The promised pictures! Oakley is the grey tabby, Teemo the orange tabby.
Thursday, June 29, 2006
Thursday, June 22, 2006
So I've got more exciting news! Teemo was lonely. Very lonely, he's never lived without at least 2 other cats before. Well.... yesterday we found Oakley, and we brought him home. Him and Teemo buddied up pretty quick. It brought Teemo out of his shell even more. He's a grey tabby.. and only 10 weeks old. He's very cuddly, and purrs loundly and constantly! Last night he tried to spend the night with us. Poor Josh had to work this morning, and all night Oakley was climbing all over him. SO all night I was mostly awake, fishing the cat when he got too near Josh and either pulling him over to me (which he'd stay for a while)... or put him on the floor (which he just climbed back up on the bed).
I'll post the pictures later today of both the kitties. :)
Anyone know how to keep cats eating their own food.. rather than the others? Cause Oakley is on kitten food and Teemo is on adult food, but they're both trying to eat each others.
I'll post the pictures later today of both the kitties. :)
Anyone know how to keep cats eating their own food.. rather than the others? Cause Oakley is on kitten food and Teemo is on adult food, but they're both trying to eat each others.
Friday, June 16, 2006
Having being unable to meet up with my partner for the paper on our trip, I have been at it all day. He is working out of town and has had a busier schedule than planned. So we've had little time. What does this all mean.
It means I arrived at the University at 8:30 am this morning.... went home for dinner for around 6:30... and came back for 9pm. I am still here. It is 3:30am. We are plugging away. And it's not that we're writing our paper right now, we've been editing and adding references and combining our writing. It's a big mess. I probably have a few hours left to go. 3:30!!!!
Tyler drove here straight from work. He is leaving here at 4am (at the latest) in order to get to work on time in the morning. That is just crazy. I work at 10am, but I have to get the printing done and adding figures and graphs. Oh fun times.
It means I arrived at the University at 8:30 am this morning.... went home for dinner for around 6:30... and came back for 9pm. I am still here. It is 3:30am. We are plugging away. And it's not that we're writing our paper right now, we've been editing and adding references and combining our writing. It's a big mess. I probably have a few hours left to go. 3:30!!!!
Tyler drove here straight from work. He is leaving here at 4am (at the latest) in order to get to work on time in the morning. That is just crazy. I work at 10am, but I have to get the printing done and adding figures and graphs. Oh fun times.
Wednesday, June 14, 2006
Day 14
We spent the day in SanFransisco. Initially we explored Pier 39, and as the group grew to huge number, me and another girl split off and had lunch at Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. It was really good. It was such a neat setting there. They have "Run Forest Run" on green license plates.. and then they also have "Stop Forrest Stop" on red ones. SO if you need service at anytime,just flip the sign and the first staff that sees it will be at your table within seconds. It was jsut all around a really neat and unique place. Their drink menu was on a table tennis paddle. Hehe. It was fun. Just outside the door they had Forrest's shoes and suitcase sitting on a bench, so you could pose with them. After that, Darby and I decided to head up town to all the shops we'd been looking forward to (Abercrombie & Fitch, Victoria Secret, and many more). So we met up with one of the supervising staff, told them we were heading there.. she was concerned.. since we're supposed to be in groups of 4 or more.... but we complained, and she said it'd be ok. So we took the cable car up to Market St. and started shopping. We had lots of fun, and decided we're good shopping buddies (so now we have plans for that together). As shops were closing we walked up towards Martuini's (where we were to meet the group before 10). We reached there and sat. It was definately interesting. A karaoke bar... in San Fran.... didn't take long for many 2 man couples to come in... which was weird... then there was the guy in drag. We were sitting there wondering... is that a man or woman? It was hard to tell... but once he/she walked past us... we knew. It was just so weird. The bus driver was freaked out by all this. A couple guys in our group got hit on... it was just bizarre. I never have been happier to leave. ALthough... the nice thing about a San Fransisco bar... smoke free! I made it through that night only being sung to twice. Both by the prof overseeing the trip.
