Moab Spring Break 2013
>> Monday, April 8, 2013
Like many other families suffering from the long, cold, dreary days of winter, we prescribed ourselves with a week in warm and sunny Moab, Utah.
This has become somewhat of a ritual over the past few years. The kids love going down there and Britt and I certainly enjoy the break from work/home/domestication/blah, blah, blah. It's good for the soul.
Getting the hell out of Dodge
Our itinerary went as follows:
Monday: Long drive. Numerous potty breaks (both for the humans and canine). Pigging out at Aloha Grindz in Spanish Fork (you have to be from Hawaii to appreciate this). Arrive in Moab with newly modified trailer intact.
Madi in Arches Natl. Park
Tuesday: Attempt Delicate Arch but decide on other trail(s) due to ENORMOUS overcrowding at parking lot/trailhead (seriously, I counted at least 300 vehicles!). Afterwards, mom and kids go to the big sand hill where Madi gets revenge on her brother (sand attack!), dad goes mountain biking (North 40 trail, fun!).
Matt & Britt in Arches.
Hiking to the lower Delicate Arch viewpoint.
Poolside at the campground.
Wednesday: Morning hike to Corona Arch. A repeat of previous year but such a cool feature...and we can take Izzy dog on the hike. Afternoon bike ride along the Colorado River. More swimming, then dutch oven dinner at camp. Marvel at the number of Canadians in the campground, as well as BYU afficionados.
Izzy, the Almighty at Corona Arch.
Madi & Ethan under the towering Corona Arch.
Britt soaking up the vitamin D at Corona Arch.
Izzy cooling off in the Colorado after Corona Arch hike.
Biking along the scenic Colorado River.
Thursday: Dad does dawn patrol mountain bike ride at Sovereign Trail while family sleeps in. Enormous lunch of bacon, eggs and fried potato/hashbrowns. Half-assed hike up Negro Bill Canyon before turning around and heading back to camp and the pool. The TeNgaio's eat out tonight. Burly ghost stories follow around the campfire.
Panorama along the Sovereign Trail.
Britt's view, poolside.
Ethan cooling off after a hike.
No caption needed.
Friday: Up at 6:00 a.m. and haul ass to Aches Nat. Park and Delicate Arch. Kids do an awesome job making the short ascent to the kick ass feature, followed by more kick ass hiking in the park. Back to camp. Kids and mom swim, dad goes mtn. biking at the M.O.A.B. trail system and has a smile on his face. Facing brief storm sweeping through, family goes out to eat again and mom and dad both comment on the fact that Moab doesn't have that great of food, despite the numerous eateries. Weather drastically improves and the last night is spent with more s'mores, ghost stories around the campfire.
The Westside TeNgaios beneath the impressive Delicate Arch.
Near the end of the trail to Delicate Arch.
Saturday: Break down camp as dad stresses out over lost keys. Find keys and leave Moab. Uneventful drive until Ogden, where a tire blows out on the trailer. Dad is relieved he bought a spare before the trip. Arrive in Pocatello at dinner time and gorge themselves at Red Lobster. Finally reach Idaho Falls at 9:45 p.m. with crew, trailer and dog intact.
Thanks for the fun times, Moab!
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Down, Brittany's New Metal Hearthrob and the Drive From Hell
>> Sunday, January 27, 2013
Down rockin' the house at the Knitting Factory.
Britt and I hit Boise yesterday to see Down. The drive to Boise was going well until we hit Glenn's Ferry. Thick-ass fog had caused some major accidents with numerous semi trailers and driving speeds were reduced to 0-5 mph for about 5 miles. At one point IDT closed the interstate and we thought we were screwed from getting to Boise. Alas, the road was cleared enough to allow passage – not cleared from ice and snow but cleared from strewn semi trailer parts and accidental debris. As we drove past the carnage, we were actually glad to have been behind what must have been a nasty series of accidents with very large vehicles. Let's just say we were very relieved when we finally arrived to Boise with just enough time to hit Ha Penny's for a bite and much deserved stiff drink before the show.
