Audrey and Noel’s Blog

It’s hot in our little apartment here in Logan. This last weekend we needed to get away to somewhere a little cooler, so we went to the Tetons. (Sorry I didn’t tell you Mom, but I think everyone’s weekend was a little less stressed this way.) Anyway, it’s a trip we meant to go on last summer but didn’t get to because it was raining when we wanted to go and we went to Moab instead. I was pretty excited for it and a few weeks ago went to the library and checked out every book they had on the area, partially because I wanted the information and partially because I didn’t want any other would be travelers from Logan to get any ideas.

Friday morning we got up super early and drove to Jackson stopping at every one of the 82 construction zones in between here and there and taking a small detour to Bennington?, Idaho. Our goal was to acquire one of the coveted tent-only sites at the “top 40 best campgrounds in America” Jenny Lake campground. However, when we rolled in at 11:00am we could hardly find a parking spot let alone a campsite. Upon looking around it didn’t look all that much different or better than any other campground I’ve ever been to, so when we got one of the last sites at Signal Mountain next to a circus tent and some people from California (no, they weren’t the same people) we were plenty happy enough.

The hiking was great out there even though there were so many people. Friday, after finding our campsite, we went up to Surprise Lake wearing our hiking-appropriate Chaco sandals. In spite of snow and the scoffs of people with their trekking poles, we made it. It’s just so odd to run into that much snow on the ground in July. The little lake was still partially frozen over. The next day we had planned on going up over Paintbrush Divide to Lake Solitude and around back down through Cascade Canyon, but apparently there was avalanche conditions on Paintbrush so we opted for a out and back hike up Cascade Canyon instead. It was absolutely gorgeous up there. However, the first part of the hike up to Inspiration Point is anything but inspirational due to the over abundance of tourists that rode the boat across Jenny Lake to get there. Once past that, the trail up the canyon is fabulous with shady pine forests, high snowcapped mountains, and waterfalls all over the place. Unfortunately while up there our camera decided that all the picture we had taken up to that point should be DELETED, and we didn’t realize it until we got back to camp that night, so there are only a few pictures of that hike and Surprise Lake. Sunday we relaxed and went swimming out in chilly Leigh Lake. (It used to be a glacier.) Monday we saw a moose in the campground in the wee hours of the morning and saw the sunrise from the top of Signal Mountain. On our way out of the park we stopped by the Lawrence S. Rockefeller Preserve and officially communed with nature on a little hike out to Phelps Lake.

When all was said and done we had about half of the pictures we took, a cumulative total of 30+ mosquito bites with some in places I didn’t know mosquitoes could get to, and some fond memories. I think next time will have to be a backpacking trip later in the summer. If there’s anyone who’s interested let me know.

Oh yeah, and the pictures are below.

Noel and I have gone on several hikes this summer where hikers in serious looking, ankle high boots wielding telescoping trekking poles have given us skeptical and somewhat infuriated looks as we pass them up on the trail in our open-toed, care-free Chacos. Most recently we were in the Tetons and after completing a 9.3 mile hike a group of hikers asked us, “How did you manage to get to the top in inappropriate footwear?” (It must be noted that they did not actually make it to the top themselves). Inappropriate footwear? Granted there were a few snow patches, but Chacos have much better traction than the inquirer’s white Reebok sneakers and lack the blisters that accompany any pair of hiking boots I’ve owned. I guess I’m just getting kind of tired of people thinking I am a sissy, froofy-girl who has never set foot on a mountain - I was even about to challenge this one guy to a race up the mountain last weekend, but luckily Noel stopped me.

Admittedly, I too used to think it was silly to hike in sandals, but after having my very own pair of Chacos for a year I too am converted. My broken in running shoes are experiencing tough competition. For those who are still skeptical, Noel and I compiled a gallery of “appropriate” Chaco usage . . . also Noel just pointed out to me that Chaco now makes hiking shoes too (for occasions where there is more than the occasional snow patch).

As a display of our patriotism, Noel and I decided to participate in a Freedom Run to kick off our Fourth of July. It was hot and now we’re tired, but we won punch passes to the local aquatic center - that will be a nice escape from our sweltering apartment. Noel’s parents cheered us on and took the beautiful pictures found below.

