Trip to Vermount and New Hampshire

A great double rainbow and our car crossing a floating bridge in Vermont.

Well, I've been out on another adventure. At the end of September my friend, Jessica, and I drove out to Vermont in the hopes of climbing the tallest mountain in that state, Mt. Mansfield. We came in and had bad weather to start so we decided to head to Mt. Washington (tallest mountain in New Hampshire) because we could drive to the top. I would suggest to anyone the drive to the top of Mt. Washington. We went from a balmy 70 degrees at the bottom to 30 degrees at the top, but with the wind at 60 miles an hour, it felt much colder than 30 degrees.

That same day we dashed back into Vermont and got a late start on the 4.5 mile round trip to the top of Mt. Mansfield and back. Again I underestimated the power of the East coast mountains. Mansfield is only about 4,500 feet tall and just over 2 miles hiking to the top. I had to stop several times to catch my breath and to let my muscle have a breather as well. I don't think switch-backs were invented yet when they made most of the trails out East. They seem to just go straight up. Anyways, we made it to the top and enjoyed the cool air and amazing view. The hike down was adventurous because of the rain that had fallen the previous days. But we made it back to the car just after dark. Unfortunately there were no hotels that were available so we ended up driving for several hours until we came across the "Budget Motel". Probably one of the dirtiest and sleazy looking places I've ever stayed. Don't let the word "Budget" fool you, it cost $85 a night. Enjoy the pictures.

Summer Camping Trips

My younger cousin Monica Ackerson got married on 7/7/07 at her parents beautiful cabin in Francis Utah. I knew that I wanted to be there for the wedding and that I wanted to go and hike around a bit in Utah while I was there. So I invited my little brother Jesse (who lives in Provo) and my favorite Buffalo friend, Jessica to join me on my hiking adventure in Canyon Lands and Arches National Parks. It was Jessica's first time to Southern Utah and my little brother hadn't been since he was a little kid.

So we were off with our little Chevy Aveo (the cheapest car you can rent) to Moab from Salt Lake City. It happened to be a week where Utah was breaking some heat records. I think the hottest it got was 108 degrees while we were there. I'd say the average temperature was 101 degrees. My aspirations of hiking 10 mile loops were dashed once I did my first hike of only a 1/4 mile. I came back to the car dying!!! I wasn't used to the temperatures and the elevation. In Buffalo it's only about 50-100 feet above sea level, where as Arches is between 4000-6000 feet. So we ended up doing the very touristy hikes of 3 miles or less, but that still kept us busy for 3 days. We also drove down to Four Corners so that I could get some Indian Fry Bread and so that my East Coast friend could add a couple more West Coast states to her "I've visited" list. I ended up buying several piece of jewelry. I can't believe the poverty that some native Americans live in while so many other tribes have millions due to bingo halls or casinos.

I took Jessica to my favorite restaurant, Cafe Rio, and gave her a chance to rent an edited rated R movie. Oh yea, I took her to Jamba Juice as well. You've got to take advantage of being in Utah while you can. All in all it was a grand trip, packed full. I didn't have time to visit anyone other than the family at the wedding, so if you are one of my friends from Utah please don't feel forgotten. I just didn't have time.

I love you all!

Mt. Marcy

On June 9th, a group of friends and I embarked to climb Mt. Marcy the tallest point in the state of New York. It is located in the Adirondacks of North East New York. We left on Friday night so that we would have all the daylight needed to hike the over 14 mile trip to the top and back. On our drive to Mt. Marcy it was storming. The rain was falling so fast that just one step outside you would be soaked. I was a bit nervous about camping that night. I was in a SUV but it wasn't large enough for all four of us to sleep very comfortably. Anyways, we had to stop for gas, and I had to use the rest room. So I dashed through the rain into the rear of the gas station, to reach the bathroom which was located behind the storage room. So while I'm sitting there I hear this loud explosion so I just put my head down hoping nothing would land on me in that embarrassing position that I was in (being on the toilet and all). About 2 seconds later the power goes off and I'm sitting in the dark. Luckily the power wasn't out for too long. I found my way out and my friends were there waiting for me. I told them my intense survival story of the bathroom. A few minutes later the power went out again so we hung out in the gas station for a few minutes in the dark hoping that the rain would let up, but it never did. So we made my friend Jessica bring the car close to the door so we wouldn't get too wet. What a trooper she is. :)
The hike the next morning was beautiful. The weather was perfect except that the trail was now really muddy. I only brought my tennis shoes to hike in thinking that they had easy trails here in NY. Boy was I wrong. There was only a two mile stretch that was easy hiking. The rest was mud and huge rocks. The hike up wasn't so bad, but coming down sure did put pressure on all my joints. I wish I had my boots by the end.
Anyways, I've attached a few pictures of the hike for your enjoyment. I hope all are doing well.

