Day Three: Grand Canyon, North Rim, Thunder River Trail

Day THREE, in the morning I discover a scorpion under my tent. Nice. TNT had begun a science experiment turning the silty river water into crystal clear drinking water. It totally worked and I totally drank it because I'm now hard core like that. We start hiking early in an attempt to beat the heat. However, the heat comes fast. We hike up and up along the river and the views are really quite spectacular. I learn quickly that every living thing in the canyon has a thorn or needle on it. We spot several Desert Big Horn Sheep climbing among the craggy outcroppings. Eventually we crest the Cogswell Butte saddle and descend towards Deer Creek.

Water! The Deer Creek narrows are the highlight of the whole trip. It's nice and cool and practically air conditioned along the creek with plenty of places to relax among the natural pools and waterfalls. After lunch we follow the creek and play in the natural slides and slot canyons. It's beyond awesome. Then we hike down to Deer Creek Falls, which spills over 100 feet into the Colorado River. River rafters stop here daily for lunch and day hiking. Seems a bit unfair that they simply stroll up here in their yuppie motorized rafts like it's a ride at Disneyland. The falls are stunning. I'm now in love with the Grand Canyon. We play as long as we can in the narrows, fix a hearty mac & cheese dinner, and then set up camp nearby in the dark. It's hot and muggy along the swamp of the creek.

Day Two: Grand Canyon, North Rim, Thunder River Trail

Day TWO, we drop through a break in the Red Wall cliffs into Surprise Valley. It's hot hot hot. Surprise! It's August, in the Grand Canyon, but the heat is still shocking. Our destination is Thunder River Falls, and it's absolutely incredible. This river, one of the shortest and steepest in the world, spits right out from the side of the canyon wall. We eat lunch in the spray of the falls, taking turns drenching ourselves. The fellas try to climb up to the cave, but the rocks are too hot to touch. Jody manages to curl up into a ball and take a nap - her hair and makeup are perfect. I'm not bitter. My brother resembles Indiana Jones.

Wait...maybe he IS Indiana Jones. Only more dangerous. We continue along Tapeats Creek, making several stream crossings. At one point I have a panic attack because we are hiking a very narrow section of trail very high above the ground and my brain does not like it. Tom comes back to save me like a good big brother. This is a repeating pattern in my life. We push through. I don't die and take this as encouragement to keep going. At the bottom, I lay my whole body fully clothed in the creek; it feels like a York Peppermint Patty commercial. Todd calls the next section "the death march" and after rock climbing for what was not 'just a mile' we eventually reach camp at a sandy beach near Mile 135 Rapids along the Colorado River. The river is blood red and carrying a lot of silt. Boy, we are tired.

Day One: Grand Canyon, North Rim, Thunder River Trail

Bucket List item #271: Hike to the bottom of the Grand Canyon, and be sure to come back up. CHECK. My brother Tom and his partner Todd are backpacking guides (among other things) for REI. They so kindly  invited us on their "research trip" for the Thunder River trail of the North Rim where they will be taking 5 other groups during September. We were thrilled to be part of the 'scout out the water sources, find the petroglyphs and best camp sites, and how hard can we push these people before they want to die' group. People, they do this for fun. And for money, but mostly because they love it. This was a once in a lifetime opportunity to backpack into one of the natural wonders of the world with legitimate professionals. To say the least, it was an amazing experience.

I can say that now, having spent 3 nights sleeping in my own soft bed. Plus I've taken multiple showers, armed with a razor, being sure not to take one drop of shampoo for granted. But trust me. There were a few moments on this trip where my spirits weren't so high, my body was refusing to cooperate, and my mind could simply not grapple with one more switchback. Our last night in the canyon, I recall laying awake at Deer Creek camp, still thinking about the rattlesnake I passed on the trail but didn't see. Which surprisingly was more disturbing than if I had actually seen it. Unbeknownst to me, the commotion in the tent next door was only Todd being stung by a scorpion. It's unimaginably hot, given that it's 2 o'clock am, and if I take off any more clothing I'm likely to scare away even the gnats. But by that point, the gnats have become a welcome friend simply because they are alive. So there I am sharing this profound connection with gnats because we are both survivors of the canyon, and I'm thinking about this whole adventure being just terrible and wonderful at the same time. I am a princess. So shoot me.

