Havasu Trip '09

So here is the latest on the trip that Beth and I just took. We went for another dose of the Havasupai reservation. It was just as amazing as last year. This time we took Brandon (Beth's little brother), Andrew (my friend from school), and Jessica (one of Beth's friends) along for the adventure. There was a major flood that happened after our last trip so it was interesting to see how the landscape had changed, and boy did it.

Beth and I really worked hard to get ready for this trip. I lost 35 pounds and we hiked North Mountain (a park near our house) more times than I can remember. This all paid off as we had a better time during the hike since we weren't so wore out. The hike is 11 miles from the trailhead to the campground. After we got down and setup camp, we went for a swim at Havasu Falls. The canyon is so peaceful and it was nice to wake up and just walk around in the cool air taking it all in. For our full day down there, we went to the tallest of the waterfalls (Mooney) and scaled down the side to follow the creek on down the canyon looking for Beaver falls. I ended up twisting my ankle this morning and had a hard time walking the rest of the day. Beaver falls ended up being too much for us to find and we just hiked back to Mooney in the creek the whole way. There was great scenery and I think the cold water helped keep my ankle from exploding.

After the second night we packed up camp and started our hike out. We started out at 6:00 am and made it to the top at 11:00 am. This was an hour quicker than last year. Guess those trips on North Mountain did help. All in all, it was another great trip. We had fun with our friends and family that went along and everyone made it in and out safely which was the important thing. The final specs on the hike were the following: 2 nights, 30 miles walked, 40 lb. backpack, 4000 ft. total elevation change, 1 sore ankle, and at least half a dozen blisters.

I can't wait till the next time we get to go back. It is truely one of the most beautiful places I have ever been. Now we are back at home and just taking it easy this weekend. Next weekend it is going to be Dbacks and Salt River with Adam and Alison from CO. I leave you all with a video of Havasu creek just below Mooney Falls where another creek joins the fun.

Kermit gets a slideshow

Added a slide show to my page. Kermit (read the BEST FREAKING MUPPET) has been with our family since we went to Disneyland. We picked him up outside the Muppet 3-D Adventure. Now Kermit goes all most anywhere with us. He is about to make his second trip onto the Havasupai reservation. This time he will get a good picture in front of the waterfalls. Wish him well. I will add more of his photos in the time to come.

Random place to eat

The standard practice in our office for someone leaving is a going away lunch. The person in question (read, me) gets to pick the location. I have heard all different kinds of locations for past engagements such as, Spaghetti Factory, various mexican places, and other places that are specific to the Phoenix area.

Now, enter my decision. I could have picked a restaurant that is only in Phoenix, or I could have gone the route of a nice place that I might not get to try again. This opens up a large realm of possibilities for my decision. Beth and I don't go out to eat very much, and when we do we almost always go to Old Chicago. But there is not one near the office so that was out of the question.

Now, to my decision. T.G.I Friday's. That's right, off all the places that I could pick I went with Fridays. As you read this you may be saying, "Why?" So let me tell you. This happens to be the Fridays located at Chase Field where the Dbacks play. Since one of my favorite things to do out here is go to a game I couldn't think of a better place to have my "last supper" of sorts. I'll try to get some pictures from the lunch and post on here after the fact. It is not till July, but this just popped into my head.

The Start of my Blog

As we are coming to the end of our time in Arizona, I thought I would start a blog to let everyone know what I was up to and our plans. Right now Beth is in TN visiting family after going to her friends wedding. She is bringing her little brother back with her to spend a little time in the desert.

We are getting close to our backpacking trip into the Havasupai reservation. Beth and I have been looking forward to this for a year now. We have been putting quite a few miles on our hiking shoes in preparation for this camping trip. It is one of the most impressive places that I have ever seen. The best part about planning this trip is that Scott suggested that next year we should take a family trip back into the reservation. I am hoping we can get as much of our family to go possible.

As everyone knows, our move to KY is coming up fast. June is going to be a really busy month for us. We are hiking to Supai, having our kool (that's right, kool with a K) friends from Denver in for a weekend visit, going on a house hunting trip, and trying to make it to the Salt River as much as we can in between. We are going to spend a week in Louisville trying to find a house. Here is hoping that everything works out.

I'll try to keep this as updated as I can. Till next time.