A band named Warbeast went on before Down and although I certainly won't be running out to buy their CD, they were pretty classic to watch live. Pretty much the epitome of cheesy, thrash metal, with songs like "Nightmares in the Sky" and "Ignorant Bastard" riddled with lyrics like "I hate everyone" and well, "Nightmares in the Skyyyyyyyy…" But it was one of their guitarists that really drove their METAL point home, his name is Scotty. He was a badass. Britt even managed to get her picture with him. Classic.
Warbeast. That's the badass Scotty in the middle.
Britt and her heavy metal heartthrob Scotty from Warbeast!
Down came on and absolutely tore the house down, (no pun intended). They opened with Lysergic Funeral Procession and closed the encore with Bury Me In Smoke. I saw Pantera years ago in SLC and remember Phil coming across as quite the arrogant prick that the press made him out to be. It seems all that's changed now – receptive, funny and genuinely appreciative of his fans, Phil's attitude nowadays seems to have changed for the better. By injecting several cheeky remarks and making fun of himself as well as interacting with the crowd, Phil seems to be pretty humble on being who he is and where he's at. That's always a plus in my book when someone of his stature doesn't take themselves too seriously.
One of the highlights of the show was when the band was finishing Bury Me In Smoke when the opening band came on and swapped instruments with Down and actually finished the song as Phil and crew slapped hands with fans and such. Another highlight that made me grin was when Phil got on the mike and instructed one of the security men to personally hand a blind fan one of Jimmy's drumsticks. That was fuckin cool.
Harriman Skiing
>> Sunday, January 6, 2013
Today we took the kids to Harriman State Park for their first time and they loved it. The temperatures have finally risen to tolerable levels and the snow was in great shape. It's so fun to watch your kids learn a new activity and really enjoy it.
Harriman has always been a special place and worth the money and effort to frequent. There are trails for all abilities and the trails are usually well groomed.
We've started to cross country ski again in place of downhill skiing and we are really enjoying it. I've never really enjoyed the pace and ambiance of ski hills – I'm more into solitude and I like the idea of constantly moving, not freezing your ass off on the lift…in the fog…after paying a shitload of money.
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X Country Skiing 101
>> Sunday, December 30, 2012
I took the kids out today for their first time and thankfully, they had a ball. I've heard horror stories of some parents having to endure introductory cross country ski sessions with their kids. I'm sure the weather helped out today but I think Ethan and Madi and just stoked to try ANYTHING new, which is really awesome.
Ethan tore it up. He was like a racing rabbit just going for it. That kid has the legs for it for sure. Madi fell down a lot but always did so with a laugh and got right back up again (except for when she whacked herself in the forehead with a ski pole). They were smiling the whole time so that was a good sign.
I've never been to the Mink Creek Nordic Center in Pocatello until today and I have say I'm quite impressed. In fact, I'm quite impressed with all of the outdoor recreation opportunities that Pokey has to offer and am rather dissappointed in Idaho Falls. Maybe a move is order...
Ethan's 4th Grade projects
>> Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Ethan has been really enjoying 4th grade and all it's challenges. His latest endeavor has been creating a board game from his reading groups book Naya Nuki. Way to go big E!
Climbing 101
>> Tuesday, November 27, 2012
I've been eagerly awaiting the time when our kids (mainly Madi) would ask me to take them climbing - and it looks like that time has arrived.
Ethan has tied in a few times over the past few years but recently he's shown quite an interest in climbing. He's learned to tie his own figure 8 knot and is eager to learn how to belay. I think he's getting hooked.
Tonight was Madi's first time ever and she showed much spirit and vigor. Like most little kids, she got a bit freaked out at times but stuck with it. As long as she was smiling, I knew she was good to keep going. She was even busting out the occassional rebel yell and a few grunts as she climbed - a true sign of a spirited 6 year old.
