Why do we do dumb things?

I'm not quite sure why I wanted to go on a 14 hour hike, jump into sub-Arctic temperature water, shimmy down 100-foot rock drops, climb out of a canyon in the pitch black, get home at 3:30 a.m. and get up at 6:30 for work the next day, and not be able to walk for 3 days after...but the Subway hike in Zions is pretty dang cool. Note to self: Don't ever go in September again unless you have a wetsuit.

This is why they call it the Subway...pretty amazing how rocks do that.
So just as we got out of the slot canyon, we heard a thunderous noise, and we all sprinted for high ground. Luckily it was not a flash flood but what if there really would have been? I can't even imagine being stuck in that canyon and getting swept away by the freezing cold water.

This is where I fell last time while trying to rapell down that rock face and I hit the rock cliff wall on the left side of this picture. This time though, we all made it safely by shimmying down that little crack and then swimming across.
Can I just say my Gramps is amazing? What other 80-year-old man would brave this one? And then get up the next day and go on yet another hike. I hope I have his genes!

Anyway, back to my original question. I think I do dumb things sometimes to add a little excitement to my life. I get bored of being in the same old routine every single day. I think it's somewhat a form of "rebellion". I think I just didn't want to go to work that day, so I almost killed myself on this hike instead. Or how about the time when I chopped off my hair and got a really ugly haircut just because I needed a change. I think I let things go for too long until I get super frustrated with the mundaneness of my life so I feel like I have to do something drastic.

Note: I think I made this hike sound like a dreadful killer. It's an extremely awesome hike--my favorite in fact--and I'd recommend it to anyone in half-decent condition. We just had some unexpected setbacks that made it a bit more challenging.

Tom Selleck graces the Utah State Fair

With Napolean Dynamite last year and Tom this year, I can't even imagine who they could possibly get for next year to top it off! This is way better than the butter cow. I also hope the Minnesota donut man makes a reappearance next year. Good times for all. Next year I will remember to bring a coat though.

What is wrong with this picture?

Today is September 16. It snowed today. Not just in the mountains, but at my apartment. What is wrong with this picture?

29.5 hours, 619 miles, 1 almost failed campfire, 10 numb toes, and $800 later...

I made it to Bryce Canyon! And was it ever cool. I have never seen anything quite like it...it was seriously amazing. It's so extremely cool how the rocks have eroded to be what they are--and so many all in one place. Wow! Really that's all I can say--WOW!

I must say that we had quite the adventure. We could not start a fire for the life of us, so we just left to set up the tent after burning all the paper we could find, and left our tin foil dinners in the fire pit, hoping they'd cook in the heat of the burning paper. But when we came back, the logs had finally lit on fire. I can't explain how it happened, but it was unbelievable. Then I had an unfortunate mishap with a tree as I was backing out of the campground,which is why this trip cost me $800. Don't worry, the tree is OK. Hopefully my car will be too. At least the trunk still shuts. And now I have an excuse to get the stalker key scratches fixed.

And now the summer is officially drawing to a close. I think I'll wear black all week for proper mourning. But to celebrate the last day of summertime (OK, I know it doesn't officially end til the 21st or so, but we all know it really ends on Labor Day.) I went hiking, and had a blast. Goodbye summer of 2006--and hello fall! Season of football games, corn mazes, apples, the fair, pumpkins, and my favorite holiday--Halloween!