Bryce May 2014

We went camping again, this time to Bryce Canyon. 

I'll be honest, I've never really fallen in love with Bryce Canyon.  It is beautiful, but the only experience I'd had before this weekend was driving through it and admiring the view resting on my rump.  At best I'd walk across the parking lot for a better view.

This time we did it right!  The first day I biked the entire canyon and more, going 50 miles, elevations 8,000 feet to 9,100 feet.  What a workout!  It took six hours, including all the stops at the view areas.

The second day Todd and a couple friends took the shuttle to the top of the canyon (9100 feet) and ran 24 miles down to the base (6300 feet) and back up to Bryce Point.  W.O.W.  What a killer workout!

Avery and I hiked down to the base and back up, but only went about 4 miles and I felt tired from it!  As usual, we squeezed in a lot for such a short trip.  I didn't realize till now that I didn't get a single picture of Todd.  Sorry Todd!

Avery the little camper in her "tot spot."

I was happier than I look to be at the top, lol

Tuckered out from the steep hike.

Moab May 2014

We camped in Moab last weekend.  It was a short trip but we squeezed a ton in and had a great time.  Avery LOVED it and did OK camping, so we'll definitely be going again soon.

Friday Todd and 2 friends drove down at 4 a.m. to do Blue John Canyon, the same hike/ climb/ rappel that Aaron Ralston did when he got stuck and cut off his arm.  They stayed in Green River Friday evening.

Saturday at 7 a.m. Avery and I drove to Green River to pick up Todd.  He dropped off Avery and I and our bike/ trailer 10 miles outside of Moab and we rode in to town. 

Then we hiked to the water hole and swam in the pools and falls. Avery LOVED this part and literally squealed with delight for 2 solid hours while we swam.  The water was really cold but felt so great.

Then we ate dinner at the Moab Brewing Company with Todd's friends.  Afterward we went climbing at the Big Bend boulders while the sun set.  Avery also reallllllly loved this and she & I laughed so hard together at her attempts to climb little boulders and my attempts to help her up.  We were both pretty tired and in silly moods, and we literally laughed till we had tears streaming down our faces. :)  Meanwhile Todd got in a good climbing work out.

We camped across from the Slickrock parking area.  Avery had a hard time falling asleep so Todd and I chose not to have a campfire (it might have kept her awake with all the light.) Instead he and I lay under the stars together on his crash pad and talked about life and our future.  It was romantic and sweet.

The next morning we dropped Todd off at the Porcupine Rim bike trail head, and he ran the 15 mile trail.  Avery and I took a nap and went shopping while he was running.  Then we picked him up and ate a beefy meal at Denny's (Todd literally ate two meals cuz he was famished.) 

Afterward Todd and Avery hiked to the swim hole again while I rode 30 miles with long steep hills and huge gusts of wind to fight against.  It was a wonderful ride!

We met up at the water spring and then drove home.  Avery watched "Signing Time" and didn't complain one bit about the drive.  She learned how to hit the play button with her toe to restart the movie.  Clever girl.

Avery giving Daddy some love

 

Petroglyphs

   

   

   

   

Ghetto booty

   

Shangri La: the Swim Hole

   

Raynauds.  Gross I need a pedicure.

   

   

There are spring flowers everywhere right now!  So pretty.

 

Before & After Home Remodel

Here are some of the latest updates we have DIY'ed:

Back splash added and cased window:

 

Subway tile back splash

 

 Original kitchen vs updated kitchen:

 

Whitewashed fireplace

 Here's the original family room

  

 

Floating shelves 

 

 Trimmed out and refinished vanity, and framed mirror: 

 

   

Old pallets wood paneling