Red Rocks

4.16.2011


On our last day in Red Rocks we decided to climb a route on the south face of Mescalito. The plan was to do something quick and easy, but after getting caught behind multiple slow parties we were feeling fortunate to simply make it back to the truck in the daylight.



At the top of Mescalito.



We love camping in the Nevada desert. Empty roads and no rangers. Our goal is to make it through the summer season without paying for camping or paying any tickets. Ten nights of success so far.



Good morning sunshine!

Owens River Gorge

4.13.2011

In between work, responsibility, and bouts of laziness we've been enjoying some spring climbing and a trip to the beach. Winter hasn't quite relinquished its grip on the weather but there have a been a few days of sunshine and warmth.

A few weekends ago we made our first trip down to the Owens River Gorge. The views were beautiful and campfire camaraderie is always great fun. I wish I had managed to take a few more photos of the people, but instead there are lots of rock and sky.





A Kitchen (almost finished)

4.10.2011

My intention was to wait to post updated renovation pictures once the kitchen and dining room were completely finished, but it's so close now that I couldn't resist. We just came back from ten-day holiday and coming home to the new kitchen and dining room was a delight. Eating all the food that we've been cooking has also been a delight. The only things left to really finish it out are cabinet pulls, shelving, and some photos/decorations on the walls.
As a special bonus just for you, dear reader, I included some pictures of the bedroom remodel and bathroom addition that happened prior to the kitchen.


This kitchen is amazing. The morning sun comes streaming through the windows in the mornings and makes the last six months of living in a gutted house totally worth the discomfort. I'm also so proud of Denver for all of his craftsmanship and slave labor.




To save on square footage, Denver decided to do a wall pantry with sliding barn doors. Above the fridge we still need to install some open shelving.


My sister was a bit concerned when she saw this wall with the offset hooks, don't worry it's all a work in progress. I have great plans for this little nook.


I came down with a bad case of bacterial pneumonia two weeks ago and lay in bed just thinking about how fortunate I was not to get sick without a finished bedroom. Can you imagine having a fever and having to stare at yellow-brown walls? Ridiculously dramatic, but all logical thought left when the illness arrived. Denver made the bed frame when we were living in Oregon, maybe my favorite piece yet.


Once we had converted the closet space to a bathroom there was a latent concern for a place to put the clothes. Wardrobes were the answer. Denver had great plans for building some but my impatience won and we purchased these beauties. I think he's glad he doesn't have to listen to my complaints but the shame of having purchased furniture that he had the ability to build is a heavy load. (And the deepest secret of all....it's not even real wood) There, he'll never be able to show his face again.