Roads? Where we're going we don't need roads...

Last night I decided to move my run off the paved roads and take my new trail running sneakers out for their first official trail run.  They loved it! (and I in turn loved them!)  I've run on the trails a couple times in my sneakers but having actual trail running shoes, with their stability and extra grippyness, made me more confident on some of the more technical sections.  We went just under 5 miles and had a great run together.  No, they aren't as pretty as my racing shoes but going off road with them makes up for that! 

So I think Doc Brown was right and that I'm really going to enjoy taking my DeLorean trail shoes off road!

Who needs a florist??

Last week Bryan and I hiked in Albion Basin at Alta Ski Resort.  It was a strange feeling to be hiking where we ski but without the snow covered trails*.  But the reason we chose this hike was because the basin is filled with wildflowers this time of the year.  And when I say filled, I mean FILLED!

We started our hike up Catherine's Pass and saw plenty of flowers which we thought were beautiful. We hiked to the top of Sunset Peak which overlooks both Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons and saw even more flowers.  So we were even more shocked when we started coming down Albion Basin to see that there were literally flowers everywhere!  At one point they were so tall and thick that they were up to our waists and you couldn't even see the trail.  Of course the camera battery died in the most stunning section of the hike, but here are some pictures that we got...

                      **

A hummingbird enjoying the flowers.  We heard them zipping by us a lot and were able to snap a few pictures.

The chipmunks were very daring as you can see in this picture.  One even ate a peanut out of my hand!

*while not covered, there was still snow (and ski tracks) on some of the slopes...in AUGUST!

A panorama shot Bryan put together from the top of Sunset Peak

**I swear I really do have different clothes to hike in.  For some reason, I am wearing my pink shirt in EVERY picture of hiking I post on my blog!

Shake, RATTLE, and Roll!

Last week, Bryan was working late so I was out on a solo run in the canyon.  I was coming back down and enjoying finally being able to breath on the downhill when I saw a couple looking at something on the side of the road by the creek.  I didn't think much of it but as I got closer, the woman said to me "You want to see a snake?"  

Now I'm not a fan of snakes.  I've been warned when running on the trails to watch my step and I see signs warning of their presence.  Some people are afraid of seeing bears or mountain lions in the mountains (yes, we have them here).  I'd take one of those over being surprised by a snake any day!  

But...for some reason I stopped running and took a look at this snake.  I think my courage came since I knew he was there vs being surprised as he slithered across my path.  I looked down and saw a medium size snake on the rocks by the creek. As I continued to scan him, I got to his tail and remarked "OH!!"  I had come across my first rattle....and there was definitely no baby on the other end playing with it! 

The rattlesnake didn't seem to care that we were looking at him and he definitely wasn't shaking the rattle...but I didn't get any closer to find out.  Now I keep my eye on the creek rocks whenever I run by.  The strange thing is, I'm not sure if I'm hoping not to see another or if I kind of want to see one again.  

Maybe I shouldn't run with my ipod so I can hear any shake, RATTLE, and rolling going on around me!

Note:  I DID NOT take this picture!  There was no way I'd get that close to one of those things!

Camping in the Uintas

Two weeks ago Utah celebrated Pioneer Day. What's that you ask. I asked the same thing but when I found out we both got the day off work making a nice 3 day weekend, I stopped asking questions!  Pioneer Day is July 24th and celebrates the first settlers coming into the Salt Lake Valley.  Its a state holiday but its regarded mostly as a Morman holiday since it was the prophet Brigham Young who brought the Mormans into the city.  Many of the locals say that Pioneer Day is bigger to the Mormans than the 4th of July!

So we decided to take advantage of the long weekend and head a little east into the Uinta Mountains to do some camping.  We went with some new friends and had a great time!  Lots of hiking, laughing, eating, and relaxing...all at 10,000+ ft!  I think we all wished that every weekend was Pioneer day :)

Since a picture is worth a thousand words, here you go!

Day 1 Hiking

Yes, that is snow he's standing on...at the end of July!

Our campsite...the combined living room/dining room is in the foreground and the bedrooms are in the background

Warming our hands by the fire (and apparently I'm also doing the robot??).  It was in the low 40's at night...burr!  

Because we were car camping, we were able to bring lots of food and drinks.  Our friends made this meal - Thanksgiving dinner, camping style!  We made pulled pork.  Yes, we ate like kings!

Day 2 Hike 

The four of us in the basin

This region is known for its many lakes.  We'd be hiking along the trail and all of a sudden it would open out into a beautiful meadow...perfect spots for moose.   I kept doing my moose calls but none of them answered. 

In the meadows, there were often tons of wild flowers

Beautiful sunset on night two

As you can see, we had a great time and saw some beautiful places.  Bryan and I still say to each other almost daily how lucky we are to live so close to all these amazing sites!