Adventurin' in the Rockies

Sorry if this is a long post, but I really needed to write it all out before I forgot things. :)

I got back to Logan, after my trip home, and worked for a week. After debating finances with myself, I decided to leave town for another week. (I just decided to ignore the money issue...I'll have to work on that now instead, oops.)

Last year, a group of friends and I went camping in Glacier National Park for a week. It was so much fun that we decided to make it an annual sort of thing. This year's trip was to the Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado.

Eight of us loaded up four cars and headed out of Logan on Sunday, a few weeks ago. Yes, all of the cars were all packed with junk...apparently we are not light campers. We stopped in Roosevelt for dinner at my friend's parents' home and kept driving. That first day we must have drove eight hours or so. My poor little car was having a hard time keeping up...its four little hamsters running in the engine were working overtime on some of the mountain roads. So, I was glad when we finally pulled in for the night at the Meadows Forest Service campground just outside of Steamboat Springs, Colorado. We had to set up camp in the dark, and we were up early again the next morning to drive the rest of the way to the park.

The second day of our trip finally found us in the Rockies, where we started by driving through the length of the park. The drive up Trail Ridge Road was pretty neat, seeing the mountains rising up on all sides. A LOT of the trees were red an dying, though. I guess they've had a pine beetle outbreak all over the mountain west this year. Trail Ridge Road is the highest continually paved road in the US, reaching an elevation of 12,183 feet. It was a very SLOW drive though. There were so many people in the park, and all of the road construction didn't help.

We set up camp on the east side of the park, in the Glacier Basin campground. By the time we finished getting tents up and car spots worked out, it was late in the afternoon. But, with my friends it is never too late for a hike! So, we hiked to Bierstadt Lake. It was only 3 miles or so, so no big deal...except that it decided to rain on us.

The next day in the park was a LONG one. We started that morning at the Bear Lake Trailhead. From there we hiked to Nymph Lake, Dream Lake, Emerald Lake, Lake Haiyaha, Mills Lake, and Alberta Falls. I think we decided that the loop totaled about 11 miles. If you ever do this hike, be sure to start towards Nymph Lake first...hiking steep sections going downhill is sooo much better than uphill.

It actually wasn't so bad, despite the heat and the worse sunburn that I've had all year. I say it wasn't so bad because we got to take a lot breaks. The boys stopped at EVERY single lake that we passed to go fishing, sometimes for what seemed like hours. I got to read a lot of my book, The Princess Bride....which is very entertaining, if you haven't read it yet.

On day four of our trip, we decided to drive up the Old Fall River Road, a one-way gravel road leading back to the west side of the park. Along the road we stopped at Chasm Falls.

We then drove to the North Inlet Trailhead and hiked up to Cascade Falls. It was a six mile hike or so, but not steep at all. It was nice to hike an easy trail, after all of the hiking we had done the day before.

I think that we were all tired and worn out from all of the hiking that we had been doing, so we headed back to camp that afternoon and just relaxed for the few hours before dark. I also have to mention how awesome my guy friends are. They brought all kinds of food for us and cooked us breakfast and dinner every day, dutchoven style. It was so good! This is why I go camping with them, lol. :)

The next day was Thursday, and I had planned on being in Idaho Falls that Friday night for a friend's wedding. So, Heather and I left the rest of the group, and started our drive home... after a warm shower in Estes Park! Yay! I then decided to drive up through Wyoming and see the pioneer sites, since Heather had never seen them before.

We stopped at Independence Rock, walked around Martin's Cove, saw Split Rock, and the Three Crossings area, which is where I have a great-great-great-great-grandfather buried. It's unfortunate that the crossings are on private property, but it was good experience just to see the area.

On Thursday night, we camped at The Sinks Canyon State Park in Wyoming. It's on the Southeastern end of the Wind Rivers, which I had heard was a gorgeous area. I'm pretty sure that Heather would have preferred to get a hotel at this point, but I have far too much of my Dad in me. So, we set up a tent in the dark, and I think we even skipped dinner. It was just such a long day of driving.

That morning we walked around the park to see the Sinks and the Rise of the Popo Agie River. This is where the river goes underground for about a fourth of a mile. It takes the water two hours to get to the rise, where the water emerges on the surface once more. It was pretty cool. I also decided to drive up the switchbacks to at least see some of the Wind Rivers, and Frye Lake, while we were in the area. I will have to come back sometime and explore the range more sometime.

