Pinto Lake 2010

We took our annual trip to the Uintas this past weekend. We got lost a few times... a little unusual for us, but it all seemed to work out. As always, Jason caught the most fish, Jake harassed the local wildlife, Jenn made the trip better, and I tripped over loose rocks and logs a lot. Krystal was impressive to watch. This was her first backpacking trip, but she managed to haul a heavy load and stay upbeat. Nice work everyone!

Jenn loves the before shot. Look how happy and full of energy we are. Notice that there is no after shot. I think we were all too tired to remember to take another picture.

I am not sure what you'd call this pose... You'll have to ask Jenn.

What a good kid. Jason, up bright and early, is ready to move on to better fishing.

Jake and Krystal... I think that he is rubbing off a little on her. Although I have to admit he seems to have picked up some good habits, too.

The view from above: Here I am filtering water for the next leg of the trip - 4 miles and 1500 feet of elevation. Thanks for not spitting on my head.

Jason demonstrates his unbelievable ability to lure fish into doing whatever he wants them to. He is the fish whisperer.

I made this trebuchet to defend our camp from an unruly scout troop that decided to camp next to us. I should have made a water cannon though, since they tried to set the forest on fire later that evening. Actually, I am not sure what this thing is really called, but it is so you can cook over the fire. You hang a pot on the end of the stick hanging from the rest of the tripod. I saw Ray Mears do it on TV. He's my hero. Anyway, I built this thing and we never got to use it. Oh well, maybe it will serve to confuse the next group of campers who stay here, like Stonehenge.

Jenn helped me build this thing. It worked pretty well providing enough space for all three of our stoves and adequate protection from the winds.

Here we huddle it out during a rain storm on our last full day in camp. This little tarp came in handy and it was nice to have some space and not have to hunker down in our tent.
Heading home. The trail proved to be a bit more that we all expected. It didn't help that I lead us the wrong way for a while. I have to admit that it was a lot of fun, but I was glad to see the parking lot and be heading home for a warm shower. Total length: 21 miles, 5 days, 4 nights.

I cannot, in good conscience, recommend the following products:

After an unfortunate incident a few years ago, where my Ben's 100% DEET repellent chemically reacted with my expensive rain jacket and effectively 'melted' the waterproof lining into a silly putty-like goo, I have been opting to forgo ruining another expensive piece of equipment and just deal with the skeeters' head on.

You can imagine my excitement when I read about 'natural' alternatives online that could be less harmful. I had Jenn pick up this little product from the local market and we tried it out this past weekend while backpacking. I have to say that it works alright for the first little while, but mosquitoes are attracted to body heat, odor, and sweat. Unless you are planning on taking a shower at the end of your 8 mile hike through the woods... this repellent is not going to do much to deter the bugs. No, like many of us, they seemed to actually prefer a twist of lemon when quenching their thirst. Particularly the deer flies.

After painfully shooting myself in the eyes with this next product, I should have known better than to give it another chance. Allergies are no fun, and I thought that I could use some simply saline spray to remove pollen and dust while on the trail. It seemed like a good idea. It wasn't. The most frustrating part was trying to figure out how to use this stuff. I should have given up, but eventually the solution ran out, ending the trial for me.
I have to say, that this trip was pretty fun. And, if the only thing I can complain about are these two things, I consider that pretty successful. No stoves catching on fire. No water purifiers exploding in my hands or failing mysteriously on the trail. No blown out shoes or melted jackets.

Milestones

We’ve been watching the odometer creep up for a while. You can’t help but wonder where you’ll be headed when it finally hits that magic number, especially when you are on the way to work and wishing you were going somewhere else.

It’s been fun thinking about our travels, sleeping in the back, and inching our way through narrow Jeep trails on our way to a trail head for a weekend of backpacking. The most memorable would have to be the sleepless night cowering alongside Gavin and Jason on top of Boulder Mountain with 30+ mph winds. If not for our Xterra acting as out wind block, who knows how long our tents would have held out?

