new traditions

lately, i've felt a need to be outside. a need to see and experience beautiful, natural places. luckily, i have a little brother that feels the same way.

sunday morning, john and i woke early, dawned our camelpacks, and snuck out of our mom's house leaving four sleeping children in our wake. we headed south to the timpanogos caves. we stepped eagerly onto the steep 1-1/2 mile trail and made our slow way up the 1,160 foot elevation change to the mouth of the cave. the views from the trail were only trumped by the beauty of the cave's formations. they were spectacular enough to make me instantly forget the grueling trek up.

on the way down the mountainside, john and i decided that we had stumbled upon a new tradition- every time i come to town, we plan to spend time hiking utah together. despite my pleas, my older sister refused to take part in such a hot/dirty/sweaty tradition. luckily, she has no objections to delicious mexican food, which the three of us enjoyed together after the hike (we should make that a tradition too!).