So this weekend, I decided to start my training to become a domestic goddess. You might ask, how does one train for such a thing. I'll tell you...

I started by making fresh, hand chopped salsa from the freshest ingredients, grown at a local farm just down the street, and purchased at a fruit (and vegetable) stand. Four huge tomatoes, two jalapenos, one Anaheim chili pepper, two small onions (from my mom's garden), and three small green peppers (also from my mom's garden). Chop it all up add some salt, lime juice, and cilantro and viola! Fantastic, fresh, delicious salsa. (Michael loved it!)

Then I made funeral potatoes for my brother-in-law's birthday party...other than the fact that I had to finish cooking them at my sister's house...they were perfect!

Then I washed and folded about a ton of clothes, because I didn't feel good, it was really the only thing I could get done while resting and watching tons of movies.

Ok, so it's not a ton...but it's a good first step

I also learned how to make ribbon roses this weekend, they look really cool.

As a side note, Michael is finally home and he made it in one piece, Hooray!

Today woke up like the others at about 7:30. I laid in bed until Jason came back from taking a shower, then I went to do the same. We quickly packed up, loaded up the 4-Runner, and headed out of the KOA. We stopped by Denny's again on the way out. Kinda sad how the quality & price beat out so many other joints.

After eating we drove East along the Colorado River until we reached Onion Creek. We drove up the dirt road to the top. You cross the creek well over a dozen times going along this dirt road. Eventually we reached the top. We unloaded Jason's bike, and he started down. I followed in the 4-Runner, but at a much more leisurely pace. I stopped often to take some quick pictures out the windows. We planned a spot to get several shots of Jason crossing the creek while flying down the road. Some cool pictures there.

After he was finished with the ride we loaded up and headed home. Arrived home about 5:30, and was finally able to clean up properly.

And tonight I get to see Katie.

Today started out at about 7:40. We got up and got showered and dressed to go to church. Jason found a ward in town that started at 9:00, so we went to it. All pretty normal until the closing hymn... number 273. Check it out. Some of the notes just got me... strange rhythm at first. After Sacrament meeting ended Jason asked if I wanted to leave then, which I was all for.

We came back to camp and got changed. Ran to Denny's to get Breakfast/Lunch, then headed to Arches. We stopped at just about all the normal places and took pictures. First off the Court House Towers area. We stayed on the road, and didn't hike down Park Avenue, but took plenty of pictures from the road. Next was Balanced Rock. Walked close to it, but didn't do the whole loop around it. Then we hit the Windows. We did the hike to the North and South Windows, Turret Arch, and Double Arch. Then back on the road, skipping Delicate Arch as we wanted to hike through Devils garden, and would run out of time.

We arrived at the trail head and started down the trail and stopped at all the arches along the way, finally making it out past Double O, to Dark Angel. The whole day I was thinking about Katie when thinking of Dark Angel as she just picked up the DVD's at a garage sale. We stayed there until sunset and got some amazing pictures (to be posted later). We made the hike back in the twilight and complete darkness of the desert. We were back at the car by 9:30, and back to camp by 10. When I got out of the car I couldn't move. I was so stiff. We'll see what the morning brings.

So after we got up, we jumped in the car and headed to the Sunset Grill. Apparently it used to be the house of the guy who did all the uranium mining in Moab. The restaurant wasn't open yet, so we went down to hit up the Rock Shop. Tons of cool rocks there, and I ended up picking up some cool magnetic rocks. Then we cruised back up to the restaurant which was now open. I had a New York steak, which was alright. Not as good as places in Salt Lake, but ok. The cheesecake was grainy. Very weird.

After dinner we just headed back to camp and watched some episodes of Venture Brothers before going to bed.

Today started out much later. I was exhausted, and kept sleeping. Around 7:45 I finally got up. We got dressed to ride and headed out to breakfast. We went just to Denny's this time, where I got the Country Fried Steak and Eggs. Jason just had a short stack. Same thing he had yesterday, but for only 1/4 of the price. (Like I said, Pancake Haus sucks) After breakfast we headed up to the world famous Slick Rock trail.

I applied plenty of sunscreen, and we headed off. After a whopping .2 miles (according to the numbers on the rock) I called it quits. I just don't like riding on the rock. I grabbed the keys from Jason, and headed back, while he continued on through the practice loop, and the main trail. I grabbed my hiking boots, and my camera, and went back out. I took a bunch of pictures from on the trail, and waited for Jason to come back. I know it was over an hour that I waited, but can't say exactly how long. They say the average person does it in 2-4 hours, and I was sure he would go faster than that. Eventually he came back, and I took a bunch more pictures. As we were loading up at the car he said he was done for the day. The whole ride was exposed in the sun with barely a breeze to cool him off.

