Mountain Mom and Tots

Black Forest Hike, Sundance Resort, Utah

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Last week was my wedding anniversary. For nine years I’ve been married to Mountain Dad, (when we met he would’ve been better described as River Guy) and to celebrate we spent the evening in my favorite place, the mountains.

We live near Sundance Mountain Resort in Utah so we decided to take the last lift of the day and explore Black Forest Trail. I’m a little embarrassed to say that although I’ve lived here for a year and a half I had never taken the summer lift up for a hike. I had no idea it would be so beautiful.

Ray’s lift boasts views of snow capped Mt. Timpanogos, lush green valleys, and at one point Stewart Falls in the distance. At the top of the lift we bought a water bottle from the vending machine since we had come unprepared and went off to explore the Black Forest Trail.

Black Forest Trail winds through pines and maples, with the mountain descending gradually below. It felt wild and reminded me how vital the outdoors is to my personal well being. I just feel more alive outside.

We walked through the forest and enjoyed each others company, passing fields and even a family of wild turkeys. Along the route, I imagined the mountain with a thick layer of snow, as I’m more accustomed to seeing it. I have to say experiencing the same space in a different season was eye opening.

The evening ended with an incredible meal at the Foundry Grill. The date was perfect, just like my husband. Thanks for all joy these last nine years, Mountain Dad!

Trail Info:

Rating: 5 stars, it helps that you don’t have to hike uphill

Length: 1.5 miles

Difficulty: Easy

Tips: Don’t forget water, or a few dollars to buy a bottle at the top of the lift.

Sundance on Dwellable

Tony Grove Lake, Logan Canyon, National Scenic Byway, Utah

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What made our trip to Logan Canyon, Utah so amazing was spending the day at Tony Grove Lake.

Wildflowers ranging from cerulean to coral festooned the area. Little g and I meandered around the self guided nature trail and through some tall pine forest for a little over a half mile, enjoying the many colors all around us.

Buzzing bees and hummingbirds whizzed around, and the high mountain temperatures were perfect for a summer day.

Tony Grove Lake itself is calm and beautiful, surrounded by grand cliffs and tall trees.

This high altitude lake is located over 8,000 feet and is fed by snow runoff, making it cold. But Big E and his cousins didn’t seem to mind the chill, spending hours splashing, swimming and floating. We brought an inflatable kayak and loved the freedom of gliding across the water.

If you’re planning a trip to this area, be aware there is a parking fee for Tony Grove Lake. The parking lot is located at the end of a winding seven mile paved road, three quarters of the way up Logan Canyon. It was a great place to explore and the scenery was breathtaking.

Tony Grove Lake Nature Trail Info

Rating: 5 stars during wildflower season (June/July)

Length: 0.5 miles

Difficulty: Easy

Tips: Expect to walk at a toddler’s pace unless you have the strength to wrestle a screaming, uncooperative almost two-year-old into a pack and then listen to her cry all the way along the trail.

Logan Canyon, Utah, National Scenic Byway, Guinavah-Malibu Campground

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In the heat of the summer, I love heading up in the mountains to enjoy the cooler temperatures. My most recent excursion was a camp out with the tots and their cousins in Utah’s beautiful to Logan Canyon.

Logan Canyon has been designated a National Scenic Byway and as such as many interesting sections. The winding Logan river has some beautiful sections that are perfect for floating. The geological features, such as Wind caves and Logan cave, provide refuge for wildlife, including sensitive Townsend big eared bats.

Big E’s cousin Tyler

This National Scenic Byway winds through the mountains between the city of Logan, Utah and Bear Lake, which is situated on the border of Utah and Idaho. Just driving through the canyon is a great activity, but stopping along the way for camping, hiking or boating is what makes Logan Canyon truly fun.

The tots and I spent the night at Guinavah-Malibu Campground, which is situated directly on the Logan river. It was fun to play in the water, then head back to camp for a homemade dutch oven dinner. Logan Canyon visitors buereu describes this campground as a “soothing landscape of willows, big-tooth maples, and grassy meadows.” I have to agree, the place was beautiful and the campsite spacious.

We spent the evening around the campfire, telling stories, making s’mores and enjoying one anothers’ company. The tots enjoyed the multicolored glow sticks their uncle gave them, and I enjoyed being able to see exactly where they were at all times thanks to their florescent beacons. It was a great addition to our camp evening, and I plan on bringing glow sticks again in the future.

The campground was great, with flush toilets and easily accessible water. My only complaint was hearing the noise from passing cars on the highway.

Over all, our stay at the Guinavah-Malibu Campground in Logan Canyon, Utah was a great adventure.

30 for my 30th Update

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The fourth of July is not just a great day to celebrate our nations independence. It also happens to be my half birthday. And this year I turned 30.5.

When I turned thirty, I made a list of goals to accomplish this year. I figured it was time for an update to you readers, letting you know what I’ve done.

Here’s my updated list, plus some additions at the bottom.

