Wednesday on the Coast

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On Wednesday we left the redwoods to see what else there was to see. Once you see the huge redwoods normal trees appearso small but they are beautiful in their own right. We made our way up into Oregon stopping along the beach where we fed a few friendly squirrels and sea gulls. At one of the few lighthouses we stopped at we saw a peregrine falcon just hovering against the wind above the shore looking for lunch. The sandy beaches and rocky capes were simply beautiful. During one of our stops we followed one of the larger rivers down to where it went into the sea. It didn’t quite make it there because of a sand bar. I don’t know how that works but it was pretty cool. We eventually made it to our next camp sight, Umpaqua Lighthouse State Park, which was by one of the many lakes and near the long dunes that line a lot of the Oregon coast. We took a long romantic walk around the little lake and took pictures of the moss covered trees. This was the more relaxing day over all.

Vacation Part 2

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So that night we camped at Prairie Creek, which is part of the Redwood National/State Park area. This time we didn’t fall into a sleepy spell, we decided to go on an 8 mile hike starting at 7:00 pm. It went through another redwood forest–this one was a little more mossy and still amazing. It was nice hiking at low elevation; we hiked pretty quickly and got to the beach in about two hours, just in time to watch the sun set. Sitting out on the beach was probably my favorite part of the trip.

The hike back was pretty interesting. It got dark about 15 minutes after we started. We had only brought one flashlight, so we ended up hiking right next to each other so we could avoid tree roots. I discovered that hiking up-hill is a lot easier when you can’t actually see the hill. It was a little freaky hiking in the dark through these huge trees–but we made it back quickly.

The stars were out that night too–I usually sleep too much to see a lot of stars, but I like them when I do. We were sitting at the end of the hike watching the starts, and then this fog rolled in all of a sudden. Pretty cool. It was about midnight by then, so we were pretty tired, especially after the hike. No trouble sleeping that night.

Vacation Part 1

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I doubt I will get this all in in one blog post, and I don’t want to deal with the pictures either. So Joe and I finally went on our tripto the Redwoods and Oregon Coast. We left Sunday after church, after being a bit surprised by the announcement that they were re-aligning the ward boundaries and we were changing wards. We’ve only been in the old one for a couple months, just starting to get to know people. Luckily there are still familiar faces in the new ward, and it’s not really different.

We drove through Nevada without air conditioning. It was hot, but bearable. We drove across this two-lane highway and hardly passed anyone. Lots of desert complete with rabbit brush, sage brush, and hotness. We drove until we hated driving (Joe mostly drove–he likes it more then me). We spent the night at the Wagon Wheel Motel in Lovelock, Nevada. Kinda random–it’s where we finally gave up.

The next morning was more driving until we reached Humboldt Redwood St. Park. We set up camp, and I wanted to lay down for a second. We put the air matress on the ground outside the tent, and laid down for a second…and the next thing I know I am waking up and it’s three hours later and dark outside. Very strange–I felt like someone had put a sleeping spell on me and Joe or something.

We did eventually wake up the next morning and drove around the park. In the park there is a grove of very old and very large trees called Founder’s Grove, and it has a nice nature trail, complete with pamphlet so I can learn some stuff (I like all the interpretive signs and such). The trail also branched off, so Joe and I wandered around, occasionally getting lost in these weird loopy trails.

I’m putting in pictures now. I didn’t get a lot of good ones in the redwoods–it was really dark down at ground level, and my camera didn’t like that too much. Really–the forests are really huge and gourgeous. I loved being there.

The internet is here.

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I finally have Internet on my computer. It is dial-up, and slow, but I am still happy. I didn’t realize how much I enjoyed having the Internet until I didn’t have it anymore. I could still access stuff at work and on campus, but having it right here is nice, and I can blog some more.

Life is good. Work is challenging, Joe is amazing, and I love the lovely spring weather. It might get below freezing tonight–frost in June. Good thing I haven’t planted the garden yet. Our irrigation was delayed at the Community Garden, but with the weather we have been having, shouldn’t matter as much that we are planting so late. Although we need good weather so that they can get done with irrigation.

So Saturday, Joe and I went hiking up Willard Canyon. There are a couple of waterfall back in the canyon a ways, so we started out. We couldn’t really find a trail, but eventually found a small overran footpath paralleling the river, that was quite full. So we tramped through the bush, and got to the eroded hill of death. And instead of turning back, we decided to cross it.