We came back to camp and hit the showers again. Today I also shaved. I hate shaving, but I hate facial hair worse, and it was getting bad. All cleaned up we chilled in the tent. I wrote this up, and Jason is on his side snoring.

I'll finish up more later.

I miss Katie.

Last night Jason and I rolled into Moab around 7 pm. We set up our tent quickly, then went into town for dinner and ice. We decided pasta was the item of choice before the epic riding to take place, so we went to Pasta Jay's. After dinner we kept the night simple, and just picked up some ice, and watched a short mountain biking movie.

Friday morning we both woke up about 6:30 am. First we went into town to get breakfast at the Pancake Haus. Way overpriced. Nobody ever go there. Then we cruised back to camp, got dressed and made our way out to the brand trails. We started on the Bar M, heading south. Our plan was to ride everything except the Killer B trail. So first up was the Bar B. It started out as nice singletrack with a few rocks to go over. It wasn't long though before I hit a rock, stalled, and ended up going over my handlebars. I laid there for a minute as the adrenaline started surging through me. Eventually I made my way up as Jason came upon the carnage. No damage to me, but the mount for my computer was toast. As we continued on I walked more and more of the trail. It was over tons of large individual rocks, and I wasn't handling them well. Eventually we got to dirt, where the riding was much simpler.

After the loop of the Bar B finished, we got on Rocking A. It was much better than the Bar B, but I still would have hard times in the technical areas. I took my time, and was slow, but eventually we reached the Circle O trail. This one was the easiest of the three on rock, and there were fewer areas where I walked, but I still felt better on it than the other ones. Finally it reached the other end of the Bar M, and we finished the loop back around to the car. I had forgotten to put sunscreen on, and after that long ride I was paying for it. Sunburns on my legs, arms, face, and neck.

We loaded up and went back to town, stopping at McDonalds for a quick cheap lunch. Then back to camp where we both crashed. The heat along with the effort just did us in. About 3 PM we left the camp again to go ride. We stopped at a bike shop to get some parts for Jason's brakes. The shop hooked him up, and recommended to us to ride Dead Horse Point. We checked it out online really quick, and decided sure. So we made the drive out there, about 30 miles from Moab.

We started on the trail itself, me riding gingerly due to saddle sores, and made our way out to the first viewpoint. Nice. Then on to the the second view point. Cool. We continued on. We turned a corner and suddenly saw a rock wall right in front of us. There was no way we were riding that. So we hiked our bikes up and over that. Jason got on and started riding again. Another little steep rocky climb, and he stalled out! Over he went onto his left side, smacking his knee directly onto a rock. He slowly got up, feeling the pain in his knee. We paused for a minute as he tried to work it out, then got riding again.

A few corners later there was a narrow rocky climb. Jason went up first, then my turn. I started going up. The trail was super loose, and although I was in the right gear I spun out. I started going over. I quickly unclipped my right foot to try to put it down. It slid off the rocks on the side, and down my leg went off a small cliff to the right! Fortunately the cliff was only two feet tall, so I did catch myself with on foot on the ground, the other clipped into my bike, which was now sideways.

I'd pretty much had enough with the crash and the pain in my rear, so at the last turn off, I started to loop back. Jason would continue on to complete the full loop. I made my way back, taking my time, and eventually reached the car. I pulled out my camera and started taking photos. It was about 5 PM when Jason got back. We took some time to take some pictures at both the visitor center, and out at Dead Horse Point itself. We didn't want to take the time though to get good light, so finished up and headed back. It was shower time.

Back at camp we both showered up, then headed out for dinner. We ended up going to the Moab Diner where I topped of my Kokopelli Chicken Sandwich with some apple pie a la mode. Another ice run then back to camp, where after I spent some time texting Katie, we both crashed hard.

Throughout the day I though often of how fun it would be to bring Katie down, and we both spend time taking pictures. I told her that, and we decided we need to do it this next spring.

So I've recently been reminded that a) I have a blog, and b) that I don't update it nearly enough. Apparently I was Googled by Michael (the super awesome dude I've been dating) and he mentioned to me that I haven't updated it in a while. I think secretly he wanted to know how I felt about our dates I have been keeping a journal about it, so here we go...My dates with Michael.

Michael and I met on LDS mingle and started emailing each other July 16. (Technically, he sent me a flirt on May 24, but I was seeing someone and didn’t respond. Thankfully, I got dumped pretty quick and flirted back.) He knew who Joss Whedon was so I knew right away that we'd get along just fine! When we met I remember thinking he was really good looking and actually exactly what I said I’d always wanted in a man: blondish, kind eyes, nice lips, great arms and shoulders.

First Date: Friday August 6th: double with his friend Jason and a girl named Katie (haha), Music Man at Rodgers Memorial Theater and Chilies for dinner. We left Jason and his date and sat in the car for almost an hour just talking. I had so much fun, I really hoped I'd see him again.

