Geeking Out At Comic-Con

     She hates math, she hates science, she hates computers, she hates gadgets. BUT she is kind of a nerd. For some reason unknown, Hailey has become a fan of geeky stuff like Dr Who, Star Trek, Anime and Sherlock.  And since we are a family of "non-dweebs" I can only blame this development on that enchanting, if not addicting, website Pinterest.  All the nerds in the world can harmonize in their dorky humor. They can share costume photos or drool over movie characters. And best of all they can go to conventions like Comic-Con, Fantasy-Con and Anime-Con. So for the past several months Hailey has been working on a costume to wear to these gatherings.

Introducing a protector of the innocent: a warrior, a "good guy" from the Anime series "ATTACK ON TITAN"

Waiting in line with the other "geeks" at Comic-Con

browsing through "dorky" merchandise

Still, I am so proud of my independent, creative and confident daughter. As I watched her make her own "sword" using cardboard, glue and paint, I felt that there is nothing she can't do if she puts her mind to it. I also realized that she doesn't have to be good in math to be a smart, fun and adventurous friend.

Wetsuits In The Desert

     The southern desert shimmers in it's own summer heat. The full sunshine roasts and drains all living things of their energy. So why do I keep returning to the desert? Because it's incomparably beautiful and strangely special. Aside from the rusty red landscapes and the distinctive rock formations, southern Utah has slot canyons. The slot canyon phenomena is so unbelievably unique it cannot be described. Just try to picture what water does to sandstone as it plows it's way across the barren landscape during a flash flood. The best way to explore the bizarre nature of a slot canyon is to become a part of it. So as the sun scorches everything on the surface, it cannot reach the deep crevices into which we descend. It seems nutty to repel into a "trap" caused by nature. The towering cliff walls above have no handholds, the closing in of these striated walls come together within feet of each other. The deep potholes of water in the slot seem to have no bottom. And the water is cold. Depending on the depth of the crevice it can be really cold. So why do we do it? Because canyoneering is unequal to any experience in the world and is emblematic of the way Utahn's live. We love to take advantage of our natural resources.

 

Keyhole Slot Canyon, Zion's National Park