Green River Kayak Trip: Pure Serenity

After almost eight months of planning, my kayak trip down the Green River in Utah finally came to fruition. This was my first true “river trip” and I was lucky enough to enjoy it with a really good friend who knew his way around this river.

The 55 mile trip took us down the Green River thru the Stillwater Canyon which lies deep in the depths of Canyonlands National Park.  We began the 3 night 4 day adventure at the Mineral Bottom put in just outside of Moab, UT and  pulled out just past the confluence of the Green and Colorado rivers. The picture’s posted can not even begin to do justice to the scenery that met us at nearly every bend in the river.

Every night we camped under the stars on some of the softest sand I have ever felt. There is something very serene about falling asleep outside under the stars next to rocks and a flowing river that are millions of years old, I felt very insignificant in the cradle of a such a beautiful place.This trip was one of the most magnificent I have had the pleasure of taking.

Utah Windfarm Enroute To Green River

Freeskier41 Launching @ Mineral Bottom

Camping on the Green River Night One

Paddling Day Two

Sunset on the Green River

Taking a break after 40 miles of paddling

Headed To The Confluence

Another Early Morning On The River

Green River in Canyonlands

Hiking The Uinta Mountains

What a wonderful Saturday for a hike! I meandered 40 minutes outside Park City to the Uinta National Forest for an outdoor adventure. The weather was fantastic with temps in the high 50’s up top and some nice cloud cover.

The Lofty Lake Loop is a wonderful day hike filled with more adventures, alpine lakes and flowers than you can imagine.

Today I jumped into Kamas Lake, one of the high alpine lakes, the water was some of the clearest and definitely the coldest I have ever been in. There is definitely a feeling of soul cleansing you feel in an experience like that.

The meadows were just bursting with an array of beautiful colored flowers that ran endlessly. The loop meanders back down to the parking lot mere yards from where I had entered hours before. What a wonderful hike-

High Alpine Lake In Uinta Mountains

Wild Flowers In Full Bloom

Kamas Lake

Meadows Were Just Bursting With Flowers In Full Bloom

A Reminder Of Winter In The High Country

The Sun Just Keeps Beaming In Park City!

The  warmth of the big orange ball has continued to graciously shine down on all of us sun worshipping “Parkites”!

When the weather is this good in Park City, you have to get out and enjoy some of it’s off the beaten path treasures. The pictures below are of a little gem tucked away  just 15 minutes from Main Street.  The dogs just love running amongst soft breezy blades of grass and tall aspen trees, the setting is just perfect for a nice little get away to watch the sun slip away on another fine Park City summer day.

Tucked Away Gem in Park City

Dawg Days of Summer

Chaseing the Sun

The View Up Top

Sun Slips Away on Another Park City Summer Day

Another Day in Park City

Summer is a wonderful time to live in Park City. While our summers are short, there is just so much the mountains offer for summer activity. This last weekend I headed out to Utah Olympic Park to catch some of the aerialist action. These guys are sic and in final training mode in prep for the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver!

Nothing ends a work day better than a quick short hike up into the hills. The hike up Gorgoza Park was fantastic! While temps hover in the high 90’s, the mountain’s offer a nice dip in heat. I walked up from the dog pound and over the ridge to catch the slowly sinking sun.

Less than two weeks until the river trip;)

Utha Olympic Park

Gorgoza Hike

July Finally Brings Summer To Park City!

After a complete washout in June here in Park City, July has brought summer into full swing.  Park City celebrated it’s 125th birthday and threw a bash with Sam Bush and his band, they did not disappoint.

4th of July crept up fast this year, the Main Street parade was packed with festive revelers. There is just something wonderful about a good ol’ small town main Street parade.

July has also brought some phenomenal hiking and golfing weather. Hiking Moab, Alta and Gorgoza with rounds at Forrest Dale, Bonneville, Wolf Creek, Wasatch State Park and Mountain Dell.

The next adventure is going off in two weeks, a 60 mile float down the Green River thru Stillwater Canyon…..;)

Delicate Arch, Moab, UT

Hiking Alta Ski Resort

Forestdale Golf Course

Bonneville Golf Course

Wolf Creek Golf Course

Wasatch State Park

Mountain Dell Golf Course

Park City 4th of July Parade

Hiking Gorgoza