Frog Jump Jubilee

The Sierra Nevada’s are an extraordinary mountain range packed full of history and adventure.  Each small town, tucked away in the vast trees, has it’s own story, festival or quirk that makes it worthwhile.  One of these towns is Angels Camp California home of the Calaveras County Fair.  This fair is especially exciting because it hosts the ‘Frog Jump Jubilee.’ 

This ‘sport’ of frog jumping is based on the book "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County" a short story written by Mark Twain (who lived in these mountains).  The participants catch a frog, train the frog and then (on a stage/platform at the County Fair) see how far they can get their frog to jump. Some people clap, some bang the ground, some yell- but in the end, the frog jumps.  It is really interesting and fun to watch. (Click here to see a video of this Festival on Jay Leno).

Because of this exciting event the town is…frog-a-fied. There are frog statues, frog decorations in yards and on doorsteps, and frogs painted on the intersections. As we drove through this city I could not stop myself from laughing at this town’s creative way of ‘putting themselves on the map.’ It was hilarious and at the same time really interesting. 

Yellowstone National Park

Charlotte and I went to Yellowstone National Park on Saturday.  It was Charlotte’s first time (and we figured since she was leaving Idaho, it would be a good memory). For her first time it started out great- about 10 minutes into the park we saw a bear! It was a medium sized black bear up on a hill. It was so exciting to see a wild bear (a rare and slightly dangerous thing) and it kind of lessened the excitement for the rest of the animals we saw through the park- herds of buffalo, birds, deer and more buffalo. 

We also got to go and tour the many geysers, mud pots and mineral pools. Although when we were walking around these areas it started to SNOW (yes, it was almost June and it was snowing- only in Idaho).  Although we were freezing we kept going and saw some really pretty and amazing things. 

 

One of the “must see’s” at Yellowstone is Old Faithful (a huge geyser).  We got to see that and walk through the visitor’s center.  After that we went and saw the Yellowstone ‘Grand Canyon’ and some beautiful falls.  It was such a beautiful trip, despite the cold, and we were really glad that we went. 

 

 

 

 

Japanese Tourist!

Did you know there is an I-MAX in Yellowstone?

Road Trip: Part 1

Charlotte has been living in Rexburg and it now moving to California to go to grad school.  I decided to go help her pack and move (it was really just an excuse for a fun road trip).  We had/are having so many adventures.  Here are a few…

I first flew into Salt Lake City and got to spend the afternoon with Jer and Heidi’s family.  I am always amazed by how tall the kids get between visits- they are all so fun and so great. Charlotte picked me up there and we went up to Rexburg to pack. 

Charlotte took me around the BYU-Idaho campus to see all the new changes and renovations. Ben and I graduated 2 ½ years ago and haven’t been back since.  There were so many changes to campus- new sky walks, a new Conference Center (BYU-I Center aka the Coliseum), and all the updated stuff.  She also drove me around the town and showed me the new complexes and strip malls. It was great to see Rexburg again but it just solidified the feelings that we needed to move and we are done with that phase of our lives. 

We worked hard to pack Charlotte’s stuff and then try to pack everything in the car. The downfall- it was raining and hailing when we had to pack the car AND there was a lot of stuff. We managed to get everything in with the great ‘push it in and slam the door’ technique.  We ended up driving with a trash can and piano stand between us and some stuff in the passenger’s feet- but it was all in!

We started for CA Tuesday morning at 7:00 and drove…and drove…and drove.  From Rexburg to Sonora is about 13 ½ hours- we only made two stops (one at In-N-Out for dinner) and gained an hour in the time change- so it was a great drive.  It didn’t feel so long because we talked a lot and sang loudly to most of the Glee Soundtracks.  I had never been to Northern California and the drive through the Sierra Nevada Mountains was beautiful.  The trees look different than Colorado trees and it was just beautiful.  While driving Charlotte told me about the towns and countryside- I learned so much and am excited to share it all with you!!