EmDub Under Canvas

Did you miss me? It’s been a hot minute but I’m BACK AT IT AGAIN with another glorious itinerary on EmDubWorldwide. And I must say. I have absolutely outdone myself with this one. But beware. This itinerary will make you overdraft your PTO hours, ship your dog to doggy daycare and throw your besties in your suitcase. Saddle up cowgirls, we’re going ~G L A M P I N G~ with the baddest in the game, Under Canvas.

High Class Canyoneering in Zion National Park

This itinerary gave me a run for my money. A very typical emdub trip consists of spontaneity, a broad idea of where to go and what to do made with with plenty of room for winging it and being pleasantly surprised. I’ve landed across the country with no rental car or hotel booked and just a little money to spend. It’s the thrill for me, letting every surprise along the way be the best one yet. So the fact that I was in charge of actually planning a trip for eleven people was unknown territory. Turning their doll hairs and PTO hours into the best trip of their entire life sat a little heavier than lightly on my shoulders, but have no fear. I outdid myself with this one. But are we surprised? As always, enjoy the blog. xx

Day 1 Travel Day

In May of 2021, ten of my favorite people on earth and I trekked to sin city - Las Vegas baby. We flew direct CLT to LAS via American Airlines, grabbed a taco and a marg and got the hello out of the city ASAP. The drive to Under Canvas Zion from LAS is about three hours, but we made a day out of it. The majority of the drive is through Valley of Fire State Park. We set out to find the wave rock. We trialed a few trails and became a little delirious on lack of hydration and heat exhaustion, but somehow stumbled upon the waves in the middle of what looked like another planet.

Travel Tip #1: Objects on maps out west are farther apart than they appear. Pack a cooler of water. It actually crossed my mind that we were going to die of dehydration in the desert when the one store along the way was closed.

After a long day of road tripping, minimal GPS service and nothing lighting the desert roads but the moon and stars, we finally made it to Under Canvas late at night. I’m pretty sure my family and friends accompanying me on this trip had feelings of regret for signing up for an already exhausting “vacation.” No rest for the wicked!

The stars shine a little brighter out here

Day 2 The Narrows

As always, my one request when traveling is to have one big adventure, one splurge or some great activity. For us, it was everyone hiking The Narrows together - an absolute bucket lister! This four hour hike through the ice blue water inside the canyon walls is truly a Zion special. Our entire crew - my parents, brother and his girlfriend, and my college roommates and their families waded up and down the Virgin River. Some parts of the trail are ankle deep while others are waist deep. We took our time hiking and still managed to have a few floundering falls into the river. Sink or swim baby.

Gear can all be rented from Zion Outfitters at the entrance of the park, including dry pants, canyoneering water boots, and hiking sticks. I recommend taking the early shuttle and hiking before the lunch crowd arrives. Flash floods do occur so check the National Parks app for weather updates. Turn around don’t drown.

It’s the Adidas water hiking boots for me

It’s Called Glamping Duh

It’s true, I love all things parks and hiking and wilderness. But one thing is for certain, I am no fan of camping. After a day in the wild, this boujee cowgirl NEEDS good wine and a charcuterie board with a view. But let me tell you, the best and the only way to do Zion National Park is to stay at Under Canvas Zion where the views are immaculate and the food is delectable. The tents are fully loaded with comfortable beds, a full bathroom, and the best front porch to stargaze from.

Nothing brought me more joy than happy hour and a sunset dinner at camp every evening with our entire crew. There is no better place to share bottles of wine and charcuterie boards while holding hands and singing kumbaya.

Extraordinary glampers. Mediocre canyoneers. Cowboy hats required. *As always, OOTD brought to you by Stetson, 12th Tribe, and Lucchese. Sponsor me please — Extraordinary glampers. Mediocre canyoneers. Cowboy hats required.
*As always, OOTD brought to you by **Stetson**, **12th Tribe, and** **Lucchese. Sponsor me please**

Day 3 Angels Landing

If you google Angels Landing, the second search option to show is “angels landing deaths.” It’s one of the most dangerous hikes in the US. Thirteen people have died on this hike since 2000. All deaths and warnings aside, nine of the eleven crew members said challenge accepted and hiked the entire mountain. I'm not going to lie to you, it was a very risky hike. The last half of the hike up is single file with only a metal chain to hold. I white knuckled the chain like my life depended on it. One false move and you were off the skinny edge dead. Now that we have hiked it, checked it off our bucket list and probably won’t do it again, I can say I am so so proud of my friends and family that did it with me. It is absolutely the most rewarding hike I have ever completed. It means even more to have done it with my favorite people on earth. Everyone needs a fearless leader Miranda and an Ally for unsensored commentary.

Day 4 Lake Mead + Hoover Dam

What better way to end the trip with a bang for putting up with my exhausting itinerary than to spend a day on Lake Mead boating around the Hoover Dam! 10/10 recommend renting a pontoon for the day from Lake Mead Marina. We spent the last day of the trip exploring the lake and the Hoover Dam up close and personal, then explored the dam by foot.

Lake Mead is located right outside of Las Vegas. We spent the night in a town called Boulder City, known as the town that built the Hoover Dam. The dinner options and night life were popping in the quaint little town. It’s the perfect place to unwind after a week of adventure.

Day 5 Travel Day

LAS -> CLT direct

Random tips and tricks that I most likely learned the hard way:

We are in a major rental car shortage currently. Book early and expect to pay $$$
The entire country is flocking to the National Parks. Blame covid. Try avoiding the crowds by going in late spring/early summer or early fall.
Start your hikes early to avoid crowds
Hydrate hydrate hydrate days before and after your trip
Take a 35mm disposable camera or two and pass them around for the week. It’s so fun to get the photos back from being developed.

Disclaimer: As always, this itinerary is only meant for the adventure seeking hooligans. Cowgirl up! God Bless America and God Bless our National Parks!

xx emdub

A behind the scene look ft crowded parks and complications