Backpacking in the Uintas

Don and I went backpacking this last weekend to the Uintas. Grandma Dona watched LiLi for a few days (thank you!) It was the first time I'd been away from LiLi for more than a few hours. I cried.

We camped at Gem Lake. It was close to three other lakes, Joan Lake, D26, and Echo. They were only about a 1/3 to a 1/2 a mile away, except for Echo, which is about an hour away. Joan Lake ended up being my favorite, it was the prettiest, the most swimmer-friendly, and the most pristine.

This was my first backpacking trip. After strapping on our gear, we scrambled straight up a deer trail for about an hour. That's when I realized that Don was slightly crazy, or maybe just completely crazy. He was actually taking it easy on me. Usually he hikes all day there, and all day back, pausing for a day in between to fish.

Don also had a lot to teach me, how to filter water, fish, build a descent fire (it's a lot harder to do it without lighter fluid...give me some slack, we made boondoggles and did skits at Girl's Camp,okay??) He was a very patient teacher,...(bless you, Honey for putting up with your "outdoor challenged" wife). Fishing was fun. I caught a few fish, the dog (that one wasn't my fault), and *cough* myself. I don't really want to talk about it.

Needless to say, we really did have a blast. Between Don's gourmet backpacking meals (i.e. the best fish tacos you've ever had in your life!), swimming, hiking, exploring, photography, and just relaxing, we couldn't have asked for a better weekend. Just me, my honey, ten thousand mosquitoes, and breathtaking views. It was hard to come back, although having a cute baby that I missed like crazy made it a lot easier. Here are some pictures from our trip:


Gem Lake- filled with blooming lily pads, and complete with an amphitheater of sandstone cliffs, it was a peaceful place, and we had the most success fishing there.

I am a chronic "water-gazer".

All of the sandstone was covered in lime green lichen, I loved it. As if the place didn't have enough color.

Lady and I did yoga together (although Don says it looks like I'm praying to her). She's a natural at the "downward/forward facing dog" poses.

Joan Lake- crystal clear water, with just the right temperature for a hot summer's day. It felt like my own personal garden, with terraces of sandstone, and wildflowers everywhere.




Echo Lake- twice as big as Joan's Lake, ideal for canoeing; it's also located near a waterfall, and easy to get to.

The only time I can get Don to smile for the camera is when he's in the great outdoors.

Moving Tough Cookie

Alright. You know how I moved this blog a year ago due to technical difficulties?? Well, I never moved my cooking blog, and it's also experiencing difficulties as well. I'm not sure why. But it's extremely frustrating. And so, I finally had enough today and moved it. Here's where you can find me cooking:

http://toughcooky.blogspot.com/

You can also find a link to it on my sidebar. So, hopefully this will also help me, and you as well, since my last cooking blog wouldn't show updates if you happened to have it on a blog roll.

And just so you know, my last post will come in handy for your 4th of July. Here's a little taste, no pun intended, of the latest!