Labor Day

For more than a year, Hannah & I have been waiting for today...we WERE going to hike Mount Timpanogos...to the very top. I have had this super great, most exciting experience and I wanted Hannah to have this too. But I knew I needed to wait til she was a little older. Well, this was the year. A few days ago, my mom called. Here is how the conversation played out.

Mom-What are you doing Monday?

Moi-Oh, you know, hiking Timp.

Mom-(Pause)Have you looked at the forecast lately?

Moi-No, why?

Mom-Well, there shows a few raindrops.

Moi-Well, we are actually going to start early Monday, like 1 or 2 am.

Mom-Well, there are 2 raindrops on Sunday.

I have to apologize to my co-workers...I don't think I have grumbled about anything so much at work. (They may say different.) I made a few phone calls to people...some who have hiked it more, some who fly life-flight-I know a little extreme, but I was serious about this. But I not completely a fool. I was going to be really bummed. We had just postponed another jaunt right before school. And Hannah came home from her camping trip with her dad early. This was the last summer shebang! I figured if it was overcast, great! We could leave later and still not be hiking in the dead of heat. I was pretty much refusing to rethink this hike. Anyway, they were calling for snow above 10,325. The summit is 11,749. I knew then that this was not going to happen this year.

Two things I have thought about today. 1)We are lucky to live here, for many reasons, but today because the opportunity to hike Timp next year is just "weather permitting" away. 2)My disappointment (because of weather) certainly doesn't compare to the inconveniences and anxiety of so many because of Hurricane Gustav. There's just nothin' you can do about it! Hannah has been very concerned and interested in what was going on with those states. We are glad that it wasn't any worse. But scary none the less.

And even though we didn't get to hike today, we had a wonderful Labor Day! Barbecue with some family-including grandparents we don't see as often, a few games of Ticket to Ride with Aunt Jennie, and a viewing of The Princess Bride. And I don't know if it was the movie that was so funny, or if it was just watching Hannah (pretty much) act out the whole thing!

Here are some pictures...a few are of my trip to the summit exactly 2 years ago & a few are of the snow covered peaks this morning. Beautiful! We really are lucky to live under them!

The back side of Timp and a good view of Timpanogos glacier-taken from the meadow.

Emerald Lake-taken from the summit.

A view of the journey up to the summit-taken from the saddle. If you look close, you can see "the hut".

View of the valley...and me.

My hiking buddy, until she decide to have another baby....twice, Jenn. And the little white hut. And me.

View of the mountain range on the other side of the canyon-taken from Alpine this morning.

View of Timp from American Fork this afternoon. The summit is almost right in the middle of the picture.

First Fifth Grade Field Trip

You can never get enough of Timp Cave! School has been in just one week and already a field trip! I had the opportunity to visit Timpanogos Cave National Monument one last time this year with Hannah & the 5th grade. We had a great time, as usual. Those kids are funny. I wish I could explain it better...but I can't. They are just funny! They are at this "I'm pretty smart" stage, but they know they don't know it all yet. And because of that, most all of them can talk a lot about everything, but they are still so willing to listen to what you (or each other) have to say or teach them. It's pretty fun to just listen to them interact with each other. They were pretty well-behaved too! I was impressed at how well they get along with each other too, close friends or not. Hannah even made a new friend. And not a lot of complaining on the way up. And I have to say, every time I go through the caves, I learn something different! I love it! Like I said, you can never get enough of the caves!

After, we walked down the canyon a bit to "Swinging Bridge" picnic area for lunch. While we waited for the bus, one of Hannah's friends, AB, pointed out something on a tree. As we got closer, we thought it had flown away. See if you can see it? Very cool!

The Twins, Hannah, & her new friend

Ms. Washburn & her class if front of a fault line. They were very cute when I took this picture. We took one with Ms. Washburns' camera and they smiled. When I pulled out my camera, they asked, "Can we do silly faces?" ABSOLUTELY!

Inside the "Big Room". LOL. I have forgotten AGAIN what the name of this room is inside Middle Cave. If someone remembers, please comment!

The Heart, of course.

At "Swinging Bridge"-They were "racing" leaves and things down the river!

Here is the cool little "thing" we found...can you see it?

I looked it up when we got home. It is called a Question Mark Butterfly. And it does a very good job of camouflaging itself. It gets it's name because of the little white mark on it's wing. It is supposed to look like a question mark, but I am having a hard time seeing it...maybe a sickle. But that doesn't sound as nice.

Here it is a little farther back & with it wings opened. This is what AB saw first.

We ALL thought this was cool.

Hannah & her friends. (Maybe I will write a book & call it that.)

Hannah & Brad's Lake Powell Excursion

Hannah & Brad were lucky enough to get to spend a few days in Lake Powell this last week. Many of you will remember Jeff Welker. They went down to spend sometime & hang out with him...and Tom too. It looks like they had a great time! Hannah called me while they were there and she couldn't stop talking about the toad she caught. And Brad couldn't stop telling me about her playing Jeff's drums. The picture didn't work out though! Dang! It sounds like Jeff is doing good. He doesn't like to come back to the "city" much. He says he is allergic and he wants a shirt that says that(this info is from Hannah). Tom is doing good too, but had a little set back, or a big one. He was riding his dirt bike, and someone (in a car) hit him. He broke his hip and shattered a knee, but he is doing really good now. I thought some of you would want to know. By the way, Jeff has taken some really, really awesome pictures & sent them to me. I may put them on a different post...some of them are really cool.

