Stewart Falls 7/6/11

During my run this morning, I experienced a strong yen for home and nature. So I went home, packed up the kids, and took them up the mountain for four hours of hiking!

We started off on the trail up Mount Timpanogos, but quickly discovered that it has been washed out by our massive snow melt and last night's torrential rainstorm. So we wandered around for a bit, then took off up the trail to Stewart Falls. It is GORGEOUS! The rain has kept everything green and beautiful, much more lush than it typically is in July. The hike wasn't overly hot and the kids were troopers.

When we got to the falls, we discovered that they were extraordinarily full and that the base of the falls was covered in feet of snow! We enjoyed lunch and a cool-off at the falls, then hiked back.

We ended the day at the Riverwoods - they've put in some water spouts and the kids enjoyed playing in them for a while (after Mommy got some iced coffee). Then I bought them some clearance sale clothes at Gymboree to wear home and there you have it! A fantastic day in the great outdoors with my wonderful kiddos!

Life is great! Being healthy enough to enjoy it is even better!

Stewart Falls 7/6/11

Back on the Bonneville 7/2/11

I saw scores of hot air balloons, a deer, and my mentor from grad school. No, it wasn't a vision quest - it was a trail run!

I took to the Bonneville Shoreline Trail by myself for the first time this morning. Started with great views of the Freedom Hot Air Balloon Festival. Got lost trying to find the "right" way onto the trail. Then ran about 4 miles on the trail, from Slate Canyon to Rock Canyon. Saw the deer along the way - he ran right in front of me. Saw my mentor in Rock Canyon. Ran 4 miles back on the trail, then got lost trying to find the "right" way off of the trail. Overall, a great run!

Back on the Bonneville 7/2/11