September 16, 2010
Some places you can’t visit enough – favorite places. Lovely spots of earth you hate to drive away from.
Albion Basin is one of those places for me. This bowl of craggy rocks and gnarly peaks, carved into the top of one of the Wasatch Range’s most beautiful canyons, rests at an elevation of 9000 feet. During summer, the best snow on earth melts into the ground – greening and softening the slopes until late July, when this world, nestled just below the clouds, erupts into a profusion of reds, blues, yellows, purples and whites.
Flowers.
All growing wild.
Indian paintbrush.
Mountain lupine.
These two little beauties cracking right out of the rocks.
And blue flax.
Doug and I took the kids up the Cecret Lake trail. We strollered the boys (because we couldn’t find an extra pack at the last minute).
Doug muscled them up the mountain with Ali and Sami sitting on the front of the jogger more than half the way. A lot of extra poundage to push up a hiking trail.
This was our turnaround point. See the crest of the hill? On the other side is the lake. Just a few hundred feet away. But the rest of the trail was non-negotiable via stroller so we snapped a picture and headed back down.
Doug’s display of endurance was impressive. Our very own Hercules. If I had been motor we would have lurched to a stop at the bottom of the first hill, stuck in overdrive, spitting dust.
Eliza found this animal bone and rinsed it off in the river. It’s the femur from some kind of furry beast. (See the greater trochanter and femoral head?) Too long for a rabbit. Way too short for a deer. Maybe a fox. I dunno. But I’d love to hear your speculations.
(Sorry if you screw up your face in disgust but I like these kind of things.) I’ve taught my girls that they are “cool” – that bugs and worms aren’t creepy or slimy – and that dirt is sometimes a girl’s best friend.
Here is Eliza wielding her trophy bone, waist-deep in paintbrush and pepperweed. Devil’s Castle in the background.
It’s one thing to be in your favorite place. It’s another to be there with six of your favorite people, at the peak of wildflower season, sharing your favorite chewing gum, splashing your feet through every possible stretch of river, listening to a thunderstorm churn overhead.
Tell me about one of your favorite Summer spots… since we’re about to bid farewell to hot, sunny weather.
Angie
Love the outlook on nature Cath. The the breathtaking pictures of the landscape–and the kiddos. I love the femur bone! Ash too loves to handle creepy crawly things and thinks they're cool.
KESLER KREW...Cami
cath i luved your segullah post…i just left a comment
im counting on you to show me these great places up north!!! beautiful time of year, isn't it!
we have been here officially for a week now…cam had to go back to colorado for the rest of the month to finish up work…so we are adjusting and getting into the school routine, etc…and basically luving utah already. would LUV to get together…meet you for some hikes, i know cam would luv to dinner with you guys, wray girls night – i know shellie would luv to come down and your sisters are close right??!!
let me know what you think! *cami
camikes@hotmail.com
catharvy
Ang – With all your kids have been through (trips to the ER and such) I would guess not too much phases them! You're such a fantastic mommy. Loved seeing your latest haymarket pics. You always have such a good time!
Cami – Yes, yes and yes. Get together, sisters, dinner with Cam. All of the above. We're planning our next sisters' shindig for November. Rachel's in charge (I better let her know!) and we'll tell you and Shelli – so you can join us! Might be a long month for you without Cam. Please come up this way if you want to hang out. We're always here!