Summertime

I'd say pictures to come but than this draft has been sitting half finished since the beginning of July.

This summer has been busy for us. Matt and I decided that we were going on my family's annual backpacking trip. So I started dehydrating food night and day. I made a lot of yummy things and I'm happy to report we didn't have the standard hamburger helper.

I'm also happy to report that we went to the Wind Rivers. It is our (may family's) favorite place and I was excited to take Matt there. Though I hope to take him to other places like the White Clouds (possibly my personal favorite) and the Big Horn Crags.

This was Matt's first long hiking trip. He was a bit concerned that he would starve so packed a lot of food. He would end up packing a lot of food out. However he does eat a lot so it wasn't as much extra as I had first thought.

To prep for the trip we went on several day hikes with loaded packs and I dried food. I dried everything for the meals. on the menu: unstuffed peppers, bbq beef stew, chicken pesto tortellini. Kim brought: Hawaiian shrimp and rice and peanut Thai noodles. Most of the menu I'd repeat. The one item I'm not sure of I'd be interested in experimenting with the ingredients to see if it could be improved on.

Lunches I made a variety of salads and breakfast we had couscous or homemade instant oatmeal. Yep homemade pouches. We had such flavors as: orange cranberry, peach macadamia nut, and the standard apple cinnamon.

The trip overall was amazing. We decided to go in a day early (Matt didn't want the nephews showing him up). The first night we camped at Lake Vera. It was a grueling 10 mi hike and Matt thought we were crazy and we're out to kill him.

We waited, Matt fished, that day for rest of the group to get there. They did make better time than us but we're every bit as tuckered out as we had been the night before. I bet they appreciated the fire we had going. Oh yes we ate fish for lunch that day and it started to sprinkle on us.

Tuesday we woke up to a drizzly day. Ate breakfast and headed out. We decided we'd stay drying on the trail instead of cutting our own. We were wrong. First we took the wrong fork so hiked 7 miles instead of 3 in the rain. Add to it us having to hike around downed trees and through wet meadows....yeah we all wished we'd hiked the 3 miles and cut our own trail. There was much groaning every time we saw a trail join the one we were on (because we knew that the joining trail was shorter than the never ending trail we had chosen).

We made camp in our usual spot and started drying out socks, boots and Matt's sleeping bag. That night Clint woke up he said as something BIG lumbered by his tent. Matt and I kind of woke up when Clint got out of his tent sometime later to check the camp. I rolled my eyes and went back to sleep when he said "don't shoot me Matt I'm outside your tent."

I woke up again when Jeff joined Clint outside and they started saying things like "hey get out of here" "did you see that?" "What was it?" "I don't know but it's big and it didn't go away." "It's not scared of us." Matt got out of the tent at that point and moved my pack to sit in with the others. He suggested at this point that it was probably a porcupine.

Everyone goes bavk to the yents. We settle back and I'm almost asleep when we hear it again rustling at the packs. Matt sticks his head outside and says, "yep a porcupine." I of course had to see and sure enough it was a 30 pound porcupine near Jeff's pack.

It was decided that we should shoot the thing so we can get some sleep and so it wouldn't damage the packs (It would've chewed on the packs for the salt from our sweat). Matt takes aim and fires. Only he decided at the last minute he didn't want to have to clean the thing at 2:30 am so shot at the ground. It got scared and ran away. We didn't see it again.

Wednesday we wake up to a gloomy looking day. Everyone but Matt and I go on a day hike to Europe Canyon. Matt stayed and fished the lake by our camp and caught a ton of fish. I took a nap but did wake up to go take pictures of his fish. That day we had fish for lunch and dinner. The other group didn't have as good of luck.

Thursday we all went to Halls Lake. The fishing was ok and the day was sunny. We had a bunch of fun. That evening we fished again at the lake by our camp and had more fish for dinner.

Friday Matt and I dropped down to Lake Vera. It was good for us to have a day to ourselves and also made so we wouldn't have 13 miles to hike out. We were able to wash ourselves and clothes before it sprinkled on us. (i was told later that the other group got more than a sprinkle).

Saturday was the normal hike out. We made fairly good time. As I said overall it was a wonderful trip full of new memories. I love hiking and taking the time to connect with my family without the distractions of everyday life.

Other things that I need to catch you up on: hike to Kane Lake...And I'm sure there's more too can't remember off hand though. I will tell you it doesn't have to do with canning. I'm a disappointment but I haven't canned anything this summer and I'm jot sure if I will either. :-(

Long Weekend

Here is the run down of my trip to Cali.

