As to when I shall visit civilization, it will not be soon,

I think.  I have not tired of the wilderness; rather I enjoy

its beauty and the vagrant life I lead, more keenly all the

time.  I prefer the saddle to the streetcar and star-sprinkled

sky to a roof, the obscure and difficult trail, leading into 

the unknown, to any praved highway, and the deep peace

of the wild to the discontent bred by cities.  Do you blame 

me then for staying here, where I feel that I belong and am

one with the world around me?  

From: Heart of the Desert Wild

by: Everett Ruess

You cant know how very thrilled  i am to have red rock pics back up on my blog!! It feels almost as good as being out there among the rocks and sand...but in truth NOTHING can feel as good as being out there again!

Theres no way of knowing just how many times Ive been on the Slots hike in my hiking career. At least a hundred times Im sure.  But is had been at least 5 yrs since I've visited the trail.  I had my willing, patient companion in Clark...and off we headed to what I thought would be a most familiar trek.
The first bugaboo was discovering that the normal place that we have parked for years was no longer "legal." WHAT????!!  How can this be!!??  I tracked down a local  and asked what had happened, and why parking was no longer permitted.  He kind of rolled his eyes and said that things had kinda gotten out of control...too many cars, fender benders and law suits had made the citizens of the street feel that they needed to put up the signs. ugh
He told me that Snow Canyon had to put up signs too...prohibiting hiking where we have hiked for years. Sigh

Anyway...the short of it is that he directed me to a place to park and from there is was easy to find the familiar trail and begin the hike.

Oh how glorious it was to be out there!!

 Newspaper Rock with neighbors....

But alas....my aging brain found some places unfamiliar!! How could this be!!!?? I was sure I could have done this hike blindfolded!!
But there was no need for real concern. I do know this hike. I just did it a little differently than 'normal.'

For this being an "off limits' hike...we sure did see quite a few people enjoying the same scenery as we were and ignoring the same signs we were.

And may I also mention how heart-breaking is was to see spectacular , million dollar homes not 50 yards from Newspaper rock!?  People sitting out on their beautiful patios could easily see the petroglyphs on the rock!!  That just doesnt sit well with me...but Im not in charge of the world am I?!

Thank you Clark for going out there with me!

Cat tracks!!!

Can I just say ...how blown away I am by modern technology!! I ...little old me, has figured out how to get pictures off my phone for this here blog!! Thats crazy!! Im so grateful!! Im "grateful to Clark too...for his help and support...but this time I did this on my own!! yay for me!!

We meditate to discover our own identity, our

right place in the scheme of the universe. 

Through meditation we aquire and eventually

acknowledge our connection to an inner power

source that has the ability  to transform our outer

world.  In other words, meditation  gives us not

only the light of insight but also the power for

expansive change.

from: The Artist Way

I cant put my finger on why it is that hiking inspires me to blog.  I miss, miss blogging.  I have missed, missed hiking.  Weight lifting is a gas...I really love it...but I guess there are no gorgeous vistas to photograph...no down time to just take in the scenery and to breath. Too many sweaty, straining faces at the gym...who wants to see that!!??

I am so, SO grateful that Brian and Mericar are in town now...for now we have plans!!! Lots of plans for hiking. I almost feel reborn.  Hopeful.

Today we picked a moderate hike...for we had grands in tow. Anna and David are rock stars! They toted those kiddos on their backs and in their arms most of the time!! Thanks Blacksmith Barbell for the strength training there!!

It was a beautiful Labor Day Monday. Even My Builder joined us!!  I think the grands would follow him anywhere!! Even up a mountain!!

William may grow up to be a rock hound.  He was always on the hunt to find a precious rock to put in his pocket. I believe the headboard of his bed is lined with such treasures.  He is our treasure!

 Did I mention that the morning was glorious!! The clouds...the tint of fall colors on  the trees in the distance.  It  rained  last night...and everything smelled amazing...the grass was bent over with the weight and coolness of the moisture! Perfection!!

 This little grand is a talker!! Hiking opens up his mind...even more...and he talked to all of us about anything...things that most four year olds dont articulate.  What a boy!!  Growing his legs stronger so he can be an even better hiker!!

And look what we found as the hike drew to a close. A lovely "St George" colored caterpillar!! He was a tickling treat!!

Mountains are giant, restful, absorbent. 

