Kayaking Horseshoe Bend

We had the best Weekend Kayaking Horseshoe bend.  We also went with some of our favorite people which made it even better.  We left our house around 8:00.  We had a 2 hour drive ahead of us but we also gained an hour.  So we had to be there by 9:30 to check in and get our kayaks loaded.  We arrived right on time and got everything loaded and Tyler our boat guide took us through horseshoe bend and dropped us outside of the petroglyphes.  The kayak ride is 10 miles and they said it could take anywhere from 4-8 hours.  He said most likely 6 or 7.  We Started out hiking up to the petroglyphs and seeing all the drawings from so long ago on the wall of the mountain.  After the hike we headed out on the river.  Lisa and Devin had a double kayak.  Quin and Dani also had a double.  Steph and I  took singles, and Dean took a paddleboard.  The mountains were so big when you were right up next to them in your little kayaks.  The water was like glass and you could see to the bottom.  It wasn't to hot or too cold with zero wind.  We couldn't have asked for a better day.  I'm not sure exactly when my bathroom issue hit me, maybe mile 4?, but they were all stopping to cliff jump and I  yelled back I  had to just paddle.  I  had to find a bathroom.  I  know are guide told us there were some along the way so I  just kept paddling trying to find one.  I had to go with the "Rizz" so I  didn't feel I  could just jump in the water and call it good.  I  was hauling.  I  couldn't find a bathroom and I  was getting sick.  I  finally past all the people around and just ended up having to go in the water.  (fun times).  Around the next bend I  saw a pull of for the water hole hike or something like that.  I  ask everyone where the bathrooms were and they said across the other side. sure enough I  saw them a little too late.  I  would say about 5 minutes later Steph pulled up and then the rest of the crew started coming.  They were like where did you go.  I  told them my story.  They all wanted to pull off and eat earlier but couldn't find me so we ate at this pull off which worked great.  We were killing it on the time.  We got in the water around 11 and it was 1:15 when we pulled off for lunch and our guide said if we made it to this hike you only had like 3 miles left.  We ate our lunches and headed up to do the little mile and a half hike to give our arms a rest from the paddling.  It was good to get out and stretch our legs.  Dean was regretting his choice of a paddle board with how fast we were all going and his blisters.  He also didn't care for the boats going up and down the river and leaving waves for him to navigate as well.  After the hike we all got back in and started paddling and saw wild horses eating in the river.  We grabbed  pictures of that and saw another group the further we got to the end.  We finished around 3:00 or sooner.  We were only on the river maybe 2 1/2  hours.  We hauled which we weren't trying to do but there was no current so if you wanted to get anywhere you had to paddle.  I would say the last 2 miles were pretty hard for me.  I  was sick and dehydrated, but once we got out and I  got water in me I  was good for the drive home. We had so much fun and loved the views from down in the river looking up from horseshoe bend. (We left the boys home with Addison and they had a blast hanging out for the day with their sister).  

Shaylee Mission 9/9-9/15 2025

This week Shaylee did not get out an email so I will try to remember all that we talked about on the phone call that p-day.  Shaylee said it was a rough week.  They got a few referrals only to realize they would have to hand them off to another set of missionaries because they were just out of their mission area.  They were pretty bummed about that because there was a lady who seemed so eager to learn about the gospel and then to just hand her off to the Elders was tough.  They had a few of their friends ghost them for the week as well so they decided to go to a flower farm on their p-day and pick flower bouquets to take around to their friends in the area.  They were gorgeous flowers and it looked like a fun activity to do.  Shaylee said they were able to give most of the bouquets away and it felt good to see some of their friends.  Shaylee also had to go grab a Canada Sweatshirt for p-days because its getting a little chilly in the mornings and evenings and she only had like one hoodie she brought for p-days.  They also were judges for the chili cook off in their ward.  She said it was hard to decided and the chili's all tasted the same after awhile. lol.  They had fun though and the winner ended up being the same winner from last year.  They also had a ward campout and so they were able to go from the evening and play some games with the members and eat dinner.  She said they had AX throwing and she nailed it.  They also had services this week and had to help with a bike race happening.  They were in charge of making sure cars weren't in the race area while there were bikers.  They took turns holding the stop sign and the slow sign.  funny thing though the way they set up their chairs or something throw off the riders so when the leaders came through they went the wrong way and they had to find someone to get in the car and chase them down to turn around.  Shaylee said they were not in charge of making sure the bikers went the right way but they felt bad the leaders got lost and so they made sure everyone knew where to turn and didn't get lost.  They also had transfers that week and the Trio stayed together for another transfer,  This is Sis. Ballards third transfer there and Sis Hinds second and Shaylees second.  Shaylee does enjoy the area.  She wishes it was bigger area, but she absolutely loves the ward and their house they live in.  She is doing well and loves teaching and learning more about the gospel of Jesus Christ.  She is a great example to all of us and we love her so much.