Thursday after work we took a nap, finished packing, dropped Sandy off with friends, picked up our rental car and hit the road. Yes we started driving at 10pm.

I'm just glad we had a rental car. It was a new Ford Fusion and very comfy. We made it almost to Carson City before needing another nap. We woke up with the sun (3 hours later) and kept driving.

We drove through the ugly part of Cali I swear, and the pollution. It was sad not being able to see the mountain or valley. Our first stop was to pick up his tux.

So let me tell you about this tux. I think it must be lined with gold dust cause it cost 220.00. We showed up at the store and yes I had called ahead. Well this snippy lady tells us we would just have to come back in 30 min as we didn't have a reservation and as a bus just dropped a bunch of other guys needing tuxes.

Talk about rude. She could've been kind about it, could've asked us if we were needing a fitting or just picking up. We had to tell her three times we were just picking up and that we didn't have 30 min to wait and then come back for a final fitting.

After getting the tux we went to the beach. We waded into the water then sat on the sand. Sadly we only have 30 min before we had to drive another hour or so to get Matt to dodgers stadium.

Only in Cali does it take an hour to drive 12 miles. The traffic is horrible and the drivers do not signal. Matt made it to the stadium in time for the party with the guys and I took off with Jessica (she is the best man's wife). We went to pier. Never made it back to the beach but did have fun wandering down the pier. We ate fresh seafood and saw some of Frozen as that was the movie they were projecting onto a big screen.

Matt and I stayed in a hotel in San Marcos for the night. It was fairly cheap at 75.00 per night.

The wedding day nothing went according to schedule. Go figure, I think mine is the only one that ran on time. The sealing was to start at 8 am and pictures were to start at 10 am. At 8:20 they still hadn't started. I'm not sure what time we got around to pictures. It did feel like forever...I also heard comments from members of Matt's family that my wedding affair had been a lot simpler.

Lunch was provided by the groom's parents. It was a wonderful sandwhich and salads and fruit platters on a patio fairly close by. The food was good and I ate a ton. So if you didn't get any it was my fault. In my defense I thought they were bringing more food out but they never did.

The reception. Was held a couple hours away in Torrence. I was beyond sick of the car by this point and just wanted to go to the beach for the rest of the day. Sadly I was told the bridal party would be having more pictures at the church at 4. Ugh.

The church where the reception took place is really old. It even smells old. I loved the detail, the brick work, stained glass, and all the wood. I'm so glad we got there an hour early so I could explore a bit. I'm also glad I didn't bring my camera along as I'd still be there snapping pictures.

Inside it was heavily decorated. I'm not sure what I think of the decorations. Draping can be nice at hiding doors and such but too much and, well it felt like it was in the 80s. The pictures I've seen of the events look dated.

The bridal party did not take more poctures. In fact I don't think the bride and groom even had pictures taken around that church. That's a a shame as it was a photographers dream!

The dinner was cooked for us by the bride's brother. Again the time table got all out of whack. We had salad and a brother and then waited well over an hour for the main course. It was alright the meat was dry and everything was cold. Well not everything. The potatoes were still warm and they tasted pretty good, so not a complete loss.

Matt decorated the car. As it was a rental they just covered the license plate with white duck tape and wrote just married on it. Then they took tool and hung left over hot dogs from the game and peanuts from the trunk.

We did dance and had some fun. Matt's whole family dances. It's crazy. Matt's promised to teach me to swing. I can do the other dances by following my partner but swing is a bit trickier.

The bride and groom were sent off to sparklers and we left soon after. We drove as long as we could then slept in the car again for a few hours.

We heard from others that were driving home and they got stuck in traffic near Vegas around 1 or 2. I was so glad that we were near Ceader City by this point.

We stopped at Cove Fort and a cemetery on the way home.Cove Fort is one of 2 forts still standing from that time frame. It was built by President Hinkley's grandfather and still has the original doors on it. It was a fun stop and our guide was very accommodating to our time schedule.

The cemetery we stopped at was in Parson City (I think). We went looking for a headstone of Matt's great great great great grandfather and sister. An eagle scout had completed the plot directory this year and so it only took us 3 min to find the markers and snap pictures.

We finally made it home. 6:30. We were tired and just glad to be back in town. Sandy missed us but loved her new hair cut. (Our friends buzzed her)

 Here is the view of the pollution driving I to Cali.

 The pier I wandered along at sunset.

 The church where the reception was held.

 The drapping.

 The fort.

 The original door on the fort.

 These trees were planted when the fort was built and should have only lived 75 years.

