Tis The Season

Oh yes, its that time again. Like any "holiday" canning season can certainly sneak up on a girl. This year is no different. I had been canning beans so all of my supplies and tools were already cluttering up the kitchen. Normally I look forward to this event, I actually don't mind, though it is hard work and I've discovered that the counters in this house are designed for someone about three inches shorter than I am. My back, shoulders and neck are in need of an adjustment from my favorite chiropractor, Dr. Klein!

I ended up with 30 jars of salsa, half hot, half mild. We have more red orbs coming on so I'll fill in with spaghetti, pasta and my absolute, all time favorite, t-soup. I'll post the recipes later. I have a lot to do today, in addition to canning. I have a few ki readings to finish compiling, kids and supplies to organize for tomorrow's first day of school and then packing for Z n L's wedding this weekend. We have one excited flower girl here at Rafter Lazy H! (there may or may not have been some bribery with a Jesse Doll!)

So without further ado, I'll pull myself off of the computer and get my rear in gear. I'd much rather be writing, that I know! I had a wonderful brainstorming session with Chad on the way home from Utah. It looks like I'll be able to devote more time to writing by this time next year. I have several awesome articles in the words and even a fun, fabulous kids book idea. If anyone reading this is an artist that loves to work with bright colors and is willing to do something totally new, never seen before in a book..........have I got a deal for you!

Ok, the water is boiling, that's my cue!

Why I don't like to come back home....

I don't think I even need to explain.

Back At Home Sort Of..

We've been on the road since 6 am. Ugggg! I usually don't mind traveling. Give me an open road and my ipod and I'm set (sunroof preferred). I usually have more than a few thoughts encircling my brain so I'm well entertained. What I have a hard time with is excessive noise, shouting, screaming and fighting. That is what I got today. My head is pounding.

I've thought a lot about the changes I want to make upond my return. In Feng Shui, one of the best times to initiate change is upon returning home, when energies are refreshed and perspectives are broadened.

Some are minor but necessary, some will take a bit more commitment. My love and appreciation of nature has been rekindled. I am missing it already by being inside of a vehicle for the better part of this day and night to come. I've not always been a fan of morning but I see clearly that if I don't get up early to exercise, it simply won't happen, not with this family!

I'm also very energized to eat fresh and local. This has been my aspiration for quite some time now. In all the opportunity I had on vacation to "eat anything" what tasted most delicious to me were apples, peaches and string cheese. It was actually easier to eat better and more healthy while on the road than it has been at home. I need to explore this in more depth, I suspect that it has to do with time, convenience and a slew of all the responsibilities, chores, jobs and duties I've been packing around. It is time to downsize, I am uncertain, at this moment, where to begin.

I think I'll start by not thinking a little longer. One of the gifts of being outdoors is that I've been able to "get out of my head" for a bit. I need that too.

We're headed home to grab horses and one smokey colored pooch that misses me, load the trailer, make the kids run laps, throw in a few clean shirts and socks, and head to a rodeo. I'd rather be hiking, withdrawls are setting in.

I had the WITS scared out of me today...

We were up bright and early this morning for the Fiery Furnace hike. It is a three hour guided tour into one of the most amazing places in Arches NP. It did NOT disappoint! WOW and WOW again. The kids were troopers, they attacked the trail as well as the rock climbing opportunities and NOT one complaint! We saw some amazing configurations and even Surprise Arch (yes, it was a surprise and it was grand!)

The day completely quickly slipped away. It sure didn't seem like three hours, I can see how easy it would be to spend an entire day in the awesome splendor of this area. I believe it would have been amazingly peaceful had it not been for a VERY TALKATIVE little toddler! All I can say it is a good thing he was cute; Sparky and BS kept saying, "Mom, when is that kid gonna fall asleep?" Funny, this is what I kept asking their father on the way out here!!!!

We lunched at the entrance to Park Avenue and although I really wanted to hike it (only 2 miles round trip) I was out-voted. We headed to the Visitor's Center for the 3rd badge. I also wanted to hike Aztec Mesa and again, no one wanted to. We headed down Pot Ash road in search of more Rock Art. We found it and yes, it was cool!

We were in search for more when we found this trail. A man, his new Dodge Dually, and a 4x4 road=scary! I was ready to turn back when it was clear we had missed the mark. We kept going, and going and going; up, up, up. At a very high point I turned to Chad and asked to walk! We were inching along a road with a 100 ft drop, very near MY SIDE of the truck.

