Sunday morning, we set out on a small road trip to Eastern UT to visit Arches National Park, near Moab. I know that I’m a bit biased, having been reared in the beehive state, but Arches NP is unlike anything around. Before Last weekend, I hadn’t been there for at least a solid 10 years. Probably closer to 15. So, I was starting to worry that possibly my memory of the place had sweetened it up a bit in my mind. But to my delight, I was just as blown away as the first time that I visited, back in times of yore.

Here are a few of the arches that we hiked to:

Delicate Arch-

Landscape Arch-

Navajo Arch-

Partition Arch-

I forgot the name of this one-

Double “O” Arch-

…and balancing rock-

Here are a couple of additional Landscape shot thumbs. The full set from the man trip is over here.

After our flying session, Cuomo and I packed up and headed into the desert to ride some quads and do some camping. I didn’t really end up shooting much while we were out there. I think that a lot of it probably had to do with the fact that I was wearing gloves and goggles for so much of the time.  I know that M. got some good shots, so maybe I’ll post those later. What I did manage to capture was the following morning’s sunrise (above).

[Updated: Cuomo sent me over these shots he got of me riding]

After riding the quads around a bit more that morning, we headed back to my parents’ place and exchanged the quads for the fishing boat. My dad also offered to come along and be our guide. We were glad to have his company. Cuomo caught the first fish.

I eventually caught some trout, also. But only after reeling in this crayfish. (photo below by: Cuomo)

On the way home from fishing, we stopped and shot just about every gun in my dad’s arsenal (which is kind of a lot). I was partially deaf in my right ear for the rest of the day.

I’ll try to do this chronologically. Our trip got off to a rough start when thunderstorms delayed our flight to SLC by about 8 hours. So, we finally left NYC around 2 AM Eastern and landed in SLC around 4:30 Mountain. Luckily my younger brother had no problem staying up all night and picking us up. We figured that even though we hadn’t had much sleep, we would just stay awake and fire off a power nap later, if needed.

After having a super early breakfast with some of the fam, we went flying in my dad’s plane (the shot above is my dad taking care of some pre-flight stuff). Here is Wally below, wearing the game face.

Northern Wasatch range, and the Great Salt Lake:

Cache Valley:

The Spiral Jetty, at the Great Salt Lake:

Mount Timpanogos:

Three happy aviators:

Tuesday evening, Reagan’s parents drove us to Kolob Canyon, which is in the northern end of Zion’s National Park. It is only about 20 minutes from where they live. It would be a spectacular sight under any circumstances. But, the way it was lit up in the evening, with the patchy clouds, and contrasting trees/snow, made it absolutely gorgeous.

^—Reagan’s hair dancing around in the wind.

^—Photo by Joe Baker

More photos of Kolob here.

It has been a pretty amazing seven days. We have had a blast hanging out with our families. Monday night we took a trip to the Cedar City bowling alley. Reagan’s parents took us bowling with her brother and sister-in-law. The shot above was Reagan’s idea, since one of the best parts about bowling is the awesome rental shoes.

Before the bowling session, we were able to wander around town with some of Reagan’s friends and hit some thrift shops, etc.. We also dropped by Reagan’s old hair school, to say what’s up. It was beautiful weather, all day. The temperature was in the 50′s and the sky was as blue as can be.

Here are a couple other of my favorite shots around town:

This is the part of vacation that is kind of a bummer. It is that part where, although you are still on vacation, it is hard to enjoy yourself, because you know it is almost over. And, the stress of the logistics of traveling back coupled with the stress of having to catch up on real life again start to weigh you down. Maybe I’m wound a little too tightly. Hehe.

It has been pretty crazy in SLC, so far. Reagan and I have been loving every second of it. Here is a little taste of what we have been up to, since we arrived.

^—–Reagan holding our new little niece Clover

^—-Me, holding our new little niece Penelope

While NYC was having a snow day (our firm even closed early), I was having a little bit of a snow day of my own, enjoying all of the fresh pow that had fallen the night before. I took Reagan back country snowshoeing/snowboarding for the first time in her life. She loved it. I was so impressed by her toe touch, while wearing snow shoes.

^—-Looking down at Little Cottonwood Canyon from UT back country.

^—-”Flipping out” over all of the fresh powder. Heheh, I couldn’t resist, the pun.

Yes yes. How many times have I thrown up photos like this one before? Right? As I mentioned earlier this week, my Nike Plus sportband died on me, again. This is the third time it has happened. My cousin Liz suggested that I just abandon the sportband and go with the Garmin. I am almost to that point. I probably would have done just that, if it weren’t for the ever smooth and adept Nike customer service team. That, and the super cool staff at the running store in my building. I called Nike, who quickly trouble shot my watch with me and determined that it was a dud. They suggested that I try returning it where I bought it, before  sending it back to Nike. So I called Urban Athletics, who told me they would trade it straight across, for a new one. So, here we go. Sportband number 4 (pictured above). Treat me right, baby.

Switching gears completely, Reagan and I will be flying out west tomorrow. We have not been to the land of Deseret (yes that is Deseret, not desert), also know as the beehive state, since 2008 for my sister’s wedding. Since that time, one nephew and two nieces have joined the family. We have not met any of them yet. So, we have been anticipating this visit for quite a while.

Reagan and I were having a lot of anxiety about being able to go, because of Piper’s condition. But, it seems like she is on a pretty good plane, at the moment. God willing, things will continue that way, at least until we can return. Additionally, some of our amazing friends have agreed to take care of our car. Our lovely friends, the Alaska/Hofstra missies will be keeping an eye on our pad for us.

We will be taking a notebook computer with us (mostly so Reagan can play the cake building game). But I’m not sure how much posting we will get done over the next week. So, if it tends to be sparse, that is the reason.

[photo: Brian Mohr for The New York Times]

Nothing makes me miss the homeland, like when a national paper runs these kind of articles. Today the NY Times ran this article about Powder Mountain Resort. The author, Stephen Regenold (a two planker), spends the entire article rubbing in my face, all of the spring powder days that I am missing, while I sit here at my desk 2000 miles away. At least I can take comfort in the fact that some of our good friends are leaving this evening for a trip out west, to do some riding in the SLC area. I hope that they get in some turns for me.

Man, oh man. I’m pretty happy.

My favorite part is “BYU Cougar, made with real fruit.” Hahaha. So good.