Thought For The Day

After riding in a car with no air conditioning all day, I think I would liken it to hell.

IT WAS VERY MISERABLE.

And, yes, I probably am to used to the comforts in my life.

First Backpacking/Hike of the Summer

Audrey and I decided to take our first hike of the summer this past week. We had to strategically plan where we were going and when because it has been really rainy lately, and our only vehicle that works right now is a rear wheel drive grand marquis (not the ultimate off-roading vehicle).

So we set our sights on a campground called Elkhart Park which is by Pinedale, WY. The trailheads start around 9,000 feet elevation there. Friday morning we loaded up our car and our two dogs and headed out. The first unexpected thing we ran into was a herd of cattle being driven down the highway. (guess we really do live in Wyoming.) So that took a while to drive through, weaving in and out of cows, with our dogs going nuts in the back of the car.

We made it to the campground in good time, and asked the park rangers if the trails were clear. They told us they were great, so we decided to hike up the trail that gained in elevation rather than the one that dropped in elevation.

About 1 mile in the snow that was supposed to be melted started growing. Before long we were trying to walk over snow that had drifted to 6 feet in spots. The temperature was in the 60's and I had on a t-shirt and shorts, so when we would break through the snow it was up to my waist. After trying that for a while, we decided to try the trail that dropped in elevation and thought that the park rangers didn't really know what they were talking about.

The lower trail was much better and we had a great time hiking. The dogs loved it too. Here are some pictures from the trip.

Breaking Dawn - Book Review

10. Breaking Dawn - Book Review

The final installment of the "Twilight" saga.

Probably my favorite one so far.

It was stinking long though, over 700 pages.

A good set of books that you can go pretty

quickly through.

Memorial Day Pics - Lava Hot Springs, Idaho

Between A Rock And A Hard Place: Book Review

9. Between A Rock And A Hard Place

This book tells the story about Aron Ralston who went hiking and rock climbing in Blue John Canyon in Southern Utah. He was climbing down through a smaller portion of the canyon, and a very large stone fell, pinning his right arm up against the side of the canyon. With no way of escape he endured 5 days of being trapped. He ran out of water, drank his own pee, and in the end figured that his only chance of survival was to cut off his arm.

He used leverage against the rock to break both bones in his arm and then used an old multi-tool to cut through the rest. After he was free he still had to rappell down a big drop in the canyon, hike 7 miles, and was finally rescued by a chopper.

It is an incredible story, worth reading. There are a few parts where he goes over some previous expeditions that he has done, and they get a little bit long, but overall a very good book with an incredible drive and a good ending.

Gotta Love Church Signs

Understanding The Book Of Mormon: Book Review

8. Understanding The Book Of Mormon: Book Review

I picked up this book at our last Intermountain West District Conference. It was written by a Pastor in our District, and I think that he does a very good job of explaining what the Book of Mormon is all about without bashing the LDS Church or people who believe that. It is a very quick read, but very informative. The author was raised mormon, but converted to Christianity later in his life.

I would reccomend reading this if you have any interest in the Book of Mormon and the LDS faith. Sheds a lot of light on what and why they believe the way they do.