Sunset over Loveland, etc.

Amazing sunset Matt. I was coming home from my woodworking class last Friday and think I caught the same view as you. Here's what I saw:





Then this weekend went hiking with the usual riff-raff (Bob and Randy) and found a few squirrels squirreling away for the winter:

ANY DAY NOW!!!!!!

Well, earlier this day, Christy called me while at work, and gave me a bad scare, that the baby hadn't moved at all this morning for at least 2 1/2 hours (from the time she woke up to the time she called me, plus this little one is normally a real wiggle worm). So she had called the doc, and was planning on going in to make sure that the little one was ok. Luckily, about 1/2 hour after that, he moved!! just a little at first, and by the time she got to the doc's office, he was having a party in that warm oven!! Well, Today was Christy's last day of bed rest, so starting tomorrow she'll be able to CLEAN!!! (the funny thing is that she really is excited to start cleaning instead of watching me do it). The Doc did check over her, and was even a little surprised that Christy was at 1cm externally dilated and about 50% enfaced (sp? and not 100% sure what the external really means). Those indications seem to indicate that the baby could easily come any day, so as long as he can wait till at least tomorrow, we'll be doing just fine. OF coarse on top of the pregnancy, the past several days Christy came down with a nasty cold, and because of the baby, was unable to take a lot of medicines that would help her the most. She is almost over that cold and is praying that her nose will be unstuffed by the time baby comes so she'll be able to breathe.

In other news, I was driving home, and saw a rather beautiful sunset, so I raced home to grab the camera, to bad I don't have a super nice one, cause this was just beautiful, sunbeams that seem to shoot up from the mountains.

And, my trusty little Honda turned 200,000 miles, and I caught the moment while driving home from work, good thing there aren't any laws on taking pics and driving at the same time!

M&D in humid Florida

Well, I thought dad would've posted by now, but he hasn't - so if you want to see some pictures he took while he and mom visited Rob and I, go to my blog!

And here are some pics I took of them:
Watching jets take off from up highWatching jets in the air while looking at some on the groundEnjoying the heat and humidity on a beautiful beach!

Top of Utah 1/2 Marathon

Herro everyone!

I haven't posted for awhile, life has been very crazy needless to say. I did find some time, however, to fit in a half marathon to gauge how the marathon in two weeks is going to go. Thanks to Natalie Steadman, who was unable to run the TOU 1/2 Marathon today due to an injury, let me have her spot in the race. And I'm VERY glad she let me have it!!

I was unsure of how today was going to go, but chose to stay optimistic anyway. And even I surprised myself! Last year I ran it with Aubrey and our finishing time was around 2 hrs 49 minutes...not great, but we finished. Then I had the chance to visit Darcey in Arizona this last year to do the P.F. Chang's Rock and Roll 1/2 Marathon with a finishing time of 2 hrs 45 min. Well, today I ran and ran and ran. I ran until mile 8, when blisters on the insides of both feet started to appear...and man, could I feel them! I didn't prepare myself as well as I should have, so I didn't use precautionary Body Glide on my feet like normal, an anti-chaffing product made for runners and this very problem. I had to make it to mile 9 before getting any help, however, so I kept running as much as I could. I finally made it and put some vaseline on my feet - which helped, but the blisters were already there and made the next four miles painful (a good lesson to learn before running the marathon!) I thought earlier in the race that I was going to be able to run the whole 13.1 miles as I was feeling really good, and I even had a faster than normal pace going, but after the first vaseline stop I had to stop again and stop to walk when it got to be too much. Oh well. I did improve my time, finishing in 2 hrs and 28 min this time, and my goal was to do it under 2:30:00 - so I'm satisfied. :) Maybe the next half I can cut down 15-30 minutes...???

Two weeks from now I will (hopefully) have completed marathon number five in Indiana. I'm excited and nervous as always, but look forward to the experience nonetheless. :)

May I suggest this next time we go to the Wind Rivers!

OR...This....

Syracuse Bowl

I guess Logan has been trying find his way to the local bowling alley for a very looooooong time. He made it with Papa and friends last Saturday and we all had a great time.

Scouting for the Deer Hunt in Cache Valley

Last Friday I got up about 4:00 am in the morning and went with Uncle Dave and Justin to look for some deer hunting spots for their annual event. Here are some interesting scenes:

Windrivers 2009

This year I entered from the Northern end of the Windrivers and the Green River Lakes Trailhead. This is the head waters of the Green River. The picture is old Squaretop and the Upper Green River Lake.


It rained on me most of the first day - creating more beautiful scenery.






One thing you just can't get away from in the way of civilization is those fly boys.



After the trip's early rain, there was nothing but gorgeous weather, including cool nights with some frost to decorate it all.

Brought back again by popular demand, another fabulous self portrait.

The marvelous views:
One of the reasons I trouble myself to hike these trails.


On the way out would you believe I saw two unicyclists on the road?

Baby sea turtles

Last night, Rob and I got to see some baby Loggerhead Sea Turtles get released into the ocean! Here is one video I took of a cute baby turtle:

One baby's journey from Darcey Burgon on Vimeo.

Go to our blog to see some more pictures and videos!

Leadville or bust!!!

Just for fun on Wednesday we headed for a day of mountain madness in Leadville. We stayed at the Mountain Hideaway B&B. Rather rustic, but full of interesting paraphernalia (see the stuff on the ole barn).

(To see picture detail in large format just touch them with your mouse)



A local sculpture!!!

A backyard playhouse I'll bet Logan, Emma and Dallin - even Savannah would love.

We took our bikes and rode the Leadville Mineral trail. A bit steep for us flat landers, but really fun. This trail started in Leadville, rose about 800 ft. above town in a 12 mile loop. Along the way there were turnouts to learn about the mining and local history. Actually, they were just much needed rest stops, at least for the uphill side of the trail. It was really lots of fun with lots of excellant scenery.

Back in town we found a mailbox that I know someone in the family might like.
What do you think Matt?

Many of the houses were painted with fun colors.

On the way home we skipped Eisenhower Tunnel and went over Loveland Pass - It was raining lots with snow mixed in - in July.

We also stopped in Central City. Hadn't been there since they turned in to a gambling town. We didn't belong.


Also took a short side trip to the Moffat Tunnel. Someday we're going to take the train and go to SLC through the tunnel.

4 AMAZING YEARS!!!!

Four years ago today Christy and I started our lives together, and never did I think the honeymoon would last this long! Anyway, since our first anniversary Christy has been making it a goal to get me a cool collection of model planes, one for each year, so I thought I might share them with you here cause I think they're awesome!! (a couple of them were damaged in shipping including the one I got this year, the F-16 Falcon, they'll be sent to the hanger for repairs shortly).

This is the F-16 Falcon the one I got this year, along with the flowers Christy got (She'll also get a nice 1-1/2 hour massage today so I'm not cheating her out).The four planes for the four years, McDonnell Douglas AV-8B Harrier (3rd year), F-22 Raptor (2nd year), F-16 Falcon (this year), and the F-15 Eagle (1st year). This is where they are displayed, for now until the baby can start crawling around, then we'll see what to do next.

Rawah's 2009

I took a short trip into the Rawah's last week. I could have used a buddy, but everyone was either working or otherwise unavailable.
Had a great time. Beautiful country - I've never seen it so green and lush. This is the latest time of the year I've hiked these trails and there is still more water than ever. The pine beetle is taking it's toll - lot's of dead trees. I suppose this is just the cycle of nature. The flora was out in abundacne and I include a few of the flower pictures I took.

I hope to head to the Windrivers in a week or two. Anyone care to come along?

Happy summer to all!