Day 9: The Day Has Come
Priceless Memories, 1,605 Miles Driven, 40.4 Miles Hiked
The happiest time of my life is now, this moment, with you.
As we drive out of Zion, heading back to Las Vegas to catch our flight home, it's impossible not to reflect on the whirlwind of the past few days. 30 years ago, I had made a similar journey from Southern California. Not to visit a national park, but to marry the man who would become my partner-in-crime, my confidant, and occasionally, my partner-in-quirky adventures.
This time, though, there's a bittersweet twist. My parents aren’t standing at the finish line, eagerly waiting to give us a congratulatory hug or ask if I had a wedding dress. I can’t help but wonder if, on that Saturday evening cruising the Colorado River, they saw this moment coming. Or maybe they were just busy trying to figure out how to get me married before he changed his mind. Either way, I like to think they’re looking down from above, probably with a smile, proud of the life we’ve built and maybe a little amused at how many times we get lost in national parks.
With a touch of sadness, we return home to the reality of laundry mountains, post-trip messes, and the urgent need for a nap. Because, let’s be honest, how do you nap when the world is waiting outside your door, ready for you to take one footstep after another into more adventures? It’s like being a kid in a candy store, only the candy is breathtaking scenery and the store is a never-ending trail of awe-inspiring sights.
But don’t worry, the adventure doesn’t end here. Soon enough, we will start planning the next big trip. There will be more hiking, more exploring, and definitely more questionable snack choices along the way. For now, though, it’s just us, the laundry, and the visions of that next adventure waiting just beyond the horizon in my dreams.
“Hiking and Happiness Go Hand in Hand or Foot in Boot”
~ Diane Spicer
Worn out companions went in the hotel dumpster.
Total Miles Hiked = 40.4