September 30, 2021

My dad called and told me I had to listen to “With a little bit of luck”. He’s so funny. And the song was funny like he said.

Today was another fall foliage day. Hiked to Willow Lake with lots of yellow and then we had some extra time so we walked around Silver Lake. Silver Lake was gorgeous! Fall was showing off there with some fall colors reflecting in the lake.

This afternoon I helped Kenz with their Region XC meet. I like seeing her in her XC coaching element. The kids love her and it was fun to watch the races. 

September 29, 2021

It’s fall out there and I got out to see it with D tonight. Second meadow up Pine Hollow had awesome yellow. Then as the sun set we had a great view of more yellow trees, mountains, and yellow clouds. Baylie loved it. 

September 24, 2021

 Went to the movie theater for the first time in 18 months. Cam, Darren and I saw Chang-Chi. Great flick. 

September 22, 2021

Cam and Sade are just awesome.

September 20, 2021

Quick trip to Logan in the morning to give Ry her SS card. Loved having lunch with her at Costa Vida. She’s rocking the college life. She says - I love it and I also cry every day. :)

September 19, 2021

Good Sunday afternoon visit with my parents. Mason and Rachael stopped by as well so we played a little bocce to 5 points where I had a huge comeback from zero to win in three consecutive turns. And they were all giving me a hard time because I hadn’t scored all game. :). My dad showed us his work station for his sticks in his shop. (Don’t call it the shed, he says it’s a shop. :))

September 18, 2021

A few weeks ago I checked to see if there were any open permits for Murphy Point (which I have had on my radar as an idea for a one night backpacking trip).  Friday September 17 was open so I reserved our spot.

It was a fabulous 22 hours in Canyonlands - Island in the Sky with Darren.  We picked up our permit at the Visitors Center about 1:15pm.  Before heading out to Murphy Point we took a quick hike to White Rim Overlook.  (We also took a quick hike on the non-existent False Kiva trail on Saturday before heading home.)

After that we loaded up and out to Murphy Point.  We found us a great spot on the north-ish side of the point and set up our tent closer to the edge than I had originally imagined.  :)  It ended up being a fantastic spot.  

Here's some thoughts:

• Don’t let the tent blow off the ledge. 
• Great views all around. Like at least 250 degree views.
  
• Eagles song of “Peaceful, Easy Feeling” for our theme song. “I want to sleep with you in the desert tonight. With a billion stars all around.” Although we didn’t really sleep and the moon was too bright for very many stars.  
• Watching a lizard (for more than 15 minutes) try to get a butterfly. The butterfly won and lived to fly another day. Darren got a cool video of the encounter.
  
• Watching the big black birds circle overhead and ride the wind. 
• The only sound is the sound of the breeze. 
• You can see the Needles and the Maze from here, nd why they have those names. 
• Eye photos are way better than iPhotos. Especially sunset and sunrise eye photos. 
• Moon was so bright. 
• Warm night was great weather. 
• 2 minute rain storm just so we could hustle and get our packs covered. 
• Sunrise was aaamazing. Pinks and blues and orange. So pretty. 
• Packing all your water in isn't too bad when it's only one night, you don't cook with water, and it's only 1.8 miles to your campsite.
  
• What a relaxing reset one night backpack. 

(Choose your own adventure - pit toilet style - at the Visitors Center.)

 

September 14, 2021

Had the opportunity to meet Sister Cordon and then listen to her give a devotion to our stake YW. Being with Sadie was great and the devotional was so good. 

September 12, 2021

Had a good weekend with Rylie visiting. They had their Monsters at Work finale watching party. Also some games, a Sunday trip to the park with the fam plus the flip the shoe game, and of course Handel’s ice cream. 

September 9, 2021

Happy President Nelson’s birthday. Such a prophet.

Cam did schoolwork on the tramp with Baylie and it just made me smile.

September 6, 2021

 

Such a great camping trip! Arches is a bit magical to me and thanks to friends with better reservation skills than me, we were able to be in the heart of Arches National Park for a few days and nights. 

The campground was awesome. Not a bad site and if didn’t feel like there were thousands of people in the park even though there was. :). 

The sleeping temperature was just how I like it. Not cold but just a little cool in the middle of the night. 

The stars were shining with the Milky Way right in the middle. 

Deer in the campground, a morning coyote, and a spotted lizard. 

Crickets sang a lullaby. 

Moab was close for a delicious lunch and ice cream (Spoke). 

Good friends joined us. 

Fiery Furnace was an awesome hike once I knew I was through the obstacles. :). But really the rocks and arches and fins and slots were awesome and I just followed Cam who showed me how to get past the tricky parts. (So glad D got us permits for this.)

I loved sitting in the shade of the junipers at our campsite in the morning. 

We had some time to just relax. It was extra relaxing surrounded by red rock beauty. 

I absolutely loved our time at Sand Dune Arch. Bare foot on the sand and drawing in the sand while chatting and laughing. It was a great place to visit during the hot mid day as it was much cooler in the shade under the arch. Surprisingly there were not many people there. And I got to drink my lemonade. :)

We hit the Windows section for some sunset which is always a good choice. 

Also - if you need cell service in the campground, go to the amphitheater. 

One of my top camping trips. Loved being in a cool place with cool people - D, Cam, and Sadie. (Even though the girls fought over sleeping arrangements every night.) And glad the Kings could join us for part of it. 

September 1, 2021

Started out September with a hike to the Summit.  Felt like a fall thing to do.