The Black Arch Adventure

It's no secret that I love hiking in Red Rock country. Specifically Arches National Park.
Because ARCHES!!!
Like. Seriously, I'm obsessed with them.
And I love the energy of the red rocks so. Like...I get totally hyper there and it's an amazing feeling! I can just hike and hike for hours upon hours and it's amazing!! 

I really wish I could go down there more than once or twice a year.
Seriously, if I could afford it I'd be down like every other weekend lol. 

In any case.
This past weekend I was able to go to my favorite place on Earth for a mini getaway from Happy Valley. 

And while I wanted to hike my favorite trails.
I also had another goal in mind.

A goal to see a specific arch up close.

An arch that I'd only seen from a view point like...my entire life.

Which arch is this?

It's called Black Arch.

And my entire life growing up, I've only ever seen it from the view point.

As you see, Black Arch is located in the Devil's Garden area of the Park.
Along the Landscape Arch/ Double O Arch hike. 

And you can only see it, from the top of a fin in a very specific location.
Looking down into the valley below. 

And what does it look like?
A black shadow on the red rock wall.

Like...that's seriously what it looks like, Honestly, if you weren't told it was an arch, you wouldn't think it's an arch. 

In any case.

The Double O arch trail can be completed as a Up and Down thing....or you can make it into a loop.
As there is a primitive trail option that takes you down into the valley and around it, and then up the other side. It's primitive because it's a lot of sand and a bit of scrambling over rocks and such.

But oh so pretty!

And for years now, I've wondered how to find Black Arch from that primitive trail. 

Because it had to be possible.
We would be on the same level from it.
Not on top of the sandstone fins/cliffs looking down to it.

And I had a general idea from a handy dandy googlemap I found.
That listed a bunch of arches within the park and showed their locations.

So I knew that it was just up a valley.
I could see the primitive trail and follow it. 
So I knew that the arch was there somewhere.

But the last time I went to Arches and went Arch crazy....
We decided to skip that particular adventure to find it.

This time however.
That was the main goal.
We would hike the primitive loop and find Black Arch!!

And...interestingly enough when I clicked on the map link again.
To refresh my memory on Black Arches location.
The map had been updated.

To now show the path of the Primitive Trail and label it as such. 
Which allowed me to see more clearly how the path moves.
And where Black Arch was in relation to that trail.

So when we got to that part of the path.
It would be easy to know we were at that part.
And go venture off into the wilderness to find it.

But you know what the crazy thing is about Black Arch?

I've walked that trail like a hundred times. (okay a bit of  exaggeration, but it's ALOT) 

And when we finally found Black Arch. 

IT WAS SO CLOSE THE ENTIRE TIME!!

Like.
LITERALLY
You come to a section of the trail where you Turn Right. 
AND IF YOU TURN LEFT
and wander around ONE FIN

THE ARCH IS RIGHT THERE!!!

AHHHHHH!!!!!!

All these years and we've literally Walked. Right. By. It!!!

Seriously.
All these years and we could stare straight at the arch from the primitive trail and NOT REALIZE IT.

-Mostly because you can't see the arch itself from the trail, but you can see the rock fin it's located in, and when the lighting is just right, see the shadows cast. 

BUT IT WAS RIGHT THERE.
IT WAS SOOOO CLOSEEEEEE

SO VERY CLOSE

AND ONLY NOW WE FOUND IT.

AHHHHH!!!!!!

Seriously guys.
It's crazy.
So crazy how an arch can be there almost literally in plain sight.
And until you see it, been to it, know it's location. 
You are completely blind to it being there!!

There are soooo many arches like that in the park.
Arches where you won't know they're there unless you walk by at the right time of day when the light is shining just right to bring out the arch from the surrounding landscape and highlight it.

Agh.
It was Right. There.

And can I say that Black Arch is amazing up close?
It has such a good feel to it.
And it's located in such a spot where you can walk on both sides of the arch.

If you go behind the arch, you end up in a little shady green gully below the arch, where the walls are black. (hence it's name) 
And in front of the arch, well you can walk right underneath it and bask in the sunlight and the valley right in front of the arch was SOOOO PRETTY!

Like Guys.
This arch is now a top favorite arch.
It's soo amazing.
And I'm so happy I found it!!

I can't wait to go back and visit it again sometime soon. ^^;; 

Until you next read these words;
I'll be watching the leaves.
Enjoy the day!

-Sarnic Dirchi

Less Crowded

So this past weekend I went down to my favorite Red Rock country to finally take in some red rock energy and hike my feet off. lol. 

And it was great!!!
For being a supposedly 'busy weekend' Arches National Park actually wasn't that crazy for the most part. It was definitely less crowded than I expected it to be. Because well...it was UEA weekend. Things always go crazy on long weekends.

But I think that the fact that there were a couple other events happening at the same time in the area helped to lessen the crowds.

Which was great.
Because me, I don't like crowds.

I prefer hiking in mostly silence (I admit I have my moments of being chatty), and enjoy listening to the nature around me.

