NEW HORIZONS FOR MAYRA

  This in from Ken:

For those of you who don't know, Mayra recently moved to Kansas to live with her family. The move seemed the most logical given some challenging circumstances related to automobiles. Hopefully, the move will be just enough to help her and she can return soon to start college. One of the interesting challenges of the trip was Franklin, Mayra's pet turtle. We wondered how he would handle the slogging around in a small tank for the 18 hour drive. But, he did quite well. He even got to play for awhile on the trip and spend a few hours enjoying a hotel bathroom. 

Franklin and Mayra

In any case, we all miss Mayra in Utah, but know that her Mother is enjoying having her around. She plans on attending UVU in the new year maybe pursuing a degree in criminal forensics. Could be cool. 

No news is no news

Nothing to report, but I could encourage you to read the Larsen's blog (over on the right).  They are in Africa for 18 months, and doing so interesting things.

SUMMER ACTIVITIES AT THE MAPLETON AGLES

What can you do on a summer day in Mapleton?  How about the following.

KATIE & DAREN'S TRIP THROUGH THE "SUBWAY" (and not New York's)

Since I don't have any new posts, I borrowed this from Katie's, (A Tale of Two Pickle Faces in Love) just in case you haven't read it.  Enjoy.  It's delightful.  

The Subway '12

Daren and I had the chance to go on a super fun trip this past weekend.
A friend entered a chance to win permits to hike through the "Subway" down in Zion's Slot Canyons. (Only about 80 people a day are permitted to go through the Subway so we felt very lucky to have this opportunity).
It was such an adventure!
We left Thursday evening, hiked Friday and Saturday then came home late Saturday night.
Despite concerns of flash floods, we made it through the entire Subway safely, albeit wet!
From the moment we started hiking on Friday, it started pouring with rain. Through the 9.5-mile, 9 hour hike, we were dry for about 45 minutes of it.
The "Subway" starts off hiking down about 3 miles of red slick rock and sand. The rain made the slick rock slippery which created an extra obstacle for us in the beginning.

Katie & Daren getting ready for a decent down red slick rock
(as you can tell, we are quite wet already)


Once we got to the slots, we were wading through water (sometimes over 6 feet deep!) for the rest of the day.

One of many pools we crossed


Along with wading and swimming, we had many chances to repel down steep rocks. Thank goodness Daren, Craig and Scott are very experienced canyoneers! I was saved quite a few times by all of them.

Craig saving my life down the first repel (thanks Craig!)

Although being wet without worrying about ruining clothes or wet shoes is so fun, it did get quite chilly! So chilly in fact, we had to open up a space blanket for me and Chelsea.

If you look really close, the picture is a little blurry and I think it is because we were shivering!



Hiking the Subway was so much fun! I came home in so much pain, but the kind of hurt that feels good because it reminds me of how much fun the weekend was.
Oh such good memories!

Owieee

Have you ever wondered where all those "sets" from the Liken series go after the shoot? Well some probably disappear, some are tossed, some given to other projects, but the good stuff goes into a storage facility. On occasion, something is needed and it is usually Ken who goes searching.  Searching can involve climbing over boxes of costumes, plants, ships, . . .well you get the picture.

Recently Ken was doing that very thing, climbing over whatever when he fell and nearly broke his leg. I know it is hard to believe that he is vincible (I know that vincible is not really a word, but I was looking for the opposite of invincible which is: too powerful to be beaten or overcome) . He worried for a bit that it might be broken but after awhile he decided it "probably" wasn't. He hobbled around for awhile and then the next day went on a hike with his sons. In retrospect, he thinks that might not have been the smartest thing to do. 

The leg was still giving him concern a couple of weeks later, so he made an appointment with Aria's former coach and trainer who has a great facility. Long story short, he said he probably crushed some cartilage but didn't tear anything. He has some exercises to do and is wearing a brace and is supposed to ice it every night.

We're all grateful that he lives to fight another day! (Ken, correct, me if I didn't get the story quite right..Mom) 

Doesn't look like the best base to go hiking on with a bum leg.

Who me?  Turning 42?  I think those numbers are inverted! 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO OUR SWEET JULIE

MAUI

Erik & Kristin took a week off and went to Maui to enjoy some R & R.  They had a great time snorkeling, picnicking, enjoying the weather and how it changes so many times within one day. However, there was a slight snafu. On the second day there, Erik got a severe ear infection. You know it was bad because Kristin finally convinced him to go to urgent care. He got some strong stuff, but it takes awhile to get rid of something like that, so no more snorkeling for Erik for the remainder of the trip.  Still they said it was a wonderful break before returning to reality.

That looks cool and refreshing.

The cliff dive ceremony was at Black Rock (best snorkeling spot on West side). They would light the torches at sunset every night and then jump off the cliff into the water. Awesome! - - Kristin

 The artisan that carved the tiki was Kalolo –

he is 70 years old and has been carving since he was 10.

 (This is the souvenir they brought home with them.)