Too much JAM
I've started a second blog in an attempt to keep my health and fitness goals online and to be accountable to myself for them! But then I didn't keep up with it, or with exercising much. So I added some of the posts to this blog and let the other one go.
Cat-sitting and Playing in the Snow! April 25 - May 2, 2010
This is Milo. He loves to play with cat-nip mice and watch James lay on the floor to get them out from under the stove, from behind closed doors, from under the bed, from out of the duffle bag, etc. He thinks it is fun to lick your elbow in the middle of the night and sleep right where your legs would like to be, if there wasn't a black and white cat there taking up the space. Milo likes to jump up on the bathroom counter and sit in the sink. He doesn't like being toweled off after he fell into the bathtub with me. He tried very, very hard to sneak out the door everytime we went outside. He never succeeded.
This is Milli. She loves to sleep ontop of the sofa with a good view of the bird feeder on the porch. She has a very loud "meow" when she wants your attention - perhaps she needs to be petted or her bowl is empty of canned catfood. Milli gets a pill on M,W,F. On Friday, she spit her pill out about a dozen times and finally, she got her pill on Saturday morning.
These are the bird feeders on the front porch. I refilled them all on Saturday. I counted about 9 little birds in this picture. We even had some really big (comparatively) birds - blue jays and wood peckers? - come by for treats. This picture was taken before James and I finished shovelling off the porch.
It snowed almost every day we were up at this cute little Brighton house. This was the first storm on Wednesday evening - it was so nice to curl up on the couch by the cats and look out the window at the falling snow. And James thought it was fun to fire up the snowblower. I helped - I shoveled the porch and steps.
On Saturday we finally had time to get outside during daylight hours to play in the snow. James had all his snow gear and decided to skin up to the top of the Millicent lift. I borrowed snowshoes and wandered the resort boundary out to Silver Lake and back to the house.
There were quite a few cars in the (unplowed) parking lot and lots of skiers/boarders hiking around the mountain. James ended up making two runs. He would have hiked for a third run if the mountain hadn't grown 30,000' vertical feet after the 2nd hike! "So... 3ft of fresh snow in the Wasatch didn't suck. Unless you didn't go. First time I think I have ever had the Milli bowl at Brighton to myself with untracked everywhere and didn't have to scramble to get my lines! It was pretty epic and just wished my legs could've kept going up so I could've enjoyed... some more down cause it was amazing!! Stability was great Saturday, and in fact it was a little on the heavy, heavy side (snowball snow) but not wet if that makes sense? The snow Sunday came in lighter and fluffier and all though I didn't get out Sunday, I noticed it was sluffing off snowbanks pretty easy when I was out with the snowblower. I was guessing up higher that would have been something to watch for."
This is Milli. She loves to sleep ontop of the sofa with a good view of the bird feeder on the porch. She has a very loud "meow" when she wants your attention - perhaps she needs to be petted or her bowl is empty of canned catfood. Milli gets a pill on M,W,F. On Friday, she spit her pill out about a dozen times and finally, she got her pill on Saturday morning.
These are the bird feeders on the front porch. I refilled them all on Saturday. I counted about 9 little birds in this picture. We even had some really big (comparatively) birds - blue jays and wood peckers? - come by for treats. This picture was taken before James and I finished shovelling off the porch.
It snowed almost every day we were up at this cute little Brighton house. This was the first storm on Wednesday evening - it was so nice to curl up on the couch by the cats and look out the window at the falling snow. And James thought it was fun to fire up the snowblower. I helped - I shoveled the porch and steps.
On Saturday we finally had time to get outside during daylight hours to play in the snow. James had all his snow gear and decided to skin up to the top of the Millicent lift. I borrowed snowshoes and wandered the resort boundary out to Silver Lake and back to the house.
There were quite a few cars in the (unplowed) parking lot and lots of skiers/boarders hiking around the mountain. James ended up making two runs. He would have hiked for a third run if the mountain hadn't grown 30,000' vertical feet after the 2nd hike! "So... 3ft of fresh snow in the Wasatch didn't suck. Unless you didn't go. First time I think I have ever had the Milli bowl at Brighton to myself with untracked everywhere and didn't have to scramble to get my lines! It was pretty epic and just wished my legs could've kept going up so I could've enjoyed... some more down cause it was amazing!! Stability was great Saturday, and in fact it was a little on the heavy, heavy side (snowball snow) but not wet if that makes sense? The snow Sunday came in lighter and fluffier and all though I didn't get out Sunday, I noticed it was sluffing off snowbanks pretty easy when I was out with the snowblower. I was guessing up higher that would have been something to watch for."
This is as high on the mountain as I got - see the lift base & cars below?