You can heave your spirit into a 

mountain and the mountain will keep

it, folded, and not throw it back as some

creeks will.  The creeks are the world 

with all its stimulus and beauty; l live

there.  But the mountains are home.

from: Pilgrim at Tinker Creek

by: Annie Dillard

It was a glorious afternoon, sweating, and huffing and puffing and mostly watching the rear ends of those I love recede before me.  But I was out on a trail!!!
Now that Brian and Mericar have moved back to Logan...I hope to hike at least once a week with them before the snow flies!! Today I am sure I hiked about 8 miles round trip. We were on the Bunchgrass Trail..a little east of Tony Grove...up Logan Canyon.  We got to the top...or at least we thought it the top...before it began to head down again, with no lake in sight...and thats when  I knew it was time for me to head back to my car. I was spent!! BandM continued on...for they had plans to camp somewhere up there in the quaking aspens. I DO NOT sleep on the ground...so it was my cue to turn around and high tail it home.

Really!?!?  Its only Sept 3rd  for petes sake and leaves are already beginning to change up here. How will an old lizard like myself deal with this reality!!??

No more coral dust between my toes either. Up here it seems its going to be alpine dust mixed with cow dung...oh boy.  We shared the whole live  long trail with lots of cows...all of which were less than happy we were disturbing their fall fattening on the slopes.

Cows to the left of me,..jokers to the right!!!

The skies were constantly changing as we trudged along.  I trudged...they seemed to glide across the trail...even with their huge packs!!

see...not one speck of coral dust....
Only brown dust and sweat...
change is good...thats what they say...

Get a plan.  Follow it until you run out of road. Then get

a new plan- or build a new road.  Build a fire in your

belly that no one else can extinguish.  Stoke it daily. If you

dont already have one, get a dream.  A big one.  Bigger than

you believe is possible.  Do everything you have to do to

achieve it.  Then do more of the same stuff until you're an 

expert.   Stop being afraid of challenges, dead ends and

 mistakes.  You will run into all of them.  Decide now that

they wont keep you from running onward.  Dont you dare

accept mediocrity.  Dont you dare deliver it.

from: Put A Cherry on Top

by: Ben Behunin

Sweet Jenna has a bucket list.
"THINGS TO DO IN AND AROUND ST GEORGE BEFORE GOING OFF TO THE GREAT ADVENTURE CALLED MEDICAL SCHOOL."

I've had a glimpse of the list. It looks something like this:
See Las Vegas
Hike Angels Landing
Eat at Cafe Rio
Learn to knit
Hike Subway in Zion
See the Grand Canyon
Hike with Cindy
Have a good time
etc
etc
etc

Its been my pleasure to be included and to participate by playing a small part in helping her plans to come to fruition.  Wishes coming true is a beautiful thing to behold.
Sunday my folks and I and Clark and Jenna all piled into my dads Jetta and headed to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. (The best Rim I might add!)

My fear was irrational!! I know!!! But I couldnt let her go!! She wanted the edge!!! I would have nothing of it!! The thought of it literally made my stomach hurt!!

We thought it might take 2 hours of driving to reach the Rim. In actuality it took 3.  Three hours of beautiful scenery, good conversation...and the ultimate destination!
There were buffalo, and wildflowers, clouds that preformed, and vistas worthy of being one of the 7 Wonders of the World!!
Oh what a marvelous world we have been given to love and appreciate!!
Thank you Spark..for the time lapse. It makes me so happy!! Sitting on the deck with you while your camera clicked away...priceless!!

It was a summer that sent the dizzy pulse of fever into the sky,

in which even rules and laws that usually stood straight and 

purposeful grew limp, like plants exposed to the afternoon

sun and grow weak.  The heat softened and spread the roads into

sticky pools of pitch and melted the grease in the Brigadier's

mustache so that it drooped and uncurled, casting shadows

on his fine, crisp presence.  The bees flew drunk on nectar

that turned alcoholic...

from: Hullabaloo in the Guava  Orchard

by: Aran Desai

The week started with Jenna joining me on an early morning hike. She lucked out...we had Camelback on the schedule! ....a favorite hike among guests and guides alike.  It was a beautiful morning. Jenna was quickly loved by one and all of those hiking with us. This was the beginning of the end of my VERY short stint at FR.  It was to be my last week hiking with them...and their last week of being associated with Biggest Loser. What an ideal gig I had out there. Im so grateful for the opportunity to re associate with the good folks.  And hiking with Jenna is always a treat!!

We next  celebrated the 4th of July!!  First by going  bowling!! Once again..dear Jenna is the party planner and instigator of all good times!!

After bowling we took the kiddos swimming and killed some time before the evening fireworks. The fun really didnt stop...until we dropped into bed!!

Live is good in St George, Utah!! Life  is better spent with grands and lots of family!!