We spent the day in SanFransisco. Initially we explored Pier 39, and as the group grew to huge number, me and another girl split off and had lunch at Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. It was really good. It was such a neat setting there. They have "Run Forest Run" on green license plates.. and then they also have "Stop Forrest Stop" on red ones. SO if you need service at anytime,just flip the sign and the first staff that sees it will be at your table within seconds. It was jsut all around a really neat and unique place. Their drink menu was on a table tennis paddle. Hehe. It was fun. Just outside the door they had Forrest's shoes and suitcase sitting on a bench, so you could pose with them. After that, Darby and I decided to head up town to all the shops we'd been looking forward to (Abercrombie & Fitch, Victoria Secret, and many more). So we met up with one of the supervising staff, told them we were heading there.. she was concerned.. since we're supposed to be in groups of 4 or more.... but we complained, and she said it'd be ok. So we took the cable car up to Market St. and started shopping. We had lots of fun, and decided we're good shopping buddies (so now we have plans for that together). As shops were closing we walked up towards Martuini's (where we were to meet the group before 10). We reached there and sat. It was definately interesting. A karaoke bar... in San Fran.... didn't take long for many 2 man couples to come in... which was weird... then there was the guy in drag. We were sitting there wondering... is that a man or woman? It was hard to tell... but once he/she walked past us... we knew. It was just so weird. The bus driver was freaked out by all this. A couple guys in our group got hit on... it was just bizarre. I never have been happier to leave. ALthough... the nice thing about a San Fransisco bar... smoke free! I made it through that night only being sung to twice. Both by the prof overseeing the trip.
Day 13
We loaded up early and drove towards San Fransisco (along the coastal highway). It was very windy and there was a stoppage for a while. We stopped at a little tourist spot and had some coffee, and free time. Sarah annouced that she had found the location of her wedding... so we got Lindsey to fill in as the groom. :) I was the official wedding photographer for that. We then continued on. We drove right through San Fran that day, and across the Golden gate. It was a very tight squeeze in the bus... since we were in a car lane.. instead of the bus lane. But Phil is amazing and can get through anywhere! We pulled into our campground near Marin. This was our home for about 6 nights. We were a day ahead of schedule, so we got an extra night here.
We loaded up early and drove towards San Fransisco (along the coastal highway). It was very windy and there was a stoppage for a while. We stopped at a little tourist spot and had some coffee, and free time. Sarah annouced that she had found the location of her wedding... so we got Lindsey to fill in as the groom. :) I was the official wedding photographer for that. We then continued on. We drove right through San Fran that day, and across the Golden gate. It was a very tight squeeze in the bus... since we were in a car lane.. instead of the bus lane. But Phil is amazing and can get through anywhere! We pulled into our campground near Marin. This was our home for about 6 nights. We were a day ahead of schedule, so we got an extra night here.
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
Day 12
We left Palm Springs after a morning swim, and lecture. We talked about the Central Arizona Project, and California Water supplies. We then hopped on the bus and drove right through L.A. ( I was very suprised to see the downtown... it looks so unimpressive. LA is built out.. not up) and the next stop was in Malibu. We were given time to explore there, then we met on the wharf for a lecture. This was really neat. We talked about smog, and pollution, as well was waste treatment and water treatment for California. We talked about Title 22 water, and it's development. Malibu was a really neat place. Lots of surfers out on the water, and lots of fishers on the wharf. That night we camped in Morro Bay.
Here's a couple shots from Malibu:
We left Palm Springs after a morning swim, and lecture. We talked about the Central Arizona Project, and California Water supplies. We then hopped on the bus and drove right through L.A. ( I was very suprised to see the downtown... it looks so unimpressive. LA is built out.. not up) and the next stop was in Malibu. We were given time to explore there, then we met on the wharf for a lecture. This was really neat. We talked about smog, and pollution, as well was waste treatment and water treatment for California. We talked about Title 22 water, and it's development. Malibu was a really neat place. Lots of surfers out on the water, and lots of fishers on the wharf. That night we camped in Morro Bay.
