Thursday, September 24, 2009

Exploring Utah: Timpooneke Trail & Scout Falls

One of the most fantastic reasons for living in Utah is the immediate proximity of the Wasatch & Uinta Mountains. Growing up in Idaho, my family made frequent visits to Salt Lake and the surrounding area; always driving around and through the mountains, hearing the stories of ancient Bonneville Lake as well as of the pioneer settlers. In early July, when Dave and I made the trek from New Jersey (in moving truck and car, rather than oxen and cart) the most magnificent scenery was the final stretch of Route-80 from Wyoming, around Park City, and into the setting sun over the Salt Lake Valley. In that moment, I knew that I had arrived at one of the most beautiful destinations of the world. I could hardly wait for my opportunity to really get out and explore the scenic wonders of this portion of the Rockies.

To my delight, my mother-in-law graciously invited me to tag-along her already organized weekly hikes with a small group of friends. Thus far I have been up Days Fork, Red Pine Lake, Cecret Lake, and yesterday explored the beginnings of Timpooneke Trail--the summit of which is Timpanogos. I remembered to bring my camera and was able to capture the very beginnings of autumn.

Early on in the hike I noticed twin falls way up in the distance. The falls were also visible in the photograph above, however, if you don't know exatly what you're looking for, you'll miss it.

I found myself pondering over human's nature--both physical and spiritual--to be drawn toward water and light.

Exquisite white-colored berries, my favorite find

Just when the sun was peaking over the mountain

We crossed over several small waterfalls along the way




We did some exploring after encountering a sign for Scout Falls


Look close, you can see Michelle walking alongside the cliff



The view from the falls was, well, literally breathtaking

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Recipe Diaries: Millions of Peaches, Peaches for Free

Ok, so maybe not millions of peaches, but definitely peaches for free. My adorable and supportive husband spent his entire Saturday afternoon on a ladder, picking all of the peaches from Grandma MariLou's Garden. He was the sole peach picker, because I had abandoned him for a weekend excursion to Idaho (to finish crafting a solid wood headboard in my Dad's shop-of which I will post pictures, later on this week) and his father had also abandoned him (and Grandma for that matter) for an important excursion to Phoenix in celebration of another grandparent's 60th wedding anniversay. Despite my abandonment, Grandma MariLou still gifted us a large bag of home grown peaches. yum, yum.

I found this the perfect opportunity to put some of Mom's Life Lessons into practice, and to Can Peaches on my own for the first time.

First, I scrubbed the peaches clean. Then, on the stove, I started the creation of a honey-water syrup (instead of sugar, because I'm trying to get away from refined sugars)

Blanched the Peaches

Poured them into an Ice-Water Bath

Peeled, then Sliced the Peaches

Poured my Honey Syrup Creation into the Jars


Added the Sliced Peaches

Boiled them in the Hot Water Bath for 40 Minutes

And now have some delicious, home-canned peaches for the winter months ahead.

New Frontier

This picture is taken from a window seat on Wall Street where I used to take my lunch every day while working for Gensler, New York.




July 2009.  We have turned our backs on Big City life and have headed for The Mountains...for two years at least. Over the past 3 1/2 years while living in New Jersey and commuting throughout the tri-state area and beyond, I longed for the wide open expanses of the Rocky Mountain West with my family barbeques, nice people, and star-filled night skies. Last Spring when Dave decided he wanted to further his education and pursue a Master's Degree in Business and Finance from the Marriott School of Business at Brigham Young University, I was definitely a fan. So, we left our Big City jobs, loaded all of our possesions into a large moving truck (that entire charade shall be saved for another post, another day) and drove across the US of A. For now, we live in the shadow of the Wasatch front, visit family frequently, and at the age of 30 are re-discovering student-life as well as provident living.
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