four konings (& matty sioux!) dreamin' with eyes wide open: July 2009

Friday, July 31, 2009

Musings For My Children

More Than Dust

Wailing, gasping, connected so delicately

The cord is cut, but your grip on life is not your own

It never is. You're more than dust.

Growing, learning, gaining speed

The rain will come, thunder will roll, and you'll tighten your fist

Choose carefully what you hold, whom you trust.

You'll climb, you'll summit, you'll bring hope

Love will seek you, will shape you, will define your life

Coose what you love carefully, employ more than worldly lust

The race is on, your first breath was the gun

You'll want to quit, to coast, to blend right in

But don't. Please don't. You're more than dust.

Your heart will ache with every shifting glance. It should.

Let passion drive you faster, harder, dangerously close

Go when others say stop. Know Whom your trust.

Don't be snared, shot, caught by the prowler's deceit

The way Home isn't well lit. The road to to Death is full of laughter

Joy trumps laughter. Be effective. Be just.

Speed. Get beat up, bruised, with pride wear tattered clothes

Finish the race careening sideways, in flames, eyes wide open

Anticipating the prize. You're much more than dust.

Monday, July 27, 2009

Our trip to Flaming Gorge was fast & furious, and very enjoyable.

On a small island not far from camp were some nesting osprey, with young in the nest.

True to its name, Flaming Gorge was toasty enough to fry the crawdads on the rocks, but thankfully Melis's parents & cousins had enough gear to keep us all feeling pretty good in the water.

There were 8 kids between the ages of 8 - 13 there, and all but Tyler (below) were girls. For some reason, Abigail took a special likin' to 'Ty,' as she called him.

When I wasn't getting dunked in the water or pushed off the floating trampoline, we were 'hopper boppin' - catching grasshoppers in the bushes near camp. Abigail especially liked it when we put a grasshopper in her hand, just to let it jump away.

Somewhere above Sheep Creek, on the Utah side of Flaming Gorge. We spent most of our time just over the border in Wyoming.

'Who cares about the scenery? More red vines, please.'

We saw about 8 of these guys in Sheep Canyon.

It's worth mentioning that on our drive to the dam itself, we stopped at a lodge for lunch. With almost no warning, a storm moved through and started dumping rain and lightning. One flash that produced instant thunder must have hit the ground near one guy standing outside of our building who had his feet in a puddle. We didn't see it happen, but this guy was real shaken up, complaining of lightning-strike type symptoms. There were enough people around helping him that we didn't get too close, but he looked pretty shaken up. Yikes.

Thanks to everyone who helped make the camping trip possible! Other highlights include fishing, riding in the boats, riding the quad, catching the horney toad, hanging out around the campfire, catching & eating crawdads, enjoying air-conditioned RV's, & getting to know family that we've never spent much time with. We had a great time.

Tonight, we got a little sidetracked when watering our yard.

Predictably, this ended badly.

But thankfully she recovered quickly.

There are certain things a dad has to teach his kids, and how to drink from a hose is pretty high on that list.

She caught on pretty quickly.

Of course, Matty was eager to join in the fun, too.

The ended up as a wet, tired, & very happy little girl.

Monday, July 20, 2009

Camp Muir - 10,100' up Rainier

Mike, Kristin & I cruised up to Paradise (5,400') after church, and started hiking around 2:30pm.

We had to keep a pretty brisk pace going up, but there was a lot more dry ground that what we encountered last month when we got weathered off the mountain. This is the type of terrain we were on most of the last half.

Mt Adams.

Mike, just above Camp Muir, elev 10,100'.

Campers bedding down before a summit attempt the next morning.

Kristin taking it all in.

It's a little washed out, but you can see the very top of the mountain here. Doesn't look that far away, does it? 2-D photos don't quite do it justice.

Coming down sure is easier.

OK, it might not be easier to keep your balance, but it's definitely faster ;-)

Glisading.

Somewhere near Moon Rocks.

Kristin, you're looking a little nervous here. . .

Mike feels the need for speed.

Definitely my favorite pic of the day. A big thanks to Mike for pointing out this photo op.

Mike's choice to wear his Foxy Cologne paid dividends.

And again, giving credit where credit is due, the next 3 pics & video are from Kristin. Thanks, sis! Looking down on Camp Muir.

'Someone tell me where the shutter trigger button it?!?'

Saturday, July 11, 2009

Whales, Grandparents, Flowers, Fun, & More!

We had the pleasure of having G&G K come up for a quick trip late this week. I took a couple days off, & one day we took a boat ride from Port Townsend (on the Olympia Peninsula) to Friday Harbor (in the San Juan Islands).

The air was crisp, as it should be on open water. But the sun's warmth made it a perfect temp.

Crazy shadows & clear water.

We got skunked with Orcas - they were likely busy feeding on the massive numbers of salmon gathering at the mouth of the Puget Sound, getting ready for their annual run. But we did see a number of Minke whales (rhymes with 'Stinky'), once of which swam right under our boat! Another time we saw the white belly of one swimming on its back. So cool ;-)