A Look Back at 2014: Happy New Year!

JANUARY:

Ceiba turned two!

MARCH:

Caitlin & Nelson welcome Baby Girl Dresden!

Brian's first visit to Washington D.C.!

A dusty visit to Casa Grande.

A backpacking adventure in Araipa Canyon with Megan and Paul.

APRIL:

A trip to Chiricahua National Monument with Mom & Dad for Easter.

An epic "Chopped" competition with the whole McGowan clan!

MAY:

Kae braves it on a Bright Angel three-nighter in the Grand Canyon with us.

I received the 2013-2014 Teacher of the Year award.

JUNE:

Molly graduates!

A vacation to the Tetons with the entire Minnick Family!

My first visit to Yellowstone!

Arctic Tundra winds in Rocky Mountain National Park.

Petrified Forest finally crossed off the list.

JULY:

I became a Junior Ranger at San Juan Island.

SEPTEMBER:

Kaelyn turned 12 and I was pretty proud of my owl cake!

A visit to the Snowbowl in Flag wouldn't be complete without a little bathroom humor.

NOVEMBER:

Ryan turned 4!

DECEMBER:

Hours of birding with Kelly and Johanna at Ft. Bowie National Historic Site.

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Cheers to all who joined us on our adventures.  What a great time!

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Rest in Peace, Dan.  You are loved and missed.

Chiricahua in the Winter: A 2014 Send-Off

Saying goodbye to another year is a cleansing and cathartic process for me.  Winter camping is the ultimate tonic for a contemplative yet invigorating celebration of what has passed and what's to come.  Throw in some good birding, some good company, and some good gear and you have yourself the recipe for a kick-ass time in the white wilderness.

Chiricahua on the blog previously:

Easter 2014

Saying Goodbye

On October 24, 2014, Brian and I headed down to Sierra Vista to say our final goodbyes to Dan, my brother-in-law's father.  He was not yet 60, and he will always be loved.  It was an emotional time, and the pain of his passing was even more bittersweet surrounded by the peace of the desert.  The butterflies danced and the grasses swayed and the mountains cast long purple shadows from the white afternoon sun.  It is Arizona in fall.  Bright.  Beckoning.  Beautiful.    

Flagstaff Getaway

Since we've been cooped up at home since we returned from our trip to Washington in July, we have been dying to get away.  I know...  Poor us!

With school starting at the beginning of August, (and for me a double dose - I'm in night school), the roller coaster ride has not paused for one moment until this weekend, when a four day break awaited us.  Knowing we have a camping trip planned for October, we took this opportunity to partake in something quick and easy for just the two of us.  Two days and one night in 70 degree Flagstaff.

May we recommend:

The Hotel Monte Vista

Riordan Mansion State Park

Arizona Snowbowl Summer Chairlift

The Arboretum at Flagstaff

Pato Thai

Criollo

Fall.

Tomorrow is the first day of Fall.
I remember that it was the first day of Summer, just a few days ago.
We picked herbs and made a pizza.
I sat out back watching the sky turn while it cooked.
We made mint cocktails and watched a movie.

Postcard from NYC, 21st-Century-Style

How could I not post this video from my brother?  I'm not sure if I love the pancake taco or the yoga biking more.  THE.BEST.

Seattle: A Peak

Because wilderness isn't the only thing we enjoy exploring!