Kannah creek mother-daughter-dog hike

Crystal gets on a rock mid-Creek.

Buddy makes sure Crystal gets out okay.

Crystal and I went on a hike to Kannah Creek last weekend. It was so hot outside, we decided to take a dip. The Creek was still roaring, so figured it was mostly clean.

Grand Mesa Deer Creek

Here is another view of the Grand Mesa on our grueling (hot) hike up to Deer Creek last weekend.

Gary and the pack wait for me (the slowpoke) under a cedar tree.

We had a long cool spring, but the heat tells us it is officially summer and we will start moving up to higher elevations for outings.

Out with the old, in with the new

Old (dirty) car, new (clean) car. My old car (Honda Accord) finally died (kind of). Needs a new head gasket which would cost more than the car is worth. It is sad to say good-bye. It went 215,000 miles. It previously was owned by my dad and before that my sister, Janis. Now I have a new car (Subaru Outback). This vehicle will be better for going in the mountains and transporting dogs (which probably contributed to the Honda's demise).

UPDATE: I was able to sell the Honda with the help of a local mechanic to a young couple who wanted to fix it up, so the life of the Honda goes on!!

Facing fears and overcoming

As a little girl I had a fear of dogs and this continued into adulthood. This probably started when we were living in American Fork. I was in the first grade and I attended school for only the afternoon session. I had to walk to school alone (this would be unheard of today, my mother had 2 other babies at home and probably did not have a car). On the way, there were always lots of barking dogs (mostly behind fences). I did not have much exposure to dogs, or even pets, and I would freak out. (I was also scared of the American Fork High School sign mascot Caveman on the way to school. I got over that fear in high school.)

About 5 years ago before moving back to Colorado, my friend, April, and her husband, Jim, asked me to stay in their home and watch their 3 Brittany dogs for 5 days. This was a really great experience for me. Chip, one of their dogs, was really vocal and really sweet, and he helped me get over the fear (he has now passed on, but it was a blessing to know him).

Soon after moving to Colorado, Gary and I hooked up . He had just lost the best friend he had ever had up to that point, his dog Vincent, 2 years before, and was almost ready for a new dog. After about a year, we moved to Grand Junction and were able to have a dog at our place. Our first dog was Buddy, who we got from Gary's mom's, Donna, as he was a bit too much for her. A year later, we got Chubs, when he was a puppy. Since then, I have learned about dogs from Gary, from my friend, April (both of whom have been around dogs their whole lives), from the TV show, the Dog Whisperer, Cesar Millan, and from reading books about dogs. Now since the start of this year, Gary is running a business, Doggy Duty, and we often have more than our 2 dogs with us. What a great blessing this has been for me. Dogs can teach us humans so much. They are completely forgiving. They live in the moment and don't hold grudges. They love to get out and exercise every day. They stretch every time they get up from sleep or a rest. They respond to calm, assertive energy (which is difficult for me to do but good for me to learn). Every single dog we have boarded so far I have thought "that could be my dog." In other words, every one I've come to know so far is awesome and individual in their own way (kind of like cats, but I'll save that for another post). Thanks for the blessing!!

Lower Calf Creek Falls

Here are some pics of one of our hikes while on our camping trip at end of April. This was a fantastic hike with a very special place at the end . It was truly an oasis in the desert. The picture on the right is Andrew standing at the bottom of the falls, which shows how tall they were.

Spring Tamarisk

I have always loved the tamarisk ever since studying about it in high school. My most memorable class and teacher was bioecology with Mr. Webb at Provo High School. We had field trips to southern Utah and studied the desert environment and learned all about the tamarisk. Now, there is a movement going on to eradicate the tamarisk from Colorado (possibly Utah too). It seems like a monumental task. They grow so well here. Apparently they are a "foreign" plant (aren't we all?), not native to the area and they hog lots of water, so the native plants can't grow. I'm torn about this. I think it is such a pretty plant, having so many different shades, pink tips in the spring, and it seems to harbor lots of wildlife.

Don't go chasing waterfalls...

While hiking coal creek basin, we saw this waterfall from afar. Gary went to investigate further the next day. Here I am with Rocky, a Border Collie mix, we were watching.

Mount Ellen

Mount Ellen and Ellen.

Weekend exploring

Ellen, Buddy, Rocky, and Chubs pose at Johnson Reservoir.

Mica Mine

Crystal at the Mica Mine about 12 miles and a 2-mile hike from our home in G. J. Crystal tailings scattered on the ground.

Camping with the Morrills in April

At Kodachrome Basin State Park in Utah at the end of April. Kate and Andrew in profile. Kate and Jenn loving hiking. Kate squats at campground.

Crystal's photo shoot at Botanical Gardens in April 2008.

Photo shoot

Crystal and Ellen at Gladepark for "photo shoot" in April 2008. I am standing on a rock so it appears I am taller.

More Colorado River spring runoff

Today, the Colorado River is at 2 steps left out of 12. Here's a picture of a bird's nest in the winter and today, getting washed downstream.