ASHA Convention

I have wanted to go to convention since I was a student. I tried back when I could get Marriott rates, but either I could get the room, but didn't have money for airfare, or I had money for airfare and couldn't get the room. At some point I decided when it came back to the west coast I would go no matter what. I've been waiting for a few years but it was finally back in San Diego. I ended up staying at the home of a local SLP who was willing to share her room. It worked out great. Staying with her made my convention so much better since I had someone else to talk to about it and go to some of the sessions with. She was really nice and I am glad to have met her. Not having a car limited me to the convention and her place, so I didn't get to the beach like I was hoping but the weather wasn't that great anyway, so that was okay. I was also hoping to meet up with dez/Rob, but he was out in the desert racing -- they did win so that was good.

The convention was awesome. I was really hoping it might infuse me with a little motivation to keep going. It did that and more. It started off with the opening speech from the president and the keynote speaker. That was a woman who had a stroke and she spoke of how it changed her and what a beautiful thing a brain is. It was fantastic. Then on to the sessions. Some were short and some were long but in the end I was able to get in about 17 hrs of learning. Some were great, but not all, I walked out on a couple. But overall the effect was cumulative in the positive. The energy created by all those researchers coming together in one spot was palpable and so good. I learned that I wasn't so far off with some of my ideas and leanings which was reassuring and helpful. I learned a few things that will definitely benefit my therapy. I was proud to be a part of the organization and the insight it gave to how other SLP's are dealing with and working with problems was affirming.

I got tired of all the learning a couple times and took some time out. Once I ended up talking to an audiologist from Maine. We had a great little visit that I really enjoyed. On Saturday morning the weather was so warm and the sky was blue I took a walk up to Seaport Village. Street performers were out, the shops were open and it was wonderful to get fish tacos and churros fresh made. I sat and talked to a panhandler for awhile since she was waving and talking to people going by and I could tell from her speech she'd had something affect her. Turned out it was a fall from a balcony when she was 21. She had a great attitude, but was definitely dealing with some problems. Sweet woman. I came home with such a better regard for my profession and a hope that maybe I could do better. I also felt a little sad that it had taken me so long to get to one and that I would love to be able to go again. Not next year, but soon.

KANAB '11

What an amazing few days we were all able to experience. It was truly incredible. For those coming to a Utah Meetup for the first time they learned what a great group of unique people we are. It was an incredible success. First day was a trip up Johnson canyon to Skutumpah road to the trailhead for Willis Creek.

Next day was a road trip to Toroweap Point. This brought back memories from our family trip there in the 90's.

Next day was a rafting trip from Page to Lee's Ferry. I enjoyed this more than I expected to. And I can see how it would be an essential kind of thing to do for someone who was totally new to the area.

Then last day was a hike to the Wave. This blog began in preparation for my first hike to the wave about three years ago. I was very glad to go again, I was amazed at how I felt after, I thought I might be more tired, but I wasn't. I enjoyed so much my first solo trip, and was able to gain more from it than I did this time. This time it was more group dynamics and sharing it with friends which added another layer of enjoyment to the trip. We laughed and had such a good time.

I have really tried to take advantage of this summer and now that it is over I feel I was successful. I had so much fun. Starting with the incredible trip to Havasu in May, several Bees baseball games, then our Torrey trip and delightful Sulphur Creek hike in July, the fun filled and wonderful week in Vail, our very short trip to Moab and a wet and enjoyable river trip there, Hyrum and Laura's wedding and all the showers and dinners and planning involved with that, and now the last two weekends I hiked Angel's Landing and went with Russ to Phoenix for our baseball trip this year with a great detour to Sedona.

Sometimes I feel like summer just goes so fast, and I didn't want this year to pass me by without enjoying it. I guess I could have taken more hikes and had more picnics, but it is hard to get anyone together at the same time. What we did satisfied me and leaves me happy.

Tender Mercies

God's tender mercies aplenty. Since I was going to lose my power steering anyway I'm grateful I did so before trying to make the LaVerkin cutaway curve at 50mph. I just really didn't feel like being Thelma and Louise. I'm thankful for the 1/2 hour of battery power my phone had received. I'm thankful for a safe place to park. I'm thankful that in the relatively isolated area without phone reception I could still text Russ, it was the lifeline that kept me calm. I'm thankful for AAA towing. I'm thankful for Scorpio and the Dipper and Polaris and the arc of the beautiful Milky Way that kept me company. I'm thankful the tow truck found me despite the bad address he was given. I'm thankful he stayed with me till I had a safe place to be. I'm home a day later than expected, and grateful for such simple things as to be able to get into a car and drive here.

