Daisy's Doxie Adventures!

It pretty much rained all week and was forecasted to be a very wet Memorial Day Weekend so Bill and I planned on having a Redbox weekend.  I think we ended up renting about 6 movies.  Daisy was really bummed and so bored.  She wanted to be out exploring but did not want to be out in what was coming down. 

This is what it looked like all week. 

It rained so much a pond started forming at the end of our driveway. 

I thought we may have to build an ark.

Daisy is bored and wishes it would stop raining. 

She wants to be outdoors going on hikes and chasing critters.

The looks are getting more and more pathetic

So sad!

Finally there was a brief respite from the rain on Sunday afternoon.  Bill decided to go fly his kite since there was a nice breeze.   And Daisy was so excited to get out of the house. 

Here are some pictures of Daisy in the car.  She was so excited to be going somewhere.  When we finally arrived at our destination she demanded to get out of the car immediately. 

Let me out!

Border line scary, huh?

So impatient to get out and explore.

Bill is getting his kite set up to fly

Up Up and Away!

Way up there!

While we are flying the kite Daisy is out exploring, doing exactly what Dachshund's do best, chasing ground squirrels all around the field into their holes in the ground. 

 

Where's Daisy?  There she is!

Even a field full of dandelions are beautiful and made for some nice pictures.  Shortly after this, it clouded up and rained some more. 

However, on Memorial Day the weather turned out to be beautiful.  Bill and I woke up early and went out to breakfast.  We then went to watch the parade downtown Bozeman.  General Norman Schwarzkopf was supposed to be the speaker at the Memorial Service and would also be participating in the parade.  Bozeman hasn't had a Memorial Day Parade or Service for over 50 years.  The parade turned out to be really nice, and the Memorial Service at the War Memorial in town was AWESOME!  Schwarzkopf didn't make it though.  His plane broke down in Denver and they were unable to get him another plane for him to arrive in time.  I was really looking forward to hearing him speak, so I was pretty bummed out about that.  But it really was a nice service with so many people in attendance.  It was a really nice day.  You can view a few of the pictures I took from my last post on Wordless Wednesday.  Here are a few more. 

Later that afternoon we took a picnic and drove up to Hylite Canyon Resevoir and just enjoyed being outdoors. 

Bill practiced his pipes.

I took pictures

Daisy and Abbie explored

So the weekend didn't end up being a complete washout, thankfully.  It ended up being pretty nice even if we didn't go camping, hiking, or geocaching. 

And now the next adventure begins.  Later on today my parents will be arriving with my kids in tow to stay with us for a week.  We have some fun things planned and I am so excited.  I will be busy and gone most of the week so you probably won't see anything from me for a while.  

TTFN...Until next time.....

Daisy's Doxie Adventures!!!

Last Sunday I coudn't wait for Dad & Mom to get home from church so we could go on another adventure.  I knew we would be going because out of all the days that week, Sunday, ended up being the only day it didn't rain and the skies were blue and the sun was out. 

After much anticipation we finally got rolling.  Here I am sitting in the car while we head out to the wilderness. 

I am being so patient!

We finally reached our destination of Corbly Gulch.  Dad & I went on this hike a few weeks ago and decided that since it was so beautiful and such a great hike that we just had to bring Mom. 

I just love to explore.  I love to hear the birds sing and watch them fly.  I love chasing ground squirrels, butterflies, and grasshoppers.  I love the smell of the fresh, clean forest.

Dad & I heading over to check out the creek

I heard something that I know I would love to play with!

Dad and I waiting for Mom to catch up. 

She is busy taking these pictures.....

The sky started to get cloudy and looked like it was going to rain.

It only sprinkled for a little while.

The Gallatin Valley below looking west.

Mom loves wildflowers

A cool shot of this beautiful wildflower

Pretty scenery

A good shot of Dad playing near the water

We hiked for quit some time (over an hour) before Dad & Mom decided to take a break and found a nice resting spot under the canopy of this pine tree.  Dad & Mom sat down and munched on some trail mix while I searched the area near them.  I finally decided to rest myself.  It was a really nice place to rest.  I can't even begin to describe the fresh smell of the forest in the air. 

