Bandelier National Monument

So two weekends ago I explored Bandelier National Monument by myself. The whole day was awesome!

On my way to the National Park I stopped outside of Sante Fe at a really cool swap meet on an Indian Pueblo. Wish I could have spent all day looking at the really artsy stuff but it was on to the exploration.

At the park I hiked the Main Loop Trail and stuck my head in a few cavets. I loved looking back over Tyuonyi and imagining what the place must have looked like when it was so heavily populated. Bandelier has the feel of a combination between Chaco Canyon and Mesa Verde which makes it really unique.

About 12 miles from the main park is an area called Tsankawi which is far less populated. The place is amazing and off I went in the hot desert sun. When I started exploring Tsankawi I took off by myself and didn't worry too much about getting lost because you are literally walking in ancient paths... Of course, somehow I got a bit turned around and started to second guess myself. Then I got a little nervous when I saw storm clouds son the horizon.

So I said a little prayer and kept going... how did the Lord save the day you ask? Well, I'm glad you asked, after hiking a little further I ran into the first people I had seen for quite some time. It was a Girl's Camp from one of the Albuquerque Wards and they pointed me in the right direction. I guess the only people crazy enough to be exploring out in the middle of nowhere is us crazy Mormons.

Made it back to my truck and home safe, but I'll always get a little chuckle when I think about the randomness (and blessing) of running into a bunch of Young Women on a Girl's Camp hike in the middle of nowhere New Mexico!

Long overdue update...

Well this update is long overdue... A million apologies but it's not like our little family hasn't been strung out over three states and facing major life changes! At present, I am typing in an Arby's in Albuquerque that happens to have free internet access (heaven help us if I spill Arby's sauce on my Mac!

Well since we last checked in I started my new job as director of Admissions and Recruitment here at the University of New Mexico. Coming down was an awesome experience that involved getting lost in the desert, spending quality time with my brother Jeff, discovering ancient and remote cliff dwellings and finding myself enchanted by our new New Mexico home. There really is something magical about this place. The sunsets are incredible (even through the Arby's windows!)

Lisa is still technically in Idaho preparing for the big move... I say technically because she's had the wonderful blessing of visiting family in Utah and attending the National Families Supporting Adoption conference this past week.

We miss each other like crazy and can't wait to be together this next month...

Certainly our faith has been tested in finding our new home, but our God is great. Lisa and I felt incredibly blessed to have found a home this past week. We are moving to Los Lunas which is actually 20 minutes south of Albuquerque and much easier to spell. I actually work on the south end of ABQ so my commute will be about 17 minutes! When we have the time there are so many little side stories to share about how we arrived at our decision. We can undeniably feel the Lords hands in making our move a reality and it has been so faith promoting.

We are already starting to come to grips with the reality of being so far from family and friends; luckily we have met amazing people here in NM who have taken us in and we are excited about our new NM family...

There are a gazillion challenges ahead at UNM but I love my job and feel blessed to be working there. I'm already feeling the Lobo pride! Woof, woof, woof...

There is so much to share... I've had some awesome experiences already that I need to post, but there just isn't enough time in Arby's!

Thanks to all who have had us in our thoughts and prayers. We feel so amazingly loved and blessed, and pray for you too!

-Scott

Conquering our fears, 20 years later...

When I was about 11 or 12 our family went to Lava Hot Springs with the cousins. They have a 10 meter platform which terrified me! I was too chicken to jump off it... I'm proud to report 20+ years later... I mastered the highest platform at LAVA!

Memorial Day weekend was a blast. Grandpa Fred, Grandma Dalene and Uncle Jeff met us at Lava Hot Springs and we played in the water all day! Then we went to see the Soda Springs Geyser and had an impromptu pizza party! We ended the day exploring the wagon ruts and old buildings at the living ghost town of Chesterfield.

It was awesome to be able to spend time and play with family while we enjoy the freedoms that life in the United States affords. Our gratitude can never be enough for those who have served and paid the ultimate price for our freedoms.

Our Own Private Idaho...the Roadtrip

Thanks to all the wonderful friends and family who have shown their love and support as we prepare to move to New Mexico.

There is an old adage that you don't know what you've got until it's gone; as for Idaho we've known we've been blessed to be in awesome part of the country but with little ones it's often difficult to explore this little "gem" state. Last week Grandpa Fred and Uncle Jeff watched the kids so Lisa and I could do a little road trip through central Idaho.

The highlights of our three day, whirlwind, central Idaho trip:
Day One...
Indian Springs, Massacre Rocks State Park, Registry Rock, Malad Gorge, Blue Highways (on cassette), Boise shopping (Lisa), the movie Earth,

Day Two...
AmeriTel breakfast (yum), Boise Temple, Famous Dave's BBQ, Horseshoe Bend, Scenic Drive, Sawtooth Mountain Range, Elk,Love and Logic (on cassette) Deer, Traffic Ticket, Sun Valley Lodge, bowling, Italian restaurant, rain.

Day Three...
Rain, swimming, main street diner, Craters of the Moon, Atomic City, rain,home...

We're sure glad to have had the chance to play tourists in our own backyard even if it was for a short weekend!