When Sam first invited me to visit him at the Utah Shakespeare Festival in Cedar City, it wasn’t only the promise of free shows, internet, sunshine, and his face that led me to say yes.
It was also the promise of hiking. Gorgeous, glorious, exhilarating hiking amidst gorgeous, glorious, exhilarating red-green burnished landscape.
Oh, and the promise of getting to dress up like a cowgirl for said hiking.
(Those words on the side, right there? Completely unintentional framing; I almost died laughing when I uploaded the photo to my computer.)
Last weekend Sam, three other musicians, and I spent the day venturing deepdeep into Kanarraville Falls, and it was the most spectacular day of hiking I’ve yet had in my life (and that’s counting some rather wonderful childhood bushwalks in Australia).
Because here’s the thing:
What were you doing last Saturday, Hannah?
Oh, just hiking up waterfalls in a cowgirl hat. No big deal.
See that ladder, right there? That was the least intimidating ladder of the hike; others were a combination of logs, nails, and rope, and once or twice there weren’t even ladders. Just waterfalls and rocks.
I’d like to take this moment to thank Sam for his manly-manly strength and chivalry in helping me out of many a tight spot during this hike, as it seems my mind was sometimes better at plotting a route upwards than my body was at managing the route.
As the majority of the walk was spent stepping and dancing and jumping through water, I didn’t take my camera, so the photos you see here are courtesy of Sam and his iPhone. Thanks Sam! Also, let’s all say hi to Drew! Hi Drew!
After several water and snack breaks (hey there, Primal Strips! You are a strange yet tasty creation of strange tastiness!), we made it up a steep red-dirt slippery incline and took photos to mark our hiking prowess, not realizing until later that our photos didn’t quite prove the extent of our height-achievement.
But at least you can see the pretty. The pretty.
With five hours of hiking, river-fording, waterfall-hiking, and waterfall-watersliding under our metaphorical belts, we made it back to civilization with joy in our hearts.
I like it when civilization includes perfectly ripe, sweet, and crisp pears hanging free-for-the-taking over a fence.
And ridiculously sugary cereal and creamy vanilla almond milk with which to replenish mind and soul afterwards doesn’t hurt either.
you are too adorable! what fun!
That landscape right there and that scenery … they are what changed my mind about wanting to get to the US one day.
Oh you should CheezyK … The US has some amazing landscapes. Particularly Utah, Arizona, Colorado and New Mexico. But elsewhere too such as Yosemite. Yellowstone. Big Bend.
Oh look, you beat me to it, and came up with more places besides!
Darn West Coast, getting all the glory!
Believe me, the West Coast may have changed my mind about whether or not to travel to the US but you and your photos have thoroughly confused me about where to start!
There is so much stunning scenery here, C-Lady, from the Blue Ridge Mountains to Yosemite to these mountains and more. The US is definitely worth a moment (or four) of your time
The Sparky and I were looking into distances and travel times yesterday and have come to the conclusion that we will definitely need to break things down into at least two trips … a huge change from just a couple of years ago when we weren’t interested in the US at all!
It’s an exciting thing when your mind clicks over from “meh… US” to “oh my heavens, the US! There’s so much diversity, gorgeousness, deliciousness, adventure!” For me, that happened around first year of uni
Pretty pretty delightful and inspiring Hannah.
LOL that writing! It matches so perfectly with the “hey cowboy” pose which I must comes completely naturally to you!
I never knew I had such a cowgirl within me. The US is a magical place!
Oh I meant that ‘hey cowboy’ in a cute way!! Hmm do you ever write something and press submit and then think ‘does that sound weird?’ :S
Many a time, but my dear, we are each other’s Spay Lady/ies. I think we crossed most lines a long time ago.
What an amazing hike! Gorgeous scenery shared with lovely people. What more could you ask for?
Looks like a beautiful walk.
Hahahaha i love that picture of you and you are a true cow girl now in the outbacks of the US hehe
So proud of you!! seems like lots of fun and a beautiful day!
ARGHHH all the food posts…making me so jealous again!
Thanks Daisy! Now I just need a horse to ride and I’m set.
Beautiful images
Thanks Gary!
Bahahaha! That pic of you next to the writing on the wall is hilarious!
free pears!! Oh man, I so long to be able to hike just like that. So much hiking opportunity in the states. I am so keenly jealous of that fact. Just beautiful, me lady!
Heidi xo
I’d so love to go hiking with you, dear Heidi! We would bring such a bundle of delicious snacks with us, I’m sure, that we could walk for days and days.
xo
What a great experience. You certainly have some lovely friends in the US. That hike looks like it was amazing. And how fabulous to have free food just hanging over the side of the fence. And the weather looks amazing too. We had 28C here yesterday – weather not so good in the ACT xx
And so many more wonderful friends after this jaunt to Cedar City. My heart is full of happy. 28C in winter?? You lucky folks you! That’s warmer than what we had here yesterday!
What a gorgeous hike! I’ve only ever been skiing in Utah, but I imagine the hiking would be just as incredible.
I wouldn’t mind skiing if it weren’t for the snow and the cold.
Great to see the hiking Hannah … Just what I remember of that gorgeous, gorgeous region. You’ve made me want to go back, though waterfall climbing might be beyond me now.
Where did you get that hat, where did you get that hat …
The hat came from Drew, who I think got it from a housemate who I think got it from the props department. It’s mine now!
Thank you for giving me love-of-hiking genes, ma!
I’m so glad we did … it’s a great activity isn’t it.
Just… wow; I think that covers everything!
