MORE DIRTY DASH

Dirty Dash Heroes

[watch nate and ellie make their jump at the end of this video:

Immortal for 30 minutes

I wandered into the special collections in the basement of our wonderful library, fumbling with my words and sweating - nervous from the cleanliness and order of the place. The lady at the desk helped me learn how to fill out a request form (I'd assumed it was like the bank where deposit slips are just formalities that the teller always fills out for you - incidentally if you still fill them out prior to a transaction, you are living in 18th century France) and checked my backpack into a locker. You can't take notes with pens, so I put them away and borrowed a pencil. After waiting for two minutes I was handed a fresh copy of the Fall 2011 edition of the journal "Dialogue - A Journal of Mormon Thought." I sat and read for 30 minutes. I enjoyed seeing Scott Abbott written across the top of each page, with the title "Immortal for Quite Some Time" next to it. The narrative jumps right to the point with a series of breathtaking sentences about Uncle John. Letters from his mission follow, with Dad's feelings and emotions and confusion and logic pouring through the pages. The most piercing letter was a long apology John made to Grandma and Grandpa about how he hadn't lived up to the abilities he had, but was lazy and confrontational for no reason. Dad's desire to talk to John, to talk about all the things they never talked about, to love honestly and let all the familial formalities we cling to drop to the ground and just be there for each other made me shake and almost cry. And it just ends, leaving me in the spotless basement next to a king's throne of a chair with a huge beehive carved into the top of it and a display of the skull of Old Ephraim - the biggest bear on record in Utah. It just leaves me alone, so connected to Dad and wanting so much more. Dad, you are amazing in your commitment to truth and goodness in life. It twisted my whole day up, making writing and thought and learning the most important things. Thanks for writing. I love you and everyone needs to read it.

110 Mile Klondike Road Relay

After years and years of not racing, I thought it was about time. Through bear infested woods we ran, under the northern lights we sort of ran, they were too amazing to keep pace, through throwing up I stumbled, but thanks to a great support van water wasn't far behind, Gorgeous sunrise in Canada, followed by blue skies for the finish line. Those of us who stayed behind to enjoy the day went to the Takhini hot springs and mingled with yukoners, trespassed on a farm and played some frisbee while enjoying the second sunset all summer, ate some rasberries, enjoyed some sushi and sake, and drove home. All in all, one of my favorite days here in Alaska/Canada. Love you all.

sunset for tim

11 Days in a Row

We threw a Wolf themed party for my friend Josh's Birthday, Top left

Took a bike ride out onto the Dyea Flats for a solo beach day

"Toy Story Sky" before work one morning

So today is day 10 out of 11 days I will work in a row. I have loved my job from the get go. But damn, being energetic, happy, smiley, patient, and etc for 10 hours every day for 11 days in a row wears ya out!! I have only had one truly bad day since i started, for no reason in particular, just a mix of every single thing being slightly off. One day out of 3 months?! Not bad at all!!! I'm looking at my schedule to come. . . . 9 days in a row for the next two weeks. . . . But hell that means 3 days off in a row. The possibilities are endless. Hike the Chilkoot? Go to the Haines eagle sanctuary during the salmon run? Drop into a small coma? Hang around the house at night and train for the road relay race coming up on sep 9th? The list goes on and on, but I can't help but think, have I waited too long in the season to fit all of these things into the last month and a half? Time has been flying by this summer. Before I know it I will be back in Orem with the family I love. But what is next? School? Backpack Guatemala with new friends? Move to Salt Lake? Move to Logan?

All of these thoughts colide in my mind on day 10 out of 11 days I will work in a row.

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