Above the Clouds

My birthday weekend started with a road trip to Baker, Nevada. Who knew that four hours from home without cell phone or internet service one could get so much peace and quiet!  

Wheeler Peak, 3 miles from summit

Saturday mornings adventure started in the Great Basin National Park at the Summit Trailhead. We arrived early to hike Wheeler's Peak in order to avoid the risk of afternoon thunderstorms that often develop during monsoon season.  The cool morning temperature was a welcome relief considering the challenge ahead, we would be starting our hike at an elevation of 10,161 feet, and would gain 2,902 feet in elevation in just 4.3 miles!

The first mile meandered through magnificant pine meadows and past Stella Lake, but the picturesque setting was just a facade for the real work that lie ahead as we approached Bald Mountain (far right of photo, off screen).  Now above the treeline and exposed to the elements we began feeling the effects of a high altitude climb while watching a storm develop in our path.

The last 100 yards (the steepest) was impassable due to a large snow field on the trail so to overcome this obstacle we climbed straight up and over the massive boulders which stood between us and the summit. This photo taken at the summit shows a very tired hiker seeking shelter from what little protection the mountain had to offer. The skies were very dark and as we watched clouds come up over the summit then settle in the valley below, we knew we had little time before lightning would rein down us.  Remarkably enough, we were able to descent quickly and in the safety of the SUV witnessed the rainstorm this region is so famous for. 

Doctor W

The words every women hates to hear their Pharmacist say is, 'your doctor won't refill your birth control without an appointment.....' with the appropriate eye roll of disdain suggesting as if you would attempt to fool the entire health care community by obtain an additional month of contraception medication without proper authorization.

Proper authorization really should be, 'look lady, I am too damn old to get pregnant' but truth be told, I can't remember the last time I had a sinus infection, bronchitis, or other infirmary that would require an  office visit with any frequency then biannual at best.

I survived the weight in and somewhat excelled in the height measurement at 5 foot 5 and 1/2 inches.  I bypassed the urine test but came back strong for the PAP smear and ended the visit with 2 tiger tops and 1 lavender vial of blood collected and a referral to IMC for a current mammogram.

All this for birth control! I am awaiting the results from the two labs examining my body fluids and look forward to next week when the radiologist will be taking a look at my breasts.

Emerson Garden

The first zucchini of the season!

As the story goes, at the end of summer last year, Scott realized that I enjoyed gardening far more than he did, and offered to lease me his garden spot for $1 per year. Truth be told, I would have paid much more money for the opportunity to play in the dirt (but don't tell him). The garden sits on the south side of his Sugarhouse bungalow, raised 2 foot with landscape timbers.  It measures 25 x 10 foot and comes with the companionship of Lola, a very friendly Springer Spaniel. 

I planted herbs: anise, chocolate mint, basal, and a plant the nurseryman identified as curry which smells good as a potpourri but is inedible.  I planted vegetables: pumpkins, kale, radish, tomato, and zucchini.  And to tie everything together I planted a wide variety of flowers: african daisies, columbine, echinacea, sunflowers, sweet william, marigolds, calla lilys, and some alyssum.

As with all gardens, the view in the early morning hours as the plants struggle to find the days sunlight is amazing; here is a look at the garden today and while I am very proud of the view from the back porch, I am already looking forward to removing, rearranging, and reconsidering this years plant choices in next years plantings.

Dirty Girl Run

In what appears to be the first official weekend of summer, 4th of July weekend, Vanasa and I started our summer (weekend) with the Dirty Girl Run at Wheeler Farm. We met for a donut breakfast at Scott's house then drove Sam 'topless' to the event.  We drew the third heat which meant we were able to sleep in, but as our heat began at 10:30 were were certainly feeling the effects of a very warm Utah morning.

The events obstacle courses included a section of hay bales, a section of tires, a vertical climbing wall, military style nets to crawl under and large construction pipes to hurdle and walk through.  The late spring run off through the farm provided plenty of opportunities to walk through very frigid streams and while the entire course was four miles, bottlenecks in several areas and other hazards made it difficult to maintain a runners pace for any length of time.  This all woman event is geared to having fun with friends and not so much working out.  Yes Vanasa, I had fun! Thanks for inviting me.