June 25, 2025

After a night in the Sweetwater Lodge in Rock Springs that was like a room from the 80s in Vegas, we made it to Rocky Mountain National Park. We had a disappointing lunch at The Forks somewhere before Fart Collins (thinking of Ry and Mason and when they called it that 8 years ago.) Elk greeted us just outside the park. Those animals are so large. We set up camp at Glacier Basin. It’s a pretty good campground. The sites are quite close together (we’re on the outside of the loop which helps) but the location can’t be beat.

We went on an afternoon hike from Bear Lake. The drive had wildflowers lining the road- white and light purple and pink. More importantly the parking lot had open spaces. We hiked Nymph, Haiyaha, Dream, and Emerald lakes. Haiyaha was new to us and had some boulder hopping and “swarms” of mosquitoes. Then on to Dream and Emerald (we were more impressed with it this time than when we were here last). Back to camp for a late dinner of chili Fritos since they are fast and easy and we were hungry. 

Haiyaha, Emerald, Dream, Dream

Emerald Lake

June 21, 2025

Watching Emperor’s New Groove last night made me laugh - at the movie and at Mason laughing at the movie. Also - I’ve been rocking the bean game. Bohnanza has been the go to game with Mason and Rachael lately. Oh, and Darren climbed Timp today just for fun. 

In the middle of my workout at the Leg, the lady next to me answered the phone with, “Hi dad.”  Well that triggered something because there I was teary on the elliptical. I miss my dad! I wanted to call him and have him answer, “Is this you?” Then I’d say, “No, this is me.”  And then we’d go back and forth about you and me and that would pretty much be our phone call. :)

(I love that my dad has his work gloves in his lap.)

June 18, 2025

Went on a Timps Falls hike. So many cascades! It was beautiful. And hot. And up. But beautiful. Again, getting misted from falls is awesome. 

Spent the evening chatting with my Relief Society sisters. Good day. 

June 17, 2025

Western Flycatcher here at the campground just scored me bird #100 on my life list. 

June 16, 2025

This,  And the smell of mint plus a marmot and a weasel.

And can we get this guy a Diet Coke sponsorship?

Have us a spot at Granite Flat. Stayed here last night and tonight. 

This morning we headed to Silver Glance. That hike gets me every time. But it’s so pretty. Spent 1/2 a day hiking and hanging at the lake. So lovely. And so hard. Darren climbed to the top of something while I relaxed and soaked in the nature. 

After our hike we hung out at camp. The birds sang all afternoon. I really like our site 35. Would definitely get again. 

KT C and S came up for the evening. I love this. Sadie found us the cutest inch worm.  For dinner we had hot dogs/brats, watermelon, chips with french onion dip (makes me think of my dad), and mallows. Then Spot It, Racko (makes me think of my mom), and Five Crowns. Snapped a quick pic and called it a good evening as the mosquitoes came out. 

June 15, 2025

Happy Father's Day to this fantastic father.

I definitely missed my dad today but I seem to miss him much more in the everyday things.

June 14, 2025

Two kids went camping last night. Mason in our backyard with friends and Sadie up the canyon with friends.  How fun is that. 

We had such an awesome day with almost all of us around. Some of my favorite things - SkyJo, croquet, pizza, Poetry for Neanderthals. 4-square and more. Like I said, awesome day. Then we topped things off by crossing off Camrie’s summer gelato eating. Mmm.  (Pinguini’s. Ha ha.)

This is what a 4am early morning hike to Lake Hardy for these two looks like in the afternoon.

June 13, 2025

A Kenz hike day.  Wahoo!  We went to Dog Lake up BCC.  As always it was great chatting and driving and chatting and hiking with her.  Lots of green and a nice lake for us to stop and sit for a minute.  (I loved the clump of flowers in the middle of the stream.)  Then it was home to grab Cam for lunch (or breakfast) at The Original Pancake House. I saw Frank and Beryl Cook there from my old Snow College softball days.  We had quite a few BBQs at their house in Moroni over the years.

June 11, 2025

After work hike was a good hike. I went past the "Timp shelf". The green, the sound of water and birds at the same time (I just love that), and then I went far enough that I found these this field of clematis flowers. I rested here and just took it all in. Those flowers make things so pretty.  And mixed among them were some forget-me-nots. Behind the flowers were some snow shelves. It was just a really cool nature spot that I had all to myself. Stopped off at Scout Falls on the way down and had that place to myself as well. Feeling waterfall spray is almost little magical. 

June 7, 2025

Successful and tiring girls camp. Testimonies, laughing, playing, thowing axes, archery, some challenge course, fantastic SOS dances, and even a little hiking. We went to Stewart Falls and had a short sunrise hike from our campsite. There was a beautiful field of yellow flowers at the top and somehow we had to wait an hour for the sunrise. I got to play California Speed with Ruth and Kamryn. So much fun! This old lady still has CS skills. We had wake up calls both mornings. Friday was an 6:15am birds wake up that Trish called our “Tracy Aviary wake up call”. :) Saturday was an 4:30am Marathon music and announcing wake up. Overall it was a fabulous with camp stuff and spiritual stuff. I very much enjoyed Girls Camp 2025.

Camp leaders middle - Trish Garrett, Marie Stosich, Claire Adams, Bethany O'Porto, and me.

June 4, 2025

Tagged along with Kenz and friends on an early morning hike. It was so pretty! I had to work hard to keep up going to Pine Hollow Peak, but it was fabulous. The light, the green, the cool mountain air - sigh. What a great way to start the day. (And by start I mean I left the house at 5:45.) 

June 2, 2025

It’s June! My favorite month of the year! AF Canyon is so beautiful green right now and I am here for it! The drive to the summit was gorgeous and then a hike to Primrose Overlook with strangers was great. Loved the clematis flowers we found.