The next bout of rock-poking is in Utah (where I sit while I write this). I made big loop, to eventually end up in Salina, UT for work. First stop was Yellowstone, which is still buried in many feet of snow.
Then down near the Tetons, and spent the night in Jackson.
Upon returning from the subzero temps of winter in Montana, I was greeted by heavy snowpack for my time off. I did two quick hikes before having my wisdom teeth ripped from my head, both of which were generally snow filled. (the hikes, not the teeth).
After bleeding on my pillowcase for a few days, and eating many soft food items, I was told by the oral surgeon that I heal fast.
Moreover, I was told that I still had about 6 weeks until there was work for me. So I decided to fly me and my heavy wallet to Hawaii.
We went snorkeling in Hanauma Bay
Money can't make you happy. But money can remove problems that make you unhappy...and it goes a long way to open doors for you. I think the next problem I'll remove will find me somewhere south of the border like some pyramid exploration, hiking in the Andes, or perhaps the other way.... an Alaskan Cruise or.... Australia? Now the trick is to find someone to share this "removal of problems" with.
Haven't had much time/patience/mood to sit down and update this thing, so instead of posting separate blogs for each of the trips, I'll post one with what I think are the best photos since the last post. (as usual, the full archive is available to be viewed at flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mrdrfishasuar/sets/ )
First, shortly after the Canada trip I went out alone for a few days to White Chuck meadows, which is a place I've been eyeballing for a while, as well as being the closest approach to glacier peak these days. It was spectacular! I spotted 9 bears (some were repeats, I think), and chatted with 4 guys who had been on the PCT for the last 4-5 months, and were almost done. Anyway, I got a late start, and finished the hike in the dark, which was cool once I climbed above the cloud layer:
"Meadows" is a bit of a misnomer, there are indeed blueberry and heather meadows, but the actual level portions are few and far between (and hard to get to). This is the view from Portal Peak, note the cinder cone in the bottom right.
This is a view of the PCT, right around the corner from where I camped; the meadows in full sunset red glory.
Next up was artist point, another solo trip (though, not for lack of trying), another place I'd been meaning to get to. I'm not a huge fan of places whose natural beauty is interrupted by parking lots and ski lifts, and while I think its great that you can step out of your car and just be there, I'd rather do the work and have true solitude.
Then shortly after that, I went on a quick dayhike with Jeremy, to one of the few places on the mountain loop I've never been. North and Independence lakes... nothing spectacular, but its always good to get out and see new places.
Maybe a week or two after that, I was on a plane to Ohio to start my geology job, which has taken me to some fascinating places.
Ohio had mennonites, and various other quaint things.
Straight from Ohio to Utah, near the Wasatch mountains... where we drill endless thousands of feet of conglomerate....so....much....conglomerate.... outcrops can be seen everywhere nearby:
Lots of interesting "painted hills" nearby, colorful layers of sandstone and friends.
I was intrigued by the true powder snow, and how with subzero temperatures the flakes don't degrade right away, as they do in WA.
So I had about a week back home, just enough time to put myself back into debt by buying a new car, with two days to get used to it before driving it to Browning, MT to spend the entirety of the holidays in a trailer surrounded by cattle and horses.
Also, crazy fun weather here:
That's all for now, I should have a month or so off now, so there will be more photos coming soon.
