Backpacking Trip

This weekend we-Bryan, Sarah, and I-went backpacking to the Blue Lakes. It was gorgeous! It was about a 5-6 hour car ride and then roughly a 4 mile hike into the lakes. The 4 miles makes it sound a little deceiving, as in not too difficult. Bryan had very good timing on when he decided to tell Sarah and me that the rating of the hike was strenuous-at the end. The hike was well worth it, as well as all the other adventures we had along the way.



Friday we headed out on the trail for Blue Lakes. Bryan managed to take our tent, food, and fishing gear all in his backpack. I was responsible for my own gear and making it to the end of the hike, what a kind man. This might explain the difference of our facial expressions that you will notice from the picture of him above to the one of me below.


I'm having a great time-this is beautiful! (You're sure I can't carry something???) heh...heh...



Sarah demonstrating her flexibility to maneuver a fallen log while carrying her 40 lb pack.






After several hours on the trail, with over 3,000 feet of elevation gained...we arrived at Blue Lakes! It was worth it!





Our camp site at the base of the mountains and next to the lake.



During the night, we had a few visitors to our campsite. I must have left a little bit of the cheese on the bowl that provided the perfect midnight snack for the rodent. Dirty.




The official camp "sitting rock." Sarah and I would have our important discussions here while Bryan was out fishing or exploring.




On Saturday we made our way to Blue Lake Pass. From our campsite it was about 4 or 5 miles, and much easier without packs on. This was the second of three Blue Lakes. The Lakes are such an incredible bluish hue because of the sediments/minerals from the glaciers.




In a valley before making another ascent up the mountain to our Blue Lake Pass.





Bryan and I decided once we were at the pass, that we were really close to Mt. Sneffels and should attempt to summit. The summit of Mt. Sneffels is 14,156 feet. It is a ways up there. The hike up was the ultimate stair-stepper, boulder after boulder...after boulder.




The summit--We made it!


The hike back down from the summit was a little daunting. At one point, I really just wanted to tuck and roll, but the boulders convinced me otherwise. We made it back to camp without any events and hiked back to our car the next morning. On our way home, we made a few detours to see a little more of Colorado.




This is the Black Canyon of the Gunnison. Bryan and I both wore black in honor of the Canyon. :)


Since Europe is not in the travel plans for this year, this is as close as we'll get!



We really liked Ouray and Silverton.



Sunday night we were really looking forward to not sleeping on the ground. As we pulled into a city we were on the lookout for a good deal on Motels. That is when we found this little gem...

Our first clue should have been the empty parking lot. Our second clue should have been when the lady told me that if we took an upstairs room it was $10 cheaper, because "a lot of people don't want to walk upstairs, and prefer ground level." Hmmm....


Warning-disturbing picture below...




This is what I found cuddled/burrowed up next to me in the middle of the night. BED BUGS!!! Our special price for walking up a few steps, came with a few more room occupants. SICK! That "cute" saying of "Sleep tight, don't let the bed bugs bite" is never going to be repeated to my kids after that night. Click on the link above if you want an even more up close and personal view.




This is the time that we checked into a new motel (AM)--this is also the time I found the Oreo bag. A few Oreos always make me feel better, no matter what time. (The owners of the previous motel should be very grateful we had a bag on hand.)


After a few more good hours of sleep, minus the bed bugs, we made our way back home. It was a great, memorable trip!

Nurse Turned Seamstress

My job in Colorado requires that we wear OR hats for some of the procedures we're involved with each day. The other weekend I decided I was sick of the paper blue hats that are provided and wanted a little more personality, so an OR hat purchase was made. Later, as I examined my fabulous new hat, I thought it may be a little overpriced and that I could make one myself for much cheaper. Tonight just happened to be one of our Relief Society's "small" groups that was a sewing group. What timing! I found a pattern, some material, and a few sewing objects that I thought might come in handy and headed out to find the seamstress within me. The lady that was hosting the sewing group is a domestic diva and took me under her wing. Just a few hours later with her help and patience, I had my new, more economical OR hat.



Ta-Da! Who would have thought it might actually turn out! I realize that I look a little goofy, but that's even without the hat!





The side view. (As a side note, I work with children, so it's even better when you have crazy hats that they will also like.)

I enjoyed making the hat, and think that it really might be simple enough for me to attempt to make another one on my own. We'll see how I do when I fly solo...

Demo Derby

I love Demolition Derbies. They have so much to offer. I love mingling with the laid-back country folk, catching up on the latest hair-styles/creations, camaraderie of the drivers, fantasizing about turning my commute into a demo derby, and on and on. Luckily, Lindsay and Stan were in the know and tracked down a county fair with one of the finest demo derbies and spectators that one could ask for.



I also love any excuse to wear my shirt with pearl snaps.
Bryan loves any major sporting event that opens with a prayer...Nascar, Demo Derbies, and Katelyn's (our niece) dance recitals. He also loves it when the dirt/mud clumps spray into the crowds-I think that he views the mud spots on his shirt as a conversational piece and a way to get in with the drivers.



Apparently, even in Colorado, the South will rise again...yikes.

Home Sweet Home

Last weekend we visited the family in Brigham City. I'll have to admit that I felt a tinge of homesickness as we entered into the Salt Lake Valley and followed I-15 along the Wasatch Front Mountains to Brigham City. I realize that it has only been 4 months since our move to Colorado, but as we arrived at my parents, it felt like I had been gone much longer than a few months! We had a great time visiting, going out on the party boat (see post below), and just being with family. I still feel the stings of missing family and friends, but as we made our way back to Colorado and pulled into the driveway, I knew we were home.


How fun is it to have little kids around to sugar up and then send them to their parents for a good nights rest??? We love our nieces and nephews, and the other family members are okay too. :)






I'm obviously in need of some photography lessons from Bryan, I still manage to shave a few inches off of heads.






Katelyn (above) and Syd (below) having some "hang" time with the uncles.







In reference to this picture Bryan says, '"Two kids, two words: Birth Control" :)

What Is This???

While visiting family in Utah, we were able to go spend some time with my cousins out on the lake doing some fishing and wake boarding. We had a great time! It is definitely the most versatile water craft I have experienced...What is this magical boat I am talking about???




This is THE Party Boat...







This is the size of fish we caught while fishing, but as you can see, it really doesn't matter the size of the fish, as long as one gets to say, "Fish on"!







This is the engine, not working on The Party Boat...






This is our "oar" while the motor/engine is under repair...









And, I saved the best for last. This is what happens when you wakeboard in Mantua Reservoir. Moss anyone???