Then off into the untracked, un-peopled snow for a wander.
Can you see James hiking up on the mountain? Nope, I can't either. This is Silver Lake. Now I've 'hiked' around it in every season. It looked like the water wasn't completely frozen underneath the new snow. Happily, the trail (there was a trail down by the lake and boardwalks) went way around the water.
There are several houses near-ish the edge of Silver Lake. This one has a chair lift swing.
And for the first time (maybe because I wasn't headed straight to my vehicle after a long day of patrolling), I noticed a big boulder near the Brighton Store with this plaque.
Then off into the untracked, un-peopled snow for a wander.
Can you see James hiking up on the mountain? Nope, I can't either. This is Silver Lake. Now I've 'hiked' around it in every season. It looked like the water wasn't completely frozen underneath the new snow. Happily, the trail (there was a trail down by the lake and boardwalks) went way around the water.
There are several houses near-ish the edge of Silver Lake. This one has a chair lift swing.
And for the first time (maybe because I wasn't headed straight to my vehicle after a long day of patrolling), I noticed a big boulder near the Brighton Store with this plaque.
Housesitting is done. No more lazy cats. No more 4 am mornings to get James to work by 6 am. No more watching wild birds at the feeders and watching snow fall in the mountains. No more shoveling and snowblowing. No more snowshoeing and hiking for turns. Sigh.
Last day of resort skiing - Snowbird - April 24, 2010
Video 1 - 360 and 180 success!!
Video 2 - yard sale! I love this one!
Video 3 - 360 crash.
Video 4 - rock jump and pretty turns.
Looking forward to next season for more practice!
Moab / Arches National Park - April 9-11, 2010
We LOVE, LOVE, LOVE that Kathleen and Brian are going to BYU-Idaho. We love it EVEN MORE that they make an event out of the beginning or end of a semester and go adventuring with us. This time, we went to Moab and Arches National Park to mountain bike and hike.James checked out a four-man tent from the gear closet at backcountry.com. Because it is early April, we were concerned that the weather might be chilly (last year, it snowed down in Bryce Canyon!). So he checked out an expedition-weight super tent that looks like half of a soccer ball. We got into Moab at 10:30 pm and finally found a campsite at midnight.(Moab/Arches tip #1 - Charge all your batteries before leaving
home. **A few of these photos are mine, but most are Kathleens**)
We had to set up the tent for the first time in the dark. And discovered that this gear-closet version DID NOT HAVE A FOOTPRINT or even a floor!(Moab/Arches tip #2 - no matter how early-season you think it is,
reserve a campsite. Otherwise you may have to spend $40 for the last site in a
campground in the middle of Moab - the one without a picnic table)
The rainfly made a good make-shift floor and protected the gear from dirt. But ASAP on Saturday morning, we relocated to a cheaper, prettier, quieter campsite on the Colorado River.
James has a mountain bike that we brought along and we had already reserved a second mountain bike from Poison Spider.
Kathleen and I were up first for a quick 6-mile ride from inside Arches National Park on the Willow Flats Road out to the trailhead of the Sovereign Single Track that James & Brian were going to ride. It was a perfect day for riding. 70-ish degrees, a few clouds and a good breeze.
We had to turn the fancy rental bike back in at 5 pm, so we stopped by the grocery store and picked up supplies for a hamburger dinner. We drove back into Arches and grilled up some burgers!
And so did Brian.
James actually did all the grilling - I just set out condiments and tried to keep the napkins and light-stuff from blowing away.
After dinner, we decided to take an evening hike to Delicate Arch. We passed most of the people hiking their way out from the arch. It is 1.5 miles one-way and we made it to the arch just as it began to be really dark. We almost had the arch to ourselves!
James has a mountain bike that we brought along and we had already reserved a second mountain bike from Poison Spider.
(Moab/Arches tip #3 - if you don't have a mountain bike with the
serious shocks, rent one. And of course, RESERVE it ahead of time!
Oh, and riding gloves are a great idea.)
Kathleen and I were up first for a quick 6-mile ride from inside Arches National Park on the Willow Flats Road out to the trailhead of the Sovereign Single Track that James & Brian were going to ride. It was a perfect day for riding. 70-ish degrees, a few clouds and a good breeze.
We had to turn the fancy rental bike back in at 5 pm, so we stopped by the grocery store and picked up supplies for a hamburger dinner. We drove back into Arches and grilled up some burgers!
(Moab/Arches Tip #4 - It may be a good idea NOT to unload everything
at the campsite. When we were ready to cook dinner, we had the grill and
all the foodstuffs with us in the car and could make dinner anywhere!)
Well, Kathleen rode around the picnic area a bit.
