My First Trip

Near the end of my first trip, I finally had a few free hours to explore a bit in Zion. Every day I started at 5am (or before!) and was often busy until 9 or 10pm. As I get a bit more efficient in the kitchen, I will likely free up a few more hours in the middle of the day, but my first trip was mostly non-stop. Try to imagine throwing a dinner party for 30 people, keeping in mind different dietary restrictions and the likes/dislikes of picky kids, and after they've all gone home (their tents), you sleep a few hours and get up to cook them all breakfast. And then do that six days in a row. One day I was on my feet for 18 straight hours without sitting down! Despite the long hours, the trip was quite fun and even invigorating, especially considering where I got to place my kitchen each day.



On the penultimate day, the Camp Assistant Sarah and myself had some time to hike the "Narrows", a beautiful canyon with walls rising from both sides of the Virgin River. There isn't much of a trail, one just walks up the cold river, avoiding the few deep holes, or taking a dip in them. It is a truly beautiful gorge, I am hoping to return later in the summer do traverse the entire 16 mile hike from top to bottom.











Camp Assistant (and sous chef / cake decorator) Sarah, who helped me put the artistic touches on this carrot cake.