 President Hinkley's dad's cabin. They moved it from Coalville when they restored the fort.

Winners

This weekend has turned out rather awesome. It started out having fun plans made that were changed and then changed again. :-)

We were going to drive to Oregon to see Matt's grandma (she turned 90 on Friday), stay with my friends, and see a bunch of waterfalls. That was plan one and I was super excited for it.

To be nice I'll just say we weren't able to make it afterall. So we planned on going to my family runion. It was an ok plan. No offense but it was just a day thing at the park so not as exciting as seeing to people and places.

Friday morning I keep getting these texts from Mom saying what winners they were. They were going to Yellowstone and we're playing the trivia games on the radio. The kids were the ones winning.

Josh won first with the question: these are the dirtiest things you use every day. Answer: shoes. The next question Ali got. It was: medically 3 out of 4 people don't do this and should. Answer: use sunscreen. Well the radio has this policy that family members can't win. Josh already won so Ali couldn't get her prize. Grandma to the rescue. She calls in and give the answer then gives her maiden name. The kids won loto tickets and entry into a drawing for cash.

That's all exciting, better then being at wirk. Well I get this call from Michelle. She was playing too. She was the 20th caller and the winner for 2 concert tickets to see Due West and Ty Herndon that night in Blackfoot. She couldn't use her name so had used mine. They also weren't going to be back in time for the concert so was giving them to me. Awesome!

Matt was so excited. Neither of us knew the groups playing but we lived that it was free.we arrived at the auditorium and the parking lot was fairly empty. Not a good sign and I thought we were running late. Well we were 30 min early for once. I turned around from getting the tickets to see someone talking to Matt. The guy was with the band and had selected us to meet the band before the show and gave me a shirt. Matt and I felt kind of bad that we didn't know either band but didn't say no to the short or chance to meet them.

The music was ok. Due West Matt really liked and wanted to buy their CDs. Ty sang really old songs. They were good just really old. Overall it was a great start to the weekend.

Saturday Matt and I drove to Idaho Falls for the family reunion. We left earlish so we could do some shopping. I know shocking. Mom called three times to my cell then to Matt's. She had left the crockpot at home. I think she was surprised that we were already in IF.

The reunion was a lot of fun. We visited with everyone, ate great food, heard about a couple of our ancestors and played lots of games. Let's see the kidos made things out of marshmallows and toothpicks, played kickball, we had a water balloon launcher, water fights, family football, and a few others. It was really fun and I think everyone enjoyed themselves.

As for my shopping I came home with a brand new hiking pack. I love my new toy and stayed up quite late playing with it. It fits me way better then my old one and I can't wait to go on a trip!!

Matt and I ended our weekend with a visit to his brother in Utah. Lyman is one of my favorites. Maybe that's because he also loves books and has read more then me? We had lunch and just visited with him. It was so great to see him and spend that time with him as he is getting married and moving to California at the end of the month.

Well that was my way awesome weekend. I can't wait till next weekend; we're going to Yellowstone. 

What I was told

My city up and spoke to me last night. (Well this morning as I read the news.) The city informed me that my rights no longer mattered, that other people's supposed rights were far more important than mine. What happened you ask?

My city voted to keep an ordinance. It even has a nice sounding name. It's called a nondiscrimination ordinance. Now no one wants to be accused of being prejudice so many voted for it on that basis alone. But this ordinance does infringe on my rights and my safety.

Safety first. Right now any man that views himself as a woman can enter any public woman's changing room or restroom. Now here is how I see it. I'm a girl and I have girl parts. The ordinance is pretty subjective. Any man can  claim he views himself as a female. How can we prove otherwise? So this takes away the scanty protection of the sign. Let's face it signs and locks keep honest people honest. If someone wanted in the bathroom or changing room they'd get in regardless. Just as they would your home.
But now this ordinance provides an opportunity for every peeping Tom and perv in the city to just say one day that he is a she and go into the public room to prey on the women and children in there. Women and children in some cases are now at greater risk of exploitation by criminals.

Think of it this way. You go into the girls locker room and in comes a 45 year old man and because he thinks of himself as a she it suddenly becomes alright for him to display his male parts? It happened to a 17 year old student in another state but could easily happen in my city now. And children as young as six use that locker room. I'm sorry but if a child had been in the room couldn't that fall under endangerment of a child, intentional or not? And prior to this incident there weren't even privacy curtains.