What a wonderful wedding

A new family unit was created Friday. Hyrum and Laura were married in the Draper Temple. It was wonderful to be there with them, to feel the sweet spirit there, to have our friends and family join us and them to celebrate and share their joy. And they are so happy. This is a special union, you can feel each of them are strong and independent, but together they will grow even better. It was a beautiful blue sky day. The valley views were a little hazy, but the flowers were beautiful, the temple shone. We also had a dinner in the afternoon. It was delicious food and good company. I didn't feel like I was able to visit with everyone who came as long as I wanted to. It was so great to have everyone there.

Rafting

Saturday we checked out and headed south for rafting. This was out of our way home, but closer for Caleb and Jessica. And it is supposed to be the most rafted canyon in Colorado, so I guess it was better to do it than the Shoshone Rapids. Maybe another time for them.

Brown's Canyon begins just south of Buena Vista. We went with Noah's Ark, one of two outfitters right there at the put in. We had a great time. The sky clouded up a little but never rained. It did keep us cold though, that water is just one step up from snow melt. The first part is pretty easy, nice I and II level rapids. Then about half way through the river squeezes together and goes down hill. We had about 7 rapids that are II and III+, but most of those were split into several sections. Zoom Flume, and Toilet Bowl were the two memorable ones. There was also Pinball and Seven Sisters, Canyon Door, Screen Door, Three Amigos and Last One. It was a fantastic ride. Excitement enough for the boys and safe enough for Louisa.


Then we said good-bye to Caleb and Jessica as they headed to her home in Colorado Springs and we headed over the Monarch Pass to Montrose. I really couldn't get over the mountains, how beautiful they were. As you drive down from Vail to Salida there are a whole row of mountains over 14,000 ft among them Mt of the Holy Cross, Notch Mt, Mt Elbert (the tallest in the state), Mt Massive, Mt Princeton and 10!!! more. They make a huge long wall through the middle of the state. It is incredible.

We ended our week with a quick trip to Black Canyon of the Gunnison NP. Impressive again. Shear walls going down 2000 ft. It is hard to grasp the depth, but it is pretty wild to look at.

More Vail

One day the boys went golfing and the girls went shopping and took a walk through Betty Ford's Alpine garden. It was not as showy as I expected. They could have had tons of flowers in bloom, but it was more a scientific garden with different types of alpine plants from all over the world.


When we had done Vail we headed down to Eagle for the county fair. This was something unplanned and not known about till we arrived in Vail and saw the posters. It was a lot of fun. The fair was mostly 4 H (Head, Heart, Hands, Health) stuff, no adults involved in the entrys. We saw some livestock judging of lambs and showmanship. And we enjoyed the sights and smells.

The next night we came back for the Rodeo. They did an all out show, very impressive. The patriotic theme, the queen and attendants, the clown, the Rocky Mt Kid who jumped his motorcycle over the truck, and the calf roping, and bull riding were great. Caleb and Jessica had joined us by then and it seemed to make the trip a little better.

We also spent time swimming and reading and playing racquetball. It was a very relaxing pace from which I am still trying to get over.

Our time in Vail

We stayed at a condo in West Vail for the week. It was so perfect. Newly renovated, our unit at the end right by the Gore Creek. We could walk out our door, sit on the chairs and watch the water flow, listen to the birds and smell the pines. It convinced me again that I want a house on a river!

We enjoyed church in Avon, they had a song and prayer in Spanish and sent me back to reminiscing about Sherbrooke.
Then the Vail Sunday Market was going so we went over to enjoy the booths, wares, art, and music. It was a perfect day with lots of sunshine and good feelings. Loved the jazz quartet.

Next day we did miniature golf and took a tour of the resort.
It is huge!, not quite as big as Powder Mt, but more impressive in many ways since there are more lifts and all you can see for miles are mountains. Elevation about 11,000 at the top.

Next day Laura and Hyrum took some mt bikes on the gondola and rode on the mountain. They said they had a good time. Louisa and Russ and I drove around to see some of the other places I'd read about. First was Piney Lake. The 10 mile dirt road in was fun and in pretty good shape. The lake was incredible. The Ranch had some improving to do to be more tourist friendly.

