Surf .n Turf (Dakine 2009)
. Arches NP, Utah
. Canyonlands NP, Utah
. Capitol Reef NP, Utah
. Calf Creek Falls, Utah
. Bryce Canyon NP, Utah
. Zion NP, Utah

. Camp Surf, San Diego, CA

. Grand Canyon NP, Arizona



Surf n Turf was a two week trip, the trip I was most looking forward too, and one of the best trips offered by Camp Chief Ouray. Our campers arrived, 12 strong, six girls and six guys. We realized the great dynamics after our first long ride, 6 hours in a 14 passenger airport shuttle/van, went surprisingly smooth.

Our first stop, Arches National Park, located on the south eastern side of Utah. The temperature soared into the 90's, as we drove through the park in awe of the red rock arches, spires, and rocks that were mysteriously balancing on small pieces of sandstone. Most of the National Park can be viewed from the car which was nice since we only had a couple hours to enjoy the park before sunset.

The following morning we didn't waste any time and were immediately back on the road heading to our next destination, Capitol Reef National Park. As we made our way down the road, a sign reading "Canyonlands National Park 33miles" was enough to spark a spontaneous trip to Canyonlands, where we were all amazed at the mile deep canyons and huge crater holes. After a quick trip through Canyonlands we hit the road westward, toward Capitol Reef National Park. Capitol Reef is a hidden gem. There is no entry fee which indicates its low usage. Once we set up our campsite we treked up a trail into the bottom of a canyon that had several slot canyons branching from its core. The rocks were smoothed from the years of erosion on the brittle sandstone, perfect for climbing. We all managed to find little crack and crevasses that fit our skill level and personal preference. It was like we were in a giant jungle gym for adults only.


After a few days in the desert climate of southern Utah, we were all relieved that our next stop's main purpose was to swim off all of our accumulated grime, grease, and mostly body odor. Calf Creek Falls, is located in public BLM land, a three mile hike to the 150ft. waterfall was all but worth the hike in the hellish heat. The water was cool and refreshing. A beautiful creek ran from the pool the waterfall emptied into, with a nice sandy bottom, the guys and I decided to see if we could catch some fish. We found many spots on the stream that were abundant with decent sized fish. We used all tactics in our creativity sacks, from approaching at all angles to ambushing the hot spots. As I stood downstream a camper entered from upstream scaring a nice sized fish my way, with a random dive of my left (non dominant) hand into the cloudiness below, I touched the fish! To my surprise, I shrieked, the kids laughed!

Following our swimming hole adventure we decided to make the trip to Bryce Canyon National Park, a top spot in America to view the night sky. We made it in time to set up camp and head to the telescopes. Huge extremely expensive pieces of what looked like miniature cannons that shoot midgets at carnivals, littered a dark parking lot. With an overcast sky we were unable to see too much but got to see some impressive star clusters and Saturn. The following morning a couple of us managed to wake before the sun and watch it rise above the infamous Hoodoo cathedral.

Zion National Park was next on the list. Our campsite resembled a beautiful beach, minus the water, very sandy. Zion is one of what I believe to be the most dynamic and beautiful National Parks. The first day we hiked to a small pool of water fed by water coming from a huge wall of rock. The pool was in a beautiful place that had huge thousand foot cliffs shading it on three sides. After jumping in the chilly water and rinsing off the grime I decided I had my fill of swimming and decided to scramble to the wall of rock, barefooted. I climbed to the wall with no real problems. Once I had a chance to look down and see the pool of water I saw another camper attempting the same route. I decided it would be best if he didn't come to where I was so I was moving to a less technical area, easier to get to. Since the slope was steep and my feet were bare I was using my hand,along a small ridge, to support me. As I scrambled I blindly placed my right hand on the edge, as I was eyeing my next foot placement, just before my hand touched the ground, I heard a violently shaking rattling noise. I immediately pulled my hand back and looked to where I was placing my hand, just in time to see the tail end of a scared rattlesnake, slithering away with its rattle high in the air shaking vigorously. My heart started pounding out of my chest as I yelled to the group before, most likely in a high pitched shriek, I almost just touched a RATTLESNAKE!!
We had our minds set on a popular day hike, Angel's Landing. 2miles and 1500ft. elevation gain. The final half mile of the hike is a scramble straight up rocks so sketchy that they decided to attach cables to the rock face to aid as handrails. Many of the campers were very weary about this hike, but once we hit the trail no one looked back. All of the campers including the one terrified of heights and the terribly weak hiker, all made it to the summit, and we all enjoyed the view.

