Salome Jug – A Day with Dad

All Smiles Sydney

A Day with Dad

Our Sydney Jane is now five years old and has declared she is old enough for a full on daddy adventure. Not one to disappoint, especially when it comes to adventure, I have been on the lookout for an opportunity to take Sydney adventuring. We finally settled on Salome Jug. Salome is a beautiful canyon hike that you swim and slide through a rock sculpted landscape of pink granite. It is so picturesque that it is hard to keep from tripping over rocks because you are always looking around at the beauty of the place. To enjoy the trip you do have to pay your dues in the form of the two and a half mile approach trail. In the cooler months this trail is an easy walk, but in the summer with temperatures over a 110 degrees this shadeless path is a true lesson in perseverance.
So, off we went. Sydney(5), Kendall(8), and a family friend Jacob(9) to have a day of fun. Sydney did such a great job and was a real adventurer when we got to the waterfall rappel. She had no hesitation as I harnessed her in and she slid down the 25 foot crevasse. She loved swimming through the pools and thought the fish who nibbled on our fingers were quite cool. We had such a great time that it came to an end all too soon. Once we exited the canyon our true test began as we had to climb out of the canyon and hike the approach trail back to the car. It was a pretty grueling hike in the heat. All the kids were amazing as they trudged back. Whenever we found even a sliver of shade under a desert bush we would all pile under it to get a break from the heat. This is always fun considering I found a scorpion early on our hike in by flipping over the same rocks we would be resting on later that day. The adventure was more because we truly had to work to make it happen. Romans 5:3-5 says that “we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.” Sydney’s day with dad gave her a chance to suffer, persevere, and overcome, strengthening her character and giving her radiant smile a chance to shine, not to mention a great story to share back home.

Kendall On Rappel

Funhog Kids

Beautiful Salome

Super Duper!!!