Here's a couple shots from Malibu:
Day 11
We packed up camp fairly early and drove to the Imperial Sand Dunes. This is featured in Star Wars... you know the big desert they walk through..... all the dunes. :) I know, I'm a geek. Anyway, we talked about movement of the dunes, where all the sand came from, as well as had a jumping contest. It was fun. We all had sand where sand does not belong. But it was just fun. We then drove and stopped along the New River, to talk more about California Water Issues, then moved on to the Saltan Sea. The Saltan Sea is a very sad story. We got off the bus and it just stunk! We walked out onto the beach and looked down. It wasn't sand. It was all just barnacles. There were dead fish along the shore. Of course we have a lecture here for about 30 minutes. Apparently there is a big restoration going on for the lake. I really hope so. So much I could say about all the damage done to this lake, but I won't go on too much on it right now. I will have my say on it in my paper. After the Saltan Sea, we stopped at a pumping station, this is a station that through pipes, pumps water OVER the mountains to California. Since there is such a shortage of water in California, they go through great expense to gather it from other states, and this is an example. Due to security, we couldn't get too close, but we managed to have a lecture roadside and see them in the distance. It's just unreal. that night we camped in Palm Springs in a Campground that was like an Oasis (it had showers!!). Just kidding, it had an amazing pool area, lots of animals, like 6 hot tubs, saunas, laundry. It was a really neat and gorgeous place.
Pic #1 - Saltan Sea
Pic #2 - Palm Springs Pool Area
Pic #3 - Sunset at Campground
We packed up camp fairly early and drove to the Imperial Sand Dunes. This is featured in Star Wars... you know the big desert they walk through..... all the dunes. :) I know, I'm a geek. Anyway, we talked about movement of the dunes, where all the sand came from, as well as had a jumping contest. It was fun. We all had sand where sand does not belong. But it was just fun. We then drove and stopped along the New River, to talk more about California Water Issues, then moved on to the Saltan Sea. The Saltan Sea is a very sad story. We got off the bus and it just stunk! We walked out onto the beach and looked down. It wasn't sand. It was all just barnacles. There were dead fish along the shore. Of course we have a lecture here for about 30 minutes. Apparently there is a big restoration going on for the lake. I really hope so. So much I could say about all the damage done to this lake, but I won't go on too much on it right now. I will have my say on it in my paper. After the Saltan Sea, we stopped at a pumping station, this is a station that through pipes, pumps water OVER the mountains to California. Since there is such a shortage of water in California, they go through great expense to gather it from other states, and this is an example. Due to security, we couldn't get too close, but we managed to have a lecture roadside and see them in the distance. It's just unreal. that night we camped in Palm Springs in a Campground that was like an Oasis (it had showers!!). Just kidding, it had an amazing pool area, lots of animals, like 6 hot tubs, saunas, laundry. It was a really neat and gorgeous place.
Pic #1 - Saltan Sea
Pic #2 - Palm Springs Pool Area
Pic #3 - Sunset at Campground
Day 10
That morning we loaded on the bus and drove to the Mexican border. There we walked across. It was weird, they don't check ID, in fact there's not even any officials there. It was just weird. ANyway, we got in started browsing through shops. We were told to stay in groups of at least 4.... but preferably more. This was the most frustrating thing. Since no one in a group could agree on where they wanted to go.. some were spending far too long at each shop and such. I was just grumpy and frustrated. I ended up going back to the U.S. for the 1pm bus back to camp. I mean it was just so frustrating. I did pick up my Tequila on the way (which turned out to be nasty, and I pawned it off on the last night of the trip.. I shouldn't have bought the cheapest bottle). Anyway. I wish I had actually bought a hammock while there. They were so cheap and Josh always says how much he wants one. Anyway, there was about half the group that went back on the early bus. We went back and hung out by the pool, played some shuffleboard and such. It was the most wonderful afternoon. No regrets in cutting Mexico short at all. In fact, I have no desire to even go back to Mexico. That night a few of us went out to Applebees for dinner. It was so good. It was a first for all of us. Then we walked back to camp and enjoyed an evening playing more shuffleboard. No pictures this day.... I did take one of the bus, but I won't be adding it here.
