pretty much just happy

Deck the halls!!

This is our tree's shadow.

This is our tree.

I suppose in our case it would be decking the hall. Brian and I have moved into our new apartment! And I've been feeling like Martha Stewart lately decorating in the most economic fashion possible (ie: bucket of rocks instead of a tree stand, red thrift store towel instead of tree skirt and popsicle stick ornaments). I've decided that decking the halls is well worth it. Life afterall is made up of all of these little things that we make the most out of. I found a bundle of bright bulbs for one dollar at the thrift store for outside our window and yesterday and Brian and I were hanging them, a woman called out, "Merry Christmas!" We also spent about an hour dressing our new tree in Jewish Star's of David. It looks fitting and afterall, Jesus was a Jew even if they don't celebrate Christmas.

Two seasons, two holidays, one week

We've had Brian's family here at ISKY visiting us this week. It has been really fun! These pictures are from the most recent activity today to Monday.

Up in the La Sal Mountains getting our Christmas tree! Only 5 dollars for a permit and pleanty of fun. His whole family came with us and we hiked through the snow until we found the perfect tree that "spoke to us"-- yes we did find it. More to come. . .

Our Haysflower compact-- we made this grateful list while we ate dinner.

So, we didn't have anywhere to put everyone in while we ate dinner, so I decided that we should use the shed/barn next to our house. We moved the picnic table in, made a centerpiece out of all of the dried plants in town, hung twinkle lights from the many nails and used my new 'stoneware' dishes.

On monday brian and I went to Robber's Roost near the maze and did Blue John Canyon (yeah, the one that guy cut his arm off in a few years ago). We had an epic adventure going down all four forks of the canyon (down little, up main, down east, up west fork). It was all day canyon-goodness. We had quite the adventure going down east fork-- the tightest squeeze I've ever seen. So tight in fact, the another group who had done it in November scratched onto the wall "Do Not Enter; Dead End 11/08." It was a little creepy, but we made it through despite the warning.

A picture is worth a thousand words. . .

So why do I write so much?


Indian Creek- Brian leading (un-named, un-rated)

Indian Creek-- me on rock lobster (5'11)

Brian after our anniversary scavenger hunt.

Potato picking at the Balyntines.

off the grid

I haven't done a top-ten in a while and in honor of our first season in the Park Service as a couple I dedicate this top-ten to life on the open range and the interesting quirks that come with it.

TOP TEN WAYS you know you LIVE OFF THE GRID:

10. You have a stare-off with a mountain lion.

9. You call getting groceries "goin'ta town" (and I'm not kidding).

8. You can look out your front window and not see any man-made structures.

7. Sunsets are the cable television.

6. Instead of seeing the neighbors house cat chase a bird, you see a wild bobcat stalking cottontail rabbits.

5. You have no cell phone coverage.

4. You don't know what to say when people demand a street address (and you can actually invent your own and have it be legal).

3. People come from all over to look at your stars.

2. You drive to your home via dirt/gravel.

1. You forget how to merge and a stoplight is considered "traffic."

*all of these based are based on true events.

treasure challenge

For our anniversary yesterday Angela sent me on a ranger's treasure hunt; I'm serious, I think I covered about 3 miles by running and on a mountain bike. She had me dig through dirt, look under rocks, scrape through bushes, peek around buildings, scamper across slickrock, look through vehicles, search behind pictures, crack open sheds, run to this trailhead, bike to that overlook, and wonder where I was going to go next! Luckily I finished before dark without serious injury.

She's off to Zion now with two of her girlfriends/coworkers since she's done with her season, so I'm manning the place alone here for a few days.

Here's to the best decision I ever made

". . . If there was anyone in the entire universe that I wanted to walk hand in hand with during my life, it was Brian Robert Hays; the man looking into my eyes right now with that adorable grin of his. We could create a Celestial family; I knew that.

The sealer began to speak and I concentrated hard on the words he was speaking. Tears began to well up in my eyes. I could hardly believe I was across from Brian. I had felt God’s Almightly hand in our relationship for the past year. I had felt him stregthen me. I knew that if there was any sure foundation to build upon, it was this. Yes, it was rocky getting here; It was hard and difficult, teary and stressful, but we made it through together because Heavenly Father had helped us. He did not abandon us, nor would he ever. The tears were flowing now. Catherine, Emily, Sarah, Kevin, Mom and Dad were all looking at me with glazed eyes or streams of tears. The sealer asked Brian the question and I hardly had time to wonder if he was going to say no and run, he said “yes” firmly and without question, turned his head and smiled at me. I’m sure I beamed. The hardest part was over. He was in.

