Mount Timpanogos Summit

Here we are 

happy as can be...

at 6am on a SATURDAY MORNING!

 We did this hike at exactly the perfect time of year

There were wild flowers EVERYWHERE!

So I took a close up of every new one I could find....

without wasting too much hiking time.

You know Derek was somewhat competing with 

previously heard hike times.

 

Yes, I do run through wild flower fields like a little girl whenever I get the chance

So hiking up this mountain wasn't actually too bad

it was beautiful and not that steep.

We had snacks every so often

and just enjoyed the journey. 

One of the not so fun things about this hike

was that the entire time we were walking this adorable little path covered in flowers,

we were trying to ignore that fact that we were listening to 

thousands of buzzing bees right next to us. 

Freaked me out! 

Took everything I had not to just make a run for it. 

Last rocky stretch to the summit

We made it to the ridge 

and got to check out this awesome view of the valley

We made a friend

Once you reach the flat part of the summit 

after the ridge,

you pretty much think you are there...

WRONG

You have much more, really steep, rocky paths to look forward to.

 We finally made it to the top!!

There is this abandoned little, look out station

that is covered in grafitti....

and pretty much nothing else. 

Just lots of other champions basking in the glory of their feat. 

My little champion

Modeling for Powerade

And now for the trek back down...

 Remember when I said that the hike up was quite the enjoyment....

To say the least

I had spoken too soon. 

The photo below should give you a faint idea 

of the 

never ending torture that we endured on the way down. 

And when I say WE... I really mean I. 

We all know I can be a real baby and Derek is just a MAN through and through. 

Once you get down from the summit 

you realize how tired you actually are. 

Your legs are starting to ache a little

 and you are super ready for an actual meal. 

Of course, you have already eaten every last bit of food in preparation for the 

uphill... WHICH WAS NEARLY A BREEZE!

The fun is over

and you are just ready to be home...

Luckily, downhill no big deal. 

So easy, you'll be there in a jiff. 

YEAH RIGHT

Downhill sucks!

My legs were just done.

They were giving out with every step

which, of course, was causing me to twist my ankles constantly

That really starts to piss you off. 

Just when we got to an overlook

thinking that we were go to see how close we really are...

we realize we can't even see the parking lot yet!

This small, rocky downhill path just never ended. 

We just kept walking and walking... and just got more and more angry. 

Ha! Poor Derek... I was so cranky by the time we finished. 

But it was worth it!!! 

Next time will be better because I will be prepared for the horrible ending to this amazing hike!

July 21st

The Postal Service + ??? = !!!!

The Postal Service

is just one of those incredibly, amazing bands 

that will just never grow old. 

Every song is your favorite,

and every time you listen to them 

you wonder why they never made another album. 

But then you realize that maybe that is the reason 

why you love it so much. 

Sometimes it is best to leave a good thing.

Sequels never satisfy. 

This summer I went to their show 

at The Saltair

with three of the best people in my life. 

It was one of my favorite things from 2013! 

The Saltair is a really fun venue 

because it overlooks the salt flats. 

It is just gorgeous!

But it often smells pretty bad too

The greatest thing is that most concerts tend to be around sunset

and the salt flats are a marvelous place to watch the sunset. 

 Now, the title may have confused those of you

who didn't previously know about this show....

Let me clear things up for you.

A small preface before the revealing:

When we found out about this show, I wasn't sure if I was going to go because it was a little more than I wanted to pay. Also I had found out that Jenny Lewis (one of my favorite artists ever!!!) was touring with them, but was NOT going to be in Salt Lake City. So obviously I was really really bummed. Well, Amy had already bought her tickets and so the night before, Kris and I decided to buy them on a whim. 

Turns out the show got canceled and pushed back to a later date. Lame. 

Our hopes for the show were getting a little shattered. 

So we get there.... and we are down on the floor, as close as we could shove to the front....

and we hear a woman's voice onstage.....

Kris looks up (she is much taller than I) and starts jumping and screaming!!!!

I am still sort of oblivious... but obviously getting my hopes up....
Luckily not in vain...

 JENNY LEWIS!!!!!

She was a surprise guest!!!! 

It was her..... she was onstage... 

Long red hair, little black dress, perfect bangs and all!!!

We honestly could not believe it!!! 

Completely made our night! 

This mans ponytail is lucky we didn't happen to have a pair of scissors with us!
My new found, "concert pet peeve"!

It was a perfect show

They were amazing together

Ben Gibbard dances a little goofy 

but we love him for it. 

And Jenny Lewis can make anyone look good. 

Lucky for us, Amy was up in the balcony with a friend
and captured this awesome shot.
It is really cool to see how many people you are among. 

You know that feeling of overwhelming gratefulness that you didn't go with your initial stance on something...