"Find something fun"

Denise and I are off to Zion Canyon National Park next week to spend a few days in what is probably my favorite place. We haven't been there in a few years, and I've missed it.

The last time we went, Sloan (our daughter) was all set to go with us as she often does, but this time I asked Max (our middle son), if he might want to tag along. I fully expected him to say no, but his answer was "only if you can find something fun to do".

It wasn't enough that we would be at Zion, Bryce, and Grand Canyons. Not enough just to be in what many consider the most scenic part of the west. He had to have "something fun" to keep him busy.

Sloan & Max

What did I do? I made a call to an adventure guide in the little town of Springdale next to Zion and set us up with a full day trip of canyoneering. I had no clue what "canyoneering" meant, but as soon as we got to the outfitter's store and were issued full body harnesses and helmets, I knew we were in for an adventure.

We drove up into the nearby mountains and canyons in an old beat up Suburban until it couldn't go any further, got out and hiked what seemed like what was straight up the mountain for a couple of hours more, and then started our adventure down.

 The guide threw a rope over the edge of the first of many canyon faces and we repelled over them. From 50 foot drops to some that were well over 125 foot, some even into ice cold water that you had to unhook from your ropes and swim out of, we slowly worked out way through some of the most scenic canyons I had ever seen.

Here I was, a fat-and-fifty pretend adventurer doing something I never would have thought I could have done. I'm not sure what scared me more. Me hanging from a rope dangling into space or seeing my kids do it. All I know is that without Max and his sense of wonderment and daring, I would have been totally happy driving in the car looking out the window, with the occasional short hike, trying to catch what I could of the park around me.

Now I try to get out into the park more. I try to get that feeling again. I try to do what he said instead of just being the tourist. I try to walk into the woods with the beavers and the bears. I try to climb up into the arch. I try to pretend I can do more than I can, and I'm often disappointed with the final reasoning of what I can't.

But there's one thing he taught me.

I try to "find something fun".

Me over the edge