Bighorn Canyon NRA

Sunday 15 June 2014

Went to church in Cody, Wyoming and then headed to Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area. We stopped at the Visitor Center while we still had cell phone reception and called our dads. We enjoyed walking to the Caroline Lockhart Historic Ranch--must read more about this lady! We also walked the Mouth of the Canyon Trail. We had a lovely time and our campsite was FREE!

Marmot Secrets

Saturday 14 June 2014

I went on Lorie's Storm Point hike and some marmots were out and about rather than sitting on top of their rock castles. They look like they are sharing a really big secret and then they look like WE are the rude ones for trying to listen in! "Do you MIND???" Some visitors thought they were mother and baby, but I was wondering if they could be mating. So there you have it, R.O.U.S.'s in Yellowstone! The bison are trying to shed their winter coats so they rub up against the lodgepole pines leaving all kinds of hair around. More snow today but the hike was still incredible!

SV! Day 4

Friday 13 June 1014

The Lake Lodge Rec Hall is my new fitness center. They have some great equipment there and I feel fortunate to be able to use it! My view from the elliptical is Yellowstone Lake (through the window sometimes I see woodpeckers, sometimes bison, no bears yet). I went on Ranger Mike's Mud Volcano walk--he is a great interpreter! We still have evidence of old snow and then there was some NEW snow! Chilly here!

SV! Day 3

Thursday 12 June 2014

I finally made it back to YELL! And my welcome prize was this glorious full yellow moon!

SV! Day 2

Wednesday 11 June 2014

No pics today, Bro.

Today, I slept in as long as I wanted. I lasted 11 minutes longer than the night previous. That's right folks, I have worked my way up to 5 hours 17 minutes! Will continue to focus on that goal.

I got dressed right away, but I didn't workout first thing like I usually do. I cleaned.

Sometimes all I really want is to stay home for one entire day in order to care for our home. It was tidy, but needed more. I am never home. Well, dreams really do come true! It was awesome. I was home for one entire day. Never happens so I thought I should record it here.

I changed the bedding, dusted, and vacuumed. I used the attachments on the vacuum cleaner like nobody's business! I even vacuumed around the washer and dryer! Every piece of clothing we own is clean and hanging. Get this...I ironed! And ironing afforded me the opportunity to watch Catching Fire. Finally. I scrubbed the entire bathroom and washed the bathroom rugs. The kitchen is clean and that includes the freezer, the fridge, and the pantry. Trash was hauled out, pillows were fluffed, porches and entryways were swept...I even washed the front door! I know. I also made all three meals and consumed them all here--miracle.

Finally at 6:00 p.m. I walked to the fitness center and enjoyed my workout.

Not every day of Summah Vacay is a tourist attraction but there are other ways to have fun and feel satisfied. Today was just what I needed. Call me crazy. Call me maybe.

Summah Vacay! Day 1

Tuesday 10 June 2014

So THIS year...I'm just going to refer to my summer vacation posts as "Summah Vacay!" and number the days. In fact, I'm going to shorten it to "SV!" and then follow with the number of summer vacation days thus far.

First of all, I slept in. I stayed up late last night and for the first time in a very long time, I did not set an alarm. Oh what a feeling! I just climbed into bed and threw all caution to the wind, "I will simply sleep until I wake up!" FIVE short hours later...

So that's going to be a summer goal of mine. I've been pretty sleep deprived for quite some time. I'm hoping to get to a more normal amount of sleep (6-7 hours) and focus on that part of my health. I always say that sleep is like medicine, but I've been burning the candle at both ends for about six weeks and I am exhausted.

My exercise this morning was 45 minutes in the pool. Just me and my water aerobics routines. I'm sure the robins and swallows and that lone quail enjoyed the show. I can't believe more people don't come to the pool first thing in the morning. They clean it every morning so that's the prime time in my humble opinion. Plus, I do my best to avoid melanoma.

After swimming I ate soup and crackers for breakfast. I showered. I shaved. I tried to shine. I had to email several people for my calling in stake Primary. And then I met the PTA president to pick up a vinyl sign she made for me. I know a lot of talented folks!

I headed out to my school and classroom! Yes, first day of summer vacation and off I went to work on a few things at school. I have to decide between so many projects this summer. The poetry is calling my name, but really, it would behoove me to get the science units nailed down first. Love science! But poetry has a slight edge here.

After school I drove to the temple. Ah, peace! Just so peaceful!

Grocery store. Spoiled myself with Chobani! It's a real treat for sure. Went a tad wild with avocado, mango, banana, greens, and chicken, but it's all for a good cause.

Laundry, dishes, other household cleaning. It is a blessing to be clean and organized.

Relief Society. So fun to meet up with the ladies in our neighborhood. We made presents to be handed out for Father's Day and then we did speed-chatting. It was great to talk with folks I already know, but it was SO NICE to meet new people as well. And then they had a "Cookie Buffet." I stopped at three.

After Relief Society, we finished our visiting teaching. Good times, people. There are so many incredible women in our ward. I am thankful for these friendships and wonderful examples. I love people!

It has been a Busy, BUSY day of vacationing! I tried to make the most of it...and yes, I did read and study a couple of things somewhere in between all that other stuff. Scheduled some vehicular maintenance.

"The Perfect Place for How It's Used!"

Got to go to Clear Creek today for Ropes Course Training and I was able to take a new teammate with me. When we turned into the camp's driveway she exclaimed, "It's so pretty!" And then she said, "It's the perfect place for how it's used."

We were all sitting in the ampitheater waiting for further instruction when a couple of deer grazed by. The day went well and as we were leaving the area, J asked if we could stop at the cemetery.

You see, we are both history buffs.

I totally understood her request.

Yay!