Ballroom Cave Ruins

Last Sunday we decided to hike Upper Butler Wash.  We have tried before, but failed horribly.  I guess while searching for information I didn't realize that the Butler Wash and Upper Butler Wash have separate trail heads.  Oops! 

Here is a picture of City venturing out on a tree with Chris.  He wasn't as scared as I expected him to be.

When we finally reached Ballroom Cave Ruins we were surprised that some of the ruins were down in a cave (but I guess the name of the ruins would have given it away).  You travel about 35 feet down into the main cave and two side caves.  It was considerably cooler down in the cave and very interesting to see.

This is a view of the top.  You can see the wall that served as a lookout for the residents of Ballroom Cave Ruin.  It was precariously perched on top of loose boulders.

Here are some light pictographs painted on the wall.  If you can't see it, there are three figures painted in orange, yellow, and red. 

These were some ruins further up the canyon in a different cave.  I don't know if they are technically called Ballroom Cave Ruins, but they were pretty cool.  This ruin was perched on top of a whole lot of sand.  Surprisingly the sand resembled that of the finest beaches in Hawaii :) We took a mini-vacation while we were out having fun!

Here is a picture of City enjoying the sand in front of a granary.  City loved the coolness of the sand a little too much.  He rolled around in it while we rested.

To get up to the ruins pictured above, we had to climb up this rickety ladder.  I am a lot shorter than Chris and struggled with getting on the top of the sand.  The next problem we faced was getting City up and down this old ladder.  He is so curious that he wants to try everything and he will not allow us to go on ahead and leave him behind! 

 The solution that we came up with involved Chris, City, and that rickety ladder.  I was surprised that City was so calm in Chris' arms, but I'm glad he was... otherwise he would have dropped to a painful landing 20 feet bellow!

I had a lot of fun getting up and down that ladder, but needed assistance from Chris.  He eventually lodged his hand underneath my rump and pushed!!!  Thankfully I latched onto a tree lodged above the ladder and clambered my way up. 

The ladder doesn't look so imposing when GIANT Chris stands on it.  We finally got down after resting for an hour and realized that we had forgotten City's Tupperware filled with water on top.  When Chris went to go grab it City went crazy!!!  He barked his head off and tried to climb up the ladder on his own.  It was a little funny to watch.  Luckily I was able to get this one awesome picture!  If you can see, City has his head between the ladder and his tongue is actually hanging out!  City is such an awesome puppy!!!

We headed out after seeing the second ruin because we were so flippin tired.  There is one more ruin in this particular canyon called Target Ruin.  Apparently you can't climb up to the ruin, but you can see the entire front from ground level.  There is even a completely intact mud roof on one of the rooms.  I wish we had gone to this last ruin, but I was completely zapped of all strength.  The sun really got to me during this hike, but it was fun anyway! 



Recapture Reservoir

I miss a lot of things about Logan, UT.  One thing that I miss the most is swimming in the dams in the summer.  I had so many great memories with friends bridge jumping.  These memories are most likely very special because it was the most carefree time in my life... whatever the reason I'll still treasure them.  Summer has brought out an adventurous side in me and I've visited the local reservoir with City a few times.  Since we have no children, I will add even more content to my blog about City! 

City is the perfect dog for an adventurous person.  I keep imaging the typical American boy who is as mischievous as can be.  Running right next to him is his best friend, his dog.  City is the dog for that little boy.  Too bad he's ours!!!  We will not give him up!

This video is of City fearlessly jumping into the water after the stick.

A beautiful image of Recapture Reservoir.  It's a beautiful place to take a break and swim. 

I also love the picture of City. He is always so great at posing for pictures, however he might not ENJOY posing. The look in his eyes is priceless! It screams, "Take the damn pictures already!"  

This last video is of City swimming on top of the water.  We didn't think City would be the typical dog to doggy-paddle on top of the water.  It was hilarious to say the least.  Plus, the looks right and left add so much to the scene.  City is simply wondering why he isn't moving!

 City loves to swim!  I think we might make this a daily tradition!

The new and improved front yard.

This is our new front yard.  My mom came down to show what plans she had created with the help of our wonderful neighbor Cricket Raulston.  Those two are the BEST at planning a yard.  When my mom came down we ordered the dirt to create the flower beds but had to wait a few days.  We shopped the local stores and ventured to Farmington, New Mexico, for more plants that would work well in the area.  My favorite additions to the front yard are the two new trees.  My mom brought down a Japanese Red Maple from Salt Lake.  The leaves were whipped off the tree and some of the bark was rubbed raw.  My mom doesn't think that the tree will live :( I hope it does!!  We planted it anyway to see if it could last and grow.  The second tree is a flowering pear.  It'll have beautiful red leaves in the fall and brilliant white flowers in the spring.  I hope the horrible wind wont blow it over! Chris, my mom, and I went searching for flat rocks that we could use for a rock pathway.  The rock pathway is starting to come together and it's looking great.  We are going to continue looking for rocks to use in our entry.  I will post more pictures when we get farther through our projects. 

Calf Creek Falls

Chris and I had an awesome weekend adventure in Escalante, Ut.  We found out that the campgrounds at the trail head of Calf Creek Falls were very popular and almost always full.  Although we could have made reservations at other campgrounds in the area we decided (a little stupidly) to just go with the flow.  As we drove to our destination, we came across some BEAUTIFUL scenery.  Capitol Reef National Park is a gorgeous park that we have never visited.  We want to visit soon!

