4/5 - 4/6 A walk in the Park

My big brother came back.

He is honestly the most generous, kind, compassionate, punny, best, biggest brother in the whole entire world. 

Almost 9 years apart, he and I are still connected in a way so different than my sis, but still so strong.

He brought a massive tin of popcorn that lasted...maybe 24 hours....🤤

He is so damn adventurous and an AMAZING planner of all the things. He has given me the most amazing opportunities that I literally NEVER could have dreamed of, or afforded on my own. 

September 2021

You want to go hiking where you can fall off and die with one wrong step?
 (Angels Landing in Zion, check it out!)

Umm...sure.

*Side note, I was terrified of heights. I did NOT look forward or up the entire time - I literally looked at my feet, taking one step ahead of the other...even when we reached the summit, I sat down, not going near the edge.

"Are you going to look?"

"No, we have to make it back, I don't want to see what we just did or I might not make it back through."

On the way back, however, I was coming off the chains bolted into the rock for assistance so people who looked likely as terrified as I initially did could hold on for dear life.

You want to walk through a valley (The Narrows) for 12 miles where there could be flash flooding, and we will be in water at times up to our necks?  Ok...yeah. 

Ok that was gorgeous and SO MUCH fun. Even when LITERALLY my shoes fell apart and they were held together with my hair tie before the sole just fell off. 

So much adventure.
We rode E-bikes (BEST decision).
We relaxed, we hiked, we ate, we enjoyed the quiet and freedom of nature.
So many laughs, fun, and so much quality time. 

Another one...October 2022

"Sis, I want to hike the Grand Canyon, Rim to Rim."

Mhmm...and who is going to do that with you...? I already knew the answer. 

It was me. 

I was going to hike the Grand Canyon. And no, people, I, other than our Zion hikes, was not a hiker. 

What an AMAZING adventure he planned. We rented a jeep because we thought that would be fun - we both now effectively severely dislike jeeps, although we totally know how to break into one.

"Sis, don't lock the doors, the keys are in the jeep."

While actively locking said doors, "What?" ......oops 🤣

We hiked around the Grand Canyon the day before, got some supplies, and prepared our outfits and packs. 

The next day we were up at the crack of dawn to make sure we could get caffeine in to poop before hiking because ewwe, even though we had poop bags (yup like human poop bags) ain't nobody got time for that while you are trying to cross the Grand Canyon in a day dammit!

(And no, although we do twin at times, we did NOT intentionally try and match - but how cute were we?!)

We hiked in at dark and out at dark.

We hiked approximately 24 miles in one day.

7 mile descent. My legs were RUBBER from the eccentric control DOWN. 

7 miles across. 

7 mile ascent. Yes, I did think he was going to have to leave me for dead by the last mile or so 😆 

It took us longer than he had planned. Your welcome. Some of us hiked more in one day than our entire lives. Some of us (not me) are endurance athletes, and this was a walk in the park. 

HA! Literally, a walk in the PARK..get it?!

We endured weather changes that were not planned - hello rain and a washed-out path that we had to cross running water to continue on... that's another great story, but we'd be here all day if I re-told all the daring adventures we completed in one day!

Finally, we made it. I may have been in shock and likely dealing with some rhabdomylesis - literally, we think I was - but I am here to tell the story today, ain't I? 

Yes, we bought matching long-sleeve tees, socks, and short sleeve tees to commemorate this awesome accomplishment...because why not?!

I may not have been able to walk for DAYS after, but would I do it again? YUP! 

August 2023
Family, and by family, I mean FAMILY vacation to Banff, fully planned by Derek, with options for the active and then less active members.

Master planner with options for everyone for every day!

19 Family members with one cooking!

Alhough this trip wasn't just us, there was an awesome hike planned that we got to do together...with my brother-in-law, my nephews, and my brother's friend (an aside to this, my brother had thrown in a 50th surprise birthday for my sister-in-law here in Banff and had invited all her closest friends, some who had already arrived and were hiding out/lying low until the day of the party!!!).

The first epic hike of this trip was to Mount Temple where we had to hike on an open face sandwich, as I like to call it - like straight up the side of the mountain - through skree - without a clear path - traveling up, up, up. 

Here is what All Trails had to say:

"Generally considered a highly challenging route, it should only be attempted by experienced adventurers."

I guess after hiking the Grand Canyon, I was...experienced? 

We had many other awesome adventures on this trip - Lake Louise, hiking to the Tea House, and continuing on to the BeeHive...all because of Derek.

We LOVED Banff, all of us, and we all can't wait to go back! 

This weekend, we of course were unable to go on an epic hike per se, but we went out for a walk/adventure with Leonard and Logan. 

Leonard ended up swimming in the creek in 40-degree weather because, well, he is OBSESSED with water and Logan got him too close and....SPLASH!

Gavin found a video of someone making crayons so he requested to use our Eagles molds to make crayons.

Wait until you see what this turned into!

Derek was able to accompany us and take pics (he is also a photographer) of Logan at his soccer game (they won and he scored!) as well as at his 7 v 7 football game (he got a touchdown!). 

All in all, it was a great weekend.
It held its challenges as it typically does when we have extra bodies in our space, but Derek took it all in stride and helped diffuse as able. 

I'm sure he was happy to get back to the quiet of his day-to-day after 24+hrs at the Mariotti household 🙃

But I was happy to have his love and support and would take added chaos any day for more time and memories. 

Love ya bro.