And so did Brian.
James actually did all the grilling - I just set out condiments and tried to keep the napkins and light-stuff from blowing away.
After dinner, we decided to take an evening hike to Delicate Arch. We passed most of the people hiking their way out from the arch. It is 1.5 miles one-way and we made it to the arch just as it began to be really dark. We almost had the arch to ourselves!
We had flashlights and head lamps, but I was the only one to use one. Once we got past the section where I was worried about sprained ankles, I turned it off again. It was so nice to walk in the dark and watch the stars come out.
On Sunday, our only plan was to sleep in as long as we could. Then hike the Devils Garden Trail at the end of the road in Arches. Then get on the road back to SLC before too late.
(Moab/Arches tip #5 - HAVE FUN!)
On Sunday, our only plan was to sleep in as long as we could. Then hike the Devils Garden Trail at the end of the road in Arches. Then get on the road back to SLC before too late.
(Moab/Arches tip #5 - HAVE FUN!)
Early along the trail, James found this unusual rock laying in the dirt. So he picked it up and settled it into the ground like a fence post.
This is what we found on our hike back out!
Brian - flying along!
This picture is here as proof - I WAS NOT ALWAYS the slowest, last hiker on the uphills!
This is what we found on our hike back out!
Brian - flying along!
This picture is here as proof - I WAS NOT ALWAYS the slowest, last hiker on the uphills!
The snowy mountains in the background are the La Sal Mountains and they were such a beautiful backdrop for the red sandstone.
James testing out the stability of this crazy looking boulder.
Hiking along the top of the sandstone 'fin'. Aren't those snowy mountains wonderful!
(Moab/Arches tip #6 - watch closely for wildlife!)
A few chipmunks:
And Brian:
(Moab/Arches tip #7 - Arches are everywhere!)
Kathleen at Turret Arch:
Double Arch:
Brian and Kathleen at Delicate Arch:
Brian, Jessi, James & Kathleen at Tunnel Arch:
Pine Tree Arch:
James and Jessi at Landscape Arch:
Part of what used to be Wall Arch: The trail goes right by the gigantic debris. Wall Arch fell in 2008.
Double O Arches:
James testing out the stability of this crazy looking boulder.
Hiking along the top of the sandstone 'fin'. Aren't those snowy mountains wonderful!
(Moab/Arches tip #6 - watch closely for wildlife!)
We saw a few lizards:
A few chipmunks:
And Brian:
(Moab/Arches tip #7 - Arches are everywhere!)
The Windows Arches and Turret Arch:
Kathleen at Turret Arch:
Double Arch:
Brian and Kathleen at Delicate Arch:
Brian, Jessi, James & Kathleen at Tunnel Arch:
Pine Tree Arch:
James and Jessi at Landscape Arch:
Part of what used to be Wall Arch: The trail goes right by the gigantic debris. Wall Arch fell in 2008.
Double O Arches:
(Moab/Arches tip #8 - Start planning the next trip - you've got batteries to charge, campsites and mountain bikes to reserve and trails to research! P.S. Sunscreen is MANDATORY)
Hanging out with Prices - April 7, 2010
Jordan is home from his Chicago Mission! WELCOME HOME!!! 
We had dinner - THANK YOU! - and played Ticket To Ride. I was so clever and so certain that I was going to complete six routes and win by a landslide. The very last turn, Uncle Doug put his train where I needed to go and then Aunt Suzie put her train to completely block that spot, and without even trying they blocked 5 of my 6 routes and my trains crashed and burned! It was so fun. Thanks for the invite!
The Price's came to Utah to meet him at the airport, attend General Conference and SKI! and SKI! and SKI! James & Michael night skiied on April 1st in a blizzard. Then we met up at Aunt Lynnette's on Easter Sunday for a really yummy dinner, lots of visiting and some 4-wheeler and dirtbike fun.
Today, James took a day off of work so he could ski at Brighton with the Prices - and the snow was wonderful. Couple feet of new that was light and fluffy in the morning and a little bit heavy by afternoon. Nobody got hurt, nobody got lost, SOMEBODY tried to do a front-flip and everybody had a good time!
They stayed at a condo up at Solitude - complete with an outdoor pool and hot tubs - which were very fun, but can't have been as hot as usual with all the snowballs being put into the water!
We had dinner - THANK YOU! - and played Ticket To Ride. I was so clever and so certain that I was going to complete six routes and win by a landslide. The very last turn, Uncle Doug put his train where I needed to go and then Aunt Suzie put her train to completely block that spot, and without even trying they blocked 5 of my 6 routes and my trains crashed and burned! It was so fun. Thanks for the invite!
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