Jordanelle State Park

Mike and I went to Jordanelle State Park over the weekend to visit with his dad.





His brother and fam. met us up there later. Mike was packing all this stuff and I saw my "puffy" on the bed ready to go (Definition of Puffy - basically a big fluffy down jacket. I call it my puffy) and I thought, "Geez, that's a little excessive . . . " As soon as we finally got there and I stepped out of the car, I jumped back in and closed the door. Ittt'sss frreeeeezzing-g-g. Mike just laughed and pulled out the puffy. I don't think I'll ever adjust to the changing of seasons after growing up all my life in an area that stayed a pleasant 75-80 degrees all year long.

The first day we went running and later flew our kites. I still don't really have any pictures of this. We now have 5 kites all different sizes (for kiteboarding). It's pretty fun. We actually don't get to do it as often as we like, which also makes the learning curve last longer.



The next day we went to one of my favorite places, Cascade Springs.






















It's a bunch of water terraces and waterfalls that are created by water that comes up from an underground reservoir. It looks very much like a Japanese garden.


Later that day Mike's dad was called out to tow in a stranded boat from off the lake. So we went along and got a tour of the lake. I got to (drive?) the boat!










































The last day Mike, David (Mike's brother) and I tried kiteboarding on the lake. We rented a jet ski to pick up the stranded kiter. I was driving the jetski around with David and we went to go get Mike out of the water. As David was pulling Mike onto the jetski it started to tip almost completely on it's side! We all tried to highside and level it all out, but at some point I heard someone slip and then a VERY loud "OOOuuchhhh!! OW!" someone was very hurt. It turned out that David had fallen directly on his tailbone. Howling from pain and taking controlled breaths he requested that I don't go over any bumps, which made us laugh because that is almost impossible on a lake! I did my best and we got him to shore. Shortly thereafter, he and the fam. packed their things to go to the emergency room. David obviously couldn't sit to drive, so he was placed in the honorary spot in the back of the car. I got these parting photos and was suddenly having de-javu.

These two are definitely related.

Mike one month ago.

David last week.

My 3's

3 Joys
1. My HUSBAND!
2. My Family
3. My Friends

3 Fears
1. Being stopped in traffic underneath a freeway bridge.
2. Sky Diving
3. Loosing my pinky toe






3 Current Goals
1. Staying in-shape / Running 6 miles
2. Finding a job . . . does it count as a goal if I'm not trying that hard?
3. Learning how to play tennis! I just started a week ago - so fun!





3 Current Obsessions
1. Blogging & checking out other's blogs! Hellooooo, I am SO obsessed.
2. Running & weight lifting.
3. Eating!! I love new recipes and trying out restaurants from different cultures. (Thus the reason I need to have obsession #2)




3 Random Facts
1. I never blow my nose. (I just have never needed to, I know, it's weird. I sometimes wonder what my nose blowing would sound like)
2. I lost my last tooth when I was 19 years old. (Reason: I was born without an adult tooth to push the thing out! So eventually it broke in two pieces while chewing gum one day leaving a nice gap. So I now have three fake teeth to replace the one - stupid dentist sawed down the two on either side of the gap)
3. I love freaking myself out with a good scary movie.

Tomato Chomper

Today my niece and I went outside to find

any plump rubies on the tomato vine.

I'll usually take her out to help pick the

ones that are ready and she's a great helper!

I was really happy with the amount of tomatoes we were picking

and that she was doing so well at picking just the red ones.

This is a pic of her just after sneezing on the two in her hand.

Yeah, gross.

Look at all those tastey treats! Fresh and Juicy!

She's also good at snacking while working.

At least it's healthy, so I didn't say anything.

But I had my back to her for too long . . .

Hey, where'd all those tomatoes go?!

Time To Move On . . .

This One's For YOU Dad!

Disclaimer: The following photos have been displayed at the request of Mindyn Gunderson (McCurdy). The writers of River Nomads have had no part in and no influence or opinion (except that's it's SO funny!) of what you are about to see.

A retainer. Designed by Mindyn and made by her dentist. Just for you Dad :)

NOTE to MEGHAN!!

Read the text!! Don't just look at the pictures!!

Lamaze and Thai Food

Hello out there. I just got off an overnight trip with my friend Richard. We had a family of Italians and a married couple. Richard is a funny guy. To be honest, not too many people can handle Richard. He's a control freak and quick to start yelling at anyone and anything that gets in his way. But - He is an awesome storyteller and believe it or not, has a fantastic sense of humor.

Anyway, we're on this trip, Richard is rowing the gear boat and I'm rowing the passenger boat. At some point downriver someone asks me "What's for dinner?" and I tell them: Suculant Salmon with pesto, garlic bread, Greek salad and buttery corn on the cob. Many Oohs and Aaahs. Yum.

Richard and I both have been looking forward to this dinner for 24 hours. The day before we went shopping for the food and when we picked up the salmon, we both looked at each other and said "Let's get extra!!" After all day rowing it was getting to be all I could think about.

Around 5:00pm we had beached and set up camp and started prepping dinner. I was just about to slice another tomato when Richard comes up beside me, his back to the guests, and whispered to me "We have a problem . . ." what. "There is NO salmon." I froze and we just stared at each other for a full minute. I wanted to burst out laughing, but had to hold it because he looked SO peeved at himself for not remembering to pack it. Finally he broke the silence. "I'm looking to you for help. I don't know what to do!" And that's when I busted. First a smile cracked and then immense giggling.

The Richard! Who knows all things and always gets everything right, ROYALY screwed up and is begging me to think of some brilliant thing! I looked at what we had and a half hour later between fits of snickering and laughter, we ended up creating very tastey salad wraps.

As for right now . . . I'm trying to eat some Thai food I picked up. On the phone she asked me "How hot?" and I said, "Uhh . . . Medium" Which apparently means so hot your eyeballs sweat and mini-fireballs burst out your mouth. I'd run to the fridge and drink some milk to cool it all off, but I don't have internet - so I'm stuck at the library performing a special Lamaze. The kind used for super-spicy Thai Food. It's new. I found it on the internet.