When we say “hiking” in this country, it just means a walk over terrain that’s slightly more rough than pavement but this! I’d LOVE to try that; those ladders (or not) up the waterfalls, the scrambling up rocks; it’s hiking in the true sense and must have been brilliant.
I love the words in the top picture – and the pears, what a result
Thank you Eleanor! I’m intrigued by what you say about the meaning of hiking in England. What would you call this, then? In Australia, we’d call this “bushwalking”, I think.
I only wish there’d been a nut butter tree next to the pear tree.
I’m not sure to be honest, as we haven’t really got that sort of terrain! “Fell-walking” or “dale-walking” would maybe come closest, but only when you’re in the Fells or Dales…
“Dale-walking” sounds like what you’d do to find pixies. I’m in.
The hike looks fun! Though slippery waterfall rocks with no ladders/rope does sound like it can be a bit treacherous…
But in the best way! (I did end up covered in bruises.)
Frosted toast crunch?? Whaaa?!?! I know the cinnamon variety, and in fact it is my favourite junky cereal to eat for not-breakfast.
CTC was my favourite back at UVA too; well, CTC and Reese’s Puffs. I think this Frosted one is a new version and, in my opinion, not as delicious as the cinnamony goodness! (I never ate them for breakfast, just snacks.)
I think this might be a perfect day in my world. I’d even take it without the cowgirl hat, although that did add a nice touch
I was so grateful for the hat; it was bloody hot out there!
What a wonderful trip! I’ve been to the west of the US with my parents when I was 14, and we drove around by car a lot and visited a lot of national parks. I always wanted to stay for a day and go hiking in those beautiful parks, but our time schedule didn’t allow it unfortunately. So I’ll have to return one day and then catch up with the hiking.
Absolutely you will! I, too, saw a lot of the national parks with my parents as a kid, but alas! I was age 3-6, so I can barely remember anything.
cool hat but where are the chaps? (I mean the pants not the boys)
sounds like a great chapter in your adventures
The chaps come with the horse. I’m still waiting on the horse.
Girl, I am impressed. I would not have pegged you for tackling those ladders with such style and panache, but good on you! Most excellent hikeability:)
I’m also relieved to see no mentions of coffee here. Hopefully they’re getting you and your caffeine intake under control out there;)
Hmm? HMM??? And what is that supposed to mean, Emma-friend? That you thought of me as an unadventurous fraidy cat? HARRUMPH I say to you. Harrumph.
Bahaha, not quite. Though Andrew has cut me off from caffeinated coffee, and I made sure my refill yesterday was decaf. But it’s not like I’m sleeping anyway, so what does it matter?
Aw, sadface! No need for that, Employee #1 of my heart!
I think it’s hilarious that you are subsisting almost solely on sugar so far in your trip. I see myself wagging my finger at you and demanding that you eat a vegetable, to which you reply, “I’m a big girl, I can eat what I want!” And yet, if you are still able to visit Atlanta, I know I’m just going to be shoving all manner of sweets down your throat the whole time anyway. I’m such a hypocrite.
Actually, I eat insane amounts of vegetables; Sam’s fridge is packed with my veggies. But all that really means is I’m living on sugar and vegetables. And coffee. And Utah’s lightweight beer. So it’s not really that much better than you imagine.
Absolutely gorgeous! Sounds like some hike! There are some trails back home in Hawai`i that I call the Ultimate Stairmaster…because you feel you’ve been on one just halfway through the hike!
I’m guessing that’s some sort of fitness equipment? I’d rather hike than go to the gym any day
Yes, it’s supposed to mimic stair climbing.
I’d rather go hiking, too. Much better scenery!
That “ladder” (if we can call it that) terrifies me!! I enjoy public speaking; don’t mind spiders and snakes (I regularly see snakes where I live), but hiking on steep & unstable surfaces really unnerves me. I’d be tempted to stay in the car with a book and wait until you all returned hours later! Ha ha
Adorable cowgirl outfit. :p
The first part of the hike was a little strange, because it’s a long time since I’ve trusted my body to leap around like a mountain goat. Then I remembered my childhood tree-climbing days and it all started to fall into place
Go girl! Lovely red rocks and I’m quite a hiker myself here in the Dolomites. Looks like you are having a wunnerful time!Xxx
Holy cheesecake and marshmallows! That’s insane! 5 hours? No sirree, no can do!
Bahahaha! I love you Angle Babe.
This post is the cutest! It made me all giggly-smiley when I read it
Aw, thanks darlin’!
Oooh lady! I like that pose and that writing on the wall would exactly be what I’d imagine you would be saying if I drew a giant thought bubble coming out of your head.
Oh those views! Hiking in the sunshine looks glorious and oh those pears! Glad you’re having fun
I feel like the character in a desert cartoon now!
I did a similar tracking but in Australia. It was called a hanckok George and was an amazing adventure. But unfortunately I did not have such a cool hat
Oh, you call it tracking? I love the language differences we all have – in Australia, I’d call it bushwalking
Haha when I saw that cowgirl + writing on the wall pic appear on your facie, I thought it was intentional framing
Wow, that looks like an epic hike! As someone who loves hiking, this will be a hike that I will hopefully tackle should I end up in in the US of A next year
Completely unintentional, but hilarious! I hadn’t even noticed the writing before, despite the fact that it’s directly outside our door.
Oh my gosh, there are so many amazing hikes all over the country that you’ll be able to do! Hurrah!
What a fabulous day that looks, although I am much too old to be attempting such things, and you wouldn’t get me near a ladder like that if it was bone dry, let alone propped up on a waterfall. Free pears YAY. Not sure about your after party. And that tricks photo still cracks me up.
That was actually the least scary ladder! And the tricks photo is still one of my absolute favourites