That morning we loaded on the bus and drove to the Mexican border. There we walked across. It was weird, they don't check ID, in fact there's not even any officials there. It was just weird. ANyway, we got in started browsing through shops. We were told to stay in groups of at least 4.... but preferably more. This was the most frustrating thing. Since no one in a group could agree on where they wanted to go.. some were spending far too long at each shop and such. I was just grumpy and frustrated. I ended up going back to the U.S. for the 1pm bus back to camp. I mean it was just so frustrating. I did pick up my Tequila on the way (which turned out to be nasty, and I pawned it off on the last night of the trip.. I shouldn't have bought the cheapest bottle). Anyway. I wish I had actually bought a hammock while there. They were so cheap and Josh always says how much he wants one. Anyway, there was about half the group that went back on the early bus. We went back and hung out by the pool, played some shuffleboard and such. It was the most wonderful afternoon. No regrets in cutting Mexico short at all. In fact, I have no desire to even go back to Mexico. That night a few of us went out to Applebees for dinner. It was so good. It was a first for all of us. Then we walked back to camp and enjoyed an evening playing more shuffleboard. No pictures this day.... I did take one of the bus, but I won't be adding it here.
Day 8
Today was uneventful, we packed up in the morning, had showers, did laundry (our first time) and hit the road mid day. We drove to Lake Pleasant, getting in after dark. We had reservations, and couldn't find the site, then some guy in a golf cart with a very bright flashing light led us to the day use area.... so we set up there. He came back and said it was the wrong spot (NO kidding!), but said we could stay. So we set up. It was dark, we could hear the lake. We didn't set up tents that night, it was our first night under the stars.
Day 9
I woke up as the sun was rising (I got a picture right from my sleeping bag!).... The lake was gorgeous. I then looked around and there were Saguaro Cactus plants EVERYWHERE. It was amazing. So I quietly got up, and there were a couple other people up, so I got one of them to come for a walk. We went and got some pictures in the cacti. It was great. I've never seen them before and it was exciting to wake up and be surrounded by them. Didn't even notice them the night before. There was lots of exciting news in the morning. Apparently some coyotes had been within about 30 feet of us, and we found several scorpions in the campsite. No incidences though. We packed up and drove to Yuma that day!
Today was uneventful, we packed up in the morning, had showers, did laundry (our first time) and hit the road mid day. We drove to Lake Pleasant, getting in after dark. We had reservations, and couldn't find the site, then some guy in a golf cart with a very bright flashing light led us to the day use area.... so we set up there. He came back and said it was the wrong spot (NO kidding!), but said we could stay. So we set up. It was dark, we could hear the lake. We didn't set up tents that night, it was our first night under the stars.
Day 9
I woke up as the sun was rising (I got a picture right from my sleeping bag!).... The lake was gorgeous. I then looked around and there were Saguaro Cactus plants EVERYWHERE. It was amazing. So I quietly got up, and there were a couple other people up, so I got one of them to come for a walk. We went and got some pictures in the cacti. It was great. I've never seen them before and it was exciting to wake up and be surrounded by them. Didn't even notice them the night before. There was lots of exciting news in the morning. Apparently some coyotes had been within about 30 feet of us, and we found several scorpions in the campsite. No incidences though. We packed up and drove to Yuma that day!
Day 7 (May 3rd)
Today was the day I conquered all! I hiked the Grand Canyon. I was quite pleased with myself at the end of the day. It meant a lot for me. I now feel that my knee is strong enough to do anything!! Well the hike down was good, all down hill so it hurt the knees a fair bit. But everyone's knees were the same. We had lunch in the Indian Gardens. We met a group from SFU there, a bunch of Geology students. They had 1 girl and the rest guys, so the girl broke off from her group to hang out with us for the rest of the hike. She said it was awesome, since she was tired of being "one of the guys". She was a sweet girl. Anyway, we saw the mules come down while we were there. So we went out to the point to see everything, then came back to the Gardens. It was hot! Very hot. :) We then started our climb around noon. The climb out was tiring, and very sore. Jenny and I stuck together, and only about 3 pairs of our group passed us. It was a long hike out. You just kept looking up and being like "oh my! all the to go still..... I should just camp here". But then you'd look down and be like, "wow, I climbed all that so far...." It was horrible climbing out. I have to admit, I was grumpy and complaining the whole way out. We got near the top and saw Sam started to go down (he had been sick and unable to hike.... which for him was devastating). He had decided to go down a little bit... since he was feeling better. Anyway... once I finally got out of the canyon... which seemed like forever we were all going to meet at the Pub for dinner... so we went there, and before going in, I called Josh. I was proud I had done it. Once in the pub, I sat for about 45 minutes, had a burger and when I stood up to go back to camp..... I wasn't sore, I felt completely energetic.. it was great! That night we had a few drinks around the bus.... we didn't light a fire.. so we hung out by the light of the storage compartments of the bus. I must admit. I did go to bed early. It was a good day, and got me over a lot of the cautions I had with my knee!
