The Winds of Change

Sometimes change is a breath of fresh air...I think thats partly why I love Utah so much, our seasons always change... 

   

This morning we woke up to SNOW!!! The first valley snow of the season what a treat.

Yesterday was such an exciting day, watching a new President become elected is truly a remarkable experience. We really are blessed to live in a country that allows us so much freedom and opportunity.  I was impressed by Mccain's speech, he seemed sincere and demonstrated the importance of support for our next President.  I felt Obama was also gracious and exceptional in his speech.  I am always amazed at the genuineness in character you see at the end of an election and wonder why the campaigns have to get so messy.

At a little over 20 weeks we went in for an ultrasound and unfortunately for my 3 year old niece Lucy we are not having baby chicks we are having a baby BOY!! Well I guess somethings never change...sorry Nancy maybe someday you'll get a little princess...Paul...Tiff???  

Ode to Neil Young

Last weekend was the 22nd annual bridge benefit concert...we made the journey out to San Francisco to experience another great show. The line for this years concert was Band of Horses, Cat Powers, Death Cab for Cutie, Wilco, Sarah Mclachlan, Smashing pumpkins, Josh Groban, Norah Jones, Jack Johnson, and one of the greatest rockers of all time Neil Young. It really is a fun show to go to because of the nature of the show, with it being a benefit concert for the bridge school (a school for kids with severe speech and physical impairment) the artists seem to have a fresh and fun energy that you don't usually get to see when they are on tour, and everything is acoustic. Pretty much all the performances were strong but by far the best performers were Band of Horses, Wilco, Jack Johnson, and Neil Young.  Check out some of the highlights from the show and make plans to come with us next year.

Sometimes the stars align and you get to experience Perfection

Like 16 days of  total bliss in the bottom of the Grand Canyon...and making it through Hance...thanx MP 

Any meal at Grandma Nancy's house and especially Thanksgiving Dinner...yummm
The rare occasion of hearing my Dad or Ben sing and sometimes hearing them sing together
Catching the fall colors at their peak and having a nice weekend escape.
Waking up to mornings like this...and even more perfect mornings like this when I get to ski with Greg...hooray for snow!! 

a weekend in God's country

Amazing fall colors out on the middle ridge
chilly nights a nice treat 
remember this spot... didn't find any mountain dews here

from canyon walls to cement halls

                                 

      

                                                        

Grand Canyon 2008 was a fantastic season we were sad to see it end. It really is a treat living there during the summer. It is truly amazing how connected you feel with the earth when you get the opportunity to live in it for weeks at a time. You notice changes in the flora and fauna, side streams change from flooding, and even the night sky changes and you get to witness it. It makes you feel small and insignificant, it keeps you humble...

...and then there is school. Where you sit under florescent lights and in rooms without windows all day; wondering if that degree is really worth it.  Fortunately or should I say unbelievably, we are both almost finished just a little more suffering.                                                                          Oh and that rumor about us...yep its true, neat huh.                               

Rapunzel's Revenge

My brother Nate, spacestationnathan.com, author/ illustrator extraordinaire has a new book out! He recently teamed up with author Shannon Hale, shannonhale.com, (no relation) and produced the illustrated novel Rapunzel's Revenge.  It was the book of the month on the Today Show and has received outstanding reviews. It is totally worth checking out; you can get a copy at Borders, Amazon, and Barnes & Nobles. Way to go Nate on another awesome book!   

Big Water and Flash Floods

This is a 37 foot J-Rig coming through Wave five in Hermit rapid.  I think Hermit has the biggest river waves in North America right now.  The Dam is pumping out 18,000 cfs and the Little Colorado is putting in 1500-2000 cfs,  this makes Hermit and Crystal both monsters.

This is a picture of our camp the night after a flash flood came through it.  The night before it rained about 2 inches in three hours.  A massive flash flood came down the side canyon we where camped at.  The flood flowed over the creek bed and into camp.