Mom under the canopy of the Pine Tree

After a while we started out again.  We continued hiking for another hour and then headed back down the mountain. 

Me just loving the Hike!

Just seeing what I can see!

Mom taking more pictures of the beautiful scenery.  She is going to be entering a photography contest and is working on her portfolio.  She takes lots and lots of pictures. 

Looking down on the valley below and the Tobacco Root Mountains in the distance. Great shot of Dad's profile!

More cool shots of wild flowers

So pretty isnt it?

It was so nice to get out of the house and enjoy all the beauty that God created for us. 

I led us back down the mountain and mom decided to take this shot..... (I can't believe she took this picture).... But I guess this is what they get to see all the way back down the mountain.  They were laughing because I was in high gear and they were having a hard time keeping up with me.  Ha!

I hope you agree that I have a cute little hiney! 

Ta Ta For Now!  Until next time!

Road Trip, Olympics, Movies, TV, and Other Stuff

Road Trip

The weather finally cooperated with us and we were able to go on a short road trip through the Bridger Mountains and into the valley on the other side.  It was nice to get out of "dodge" for a few hours. It was nice to see some different scenery.  It was really nice that, even though there is still A LOT of snow on the ground, there was no snow on the roads.  We had a great time and we saw some really cool things, and I was even able to take a few pictures.  Here are a couple of my favorite ones. I will be posting the rest on my Photography Blog, make sure you check it out. 

Aren't they beautiful?

Yes, those are Bald Eagles!  Majestic!

An old building (school house?) being restored.

It really was an awesome feeling just being able to get out of the house, away from this town for a few hours and see some other sites.   I really can't wait for Spring!

Olympics

Like you, I have been keeping my eye on the Olympics.  I really enjoy the Winter Olympics a great deal.  I lived in Salt Lake City during the 2002 Olympics and it was awesome.  The Olympics bring so much energy to the City, State, or Country they are held in. 

My favorite, by far, is the short track speed skating, in particular, Apolo Ohno.  I loved watching him skate in Salt Lake, in Torino, and absolutely now in Vancouver.  He is just amazing! 

But I have also been keeping an eye on some other olympians.  Particularly, Olympians from Montana and from my home state of Utah. 

Heather McPhie who grew up right here in Bozeman, MT, now lives in Park City, Utah, is on the US Ski Team.  She placed 18th in the Moguls after she fell on the Moguls final run.  That was such a bummer to watch because she was a medal contender and was running in 3rd place when she fell.  Maybe next time Heather!

Bryon Wilson from Butte, Montana is the Bronze Medalist in mens moguls at the Vancouver Olympics.  Woot!  He is also an artist in Wood Carvings.  You can visit his website here.   What a talented young man. 

Noelle Pikus-Pace from Orem, Utah.  She has become one of the best skeleton sliders in the world since beginning the sport in 2001. She placed 4th in the Skeleton at the Olympics this year.  Not too bad!

Steven Holcomb from Park City, Utah.  Placed 6th in the two man Bobsled.  I believe he also races in the four man bobsled which is coming up sometime this week.  I'll be watching. An interesting fact about Steven is that he has served over 7 years in the Utah National Guard.

Zach Lund from Salt Lake City, Utah.  Placed 5th in Skeleton. Not bad!   He is attending college and is majoring in Aviation.  He hopes to fly forest fire sludge bombers when he retires from sliding. 

Valerie Flemming from Park City, Utah & Shauna Rohbock from Orem, Utah are teamates in Bobsled.  They won the silver medal in Torino and are waiting to compete in Vancouver sometime this week.  I can't wait!  Hoping for GOLD!!!!

Of course, I am cheering on all the US OLYMPIC ATHLETES.  GO USA!!!

So now that you know that I have been watching the Olympics and who I have been following, that brings us to.....

Other Stuff

Today is the first day in several weeks where there is a cloudless sky, the sun is shining, the sky is blue-blue, and it is just gorgeous.  I wouldn't say that its warm because I don't consider 36 degrees warm by any means.  But it seems warmer.  In fact we are starting to see some of our lawn that has been covered by several inches/feet of snow since early November.  Is this a sign that spring may be just around the corner? 

