Lookin' at the world, upside down

Last week I took a vacation to San Diego, CA and Lehi, UT. While there is too much to recount in one little post, I do want to relive a bit of my time.

Buckley and I were set to go camping for two days in southern Utah. We made it to Arches by sunset on Friday and took a quick loop around stopping for pictures. The plan was to check out more of the Arches in the daylight then head down to Bryce Canyon. We made two attempts to swing by Zion, both on the way back from San Diego and as a tentative plan for our weekend rendezvous, but alas distance and time did not coincide.

We woke up early after spending a night in Moab near the Arches. We had come in like ghosts in the night and left like a gentle morning breeze; in other words we didn't pay.

We headed over to see Delicate Arch and my buns were burning just a few meters in. Having done Timp Cave the day before, inclined hiking had bruised my glutes! I made it though and what a site it was! After picture taking we headed back down and took off for Bryce.

Stopping at a gas station, I checked my iPod to see how long it would take us to get to Bryce....5 and 1/2 hours. Having already spent a majority of my trip in the car, I opted to do a smaller, closer state park and make it back to Lehi in time for dinner. My morning flight would be much better that way.

Along the road we came across a most incredible view! A storm on the way; half the road blackened by thunder clouds and the other bright and blue! We pulled over and rushed out exclaiming, "we're like storm chasers!". I love the intensity before a storm, always have, especially as a kid. I remember running out into the hay field, wind whipping, just taking it in. It's a rush to experience and I wish I had the guts to do it more often on my apartment complex lawn.

We got to Goblin, but you really can't get the full experience of it until you go down into that valley! It's CRAZY down there. I felt like I was on another planet or in a video game. For some god forsaken reason, the idea to do a headstand popped into my head. I scouted for the flattest mushroom goblin I could find. The one I picked was about 4 feet in diameter and 7 or so feet off the ground. It was a little lopsided, but I thought it would do. Buckley boosted me up onto the top and I got down in my ball and measured out my base. My entire body began to shake. I was certain that if I fell over backwards, I would crack my back on the edge of the formation. I've never fallen that way before, but I couldn't get the fear out of my head. After my first attempt, I switched my direction. Again I tried and couldn't make it up. One more time and I was done trying. Disappointed I sat on my feet questioning my mind. In the distance, some other explorers of the valley were talking, "No, you HAVE to see this! This girl is trying to do a headstand on top of that thing!" I started waving my arms that it was a NO-GO and they shouted back, "No! Come on! You can do it!", cheering for me to try again. I mustered my courage and kicked off my sneakers. Again I tried, nothing....again, nothing....I breathed in and out slowly and locked my eyes on a formation behind me. I lifted my weight and found my center, than ever so slowly, one leg at a time, I went up into a full extension! The guys were hooting and hollering in celebration that I had done it! If you look closely, you can see them in the background.

This is me coming down after...I kind of look like I'm break dancing :)