A few weeks back we realized with Mara studying for exams and getting application stuff ready, we really hadn't taken advantage of the cooler mountains to escape the heat of the desert. About the time we thought of heading up to Payson the temps in the valley started dropping (below 100°F today!). Then we checked the weather and it was forecast for rain pretty much all over AZ. We decided we might as well go for one night. At worst we spend it in the tent and Mara could regale us with stories about her patients. I took off from work after lunch and we picked up Rohan and the dogs and headed North. Since most of the time the weather in AZ is fairly predictable (Phoenix especially), we were glad to see lots of cool cloud formations and even a little rain on the way up.
We navigated our Rav4 through some pretty sketchy areas in terms of washouts and wet sand, but we only almost got stuck once, and got to see some of Coconino Forest's back country areas. When we finally found a spot to camp it was amazing! The clouds were about 200 feet below us, and we could see probably close to 50 miles, back towards Phoenix. The view from our site was amazing, and if there wasn't the rain, someone probably would have snagged it before us. We had lots of cool storm clouds in the distance and fast moving low clouds scrambling up the mountain all around us. We got some cool videos of the clouds attacking. One storm cloud in particular looked a lot like a Star Destroyer Battleship from Star Wars (See the pics for a comparison).
The forest was pretty damp, so firewood was scarce, but we were able to make a small one. We found a nice area to cook our supper at, with views of the valley and sunset. It couldn't have been much better (well...minus the rain). We got rained out right around Rohan's bedtime, so that worked out pretty good. He was so exhaisted that he didn't mind us chatting, or the dogs snoring or barking at forest noises. We had a couple of June bugs attack our lantern light, but they eventually left us alone.
Saturday morning we checked the forecast and decided to bail instead of sitting in a tent with a 19mo old all day, and two wet dogs. Instead of heading straight home we took a slightly longer route home through Winslow and Flagstaff. On the way we swung by a climbing area called Jack's Canyon we had heard some friends talk about. It turned out to be a gorgeous day (at least while we were in the canyon), and we were suprised how great the clmibing was. We didn't have gear with us, but as soon as we get some rope, we are going to head back there and do some serious all-weekend climbing. As we hiked out of the canyon we came across a HUGE snake. Mara had seen it, but I almost stepped on it. Not sure what kind it was, but it was about 3 1/2 to 4 feet long. Maybe Chris, or one of our other nature nerd friends, can identify it in our pictures.
We got home Saturday afternoon (after hitting REI to browse). The night was pretty low key, and Sunday was a lot of the same. With Tim & Allison coming in 2 weeks, and Tim and I playing the TPC, I need to get working on my golf game a little so Tim doesn't make too much fun of me! We capped Sunday off with a nice cool run, and some pool/hot tub time.
Hope everyone had a great weekend too!!!
Cloud City Campsite:
The clouds attack our campsite:
Rohan Laughing At Pine Trees:
Rohan Bouldering:
Rohan & Mara Do Some Yoga Before Getting Back In The Car (Sorry For The Wind Noise!:
One Last Run Before Heading Home! (Sorry, More Wind!):
Monday, August 2, 2010
Monday, July 26, 2010
Rattlesnake 10K
We are CRAZY EXCITED to let everyone know (who doesn't already) that we are going to Germany over xmas this year!!! Thanks to some help from Mara's parents and Mara's brother Josh, who lives there! We are planning to stay out for almost 2 weeks (maybe a couple days more). Mara has the time off school, and I'll have vacation to burn. With some of our friends (Greg & Nico and Nate & Kara) just getting back from European vacations, we have some good ideas of places to see and visit. Can't wait to get all the cousins together as well! Rohan, Thomas, Sam, Ryan, and Thomas-yet-to-be-determined sibling, will be a blast! We already got Rohan's passport photo and application sent off. Rohan was hilarious for his photo. It took 1 shot to get him, and he looks like a German officer. Straight lipped, blank stare, with no expression. The photographer said it usually takes 10 pictures for kids that small...:)
This week was pretty much our usual week. With the heat subsiding a bit, we were able to ramp our running back up a little. The temp at 9:00 was hitting in the cool mid-90s, WAY better than the mid 100s! We were able to hit up Jeanette's yoga class twice this week (Tues/Thurs), and also got about 90 minutes of climbing in beforehand. It's great to be able to workout before Jeanette kicks our butt (it's been harder, and feeling awesome!).
