That's right. August 24, 2008 marks the third anniversary of the union of Stacy and I in marriage. To celebrate, we went up to the Uintas this weekend for some climbing, hiking, camping, uno-playing, dog-fun-having, and all-around escaping from the summer heat. We accomplished all these things and more. After a quick breakfast at the house on Saturday morning, we made our way up to th
e Bald Mountain Trailhead in the Uintas. The hike into Notch Lake is about 2.5 miles. We had to borrow a bunch of camping gear since we just don't have our own yet. The problem with this is that most people don't buy gear that is "light and fast." We each had big packs on our back with a lot of weight. Adding the climbing gear and rope to this did not make this any easier. Luckily, the hike was pretty easy so it was just a matter of dealing with the pack weight. We arrived at the lake around lunch time so we took a few minutes to relax and have our "lunch." We had just packed things like fruit, granola bars, and fruit roll-ups for lunch. After we had just worked super hard on the
hike in and we were planning on climbing, this wasn't the most regenerating of lunch options. We then put our camp together in a spot that overlooked the lake, the cliffs, and almost everything else around. It really was a beautiful place. I was a little bummed to see a group headed to the crag just as we were getting ready to go over there, but I figured there were plenty of climbs. Then I saw that they
were headed to the exact climb I wanted to get on. Oh, well. I figured. I can go try this 5.10c over here. Due to my lack of energy, the other group's annoying dog, and my fear of heights, I was unable to finish this climb. I was okay with it, though. We spent some time over there then decided to go take a nap. We were in no hurry. We had all night and all day tomorrow. This was supposed to be a relaxing weekend. The nap was nice, although sometimes inter
mixed with the sounds of the climbers yelling at their dog, and the family on the other side of the lake talking extraordinarily loud. When we awoke we decided to get ready for dinner by starting a fire. This was done with a single successful match which got some kindling to smoke and a whole lot of blowing by myself and Stacy. Eventually, we had a bitchin' fire which led to a bitch
in' dinner. Stacy had prepared tinfoil dinners with chicken, potatoes, carrots, onions, etc. They were big and delicious. For dessert we had a myriad of choices consisting of roasted marshmallows and jiffy pop. After dinner the dogs ran around as we read our books. I have decided that I can not be reading such a large book next time I try to go backpacking. Or, at the very least, I should just photocopy the next few chapters so I don't have to carry that textbook sized monstrosity in. Although, I did really enjoy reading it while I was there. As the night began to approach we reeled things in and decided to have a riveting game of Uno. Our first game was over in a matter of minutes with Stacy handily beating me. We both thought that if the game moves that quickly, we can certainly play another hand. So we did. This one took a bit lon
ger. In fact, we had to pause have way through because it had become so dark that we could no longer decipher the colors of the cards, and we had to get the headlamps out. What seemed to be several hours later, Stacy beat me once again only after a healthy exchange of leads back and forth. We retired to the tent for the night and read a bit more before falling asleep. The dogs climbed in the tent with us and just like they are at home, they hogged all the space. This is why we don't let them sleep on the bed with us. Bowie wedged himself between Stacy and I, and then turned perpendicular to our bodies, thus forcing my midsection into the gear at the side of the tent. It was nice to have a pleasant, cool evening. It never did get as cold as I was expecting, but was nice the whole time. In the morning we went back to the crag. We got on the climb we had initially intended to do and enjoyed it. We then enjoyed a nice breakfast of oatmeal and hot chocolate. Seriously, are we at the Ritz? What I really wanted to do today was get the dogs swimming in the lake. They have never swam before. They have been in water so many times, but have had no reason to swim. I wanted to change that today. After breakfast I went down to the lakefront with Bowie and Sam. I threw a ball into the lake. They ran up and down the beach trying to figure out how to get it without swimming. This was unsuccessful. They had to swim, but were not determined enough to try it on their own. They needed some coaxing. I got in the frigid water (which was quite refreshing, actually) and began to slowly swim out to the ball. I called to the dogs assuring them that they could do it. It really didn't take much before Bowie was headed right for me. I was so excited. I felt like a proud father. He was swimming! When he caught up with me I greeted him then we swam to the ball. When I looked back I saw Sam right behind us. They both did it! Bowie got the ball, but they were both swimming. We swam back to shore and then did it again. They were doing so great. I was loving it. Stacy snapped a few shots then changed clothes to get in the water, as well. She was a bit surprised at the temperature of the water. I told her it was cold. It was an enjoyable experience for all of us. Eventually, the ball became so water and mud logged that it sank to the bottom of the lake and Bowie was just confused when he swam out to get it. Oh well. We had a good time. We then packed up all out gear and began the hike back to the car. The hike back was slightly harder since it was uphill instead of down, but for some reason it was easier for me. It took us a while, but we eventually made it. It was such a great weekend. A great way to celebrate three years of marraige. We need to do this more often when the mercury in Salt Lake is rising. Thanks for listening. On Rock, Swim, Hike, Camp, Uno, etc.
