The Wandering Women of the World

Friday, August 1--Sunday, August 3 2008

The Wandering Women of the World

My eyes are drooping and I'm about to fall asleep as I type this--but I want to get it out before I forget!

This past weekend, my good friends Jaime, Allison, Angie and I formed a group. We are The Wandering Women of the World. We all decided to have a girls weekend and go travel. Here's what we did...

FRIDAY

Friday, August 1--My Mom's Birthday!!! (She's old! She's two numbers!!! I love ya mom!!!)
We decided that we were going to go to Idaho on Friday after work. We left here and and drove through rush hour traffic...ick--to Idaho--where we went to ... Lava Hot Springs. It was a hot day and we went and soaked in the hot tubs!!!! It was hot!!!!! Not the best conditions for it--but the hottest pool was tolerable and Angie was able to even put her feet in it this time! I'm proud of ya, Ang!

After the hot pools, we stopped and got a drink because the water drains you--Jaime and I decided to play gangsta and we found a fishing pole and some bait. We decided to pose for this pic..

We got to my parents new home in Idaho late that night and had birthday cake with my mom and dad and BOTH of my sisters (Melissa actually came home!). Then we went to bed--we were tired--and we had a full day planned for the next day.

SATURDAY

Saturday, August 2--The Yellowstone, Teton, Jackson Hole Loop... (and a lot of driving for me...)
We got up early and had a wonderful breakfast courtesy of my mother--if you want good lodging and good food, just stay at my house in Idaho! She's a great hostess! We left my house around 9:30 and headed to the West Entrance of Yellowstone Park.

We first stopped in my old stomping grounds of Rexburg and grabbed lunch to have a picnic. We then drove through Island Park and through Targhee National Forest (one of my favorite places in Idaho!). It was beautiful. We crossed the border into Montana and we had to stop and take a picture. We got to West Yellowstone (which would be an adventure in and of itself--but we had a different course today...) and then we entered Yellowstone National Park.

To travel through Yellowstone National Park and through Grand Teton National park costs $25 for 7 days. We bought a pass, and realized while we were driving through the park that we have a common goal--we want to go to more parks. So we decided that we were going to go ahead and upgrade our pass to an annual parks pass (courtesy of Allison). Now we can travel to more parks and not have to pay the entry fee!!! Thanks Allison!!!


Once we were in the park--we crossed the border into Wyoming and we saw our first wildlife immediately! We saw what we thought was a moose (Irene looked at my pictures when I got home and said she thought it was an Elk--all I know is it was wild life...).

Our first stop in Yellowstone was at the Fountain Paint Pots...they are beautiful, but stinky!!! We stopped to walk around and see how amazing God's creations can be. Here's a picture of one of my favorites...this 0ne was called Leather Pool.


Next we were on to the most famous part of the southwest part of Yellostone--Old Faithful. We got there a little early (about an hour and a half early) so we wandered the stores there. At the info center, we found these great National Park Passport Books -- thus inspiring us to travel to more parks and upgrade our pass.

Old Faithful is still faithful, she was a couple minutes late, but she performed well. Here's a video of it--and a little commentary by Angie and myself...



After Old Faithful, we decided it was time to eat! By this time it was 4:00 in the afternoon--so we found a cute little picnic spot. While we were eating, we saw my Jeep off to the side and she totally looked like she was in her element. There also was a cute little chipmunk hoping we'd spill (which we didn't). Allison and Jaime modeled for us in our picnic area. I love picnics--if anyone ever wanted to impress me--a picnic in the summer would do it!



After lunch, we continued to drive through the park. We found the Continental Divide and we found a pond close by to this marker with lily pads! I don't think I'd ever seen so many real lily pads in my life--but they were beautiful! The Continental Divide is fun lo learn about and we saw it a few more times on our drive.




Next we found a beautiful waterfall! I love waterfalls (I think I just love nature!)


Then it was on to my favorite part of the trip--Grand Teton National Park...this picture was one of my most favoirte from the whole day...we met some older men who took it for us and ironically we kept running into them--even at the visitors center at Grand Teton (where we got more stamps in our passports) and at dinner in Jackson Hole...pretty crazy for a small world.

The Grand Tetons are so majestic and mezmorizing. I have so many pictures of them--I'll pick my favorite to put on here and link the rest--the sun was reflecting sunbeams all around too. It was an amazing sight! I can't believe all the different perspectives of the mountains you get as you drive to our next destination--Jackson Hole.




Next we were on to Jackson--where we planned to celebrate Angie's birthday (her's is on August 5). We wandered Jackson looking for fun souvenirs.

Several shops had great things--funny t-shirts and other things--but we all ended up with a hoodie and charm bracelets. Jaime and I were determined to find us hats--and we did--for 50% off! What a deal--we couldn't just pass it.


