Spring Break 2009 (Grand Canyon)

Last year, when we hiked the Grand Canyon with Sam, we thought it would be fun to take Jessica, Sebastian, and Jacob to the Grand Canyon. I also wanted to hike to the North Rim. I applied for permits on November 3rd, and secured permits to camp four nights under the rim. We camped on the rim at Mather campground on the 14th, Bright Angel campground on the 15th, Cottonwood campground on the 16th and 17th, and Indian Garden on the 18th. Since Jessica already blogged most of my pictures at jessandseb.blogspot.com, I thought I would add a few more pictures.

Here is a shot near the East entrance to the Grand Canyon.


Here is a Google map of our trek from the South Rim to the North Rim.


Here's a satellite view.


Condor #80 dive bombed us on the 15th.


On the 17th, Cel and Jacob hiked with me to the North Rim. Here is a picture of Jacob with the National Park Service helicopter. The ranger let Jacob take a shower in the cabin.


The views from the North Rim are different. Here is a picture of the vertical stripes in the rock.


Here is a picture of me at the Coconino overlook climbing up the cliffs.


To prove we really made it the the North Rim, we took some pictures. Here is Jacob and I near the trail head with a stop sign. Look at all the snow, yet we would be camping in the 70's to low 80's in the canyon!


I found this awesome snow angel at the North Rim.


Here is an exhausted Celestine, after hiking for 3 days with little rest. She is the toughest woman I know.


Here is my favorite view in the North Rim. I really enjoyed seeing the verticle stripes. I think I'll call this the "rock of many colors."


Our last night in Cottonwood, Celestine and I saw a ring-tail cat. I tried to get a picture, but all I got was the tail. I put an inset picture of a ring-tailed cat so you can see what was outside our tent!


All in all, it was another unforgettable trip to the Grand Canyon!

January 16, 2009

I accomplished one of my goals this year--rolling a kayak.

January 16, 2009

I took Jacob with us to learn how to roll a kayak. He did pretty good for his first time.

Like Father like Son (12/7/2008):

We couldn't resist posting this picture of Jared and Mario. The rabbit was really scary, but Santa?

November 14, 2008 (Kayak Rodeo)

Okay, it's not pretty, but I did roll a kayak this evening. As I began to roll, I let go of my paddle as if I were riding a bucking bronco. Crazy fun!

Gratitude (October 26, 2008)

I was in one of my church meetings this morning and ran across a letter by a nonmember. I think the letter gives us hope in the younger generation, and also makes me a little homesick for my little man Sam. Here is the letter from an older couple:

Dear Mike,

We want to thank you and your team --Sean, Sammy, Kyle, and Jeff-- for the work they did last evening.

The ivy on the wall had become of considerable concern to us; we knew it had to be cut back. We also recognized we could not do the job ourselves. That's a very frustrating feeling.

We sincerely appreciate the work you team did, including the cleaning up and bagging of all trimmings.

There is something else we'd like to mention; it concerns the young people of Albuquerque. Whenever we pick up a copy of the Journal there invariably are articles describing Albuquerque's youth as school dropouts incapable of holding a job, as having wild parties in which alcohol, drugs and sex are the major features, as criminals involved in robberies, stabbings, shootings, etc. In short, the Journal paints a horrible picture of Albuquerque's youth. No doubt some of this is true.

It was so refreshing to visit with Sean, Sam and Kyle. The lads are intelligent, courteous, down-to-earth team-workers whose moral compasses are set in concrete. They are living proof that some of Albuquerque's lads are the finest you'll ever encounter.

We are certain Sean's Sam's and Kyle's parents are justifiably very proud of their children. And, we are certain you are very proud to call them members of your team.

Sincerely,
Jim and June

Eagle Scout Service Project (Oct. 25, 2008)

Today I helped one of two Deacons in the ward with his Eagle Scout Project. All of our scouts, teachers, and priests are Life Scouts. Our youngest is the first to do his Eagle Scout project! He had us paint basketball courts, four square courts, and hop scotch.

Here are some pictures from the event:

Kayaking in the Rio Grande (October 18, 2008)

We finally used our kayaking skills in the Rio Grande near Taos, NM. The weather was exceptional. I was the first to capsize. Upside down, under the boat, I forgot all of my pool training. I pulled the rip cord on the kayak skirt and "wet exited" into the cold water. I capsized two more times before we finished the day.

My favorite part of the trip was when Josh and Dillon had a "roll" contest. Rolling is when you tip upside down, and then right yourself and your boat. Dillon was the first to roll the kayak. Josh followed and both men kept rolling until Dillon, blue faced because of the cold water, stopped. Josh kept rolling his kayak. After 14 successful rolls, with an exhausted look on his face, he failed to right the kayak and he had to wet exit. He kept repeating, "awesome adrenaline rush!"

Here's the group:

Some individual shots of the kayaking men:

This guy is practicing ballet. Funny what wearing a skirt does to a man.
The next pictures are more manly:
Do you see the excitement?


Sam, our guide kneeling in the front/right, was awesome. We are grateful for his time and effort in teaching and guiding us! Our plan is to keep taking lessons from him and do another kayaking adventure next year!

Kayaking in October (Oct. 8, 2008)

For part of my Woodbadge ticket, I have committed to give the YM a Kayaking experience. This is the second roll class, and some of the boys are great. I am more like a marshmallow floating in the pool! Wouldn't it be cool if all of the YM could roll a Kayak? We're learning the sweep roll.

Here is our instructor.
Men in skirts:
Here is the first man to roll the kayak:Born to float:

Movie of two boys doing simultaneous rolls:


Here is me trying to roll:

Albuquerque Airport!

Sam insisted that I post on his blog while he is on his mission. Here are some pictures at Burger King, just before we took Sam to the Airport. Jessica is the only girl eligible to hug Elder Hobbs, now that he has been set apart as a missionary.

Here are some pictures of the tear festival at the airport.

October 3, 2008: Joy Junction Fund Raiser

Celestine has been working the last few months helping to organize a fundraiser for Joy Junction, the largest homeless shelter in New Mexico. The keynote speaker was Coach Ken Carter. Coach Carter's life story was made into a movie starring Samuel Jackson. The event was a huge success with over 400 people attending the Gala event. The evening included live entertainment by popular contemportary Christian artist Jaci Velasquez.

Here is Mike with Coach Carter:

Here is Rob and Marie with the Coach:

Here is Celestine with Rob.