October 4, 2025

We listened to cows all night (are they nocturnal?) with a few coyotes mixed in. Coyote noises cool, cow noises I hope cows don’t trample tents. 

Sunrise at White Pocket was magical. Again, so glad we stayed over. 

This White Pocket place is wild.  What a great trip. And it felt like a Christensen adventure with driving past Richfield, Lake Powell, and 4wheeler riding. 

October 3, 2025

Drove on dirt roads through brush and blah to the White Pocket area. We were unimpressed until we walked over the hill to the rocks and bam - wild! Then you walk around and bam - more wild! Then you turn a corner and bam - super wild! I could not stop saying wild. I mean it’s just rocks but they were wild. Spent sunset time out there which was lovely.  I'm so glad we made it work to stay over here.  I love sleeping in a tent with friends and Wendy and I giggled all night. What a lovely evening. So glad we made it work to stay over here. 

October 2, 2025

What a great kayak the Colorado adventure. It was beautiful and so fun floating down the river - minus the last mile. But even that couldn’t damper the experience. My favorite part though was the boat ride up river. The reflection of the red canyon walls was fantastic! 

We played a rate this statement game that was fun to get to know my friends. Wendy and I tied. We’re in a 188 club. 

We got our tire fixed at Big O in Page then made it to Wendy’s boat at Lake Powell for the night. We went out for a quick boat ride that was gorgeous. The sunset with the rocks and water was way gorgeous. As if this morning didn’t remind me of my mom and dad enough - tonight sure did. So many Powell trips in the 80s. 

October 1, 2025

Annual friend fall south getaway time! Driving down to Zion we saw beautiful fall in the Tushar mountains. Then a little Zion tourist playing riding the shuttle and seeing Weeping Rock and Emerald Pools. A delicious burger and sweet potato fries at Oscar’s in Springdale. Stopped by the grocery store to find the best pajama pants that Wendy convinced us all to get because of course we want matching PJ pants. They’re fabulous. 

September 28, 2025

President Nelson passed away last night. Oh how I loved this prophet. His constant reminder to be peacemakers and that Jesus is the answer is so needed in the world. I will miss his smile and encouragement. What a prophet. 

And what a horrible day. 

September 27, 2025

Today was a Plan C day. Plan A - reflection canyon had bad weather. Plan B - Tetons had no where decent to stay. Plan C was to use Darren’s parking pass and hike up the canyon while still being able to attend the kids’ Sonic party. We went to Emerald Lake. The lake was a bit underwhelming to me and I’m not sure why I’ve wanted to come back here for a few years. We saw a few goats from far away but the color on this hike made up for things. It was so pretty today. Yellows and some reds - fall beauty all around!

Sadie and Cam went all out for their Sonic party. It was awesome. We came home to all sorts of Sonic decorations (balloons, plushies, table cloth, plates and napkins, figurines, etc) and the kids laughing and excitedly playing the new Sonic Switch game. Good times. Sadie, Camrie, Rylie, Cole, Mason, and Rachael. 

September 26, 2025

The smell of pine on my hike smelled like summer and it made me a bit sad that summer backpacking is over. But the mountains were full of fall up Big Cottonwood Canyon. Such a lovely hike to Dog Lake. 

September 21, 2025

The great feelings from yesterday are still with me. What a gift of a day. Peace and love and God is good. 

September 20, 2025

Oh dad. I miss you like crazy. You’ve been especially close to my heart this whole week. Then this morning I woke up and just felt so thankful you’re my dad. 

Hiked wheeler and thought about all the good times. Met someone who when I mentioned being from Richfield she said she goes up Salina canyon to her parents cabin in accord lakes. What?!? Nobody knows Accord Lakes. A tender mercy to think of you and the cabin. I mean how many people even know about that place and I end up hiking for a minute with her in the middle of nowhere Nevada. 

Great Basin was bathed in fall beauty today. The aspens were peak and our hard hike was beautiful. We hiked through a cloud and it felt a little close to heaven. 

