How I Did This
The Planning
When you drive through Zion National Park, it is one of the most magical places on earth. And if you have the ability to walk through the Narrows, it’s definitely the cherry on top.
Yes — this guy, the guy with a chronic disease and two stents earlier this year, got to experience this extremely hot, dry, and wet wonderland for himself.
This story — this plan — is how I did it. Read along to learn how I planned for this trip. I’ll share what worked, and what I’d do differently.
What’s strange is, at the time, I wasn’t worried at all.
What Could Go Wrong
I’ve been an avid hiker and river rat my whole life. I’m the guy who slid down Gaully Falls on his own two feet, flipping into the pool at the bottom.
Yeah. Me.
These days I’m not doing flips, but I still enjoy getting my toes in the water. I knew what I was getting myself into.
Slippery rocks.
Things I might see — or not see — four feet deep.
What if I drop something?
My phone.
My glasses.
Everything had to be tied down. I couldn’t be chasing a hat downstream because I face-planted on a rock.
No hat in 100-degree heat isn’t annoying — it’s dangerous.
We were going to get wet. Really wet.
We were also going to ride bikes.
That meant thinking about chafing, clothes that dry fast, and shoes and socks that could get soaked and still work.
I didn’t want to be miserable all day — and then have to sit in a car for two and a half hours.
Saving Energy for the One Thing That Mattered
Then there was travel. Airports. Vegas. Long walks just to get food or use the bathroom.
I had to think about how much energy I was spending before we even got to Zion — because I needed it there, not in baggage claim or wandering hotel hallways.
The Unsexy Details (That Actually Matter)
This part isn’t exciting, but it mattered.
Flying into Vegas meant airports, rental cars, and a lot of walking before we ever made it to Zion. We split hotels, grabbed the car, and made a Walmart run for food and water — enough to get us through a couple of days on the road.
By the time I finally got to my hotel room, the bed felt earned.
The next morning didn’t go perfectly. We forgot the cooler, which meant extra stops, extra heat, and extra time before we ever reached the bike rental.
It wasn’t ideal — but we adapted and kept going.
Planning doesn’t mean everything goes right.
It just means you’re ready when it doesn’t.
Maybe I Should Have Been Worried — But I Wasn’t
I knew from the very first moment, I could do this.
I could go to Zion and ride a bike.
I could hike.
And I could walk down the river.
Maybe it was a little naive — yet it was nevertheless true.
I had spent years building up my brain.
Listening and reading anything positive I could get my hands on.
It was an attempt to fill my thoughts with nothing but positivity, hope, and strength.
It worked.
I was mentally strong.
I had done it.
Maybe I should have prepared myself better for what could be another setback?
But I didn’t.
I knew I could do it.
More to come later.
Up next:
I Wanna Go — Episode 3
