Bridal Veil Falls

 

Last week we went with some friends on a hike. We decided on Bridal Veil falls in Provo Canyon. I'd done this like four years ago when June and Hazel were little and I was pregnant with Rose. Buck was there too, but still, it was a short hike that was manageable. So I thought it would be fine, still knowing it was a bit of a steep trail. But yet it ended up quite treacherous there for a minute!

At the time it all happened really fast and I didn't even know what happened or how we got into such a bad spot! But looking back I see what happened. So the three oldest kids all took off before we could even say anything, so we started going after them trying to shout at them to stop and wait for us. I was at the very back with Johnny, who was obviously the slowest. We started on the right trail but then it goes off to either the left OR you can go straight and off the path, where instead you have to try and basically rock/dirt climb up a steep piece of mountain side. 

That's where the older kids went and so without thinking or paying attention we started to barrel up the steep side as well after them. Within minutes I was in a bad spot and realized my mistake! The older kids climbed their way up but Hazel and her friend were in tears, clinging to the dirt and bushes, Rose and her friend were braver but struggling and I was frozen, kneeling in the dirt and rocks, holding a scared little Johnny, unable to move for fear of sliding and falling down the mountain. My friend was there trying to help get kids up safely but Hazel and her friend were so scared and I couldn't help. 

 I decided to say a prayer and before I was even done some college guy and his girl friend came around the corner and asked if we needed help! YES! So he came down and helped Hazel up and then picked up Johnny, making it look easy, and got him up and then I climbed up alone. 

These few photos don't do it justice! Just imagine trying to rock climb up these loose rocks trying to drag a two year old safely with you! I also didn't get a photo of how far we would have fallen had we slipped! 

 

Hazel was so mad at me. "You know how much I hate heights!" Oops!

 

But we were safe! And now back on the real trail. We got to the waterfall and the kids did think it was cool and worth the wild adventure.

Once we went back down it was easy to see where we went wrong and we were safe on the trail this time. (And we made sure not to let the older kids go in the front!)

 

I'm so grateful that this could end up being some crazy story to tell and not a tragedy!  I'm grateful for an answered prayer, for kind strangers, good friends, and a good sense of humor when all is said and done. 😜