We then drove up through the Tetons and into Idaho. After we had spent a few hours in Idaho Falls, we mutually decided that we just wanted to keep driving and end our trip a day early. So, two hours later, we were back in Logan. It was so nice to have a warm shower and sleep in my soft bed after that long week!

So, this was my week: 27 miles of hiking, 5 nights of camping, 8 awesome people, and 1400 miles of driving. I'm glad I went. A break from Logan, no computers, no phones, and no work. It was fabulous!! :)

Oh, if every day were such as these!

Yes, I am going to have to play just a little bit of catch up here...but, it's only a few weeks back so this shouldn't be too long of a post.

In the end of July, Kelsie came to Logan (I like to say that she came here just to see me) to go to her first EFY with our cousin Sierra. I think she enjoyed herself, but you'll have to ask her for more details about that.

But, when it came time to take Kelsie to the airport to fly home, I decided to go home, too. I really needed the break from Logan, to get out and be somewhere else. Mostly, I think that I was a little homesick, and I wanted to see my family. Being a thousand miles away is really, really hard sometimes.

So, I flew to Seattle with Kelsie, and I got to stay there for a little over a week. It was a fabulous. And, I have to note the perk of my job. I didn't even have to tell my boss I was leaving....I can work from anywhere.

While I was home, mostly I just relaxed and hung out with my family. It was just what I needed. We went on a little "hike" to a hill overlooking Forks.

Bryce, Mom, and I went out to Rialto beach, so that I could see my ocean. We ate some lunch at Three Rivers, which I always love. I was, however, a little disappointed that they had expanded their serving area to include a Twilight-themed nook. Oh well, such is Forks these days. I suppose I am going to have to get over my thorough dislike of Twilight and learn to put up with it.

The three of us also hiked out to Norwegian Memorial Beach the next day. This has always been one of my favorite beaches. It is kind of a local-only beach, as you have travel a maze of logging roads to get out there and then hike out through the forest. It was a great day to be on the beach, hardly any wind and the sun soon came out. It was a plus that we only saw a few other people. No overcrowding like at Rialto, Second Beach, and La Push these days.

I love the green forests and the tide pools of the coast.

We also climbed up over the headland rocks and got a fantastic view of the area.

 

While home, I also got to see the destruction that had run rampant in my backyard. Someone had decided that it was time to log there, and just in the little strip behind the house... Rude! Anyways, most of my childhood playground is still there, although it was sad to see that my animal cemetary had disappeared. No real worries, though... there is still a lot of gorgeous forest back there.

Importantly, I also got to see my cat. :-D

Now, I am awaiting Christmas when I go home to visit again.

Shall we play the dating game?

I think not... it's far too much of a pain in the butt. Lol. :)

Yes, I think that I may use this blog to write about some of my dating experiences as they come around... if I consider the situation interesting anyways. After all, besides work and play, it is my life right now... And, who knows, I may even get some advice from people with experience in this area. ;)

You may wonder why I all of a sudden decided to share....Well, I was talking with a friend a few days ago, and he told me that I was going to marry this other guy...one that he has never even met. And, I wondered where the heck this sudden inspiration came from. And, what gives him the qualification to determine my life's course? The guy in question, the one that I am supposed to marry apparently, is just a friend...a good friend...but just a friend nonetheless.

Plus, people are constantly asking if I happen to be dating "this" or "that" particular guy, all based on the fact that I sat by them at church or said "Hi" to them in the hall. Well, that just isn't the case.... It's okay to be friends with guys and not date them. Singles' Wards have a life and society all of their own. One which I find fascinating... maybe because I am still not used to how people think in Utah.

I DO go on dates. I've had multiple dates in just this past month. Mostly by well-meaning matrimonially-happy friends, who deem that is my turn to join in wedded bliss, setting me up on dates. Or, by friends in need of a wing man on a first date. Or, by nurses at the hospital who decide that I would be the ideal candidate for a daughter-in-law and send their son out to find me. Yes, that happened.

All I need to really say here is that dating is hard work! It can certainly be fun, and I've had many a good times on dates, but it's still hard. You never know what the other person is thinking. Plus, I firmly believe that dates should be a time to get to know someone...one date, or two or more, doesn't mean we're going to get married! But, I am sure that is why boys are too timid around here to actually ask girls out, on a REAL date, of their own free will, rather than it being forced on them by a busybody matchmaker. They are afraid we'll grab them and suck them in before they're ready. Well, that's just not my personality, as you all can attest. I move through the dating scene about as slow as a turtle in molasses.

