AZ Trip Photos for my non-FB Friends

Day 1: 10-mile hike into Havasu Falls

Entering the village of Supai (mile 8).

Day 2: Day-hiking to the lower falls.

First view of Mooney Falls.

Getting down means a steep descent through two caves, some carved steps, and two ladders.

We all made it safely to the bottom.

Heading further down river from Mooney.

The water flows over limestone, and the calcium carbonate makes the water turquoise blue.

The calcium carbonate also creates travertines in the river.

Climbing back up from Mooney Falls.

Day 3: Posing at Havasu Falls before our 10-mile hike back out.

The last 1-1/2 miles is all UP. (The tip of Casey's hiking pole points to the parking lot.)

Day 4: Grand Canyon National Park.

Oh, ha ha. (It's supposed to look like they're falling in.)

Watching the sunset from Yavapai Point.

Day 5: Backpacking into the canyon.

From the South Rim, it's 4.5 miles down the Bright Angel Trial to Indian Garden campground.

After setting up camp, we hiked the rest of the way down the canyon -- all the way to the Colorado River.

Soaked our feet before hiking back up to the campground.

Day 6: 4.5 miles and 3,500 feet UP to climb out of the canyon.

Back to the trail head in 3-1/2 hours!

It was grand!

Dessert mallow.

Hedgehog cactus.

Indian paintbrush.

Beaver tail cactus.

Thumbs up for dessert backpacking (and for In-and-Out burger)!

Winter

It's been a mild winter.
In fact, there was no snow for the First Day Hikes this year.

But last weekend, we found winter in New Hampshire.
We hiked into Lonesome Lake AMC hut and spent the night.
It was -12°F on Sunday morning!

We needed thermal layers, gloves plus liners, heavy boots, wool socks plus liners, hats, face masks, coats, wind-resistant pants, and snow shoes.

Britt and I couldn't wear our glasses while hiking because they fogged up too much for us to be able to see.

We came home Sunday to snow-less eastern MA, though we finally had some pond ice on Monday and the boys played the first game of pond hockey this season. (Britt had to work.)

Finally, on Monday night, we got a bit of snow.
There was enough to require shoveling on Tues. morning,
but it was all gone by Tues. afternoon.

Then, it snowed again last night.
Once again, we were up early to shovel the snow before school & work.
Afterward, the dogs and I went to Fresh Pond

where they enjoyed a nice run

before coming home for a nap.

Beau's Birthday

The day began with pie and presents for breakfast.

Gifts included the latest Paolini book, which Beau started reading right away.

Afternoon was Go Kart racing with friends.

After dinner we had cake.

Happy Birthday, Beau.

Thanksgiving Kickball 2011

Big crowd this year. As usual, the kids' team won. But I think they got an extra half an inning over the adults...

Halloween 2011

In some parts of the state, due to the very early nor'easter on Saturday night that has left many towns still without power or with continued unsafe conditions (downed power lines, trees across roads, etc.), Halloween was postponed. However, in Cambridge, Halloween was in full force. All our snow is gone, the weather was cool but dry. And it seems that my kids haven't yet outgrown the holiday.

At school, Beau and a fellow Scout dressed as a pair of lost hikers.
(The friend forgot his beard.)
You can't see it, but Beau wore a UC Santa Cruz t-shirt.
Apparently the hikers made a wrong turn off the PCT!

For trick-or-treating,
Beau and a neighbor went as Fat Cats
(or bankers or insurance salesmen or something...)

While Casey went as an Occupy Boston Protestor (zombie style).

In addition to scoring a mound of candy,

Casey also scored $10 from a guy who liked his costume so much!

My Son: The Ancient Roman

This past week was Spirit Week at the high school, and every day had a dress up theme. For Throwback Thursday, Beau went pretty far back.


He was a big hit with his Latin teacher. And the lunch lady gave him a medal for best costume.

I Caved