Pic #1-From the top of the Canyon
Pic #2-Mules coming into Indian Gardens
Pic #3-Picture from Midway in canyon
Pic #4-Picture of Colorado River from inside the Canyon
there were many more pictures, but we'll leave it at these.
Today was the day I conquered all! I hiked the Grand Canyon. I was quite pleased with myself at the end of the day. It meant a lot for me. I now feel that my knee is strong enough to do anything!! Well the hike down was good, all down hill so it hurt the knees a fair bit. But everyone's knees were the same. We had lunch in the Indian Gardens. We met a group from SFU there, a bunch of Geology students. They had 1 girl and the rest guys, so the girl broke off from her group to hang out with us for the rest of the hike. She said it was awesome, since she was tired of being "one of the guys". She was a sweet girl. Anyway, we saw the mules come down while we were there. So we went out to the point to see everything, then came back to the Gardens. It was hot! Very hot. :) We then started our climb around noon. The climb out was tiring, and very sore. Jenny and I stuck together, and only about 3 pairs of our group passed us. It was a long hike out. You just kept looking up and being like "oh my! all the to go still..... I should just camp here". But then you'd look down and be like, "wow, I climbed all that so far...." It was horrible climbing out. I have to admit, I was grumpy and complaining the whole way out. We got near the top and saw Sam started to go down (he had been sick and unable to hike.... which for him was devastating). He had decided to go down a little bit... since he was feeling better. Anyway... once I finally got out of the canyon... which seemed like forever we were all going to meet at the Pub for dinner... so we went there, and before going in, I called Josh. I was proud I had done it. Once in the pub, I sat for about 45 minutes, had a burger and when I stood up to go back to camp..... I wasn't sore, I felt completely energetic.. it was great! That night we had a few drinks around the bus.... we didn't light a fire.. so we hung out by the light of the storage compartments of the bus. I must admit. I did go to bed early. It was a good day, and got me over a lot of the cautions I had with my knee!
Pic #1-From the top of the Canyon
Pic #2-Mules coming into Indian Gardens
Pic #3-Picture from Midway in canyon
Pic #4-Picture of Colorado River from inside the Canyon
there were many more pictures, but we'll leave it at these.
Day 6
Day 6 we went for a swim in Lake Powell. We then went to the Glen Canyon Dam, where someone gave us all sorts of information on Lake Powell, the dam and the Colorado River. She knew a lot more than the average worker, since she actually wasn't an employee of the dam. She told us lots of the Environmental issues with the dam, and how the native fish are endagered due tot he fact that the dam regulates the river temperature at too low of a temperature. It was really neat that she was able to share with us the nagatives of the dam. We also watched a video there, and then piled on the bus. On our drive that day we drove by "Hole-in-a-Rock"... "Mexican Hat" and that evening we camped at the Grand Canyon (which we went to the lookout to check it out at sunset). That night was very subdued and everyone went to bed early. The next day was the big hike.
Glen Canyon Dam:
Day 6 we went for a swim in Lake Powell. We then went to the Glen Canyon Dam, where someone gave us all sorts of information on Lake Powell, the dam and the Colorado River. She knew a lot more than the average worker, since she actually wasn't an employee of the dam. She told us lots of the Environmental issues with the dam, and how the native fish are endagered due tot he fact that the dam regulates the river temperature at too low of a temperature. It was really neat that she was able to share with us the nagatives of the dam. We also watched a video there, and then piled on the bus. On our drive that day we drove by "Hole-in-a-Rock"... "Mexican Hat" and that evening we camped at the Grand Canyon (which we went to the lookout to check it out at sunset). That night was very subdued and everyone went to bed early. The next day was the big hike.
