Ever since I began travelling overseas as a single lady (now put your hands up!) six years ago, I’ve had many people warn me about the dangers of travelling alone. However, no one has yet said anything I haven’t already considered myself, as I’m ridiculously conscious of my vulnerabilities and simply don’t put myself in situations that could go awry.
Except, of course, for that time I accepted an invitation from a guy I’d just met in a bar to be picked up and driven an hour out of town to go hiking in the depths of Zion National Park where, I quickly discovered, my phone had no reception.
It was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
At the top of this post you can see, Where’s Wally-style, the amazing fellow who generously spent a day showing me glimpses of Zion. We shall call this fellow R, because I can’t think of a nickname that adequately encompasses his astounding wilderness prowess, his overall awesomeness, and the fact that he was very polite about my constantly interrupting our conversations with gasps and exclamations of “this place is breathtaking!”
Zion really was breathtaking. The colours, the colours, the blue-shining-blue of the sky and the red-copper-red-burnished sandstone cliffs shimmering with gold here and trees-green there, the myriad different patterns in the rocks around us and the cool shadows in almost-caves and solid firm earth as I stopped to take a photo and then slipping sand as I leaped to catch up and everywhere, everywhere a sense of undulating expansiveness, of air and world and beauty and space, endless space without emptiness, and birds and lizards and breathing and living and the colours, the colours.
R took me off the main road to show me petroglyphs, and for a moment I couldn’t think beyond the knowledge that ever-so-long ago, someone stood right where we were to engrave life stories onto the rock. (And yes, I may have had the gorgeous yet haunting music from the cave painting scene in Ice Age also running through my mind.)
We moved on, and lo! wonder of wonders!
R led me to a Ponderosa Pine, a tree with bark perfumed like vanilla, and it was sweet, fresh, wonderful. Hey there, nature! You’re spectacular!
Lest you think I had nothing to teach in return, though, I’ll have you know that I imparted unto R the knowledge that one must always enact the pivotal scene from Picnic At Hanging Rock whilst hiking.
“Miranda! Mi-raaaaaaaaan-daaaaaaa!”
(It was my duty as an Australian.)
Treading more well-worn trails, we later found ourselves looking down from above on birds who were themselves circling valleys far beneath their own wings, and I learned that I truly don’t like standing too close to cliff edges. At least, not until I can fly myself.
Being a Master of All Things Outdoors, R soon took us off-track again, and I remember cool water swirling around my ankles as we walked down a river, an apple split perfectly in two with nary a utensil in sight (I still don’t know how he did that), burning sand beneath my feet as I squealed and hopped about like a mad laughing thing, and the split second it took R to spot, swoop, then hold out for me a tiny little frog from the river.
Oh, and there was also a Shoe Tree. That happened.
The moral of this story is: Always travel safely, but never forget the value of taking a deep breath and trusting your instincts.
You might just end up with a brand new magical soul-shining friend.
Cute! I love wilderness adventures…. and R sounds like a total dude – anyone that can produce perfectly halved apples and teeny tiny froggies is ALL GOOD with me.
AWESOME scenery.
I like the way you make it sound like R created the frog out of thin air.
Good for you, bella. Love reading about your fun times.x
Thank you dear Lexi! I hope the sun is shining in your world. x
I loved this post so much Hannah
It sounds like an incredible day and these pictures are gorgeous – sometimes I wish life could be all about exploring the wilderness with apples and chocolate and cool water swirling around your feet. I’m glad you took the chance and I’m glad R proved his worth!
I’m so happy you like it, Kari. Oh how I wish life could always be this way too. I am joyful to state that I’ve been able to put off the Real Life decisions a little longer by trekking out to the northern Ontario wilderness, and oh! it is glorious here!
OMG if it wasn’t such a good ending I might have smacked your little tushy for being so easily trustworthy! ANGLE BABE! BE CAREFUL!!! xoxoxoxoxoxox
Bahahaha! You know I can defend myself pretty well, at least as long as I have a handful of orange chocolates nearby
Nicely said msihua … Particularly given recent Melbourne events …
But this is a great post Hannah. Zion is a truly magical place with colours I’ve never forgotten … But one day R must experience Uluru and Watarrka and the rock art of Kakadu. He ‘d love them. So glad you’d finally posted Zion!
In my defense, this was before the Melbourne tragedy.
Oh gosh, surely he would! And the Bungle Bungles. Hopefully one day!
Oh yes, them too … I suspect you met R under slightly different circumstances to the way Jill met her killer and had some sense of who he was.
Ahh, choccy, you remind me of the joy and beauty in the world. That’s a good thing. Please continue.
Ian, thank you so much for your kind words. They mean the world!
What a glorious day! I’m so glad you took the leap.
xoxo
This year, most of my leaps seem to be ending in magic. I’m so grateful (but nervous I’m going to trip and fall soon!) xo
I hope you didn’t tell you mother you did this! LOL!
