playing with bears

I had one of the best, if not the best Columbus Day weekends ever (too often un-celebrated holiday). We drove up to Jackson, WY on Friday where we hung out at the Clayton's cabin--meeting new friends and catching up with one great former roommate [m.e. :)]. The temperature highs were pretty low enabling a dusting of white, icy goodness over the Tetons and us.


loving my new kicks. I realized since living at the beach for the last few years I have lost much of my gear. picked these cute things up to reconnect with my Utah-girlness. my feet were so warm. they love the snow.


I know this pic is blurry, taken w/ the zoom on my phone. This little guy was about 50 yards away. Cute little bear tried to climb a baby aspen tree and kept falling down. This was right after a conversation about what to do when charged by a bear. I'm not sure that counts for black bears. He couldn't have cared less that we were there.



Came back to this...

Welcome home! He flashed a warning when I started the engine of 33 degrees. I think Lucky likes the snow! (The coziness in SLC upon my return was pretty great, I will not lie.)

internet shopping

Super excited about the purchase of the 40 oz Klean Kanteen. No more phthalates in my beverage of choice! Don't worry, I got 2 and part of my purchase will be donated to the cancer fund. I love buying pink!



It's not a good habit to open other people's mail. But boxes from places like Melaluca which have been delivered to my parents' house for years just scream "open me." My lack of privacy was rewarded by the opportunity to slather my pucker with this nostaligic lip balm. It's got a new look, but the scent brought back lots of memories of Powell and pool parties. Good times!

Emigration Canyon (aka: I love unemployment)

Ruth's Diner has the best biscuits I've ever tasted...or photographed...

and a really yummy spinach omelet.
My friend and former co-worker, Tara, just purchased a new SLR and wanted to practice. I had my dad's Nikon--which I know nothing about, other than the very basics, but we had some fun anyway.

who knew that there were white alligators that are not albino? probably my nephew. he's really smart.






after the zoo, I took a drive up an unfamiliar canyon and enjoyed some scenic vistas. I must say, though, the Alpine Loop is looking much more colorful.

it's not california here (aka: I ♥ autumn).

more pics here.

My last trip to d-land as a So Cal resident.

Bethany flew down to help me move. We spent one of my last days at the happiest place on earth.

Starting the day off right or not so right...either way this brownie sundae tasted really good.

"Is that James' giant peach?"

oh, nope. it's a smelly orange rind with bees buzzing around the middle.

bee bee. bzz bzz.


california screamin'

tower of terror

splash mountain
space mountain, the usually long line. someone found some que entertainment. it's blurry, but yes, that is twilight.
space mountain, the ride
honestly couldn't have picked a better day/time o' year to go. seriously short lines. we did pretty much everything in california adventure, including the bug's life theater and Ursula's grotto where she stole our voices. fortunately, we got them back.