Christopher Holbrook a biological male used a similar law to my city's to gain access to two women's shelters where sexually assaulted two women. Think about the fact that many women going to the womens shelters do so out of need. They have already been abused and are promised a safe haven to get their life together to get away from the abuse. Then you're forced to share space with a man because he claims he is a woman. He follows you around, spies on you as you go to the bathroom watches you while you shower, makes you touch him and assaults you in the night.  This is a man that had already preyed on a 5 year old girl and a mentally disabled woman. While happened in Canada, my city has made it a possibility here.

I used to do portrait photography. I say used to because with this ordinance I can too easily be sued for declining to take pictures of same gender couples. As a photographer I would no longer be able to dictate what my art represents. I'm sorry but I firmly believe that marriage is ordained of God and is to be between a man and a woman. I believe that family units are essential to God's plan. I believe that we have temptations and desires that we are to overcome to be perfected in Christ. I alsp believe every child has a right to a home with a mother and a father whenever possible. And as such I cannot through my art support othwrwise. I feel it is a violation of my rights for the very small minority to dictate what I am to photograph. And this i have heard happening a lot to other photographers. Our right to make a living in our chosen field is hindered because our right to freedom of expression and freedom of speech are being violated. But then in the case of one photographer in New Mexico, she was told by a justice in the New Mexico Supreme Court, "(the photographers) now are compelled by law to compromise the very religious beliefs that inspire their lives...it is the price of citizenship." I shouldn't have to had my religious views because they might hurt someone's feelings. I have rights too.

What about the baker in Colorado? He told a gay couple that he would gladly bake them a cake or sell them any baked goods any other time. But that due to deeply held religious convictions he wasn't able to participate in their wedding. He lost in court. They said he was discriminating. I don't think he was. His religion forbids their members from participating in same sex weddings but he was willing to sell them baked goods for ANY other occasion.
You want to hear the big kicker? In the city's quest for fairness for all they will soon be effecting pastors, bishops, and other religious officials. With this ordinance when same sex marriages becomes legal for the state your favorite clergyman will face the same dilemma say no to marrying the same sex couple and be sued or have his/her religious rights/freedoms infringed on and say yes. Fun how we voted for this ordinance so that we could then limit ourselves right?

Might I point out that adoption agencies here are already facing this same dilemma? There are a few religious based services that are having their rights and their clients rights infringed on right now.

Blain Adamson a owner of a tshirt printing company was approached to print some shirts to promote the Lexington Pride Festival. He declined due to the message but found another printer that was willing to print the shirts for the same cost. He was sued. He wasn't against the people just didn't support the message. He had filled orders for others that he knew were gay and even hired gay employees. He just could not support their cause and his rights were seen as lesss.

Julia Ward a counseling student back in 2009 referred a couple to another councilor because she couldn't affirm a homosexual relatuonship. She was accused of violating the program's ethics and she was expelled from the Maters program. It took the 6th circuit federal court to rule in her favor to send the case back to court for the school to settle.

And all this so 2% of the population in this city can have their rights upheld. In this quest for greater tolerance the other side has forgotten that tolerance is a two-way street. We can have different views and opinions and religions. But don't go taking away my rights!

Memory Book

This past month I have officially begun to work on the memory book of my dad and his trips. Jeff had gotten me all the pictures he had a year or more ago and I have been slacking. I was busy with canning, a fire and anything and everything else. Truthfully, last year was a hard year. I didn't want to remember and to work on something so personal (I won't even tell you how many times I've had tears come to my eyes as I've been actively working on this).

So I have gotten a fairly good start, or so I think. I still have a lot to do. I figured I'd first start by outlining the book. I've put in pictures on about 26 pages and done about eight of Dad's trips. I'm still waiting on pictures from others (Jason, Clint, Kim...hint hint....jk, but only sort of). I figured once I have all the pictures in then I will be ready for the memories from EVERYONE. I'm excited for the memories of the grandkids :-)

In case you didn't get my email let me explain how I hope to divide the book. Dad took tons of pictures of his trips. Sadly all the film pictures weren't really organized by date. Also most of the hiking pictures from the film days didn't have people in them. So the first section of the book will be of the scanned pictures and I'll divide up the pictures by area. So there will be a section of the Crags, Sawtooths, White Clouds, etc.

The second section (and the part I'm working on currently) will be when we switched to the digital age. These trips will be devided by the trip.

The third section will be non hiking/camping trips. These will include some of the slideshow from the funeral, the pillow fight Dad had at Jeff's with the grandkids, floating the river (Mom if you'd resend me some pictures? there were a couple you sent me after the funeral and I've lost them), etc.

As there are far more pictures then room in the book (I estimate that the book will be 200 pages and cost $124.00), I will be burning DVDs of all the pictures for anyone that would like them. You do not have to purchase a book to get a DVD. Just let me know what you'd like. 