Thursday, we got a great workout in. We climbed for 90 min, then Mara did yoga while I put Rohan down. After Mara got back, we sat for a while, then around 10:30 decided we still had some energy, and went for a run. We wanted to just go at least 3-4mi, but ended up doing a 10K (6.2mi) since it felt so good. At mile 5 or so, we were greeted by the rattling of an assumed large rattlesnake. We didn't see it, but it was close, and you could hear there were 5-6 rattles, so it was older. Good thing it was off the sidewalk! Got our hearts going for that last 1.2mi push! That route is now known as our Rattlesnake 10K route...:)
Saturday we got Rohan's passport taken care of, and then hit a play area in the mall so he could wear himself out. Afterwards he took an good nap for us. Greg came up and we went to AZR and climbed for 2 1/2 hours. We were both climbing really strong, and Greg is getting his old form back.
Rohan was in desperate need of a bath Saturday morning. While Mara and I were sleeping in, Rohan decided to sneak into the fireplace and see what soot tasted and felt like. Apparently he loved it. Mara rushed him to the tub, and got him mostly cleaned before I got the camera. It was a cue for us to vacuum out the fireplace from this winter's fires. Good times...
Sunday was pretty low key again. We hit up Jimmy Johns for lunch then the Mesa Contemporary Art Museum in the afternoon. It was a small museum, but had some cool items. Most of the art is actually installation pieces outside, but they almost all have water, and they apparently don't run them in the summer. We saw them last winter, and we'll have to check them out again when it cools off. After that, and only 30 minutes of nap for Rohan, we hit the pool to completely wear him out. We were out for almost an hour, and he is getting really good in the pool. We mostly play on the steps so he can touch, but he's getting braver and trying to walk after us. He's only fallen in the deeper end a dozen or so times...:) Maybe it's time for water wings?
We capped the weekend off with breaded chicken & pepper kabobs and a 7.5mi run, what an awesome combo! We are slowly getting back into our training for the Marathon in January...yeah...less than 2 weeks after our return from Germany... We are going to try and get some runs in over there, but who knows how that'll go. Oh well. All we want to do is finish. No matter what it will be a personal record...:)
Hope everyone had a good week, dried out, and got out to enjoy the weekend!
Rohan Can't Sleep, Read & Drink At The Same Time:
Rohan LOVES Avril Lavigne...:(
Rohan Spots The Playground And Starts Running With Dad:
Riding The Dad:
This week was pretty much our usual week. With the heat subsiding a bit, we were able to ramp our running back up a little. The temp at 9:00 was hitting in the cool mid-90s, WAY better than the mid 100s! We were able to hit up Jeanette's yoga class twice this week (Tues/Thurs), and also got about 90 minutes of climbing in beforehand. It's great to be able to workout before Jeanette kicks our butt (it's been harder, and feeling awesome!).
Thursday, we got a great workout in. We climbed for 90 min, then Mara did yoga while I put Rohan down. After Mara got back, we sat for a while, then around 10:30 decided we still had some energy, and went for a run. We wanted to just go at least 3-4mi, but ended up doing a 10K (6.2mi) since it felt so good. At mile 5 or so, we were greeted by the rattling of an assumed large rattlesnake. We didn't see it, but it was close, and you could hear there were 5-6 rattles, so it was older. Good thing it was off the sidewalk! Got our hearts going for that last 1.2mi push! That route is now known as our Rattlesnake 10K route...:)
Saturday we got Rohan's passport taken care of, and then hit a play area in the mall so he could wear himself out. Afterwards he took an good nap for us. Greg came up and we went to AZR and climbed for 2 1/2 hours. We were both climbing really strong, and Greg is getting his old form back.
