Angel's Landing October 2007

October brought another trip to Zions, this time to hike Angel's Landing. We stayed a couple of nights at my friend Anthony's condo in Saint George and then made a day trip to Zions. The hike was not as tough as I thought it would be and I enjoyed spending time with my friends climbing and exploring.



















This is a wonderful image to have in your head just before climbing up steep rocks. Like watching airplanes crash just before your seat is called for boarding.


Finally at the top, we were able to rest and enjoy the warm sun and cool breeze. The chipmunks were everywhere waiting to grab what they could from the trail snacks.

Grand Canyon July 2007

Several friends from my ward and I made a trip to the Havasupai Indian Reservation in the Grand Canyon this summer. It was an awesome trip. You hike 10 miles in and 10 miles out carrying everything you need for camping.


The morning of the second day we were awakened by local Indians warning us of an incoming flash flood which would wipe out our camp site so we quickly moved all our tents and stuff up onto the rocks at the base of the canyon walls. The floods came, slowly but surely and turned our gorgeous blue water to an opaque liquid chocolate for the rest of the trip.
















Here is a before and after shot of some of the falls near our campsite.



The second night the rains came and some of us had to abandon our wet tents for a dry cave that was just near our camp, about 30 feet up the canyon wall face. We took refuge there for the night and the next day when the blistering heat rolled in.


Despite all the "Man vs Wild" experiences, we still found plenty of time to climb, explore caves, and swim, even in the chocolate water.

Family Trip to Chicago July 2007

It all started with Melanie's family going and before long it ballooned into all the siblings going to see my sister Nadine in Chicago. We did all sorts of things ranging from bike rides, zoo trips, ferris wheels, mini golf, crashing the new batman movie set, hailing cabs, boat rides, going to a Cubs game, and lots of walking! We all made the trip except for Curtis' family and my parents. since my mom is recovering from a hip replacement.Since I was in charge of steering one of these things, I found a way to make it more like a bumper car experience, not to everyone's amusement.

This is everyone who made the trip, standing in front of the famous metallic bean near Millennium Park.

Ward BBQ and Frisbee April 2007

This is Nate, Joe, and me after an intense game of frisbee just before our ward closing social BBQ. I am in such a good ward, why move?

After eating, we took flight off the swings.

Quick Trip to Portland March 2007

I managed to join the family for a little less than 48 hours at my sister Melanie's place in Tualatin. We played pong, 4-square, jump rope, catch, and had great fun in that little space of time. In the shot on the left, we have pulled up chairs in the garage with juice boxes in hand to watch Brett and Jason go at it in pong.

My First Car

While Brett was in Taiwan for 7 months I was able to look after and use his Acura. For the first time I decided to cover a car with liability insurance only and for the first time in 14 years, I had an accident on some black ice coming back from snowboarding. What a coincidence! A month after paying a pretty penny to fix his car, Brett returns and reclaims it.

So finally I am in a position where I both need and can afford a car for myself. After a few weeks of research and test driving I settled on a charcoal '03 Accord EX with all the trimmings. It's a nice ride and I've finally moved up on the social ladder and have joined the world of car owners!

San Diego December 2006

Nothing like a 70 degree Christmas holiday! My parents, Nadine, Jeremy, Andrew and I were able to go to San Diego to visit my Aunt Celia in her new house in Bonita, just outside of downtown San Diego. Her house is beautifully decorated and furnished. Celia had her piano tuned and the boys gave their all singing 'O Holy Night.' It was quite the performance! We ate well and I was surprised that her cats didn't cause my allergies to act up.

We were able to play frisbee at the beach and visit the harbor, the famous Hotel Del Coronado, and Cape Cabrillo. We also stopped by the house where I was raised and the hospital where I was born.