Summer is coming to a close

First, I apologize for my lack of posts...

The feeling of summer coming to an end is close. Rafting here in NC is slowing down as students go back to school and families are no longer coming to the mountains. Work has still been steady though with most of our guides returning to school and leaving us old guys to work the shop or hit the river when we do have a trip. I was able to get out yesterday with a good size group and had one of the best days on the river this year. Tomorrow we have about a hundred clients and another big trip next Saturday... hopefully we also get one or two weekday trips in between. Jake and I are planning on leaving right after Labor Day, the 7th of Sept. on a 3 day journey back to Missoula. I am so excited to get there! I can't wait to see Jess and Sam (its been 2 weeks tomorrow since they left) and I can't wait to move into our dream house! Its going to be awesome!

I had the day off on Tuesday and made it back to Big Rocks on the Noli in TN. Another super fun session with a good level. Loops, back loops, and McNastys! I paddled for about 3 hours until I was exhausted. Being only able to paddle once a week or even once in a few weeks, I am defiantly out of shape. I am excited to be back in Missoula where I can get back on a routine and paddle everyday.

Jake, Danielle, and the kids also went to Dolly Wood earlier this week leaving Sundace and me all alone in the house. We hung tough! Made me miss Sam a little more, but it was nice having a dog to take on a hike and to the shop! Can't wait to see my boy Samuel! 

Here's a few pics... 

Lydia trying to play jump rope with Sundance

Last Saturday we were able to attend the Baptism of Jake and Danielle's kids. Ollie, Levi, and Lydia were all Baptized by Carl in the Elk River. Relatives from both sides of the family came into town for the event... We went out to dinner after, church on Sunday, and a Sunday brunch. It was great to be there cheering on three of the coolest kids! 

Hanging in my new ENO Hammock! Jess you are going to love yours 

 Sundance chilling as I relax in the Hammock

Just another trip in the EOW Van

Danielle and the kids took off for Indiana to hang out with her folks before flying back to Missoula on Saturday where Jess will pick them up from the airport. So its back to the boys up at the house hanging out around the table telling stories. I am working the shop this morning and we are planning on going for a hike this afternoon. Its funny how the summer is ending almost the same way it started. Only thing that is missing is Jess and Sam. Miss you guys! 

Also, Thanks to my folks and there good friend I now have a car again. After selling my subaru, buying a VW van, selling the van to come here this summer and sharing Jessica's subaru across the country... I am now the proud owner of a 1985 Ford F-150! My dad's friend has rebuilt the motor, transmission, and put new brakes on it. It is in amazing condition and I got a great deal on it! Jess was able to go see it this week and send me some pics. As she put it, "It's pretty baller baby!" Check it out!

Eat your heart out Montana! 

Going to be really nice to have a truck back in Montana! I am going to build a bed in the back so that we can camp and paddle out of it. Pretty stoked! Thanks Pops! 

Peace from the east! Riz 

Home Sweet Dream House!

As most of you know Joe and I didn't exactly have a place to live upon moving up to Missoula.  I spent all day Monday looking at places and striking out left and right. Places were either too far from town, in a sketchy neighborhood, run down, or just plain dumpy.  After much stress (and a few tears) we decided it was in our best interest to bump up our budget, find a place, and find a roommate (just as we did last year in SLC).

Joe and I looked at places in Missoula in May and the beauty pictured below was on the market. We got to take a tour of it and absolutely fell in love with it!  Unfortunately, neither of us had $250,000 laying around to buy it, so we were forced to forget about our dream house.

After another unsuccessful day of looking at places yesterday I noticed a new one listed on craigslist "205 Brooks St."  Could it be?! Our dream house was for rent? I immediately sent an e-mail explaining how we'd been through the house before, loved it, and would love to rent it.  I met with Catherine, the home's owner, today and she told me how it was under contract, fell through on closing day, and now they were forced to rent it as they could no longer afford 2 mortgages.

I loved the house just as much, if not more, than the first time I saw it. We chatted for a while and I left. The opportunity arose for Joe and I to move into a different house, but I knew I wanted this one. I let Catherine know our situation and she immediately said we were good to move in. I can't believe the house I fell in love with, but couldn't afford to buy will now be the house I will be renting my first year of graduate school. I couldn't feel more blessed.  Thank you universe for hearing my call.

With Love from Missoula,

Jess

SLC!

Samuel and I left the comforts of my parents house on Thursday morning to do the drive to Salt Lake City. What should've taken us 8 hours took 9 due to endless construction and semi's.  As much as I love my subi, I will be happy to take a break from her for a while.

SLC has free concerts in the park every Thursday night, so it was inevitable that's what we'd be doing for the evening. I borrowed a bike from Annie & all of us rode downtown for the show. After spending the summer in such a small town it was a bit of a culture shock to be around that many people at once (about 30,000).

Since I'm just here for a short time I wanted to make sure I did all my favorite SLC things, including eating a the Chow Truck - or as I like to call it, Heaven on Wheels.  It's AMAZING and if I could transplant it to Missoula I would. My other favorite SLC thing is the Farmer's Market. Stacy, Tara, & I went down this morning with the pooches to walk around & eat some tasty grub. I couldn't resist getting my favorite honey and goat cheese.

There's no shortage of great entertainment at the farmer's market - including this guy. His blue grass (and overalls) made me feel like I was right back in the south. 

This is my other favorite cheese place at the farmer's market. I just love the pictures of all the happy cows the cheese comes from.