And that's really hard to do if you have a pair of gabbygabbies walking right behind you or right in front of you talking the entire time. It kinda just leaves me...semi-stressed out. Because did I want to hear your conversation? No. No I did not. I want to hear the nature. 

It's also really stressful when you get those sort of people that just kinda...zing you the wrong way. Their energy just...feels wrong and you don't want to be near them.

Or those people who never want to leave your side....like you keep yo-yoing with them.

Which we'd stop to let the people behind us pass and get their energy away from us...only for them to stop a little ways further on...which would mean we'd pass them again and have to either keep walking faster to get away from them (which often meant they would walk faster too) or else we'd have to stop and wait for them to pass us. (sooo frustrating.) 

So the fact that we barely encountered it this past weekend...
Was simply amazing. 

I loved the feel of leaving the 'cacophony' behind. 
It often happened that we'd have to walk through the 'buzzing bees' in the easier parts of the hike, but when we turned to different more difficult trails...the silence was almost instantaneous. 
It was great. ^^ 

So happy that I made it down there this year. ^^ So. Very. Happy. 

Until you next see these words;
I'll be watching the leaves.
Enjoy the day!

-Sarnic Dirchi

Reading

Yuri, a Russian Latter-day Saint, sacrificed and saved to take a long trip to the temple.
On the train he noticed a beautiful woman with a bright countenance, and he felt that he should share the gospel with her.
Not knowing what else to do, he began reading from his Book of Mormon, hoping she might notice. 

Yuri didn't realize that the woman, Mariya, was already a Latter-day Saint.
Not knowing that Yuri too was a member, and following a prompting she had to share the gospel with him, Mariya began reading in her Book of Mormon as well, hoping that he might notice.

Well, w hen they simultaneously looked up, Yuri and Mariya were astonished to see the Book of Mormon in each other's hands--and yes, after falling in love, they were sealed in the temple. 
Today, Yuri and Mariya Kutepov of Voronezh, Russia, as eternal companions, contribute significantly to the growth of the Church in Russia

-Randall K. Bennett -Your Next Step -October 2015 General Conference

Until you next read these words;
I'll be watching the leaves.
Enjoy the day!

-Sarnic Dirchi

Author Note: I'm heading out of town this weekend, so posting may not happen. 

Holed Up

I've been holed up in my room for the past three days.

Why?

Because I've been writing.

And it's been awesome!!! :D lol 

Having the time and the energy and the focus to actually just get a story out?

It's been more than thrilling lol. 

Because more often than not, when I get home from work...I'm both physically and mentally exhausted.

And it gets rather difficult to pull up enough focus to well...think.

Because writing takes ALOT of thinking.

A lot of rephrases, editing, additions, etc.

Especially because the stories in your head never end up quite the same on paper.

Scenes you thought would be quick and easy...end up taking up four chapters.

Ideas on how a scene will go get tossed out as a character takes things in a totally different direction.

Then of course, there's the worry of how the scene is reading, is there enough detail, are the characters acting in character, do I even need this part?

It's sooo time consuming lol.

I can spend like an entire day on a single chapter.

*shrugs* Mostly because my writing speed is currently at like one page in an hour....if I'm lucky lol. 

(I'll get faster the more I do this. *fingers crossed*) 

Still. 

The feeling of accomplishment.

When I get to the end of the chapter.

When I get the story to an end point in general.

Is so thrilling.

Exhilarating. 

I'm so grateful I have this week off of work.

Because writing like this.

Ah. 

It's been a struggle.

But it's been the best thing ever!!

Until you next see these words;

I'll be watching the leaves.

Enjoy the day!

-Sarnic Dirchi

A Speedy Catchup

So a couple of Christmases ago. 
A friend of mine gave me an awesome gift.
In a Flash themed jacket.
Which is a black jacket with the flash logo on it lol.
It's one of my favorite articles of clothing to wear.
And because it's finally getting cool enough again.
I've been wearing it around. 

And Sunday night, when I had to go be social and bring treats to Ward Prayer.
I decided to wear my Flash Jacket.
Not thinking anything of it really.

But surprisingly, I had like three different guys ask me, while I was there, if that was a Flash Jacket and if I watched the show The Flash.

Which....
I've watched it. And loved it.
But due to becoming obsessed with Detective Conan around this same time of year last year...I had dropped watching the Flash a handful of episodes into the third season.
That didn't mean I was completely clueless to what had happened later in the season. lol. Social Media does to tend to spoil things if you're not careful.
Which I wasn't. It was a good way to get the highlights of the episode without me having to sit down and watch it.
So I was totally aware of major events that happened throughout the season.
And even into this season.
As the first episode of season 4 of the Flash aired last week.
So I already had some glimpses into what had happened even though I hadn't seen the episode itself.

Which meant that....even though I hadn't seen the episode.
I was able to throw in my two bits into the conversation.
And was prepared to not think anything more on it.

