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Caves and Creeks

It’s been a while since we’ve had a chance to vacation with Jason’s family so we were happy that our schedule allowed us to go camping with them up American Fork Canyon on his mom’s birthday. It was a weekend of a little exertion and a lot of ease.

Do I look cool? I was actually rather hot and soggy.
Do I look cool? I was actually rather hot and soggy.

We started the outing with a trek to Timpanogos Cave accompanied by Jason’s parents and brother. We’ve done this hike several times in recent years but the cave, really three caverns connected, is a fascinating hole wholly worthy of multiple visits. Although intense, the overheating brought on by our trudge across the sun-blasted switchbacks leading to Timp Cave was over quickly. We were unpleasantly sweaty when we entered the monument but cooled promptly thanks to its 60s insides.

The formations inside Timpanogos Cave look like God's doodles.
The formations inside Timpanogos Cave look like God’s doodles.
The trail to Timpanogos Cave winds across rockslide regions and cliff faces.
The trail to Timpanogos Cave winds across rockslide regions and cliff faces.

We spent the rest of the night hanging out with Jason’s family at the Little Mill Campground. Many of the camping spots at Little Mill are pretty compact, as in sardines in nylon, but the spot Jason’s parents reserved for their RV was shaded and roomy so everyone convened there. We devoured more tinfoil dinners and birthday cupcakes than we should have while conversing around the jigging flames of a hearty fire. It was great getting to visit with no time constraints and only the chatter of the American Fork River to distract from our chatter.

Jason's family takes pictures on this rock every time they hike to Timp Cave.
Jason’s family takes pictures on this rock every time they hike to Timp Cave.

We had planned on going on a hike the following morning but the appeal of lounging got the better of us so that’s all we did until Jason and I had to depart.

This gnarled root marks another standard picture spot for the Sabins.
This gnarled root marks another standard picture spot for the Sabins.

The perfume of the pines, the allure of cave squiggles, the warm turbulence of the fire, the sizzle of crisping potatoes, the contrast of the spotted sky, and the relaxed company of family made for a mighty fine camping trip.

Rachel August 10, 2016 No Comments

A Reunion Recap

Family reunions are peculiar things. They are entertaining reminders that being related is relative.

I don't know most of these relative strangers.
I don’t know most of these relative strangers.

For most of us, the family-reunion experience follows a predictable pattern. Swarms of largely-unfamiliar faces make you wonder how it is that one couple managed to produce such a wide variety of progeny. Streams of shrieking children flow without purpose, leaving havoc in their wake. Questions about your life choices, lot in life, and living will stimulate endless debates amongst the few attendees that you do recognize. Piles of potluck food prompt you to pray for luck as you fill your plate. Yet, despite their recognized shortcomings, family reunions are a summer rite of passage that cannot and shouldn’t be avoided.

Watching the bubbles coalesce was rather amusing.
Watching the bubbles coalesce was rather amusing.

Reunions are one of the few times, outside funerals and weddings, that extended families conglomerate. And why wouldn’t you want to conglomerate and communicate with a bunch of people that you are mysteriously related to through a few knotty twists in your family tree? Just admit it, those knobby loops are mighty intriguing and often amusing.

My jumping skills have not been tested for many years but I've still got the rope stuff.
My jumping skills have not been tested for many years but I’ve still got the rope stuff.

We recently went to Jason’s family’s reunion. His Aunt Kathy did a great job organizing this one, a daunting and frustrating task no doubt. There were games for the kids, lots of delicious and not-so-delicious grub, and bubble soccer. Plus, some multigenerational jump roping, which spontaneously erupted and I participated wholeheartedly in.

Jason jumped like a pro... and so did that kid.
Jason jumped like a pro… and so did that kid.

Thanks Kathy for getting the entire gang together. You can’t have summer without a reunion, as everyone knows since we’ve all tried.

Rachel August 7, 2016 No Comments

A Party with a Twist

I am no artist. If you don’t believe me, I can draw you some convincing stick figures. However, because I am happy to undertake that which I suck at, I welcomed Jason’s suggestion of celebrating my birthday via a painting party at Painting with a Twist. Many of our friends also cheered this idea and, thus, it became a colorful reality.

We had 14 in our group, almost the studio max.
We had 14 in our group, almost the studio max.

Since everyone at my party had to paint the same picture, I wanted it to be selected fairly. So, after sifting through over 4,000 options, I created a preference survey for a handful of the cooler ones. My survey didn’t exactly work. Someone (Cameron) took it multiple times. Consequently, the real winner, a Harry Potter castle, got supplanted by an Asian wave. Still, our Japanese-style surfs looked awesome!

I'm a perfectionist in all things, even that which I suck at.
I’m a perfectionist in all things, even that which I suck at.

The painting process went astonishingly fast so there wasn’t much time to socialize during it but we went to dinner at Leatherby’s with a subset of our party goers afterward, which offered more chances to chat.

Our waves, although from one source, took on distinct characteristics.
Our waves, although from one source, took on distinct characteristics.

Thanks everyone that joined us for my twisted party. Nothing says “we’re friends” quite like matching decor.

Rachel July 28, 2016 3 Comments
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