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Rockin’ Rockport

Every summer, a group of our friends forgoes the comforts of roof and bed to head out into the “wild” for a weekend of camping. This year we opted to go to Rockport Reservoir near Park City, per my brother Drew’s suggestion. It turned out to be one of his better ideas in a while.

With a slow shutter speed and some moonlight, a lake can be a colorful thing.
With a slow shutter speed and some moonlight, a lake can be a colorful thing.
Gally served as flood initiator.
Gally served as flood initiator.

Our company at Rockport consisted of my brother’s family and the Rowleys. We spread ourselves out over a few nearly ideal campsites. They were directly on a beach that was only accessible to campers and boaters, hence, we had it completely to ourselves almost the entire time. And, unlike many of Utah’s beaches, this cove was actually sandy.

The kids loved their endless access to the beach our campsites were on.
The kids loved their endless access to the beach our campsites were on.
Jason and I rented a couple of WaveRunners and let everyone enjoy them.
Jason and I rented a couple of WaveRunners and let everyone enjoy them.

As lovely as our secluded shoreline was, beyond it the water beckoned. Jason and I decided to rent a couple of personal watercrafts for a few hours on Saturday morning. These rentals were available for pick up right on the reservoir and we were able to drive them straight onto our beach. Yes, it was rather convenient. The WaveRunners were a big splash with the kids, whom we took turns giving rides to, ranging from mild to wild.

A beach looks better with a Jason on it.
A beach looks better with a Jason on it.
Milo wanted to give making his own whirlpools a whirl.
Milo wanted to give making his own whirlpools a whirl.
Many sandcastles were built and, subsequently, demolished during our trip.
Many sandcastles were built and, subsequently, demolished during our trip.

After hours of sandcastles, backstrokes, and wakes, we took a break from the reservoir to go geocaching, which Jason and I had never tried. One failed search led to Jason landing in a large bouquet of stinging nettle but, eventually, we did find a couple of different caches. The kids loved these technologically-enhanced treasure hunts and the adults seemed to find them intriguing.

Isabelle relished the shore mud and then abhorred it, at alternating intervals.
Isabelle relished the shore mud and then abhorred it, at alternating intervals.
Yes, this quasi-planking pose was clearly initiated by Jason.
Yes, this quasi-planking pose was clearly initiated by Jason.

Following our geo quests, as camping tradition dictates, we ate hotdogs and s’mores around a campfire before jumping into some spooky tales at Silas’ request. Most of the adults passed on spinning a ghostly yarn but not me. When it comes to inventive blabbering, I don’t scare easily. I gave those youngsters a never-ending story that would make The Iliad and The Odyssey look like CliffsNotes. (I tried several times to finish my tale hastily but the kids wouldn’t allow it.) Two hours later, my impromptu account of the history of a haunted house involving bones, phantoms, and tragic romance finally came to its overdue conclusion. And you thought my posts were longwinded…

For part of our afternoon diversions we went geocaching.
For part of our afternoon diversions we went geocaching.
I spent two hours telling the kids a ghost story around the campfire. Despite its lengthiness, they wouldn't let me take any shortcuts to its conclusion.
I spent two hours telling the kids a ghost story around the campfire. Despite its lengthiness, they wouldn’t let me take any shortcuts to its conclusion.

Our Rockport weekend went by quickly. It had all that you’d expect from a camping excursion: cozy fires, stinky pit toilets, ghost stories, sizzling wieners, relaxation, and energetic chatter. Plus, it provided the perks of a sandy oasis.

Rachel September 3, 2014 No Comments

Horsing Around

I like to plan unusual activities in honor of Jason’s birthday. He’s an amazing guy that deserves all of the creativity I can muster. This year, for my innovative party scheme, I decided to invite a few friends to saddle up with us in the Red Ledges area of Heber Valley at KB Horses. Since Jason is not exactly an equestrian expert, this outing certainly was a celebration surprise for him, hopefully a pleasant one.

