Zion National Park, Utah

November 1st -4th

Our 2nd trip back to Zion National Park was perfect. The weather was perfect for photography and hiking. We stayed at a campground just inside the park near the entrance. Friday morning we planned on getting up early, first light, for some pictures but decided sleeping in felt much better. We ate breakfast then headed out for the day. Our first hike of the weekend took us straight to the top of Angels Landing. Below you can see a panorama Jason took. It was super steep and in sections you had to hold onto chains as you made your way to the top.

After our hike to the top and back we decided to take a drive thru the tunnels to the other side of the park. Just after we reached the other side we were shocked to see 3 Big Horn sheep up on the side of the hill. We stopped the car and watched as the mom and her two baby's ate their dinner. Not long after, Dad came to watch over his family during evening meal. The car began to pile up around us on the road. All the park visitors had to stop and watch our spectacular finding.

Saturday was the day - We started out early, hiked down into a canyon, and up a stream to a popular spot they call the subway. It was a fun trail with boulder hopping and crossing the stream until I fell in! Along the 4.5 mile hike we stopped to take a few pictures and enjoy the beauty. At the end of the trail where the canyon narrowed and filled with water....this is what we found....

La Paz, Mexico

LA PAZ, Mexico 8/30/07-9/3/2007

Over Labor Day weekend Jason and I headed down to La Paz, Mexico for a quick fun diving adventure. And and adventure it was! We missed Hurricane Henriette by one day getting home just in the nick of time. EARTHQUAKE! The other surprise adventure of our trip. 6.2 on the Richter Scale, epicenter, Sea of Cortez! Luckily we were on a boat during the earthquake and didn't feel a thing. We did feel the rumblings of a few aftershocks later that day.

We stayed at a dive hotel just outside of the city, Club Cantamar. It was a cute little hacienda, with a pool, restaurant and all our diving needs. We completed 8 dives on our trip and snorkeled with a 20 foot whale shark. We saw lots of sea life, colorful fish, octopus, lobsters, eels and sea lions. The visibility wasn't as good as we expected but the water was warm and the weather was perfect. All and all we had a fantastic vacation in Mexico!

Photo Compliments of Jason Blankenship - High and Wild Photography

Support me at Race for the Cure

I recently accepted the challenge to raise funds to support the Komen Orange County Race for the Cure® on September 23, 2007 in the fight against breast cancer. I personaly know 2 friends that have won the battle and want show my support for them and others. How many people do you know?

1 in 8 women will be stricken with breast cancer in her lifetime and the more we raise, the more the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation can give back to fund vital breast cancer education, screening and treatment programs in our own community.

Please join me in the fight by pledging in support of my participation in the Race or contributing generously to Komen Orange County. Your tax-deductible contribution will fund innovative outreach and awareness programs for medically underserved communities in Orange County and national breast cancer research.

It is fast and easy to support this great cause- you can make a donation online by simply clicking on the link to my personal donation page at the bottom of this message. If you would prefer there is also a downloadable form to send in donations through the mail.

Whatever you can give will make a difference in the lives of many. I truly appreciate your generosity and will keep you posted on my progress.

Thank you so much for your time and support in the fight against breast cancer.

http://ocraceforthecure.kintera.org/aprilblankenship

Summer Backpacking

August 11th-12th

Jason and I headed up the Mesyan Lake Trailhead to grass lake for a relaxing weekend in the mountains. This trail starts in Lone Pine, CA in the Sierra Mountains right next to Mt. Whitney. Hannah, our dog, loves to hike and backpack and wishes we got out more! It was a much needed R&R in the back country.

Planning the wedding took up much of our time and didn't leave much for our hobbies. We are now back to our busy life of hiking, backpacking, rock climbing and diving after becoming Mr.& Mrs. Jason and April Blankenship.



Hannah had fun swimming in the lake and playing fetch with Jason. Most of the weekend was spent sleeping, reading, taking pictures and relaxing by the lake.