The sealer began directing his words to me now. I concentrated hard. I listened to the most amazing promises I had ever received. If there was a perfect way to start a marriage, this was it. It wouldn’t just be Brian and I, we would have divine help and knowledge given to us; we weren’t going to do this alone. The sealer then asked me and waited for my response. I looked at Brian and then at my family behind him and for a moment everything I had experienced with him up to this point came flooding back to me. I gathered my courage and was about to say “yes”—but waited just moment longer, just long enough for everyone to grab the edge of their beautiful chairs and wonder if I was going to go through with it. Then I said, “yes” with all of the determination and firmness that could possibly go into a three letter-one sylable word. And it was done.

We were married. Brian Robert Hays and Angela Marie. . . uh, Hays, I suppose. I swallowed hard and let the tears fall freely (embarrassed at my vain concern that my mascarra would smear). I felt odd. All of that emotional stress, the months of tension, the sleepless nights, the gallons of tears, the wonder, the worry the concern and then—poof-- it vanishes with one simple word backed with a thousand feelings. Brian was now my. .. er, husband. We stood hand in hand (in what felt like a vice grip), and exchanged rings. I looked at him, laughed slightly and said in a half whisper, “Brian, we’re married!” He laughed and said between a brilliantly happy smile, “I know!”

Happy Anniversary Brian. Thanks to you I'm the happiest and luckiest girl in the world.


(This exerpt was taken from a 64 page account of our relationship that I worked on in the Entrance Station all summer (each week on Tuesday from 1-5) in between collecting fees and handing out maps).

PUBLISHED!

Visine

Feeling the need to clarify my vision and yours.

First of all, my previous post was really two seperate thoughts. First, like it or not, Obama is trendy. Liking "Obama," the name, "Obama" and voting "Obama" are all very popular. That said, I'm feeling unfassionable not because I think the world is going to end, nor because I think Obama is a bad guy. I watched the debates-- yes I was impressed. I think he'll do a fine job and I have every reason to support him. I do and I'm proud of our nation.

The only nervousness I may feel has to do with the imbalance in Congress (Democratic majority/Democratic President). Obama has the most liberal track record of ANY senator, but he proved during his campaign that he can be moderate and that I like. I feel some trepedation at what will happen in a few of the sleeper issues (like the probablity of electing three Supreme Court judges this next term for example).

I do want to recognize the victory that this election is for African Americans (and really any minority that has been marginalized) and for the world. I feel greater global unity. I can FEEL it. It's remarkable. I also feel tremendous optimism and hope for the future. I struggled with whom to vote for and the decision wasn't easy for me. I'm happy he did won. I am praying for him. He has a big job to accomplish; not only do the hopes of American citizens rest on his shoulders, but also the hopes of citizens in other countries.

In regards to the latter half of my previous post, I really do feel "unfassionable" in my beliefs. My co-workers constantly make remarks about what I believe and why I believe it. In even playing devils advocate for the sake of an alternate view. I feel alone up here in regards to moral and social issues. While I regard Prop 8 as a victory (and the props that passed in AZ and FL), the LDS church is going to have to battle against those who percieve our involvment as a sign of intolerance, religious "dictatorship" or fanaticisim. My boss told me I wear a Pink dot (and not the "obama as the new pink" dot). I feel like I do for more than just the reasons she specified.

As long as the president will say, "God bless America," I have no doubt he will.

The new awesome by popular vote. . .

Obama is the new pink. I never knew an opinion could feel so unfassionable, but lately I'm reliving that day I showed up in 2nd grade wearing Stephanie Lilly's clothes mom bought me at Goodwill. The whole second grade stared after the embarrassing declaration was made. Apparently I've found some hand-me-down opinions, morals and ideas and can't say the trend caught on. The only difference is that I'm the one making the declaration (but don't worry, the stares are the same).

into the great wide open. . .

You know you've got a good job when you look forward to your work week. Lately, Brian and I have been running errands on our weekends and playing at work. Playing is what the NPS calls Roving. Basically, I get to go in the backcountry and talk to people. The first three pictures are from my rove last week. It was the first time I've ever done a self supported bike trip around the white rim and it was hard, but awesome! I towed that trailer you see in the picture and camped along the way. Actually, I missed Brian terribly bad by the second night b/c he had been gone the entire week before on a backpacking patrol in the Needles, so I couldn't stand being away from him any longer and I hiked out (only to find out upon my return that he was fighting a fire in Moab! Oh the luck!). He finally did get home that night at about 9:45pm all smelling like smoke and looking just adorable. He dropped me off before sunrise the next morning and I hiked back down and finished biking the 100 miles! It was a great three days at work.



