Spring in Pine Valley

We camped up by Pinto this last weekend. Their was still some snow but not enough to turn us back. This was first trip of the year for the boy's and the first time we have camped with Aunt Tasha. Even though it was a little cold we had a blast. Played in the dirt, hiked down by the river, cooked dutch oven potatoes, slept in an old tent. Tons of stuff....... In the morning I cooked up the left overs in a 30 mile an hour wind while Tash , Bodie and Chubbs waited patiently in the truck. Besides the main road into town we didn't see another person all weekend. A kickass reward for camping in the snow and wind.

Back to Hack

This was my third year in a row that Iv hiked to Kanab Creek down through Hack Canyon. I might not do it again until another year has gone by and I forget how much this bastard hurts. I met up with a friend early Saturday afternoon and we cruised down the dirt road that snakes through the beginning of Hack. We hiked in under cloud cover so it was not bad at all. After throwing our pack's off at an old anasazi ruin /cowboy camp we crossed over Kanab Creek and headed up Lawson Canyon which I had been in once before and wanted to get up on top and take a look around. We killed the rest of the late afternoon up on top and hiked back to camp around sunset. After dinner we then killed a liter of whiskey and jumped around the fire telling stories and firing a pistola into the dry desert air. The temp was perfect and I stayed in shorts and t-shirt all night and even in the early morning. Even after three trip's into this area their is a hell of a lot more yet to explore. I love the place and would live their if I could.

Super tramp

Nah, not a super tramp but I did do a little trampin this last weekend. I backpacked up the Virgin River from the Gorge. It was a last second idea that would let me sleep outside like I was meant to and I figured I would be back to town around noon. After Jett's party on Saturday I hitched a ride from my Grandparent's and Mom who were heading to Mesquite. Along the way I heard about the horrible thing's that would be happening to me if I went through with this trip. " First of all I must have shit-4-brains since I was going alone, not to mention the back ho swallowing quicksand , the rattle snakes, the absurd miles I would have to walk and of course the Bear's." Their was more from my Mom and Gramp's but I think that was best of it. Yea ,yea that all sound's ridiculous but 25 minutes of that right before your dropped off alone in a place you have never actually been does hurt your confidence. Have to admit as I through on my pack and said goodbye I was not all that sure of myself or my plan. But as soon as hiked down the big dry wash to the bank of the river my mood changed quickly. Even with the freeway being only a quarter of a mile behind me the landscape provides a feeling of isolation and beauty. Really cool for me since most trip's around this country their is no water let alone a decent little stream. I only made it two or three miles up river before the sun was far enough gone that I was forced to make camp. I found a sweet spot to kill the night and was even able to find a couple pieces of painted pottery before the light's went out. The next morning I battled with myself trying to decide what to do. I needed to be back by noon and I hadn't put in even close to as many miles as I had hoped the evening before. Plus not knowing what the distance was to follow the Virgin back to St George or how ruff it was going to be I wussed out and decided to hike back up the Gorge along the freeway until I hit the Black Rock exit and could get cell service for a ride home. It was actually kind of fun. I felt like the hippies and bum's you see walking along highway's and through town's. I always have looked at that group with respect and a little envy. I got a bunch of untrusting and disgusted looks but also a couple friendly honk's from car's who I'd like to think respected and envied my walk. It even had a kind of vagrant ending. As I walked up to the Black Rock on ramp where my ride would be picking me up their was a sheriff parked. I dropped my pack and planted my ass in the dirt and weed's beside my dog. After about five minutes the officer pulled up by where I could see his face. I smiled and waved. He didn't smile , he didn't wave, but he did leave me alone and drove away.

Jett

My baby boy turned three today. Holy hell it has gone fast. I could swear it was only last year that he was about the size of his little sister Josie. If I could roll back the clock and get him that age again I would in a heart beat. Not that he isn't the funniest , cutest and just all around cool kid right now, because he is all that and more for sure. Just wish it lasted a little longer.

My baby girl

Josie Maiz Larsen was born at 3:09 am on January 21st. She is weighing in at 6 lb 9 oz and measuring 19 1/2 inches. She came in record speed I think even beating her brother Jett's crazy delivery time. Sloan's doctor lives 5 minutes from the hospital and she came in time to deliver the placenta. A really cool nurse is who helped deliver our new daughter. She did not have to do much more than hold out her hand's and catch her though. Sloan is flat out incredible at this labor thing. She blew away all of the people at the hospital with not only how fast but how effortlessly she did the entire thing. From Sloan walking into the hospital to me cutting the cord was at best a 25 minute period. I am proud of her and grateful that she is my wife who has given me another incredibly cute and perfect baby. Both of my girl's are now taking the night to rest in the hospital before they come home to us boy's.

Not yet

Well the 16th has come and gone. Now two day's later Sloan is still not showing any signs of our baby girl's arrival. She has been reading up on thing's to get labor going so the last two day's we have been walking, hiking , 4 wheeling, eating spicy food and other fun activities that I wish she would have read about 3 week's ago. She hasn't been doing anything dumb like drinking caster oil. She is uncomfortable and ready to be done this time but we know that everyday that the baby stays snuggled inside will make her much healthier. It has been so damn nice this weekend that I wish I could quit my job and move into a tent. Yesterday hiking out south of Gunlock was insanely pleasant and we all had a blast. The boy's had their dog , sand to play in , rock's to climb and just about their favorite toy in the world STICKS. Oh and on Friday afternoon when I got off work we walked over to the church parking lot behind our house and in about 15 minutes Johnny Bo learned to ride his bike with no training wheel's. The first time he got going a good distance after about 100 ft he wrecked laying the bike on it's side and slid for a few feet before jumping up holding his hand's in the air yelling towards a bunch of teenage girl's who were sitting on the lawn over at the church " Cheer for me everybody! " Ha ha , he is an awesome kid.

January

Sledding down the hill to the old camp site in Pinto

You can see me wrecking face first in the snow with Bodie under me somewhere

Hiking with Tash on a cold freaking day a couple week's ago.

It has been cool having Tasha live down here again. It has only been a few week's since she has been here but we have seen and hung out with her many times. Johnny Bo and Chubb's love her to death. Every time either of them say's a prayer they always ask that they can see Aunt Tasha again. The weather has been pretty sweet this last 4 of 5 day's. It was so nice today that if Sloan wasn't about ready to pop I would be trying to think of a place to backpack this weekend. Sloan is really suprised that she hasn't gone to the hospital yet. She was convinced that she would be early. Only 4 more day's until her due date. So one way or another our little baby is going to be here some time soon. I am excited to see her and a little nervous about how crazy our house is going to be with 5 of us. Should be fun.....