Number 24

Number 24 is "Learn how to make Rissoto".  I often watch Chopped and other cooking shows and they always talk about rissoto.  I wanted to know what the big deal was.  I love rice so I thought that it would be fun.  I got the recipe and all the ingredients and just made it.  It turned out really great.  I have become kinda a pro at it now.  I like to cook chicken chunks and then it is an entire meal.  The last time I put too much chicken bouillon in so it was too salty, but other than that Rissoto....check!  I will add a picture later. 

Number 12 Skinny Dip

This was on the original list.  I didn't know when I would get the opportunity.  I knew it had to be soon because it is getting colder and I am not chunky dunking during the ice fishing season.  So we went to visit my parents in Wyoming and my dad took us fishing on Jackson Lake.  It was quite the eventful weekend.  We came late into the valley Friday night and were passing a car head on when there appeared two cows in the road and the oncoming car didn't see them at all and hit them both head on.  Fortunately the cows died instantly but we were seconds away from having one of the cows land on our windshield and seconds later would have hit the car head on as they swerved into our lane.  We were first responders.  Danielle went and helped the people, who were Chinese and couldn't communicate with on-star, as I called 911 and directed traffic coming up south end until the emergency people could get there.   So that was tramatic.  Then fishing on Jackson Lake a big storm came and my dad being more concerned with catching the fish on the line then the huge wave coming up over the boat.  We almost sunk.  So after we caught the fish, pulled the lines in, and found a quiet place out of the storm on the North end of Donohoe Island, I knew my chance to skinny dip had manifest itself.  So I went for it.  I took everything off except my tevas.  I didn't want to have to worry about walking in and out of the water quickly.  I thought the water would be freezing but it wasn't.  I jumped in and then hurried and got out.  But then I didn't feel like I got the most out of the experience because it was so fast so I jumped in again for another few minutes.   Now skinny dipping might not be for everyone, but you feel so one with nature.  It is so liberating.  It is really hard to describe unless you try it, especially in such a beautiful place as Jackson Lake.  I kinda knew that I would accomplish this one in Jackson Lake.  A lot of years ago, my dad and I went camping at Jackson Lake on the South shore.  It was an out of the way spot and we stayed in his gross camper.  I think one of his friends were with us but other than that we were seemingly all alone in nature.  In the early morning I got up early and went down to the shore to wash my face and brush my teeth.  It was just me and the trees and the lake.  It was a spiritually experience.  It was so peaceful.  The lake was like glass and there weren't any noises.  I washed up and it literally felt like I was the only person in the world and one with all that was around me and so apart of the greater whole.  I was at such peace.  I often visualize that as my "happy place", when I need to.   So skinny dippy there just seemed right.  When I returned to the boat my mom said "Did I see Courtney's white bare butt out there".  I guess it is easy to spot. 

The pile of clothes

Nature shots

Nature.  I liked how the rock was caught up in the roots. 

Number 30

Not pretty but enjoying the moment. 

Morning View

 To enjoy a sunrise and sunset in one day is number 30.  I made this one up at Zions.  We were at a friends house in Springdale and we had arrived when it was dark.  It is up a hill where the road really winds around so I wasn't sure which way was east to enjoy the sunrise.  Come to find out the house was designed to see to the east off the balcony and then shielded from the west because of the heat in the afternoon.   It just happened to be the day of the Fall Equinox which made it all the better.  It was fun to get up early to see the sunrise and just bask in the beauty.  As I sat there waiting for the sun to crest over the mountains I thought routine of the earth and how the sun comes up every day and how now after the equinox we will be having less sunlight and get colder.  How perfect really all that is planned out.  In life there is so much craziness and indecision and change that it is nice to know that somethings are constant and unchanging.  

To the North

First peek of the sun. 

Sunset.  It was beautiful, but not as cool as the morning. 

Number 14 Hike the Narrows

 I have wanted to hike the Narrows in Zions for a long time.  I had planned it with friends a couple of years ago but that was the rainy year so they closed the Narrows down for flash floods.  So this year Danielle and I made a quick weekend trip to Zions and hiked the Narrows.  We stayed in a house of a friend.  That made the trip even nicer with a big house to ourselves.  We started out about 9 am.  We walked the river hike and then once you get to the end of that you just start walking in the water.  The water was cool but it wasn't a big deal to be in the water.  The highest the water level was was about to our waists but mostly mid calf.  There were some people up there but not overly crowded.  Everyone was friendly and enjoying themselves.  I think for me the best part was just the beauty of it.  The cliffs were incredible and the canyon so deep.  It was amazing to think it had been carved out by the rivers constant flow for millions of years.  Then as the sun would peek through the canyon and reflect off the red rocks it was really just humbling to be there and experience the beauty.  Around every bend it just got better.  We hiked until we almost reached the second fork joining the main river.  There was a huge boulder and we would have to really get wet to get around it so we decided we better head back.  The hike out was easier and quicker (as always) but we were tired by then so we took it slow.  We got back to the trail head about 5:30 and then out of the park about 6ish and ordered a delicious pizza from Pizza and Noodles and took it home and enjoyed.  I am really glad that we made the effort to do Number 14 Hike the Narrows. 

Danielle and I at the beginning of the trail.

Me about half way up. 

So amazing.

Us on the first fork coming into the river.  We hiked just a little way up this one and then returned to the main part. 

Just loving it. 

Understanding the flash flood warnings.  No where out. 

Just cool. 

At the finish.  Wet, shriveled white toes.  Next time I will rethink pulling my socks up all the way. 

Our accommodations, Thanks Clark!