These are from another rove-- We hiked into Monument Basin. . .a spectacular hike that almost NO ONE ever does.

Red Rock Ranger

My patch design is being used for the Red Rock Junior Ranger program here in Canyonlands. It combines cultural (the native american pot design on the outside) and natural history (the yucca plant) and geology (rocks).

Wedding, Kolob and Conference

I learned several things this weekend. One undeniable fact was that if you grew up on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon between 2000 and 2001, and you were an adventurous male with a goofy sense of humor and an attraction for mischief (like throwing grapefruits off rooftops, gluing quarters to the school sidewalks or jumping in freezing lakes and rivers) then you'd find more than just shared interests-- you'd find friends. Brian and I went to Pete Drake's wedding this weekend. Pete and Brian have been friends for a while now and their similarities are uncanny. They have the same watch, somehow gravitated toward the same titanium wedding ring, both have season park jobs, both have mom's who teach . . . and both have increadibly cool and beautiful wives (if I do say so myself). It was such a fun wedding!

Pete and Bry

Here we are at the reception. The food was AMAZING and we got to dance to a live band. It was the first time Brian and I have ever been to a dance. . .can you believe that?

On Monday morning, Brian, Austin and I woke up really early and headed to Kolob Canyon in Zion National Park. It was seriously the most beautiful canyon I have ever been through. The leaves were all changing color, the rappels were all next to running water and mossy green walls (12 in all and the longest was 150ft) and the hike out was pretty epic. . . on the MIA route. The pictures do no justice to this place.



We drove home to Canyonlands in shifts that night and arrived back to our beds at 2am. It was a full weekend. Listening to General Conference was wonderful and rejuvenating as well. It offers peace to the soul in troubled times. We also spent Sunday evening playing hearts and chickenfoot with Grandma and had a great time joking and talking with all of Brian's family! Murphy definitely stayed home on on this one.*

*see previous post.

Murphy's Law

Please tell me why every time I really really really want to do something after work that Brian gets a call five minutes before we get off because a waterfall of rocks bashed someone's windshield? Or why the day we're both off early he suddenly has a training and gets off late? Or why the one day when he's off early it's my one day working late? Someone please set the universe straight. Murphy is too much of a pessimist to be right.

Despite the universe being off (and our ecomomy for that matter), I've still managed to enjoy the passing days. Yesterday I biked Gemini Bridges with Sophie, Bry picked us up and then we ate dinner with a group of people, played scrabble and hearts and ate organic brownies.

What's up next? Bry and I are taking a vacation. This Thursday, Fri, Sat, Sun Mon we're going to St. George/Zion. I am a happy camper. . . let me tell you. This means we get to go to the temple, watch conference and go to Pete and Jacqueline's wedding (which I am very excited about), see Brian's family (hoorah!) and Le Miserable at the outdoor theater and do Kolob Canyon in Zion on Monday. Murphy is most certainly not coming with us on this one.

Why I love my job. . .

With the return of cool weather came backcountry patrols. I came up with this idea to bike 50 miles of the White Rim and contact visitors, and then patrol a trail that led up back to the Mesa top. Then I'd hike down the trail the next morning and bike more and then take another trail back up to the Mesa top. Bry biked the whole White Rim last week pulling a trailer with all of his stuff. Man, I love this place! Our jobs will be ending pretty soon and I can't say I'm excited (nervous is more like it). We still don't know what's next, but Alaska is definitely out of the question.

our backyard

This picture makes me laugh. Mesa Arch is a Canyonlands classic-- we hike it all the time for work and here we are posing like tourists-- and we look like classmates who just met each other. We're still exploring this area-- it's amazing how much we've seen and how much we have left! I'm itching for another vacation and can't wait for Pete and Jaquelines wedding in Zion! We've been on a lot of adventures lately; the black box in the Swell (this was amazing!), climbing washer woman arch (Bry), biking the white rim (Ang), hiking trails, playing ultimate frisbee, rafting, Search and Rescue. . . you name it! My camera has no batteries, so it will be a bit until I can post pictures!