Day ONE, at the trailhead. We look excited and refreshed. We are pansies. We know nothing of what is in front of us. Off we go on the Bill Hall trail towards Monument Point, down the 50 switchbacks, past Crazy Jug Point, toward the esplanade where we stay the first night on the edge of the Red Wall with our first view of the mighty Colorado River below. We took time to find ancient petroglyphs and the natural "tanks" where we could collect and filter water. Blisters? Yes. Heat Exhaustion? Yes. Having fun yet? Yes. Tom and Todd prove to be excellent camp chefs. The stars are beautiful and bright beyond words and we spend the early evening dark splayed out on smooth rocks watching shooting stars and identifying constellations. It was perfect. And then Todd busted out the Peanut M&M's. Then it was perfection.

Rascal

Returned

Elder Duncan (AKA Russell the Muscle) is back from serving a two-year mission in Adelaide, Australia for our church. Fresh off the mission, he's returning to a lot of changes including two marriages, one niece, and one nephew. He's as handsome as can be, and skinnier too (if that's even possible for a RM?). Welcome home Russell! You've been missed.

PS check out the video of his airport homecoming. He couldn't get to his dad fast enough. Chokes me up every time.

Community Supported Agriculture

BD here. I've been MIA in the blogosphere for quite some time now and, frankly, it took a conversation at work about CSA's and food in general to spur me to have something to blog about. Go figure. A few others at work and I were chatting about it and I decided (with the master chef's permission, of course) to take the plunge and buy a mid-season share.

Today, I jumped in half-way through the farmer's season. The best part is that the food traveled less than 30 miles from the ground to my countertop. Here's what we ended up with for our first veggie share:

A little detail of my favorite item (at least out of those I've tasted) - Dragon's Tongue Beans. They're a Dutch heirloom version of our common green (string) beans. Not only do they look amazing, they taste good to boot.

On the Mend

My super fast, super buff, triathlete sister had a bad crash last weekend at the Spudman Triathlon. And when I say "bad" I mean she shattered her pelvis in two places. It's BAD. And totally sad sad sad. Especially for this girl, who lives for the competition.

Last Sunday we drove Papa Ed's suburban to Idaho to rescue her from the Burley hospital and drove her home on a mattress. One week later she's doing pretty well considering she can't really move her body. Today on "Marci Watch" we got her out of bed to have breakfast on the back porch and to get some fresh air. Then it was back to bed, where she'll be for a while. But knowing her, she'll be back on her feet running again before we know it.

A little road trip to Vegas

ometimes you don't realize you need a weekend away until you're actually away, from home and from routine, no cell phone, no excuses, seated in the heart of a swanky casino restaurant, sipping an interesting brothy mushroom soup, across from a man who compliments your frizzy un-blown hair in such a way you are now blushing the same color fuchsia as the orchid that separates you. And then it hits you, the perfectness of that moment. Exhale, because you are one lucky girl. Don't forget that.

We thoroughly enjoyed our quick weekend road trip to Las Vegas. Not only did I see my favorite band in concert, but I had the rare fortune to hang with BD for 3 straight days, sleep as much as I wanted, take multiple bubble baths, do a little shopping, and eat cupcakes for breakfast. Total success.

{oh my} KEANE

There really are no words. Except maybe these few: this was the best concert I've ever been to. The end.

Could have been the clever opening act Ingrid Michelson, could have been meeting my {now real} bff mindi, or the fun and amazing people she parties with (thanks for the pics Tib!), could have been the anticipation of waiting for Keane to finally come out, could have been the butterflies I felt (second only to my wedding day?), could have been the way Tom sung his big-ole heart out, could have been the crowd singing every word to every song, could have been the House of Blues venue or just being so close, could have been that they played my top 3 songs, could have been sharing that moment with BD, could have been the way Tim played his piano so hard it nearly shattered, could have been that I haven't stayed out that late, or screamed that loud, or drank that much (Coke, mom), in...well... let's just say a while. Not sure what exactly it was. But it was. Oh. It. Was.

freshly

ewind. Backtrack. Recap. Summer is cruising past so I better squeeze these in or it will never happen.



Cooking Thai food with LP, who was kind enough to indulge my culinary prowess and accompany me to the Viking Cooking School even though she had 4 million other things to do, I'm sure. We giggled all night over the appropriate way to chop cilantro and our goofy "celebrity" chef who instructed (?) us. In the end, we made the best sweet and sour sauce out of the whole class. So there. 
Reuniting with the Muir family at the Heber Valley Camp. I'm so grateful for my extended family and our wonderful shared heritage. We bonded over new babies, hiking, canoeing, and giant roasted marshmallows. I'll never forget how mom ditched out on the camping to rendezvous with the new hubby at a motel in Heber. Scandalous!

