my fresh air

It's no secret that I actually like the winter and snow, and I'm almost a little disappointed that it's kind of already over here in Utah. But watch, now it will snow again, and I'll be mad about it or something cause it's also no secret that I'm insane. Oh well. One of the glorious things about it warming up again is that I can once again participate in outdoor activities. Oh boy! This last weekend I went on an adventure up around Upper Falls (above Bridal Veil Falls for anyone familiar with the area). It was a bit icy, but it was still a great hike, and it was incredible to be outside and exploring new things again. Luckily my friend Austin Terry not only takes me on great adventures, but also takes lovely pictures of adventures and was kind enough to share them with me so I could share them on my blog.

Clearly this takes me much more concentration than most.

Shout out to Ben for making sure that I never slipped and died with all the ice and rocks that really brought out my clumsy side. But, let's be honest, I don't think I have a non-clumsy side.

Glad to have great friends, great adventures, and great places to go exploring. 

I guess if warm weather means more adventures like these, I might not be that mad about it. I might even be excited about it. Okay. You caught me; I am excited about it. (Seriously I just jinxed us all. Now it's going to get freezing again. I'm sorry!!)

peace. love. and hikes.

my Utah appreciation post

When I first moved out to Utah, I was excited to be at BYU, but not so excited about living in the midwest. It's dry, there are way fewer trees, and it gets real real cold in the Winter. But, Utah has proven itself to have a lot of positives, and I would even say that I have to come to love living in Utah (but Georgia will always be my home of course). This weekend Utah provided me with some great outdoor adventures.

Adventure number one was a hike up to Stewart Falls

It was a great little hike, with a good friend, to see a lovely view.

 I look real awkward in this picture and my eyes are closed, but this is the crew I went on adventure number two with.

People keep asking where I went for adventure number two...and I actually don't even know where I was. We drove way up the mountains, did a little bit of off roading, and then found a rive and started hiking up. We were walking through the water, and it was so frozen, but it was fun anyways. (I apparently have a thing for half face selfies. sorry I'm not sorry)

Found a little spot to wait while the boys were climbing trees. I'm more of a small tree climber...none of those huge ones. 

And driving there and back the view was perfect the whole time. 

Utah, you have treated me very well this spring. I am gunna admit that I am actually pretty bummed to be leaving Utah for the summer, but excited to enjoy the wonderful humidity of the south. 

peace. love. and Utah. 

my weekend away

I don't think I realized how much I needed a weekend away till I was gone. I also think I forgot how much I miss the warmth. To survive Utah winters, I usually trick myself into thinking I love the winter (but actually there is some truth to that). Anyways. I headed a little more southern this weekend on a road trip with friends to Vegas and St. George. I did some hiking, soaked in sunshine, and relaxed. I brought a backpack full of homework and then didn't think about it for a second. My brain and body had equal need for this away time and I am so grateful that I had this opportunity to go road trippin. I was really hesitant at first to accept the offer since I only knew a couple people going, and looking back I can't imagine why I questioned it for a second. Adventures and new friends are two of my absolute favorite things.

Sometimes I take selfies while I'm on hikes. Don't worry about it.

 Deserts are weird, so flat. But, still a cool view (see the Vegas strip out there?). Our "easy .8 mile hike" turned into a difficult couple hour hike since we decided to forge our own path instead of following the given one.

We took this one for one of my best friends Kari, who is serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She is the reason I am friends with these boys, so I guess, in a way, the reason I was invited on this trip.

My body and soul were warmed by this visit to sunnier skies. I am feeling so blessed to have gotten to enjoy such a happy weekend.

peace. love. and road trips.