The route we rode went over footpaths, dirt roads, rocky hillsides, and pavement.
The route we rode went over footpaths, dirt roads, rocky hillsides, and pavement.

I arranged for everyone in our party to have an hour-long trail ride at KB with a training session beforehand, which seemed about the right length to get the saddle without the sore. As it turns out, quite a few among us had never ridden a horse before. Since my youth was spent in a rural area, amply supplied with all sorts of mounts, this widespread inexperience flummoxed me but I was pleased that the greenies were finally getting a chance to give it a go.

My horse was named Dee Dee. Out of all the ponies, the wranglers loved her best.
My horse was named Dee Dee. Out of all the ponies, the wranglers loved her best.

With eleven of us in total, our company of buddies was slightly too large to all ride together. So, instead, we split into two groups with Jason joining both bands. The morning of our adventure, the temperatures were a little on the uncomfortably hot side but everyone seemed cool with that, especially the bunch of us that had shrewdly volunteered to sacrifice sleep and take the earlier of our two riding times, leaving the muggier slot for the sluggish chumps.

Our party had to be split into two riding groups due to our size. This gang was the first bunch of riders.
Our party had to be split into two riding groups due to our size. This gang was the first bunch of riders.
This descent included enough stones and dips to make it pretty interesting.
This descent included enough stones and dips to make it pretty interesting.

In contrast to some of the steeds I’ve straddled on trail rides before, the ponies at this ranch weren’t mechanical mounts. They had unique personalities and a zest for life, sometimes a naughty zest. One of them liked to bite the others and another, Maverick, kicked anything that strayed too close to his rear. A few tried frequently to taste the sweet grasses along the way and Lee’s horse, Howdy, decided to lay down and take a nap while Lee was still on him. Oopsies! Fortunately, Lee was not harmed. Yes, like their riders, these were an amusing bunch of animals.

Jason is definitely no expert when it comes to horses but he managed pretty well on Shiloh.
Jason is definitely no expert when it comes to horses but he managed pretty well on Shiloh.

After our equine adventures, we stopped for lunch at the Spin Café in Heber. Their fries weren’t quite their usual goodness that day for some reason but their gelato did not disappoint.

Our second group consisted of Lee, Aimee, Tom, Jacob, Sara, and the birthday boy.
Our second group consisted of Lee, Aimee, Tom, Jacob, Sara, and the birthday boy.

Life goes by faster than a yeehaw on a yardstick. One day you’re finally big enough for He-Man Underoos and the next you’re onto big-boy diapers. It all passes too quickly not to stop and ride the horses. Happy birthday Jason!

P.S. I would recommend KB Horses. They seem to treat their animals well and their guides do a great job.

Rachel August 19, 2014 No Comments

Color Me Considerably

Sometimes running is more than just dashing. Sometimes it’s rather brilliant.

Here we're just starting to get our color on.
Here we’re just starting to get our color on.

This June, Jason and I again participated in Color Me Rad, a 5K run with a high degree of dye potential. Andrew and Simone also joined us for this pigmented romp in downtown Salt Lake City.

These outlandish tints may have been largely due to team mischief.
These outlandish tints may have been largely due to team mischief.
Even smurfs don't get much bluer than that.
Even smurfs don’t get much bluer than that.

Calling Color Me Rad a “run” is slightly inaccurate. Jason and I jogged it very leisurely but, from the number of people we passed, you’d think we were Olympic sprinters. Still, our “fast” pace didn’t speed us past the shading stations too quickly; we got barraged with brightness plenty. And any bits of skin that weren’t stained before the finish line our teammates made short work of thereafter.

Jason and I dispersed plenty of dye upon each other.
Jason and I dispersed plenty of dye upon each other.

It was a vivid event. I’m quite glad that we colored each other rad.

Rachel July 16, 2014 No Comments
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