BARTSCHI BUNCH: July 4th: Pine Creek

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

July 4th: Pine Creek

On 4^th of July we started our day out with a breakfast at the city park. They had a nice program and then we got ready for our Canyoneering Adventure. Bennett and I did this same hike 2 years ago but have not done any repelling since. We got a late start. It was almost 2pm before we got started. You have to be careful with these canyon hikes because of the risk of flash floods. Today was a 20% chance. We had 3 repells left and a few sprinkles started to fall. The pressure was on to speed up a little bit to get out of the canyon incase the rain increased. It never did rain but a few drops but it brought temps down into 80’s and overcast. Being late in the day, it was a little cool waiting for the rest of our group to get out. One of the guys that went with us , works with my dad in the scouting program in his ward. For work he is a guide and shuttle driver for a company. He had an injury 6 months ago where he fell 20 feet and broke both of his feet. He said he had over 20 screws in one of his feet. He did remarkably well but was definitely walking awkewardly and guarded his feet. The last few miles climbing out are climbing over boulders. There is no trail. It is just finding ways to climb over or around all the bolders. There are a few water holes in the canyon where you have to wade or swim through water that is smelly and dark. We were cold and the canyon is shady. It makes you cold but my dad says you don’t go canyoneering expecting to stay dry. It is 100 degrees outside but you are freezing in the canyons. Bennett and Garren did awesome. It is amazing how kids change in two years. It was so nice to see Bennett and Garren happy and working together. It is amazing how the challenges you face in doing these activities bring family closer. Just what I needed on this trip—to see my kids learing to appreciate each other and realize what a blessing it is to be together.