Winter at its Finest

This semester is the hardest semester for me yet.  I'm sure classes will get even more difficult over the next year, but so far its keeping me SUPER busy!

I did manage to go snow shoeing a couple times during February though.  That was my highlight for the month.  Both times I went, there was perfect snow.  I found a great little trail up Big Cottonwood Canyon that is not visible from the road so very few people hike it.

The first time I hiked it, we only passed 2 cross country skiers, and saw two more in the distance.  It was remarkable considering it was Presidents Day and the roads were lined with cars.  We really did pick the best trail!

You can see that it was a pretty steep climb

 In front of the frozen Willow Lake

 Later that same week, I took my mom with me to get her out in the snowy mountains.  We've had so little snow this year that unless you get up into the mountains, it feels like winter never really came.

Unfortunately, I forgot the poles for my mom.  I didn't need them earlier in the week, but I should have known better for her.

A light snow had fallen since I'd last been on the trail.  It covered any human tracks that were once there. There was not a soul in sight, no animals, no nothing.  It was the purest winter scene possible.

What animal left these tiny tracks?  I'd guess a rabbit

We loved being able to pave our way through the untouched snow.

After about an hour of hiking, we decided to turn around and go back down the mountain.  Again, poles would have been very helpful because it was so steep.  Instead, there was a little of this...

...and LOTS OF LAUGHTER!!!

My mom was a great sport.  She only took me down once!  Next time, we're taking poles. :)

How Great Thou Art

O Lord my God,

When I in awesome wonder

Consider all the works Thy Hand hath made,

I see the stars,

I hear the mighty thunder,

Thy pow'r throughout the universe displayed; 

When through the woods and forest glades I wander

I hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees;

When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur

And hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze;

Then sings my soul,

My Savior God, to Thee,

How great Thou art!

How great Thou art!

Then sings my soul,

My Savior God, to Thee,

How great Thou art!

How great Thou art! 

 

Stuart K. Hine, 1899-1989 

 

Yesterday, I took the time to experience fall in the Wasatch Mountains.  Part of me longs to live elsewhere, just for the experiences such a change would bring.  But, as I climbed higher and higher and looked out over the magnificent mountains, I repeatedly thought I cannot believe I live in this beautiful place!

 

I hiked by myself on purpose.  This was the first time since the leaves began to change this year that I have made it to the mountains. I wanted to see them up close.  I wanted to meander through them, looking closely, picking out the ones I loved most.  I wanted to be above them and look down.  And I wanted to do this uninterrupted.

I've had many emotions running through me the last two months with so many changes happening in my life.  I have felt much peace through it all, even though I still feel like I'm adjusting and getting settled and organized.  Hiking Grandeur Peak yesterday took me to a place for which I've been longing.  So much peace comes from being alone in the midst of God's creations.

 

As I approached this colorful opening, I recalled a few lines of the hymn, I'll Go Where You Want Me to Go

 

"But if, by a still, small voice he calls to paths that I do not know, 

I'll answer, dear Lord, with my hand in thine: 

I'll go where you want me to go"

 

I've been studying the hymns, their origins, and the meaningful doctrine in my institute class this semester.  I find myself singing them with more passion, more conviction, and in so many more places.  Yesterday was a testimony of the words I sing so often.

Only by the powers of heaven are we able to enjoy, to bask in, to appreciate the miraculous creations on the earth.

How grateful I am to live in such a beautiful place and to experience His creations so closely.

I can't imagine having spent my day any better.

 

Memorial Day

When you work full time, 3-day weekends are priceless!

For the long Memorial Day weekend, my roommates and I left the never-ending winter in Salt Lake City and headed to sunny St. George!  The sun couldn't have been more missed than it was this spring so the plan was just to relax and enjoy the warmth.

We got there Friday night and crashed at my roommate's parents' condo.  Saturday morning, I headed to the temple while others either slept in or went to the driving range.  We then spent a few hours at the pool, and a few more hours hiking through Zions National Park.

First stop in Zions: Overlook hike just past the 'tunnel'...which by the way, is absolutely amazing!  I can't believe I never even knew about it before!

Next hike in Zions was the Emerald Pools, followed by the Grotto.

Sunday, we checked out the local Singles Ward, had a nice BBQ, rested and loved our easy afternoon.

It was so nice not feeling rushed to get back for work on Monday.

I LOVE long weekends!

Donut Falls

Mike and I decided to take a small hike last Wednesday.  It was a downpour earlier in the day so we weren't sure if it would be a good idea or not.  But the rain was coming and going so we thought we'd risk it!  I'm glad we did... every time we were outside, it was just humid, but as soon as we were back in the car, rain!  Perfect timing!

Moonlight

New this week....

Last night I took a ride on the Sundance Moon Lift. During the summer on full moon nights, Sundance opens their ski lift for a moonlight ride.  It was beautiful!

We spent the rest of the night driving around the canyon laughing and enjoying ourselves!  Around 3 am we set out to watch the lunar eclipse from Ft Douglas.  Again, beautiful! Have you ever seen a lunar eclipse?  Its pretty cool.

At 5am, we headed to Ensign Peak for a sunrise hike while we watched the last of the lunar eclipse.

It all made for a loooong night, but a lot of fun!  Came home and crashed for several hours since I was up all night.

This was my first all-nighter AND my first time time on the Moon Lift.  2 for me this week!

Stewart Falls

Yesterday, I decided to hike Stewart Falls by Sundance with friend, Jamen Nelson.  I've never done this hike before so when my coworker told me how beautiful it was, I wanted to see for myself.  She was right!

There are two starting points for the hike, both of which take you up the mountainside deep in the trees, where the fresh pine smell relaxes you.  Until you get to the actual waterfall, all you know of its existence is the sound of it roaring against the rocks.  When you get close enough to see it, you start to feel the mist hit your skin.  Then you reach the waterfall lookout which includes a fantastic view of Sundance.

It is such a satisfying way to spend a beautiful evening! 

There you have it, New for Week 2!

Fee Free National Park Weekend

This last weekend, I went my ward, Holladay 30th down to Moab.  Unbeknown to us until we were headed south, it was Fee Free National Park Weekend!  We were going to hike for free in Arches National Park!  What a great surprise!

Our group got down to Moab on Friday night and setup camp at the Moab KOA.  We had dutch oven dinner, and the night air was warm and inviting.  We all stayed up talking and just enjoying ourselves.  But when we went to bed, since many of us did not take tents, we were able to look at the thousand of stars in the night sky.  I haven't seen so many stars at once in a very long time.  So beautiful!

The next morning our group got up and split into two.  About 15 who decided to go bike Slick Rock, and another 15 who decided to hike through the park.  I went with the hikers.  We hiked Delicate Arch first, and then Double-O Arch.  It was hot and dry, but I loved every minute of being out there!

The arch looked exactly like my license plate...only with people all around!

Lucio, Me, Sarah P at Delicate Arch