CLIMBING ZION IN HONOR OF UNCLE JOE

 Hello All,

After the Grand Canyon, I made my way north up to Zion National Park.  It was unlike anything else I have ever seen on the planet.  I was in love from the moment I arrived and never wanted to leave.  I'll let the pictures do the talking.

Yesterday, while in the park, I received word that my Uncle Joe passed away.  Joe was one of a kind.  Life threw A LOT at him and he never backed down from any of it.  When I was a boy, I was always amazed at Joe's physical strength.  He'd give hugs that were lung crushers.  But they were filled with nothing but love.  He was also obsessed with WWF wrestling and the Dallas Cowboys, but that's another story...

After 50 some odd years of taking on Down Syndrome and multiple bouts with cancer LIKE A CHAMP, Joe's time came.

This morning I hiked/climbed what is thought to be one of the most difficult spots in the world: Angels Landing.  Fueled with some pretty awesome memories of Joe, I was able to push myself another notch and accomplish a dream of mine.  Thanks Uncle Joe!!

We will miss you Uncle Joe

The journey continues...

Mark/Chops

The Future Is No Place To Place Your Better Days


Additional motivation for me continues to be my dear friend Patrick Anderson and the ever inspiring Pat Downes and Jess Kensky.  Some of the all time greats.  Thank you!

IF I CAN'T FIND A WIFE HERE, I AM IN REAL TROUBLE.

DAMN THAT'S A BIG DAM!  GLEN CANYON DAM IN ROUTE TO ZION NATIONAL PARK FROM GRAND CANYON

ARRIVED TO THE MOTHERLAND OF NATIONAL PARKS!

THE DRIVE INTO ZION NATIONAL PARK - SOUTHERN UTAH

CLEMSON PRIDE 

COLD WATER

TRACKING... 

RIVERBED RUNNING THROUGH THE CANYONS

PLAYING IN THE CLOUDS

KARA, YOU COULD TOUCH THE CLOUDS!

EXPLORING THE RIVERBED

THE NORTH FACE CATALOG COVER?

THIS WATER CARVED THAT CANYON!

BILL LARZ'S ANIMAL FINDING SCHOOL IS REALLY PAYING OFF!  

SAT HERE FOR AN HOUR

CLIFFHANGING TO FIND THE HIDDEN CANYON.  DON'T LIKE HEIGHTS? NOT THE TRAIL FOR YOU! 

MORE CLIFFHANGING!

NO LADDERS IN THE MOUNTAINS.  MUST IMPROVISE!

FOUND IT!

THE RIVER RUNS THROUGH ZION

THIS IS WHAT I CAME HERE TO DO! SOME LISTS HAVE IT AS THE BEST HIKE IN THE WORLD!

HAD TO CLIMB THE LAST MILE TO THE SUMMIT ON ALL FOURS WITH THE HELP OF THE CHAINS! 1000+ FOOT DROP ON BOTH SIDES!

VICTORY!!!

VICTORY IS SOOO MUCH SWEETER WHEN IT CAN BE SHARED.  THANK YOU TO MY GERMAN FRIENDS I MET ON THE TRAIL.  BROTHERS MORITZ AND PHILIP.  TWO CLASSY GUYS AND FRIENDS FOR LIFE.  GREAT GREAT GREAT TEAMWORK GETTING TO THE TOP. PROUD OF YOU GUYS!

WAS IT WORTH IT?? NO QUESTION ABOUT IT!!

THE SUMMIT OF ANGELS LANDING, 5,785!! - ZION NATIONAL PARK
THANK YOU FOR GIVING ME THE COURAGE UNCLE JOE, PATRICK, AND PAT&JESS!

WORLD RENOWNED ANGELS LANDING!  PICTURE DOESN'T DO IT JUSTICE 

AMERICA!!!!!..... NOW I HAVE TO GET DOWN....

ENGRAVED IN THE TRAILHEAD!

YUP, CLIMBED TO THE TOP OF THAT!

ON THE DRIVE OUT OF ZION NATIONAL PARK. SOUTHERN UTAH

SOMEONE IS GOING TO HAVE TO EXPLAIN TO ME HOW THIS IS ACTUALLY POSSIBLE

TAKING ON THE WILD WEST

Hello All,

After dropping into southern Arizona last week, I began to make my way north from Tucson up through Arizona and into Utah.  This part of the country is one of the very few spots I had yet to see.  I rented a Vespa and hit the road.  OK no Vespa...

Highlights down here were thus far have been getting to catch up with the newlyweds Patrick and Yvette to watch our Clemson Tigers beat USC!  About time!  Also, crazy how the world works, but I was truly fortunate to catch up with a young lady who is on the short list for nicest people in all the world, Ms. Katie Mearn.  Katie sent me off for my journey with a care package that made me think she robbed the local Whole Foods.  This anti-scurvy kit was filled with more fresh produce than I had seen in months.  Thanks so much Katie! 

After getting stabbed by a few too many cacti needles in southern Arizona and quickly losing all my golf balls while attempting to play desert golf, I continued on north.  

I'm 1,000 miles in at this point and the sites have been incredible.  I have knocked out Sedona, where the colors of the landscape just blew my mind.  From there, I continued on to the Grand Canyon where I spent a few days as the guest of Mr. Brian Welsh.  Brian is a friend of mine from the disaster response world and he is currently running the show for the Grand Canyon Fire Department.  Thanks for your hospitality man.  It was great to see you!