We took Angie to dinner and we had Mexican food at a place called the Merry Pigs (or something like that). Then--it was time to head back--because it was almost 10:40 by the time we left the restaurant. We left Jackson around 11:00 that night and it was probably one of the most nerve racking drives of my life because I was tired and it was dark and it was an unfamiliar road that was rumored to be loaded with deer and just scary. But--we made it safe and sound...back to my house in Idaho.

Sleeping never felt so good. I'll continue the story more tomorrow!

Boys and their Toys

Thursday, July 31, 2008

I have never understood the fascination with guns--although I think I'm starting to get it maybe. My friend Chase took me shooting Thursday night--I went more because I was drug along. I was lectured on the importance of guns. Did you know that they are so important that our forefathers protected our right to have arms in the constitution? This alone is a good enough reason for us to be armed and protected.

In all reality though--I come from a family with no guns--we never had a strong stance for or against. I've shot guns before in college with FHE brothers who took us to their farms to shoot rifles. It was fun, but the thought of using guns for protection scares me. I think in the moment of intensity--I will probably just calmly stand by and forget all about the gun...

But, I see Chase's point. Guns can protect us and having knowledge of how to use them is valuable. Plus--in this pic, I look kind of cute holding that gun--he's lucky he caught me smiling...I think I had grimaced right before that shot...good thing he can make me laugh!

In all--I shot 4 bullets and I did hit the target we were shooting. Chase said he was proud of me because I was willing to give it a try and I didn't do too bad.

Go guns.....?!? I'm still not certain of my stand and the ringing in my ear hasn't been fun today. But, it was kind of an adrenaline rush...I did tell him I would be willing to look into the concealed weapons class with him...we'll see....I did hit the bottle--so maybe I have potential to be good...



This may have to be continued.....

A Sight From Space

Monday, July 28, 2008

Sometimes I make exceptions to the Family Home Evening Rule--I once heard it said by Elder David Bednar himself in person to my face that the time to start having family home evening is not when you are giving birth to your child on the birthing table. Each young single adult and single adult (as well as those who are married) should have family home evening all the time. It is a higher law and we should practice it. But--my new ward hasn't done activities that have caught me so much--being a teacher I have a fine line when I am in teacher mode as to how much energy this body of mine will exert at night and some things just aren't for me. So--when I found out my new ward was swimming this week--I wasn't really in a mood for it this time. My old ward was going to Kennecot Copper Mines--something I have been wanting to do! SO--Linda and I decided it was time to hang out with the old ward.

A ton of people showed up for this activity and we drove out to the mines. You can get in by the car full (it costs $5 a car) and drive up to the mines and look out and see what is going on from ground level (instead of my favorite above level). They also have a musem full of info on the mine and the things that Kennecot has done for the area. You can even watch a movie. It was fun! I learned a lot about mining and what things they do get out of Kennecot--even some gold!

The view out there is beautiful and they can see it from space. Sadly--the mountain is torn up--but Kennecot does do things to restore the land back to the way it was before. I think they are a wonderful company and are trying to do their part to help us advance. I didn't realize all the different things we use copper for before that--but thank goodness for Kennecot.

If you are in Utah and want something fun to do--you should check out the mines. Plan a few hours because you'll want a few to look at the exhibits and to see the mine. I didn't have enough time when we were there....I'm such a learning nerd! I love it!

And by the way--I still plan to go to my new ward for FHE, but, I think that learning expereinces top play time--and I once heard Elder Bednar also say to my face that it is important for me as a teacher to teach others to love learning--I need to share that passion I have of learning with others!!!

Hiking Big Mountain

Saturday Evening, July 26, 2008

Have you ever heard the Mormon Pioneer stories about the trail. Well--Big Mountain has it's place in pioneer history. It is a beautiful mountain--big. And once you get to the top--you get a great view of the valley down bellow.

I decided that for the 24th of July it would be fun to organize a group to hike part of the Mormon Trail. After researching about the trail we would hike...this is part of what I found out:


The hike up Big Mountain is not dangerous but might be too strenuous for some. The distance is 4.2 miles. Elevation begins about 6,100 feet and climbs to 7,400 feet. The grade varies between mostly 4 and a stretch at the end of about 8 percent. Swales and rust marks easily identify the route the whole way. Tree canopy will provide shade at least half the time. A small stream runs the length of the hike and will be crossed numerous times, but is almost always dry after July, though there is water at the beaver dams and two or three logs that need to be crossed. The steepest part of the hike is at the end. The only exits on the trail are at the top and bottom and no way to get emergency vehicles into the area, so the hike must be completed. There has never been development on this section of the trail, so you get to see why it took the Donner Party four days to make a trail to the summit and where they made it. Athletic shoes are fine. Participants need to hydrate themselves.


Because some of the people in our group weren't ready for a 9 mile hike--we decided to hike it backwards--starting at Big Mountain and hiking down to Mormon Flats. Mormon Flats is an important part of church history because it is part of the Utah Wars. On the sides of the hills you can still see the rock fortifications that the pioneers built for protection.