Anywho, Samuel and I will embark on the final stage of our summer adventures tomorrow. It will be nice to get to Missoula and get settled (and hopefully find a place to live).  And obviously, I can't wait until Joe gets back up there so we can all be together again.

With love from the S L C!

Jess

The road back west...

As most of you know, my dad flew out to NC to visit and drive back out west with me.  It was a super short trip, but we managed to pack in all sorts of fun! His flight didn't get in until around 5pm in Charlotte, so that didn't leave much room for fun Thursday night, but we had a packed day on Friday! Jake was kind enough to let my dad  and I enjoy a river trip for free! 

From the minute we arrived at the shop in the morning, I knew we were in for it. The guides immediately covered me in life jackets and giving me a hard time... So it began.  Dad was getting a kick out of all the jokes and Joe killed it on the bus routine.  2 of Jakes kids came with us on the river that day, so we had a really fun "locals boat" with Joe.  With Edge (and only with Edge) do you get to re-run the Anaconda rapid - the biggest one of the day. We took it straight on the first time, sideways the second & my dad even rode "rodeo" (on the front of the boat).  We all got soaked and had a blast!

After the day on the water (and the hilarious bus ride back) we went up to the house & got ready for our dinner at "The Purchase."  Joe and I treated my dad as a thank you for taking the time to come to Banner Elk to pick me up.  We had a beyond amazing 4-course meal which consisted of scallops, strudel, salad, BBQ shrimp, mahi-mahi, salmon, ice cream and chocolate mousse! Laurie, my amazing boss at the Louisiana Purchase also gave me 6 bottles of wine as a thank you for the summer! 

Dad and I got up bright and early on Saturday to begin our journey to the great wild west.  It was sad to leave Banner Elk, but I am so thankful for the amazing summer I had.  The plan was to make is to Kansas City (about 14.5 hours).  Sam, as always, was a great road trip buddy.

The drive was going great & we decided to make it to Topeka to find a hotel room. Unfortunately, the first place we stopped was shadier than shady. I would've felt safer sleeping in a Wal-Mart parking lot!  Needless to say we decided to push on. Thanks to technology, I was able to find a hotel in Salina that allowed dogs. After 17 1/2 hours of driving it was a relief to pull into a decent hotel.  We got up at the crack of dawn to finish the drive to Denver.

My driving limits were being pushed, so I was thankful we only had 6 1/2 hours to go until we reached Highlands Ranch.  Sam, however, always provides a good source of entertainment during long car rides.

Anywho, I'm back in Highlands Ranch and then heading to SLC on Thursday for a brief stay.  I can't wait to get to Missoula & start getting settled in with school & whatnot (and hopefully find a place to live).  And of course, I can't wait for Joe to make his way out west, so we can be a mini-family again.

With love from the Ranch!

Jess

Pics from the beginning of Banner Elk

Before our trip to the Outer Banks I was able to recharge my camera battery (thanks Danielle) as I lost my charger somewhere along the way and we found some old pictures. 

These were taken hiking in the tree farm above the Barrow house when Sundance was jus a lil guy. Enjoy! 

The EOW style 

 

Mike, Jess, and Sam took off yesterday morning on their way back to the wild west (long 2 day trip to Denver) and I move back in with the Barrows today. Can't wait to get back to Missoula as I already miss them! 

Peace from the East! Riz 

Back from the Beach!

As you all know, Joe and I spent the last couple of days in Cape Hatteras (aka the Outer Banks). It was GORGEOUS and the water was so warm. It was a short, but sweet trip and I couldn't imagine ending my time in NC any other way.

We stopped at Frisco Pier where Joe could get a quick surf session in as soon as we arrived.

Neither of us are really into established campgrounds, but there weren't any other options for the Outer Banks. We were quite spoiled with our spot as there was a boardwalk leading straight to the beach maybe 100 feet away from our site.  We grilled some veggie burgers for dinner and hung out on the beach until late in the evening enjoying the clear skies and sound of the ocean.

We got up first thing in the morning (not by choice, it was impossible to sleep in our boiling tent) and went down to the beach we spent time at the night before.

Every beach we went to on the Outer Banks was covered in seashells. We grabbed quite a few as souvenirs. 

The famous Hatteras Lighthouse

We climbed the 248 steps to the top of the lighthouse. A little fun fact about the Hatteras Lighthouse - it was moved in 1999 due to erosion. When it was built in 1871 it was built a half a mile from the shore. In 1999 when they moved it, it was a mere 80 feet from the water!

The weather was less than favorable down in Avon, so Joe & I decided to catch the free ferry over to Okracoke Island to do some exploring.  We had to wait about 40 minutes in a  line of cars before we could hop on a boat for the 20 min ride over.

We hung out on the beach there for a while before heading back to Avon where Joe could try his hand at surfing again.

We were doing this trip on a strict budget but decided to splurge a bit on a seafood dinner seeing as we were at the coast and all.  Joe and I headed to a local seafood joint. Everything looked good, but was so expensive. We decided to share something to save some precious dollars. Lucky for us the portions were beyond huge and splitting an entree was enough to fill us both up! It had scallops, shrimp, 2 kinds of crab, and lobster! We got to have a little bit of everything! We went back to our campground and Frisco and spent the evening just as we had the night before, on the beach!

We headed to Avon first thing this morning to get some last precious hours on the beach.

The houses along the beach were AMAZING! 

Joe hanging out at our little setup! It was perfecto!

We loved our brief 48 hours at the Outer Banks & it was definitely worth the drive. I suggest anyone who has the chance for a vacation look into going there.  It was one of the most amazing beaches I've ever been to!

With love from the South,

Jess