Friday night, I was off to Capitol Reef.  I was in search of my friends who were camping somewhere on the BLM lands. With no cell service it was going to take an act of God to find them.  As a drive up I-15 to meet I-70,   I saw the brightest blue comet shoot across the sky.  I made my wish “Please lead me to my friends! I’d really like to hike with them this weekend” sealed it with a kiss and drove on! 

I arrived in Capitol reef at 11:30 pm.  I knew my friends would still have a raging fire and be up waiting. I drove through the park, driving up some BLM land a little ways before turning around to get my feet wet in my night photography skills.   I didn't find my friends that night, but was able to get some good first time shots of the night sky.

6am I woke up to venture through the park to look for my friends one last time before setting off on my own adventure.  I went 1/8 of a mile past wear I had turned around the evening before.  Around a little curve there were several RV’s parked and as I continued around the corner I saw a black pick-up with my friend standing outside it.  My wish had come true!  ALWAYS WISH ON A SHOOTING STAR!

 After breakfast and some planning we decided to hike into a slot canyon, just outside of the park that some friends had started down on another Capitol Reef trip. We loaded up our packs, spread on some sunscreen and headed off into the desert.

It seemed like a long time we hiked into the dessert.  Thankfully, we found the hiking trail and didn't take the sandy road, which would have been very long! Finally, we made it into the gates of Capitol Reef.  Before long, we found ourselves among miles of slot canyons.

Immediately, we encountered a water crossing, not all of us could spiderman across it, so our alternate option was up and around.  In the beginning there were short canyons which eventually opened up to a wide open area and then to a larger, taller slot canyon.  Some bouldering was  required on this excision, lucky for us, some guy friends were along to help get over some larger boulders.

Some of the slots we came across were so narrow, we decided to drop our packs, as we saw that others had done the same.  About a mile or so later, it was decided that would not be a good choice in the future,  it was hot at the end and we had not water or snacks to recharge.

The canyon came to a beautiful end in what looked like it could've once been a waterfall.  It was breathtaking to sit quietly in the middle of the huge cavern to imagine what this once was.

m It has been almost an entire year for me here in Las Vegas.  I moved here with big aspirations to work on the strip and get my bills paid off.  Things didn't turn out the way I had originally planned.  Maybe they turned out better, I'm not sure, but I do know I had some fun adventures along the way and met some wonderful people! I didn't end up working on the strip, I ended up working in a 5th Grade classroom near the strip.  I learned so much from my students in the time I was there teaching them math.

I have never really been a big person on the club scene, maybe that's why working on the strip was not appealing to me anymore, so I looked for other things to experience while I was in Vegas.  Believe it or not, it has about as much hiking and mountain biking as Colorado! Not to mention the National and State Parks so close. And then of course there is the beer and wine tastings!  What?!?!  Who knew! 

If you are in the area for a while or just a week and want something other than the strip, you've found the right place! You may need to rent a car for these activities, but its worth it, if you're looking for something other than your typical Vegas Vacation.

I have included a few snapshots of the many adventures I've experienced and love to share with you while I was here!  I hope I inspire some of you to check out a new place!!  Get outside and explore more!