Prep for Trek - Part 2

Another Saturday... another hike with Mike the Mountain Goat. This time we took it easy only 2.5 miles one-way with a 1000 ft incline. Thanks Michael. Dog Lake really was a great hike - challenging yes, but still much more manageable than Lake Blanche. Our Youth Pioneer Trek is scheduled for August 3-5. We will be walking 14 miles in one day. I am more than a little worried that I'll be left on the side of the trail or, worse, have to be pushed/pulled in a handcart. I think this is the last time that we'll have this opportunity (we are on the cusp of "too old" right now). And I feel so blessed that we'll trekking on hallowed ground - Martin's Cove and Rocky Ridge. Wish us luck and say a prayer or two please. 

Walkie Talkie

It is unusual. How many people like to stand in front of 45 people and talk for three hours? I can actual feel readers shudder at the horror of it all. But I am admittedly unusual - actually I prefer the word: unique. As a public speaker, I get to see someone's face transform when they grasp a new concept or feel the energy in a room as conference attendees get excited about organization, time management or social networking. It's simply invigorating and throw in the fact that I get paid to talk, well...what's not to love about that? Plus the added bonus is that this particular conference was in Monterey, California. I've included a few pics so you can imagine the sights, sounds and clam chowder that I sampled as I walked around the beachfront.

Prep for Trek

"We like nature... why?" I sat on a rock and wept. We we're only 2/3 of the way up a trail, my feet were on fire, my right knee was screaming and the mosquitos were biting. Michael the Mountain Goat had hardly broken a sweat and I, oh I, despised this 2800 ft ascent in 3 miles to Lake Blanche. Michael went on ahead and took these amazing pictures with the iPhone. And miracle of miracles - I trudged on and arrived at the top myself. It was breathtaking and I felt elated that I had made it to this beautiful place - getting ready for the Pioneer Trek at Rocky Ridge is no easy feat or should that be...feet?

Baaad Blogger!

I've been so lax in journaling lately; so let me apologize to the two followers of my blog ; )

So much has happened in the last month. The highlight was our recent trip to Washington over the Memorial Day holiday. The trip started with a frigid Mariner's game (Michael made it to two games); we skewered over 1000 ka-bobs (what kind of torture-chamber-vacation is that?); attended the Seattle Temple then went to the Space Needle for lunch; played a lot of tennis; ate breakfast twice within one hour - thanks Toppenish and Zillah; and lazed around with friends and family in the Valley. It was wonderful! 

We also took at drive out to the old Gun Club in Harrah. This beautiful piece of land complete with an old lodge is where Michael's father, Alan, grew up. Alan's parents were the caretakers of the Gun Club for about six years. As we turned the bend in the road we noticed that the property was posted with a no trespassing sign. Need you ask? We walked past the locked gate and down the idyllic lane (Mom, the only one with sense, stayed in the car). No, an old man with a shotgun didn't show up - although two pretty rough watchdogs met us with a barred teeth and a growl. But we weren't thwarted What actually tripped us up was the mosquitos numbering about a kazillion that nearly carried us both off into the sunset. It was a memory-maker. Now where's the Calamine?

Dream Big

I've always had that entrepreneurial drive (thanks dad!) and now I'm living the dream. Too old and tired? Naahh. Crazy economy. Who cares? What a risk! I eat risk for breakfast (just kidding-I've always wanted to say that)! Really - - I am a little nervous and a lot humbled by the fact that I'm moving forward with myhigherstandard.com in a big way. Since this is a grass-roots, bootstrapping start-up, I can't do it without you. You can help by sending an email to everyone you know - most of us know someone, who knows someone who's LDS and single...living in Utah. Thanks and much love.

Tea for Two

To celebrate Mckenzie's March 19 birthday, she and I went to High Tea at Gardner Village. We had a wonderful time trying on fancy hats, eating tea sandwiches and cake, and drinking pink hot chocolate. She is the epitome of cutie-patootie!

Aunt Donna's Birthday Cake

Michael and I just returned (today) from visiting with family in Henderson. It was warm, filling (we ate out everyday; sometimes twice a day - yikes), and just plain fun. Michael golfed, I shopped, we played games late into the night, saw Cirque du Soleil Love and attended a session at the Las Vegas Temple. And with all that - three additional highlights come to mind: 1) my cousin's adorable 10-month-old, Jake. The child seriously could not stop smiling; 2) The largest cat in the world - Tiger; and my attempt to bake a cake for Aunt Donna's birthday. While my aunt, uncle, mom and Michael golfed, I worked on a cake - a red velvet cake with chocolate ganache and fresh strawberries. I burnt the first cake because I didn't set the timer right and fell asleep on the couch. Not to worry. I threw that cake away and made a white chocolate bundt cake with ganache and fresh strawberries. Burnt that one too! In my defense, I didn't notice until it was too late that the top oven was a convection variety and it requires a little more oven-savvy than I apparently possess. Plus the eggs that went into the cake were definitely suspect. So the questions begs - do I try a third time? Naw, I know when I'm beat - thank goodness for the chocolate chocolate chip cake at Nothing Bundt Cake down the street. I love you Aunt Donna!