Appetite

Some people say their biggest fear in growing older is becoming like their mother. I think for me, it would be my biggest fear not to. I would be the antithesis of productivity, passion and virtue. Yesterday as I was wandering around in our little garden, picking produce and feeling my personal satisfaction grow with each brightly colored veggie that made it into the bundle in my shirt, I suddenly felt like my mom; and it felt good.

This past weekend my sister Sarah, her husband James and their four boys all came up to Canyonlands to stay with us. It was stimulating. The energy, the conversation, the activity, the movement, the lizard in the house, the smiling face an inch from mine at 6:30 am, the food, the feet, the laughter, the crying and the fun. Life has so many seasons. It felt like summer in full bloom both inside the house and out. With the addition of one red mini-van, our sterile NPS compound was suddenly a diverse neighborhood teaming with life.

Speaking of seasons, there is a change in the air. It's almost as if the desert knows its September. The air is crisper and sharper, the temperature cooler and the itch to grow pumpkins and sharpen pencils is overwhelming. I want to learn something. I want to discover something that's not outside. I feel like studying cadavers or writing research papers. I want to build furniture or braid a rug. My muscles have been used frequently this summer, but my mind feels neglected. I want to create something. I'm feeling less well-rounded than I used to, but our limited space and constant state of flux makes acquiring anything bigger than my fist a burden.

26

I turned 26 years old on Sunday-thanks to everyone for calls, emails, and presents! 25 was an exciting year, I got married, graduated college, finished my ranger training program, and became an EMT. I moved from Alaska to Provo to Flagstaff to Moab. I worked BYU Grounds Crew, Construction, and Park Service. I swam a mile for the first time, climbed Prodigal Son, Kor-Ingalls on Castleton Tower, Jah Man, Fine Jade, Moses, and the Great White Icicle. I hiked Buckskin Gulch, Quandary Canyon, Mt. Peale and Mt. Tukunikavatz. Most importantly though, I got to spend the whole year with Angela - she's been the center and joy of it all.

I'm sitting in the Moab Library on my day off figuring out what Angela and I are going to do for the winter. Alaska, South America, the Tetons, something else....? Its still 1 or 2 more seasons until I can get a permanent job so the Hays' will have to keep moving for now.

Its a beautiful day here; warm, breezy, puffy white clouds against a blue sky and red rocks, green trees. I don't want to leave Moab!

Come visit while you can - we're only here till the end of November.

A Swell Time

So I mentioned in my last post that we were thinking of going to Alaska for the winter. Here are the details of the job: we only get paid $50 a day (between the both of us), but they give us a cabin (heated by wood stove), a snowmobile (we are 16 or 20 miles from the closest town--Seward), and we get a car to drive to headquarters (I think it's in Anchorage). We would be in charge of grooming ski trails, talking to visitors (dog mushers, skiers etc) and we'd be living at the base of Exit Glacier in Kenai Fjords National Park. The money isn't the best, but the story and the experience would be awesome. . . still trying to decide.

Last weekend we had a great adventure in the San Rafael Swell. We camped out that night and watched the full moon rise, then started out on a ten mile trek that led us through Quandary canyon which is supposed to be the most technical in the Swell with three keeper potholes and a lot of water, the grand canyon of the muddy river (which was far more beautiful that I expected), and on remote trails in the swell. We spent lots of time in gross pothole water working our way through the canyon and then played in the Muddy River which really wasn't muddy at all. But we managed to make ourselves muddy. We found a huge mud pit and went to town making ourselves look like statues. It was a total BLAST!! I love this area so much. You could spend months alone just exploring the Swell. We didn't see a single person the entire time until we reached Green River and gorged on cheesburgers with some of the Arches NPS staff.

We're still here. . .

Man I love this place. I haven't been toting my camera around anymore. I guess I'm feeling like less of a tourist now and more of a resident. I still am amazed as we drive around here. It feels like home. The beautiful sunsets, the pink and orange cliffs, the warm summer sun and the endless fun.

We took a road trip to Colorado Springs a little while ago to see my sister Sarah and brother James. They have four amazingly cute boys. It will most likely be our last road trip until October when we go to Zion for Pete's wedding. . .although going to get groceries feels like a road trip after the hour and a half drive!!

