Lone Peak

The Saturday after Kevin opened his mission call, he decided to celebrate in true Graf fashion. Curt, Krysta, Kevin and Erin hiked to the top of Lone Peak. The hike summary: started a little late, very steep climb to the top, lost the trail on the way up, had to bushwhack a new trail for a ways, took a few brief rest breaks, made it to the top, Curt worried about the sheer cliffs (it's about time!), lost the trail on the way down, had to backtrack up a steep canyon, started to get dark, didn't have flashlights, almost ran out of food and water, got chased by a large mountain lion (well maybe not), a great time was had by all!  Another typical Graf hike in the bag. 

Most of the rest of the commentary is provided by Curt. (Does this make him an official blogger?)

On the way up (Jacob's Ladder route).  Beautiful day to hike..Lone Peak is in the distance..

..lost the trail again..had to short-cut through this boulder field...don't twist an ankle here.. Lone Peak is the high point on the top middle left (that's an 800 foot vertical drop)

one of the few rest breaks.. had to keep moving..

most of the way up now (about 4 hours of rough hiking/climbing in).

..on the Summit!! .. here trying to wave in a rescue helicopter (it's a long tough hike down from here).
Really though, this is an amazing Summit (approx 11,300 ft).   It's great to get to the top!

 USGS marker on the summit 

Curt and Kevin.  There's not much room on this summit, about like a table top.  Be Careful!

A little way back down the summit ridge, Erin, Krysta, and Kevin pose for a quick photo

one last photo near the summit

Steep granite cliffs of Lone Peak

Climbing back down the summit ridge.  This gets a little sketchy in places..  you can't be afraid of heights here..(well you can, but it's better not to be)

downclimbing..Salt Lake valley is way down there..

..trying to stay on the "trail".  There really never is much of a trail..

back down the steep ridge now.  Looking south into the Lone Peak cirque of sheer granite cliffs

..another very steep section of the trail..

Kevin pointing back at the summit of Lone Peak.  Krysta grimacing in pain.. there's still a long way to go and it's starting to get late in the day, only about two hours of sun light left..

No more pausing for pictures. 

A few hours later Krysta called home and we decide that from now on, no matter what, all Graf hikes should require a flashlight. Going a mile to look at a pond? Bring a flashlight. Hiking a few hundred yards up a dirt road? Bring a flashlight. Going around the block? Bring a flashlight. Just as it was full on dark they stumbled into the house like the walking dead. But hey, alive is alive, so all's well that ends well.

Ohio, Columbus...Spanish speaking!

Some moments in life are big moments, but you might not see them coming or realize them until you reflect back. Others you know about in advance and look forward to. Opening a mission call is one of those forward-looking moments. Part of your life will be defined as before my mission, during my mission, and after my mission. Baptism, Priesthood, Mission, Marriage, and Children are all forward- looking moments that define a life. We are grateful for this time we had to share with Kevin in opening his mission call.

The envelope came on Wednesday, September 5th. Kevin did not come home until Friday the 7th. Curt wanted to display it on the mantel. I said, "No way." The envelope spent those two days in a box in the closet. Out of sight, out of mind. The temptation to rip it open was lessened that way.

Kevin and his call finally in the same room.

Thanks to all of our family and friends who came to share this moment. Cheyenne even got someone to cover her shift for two hours so she could be there.

We had everyone guess a stateside mission and a foreign mission. The closest anyone got was Pittsburg guessed by Kevin's friend, Blake.

The moment arrived! Kevin thanked everyone for coming, opened the envelope and read his call.

We had some of Kevin's friends on speaker phone who couldn't make it, but they couldn't hear us (one was at  the Aggies/Utes game) so they got the message via text.

After he read that he'd been called to serve in the Ohio, Columbus Mission, he kept reading. The second line of the second paragraph said he'd be teaching in Spanish. Who knew that Ohio had a need for Spanish speaking missionaries?! This was very exciting, since he really wanted to speak a language, and he has had four years of Spanish. Prospective missionaries don't get to give a language preference, other than whether or not they'd like to learn one. You do write down any language that you've studied and for how long, but don't get a choice of what you'll be assigned to speak. However, if Kevin did get to choose, his first choice of language would have been Spanish! 

Here Matthew writes his inspired guess of "Columbus, Ohio." Of course, he was inspired to write this AFTER Kevin opened his call. He had to cross out his first guess of San Diego. (His first guess was half right since there are a lot of Spanish speakers there.)

We are looking at the booklet they sent us and figuring out the mission boundaries. My mom served in the Great Lakes Mission, and she spent eight months in Columbus. She was very excited when Kevin called to tell her the news. It's interesting to note that part of the information you're asked to provide when you submit the missionary papers are the names of the missions where siblings, parents, and grandparents have served.

Awesome cousins!

Since Kevin's call, we've heard from ward members and Facebook friends who've lived near Columbus and Cincinnati, Ohio.  Everyone seems to really love the area. Kevin's mission also includes a small part of northern Kentucky and a slice of Indiana. He reports to the MTC on January 23rd. It will be a great two years!

An Elder and an Aggie

Kevin was made an Elder on Curt's birthday. 

After the ordination, we went out to dinner and then home for birthday treats. Curt opted for his favorite dessert as opposed to a birthday cake. Hence the whip cream numbers.

Three days later we went to Utah State to help Kevin move to his dorm. Kevin thought this bedspread was too girly. Not sure how blue and green squares equals girl, but it was Krysta's when she went to college. Just be glad she chose blue, Kevie.

We stayed overnight in Logan. Our hotel was as close to campus as you can get; it was smack-dab in the center of campus right next to the student center. Unusual, but very convenient.

Lots of changes in a short time. But the best is yet to come. Kevin's mission papers have been submitted. We expect a call in a couple of weeks! So exciting! (and then I will cry...is it possible to be excited and a little sad at the same time?) We know Kevin will do well and have a great experience as an Aggie for a semester.

August

Nothing like sleeping in a tent to make you appreciate your house! We had a hard time finding a date where we could all go camping. I really wanted to fit in a backpacking trip, but couldn't find a free weekend that fit everyone's schedules. We finally settled for a short overnighter in the middle of the week.

We love Albion Basin in Little Cottonwood Canyon. Last year the snow was so deep that this campground never even opened. Letting it rest for a year was probably a good thing. Albion Basin is close enough to be convenient, yet high enough to be in the forest. Surprisingly, in spite of the dry weather, we got to build a fire and make s'mores.

Outdoor breakfast is always extra tasty.

Albion Basion always seems to have beautiful flowers in bloom.

We hiked to the top of Catherine Pass and looked over into Brighton and the beautiful lake below.

The cute little critters loved our rice crispy treat snacks. We had them eating out of our hands.

A few days later, Camille turned 14!

A few cousins to celebrate with.

Happy August!