Grandeur

     I have hiked Mt. Grandeur many times, but this is the first time that I have taken the west side up, over and into Church Fork, then back over and down the west side.

    This was my girlfriend's dad's idea, which seemed a bit collossal at first, but it felt good to push so hard and master the mountain.

     So, like I said, we started on the west side. There is a trail that is hidden up in the neighborhood right around 3300 south. That trail goes straight up that side and you walk through the brushy foothills and through the lichen covered rocks. You really get the desert feel of Utah halfway up this mountain with all the dry grass, dirt, and lack of green plants.

     Anyways, more toward the top you end up doing a little bit of bushwacking through the brush. It's not too bad though. When I went it was in early May and there was still snow at this elavation. I would estimate around 6500 to 7000 ft. You come up over a couple of false summits after this and you're there.  I've always liked Grandeur for a couple of reasons. First, you can bring your dog. Second, it's really easy to get up there, and it doesn't take much time. It only took us 45 min to get up the west side. It is a bit longer if you take the standard trail from Church Fork by about 15 min. I also love the veiw it gives you of the northern and eastern mountains, it also gives a great veiw of Mt Olympus and the mountains to east of it.



The peak looks like a raging volcano in this one













We hiked down from the peak on the standard trail and ate some ramen, courtesy of Matt's portable stove and bowls. Then we made our way back up the trail, to the top, and back down.
     I like Grandeur, a lot because of how different it is from the wasatch south of it. It is not covered in pine trees and it even has some hints of redrock on it. Its fun and easy and has some great veiws. Just look at all these wonderful pictures =D

the meaning of life

ive been thinking a lot about this topic lately. i know, maybe its a big idea to tackle. but i'd hate to think that there is a really important thing to life that i am missing out on. the first thoughts always branch out religiously or spiritually, like is there a certain religion you need to be in order to be happy in the afterlife? and even more specific, are there any particular things that someone has to do with their physical body to be happy? or is happiness after life purely based on one's spiritual level of enlightenment.? is it more about simply being aware of your place in this universe and being content?
       then my thoughts branch off to more simple answers. (religion is scary to think about sometimes). such as the meaning of life is much more simple than complex religions and philosophies make it out to be. maybe our purpose is simply to enjoy the ride. be happy. experience. simply experience. love, hate, joy, sadness, guilt, helping others, helping yourself, feel the sun on your shoulders, taste the apple from the tree in your backyard, etc.
     but maybe thats TOO simple. could the meaning of life be so undemanding? idk.
i have come to the conclusion, presently that, like so many other things in life, the answer is neither extreme, but somewhere in between. in those gray areas.
     of course life is about enjoying the beautiful earth and everything in it. of course life is about experiencing the negative things too. you cant appreciate good without bad. of course life is also about spiritual growth and personal adventure. so the conclusion i have come to, is that this silly idea that we can somehow find the meaning of life, is just that, silly. there wouldnt be much of a point of this experience if we all knew exactly why we were here would there? it would be boring. i think the point of this life is to do the best we can without knowing the true meaning of it all. so, everyone. it comes down to yourself to find your own meaning in life. explore the world, and explore yourself. do what you know is right. make others happy and youll be happy too. then one of these days you will die. and i think that as long as you did your best this go around, whatever is after will be all the better for it. :)