12 years ago
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Albion Basin II
Almost exactly one year ago Tracy, Evan and myself made our way up to Albion Basin to see the wildflowers. It was nice to hike around a little and check things out, but we had clearly missed the peak. The flowers were plentiful, but not the explosive bouquet we had expected. We'll come earlier next year I vowed to no one in particular... And thanks to an iPhone reminder, we did. Planning an event (of any kind) an entire year in advance was a record for me.
We took the whole family this time. And while our picnic plans didn't quite work out and certain people vetoed the hike to Cecret Lake (spelling ridulous, but intentional), we had some laughs, took some photos and ate eclairs in the car. You can click the thumbnails below to see for yourself.
We took the whole family this time. And while our picnic plans didn't quite work out and certain people vetoed the hike to Cecret Lake (spelling ridulous, but intentional), we had some laughs, took some photos and ate eclairs in the car. You can click the thumbnails below to see for yourself.
Friday, August 14, 2009
New Era
Evan turned thirteen on the third.
This isn't a tongue twister, it's a mind bender. We don't just have one teenager, we have three. It's like the perfect storm. How did this even happen? It's all a biz fuzzy... I do remember getting married... I think we did some stuff and probably said some things... I think we may have even been naked at some point. And now here we are. It's not all bad though. When things aren't super difficult or expensive, they're funny and perfect. There are also some unexpected perks to having Evan finally turn the corner toward adulthood.
His birthday cakes no longer require sprinkles.
He became able at the same moment I became unwilling.
He can stay home alone when we go out.
We can stay home alone when he goes to scout camp.
He's finally discovered the obvious connection between a package of rubber bands, my drill, Tracy's thread and his tub of Legos.
This isn't a tongue twister, it's a mind bender. We don't just have one teenager, we have three. It's like the perfect storm. How did this even happen? It's all a biz fuzzy... I do remember getting married... I think we did some stuff and probably said some things... I think we may have even been naked at some point. And now here we are. It's not all bad though. When things aren't super difficult or expensive, they're funny and perfect. There are also some unexpected perks to having Evan finally turn the corner toward adulthood.
His birthday cakes no longer require sprinkles.
He became able at the same moment I became unwilling.
He can stay home alone when we go out.
We can stay home alone when he goes to scout camp.
He's finally discovered the obvious connection between a package of rubber bands, my drill, Tracy's thread and his tub of Legos.
We sorta hate to see him grow up. Fortunately, for now, he's still the same funny, good-natured, inventive kid he was a month ago. We can't imagine our family without him.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Bear Lake 2009
We grabbed an opportunity to camp for a few days at Bear Lake again this year. Not the full Schoenfeld crew like last year (last minute planning) but still a welcome break.
Just a few highlights:
We had our tent (on the right) up for less than 15 minutes when a freak gust of wind blew it completely upside down, reassuring me once again that our luck is completely portable.
We also discovered, shortly after arrival, that our immediate campsite neighbors included a family with five small kids and a great dane and a dozen sorority girls from Utah State. The experience was neither as annoying nor as hot as it sounds.
We spent the better part of the time at or on the lake itself. Renting a ski boat one day and just chilling on the beach the next. I took a reasonable number of photos of the water itself, but none of them do justice. The particular blue-green color of Bear Lake is remarkable and reminds me of the Caribbean.
On Wednesday, the girls met some boys from the wave runner rental shop... and eventually... cleverly... invited them back to the campsite for a bonfire. I know it's perfectly normal and was probably the highlight of the trip for them, but still strikes a primal, grouchy nerve in me. I faked maturity, however, and appeared to be a completely reasonable father.
Q: Why attempt to eat a mediocre 28 inch, $55 pizza named Old Ephraim?
A: Because you can have a polaroid taken to prove you did.
Q: Why not attempt to eat Old Ephraim?
A: Common sense (not pictured).
This is a photo series that tells a miniature story.
1) Evan and River are out in the lake past this marsh and well beyond earshot.
Tracy goes out to get them for dinner (her idea, not mine).
2) The wind is louder and the marsh deeper than expected.
She has to go all the way out to be heard.
