We Are The Here And Now (My trip out west, part 1)

I turned 30 this April and as a gift to myself I bought a plane ticket out west to explore Zion National Park and to do some climbing in Red Rocks, NV. To my surprise over a dozen of my friends came out to party with me. This is a brief summary of what happened during those 7 days out west.


Brian Leatherland flew into Vegas first and met up with Wesley who drove in from SD. Grey, Dan, Beadle, and myself all flew in later that night. Six dudes in a small hotel room..it's fantastic.


That night we hit up the strip and got up the next morning after about 4 hours of sleep.


Zion, located in southern Utah, is about two and half hours from Vegas. It is the mini Grand Canyon that you can actually hike around and not just see from your car or tour bus.


The dudes at Watchman camp site.


Our first hike in the park was to the three Emerald Pools. As we were walking under the first set of falls the wind shifted and I got soaked.


We made it to the upper pool after a quick stop to boulder.


This is our "soccer pose" just incase an impromptu game breaks out.


The moon raising over Watchman Tower and our campsite.


After the hike we went and did some bouldering. There were 5 or 6 really good boulders just outside our campsite. That is Brian working on a highball problem.






Our timing was perfect. Desert flowers in bloom.


The next morning we split up and went in two separate directions. Beadle and I hiked the East Rim Trail while the other dudes hiked the sometimes sketchy Angels Landing. Wesley preparing to battle the angels if needed.


This photo is from the first mile or so into the East Rim hike.


Then it changes to look like this.


At one point the trail lead us to this view of Angels Landing. I wonder how the other group is doing....


This is why Angels Landing is sketchy. They have a system of chains in place so you don't fall off the edge and drop 1200 feet to your death. Fortunately, everyone made it up and down alive.


As soon as we got back to the campsite Kevin Marks rolled up from SD and brought me my B-Day gift; a tofu potato burrito from POKEZ! A cold burrito never tasted so good. Thanks again Kevin.


The next day, while Kevin explored Zion, the rest of us traveled to the northern section of the park and hiked the 14 miles round trip to see Kolob Arch.








That is Kolob Arch in the background, the second largest natural arch in the world.


After our day of exploring we all went out for pizza and brew.


At least Utah has a sense of humor about the whole thing.

Next up, the group heads to Red Rocks, NV and doubles in size.

And I Ease Us Back Into Traffic

Here are a few more pictures from my trip to Charleston last month.


Jellyfish. Charleston Aquarium.


"It means Luca Brasi swims with the fishes."


Yeah, we are talking to you!




Hey, that's my hat!!!


I turned 30 the other day and some people came out to help me celebrate.






Rob is always trying to put his hands where they don't belong.


On a rainy sunday a group of us participated in a race. Aurelie, Ed, and Grey did the Wild West 8k and Catherine (not pictured) and I did the Carrboro Duathlon.


Before we could start the race we made the "Frenchie" name the 50 states.


Some people stretch to warm up, Ed dances.


Throwing up signs before the start.


And we are off!!!!!


My race started right before the 8K. Here I am after the first run portion getting ready to ride.


Ed with his winning time.


That time was good enough to get Grey 1st place in his age group: 60 and up.


This is me starting the second run portion.


It feels good to catch someone that passed you on the bike.

The Dirty Bunny

This year the Dow family organized an "Easter Egg Hunt for Adults Only". But before the hunt could start we had to fuel our bodies with....


... a bunny shaped jello mold. Yumm.


Vijay had Heather have a bin full of costumes, one of which is a pink bunny outfit. I think Ralphie got a similar one in A Christmas Story.


In this picture the group, armed with baskets, is listen to the rules of the hunt. Rule #1: You do not talk about The Hunt. Rule #2: Kill if you must.
Notice Reed and Bryn in the left side of the photo wearing war paint. There were 200 plastic eggs spread all over the back year and even some floating in the lake that were filled with....chocolate and jelly beans!


"Jelly beans!!! Did you say jelly beans?"


Reed wasted no time disrobing and jumping into the lake. A sane person would have used one of the three boats made available, but not Reed. He had the hunger in his eyes and the only cure was candy.


Success!!!


Some climbed tree to get eggs.




Others used boats...


... while I just sat back and ate their candy after they left the dock... and


...the Dirty Bunny drank beer and waited for the children to arrive. (This is by far the best photo ever posted on Robot Toast. Thanks to Grey for sporting the dirtiest expression I have ever seen in my entire life.)


She was not very happy about being forced to sit on Grey's lap but she finally gave in to the Dirty Bunny's request.


Then we went to watch UNC mop the floor with Arkansas' basketball team. Go Heels!!

It's 16 Miles To The Promise Land (Sauertown and Part 1 of Charleston)

Looks like Grey will be sporting this 'stache for the next week.

It is almost getting too hot to climb at Sauertown so with Phil in town from SD it was the perfect excuse to squeeze in one more trip.

This is me leading Leisure World (5.10) with Phil belaying me and Rob heckling me.


Almost to the top.


Phil feeling his greatness at the crux of The Amazing Joe (5.12).


Any time is a good time for a dance party. Meghan and Ashley shakin' their thang.


Ashley pushing her way through Old Man's Sport Route (5.10-)


Meghan getting horizontal on the same route.


Chewy, (The best V-Day present ever. See the post on Feb. 14th) roars with excitement as we return to the car. As he screams out the Star Wars theme song....


Meghan and Ashley do a little dance.


About a week ago I went to Charleston, SC to visit this girl who really likes big blueish/green toads.


Charleston is full of history but this was the only lesson I got the whole weekend: Men didn't wear pants in the South during the 1860's.


Rebecca however, learned a valuable lesson: don't let your your younger brother spin you around for five minutes straight.




Pirate likes to do yoga with Laura and Rebecca. Guess what her favorite pose is?
Check back soon for more photos from Charleston.