Our Ratings: Overall: Exploring the Southwest is great. These 3 canyons are close enough to visit together. Activities: Awesome! Biggest hole in the US lives up to its storied reputation. Challenge: Doing all 3 canyons in a week is tough work, but a great time. Hiking with a full backpack in waist-deep water as well as up the Grand Canyon in 90 degree temps is tough. Food: Stay away from Utah “fry sauce”…I don’t know what the hell it is. Lodging: A few small cabins were good in out-of-the-way towns. We mostly stayed in our tent. Fun: GREAT fun. Scenic hiking, up-to-your-hips in water, and beautiful scenery. Current WX: Flagstaff, AZ As of: 9/5/10 3:56 PM MST 78°F Wind:SW at 22 Visibility:Unlimited Sunrise:6:02 AM Sunset:6:48 PM UV Index: Low Our Trips:

Did we tell you that we saw the gold medal winning CARL LEWIS on our flight out to Las Vegas? He's still really fit. At any rate, we flew into VEGAS and drove up to Zion to start our week-long adventure in the southwest. We really wanted to go to Wyoming and Colorado, but they ended up getting snow a few days before, and given the choice, I'd rather not freeze to death.

Our first task was the 'super strenuous' Angels'Landing, which is the top of the big rock behind Amy. The brochure said that you shouldn't attempt it if you are afraid of heights...

The first friend that we came across was a 3 ft. snake named Albert. After our initial reaction of "Shit... Shit... Shit!!" we took a quick picture and moved on.

This was a nice section of switch backs, which is Indian for 'pain in the butt'.

Then we came across the steep 'afraid of heights' area. Using cables to help you keep your balance, we climbed up the ridge seen here. The arrow is pointing out two people on their way down.

Awesome views of the Zion canyon.

Working our way up the crazy ridge, you can see the trail behind bob, and the sheer drop-offs awaiting one false step!

Close-up of Bob and the 2000' drop.

On the way down, Amy ran so fast that Bob couldn't keep up. He did manage to take a picture of her though.

Amy raises her hands in a victory celebration.

Up Next: THE NARROWS