September 19, 2025

I rarely want to keep sleeping after my alarm, but today I did. But I got up anyway and took Baylie for a walk and was rewarded with a beautiful pink morning sky. 

September 18, 2025

Baylie’s excited bounding when she gets to the park and wants you to throw the frisbee is contagious. Then she catches it and crawls on her belly. 

Had a quick afternoon hike up AF Canyon and found a little fall. I already miss summer. 

September 14, 2025

Time passes. Circumstances change. Conditions vary. Unaltered is the divine command to succor the weak and lift up the hands which hang down and strengthen the feeble knees. - Thomas S Monson - October 1971 GC. With Hand and Heart

September 11, 2025

Cam and I have been getting ice cream and watching movies for evening entertainment and I quite enjoy it. Today’s movie pick was Kung Fu Panda. We have also watched Cars, Monster’s Inc, Monster’s University, and Toy Story. Fun, I know.

September 6, 2025

Lovely quick morning hike. Looking into the amphitheater in the morning is magical. This gift of creation from God brings me gratitude every time. I also think of my parents whenever I am here. We had a great picnic here with them a few Octobers ago. I should have taken them here more often and been more flexible with things instead of being so strict in what I wanted to do. I sure miss them.

The real reason I came to Bryce Canyon country was to see my family. My first car show since Don and Cheryl had their car and trailer in the show. We enjoyed the day with all of us except Cris. Lots of playground hanging watching those cute kids of Lizzi and Kim and chatting with those two. We ended the afternoon eating at Cowboy Smokehouse. Will definitely be bringing Darren here next time we’re looking for food in Panguitch. Get the peach cobbler with ice cream. Delicious. 

September 5, 2025

Doing a little solo Bryce Canyon. I love Bryce Canyon, especially the Peekaboo Loop Trail. You’ve got the tall skinny green trees, you’ve got the Ponderosa Pines with the bushy pine needles and delicious butterscotch smell, you’ve got Manzanita bushes, you’ve got orange and kind of red and cream colored hoodoos and rocks, plus you have tunnels to walk-through.  Just ignore the occasional smell of horse poop. 

Dinner was a Crustable from my backpack and an ice cream come from Old Bryce Town. It was very enjoyable.  

September 3, 2025

I tested at Sego Lily today. Nostalgic to be in that school. Got to chat with two teachers who were so positive for my kids - Mrs Narvaez and Miss Pence for a minute. 

September 1, 2025

This weekend made me so happy and filled my soul. I absolutely loved camping in Arches with my fam and good friends. 

Somehow we managed to not get a picture of all of us at the same time.

The desert sunsets and sunrises were awesome.

August 31, 2025

What a fun morning hike getting lost and seeing arches and fins in the Fiery Furnace. 

We had lots of campground hanging with Kenz sitting in mustard. Where’s my mustard? :)  And some high school musical singing with Hearts playing. (Playing Hearts in a campground is one of my very favorite things.)  Also ant watching. And sweating while just sitting. 

I just really love being here with my fam. Cam and Sadie are good sports because I know it’s not up there on their things they like to do list. But they crack me up with their witty banter. 

Evening jaunt over to Skyline Arch by our campsite where the King boys guided a few of us up into the arch. Kinda cool. 

These campground evenings have been delightful. And I am loving our group campsite here at Canyon Wren. 

August 30, 2025

I love this campground. I’m walking to the bathroom with an orange sunrise to my back, a bunny hops in front of me, and then a crow flies through wishing me good morning and I hear the flapping of wings. Sigh. 

D and I took in a morning hike.  Devil’s Garden trail is classic. Saw one of my favorite views behind Double O Arch.  Kids and everyone arrived this afternoon for some camping fun (Kings and Pickles). Lots of games played and pages colored under the shaded canopy already. So much laughter and are so clever together. 

Great pick for dinner tonight by going into Moab to the food truck park. Choices for everyone plus a little Cornhole playing. 

I’m old because I sure enjoyed the evening when things cooled down and we sat around chatting. Another lovely night with incredible stars.