Almost to the top:

MOTAB

Well on Saturday I went with my sister and several friends to see the Mormon Tabernacle Choir in Jamestown New York. I went in with mediocre expectations, but was truly impressed by their performance. They did such a great job!! I was a little sceptical right as I arrived, because the arena was full of white hair. I felt as if I stood out simply because my hair was brown. Anyways, it was a wonderful performance and I would suggest it to anyone both young and old. I'm now preparing for my trip to Utah next week. I'll be camping in Moab and I checked the forecast and it will be in the 100's. I'll be a lobster when I get back, but happy.

The last 7 months

Wow, it’s almost been 7 months since I last wrote. I have been really busy in life and at work. Today I have a free evening so I am taking some time to update my blog.

I received a promotion around August of last year at work and started recruiting for my company. Now my job description is going to change (a lateral move) to focus more on employee relations. I will be traveling much more, which I like, and will have less administrative responsibilities. Hopefully things work out.

As for my personal life, there really isn’t one. Well I’m not dating anyone right now but I do have a couple of good friends that keep me entertained. Summer is coming to Buffalo so I’m so excited to get my kayak out on the water again. I have a few trips planned for this summer. One of those trips I plan to come to Utah to visit my best friend’s new baby in August. Another trip I’m planning on going to Maine and eating some lobsters, and I have a trip in July scheduled to go to the Southern tip of the Hudson Bay in Canada with my ex-boyfriend. I’ll be sure and let you know how that one works out. J I also need to schedule a weekend to visit my Cousin Sharon’s new baby in Michigan. They are only 5 hours from me.

I’ve had some fun adventures in the past 7 months. Buffalo has a hockey team, The Sabres, who are in the play offs now. Anyways, as a treat, my company took a select few in a stretch hummer limo to a Sabres game. Everyone but four people got to sit in a sweet with catered food. I was one of the four that had to sit in the 300 level seats. I wasn’t complaining though, especially after the limo ride and the $50 my director gave me to spend on food for the four of us. I thought the money would go far, but unfortunately the guys sitting with me were heavy drinkers and a beer at one of these events is $5 or more. So it was all I could do to get bottled water and a soft pretzel.

I’m still very busy with my Church calling in the relief society presidency. I have been taking an 11 year old girl to church lately, because her mom needs to stay home and care for her two handicapped sons. Anyways, there was a “mother-daughter” activity at church and this young girl was invited. She asked me to be her “mom” for the activity. I was so flattered! It was a fun activity, but I felt kind of strange not being a mother at a “mother-daughter” activity. But this young girl is such an example to me of goodness.

Well I’ve got to go and enjoy my night off. But I thought I’d leave you with an example of a typical week for me right now in my life:

Monday: 8:00am till 5:30pm work, 6pm-7:30pm work out, 8-9pm catch last part of FHE in YSA, Dinner before bed.
Tuesday: 8:30am till 5:30pm work, 6-6:30pm dinner, 7-10pm Relief Society Meeting or Visits
Wednesday: 8:30am till 5:30pm work, 6-8pm work out, 8:30-9pm dinner
Thursday: 8:30am till 5:30pm work, 6-7:30pm work out (dinner as well), 8-9:15pm Institute
Friday: 8:30am till 5:30pm work, 6-8pm work out, or something social
Saturday: 9-10:30am missionary meeting, chores
Sunday: 9-1pm church and giving rides, Visiting Teaching (not every Sunday), movie watching

I do have free time, but I always feel like I don’t. Though most of what I do is fun and entertaining for me. I need to start working out in the morning so that I have more time in the evenings.

OK, I’ve got to go, but I hope everyone is doing well.