There's my vent. Stay tuned... there will most likely be more. But, just so you know... I am young. Only 23. I'm happy with my life. I have good friends. I have no rush to hurry and get married. If it happens, hey, I wouldn't stop that development from occurring, but for now I'm just riding free and easy down the road... and I'm happy right where I am. :)

Besides, who needs boys when I can have cats. :-D

My Memorial weekend adventure

Sometimes I wonder how I let myself get talked into these things....and then I remember who my Dad is and how these sorts of adventures are pretty much mandatory in our family. He had been pestering me for weeks to get me to come climb Mount St. Helens with the family on Saturday. I finally gave in and committed the night before I had to leave, haha. And, even then, I think the only reason that I said yes was that my Mom and Kelsie were coming. I figured I could keep up with them. ;)

On Friday morning, I loaded my packed bags into my tiny little car and headed out. I first made a stop in Newton to pick up my second cousin and her uncle and then we set out on our 12 hour drive to Washington. I know that I could have done the drive on my own, but it is still nice to know that there's someone there to help if problems arise. So, I invited the two of them along. After my cousin Jared lamed out! and my cousin Alan couldn't come. :(

With only a 15 minute stop in Boise, ID for a quick lunch at KFC and a 5 minute fuel stop in Hermiston, OR we reached Woodland, WA. Here we found out that the troop from Forks hadn't even reached Aberdeen yet, so we found a nice sit-down resturant and relaxed for awhile....and by relaxed, I mean that I almost fell asleep on the table, lol.

We reached Cougar that night around nine, where we picked up our climbing permits and registered for the hike, with only minutes to spare before the resort closed for the night. We waited in the car, for at least another hour for Dad and the rest of them to show up. The constant rain had me a little leary that the next day would not be enjoyable. We did finally make it to Marble Mountain Sno-Park where, thankfully, us girls got to sleep in the trailer.

Saturday morning, the rain had slowed a little, but there was still a constant drizzle. Dad was sure it would stop but I had heard THAT one before, so we donned our rain jackets and loaded backpacks and set out on the trail around nine that morning. The group consisted of Dad, Mom, Bryce, Kelsie, Brian Weekes and his daughter Erin, Kelsie's BFF Rachel, my cousin Ashley and her uncle Alan, and Me. Oh, and Woofy. He was the best trooper of us all. :)

We were soon in snow, and shortly after that we were out on the actual mountain side. We followed the trail marking posts up very rocky ridges. I found that hopping up and through the rocks expended far less of my energy than trudging through the slushy snow with everyone else.

As a group, we had to stop and take lots of "snack and water" breaks, although I'm sure it was mostly because half of us just weren't in shape for that kind of hike. The weather up on that mountain changes in a blink of an eye. At times, I wished I was in shorts and a t-shirt, and at other times I wanted to bundle up as gusts of cold winds battered us.

We were soon out of the rocks and on to the snow covered mountain face. It was here that I had to stop looking up ahead of me. Just concentrate on putting one foot in front of the other. The muscles in my legs started pulling, and every step required more effort than the last.

When we reached about 7,000 feet in elevation, the steepest part of the mountain loomed ahead of us, and the snow started to get hard and wind blown, as we were above the clouds at this point. The Weekes had turned around already, and Alan said he wanted to leave and do the Ape Caves instead. Can you believe that? The Ape Caves, when there was an awesome mountain to summit?! Sorry, but we were just to close not to make it to the top. Dad said we only had an hour to get there, so we continued on. We made it up the steep rise, and the crater rim was in view.

Poor little Kelsie and a pooped out Woofy gave out at this point, so they stayed with Mom and Dad there. The rest of us continued on the last half hour up. Rachel, Ashley, and Alan started booking it up the mountain. Where those two girls' energy came from, I'll never know. Bryce and I were left behind. We'd take about ten steps and then break. I could hear Bryce singing over the wind "Just put one foot in front of the other..." You know, that song from the stop-motion Christmas movie "Santa Claus is Comin To Town". Personally, in my mind I was thinking about Frodo on Mt. Doom. Yes, I am a nerd. "This will be the death of the hobbits!" But, hey, if he could do it, so could I, lol. :)

We summitted Mount St. Helens at about 5:10, reaching the 8,281ft crater rim, after over a 5,600 ft elevation gain climb. We couldn't look into the crater because of the very large, and dangerous, overhanging cornices, but I made it to the top! A quick picture and down we went. Bryce had packed his skis up to the top, but unfortunately for him, his legs kept cramping and he couldn't use them to go down. :(

The best part of the hike? Sliding down! Mt. St. Helens doesn't have crevasses to have to avoid, so sliding away we went. We made it down to the treeline in just a couple of hours. I did have to help Woofy on some of the really steep sections. He did not enjoy being carried as we slipped down the mountain side, lol. We didn't make it back to camp until shortly after it got dark. Every muscle in my body was yelling at me for a comfortable bed. But, after a yummy spaghetti dinner, we still had to drive to Moose's house. She wasn't even there, but the shower and bed was much appreciated. :)

A twelve hour drive on Sunday, and I was safetly back in Logan.

