That’s right, it’s like Independence Day but more conveniently wrapped for the masses. Since the 4th of July falls on a Sunday someone decided that the celebration should take place a day early. It’s a little confusing, but ill get by.
The real meat of this post is the trip JR and I took, which was a hike up timp to watch the fireworks from on high. We left sort of late but it ended up right, almost no gear we took the minimalist approach. Only the t-shirts on our back, a bedroll, some water and a last minute sandwich from Maverick we headed up the mountain in the Scion. For some reason we took the drive up Provo Canyon, the longest approach but eventually ended up on the Timpanooke road that skirts along the frontside of Timpanogos. It was really rough for the Scion, I have some regrets about taking it up there but we still made it far enough. At one point we were all but crawling across the rocks and decided it was too much so I ended up backing down a long section of the road in reverse, always fun, to let an oncoming truck pass. The truck ended up being some of JR’s friends from high school who later text’d him asking if we were insane or not. Anyway, we eventually parked the mighty Scion and walked the rest of the way.
It felt strange and uncomfortable having the old backpack strapped to my back again after so long, like an old habit forgotten trying to be mastered again it soon felt good as new as we walked up the road and then into the brushy trail. We were completely taken back by how green it was and how incredible our surroundings were. I suppose from the late rains, the earth around us was absolutely teeming with life. I had a difficult time walking because I was so busy looking around while we tried to keep our pace.
We picked a ridge to hit before dark, which was quite a ways a way, and headed out. The hike ended up being about six miles but well worth it. We soon found ourselves on a wind beaten ridge that over looked the valley below. Hiking the last bits under the close watch of the sunset we made camp and quickly found our sleeping bags as it was freezing. At almost nine thousand feet we hudled in our bags and watched the sun disappear, then the meager fire works until almost midnight.
Later on we were awakened by rain and decide to hike back out rather than stay but it was okay. Hiking through the valley at three am as sureal and proved to be a wonderful experience for the both of us. Also, we felt fortunate as we noticed the lights from the poor souls who had hiked the summit and were no doubt scrambling down in the rain and lighting further above.
I think all things considered that game could be counted as a win for South Africa and I hope it felt that way to the host nation. Why, because they are rad that’s why. 
