The Grand Canyon

A few weeks ago my sister, my dad, my dad's friend Jake, and I hiked part of the Grand Canyon. It was a lot of fun and I am glad I did it but we made  a lot of mistakes.

The biggest mistake was probably doing it  in one day. At least for me, I was the one that was in the worst shape. They all prepared to go on this hike and I was asked to go at the last minute.  So that was probably my biggest struggle. Also I had a sinus infection and a bad knee. But I made it so I think most people can. There were a lot of signs saying not to go to the river and back up in one day. If I was to do it again I would probably want to camp somewhere in the grand canyon instead of on top. I would probably camp at Phantoms ranch or Indian Garden (If I took Bright Angel Trail).

 We went down the Grand Canyon on the South Kaibab trail and then came up on the Bright Angel Trail. That was about 16 miles altogether. I liked going down and up a different trail. It was a nice change of scenery. The south Kaibab had really great views and then the Bright Angel trail was more of a canyon with very pretty landscape. Bright Angel trail had a creek that you could cool off at too. Which we needed more going up vs. going down.

The river was by far the best part. The Colorado river was so beautiful. We ended up staying there for about four hours since it was so hot. When we got down the River it was about 113 degrees fahrenheit. That was another mistake. If I was to do it again I would go earlier in May or go in October. I know some parts are closed during certain seasons so you have to make sure they are open.

We ended up taking a lot longer than intended. We got to  the Mather Campground after 7pm the day before so we had to wait to check in when they opened up at 8 so we didn't get hiking until about 9. I think leaving at 9 instead of 6 sort of worked out since we got to the river at around 12 when it was staring to get pretty hot. Staying at the river for so long slowed us down. I am glad we did it though it made the hike a lot more enjoyable. We got to eat, cool down and relax for a while.

We got back when it was late and dark. The shuttles had all stopped so Jake my dad's friend ran to our car. We didn't think we would be so slow to miss the shuttles but if I was to do it again, just to be safe I would park the car near where we would be coming up instead of where we came down.

When hiking in the dark, we had one headlamp and one flashlight. I would make sure we had more headlamps next time.

I thought Mather campground was nice. It had shade and a good bathroom and shower.

Even if we had struggles It was still fun.

 My sister in the Colorado River.

Ephraim

The last three weeks have been crazy. Things are finally starting to settle down. There were finals then a lot of moving. Had to move out of my Logan home then move into my Ephraim home. And then move stuff out of the condo. It will my nice when I stop moving around so much.

I started interning at a Veterinarian clinic. So far I like it for the most part. I am learning a lot. This week I got to see a necropsy of a horse that had died of unknown causes. We think the horse died because of a broken jaw. It probably was unable to eat.

This lady breeds micro pigs and when she sells them she will have them spayed and neutered at the clinic. I had never seen a micro pig before so that was kind of neat. I don't think I ever want a micro pig mainly because of how bad pigs smell.

I am living in this old pioneer house next to Snow College. It is neat. I have not met my roommate yet.  My knee has been causing me problems so I am not a fan of the steep staircase but otherwise I like the house.

 I like living where my ancestors lived. I have ancestors that came from Sweden and Denmark that settled in Ephraim Utah. My Grandpa grew up here too before he moved to California.  This is the house that my pioneer ancestors built.

North Dakota

 Dane drove off to North Dakota for his new job. Hopefully everything will be okay and he'll enjoy it.

 When Dane had his old job as a security guard we would see each other about every two to three weeks but only for a few days. Now I won't see him for Four weeks but he will be home for two. That will be nice.

 Before he left he got to be here for four days. That was really nice. We got to celebrate an early Easter. (I was sad he was going to miss it when he went to North Dakota.) We watched a lot of movies and went to baby animal days. We saw Noah and Captain America. We both really liked Noah and liked Captain America. Baby animal days had some really cute bear cubs and goat kids. Dane wants a few pet goats to mow his lawn. It will be interesting if we ever actually end up getting them. I have actually met a few people who got goats for that reason and liked having them as pets.

  I can't remember the name of the organization with the bear cubs but I don't think I really like it from what I learned about it. I guess there is a place in Idaho where you can drive around and see bears in the wild. Those bears were taken from their mothers early on so that the mothers will be more docile and that the cubs will grow up being more okay with humans. The cubs were cute though.

 I had a good four days with Dane and will miss him a lot. He is always so happy and supportive. I think without him I would have never even tried to get a pre-vet major. He always makes it seem like there is a chance and there is always hope. I am very grateful for him.  He always stands up for what he believes in.

Dane always looks good but I thought he looked especially nice in his security guard uniform. 

Noah

 As many of you know the film Noah just recently came out. I was surprised by all the posts I saw on facebook mainly written by people in the Utah Valley Mormon community. A lot of people were very offended by the movie and walked out. Overall, the main reasons people were offended were because: 1. Didn't say true to the bible and added "ridiculous" things 2. Noah was portrayed as an "evil"man and not as a true prophet of God. I found both these statements odd especially after watching the movie myself.


