Wow To This Weekend

Yay for next weekend! But before we get there, let's review this last weekend. So, we decided we wanted to go on a hike. We really like trying new hikes even though we've found some that we love. Jacob told me about a hike I've heard a lot about, Table Rock. What he didn't tell me was it's difficulty level. I'm actually quite glad I went unaware, otherwise I might have not gone.

This is Table Rock, in all it's granduer and majesty and difficulty.... ok ok, this is just a mountain view we had from our trail.

THat is table rock (designated by the tiny red arrow). So it doesn't seem that difficult, but it really was. In fact, the view you see from here is from where we decided we had had enough. This hike takes a typical person 4 hours up and 4 hours back and takes them up 4,000 feet of elevation. I enjoyed the hike, but it was pretty grueling, definitely the hardest hike I've ever undertaken. I loved it though, pushing myself past my limits and I told Jacob we'd do it again two weekend from now.

No, I wasn't naked in this picture. I had a pretty good laugh at it though. I had a tank top on which I had only removed my over top for a bit of the climb to release some heat and of course got caught in the picture. After going steadily up for 3 hours, we hit a patch that was pretty tough, basically going right up the mountain. We decided after that hike, we'd call it a day and we were glad we did because of the spectacular views.

We were also glad we called it quites the day after, I could hardly walk. Jacob took it just fine though. It was the elevation that put a stop in his step.

We were constantly confronted by beautiful streams and tiny falls. Nothing can compare to the beauty we found at Kilgore though, I was spoiled by that trip.


We always take time to sit and enjoy nature, one of our favorite aspects of hiking.

You could definitely tell it's fall out there. Half depressing and half wonderful, these fields were like nothing I had experienced coming from a place where nothings supposed to change color.


After the hike, we got home and decided to undertake an oil change. Neither of us had ever done an oil change, but it can't be too hard right? After both of us trying about six times each to un-do the cap underneath the car, we had to go buy a wrench. After getting it off, I ended up spilling oil out of the oil pan. Then we couldn't get the oil filter out and now we have to buy a special thing to get that off too. Overall, a much more expensive and time consuming project than I had originally thought. I'll think twice before trying that one again.

Check This OUt

We're back. I think everyone deserves an explanation to why I haven't updated our blog. I accidently threw Jacob's camera off of a cliff while hiking and had to wait for a replacement. Pictures make up 70% of my blog entries in length and 98% of the entertainment and intrigue.

I have to say that the last month and a 1/2 has been one of the most entertaining month and a 1/2's of my entire life. We spent three weeks with Jacob's family in Tacoma and then two weeks with my family in Naples. In Tacoma, we had a fabulous reception thanks to everone. TUrns out Jacob has some ridiculously talented sisters too. We got to clean a bunch and organize things which is something I actually enjoy quite a bit. We visited Mt. Rainier with the parents and played guitar hero with the Shumates. We jumped in the bounce house and ate popcorn and cotton candy at the Dooleys and then watched movies and ate good food with the Chandlers. Not to mention the lake and picking black berries. Overall, a good time, the best of times.

After Washington, we made our way over to Florida to celebrate the wedding of Layna and Tony. It was a wonderful celebration and the reception turned out great! Sadly, my time with Layna was short lived, but I was made happy again knowing she was happily starting her life with her man. Jacob and I went to the Keys with the parents and had such a neat time. We stopped at Skunk Ape, ate at one of the best authentic Mexican restaurants, stayed at the Hilton Beach Resort with the clearest and warmest water I've ever experienced, and went Snorking along the Banana Reef. We also enjoyed going along the pier and came across a pretty neat show from a man completely covered in silver paint, he put on a pretty good show. We enjoyed the hospitality of Chris and Lisa and Children and ate good food with them (i.e. Buffalo Chips, Passage to India). One of our favorite activities was the fishing, it felt good to bring in those monster snook. Overall, the last month 1/2 came and went too quick.

I made Jacob be the girl

Jacob's growth he developed in the keys

I told Jacob to stick his head into the sharks mouth and he did

The last couple of days have been pretty good. Jacob went back to school and has felt positive about his first couple classes and I've resumed my plasma donations, daily deep cleaning, and applications at some of the more promising work options.

We had a relaxing walk to the park and read our books and are happy to be home, but sad to leave our families. Thank goodness Thanksgiving and Christmas are right around the corner.

