Pine Creek Canyon--2nd Time

I've been chained to my computer the last two weeks trying to finish up my last paper at BYU so when my friend Pat called to see if I wanted to go down to Zions on Thursday night I didn't feel too bad saying "yes" even though I had another draft due on Monday. Friday afternoon I packed my bags in a matter of 15 minutes and we were on our way.

That night none us of slept too well. It was very hot. And our campsite was infested with ants; lots of them. I was laying on top of my bag trying to fall asleep but all the little ant paths being forged across my legs and arms, while one daring little ant went exploring down my shirt was keeping me awake. Finally I submitted to the sweltering inferno of my bag. Heat after all was better than creepy crawlies. I had just thrust half of my body out of my bag as a compromise when it started to rain. Surprisingly the rain felt refreshing. It cooled the air and chased the ants back into their little sandy homes. However, it is still very difficult to fall asleep in the rain. It rained twice that night and finally after the second time I was able to get some rest. When I awoke at 7:00 a.m. to the stirrings of other campers everyone laughed at my hair. It was sticking out in at least five different directions. Rain + naturally curly hair + steam rolling ants all night long = naturally bad hair day.

Our original goal was to do Mystery Canyon but all of the permits had been taken so we decided to go through Pine Creek instead. This was a blessing in disguise. Just after Pat descended the first rappel and the rest of us were about to follow, two of the girls that had come with us informed me that they had never been rappelling before. That made me feel a little bit nervous, especially cause I knew what was to come. I gave them a quick crash course guide to rappelling and thankfully we made it down without any problems and all had a really fun time. During our descent we came across a couple of spotted owls and one brightly colored yellow butterfly. The scenery was beautiful and even with all the stress of getting things together at the last minute and enduring a night with the ants, and the rain, and the heat, this trip left me feeling totally refreshed and rejuvenated.

City of Rocks, Idaho

Last weekend I revisted the first place I ever went Rock Climbing. I can still remember after that first very nerve wracking scramble up "Practice Rock" my good friend Tammy turned to me and said "Maybe you've found your new sport." It was another 6 years before I really started climbing outdoors but it has been something I've loved ever since.

My and my good friend Patrick took turns leading a route called Jackson's Thumb. This particular route is a 4 pitch climb. A pitch equals the distance between the anchors and your belay, which means we climbed up to the chains, anchored in, and belayed our partner up 4 times. It was pretty high! This was my first multi pitch route so it was kind of thrilling. This is a picture of us up at the top.

Maple Canyon

This summer I've been exploring some new places with new friends. Last weekend we went rock climbing in Maple Canyon. I've always heard that the climbing is fabulous there but I had no idea how crazy the rock would look. I've never gone climbing on anything quite like it. After navigating through a herd of sheep in an old VW rabbit that almost didn't make it we found this beautiful little canyon chock full of outdoors enthusiasts tucked away in the mountains near Fountain Green.

Little Photographers

Last Sunday my nieces and nephews wanted to play photographer with my digital camera. I think it gives them a sense of power. Alyssa actually took a few good shots. The hard part was distracting her with something else long enough to get my camera back and hide it.

Life After College

With a little break between winter semester and my last class at BYU I'm starting to get a little taste for life after college. I get up, go to work, come home and I no longer feel guilty for engaging in creative projects or socializing with friends and family rather than doing homework. It's great! However, I do forsee myself getting bored if I don't actively continue to engage my mind in new pursuits. This month I've been returning to one of my favorite hobbies, quilt making.

Over the last 8 years I've been collecting 1930's reproduction prints because I love them so much. I've been looking for the perfect pattern to set off the prints and I think I might have found it at last. It looks hard though and I'm not exactly sure how to piece it together. I think it is a very old pattern as I've only found it catalogued in one quilting book and they got the pattern from a newspaper article citing old family quilt patterns.

A couple of days ago, I was going through my bucket of fabrics and found some nine patch squares for a quilt I'd never finished. So last night rather than going out on a date I pieced the top of a quilt together after work. It was very satisfying to see the end result. I think I will call it "Winter Sunrise."