YELLOWSTONE

This past weekend I had the opportunity to explore and re-discover the land of Yellowstone National Park. It has been at least 20 years since I have visited this place, and even though, disappointedly, I did not see any bears or moose (an animal that I am now convinced is just as fictional as a polkaroo or at least just as illusive) this visit was long over due and well worth it!


Mary, Annie Hancock, Joe and Rich England, Marco Brandi and Matt Wagner were also part of this little weekend get-a-way each of whom completed and complimented the whole adventure.

Joe and Rich not only generously provided the comforts of a cozy mountain cabin, but they proved to be excellent tour guides.
The weekend offered the perfect combination of relaxation, adventure, great people, and a few rounds of name that tune – which turned out to be exactly what I needed to achieve the sense of “getting away from it all.”

Though our wildlife sightings weren't quite what I was hoping for, we weren't completely deprived! We saw plenty of buffalo and elk, we spotted a huge bald eagle, a coyote and plenty of other little critters. The hot springs were breathtaking,
and old faithful is still doing her thang!

I am ever awed by the beauty and grandeur that is this earth. Every time I experience somewhere new, as I did this past weekend, I become even more eager to explore this whole world - to witness for myself all it has to offer in its natural state – as all of it seems to feed my soul! But until I get the opportunity to complete my worldwide ventures, I am contented with the knowledge that so much of this beauty is right here in my own backyard and that I have the ability to discover it!

Things Change

“Strange how the moment just can’t last,

no way of living inside the past…
Things can die, they can’t stay the same,

Things change.” – Mason Jennings

This past weekend the reunion that has only been talked about for years finally took place. Several of the trailwalkers employed at Anasazi from 2002-2003 reunited at Kellicia Bowerbank Gomez’s cabin in Kamas Utah.


It had been up to 5-6 years since some of us had seen one another and though it is true that some things never change, like the unbelievable wit of James Elton, Dave House’s fantastic laugh and Mark Magleby feats of strength, life does have a way paving different paths, of turning the nomadic hearted into stationary and stable momma’s and papa’s and simply “moving on.”


Without a doubt, the summer of 2002 has been the most memorable summer of my life. Not only did I have some of the most incredibly challenging and character testing and building experiences but I met some of the best people that I believe exist on this earth today. I have learned so much from each one of them, things that I know have greatly broadened my perspectives on this life. I learned to see this earth, and everything in it in a new light and with a new found love. It was at Anasazi and with these people that I really learned to recognize, to love and to value people as individuals – including myself. I learned wisdom, a whole new level of patience and how to really laugh. Most of all, I learned how to truly recognize, respect and love my God.


Though the people I came to know and love still prove to be extraordinary individuals, It’s difficult to recall this chapter of my life without feeling a great sense of nostalgia for times and experiences of the past which I long to relive, but must settle to just remember. I know that this is a feeling that everyone can relate to – many times over I’m sure, but through my desires to go back and again experience the pleasures of the past, I am reminded to cherish the here and now. The present is a magical time because it’s only going to happen once, and it’s happening now! I have so much choice in the present and that is not only exciting but it is empowering. I will be ever grateful for my Anasazi experience – not only for the fond irreplacable memories it has created but also because it has played an immense role in molding me into the person I am TODAY.

Victim of SLC Vandals

Mom is right, life is full of surprises. You never do know what is around the corner, but I'm pretty sure the surprise life brought me when I woke up this morning was not quite what she had in mind..


This morning I woke up like I normally do - to my dreaded alarm clock, as it faithfully fulfilled its purpose in my life. As I roused to consciousness, my mind started to recall the enjoyable events of this past weekend and I couldn't help but feel the familiar Monday morning desire of wanting my weekend to last at least one more day.. mmm, if not forever. I laid in bed for about 2 minutes contemplating ways to avoid getting up and most of all going to work on such a beautiful morning, but as usual I came up with nothing. So I gave in, crawled out of bed and into the shower.


Taking my sweet time as I get ready in the morning has been a luxury I have re-learned to cherish and take FULL advantage of, since I made the move to SLC, and this morning was no exception - well, until about 7:43am when I was abruptly interupted from my "what-to-wear, closet-stare" by the sound of the doorbell being repeatedly rung, and my name being yelled over and over through the open window by Stormy, a tenant from the first floor apartment of our house...


As I approached the door I heard partial sentences from inside and outside the house to the effect of "cars being hit." You can probably image the thoughts that were running through my mind at this time, and if you can't they were something to this affect. But, a quick glance out the window before getting the door assured me my car was okay - or at least so it seemed.



As I made my way out the door, I quickly learned that I was Salt Lake City's newest victim of vandalism... My car had gone from the most beautiful car of all - to some punk kid's method of revenge on his parents, society, and probably the world.

Strangely enough my reaction to the words "thizz or die bitch" and "Rosepark" spray-painted across the drivers side of my car left me feeling anything but angry or even sad. My first thought was, how am I supposed to drive to temple square with the word "bitch" on the side of my car? My second thought - was with all the beauty in the world and the potential to create even more, why is someone wasting their time doing this? Then reality hit, and I realized that this little stunt would probably cost me at least $500 dollars as I would have to pay my insurance deductable, if not more. At this time, I did feel sad as my pocketbook usually sits pretty shallow, but I am impressed with myself in the fact that I never did become angry over this situation. In fact, now I am even glad that this occurred, and here is why.

First off, my neighbor - Stormy suggested to me that soap & water and a little old fashion scrubbin' maybe all it would take to remove the paint. Though I doubted this, I figured it was worth a try and to my delight, it worked! So with the help of Stormy's roommate Sharine, I spent the next 3 hours scrubbing the paint off my car and counting the many blessings and tender mercies of this situation, and here is what I came up with:
1. I now know the cheapest way to remove spray paint from any given vehicle.

2. My half-conscious Monday morning wish of having a way to not go to work and enjoy the beautiful morning was granted.

3. I now have a better relationship with the neighbors downstairs.

4. I got the best arm work out I have had in months- if not years.

5. and, I now have a freshly and thoroughly cleaned car.

So, if by the one-in-a-billionth chance that my SLC vandal is reading this blog I want to say thank you to you! Though your life may be filled with drugs & alcohol, violence, broken homes, feelings of neglect and abandonment and an insatiable sense to repay the world for all the horribles it has brought upon you, through your inconsiderate and debasing action you have actually just made my world a better one.

xo