A little side note...when I was looking at these pictures, I saw 3 bachelors & my daughter and wondered if I should have pushed pink & princesses a little more! Anyway, here are the pictures...and the information I have posted came solely from Hannah...

Hiking Timpanogos Cave

While we were camping, we made a trip up to Timpanogos Cave. It is always a good one, especially for the kids. Every single child made it up without being carried. Jessica and Jodi played "Hansel & Gretel" to get Stella up the trail. It's amazing how much of an incentive trail mix can be if it's on the trail & not in the bag! I have to say we have some of the best hikers in the world!

Hannah Rae on the way up.

The Best Hikers Ever!

Point Kodachrome

Inside the big room...LOL...I can't remember the name right now...

Caramel Falls...

Can you find the mouse?

The Heart of Timpanogos

The view on the way down.

E and her fossil she found...so cool!

North Rim of the Grand Canyon

After our short trip to St. George, Hannah and I meandered over to the North Rim of The Grand Canyon. I love this place! For those of you who don't know, I worked there for a couple of seasons...and a friend of mine-who worked there with me-reminded me how long ago that was. I have been back a few times, but I haven't ever taken Hannah...I really can't believe it either. Anyway, we had such a great time! We weren't ready to come home...in fact, we talked about going back this next week. Anyway...a few things have changed and a lot hasn't. The canyon is still as awe inspiring as always, the wait staff still looks like they are wearing EXACTLY what I wore when I worked there, and the gas station is still Full Service. But, they have upgraded the restrooms. And, gas was cheaper there. Hmmmm...go figure! We had a great time camping and hiking...again, Hannah is so great...I'm glad she loves it as much as I do. A few bummers...we misplaced our souvenirs for a short time, we never did find an Alabama license plate, and we didn't ever see a Kaibab Squirrel. There is always next time! (Although we have found Alabama now-Thanks Anna!) Here are the pictures...and watch for the one with Hannah, a Ute hoodie and a hummingbird...super cool! They must have been really hungry! GO UTES!

Horsetail Falls...Revisited Twice+...and a Bear?!

1010Beware, this is a long and somewhat hard-to-follow post. I realize that. But, I feel compelled to write all of this. Remember, you don't have to read it! :-)

We have done a bit a hiking the last few weeks. We have hiked up to Horsetail twice more with friends, so rather than posted two different posts, I am combining them into two.

The first time we went back up with mom, Jessica & most of the kids and The Spencers & and their kids. Wow...did we have a great time! We caught cicadas and grasshoppers, found wild onions, and one of the kids even ate a grasshopper! Thanks to those who went with us...it's always more fun with friends and family!

The second time we went with a friend from work, Shelly, and her 5 year-old daughter. And again, we had a great time! We didn't see as many cicadas, but the grasshoppers were plentiful. Little Ada was a real trooper. She is so into horses. I feel bad we didn't get to see any this trip.

So, the "plus" and the bear is like this...
Hannah decided to take her dad back up the next day. That's the plus. Too funny! She loves this hike...still not her favorite, but she loves it. I was at work. :-( About 10am they call me to tell me they had just seen a bear cub. For those of you who don't know my ex-husband...quite the jokester. I really thought they were kidding. But after a few seconds, I could tell he wasn't. Anyway, long story short, they did come back down. They didn't want to come between momma and cub. Brad also remembered that I am a little hypersensitive about the bear thing...

Most of you will remember the bear attack we had up American Fork canyon last year. My family and I were up the canyon during that whole thing. I have never been afraid of sleeping in my tent. In fact, we actually prefer it...at least we did. The following night after the attack, I knew would be a little hard for me...I'll admit, I was a little spooked. And I knew better, but...
So after not sleeping very great, I knew that I would sleep better that second night. (I still went to bed with my mace...) I hadn't been in my tent for more that 1/2 hour when I could hear something rummaging around. My sister, whom shall remain nameless...JODI...left her cooler out...by OUR tent. I got my mace ready and my flashlight and quietly unzipped my tent. Sure enough, little beady eyes staring right at me! I know you all think this is silly, and my smart side said is was too, but I think I had my first and hopefully last panic attack. Anyway, I woke mom, who was also in a tent, and we found my brother -in-law, who we knew had a gun. Long story short, it was a raccoon. We slept in my parents van the rest of the "camping" trip.

Side note: I don't often talk about my "singleness"....it seems to be a source of jokes for my family and co-workers, so why give them any more ammo. I have prided myself in knowing that we have been camping by ourselves before and been just fine. (Although, I know it bothers mom.) But I did return to work and let them know what I had learned-one, I needed a man, and two, I needed a man WITH A TRAILER! They are still looking!

Anyway, here are the pictures from the hikes! Thanks for all of those who we have gone with...it really is one of our favorite things to do!

Horsetail Falls Video Clip

Here is a short clip of Horsetail Falls. It took til the 3rd trip up, but finally. And, again, the quality isn't that great, but hopefully you can see why it's called Horsetail Falls.

Horsetail Falls

So my baby sister Jennie and I had a rare day off together. We decided to go hike Horsetail Falls here in the beautiful mountains behind us. Loving called Horsetail Falls, Pooptail Trail. The falls form what looks like a horse tail. Hopefully, the pictures show that. And the trail is open to horses-thus Pooptail Trail. Hopefully the picture DON'T show that! Anyway, we had a great time! Thanks for going with me, Jen! By the way, this is great hike for your families! Not too hard, not too long, a little water to cross, a few boulders to climb, and lots of beautiful scenery! What more could you ask for?!

I figured something out about my camera...I had a cool little video clip, but I can't "flip it" so that it's right side up...Hmmm....