I glanced at the gps and noticed another switchback coming. I protested. Chad hiked on up the trail (I will not call it a road) and thought we could make it, although one dual would probably hang over the edge!!! Oh goodness! NO WAY! I'd take my chances walking in the desert.......He relented and agreed to turn around. I did get out and helped to navigate the turn-around. I didn't breathe until we were back down in the bottom of the canyon. Enough adventure.

We drove around in the canyon a bit longer and then headed back to the 'ol Big Horn Lodge for a swim. (That's all we've heard about since the end of the Furnace hike.....)

Soon it will be time to pack up. We leave at 5 am. Chad has a rodeo tomorrow night and one Saturday night.....the fun just doesn't end! Actually for me the fun will end when I begin washing all of this laundry.....joy!

I have absolutely enjoyed every minute. I am in my element! I love being outside, in nature. As much as I enjoy having a garden, goats and our ranch, I totally DIG hiking! I realize that we have plenty of land that I could hike. Chad offered to let me hike while checking pastures and windmills but that just doesn't quite get me there! I may do it to stay in shape but it doesn't quite have the appeal of "unseen territory" that mountains have.

I'm a little sad to be leaving, although all of my "beloved peeps" are back home and I miss 'em like crazy! We will be back though, we've already spotted campgrounds and have marked the trails we want to hike next time. We also want to rent a jeep and take the 15 hour road through Canyonlands! We only saw the Island in the Sky District. This is just a fabulous location!

I've enjoyed hiking and exploring since I was little. My parents introduced me beautiful places and for that I'm deeply grateful. I hope to pass the love of nature and outdoors, hiking and exploring on to my children. Who knows, we may have future Park Rangers, geologists, anthropologist or avid hikers in our midst? Or we may have children that grow up to scare the wits out of their spouse.....just like their Dad did to me today!

Now THAT'S a Canyon!

Day Three of hiking vacation started out with a refill of every water-holding device we own! We went to my now favorite place in Moab, Gear Heads (I dig the name too!) The store is an awesome collection of everything outdoors and some of the nicest, coolest people I've met work there. As an added bonus, they offer free water refills----SWEET! Our trek brought us to Dead Horse Point. Its one of three National Parks in the area. It didn't disappoint! We spent the better part of our day there, ate under an awning and watched little "chick-munks" (BS's word for them) scurry about.

We also picked up Jr. Ranger books so the kids worked diligently to complete the activities to earn their badges. We love the program because instead of just glancing at the surroundings, they are required to study, observe and report to the Ranger what they learned! Cool! (Even more nifty is the fact they are still working on activities as we wait for our pizza!)

The next location was a visit to Canyonlands. This is a very different landscape than Arches. If you want to see HUGE expansive canyons, this is the place. We oooo'd and awwwww'd all afternoon. Mind you, we live on the edge of a canyon and we all agreed.....ours is little!

We did a couple of short trails, Mesa Arch and Grandview Point, which is what is pictured above. We hiked the two mile trail along the rim. We hiked over seven miles today. BS fell asleep as Dad carried her on his back to the truck. She was one pooped little hiker!

She was asleep when we reported to the Visitor's Station to claim the second badge. We had an awesome Ranger that took her time with the boys. We laughed at some of their answers! I think she may remember the "wild Nebraska tourists!"

We've become very fond of discovering treasures off the beaten path! Tonight we explored Mill Canyon, which had several displays of fossilized dinosaurs embedded in the canyon walls. Oh, how FUN! The kids loved this and we had the place all to ourselves! We hiked up the river bed in search of petroglyphs but found none. (If you ask the kids, they'll surely tell you they found scrapers, petrified dino bones and teeth---do not believe them! The river stones are just that cool out here!)

Pizza just arrived. Time to eat, shower and head to bed. Tomorrow is Firey Furnace Hile and it is what we came for!!!!

More soon!

The Anasazi Must've Known Santa Claus

To our surprise and sheer delight, we found Rock Art today. From our careful calculations, it appears.....that...the ancient Indians in this area must have known about Santa Claus! Among "Moab Man" and various other drawings, we found what clearly resembled a sleigh and reindeer! The kids were very excited to know that 1. Santa is THAT OLD and 2. He loves the desert too! (Technically this is probably not a desert, but it sure seems like it compared to our grass covered hills.) I for one totally dig the dryer climate as does my skin and sinuses!

We also saw drawings at the Wolfe Ranch, on our way to see the moon come up over Delicate Arch. These petroglyps were much easier to see and were very well preserved. We didn't find evidence of "the man in red" but we could easily pick out the Big Horn Sheep and horseback riders!

