Utah! Kodachrome, Grand Staircase Escalante & Bryce

Until July, Pete and I did not have matching days off of work. As soon as our schedules started to mesh, we got to adventure further out of our village. I love hiking in the Canyon, but this last month and a half has been a dream! Our first real weekend away was in Utah(!) Pete found us a cabin at Kodachrome Basin State Park. http://www.utah.com/stateparks/kodachrome.htm

There were only six cabins, each equipped with a charcoal grill, tiny refrigerator, bathroom, air conditioner and beds. It was very calm and quite. We could access hiking/biking/horse trails right from our cabin.

http://www.redstonecabins.com/

We had been experiencing a dry spell in our high desert home, so sitting on our porch and watching the storm roll in was particularly beautiful. Right out our front door we had a view of the rock spires called "hoodoos" (rhymes with voodoo) which are one of Utah!'s claims to greatness.

(You can see a hazy rainbow through the yellow storm cloud.)

We went for a 6 mile round trip hike to Lower Calf Creek Falls, which is part of Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument.

http://www.blm.gov/ut/st/en/fo/grand_staircase-escalante.html

It was hot and sandy hike with a great payload at the end of the trail. Or great diversions along the way. Our favorite part was playing in the creek after we finished out hike. Next time we may wade up the creek in our chaco sandals instead of keeping to the dusty trail. I am glad I had so much water with me! We saw several groups of hikers bringing a half a liter of water for the hike, even though the signs and literature warned about the heat and need for massive amounts of water. Pete even brought my water filter (Christmas present from my Pops many years ago!) along as a precaution.
One of the advantages of dating a marine is he may over prepare on occasion, but is never under supplied.


Here is the 120 foot lower calf creek falls we hiked to. I wanted to go swimming in my chonies (that would be slang for undies) but a family showed up and ruined my fun. Pete of course was prepared and got to swim!

We did an 8 mile loop hike in Bryce Canyon National Park through the Peekaboo, Navajo and Queens Garden loops. Here is the Wall of Windows. Many many hoodoos in Bryce!

And here we are after we hiked out!

Sedona by Air!

We just returned from a weekend away in Sedona. Pete told me he had a surprise for me early one morning, and that I would need to get my pack set up for a long hike in hot temperatures. I was awake all night filled with smiles and anticipation. I could not get any sleep at all! We woke up at 4:15am and I got ready in record time (10 minutes!) Once at the door with my gear, Pete told me I did not need my pack, but just what I was wearing. We stopped by a clearly closed Starbucks for morning beverages, and after standing around for a while, Pete fessed up that we were waiting for a van to come pick us up. The van arrived, towing a trailer with a hot air balloon basket on it! Here are some photos (out of order) from our adventure!De Rigging.

Our fellow balloon just after launch

filling up with cold air first

Sedona 7 Canyons Area

Thumbs up for Balloon Travel!

Launching!

Love.

Flagstaff's Schultz Fire: Pictures and Links

These links are helpful in day to day life, but particularly helpful right now.

http://twitter.com/coconinocounty

http://twitter.com/CoconinoNF

The Shultz Fire is 40% Contained. Yes! (o% does not sound as nice.)

There is a $2,500 reward offered for anyone giving information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person whom abandoned a campfire in Shultz Pass, causing out beautiful inner basin and Locket Meadow to burn. Oh, and Flagstaff. I like being hopeful, but this will be a difficult case to solve. If you have information call: 928-527-3508.

Awesome Star Wars Death Star Costume

Words escape me.

Lent is Over, Not My Mission!

In order to truly give up clutter, my surroundings must be fabulous!

(I may still be a bit cluttered, but I am working on it every day! All clothing is now in drawers, hanging up or in the wash. No joke!) I decided to paint the wall exterior to my kitchen,as well. I like it!
I am working on my bedroom now, and a gear closet. Pictures to follow!

* "pictures say a thousand words, so why should I?" What ever happened to my old fashioned rants, you ask? I do believe working graveyard shifts this entire year has made me complacent, literally. Ha-ha!

**Don't you just hate it when people use the word "literally" incorrectly? "My son is literally bouncing off the walls!" Oh? Is there a trampoline involved? Did you send him to space camp in space? Or do you mean metaphorically, but just cant get the syllables out? God bless 'em!
(There, a baby rant. Happy?)

That Which Looks How it Feels: Paintings of Chiura Obata

"Before Thunderstorm, Tuolumne Meadows"by my favorite Artist, Obata
I have lived in many beautiful places, and many scenic renderings, but it is rare to find an artist whom can cause my chest to overflow with in-the-moment emotion, just as the actual place does.

Obata does this. He paints how it feels.
To me.

My heart weeps with a thousand unnamed emotions.

Visit the site below if you would like to learn more!

http://obata.wilderness.net/

Dye For Your Beliefs

Well, the AZ sun has already bleached out my (way too mild for my taste) red and purple streaks. I think I shall go to Hairitics for a propper "do" when I travel to Chicago this October!