Like most parents, Britt and I introduce the kids to different activities and wait to see which ones they take to. I've always told myself that I'd wait until they ask me to take them climbing (although I admit, I have put the bug in their ears on occassion) as opposed to forcing it on them. Just because that's dad's activity doesn't mean it has to be theirs. I have to admit though, visions of family climbing trips to Wild Iris, Yosemite or Spain(!) have played in my mind from time to time!
Madi's Big 6th B'day
>> Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Our big girl turned the whoping 6 years old last week and went through a rite of passage that all girls eventually must pass: pierced ears. As you can see from the collage, several moods were experienced and expressed but the final outcome was Madi being super stoked and happy. We love you big sis! (Thanks to Charish for the awesome photo collage!) Read more...
Hangin' with JStar
>> Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Being a climbing junkie, I follow a few of the pro climbers' blogs and other social media outlets to stay up to date and whatnot on current climbing affairs. Plus, I like to try to get a bit more insight into what make some of these athletes tick. What I've admired about Jonathan is that, unlike some of the other pro climbing athletes I've read interviews on, he seems way down to earth, humble, honest and most of all STOKED! So it was great to actually hang with the guy and see that he really is all that.
Mike, Jonathan and myself.
Mike, JStar and I were all individually on a mission to bolt new routes – and holy shit, did we ever! Mike got a couple of short and hard lines in. I equipped a couple of long hard rigs on the Solstice Wall and Jonathan equipped a couple of stout lines as well – one that will change the Fins forever.
Siegrist upper right working on the mega project.
Dr. B equipping a new line of his.
Limestone "barnacles". You don't want to cheesegrate on those suckas!
Rick joined us on Sunday and had a good show (despite a cold) on the long endurance route, Wings for Mary. Next time for sure dude! I was able to lead through on my new project, High on Fire, that'll probably clock in around .13a or b. I bolted a variation off the 7th bolt that breaks left to a longer and harder finish that might be .13c'sh. Meanwhile, Jonathan brought the vision to the Solstice Wall (and cajones) and starting equipping and testing gear placements for a 120' crack line on the left side of the wall that has been a running topic between some us for years. Way too hard looking for me. We'll see though.
Ricardo on Wings for Mary, .12b.
JStar bringing it to the Solstice Wall.
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Stanley Lake 2012
>> Thursday, July 26, 2012
McGown Peak
We've been wanting to check out the Stanley Basin area for quite some time now and with the current heat wave going on, we figured it was time.
Hiking to Lady Face Falls.
Feeding frenzy at the fish hatchery in Stanley.
With no campsite reservations, we were pretty much winging it. Sure, there are plenty of roadside campsites off the highway but of course, that wouldn't work for us. Our first stop was at the over populated Redfish Lake area. Like we figured, no luck. That was fine by me because that place is like Vegas in the mountains – it kind of sucked (for camping, at least). So, going on a tip from my Sawtooth-stompin' friend Marc, we headed to Stanley Lake and scored big time (thanks bro!).
Britt and Madi on the lake at sunset.
Hiking the south shore trail around Alturus Lake.
Chillin' like villains at the "da beach".
Stanley Lake has to be THE most beautiful car camping area I've ever been to. It's unreal. McGown Peak sits above the lake and the water, land, and skies are filled with wildlife. From catching frogs to watching osprey dive bomb the water for a meal to watching the glassy lake come alive at dusk with hungry fish are just a few things the kids loved.
Starting the Lady Face Falls hike.
Post dinner dip in the lake, complete with brain freeze.
The sign says it all.
"Bonzai"!
We spent 4 days at the lake and each day was pretty much: Get up, go hiking and exploring while it was cool, then in the heat of the afternoon, head down to the lake and soak up the alpine sunshine while taking turns dipping in the cool lake. Let me tell you, it was hard to leave. I even think Izzy-dog was reluctant to do so.
The reluctant Sand Dog.
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