Hello again!
I think I left off after the half, so I'll try to pick up there and tell you about the good stuff.
The day I ran the half, I went to a fancy dinner at Red Acre Farm. It was so amazing! There were fairy lights, and we ate amongst the sunflowers and it was just magical. The farm isn't allowed to serve alcohol, but in the event email, they encouraged us to bring our own, so basically it was a really good night!
The next weekend was quite busy. Every Saturday begins with the Farmer's Market, of course, but after that, a group of us went up to Brian Head for the annual Rocktoberfest. It's one of my favorite fests, but I think maybe I say that every time. It's gotten bigger every year, but it's still small and intimate, with a stage up on a hill and everybody gathering and drinking at the lodge. The view is amazing, especially in September, the leaves are turning and the air is crisp. It's a seriously good time.
Afterward, we headed to the first ever Cedar Music Fest. I must say, another good fest, but not up there in the favorites. We stayed long enough to visit the booths and watch a girl band from St George. They were pretty good and it was fun, but it was also very windy and I just hate being out in the wind.
We then went to the Red Rocks Improv Festival. Another favorite. Each night is about 4 hrs of improv, with groups from all over the country. They were all so, so good, and they each have their own spin on their show, so it's a lot of fun to see how creative people are.
The next weekend was a boring one, but sometimes those are good to have. I like to spend a Saturday deep cleaning the house. Or laying on the couch. Maybe a little bit of both, honestly.
This past weekend was actually amazing. After the farmer's market, we went to the Zion Canyon Music Festival. A true favorite. This one is set amongst the red rocks of Zion Nat'l Park-- a perfect setting to spend an evening. The amphitheater is literally surrounded by the rocks; the festival goers are shuttled up from the bottom. They have several food vendors, many craft vendors, and a side and main stage. It's amazing.
Sunday, I faced a very big fear, and I'm quite proud of myself. The youth group went on an adventure to Yankee Doodle Canyon. It's a slot canyon about an hour South of here. We had to rappel down to the bottom, then hike about a mile until it widens enough to climb out. I am very, very scared of heights. I'm also very scared of cliffs, especially when there are people around. Mostly because I really don't want to see someone fall off and die and I can't control if they're being reckless or getting too close to the edge.
Anyway, there were 11 people in our group, and they rappelled down one by one. The guy in charge gave us the option of rappelling or being lowered. I was absolutely convinced they'd have to knock me out and lower me down, but then I kept thinking that I'd rather be able to say that I did it myself. And I can say that! I looked over the edge, decided that I had to do it, and did it. My legs were shaking so bad and the rope was vibrating at the top, which is kind of embarrassing, but I was just that nervous.
But I made it all the way to the bottom! It was very empowering, and I'm so glad I did it. I've got a blister on my left hand from gripping the rope, but blisters heal. Once we were all at the bottom, we began going deeper into the canyon. There were maybe 6-7 more places were we had to hook up to the ropes to get down, but there was no more rappelling. I will say that I didn't particularly love scrambling over rocks or wading through waist deep, freezing-cold water, but it was an over all fun afternoon. (The water was stagnant and stanky.)
The hike out was almost scarier than the rappel. We had to scramble up slick sandstone and that just terrifies me because once you lose your grip and start sliding, there's no stopping until you hit the bottom. Nobody did, thankfully, but I just couldn't get that picture out of my mind.
I think that's about all I've been up to. Work has been pretty good, and the farmer's market is going well. This week has been gloomy and rainy, but that's the kind of weather I love.
What a life we live!