Completing the Angel's landing hike at noon placed our next drive in the heat of the day. With everyone exhausted and hot, we decided ice cream to be the perfect treat of accomplishment. We continued on our route which we decided to drive half of the eight hours to San Diego, to split up the drive, placing us just south of Death Valley in Mojave National Preserve: a desert! The kids spotted a huge rock formation in the distance and the guys shot off the dominate the structure while the girls wanted to run to the top of a nearby hilltop. I joined the girls on their jog and decided it would be best to accompany the guys on a rather technical scramble to the top of the rock structure. I decided to take an indirect route to the structure. I was attempting to run up a extremely steep hillside when I became to tired to continue running, slowing down I was able to hear the beautiful call of two red tail hawks. I stopped and listened, as I continued to climb, the hawks circled above me, roughly 20 feet. Not sure if they were hoping me to be their next meal, or just showing off their intricately beautiful under feathers, I was indifferent and happy to be in their presence. After flying with the hawks I continued to meet up with guys who ended up being in a little over their heads, so I helped them find an easier less technical assent to their climb. Once we were off the giant boulders we started our jog back to the campsite to meet up for dinner before the sun fell below the horizon. As I was pacing out, I was just about to land my left foot step, when I instinctively looked down, and had to bolt out of the way, barely missing, rattlesnake numero dos of my trip! Now, I am terrified of snakes, but I have been working on it, so I stopped and starred at the beautiful snake as the campers attempted to get a picture of it before i retreated back into its dungeon.


Finally arriving at Camp Surf, we were able to set up camp directly on the beach of the Pacific Ocean. Each of us exhausted we were happy to not have to cook our own meal or do our own dishes. We all slept well that night to the sound of waves crashing 50ft. from the tents. The following days were filled with lots of ocean activity. We started with surfing, which is a crazy shoulder workout and will tire even the strongest swimmer. Day one was rough but we were able to catch some small waves and get the surfing basics under our feet, not an easy task. We were also able to enjoy boogie boarding which is less physically demanding but still extremely tiring. Days two and three were the best for surfing. We all got progressively better as the days went by but also our muscles were aching from the beating the ocean gives with ease. I was very proud to be able to ride some very decent waves, the biggest at about 5-8 feet, which was exhilarating. Muscularly speaking the time at camp surf was a perfect length, but it was too short of a time once I discovered a new love. (surfing that is)

Camp Chief Ouray and San Diego, CA, are approximately 20 hours of driving in distance, s we decided to add a couple hours in the grand scheme of things, but beak up the driving by stopping at the Grand Canyon. It was my co-counselor's, Allison (a fellow Michigander)'s birthday the following morning when we mistakenly woke at 3:45am, forgetting about the time change, to view the sunrise. We waited it out and enjoyed our Cinnamon roll breakfast, until the sky started turning purple, orange, and red. We found a good overlook and stood in awe as the depths of the Grand Canyon were unveiled before our eyes, as the sun rose to its daily duty.

This trip was great! The kids spectacular! My co-counselor couldn't have been better! A great highlight to my summer job! A lot learned and taught, the campers left our Surf.n Turf family to return to their parents and go back to the daily grind, with a gem of knowledge, understanding, and maturity in their back pocket.


Book Recommendation: Born to Run

Unfortunately while I was gone I lost a former Sunburn teammate, and friend of mine: Kalgin Koch.
You will be missed!
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/adn/obituary.aspx?n=kalgin-koch&pid=130147043