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).