So we took the loop drive over the Vail Pass then down to Leadville where we ate lunch and wandered up and down Main street before coming back for dinner with the "lovebirds" in Minturn.

Vail

For our family reunion this year we went to Vail Colorado. It is amazing what is so close to us that we never take the time to explore. We had a great time. Friends of ours let us stay our first night in their home in Grand Junction. Then we took a drive along the Colorado NM. It could look like Arches in some places. It was a good start.

Then we ate lunch in Glenwood Springs and there learned that the Shoshone Rapids was still closed to rafting. It sounded like the water could be dropping and might go low enough for us to get on the next week, but I did start looking again for what might be available.

Then we drove into Aspen. I have to say it was beautiful. I was entranced and want to go back. Much different than I expected. We followed the road up into the mountains and over Independence Pass. It was the beginning our our Rocky Mt High- elevation over 12,000 ft. The snow had been late in melting so the flowers were all in bloom, the grass was green it was gorgeous.

Fourth of July hike

Hyrum said he'd come with me to Capitol Reef and then Laura didn't have to work so she came too. It was so much fun and such a stark contrast between the peace and eternal nature of God's creations and my hectic and busy life.












Sunday we drove down the Notom road and up the Burr trail switchbacks and then down upper Muley Twist road and hiked to Strike Valley Overlook. Had never known about this until a fellow TA'er brought it to my attention. Then of course I had to go. So finally years later it was accomplished. Beautiful view for sure. It reminded me of Prof Cooper. I wondered if this would have been part of his "geology of Southern Utah" field trip. That is one regret I have for not going to SUSC the next year.

Monday was our big hike down Sulphur Creek.

First we all piled into one truck, probably outlawed now, but it was only a short distance and we all arrived safely. Then about a mile down a hot and dry wash. I was seriously questioning my choice. Then around a turn and there was water! Sulphur creek was ankle deep and refreshingly warm.















We followed a typical Utah streambed down past the goosenecks overlook over 800 ft above. The canyon was wide and wonderful with a small breeze blowing, the occasional water crossing was welcome and easy. This went on for a little bit too long - the rhythm of the walking and the small birds, the willows and cottonwood were mesmerizing and then just old.





But just before total despair set in, all at once around a bend the walls closed in and the floor dropped out 15 ft beneath us. Our first waterfall was a doozy. So fun and so much to enjoy. We all clambered down and posed for pictures.



















A few more waterfalls, riffles, and what I called the rock garden as it was a narrow bed filled with big rocks. This was a gorgeous and much appreciated place in the hike. It made it all very much worth the time and effort to go.About a mile past the last waterfall the creek runs into the visitor center and we are finished. Satisfaction on all our faces. It was wonderful to share this with our friends.

Hyrum and Laura

It was fairly easy to recognize very early on that this relationship was something different. Russ and I both felt we were getting to know a future daughter in law. Laura is wonderful, a returned missionary, a second grade teacher, a calm and happy woman who has managed to tame our wild and zany son. We are very happy for Hyrum, who would prefer not to have all the attention.

They met at Macey's where Laura has worked for years. I'm pretty sure their first date was a group fish fry. My first recollection was of her trying to spice the fish before wrapping it in foil. They were not a couple before that night.... maybe after???

Love you Laura! Welcome.

Russ's Birthday

No pictures today. Just good memories of everyone having a good time. Instead of going somewhere for a major league game Russ just wanted to stay home and have dinner with his family and go to a Bees game. So that is what we did.
Louisa was able to get off early, Caleb came up, Jesse and Hyrum all were there, Laura was out of town so we missed her. We cooked hot dogs and hamburgers and I made potato salad and baked beans. Real simple, but it is Russ's traditional birthday food.

We played a new game that we got for him and then took everyone to the Bees game. It was a wonderful night, the game was pretty well sold out. We enjoyed the game, they had chances to win, almost had a grand slam, tied it up in the ninth and lost it in the 12th. By then about half the crowd was gone. We stayed for the fireworks and it was worth staying for, they were great.

I sure love my boys and sweet Louisa.

