My dad loves to take pictures. I blame him for my compulsion to take so many, especially of landscapes and nature. But I couldn't help taking pictures of all of the flowers blooming in Moab. The desert is so bleak and lonely looking, but everywhere I tuned there were flowers poking up and adding some color and variety to the monochromatic landscape.
A blooming bush of some sort - wish I knew my plants of southeastern Utah right about now!







Ok, not so much flowers, but I loved this railroad and had to play with it for a minute or two.

Moab Adventure - Day 3

Our final day in Moab included some more hiking and repelling - not by me, of course...I don't have a fear of heights, per-se. More like a fear of falling off of heights. Going over the edge is such a terrifying thought to me (though I secretly wish I had just sucked it up and done it!) So I played photographer while Mark and others took the plunge. MJ left first thing in the morning to set up the repel, which is actually just in the cliffs behind our campsite. There are two arches up there somewhere (Corona and Bow Tie), though we took a path in the opposite direction to where the repel was set up. I ended up hiking back down myself and resting my feet in the river where our campsite had been. I enjoyed the solitude and fresh air. Packing up camp. A stowaway!
Hiking out to the "big drop".
M Jay, David, Kelley, and Mark
Man overboard! The site from a distance...

This trip was so much fun! I would recommend it to anyone, though I would suggest early in the year so the weather allows you to have fun.

Moab Adventure - Day 2

Day two of the Moab adventure began bright and early. During the night, another 13 people showed up, bringing our total to 25. We had only reserved the campsite for one night and thought originally that we would have to pack everything up before our 8:30 am call at Red River Adventures. Long story short, that changed. We didn't end up on the river until about 10 am. As I had never gone river rafting before, I opted to be in a raft that didn't want to flip over. I have very little upper body strength and was worried for my life after the crash course information session we had about five minutes before hitting the river. The Colorado River is actually at the highest level it's been in (I think) about ten years, so the rapids weren't as bad as they could have been. The other rafts actually had to force themselves to flip. The water was really cold, and we got wet whether or not we flipped. It was wonderfully fun and a great way to see Moab!




Getting our life jackets, the debriefing, and the bus ride over.

So I bought one of those waterproof cameras to take pictures uninhibited while in the water. I forgot how crappy the film in those things is! Not to mention that I was on a moving base, so you think you are taking pictures of one thing but then you hit a swell and take it of something entirely different. Plus, when I really wanted to be taking pictures is the same moment I needed to be paddling. Oh well. Thanks to Moab Action Shots for the arial view!


We did stop for lunch, which was provided by the outfitters. After we finished with the rapids, there was time to play games and get into water fights with other rafts. Laura tried to throw her guide out of the raft. Unfortunately for her she failed, and was herself promptly thrown out of the raft!



We finished on the river at about 3 pm. Laura and a few others had to leave right away, but the rest of us went back to camp. Some jumped into the river, others played cards...I napped as best I could in the heat. After dinner, some of us went back to Slick Rock to play and watch the sun set. We then headed back to camp and settled around the campfire for lots and lots of s'mores!

Moab Adventure- Day 1

Last night I got back from a weekend getaway to Moab, UT. I would dare call it an adventure excursion. While there ended up to be about 25 people on the trip, I left at 6 am on Friday with four others to get some additional hiking in and make a full day of Friday. My brother Mark and friends Laura, Kyle and Celeste got to Moab at about 10:30 am and went right to Arches N.P. where we hiked to the Delicate Arch and then to the Double Arch. The Delicate Arch is one of the most famous landmarks in all of Utah and is even featured on one of the license plates. It was pretty hot outside, but it is early enough in the season that there are wildflowers galore.

The red Moab landscape, including Balancing Rock.
Hiking to the Delicate Arch.
This is the point where Kyle and I finally found the rest of our group after taking an alternate route. OK, we were really looking for an easier way after taking a break. You see, I am not a very strong hiker. I am coming to terms with the fact that if I want to have an enjoyable hike I need to go at my own pace. This becomes burdensome because I hate to slow people down. I hate it. To the point where I might not even go on a hike because of it (I tend to have friends in Utah that are avid hikers). Luckily, Kyle said he would stay with me. We then promptly lost the trail. Too embarrassed to tell everyone that we got lost, Kyle made up a story about us seeing big horned sheep. As soon as we found the trail and our party saw us, I of course forget the story and spilled the truth. To recover his pride, Kyle told them that he had simply taken me to see the lesser known side view of the arch, at which point an elderly couple was walking by and the woman said to me, "If you follow this path, just around the corner is a very big arch with a beautiful view." She didn't realize that the "side view" of the arch was code for us getting lost.
I made it! Another interesting side note - there was this couple who was sitting under the Delicate Arch forever! People were lining up to take pictures while they just took their time and we were increasingly annoyed in the increasingly hot sun. The guy eventually came running over to me, handed me his camera, and said he was about to propose to his girlfriend and would I mind taking pictures? Suddenly, the length of their stay in the arch became clear, and I was happy to help out in what is now a memorable moment for me as he got down on one knee and showed her the ring. She said yes, by the way.

Even more enjoyable than the Delicate Arch for me was the Double Arch, mainly because of how few people were there.
It didn't look like it would be too difficult to climb to the base of the smaller arch, so I did and then everyone else joined me.
Though some may accuse us of being arch hogs, we spent a good 30 to 45 minutes at the base of the arch, just hanging out and relaxing. Only about three or four other people came while we were there, so we took our time. I loved being able to relax at the base of this natural wonder and look at the blue sky above us. While Laura will hate me for including this picture, she was sprawled out over the ledge taking pictures of the sky and trying not to fall off - too funny! The view from where we sat.
Can you see us? Mark climbed up opposite the arch and took a picture of us at a higher elevation.

After a visit to Slick Rock - a popular site for Jeep rock crawling and mountain biking, we headed to our campsite right on the Colorado River. The view and temperature were fantastic! We set up camp, more of our party arrived, we ate delicious pizza at Zax, and settled in as we rested up for day 2 - river rafting!

Oh, Suzie Q, Baby I Love You

My sister Beth had a beautiful baby girl last week. Rori Leigh Clark came three weeks early, but it was perfect timing as my brother and her in-laws were in town visiting. Rori Leigh is so precious and a very peaceful baby. As I don't have children of my own, my nephew and new niece are the focus of many of my thoughts. I sure love them! Before Rori was born, Mikey would sometimes get rough around Beth's belly. She would tell him not to hit Sister Suzie (just a pet name since Rori wasn't finalized, I guess). He would then promptly kiss the belly. Now, though, I often find myself calling the baby Suzie and singing the CCR song to her. Here are some of my favorites of Sister Rori Sue. Mikey meeting Rori for the first time (the only time I cried this time around).
About 8 hours old.


These were taken last night - at almost a week old. They are a little blurry as I kept the flash off so her eyes would stay open. Since I was holding her, though, the camera was moving a little more than recommended. But she is so sweet and soft and smells just like a baby should.