By the Dawn's Early Light

Summer hiking has begun.  And with that new schedule comes a change of scenery and itineraries.  We leave the spa at 6:30 am.  Yep, that means no sleeping in!

We also head for the higher elevations.  I'm constantly told by people that they would never want to come to Dixie during the summer for hiking and I think this is a tragic misunderstanding.  We go where the heat doesn't go.  It's just that simple.  Of course, we aren't going to traipse people around the desert under the searing sun.  I'm not any more interested in doing that than anyone else.  Instead of packing heat, we pack frozen water bottles and instead of parkas, we sport sweat-absorbing buffs.

Yesterday morning we left for Taylor's Creek as the sun was peaking over West Temple in Zion.  Streams of sunlight burned through the fire-hazy fingers of Kolob as we approached the Timber Creek Overlook.  It was 56º.  Not hot.

By the dawn's early light, we go.

Hey, Dawn is my middle name.

By, MY early light, we go.

Eclipse Chaser

How often does it happen that a solar eclipse takes place with it's epicenter directly over your head, in broad daylight, with no clouds, practically in your own back yard, in your lifetime?  The answer is:  not very

However, that did happen Sunday evening, right here in Dixie.

I armed myself with the 'big guns' (aka dusty 8 year old camera), a cooler of water and soda, and everyone who happened to be in my house at the moment and headed for the pre-determined LaVerkin Overlook.  We pulled up to western facing perch just as the moon was beginning to transform the sun into a cheshire-cat grin.

I immediately jumped out of the car and without a clue, started taking unsuccessful photos and burning my retinas when a friendly group of eclipse chasers came to our rescue.  One man adjusted the settings on my underused camera as another fished out a filter to shoot through. Within a minute I was good to go.  Thankfully my vision and camera were spared irreversible damage, although I confess, the crescent sun seared into my skull came back into view every time I closed my eyes for hours afterwards.

People came from everywhere.  Chasing eclipses seems to be a world pastime.  Who knew?  These particular hobbyists were a nice bunch of people.  Well prepared, eager to share and intoxicated.  Tripods, lenses, filters, backpacks galore.  Camera heaven on earth.

With the family and friends outfitted in eclipse viewers, we sat back and enjoyed the show.

The spectacle was over within an hour.  It was time to load up and head out.

As we were getting ready to go, the buzz around eclipse camp was when the next solar eclipse event would be.  5 summers away with the epicenter in Casper, Wyoming.  With cheers, our neighbor enthusiasts announced, "see you there.....you bring the filters, we'll bring the beer!"

I think a new chaser was born in me...

until the next celestial juncture...

Eclipse Chaser

Best Birthday Present Ever

21 year old got what she wanted for her birthday....a National Championship title for her beloved Cougar Rugby Team.

We made a 24 hour mad dash for Rio Tinto.  The game was close enough to keep it interesting but in the end, the Cougars could not be conquered.

This Cougar was more than thrilled with getting her birthday wish granted.

Perfect weather, great friends and family.  Best Birthday, ever.

21 years ago

21 years ago this morning, I was waiting for someone to wake up.  I just needed to be told that I should call my doctor to know why I was leaking.

You see, I was 41 weeks pregnant and had spent the previous day peeing my pants.  Literally.  Well, not literally.  Turns out, my water broke and I didn't know it.  So I was having a baby.  Only I didn't know that until I had to ask someone.

Oh, those naive days.

And by midnight, I had my first born.

And since that day, she has been looking forward to this day.  May 18, 2012 when she would be 21 years old.

Isn't that funny how we wish our lives away?

I'd say 20 was a pretty good year for her.  A trip to Italy, cliff jumping, BYU football, a great job, better grades at school, growing her hair long, trips to Cali, living in Europe for a semester and her beloved Cougar Rugby.

So, when you've waited for 21 years for this momentous occasion....how do you celebrate?

By taking the family north to watch the National Championship.  Because, somehow the 21 year old was born obsessed.

Happy Birthday to the girl that made me a Mom.  Who's blonde hair, blue eyes and Mickey Mouse voice stole my heart.  Who has put up with raising a Mom for 21 years.  I love you.

Too Much of a Good Thing

It seems that too much of a good thing isn't always good.

The pain I've been experiencing in my foot is called a Plantar Plate injury, sort of a pre-dislocation. Seems as though my joints are so loose and slipping, due to overuse, that I've literally touched a nerve. Two weeks of heavy prednisone, resting my foot and off-loading the pressure from the ball of my foot through orthopedics should help. Chronic foot impact and wear and tear have left me with a condition that, unfortunately, will never go away.  And it seems that I have the condition in my right foot as well, but due to the screaming of lefty, righty has gone unnoticed. The key will be keeping it under control, the inflammation down and preventing further issues that could result in surgery.

The human body is such a mix of resilience and frailty.  Right down to the microscopic details, all must be in perfect order and alignment.

I would be lying if I said I'm feeling grateful right now. It is not a good time to add one more thing in my life that I can't do. Could be worse, I guess.  It's not cancer.  It's not life threatening.

The thing that brings me most pleasure in my life right now, also brings the most pain.

Time to change feet.

Heaven on Earth

Heaven on earth is spending an hour or two in the same room with 50 or so people that I love.

Happy Thoughts

Found this on Pinterest today...of course....

Source: crushculdesac.tumblr.com via Allison on Pinterest

And you know what....it really helps to think happy thoughts.

I've got a few that have me smiling today.

Today, to entertain myself while ironing, I decided to browse my itunes library and find some music to motivate me.  An oldie but goodie caught my eye...the Bouncing off the Satellites album from the 8-52's, circa 1986ish.  I was taken back.  I've got some pretty great memories associated with this music, some of the best of my high school career.  I think I grinned for 6 songs straight.  Sure helped me enjoy my ironing.

Speaking of ironing...There's only one reason I'd be happy about that chore.  I was ironing a special dress to take to Kansas City this weekend. That's right...I'll be in KC for 18 hours, for a most special occasion. A happy thought for a happy reason.

And one of the most happy thoughts that gets me through my days recently....

My MOM is moving here...to Dixie.

My Mom is moving HERE...to Dixie!

For the first time in 25 years I will live full-time not only in the same town as my own Mother but only a few minutes drive away, no less.

And she will be pulling out of Tulelake, CA with her moving truck in a matter of hours.

It is literally the most overwhelming, happy thing that could ever happen to me right now.  I feel like more then ever in my life, I need her.  I feel an enormous amount of pressure for my parents to love Dixie as much as I do but I rest assured that I never convinced them to move here....it was all them! Although, I acknowledge that knowing we live here was a definite motivation. This is such a huge move!  Decades worth of memories and lifestyles traded for an entirely new chapter in their lives.  I'm excited for them, scared for them, and overjoyed for me.

As they drive away from the volcanic high desert region of the Cascades and make their way to the cinnamon sandstone red cliffs of Dixie, I will send happy thoughts their way for safe travel, comfort and peace.  I hope they will be happy here.  I know if they love it half as much as I do, they will be.

And now as my playlist moves on to Bob Marley, I will be happy singing, "Don't worry, about thing.  Cause every little thing gonna be alright."

Keep thinking those happy thoughts.

Nature Brings Solace

"'As long as this exists,' I thought, 'and I may live to see it, this sunshine, the cloudless skies, while this lasts, I cannot be unhappy.' The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely, or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere they can be quite alone with the heavens...amidst the simple beauty of nature.  As long as this exists, and it certainly always will, I know that then there will always be comfort for every sorrow, whatever the circumstances may be.  And I firmly believe that nature brings solace in all troubles."
~Anne Frank