Big Cottonwood Lakes Mary, Martha and Katherine

I am in love with this John Muir quote. It speaks to me if you will... I made this print on the app Phoster. I went on a hike last week up Big Cottonwood Canyon. This hike was beautiful, I can't wait to take Drew. To get to the trailhead you just drive up to the Brighton Ski Resort and start hiking underneath the Majestic ski lift. The first part of the hike is a steeper incline that may be harder for little ones, but after that once you hike into the trees it evens out more.

I stopped at Dog Lake first. A different Dog Lake than the one up Millcreek. Just so we are all clear. The picture below makes it look so far away, but on the other end of the lake, which was probably 40 yards away were two moose. They were close enough that I could see them chew and turned when I cleared my throat. It was a much better encounter than last time. Miss that Caesar Bear.

I am crazy about hiking. The exercise, the air, the scenery, the isolation.... It all adds to perfection. I love to hike by myself. It drives Drew nuts. I have gotten better at letting him know where I am going.... Kind of....

After Dog Lake is Lake Mary, beautiful.

The water is incredible, mountains are breath taking, and as soon as we can find a dog sitter to take our pack we are going to camp up here. I can't imagine a better morning than waking up here.

Around Lake Mary, and up the trail you get to the smallest of the three lakes and arrive at Lake Martha. Just to the left behind the bushes was a third moose. Scary....

Something about being in the mountains helps put life into perspective. Almost a slap in the face how insignificant people and their drama can be. Up here it's just bigger than all that. Mountain freedom is bigger than judgement, meanness, stress and worry. I need that freedom, I crave it.

If you're still with me after that little journal moment lets see some pretty nature.

I love how the fallen trees have twisted trunks like this. How does that happen I wonder. I want to paint an office in this color.

A view from above of Lake Martha and a peek of Lake Mary.

After some winding I came to Lake Katherine.

Worth it.

I walked around the shore and found some huge moose prints, and grass spots where you could see a moose had spent the night.

As I said on instagram.... You can't take me out of Utah. I'm crazy about this place. Can you blame me?

Twisted trunks.

And on the descent a view of Mickey Mouse rock... Just to make this adventure that much more amazing.

Dog Lake

Sorry for the overload of instagram pictures this week! I haven't been carrying my camera around, and I most certainly wasn't going to lug it around on this hike... Although it would have been lighter, and a lot more useful then the nalgene water bottle I hauled up, full of sudsy water.... Blah!

The pooches and I headed up to Dog Lake after work... The leaves are changing, and we weren't about to miss it! My pooches are major fall nuts! Crazy dogs!

It was a terrific 6 mile round trip hike... It was the longest hike I have done in my fivefinger Vibrams... I love them! The most comfortable hike I have ever done... The muscles in my feet are sore, I didn't even know the muscles were there.... Learn something new...

As did Polly who decided to fetch sticks out of the water... She thought it was okay... What was really fun, was hunting dragonflies... She's a natural pouncer...

This was the first time I've been up to Dog Lake without Caesar... This was our hike... He loved it! He loved getting up to the lake, running into the water.... Drinking as much as he could, and then throwing it up! It was his tradition! Silly pooch!

Dog Lake... We have missed you!

The hike we have been longing for is finally open! Dog Lake is up Millcreek canyon.

The triple threat of pooches. This might sum up our summer! Happy Odd Days Are Dog Days!

 

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Dog Lake

My absolute favorite hike thus far! Caesar and I headed up Millcreek again. Drew was enjoying some much needed brotherly love (fishing with his brother Nathan). And Cleo can hike that far yet.

Has anyone tried to take a self pix on an iPhone? Super hard!

The pictures are pretty self explanatory.

Caesar playing fetch!

Who knew this dog, who sleeps about 22hrs a day had so much energy!?

And just one of the 2 souvenirs from Caesar! For every ones enjoyment!

Donut Falls

I feel guilty whenever I go on a hike without the dogs. On even days they can't go to Dog Lake anyway, so I went up Big Cottonwood Canyon where they are never allowed because its a water shed.

This is a short nice hike. Just good to get up and out of the city. Perfect weather, and perfect scenery.

Most of the hike is a clear trail, once you get to the falls you can scramble up the rocks and go into the grotto.

The reason for the name Donut Falls.

Inside the grotto...

The backside of water! Get it? Just like Disneyland's Jungle Cruise...

View from the top...

I'm just not sure there is anywhere as pretty as Utah.... Great hike for everyone. Probably an hour + round trip if you don't scramble up to the waterfall. I can't wait to try this hike in the snow.

Aspens...

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Key Rack DIY

You know the cold sweat you get and the pit in your stomach you feel when you should have left for work 10 minutes ago. It you can't find your keys? No, just me? Hmm.... I am constantly losing me keys. I set them down somewhere never to be found again. Drew has moved from wanting to slap me every time this happens, to patiently waiting on the couch while I go room to room in a panic. Well no more! I took a $1 frame and $0.50 leather belt from a thrift store. I had some of these small gold hooks on hand but probably would have been out another $1. And snagged this driftwood from a hike to Dog Lake.

I spray painted the frame gold, cut the leather belt in half and made two loops. I nailed the loops onto the back of the frame. I hand screwed the gold hooks in the driftwood and slipped it through the hooks. I like the wood sitting outside the frame so the keys don't hit the wall. We'll soon see if we can make it a habit to keep our keys here. This could be a game changer!

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Fall!

I have been spending as much time outdoors as possible... More specifically up Millcreek canyon... On odd days you can take your dogs off leash up the trails... Cleo, Polly and I have been hiking to dog lake every other day...

The colors have been so amazing... It's almost too much to take in. Every other day the colors just get deeper and richer.

You can't keep this much beauty all to yourself! These pictures are dedicated to Lindsey Miles! I'm enjoying the mountains enough for the two of us!