Brian

Our good friend Brian Cardall was killed by the Hurricane police yesterday.  Don't know what else to say; Our hearts are heavy and with you Ava, Anna, and baby girl.

Here's a photo (thanks Mary) of Juni roped up on a 5.5.  The rope is too much of a distraction for her; she prefers solos.

City and Castle Rocks

Last weekend, we took a trip to City of Rocks/Castle Rocks.  Juniper is quite the climber when it comes to being rope-less.  I'm guessing she's able to do up to 5. 7 slab!  Once she is roped up, it's all about the swinging and dangling rather than the climbing.  Here are a few photos.

Easter: Part 2 of 2

The rain...the rain trampled the desert soil. The decision was made to stay in St. George Saturday night. Ava and Juniper woke up Easter Morning to baskets full of kites, bubbles, hair clips, and of course SUGAR! Needless to say, everyone was completely wasted by the time we made our way to the Paria narrows trailhead. We set up camp, drank some beers, and made our way down the river. We found a slot where we set up the coolest Easter-Egg hunt ever! Here are a few photos (the rest are posted on our Picasa album).

Rooster lovin it.

Juni going for a ride.

Rocks.

Umm, all this chocolate is gonna make me pooo.

Ummm more chocolate.

Exploring.

Girlies.

Mike, Ava, Juniper

Juni, Brian, Ava.

Easter: Part 1 of 2

Easter: Part 1 of 2 (because I still have to download the photos from the phone).

We decided to head down south for Easter this year.  At one point, it was going to be one big posse hanging out, but instead ended up being B, Anna, Ava and us.  We departed the Wednesday before Easter and travelled to an undisclosed location.

Thursday, we reluctantly left our one of many secret desert oasis' and headed down to the VRG to meet the Cardalls who were en-route from Flagstaff.  Once they arrived, Juniper was thrilled to see her friend Ava.  They were two peas in a pod...a little too much so at times!

Ava and Juni throwing sticks and rocks into the Virgin River.

Mischief amongst the tamarisk.

After camping that night at the BLM site, we headed to the Beaver Dams and camped near Black and Tan.  The girls had so much fun exploring, beating each other up, and driving their respective parents closer to the edge.  Between all of the driving, punching, and whatnot, we managed to get a route in. A=one. Grrrr.

I can still kind of climb.

Mike making a clip.

Brian.

Anna and the little one tying in.

Of course, the girls got in way more climbing and exploring than the parents did!

Chocolate crinkle nose.

Sharing beta.

Ava showing dad her new boulder problem.

Rooster, Juni, and Dad enjoying the day.

With Ava and Juniper, the day never ends when the sun goes down and the moon rises.  Instead of a peaceful slumber, they battle the mojave monsters that take over their parents' souls with each sip of alcohol.

Diving from the fearsome duo.

On the look-out for more beasts.

Ava and Juni were finally able to settle down and sleep with help Mike's soulful accordion  playing.  Throughout the night, I was hypnotized by the rhythmic and aromatic pit-pats of rain.  The following morning, I attempted to capture the peacefulness of a rainstorm in the Mojave.

To be continued.........

Primula season is on!

The season for surveying plant vegetation in Logan Canyon is upon us!  Stay tuned for updates and volunteer requests for Primula maguirei surveys.

Wean-kend in St. George

As part of the weaning process, I went on a climbing trip to St. George.  And climbing is exactly what I did--very poorly.  So much so that I only took 12 photos on the whole trip (and they are not good photos).   

PS  When did the Utah Hills/Woodbury Crags get so crowded?  I guess that's what happens when Climbing Mag and all the pros spray about their shit.  Go back to somewhere else and let me hangdog in peace!  That reminds me, thanks to Alison and Julie for getting my ass up some routes! You ladies rule!

Photos:

Camping; Bruno; Julie giving it her all