More Adventures in Southern Utah

We're back from another exciting weekend! I'm loving how much we're making the most of this summer so far. We took off Thursday right after work with Ross for Bryce Canyon and camped - you guessed it - in the middle of nowhere just outside the park. There was a full moon that night, so we almost didn't even need flashlights or the firelight to see as we set up camp at 10pm. We all sat by the fire, alone in the wilderness, enjoying the night air and the moonlight, then Ross took out his guitar to play and it was the most serene experience I can remember in a long time. (Sorry you can't see him in this video. The moonlight didn't transfer.)

We spent the next morning and afternoon hiking and exploring Bryce Canyon National Park. Definitely the most amazing views to date.

Then we took an incredible scenic route through the Dixie National Forest down to St. George to stay with my grandparents again. (No pictures with them, sadly. Aren't I terrible?) We got cleaned up and went to see "The Little Mermaid" at the Tuacahn Amphitheater. I had been wanting to see it since I first heard that it was opening on Broadway more than 4 years ago. It was a bit different than what I was expecting since they do change the story around a bit, but it was visually outstanding and the new songs were gorgeous. This is just a taste from the original Broadway cast...

And "Her Voice", by far the most amazing song yet, including the original score:

Well done, Alan Menken.

Since Tuacahn is an outdoor theatre, they actually had a rainfall curtain that introduced scenes under the sea and they flooded the stage for the merpeople to skate around in. That and an incredible storm at sea and fireworks during the finale. I told you it was cool.

The next morning we drove out to spend part of the day at Zion National Park with my Grandpa and Anna, Ross' girlfriend. It's a pity we had only a few hours there, since we barely scratched the surface. We didn't even make it to the Narrows or Angel's Landing like we were hoping, we would have had to stay several days to do that, but we got a few short hikes in and took some awesome pictures.

 Then in the afternoon the Grandparents treated us to some of the BEST BBQ I have ever had in my life. If you're ever in St. George, you must stop at Troy's BBQ. It looks like a hole in the wall, but seriously, I'm just waiting for Guy Fieri from Triple D to show up and make them famous. Later, Sam and I took a sunset drive around St. George exploring the town and commenting on how much nicer it is than Provo.  :)

After going to church with my Grandparents - conveniently on Father's Day after spending Mother's Day there the last time we came - we we left a warm, sunny town to cold and rain the rest of the drive up. Makes me wonder why we ever leave.

Our next trip: the beach!