It only comes once a year!

What's that you ask? My birthday! lol. On May 13th I turned 23 years....young. :) Well, actually I can't get used to the 3 looming after that 2... yet. I don't know why it feels so much older than 22. Oh well. I got to celebrate all weekend long.

So, on my actual birthday I went out to Texas Roadhouse for dinner with my grandparents. They had never been there before.  I think that my grandpa really enjoyed the atmosphere actually. They almost let it slip to the waitress that it was my birthday, but I stifled that revelation before it could be uttered. I did not want to sit on that saddle and be whooped at!! haha.

Then Grams made me an angel food cake with strawberries and whip cream. So good! And, my mom sent me some flowers. They made my whole apartment smell wonderful! I even got a few presents, and that always makes you feel special, doesn't it? Dad actually got me my new snowboard, which is fabulous. Thanks Dad. :)

Then on Friday I convinced my friend to take me for a motorcycle ride. Yay! I love those rides. Someday I will get my little dirt bike working so that I can really learn how to ride for myself. And, I went that night with a huge group of friends to see the new Robin Hood movie. Honestly, I did not expect much, what with Russell Crow portraying my hero. But, I was pleasantly surprised. The movie was good...not my favorite by a long shot...but good in it's own right. The scenes of the English countryside made me think of Landon.

Saturday was the fun day, though. The weather FINALLY shaped up. The sun came out. The rains ceased for the day. The temperatures reached up to 70. I was so stoked. We had decided to celebrate my day with a BBQ at my grandparents' house. I think about 25 of my friends showed up. We grilled hamburgers and hot dogs, played badmitton and volleyball and ladderball, hung out in the backyard, and played Just Dance on my wii inside. I must say, I love my friends so much. They made my birthday pretty darn fun. I've attached a video of the festivities for your enjoyment. :)

So, I also like my cousins' birthday interviews...but I will modify mine a little bit to fit me. :) Here ya go....

1. Height and Weight: 5' 7" and 130lbs...This hasn't changed in years, and I'm totally good with it. :)

2. Favorite Color: Purple and green.

3. Favorite Movie: Lord of the Rings for sure! But, my favorite movie of this year would have to be How to Train Your Dragon... I loved it!

4. Favorite TV Show: Hmm...can't say I watch too much TV. But, I do love LOST. I'll watch Chuck and the Big Bang Theory when I can find the time, as well.

5. Favorite Music: Fall Out Boy.... yes, still! Nickel Creek and Sugarland come in a close second and third, though. I will really listen to anything besides rap and grungy junk.

6. Favorite Food: Pasta, yum! and bread. I love bread.

7. Favorite Hobbies: Snowboarding for sure in the winter. I also like hiking and going to the beach. I love reading. My favorite book of the year was Life of Pi. I love to play the piano, my guitar, and flute. I love country swing dancing and trying new things. Is it weird that I miss going to school, too?

8. What do you want to be when you grow up? Can't I just find Neverland?? Well, I suppose I can't, so someday I hope to have a job that I love, but more importantly...someday I will get married and be a mom. Of course, I see that happening no time in the near future...but it is the end goal and I'll look for the opportunities to get there. :)

9. What makes you happy? Being with my family. Being with good friends. Being with my cats and my rabbit. 

10. What makes you sad? Simple...being away from my family for long periods of time.

11. Where would you go on vacation if you could go anywhere? Australia! I would surf and go to the Great Barrier Reef. Go down under in the outback. Learn the accent and maybe catch myself a really cute Aussie. ;) If I could, I'd sidestep to New Zealand and see the sites of Lord of the Rings, as well.

