ONE HANDSOME LITTLE DUDE

Earlier today Calla, J, Cait, and I took a 9-mile hike on the Middle Fork Trail. It was a hot one but the Winds are as beautiful as ever.

Riley says: "Handsome is as handsome does."

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT

There are few things in this world that rival a good, awkward photograph. In fact, the successful capture of such a moment should be considered a piece of fine art.

The Mona Lisa? Beautiful? Yes. But does it leave my face streaming with tears from a fit of laughter? I'm afraid not. Imagine how much more entertaining a trip to the "art" museum would be with a special exhibit dedicated to The Awkward.


Take this photograph for instance. The dead tree seen here is one my family used to pose with any time we took a hike up to The Falls. So, naturally, when Cait and I took a run past it yesterday, I couldn't help but let the nostalgia take hold. One click and...

Exhibit A: Why is Cait wearing a dress and Riley is wearing running clothes?

Exhibit B: Is Riley wearing a fanny pack above his belly button?

Exhibit C: Yay! We're a couple. You sit down and I'll stand a foot away from you in my awesome knee brace.

Exhibit D: Hold on tight!

End Result: Completely, utterly, shamelessly awkward.

Click here for more lifelong inspiration: Awkward Family Photos

Riley says: "May you grow up to be righteous, may you grow up to be true, may you always embrace the awkward, and see the lights surrounding you."

TRULY A TREAT

I love to slalom ski, L O V E it! And, I rarely have the opportunity to do it. So, on a recent outing to visit Cait's aunt I couldn't help but partake! (Side note: A pair of sunglasses would have radically improved my facial expression in this photograph.)

Riley says: "Live and work but do not forget to play, to have fun in life and really enjoy it."

AHH... THIS IS THE LIFE

And... Fist pump. Hoorah Portland, hoorah!

Riley says: "We create our fate every day we live."

GOING PRO ON THE VACATION CIRCUIT

Cait and I have been on full-fledged holiday since finishing up our work in Alaska. It's been great. Scratch that, it's been wonderful. We've been based in Seattle for the most part and have been taking full advantage of all this area has to offer. We've seen a play (Aladdin), gone boating, watched a baseball game, eaten amazing meals, gone paddle boarding, jumped off a 20-foot high dive, and even visited a potential graduate school program. Most importantly though, we've had the opportunity to catch up with family and friends along the way. Newer interactions with family and friends have been very fun as we're slowly introducing and meshing our two "worlds".

This past weekend we found ourselves in a well known climbing destination, Squamish, or Squampton, as the locals call it. This was my third trip to our northern neighbor but my first to British Columbia. If you've never been, go. It's unbelievably gorgeous. We stayed with a close friend, Darcy, and very easily caught the best weather window one could ever ask for. After two days of cragging to regain our comfort on the rock, we spent our third and final on a multi-pitch route called "Sky Walker". It was a beautiful line that, for me, didn't reach its fruition until the top of pitch four when I stumbled upon this little gem below one of our anchor bolts...



Our northwestern leave continues for another week before we head for the Land of... er to catch up with the Hopeman dynasty, as well as our Wyoming-based amigos.

Viva la Vida!

Riley says: "It's kind of fun to do the impossible."