Life in Banner Elk, NC

We been real busy down here gettin ready for the season. Pumping up them there rafts, getting the busses started, and climbin gear dusted off. People down here are real nice, bunch o yes ma'am no ma'am, yes sir no sir, real polite. We've been to the river, on that there rock, and even had a camp out. Traveled a bit too... over to the next town Boone on two different occasions. The Appalachian Mountains sure are perty and real thick like. Boy I tell you what... Life in the south sure is different. You ain't from around here... is the feeling you get walking into almost every store.

This is how we do it

No for real... This place is amazing. Moving from SLC, it took a few days getting use to. Things are just a little bit slower around here. I think Jess almost killed me on our second day as she sat around with Sam and I worked all day, but things are working out perfectly. She found a gym and got a job in the same day. And by job... The Louisiana Purchase... one of Banner Elk's nicest restaurants. Lots of old money. Not to mention it is right across the street from Edge. Pumped to be Stoked!!!

Edge of the Word Outfitters

Its been super busy around EOW getting everything ready for our upcoming trip on Saturday. We had guide training, a day trip to the river, a day on the rock rappelling/climbing, and a night in the Wilson Creek area underneath the stars... well under the canopy of the super dense forest. Tomorrow we have another day on the Watauga and the season begins on Saturday.

View from a top our climbing spot- B.E.A.utiful

Also, we hope to get in some hiking this next week before the season gets to crazy. Oh and ya, hopefully some more rain as all the creeks are low. There are about 5 great class IV/V creeks in this area, but with the nice weather everything is drying up. Don't worry though, one or two good storms will have them roaring again.

Well till next time... Love ya all! Riz

54 hours, 11 states, and 2,936 miles

Over the past 3 weeks we've been in 11 different states, sat in the car for 54 hours, and driven almost 3,000 miles! Buuuut... We've made it! It's not until I look at a map that it hits me we've traveled REALLY FAR! We had a blast during our final days in SLC, a rowdy week in Missoula, & some nice down time in Denver. It wasn't until we left the comforts of my parents house & hit the road for Banner Elk that the adventure really began. 

(Us with my dad before we hit the road)

Joe and I got up bright and early at 5:30 in the morning on Thursday to start our journey out east. The plan was to drive 8 1/2 hours to Lawrence, KS (Rock, Chalk, Jayhawk!), explore the town, and camp for the night. Unfortunately, the weather had a different idea. We hit some really gnarly rain and decided it would be pointless to camp, so we would continue on to St. Louis.

(Sam, co-pilot & the best road trippin dog EVER!)

After a fun little detour through downtown Kansas City (and nearly running out of gas in a "less than desirable" neighborhood) we trekked on.  Downtown St. Louis was so rad at night! The baseball stadium was all lit up and the freeway takes you right next to the arch. 

Around 1am we got pretty tired & started the search for a rest stop. At 2:30am after 19 hours of driving and no luck finding a rest stop we sucked it up and pulled into a Walmart parking lot.

For those of you who don't know, camping is allowed in the parking lot of any Walmart (Thanks Kelly for letting me in on that secret). In fact, we pulled in for the night joining a handful of semi-trucks and RV's.

(Our "home" for the evening)

After 3 hours of driving through southeastern Illinois, Kentucky, and Tennessee we arrived in Nashville.  The drive in was gorgeous! So much green and huge trees. We turned the bend & BAM! downtown Nashville. After a stop at a park to throw the ball for Sam and lunch we headed out for Rock Island to camp & kayak. The area was gorgeous, but the wave wasn't in and camping was full. So we got back in the car & headed for Banner Elk.

(Joe & I at Rock Island State Park)

At 11 o'clock at night we pulled into our final destination.. Banner Elk, North Carolina!  Jake has been wonderful enough to let Joe, Sam & I crash while we try to find a place (and I try to find a job).  His place is gorgeous & we're so excited to be here.

(Our temporary home)

Let the summer begin!! 

Love,

Jess, Joe, & Sam

Bike rides, dinners, and new girlfriends...oh my!

Monday night we went over to my best friend Kelly's house for dinner (Which was amazing btw, Thanks KEL!). Kelly and her boyfriend, Robert, have a 2 year old boxer/rottie mix named Stella that Sam just loves. They played non-stop for the whole 2 1/2 hours we were there. I think he's in love...

On another note, my mom played hookie from work yesterday. We took advantage of the nice weather & the 3 of us rode our bikes along the South Platte River trail to downtown Denver. The ride is fun & a super gorgeous (minus riding by the garbage dump). We had lunch at a little pub before making the 16 mile trek back home. After 32 miles we were all pooped. Thanks Mom for taking the day off to hang with us!

Golden Colorado

Yesterday we drove 25 miles from Denver to Golden Colorado to check out the town and the local whitewater park. The town was sweet. Where the West Lives.

Water levels were still low, but the play park provided a good time. A few shallow holes allowed some flat spins and one wave provided getting the ends wet. At the least, it was great to get in the water.

After the park we walked through downtown checking out all the statues of the west and poking our heads in the many local cafes. -Riz

Denver!

Leaving Missoula

Missoula, MT to Denver, CO

Heyo! We showed up in Denver last Tuesday and have invaded Jessica's folks house for the last half a week or so. We've been eating great food... Jessica has been making delicious dinners, a sushi lunch with Mike, and a mexican feast with Bev! Tonight Mike grilled up the Caribou we brought down from Montana and Bev added twice baked potatoes to round out our meal. Absolutely Amazing!!!