12. Thoughts about the past year: It's been a whirlwind of a year! Landon and I got close when we was living here in Logan with me. It was a little sad to see him leave in August. But, I know that he will be a fabulous missionary, and I know that he is having a really good time in England. I took my last semester of college in the end of 2009. My feelings on this are sooo mixed. I was ready for a break from classes, but I miss being on campus and being around people my age all day long. Entering the "real world" came by way too quickly for me. I am considering going back to school, once the money is saved up, to get my teaching degree for English. Do you think I could handle teaching? I'm giving myself just a little time to think, so that I know what the right choice is for me. I moved out my grandparents, and it has actually been a really good experience. I like the independence. I bought my first car. I love it, even with its quirks and shortcomings. I got a second job. It really pushes my comfort level, and I am learning a lot. I keep trying to play the dating game, but I've come to the conclusion that it's a lot of dang work. I seem to attract a lot of creepers, haha. Overall, the year has been good. Time has passed slowly and I continue to look for the good things and the growing experiences. I can't wait to see what the next year brings me! :)

Baby animals galore

This past Saturday some friends and I went out to Wellsville to go to Baby Animal Days. There were little muchkins everywhere! and that's not including the little animals. ;) It was actually pretty fun. I'd never been out to the American West Heritage Center before, so it was neat to see all of the replicate buildings and people in costume. I'm a fan of history, so those kinds of places are fun for me.

We got to see lots of baby animals, which were scattered throughout the place. The little goats were so stinkin' cute. There was one that took command of the highest bucket in the cage, and he was so intent on keeping it for himself that he fell asleep up there.

There were little bitty turtles, baby lambs, and loud obnoxious piglets. There were also a couple giant snakes that you could hold for a dollar. I'm not sure what that had to do with baby animal days, but oh well. And, even though I didn't hold it, I want you all to know it didn't freak me out, my Dad just taught me way too well how to be a cheapskate. :)

We could even hold baby bunnies, chicks, and ducklings if we wanted.

What do you think? Should I keep him? If only they didn't grow up...

This year's highlight was the baby bears from Bear World up near Yellowstone. Well, they were the highlight for Heather anyways, lol...she gets far too excited when there are bears around.

I saved the best for last! The amazing WHITE peacock. We looked up and there he was, flirting with the four ladies surrounding him on the nature walk. Like a giant cotton ball, or terrible spider web, whichever you choose, in the trees. It was pretty cool.

A little bit of family time does a person good :)

So, my family came up to Logan for their spring break this last week. I was sooo excited to have them here!! I miss them a lot because we're always so far away from each other. I took my campus job off for the week, so that I would have more time to play with them.

Bryce and Kelsie had never been up to the wind caves in Logan Canyon, so we all hiked up there on Monday. It was the perfect temperature for a hike. Not so hot that you get all sweaty and gross, but not so cold that you have to pack up a big ol' coat. Woofy even got to come with us. It was fun to finally get outside after being cooped up in doors all winter long.

Dad told me that I had to take Bryce dancing with me on Wednesday night. Dad doesn't believe that I actually know how to country swing...I'm not sure why. So, Bryce was sent to be a spy, I guess, and maybe to pick up a few moves to take with him back to Forks. Jared tried to show him a few. And my cousin Michelle came along, too. Honestly, I'm not sure how much Bryce or Michelle enjoyed it...they kinda just sat on the walls all night, except for a few minutes when I taught them. But, I still love it, plus it's a good work out, lol.

Oh, haha, I also convinced Bryce and Kelsie that they had to come see How to Train Your Dragon with me, because neither one of them wanted to! But, I thought that it was good. It was predictable, but very cute, and in 3D it was awesome.

We were planning on going to Targhee on Saturday, but storms made that hard to do, so on Friday, we all drove up to Snowbasin to spend the day on the slopes. Logan decided that it would be a great April Fool's Day trick to dump snow the day before. I was so looking forward to Spring! But, the foot of new powder was fun to play in. I have missed snowboarding soo much this season! This was only my third time this year, when last year I went fourteen times. So, I got a little sore, working all my muscles again, but it is so much fun!

Bryce, Kelsie, and Dad even strapped on a board for the first few runs of the day, while I got to test out my new board. I'd been riding the same board for eight years or something like that, so it was definitely time for a new one that actually fit me. Dad took a few good wipeouts, so maybe now he will appreciate that snowboarding is not as easy as he likes to believe.

Mom's best friend from high school, Laura, also came to go skiing with us, which I thought was a way good thing for my Mom.

And, as my family has to undertake the long drive home today, Easter, I made them color eggs with me early. It's a tradition! You just can't not color eggs for Easter, no matter how old you get. My Mom even gave me some of my favorite flowers, purple tulips. :)