Happy Birthday RUSS :-)

Caleb moves out

Last week Caleb let us know he had found an apartment. He started a new job after we got back from Havasu and that gave him enough money he could afford it. Both Russ and I will miss having him at our home. I've loved knowing what he was doing and how he was doing and being able to talk at odd hours and help him out when he needed it. But we also know it is something he needs to do. He has spent the time since his divorce finding himself again and taking care of all the things he needed and wanted to do to be on his own. He was able to get his motorcycle, play in the college racquetball tournament, find jobs that he enjoyed, and find his stride. Of all the times he has left our house, for SUU, for his mission, for BYUI, after he was married, for some reason this one feels final. And it tears at a mother's heart strings. He is such a great kid. I really love his laughter, his intelligence, his drive and his energy, wish he wasn't so absent minded and maybe a little more goal-oriented. But I sure do love him.

Havasu Falls

It is a place I have wanted to go for a long time. I think the first time I saw a picture of them was over at Fishlers in high school. It would have been great to go when I was in college when I was young and fit and they were at their best. But that didn't happen. It was just always on the back burner.

Last summer Caleb asked, rather incredulously, why I had never taken them. Well, I think I had started to think about it when the floods hit in 2008. But maybe it was time to put it on the agenda again. So I made reservations for the lodge for Russ and Louisa and maybe me, and then tried to get campground ressis for the others. Never could. The lodge only had beds for 4, and besides the canyon was closed up until a few days before our reservations. So Russ and Louisa didn't come.

It was such a great trip down I really enjoyed it. I was so glad I could go with the boys, and that they would let me come with them. They were very solicitous of me and made me feel good.

Here is a link to many of the pictures: https://picasaweb.google.com/SusunK/Havasu?authkey=Gv1sRgCIP80_6v6J3ThwE#

Hwy 128

And then we drove home. It was going to be a long day, but I thought we might as well do it all the way and we took the drive up hwy 128...thereby adding probably an hour to the drive home. I was hoping we'd have some good early evening light on Fisher Towers, and it was. That river canyon is an interesting place. Maybe someday I'll camp along the river, hike Negro Bill canyon, and Fisher Towers and take that drive up into the LaSals. Still so much to see and do in Moab.

Devil's Garden

And then we drove to the end of the park. I hadn't been down this far since we brought the kids for the hike to Delicate Arch 15 or so years ago. I always remember it as being one of the best places to camp. And being there again reminded me just why I love it. The trees with the rocks are just incredible. I only went down the trail far enough to see Landscape Arch. I went super slow and enjoyed the warm day, the blue sky, the red rock, the chirping birds, the trees and then the wonderful arch. I felt so good.

Delicate Arch

So we were trying to decide which to do first, Delicate Arch or the Devil's Garden. I was thinking Devil's Garden would be longer, but in the end Delicate Arch probably was tougher. Anyway we went to Delicate Arch, along with everyone else in the park that day. It was kind of fun to see so many people trudging up and down the trail. I didn't mind it.

I always remember the first time I hiked it. Milo was probably on his mission since he wasn't in the pictures. We crossed over the wash on a wobbly swinging foot bridge, followed the trail with cairns and on the slickrock they had painted white arrows showing the way. We had no idea what to expect and were so amazed at the sight of that beautiful and fragile looking arch.

This time it was tougher for me. But it was a good tough, it really felt great to be out in the gorgeous weather, working out and being on that trail. Jesse went on ahead at his own speed and waited for me at the top. I leap frogged with a couple groups, one of which had a cute little girl in flipflops that was doing so good. I loved seeing all the families with all ages. How do people all get off at the same time to come down together?

Up at the top I caught my breath and then ate my lunch while gazing at that incredible arch. It is unique in that it is all by itself, unattached to a wall. Corona and Rainbow bridge are most similar in that they have one leg free, but Delicate arch truly is alone on the edge of that cliff and bowl. I love it. It was so good to be there.

The Windows Section of Arches

After driving into Moab to get some picnic/lunch food we headed over to Arches. We stopped for a quick peak in the Visitor's Center which is a nice one and then we drove over to the Window's section-so called due to all the arches in such a relatively small area.

It had been awhile since I'd taken the walk up to the North and South Windows so that was first on the agenda. Doing so allowed us to see Turret Arch which I'd forgotten was there.


It was such a perfect day. Blue sky, warm, slight breeze to cool off the sweat from working out. It was great. And so fun to be there with Jesse. I sure love him.