Angel's Landing

The news this morning that a hiker in Zion National Park slipped and fell to her death caused us to reflect on our own hike just two weeks ago at the same place. Our condolences to her family. The Angel's Landing hike is a 2 1/2 mile trek up with the last 1/2 mile being the most challenging and dangerous portion. There is a chain bolted into the mountain that the hiker holds on to as he/she navigates up a narrow, rocky, and steep path. There are sheer drop offs between 900 - 1200 feet on either side of this trail. Signs are posted at the beginning of this last section warning the hikers about the inherent dangers and risks involved. We were surprised that there weren't more controls on who should hike the trail because it seemed to us that it required more experience than what the majority of the hikers had.

Cindy started to climb the final portion to the top but didn't feel steady enough to attempt the steep, narrow path so she decided not to go any farther and carefully climbed back down to wait in the area called "Scout Lookout". Blaine and Jennifer went through the first section of chains and stopped at what is known as "the neck." They felt it was too risky to go any farther. A single mis-step, a loose rock on the trail, or even a whiff of wind could have ended in disaster. Pictures from our hike are contained in our Aug. 6 slideshow.

The article on yesterday's tragedy can be found in the Salt Lake Tribune at the following link:

http://www.sltrib.com/ci_13027047?IADID

We are fortunate that our hike went safely and that we listened to promptings of the Spirit. We feel terrible about what has happened to this family. Our prayers go out to them What a tragedy.

CA to UT

I think I'm getting the hang of PS Elements, at least the slide show was easy to figure out. Hope you enjoy these pictures from our trip in July.

Walking our feet off in San Fran

Just recently we traveled to San Francisco for a brief visit with Jaime and Nate. During the day while they were at work we started off doing the usual tourist thing, we rode the cable car. Around 10 a.m. we hopped on the Hyde/Powell line and rode it up as far as Lombard Street where we exited for a leisurely stroll down the crooked lane. We enjoyed the walk and oohed and aahed at the beautiful flowers along the way. Since we were close to Fisherman's Wharf we decided to walk to it. Thus began our trek along San Francisco's waterfront.

You know the song, "Pioneer children sang as they walked, and walked, and walked, and walked..." Well, we didn't sing but we did walk, and walk, and walk, AND walk. We walked along the wharf stopping briefly at Pier 39 to see the sea lions. We walked to Pier 27 to see a docked Mexican Naval Schooner where we walked and climbed all over it's decks.

It got to be lunchtime and we were hungry. Choosing not to walk back to the restaurant-laden Pier 39 we decided to see what other eating establishments were close by so we walked, and walked, AND walked all the way down to the Embarcadaro Center without finding anything. By this time our feet were tired and we were starved. Fortunately for us we came to a Farmer's Market where we eagerly grabbed some flatbread pizza just as they were beginning to close for the day. It felt good to rest our feet as we ate but it was just a short respite.

While eating we noticed a street fair just a short distance away across the trolley tracks and it piqued our interest. We had about 2 hours to kill before we had to head back up to the Fisherman's Wharf area to meet Jaime so Blaine located a quiet place to sit and return some phone calls while Jennifer and I walked and walked AND walked around the street fair. We saw some interesting things but didn't make any purchases.

By 3:30 p.m. we were ready to head back up the waterfront to Fisherman's Wharf. We wanted to have enough time to purchase some yummy malted milk balls at Giradelli Square before we had to meet Jaime after work (her office is just a block away from there). Instead of walking we decided to catch the trolley. We saw one coming, heading in the direction we wanted to go so we made a mad dash for the loading platform. The trolley didn't come and it didn't come, in fact it just stayed in that same spot. We waited on our feet for 30 minutes before figuring out that there was a problem and the trolley wouldn't be moving anytime soon. Guess what we decided to do? You guessed it..., we walked, and walked, and walked, AND walked all the way back to Fisherman's Wharf and Ghiradelli Square but this time we weren't just walking, we were speed-walking because we only had an hour before Jaime got off work. We arrived at Ghiradelli Square with just enough time to purchase (but not snack on) the malted milk balls.

We don't know how many miles we walked that day but maybe next time we'll try singing as we walk.

4th of July Fun: Hiking & the Jonas Brothers

We started our 4th of July celebration with an invigorating hike part way up Mt. Timpanogos. The morning was made more enjoyable with the singing of another hiker on the trail. His rich, deep baritone rendition of the national anthem and other patriotic songs echoed off from the rock walls of American Fork canyon. Jaime and Nate had driven over from San Francisco and it was wonderful to have them join us.




With abundant spring rain it is a good year for agriculture. The cherry trees were brimming with cherries. We are sure Grandpa Mark is pleased someone is benefiting from his efforts.

Guess who is excited to see the Jonas Brothers performing in America's Freedom Festival?



Pictures were taken from front lawn just before walking down to stadium. Jenn and her friend Sage were already going wild.

The Stealth Walker

Kyler likes to walk when his parents aren't looking. Several times they have found him across the room and suspect he has walked there. During a weekend get-together to clean-up Great-Grampa and Grandma Jacobson's home in Swan Valley, Kyler was sitting on a blanket in the middle of the lawn. He pushed himself to his feet and walked barefoot 20 steps or so across the grass.















Wouldn't you know it, plenty of extended family saw his feat, but not his parents or grandparents. They have yet to see him walk.

Charlie & The Golden Ticket

Jen plays Charlie in her elementary school production of "Charlie & The Chocolate Factory"














Charlie finds the golden ticket.

Happy 31 Years

This week we are celebrating our 31st wedding anniversary. Jenn made up a little display out of clay and paper stock.

So thoughtful and such art talent.