God's Country

So my great grandpa was a cowboy, a real cowboy I think. He ran cattle in southern Utah the early part of the twentieth century in some of the most incredible country on earth. As most family histories (probably all history) goes, I'm sure that his legend has been unintentionally sensationalized by descendants as we try to understand his life and add a sense of credibility to our own. I wish I really knew what his life was like. I think I'd be most interested in knowing the minutiae and not the less common hair-raising or exciting moments that we generally use to try to characterize someone's life. As a family we have tried tracing his footsteps and getting a sense for what he may have experienced on the Colorado Plateau through a yearly pilgrimage to Comb Wash near Blanding. From there we begin our annual exploration of what I'm sure is God's Country.

Jack and I had an incredible time. I'm sure we broke some of Hailey's rules. Riding in the back of trucks, drinking more than one glass of chocolate milk a day, climbing (sometimes passing a 3 year old) up and down sandstone cliffs, and playing with sticks in the fire. I did keep some of the rules - he didn't get any treats after not eating hit peanut butter sandwich and here he is in time out for calling me an idiot






We hiked to a handful of ruins in some beautiful canyons. He was initially disappointing that we never ran into any Anasazi and kept asking where they had gone. Trust me we looked hard enough that if they were there we would have seen them





In the end I'm sure Jack loved his experience, although he had little idea that we were doing this as part of an unending quest to understand who we come from and who we are. Maybe his great great grandpa smiling down from from somewhere, glad that we are at least trying.

Vacation- All I Ever Wanted

Bryce Canyon
Paper Weight
Griffin's first 11,000 peak!
Seasoned hiker
Little pup
The Wild Things

one good thing about children growing up...

is that they actually develop some useful skills. I'm sure that since we have kids there isn't a single picture of Hailey and I together on our family trips. Well that has now changed. Although Jack generally likes taking pictures of his pants or the ground, we are occasionally able to convince him to take a picture of us (it usually involves some sort of bribery involving chocolate milk). Anyway, he does a pretty good job for a 3 year old.

Mom says a farm's the best place to call home...

Seven or eight years ago I lived on a farm near Utah Lake. It really was an incredible place to live. It was funny to be so close to everything here in Utah Valley but feel so far away. It seems that every evening's sunset surpassed the previous. We spent a little time down there last night and the farm has lost its magic. Here are a few shots to inspire everyone to find a farm they can call their own.

Back To School

Today was Jack's first day of preschool. Erin is teaching the first rotation. Jack came home and told me about a king story, learning letters and sorting. He even taught Griffin what he learned. I can't believe he remembered so much! Thanks Erin! She sent the cutest little homework sorting project with fruit snacks and pumpkin stickers.

I spent the day at UVU soaking up a writing conference. Sadly, I've discovered that I'm a hasty perfectionist. I actually learned this prior to the conference. Consequently, I am mediocre in several things (dancing, sewing, writing etc). Turns out you have to work really hard to be great at something or be naturally brilliant. Bummer. Maybe I'll just excel in reading!

Jimmy, Oh Jimmy!

I won't let Jack watch 'Casper the Friendly Ghost.' Yeah he may be "friendly" and all, but he's totally obnoxious and my three-year-old won't stop pulling on his face...oh and he learned to say "stupid" too!Are they related or what?

Welcome home no-longer- Elder Leavitt- aka James! We got to welcome home Steve's younger brother from a mission in PA. He's home! I'm not his mother, but it seemed like four years and not just two. Don't worry, I didn't mention this to him. Oh, but I did make the cool sign! Jack helped with the weird and creepy curly-ques in red.

Fall Fling

I can feel Fall in the delicious air. I've been told to relish these next two savory weeks before the real cold sets in. The transition between seasons is one of the greatest creations. My goal list grows nice and juicy and I get all excited for change (ahem this feeling does not occur as fall slams it's sweet head into bitter ole winter).
So a really great friend has asked how I celebrate Fall. I'm an elementary teacher...I do "crafts" (I assist Jack in painting, leaf collecting and the like. I DO NOT make things for my home. I AM NOT known as a crafter or maker of real crafts) and bake sugar cookies! Thanks to another amazing friend (Mckenna S. Hehehee) I have a just perfectly poofy and sweet sugar cookie recipe. Jack decorates and gobbles (I do the same). Halloween is celebrated for at least two months in this household.