Until it was suggested that perhaps we should get together each week to watch the Flash. :S

That...wasn't good.
As I hadn't seen most of season 3.

So I begged off on the idea of meeting up this week. (tonight) 
And basically as soon as I got home from the ward prayer activity, I got onto Netflix and started watching Season 3.
Because by golly. If these guys were going to be talking to me about the Flash from here on out.
I better know what's been happening!

lol. So I spent the rest of that night and basically all day yesterday bingewatching Season 3.
And caught up!
Woot!

*sighs* 
Honestly guys.
Why did I stop watching that show?
It was soooo good!!
I loved it. It was such a...fun thing to do. To just invest myself into the world of superheroes. 

Really. I missed that show.
I hope that I'll be able to keep up with it this season. Because seriously. I love the Flash. 

Until you next read these words;
I'll be watching the leaves.
Enjoy the day!

-Sarnic Dirchi

October 2016 General Conference -Priesthood Session

Jeffrey R. Holland -Emissaries to the Church

• What matters is that you love your people. 

LeGrand R. Curtis Jr. -There Is Power in the Book

• There is a power in the book which will begin to flow into your lives the moment you begin a serious study of the book. You will find greater power to resist temptation. You will find the power to avoid deception.You will find the power to stay on the strait and narrow path. 
• The greatest power of the Book of Mormon is its impact in bringing us closer to Jesus Christ. 

Dieter F. Uchtdorf -Learn from Alma and Amulek

• Deep down, many want to serve their God. They want to be an instrument in His hands. They want to thrust in their sickle and strive with their might to prepare the earth for the return of our Savior. They want to build His Church. But they are reluctant to begin. Often they wait to be asked. 
• Reach out to them. Teach the. Inspire them.

Henry B. Eyring -That He May Become Strong Also

• Have the power and the courage to go anywhere in service for the Lord. 

Thomas S. Monson -Principles and Promises

• May we care for our bodies and our minds by observing the principles set forth in the Word of Wisdom

Until you next see these words:

I'll be watching the leaves.

Enjoy the day!

-Sarnic Dirchi

Picking Up the Slack

I've probably said it before.
And I'll probably say it again.
But I don't like group work.
I prefer to work with myself because I know what I can and can't do. 
Working in groups....it means that you have to rely on others, depend on others to get their part done.
And many times...it doesn't work out. Things fall apart, things don't happen. 

So being on a committee.....
Yah, not my favorite thing.
I don't like meetings, I don't like planning. I don't like the dithering that happens as the group tries to decide on a point of focus. 

In any case.
During the committee meeting, we were talking about doing this birthday celebratory thing.
Where we'd meet up once each month and celebrate people's birthdays in the ward. 

Which, truth be told...wasn't quite fond of this idea.
Because people move in and out of the neighborhood all the time. It's nearly impossible to keep track of who is still in the ward and who's left. 
Plus...there are already other groups that are already doing birthday celebratory shoutout thingies.
So adding one more to the mix...not so much what I wanted to do.

Still, the group wanted to do it.
Wanted to try and do a birthday get together thingy. 

So the idea was once a month to hold a celebration. A party. Bring treats to a location. 

Tonight was one of those days. 
Where we were to team up with our Ward Prayer group and bring the treats to it, so that people with birthdays in October would come to ward prayer and then celebrate the birthday thing.

I'd talked with that committee (since I used to be on it.) Agreed on a date. And two of my committee volunteered to make the treats. 

So Friday. 
I texted my group. 
To make sure we were still on for treats and such.

Unsurprisingly....
The people who volunteered to bring/make treats...suddenly couldn't make it.
Which meant. I was asked to pick up the slack. Grab the treats.

lol. They wanted me to bake a cake.
....Yah, Never made a cake myself. No way I was doing that.
I just dropped by the store after work and grabbed some cookies and cupcakes. 
*shakes head*

That was exactly why I had texted the group a couple of days ago.
To give myself time to come up with another plan if it wasn't going to work out.
Instead of finding out last second and having to scramble for a viable fall back.

Yay me for thinking ahead. 
As I was able to drop by the store after work and grab some treats -cookies and cupcakes- 

And bring them to the thing tonight. 

Which in of itself has its own stress.
I don't like social situations when I don't know what to prepare for. 
Ward Prayer could have four people or it could have forty.
It could last 15 minutes or two hours.

The unknown variables are stressful to me.
So being put in charge of bringing treats to it.
Definitely stressful. 
*exhales*

Thankfully. 
I always think it's going to be worse than it usually is.
So tonight went off well.
Not a ton of people.
Not a lot of stress. 
Actually talked to people without it being awkward. So yay for positive social interaction.
Maybe it will convince me to come out and go to these ward things more often. ;) lol. Maybe. 

At least the treats got eaten. 
I talked to people.
Not a big deal.

*exhales* Yay for that stressor being less stressful. 
Yay for positive situations. ^^;; 

Until you next read these words;
I'll be watching the leaves.
Enjoy the day!

-Sarnic Dirchi