In My Own Backyard

I love summers outside in the flowers!! I know that's not a news breaker for anyone, but I really appreciate those times anymore. Between the two jobs my flower time is pretty skimpy. However, I had time to take a few pictures. They aren't super camera, super professional but they are things that I find beautiful in my own backyard.

Solitude Lake - Just A Saturday Away

Saturday morning came early as I left the house by 6:00 AM and headed over to Sara's house. Sara is a SLP that I get to work with at school. She is a sweetheart and an avid hiker. We'd talked about hiking together but almost let the summer slip by without going until... she emailed and said, "Let's go".
She had plodded out a trail (one of her favorites) up Cascade Canyon, across Jenny Lake up the Wyoming side of the Tetons. We would hike to Solitude Lake, have lunch and hike back down. The ferry would take us across the lake to the start of the trail and if we made it back by 7:00 PM we could take the ferry back across. If not, we would hike around the lake.
We were both excited to get going so we left her place by 6:30 and headed north to Jackson Hole. It was an absolutely beautiful day. The sun was shining, the skies clear and the temperature warm but not hot. We left our sweaters in the car.
Dan has hiked this trail before but it was all new to me and I loved every bit of it.
We took the ferry across the still, morning lake

and started up the hill.


































We stopped at Inspiration Point to take pictures
















and then again at Hidden Falls.






































The trail was well cared for with beautiful wooden bridges across the streams
and breath-taking scenery with the Tetons in the background.



The wildflowers were in bloom everywhere.




















Along the way we spotted a moose.






Can you find it in this picture?









Maybe this will help.

We climbed about 3000 feet in the 7 + miles to the Solitude Lake where we soaked our feet, ate our lunch and took a little nap in the sun.
There was a little island in the middle of the lake and some of the hikers took a dip in the freezing water.



The hike down was quicker but we still didn't make it to the dock in time to catch the last ferry back so.... we did the extra 2.5 miles around the lake shore to the parking lot.

On the way around the lake we came across a black bear eating berries in a field. He didn't notice us and we didn't take the time to get our cameras back out. Good thinking on both our parts. It was almost dark when we got back to the car and we were both pretty crippled up and laughing our heads off. Maybe we were delusional but it helped us forget the hurt.
On our way home we stopped for pizza in Jackson. The crowd at the resturant was actually staring at us as we tried to get out of the car and go it. The pizza was wonderful but the best thing was taking off my shoes and walking out barefoot.

It was around midnight when we got home and by morning we were both ready to go again.

Dan had a vase of three roses and a sweet card sitting on my dresser for me when I got home.
A wonderful ending to a fantastic day! Can't wait to do it again!

Sara's pictures are much better than mine and you can find them on FB ~ Sara Kinney. Enjoy!! We did!!

How Does Your Garden Grow?

Mary, Mary, quite contrary, how does your garden grow? With silver bells and cockle shells,

and pretty maids all in a row.

Well, we don't have pretty maids in our garden but..

Dan's garden bears fruit? ~ Nope! Dan's garden bears vegetables

and Sandy's tree bears fruit.

We've eaten lettuce
and strawberries from the garden,

put up sweet peas, snowpeas and will soon tackle the beans.
The squash are taking their time, thankfully!!


We've dried a batch of apricots
and put the rest up in jam.

YUM, YUM! Aren't we blessed!!

A Weekend with the Kids

Dan had an unexpected but appreciated appointment with the SL VA last week. They called on Thursday, saying that they had an opening in the Muscular Clinic the next day and asked if we could come down on August 6th.

Well, of course we could because we knew it would be a good opportunity for help for him. So, we left early Friday morning and made it there in time for our 10:00 appointment.

The Dr. was very thorough and did a complete exam of Dan's right arm. He made numerous notes in the computer and suggestions of things Dan could do to strenthen it. He also made a recommendation for Physical Therapy and he talked about options we consider if the therapy didn't help loosen up the shoulder. Then he made another appointment for us in Sept.

Dan and I ate a late breakfast at Denny's and then went on down to Orem where we had a room for the weekend. Dan rested in the room and Kristi brought the kids over for a fun afternoon swim in the pool.

Laura called on Saturday to ask if I'd like to do some shopping with her and Anabelle. Wow!! That sounded wonderful so I got to spend the afternoon with them.
We had planned a surprise early birthday dinner for Dan but he wasn't feeling up to it so the rest of us met at Red Robin and had a fun dinner together.



After dinner the Sugies brought over a cheesecake for Dad so of course, we all had to have a piece right there and then.


The next day Dan and I went to Church with Mark and Laura and after Sacrament Meeting we headed up the road so we could spend a little time with Mom in Logan before going home.

It was a wonderful weekend!! I just love spending time with the kids!