Middle Fork of The Salmon

We just returned home from a week on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River. My family did this river in 2003 and have since had a six year drought on drawing permits until this year, apparently Ashli has been doing something right. The Idaho Fly Fishing guide book says "If God were to set out to design the perfect river for wilderness trips, he'd make sure there were series after series of exciting but negotiable rapids and falls, schools of trout waiting to take the first fly they see, and hot springs all along the route in which to soak at the end of a hard day. That describes the Middle Fork perfectly." I don't think there is any place on earth that I would rather be than floating, fishing, sitting in hot springs, eating and relaxing on the Middle Fork.

The Confluence of Loon Creek and the Middle Fork.

Throwing dry flies at some West Slope Cutthroats.

Sunflower Hot Springs pour over a rock ledge right next to the river providing a perfect shower.

Trail Flat hot spring provided a nice warm break on a cool first day.

Running Lake Creek Rapid, this newly formed

rapid shows how the river is constantly evolving.

Wedding and Missionary

Could the month of May have been any more crazy? With Sean and Mike's surgeries, Nikki's wedding, and Mike's farewell we have had quite the month. Friday was the big wedding and it was beautiful. Congrats Nikki and Matt! We love you guys and are so happy for you.

On Wednesday we will be sending Mike off to the MTC for "the best two years of his life." I'm not totally convinced on that one, but I am proud of him for making the decision to serve the Lord. We love you Mike and we'll be thinking about you while you're in Samara, Russia.

Escalante

Last week Bre and I went down to the desert near Escalante for a little break before I started back to school this week. Every time I go to this part of southern Utah I am constantly singing   the words of RJ Garn from his song Escalante... "Camping alone late at night on the river darkness settles down over me cold as the breeze gently rustles the trees and it sounds just like waves on the sea. I’m camping alone late at night on the Escalante and I'm free under the cottonwood trees." We watched the sun set on the slick rock while laying on a small beach under the cottonwoods.

The Cottonwoods are all filled with tent caterpillars right now. There were so many falling from the trees that it sounded like it was raining on our tent.

Bre making her first jump into Bluebelly. 

This is one of the arches located a couple miles up the Escalante river. The alcove in the bottom left has three large Anasazi structures.

Twitterpated

What is with the new "Twitter" fad? I don't get it... Every news station, TV show, or radio station that I have listened to this week has mentioned "Twitter" and I really don't understand what it is. On KUER today, they were talking about a Twitter Revolution, and this makes me nervous. Please, if you tweet or have been tweeted, enlighten me. What is so awesome and why is everyone so Twitterpated?

Read this article if you are as confused as me... It doesn't answer any of my questions, but it demonstrates the fascination that I'm talking about.

Spring Break

I know I have become a horrible blogger, but our lives haven't slowed down since January. Ty started his first semester at the U and he has enjoyed it so far. The worst part is he has to drive from Springville to Orem so he can catch the bus at 6AM that takes him to school. It's only on Tuesdays and Thursdays so it hasn't been too bad, but we're hoping to relocate further north as soon as this semester is over. I am almost finished with my last semester of classes and I couldn't be more excited. I will student teach in the fall and then I'll finally be a college grad (without a job, nice!) We change our plans of where we are going to live and what we are going to do with our lives on a regular basis, but that's life!

We did manage to squeeze in a much needed vacation last week during our Spring Break. We were excited to get out and enjoy the beautiful weather and we were extremely disappointed as we drove home through Spanish Fork canyon in the snow. We had a fun weekend and I got some excellent advice from our nephew, Ryder, when we stopped in Moab for a night. He was debating on whether or not he should listen to his mom and go get his pajamas on and he said, "If I listen to my mom, then my life will be good." Very sound advice from a four-year-old who has heard that phrase a few times. 

Sorry about the mini video... I don't have time right now to try and fix it.

Eavesdropping

Me listening to a conversation between three junior high kids at lunch today...

A bus pulls up to the gas station. The kids see it out the window.
Girl 1 - I want to be a bus driver. Ya know, like, a cool one. You could play, like, cool music and stuff.
Girl 2 - What? Why?
Girl 1 - Do you know how much they make?! They only work four hours a day and get paid for six!
Girl 2 - What would you do for the rest of the day if you're only working four hours?
Girl 1 - I don't know, like, go shopping or something.
Girl 2 - Why would you be a bus driver if you could be a doctor or something?
Girl 1 - No way! That takes way to much time, and, like, money.
Boy 1 - Where's our food?

(And, yes Kell, the exclamation points are very necessary in this conversation.)

Moral of the story: Why am I wasting all this time and money to get a degree when I could be a bus driver? Hmmm...

Get Your Snuggie

This week Bre has been complaining that our apartment is too cold. Well I just so happened to find this great product on TV and thought it would be a perfect gift for her. It really is such a great idea because isn't everybody as sick of blankets as I am? Blankets today can just be so frustrating to use. I am so thankful there are people out there creating such fine products. I just wanted to share this great Christmas gift idea for everyone. Be sure to order soon before they are sold out!