Kilgore and Speed Boat Racing

Two Weeks, Two Weeks ago Jacob and I went to a little town called Kilgore which I had previously visited years ago. It was a pleasant drive of about 2 hours and then quite the time trying to find the trail head we had read about. It was gorgeous terrain though and I didn't mind the drive and the twising through the valley. Finally, we found it and it was one of my favorite hikes I've ever been on.

We didn't see another party or person all day, we were all alone. The paths were a bit overgrown and every once in a while, we were unsure which way to go. I really enjoyed this untame hike. We were constantly surrounded by rushing waters and green mossy trees. There were also several very nice camp sites which seemed to be kept up with food storage containers and everything. We definitely have plans to come back and camp here. Don't mind the gay face in this picture, I was having such a lovely time.

It was a 2 hour hike to Aldous Lake and we wanted to head onto Lake Hancock, but there was snow every where and we really weren't positive where the right trail was. Buuut, I am easily talked into adventures and so Jacob convinced me to trudge through waste deep snow (about five different drifts before I gave up) in my not so friendly chuck Taylors with holes in the sides. My feet were very moist and very cold at the end of the hike.

Here is the Lake that we did get to experience and as you can see, very green. I'd never seen anything like it before. We even saw a bald eagle in the trees. THis was my favorite part of the hike, especially since I got to stop and eat wheat thins and watch the trout. Very enjoyable trip and I look forward to camping there.

Our next adventure happened this monday when we continued our activity from the previous FHE. Two FHE's ago, I took Jacob to Wal-Mart and we each had five minutes to find materials to build a speed boat. I was surprised when Jacob came back with what I would consider "cheater" or "no fun" materials: 1 tupperware container and an American Flag.

I however went with the more "traditional" albeit "much less smart and much more time consuming" materials of large index cards, packing tape, and glitters. I think I remember Bo making a boat like this when I was younger, minus the sparkles.

After finding out the materials chosen, I told Jacob that we had to switch materials, just to make it more challenging, but then I told him I had only come up with that after considering the daunting task ahead for me and so was joking. This little Beauty took me about an hour to make.

And they're off to a good start, mine for about five feet before becoming entangled in the first bout of shrubs. Jacobs however....

sailed off into the sunset.


Ultimately, because of my persistance, I won the race... mostly because Jacob wasn't willing to consistently fish his out of the trees like mine. Determination really pays off in the end! Anywho, I love having fun with Jacob and fortunately, he loves having fun too, we are constantly having fun and it's fun.

This Blog Entry is Dedicated to Rikki Browne Who was Recently Blessed this last Weekend and Shared Her Specialness with Us.

Beautious Places with two Beautious Faces

I guess I have some catching up to do. I haven't been too well lately so now that I am recovering, I think I have the strength to type. Last weekend was the bomb and was made that way with a visit from Rikki. Not only did we get to spend three days with Rikki, but we get to visit her this next weekend, bonus!!! Jacob one night mentioned the idea of inviting Rik to YellowStone and plans were confirmed a few weeks later.

Right before we entered the park, Rikki had us bet how many buffs we'd see. I guessed 30-40, Jacob 75-100, Rikki 2-3. Here is the picture of the first buff we saw upon entering the stone.

And here is a picture of one of the 8-10 large herds that we came upon, boy were we lucky. All good guesses though... even Rikki's.

This was one of my favorite attractions that we came upon and it wasn't even well signed. The colors were so vivid, we even ventured to touch it (of course I waited for the real guts to touch it first i.e. Rikki).

We love inviting Rikki to places because we love getting our picture taken.. and many many other good reasons too. We were hoping the vapors would flow around us so it looked like a whimsical setting, but no good.

This was a breathtaking waterfall and the mountains around it were an amazing yellow color. Rikki told me her friend from work told her to bring back a yellow stone from Yellowstone, welp.. there you go. Unfortunately this was a 15ish minute walk down and it started raining on us right before we began our trip back up, but it was worth it.

After Yellowstone, we decided to find a place to camp. Memorial Weekend is a suprisingly difficult weekend to find a place to stay the night, especially around Yellowstone. Who would have thought. Here is a dog I so patiently cooked on the fire, dogs are good.

Not even kidding, this was the most delicious campfire anything I've ever consumed. A good portion of the sausage I personally consumed, I'm talking a good 75% of it.

Overall it was a tastey and enjoyable trip and we are so grateful that Rikki chose to make the trip here and spend this special weekend with us. Having been in her presence really made the following week of work endurable, the memories lived on so pungent in my mind.

What a lovely time and to think, it will be followed by an even lovlier time this next weekend.