This was a gorgeous hike. We traveled up in time to watch a brilliant moon rise over a huge rock near Delicate Arch. We had taken a hike across the "ditch" earlier in the afternoon. This made us deeply appreciate and RESPECT what we saw up close. Delicate Arch is NOT on a flat little mesa like we thought. You get there by taking a trail on the left side of the fin. The right side is a sheer rock wall, pretty much straight down! We lingered awhile, soaking in this awe-inspiring view. It was one of the most gorgeous sights I've ever seen. Again I have pictures but I don't think they do justice to the real thing!

Being the "uber-cautious" Mama and Daddy that we are, we headed our little hikers back after about 15 minutes or so. It was an amazing site and we still had an hour walk back to the truck! The hike back was brilliant. We used flashlights but really didn't need them. The moon lit our path and we all found our pace, winding down the hill and talking about nothing of significance! I shared my pride and encouragement with the boys. Chad has such a long stride that we don't even try to keep up. I really am proud of their willingness to hike! They could protest and whine and they didn't. They were tired and sore and they were great sports! I hope this will be a fond memory for them someday....or one of those "Do you remember when mom and dad drug us all over the country and made us hike all day?" I told the boys I'd give them a few years before we'd go and hile the Inca Trail----that is
definitely on my list someday!

Also on my list is to do a backcountry hike in Canyonland. This may sound nuts, but I really LOVE to hike and I really dig this place! I'd like to spend at least a couple of nights in the park. Its likely, I won't get to do this anytime soon but its sure on my mind.....

We came back to our room, all tuckered out and ready for bed. Dad went to the store to replenish tomorrow's food/lunch supplies and Mom downloaded some 315 pictures to the computer. In addition to peaches that melt in our mouths, we were also treated to ice cream, Carmel Caribou and Mint Chocolate Chip! It was $2.97 for a pint and a half (two scoops at an ice cream shop would cost more than that).

I'm thinking we should've fed them ice cream before the hike because the boys will not stop giggling......reminds me of when my friend, Jamie, and I couldn't stop laughing one night in a motel room with my mom. We were to compete at a high school rodeo the next day and couldn't go to sleep. Never knew my payback would come in the forms of an 11 and 9 year old boy, in Moab! And since it is still August and not December, I can't say, "Boys, you'd better be quiet, or Santa will skip this house." At least we know he's real. We have evidence!

We'll see what else we can find tomorrow! We head to Canyonlands and Deadhorse Point. Our navigator is on a mission to see and cover as much ground as possible! We'll be up and at 'em at dawn.

Happy Trails!

First Day

Today was a FULL day of hiking. To be perfectly honest we didn't have a clue where to start, so we just headed out.

After a brief stop at the Visitor's Center we made our way to Balanced Rock. Park was off and running, trekking pole in tow! He was on a mission! Thankfully our kids love to be outside, explore and hike! We've managed to get at least one hiking vacation in for the last couple of years. It was much easier this year since "the baby" is five. To her credit, she kept up with her Dad's long strides far better than I! That man left me in the dust most of the day....

We've seen some gorgeous places, Fish Creek Falls, near Steamboat, Harney Peak in the Black Hills, Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, and now Arches. We really, really, really like it here. It is definitely a hiker's paradise.

I realize that a picture is worth 1,000 words. I will post some shots later. I brought a smaller digital camera and handed it over to the boys. They got some great shots!

We spent the day at Devil's Garden. It was an amazing site. These were the arches we saw today: Skyline Arch, Tunnel Arch, Pine Tree arch, Landscape Arch, Double O Arch, Black Arch, Private Arch, Navajo Arch and Partition Arch.

We came back in time to eat at a fab pasta joint and then headed to the grocery store. We won't be eating out much, its on the pricey side. We have a cooler packed and bulked up on fruit. We were all craving fruit today! We also found Chad a real pair of hiking shoes. Good shoes are a must. He'll be elk hunting later in the fall so this will be a great time to "break them in". I found a pair too, and as comfy as they were, I let the store keep them. Merrell shoes are the way to go. I think mine have a few miles left in them!

I've just finished a refreshing cup of Gypsy mint and rose tea. The shower felt divine. I have an entirely new appreciation for water. I've been drinking all day and still haven't gotten enough. I do love the dry climate. I do not, in any shape or form, miss the humidity we left at home. I could get very used to this location!

Time for a little shut eye. We'll be up bright and early to hit the trails again!