Glen Canyon Dam:
Day 5
We started the day with a lecture on Arches national Park, it's geology and such, then drove to Newspaper Rock (another set of petroglyphs), then visited Gooseneck of San Juan River. It was really neat to see how the river carved into the plateau! :) Anyway, Day 5 was a very educational day, but was fun also. I also remember it being super hot. It was lovely! We camped at Lake Powell that night.
Pic #1- Newspaper Rock
Pic #2- Gooseneck on San Juan River
We started the day with a lecture on Arches national Park, it's geology and such, then drove to Newspaper Rock (another set of petroglyphs), then visited Gooseneck of San Juan River. It was really neat to see how the river carved into the plateau! :) Anyway, Day 5 was a very educational day, but was fun also. I also remember it being super hot. It was lovely! We camped at Lake Powell that night.
Pic #1- Newspaper Rock
Pic #2- Gooseneck on San Juan River
Monday, June 12, 2006
I have to interrupt the trip tour with news. We invited a new individual into our family this week. His name is Teemo and he is 9 months old. :) He's very adorable. He's very timid, and has spent most of his time hiding, but he is getting used to me, and has even come in the same room as me. He was a ferral cat, rescued at about 6 weeks I believe. He was in a foster home for a few months, where he got a bit of socializing, but due to an illness, he didn't get as much as he needed. He then went to PAWS where he's been for 5 months. Poor guy. He's been making leaps and bounds there, they say. Anyway, we brought him home with us on Saturday. He spent all of that day hidden inside his litterbox. But once we were watching a movie we heard him exploring a little bit (his bell on his collar). Then we saw little ears peek up over the stairs. But he quickly scampered away when we looked. Yesterday he got a little bit closer, but if we moved he bolted. Today he actually came into the bedroom while I was there and sat about 3 feet away. He was very tense. But he's getting used to me. :) I"m very excited. Soon I hope he is brave enough to come right up to us, and let us cuddle with him. He'll let me pet him when he's hiding..... but is very tense. As soon as we're in bed at night though he really roams around. It's really cute. Last night he actually spent most of the night just outside our bedroom door (which was open a crack). :) It's nice to hear his bell, since the first day he barely moved. We're still waiting for him to use the litter box (I've heard his digging in it.... but there haven't been any gifts left behind), and to eat... he hasn't eaten that much since he's been here. We do know he has found his dish and he's had a little bit here and there. He's making such progress though, so we're excited that he'll make good progress with us! Meet TEEMO! 
Friday, June 09, 2006
Day 4
All day hike in the Devil's garden. This hike was one of the best hikes. We saw so many arches this day. We were at the trail head around 7:30 I believe, and came back around dinner time. We totally explored everywhere. We climbed on the fins, and on top of arches, and through crevaces. It was lots of fun! That evening we went to Windows Arches for sunset. That was amazing! Afterwards was an evening at camp, we just hung out, played some games, had a fire, and just chatted. So pictures of the 4th day. I think I took over 100 pictures this day... so here are a few highlights.
Pic #1 - Rob hiking up a fin
Pic #2 - End view of fins - shows the geology quite well
Pic #3 - Sitting over top of an arch
Pic#4 - Dark Angel - also referred to as Bob's Knob, but U of L students
Pic#5 - Double O arch - really neat... was able to climb up onto the 2nd arch
Pic #6 - Whole group sitting on top of an arch
Pic #7 - Landscape arch - won't be there that much longer
Pic #8 - Sunset from sitting in the South Window Arch
Pic #9 - Turet Arch shortly after sunset
All day hike in the Devil's garden. This hike was one of the best hikes. We saw so many arches this day. We were at the trail head around 7:30 I believe, and came back around dinner time. We totally explored everywhere. We climbed on the fins, and on top of arches, and through crevaces. It was lots of fun! That evening we went to Windows Arches for sunset. That was amazing! Afterwards was an evening at camp, we just hung out, played some games, had a fire, and just chatted. So pictures of the 4th day. I think I took over 100 pictures this day... so here are a few highlights.