The campground by the trail was full so we headed closer to town.  The second campground we visited was also full, and the feedback we got from the visitor's center was a resounding GOOD LUCK!  I got a little worried that we would have to get a motel room and somehow sneak City in with us.  We decided to try one more campground located in the mountains north of Escalante.  When we got to Posey Lake Campgrounds we lucked out and got the second to last open site.  It was a beautifully wooded area that reminded me of the campgrounds I visited as a child.  I loved camping with my family up Big Cottonwood Canyon.

The view of Posey Lake.

The hike was pretty crowded but very beautiful.  This is a shot of the canyon as we walked toward the falls. 

A view of the falls through the trees.

The three of us enjoying a family portrait.

City enjoyed the pool at the bottom of the falls.  We risked taking City of the leash so that he could fetch a few sticks in the water.  City behaved very well and was rewarded with a fun time.  He was so ornery on the way to the campground.  He did not want to be in the car a minute longer!  When we had to get back in the car for the trip home, City started whining and glaring at us immediately.  It made us laugh to see his personality so clear on this trip.

Mountain Dog City Boy Merket is his full name.

Summer Project!

Let's start out with a cute picture of City!  We were in the front looking over the plans my mother had drawn out and City picked up a wilting flower.  He walked around the yard like this for awhile before settling in front of us.  Chris was able to get this picture, and I love it!  I hope City can find a Tango partner in the small community of Blanding :)

This is the "summer project" I refer to in the title.  When I visited Salt Lake earlier this month, I happened upon this 70's retro dining set on KSL Classifieds.  Even though it'll be a lot of work I'm really excited to start on refinishing it.  The pea green fabric is disgusting and I need to give the table some TLC to remove the scuffs.  When it's finished, we'll be able to sit a total of 12 people at one time.  Right now we are able to seat 4 people, that its!!  I'll post pictures and possibly ask for your opinion on the stain color and fabric choice.  I'm excited to be crafty!

A visit from up north!

My mom was kind enough to come down to Blanding for a nice visit.  We wanted to focus on planting some flower beds, but got to a slow start.  While we waited for some dirt to be delivered, we visited Mesa Verde, Co.  It was a GREAT park to see.  We weren't able to spend the entire day there which was unfortunate.  If we had all day, we would have spent the day hiking down to the ruins on ALL possible tours.  We were able to visit one ruin up close and personal with the time we had.

 Spruce Tree House and an excited Chrissy!

 Cliff Palace half in shade.  I wish it wasn't sunset when we came up to these ruins.  It was HUGE and beautiful. 

 I can't remember the name of this ruin.  It was perched in a crazy location.  It was in a short valley off the Navajo canyon and about 90 feet up from the canyon floor.  I still can't figure out how they got down or up to their homes.

 This picture still makes me laugh even though it has been a week since we visited Mesa Verde.  My mother was so excited to check the elevation while we were driving through the park.  She was very good at guessing the correct elevation.  When she guessed the elevation correctly (and not a foot above or below) she was ecstatic!  She even insisted that we owed her a "treat" from Walmart.  I felt compelled to make that wish a reality and bought her this charming princess tiara.  I don't think she would have guessed that a tiara was coming out of that Walmart bag in a million years.  I love my mother!

We have been able to finish one of the front yard's garden beds and it look great!  Every friend in the area compliments our beautiful front yard.  Even though we still have weeds, our garden looks amazing!  I will post a picture when the lighting is good. 

I've enjoyed having my mom visit and wish she could stay longer.  I've been driving back and forth from Moab each weekday for training on the new Common Core.  It's been a great week (very educational and labor intensive) and I'm sad to see it go.  Each day I'd be gone until 5, then I'd go straight to work in the front yard.  Chris and I are celebrating our third anniversary this weekend.  If the weather permits we will be camping in and hiking Calf Creek Falls with City!  I'll post pictures soon!

Summer Is Here!!!!!

I survived my first year of teaching and now I'm reaping the sweet, sweet reward of summer.  Teaching is a lot of work and there are good days and bad days, but summer makes up for a lot of the bad days.  It is such an amazing feeling to wake up and think, "I'm getting paid to rest, relax, and work on my own teaching development." Summer is even better as a teacher.

For the summer I did get a second job which has been great.  I have to get up 4:30 am, but the pros outweigh the cons.  The only problem that is hard to get over are the customers.  It's a NEW establishment in Blanding and they don't have everything figured out.  Needless to say, a lot of Blanding citizens think that complaining/yelling at the front desk employee will somehow change everything.  Surprise, surprise IT DOESN'T!

 I went up to Salt Lake to visit my mom for Memorial weekend.  Of course City came with me :)

 David and Mom at Stephen's grave.

 David and I at Stephen's grave.

 Chris and I have been able to go on a few hikes in the last few weeks.  I have really enjoyed the quality time with Chris and the wildflowers!

 This ruin is found at Butler Wash.  It is called Nine Room Ruin.  I still can't believe that the Anasazi people survived in locations like this.  This ruin is basically perched on top of a ridge.  

 City and I enjoying a photo shoot by some really interesting rock formations.  I love my little boy (can you tell I'm treating City like my first child??). 

City always amazes me.  I think he should be a dog model for mountain-type products.  Doesn't he look like he could be on some risky adventure with Bear Grylls?