I will be putting pictures of more than just Dad in the book. He doesn't need to be in the picture to qualify for the book. Please send any pictures you want in the book and any memories you have.

***************IMPORTANT*********** If you have a favorite picture that you would be very disappointed that didn't make it into the book PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE let me know which picture it is and I'll make sure it is in the book. :-)


And now what you've been waiting for. Here are the pages I have outlined thus far. Please forgive the image quality as I couldn't save a preview file so had to take pictures with my phone of my computer screen. This is just to give you an idea of the layout thus far. They are taken as if you were looking at an open book. I can still add pages if you have pictures of the trips below, or change out pictures.

2007---Uintas… Dad, Jeff, Kristy

2008---Escalante… Dad, Jeff, Jason, Josh, Dillon

2008---Wind Rivers(Elkhart Park)… Dad, Jeff, Kristy, Kim

2009---Wind Rivers… Dad, Jeff, Clint, Kristy, Josh

* the right page of the last pic above is: 2010---Copper Basin day hikes…Dad, Jeff, Jason, Josh, Dillon, Truman

2011---Escalante…Dad, Mom, Jeff, Michelle, Kristy, Josh, Ali, Nate

2011---White Clouds…Dad, Jeff, Jason, Kristy, Josh, Dillon

 

2012---Wind Rivers…Dad, Jeff, Jason, Josh, Dillon

2012---Arrowhead…Dad, Matt, Jason, Dillon, Truman

The first

The first commandment is that we shall have no other his before me.  Now first is like to point out that God created all things, including us. What better way can we show love and appreciation than by worshiping Him? God created the universe,  this earth, and other worlds.

Does our worship of him add anything to that greatness or to his state of being? No it doesn't.  We worship God for us. It reminds us who is in control. We are humble and submissive. And add we work at keeping the commandments and building His kingdom we become better over all.  Our wills and desires come into alignment with God. And than doing the right thing isn't such a burden. We find we aren't doing things alone but that we have help.

Our trials and tribulations become easier for that knowledge that we aren't alone. And as we do all we can we are humbled to realize how short we fall from what is asked of us.  We are humbled to glimpse the gift Christ gave in paying for our sins and weeknesses. We accept with gratitude what we are unable to do for ourselves. And I the end we see ask the promises of God are met, we will be saved and we will gain eternal life.

I find it inspiring that God so loves us that he gave His son for us. He so loves us that he helps even when we least deserve it. He is the creator of all, we do not add to his greatness by our worship. He is creator of us all and mindful of our needs and desires. He gives help, love, and support. He never leaves us.

I guess I went I to a but of a tangent. Above is the why of the commandment and below is the how or the meaning of the words.

No other gods quite simple means anything if put before your love and worship of God.

Think of it this way. You have a Mason jar and a bunch of sand. The sand represents all the worldly things that take your attention: eating, sleeping, tv, your phone, any toy, friends etc. Some of the things are good and healthy and needed in your life. Others just make life fun. As you list off the things of the world the sand begins to fill the jar. 

Now you notice you have a bunch of stones. These stones represent the things of God: visiting the sick, fulfilling callings, reading scriptures,  going to the temple, going to church, praying etc. You notice your jar is mostly filled up and you can only put a couple of those stones in. The world was put first.

Now if you were to take the same amount of sand and stones and put the store es in first you'd find that everything fit. By putting God first everything else falls I to place. Go try it.

Update

So much has been happening. Matt was horribly sick for two or so weeks. First he was told it was a virus than he was told that he'd most likely had strep a week later. In the end he was treaded for a sinus, ear, and lung infection. It took to prescriptions to clear up.

He decided to share it with me. The gal at the doctors decided to swap my throat for the fun of it. I told her I didn't have step just a sinus infection. She insisted. I have never had stitch a horrible swab in my whole life. For the first time I thought I was actually going to throw up on someone.

The test came back negative. I had a sinus infection. I was mostly cured with the prescription given. I had to go back in cause there was still a lot of pleasure in my ears. So much pressure that I was very dizzy and had a hard time walking. No infection this time. They gave me some nasty tasting steroids to help drain everything. I'm mostly back to normal.

Matt is now writing insurance with a different company.  Before he wrote with Banker's and now he writes with American Senior Benefit.  This company is better in that he can write for several insurance companies not just one.  He likes the company but is frustrated with some of the start up processes.

Matt got the car up and running. Just in time too cause the Jeep just started leaking antifreeze everywhere on lunch.

And that's my update.