Where has the summer gone? For reals.

We have been enjoying summer this year and haven't really found much time to blog. So here is a "catch up" web log (I can't believe that summer is already half way over - this year is going by way too fast).

Ragnar Relay - Wasatch Back.

June 19th-20th

Run. Drive. Sleep? Repeat. Oliver and I ran the Wasatch Back this year. It was an awesome experience. We ran it with some friends from work (and some of their friends, and some of their friends). We were really lucky to meet and get paired with some great people.

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We had no idea what we were getting into when we signed up, we knew it would be fun, but it definitely exceeded our expectations. It was a 188 mile/30 hour party from Logan to Park City. There are twelve runners on each team and each runner runs 3 legs. I was runner 4 and ran a total of 14 miles, Oliver was runner 5 and ran about 17 miles. We were relatively surprised at how easy it was, not to say that we weren't sore the next day from all of the running.

It was an absolutely breathtaking route with some amazing scenes that I had never seen. We would highly suggest this event to anyone and we are considering signing up for it again next year.

Park City 5

I got a text from Ty late one night saying I was famous. My photos were featured on a KSL news piece (not sure if that actually qualifies as fame). My friend Amanda has the clip on her blog and a little more about the story... see it here.

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Johnston Family Retreat

June 24th - 28th

I was in charge of the Johnston family vacation this year, so we tried to show the family a good time - Oliver and Carly style. I think it was successful and everyone had a good time. We took everyone up to the Young's Ranch and played for 5 days straight. Activities included:

Golfing (at the course on the ranch and at Round Valley)

Hiking

Dinner at Taggarts

Volleyball
Croquet - I think we even tricked Maeve into playing at one point.

BBQs

Floating the river

Swimming for the kiddies

Oliver and Brad swimming in the Cess Pool, I mean pond.

Park City Day - Lunch and shopping

Rock climbing in Echo Canyon

Feeding the horses everyday (although I was never actually up early enough to participate)

Crafts for the kids (and for Micah and Brad)

Spending a day with the Binghams

...and relaxing in the cabin.

4th of July

On the 4th we hiked to the top of Ben Lomond, roughly 15 miles (or 18 depending on what book you look at and who you talk to). It is a beautiful hike and totally easy and gradual. We were surprised at how much it reminded us of the Tetons up there (looked very similar to Teewinot). We hiked it with our hippie friend Jordan Rose, who hiked it in Jesus Rope Sandals; I was convinced he was going to die...but luckily he didn't. We couldn't have asked for better hiking weather. I even had to wear a hoodie to stay warm - on the 4th!

Here are some photos from my phone (we got to the top and realized the camera wasn't charged).

View of the peak from half way up the trail.

Oliver getting ready to cross the glacier (the 1st one)

Oliver and hippie friend Jordan.

Me and Oz at the top!

That evening we worked at the race track and had dinner with the Youngs up in the VIP tower. RMR always has the best fireworks show (I am not being biased - it really is the best). They completely out did themselves this year.

Young Family Lagoon Day

July 7th

We had fun with the family. We weren't able to coerce River into going on the Colossus, but there is always next year. Oh, and we saw a raccoon on the White Roller Coaster - I thought that was pretty exciting/terrifying.