Ibantik Lake

Last week was absolutely gorgeous here in Park City, which made it easy for Troy and I to rack up over 12 hours of hiking across a four-day span. I've realized the Uintas is quickly becoming one of my favorite hiking and camping spots. I love it up there! The hike to Ibantik Lake is pretty easy, with a total of ten miles round trip and just over 2,400 elevation gain.

Troy at the peak

For the life of me, I can't remember the name of this lake, but every time we've walked past it, it always looks so pristine and vibrant.

Me at Ibantik Lake

As we reached the peak again, this mountain goat dashed across our path, and up the rocks just a few yard away. Coming from a town where we see an array of wildlife on a regular basis, it's surprising how infrequently we spot these critters. It was the cherry on our beautiful day. :)

Foster Update: Months 4-7

After three weeks at our house, the two German Shepherd puppies were put up for adoption and quickly found new homes. Like I mentioned in the previous foster post, Troy and I take two dogs at a time. Here is the latest batch of pups that have come and gone over the past three months.

Turk (Chocolate Lab)

Serena (Yellow Lab)

Lucky (Black Lab) 

Radar (Chihuahua)

Buster (long hair Chihuahua)

Poncho (Border Collie)

Millie (Australian Shepherd)

Poncho and Millie hanging out in the laundry room.

Brandi (Bernese Mountain Dog)

Apple (Boxer/Bulldog)

Annabell (Brittney Spaniel/Beagle). 

We've had Annabell for just over two weeks and she is definitely going to break my heart when she leaves. She is the sweetest girl and who couldn't love that constant smile? I love that she not-so-subtly hits your arm with her front paw if you stop scratching her. It dawned on me recently that she always brushes you with her left paw. Maybe that's why I love her - she's a "south paw" like me. 

June (Boxer/Pit Bull)

 We had June in foster care for about a week before she was adopted. Unfortunately, a few days after she was adopted, she was returned to the shelter.  So once Brandi found a home, we took June back in. We currently have her along with Annabell.

Laney (Beagle/Black Lab)

This pair needed long term fostering like our German Shepherds. Unfortunately, since we already have two dogs in foster care, plus our own three dogs, we couldn't take them. We just had them for a day until the other fosters could pick them up. They sure were a cute pair though!

Missy (Beagle/Black Lab)

I realized I've never given a description post about Friends of Animals, the organization we foster the dogs through. I started volunteering at their local adoption center a year ago and currently still do work at the adoption center and their recently opened Rescue Ranch near Kamas. But I will dive into more detail in a later post. I promise. :)

Memorial Day Half Marathon Results

I believe I may be the slowest blogger around, but when the sun is shining, who has time to be sitting in front of a computer? So again, I am posting race results weeks after the event.

I ran this half marathon last year, and obviously enjoyed myself so much, I went back for seconds. The race start was rough. After several failed attempts to fall asleep, I rolled out of bed and plopped down on the couch. There are six beds in our house and of course I fall asleep on the one piece of furniture guaranteed to give you a kinked neck in the morning. I arrived at the race site with merely a few minutes before the race gun shot. After waiting in the long line to gather my bib, the young girl informs me they didn't have me registered for the race. I repressed the urge to blurt out, "Are you kidding? I registered 8 weeks ago!" and managed to politely smile as she directed me to yet another line. The gun fired as I was still stuck behind five people in line. The man behind me aggressively tapped his foot and huffed sarcastic remarks about the slow moving line under his breath. After scribbling my name on a bib, me and Mr. Happy dashed across the dewy grass in an attempt to catch the other runners already a good half mile or more ahead of us.

The frustration of the registration mixup didn't help the dull thumping of my tired head, but I still ran the 13.1 miles and finished in 2 hours 54 minutes. Given the roughly six minute delayed start, my run time was about 2 hours 48 minutes. Obviously much slower than my last half marathon time, but undoubtedly more mentally straining. Here's hoping my next race goes more smoothly!

Playlist: Summer Running Edition

"This Is Your Life" - The Killers
"Boyz" - M.I.A
"Bad Dreams, Pt. 2" - Lyrics Born
"You Make My Dreams" - Hall & Oates
"I Won't Back Down" - Tom Petty
"Comfort Eagle" - Cake
"Stand By Me" - Playing For Change
"Gold Digger" - Kayne West
"Devil Inside" - INXS
"Long Train Runnin'" - Doobie Brothers