Utah Rocks!

I started writing in my journal not long before boarding the plane in Salt Lake City. I wrote all through the flight to Phoenix. Eighteen pages. And I even prefaced the entry by saying I was, in the interest of actually getting through the travelogue (which I never seem to manage), going to write an outline only. I would, I said, go back and comment on the outline as necessary after I got through the trip. It was an 18-page outline. I mean really. I tried to keep it to the minimum, but that’s not me! I have to comment on everything! Life’s too short not to be thinking! But trust me, I still kept it to a minimum. I did a lot in five days.

I had high blogging hopes on which I have not yet given up. I’d like to at least mention a few things and share a few pictures. It was an important trip for me.

This is one of my favorite of the pics I took on the mountain.

Grey Review

I like watching TV on DVD. It’s nice to have something 45 minutes long to watch; can even do two episodes in less time than a movie. It’s convenient crack to string oneself out on. We all do it when we dip into a book, magazine, tv show, movie, play, even music to a degree. It’s when we leave our worries aside for a while and fall into someone else’s shoes.

Anyway, I started watching Grey’s Anatomy last season, the third. Now I am backwatching. Or rather forwardwatching from the back. Eh.

All I want to say is that episodes 16 and 17 of season two are really good.

Music Discovered While In Utah

Between my friend Steve and my cousin Holly, I was introduced to (and liked) the following musicians:

Mofro
Blue Merle
B.O.A. – Live Warehouse EP
Keb Mo
Louise Taylor – Written in Red
St. Germaine – Tourist
Django Reinhardt
Neko Case – Blacklisted
Greg Brown – The Poet Game
Paris Combo – Living Room
Zap Mama – A Ma Zone
Kate Graves

Ryan Conger in Orjazm and Way Way East Bay

Holly Foht Conger

Utah

Utah is amazing! It’s so beautiful. I’m not sure I want to leave, and I completely understand why my friend Steve and my cousin Holly moved out here.

My great friend Liz let me borrow her digital camera, and I’ve taken over 120 pics so far that I will be sure to share.

I also dipped over into Idaho today, so that’s two more states down!

This Weekend’s Challenge

I’m flying in to Salt Lake City just before 7 p.m. on Friday.

This is the e-mail I received in response to my queries from my friend Steve with whom I am going hiking and camping in the mountains. I might also mention that the Perseid meteor shower will be peaking this weekend.

1. The weather should be pretty good. It will range from high 90′s to low 70′s in the valley and from the mid 80′s to the mid 50′s. It looks like it will be sunny and clear but it can always change to brief Thunderstorms in the mountains.

2. We will be headed into the mountains right away on Friday after you get in. We may be hiking in the dark so a headlamp would be good. The hike should be on a trail and will be slightly strenuous and about 4-5 miles long. I will carry the pack with all of the heavy stuff. Saturday we will probably be splitting off into two groups. The group is comprised of (2) guys and (5) girls. The two guys and one of the girls are serious climbers so we will be off to do some technical climbing in the morning. The rest of the group will probably take off for some good hiking (nothing killer but there are some great alpine lakes up where we will be). Then in the afternoon we will all get together and do some sport climbing (sport climbing is like what you would encounter at a rock gym). We can all share equipment for this one. Sunday we might hike and/or climb a bit in the morning or we may just head back down the mountain, depending on how we feel.

3. I would expect the hiking to be strenuous but nothing you cant handle. The only special equipment you will need to bring are hiking boots.

4. I have an extra pack and water containers for you.

5. I will also bring sun screen and bug spray (although there are not may bugs up here).

The only real stuff you will need is clothes. For the weekend in the mountains, I would bring the following:

1. Hiking boots

2. Hiking Socks

3. Long Pants

4. Shorts

5. Shirts in layers (light under shirt, T-shirt/Tank, long sleeve shirt, Fleece)

6. Rain gear (pants & jacket)

7. Shade hat

8. Stocking cap

9. Sun glasses

Stuff I have for you:

1. Sleeping bag

2. Pillow

3. Pack

4. Backpack

5. Camelbak

6. Canteen/Water

7. Food

I am sure that I am forgetting something but no worries, we will manage.

Prattle

* This weekend, my odometer went over 184,000 miles. I’ve put 123,000 miles on the car in seven years.

* I was more than halfway through Everything Is Illuminated when there was a disk error on my Netflick! In fact, they had just found the object of their very rigid search. I’m going to keep trying, but am hoping I don’t have to figure out how to get another copy of the same movie.

* I’m lucky there always seem to be kind cops around when I am puking my guts out.

* Footbagging is a real sport. There’s this world champion named Sam with a very cool little jewelry shop in St. Genevieve. Only Child Originals 176 Main Street. I picked up some trinkets this weekend – some of her work and some she had bought on a recent trip to Thailand. Very cool lady. Very cool little historic part of town. I hear there are some cool wineries in the area as well.

* Generous people are appreciated.

* So are people who listen.

* Praying works.

* I will be 30 in 17 days.

* I am going to Utah on Friday.

* My 20-year-old niece has started cantoring at Masses.

* Don’t buy bottled water – at least not regularly. Just get a few bottles you can fill with tap water. That’s what you’re buying half the time anyway. Granted tap is nasty in some places, but ultimately, America has some of the cleanest water in the world. We’re getting gouged and letting it happen.

* I like playing the guitar.

* I got my movie working again!