Second Date: Monday August 16: sushi at Happy Sumo and Scott Pilgrim Vs. the World. He hadn't had much experience with sushi, but he was a good sport and tried everything I ordered (I went pretty easy on him!) We talked for about two and a half hours sitting by the fountain at the Gateway, waiting for the movie to start. He held my hand in the theater and I couldn't breathe for a minute. Then he drove me home and walked me to the door.

Third Date: Saturday August 21: auto racing at the Rocky Mountain Raceway…Figure 8 trains is the craziest thing I’ve ever seen! He held my hand and played with my knee under the table at Iceberg after the race. I met his friends Natalie and Eric and their three. Jason and a couple other friends that I only me briefly (I'm terrible at names) were there too.

Fourth Date: Sunday August 22: He was on-call for work so he couldn't leave his house, so I went to his house to watch a movie (The Losers), he put his arm around me and I played with his hand. He hasn't kissed me yet and I'm not really sure what to do with that!

Fifth Date: Saturday August 28: Michael was still on-call so I went to his house played the Wii, he made me a Mii and then we watched Night at the Museum II, then Mystery Men, which I'd never seen and was super funny.

Sixth Date: Tuesday August 31: He came to my house to watch movies (American Outlaws) since I have to leave tomorrow for a work trip. Then we watched The Great American Hero, which is this awesome 80s show about some guy with a superhero suit he got from the aliens. After the show he kissed me He's a good kisser! (and that's all the detail ya'll are gonna get!)

More Dates: Sept 4-Sept 7: We got together every night during this time period. First for a barbecue at his house with all his friends, who are all super nice and normal. It's fun to hang out with them. (Of course I stuck around for a movie and to help him clean up.) Then for a barbecue at my house with a couple of my siblings. My mom made him cook the peppers and he helped me sweep the grape arbor (I didn't mean to make him clean my house!). We also played Solitaire Frenzy and Set (two of my favorite games), then he stuck around and we started Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Then Monday night he took me on a tour of his old neighborhood, which, crazily enough, is less than a mile from the house I grew up in in Sandy. We went past his old schools and the grocery store he used to work at, he has some crazy stories from his childhood. Then we watched a movie that he made with his friends when they were 18 (Missionary Man music video). It made me laugh...it's so funny when you get to look back at people you know now when they were young and crazy. Tuesday I went and watched him fix his bike for his trip this weekend. Last night he came to my house and I took him on a tour of my early life, elementary school, jr. high, high school etc. Apparently my life was pretty boring. Then I subjected him to pictures from my childhood...I had an extended geeky period!

So now you should be caught up on what's up with me Michael is going out of town today for the rest of the weekend . I hope he has fun but I also hope he makes it home safely and in one piece!

Yesterday Eric, Jason and I went for another bike ride on the Wasatch Crest. As it was an even numbered day though, we continued down Millcreek Canyon.

We started this ride off at the top of Guardsmens Pass, and tried to take the Scott's Bypass trail. Unfortunately we missed a turn, and ended hiking our bikes up and back down a really nasty trail. After that it was puke hill. I hate that thing. We all eventually made it up to the top, and took a few minutes to rest up and keep from puking. (I had to keep it down at least...)

We started down the single track. Eric was leading and I was in the rear. I suddenly came upon a horrific scene. Bikes were on the sides of the trails and Eric was in the bushes off the to side. Apparently he endoed on a flat smooth section of trail. He said he hit a rock or something. He made sure there were no serious injuries, just some bumps and bruises, and we took off. The next climb, then time for The Spine.

I still have not got my mojo back. I'm getting better, but I don't need to ride something crazy to have fun. This results in me walking more technical obstacles. I'm fine with that. So I started my walk. Jason started his ride down the new easier line down the spine. Then Eric started as well. He walked over one section I believe, but rode the rest. Props to them. Then it was into Millcreek Canyon.

Most of that was uneventful. There was a rock section I walked, then a section I did ride Eric endoed again. The guy behind him should have got it on video, so hopefully I'll be able to share Eric's endo with everyone soon. He got up and we rode the rest of the way down. We started down the road, and diverted onto the Pipeline trail. Rode that trail until the first exit at Birch Hollow, then took the road the rest of the way down. 23.6 miles.

I went home and showered, then crashed on my bed. I turned on my oxygen concentrator, and put on my cpap mask and enjoyed getting some O2 into my blood. I napped for about an hour. A bit later Katie came over, we went and grabbed a bite to eat, then I took her for a "Reality Tour", showing her some interesting places from my life. One funny thing, she grew up one house down, and across the street from Cliff and Amy. Crazy! After the reality tour I subjected her to the torture of Missionary Man, and she was so kind to massage my neck and shoulders as they were so sore from the ride. She's now seen a different side of all of us!