Kanarraville Hike

I'm lookin happy right now....

Since finding out we were pregnant, we haven't really told anyone yet. Allan and I decided it was a good idea for me to inform my Young Women presidency that I was expecting. I decided not to tell the girls though. Our thinking was that if I became sick, again, the leaders would understand why, and would be able to cover where I need them to. Shortly after I told them, and being about 6 weeks along, we had a hike come up that I really wanted to go on. Amy (our fearless leader, and Young Women's President) assured us it was a fairly easy hike, so it shouldn't be a problem. Plus, I had been walking 5-6 miles a day, 4 nights a week, so I was feeling pretty good about being able to do it, without any problems. So I decided to go. Allan, on the other hand, was not as confident in my decision to go. Of course, I still went. I guess, I felt like I had been out of control for so long, that I wanted to be able to push myself a little bit, or do things that I haven't been able to do for a while. I had finally been on top of things, and I wanted to do everything that came my way. I wanted to try.

Don't worry, we won't be going even half that speed

Driving up to Amy's mom's house, I was definitely nervous. I was scared I would push myself too much, and do something to hurt the baby. I said a little silent prayers, and immediately I felt at ease. As we walked into Amy's mom's house, she was so happy to to see everyone. I still giggle when I think about her running into her house, to go get the quilt I made for her, to show me that she still had it, and was using it proudly. Ugh, melted my heart. She is just the sweetest lady. It made me feel so good that a service, that I thought wasn't that big of a deal to do for her, and it wouldn't make a difference, actually did, and she loved it so much. I guess you never know, huh?

The ants go marching 2 by 2,  hurrah, hurrah!

We all did our potty break, and then we started off, walking down the road together, the Young Women and the Young Men, along with the leaders. We came up to the road, that went up this hill as far as you could see, and I, at that point, was wishing we couldn't parked up the hill. HAHA! I HATE hills. Especially those hills with the gradual inclines, that go on for days. I started going up, and up, and UP.......and you know what!? I didn't have to stop or slow down, I had a ton of energy. I was really happy that I had been doing all of that walking and eating better, so that I felt good at a part of the hike I thought would give me problems. The only issue I had was my hip and knee was starting to twinge a bit, but it was bareable and I kept trotting along.

View of Kanarraville.........well most of it. It's not that big, but it sure is cute.

Before I go any further, can I just say, I was NOT prepared for how interesting this stinkin hike would get. Most of the path for this hike is in the dang water, up to your knees. The other parts are through tall grass, and you see a lot of snakes......NOT A FAN.

I thought this tree stump resembled a toilet......so I Cassie took a picture. HA!

I was walking with one of the Laurel's, Cassie, the whole time, and we were both so proud of ourselves that we kept up near the front, with the boys. I guess that made us feel more manly. HA! There were a lot of parts where we needed help up, or across things, and they were sweet enough to help my big old butt along. As I looked back, though, I noticed, at a certain point of the hike, that no one was behind us anymore. Most everyone had stopped and decided not to continue. Yea, that was an ego stroke for me, because I was still rarring to go! HA! So we kept following them.

This was the shallowest part of the hike. The deepest part for my 6'0 butt was my waste

Near the end, there was a part of the hike, the rock slide, that everyone likes to slide down the rocks into the bottom, where the river/creek runs down (hence the name rock slide). I decided then, as we were passing it, I would not be doing that, and I would have to think of some way to get out of telling the girls why I couldn't go. Amy's son kept going further, so we decided we would also. We went in this canyon area, where the water was up to our hips, easily (and I'm 6'0 tall, so that's deep for everyone else!), and you had to climb up a HUGE rock to get to the other side. They helped me up, where I was successful, much to mine and everyone else's surprise. We continued on........Next up, a dead end. The water was too deep to get up anywhere, and we couldn't figure out how to get where we needed to be, so the bishop and the boys decided that's a good time to turn around. At that moment, I was slightly relieved. I was getting tired, and freakishly cold, and my hip was throbbing. So we decided to go back and meet everyone back at the rock slide area. I went back down the area of rock, where everyone was surprised that I got up without slipping. Yea........I fell down it and went straight into the water, all the way in. Ugh, it was so cold. I was happy knowing I wasn't the only one that did that. I couldn't catch my breath for about 2 minutes. It was so cold. We met at the rock slide with everyone else, and we watched the girls convince Amy to go down the rock slide, if they went. She kept her end of the bargain and did it. I was so proud of her.......especially because she was wearing a white shirt, and that could've been a little hairy, if you know what I mean. HA! But all was well.

The rock slide......see the small guy going down it?

Becky's trying to talk Amy into going down. The deal was, "If I go, you have to go."

Becky goes! YEA BECKY!!

Amy manned up and went down.

We started coming back down the hike, to get back to Amy's mom's house, and Cassie and I found ourselves ahead of everyone. Another ego stroke. HAHA! However, as we came down that hill, I was hitting my leg and hip so hard, just walking, it felt like it was coming out of my body. We got back to the house, and I went straight to my car, laid the seat back and sat......trying not to cry. It was killing me. I won't go into the details of that wimp moment.......because it was embarrassing and weak, but it was part of the hike, so I have to tell what happened. So there it is.

Hali, Ariel & Becky

Some of the kiddo's at the rock slide area

We started home and dropped everyone off. I came home, and I couldn't wait to tell Allan that I finished it, and I did awesome and kept up with the BOYS, and everything that I did. I was so proud of myself for doing it. I look back now, and it wasn't that hard of a hike, really. But there was a lot of height issues, and cold water trudging and all of those elements, that tend to make me squeamish, and I didn't give into the fear, and I did it! I just kept going. I think it helped me to know that I'm going to be scared in this pregnancy, but if I just keep going, and keep a positive attitude, as much as possible, then I can get through it, and be fine. I knew that it was all for good, and I would only get stronger from it, if I allow myself. 

So as silly as the hike was for everyone else, and as easy as it was for them......it was a big deal for me, and I couldn't have been more grateful for the experience. I'm really glad I went and allowed myself to just try, and not give up.