taylor creek: a bit of flora, a bit of fauna.

Second time hiking the Taylor Creek trail inside the Kolob Canyon section of Zion. It had stormed the night before so there were lingering clouds, cool temps and humidity. I'll save the actual hike for a different post, for this I'll have pictures of some of the plants and the animals (or their tracks) that I came across. 

Raccoon tracks. 

Deer tracks. Oddly, these were the only two prints I saw. 

This is one of the two squirrels that was "nice" enough to humor me and my constant need to take pictures. It seemed pretty comfortable around people, as long as you wanted to "drop" a snack here and there. A little squirrel skirmish broke out between the two but I wasn't able to get a clip of it. 

I'll have more on this hike up soon, including better pictures of the Double Arch Alcove, a panoramic and the two homestead cabins you can see along the way. 

summer storm.

vegas: day and night.

Taken on the same day about 12 hours apart. The view from the El Cortez, 10 floors up. 

friday: seen.

vegas: freaky friday night.

So, we get into town about noon on Friday, it was hot and a bit humid. Hot in Vegas during the summer should never come as a shock, it is the middle of the desert. I've seen it reach 120 degrees during the day and won't cool off 'til about 3-4am to a nice 80something. The humidity is a bit different. There's usually a couple weeks during the summer where rain and thunderstorms are likely to happen, where it gets a bit humid and before you know it, it can go from just sun and hot... to black sky torrential downpour, flash flooding rain.

That's basically what happened this weekend. There were a few clouds in the sky but nothing really looked all that threatening. This was taken on the way to dinner at Serendipity 3.


And here's where it turned. We had gotten there right about when the dinner rush starts. It was a 30 minute wait to sit inside but immediate sitting outside... we chose to sit outside. The weather was a bit warm, kind of humid but we figured we wanted to eat and get on with the night. There were clouds in the sky but nothing too bad. We ordered our food and just waited, chatting, wind picked up a bit. So we get our food and we started getting weather warnings on our phones *severe thunderstorm, winds could reach 70 MPH* didn't really think anything of it, continued on, thought about dessert but we passed on it. It's a good thing we did. The weather took an insane turn. As soon as he signs the check just straight downpour, the wind was crazy. They had to usher us and the other outside diners through the kitchen to get inside. This was taken right about when the storm hit our area.


While we were waiting inside for the wind and rain to let up, the roof started leaking and the power flicked. We saw people passing by the doors completely drenched, looking like they decided to shower with their clothes on. After about 20 minutes, we decided to make a break for it, the distance between Serendipity and Ceasar's was maybe about 40 yards and had a couple inches pooling in the walkway. There were people standing outside, some taking pics, some just watching in awe of the weather. Got inside, dried off and carried on with what we wanted to do. When it was time to leave... we were in for a doozy.

We went to the valet stand, handed over the ticket and went to the waiting area. We had been waiting for maybe about 20 minutes, no car and no one telling us why it was taking so long. Finally, saw an attendant and asked him where the car was. Boy, did he have some bad news for us.

While in that torrential downpour, there was a flash flood, the Forum Shops valet is kind of underground and where they park is on the down slope. Our car was submerged. At first he was preparing us for the worst, telling us that where they park had taken on water so fast there wasn't much they could do, that they didn't want to start the car just in case there water could get in the engine, that we were welcome to try and get the car out but we would be on our own after they surrendered the keys, etc. Well, we didn't want to get the car out so we waited. They said that what we could do is file an insurance claim and it's them claiming insurance against themselves. He showed us where the car was and at first, I was looking on the wrong side, I thought our car was completely submerged up over the engine bay and just done for. That wasn't the case, noticed that from the windshield and up was wrong so I looked on the other side and there it was, up to the wheels sitting in water. They didn't know how high the water was before it was safe enough to check so they didn't want to turn the engine on. After about two hours, they finally got the paperwork started with us, told us that the car had started up just fine but there was some water damage to the carpet. We got out pretty lucky. While we were waiting there was a guy who had gone against their advice and tried to start his vehicle and the motor seized and needed to be towed out. If I remember correctly, they said that a total of 6 cars, including our's, were affected by the valet area's flash flood. A couple of those guys were very nice and extremely apologetic. The others were the type that if you could punch them and get away with it, you would have.

So after all that, completely emotionally and physically spent, we left and just wanted to head back to the room. We drove by a few places that were completely flooded, there were cars stranded, uprooted trees, broken branches... everything you would expect after a gnarly thunderstorm like that. After all that, we get close to where we were staying, picked up a quick snack and if you looked up towards the sky you wouldn't have thought that just a few hours ago a damage causing storm had blown in and blown out just as quickly.

*I, kind of, wish I had taken pics of this whole car fiasco but my head just wasn't in it. So, just imagine a down slope with about 6 cars, one white one on the left and one broke down mini van in the middle and 4 other cars submerged on the right. Two cars, at least, submerged over the engine bay, one was a Porsche.

vegas: eats.

This past weekend was spent down in Las Vegas. There was shopping, a bit of drinking and some eating. I'll be breaking up the Vegas trip because this food post is going to be long as it is.

While none of the places we went to were new to us, a few of the entrees were. Before we head down there we pretty much have a game plan of places to eat. Vegas is known for it's food and for awhile, we just stuck to the local, off the strip eats. That changed not too long ago. We started going to the strip more, a place we used to avoid like crazy and soon we were eating at the restaurants. 

The first eating stop was the Meatball Spot on Friday for happy hour. I've fallen in love with this place, it's good, consistent and the price is pretty awesome. I had heard about it on twitter from TJ Lavin, he had been going on and on about how awesome this place is and knew we had to try it. I'm still trying to work my way through the menu but everything I've had so far has been delicious. This time I had the garlic parmesan fries, a slice of pizza topped with spinach and a few glasses of their white grape sangria. 

