photo by Spengy

There are many beautiful trails to hike in Zion National Park in Utah, but if you're looking for some thrill to add to the beauty, try hiking Angels Landing.

Angels Landing is arguably Zion's most famous hiking trail. Though only a half mile in distance one way, it's a half mile sure to get your blood pumping.

Children are not recommended on this trail because it rises into the sky on a narrow sandstone fin with dizzying drop-offs of 1,200 and 800 feet on either side. Chains are embedded into the rock face to assist you in your climb, but make no mistake: this is a harrowing scramble and one slip of the foot may be your last.

Your reward for overcoming your fear of heights is the summit of this exposed rock. The view over the park is spectacular, amplified by the satisfaction of being part of a select group of hikers to have braved Zion's most famous trail. Enjoy your lunch, the view, and feeding a friendly squirrel or two, then summon your nerve for what many say is the more unnerving climb down.

photo by podchef

Roses and other flowers have long been used for aesthetic and aromatherapy purposes but they can also make beautiful and tasty additions to meals. Roses were used in cooking by the Romans, who then spread its use throughout much of the Middle East where it can be found in recipes from Iran, Turkey, India and other nearby countries. Roses impart a delicate taste accentuated by a lovely fragrance and is a visual treat. Be sure to use rose petals that have not been sprayed with pesticides!

Rosewater is used in many recipes, in particular deserts where a subtle sweetness is desired. Simply pouring boiling water over a pot of roses and allowing the pot to sit in the refrigerator overnight produces delicious, fragrant water that may be substituted for many liquids in your recipe. One of its best known uses is in Greek baklava.

Rose butter can be made like any other compound butter by mixing the clean petals with softened butter and refrigerating until the flavors meld. Spread on white bread and arrange clean petals on top for pretty tea sandwiches.

Rose jam requires only water, sugar, a little lemon juice, honey, and rose petals, boiled and then poured into sterilized jars.

Dried roses may be stirred into batters or used as a topping in salads or on pastries.

Make a rose simple syrup: an infusion of roses, sugar, and water, heated until the sugar dissolves and then cooled. Great for topping ice cream, or adding to soda water for a refreshing rose cooler.