"A Dragon Lives Forever, But Not So Little Boys...."

We now own a sweet bike trailer. We've christened it with a family ride around the circle. The kids and I in the trailer and Steve pushing us. What was funnier you ask? Steve running? Hailey in the trailer crying in laughter? I really don't know, but we do love this trailer and someday we might be able to afford another bike and four new helmets. Steve busted his poor bike on Friday, so the key word is SOMEDAY. I'm pretty sure we won't ever get a new car. We're just going to walk places from now on.
Saturday Steve shot a poor little dove and brought its gruesome little corpse to my clean fridge. After such a jarring beginning I didn't have high hopes for the day, but we went on to have a lot of good clean fun. Walking up the canyon (yes Steve sneered, "this is really getting out" but he did have fun) and swimming in the evening. I even had two hours of trying on denim at the mall without kids. (Does anyone have a cute pair of boyfriend jeans to recommend?)One last note-Jack is being a witch. I thought people were checking out our new bike trailer with envy, but it could have been the red-headed witch, green face and long pointed hat...and newborn baby. Oh and somehow Jack has learned the words to "Puff the Magic Dragon" and all together it was quite a show, even for the jaded parents. Another bonus-almost everything was free-free walking, free swimming, free cafe rio dinner. Who doesn't love FREE? Perfect Saturday and a pretty good ending to a long summer.

Just About Griffin

Here is a little more about the ever growing Griffin. He is trying out his thumb, moving really well and laughing at Jack constantly. We just spent the best $15 ever on a wedge for his crib. The wedge elevates his head and body and helps him sleep through the night...almost. He usually sleeps from 9pm-3am and that is better than Jack! I used to wonder why parents were obsessed with how much their baby slept, but it makes way more sense now.

So much beauty it could make you cry

So tomorrow is the last day of field work for the year. We have two sites to collect on the South Fork of the White River in the Flat Tops Wilderness Area. After 6000 miles of driving, 150 meals from gas stations, grocery stores, hotels, and restaurants (the elk steak in Glenwood Springs, Colorado was my favorite), over 200 miles of hiking, scores of incredible vistas, rivers, waterfalls, and other natural beauties, looking at tens of thousands of lichens with a hand lens, and six billion nights away from my family, I think I've had my share of exploring the west for awhile. Hailey would have found a new man if she didn't have to put two kids to bed right at the prime time to hit the clubs. Jack probably has liked me being away as I always returned with some toy or novelty for him collected along my travels. However, the cool rocks and glass insulators from old power poles didn't move him as much as the toy jumping spiders or Indian weapon set. Griff has no idea who I am the few days that I've been home he scans the room for mom frantically as I hold my screaming child. I'm sure that Hailey's exhausted and tired of crap that I've put her through put tomorrow night it will be over.

PeeWee Pirates

Our family reunited yesterday after three long weeks. We sailed over to India's house and flew off to Pirate Island Pizza. It was creepy, dark and well equipped with mostly half-hearted pirates (the staff). The food was mediocre to good and the atmosphere was pretty darn fun. The youngest pirate (Pirate Griff) screamed through dinner and nearly had to walk the plank. Dad Pirate boasted a scurvy mustache....Well enough said, but I do apologize to the Wiemers...I'm sure she learned that scary face from Cap'n Jack.

Day 7

Gates of the Mountains Wilderness Area. The end.

Day 6

This is why I lichen-

Weak from lichens – day 5

I know this is equally painful for anyone who happens to glance at our blog every once in a while and for the moron who said he would give a week long glimpse into my career. Its old news but today we drove a lot, stopped a lot (very little stopping was actually involved with collecting lichens), and spun our wheels a lot. Its hard to combine Mr. Super-hasty with someone else who is, well, moving at a different speed. Eventually however, we did end up on the East Fork of Bull River in the Cabinet Mountains in western Montana. There's an old growth forest that was absolutely incredible. I'm excited to run up to Engel Lake and Engel Peak tomorrow and see some of the country where Chris has explored. Now he would be a great lichening partner.

