Fa'11

Fall is rapidly becoming winter just as this year seems to be rapidly ending. It seems like just yesterday that we were celebrating New Year's and now it is almost Thanksgiving. I enjoy all four seasons because each one is so different from the last. Each has its own perks; Winter the cleanness of a white blanket of snow, Spring the green rebirth of plants and nature, Summer the heat and the lazy days, Fall the color of the leaves and the crispness in the night air. Happy Fall!

The Pacific Northwest

To finish off summer on the right note I took a trip up to the Pacific Northwest; specifically Portland, the Oregon Coast and then on to Seattle before a train ride back to Portland. It was a fun trip and the weather couldn't have been better. Here are a few snapshots of the trip.

Hiking Lost

No, this is not a post about getting lost while hiking. Although that has been know to happen from time to time. Instead this is about all the hikes I haven't gone on this year. It seems there was a perfect trifecta of excuses not to go at any given time and I often gave into any number of them. So I am asking you to help be re-find my lost hiking mojo, be it by suggesting a hike, nagging me to go on a hike or anything else you can think of. Thanks in advance.

Happy 4th!!

Nature's Fireworks

Ahoy, Florida

Last month I was the lucky recipient of a free trip to Amelia Island Florida. It was a great relaxing week. Here are some of the sights seen from the island.

Get ReAL

A few weeks back I went to my first MLS game at Rio Tinto Stadium. ReAL Salt Lake scored within the first 2 minutes and didn't look back during their game with the LA Galaxy. I learned that soccer fans are nuts some in a good way and others not so much. I would love to see an NBA game where streamers are thrown on the court, it would make things a little more interesting. It was still fun and I would go to another game but I think I would wait until it is a little warmer and not raining. I guess I am a fair weather fan! The good news is the ReAL extended their home winning streak by beating the Galaxy 4-1. GOOOOOOOAL!

Feeling It

As of late I have been feeling quite old. Most of this feeling comes from the fact that my back has been sore since February. I have always said that my body was made up mostly of used parts but now I am thinking that is is more than mostly. Oh well, it could be worse at least I have these quotes to cheer me up.

Let us respect gray hairs, especially our own. - J. P. Sears

Inside every older person is a younger person - wondering what the hell happened. - Cora Harvey Armstrong

Getting old ain't for sissies. - Bette Davis

When I was younger, I could remember anything, whether it happened or not. - Mark Twain

I'm at an age when my back goes out more than I do. - Phyllis Diller

You are only young once, but you can be immature for a lifetime. - John P. Grier

Age is a high price to pay for maturity. - Tom Stoppard

Growing old is like being increasingly penalized for a crime you have not committed. - Anthony Powell

Call this an unfair generalization if you must, but old people are no good at everything. - Moe, from the Simpsons

Old people are fond of giving good advice; it consoles them for no longer being capable of setting a bad example. - Francois De La Rochefoucauld

Rock Solid

Arches National Park is one of those places you can get lost in for days on end while never seeing the same thing twice. There is just so much to explore and so much more to take in that you really need days and a willingness to walk the whole park. Seeing as we only had 3 days to explore not to mention 2 parks to visit, this trip to Arches focused more on the highlights that one shouldn't miss. Enjoy.

Solitude in Canyonlands

One of the best things about visiting the National Parks in the winter is the solitude. This is especially true at Canyonlands where you can walk into a meadow and listen to the silence all around you. It is invigorating, which comes in handy since it is just a few degrees above freezing and you don't want to keep still for too long. A few examples:

Golden Arches

Last weekend was spent in Moab or more specifically Arches and Canyonlands National Parks. Here are a few photos from Day 1 spent in Arches.