I am still in search of a job.  In fact I just spent the last 5 hours applying for several jobs that have become available.  REI is building a new store in town and I applied for 3 positions there.  I also applied for a position with Delta Airlines. *I would love to get this job.  It's close to home and I would have flying benefits.  And I also applied for a couple office type jobs, as well as one for driver/pick up.  Yes, I am applying for EVERYTHING.  This is how my days seem to go these days.  Something has got to come up soon right?  Well thats what I keep telling myself.   It's so depressing!  I've never had trouble securing employment before.  The unemployment market is really crazy!

Other than watching the Olympics this is what provides my entertainment during these cold days of winter.

On TV -

• American Idol - Love It!  The competition is really tough this year. Will be hard to vote on my favorite when I like the majority of them.  Voting begins tonight!  Yeehaw!
• Human Target - We are really enjoying this new series this season.  Its full of action and comedy. 
• Past Life - Another new series that we started watching.  And so far its pretty good. 
• Ghost Whisperer - Still our FAVORITE.  Love Jennifer Love Hewitt and Cameron Manheim. 
• Medium - Just started watching it this season.  We like it so much that we are DVR'ing all the past episodes. 
• Man vs. Wild - We really enjoy watching this program and learning survival techniques. I could do without learning how to eat some of the stuff Bear Grylls eats.  OMG it can be so disgusting!

Recent Movies -

• Edge of Darkness -  As homicide detective Thomas Craven (Mel Gibson) investigates the death of his activist daughter, he uncovers not only her secret life, but a corporate cover-up and government collusion that attracts an agent tasked with cleaning up the evidence. -  I love dramatatic thriller type movies and I really liked this movie. It was intense and I felt Mel Gibson did a great job with his character.  However, it is Rated R for bloody violence. 
• The Final Destination  (2009) -  After a teen's premonition of a deadly race-car crash helps saves the lives of his peers, Death sets out to collect those who evaded their end. - I love all the Final Destination movies and this one is no different.  Always a very intense, on the edge of your seat Thriller. 

What I'm Reading -

• I am currently reading the first book in the Left Behind series.  A novel of the Earth's Last Days.  Written by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins.  I have seen and enjoyed all the movies and now I am really enjoying the novel.  If you haven't seen the movies or read the books, you should.  It is a fictional story that discusses the last days.  How millions of people who are believers just vanished of the face of the Earth, and what those left behind had to learn and do and deal with.  I really like to think that those of us who are believers of Christ will "vanish in the tw inkling of an eye" or through the rapture or by transfiguration, or whatever you want to call it and be able to live with God once more.  To be saved from the fire and brimstone that is going to come to the wicked here on Earth. 

I think that just about sums up my life right now.  I am really looking forward to many more road trips in the upcoming future.  There are so many places I want to visit around here and I can't wait to share all my adventures with you all. 

Yellowstone Earthquakes

There have been more than 1270 tiny earthquakes in Yellowstone National Park since January 17, 2010.  This swarm of earthquakes have struck between Old Faithful and West Yellowstone.  The strongest earthquakes have ranged between 3.0 and 3.7 magnitude. 

This started about the same time as the Haiti earthquake and has left me feeling a bit uneasy.  Why does it concern me?  Well, I live in Bozeman, Montana and Yellowstone is basically my backyard playland. 

Seismologists say that earthquake swarms are farely common for Yellowstone, however, this has been the largest swarm of earthquakes since 1985.

One of the world's largest volcanoes sleeps at the core of Yellowstone.  The volcano last had a caldera-forming eruption 640,000 years ago and last spewed lava 70,000 years ago. Geologists say Yellowstone could erupt again, although the probability of an eruption within anyone's lifetime is extremely low.

The Yellowstone Volcano Observatory says the earthquakes are probably related to tectonic fault sources (fault slippage) and that there have been no indication of volcanic or hydrothermal activity, but they are keeping a close eye on it and conducting ongoing evaluations and analizing the different sources. 

There is some speculation floating around out there that predict the Yellowstone Volcano will play a part in the ending of the world in 2012.  In fact the 2012 movie that came out last year included that theory.  I don't believe 2012 will be the end (I'll save that for another post).  But if that volcano did erupt, those of us who live around here would be toast.