~~1. 360 on my snowboard~~ I accomplished this in the sloppiest way possible.
~~2. Front side board slide on a box~~ This wasn’t pretty either.
~~3. Teach Big E downhill skiing~~ He did great!
~~4. Try cross country skiing with the tots~~ Thanks Sundance Nordic Center.
~~5. Snowshoe excursion up Provo Canyon~~
~~6. Snowmobiling trip to Island Park, Idaho~~ Unfortunately this trip ended with sickness and broken ribs.
7. Hike to Stewart Falls with Big E walking the whole time (2 miles round trip, do you think he can make it?)
8. Visit a National Park I’m planning to do this in August.
9. Have a neighborhood bonfire where we burn our dry Christmas tree (Fire = Awesome)
~~10. Try canoeing with the tots~~ CLAS Ropes Course is awesome.
11. Bike ride road trip
12. Hike to a mountain top
~~13. Explore something new~~ The tidepools at Carpinteria were awesome.
~~14. Go to the beach~~ I miss this already.
~~15. Go camping~~ I’ll be doing this a lot.
16. Watch a caterpillar change
17. Mountain bike down a mountain…without the tots
~~18. Grow a garden~~ This is quite a feat in my shady, mountain area frequented by deer.
19. Teach Big E to swim
~~20. Hike to a waterfall~~ Battlecreek Falls, Baby!
21. Go fishing
22. Visit Italy with Mountain Dad (This has always been on my bucket list and since I turned 30 this year it seems like the right time to plan it. Plus we have over 200,000 frequent flyer miles built up thanks to spending too much money with our Delta Skymiles card. Curse you Home Depot!)
23. Explore Portland, Oregon
~~24. Go boating~~
25. Swim 200 meter freestyle without stopping I’m not sure why I wrote this goal, I’m not a big swimming fan.
26. Yet to be determined Try outdoor cooking with a reflector oven
27. Um… Kayak the Provo river with Mountain Dad
28. I’m not sure yet Hike to a great swim spot
29. Stop pressuring me people! See a moose or bear in the wild
30. (sigh) Go mountain biking in Moab

Wish me luck on these new adventures, and if you have any suggestions for a great adventure with the tots, please let me know.

If you’d like to see the original post here it is:

30 Adventures for my 30th Birthday

Yesterday I turned thirty. I know, I’m old. (This is the point when everyone younger than thirty nods in agreement while everyone older than thirty rolls their eyes.)

I don’t feel like I’ve passed some great milestone, I feel basically the same way I did the day before, only sleepier. It could be that thirty makes you more slumberous but my guess is that I’m sleepier because little g consistently screams for me in the middle of the night while Big E weasels his way into my bed. Seriously, the one request I had for them was for them to sleep all night in their own beds. Did this happen? NO. Instead Big E and I got so mad at each other it ended in tears…for both of us.

I don’t think it’s unreasonable to expect a good day for your birthday. In general people treat you kindly and you get a free pass on chores you hate (no dishes for me, YES!). Apparently that concept does not matter to a three year old, however because when I asked Big E to stop playing on the computer and come eat lunch he screamed, yelled, cried, pushed his plate across the table, pouted and ended up in a 20 minute time out in his room. I know it’s bad when I’m holding grudges against a 3 year old child.

An actual quote by me, “No, I will not make you nachos because you’re being so mean!”

While he was crying, yelling and pouting I put little g down for her nap and in the process she hit my face with a book breaking my glasses and once again making me cry. Less from the emotional drama and more from the pain in my eyeball region.

Because of this I have declared BIRTHDAY WEEK! for the next seven days. Instead of doing all the celebrating on one day I’m spreading it out over a week. This way I get all the things I want – a night out with Mountain Dad, a Ladies night with friends, a pampering pedicure, a nap – and I don’t have to try to squeeze it in to one day. As part of my BIRTHDAY WEEK! I am also giving you a gift, blog readers. I have decided to list 30 adventures I’m planning to have in the coming year. Thirty things to try with and without the tots in an effort of getting outdoors more. Are you ready? Here goes:

1. 360 on my snowboard
2. Front side board slide on a box
3. Teach Big E downhill skiing
4. Try cross country skiing with the tots
5. Snowshoe excursion up Provo Canyon
6. Snowmobiling trip to Island Park, Idaho
7. Hike to Stewart Falls with Big E walking the whole time (2 miles round trip, do you think he can make it?)
8. Visit a National Park
9. Have a neighborhood bonfire where we burn our dry Christmas tree (Fire = Awesome)
10. Try canoeing with the tots
11. Bike ride road trip
12. Hike to a mountain top
13. Explore something new
14. Go to the beach
15. Go camping
16. Watch a caterpillar change
17. Mountain bike down a mountain…without the tots
18. Grow a garden
19. Teach Big E to swim
20. Hike to a waterfall
21. Go fishing
22. Visit Italy with Mountain Dad (This has always been on my bucket list and since I turned 30 this year it seems like the right time to plan it. Plus we have over 200,000 frequent flyer miles built up thanks to spending too much money with our Delta Skymiles card. Curse you Home Depot!)
23. Explore Portland, Oregon
24. Go boating
25. Swim 200 meter freestyle without stopping
26. Yet to be determined
27. Um…
28. I’m not sure yet
29. Stop pressuring me people!
30. (sigh)

So maybe 30 is an ambitious goal, whatever. If you have suggestions for a possible adventure that would be appropriate for Me, Mountain Dad or Big E and little g by all means let me know. If not I hope you enjoy reading about the adventures we do plan on having. Happy reading!

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30 Adventures for my 30th Birthday

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