Finally, Jenn and I decided to take a break from remodeling last night to celebrate the momentous occasion with a trip back into the past. We drove up to the avenues (our first neighborhood), past the homes of friends and by our old apartment. It was fun to remember our summer evening walks discovering new old things we never knew were there, and trips to the grocery store. We looked out at the valley lights and felt the warm canyon breezes. I can’t think of a better way to mark a milestone. Even 6 years later… I have to admit that it’s been a pretty good ride.

Remodel...what else is new?

As most of you know, we are remodeling our kitchen and have been for the last few months.

Here are the before pictures to help you remember how it looked.











Adam and I sure have enjoyed the time we have spent together remodeling these past 3 1/2 years. We have a some great laughs and wonderful memories.

The last few nights have been pretty fun. Every time Adam runs into a problem or something does not work right, he always says..."If I didn't love you....I would just leave " or "sale this place as is and walk away." or "I would leave and you can have the house." It is pretty entertaining what excuses he comes up with but at least I know he loves me!!!



Here we are starting to take to cabinet doors off.



Adam moving the electrical around. Doesn't he look so happy? NOT! It took him over 7 hours to move just this one plug. He kept on running into problems, like the wires were not long enough, the electrical box broke inside the wall and so and so on. At the time it was not funny, but we joke around about it now.

On July 17th our appliances come and on the 29th our counter tops will be installed!!! I can see a light at the end of the tunnel and we are both so excited to see the finished version, as I am sure you are as well!

Until then, just remember we are working hard and as fast as we can to let you see the finial product!

5th of July

After we got home from backpacking, we headed over to Chris & DeDee's for a family BBQ filled with steaks, corn on the cob and brownies with homemade ice cream.



You sure can tell Kari LOVED the brownie sundae!! Isn't she just cute?


While we were outside enjoying the wonderful treat, the kids road around and played games.



Jonah riding his bike



I even took a ride on Zoe's Bike.



Zoe showing us how talented she is!!



Zoe playing the piano upside down!!



And then ended the night with some fireworks!

While we were all outside having a great time and enjoying the weather.....



Adam and Chris did this!

Thanks Irene and DeDee for dinner, desert and fireworks!! I hope everyone else had a great 4th of July!!

"Our" Lake

Adam & I have been really busy working away on our kitchen the last little while and we REALLY needed a break. Adam had a great idea to get away for a night & go to "our" lake. We call it "our" lake because Long Lake was the first Lake Adam & I went to on our honeymoon. I know what a lot of you are thinking, what a lame honeymoon, but when you are poor and newly married, this was the best we could do.

Now it is a tradition to try and go at least once a year. This time Adam's Brother Chris & his family came with us.

After Church on Sunday we headed up Mirror Lake Highway to the trail head.



The before picture. I think this is a pretty cute picture of us....especially the greasy sunblock faces.


Chris, DeDee, Noah & Jonah got to the lake a few hours before us, so once we found them we pitched our tent and got ready to eat dinner. The weather was on the chilli side so the rest of the family got into their tent around 7-7:30pm.

We chated with the family as long as I could stand the cold, and once I was frozen, we headed to our tent.



We were bored, took lots of pictures & this one was the best.


The next morning was much warmer.



Noah & Jonah with their walking sticks/swords they carved with the help of Adam and Chris.



Jonah, DeDee and Chris



Noah & Long Lake



Jonah just chillin'




What a cute family! We gave them a head start.



Me showing off my new backpack!!! I love it, thanks babe!



And another tradition, stopping off at Upper Provo River falls for lunch & a wade in the nice cold water.

Thanks for a great time family, hope we can do it again soon!!!

Bells Canyon

In May (yes, May.... I am just catching up!!!) Adam, Jason & I went for a hike & fishing trip up to Bells Canyon.



The view of the city



Jason was the only one that caught any fish, but what else is new? He is usually the only one 75% of the time.




It was just a little cold.




Adam


Since we were not catching anything, I entertained my self by taking pictures.








The moose on the other side of the lake. Pretty good camera, don't you think?




Flower in the "snake grass." Not sure of the technical name for it.












Adam & Jason on the hike out.

This was Adam & I's first time, we had a great time and hope to go back once things settle down. When we go back, we will stay far away from the falls;)