This Past month, Bret and Anders went to Zions National Park with the other young men (12-18) and their leaders and some dads. They were gone monday through saturday and had hikes scheduled each day and one day of repelling. Preparation for this "once in a lifetime" opportunity began before the start of the year. There were many, many meetings of leaders (Bret and others), repelling certifications, and get in shape hikes. The result = an amazing week of determination, courage, extending one's perception of what they were able to accomplish and friendship. Anders found a new love-repelling!!! My very thoughtful and cautious Anders felt fearless and exhilarated by the repelling. While others hyperventilated at the top of repels, Anders excitedly stepped up!!! These videos are so fun and I'm excited we have them. Bret too loved the repelling. Bret has spent months running and lifting weights, feeling quite prepared for the trip, but Anders who scoffed at the idea of having to physically prepare was "like a gazelle", Bret said. It's sad when we start to feel our age. Bret laughed at the thought that he would be doing this with the last three boys in his late 40's, early 50's. We had better start preparing now!!!
Pictures are Backwards
This is the Last Day
Thursday's Repel-Birch Hallow
Getting ready for his 1st repel
Looking down from the 1st repel.
YES those are people down there!
The 1st video is from this repel
The Barracks-16 mile day
(pictures are backwards so this is the end of the hike)
Tuesday's Hike-Orderville
They repel down this on thursday.
The 3rd video is of Bret looking back up at this rock during his repel.
The 4th video is of Anders doing the same.
Bret's not nervous in this video, he's in awe of the beauty and the power of the elements in creating these amazing structures. He kept trying to get the boys to look around them or look at particular effects the water and other elements have had on the rock over the years but they didn't seem to appreciate it as much as he did.
