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to be honest to myself, I must say that lily was an essential part of my summer, being someone who selflessly awaited me every time I returned home. We are attached to each other.
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Moody
Moody
Parker
The outskirts of Rexburg, be it Moody, Parker, Hibbard, Burton etc, create the perfect setting for evening runs. Come to think of it, I cant exactly put my finger on why my heart swells when Im alone and find myself in these areas, but they are just so beautiful to me, and I cant imagine ever having to leave them.
I participated in the annual Horseshoe 20k challenge held up in Horseshoe Canyon, which is located within the Big Hole mountains just west of Driggs. It was so hard, but one of the most enjoyable runs I have ever done. I got there 10 minutes before the race started, registered, then went to go pee. As soon as I stepped out of the portapotty, they were counting down from 5, so I hit play on my iPod and ran as fast as I could over to the other racers and had just missed them as they finished the countdown. I felt stupid, but finished 8th overall out of around 40 other participants which left me satisfied.
I also went to Logan and ran with Thomas Anderson and Andrew Izatt in the Run for the Wounded Warrior 5k. Of course, Thomas won, and I got 7th overall having a time of 19:42 which made me very happy. Later that day, Thomas, Chris Perkins and I ran through a trail in Logan Canyon which I'll never forget. The sky was grey, but the trees were some of the most vibrant oranges and reds I have seen in trees. At times the sun would just barely break through and make us feel like we were running through fire, having illuminated the aspen groves all around us. I admire Thomas and Chris so much, it was a memorable day.
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Shae, Stephen and myself spontaneously decided to do Borah- Idaho's highest peak. Every step of this hike was bliss. It was intense as far as how fast you gain elevation, something like over 5000 feet in only 3.5 miles. My experience was almost magical though, maybe just by virtue of the fact that this is the highest point of my beloved state. A peak that stands 12,668 feet high in a range of mountains that contain peaks which are comparable. Out in the desert.
Having passed "chicken out ridge" (Stephen)
goofy me on the summit
I wish I could identify these other peaks, but I believe many of them are part of the nine, 12,000 ft. + peaks in Idaho. Seven of them being in these mountains, the Lost River Range.
Lost River Range and the Lemhis far away. The big peak on the right being Diamond Peak, the only 12,000 foot peak in the Lemhis, and the peak on the left being Bell Mountain, which is just short of 12,000.
Descending the summit
That day was so nice. The summit being warm and calm.
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There is no place like Driggs. Its such a quiet town which sleeps right below the Tetons. Thomas and Stephen's grandparents own a cabin right in the middle of town that we utilize on a number of occasions as a headquarters to prepare before we do a hike or winter campout. One lazy weekend we decided to just go and spend a night and hope that we do something fun.
We decided a nice little jaunt to the wind caves in Darby was worthy, and it proved to be. As we approached the cave however, a storm had picked up. Lightening and thunder made us nervous, so after having spent little time at the mouth of the cave, we ran the trail back through the rain. The temperature and humidity in the air acted as a fuel for me, and I felt like I could have ran forever. We soaked in the creek at the trail head when we were done.
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Thanks to many of my friends, namely Samuel Perkins and Thomas Anderson, I have developed an interest in rock climbing that has been very satisfying and enjoyable. This was my first lead climb on a route at Heise.
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There was so much more to this summer that I dont have photo documentation for. Except when Stephen and I spent a night in Skull Canyon and attempted to do Diamond peak the next day. There are no trail markers, and we took the wrong trail which lead us up and around Diamond, but also conveniently placed a giant canyon in between us and the summit. Although we failed, we considered the trip a success because we still satisfied or thirst for adventure and elevation. Next year.
My brothers Joseph, David and I journeyed into the Lemhis for a couple day backpacking trip. It was a time to unwind and enjoy, so we found or way to a lake which doesnt have a name, and just fished and relaxed. The weather was incredible. I laid on a rock and soaked up the sun while emptying my mind of pointless anxieties. Joe and Dave fished and caught enough to feed us all full.
I find myself every time I do things like this. I am cleansed of the worries that try to strangle me otherwise. I drown these worries when I swim in an alpine lake, I suffocate them when I ascend to places where the air is thin, or they are lured to sleep by the calming warmth of a campfire, and Im left to myself with the ones I love, out in a place thats free of judgement yet demands that you be your best self, or at least that you be honest with yourself even when that seems impossible.
All the while, the words of Mark Kozelek played over and over in my head
Mark Kozelek Live
Lost Verses -
. . . I'm staring up into the sky, where all this rain is pouring downwards.
Im reaching out for your help, but evil beings hold me backwards
Odd shapes and shadows move in and out, and hover round my head
Voices arrive and disappear, I want to talk to them
Darkness disintegrates, I'm rising, rising towards a light, a light leading over hills and meadows. . .
. . . I see you well and clear, deep in the moonlight dear,
Your radiant August eyes, they are the suns that rise,
They are the lights that blind, they end these lost verses. . .
Dave and I went camping in Moody, and I got this picture the morning we left. When I saw this, and every time I see this picture now, that line pops into my head
"Darkness disintegrates, I'm rising, rising towards a light, a light leading over hills and meadows..."
great summer. come 2012.
PEACE
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