Beauty and the Beast

Here's another video of Jack. He watched 'Beauty and the Beast' for the first time today (thanks Erin!). He loved the part where Belle and the Beasty dance. Sometimes I like to just watch his face when he is enthralled in a movie. It's super cute to me.

In the last video, with Griff crying in the background, I actually was pulling him (in the carseat) closer to me so I could plug the binky in his mouth. I completely agree with Leisy; crying babies stress me out too. I thought that I was pretty tricky though. Griff was sleeping during the movie today.

Here's what you're missing dad!

Just two videos of very mediocre quality and interest. Tonight I did find it interesting when I told Jack to "run upstairs." I was encouraging him to use the potty and he replied, "I can't run. I'm tired of running." Half the cuteness was his voice and the other half was finding him laying horizontal on the stairs. Guess who carried him to the bathroom? We miss you Steve.

PS If you really paid $13 on that little jumping spider for Jack, you better have a gift for me too!

Lichenized - Day 4ish

Today we tried to lay pretty low. We refrained from lichen catching and visited the local ward here in Hamilton, Montana. Things were pretty nice, but I don't think the High Priest group was happy to have someone under 30 listening in, especially someone unshaven and in sandals. Oh well, at least it will give them something to talk about for the next few weeks. I took a pleasant afternoon walk up to see Blodgett Canyon on the west side of the Bitterroot Valley. It really was pretty incredible. Tomorrow we'll be back to work up north in the Cabinet Mountains.

tiny tears - lichening day 3

Okay, so I do get to travel and see some beautiful places studying lichens, but there's so much more to my lichening lifestyle. Today we spent the day in the Pintler Mountains in western Montana. We did some beautiful walks in the mountains, but they were a little much for my companeros. It was fun to watch them at the end of the day.

Perhaps the most memorable part was the lunch selection by one of us licheners (I won't name any names). This selection is actually pretty typical, but as I've become accustomed over the past few years to this menu I seldom see it for what it really is. Anyway, a nice dinner at Perkins will only make matters inside your stomach a lot more complicated. Eat something healthy for me.

Lichening - Day 2

Rain, rain, and rain. All day the temperatures were under 50 degrees. Very chilly for may cold blood. We spent most of our time in the Selway-Bitterroot National Forest. If anyone is saving up for a trip to New Zealand save your money and visit the Selway Bitterroot. Just driving along the Selway river will make you feel like your very far from home (especially if your home isn't in northern Idaho). Speaking of driving, since June 23 I've driven over 4500 miles, and each additional mile feels more tortuous. Too bad its not over yet. Okay, I'm going to bed. Here's one photo of the Selway Bitterroot.
Rain, rain, and rain. All day the temperatures were under 50 degrees. Very chilly for may cold blood. We spent most of our time in the Selway-Bitterroot National Forest. If anyone is saving up for a trip to New Zealand save your money and visit the Selway Bitterroot. Just driving along the Selway river will make you feel like your very far from home (especially if your home isn't in northern Idaho). Speaking of driving, since June 23 I've driven over 4500 miles, and each additional mile feels more tortuous. Too bad its not over yet. Okay, I'm going to bed. Here's one photo of the Selway Bitterroot.

A week in the life of a guy who studies fungi and algae systems (day 1)

So no one cares, but I thought I would provide a glimpse into what my life is like as a lichen dude. For the next week I'll provide a day by day snapshot of what my job entails. If this sounds too awful, don't worry it will be over in a week and you can come back to see Hailey's regular posts. Unfortunately many of the juicy details will be left out and left to your own imagination.

Okay, here we go-

DAY ONE - Gospel Hump Wilderness Area, Idaho.

The few, the proud, the lichenologist


Where we work - looking towards Gospel Peak as the rain comes in.



The search -


The results - all lichen species present at these air quality monitoring sites


That's our day in the Gospel Hump. After a long day in the field its back to the hotel to swim off some calories before I put on twice as many at the 'Pizza Factory' (not the Utah Valley version) in Grangeville.