Daily Good Start : 2017

The National Park Nerd inside me said "Psssst Veronica, we need to go to Zion National Park; you've never been. There's no time like the present." So I said to myself "Self, you're absolutely right. Let the adventuring begin."

A quick text to my adventurously rad friend Liza and the next thing you know we are out on a flight to Las Vegas the next morning. I had compiled a relatively long list of things I wanted to do, read loads of reviews, and actually received wild feedback from a random guy at the bar just a few months prior.

This random bar guy, whom we shall call Random Bar Guy, told me a crazy tale about Angel's Landing that had me on the edge of my bar stool. He went on and on about Angel's Landing being a strenuous hike and the last 1/2 mile was treacherously narrow, not accommodating to one's shoe size, and a single chain separating one from life and a slippery fall to one's death. It sounded terrifying and he finished his story with "If you are remotely afraid of heights don't do it". This scary story left me scarred and scared and carried over to a text with a friend that said she started the hike but didn't continue at the chain portion.

Wouldn't you know that when we got to the Park Ranger Station to ask our list of adventurous questions, our khaki adorned tree hugger pal said "ohh sorry ladies, Angel's Landing is closed for the next few days for chain renovations. Phewieeee, I thought! Now I don't have to look like a wimp in front of Liza - Doer of Rad Things.

Liza and I changed our game plan and somehow decided that The Narrows would be an excellent alternative. Mind you, we were warned that The Narrows was a hike through 40 degree water...for the entire portion of the hike. Those that know me from my college sports years, I was the lone ranger that couldn't hang with the rest of my injured b-ball friends in the ice tub. I'd hop in for about 45 seconds, get extremely nauseous and pop out. I thought great, just great. The whole time to the main hike I was mathematically figuring out how long I could last on God's Ice Bath Hike otherwise known as The Narrows.

Right before we toed into The Narrows, we questioned two guys removing their soggy clothes. They looked at us and with sheer confidence said "meh, you'll be just fine." I'll be fine, I thought. Yes, I'll be fine! Will I be fine? Oh shit, will I be fine???

Not only was I fine, I was elated. I was adventurous. One may dare say, I was a bad ass. Liza and I hiked 8 miles total in 40 degree water through gorgeous red canyons, compelling blue green water, perfectly positioned stone steps and fallen logs all the way to "Wall Street", the most iconic portion of The Narrows because, well, it's the most narrow part. I was beyond fine, I was surrounded by breathtaking views that melted my soul and brought joy from my pruney feet up to the top of my high placed pony tail.

The next day we were armed with snacks, water and gear ready to take on Observation Point, the highest trail in all of Zion. Liza headed over to the little ladies room as I hopped in line for the shuttle bus. Holding our place in line, I chatted with a few strangers, ate some trail mix and then notice the information board which stated : Angel's Landing - OPEN. Da fuq? Open? Oh shit, it's open. Am I excited? Did I just tinkle over excitement or nerves? Do I tell Liza? I wasn't mentally ready for this news. Stewing over how I was going to "break the news" to Liza, she happily bee-booped over to me and I blurted out "Angel's Landing is open". Gulp. I can't mentally remember her exact words, but I think there was a squeal of excitement and a ohhh hell ya! I played along, then realized I was having a schizophrenic moment. Was I terrified? Was this a cosmic sign from the Universe? The answer to both questions is yes.

Was Angel's Landing strenuous? Sure. I had plenty of water and breath breaks. Was the last 1/2 mile chain filled for pulling one's self up and a prevention measure for slipping? Yes. Could I have fallen to my death? I mean, if I was acting like an idiot. Were my feet slipping over the edge because the path was so narrow? Psshhhh nope! Did my heart beat out of my chest due to fear? Did I get to a point where I thought, I just can't do this, it's terrifying and dangerous? Nope, not even for one second.

Here's where I'm going with all this story telling, write your own life's review. Are you really not going to eat
at a restaurant because some miserable crazy lady in Nebraska had cold meatloaf there once? You're telling me
that you aren't going to experience a new movie that looks interesting because some snobby critic gave it 2 stars? How about this one....are you not going to travel out of the country solo because your cousin thinks your insane? Are you not going to find an escape route from your cushy mundane job to follow your dreams? Are you not going to wear something smokin' hot because your paranoid what others will think? Do you not snag a kiss from a new stranger because well he might be too young or not financial secure or you've overthought what your future babies will look like? Do you not live YOUR life, the life that sometimes yells out of entrapment or may whisper very delicately into your soul to go do that one thing, you know THAT thing that you've always wanted to do.

Sometimes, often times, we listen to everyone around us instead of getting still and listening to ourselves. What's funny about ourselves is that we know ourselves like no one else does. We don't trust our own incredible intuition. We don't inhale life and exhale happiness. We don't remember the airplane oxygen mask analogy, put your oxygen mask on first then you are able to assist others.

You are resilient. You are a tough cookie. You are smart. You know what is best for you. Sure, sometimes we need a trailblazer like Liza to encourge us along the craziest cliffs and narrowest canyons of life, but remember you're the one that had the crazy idea in the first place.