Havasupai 2008

Another Havasupai trip gone by. This is my fifth year hiking into the canyon and I've still managed to make it out alive. I was actually in my best shape, thanks to the training for the Pat's Run last April and of course Jillian Michaels, from the Biggest Loser, who kicked my trash!

We had a pretty good group of 27, though our group did get split up into two camps so I was a little sad about that. However, we all still had a great time playing in the different falls.

We began our adventure on Thursday evening where some of us met at the church by my house and headed out of the valley by 5pm. We made a stop in Flagstaff, picked up a few supplies at the WalMart and ate a hearty meal at Fizoli's.

We arrived at the hilltop at about midnight and began our decent into the canyon at about 1am. We prefer to hike through the night to avoid the intense heat of the sun, it really is the way to go. The hike into the village is about eight miles. Since I was the ring leader, I had to hang out at the village till reservations opened up Friday morning to pay for our group. Some stayed with me while the others headed into camp, another two miles. I then joined the group, set up my tent, and slept for a good couple of hours. A few of us later headed over to Havasu Falls to soothe our tired muscles in the cool waters. Later I headed back, took a bath in the stream by camp and ate a Mountain House dehydrated dinner. Hmmm, there's nothing like going to bed smelling clean after a long hike in and a full tummy.

The next day I got up about 7:30ish, had some cereal and took off with a group to Mooney Falls. This is a fun fall to climb down to. There are plenty of chains and ladders to get you down. It sounds intimidating, but it really isn't. Mooney Falls actually got its name from a miner who died there while repelling by the fall. We took some pics and headed down stream to the 'showers' and then off to the rope swing to play a bit.

We then hiked backed to camp, ate lunch and took off to Navajo Falls. This fall is different than the other two. It's much more of a cascading fall and absolutely beautiful. There's also places to explore behind with some more small falls that many people don't know about. In fact, some people tried to warn us that the path dead ends. We thanked them and kept going.

Afterwards, I headed back to Havasu Falls with a friend to meet up with the rest of our group. We couldn't find them so we found a rock by the falls and chilled for a while. Later, one of the girls showed up and we hiked over to the mines since she had never been and was eager to check them out. Last year I had gone down into the lower levels, though I know it's not the safest or smartest place to be. So we just played it safe this year and explored the first level.

We headed back to camp, made some dinner, enjoyed some desert, and started to take down camp for the hike out early morning. Once all packed up as much as possible, a friend and I went to Havasu Falls to enjoy one last moment and to look at the stars.

That night I slept out under the stars in my sleeping bag on a raft left by another camp. We had overslept a bit so didn't begin our hike out till sunrise. I made pretty good time and just kept going till we made it to the top. Those switchbacks kick my butt every year! As soon as we reached the top I payed for overpriced ice cold water and a Popsicle...worth every cent!

On the way back home we stopped at the famous Snow Cap cafe and enjoyed a couple of tacos and a shake. There are some antique cars in the back with eyes painted on the windshields to look like the characters in the movie Cars, not sure which came first. The service was comical and the food delicious.

So the question now is, "Am I going to do this again next year?" I'm not sure I'm ready to organize another YSA trip, especially now that I'm no longer a YSA, but Krista wants me to organize a family trip. However, it gets a bit tricky with the kids so I'm not sure how well that idea will fly. We would probably have to put an age limit. There are also other options for getting down there besides hiking. You can take the mule all the way in or the helicopter to the village, but that can get pricey when you're paying for a family. There is also a lodge for those who don't want to do the camping, but you'll have a good hike to get to the falls each day (at least four miles total). And obviously, the better shape you're in the better your experience and the more you can see. So if any of the fam is interested, let me know ad we can start planning now.

Utah June 6th-9th

I've been getting the travelling itch lately so Ryan's wedding was a great excuse to get a way for a bit to visit with family and friends. The weather in Utah was a bit more chilly than I had expected. As soon as we landed and they opened the doors, I began making my calls back home to get a jacket. Luckily Beth hadn't left to the airport and was kind enough to pick up a light hoodie at my house.

