Buckhorn Basin Part 2

I'll just start out by telling you this has MANY pictures. Just so you feel prepared. Part 2 of our beautiful day at Buckhorn Basin was as beautiful as the first...but a little more active. We got out and began the hiking part of the day. Jim and Zeffie were taking the lead...until they remembered that Dad is the only one that really knew where we were going!!

This is looking back up at where we started. About dead center of this pic is a green bush...that's where

The rock formations were incredible. It was completely unexpected. Like you drive in the dessert for what feels like FOREVER then you drop a few hundred feet in elevation and this happens. 

Two of the most important men in my life. I do like that they are buddies.

The bright sunshine (and the fact that it wasn't blazing hot) made this adventure that much more enjoyable.

Lots of critters in the summer, I'm sure. Luckily we didn't see many. 

Started hiking down again when we came upon this.....

If you look close you'll be able to see hundreds of tiny geodes. 

Here is a closer view. Literally hundreds of rocks like this!!

This guy cannot climb a ladder without a serious case of the shakes and yet, here he is!!

From the other side...but a ladder...no way!!

We had to stop at this canyon. There is a river at the bottom. It was very beautiful but even looking at Jim that close made my knees wobbly!!

OY!!!

Truthfully, even the pics make my knees weak!!

Me and my hairy mountain man. He has missed the mountains and exploring and adventures so much. I am glad he is back in his element. 

I like days like this. In the sun, with family and being able to enjoy being outside. I think we'll be doing this again!!

Buckhorn Basin

Hieroglyphs are pictures that are drawn onto the face of a rock or other surface and stand for an object, sound or idea or so says the Itchy Feet Traveler. We saw some on our trip to Buckhorn Basin recently. I really wasn't expecting to be impressed at all. Seriously...whatever is at the end of a 5 hour car ride had better include my kids or Disneyland because nothing else will allow me to forget that I just sat in a car that long. This place wasn't quite as cool as seeing my kids but...it was pretty dang cool.

These Hieroglyphs are 1000 years old!! I loved making up my own interpretation. This one is a family pic with a heart below it. Obviously I pull that from my own existence. I miss my own kids so much that that is what I would plaster on every single wall I could reach.

We were here with my Dad and Zeffie. I love the relationship that my Dad and Jim have. They have been buddies forever and I love that they like to do the same kinds of things together.

The weather was perfect. It was warm (for mid-November) and sunny. Not a cloud in the sky. We just couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day.

Sunshine and stunning vistas made this a top ten day for sure!!

This was before the hiking part of the day (which wasn't bad at all).

Dad, Zeffie and Jim reading a bit of the history of the area.

Fall foliage and blue skies.

The sheer cliff that the hieroglyphs were on went straight up from the ground. It was awe inspiring to stand there and think about the people who stood here 1000 years ago and drew on this rock.

I'm not sure how soon they can convince me to go back...not without staying the night somewhere close by. But I do want to go back and see more.

Who wouldn't want to see this again??

First Snow

It snowed for the first time three days ago. It was beautiful. Big fluffy flakes softly falling. It was magical. I was glad I had my tree up so I could sit by it and watch the snow while listening to Christmas music.

Luckily is melted down here in the valley. I know we will get more. I'm just not quite ready!!

And this cute boy got a haircut!! Isn't he just the cutest thing!!

The Little Cupboard: Before

This little cupboard has been handed down through our family through three/four generations. My Great Grandfather (Grandaddy) made it. It has been around forever!!

Jim helped me fill some holes. 

There is a lot of wear on this piece. A lot of love too.

Layers and layers of lead based paint.

It's going to take a lot of work.......

But I think it will be completely worth it!!

Stay tuned.......

Halloween

Let's start with a couple pics not from Halloween. This boy is growing so fast!! It is killing me to be so far away from him.

He is sassy and sweet. And completely perfect!!

He was Thomas the Train for Halloween (or as he calls him, Favass). He could watch Thomas all day and play with his trains at the same time.

Jim dressed up to hand out candy this year. He was so excited to sit in the driveway with our little propane fire and see all the kids.

He dressed a little scarier for the older kids. It was funny to watch him try to scare them.

Later we snuggled on the couch and sent funny snapchats to our friends and family. We are so funny. LOL

Garth Brooks 2.0

About 22 years ago my mom and sisters and I went to a Garth Brooks concert in Pocatello, ID. It was in the old days before the internet. Mom and Dad and Travis switched off staying with Michelle and Kim while they slept out in the parking lot in line for tickets. I was 7 months pregnant with Jo so they gave me a pass. Our tickets were terrible. BUT WE WERE THERE. It was a really fun show and we loved spending time together.

Our tickets still weren't the best....but again....we LOVED it. 

Mom wasn't where we could see her this time...but we were together. And we had a great time!!

We had dinner The Cheesecake Factory.

Then walked over to the concert arena. Garth was as good as ever. The guy in the pink shirt and black hat is him.

He sang and entertained and we danced and sang right along with him.

He was energetic and played all our favorite songs.

This shot was before the show started. It was a FULL house!!

We laughed. We cried.

And we talked about how lucky we are to have each other. The biggest blessing of moving to Utah has been being able to see these girls all the time. I have missed them and their kids.

I think if he tours again we'll try to grab a show...and maybe better seats this time. After all, the third time's a charm!!