Crystal Mountain Spring Snowboarding 4/12/2011

Crystal Mountain is located on the Mt. Baker-Snoqualamie National Forest Map about 33 miles before Mt. Rainer National Park on highway 410.

I didn't have to wait in line once all day!

 Mt. Rainier as viewed from the top of Queens Lift

Me and the dream!

Someday I will summit Mt. Rainer

Perfect visibility of Mt. Rainer

Today I went snowboarding at Crystal Mountain located in the Cascade Mountain Range of Washington State in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualamie National Forest. It has beautiful views of Mt. Rainer which at 14,411 ft is the highest Stratovolcano in the state of Washington and the Cascade Mountain Range. My day started with the passing of two groups of Elk, the first of which was just past Naches Tavern on highway 410 (Chinook Pass). The second group of which were located just past the sno-park a bit further down the road. The weather was beautiful, sunny around 40 degrees F. Unfortunately, I took a pretty big fall today resulting in injury to my left hand/wrist. But despite the injury, today was a beautiful day.

Links:
http://www.nps.gov/mora/index.htm
Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest
http://www.crystalmountainresort.com/

Red Rock Canyon Nevada 4/18/2011

 Red Rock Canyon is approximately 15 miles west of Las Vegas, Nevada.

Red Rock Canyon, Nevada

 My Friends, Carolyn and James.

 Desert Wildflowers

 This rock has always reminded me of a gorilla!!

 Carolyn and James checking out the veiw

 On the drive up towards Red Rock Canyon

 Even nature loves Bacon!!! 

Even though I have been a vegetarian for years, I do understand the mass appeal of Bacon.

My friends and I did some like hiking through Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area is located just about 15 miles west of Las Vegas, Nevada. The weather started out cool and windy but quickly turned into a beautiful sunny mid 80 degree day. I had wanted to do some climbing but do to the wrist injury I sustained last week it was not possible, guess I will just have to return  someday to do so.

Links:
http://www.redrockcanyonlv.org/
http://www.blm.gov/nv

Note: The pictures of me were taken by my dear friend James to whom I am very grateful.

Grand Canyon West 4/17/2011

 Free Range Cow

 Beautiful Cactus Blooms

 Ant mound..... I find ants to be the most amazing insects. I love how they take on big challenges for their little size, reminds me of how I want to be!

 Carolyn and James 

 Eagle's Point........Can you see it?

 A different view of Eagle's Point

 Carolyn, helping James to not fall victim to the Grand Canyon

 Me

 This tree gets a pretty good view of the canyon if you ask me.

 Despite the trail closed sign, I don't think I would have ventured that way anyhow.

 

 Skywalk

Today, I walked around the west side  of the Grand Canyon in Arizona with my friends Carolyn and James. It was a day trip we took from our vacation destination of Las Vegas, Nevada. We walked the Grand Canyon Skywalk to get a good view of Eagle's Point. It wasn't very strenuous but it was warm and absolutely stunning.

Websites:

http://www.grandcanyonskywalk.com
http://www.nps.gov/grca/index.htm

Note: The last picture noted to be the Skywalk was part of the photo package I purchased, I did not take that photo. I would like to give credit the individual who did but I don't however have that information. I did however take all of the other photographs except of the one of me which was taken by my dear friend James to whom which I am very grateful.

Gregory Deva 70 Backpack Review

I recently purchased my Gregory Deva Backpack from REI using my member rewards coupon. I  bought the XS sized pack for my torso length of 15" . I had tried on many packs and did a lot of research prior to choosing the Gregory Deva 70.  My top reasons for choosing this bag were:

1.  Durability: The pack is made from 210-denier double diamond ripstop and 210- and 420-denier flat weave fabrics
2. Comfort: The molded padded straps and torso belt were extremely comfortable, they did not rub or move out of place. This was by far the biggest reason for my choice of the pack; the features are meaningless if the pack is uncomfortable.
3. Size: I wanted a pack that would be able to handle carrying all my gear on multi-day expeditions. The XS pack carries up to 50 lbs of weight and the pack itself weighs 5 lb 9 oz.
4. Usability: I like that the Gregory Deva 70 has three ways to get into the main compartment. It also has large side pockets, easily accessible hip pockets, water bladder storage and a removal to pack that turns into  either a fanny pack or slingbag. See the linked video from REI.com 

http://www.rei.com/product/video/809325?p5NXYwMjpRONHqY95Xd5o4V9WzzVtBJr#ooid=p5NXYwMjpRONHqY95Xd5o4V9WzzVtBJr
Additional Links:
http://www.gregorypacks.com/
rei.com

Wallace Falls 4/11/2011

 "Come forth into the light of things. Let nature be your teacher."

 Isabel, ready to hit the trail

 My best friend, James 

 Bring on the sun!!

 Lower Falls

 Middle Falls

 My new hiking partner, my Gregory Deva 70 Backpack.

 A first time use of my new backpacking shoes, ended without blisters and with minimal soreness.

A friend we made on the way down the trail.

          Today I went on a hike to Wallace Falls with my best friend James and my dog Isabel. Wallace Falls is located just off of Hwy 2 in the town of Goldbar. We hiked 4.5 miles round trip up to the Middle Falls (approximately 1200' elevation) following the "Woody" trail (named after the late state senator Frank Woody). The waterfalls were absolutely stunning due to all the recent rainfall. We did encounter a small amount of hail during the 0.6 mile round trip hike from the Lower Falls to the Middle Falls. But, overall the day was beautiful the sun shone sporadically and the temperature was mild in the mid 50's. Even the rain waited until we had finished.