what we’ve been up to

The end of our summer consisted of a two-week whirlwind trip – I covered 10 states in seven of those days.  Then school started up again and life is as busy as ever… I just keep thinking that next semester, my last semester, will be cake after this one (please keep your fingers crossed for me, hopefully I did not just jinx myself). 

The first weekend after school started up, we headed to Idaho for the Grand Teton Brewery release party on Friday night, then camped in Grand Teton National Park (across Idaho’s border in Wyoming) on Saturday night. 

Idaho and Wyoming are beautiful, but we did not get to spend nearly enough time in either place… spring break camping trip perhaps?  We snapped a few pics of Grand Teton National Park from our campsite and a few shots of the Snake River on our way home (definitely scoped out some campgrounds for another camping weekend – so many trips, so little time).  I hope you enjoy my photos (just as an fyi, they play in reverse with the Snake River photos first)! Maybe some day soon I’ll post some projects or recipes again… promise.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

zion national park

Zion National Park

About two weeks ago Jed and I headed to Zion National Park in southern Utah for some R&R. 

View of Zion National Park from Dixie National Forest

If you ever get a chance, go.  It is beautiful and great for hiking, biking, and camping.  No cars are allowed in the main part of the park.  I love this about Zion because the only sounds disturbing the peace and quiet of nature are the occasional shuttle and other visitors’ voices.  Plus, unlike Bryce and Grand Canyons you actually start in the bottom of the canyon, not looking down from above.  I can’t say enough about this park, and although we stayed in a cabin outside of the park this time, I would actually love to come back and camp in the park.  That might not sound like much to you, but this city girl does not sleep in the wilderness without a full bathroom (and preferably a kitchen, ac or at the very least a ceiling fan).  The closest I came to camping in my youth was staying in a cabin at Girl Scout Camp (with bathrooms, a kitchen, and cots).  Typically, girls from Queens excel at things like riding public transportation and navigating through throngs of meat heads at the beach to find a good spot for their towels, not roughing it in the wilderness.  I also slept in  a tent one night at a music festival in college – needless to say I was majorly skeeved and haven’t set foot in a tent (or sleeping bag) since then.  So, that is why me wanting to camp is a huge deal. HUGE. 

Zion National Park - View from Mid Emerald Pools

Aside from Zion, there are a number of parks in the area including the Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, and Dixie National Forest.   In my opinion (after having been to all), I think Zion and Dixie are the most beautiful, especially if you are looking to get into the parks and not just photograph from look-out points on the side of the road (not that you can’t hike in the Grand Canyon or Bryce Canyon).  We drove through Dixie on our way home from Zion, but I really want to go back and I would be willing to camp there too.  Dixie National Forest has a distinctly non-Utah feel to it.  The lakes, lava flows, and forest have a cross between a Sierra and east coast mountain feel – not that of the high desert. 

Dixie National Forest - Navajo Lake

Dixie National Forest - Lava Flow

Yes, there is still a considerable amount of snow in Dixie (these were taken May 24).  We have had a long winter with record snow fall this year, and I would imagine that snow will be sticking around for a while more at higher elevations.

Well I could wax poetic for hours, but I think pictures would be much more enjoyable for you. I posted a few more below, or you can check out my full slideshow at Flikr.

Zion National Park

Zion National Park

Zion National Park - View from Mid Emerald Pools

Zion National Park

spring at the beach

Currently, Sportsglutton and I reside in the high desert between two mountain ranges and there is not an ocean in sight (or within a day’s driving distance).  While we were away for the week, we hit the beach. 

I love the empty stretches of sand.  They will be packed with people once Memorial Day arrives, but for now they are quiet.  Unobstructed views of the water from the boardwalk abound – there are no overly tanned and oiled bodies in the way.  The lines of garbage pails seem to be awaiting the chaos that will ensue and the onslaught of greedy seagulls looking for a free meal.   

But for now:

Minimal photoshop processing and Kim Klassen Warm Sun Texture

yes, i am aware it’s wednesday

But, I seem to constantly running behind due to my course load this semester… Why does the day of the week matter?  I posted a pic over on Kim Klassen’s Texture Tuesday post and I thought I would share here as well – even though it’s Wednesday. Day late, dollar short, whatever…

I used 3 textures from Kim Klassen (life’s good, warm sun, golden), pw lovely and ethereal action set, dry brush, and assorted photo filters & layers.

scenes from the road

I was on spring break this past week and we road tripped it through bad weather to and from California to see family.  At the start of our trip I downloaded a Retro Camera app for my Andriod and snapped away.  We drove through a dust storm, heavy snow, heavy rain, and a little bit of sun. Here are some shots from the road… 

Bad Weather + Fun App =