Hiking Around EmmyLou Harris

It's not often that you can enjoy a great hike and world class music. But that's exactly what I did last night. Red Butte Gardens sits in the foothills of Salt Lake City. There is a fabulous network of trails that slip into the mountains and we often head up there for a quick hike after work. A new amphitheatre was completed a few weeks ago, just in time for the Garden's summer concert series. Last night EmmyLou Harris was on hand and I decided I'd see how much I could hear as I hiked a loop around the amphitheatre. I took off around 8:30, just as the sun was about to set. As I reached the top of the trail, there was a slip of light left and the city was twinkling as lights turned on across the city. And the voice of EmmyLou Harris followed me throughout almost all of my hike. When I reached the amphitheatre, I caught the last three songs of the show. Great hike, great weather, great music. Not a bad way to end the weekend.

Beijing Blocking

For months, I've been reading my friend Donna's blog from Beijing. Initially, because of Chinese censors, she couldn't even access her own blog. Turns out, she can't access Lauren's Beijing Blog either. Today, the New York Times had an interesting article about the fights going on behind the scenes between NBC and other news outlets and the Chinese government over the right to report, free from government interference. If the Chinese government is blocking sites like Lauren's--an athlete excited about competing on the world stage--I find it very unlikely that much will get reported that isn't scripted by their government.

OMG

It occurred to me that between today, and the date on which our movers arrive to pack up our stuff to ship to Baku, I have ONE free weekend. This, of course, means that at some point I actually have to start thinking about what to pack, what to give away, what to buy, what to bring, bills to pay, services to cancel, and somehow organize our entire life. Luckily, this is our second international move. I keep thinking to myself, there is not THAT much to do. But then I remember those panic-stricken days before the movers came five years ago, and I realize I need to get my little butt in gear. Here is my plan for the next week:

Step One: Make a Checklist.

Step Two: Edit Checklist, adding items I've already accomplished.

Step Three: Cross off items already accomplished.

Step Four: Think about tackling items unchecked.

Step Five: Lose checklist and procrastinate on doing anything of value.

At least I have a plan.

Crazy Couple on Bikes

Last night I had dinner with a couple who is leaving for Kazakhstan in August for their honeymoon. They'll be coming back in about two years. After cycling through Kazakhstan, Siberia, Mongolia, China, Nepal, Tibet, and they hope, Iran. Whew. It exhausts me just to write it. But I had a blast meeting them and giving them some info in Central Asia. If you are interested in their trek, they'll be keeping a blog here.

Beijing Blog

My sister Lauren is in her final weeks of training before she heads to Beijing for the Olympics. Our local newspaper in Northeastern, Pennsylvania has asked her, and another local player on the team, to keep a blog over the next several weeks. You can read about her journey here. Go USA!

So you think you can cycle?

This weekend, I was taken to school by my dad on a bike.

My dad has biked across the country. Twice. About three times a week he bikes 13 miles to work, and then 13 miles home again. Now, I'm not trying to make excuses, but the man is fit. And he whipped my butt this weekend. On Saturday we climbed the Alpine Loop, one of the most beautiful places I've been in Utah. The cliffs jut straight up from the canyons. Dad was nice enough not to tease me when I could barely get the bike up the canyon on baby gear. Sunday took us up City Creek Canyon and Emigration Canyon. When my legs were ready to collapse, Dad was just getting started. Today, I woke up achy and sore, and he seemed to bound.

So, I didn't amaze my dad this weekend with my cycling skills. And my Dad is a killer cyclist. And at the end of the day, I'm pretty darn proud of that.

Coming Home

Last night I was at the airport pretty late, picking up my dad. He is coming out here to do some biking with me over the weekend. He had missed his first flight (went to the wrong airport, which I am sorry to say, I have done on at least one prior occasion!). As I was standing in the waiting area, I noticed three men, wearing Air Force uniforms, arrive. They stood together and I assumed they were from Hill Air Force base just down the road.

Airports are prime people watching locations. And my mind started wandering, watching all of the different reactions of people arriving. Some simply came into the baggage claim area, collected their bags and called a taxi. Others were met by their children, husbands, wives with big embraces and tears. (I thought about doing a photography project capturing all of the different kinds of airport reunions, but then wondered how an airport would react to some stranger carrying a camera around all day, and guessed I would need some kind of permission first). It was then I noticed the fourth man, wearing an Air Force uniform, arriving. He was carrying two boys, about four years old. Each had his hair spray pained, one red and one blue. The three men in uniform started clapping. I was fixated. It was a soldier coming home from war and a welcoming committee, however small, there to show their appreciation. The airport must have allowed his wife and children through security to meet him at the gate. It was so touching and mesmerizing that I totally missed my dad (who walked in right behind the soldier). He caught me all teary eyed and sappy. But then again, he has a way of bringing that side out of me anyway!

