A New Hobby

I have a new hobby that is a complete waste of time, but so relaxing and fun. It is mindless and creative at the same time. It is Pinterest. It is simply creating a virtual bulletin board of things you like. Just like in a classroom where we have multiple boards to display information/work in themed areas, this virtual board allows for the same thing. I just pick things I am interested in and then search either the Internet or other peoples "pins" and "boards" and put their ideas on mine. It is a great way to enjoy your hobbies and interests without spending a dime! Very Dave Ramsey smart. Just make up a name for something you are interested in and start pinning!

I have chosen topics called:
Tips for Safe Travel- I'm on the lookout for ideas as we are traveling a good deal now and I have found some amazing ideas.
Favorite Gems- I love rubies so I am collecting pretty settings for the precious stones I don't own and never will :)
Moon and Sunset- just great pictures of God's amazing earthly heavens
Doors, Fences, and Gates- Well, I am just fascinated with doors and fences.
Health and Home ideas- home fix-ups and tips for staying healthy
Dachshunds- need I say more!
Crafty Cards- Ideas for card making. This supports my real life hobby of making cards :)
Healthy and Not So Healthy Foods- great recipes I have found
Workout Mentality- Well, if you know me, you know I avoid this
Things to Ponder- just quotes and things that make you pause
Just Too Funny -things I find amusing
His Love and Grace- Spiritual quotes and thinking
Love That Purple- all things purple!
Thimble collections- since I really collect these I took pictures of them and put them on the site as well as looked for others.
Beach Life, Just My Style, Great Hats, Crosses, Dog Houses, Holiday Ideas, Places I've Bee, Dream Destinations and Living Spaces round out the boards.

Feel free to check out the site if you are on Pinterest. It can be completely anonymous. There is no risk like with Facebook. But you can see what your friends and other people are interested in. You look for Katie Pedersen (the picture is of a dachshund yawning-it's Danny) under people. Jay has said I won't get into trouble with this hobby...but still says I cannot have Facebook. I obey my children. Surely that is a commandment.

Needless to say, I am having a wonderful time with my virtual hobby and keeping up with friends and relatives!

The Ladies Take on The Rim

 While the men departed for the long-anticipated trip, Heidi's sister-in-law Lorena and son Kade took off on the bus to ride around the park and then eat and nap. Stacey and I were not about to be completely left behind while the "men" hiked so we plotted a route to hike/stroll.

We hopped on a west bound bus and took it almost to the end of the rim trail and then got off. We began walking eastbound along a gravel trail. The views we saw were absolutely breathtaking and so different than what we have always seen at the Bright Angel Trail. While well marked, the trail is less traveled by folks, so it was quiet and peaceful. We munched on apples as we went and after 3 miles we got back on a bus that would take us to Bright Angel. Unfortunately, my hip bursitis is still an issue and made me stop earlier than I had wanted. It was while we were just sitting down for a salad that Jay texted that they were 90 minutes out! We did not expect them for 3-4 more hours. Stacey and I quickly ate and headed for the trail head to greet them. They looked great, but tired. As you would expect the 30 something crowd still had pep in their step while the 50-60 generation were bringing up the rear.

Showers and an early dinner was the mandate from our hikers and then off to bed. I think they were all asleep by 8:30! The next day the youthful set all said they felt like a 10 out of 10 and Dan and Greg were happy to be an 8 out of 10. Stacey and I were just glad we didn't do it!

On Saturday, we had the whole day to explore so we parted ways with the younger crowd and the Kay's and Pedersen's headed east along the rim. What we thought was going to be another short little walk turned into a 3 mile hike. Stacey and I found that between the 3 days we had for walking/hiking we had covered most of the South Rim.

This was a fun trip filled with the glorious views of the Canyon and the wonderful interaction with family and friends.

"DON'T DO IT! Do Not Hike Down and Up in a Day"

At last the time had come when everyone piled in cars and met inside the Grand Canyon National Park for the long anticipated "hike." Jay and Heidi drove their Prius and rubbed in how they were getting 51 MPG! Dan and I drove with a couple from church, Greg and Stacey, and then Heidi's brother, Bernie, and his wife and son, Lorena and Kade (who is almost 3), drove in from the Tuscon area.

Friend Greg in the early morning sun.

We drove from SD all the way to the GC in a day-basically 10 hours. We checked in to the Yavapi Lodge Wednesday evening and settled in for the night. We were up early on Thursday and began exploring the canyon rim by Bright Angel Trail. It was a little warm-up for the hikers. We ate and walked a bit, and stopped at the visitor center to get important hiking information. All the rangers, park personnel, and billboards stressed "Do not attempt to hike down the canyon and back up in a single day." "People die from lack of water and heat exhaustion." This was not going to detour our group!

Dan, Bernie, Heidi, Jay, and Greg end their hike at Bright Angel Trail!

The training regimen that Jay worked up for everyone had them "over prepared." They said the training hikes to San Jacinto and San Gregornio were much more challenging. They started down the Kaibab Trail at 5:30  just before sunrise. They were at the bottom in good time and after crossing the river headed back up the Bright Angel Trail around 10. It takes 2 to 2 1/2 time longer to go up than down. The traversed MANY switchbacks that Stacey and I could see some of from up above. They anticipated a 10 hour hike and they made it in 8 hours 45 minutes! Amazing. Stacey and I were their at the trail head to welcome them back. No injuries, plenty of food and water. They were exhausted after hiking the 17 miles, some of it in 90+ heat. Dan said the last 2 miles was just one foot in front of the other him. But at 3 months shy of 63 he made it! So now he can check off his bucket list, "To hike Mount Whitney" and to hike the Grand Canyon "down and back up in one day." They have already planned their next adventure-The Narrows in Zion National Park. That is only 15 miles in water!!