A good dose of the outdoors

This summer has been jam packed. I've been driving like crazy and have hardly been home for a weekend since the beginning of May. I had a rare weekend where I wasn't traveling somewhere and it worked out perfectly to be the weekend of my old Stake MSA camping activity. Luckily Aubrey also had a free weekend so we packed up our stuff and headed up Payson canyon. It was BEAUTIFUL. The weather was perfect, the campsite was perfect, the company was good. I came home tired, with a slight sunburn and smelling like a camp fire. To me this equals a very successful camping trip.

 It's amazing how a few minutes can completely change the scenery. There were no filters used. I love nature. God is the ultimate artist.

When I got home, I took a much needed nap and then got ready to go hiking up American Fork canyon to Scout Falls. The hike was pretty easy and again it was beautiful.

I thought I would sleep like a rock Saturday night, but I actually had a hard time falls asleep. Luckily I managed to get a good nap in on Sunday. I'm hoping as my schedule starts to taper and fall into more of a routine, I'll have some time before it gets too cold to go camping at least one more time and get some good hiking in.

California

After Oregon we headed down to California for Kevin's wedding. Julie and Sterling were nice enough to take the longer route through the Redwoods so I could check another National park off my list. The trees were SO huge and tall. It was beautiful and I loved it!

 The water was SO warm. I wish it had been deeper and we could have gone for a swim.

 

I just couldn't get over how HUGE these trees are. 

 Saturday morning we headed to the Oakland temple for Kevin and Kaylene's wedding. It was hot, but they were so happy and it was a lovely ceremony. Check Oakland off the bucket list. Overall the trip worked out very well for my bucket list items. Two National Parks and two temples!

Oregon

Last week I took time off work to go with my sister and brother in law on a trip to Oregon. It was a very long drive but I had a great time hanging out with my sister and little baby Coral.

 Don't mind that I look homeless. Look at that adorable little smile!!! She's the cutest!

 Except when she blows out on your white shirt. I got peed on, puked on and pooped on within 24 hours.

 The fourth of July didn't really impress her much. We went to a parade. It was SO hot and the parade was kind of a let down. I need more floats and horses to make it a real parade.

 We were the best of friends all week! She really does love me.

 I made it to the Medford temple so I can cross that one off the bucket list.

 And I made it Crater Lake so I can cross that one off the bucket list as well! There wasn't much to do so we got some pictures, I hiked a bit and then we drove back.