Spring has Sprung.

This photo was actually taken over three weeks ago. Trees are starting to leaf out and the cacophony of birdsong is ever increasing in decibel level in the wee hours of the morn. Man, do I love spring!!!!!!!

Let's see......since we last spoke, time is flying and soon we will be back in our beloved home state.


We skipped school and headed to Russia (pronounced Roosee), Ohio to visit Tony's family. Tony headed to Idaho for INL obligations. Owen and I hung out with Sharon and Fitz during the worst snowstorm the area had seen all winter. Our visit happened to coincide with a climbing competition in nearby Dayton, Ohio.

The competition was at Urban Crag and the format was an on sight comp. This format was new to us. On sight means that the kids are sequestered until a few minutes before they climb, get a few minutes to visually review the route and then have to climb. While most kids seemed to be consulting one another on the possibilities, Owen had no one to talk to so he gave it a glance and returned to climbing in the bouldering cave. This comp had more kids than I have ever seen. Owen got a third place! As always, he was stymied by the long reaches but did manage to flash the crux of his final climb before being stopped. The two kids ahead of him were a good 4-6 inches taller and both were 10 years old.

Then I was off to my Wilderness First Responder course in Salt Lake held at the University of Utah Medical School. This program is put on by the Wilderness Medicine of Utah (WMof U) http://www.wmutah.org/home.html I highly recommend it for anyone who spends a lot of time in the wilderness or works in the field of outdoor education. It is the least expensive program out there since WMof U is a non-profit organization. Most of the instructors are serious outdoor athletes who also happen to be medical students at the university. Salt Lake is a fantastic city to be stuck in for a week. Great food and awesome mountain views. Dare I ask for anything more?

A dawn view from the east of the city

Upon return our very favorite family, the Bruemmer Clan, came from Idaho came for a spring break visit. Owen was beside himself with joy and happiness during their stay and sunk into a deep depression (that lasted a full half hour) when they left us. I neglected to pull out the camera to record the festivities, but let it be known that fun was had by all. We biked, partook in cultural offerings, dined sumptuously and cavorted.... as would be expected with this lot. Owen dreamed of stowing away in their luggage but in the end decided to wait the eight weeks until our return to Idaho.

Now we are off to Tybee Island, off the coast of Savannah, Georgia for an extended weekend with the my family.