While resting a few thousand feet below the rim at the Grand Canyon, I could have thought I was the last person standing on planet earth.  (off season in the national parks out here are leaving me with the place to myself!)   

It was a few hours into my trek the other day when I came across an overlook that blew my mind.  As I sat there to take it all in, all of a sudden memories of my pal Patrick who passed away this past summer, began to hit me.  Gosh, he would love this place I thought.  I could just picture him running up and down the Grand Canyon without breaking a sweat.  Meanwhile, I was sweating trying to unscrew my water bottle.  Additionally, I had to stop to catch my breathe about 400 times while climbing out of this spectacular hole in the earth.  Anyways, I had a good cry and had a few good smiles remembering the old days with the Clemson Crew gang.  Gone but not forgotten Patrick Anderson.  Thanks for keeping an eye on me brother.

The journey continues north...

Mark/Chops

The Future Is No Place To Place Your Better Days

CRUNCHING THE NUMBERS TO SEE IF I CAN HANG GLIDE TO THE OTHER SIDE... NOT THE SPOT FOR YOU IF YOU DON'T LIKE HEIGHTS!  NO RAILINGS!

RAN INTO DR. PATRICK RYAN IN PHOENIX. 

HIKING THE SANTA CATALINA MOUNTAINS IN TUCSON, AZ. LOOK, THE MOON IS OUT!

DODGING CACTI LIKE IT'S MY JOB

DISCOVERED A NEW SPECIES OF CACTI

PLAYED A LITTLE DESERT GOLF

THIS GUY ISN'T AFRAID OF HEIGHTS

SUMMIT OF MOUNT LEMMON HIGH ABOVE TUCSON

JUST UNDER 10,000 FEET ON TOP OF MOUNT LEMMON

WHO KNEW I OWNED A COLLARED SHIRT!?

SEDONA, AZ

CLIFFS OF SEDONA, ARIZONA

THE BEST SITE I SAW IN ALL OF ARIZONA! MS. KATIE MEARN!

SO I AM BEING DRIVEN OUT TO THE DESERT IN THE BACK OF A TRUCK (DON'T ASK...) AND THIS IS WHAT I SAW... THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE THE END FOR ME.

ANTELOPE CANYON - PAGE, ARIZONA

SOME LADY ASKED ME IF I THOUGHT THIS LOOKED LIKE GEORGE WASHINGTON.   THE ONLY THING I THOUGHT WAS THAT SHE WAS ON DRUGS

A FEW RAYS DROPPING IN FROM THE SKY INTO THE CANYON

AFTER ATTENDING BILL LARZELERE'S SCHOOL OF FINDING ANIMALS IN THE WILD (COLORADO CAMPUS), I SEEM TO HAVE NO PROBLEM FINDING THEM.  ELK IN GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK

SEE LAST CAPTION - DEER

PATRICK ANDERSON, I WILL NEVER FORGET YOU.  STAYED HERE FOR A FEW HOURS AND WORKED MY MIND THROUGH MANY GOOD MEMORIES.

TRAIL MARKERS BELOW THE SOUTH RIM OF THE GRAND CANYON

THIS GUY'S PICTURES ARE BETTER THAN MINE

GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK AT ITS BEST

GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK

ONE OF THE FEW RAILINGS IN THE PARK.  

QUICK TRIP TO BOSTON

Hello All,

It is certainly not often enough that I get back to Boston these days.  However I was fortunate enough to be there for Thanksgiving last week and had a great time catching up with some family and friends!  After the holiday, I made my way out west.  I have been wanting to check out many of the national parks out here and I thought now was as good a time as any to do so.  So far they have not disappointed.  Stay tuned as the adventure is under way in Arizona and Utah!

Disclaimer: None of the babies pictured in this blog are mine.

Enjoy the holidays and I hope to see you soon!

Mark/Chops

The Future Is No Place To Place Your Better Days

HAILING FROM AREA 51, THE MCGILVERY FAMILY

POST THANKSGIVING DINNER WITH THE SIBLINGS

CASSIE!!  OH AND I GUESS JOHN TOO.

CASSIE AND CARA!!  SUCH A FUN VISIT TO SEE THESE LADIES

YARD WORK IN A NOR'EASTER WITH THE OLD MAN

TOOK IN A THANKSGIVING DAY GAME WITH DAD. COLD!

STOPPED IN AT BOSTON COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL.  OF COURSE I SAW THE LEGEND JEFF TOTO.  GOOD SEEING YOU BROTHER AND KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK!

MY FAVORITE SISTER IN LAW AND THE MOST FAMOUS GAL IN SOUTHIIE!

BOSTON!

DAN THE MAN

SOME OF MY BEST MATES IN ALL THE WORLD!  PARTNERS IN CRIME FROM MY SUIT AND TIE DAYS.  INCREDIBLE REUNION WITH PAULY, MARC, AND STEVE!

AUNTIE AND UNCLE PLUS THE AMAZING SHEILA!  INCREDIBLE JOB COOKING SHEILA!  THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

I DON'T KNOW WHO THE OWNER OF THIS BABY IS.... KIDDING DAN MCINNES JR.  I THINK I GOT AN F AT FEEDING..