Back From the Hike--The Good, The Bad, The Ugly! Plus Fun Contest for you to Enter!

I did it! Yep--I really did it! This morning I looked up at Mount Timpanogos looming over my home and really can't believe that I was at the top of the highest peak just two days ago. But, it wasn't without its challenges! (Dang it--why is there always a trial?) A bunch of gals in my neighborhood, along with Steve, Brecken and our beagle, Maggie, started out in the wee hours of the morning on the 13-14 mile hike. We got to the trailhead and the parking lot was full. (It's very popular to begin hiking at midnight with flashlights and arrive at the top in time for the sunrise.) We ended up parking a quarter mile from the trail just on the side of the road. The first half of the hike was wonderful--a beautiful, lush trail that is intermediate to hike.




Then the rocks and steep cliffs began. We were climbing up trails that were all rock and slate.





After several hours of climbing (and a few times when I wondered why I was doing this), we made it to the top! We were all completely wiped but the incredible views of the valley below made it worth it.






That's when disaster started. Brecken had just decided two days before to go on the hike so we had to scramble for some shoes for her to wear. I found some hiking boots that I purchased for myself but have always hurt my feet. They felt great on Brecken's feet while walking around the house but climbing up the mountain was a different story--they killed her feet. So, at the top she took them off and I think would have gone barefoot down the trail. I felt bad for her so I traded them for my shoes but then every step down was excruciating for me. (Today I feel like my toes are going to fall off.) I was so relieved to see this little building at the parking lot. It meant we were finally down!



We were all REALLY tired and ready to get home to a hot shower and hot meal (the peanut butter and jelly sandwich for lunch didn't quite cut it). Imagine our utter shock when we got to our car and it had been towed. It was so early in the morning that we missed the sign that said "Parking on turnouts only." However, it didn't say anything about getting ticketed and towed! We were all so frustrated--none of our cell phones worked to call anyone for help. A nice man (thanks, Steve) gave us a ride and then I bumped into my dear childhood friend, Paula Palmer, who let us borrow her car. The story continues but the details are so many and very complicated. Let's just say Steve didn't get down the mountain until after dark--he stayed behind to help someone down. It cost $264.00 to get our car out of being impounded plus we have a hefty fine for the ticket. (Let me just get on my soap box and say I'm not against giving tickets or towing a car. I am against impounding a car when you're high on a mountain, there's no cell phone service, no signs that say your car will be ticketed and towed, and no other options given to park.)

Lesson learned--nothing will ever go 100% smooth in life. But the beautiful vistas made the sore body and hefty bill all worth it!

Now for the fun contest--lots of prizes to win!

Today is the beginning of a huge craft/scrapbooking giveaway on vanillajoy.com, a blog about parenting and crafting ideas. A new contest will be announced every day, run for 4 days, and be for about $100 worth of stuff. Today's contest is for a Cricut from Provo Craft! During the rest of the week you can enter to win products from EK Success, Creative Memories, Making Memories, Fiskars, Gorillapod, Sizzix, Creative Options, and Ribbon Ring - click here to see the giveaway schedule.

Happy Monday!

Lisa B.