Thursday, June 10, 2010
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Flash Flood - Havasupai
These are videos of Havasupai being weathered & eroded by a flash flood back in August of 2008. They got 8 inches of rain in a short period of time and it caused a local racher's dam to break. Water from the rain plus the water in the reservoir from the dam = flash flood.
Adventures close to heaven - Havasupai
11 of us enjoyed a little bit of heaven on earth called Havasupai. It is 13 hours from Salt Lake. From the trailhead you hike down to the village campground 10 miles. We landed a fantastic camp site near the river, frog pond (not so great at night), bathrooms, and the water hole (natural spring). Our campsite was also halfway between Rock, Havasu, Mooney, and Beaver Falls. We were able to hike around and play in the pools each day we were there.
I have been to Havasupai twice before and I have been telling my sister about this trip for a decade. She was able to come and I loved having her there. We had a blast. There were three pairs of siblings: Ben & Dustin, Marissa & Marci (twins), and Amy & me.
The water was cold/freezing but the air during the day was 80-90 degrees so we heated up quickly before and after the dips in the pools. I found many great places to cliff jump. The highest I went off was probably 15+ feet.
Havasupai was weathered by a mud slide from a ranch above the falls in 2008. The falls, trees, and campground has been altered slightly but not enough to change the gorgeous views and blue-green water. Heaven!
We hiked down to Beaver Falls (3 miles) and it took all day. We played in water holes the whole way down. Our goal was to hike to the confluence (not the consulate, my bad) where the Havasu River and Colorado River connects. The day was getting late and our feet (my feet especially) were hurting from the rubbing of the chacos and blisters from the hike in. Luckily we choose to hike back to camp after Beaver Falls because Dustin's Teva sandles both broke. He used a camel back strap to doctor up his 10-year-old shoes.
Out of the 11 of us who came down I could not say anyone clashed or complained. We had a blast! I could hike or play next to anyone in the group and have a good time. We all were up for the adventure and took advantage of every moment. Nothing could get me out of the water - even the cold water didn't stop me.
Our food supply consisted of meals that could be heated up with boiling water or already ready. Some of the favorites were: oatmeal with craisens, cereal, tuna, instant potatoes, salad the first day chilled next to a frozen water bottle, apples, oranges, Mountain House meals (even if they had 670mg of sodium and 40g of fiber per serving), couscous (herb flavoring), humus, peppers, and cucumbers.
Navajo Falls were destroyed by the flood/mud slide and a new set of falls were created called Rock Falls. This area had a fantastic swimming hole with a great current to do laps. The bank was perfect for cliff jumping too.
Ben/Dustin and Leanne had a National Parks pass so we stopped at the Grand Canyon on the way home. We stopped at three of the look outs. I loved my sister's comment, "They all look the same. Do we need to do another stop?" I love her! The grand canyon view was GRAND and sure makes me want to come back when it is cooler to hike it rim to rim. On the ride home we played leap frog into different cars and all got home safely by midnight ready to go to work the next day. Not me...I am off track for another week and a half. Until the next adventure!!!
I have been to Havasupai twice before and I have been telling my sister about this trip for a decade. She was able to come and I loved having her there. We had a blast. There were three pairs of siblings: Ben & Dustin, Marissa & Marci (twins), and Amy & me.
The water was cold/freezing but the air during the day was 80-90 degrees so we heated up quickly before and after the dips in the pools. I found many great places to cliff jump. The highest I went off was probably 15+ feet.
Havasupai was weathered by a mud slide from a ranch above the falls in 2008. The falls, trees, and campground has been altered slightly but not enough to change the gorgeous views and blue-green water. Heaven!
We hiked down to Beaver Falls (3 miles) and it took all day. We played in water holes the whole way down. Our goal was to hike to the confluence (not the consulate, my bad) where the Havasu River and Colorado River connects. The day was getting late and our feet (my feet especially) were hurting from the rubbing of the chacos and blisters from the hike in. Luckily we choose to hike back to camp after Beaver Falls because Dustin's Teva sandles both broke. He used a camel back strap to doctor up his 10-year-old shoes.
Out of the 11 of us who came down I could not say anyone clashed or complained. We had a blast! I could hike or play next to anyone in the group and have a good time. We all were up for the adventure and took advantage of every moment. Nothing could get me out of the water - even the cold water didn't stop me.
Our food supply consisted of meals that could be heated up with boiling water or already ready. Some of the favorites were: oatmeal with craisens, cereal, tuna, instant potatoes, salad the first day chilled next to a frozen water bottle, apples, oranges, Mountain House meals (even if they had 670mg of sodium and 40g of fiber per serving), couscous (herb flavoring), humus, peppers, and cucumbers.
Navajo Falls were destroyed by the flood/mud slide and a new set of falls were created called Rock Falls. This area had a fantastic swimming hole with a great current to do laps. The bank was perfect for cliff jumping too.
