Valley of Fire

Last night we went on our first family campout to Valley of Fire (another young family from our ward came with us, the Bellows). We got to the park right about sunset when the temperature had dipped down to a cool 100 degrees. We set up our tents and cooked some hot dogs and smores. We hung out a little and talked but it was pretty much bedtime for the kiddies so we all just retired to our tents (note I didn't say sleep). Ari had her own 4-man tent with a pack and play. Since it was so warm she decided to just sleep in her diaper with no blankets whatsoever. Cathy, Taj and I slept in another tent. We didn't sleep a whole lot because Taj was so excited to be camping he wasn't falling asleep. Plus it was just HOT. Reminded me of my 2 years of sweaty slumber on my mission in Ecuador. Despite the lack of sleep we had a great time. We woke up to an awesome sunrise and had breakfast while trying to not be stung by a couple of very persistent and curious bees. Then we drove around the park and took lots of pictures. I highly recommend checking out the park if you get the chance (its not even that big, but its jam packed with sweetness!).

Ari was happy to see we hadn't left her alone in the wilderness when she woke up. But I am not sure she was ready for a photo shoot either.

Cathy and Ari making breakfast. Taj was just looking around trying to decide which rock or handful of sand to throw next. He refused to eat practically anything the whole campout because there was too much to explore and play with to stop to eat something.

Ari loves the freedom she gets from the Bumbo (the blue molded seat she is sitting in). She slept better than anyone on this campout.

Taj looking a little tired from his long night of excitement.

Ari's tent on the left. Cathy, Taj and I slept in our sweet REI tent on the right. I really love this tent. You can see the stars all night and it really keeps you cool (unless you're in the desert and there is no breeze, but given the conditions it was great).

Taj looking a little apprehensive about the petrified oliphant (Lord of the Rings reference) behind him (Elephant Rock).

Peek a Boo!

Ryan and Taj.

Nickel and Taj racing up the stairs to see the petrified log.

This is a stone cabin built and used back in the 1930's for people to rest as they drove from CA to UT. This place kinda seems like the real-life "Radiator Springs" from the movie Cars.

Taj was really interested in the history of the park and did a great job of being our tour guide/navigator ("Go this way Dad! No, this way, this way, this way!")

Mother-Nature just showing off. "Look what I can balance."

wow.

I liked the wrinkles in the rock. From close up it looks like a layered cake with the frosting between the layers kinda squishing out.

I can't believe we caught this on film. Ari had wondered off on her own and I saved her right before this rattlesnake struck at her. It only looks like the visitor center display but the emotion in her eyes tells you its real.

What are the chances we would catch this on film too. Ari again wondered off on her own to explore. I saved her again right before this mountain lion pounced on her.

good times.

Gentlemen Broncos

I can't wait to see this :)

Techatticup Mines (Nelson, NV) Part 1

On Saturday I took Taj and Ari on a daddy field trip to the Techatticup Mines near Nelson, NV. I have been gone a lot lately (surfing in CA, priesthood duty at girls camp, visiting my family in FL) and Cathy has been covering for me. So while we went on our field trip she had a pedicure and just got some time away from my clones.

I think this is the second time I have ever seen Big Horn Sheep. Can you spot all four of them?

There were so many of these Cholla Cacti. The bright yellowy green color looked awesome in person. By the way there are only three Big Horn Sheep in the last picture. I couldn't resist making some of you spend a little extra time looking. :)

I think this used to be a dog. This is sitting right next to the door of the convenience store. I guess it serves as a good reminder to stay well hydrated. Buy a drink from the store.

I guess this property is managed by the convenience store people. There are half a dozen old buildings and tons of old stuff everywhere you can just wander around and check everything out for free.

Tajkins the blacksmith.

These old cannons were really cool.

Farmer Taj.

This appeared to be a rare bowling ball garden (usually not indigenous to this desert).

I really wanted to get a closer picture of a Cholla Cactus so we ventured off the trail for a closer look.

