We’re new to the Life Learners but Oh-My-Goodness, where would I be without them? Anywho, they do a yearly camping trip which I initially adamantly declined. I. Don’t. Do. Camping. We use to do a family camping trip that was always so uncomfortable and so much work. But the idea of spending a weekend with such inspirational families was too great a pull. I did learn camping is much more enjoyable when it’s only a 48 hour jaunt.

I’ve also learned that my organizational skills have gone waaaaay downhill. In all the stress of this past year, I’ve been in a de-stress zone. I just don’t care enough to plan ahead right now. Ironically enough when I was so stressed out, I wanted to plan but couldn’t think straight enough to do so. It seems I can’t win.

On with the story: Zion National Monument is the camping tradition for the Life Learners. It dawned on me as we pulled through the gate that the last day Z, Justin and I were in Zion was the day my dad passed away in April. We had taken the Angel’s Landing trail (the one with Walter’s Wiggles) that very day.

Unknowingly this was the same trail my dad and I took (with the rest of the family) the last time we went together as a family. I was barely a toddler then and don’t remember it at all.

But I remember being on the Scenic Drive this past April and we had decided to take another trail when I suddenly said “We’re getting off here. I want to do Angel’s Landing.” I wonder now if that was Dad. I wonder too if he came into my thoughts up on the mountain. I honestly don’t remember.

I’m glad to have been in such great company as to not wallow in sadness all weekend. Have I mentioned how great it is to be in the presence of the Life Learners?

Here and here and here are the rest of the pics. I’d upload them onto the blog but after 3 hours of struggling with Blogger and Photobucket, I give up. Suffice to say it was a great weekend, with great conversation and lots of laughs. I’m glad we ventured out into the wild and am looking forward to next years trip.