Ben/Dustin and Leanne had a National Parks pass so we stopped at the Grand Canyon on the way home. We stopped at three of the look outs. I loved my sister's comment, "They all look the same. Do we need to do another stop?" I love her! The grand canyon view was GRAND and sure makes me want to come back when it is cooler to hike it rim to rim. On the ride home we played leap frog into different cars and all got home safely by midnight ready to go to work the next day. Not me...I am off track for another week and a half. Until the next adventure!!!
Monday, May 24, 2010
Monday, May 17, 2010
King of Anything - Single
Sarah Bareilles is one of my favorite artists. This is her new single. Brilliant!!!
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Support Crew
“I like things that are difficult, physically and mentally, ... Things that are really challenging, things that really maybe take a long time but really push me to my limits.” - Ed Viesturs
My good friend, Ben Cook, ran the Ogden Marathon today, May 15th. I tagged along with his family to watch the finish line. I love the energy of races and especially a marathon. I am absolutely amazed by Ben and many others who finished 26.2 miles. Ben ran under 3.10 - he qualified for Boston. That is quite impressive for his first marathon. That kid teaches me a lot about dedication, goals, endurance, and pure love of pain! Way to go!!!
After running a half...I know I never want to do a marathon. I was satisfied with 13.1 miles. I will do more halves and 10Ks. I will leave the full distance up to athletes like Ben and Catherine.
My good friend, Ben Cook, ran the Ogden Marathon today, May 15th. I tagged along with his family to watch the finish line. I love the energy of races and especially a marathon. I am absolutely amazed by Ben and many others who finished 26.2 miles. Ben ran under 3.10 - he qualified for Boston. That is quite impressive for his first marathon. That kid teaches me a lot about dedication, goals, endurance, and pure love of pain! Way to go!!!
After running a half...I know I never want to do a marathon. I was satisfied with 13.1 miles. I will do more halves and 10Ks. I will leave the full distance up to athletes like Ben and Catherine.
Moab
Ben, Marc, Brian and I headed down to Moab for a bike trip. We rode Slick Rock on Saturday morning. This is one of my favorite rides. It is challenging and thrilling! About four miles in Marc broke his chain. Ben had the tool to fix the chain but we didn't have a pin or master link. Luckily a couple from the British Columbia has a master link and saved Marc's day. We started riding again and five minutes later I noticed a had to loose chain links. We didn't have anything to fix the chain and I thought it would be better to walk out four miles than chancing a break with six miles to go.
The boys continued to ride the loop as I started walking back. I was bummed out but I learned to keep my gear updated and have the right tools. As I was walking back three boys passed me and ask, "What is the problem?" I explained what happened and they were persistent that they could fix the chain. After five minutes of pinching and tweaking the chain, I was ready to ride. I met up with Ben, Marc, and Brian at the T. We were able to ride the trail together to the end.
After Slick Rock we went straight to a bike shop, and I bought a new chain and master links. We were not finished riding. We headed out of town and rode Klondike Bluffs. It was a climb to an overlook of Arches. Along the trail there were fossils of dinosaur footprints. I was amazed how clear some of the tracks were.
Ben's blog was brilliant about our trip. Check it out at http://benoutdoors.wordpress.com/2010/05/17/too-many-accessories/
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Bryce
Lindsey Jackson's birthday was May 7 so we headed down to Bryce to celebrate her!!! What a weekend;) The whole group was absolutely hilarious. I have not laughed so hard in a long time. We hiked the Fairy Tale trail on Saturday. It was an eight mile loop. The views were absolutely gorgeous and the geology kept me intrigue throughout the adventure.
"If it doesn't have people in it then it's a postcard!" ~Matt
The eight mile hike should've only taken us a few hours but we took our time, told stories, posed for many pictures, and enjoyed the hike. I want to come back here again in the winter. Ben & Dustin went cross country skiing during the winter and said it was amazing! I can only imagine;)
There is never a dull moment when you get 11 people together. Around the fire we sang with the guitar and lol (laughed out loud) doing blow fish and shaky faces. Life is good!
I borrow some of these photos from Laura's blog check out the rest of her amazing collection.
Dance Makell Dance
My sister, Amy, teaches three dance classes in her house. She recently had a dance concert and this was one of the pictures of Makell before the concert. She looks like a fairy princess and a diva almost 7 year-old. Love her! I am proud of my sister for following her dreams. She has always wanted to have her own dance studio. She is doing great things for the girls in Fruita, CO. Makell loves dancing and creating new movement. She is a creative little girl.
Tia
For Mother's Day my sister, Amy, gave my mom these pictures of her kids. They are gorgeous and the cutest little tykes! I love them! I had to share;)
Makell is in 1st grade. This was her spring picture. She is gorgeous!
Makell is in 1st grade. This was her spring picture. She is gorgeous!
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
K2
I am currently reading K2: Life and Death on the World's Most Dangerous Mountain by Ed Viesturs. After watching the movie Vertical Limit I was interested in learning more about K2 and the summit adventures. I knew about the brand K2 but I hadn't heard much about the peak. This book has really open my eyes about mountaineering. I am amazed these mountaineers take 7weeks-months off of work and their families to summit the highest peaks in the world. I am also intriged by the skills, safety skills, and gear they use to survive. I pray & hope everyone on the mountains today are safe & listen to their instincts.
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)