everyone know where I end up going.

Anyway, 'til next time. :D

----------------
Now playing: Rush - The Spirit Of Radio
via FoxyTunes