The Hills are Alive With The Sound of Music

This past week was full of great times and fun adventures. I'll give you a little run down, in no particular order.

Wildflowers
It was the Wildflower festival that one of the ski resorts in the canyon I was hiking in was having. I had no idea, so this was a pleasant surprise!  All the mountain meadows were just covered in several pinks, yellows, oranges, purples, whites, reds and more.  I could have just walked through these meadows or sat and relaxed and enjoyed the view all day!




Hiking
I did get out and do some light hiking.  I mentioned earlier this spring that I was going to tackle some of the hikes that start within 20-30 minutes of my front door.  (There are over 80 and I haven't even done a 1/4th of them.)
So I did get out on another one of them Saturday morning.
I felt bad though, I went hiking with an friend of mine, and she ended up getting altitude sickness. Poor girl she started getting it nearly from the beginning. We were up around 8,300-10,000 feet and even if you live in Utah it can still happen to some.  I haven't experienced it myself, I seem to acclimate well everywhere.  But I felt really bad when she started throwing up.  It did cut our hiking day short, but not before we did get out and see some beautiful things.

I have been in this canyon before, but never on this trail.  I can't believe I have lived so close to this view most my life and this is the first time I have hiked here.  Stunning isn't it!

Some girls in front of my friend and I hiking started playing
The Hills Are Alive With The Sound of Music so of course I joined in and sang.
I have to say, this view totally fits that don't you think of end of the Sound of Music too?

Cannibal and Lagoon 
It's a new very FUN roller coaster that just opened.  I have been watching it being built for a year.  So of course my sisters and I had to go try it out.
* It has the steepest drop of any roller coaster in the entire US, and the 4th steepest in the world.
* Holds the current World Record for the tallest beyond vertical drop on a roller coaster.
You go up a 208 foot completely dark elevator, that opens up, and It has a 116 degree vertical drop. So ya, you not only do a vertical almost 200 feet drop in the first decent, but it's inverted so your upside down for the drop. So awesome!

That's only the first inversion, I lost count but I think there were 3 or 4 more along the rest of the way.
It lasted 2 minutes 30 seconds, and I enjoyed each one of them.  I look forward to riding it again, but when it becomes less popular and the lines get shorter, LOL
If you live in Utah, or are visiting it's totally worth it, it's a great time for roller coaster lovers like me!

Sharknado 3
LOL Did you watch it? What can I say about that, totally loved it, so fun!! I mean they really out did themselves on dumb horror comedy and I loved their choice of picks for Pres and V.P, LOL awesome! Bring on #4!!!

Another view from my hike.

Tour De France
If you don't know I am a HUGE fan, I try to watch each stage every year.  I was rooting for the American TJ Van Garderen, but I was totally bummed when he dropped out Wednesday. I really wanted him in the top 3.
Truthfully, I love watching the Alps stages, so gorgeous!  Never wanted to visit France until I saw all the pictures of the Alps a few years back, and now if I ever make it there, skip the cities, leave Paris for the other tourists, I just want those mountains!

Wedding
Got through a small indoor wedding this week, put it together in less than 24 hours.  It turned out beautifully, the bride was very happy!  I don't normally do that.  But I am getting better and better at rush jobs!
One funny though, I've been telling clients lately that I just passed 6 years in business. But I just looked back at my original business license, come November I will hit my 8 year mark. Wow, that is what happens when you work a job you love, you don't even notice almost 2 extra years go by, LOL LOL LOL

View from my hike

Books Read
I actually read a couple this week.  Normally I just read on Sunday afternoons, but I had a few extra hours to relax with during the wedding Tuesday and then Friday was a state Holiday, and I relaxed in the afternoon and read a book before the fireworks.
Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard - Must say I couldn't put it down, I haven't enjoyed a book this much since the Selection series.  For my YA reader friends, this is one you definitely want to put on your list to read!
Cuckoo Song, by Francis Hardinge.  Strange, but sometimes I like something different and weird to read!
I plan to get back to book reviews on Wednesdays, but when life slows down a little.  Maybe this fall!
I also read one called Ultraviolet by R. J. Anderson which has been on my reading list for years, loved the twist even I wasn't fully expecting!

Water Park Fun
Visited a water park again this week with 5 of my nieces and nephews!  Rains came that cut it short, but it was still fun!  Let's just say it was probably more fun for the kids, but I love playing with them so its fun for me too!

Running
I haven't been able to run for 3 weeks.  I beyond discouraged about it. Three weeks ago I did something that aggravated my tendon and yet another flare up.  Truthfully, it's so discouraging I annoy myself talking about it, so I won't say more on my feelings on it.  But I have put the boot back on during times of rest to help with the healing, it has been working.  But I am not sure if I will be able to begin running again this week or not, I will see how things feel come tomorrow.  I have a Plan A, B & C....  But plan C, will have to get Dr. approval, since it's not exactly the most sane of options...

The lake I hiked up to.

What was the highlight of your week?  Anyone been on any fun vacations?
Have you read any great books this summer?