We climbed Casteton tower again the other monday. It was GREAT! I was totally feelin' it. We did a different route this time and it felt easy to me. We camped at the base with nothing but a sheet and started by 6am. We were off by noon (we took one of our co-workers and he nearly fainted after the first pitch). We also biked Gemini Bridges (14 miles) down and then hitch-hiked home, ran the river (I got knocked out of the boat and we didn't have a self-bailer and after the hole we hit it was full to the brim), and climbed at Mill Creek up in the La Sals (super-secret local spot I suppose), went to our ward potluck (and started a water fight), played ultimate frisbee and had sushi night with a bunch of our friends up here.

When we got home Monday night (it was like 9:30), Brian and I got put on a team to go search for a missing hiker on one of the trails up here. We ended up finding him late at night lying on the trail dehydrated. He had even drank his own urine . ..but it was incredible how quickly he revived after three liters of water. We finally got to bed at 2am, but I've worked early every day this week and still haven't fully recovered.

We're thinking Alaksa this winter but still debating if we're brave enough to live in a cabin at the base of a glacier in the freezing arctic air! Any thoughts?

Gotta love the NPS. . .

Blossom like a rose. . .

Well, not exactly but you get the picture.

Oh so Eco

Brian and I live forty minutes from the closest town. The closest town has 8,000 people in it and one and half grocery stores. There are parks, gardens and one main road of cars. I hear people talk about the worlds energy crisis and our disappearing natural resources. Gas prices are $4.20. Buzz words like "whole foods" and "organic" have been trendy for years. The worlds climate change has created enough of a stir that second graders know the words "Global Warming" and magazines display pictures of that cuddly Polar Bear and his melting habitat almost every month.

Back in the day I wasn't sure where to start or how to help. I thought about throwing rocks at Walmart, I wrote an email to President Bednar (then the president of BYUI) about better recycling on campus, and I would pick up trash on the road when I found it (LA kind of cured me of that one. . . not fun to pick up urine soaked McDonald's bags). I've realized that even the most "green" of people and organizations can't avoid damaging the planet and using up valuable natural resources. It always makes me laugh when people pull up to the entrance station in their mile-long motor-home that eats more gas than a semi, and ask in an angry voice why they are drilling on the BLM land outside of Canyonlands.

BUT, despite the negative undertones of my post, I like trying to be "Eco-friendly." Bry and I have planted a garden and used composted cow-manure for fertilizer. We plug our shower water and scoop it out into five-gallon buckets to water. Last week during the monsoon, We ran around in the pouring rain scooping water from the gutter and filling up 40 gallons worth of buckets. The plants we harvest will hopefully cut down on our trips to the grocery store and reduce our food and gas bill. NPS has recycle bins next to our house so tossing that tuna can after lunch is a no-brainer. And since we live one minute from work, the bike commute is no problem (our one-time bike to town was a bit of a disaster). Although I've left my rock-throwing-angsty emailing days behind me, there's nothing like living in the middle of nowhere to leave me feeling oh-so-eco.

Land of many uses

Last week I read a book that spoke to every surpressed childhood fantansy of mine; sitting on picket fences, waiting for seeds to grow, milking cows and sewing patchwork quilts, feeding chickens and getting dirt in my fingernails. I want land. I want to own "a bit of earth." And I don't mean I want land and a house in one of those neighboorhoods where people tell you what size your mailbox needs to be, or that you can't have chickens because it will wake your neighbors who live two feet away. . . I don't want to beg for a non-natvie species garden or be denied pets because "I'm only a seasonal." I'm not venting-- as a matter of fact, I don't even feel impatient. I'm only expressing a dream that I want to happen, but I'm perfectly content waiting for it. Someday, Brian and I are going to build a house.

We spent all day yesterday playing in the La Sal mountains. We climbed mt. Peele (12,720 ft) and Tukunakavitz (a few feet lower). We didn't see a soul the whole time. There were no trails and no cairns and the air was cool. It hailed on us, it thundered and wildflowers were everywhere.

There's no place like home

SO my family came to visit me in Canyonlands! Cath, Mom and dad showed up and we took a 28 mile trip down the colorado river, a sweet bike ride (cath and I), showed them our place, our garden and our sweet cooking abilities and then we took off for the reunion in Idaho next to the Tetons. It was sooo nice to be up in the mountains. Brian and I slept outside every night. Emily and Jerry were even there! There is really nothing in the world like spending time with family. Life is richer, fuller and better when we are all together. Bry, Cath and I tried to hike Table Rock. It was covered in snow and we forged some raging river of freezing water. We made it up a ways, but Cath and I chickened out b/c it was getting dark.