Hiking Club (Week 4 - Indian Trail, Canyon Trailhead) - Blogged by JME




Indian Trail has two ways to get to the cabin at the top. One is on the west side of the mountain and actually shares a trail with Hidden Valley at the beginning before the trails fork off. That trail is really hot and can be pretty miserable in the summer for our hiking club because by the time we start, the sun is shining right on us and there isn't enough shade to keep cool, so energy is drained quickly.



The other trail, and the one we went on this week, starts from the canyon and is shaded the whole way. It is nice and cool and has a much easier ascent. There is a natural spring and a stream that also cools the surrounding air.



We saw a lot of interesting things on this hike. First, we saw a Christmas Tree. Not just a pine tree, but a tree decorated for Christmas. We thought maybe all of the forest creatures had forgotten to take down their decorations for the year.



Then we saw a man hiking . . . with his goat. That was kind of weird. The goat was pretty friendly though and 'naaaahhhhed' at us and licked our hands to say 'hello.' That's not a sight you see every day.



Our trail crossed over a rock slide. I'm glad I wasn't there when the rock slide happened.




At the top is a little cabin. I don't know what it is for. It's really too small to sit in, but it is fun to see.



Last year, while hiking from the west side trail head, one of the doctors found a little baby moose. It had fallen down off the trail. He had to hike down a little ways to get it and brought it up to the cabin, hoping the mom would come find it. It was so young and still had its umbilical cord. The next time the group hiked that trail about a week later, they found it but the poor little thing had died. It was very sad.

N8 and I have really enjoyed these hikes. They provide great exercise for us and we meet new and interesting people all the time. It is amazing to see how much this area has for people to do. We really live in a great place.

Crossing Over - Blogged by N8

On May 14th, after months of waiting, hoping, and praying for a position to open up, I enlisted in the Air National Guard after over four and a half years of service in the Navy. This time I was fortunate enough to have some of my family members there and also the staff that I will be working with.



I became interested in the Air National Guard after working with many fine members while deployed to Germany. I quickly grew envious of what they had and wanted to be a part of it.



Last March, a position opened up and I interviewed for it. They called me the next day and said that I was the one that stood out. There were many applicants and we feel very blessed to have been chosen.



The Guard atmosphere is very different from the Navy and is much more family friendly. My deployment schedule looks to be a lot lighter and more spread out. I am honored to still be serving my country in this capacity.



I'm no longer a Petty Officer. I am now a Staff Sergeant.

Hiking Club (Week 3 - Hidden Valley) - Blogged by JME

On June 7th, we hiked up Hidden Valley. This was N8's and my first time on this trail. It was really tough but very beautiful. All along the trail were these vibrant yellow flowers cheering us on.



We hiked on switchbacks for a while in the sun and finally came up over a ridge and hiked back behind the mountain we were hiking on. Things leveled out as we hiked through a bit of a forest and then everything opened up to reveal parts of our mountain range we had never seen.



We also saw this rock structure that someone had built. As far as we could tell it was an alter to give thanks that they finally made it to the top.



If we hiked around the mountain a little ways to the south we could see back into the valley where we came from. What a sight!



It was such a tough hike but it was nice and we were both happy we had accomplished it.

Hiking Club (Week 2 - Waterfall Canyon) - Blogged by JME



This is one of our favorite hikes. We hiked this one on May 31st. There has been so much water this year from all the snow and rain we've had. The waterfall had more water than I've ever seen. Even the trail had water running over it in some areas and it was almost like hiking up a stream. We did get a really good workout from it. This is the same hike I went on last year with my nephews, Bug and Skunk. Actually, I think that I went on this trail about four times last year. It is very convenient in location and it doesn't really take very long. It's pretty easy and you get the reward of seeing a waterfall at the top.







On the way up you see so much of the valley. In this picture you can see the college and the new hospital.



This is my favorite spot on the trail. To me it looks almost like ancient ruins.



Watch out for the cactus!!!



It's a great way to have a free date night!!!



What a beautiful world.

Hiking Club (Week 1 - Skyline Trail) - Blogged by JME



One of the doctor's I work for puts together a hiking club every year. We've really enjoyed it in the past and are again involved in it this year. We hike every Tuesday evening. The first two Tuesdays were cold and wet and we missed going but have made the others so far.

This was the first hike we went on this year (Skyline Trail - South). We did this one on May 24th. N8 has been able to go with me on these hikes. Most of the time he has been on a deployment when I've been involved in the hiking club so he's only been on a few hikes with the group in the past.



There is still snow on some of the higher mountain tops here.



This was the view at the top.



When we arrived at the bottom of the mountain, we decided to hang out by the dam to unwind and enjoy our surroundings for just a little while longer. N8 had a good time skipping rocks across the water. I enjoyed watching him.









We will continue to post pictures and blog about our hikes throughout the summer so anyone who wants may enjoy the scenery we enjoy every Tuesday.

You are looking at an Associate - Blogged by JME



I finally did it! I finally graduated and have received my degree. I am the first person in my family to get my degree and it was such an accomplishment for me. My graduation was the first part of May. N8 and my sister-in-law, Pookie, and my niece, Jo Jo, were there to support me. Pookie gave me a bouquet of flowers. N8 took me out to a nice steak dinner and gave me the blue ray of 'Sound of Music,' AND offered to watch it with me - gasp! (He doesn't like musicals.) I really appreciate those who encouraged and supported me and helped me get through school. I could not have done it on my own. I feel so blessed that Pookie and N8 both were there for me at my graduation.



Thanks, guys!