Later Friday night, we ate at Serendipity 3 on the strip at Ceasar's Palace. This was the second time there. Delicious, as always. I just had an appetizer (chicken satay lettuce wraps) with the warm Vegas weather I didn't want anything too heavy. We had a bit of crazy weather but that's a story for another post.

Saturday morning, we woke up early and headed down to the Sugar Factory at Paris for some breakfast. What I really wanted they didn't have on their shortened menu so I got myself a Belgian Waffle with a side of bacon and some coffee. Everything I've had there has been phenomenal, it can feel a little crowded but it's well worth it.

Lunch, Saturday, was an all you can eat KBBQ buffet. We don't normally do buffets but, of course, there's always that one exception. It's a bit pricey but if you have an appetite you'll definitely get your money's worth. Also you leave smelling like food for a bit. Had a plate of salad, a bowl of rice and about 5 plates of brisket (the 5 was split between two people). 

Onto dinner, that was at Macayo's. A place we've been going to for years. It's a TexMex food place that's really good and really nicely priced. I had my usual salad with ranch and beef taquitos.


Sunday was the last few hours in Vegas and kept it simple, went to Teriyaki Madness. Had my usual chicken katsu, this time with noodles.


The last food stop was in St. George, UT. And that was at In-n-Out, a number 2 with spread and pickles with some animal style fries, no onions. To me, it isn't as good as one in Southern California but it's close enough. 

riding in cars with dogs.

This is always an adventure. Today, they go to the doggy hotel (boarding) for the weekend. These two are balls of energy. Bubbas (the pitbull)... gets nervous on car rides no matter how many times he's been in the car over his 6yrs of existence. He normally rides in a popup crate but since he sees the girl, Pickles ( Australian Cattle Dog), just wandering the back, he feels that he's been left out and needs to do the same. He, also, drools and slobbers up the windows. If you ask me that's a small price to pay for no whining and him trying to break out of the crate. Well, it isn't exactly... but it is a lot better than him constantly rolling the popup around trying to break free.

kitchen misadventures: root beer cupcakes

This week was a bit of a downer. Had found a recipe on another blog that looked so good, I had to try it. Needless to say, they didn't turn out the way they should have, at all. They taste the way they should, they just aren't the picture perfect that I'd like them to be. Oh well, when I get around to it, I know the tweaks that I'll be making.

Also, high altitude baking... I need to remember that.

friday fives.

Thought about starting a Friday five. It could be about anything but try to keep it positive. Anything you saw, ate, maybe you tried something new. Could even be things you want to try or do or even see. Some thoughts you had, somethings that made you smile. Or maybe you just need to vent. But for me, I think I'll keep it positive. What are your five? Leave it in the comments. 

My five for this week is just random things.
1. Was wishing for rain all week. I finally got it today. I'm definitely one happy panda.
2. One more week 'til a weekend in Las Vegas.
3. Had sushi for dinner and frozen yogurt for desert. ( Pictured is some frozen yogurt from Menchie's. Milk chocolate swirled with vanilla. And on the other side, Red Velvet swirled with Cake Batter topped with almonds and white chocolate chips.)

4.

5. Judging by the sunset you would have never known it was cloudy, gloomy, rainy all day.

vegas sunset.

Just posting up a random picture of a Las Vegas, NV sunset. It's my second home. Vegas isn't exactly looking like this these days... there's been a fire raging for about a week now. The smoke from this fire, I'm pretty sure has made it's way up here (160 miles northeast). Fingers crossed for full containment soon and everyone makes it out of this ok. If anyone would like more info on it, check here.

This was taken with my LG phone about a year ago. 

kitchen adventures: creamsicle(ish) cupcakes.

This week's was a tiny bit of a misadventure. I was trying to make a cream soda frosting but it came out more like a glaze. Hopefully, I know where that step was wrong and soon I'll work on fixing it. These are kinda my take on a creamsicle.

Cupcakes hanging out on the cooling rack

The cupcake front and center is one of the six that I tried with the glaze mishap. Still good and it did taste like cream soda but it didn't come out like it should have. Oh well, can't always come out perfect. 

One of the next cupcakes on my list of ideas to try is a root beer or one with Blue Moon beer. Of course, I'll be posting it so cross your fingers. 

bloglovin

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

I'm new to this whole blogging thing. This cute little bad boy is only about a month old now. Thought about it for years just never had what I thought was a good enough idea. Now I do and I am really enjoying it.

kanarra falls.

This was the first hike of the season. Did this hike three times now and still haven't completed the whole thing. The furthest I've gotten was about 4 miles and just under 4 hours round trip. I don't know exactly what started the whole hiking thing but I'm glad it did. Soon, I'll be building on new adventures... indoor rock climbing, rappelling, who knows after that.

This was on the road in. It takes about a mile to get off the access road. The water was ankle deep and perfect to cool your feet off.


Wading through the creek... with some slippery rocks underneath.


The first waterfall you pass by.

And this is the slot canyon to the first waterfall with a ladder to climb over.

 This is the first ladder. The ladder was missing one rung but the climb actually wasn't too bad, at all. After climbing this there was another waterfall that you had to get up and over to get to the rest of the hike.

Just had to stick in a picture of my dirty trail shoes while taking a snack break.

And this is the second ladder. You had to wade through another slot canyon, climb over a couple rocks, saw a few more tiny waterfalls. The water wasn't as deep this time as it was going through the second but the water runs year round.

I'll definitely be heading back to this one and hopefully, get over that second ladder and completely finish off this hike. Getting as far as I did and climbing over some of this stuff was pretty much the whole "good job, good effort" thing but I wanna see it to the end. And to close it off, here's a picture of a lizard doing an awesome job of blending in.