I do agree though – one of the best nights I had in Italy was thanks for taking an invitation from a stranger to buy white truffles and go to dinner. Divine.
I’ve sent my parents emails to this effect twice now during my travels. I like to think I give them a fright but, in truth, they know me well enough to know that if I’m doing something, then it’s going to be fine. I think, anyway
Oooh, white truffles! Was that stranger a prince, perhaps?
Nah. Just some Japanese dude who moved to Italy and worked in a truffle store. We’re friends on Facebook.
Oh, well, that’s the most legitimate kind of friends.
Oooh, I know the apple mystery! I know! But I shan’t tell you, because it’s much better as a magical mystery.
Zion’s so lovely, isn’t it? I’d love to get back and explore more off the well-worn tourist path. Some sunshiney day! Now put your hands up oh oh oh, oh oh oh oh oh oh oh!
Please don’t ruin it for me. I like thinking of R as a wizard.
What are Dereon jeans?
That’s the best part of the song – they’re her own brand of jeans. hah!
I feel like looking at the lyrics of the verses, instead of just singing the chorus and the “oh oh oh” parts, has somewhat ruined this song for me.
It looks absolutely gorgeous but I see you’ve embraced the stetson instead of an Akubra on your travels…?
Oh, and R is cute too!
And now the Canadian toque. I am a woman of many hats.
I adore Zion. So happy that you got to see it with a (fortunately) trustworthy guide! Also, you are adorable in that hat, but that tiny frog might be even cuter.
How could I compete with a tiny frog? However, a frog wouldn’t be willing to eat your praline chocolates, now, would he?
Yay for Zion! I am glad you took a chance and got to experience its beauty, I loved it as well. And we saw the shoe tree too!
On a side note, you are on my really-must-email-this-person-because-I-am-a-slacker-and-have-not-communicated-with-them-for-far-too-long list. So hopefully I will get around to that soon.
Teehee, that makes me giggle! You see, I have 36 emails on my “owe replies to” list right now. So no rush! I completely understand
I love these stories. They are for me filed under “to tell parents once the events are long past”.
What a gorgeous place. It reminds me a bit of far northern Argentina. Yay for adventures, I’m loving hearing yours.
Thank you Lisa! I’m rather glad I’m not boring everyone with my tales yet! Actually, I told my parents beforehand. You know, just in case they needed to know where to start looking…
Such a wise girl! Still, we would appreciate knowing where to go looking, along with the recriminatory “how did you let her do that?”
Just think of this as me making up for all my teenage years of never sneaking out of the house at night or bringing boys home under cover of darkness
Gorgeous Hannah.
You are an inspirational and amazing lady my dear. Stay safe and brave xo
Oh Leah! This is the kindest thing. Thank you. xoxo
What a fun adventure with a new friend girlie! Loving all the pics. That shoe tree is hilarious!!!
And I’m loving being here with you!!
xo
Aw, what fun! You are in my country now! Glad you like the breathtaking desert mountains. I can’t live without them anymore
Actually, I’m in Canada now, technically, but same continent right? (I’m very behind in posting…)
Whoaa spectacular…love the shoe tree, tiny frog, and vanilla pine! Hope your adventures in Canada can live up to this
Me too! So far, Canada’s looking pretty wonderful.
What beautiful location my friend, perfect to hang out with new friends and relax
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Thanks CCU!
It is magnificent! Of great landscapes! That makes dream…
Such a dream!
You are too funny, Hannah! Beyonce would be proud of you! And I’m so glad R is so wonderful. You wouldn’t want to run into an Ivan Milat xx
Or, as my mum pointed out, the recent Melbourne killer. Hurrah for still being alive!
Great post…and glad you had such a fabulous day!
Ooh a new adventure with a new friend! How exciting!! And rocks should be scented, all of them!
Trees, too!
What an excellent adventure, the views are indeed spectacular. How nice that you met someone like R!
looks amazing – you gotta take risks – especially when travelling by yourself or you end up very lonely – and instincts are very valuable when travelling
Hannah this looks amazing! sorry haven’t been in touch lately- sounds like you are having a great time. Keep enjoying yourself! Thinking of you! x
Oh Liz, it’s so lovely to hear from you! I’m having a lovely time, and am beginning the transition from Holiday Mode into Real Life here in Canada. I’m thinking of you too, and hoping you and Alex are well! Much love
xo
I’m hopelessly behind on your adventures yet again. How wonderful this day looks. It must seem like a dream now that you are in the grips of Canada being plunged into winter I expect. Whereas here we are being plunged into summer way too early. It does look a gorgeous place. That second photo is incredible. The fourth one looks like it could be a gorge in NT or WA. I share your wonder at apple splitting in the wild.
I love seeing your name pop up on older posts, Louise, particularly as this gives me a reason to remember/relive past experiences all over again. And you are so right about the dream of this day in light of the fact that, tomorrow, we have not only snow forecast but a high of -2. A HIGH of MINUS.
The colours did remind me of Australia at times. Burnished red and silvery-green!