Back packing, Subaru Outback, and other outdoor adventures…

September could maybe be considered our most “tree-hugging” month thus far as the title may imply. Labor Day Weekend, Mike and I left for our first overnight backpacking trip after work on Friday. It is only about a three mile hike, but it’s a pretty good workout, and it is definitely worth the views. Mike had done it several years ago but it had been a while and he was excited to get me out back packing. By the time we arrived, it was dark outside and we were ready to hit the sack. We set up camp and went to bed for the night. In the morning, we warmed up with some hot cocoa and reaped the benefits of our efforts the previous night. It was so pretty! We explored around the three different lakes. Lake Blanche is the biggest and the most famous of the three. However, they were all really pretty. It was fun to spend time together with just the two of us in the great outdoors. I am a fan of the short back packing trips. After exploring around for a while, we returned to the city for a family party. I know you are thinking our life is always a party. To that I would say, yes, you are correct!

On Labor Day, after getting excused from work for the day, we walked around the different lots looking for cars, eating free hot dogs, popcorn, and drinking free soda. But that was about all the success we had that day. We spent the next week looking heavily for cars, particularly on KSL. As both of us were getting settled in our jobs, we quickly realized it was time to replace Mike’s Eclipse. With Mike driving through Parley’s every day we wanted to get an all wheel drive vehicle for safety purposes. We thought a Subaru was the best route to go. They are a good car, last a long time, and they retain their value. During our search we met with several people, one whose name was Dean was particularly interesting. He told us how he was very particular who bought his car. In a way, he was interviewing us to buy his car. Yup, he was in no hurry to sell it. He was an older guy but he had some neat experiences throughout his life. He had worked with some Olympic skiers which he said were like his own sons; apparently he was a really good skier. His car was nice, but unfortunately, he was asking way too much for it.

But we didn’t need to wait for too long. In Roy, on KSL, we found a white Subaru Outback which was in our price range with pretty low miles. We also were already going to be in the area anyways as we were spending the night at Danny and Haley’s house. Saturday morning we checked it out and walked away with it that day. We felt bad because she was super attached to her car, they owed more than what they were selling it for, and they had only had it for a year and put very few miles on it. In their opinion, Orem was a road trip. They had to sell it because they were going to have a baby. She made a comment, however, about how it was her first baby. It was a little awkward. Then as she handed us the keys to drive away she had a tear in her eye. But what could we do? They needed to sell it and we wanted to buy it. On the drive home, the tank proved its usefulness, as it went through the heavy rains without faltering one bit. Yet we would still earn the reputation of tree-hugging, democratic, lesbian hippies. Oh well, it was our nice new little truck and we love it!

Throughout the rest of September, we continued our outdoor adventures. We went on several little Sunday strolls in the backcountry. We even attempted to climb Mount Olympus. Unfortunately, we ran into a few mishaps. I was getting a big blister on my heel from poor choice in footwear and Mike had eaten something that was not settling well in his little belly. The poor guy had to take several pit stops it was kind of a “crappy” situation if you know what I mean. No need to worry, we will conquer it one day. Because we have heard that if we keep practicing we will be able to climb a mountain! Next time we will be better prepared.

Although, this experience did not sway us from the outdoors one bit. In fact, we were ready to get out there and climb another mountain. On the 22^nd of September, we backpacked up to Red Pine Lake with B-rad and Mary. If you think we are intense, you should meet them. They had just returned from a bike ride clear across the country. They sold almost everything they owned and hopped on their bikes for several months. It is definitely not for everybody, but you have to respect their dedication. They had some pretty crazy tan lines and it sounds like a lot of really cool experiences. We got to hear about their trip over some frozen yogurt. It was my first time meeting these two, though Mike had spoken highly of them on several occasions. He loved to tell me how B-rad had tattooed the game of Operation on his chest. Yes, I asked to see it. On the hike up, it was fun to get to know them even better. I got to hear about his re-entrance into the church and how they met. We got to the top and made a hearty meal of chicken and rice. The next morning, we had another good meal of pancakes. People hiking up in the morning were pretty jealous. The distance they could smell it from was getting larger and larger as well with each new hiker. After a rewarding breakfast, we explored around for a while, climbing on rocks, taking pictures, and walking around the lake. We were really becoming one with nature.