Hot, Hot, Hot!

We spent the long weekend in southern Utah. And it was, in a word, hot. On Friday, Liam and I hiked Cayonlands. We knew it would be warm, but I just wasn't prepared for the strength of the sun. After about four hours, I was so overheated that I got into the car and placed my face directly in front of the air conditioner, to no avail. It took me about two hours to finally cool down. Brutal.

That night we went to Arches National Park and camped. Although it cooled down considerably, at 10:00 pm it was still well above 90 degrees. We crawled into our tents and laid down as still as possible attempting to find some position that would be cool. I was convinced I'd never get to sleep when, miraculously, it started to rain. Just a few drops, but they were like little drops of air conditioning sent from heaven.

The next day we spent a few hours rafting on the Colorado and then checked ourselves into the Red Cliffs Lodge, my new favorite get-a-way spot. It was a fantastic weekend spent with Liam and his brother's family. And now, this week, it is time to say good-bye to our visitors, who are heading back to D.C. I'll miss our many nights playing Loot (a fabulous card came involving Pirate Ships and ... Loot!), great hikes, and great company.

Visitors

This week Liam's brother and his family are undertaking their great western summer vacation. Last night we drove up to Millcreek Canyon for a little BBQ. Had a great time making smoores with the kids.

They head south to Mesa Verde and Durango next week and then we're meeting up for July 4th in Moab (hot, hot, hot). The kids spent the day on the alpine slide in Park City, and apparently, this is "the best summer ever" according to Kevin. Summer vacation is awesome at any age.

Southern Utah in Photographs

Moab Rocks!

I must be on my third gallon of water today. And my tongue still feels like sand paper. But after a weekend in Moab, it is all worth it. I am deliriously tired right now, so I'll keep this short.

The rafting on Saturday was a blast. Our guide, Tex, was from, you can guess where. The snow here this winter has been copious, which has turned into a very wet spring. The Colorado River was running at 40,000 cubic feet per second, which is BIG water. Even as the daughter of a whitewater rafting outfitter, I was a wee bit nervous. But in the end, it actually meant alot of the good rapids were washed out. It was still a great time and it reminded me of my summers in high school as a rafting guide on the Lehigh River. (Although these guides out here are way more buff than I ever was or ever will be. True professionals.)

And today, we spent almost all day in Arches National Park. Delicate Arch (pictured here) is on our license plate, and I've seen pictures of it so many times, so it was very cool to see it in person. And no picture can do its scale justice. It is as if someone cleared out the perfect spot in the park, drew some fabulous, snow capped mountains behind, and then plopped this giant arch down right in the middle. We hiked about ten miles today and spent the entire time in awe of rocks. I'll post more pictures tomorrow. For now, I'm off to crash. After drinking another few liters of water.

Rafting in Utah

For the second time this year, the New York Times' travel section has published a story about Utah. This time, it's a story about rafting in southern Utah and it was published a day before I'm about to take off and do some rafting of my own. Tonight, Liam and I are heading to Moab for the weekend. We're going to hit the whitewater tomorrow on the Colorado River, through Westwater Canyon. And then on Sunday, we'll take in a little hiking. I am shamed that this is my first trip south since moving to Utah. So much to see and do in so little time. I'll report back next week with my own adventures of Utah rafting. Until then, enjoy the New York Times' account!

A Week in California

Just what the doctor ordered. Good food, good beaches, great company. We visited almost every beach town from Ocean Beach in San Diego to Long Beach in L.A. And also got to see family along the way. I miss the smell of the ocean already!

National Geographic Glimpse Correspondant

This is so cool. National Geographic is starting a "Glimpse Correspondents Program." If you will be living abroad for at least 10 weeks, you might be eligible for a $600/month stipend and the chance to publish your work in National Geographic.

If you are a talented storyteller; specialize in writing, photography or video; and will be living or studying abroad in Fall 2008, this is your opportunity! As a Glimpse Correspondent, you will receive a $600 stipend, a professional editor, and the opportunity to be published in National Geographic Glimpse.

What is not so cool? To be eligible you must be between the ages of 18-30. This may be the first time in my adult life that I am too old to apply for a writing gig. Man, 31 sucks.