 When you really think about the story of Noah it doesn't make much sense. So any "ridiculous" things added or deleted shouldn't be a big deal at all.  I liked how the movie explained why all the animals didn't eat each other and how Noah got them on the boat. I really liked the watchers too.


  As far as Noah being evil, the movie seemed to say the opposite. I think if you were commanded by God to kill everybody that would be very difficult. I think anyone would go kind of crazy from it. Going kind of insane shows that Noah does deeply care about people and is the opposite of evil. The old testament God seems very harsh.


 I really liked the movie and found it inspiring instead of  blasphemous.

(Image from http://www.rogueplanetsurvival.com/past/)

Random

Woo just finished the last of my four tests this last week!

Living in Logan has been fun. I really like being able to walk to school.

It's nice to be back in the animal classes. I really like Animal Health and Hygiene. For the most part I like statistics. I find it really fascinating how big a placebo effect can make on people. One of the examples in class was about a study trying out a new knee surgery. Half the people they had tried the surgery and half they made an incision on the knee and stitched it back up. The people that just had the incision said their knee felt a lot better and they could do things they haven't done in a while. So weird what the brain can do.

There is a six month old baby that lives below my apartment. He just reminds me that I am not ready for a baby.

Christmas and News Years were good. Dane had to work on Christmas Eve from 5pm-5am and then on Christmas from 5pm - 5am. So I went upstairs when he got home and we opened presents then he went to bed and I went over to my parents.

Out with the old in with the new

My fall semester is finally over! Now I will go back to USU in January. Change is always exciting and nerve-wracking. I will really miss the trail that goes up Provo Canyon. It is so beautiful and I really enjoyed my walks and bike rides with Dane.

It is strange the more close I get to graduating the more scared I  get. I guess my whole life I wanted to go to college. I knew what to do with my life for the next four or so years after high school but then what was the next step? Now I'm not quite sure what I will do. With just my bachelors I could work at an aquarium or a lab. I believe that  I chose a good degree even if I decide not to go onto  Vet school. Or Vet school is still option after I get my masters.

I am still volunteering at the aquarium I still really like it. I've considered going into Marine Biology.  My ears are kind of messed up and have never fully recovered from scuba diving. My doctor recommends I do not go scuba diving again. I wonder if going into marine biology if being scuba certified is important?

At Salt Lake Community College I've met a few people that have already gotten their bachelors and are taking a few classes so they can apply to go into Physical therapy or Physicians Assistant. The only extra class I would have to take for that would be human anatomy and physiology. I would also need to work a year in a clinical setting. That is an option also.

Christmas is coming! Always too soon.

Cranky Old Man

 The story of who made it is here. I found it very touching.

Cranky Old Man

What do you see nurses? ……What do you see?
What are you thinking .. . when you’re looking at me?
A cranky old man, … …not very wise,
Uncertain of habit .… … . .. with faraway eyes?
Who dribbles his food .. . … . . and makes no reply.
When you say in a loud voice . .’I do wish you’d try!’
Who seems not to notice …the things that you do.
And forever is losing … …… A sock or shoe?
Who, resisting or not … … lets you do as you will,
With bathing and feeding … .The long day to fill?
Is that what you’re thinking?. .Is that what you see?
Then open your eyes, nurse .you’re not looking at me.
I’ll tell you who I am … . .. As I sit here so still,
As I do at your bidding, .… . as I eat at your will.
I’m a small child of Ten . .with a father and mother,
Brothers and sisters .… .. . who love one another
A young boy of Sixteen … .. with wings on his feet
Dreaming that soon now …… a lover he’ll meet.
A groom soon at Twenty … ..my heart gives a leap.
Remembering, the vows .. .. .that I promised to keep.
At Twenty-Five, now … . .I have young of my own.
Who need me to guide … And a secure happy home.
A man of Thirty . .… . . My young now grown fast,
Bound to each other …. With ties that should last.
At Forty, my young sons .. .have grown and are gone,
But my woman is beside me . . to see I don’t mourn.
At Fifty, once more, .. …Babies play ‘round my knee,
Again, we know children … . My loved one and me.
Dark days are upon me … . My wife is now dead.
I look at the future … … . I shudder with dread.
For my young are all rearing .… young of their own.
And I think of the years … And the love that I’ve known.
I’m now an old man … … .. and nature is cruel.
It’s jest to make old age … … . look like a fool.
The body, it crumbles .. .. . grace and vigour, depart.
There is now a stone … where I once had a heart.
But inside this old carcass . A young man still dwells,
And now and again … . . my battered heart swells
I remember the joys … . .. . I remember the pain.
And I’m loving and living … … . life over again.
I think of the years, all too few …. gone too fast.
And accept the stark fact … that nothing can last.
So open your eyes, people .… . .… open and see.
Not a cranky old man .
Look closer … . see .. .…. …. . ME!!