So I always thought it was funny when you hear how people meet on planes. While waiting to board in Phoenix I had met a lady, and through our discussions she learned that I was single. Once boarded on the plane and through some seat changes, I ended up close by her again, but this time there was a guy sitting with her and her husband. It appeared she must have been talking about me because as soon as I came by her face lit up as she pointed me out to him and introduced us. I think it's funny how people try to set you up just based on the fact that you're both single, but luckily he was tall dark and handsome. We didn't talk on the plane until after we boarded off. He did ask for my email address, but I doubt I'll ever hear from him, not because I think he's not interested but because I'm not sure if he'll be able to read his own handwriting, maybe he was nervous! ;)

That night we went out to dinner at Red Robin, because Amanda had heard the bruschetta burger was delicious. However, due to the tomato contamination, she was unable to fully experience the flavor of the burger as it was delivered to our table bruschetta-less. You think they could have warned us before we ordered, right? Nice. Oh, and speaking of awkward moments, we witnessed an young girl and old guy meet for a blind-date. He had the high cinched-up pants with the plaid button-up shirt carrying a rose for his unsuspected match. She looked a bit surprise, so not sure how that date was put together but my heart went out to her.

Saturday I had the opportunity to be at Ryan & Kelli's sealing. She was absolutely beautiful and he couldn't have been any happier. And despite that their photographer showed up late, they were still in very good spirits.

So later that night I joined Beth and Brandon for dinner and a movie. We saw Iron Man, which was still good the second time around. Afterwards we joined a friend of Beth's, whom she had met on a plane a couple of years ago, for some ice cream. After some bad turns, we finally made it and I enjoyed the classic oreo ice cream in a waffle bowl with homemade carmel syrup, yum! The way home to Cameron and Amanda's was once again filled with some bad turns and poor Beth still had to get back to her hotel. Needless to say, I had little sleep that night and Beth had practically none. So Sunday, I barely made it through sacrament and went back to the house to crash for a couple of hours. That night we hung out at the Norby's and visited with cousins, some of which I hadn't seen in a very long time, so it was really nice.

Monday sure came quick! Amanda and I took the kids to the dinosaur museum at Thanksgiving Point. We watched a 3-D movie with the ugly people, took pictures with scary prehistoric creatures, and watched the kids dig for dinosaur bones. It was lots of fun and I had a great time bonding with Amanda and the kids.

This time on the plane, I met another guy. He noticed that I had been reading Eclipse and so we talked about the Twilight series and how his wife is into the books... huh, figures!

Ryan's Wedding

Ryan is so full of life.

Being around him just makes me happy.

And on June 7th, 2008 I was exceptionally happy for him.

Congratulations cousin, you deserve the best!

Woodruff, AZ

It's always funny to me when I tell people about Woodruff, AZ. "Where's that?" Is always the response that I get. But every now and then, I do run into someone who has heard of it and then they usually follow-up with an inbreeding joke. You laugh, but remember my hands, hmmm.... So anyhow, this last May was the infamous Turley Family Reunion. Every time I go, it's a bit of nostalgia for me as I remember the summers visiting Grandma and Grandpa Turley. The shag green carpet, Wheel of Fortune on the 24 inch TV screen, Skip-Bo, the best homemade spaghetti sauce I've ever had, going to the chicken coop with Grandpa, Grandma commenting on how big I've gotten, playing in the Little Colorado in their backyard, swinging on the bed swing at the Allen Park, jumping in hay at a nearby abandoned barn, riding in Grandpa's rusted old Ford truck, and sleeping on the pullout bed. Those days are long since past, but I still love to go back and revisit those memories. At this last reunion the weather was a bit chilly so we stayed in the church most of the time. I couldn't handle it for too long and took some of the kids with me to visit the my childhood memories of Woodruff. Mom thought this was a great idea and joined us for the walk. She showed us the school where she went as a little girl. It was a one-room class, which sounded a little like Little House on the Prairie to me... ha ha! It's now been turned into a library but was closed for the weekend. She then walked us to the house where she first lived when she was born. Rumor has it that the chandelier that Grandpa Turley put in for Grandma still hangs in the house. Sadly, the occupants that reside there now haven't kept up the place and trash is scattered all through out the lawn. I love old kept up houses, so it really is a shame because it could be a really cute place. Mom pointed out a few more houses that had once belonged to some relatives of ours, but don't ask me to remember them. We then headed over the the Little Colorado, probably my favorite place to play as a kid. Mom was hesitant to let the kids go down there. Hmmm, that's funny, she used to let us play there all day without ever checking up on us. Times have changed. Mom stayed at top and I insisted that the kids come down and play a bit. Of course, they were all eager and excited. The car is still there, don't know how it ever got there, but as a kid I was always intrigued by it. After a bit, mom got anxious and was ready to have the kids back up. I took a few more pics and soaked in another fond memory....