Summer Plans

Last year (and the year before), for our wedding anniversary, we took a trip to Zion National Park.  We had a wonderful time.

This year, we've decided that we're going to hike up to King's Peak, which is the highest peak in Utah. It measures in at 13,528 feet (4,123 m) above sea level. We plan to go with some other friends, most of whom are experienced backpackers. Both of us have done backpacking trips in the past, but not since we were married. The trip will be a leisurely one, taking place over 3 days and going around 29 miles total.

I can't believe how much things have changed in the past 18 years. The last backpacking trip I went on, I borrowed a pack from a friend who was about 5'10. He probably had a size medium pack. I learned recently that I'm a size XS in backpacks (woohoo!). I'm sure that's why you could see the outline of my hip and shoulder straps in bruising after that last trip. Everything is so small and lightweight.

J is like a little kid waiting for Christmas with this trip. He's purchased both of our backpacks, really nice sleeping bags for both of us, a camp stove, a water filtration system, tent, and groundcloth.

Today, I get a text from J.  It read, "Don't set up the tent without me". 


Ummm, ok?  We have a foot of snow on the ground, and I'm crazy busy. He really thinks I want to set up the tent the moment it arrived? The tent arrived via UPS around 3:15.  I have to admit that a devil perched on my shoulder, and if I hadn't been so incredibly pressed for time, I would've set up the tent in the driveway (the only clear spot in the yard) just to tease him.

This is what our couch looks like:




In case you're wondering, our packs weigh in at 10 and 20 lbs. They don't have our clothing, food, water or cosmetics.





Just a few minutes ago, J called me to come down to the basement and see something. This is what I saw.



Now from the sound of all this, I'm betting you're thinking that we're leaving on the trip this weekend, which would be insane, considering there's hundreds of inches of snow up there right now. Does it make it seem any less insane when I say the trip is planned for August?


I haven't seen him this excited about anything in a very, very long time. It's really cute.