Hello All,
I've tried to start an update e-mail several times (unsuccessfully)...but this one is going to do the trick.
First off, my apartment isn't on fire, and I'm not anywhere too near where the wildfires are burning in Utah. We do have a heck of a lot of stuff on fire though, as I found out when I started seeing the Utah fires on the national (as well as local) news. It's no wonder with the humidity steadily below 10% (no, that's not a typo) and the temps in the high 90's to low 100's. Here in Salt Lake it has officially been 30 days since we've had any measurable rain and there isn't a cloud in sight in the 10-day forcast. There have been some small wildfires in the south end of the valley, however the large fires on the national news are a couple hours south of where I live. With lots of dry grass, endless nothing, low humidity, 100-degree temps, and lack of water supply it's no wonder fighting them is such a tough job. I've realized it's a job I definitly wouldn't want! On a recent trip through Provo (about 60 minutes south) I did get my first real view of wildfires being fought, where a small fire on the side of the mountain was being fought with helicopters and planes. Apparently it had been started from a stray spark thrown from a lawnmower or something like that. It was an interesting sight firsthand...especially the fires on the mountainside at night, and seeing the helicopters dropping fire retardant out of the sky...the sort of thing you usually only see on the news back in the Midwest. To go along with the problems with fire, we're having some air quality issues due to the smoke. Ironically enough, the smoke we're getting isn't even really from the Utah fires, but is blowing in all the way from Oregon. I'm sure someone in Colorado is thoroughly enjoying our smoke. One thing I can say is that I'm not too upset by the heat anymore. I just wish the air would clear up and I'd get to see a raincloud once in a while. It might sound silly...but the same sunshine and clear skies day after day after day are sort of getting old (especially when combined with the heat). It would be nice to go outside during daylight hours without SPF 50 as well. Dreaded whiteish Wisconsin skin of mine!
Enough about that.
Work has been great lately, and I'm almost sad summer is going by so quickly! We're busy again as usual and now that I've been working here almost two years (next month!) I am getting to see some of our returning athletes grow up. It's excited to see who has changed--grown six inches, put on 30lbs, hit puberty finally etc... ;) It's also great to see how happy parents are with the results they've seen from their last session and are bringing their kids back for more. I'm also gearing up to start grad school at the end of August. When I say "gearing up" I mean that I'm mostly in denial. We just hired a new biomechanist, so the official-unofficial plan is for me to assist he and Steve in the lab this fall so I can work earlier hours and still go to class in the evening. I'm really optomistic at this point since the new guy (Bill) won't be travelling as much as Steve always needs to.
Jason and I have been on some exciting hiking/caving trips lately. I'm going to try to remember to attach a picture or two to this e-mail. Weekend trips since my last update include (in no particular order): Capitol Reef National Park, Goblin Valley State Park (where we hiked through my first slot canyon), Wheeler Peak (in Great Basin National Park), and several honorable mentions to caving trips in remote locations unassociated with any actual populated towns ;). One nice thing about the mountains being so close is that we do have the option to get up around 9500+ feet where the air is clearer and much cooler. This past weekend we went hiking up Little Cottonwood Canyon (about three miles of dirt road up from the top of Alta--for those of you who have visited the resorts up there) where at the top it was about 70 degrees when in the valley it was around 95. I've found that in some instances altitude actually makes hiking MORE bearable! The wildflowers were also AMAZING--pictures don't even begin to do them justice.
I've also had some more company, and made one trip home since my last update. Mark and La had a beautiful wedding in the beginning of June (although I'm still hoping someone will e-mail me a few pictures...hint...hint) ;) I was SO excited to see everyone during my week in WI as well as to be a bridesmaid for La on her wedding day! I also had company from KTP, Melissa, Derek, Chet, Aunt Linda, Cousin Ryan and their friend Norene. I'm beginning to be quite the Salt Lake Valley tour guide...so if you're heading this way do let me know and please come stay on my futon!
I think that about wraps it up. If anyone is interested I am going to try to post new recent pictures of more fun stuff to my flickr page tomorrow evening. http://www.flickr.com/photos/steph_koenig/
Also FYI Jason and I will be spending a weekend in WI from August 9th-13th. Rumor has it there will be a picnic on Saturday most likely at my parents house. If you're around town or we head your direction we might be dropping by. I hope everyone is doing very well!
Steph~
ps. Jess-props on your new job/promotion! I do enjoy your updates although I'm not much good at replying.
Mark-you're officially on the update list so you'll have to adjust. Please make La talk to me online more often ;)
Sarah-As if you read my mind...I got your pregnancy pictures...only 30mins ago this note said "I want pregnancy pictures" and before I sent the e-mail out they just miraculously appeared! I'm so terribly excited to see you and Andy when I'm home I can't handle it!
Lastly "Kudos" too all the company I've had in the last couple of months. You all made it a very exciting Spring!