Rohan was in desperate need of a bath Saturday morning. While Mara and I were sleeping in, Rohan decided to sneak into the fireplace and see what soot tasted and felt like. Apparently he loved it. Mara rushed him to the tub, and got him mostly cleaned before I got the camera. It was a cue for us to vacuum out the fireplace from this winter's fires. Good times...
Sunday was pretty low key again. We hit up Jimmy Johns for lunch then the Mesa Contemporary Art Museum in the afternoon. It was a small museum, but had some cool items. Most of the art is actually installation pieces outside, but they almost all have water, and they apparently don't run them in the summer. We saw them last winter, and we'll have to check them out again when it cools off. After that, and only 30 minutes of nap for Rohan, we hit the pool to completely wear him out. We were out for almost an hour, and he is getting really good in the pool. We mostly play on the steps so he can touch, but he's getting braver and trying to walk after us. He's only fallen in the deeper end a dozen or so times...:) Maybe it's time for water wings?
We capped the weekend off with breaded chicken & pepper kabobs and a 7.5mi run, what an awesome combo! We are slowly getting back into our training for the Marathon in January...yeah...less than 2 weeks after our return from Germany... We are going to try and get some runs in over there, but who knows how that'll go. Oh well. All we want to do is finish. No matter what it will be a personal record...:)
Hope everyone had a good week, dried out, and got out to enjoy the weekend!
Rohan Can't Sleep, Read & Drink At The Same Time:
Rohan LOVES Avril Lavigne...:(
Rohan Spots The Playground And Starts Running With Dad:
Riding The Dad:
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Forgot to add a video...
I had added this video to Facebook, but forgot to add it to the blog (for those without FB accounts).
Rohan was being a goof-ball and showing off his new spitting skills, and also throwing in his "Strongman" pose for kicks. Needless to say, we had a blast with this...:)
Rohan was being a goof-ball and showing off his new spitting skills, and also throwing in his "Strongman" pose for kicks. Needless to say, we had a blast with this...:)
Sunday, July 18, 2010
What We Did Instead of Help The Stokes' Move...:)
This last week was pretty uneventful, which was nice, because it gave us a chance to workout more...:) We climbed a couple nights, and did yoga at AZR, as well as at home. We also ran a couple nights and even lifted afterwards (not something we usually do).
Rohan was being a goofball most of the weekend, and practically dances to anything with a beat, even commercials and TV ads. He's getting so much smarter too and helping with little chores with the dogs (like feeding & kenneling) as well as setting up his tray for himself.
We've stayed inside mostly to avoid the heat, but we took him (and the dogs) to the dog park. Rohan has been so much more interactive with the dogs, and has a couple favorite ones (like Twinkie). Most of the young puppies flock to him since he is about their size, and that usually ends up with Rohan getting knocked down and licked silly. He laughs it off and runs along, it's a lot of fun to watch...:) We also got a cool lighting show over the mountains on our way back. It's exciting to us since we don't get many lighting shows here...:(
Anyway, here are some pics of us goofing off this week. We also posted some pics from last week on the next post (below) so be sure to check those out too.
Chasing Down Rohan (HE'S GETTING FAST!):
An Odd Place To Practice His Piano:
Cool Lighting Strike (See Stills In The Slideshow):
Rohan was being a goofball most of the weekend, and practically dances to anything with a beat, even commercials and TV ads. He's getting so much smarter too and helping with little chores with the dogs (like feeding & kenneling) as well as setting up his tray for himself.
We've stayed inside mostly to avoid the heat, but we took him (and the dogs) to the dog park. Rohan has been so much more interactive with the dogs, and has a couple favorite ones (like Twinkie). Most of the young puppies flock to him since he is about their size, and that usually ends up with Rohan getting knocked down and licked silly. He laughs it off and runs along, it's a lot of fun to watch...:) We also got a cool lighting show over the mountains on our way back. It's exciting to us since we don't get many lighting shows here...:(
Anyway, here are some pics of us goofing off this week. We also posted some pics from last week on the next post (below) so be sure to check those out too.
Chasing Down Rohan (HE'S GETTING FAST!):
An Odd Place To Practice His Piano:
Cool Lighting Strike (See Stills In The Slideshow):
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