Mother Nature punked me again. I must have kicked a random cholla cactus ball with my right foot and it stuck to my shoe. Then as I was walking the cactus stuck in my left calf from my right shoe. Ingenious design Mrs. Nature, but I was able to use two sticks to chop stick myself to recovery. Just for that little prank I plan to leave a slightly larger carbon footprint this week to remind her who's boss.

Techatticup Mines (Nelson, NV) Part 2

4-story barn building

This was hanging in the 4-story barn building. Awesome.

Taj had no idea what this was but was interested in it like all the other old stuff laying around.

Taj looks like he is just about the right size to replace one of the missing blades if we attached him to the windmill. Might be a good summer job or something.

This is the convenience store where you can register for mine tours, rent canoes for the Colorado River or just get a drink.

Mock plane crash. You know this place is awesome if it has one of these.

Techatticup mine.

Don't be fooled by this "cute little kitty" facade. This feral cat stalked us for about 15 mins. He began by running directly at us full speed then at the last second running around us to a bush. Then it followed us by darting from bush to bush staying mostly hidden. I kept Taj close by me but when I stopped to take pictures and Taj would walk off a little the cat would start to close in on him. I don't really think he was going to attack us, but I do think he was the feline incarnation of an old desert crazy yosemite sam. Weird.

Ari loved all the sites (she had a great vantage point). She did ask me not to dress her up like a juicy watermelon if we're planning to visit another crazy feral cat.

This wash runs parallel with the road leading down to the Colorado River from Nelson, NV. I thought the pillars in the wash with the rocks on top looked really cool (click on the picture for a better look).

Before you get to the Techatticup ghost town you go through Nelson (a couple of houses and trailer's). Some guy named Mike had this hanging in his front yard. Sweetness.

If you are going to do yard ornaments you gotta throw some personality and style into it. Nicely done.

Another resourceful specimen of yard ornamentation.

On the way home from Nelson, NV we stopped in Boulder City. Taj loves to see the trains at the train museum there in Boulder City. The train had just pulled up when we got there.

This will be a great picture to show dates when he gets older. I think I'll call it "Little diaper on the prairie."

Miscellaneous stuff I like...

:)

iPhone art

Cathy drew this picture of Thomas the Tank Engine in Sacrament meeting for Taj. It is a surprisingly accurate likeness considering the medium (iPhone and her finger).

Luckily no one was hurt! (common phrase in every Thomas the Train story).

Home Sweet Florida

I recently got to fly back to Florida for the weekend to see my family. It was going to be such a quick trip that Cathy and the kids decided not to come. The last time I was in FL Taj was only 6 months old (2.5 yrs ago). I forgot how much I loved this place.

My parents woke up early to see the sunrise at the beach with me the day I was leaving.

My two older sisters and my older brother and my Grandpa Bob and his girlfriend Lois.

Grandpa and Lois commissioned an artist to paint this mural on the wall in their condo.

Local wild peacock roaming a neighborhood.

Ron Jon Surf Shop in Cocoa Beach

My older sister caught on camera breaking an entering.

If you can't go under...go over.

This is the house I grew up in from the time I was 8 yrs old until I was about 13 or so. The Air Force has sold this land and now a private company is tearing down all the houses to build new ones. This is probably the last photograph before my old house gets torn down. This house is about 200 yards from the ocean.

Sting'em Scorps! (Satellite High School Scorpions, arm over your head with a stinging motion)

Not enough seats for everyone so my sister volunteered to ride in the back. What a team player.

Sunrise over the Atlantic Ocean.

How are you not going to love this place when it looks like this?

Big sweet old tree by the inter-coastal waterway (the river)

If you visit Satellite Beach you gotta try Charlie and Jakes BBQ on Eau Gallie Blvd. Porter House Steak, hush puppies, mashed taters and gravy and fried sweet potatoe chips with sugar on them. Soooo good!