Pic #1 - Rob hiking up a finPic #2 - End view of fins - shows the geology quite well
Pic #3 - Sitting over top of an arch
Pic#4 - Dark Angel - also referred to as Bob's Knob, but U of L students
Pic#5 - Double O arch - really neat... was able to climb up onto the 2nd arch
Pic #6 - Whole group sitting on top of an arch
Pic #7 - Landscape arch - won't be there that much longer
Pic #8 - Sunset from sitting in the South Window Arch
Pic #9 - Turet Arch shortly after sunset
Wednesday, June 07, 2006
Day 3 cont'd
So the afternoon we did the courthouse wash. This hike follows the wash (obviously), so we walked in the water for some of it, where the water was gross or blocked we would walk on the banks. Now this hike was supposed to be something like 14 miles.... we ended up walking about 30 miles. I don't know how, but we did. At some points the water was up to mid belly so we were holding packs above our heads, other times there was barely a trickle. There were some really gross sections of the wash, and there were some clearer, and some deep sections (I swam one section of it). We were told to do most of the hike in sandals, and I only had flip flops. 30 miles in flip flops are NOT good. I was a little cranky, but looking back I mostly remember the good things of that hike. We were very tired coming out. During the hike we got to experience quicksand (in massive amounts)... that was crazy. I had one foot on solid sand, then the other one was up to my knee in quicksand. It's the neatest thing. Lost some shoes, but they all surfaced eventually. This hike was really neat because of the the picturesque-ness of the surroundings. But we were all mostly cranky and we were anxious to get out of there. Here are some pictures from this hike:
In the evening we went to town and enjoyed the local culture. :) Moab is a great little town. We happened to be there the weekend of their HUGE car show... so everyone was driving around in old cars - or souped up cars, and everyone else had lawn chairs along the roads. It was fun. And there was the best mexican restaurant ever there!!! :)
So the afternoon we did the courthouse wash. This hike follows the wash (obviously), so we walked in the water for some of it, where the water was gross or blocked we would walk on the banks. Now this hike was supposed to be something like 14 miles.... we ended up walking about 30 miles. I don't know how, but we did. At some points the water was up to mid belly so we were holding packs above our heads, other times there was barely a trickle. There were some really gross sections of the wash, and there were some clearer, and some deep sections (I swam one section of it). We were told to do most of the hike in sandals, and I only had flip flops. 30 miles in flip flops are NOT good. I was a little cranky, but looking back I mostly remember the good things of that hike. We were very tired coming out. During the hike we got to experience quicksand (in massive amounts)... that was crazy. I had one foot on solid sand, then the other one was up to my knee in quicksand. It's the neatest thing. Lost some shoes, but they all surfaced eventually. This hike was really neat because of the the picturesque-ness of the surroundings. But we were all mostly cranky and we were anxious to get out of there. Here are some pictures from this hike:
In the evening we went to town and enjoyed the local culture. :) Moab is a great little town. We happened to be there the weekend of their HUGE car show... so everyone was driving around in old cars - or souped up cars, and everyone else had lawn chairs along the roads. It was fun. And there was the best mexican restaurant ever there!!! :)
Day 3
Day 3 was in Arches National Park. We did two hikes: Delicate Arch Hike and Courthouse Wash Hike. The Delicate Arch hike was great. It was a great first hike. We were climbing rock faces, and just exploring. We had to stay on paths or rock... and most of the park is rock, so it was great. We climbed down into canyons and around bowls and right up to arches. It was absolutely amazing, probably one of my favorite hikes! So here are a few photos from that hike:
Pic 1 - Petroglyphs
Pic 2 - Plateau - pushed up
Pic 3- Peaks near Dilicate Arch
Pic 4 - Delicate Arch from down in the Canyon
Pic 5 and 6 - Delicate Arch - can see bowl as well
Best Hike....
The afternoon hike was the Courthouse Wash, but I'll start a new entry, so I have more space.
