Rachael Vs. Wasp/Hornet: Verdict...Wasp/Hornet

This past Monday I decided to head out on my road bike for a ride. Right off the bat a hornet or wasp, I am not sure which, flew into one of the holes on my helmet and stung/bit me at least four times. I ripped off my helmet and glasses as fast as I could to get the darn thing to stop. It stung a bit, but wasn't too bad, so I continued and finished my ride I had set out on.

It was later that night that it really started to affect me. In the middle of the night I started to run a fever, got really achy with a constant headache, and worst of all felt really nauseous. I pretty much did not sleep past that point, and was not feeling in any condition to go to work later in the morning. As Tyler was leaving, he pretty much told me to go see the Dr.

Around 6:45 a.m. I texted the dentist I work for and told him about this weird reaction I was having. I figured it was either linked to the hornet/wasp, or I have the swine flu! Not really, I pretty much knew it was the wasp/hornet. My dentist was so good, and actually got me a Dr.'s appt. with a family physician that is in our same medical complex. That way if I was feeling better after I saw him, I would already be close to work.

The Dr. pretty much couldn't say that it was directly related or not, because it is not a common reaction, since it was not allergic in nature at all. He wrote me two prescriptions, one for a steroid, which I was not about to take in case I was just coincidentally sick because that would suppress my immune system, and one for an anti-nausea because that was bothering me the most. So much that I could only sit/stand for a few minutes at a time. I ended up not filling either, I wanted to wait it out as long as I could to see if it would pass.

After the appt. I was actually feeling worse, so the dentist called in a temp to cover my patients for the day. I felt so nauseous that I had to drive with my seat as far back as possible and still able to see the road. I had not eaten anything, but was feeling like I really needed liquids. I went straight to my mom and dad's house because I knew my mom had sprite there, you know how that helps settle your stomach!

I crashed on the couch there most of the day, and my sweet mom took care of me until about 4:00 that afternoon when I finally made my way home. I was actually feeling much better by then. I knew at this point it was related to the wasp/hornet because it was so short lived.

Now here it is Wednesday and I am almost feeling 100%, but half of my forehead and down to my ear is swollen. Which is weird, because I got attacked more so on the top of my head. I guess gravity works that way though. It isn't that noticeable, until you really look at it. I look like I had a face lift gone bad!

I know these pics are creepy, but they give the jist.

Green River

The Green River has always been a hot spot that we usually hit a few times each summer, but since we moved to Idaho Tyler has only been once and I haven't been at all in the past two summers. So we were excited to get out there this past weekend. It was good to be able to go with Tyler's parents, and good friend Mike Thayne.

We headed out Friday after work and got to camp around 9:00. We got things situated, then went to bed early, so we could get out on the river early on Saturday. Saturday morning we had a good breakfast and got on the river around 9:00 a.m. We spent most of the day on the river, and it was such a great day. We thought we may get some rain, but it was beautiful. Not too hot, not too cold!

The river fluctuated quite a bit between the morning and afternoon, we started out at around 800 cfs and by the afternoon it was somewhere around 2800 cfs. So the fishing was a bit difficult. When we got off the river, there was a van with the alarm going off in the parking lot, and I guess the keys to it were back at the put in. So we ended up giving the dad a ride back to the dam to get the keys, which meant we missed out on our ice cream cone that we always get afterward!

We got back to camp, had showers, then Tyler and I went over to this little bouldering rock nearby to climb around a bit. As we were approaching the rock we saw some marmots and I got as close as I could to get a picture. They were actually pretty cute, but are a bit hard to pick out in the picture below, there are two in there. It soon got dark and we went back to the trailer, watched a movie, and fell asleep.

Sunday we woke up, had breakfast, and then closed up camp for the most part. Tyler, Mike, and Alan (Tyler's dad) were going to run the river one more time, while Diane (Tyler's mom) and I were going to do the shuttle and head back home so I could teach our little sunbeams. It really worked out great, so that they could get a little more fishing in, and we did not have to get a sub.

The boys did run into a bit of rain on Sunday, but still had fun with a few fish caught. My only disappointment about the trip was that I did not catch any fish. It was the first time ever that I have been there and not caught any fish, so I am anxious to get back there to redeem myself!

Tyler's catch of the day!
Can you see the marmots?

Capitol Reef National Park

My littlest brother Ben is leaving on his mission to Guatemala this upcoming Wed. June, 3, so for the last weekend we had together, we decided to make a quick trip down to Capitol Reef. Not all of the family was able to go, but for those of us who did, it was a blast.