I thought I might die, if I slipped down the dirt and into the raging stream. I do not like to be scared. But I made it across, about twenty feet over and 30-40 feet up. Luckily Joe was there, else I would still be there.

And we got to the top in the vegetation, and realized the trail was on the other side. There was no place to go on our side of the stream but back. So, never did get to waterfalls. Next time, we might try consulting a map.

Married Now

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The wedding was wonderful and everything was perfect. It is strange to be married now, but also very wonderful. Still a lot to get used to and figure out, but I am enjoying it.

The apartment is all set up, and most of the gifts used or duplicated returned. We still have a pile of thank you’s to write, and cars to registered. I did get on Joe’s bank account today, so we can actually see how much money we have.

We like our apartment and ward. The ward was a lot of fun–knew a couple people beforehand. It is weird to actually have a family, and belong to someone when you meet people. The apartment is cute now, and the only complaints I have is no Internet and a small shower.

It was wierd–got Ben’s e-mail, and the first wedding picture I saw was his all doodled up. I would love to look through wedding pictures and talk to my family more–so we think we’ll come down to Lehi soon. This weekend, the decided to ask us to talk in church. I don’t even think our records are there, but we now have talks to give. It’s only 15 min. for the both of us, so not too bad.

Back at work now, or at least some of the time. The summer should be fun.

Life

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Life is cool. I have 12 days before my wedding, school is done, and all I have to do is work, that I like. It’s fun. All the wedding plans are mostly done–got a marriage license today. Really, life is so exciting. But you know, I don’t have that much to do, now school is done with–so that is why I am blogging.

And by the way–don’t forget that you debit card is expiring and your mom has your new one. I was at dinner with a bunch of friends from school and went to pay…and my card had expired. I had cash and a credit card…at home. So I had to borrow money (that I have paid back already). Not fun. And they burned the pizza.

Money

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So I took a family finance course this semester. I thought I knew a little about finances, but I have discovered that I really didn’t, and that there is a whole lot more out there for me to learn about. I did learn some basic financial advice that actually is repeated all over the place.

First is to save 10% of your income, preferably for long-term growth. We saw examples again and again how well invested money can make you a millionre, not with a huge investment amount, but by using time. I learned a tiny bit about stocks and bonds, mutual funds, IRA’s and other investments (and just so you know, you can open an IRA at a mutual fund that invests in stocks. They aren’t all seperate things).

I also liked learning about a revolving savings account. That’s where you plan out your irregular expenses like vacations, gifts, car registration, etc, and you total it, divide it by 12, and save that much each month. In addition, they suggest setting up an emergency fund equal to the amount you would need for 3 months. I would not like to be in a situation where I couldn’t pay for anything when stuff come up–savings are good.

Take that, add budgeting, proper insurance, and you should be wealthy. It’s kinda funny–you learn the people that are often wealthy aren’t those that live extravagant lifestyles, but those who are disciplined with their money.

And you thought I quit…

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So after a very long break, I am back on the blog. I mean to write more, but it takes a while.

Wedding plans are good, as far as I know. Just a few things left to take care of, and I will be good to go. School is almost done, and I expect excellent grades, as always.

And I am kinda antsy waiting around for things to happen.

Today my entomology lab went almost an hour overtime. Standing for 3 hours is not fun. And I really don’t care much about bees.

It is spring today. We have this cool weed up here–I think it might be a wild iris, but it’s a tiny white or purple flower in the lawn and it smells delicious.

Spring

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It’s not technically spring yet. Up here in Logan we still have a foot of snow on the ground in places. But today it was warm and sunny. Joe and I went out on a long walk. Spring is the best time of year, when you can shake off the months of dark and cold, and go outside in bare feet again. I’m excited.

New Job

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So I got a new job this week. I wasn’t really looking for a job, but out of mostly habit, I looked on my departments web page and found a posting for an internship at the Cache County Extension, so I called, talked to him, and by Friday afternoon I was hired.

I have two other jobs, but with both of them combined I get less then five hours, so I should have plenty of time for this new job. And if it doesn’t work out, I’m quitting my research job.

So this job is working in extension doing three things 1)working with community gardens. That was my internship last summer. 2)master garden/other outreach programs, and 3)random stuff. I’m really excited, I think I’m well qualified and I get to start tomorrow.