Day 3 was in Arches National Park. We did two hikes: Delicate Arch Hike and Courthouse Wash Hike. The Delicate Arch hike was great. It was a great first hike. We were climbing rock faces, and just exploring. We had to stay on paths or rock... and most of the park is rock, so it was great. We climbed down into canyons and around bowls and right up to arches. It was absolutely amazing, probably one of my favorite hikes! So here are a few photos from that hike:
Pic 1 - Petroglyphs
Pic 2 - Plateau - pushed up
Pic 3- Peaks near Dilicate Arch
Pic 4 - Delicate Arch from down in the Canyon
Pic 5 and 6 - Delicate Arch - can see bowl as well
Best Hike....
The afternoon hike was the Courthouse Wash, but I'll start a new entry, so I have more space.
Alright folks, it's time to revisit the SouthWest!
Day 1
So our first day of the trip was a long drive. We drove nearly to Salt Lake City. We drove a full 10 hours (as far as the bus could go in one day) and ended up staying in a KOA in Pocatello, Utah.... or perhaps Idaho. I'll have to check on that. That night we played a ball tossing game that forced us to learn who everyone was. We were also forced into a huge group hug (which was alright in retrospect, it was those group hugs when no one had showered in 5 days that were nasty). That night I met everyone, but the next day I forgot a lot of names.... but I learned them quickly again. - no pictures taken - drove through Montana, Idaho. Oh and Pocatello is Idaho still.
Day 2
Early morning departure, drove to Arches National Park near Moab, Utah. :) On the drive that day we stopped at the Green River (which meets up with the Colorado River) and looked around at the J.W. Powell Museum for a while. It was our introdcution to the Colorado River... which we would be following for most of the rest of the trip. We discussed how the Green River and Colorado River join to provide water for the Upper Colorado River and how the Colorado River is over subscribed, leaving not even a trickle that reaches the ocean. That day we stopped at the info centre at Arches NP, and learned about the park and the "rules" of the park.
-Green River
-Arches National Park - Visitors Centre
Day 1
So our first day of the trip was a long drive. We drove nearly to Salt Lake City. We drove a full 10 hours (as far as the bus could go in one day) and ended up staying in a KOA in Pocatello, Utah.... or perhaps Idaho. I'll have to check on that. That night we played a ball tossing game that forced us to learn who everyone was. We were also forced into a huge group hug (which was alright in retrospect, it was those group hugs when no one had showered in 5 days that were nasty). That night I met everyone, but the next day I forgot a lot of names.... but I learned them quickly again. - no pictures taken - drove through Montana, Idaho. Oh and Pocatello is Idaho still.
Day 2
Early morning departure, drove to Arches National Park near Moab, Utah. :) On the drive that day we stopped at the Green River (which meets up with the Colorado River) and looked around at the J.W. Powell Museum for a while. It was our introdcution to the Colorado River... which we would be following for most of the rest of the trip. We discussed how the Green River and Colorado River join to provide water for the Upper Colorado River and how the Colorado River is over subscribed, leaving not even a trickle that reaches the ocean. That day we stopped at the info centre at Arches NP, and learned about the park and the "rules" of the park.
-Green River
-Arches National Park - Visitors Centre
Friday, June 02, 2006
I've been back from my trip to the American Southwest for about 2 weeks now. I still haven't found my camera cord, but as soon as I do, I'll give a recap of the trip, and display some pictures.
On another note, I'm going eco-hippy. I'm very excited about my new composter that I am getting, and was very excited about seeding my clover lawn this weekend, but now I determined that I can't get clover, well, I take that back... If I want clover I need to buy a 55 lb bag of it..... and I need less than 1 lb to do my lawn. Very disappointing. I think I've determined that this blog will be my efforts to lower my ecological footprint on this world.
On another note, I'm going eco-hippy. I'm very excited about my new composter that I am getting, and was very excited about seeding my clover lawn this weekend, but now I determined that I can't get clover, well, I take that back... If I want clover I need to buy a 55 lb bag of it..... and I need less than 1 lb to do my lawn. Very disappointing. I think I've determined that this blog will be my efforts to lower my ecological footprint on this world.
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