Fossil Springs

I have discovered many Arizona "Gems" over the years.  I have come to know that Arizona has a few more things to offer than barren desert, cactus, and a the big ditch. Fossil Springs is an oasis in the desert. As the temperatures cooked us for the last two weeks, we devised a plan to escape the inferno and went camping up the mountain near Strawberry. We broke away for a short trip on Saturday to enjoy the cool waters of Fossil Springs. Our Adventure Beast (Ford Excursion) took us down the narrow road that hangs over the cliffs edge the entire drive down the canyon, so we could take the shorter hike on the creek side trail with our 5 hooligans. We were also accompanied on our adventure by our Queen Creek friends The Ethingtons and my brother and sister in-law Jamie & Jennifer.

I did not jump off this waterfall... this time. I did not want any of the drunk people (standing around watching jumpers) to attempt to jump in and save my life.

Adventure Boy on rope swing

Re: Toby. It's in his blood to love adventure. We've bread him this way.  

In July we had a family reunion in the White Mountains of Arizona. The theme was to enjoy the small town and small town activities we did as kids. It's hard to let kids do what you did as a kid. However, I'm glad I was there with my kids to see how much fun they had!

Investing in good times and great kids

I sold our boat yesterday.  Calm down. Get control of your emotions and let me explain.

I want to preface this with FACT that you can't put a price on all the experience, memories and patients our boat kindly named "Hole in the Water" has afforded our family. Memories that will last a lifetime for our kids, friends and other boaters who have had to put up with her over the last 2 summers. Admittedly, I only got a fraction of the $1,000,000 asking price.

We raise our kids with adventure in mind. Constantly forcing them out of their box and comfort zone. And us out of ours. It build confidence. It builds character. It builds trust.

So by now your asking "then why sell out?"
To put it simple, our boating season is wrapping up this year as school has started for the kids, and we won't have the opportunity to go boating next year because..........

Were planning a 9 week super adventure for next summer!

Were planning to travel around the good ol' USA for 9 weeks in our Excursion, visiting family, friends, and once again shoving our kids (and ourselves) outside our box.

Were buying this "Truck top tent" for the Excursion.

To be able to afford a trip like this, were not going to be able to stay in hotels, eat out 3x a day, etc. So with our boat money were buying a truck top tent and other supplies needed for our journey that will again build character, confidence and.... you get the point.

Let us know what you think!

Reunion: an adventure success (click photo's for better clarity)

Many wonder what makes a family reunion successful. I have a list. #1) No lost limbs, bleeding that we can't stop, or death of a reunion attendee. #2) and a close second, attendees continue to "like" each other's facebook status on a regular basis when it's all said and done. #3) I will leave #3 up to you.



We celebrated this guy's 80th (not a typo) Birthday. He is a co-founder of The Allen Lemoyne Caldwell family. And he draws quite a crowd.

We did some adventuresome activities for 60+ (not a typo) people (all direct descendants of Mary Jean & Lemoyne)



We did some biking.



A 10 mile ride like we did as kids everyday to school and back



We played in the creek like we did as kids



We joked around like kids



We made fun of each other like we did when we were kids



We horsed around...



We talked like we never did as kids



And when its all said and done



We call it a great time and shine on.



N8 from iPhone

Salt River Recreation

Every year, as per tradition, my family along with my in-laws (Hunts of Mesa) and who ever else expresses interest, spend the day on the lower Salt River. Don't get this part of the river confused with the "boobie" salt river. We enter the waters a couple miles down stream from the shenanigans.
We jump in with various floatation devices (kayaks, tubes, etc.) and float 4 miles down to Granite Reef, stopping half way to have a picnic and throw rocks.


N8 from iPhone

Backpacking Aravaipa

Above: Us driving back home. (We're this happy all the time though)

Just got back from an awesome backpacking trip with my lover Holly (aka Hot Wife). We went with our amigos Lynn & Cameo (random fact: We share the anniversary of September 11, 1998). 2 well spent days in Aravaipa Canyon.





We saw 5 other people, 2 Coues deer, some kind of white skunk and FIRE FLYS!




N8 from iPhone

A Little Indoor Recreation

So it's getting hot outside and we have no pool. We needed an indoor hobby. Best solution? Expand our horizons from Outdoor rec. to jamming the guitar! Toby's hip hop class is "rapping" up next week and he's now transitioning to the guitar. The younger girls are staying in dance and Tianne is doing some piano (looking for voice too). BTW we found the best guitar instructor ever (Gene Simmons!) jk.



N8 from iPhone