That's right. August 24, 2008 marks the third anniversary of the union of Stacy and I in marriage. To celebrate, we went up to the Uintas this weekend for some climbing, hiking, camping, uno-playing, dog-fun-having, and all-around escaping from the summer heat. We accomplished all these things and more. After a quick breakfast at the house on Saturday morning, we made our way up to th
e Bald Mountain Trailhead in the Uintas. The hike into Notch Lake is about 2.5 miles. We had to borrow a bunch of camping gear since we just don't have our own yet. The problem with this is that most people don't buy gear that is "light and fast." We each had big packs on our back with a lot of weight. Adding the climbing gear and rope to this did not make this any easier. Luckily, the hike was pretty easy so it was just a matter of dealing with the pack weight. We arrived at the lake around lunch time so we took a few minutes to relax and have our "lunch." We had just packed things like fruit, granola bars, and fruit roll-ups for lunch. After we had just worked super hard on the 
hike in and we were planning on climbing, this wasn't the most regenerating of lunch options. We then put our camp together in a spot that overlooked the lake, the cliffs, and almost everything else around. It really was a beautiful place. I was a little bummed to see a group headed to the crag just as we were getting ready to go over there, but I figured there were plenty of climbs. Then I saw that they 
were headed to the exact climb I wanted to get on. Oh, well. I figured. I can go try this 5.10c over here. Due to my lack of energy, the other group's annoying dog, and my fear of heights, I was unable to finish this climb. I was okay with it, though. We spent some time over there then decided to go take a nap. We were in no hurry. We had all night and all day tomorrow. This was supposed to be a relaxing weekend. The nap was nice, although sometimes inter
mixed with the sounds of the climbers yelling at their dog, and the family on the other side of the lake talking extraordinarily loud. When we awoke we decided to get ready for dinner by starting a fire. This was done with a single successful match which got some kindling to smoke and a whole lot of blowing by myself and Stacy. Eventually, we had a bitchin' fire which led to a bitch
in' dinner. Stacy had prepared tinfoil dinners with chicken, potatoes, carrots, onions, etc. They were big and delicious. For dessert we had a myriad of choices consisting of roasted marshmallows and jiffy pop. After dinner the dogs ran around as we read our books. I have decided that I can not be reading such a large book next time I try to go backpacking. Or, at the very least, I should just photocopy the next few chapters so I don't have to carry that textbook sized monstrosity in. Although, I did really enjoy reading it while I was there. As the night began to approach we reeled things in and decided to have a riveting game of Uno. Our first game was over in a matter of minutes with Stacy handily beating me. We both thought that if the game moves that quickly, we can certainly play another hand. So we did. This one took a bit lon
ger. In fact, we had to pause have way through because it had become so dark that we could no longer decipher the colors of the cards, and we had to get the headlamps out. What seemed to be several hours later, Stacy beat me once again only after a healthy exchange of leads back and forth. We retired to the tent for the night and read a bit more before falling asleep. The dogs climbed in the tent with us and just like they are at home, they hogged all the space. This is why we don't let them sleep on the bed with us. Bowie wedged himself between Stacy and I, and then turned perpendicular to our bodies, thus forcing my midsection into the gear at the side of the tent. It was nice to have a pleasant, cool evening. It never did get as cold as I was expecting, but was nice the whole time. In the morning we went back to the crag. We got on the climb we had initially intended to do and enjoyed it. We then enjoyed a nice breakfast of oatmeal and hot chocolate. Seriously, are we at the Ritz? What I really wanted to do today was get the dogs swimming in the lake. They have never swam before. They have been in water so many times, but have had no reason to swim. I wanted to change that today. After breakfast I went down to the lakefront with Bowie and Sam. I threw a ball into the lake. They ran up and down the beach trying to figure out how to get it without swimming. This was unsuccessful. They had to swim, but were not determined enough to try it on their own. They needed some coaxing. I got in the frigid water (which was quite refreshing, actually) and began to slowly swim out to the ball. I called to the dogs assuring them that they could do it. It really didn't take much before Bowie was headed right for me. I was so excited. I felt like a proud father. He was swimming! When he caught up with me I greeted him then we swam to the ball. When I looked back I saw Sam right behind us. They both did it! Bowie got the ball, but they were both swimming. We swam back to shore and then did it again. They were doing so great. I was loving it. Stacy snapped a few shots then changed clothes to get in the water, as well. She was a bit surprised at the temperature of the water. I told her it was cold. It was an enjoyable experience for all of us. Eventually, the ball became so water and mud logged that it sank to the bottom of the lake and Bowie was just confused when he swam out to get it. Oh well. We had a good time. We then packed up all out gear and began the hike back to the car. The hike back was slightly harder since it was uphill instead of down, but for some reason it was easier for me. It took us a while, but we eventually made it. It was such a great weekend. A great way to celebrate three years of marraige. We need to do this more often when the mercury in Salt Lake is rising. Thanks for listening. On Rock, Swim, Hike, Camp, Uno, etc.
No comments:
Post a Comment