Zion & Grand Canyon Adventure!

For me, hitting the one year anniversary mark with my boyfriend, Justin, is a big deal.  Not only have I never been with someone this long, (actually, he's my first and only boyfriend) but I feel like we've achieved something big here.  Something really good.  =]

So for our anniversary we decided to drive out to Zion National Park and the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.  =D  Road trip!!  

Monday was spent driving, eating yummy snacks, listening to some great mix cd's Justin made, and chilling in our beautiful hotel!  I saw Friends for the first time and we ate at this delicious Pizza & Noodle Co. and explored all the shops and galleries in town.  

View from a delicious ice cream & candy shop in Springdale!

Tuesday was the best day I think.  We spent the day hiking the Emerald Pools trails and the Narrows.  For those of you who don't know what the Narrows is, please goggle it right now.  You HAVE to hike it at some point if you even kinda like hiking or nature or fun!  It's beautiful!  You walk up the Virgin River, (which was really chilly) and get pretty deep in the water sometimes while enjoying this winding mountain view.  It's stunning and a lot of fun!  We even went off the path a bit to take this cool picture together--which took some serious work getting up with it being slippery and have no hand or foot holds!  That night we relaxed and enjoyed our hotel and a nice dinner at this little saloon, where they served us our drinks in big mason jars.  I felt right at home!  =P  

She was right next to the trail!

 At the lower emerald pools and waterfalls.

 Mid pools--and a beautiful view of Zion.

This is one of the resting opportunities we took in the Narrows.  Definitely bring snacks and plenty of water!

Here is the monster rock that took some skill, (on Justin's part) and Justin pulling me up as I mentioned.  Awesome photo opportunity!

Wednesday was our day to wake up and drive down two hours to the North Rim.  Justin had never been before, so he was quite taken by the beautiful scenery on the way down.  =]  We arrived by mid morning and did some hiking and taking in of the views for a couple hours.  Eventually, and sadly, we had to drive back home that night.  We stopped in a little town called Hurricane for dinner and a nice sunset walk before making it back to the big city.

The lookout points are incredible here, but be warned: they're windy!

Just contemplating life, the cosmos, and other simple things.  =]

The trip together was everything I could have hoped it would be and more.  I imagined us having so much fun together, and we really did.  I cannot wait until next years trip!  =D  Maybe we'll drive up the Pacific Coast Highway to the Redwoods!  Let me know if you have any suggestions!