I Wish I Had Before Pictures
May 21, 2009 Home Improvement, Outdoor Adventure
If you just read my blog, you might think I’ve dropped off the face of the Earth into an unproductive abyss. I’m still here, getting a lot done. Unfortunately for my blog, I have not energy by the end of the day. So what have I been up to? Yard work! Isn’t that the purpose of Spring?
This year we decided to tackle the backyard. While it doesn’t look horrible, portions of the yard haven’t really been touched in decades. Anything that is growing survived years of neglect.
Here’s the short list of activities:
- Cut down garbage trees and dead trees
- Weed large flower bed
- Fill trailer with old wood bins, picket fence, and other debris
- Trim crabapple tree
- Plant lots of plants in the front yard
My nemesis, our neighbors dead pine tree, is schedule to be cut down in a few weeks. Then we’ll have a new set of projects:
- Tear down shed
- Remove old fence
- Build new fence
- Build raised beds for vegetables (the vegetables probably won’t be planted until next year)
It’s fun to see our yard transform into a place we love.
Spring Weather
Mar 8, 2009 Life, Outdoor Adventure
Spring weather always catches me by surprise. One day I ride my bike to work and capture pictures like the one below that give me hope for beautiful weather.
Then I wake up the next morning to a bit of snow fall. I captured this picture while waiting for the bus, no bike on that day.
Signs of Spring
Feb 25, 2009 Outdoor Adventure
Here in Utah, meteorologically, winter includes the months of December, January, and February. Technically, the coldest 90 days run from November 21 to about February 21. So by the end of February, I start to look for signs of Spring. This morning on my way to the car, I notice my favorite sign. Tulips!
I’ve been watching for a couple of days. I think these sprouted out the ground within the last 48 hours. I can’t believe I didn’t see them until this morning. I’m much happier now.
Change of Seasons
Nov 16, 2008 Outdoor Adventure
Fall isn’t my favorite season. I enjoy Spring and Summer so much that when Fall roles around I find myself a little disappointed. None the less , I try to enjoy the change. I do find the range in leaf colors inspiring. This is a photo from Little Cottonwood canyon that I snapped about a month ago.
I’m a Desert Girl
May 14, 2007 Life, Outdoor Adventure
I love living in Salt Lake City, Utah. Lucky for me, my husband feels the same way. Yet despite my love for my home town and state, I feel like there is so much outside of Utah that I want to see and experience. Due to financial contraints it isn’t possible, at least right now. So I should at least enjoy what I have around me. Right?
About 3-4 years ago, Ross and I spent the day in Zion National Park in southern Utah. While we enjoyed the beauty of the park, I was struck by the hordes of people from all over the world who were visiting the park. What amazed me was number of people who were willing to spent large quantities of money to visit a site that was only five hours from my home.
This was a huge moment for me. Why should I feel sorry for myself because I can’t visit London when I can visit at least 5 National Parks in my own state? Since this light bulb moment, Ross and I have taken several trips to southern Utah to explore the beautiful red rock desert. I’ve discovered that not only do I enjoy these trips, but I also enjoy a special feeling of being in a place that is truly wonderful. Oddly enough the sage brush, scrub oak, and dry grass are a comfort for me. Perhaps it isn’t accident or chance that I live so close to these places that I enjoy visiting.
Having said that, let me share a little of my weekend. Yesterday, Ross and I returned from a weekend trip to Capitol Reef National Park. Due to time constraints, we only managed to get in a couple of short hikes, and visit a few points of interest located on the side of the road.
On Saturday we hiked the Hickman Bridge Trail, a short hike to a natural bridge. I thought it was nice hike, not too strenous. Ross wasn’t so happy. He would have prefered a few less rocks to climb over. The rocks didn’t kill him.
On Sunday, we walked the Capitol Gorge wash. I believe the wash actual channels water durning a flash flood. When it’s not channeling water, it makes an easy trail to walk. Towards the end of the wash is a “Pioneer Register”. Starting in 1888 (I believe), pioneers carved their names (and the date) on the wall. Today we would’d call it vandalism, but because it’s over 100 years old, it’s a historical monument. It is interesting to see how time can change our perspective.
After the registry, we had another climb over rocks to visit “the tanks.” The tanks are pits hollowed out in the red rock. I can imagine the tanks filling up then people swimming in them. After spending a couple of days in the hot sun, it sounds like a good idea to me.
Of course, I have lots of pictures from around the park. The mosaic links to my flickr account. If you are REALLY interested, you can see even more pictures from our weekend.
Don’t worry, my blog content will return to exciting hand crafted stuff in a few days. Thanks for indulging me by reading about my weekend adventures.
