...we've checked off the Oakley Trail

I had heard about the Oakley Trail from multiple people, so Dave, Anne, and I decided to check it out. It has a lot of switchbacks and kind of reminds me of hiking to the Y in Provo. Probably not as steep though. It has great views of the Kamas Valley and from the summit a great view of Swifts Canyon.

Can you believe how brown the valley is? This is January 2! I can see myself pulling up these shots in 30 years and telling my kids about the non-winter of 2011. Just how Dad has been telling us about the non-winter of '76 this year. 

I should have pulled out our camera Anne--so we could see you! Thanks for the pics :)

...it was our first yurt debacle

Anne came out to visit over New Year's weekend and Dave and I wanted to do something fun with her and Margot and clan. I found a yurt up Mirror Lake Highway that happened to have a cancellation on New Year's night (Sunday to Monday). I was so excited to ski/hike in and hang out at the yurt.

We got all ready to go.

Everyone had smiles on their faces.

And we started the trek in with food, sleeping bags, and cards.

Lindsay and I started off first, so we got to the yurt before everyone else. And as we pulled up to the yurt--there were people already there! There had been a double reservation. Later I learned the scheduler thought New Year's Eve was Sunday night when it was really Saturday night. The yurt had been empty the night before. 

So. We turned around and went home. 

Lindsay was super bummed. Well, I was too, but couldn't show it as much. But, she was happy by the end when she got a sled ride from Uncle Dave and got to roast marshmallows back at the homestead. 

Maybe we'll try again in February. Want to come back for Valentine's Day, Anne?

All photos courtesy of Anne Madsen.

...the skiing was a 1

Dad called and wanted to ski the Beaver Creek trail up Mirror Lake Highway on Saturday. Mom didn't really want to because there is no snow. True. But we still went. 

After the ski, Dave (the less experienced cross-country skiier) asked optimistically, "Pat, on a scale of 1-10, how was the ski today?"

"1" was her quick response.

I think if she had been given the option it would have been a -1. But it was nice to get outside in the beautiful sunshine :)