So--we began our hike (we left my Jeep at the top and took Allison's car to the bottom so we could have cars to transport us.). All who came were Angie and Irene (my roommates), Sarah (my friend from Riverview 7th ward!), and Allison and her friends Nate and Jeremy. We started our hike and made it down in great time. Along the way there were several beautiful nature shots.

At the end--we stopped and had a dinner picnic. Jeremy decided to take on his responisbility as "the man" and carve our watermelon for us. We ate and then we realized how late it was. Allison and I headed back up the mountain in her car to get my Jeep.

On the way back--I was driving and enjoying it (it is one of my most favorite drives in all of Utah...) and I was just cruising along (keep in mind I've driven this a ton--I know the road)...when all of a sudden...I had to brake! I looked out and there was a huge deer crossing my path. Fortunately--I missed her, but unfortunately, the truck going the other way slammed into her. It was one of the loudest thuds I've ever heard in my life--and my heart was pounding just as loud.

Eventually Allison and I made it back to the group and we drove back by the scene of the accident just to make sure everyone was safe. The deer had been cleared away by then and no one was there.

I am so lucky that someone was looking out for me last night--I've had a few close calls in my life and that one scared me to death--I think my car would have suffered more than me--but, it would have scared me.

But--I would recommend this hike to anyone wanting a good hike. I'll even go with you...just keep an eye out for those deer.

This Is The Place

Thursday, July 24, 2008--Pioneer Day!

I find it interesting that half the city of Salt Lake stops to commemorate and celebrate Pioneer Day! I didn't have to work today--but my roommates did. I guess that's how it goes. But, since I didn't have to work--my friend Allison and I decided to go experience "pioneer life."

We decided to go this afternoon to This Is The Place Heritage Park and play. It was fun--and I enjoyed learning about the pioneers. The way they lived when they got here to the great valley was very creative and they were able to make so much out of what they had. This city has grown so much from them. We stopped for a few minutes and watched what it would be like in a pioneer classroom. Those kids had to show respect or they were punished in crazy ways! If I did what they did--I could see me getting into trouble.

We also went to the ZCMI General Store and there we had some fun. They have a hat shop upstairs and we had some fun trying out some hats--you can decide which one you think is better.


After that, we wandered some more and looked at the houses and saw all the antiques and different things. They have done a nice job reenacting what pioneer life was like. I think I decided had I been a pioneer--they may have killed me off because I probably would have complained about how hot it was and wearing the layers of petticoat and skirt. I think though that I actually may have liked the walking and seeing new places everyday. It would have been fun to see the world--and to say you did it by foot is amazing. I am grateful for my pioneer heritage though and thinking about the pioneers today has reminded me about my great great great grandfather Zebedee Coltrin who came with the pioneers in the wagon trains. He was an amazing man...I also come from a great pioneer heritage. My mother is a convert to the church and has made pioneer history for my family. I am so lucky to have my mom!


The world needs pioneers--people who are willing to go and do new things to make life better. I hope in some way I can have pioneering experiences in my own life and make life better for me and others that I meet. Thanks to all of you who have been examples of this to me in my life!

Jared

Monday, July 21, 2008

Jared is my hero today! Somehow I got sticky gum on the carpet of my car and he was able to get it out! This is not the first time that Jared has gotten spots out of my car! He is amazing!

We were looking at my blog tonight and he said, "Amy, I'm on there, right?" I stared and looked at him blankly--no he isn't. I just started this a couple weeks ago--I haven't hung out with Jared for a while...

So I told him that we need to go make a new memory so I can add it to my blog--but our schedules are busy for the next few weeks so it may not happen just yet. So I told Jared that in the meantime, I would put some from our last trip together on...so here is an old memory.

January 26, 2008
Jared and I took a really long drive on this day. We called it the Mood Ring Extravaganza because I had just gotten a mood ring and it went through a variety of colors on the whole drive. Jared is from Nevada and so he's not as familiar with all the fun roads in Utah--and he and I both have driving in common. We both love to do it! He drives a Toyota 4 Runner so he and I enjoy the "off roading" capabilities we both have. Another commonality that we both have is we love to take pictures! (Although Jared is much better at it than me...he's really good!). Here's some samples of his work!

We drove down through Provo Canyon first, and then we drove up to Sundance, followed by a quick photo-op of the snow and the mountains (keep in mind we are reliving a January memory right now...), and then we drove through Heber and Park City and on to a favorite drive of mine out by the Mormon Trail. It was fun and we saw a ton of snow! And my Jeep did a great job handling the snow....



I'm glad I have another friend who loves driving as much as I do--only problem is these darn gas prices! They'll be the end of me and my Jeep! Jared's and my next plan is for me to show him another new fun road to drive on and then a serious day of detailing our cars--we both need a new wax job and a good carpet clean in mine...I'm grateful I have a friend who will clean the car with me! Thanks Jared!!!