Exploring the New State

If you know me, you know that we take advantage of our geographical upheavals by exploring the new territories. Today was no different. We drove up Provo Canyon for a little hike at Bridal Veil Falls.

The weather was forecasted to be horrendous, but when there was still no sign of lightning at 1pm, we were on our way.

The trail leading to the falls was nice. Plenty wide, paved, and with a white line running down the center.

The first 40-50 feet had a bit of an incline and a curve, but then straightened out and had only the slightest slope. A sign was posted near the start of the trail instructing us to share the trail, as it was being used by people on foot, on skates, and on bikes.

I spotted a guy on roller skates (not blades) just after the sign. He was really pumping his legs, trying to gain speed as he descended down the hill, coming right at us. Even when it became apparent that he was approaching a family of four (us), he didn't slow down, nor did he move off to his side of the white line. I shot him dirty looks, and attemped to shout something rude to him, but herded my family off to safety on the side of the trail instead.

I turned around to see him, me still flustered by his disregard to our safety, and saw that he was still trying to gain speed on his way down the trail. Knowing that there was a curve in the trail, I blurted out "he's going to biff". Not only did he biff, but he slammed in to the embankment, after making fruitless attempt to stop his out of control body.

I stood there, wondering if I should run help or if I should dial 911. He jumped to his feet, and was on his way, too far away for me to see if he was bloodied or otherwise wounded.

We continued on our hike. At first feeling bad for the jerk, but quickly turned sympathy to laughing at the idiot. David swears that he wouldn't have offered CPR had it been a need, that the guy deserved to crash. Our kids were too kind to laugh, and maybe a bit bewildered by the whole event. But David and I laughed back and forth for several minutes at the skater's expense, as if we were 9 and 7, instead of Maddie and Isaac.

As our hike progressed, Isaac's mood got worse and worse. The kid was down right ornery and I wished that we had left him in the car.

Still eeking out a smile for mom here. But...

And even...

I tried to be light-hearted, but my patience dwindled and I've been a crab ever since. He's now happily playing with his Star Wars guys at the kitchen table after sleeping it off in the car ride home. Thanks for letting me blow off a little steam here in the blog.

We enjoyed the scenery offered on our hike near Bridal Veil Falls, and I should note that there are Bridal Veil Falls in other states we've lived in/visited: California, Montana, South Dakota and now Utah.

Being in the Provo Canyon caused me to have a bit of anxiety. On March 5, 1990 my uncle Karl was killed in a car accident just a mile from where we visited today. Not having been in the area since, I had a hard time shrugging off that feeling that I can only describe as weird and uneasy. I plan to return, and expect that each time I do, it will be easier and easier. I hope to eventually look to that area for fun and recreation, and have happy memories for skater-less hikes.