Meet Tag!

So after weeks of back and forth deciding whether we wanted a dog or not, I went to visit the Iron County Animal Shelter yesterday and my heart broke after seeing all the dogs in there deserving of a good home. I fell in love with Taggart, a supposedly 3 year old Hound mix. He was the only one who wasn't barking; he just sat as good as gold in his cage, looking up at me with these big brown eyes, wagging his tail, patiently waiting to be shown some attention. 2 People had told me that he was a really good dog, and after telling them what I was looking for in a dog, they said he would be perfect for us. Wade went to the Shelter today and fell in love with him as quickly as I did, and we now have a dog! Meet Tag. He is full of fun and endless amounts of energy which makes us think that he is younger than the 3 years old we were told he was. As I'm writing this, he's been ours for about 5 hours and him and Wade already have a bond; he follows him round everywhere and I have a good feeling that he's going to be a really good companion for the both of us. We don't know his background/history - all we know is that he was found wandering Brianhead, the ski-resort area of our County. We took him for a walk this afternoon and he doesn't seem bothered by people or the other dogs we encountered on our walk. Welcome to the family Tag! We are so happy to have you with us.

18 Sept' 2010 - Angels Landing, Zion National Park

For a long time now I have had this desire to hike Angel's Landing in Zion National Park. We tried it a couple of months ago and decided to stop at Scout Lookout after a lady fell off of this trail the very same day that we were there! (about 7 people a year fall off the trail) Angels Landing is only a 5 mile round trip hike but you climb 1,500ft during that time and it is an extremely strenuous hike, not to be undertaken by the faint of heart of weak of mind ;) this hike pushes you to the limits - physically and mentally but it is worth every minute and I am so pleased that we did it. The hike up is exhausting to say the least; the last half mile or so being almost vertical climbing with only chains for support - it tests every muscle in your body. The views at the top however are insane! The weather was perfect and we sat on what felt like the very top of the world, catching our breath and having a snack; the feeling of having made it up there is indescribable; I was so proud of us. The journey down was a different story... after a physically exhausting climb up, my legs had turned to jelly and the fact that we were holding on to chains on the side of a near vertical rock had set in. We made it down in one piece and I have never been so relieved to be on flat, safe ground. What a day though.. one of the most rewarding days I have had in a really long time. If you haven't hiked Angels Landing, you gotta do it, its one of life's must do's!!!

Refrigerator Canyon - half way up the hike; the blast of cool air is a welcome break from the beating sun.

The final leg - almost to the top of Angels Landing! - pictures nowhere near do this justice - it is a lot steeper than it looks!!

Nearly there.... this is the view you can expect on the way up. In one part, the trail is 3ft wide with 1,200ft sheer vertical drops on both sides!!

View from the top - we made it!!

"Walter's Wiggles" switchbacks on the way back down with legs like jelly! This hike really takes it out of you!