PS Audrey got third place in her age group (Noel)

Any weekend is a good reason to take a few extra days and enjoy the summer. We got to spend a very nice, relaxing weekend up at Park City with Grandma and Grandpa McConkie. While up there we got to see a parade of the fireman’s convention (a whole parade of firetrucks, the coolest part of any parade), check out some of the local outrageously expensive real estate, and spend some time at the pool.

After that we went down to the hot vacation spot of Brigham City. Ever since reading Jessie’s Blog from a while ago where she went to Spiral Jetty, I’ve wanted to go and see it. So, we picked up Mitchell, and started driving to the middle of nowhere. Once there, we took a left onto a dirt road, another left, and a right, drove past three “No Tresspassing” signs and over four cattle guards. As it turns out little Honda can do some moderate off-roading too. Then we got to it.

So, of course, we had to go out and play. Here’s Mitchell and I checking things out.

The shore was mostly made up of dried salt. The water is red in places there too because of a special kind of bacteria that can survive in the salty water.

And Audrey was present, of course, looking like a movie star in her sunglasses.

Here’s us the happy couple.

And a panoramic view of the Jetty. (Click on it to see it bigger.)

On our journey back we stopped by Golden Spike to see the place where the railroads met. Now that I’ve been there, I can see why that was the last place they got to while building the railroad. Anyway, here’s the Union Pacific 119.

And, of course, Mitchell and I being the engineers of the train.

Over the Memorial Day weekend we went down to Blanding for Vanessa’s Graduation (congrats!). While we were down there we also braved torrential rain and relentless wind as we ventured to Moab where we relived Danielle and Annie’s days as river guides and got in touch with our Hippie side at the local art festival. Other highlights include Greg taking the rally car up the baby lion’s back (see video below), Danielle getting some action from her “new friend” while perusing the Chaco section at Canyon Voyages, and Noel conquering his fear of heights and climbing the Indian ladder. Check out the picture gallery for more details. Read the rest of this entry »

Now that we no longer have mountains of homework to do, Noel and I have decided to become less boring. Our first activity: The Cache Valley Bike Festival. Aggie Blue Bikes (this group on campus that checks out bikes like a library does books) put on the event. They had free general bike tune-ups and I learned that my bike is in great shape (my father would be proud) and Noel’s bike . . . well let’s just say he’s probably gotten more use out of his. While we were there we also participated in the “Slow Bike” contest where the person who takes the longest to cross the finish line without touching the ground wins, as well as the bike toss where we got to chuck this really old bike (kind of like a discus, but better). We didn’t win any prizes, but we got some great footage of the festivities.

We just had a great little road trip down to Las Vegas to go to Annie’s graduation. Even though we spent most of the time driving down there and across town, it was still a great time. We got to go on a cousin hike in Red Rock Canyon there by Vegas. While we were there someone got flown out hanging from a stretcher on a helicopter because she got heat stroke. We saw a king snake or two, and through it all were oh so careful.

Later we went to the actual graduation and I got to be Annie’s own personal paparazzi. One of these days I’ll learn how to take good pictures. Afterwards we all stuffed ourselves on the feast and party Brenda had prepared. It was good times.

We just finished our last finals yesterday! That makes today the first day of summer whatever it looks like outside.

So, we were recently released from being on the MSA (Married Student Association) Executive Council at the LDS Institute here in Logan. Before they let us go though, we were in charge of a service activity at the temple where we helped sand and paint the fence. Although the turnout isn’t as big as the activities when the MSA offers free dinner, we attracted a good crowd. We’re just grateful that it didn’t snow or rain that day.

A week ago, I went on a trip to Boise with Ashley C. and Ashley L. (two of my fellow Writing Center employees) where we put on a workshop presentation at the annual Rocky Mountain Peer Tutoring Conference. I know it sounds nerdy, but our little presentation drew quite a crowd. Our dramatic reading discussed the issues of being a receptionist and was modeled after Eve Ensler’s Vagina Monologues . . . ours was just a little less taboo.