Jess and Bev after our Mexican food

Unfortunately, the rain from Montana followed us to Denver canceling 3 Rockies games this week (Wednesday's game was snowed out!). Yesterday the rain let up and we were able to make it to the game. They beat Washington 4-3 with back to back home runs.

Coors Field

Welcome to the Rockpile!

Today we were able to enjoy the sunshine by helping out Jessica's sister/brother-in-law finish painting their shed and play with their three adorable girls. Thanks for lunch!

Jessica hard at Work

Emma our lil helper

With Colorado's lack of snow pack and low temps this week the water levels have remained low. I have not paddled yet in Colorado and think I may shrivel up. I checked out the Confluence Play Park in downtown Denver, but nothing looked good enough to get in. Tomorrow we plan on taking a trip to Golden to check out their play park. Fingers crossed a feature is in!

Denver Play Park. More water please

What else... the gym, yoga, running, taking Sam to the park... Hopefully the sun continues to stay out. Thank you Mike and Bev for letting us hang out with you in Denver! -Riz

Winter road trip?

Call me crazy, but I thought this was supposed to be a summer road trip? Guess we were wrong.

After 15 hours in the car - 7 of which were filled with heavy rain and 2 filled with snow - we finally made it to Denver. Took this snapshot while driving through Cheyenne, Wyoming. It doesn't do the gnarliness justice, but you get the picture.

Last days in Missoula

The last few days in Missoula have been a blast! From art auctions & concerts to farmers markets & wave sessions we've loved our time in Missoula. I can't believe how fast the last week has gone, but am really excited to get to Denver tomorrow for the next leg of our journey!

Samuelson & I hanging at Brennan's wave watching Joe

Sam loves watching Joe paddle

Joe throwing a loop

We went out to Hamilton to celebrate Mother's day with Joe's parents. We cooked dinner for them & afterwards went out to beautiful Lake Como.

The two of us at Lake Como

Joe and his wonderful parents at Lake Como

Someone turned the big M on Mt. Sentinal into a MOM for Mother's Day.

Hanging out in Hamilton

We drove 45 minutes from Missoula out to Hamilton where Joe's parents live to enjoy some good company and home cooked food. We had so much fun, the only downside was watching the Jazz lose to the Lakers. :( 

*The view from Joe's Parents house

Sam & Sadie (Joe's Parents' Dog)

Joe's dad, Tony, took us shooting this morning.  It was my first time shooting & I was definitely nervous. We shot Joe's hunting rifle, Judi's pistol, & Tony's pistol. It was fun & according to Joe & Tony I did awesome for my first time, but I also had some really good teachers.

Tony teaching me to shoot - first shot, best shot!

Joe getting back into shooting after a 2 year hiatus

I had the best shot out of the 3 of us on the pistol range :)

I can't wait for many more visits out to Hamilton! Thanks Tony & Judi for a great night!

Making friends... sort of

There are 2 other animals at the Brooks house besides Sam.  Roxie, the loving black lab, and Sue a 6 month old cat.  Sam has been fascinated with the cat since we got here as it's the only cat he's ever met that actually lets him get close to them. It's been a blast watching him chase the cat around the house (except at 6am when we're trying to sleep) and hilarious watching Sue kind of play back with him.  Who knows, maybe Sam's next sibling will be of the feline variety.

Sue taking over Sam's crate

Rain and Snow

7-Day Forecast for Latitude 46.87°N and Longitude 114°W (Elev. 3201 ft)

Road to Montana

Montana!!! Despite the gnarly winds, rain/snow, Sam trying to sit in the front seat and take out our only plant, we arrived in Missoula about 3.30 in the AM.

We had an amazing first day in town. I bought a new 2010 Jackson Star from KB and the boys down at Strongwater, we took the dogs to the dog park, moved all our belongings in to storage, and got a surf in at Brennan's wave as Jess went for a run along the beautiful Clark Fork river.

Missoula is truly God's Country! Riz

11 Years of Awesome!

I'm so excited for the upcoming adventures, but it's definitely bittersweet saying goodbye to the SLC.  These last 11 years have been amazing!  I love Salt Lake for all it's little quirks and couldn't imagine spending the last 11 years anywhere else.  This is home and I'm definitely going to miss it, but can't wait for the things to come. 

Things I will Miss most about SLC:

1. All the amazing people I have met here
2. THE SNOW! Brighton will always have a special place in my heart
3. Beyond wonderful restaurants (Chow Truck, Bayou, Tsunami, Sage's, I could go on & on)
4. Being ridiculously close to the mountains for all things outdoors
5. Did I mention my awesome friends?!

Things I will NOT miss:

1. 3.2 beer
2. 100 degree summers
3. Inversions
4. "The Church" being everywhere

Stay Classy Salt Lake, I'm gonna miss ya

-Jess

We'll see ya SLC!

Oh where to start? From the first chair ride to our last pow slashes... you've been Great Salt Lake! Follow us on our journey across the country to the Dirty South and back to Missoula where Jess will be attending Grad School in the fall. Go Griz!!! A week in Missoula, a night in Jackson, a week in Denver, and then 3 days (a night in Lawrence, KS and Nashville, TN) over to Banner Elk, North Carolina! Peace- Riz