My parents stayed at a hotel, while Ben, Ruth, and I camped in the park Friday night through the rain, thunder, and lightening. But that was not what kept Ruth and I up, it was my brother's snoring!! I feel bad for his companions! Surprisingly we woke up and were completely dry, thanks to one great rain fly. The morning was beautiful, we ate a a quick breakfast and decided to hike to Cassidy Arch. Aside from a 30 or so minute detour, we made our way atop the arch.

When we returned from the arch, we decided to go see some petroglyphs. I have always liked to see that stuff, and try to figure out their story. There was just a few, but still interesting. By then our appetites were growing. We decided to go get a sandwich and then possibly do another hike.

After our sandwich, it started to hail outside, and dark clouds were surrounding us, so we decided that we probably were not going to be able to do another hike, so we left for home. It was a short getaway, but a very enjoyable way to spend some of the last few days with my little bro!

Self Portrait


Ben, Ruth, and I on Cassidy Arch

Yellow Pine Creek, Uintah Mountains

In an attempt to go hiking/fishing up by Mirror Lake, we found ourselves at Yellow Pine Creek. We had planned out a hike that would take us to a few lakes we could fish, but about 6 miles before where we needed to be, the road was covered in snow. So we ended up at this Yellow Pine trail head that follows the Yellow Pine Creek. We were a bit disapointed because the trail does go all the way to a lake, but by then we didn't have enough day left. The hike was still awesome and beautiful and of course the dogs had a blast since water was involved. We couldn't have asked for a better day weather wise as well.

Escalante, Upper Calf Creek Falls, Lower Bowns

Tyler and I had a great chance to get away this past weekend to go visit one of his close friends that has been working down in Escalante for many summers. So Friday afternoon we loaded up the farm truck with our gear, dogs, and hit the road.

We camped on the Boulder Mnts. Friday night, then on Saturday, Mac took us on such a beautiful day hike to Upper Calf Creek Falls. He knew of some great secret spots to take us to including an old indian cave where we went on somewhat of an arrowhead hunt. I found a tip to one, and Mac, who has found many, found the end of one. I am pretty sure we were supposed to leave them there, but we took them and Tyler super glued them together, most unique arrowhead I have seen!

We then headed down stream to see the top of Lower Calf Creek Falls. This was awesome because most of the time we were hiking in the water in this really remote place which was so amazing. Our dogs were doing well, even Guss with his three legs. The hike back out to the car was the hardest for Guss, but he impressed us all and pushed it out of there, with a few boosts along the way. They were both wiped out by the time we reached the trucks.

Saturday night we camped again on the Boulder Mtns and had a great fish dinner. Sunday we hung around camp for a bit and did some target shooting. Mid-morning we made our way down to the lake at Lower Bowns for some float tube fishin'. We had three competitions: 1. First Catch 2. Biggest Catch 3. Most Catches. Well most of you would think that Tyler would have creamed me in this, but nope I took him 3-O! So he bought me an ice cream on the way home!

Needless to say we loved our time out-n-about, and we are so excited that spring/summer is here. We are looking forward to many more adventures this summer!

Triathlon #1

On April 18, 2009 one of my best friends Allison and I completed our first triathlon! It was awesome and I think I am addicted. The triathlon was a sprint and consisted of 3.1 miles of running, 10 miles of biking, and 350 meters of swimming. (In that order)

I felt strong during the run, and mostly with the biking as well. The only thing with the biking was that I had done most of my training inside with this crazy weather, so I think I held back a little. I was also on my sister-in-law's bike and biked in my running shoes instead of clip-ins which would have came in handy on the hill climbs. The swimming was the craziest of all. It was an inside snake swim at the Orem Rec Center, and people were everywhere! Alli and I were most concerned about the swim and how they were going to organize it. Well it wasn't really organized at all!! Let's just say there was a lot of weaving around people throughout each lane, trying not to get kicked.

Overall it was an awesome experience and I am planning on doing a few more this summer!

Park City

I was very lucky to get to spend my week off at my parents time share in Park City with the fam. We usually stay at the Park City Resort, but this time we stayed on Main Street. It was great because family could go back and forth as they needed to. It was a week full of fun and all 4 seasons!! It also gave me a good last week of training before my first triathlon I am participating in on April 18th. My favorite times were swimming in the rain, snow and shine! It was a well needed relaxing, care-free week, with a little too much money spent shopping!

Thanks Mom and Dad.Shannon and I had the best time in the pool!