Last day of this adventure. We are riding along an old cattle trail leading off the mountain and into Teweep Valley and taking a long fast and fabolous last canter through the valley of Toroweep Point having an over look of the Grand Canyon. To sum it up: Through these 6 hour stretches of riding per day, I am so increadible grateful to my body and all the support it has been giving me. Not soar for a bit, no nothing physically, just happy ready for more. In everyday life back home I sometimes beat myself up for not being in the shape I want to be in - the breathing, yogic postures, kundalini cardio and mental training is a part of my daily schedule but the 1 hour run and weighs are SO often prioritized away. Today I feel forever grateful and in LOVE with this healthy, happy and holy body of mine that can carry me through the canyons, over the mountains and along the streams for about 90 miles being balanced, in peace and so relaxed. During these days I have been tackling the coldness during the nights and in the morning. Being a Swede I should be totally fine! Seems like the last 7 years living in Costa Rica & Texas for sure has changed me!
Today we are riding along the Zion formation through deep sand and sagebrush surrounded by white cliffs. Passing through Elephant Cove and finally camping in a stand of ponderosa pines which is like an oasis at the base of an extinct volcano known as Mt. Trumbell. I am happy happy happy! By this time of the journey I have not showered for 4 days - LOVE those american super cleansing towels though - BUT SO need a real shower! Today we will be continuing our riding through the forest to the top of Mt. Logan where we can see over a hundred miles in every direction. This is the place said to be "a place where you can look one day into the future and 5 days into the past".Today we will be riding up onto Bryce Plateau for a canter through meadows and ponderosa pines. The trail continues to climb through aspen and fir forest to elevations of 9500 ft. We later will be riding along the Zion formation through deep sand and sagebrush surrounded by white cliffs. Passing through Elephant Cove. Camping in a stand of ponderosa pines which is like an oasis at the base of an extinct volcano known as Mt. Trumbell. We are following Willis Creek toward Bryce Canon. An amazing experience riding through the canyon when it is only 6-10 feet wide. The old rangers trail winds through stands of piñon pine and juniper, the sent is overwhelming and 100% magical! After a long day in the saddle we set up camp on a small meadow with the pink cliffs of Bryce Canyon in the background. I am so loving this! Ps. Did you know that its very difficult to achieve optimal breathing through the mouth? Use your nose as much as possible when you breathe in and out!Being dropped off at the Pariah River Canyon after 2 hours in a minivan. Tonight we are camping at an old movie set where old westerns was filmed. When I passed Mr. Bowinkle in the trailer we connected right away - thats the horse! Later on it showed that Mr. Bowinle apparently is a full on runner haha! - no wonders. My racing buddy Ray, soon to be 75 year tells me "either you make dust, or you eat dust" - I like him already. Tomorrow we be riding through Red Rock Canyon and exploring where the the early pioneers wrote their names on the cliff. I am so ready! After the first run with Seriously Crazy Ray I realize I for sure will eat some dust the coming 7 days..... Love this guy! Packing to get ready for this adventurous trek through norhern Arizona and Southern Utah. Exited but a little scared too to be perfectly honest. This will be a physical, emotional and mental challenge on all levels as we be in the saddle 6-7 hours a day, then sleeping under the stars. We will ride along three of southwests most amazing geological formations: The pink and orange hoods of Bryce Canyon, the red and buff labyrinth of Zion Canyon and the multi colored depths of Grand Canyon. Soon we be setting off on our adventure riding through the Pariah River Canyon, part of the Escalante Grand Stair Case National Monument, to get to our first camp site! Wohoo! But before that a night in LAS VEGAS!
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