3) Tracy returns and tells me all about her adventure. The end.
In spite of a few minor setbacks (marauding skunks, incessant wind) I think a good time was had by all. Bear Lake may be becoming that thing we do every year as a family. We need more of those...
I took way more photos than you'd care to see here, but may put a gallery up on Flickr soon. Stay tuned.
Just a few highlights:
We had our tent (on the right) up for less than 15 minutes when a freak gust of wind blew it completely upside down, reassuring me once again that our luck is completely portable.
We also discovered, shortly after arrival, that our immediate campsite neighbors included a family with five small kids and a great dane and a dozen sorority girls from Utah State. The experience was neither as annoying nor as hot as it sounds.
We spent the better part of the time at or on the lake itself. Renting a ski boat one day and just chilling on the beach the next. I took a reasonable number of photos of the water itself, but none of them do justice. The particular blue-green color of Bear Lake is remarkable and reminds me of the Caribbean.
On Wednesday, the girls met some boys from the wave runner rental shop... and eventually... cleverly... invited them back to the campsite for a bonfire. I know it's perfectly normal and was probably the highlight of the trip for them, but still strikes a primal, grouchy nerve in me. I faked maturity, however, and appeared to be a completely reasonable father.
Q: Why attempt to eat a mediocre 28 inch, $55 pizza named Old Ephraim?
A: Because you can have a polaroid taken to prove you did.
Q: Why not attempt to eat Old Ephraim?
A: Common sense (not pictured).
This is a photo series that tells a miniature story.
1) Evan and River are out in the lake past this marsh and well beyond earshot.
Tracy goes out to get them for dinner (her idea, not mine).
2) The wind is louder and the marsh deeper than expected.
She has to go all the way out to be heard.
3) Tracy returns and tells me all about her adventure. The end.
In spite of a few minor setbacks (marauding skunks, incessant wind) I think a good time was had by all. Bear Lake may be becoming that thing we do every year as a family. We need more of those...
I took way more photos than you'd care to see here, but may put a gallery up on Flickr soon. Stay tuned.
Saturday, August 8, 2009
The Big Show
On July 9th, I got to take Evan to his first real concert. It was an outdoor gig at the Gallivan Center downtown... part of the Twilight Concert Series. A tip o' the hat to Salt Lake on this one... pretty stellar lineup for a free show. We got there early enough to get a great spot.
We saw Jenny Lewis from here...
We watched Bon Iver from here...
Evan saw two co-eds making out from here...
All in all, not a bad night.
And yes, Jon Shaffer did bring a copy of Golf Digest to a concert.
We saw Jenny Lewis from here...
We watched Bon Iver from here...
Evan saw two co-eds making out from here...
All in all, not a bad night.
And yes, Jon Shaffer did bring a copy of Golf Digest to a concert.
Stakeout
The subject (shown below) was photographed with a bag of Sour Cream & Onion chips just minutes after allegedly consuming a Zinger and a SlimFast.
Sunday, August 2, 2009
July: Part 1
Not sure how it happened, but almost a month has gone by since my last post. I guess July was busy. Gratefully not a school and work kind of busy, but a summer kind of busy where almost every week had something to see or celebrate. I took hundreds of pictures, but not nearly enough.
The weekend of the 4th (Thanks Southwicks!) was the beginning, and by my recollection, nearly perfect. Why?
- A smoker was involved in consecutive dinners.
- We (without the appropriate hesitation) bought the largest box of fireworks.
- Turkeys. Sheep. Dogs. Chickens. Cousins.
- The farmers market we attended was supplied by actual farmers.
- The bonfire under the stars.
- Farm chores (lite).
- The beautiful summer storm that didn't interrupt any plans.
The weekend of the 4th (Thanks Southwicks!) was the beginning, and by my recollection, nearly perfect. Why?
- A smoker was involved in consecutive dinners.
- We (without the appropriate hesitation) bought the largest box of fireworks.
- Turkeys. Sheep. Dogs. Chickens. Cousins.
- The farmers market we attended was supplied by actual farmers.
- The bonfire under the stars.
- Farm chores (lite).
- The beautiful summer storm that didn't interrupt any plans.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)