What's up with Amber - now?

Amber just gave me a call.  She wanted to talk.  So we talked.  We talked about many things.

• School
• Church
• Summer rafting trip
• Angels Landing
• Changing her major
• My blog & facebook
• Why she wasn't my friend on facebook

Yep, we talked.

• We didn't talk about boys - what was I thinking!

We talked about the 5th annual Grand Canyon hike coming up in October.  She doesn't want to go.  She doesn't think that there are any restroom facilities below the rim.  Boy is she mistaken.  Many of the restroom facilities are very unique.  So unique that I've taken pictures of them.

This restroom is at the bottom of the Tanner Trail.  The trail starts at Lipan Point.

Restroom at Tanner Rapids

This restroom even comes with a view.  You could almost wave to the boaters as they float by.

Restroom with a view - Tanner Rapids

This next facilty is on Horshoe Mesa. It overlooks the ravine on the East side of the Mesa. This is very convienent for those that take friends when they visit the facilities.

Dual facilities at Horseshoe Mesa.  

Theres room for two & a view

It was late when we arrived at Hermits, so this picture is a little dark. It was taken from the trail as we were descending into Hermit's Rest.

Trail View at Hermits Rest

I'll look for another picture from the Monument area.  If there are more than two in the group, this facility will work out nicely.

So Amber,  come join us on our hike.  Those tales of having to rough it - we were just trying to impress you!

2012 Outdoor Plans

It's here!  Summer time is here!

This years planned activities include:

• Winter Grand Canyon Trip (cancelled, two plausable excuses are listed below).
• A float trip down the Green River from Gates of Lodore to Split Mountain (completed in early May).
• A Varsity Scout biking trip in the Moab, UT area.  Plans include the infamous slick rock trail.
• Yampa River float trip - it may be cancelled due to lack of water.
• Snake River float trip between Jackson Hole and Palisades Resevoir.
• Bike The Bear - a 50 mile bike ride around Bear Lake.  Two trips around makes a century.
• A hike down the Virgin River Narrows in Zion, followed by a mountain bike trip just outside the park.
• 5th Annual Columbus Day Packpacking trip.  Hopefully at Royal Arch and Elves Chasm in the Grand Canyon.

In addition, I may get invited on a weeklong float trip of the Salmon River in September.  If it all happens, it will be a busy summer, but that is what summers are for.

I had hoped to go down the Grand Canyon for a few days in February.  Didn't happen.  I found two excuses that will work:

• Couldn't find someone willing to go down with me - jobs keep getting in the way.  
• I broke a rib playing basketball.  Broken ribs cancelled any thought of doing a solo hike in the GC.

Ribs are healed, summer is here, it's time to get busy and have some fun.