Spring and Summer 2009: Part 1

Spring and Summer 2009: Part 1

With only a single blog post to our credit for the current calendar year I have finally decided to do my part, and update the world of the web with some of our recent comings and goings. The days seem to fly by whether we are having fun on the weekends, traveling to get groceries, visiting our family in Michigan, or grinding it out during the work week...

We are ecstatic to report that we were recently engaged to be married! I couldn't imagine a more amazing person to spend the rest of my life with. We are still in the planning process, but hope to schedule something for the summer of 2010 as soon as we can. Suffice to say it has been an incredible and interesting year thus far.

We have spent the last year in Chinle, AZ adapting to a style of rural living that lacks many of the amenities we had grown so accustomed to before moving here (the list is too long to include here). However, we are also learning so much each day, and growing in so many ways through our experiences with the great people of our local communities. Not to mention the natural spectacle and grandeur that abounds and surrounds in the Southwestern United States.

We have shared many good laughs thus far, made new friends, and gotten to know some truly fantastic people. The breathtaking scenery here in the Southwest has also provided the backdrop to the fun we have had with some of our greatest friends and family. Our location has offered us so many accessible outdoor adventures throughout the first six months of the year including gorgeous snow-capped mountains during the Winter, blooming deserts and seeping canyons in the Spring, and now forests and alpine meadows during the Summer.

Climbing

We have recently started rock climbing which has been a physically challenging and mentally technical (not to mention potentially dangerous) addition to our lives. It is something we are getting schooled in gradually, and hope to continue improving on as we gain more experience (and strength).

Action shots!

Jillian scrambles up a route at Jack's Canyon, AZ

Evan inspects a dripping leg while clinging for life

Left: Jillian works the belay device

Right: Kelly Schmuckal reaches for some chalk and takes a peek around the nose

Friends and "climbing mentors" Ellen (left) and Natasha

Cameron Mcleod cooly belays a climber above

Meanwhile, Jake is skeptical of the entire business....

Jillian works to solve a difficult route...

and conquers!

Moab, Utah

The state of Utah is a world-class venue for outdoor adventurers and enthusiasts of every ilk. Whether one seeks thrills or otherworldly views and geological spectra, he or she are surely not to be without options. Among the most popular places to visit in the state is the town of Moab.

Located in SE Utah on the Colorado River with both Arches and Canyonlands National Parks in the immediate vicinity, this oasis provides as base camp for hikers, bikers, campers, rafters, climbers, and everyone in between. I have been fortunate enough to visit Moab on two different occasions this year with radically different experiences. It happens to lie nearly halfway between where we live and where our friends Cam and Kelly live in Ogden, UT and also where our friend Dominic lives in Breckenridge, CO.

Here is some visual documentation......

Our campsite on the Colorado River

Happy crew at the sound of the breakfast bell...cold morning called for copious cups of coffee

We witnessed the glory of Spring and that magical color of the season.

A refreshing morning hike along a stream in Negro Bill Canyon with the warmth of the greatest friends in the world and some sweet sunshine... The hike ended at Morning Glory Natural Bridge, tucked deep into the canyon above the source of the spring we had been following up the trail. You could hear the water rushing below the fissure in the canyon wall and floor.

Morning Glory Natural Bridge

Source of Spring

Just outside of Moab is an area we stumbled upon known as Castle Valley. Within view of some incredible mesas, and the La Sal mountains is a small canyon called Onion Creek. A magnificent dirt road takes you past backcountry campsites, and winds through towering sandstone figures and across a shallow stream numerous times with each curve revealing another geological marvel to gawk at.

If only photography could do justice to this stuff.

And beyond Onion Creek lie the massive Fisher Towers, where sandstone spires reach up hundreds of feet overhead. The wind was whipping and whistling through the rock as we hiked.

The hike takes you up to the base of the towers and around the geological complex to panoramic views of Castle Valley, Onion Creek, and the Colorado River.

Fisher Towers

...even the dog is doggin' it

Spiral Spire

(if you were wondering, that guy is not one of us)

Mountain Biking Moab

Moab is undoubtedly one of the most renowned mountain biking destinations in the Southwestern United State, if not the world. Its unique sandstone, known as slickrock, provides a one-of-a-kind mountain biking experience.

Again, we camped along the Colorado River, this time with more of a slant, but also much more shade. I met my good friend Dominic Baker for a weekend of mountain biking, campfires, and catching up.

The Slickrock Trail is an extremely popular trail, and was our target for the first morning's adventure...

D. Baker points out our trail

Huffing and Puffing, I am glad to pose for some pics....on top of the world with the La Sal's in the background.

View down the Colorado River

Top of the Trail

Slickrock Trail: Epic Ride and highly recommended

Our second day's main event was the Porcupine Rim Trail. A combination old jeep road, and singletrack that climbed a few tough miles, and then descended for the next 11 miles down to the Colorado River. An exceptional trail that challenges even the best riders, with very technical sections throughout.

We had to shuttle ourselves to the trailhead, and arrived early in the morning to beat the heat.

From the trailhead...

The view from the highest point on the trail

D. Baker navigates a tricky descent...

We were also able to explore a little in the afternoons...when the sun got HOT

Weaving through rock formations at Onion Creek area

I hope you enjoyed checking out some of my photos, and a little insight into some of what we have been up to so far in 2009. We hope that you and your family are enjoying a happy and healthy 2009, and would love to hear how everyone is doing. Drop a comment at the end of the post, or email us @ either,

etree22@hotmail.com OR jillianmac@gmail.com

In order to keep things organized this blog post will be in two parts. Coming Soon....Part Deux!