Enjoying summer nights in the city, where there is always something going on. Sitting on the grass of Library Square and leaning against BD, we heard the Cowboy Junkies sing Misguided Angel, and for a minute there I thought my life was complete; a moment that basically made my whole summer.

Being an Uncle. You hear everyone say that being a parent is amazing, or that having grandchildren is the greatest experience in the world. But for now, BD pretty much thinks that being an uncle is tops. He lights up at the mere prospect of playing with his niece and nephew. We can't get enough of the cheeks and the smiles and the chub rolls, and again the cheeks. So very kissable indeed.

Squeezing little puppies...We have yet another neighbor with a brand new batch of Golden's. Swoon! I honestly can't handle how cute they are. Like, right now I'm sniffing this picture for any remnants of puppy breath. I fainted right after this shot was taken because she licked my nose. P.S. I want one.

Playing with a very special visitor this weekend. It was great fun to have a little one in our home and it didn't take but 5 minutes to realize that our house is not baby proof. BD was especially thrilled to show her around the city on stroller rides and the farmers market, all of which she was completely unamused with. However, we were completely and utterly amused with her and can't wait to have Ms. Ellie Bells back soon.

Independence Day

ur neighborhood has an old-timey tradition they call Breakfast in the Park every Fourth of July weekend. There's something about eating pancakes and botching the National Anthem with 400+ of the neighborhood's finest that really brings people together. Well, there's that AND the 200 foot slip 'n slide. The fire department did not disappoint this year and had two canons blasting. I could not love my neighborhood any more. And trust me, it's not just for the little kids.

BD and I had a very laid-back Holiday weekend. He fit in 115 miles on the bike and I fit in 115 minutes (+/-) of sitting by the pool. We both felt we scored the better end of the deal. It had been a draining week, and even though I tried with all my might to stay up until 10:00 pm to watch the fireworks...I vaguely remember hearing soft booms while dozing peacefully off. I have a bad habit of falling asleep during the best parts of things. It doesn't necessarily drive BD crazy. Just absolutely bonkers. Lastly, I just had to include this picture from a family BBQ of my great niece ZoZo, who won't smile. Not for me. Not once. Although, in my defense this picture was taken before I gave her that giant chocolate brownie. Her mother thanked me later.

The future's so bright (I gotta wear shades)

y sister-in-law sent me these pictures and when I opened the email I could literally hear her laughing at me with me. She made my day because, clearly, I make awesome faces when asked to stare directly at the sun and on the count of 3... smile. You might as well be asking your shih tzu to sort laundry. Not. Gonna. Happen.

The reason I even share these pictures is because they were taken on such an amazing day at such an amazing place with such amazing people. Nothing could have ruined this day, not even my ridiculous attempt to smile into the sun. Because when you witness two people you love and admire kneel together and commit to one another for eternity it fills you with immeasurable amounts of joy. So much, in fact, that your eyes may keep welling with tears. Not to worry, blame it on the sun. It was after all, really bright that afternoon. Congrats Dan and Ali; you inspire me everyday.

THE Wedding

Nothing ever goes off without a hitch, and wedding's are certainly no exception. Todd reminded us that it's good luck to have rain on your wedding day and, if that's true, these two love birds have a lot of good fortune coming their way. Yesterday was awesome. Amazing. Emotional. Happy. And awesome. I didn't have a chance to take many pictures because I was too busy hugging people, thanking people, frosting cupcakes, and not overreacting.

I loved everything about yesterday. But I especially loved...
Her hair
Her dress
Her glow
Her bouquet
My family
Their family
Italian Sodas
Pink Peonies
The trumpet player
Grandma's jewelry
Blue and pink ties

I am thankful for so many things. But I am especially thankful for...
The new Mrs. Green
My sisters; my heroes
My darling nieces
My new extended family
A big white tent
The people who braved the rain
Little pink dresses
Sticky little faces
Vanilla bean frosting
Blue gummy sharks
Umbrellas
The men who hauled things and hung things
The time and effort
The results

There are many moments that I will always remember, but I never want to forget...
The RAIN starting at 3 pm on. the. dot.
The torrential downpour
Tom walking her down the isle
Ed's gigantic smile
Tears of joy
All the hugs
All the help
Hundreds of cupcakes and cake pops
The "no freak-out" zone
The irony of receiving her temple letter the day before
Mom feeling anxious because she couldn't help set up
Being with her while getting her hair done
Drying her eyes, reapplying makeup
Repeat
Letting her go