The World at 10,000 Feet

As we walked up the short trail, across streams and up the sharp rocks, we came to it - Cecret Lake in the Albion Basin up at Alta. The lake is in a beautiful location with great mountain scenery, which I will miss for the next two years, while I live at sea level.

A Place Lost In Time

I have always heard of haunted houses, but I had never actually been in one. I saw them afar off the highway, past the haunted swing in the middle of nowhere. It was a place that time had forgotten, haunted by memories of the past and I knew I had to investigate more.

I parked and walked down the long dirt road towards them. What I came up on was more than I ever could have imagined, a place lost in time. I saw a village, abandoned and dilapidated. A place where, many years ago, people had lived, struggled and eventually left. What I had really found was a time capsule, a museum of the past, where people visit and see how our ancestors lived as it slowly rots away into the Earth.

Although we may never know why they left, they still remain there in spirit. The feeling is eerie and not quite right. As I walked through the structures, I found their possessions. I saw where and how they lived. I imagined what it would have looked like in its heyday, the nice painted house with the white picket fence surrounding it, the springs of the once cushy bed and the closet full of clothes and blankets that would keep one warm through the cold Idaho winters. I saw the old chimney and imagined seeing the family through the window on a cold winter’s night talking together by the stove.

The village I found was a place full of memories of the past. And I knew I had to go back – at night!

Tom, Stacie and I had to get out of the apartment. After telling them what I found, we all agreed to go back to investigate the spirits and memories that were still at the village. We parked at the haunted swing and walked the long muddy road to it. As we got closer, it started to appear from the darkness of the night. We shined our lights through the window openings and found remnants of the past, objects forgotten, now found. I, being their tour guide, gave them the “grand tour” to and through the structures. We heard noises of creaking floorboards, animals and noises of the structures settling into the ground. I saw shadows in the corner of my eye, but I think that was just my imagination.
I was hoping to find ghosts, but never did. The place may be haunted, but one thing I know for sure, there are memories there, a spirit that people once lived there. And that feeling that is there will always stay there.

An Eerie Place

People lived here. I imagine a picket fence.

Here I am!

Through the shadows the house is visible.

What I think are ghosts...

A year in review

2009 was a great year! Here is a recap of my favorite moments of 2009.

January

• Although I already was accepted to BYU-Idaho, I finally decided to go there for college.
• Many free periods in high school!
• NEW YEAR, New Semester!

February

• Valentines dance with Alyssa! Fun Fun!
• High School basketball games at the ECenter
• Hanging out with Logan, Laura and Alyssa

March

• MORE CRAZY BELNAP!
• Choir tour including Disneyland and seeing Phantom in Las Vegas!
• Ikea
• Found the world's greatest product - The Snuggie
• 9 to 5!!!!
• Choir NAME CARDS

April

• The woes of English 1010

May

• "That's Not My Name!"
• Graduation
• UP!
• END OF DEALING WITH CRAZY BELNAP!

June

• Last Night - After Graduation
  
• New Job - Fruit Stands
• 18th birthday fun!
• Registering for classes at BYU-Idaho
• New camera
• New Zealand Girls visit. Lots of adventures!
• Hiking

July

• Harry Potter Party
• Work, Work, Work
• Lagoon
• Best Youth Conference EVER!!!

August

• Get ready for school!
• Family Reunion

September

• Moved to Rexburg, Idaho!
• Get Connected
• Met AMAZING people!
• Fun with FHE sisters and room mates!
• Sand Dunes
  

October

• General Conference with Reece and Levi. Ride back to Rexburg with Laura, Sarah, Kelsey, and Reece.
  
• Owl City Boise Concert!
• Crazy Halloween!
• More New Friends!

November

• Looking forward to break
  
• Thanksgiving at home with Reece and the Rhondeaus. Fun Fun times!
• Cabin Adventures. Christmas music, sitting by the fire for 4 whole hours! Felt the Christmas spirit!

December

• Finals Stress
• Final Rexburg adventures
• Leaving Rexburg :(
• No School Until April!
• CHRISTMAS!!!
• Seeing Old Friends!

As you can see, I had a very productive year. I hope this year brings me many more adventures!

One rainy day!

Today in the SLC it rained. HARD! The weather right now is crazy. It has rained every day for the past 2 weeks! I have never seen this kind of weather in June. Today as my sister and I were going to a party, we took these shots. As we were at one stop light, I took these pictures. Look at 21st south. It is like a river!

 Lok at the rain on the window!

 

Look at 21st. It is a river!

After the storm, I tested out the micro zoom on my camera. Look at the water droplets! 

Look at the flower!