God is Apparent

October 26th Friday! The day before my Birthday! But today was the day that we decided to celebrate :) I have been getting pretty homesick recently. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love Colorado, but home is where the heart is and this would be the first birthday I wouldn't get to celebrate with my family and friends in Oregon. However, I feel so blessed with the AMAZING friends that are so sweet and good to me here in the Midwest, I forgot about my homesick feeling tonight.
We had a delicious home cooked meal with some of the best company I could ask for:) One of the best parts of the night though was the cake that the girls baked for me! haha with frosting decoration of a muscle made my night lol

I can't tell these kids enough how much that night meant to me.

 

October 27, what is so awesome about this day?? Well, besides that it was my BIRTHDAY, I got to spend it doing one of the most awesome things I can think of! Going hiking, and bouldering with some of my best friends exploring more of the Mid West. My friends decided to wake up and get me out of bed at 4 am (not an easy task) But I am so happy they did!

We drove about an hour and a half to Moab, Utah! Which, is home to the Arches National Park, to watch the sunrise and it was gorgeous!

Here's a quick video I did of the arch we were below when we watched the sunrise. I most of these photos and videos with my phone so sorry that the quality isn't that great. And you can most definitely hear in my voice how tired I was hahah

Nehemiah 9:6 You alone are the LORD. You made the heavens, even the highest heavens, and all their starry host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to everything, and the multitudes of heaven worship you.

I live in a place where God is apparent in the everyday beauty that surrounds me and the people I am with. I couldn't be more blessed... -Kenzie

 How cool is this place?

The national park lies atop an underground evaporite layer or salt bed, which is the main cause of the formation of the arches, spires, balanced rocks, sandstone fins, and eroded monoliths in the area.

 

It is known for preserving over 2000 natural sandstone arches, including the world-famous Delicate Arch.

 

I'd have to say this was quite the successful Birthday weekend. Thank you to all my family and friends who wished me a happy birthday and reminded me that I am loved no matter where I am. And thanks mom and dad for the balloons <3 

Devil's Kitchen

Can't handle the heat? Get out of the kitchen! Devil's kitchen that is... 

It's Fall Break! And while that means a four day weekend, let me tell you this weekend was well-deserved. I haven't blogged in a while, and that is because I have been having my nose in a book constantly the last week studying for my mid terms. And they were, terrible... college is hard! But they are over now and it's time to have some fun :)
Went hiking this weekend up at Devil's Kitchen. I love that there are so many hiking trails right in my backyard. And with my new rock climbing class that I am taking I will soon be able to anchor along any of these rock formations and climb as much as I want! :)`

Isn't it cool?

I love being outside as much as possible while I'm here, at least until winter comes around and being outside might not be quite as enjoyable. 

Getting ready for the cold winters in Colorado I went to Gene Taylor's who was having a big sale, 25% off the whole store! So... got myself a nice thick coat :)

And now I am SO EXCITED for the snowboarding season! There are some awesome mountains around here I can't wait to try out and even though for this next quarter I will be picking up a new course I am determined to balance my school work and make it up to Powderhorn as much as possible!

Well two days left of break! And it's gorgeous outside! I'll blog at ya again soon. Happy Monday!

P.S. T- 12 days till my BIRTHDAY!! whoop whoop!

Road with Irons - Via Ferrata - Telluride

Another OP (Outdoor Program) trip in the bag. This weekends agenda, The Via Ferrata in Telluride, CO. I think the perfect way that I heard it described was that it was neither climbing, nor hiking. It's a hybrid of the two... like extreme hiking.

The trail definitely gets your blood flowing and shouldn't be attempted by anyone afraid of heights.

It’s pretty basic. Clip in,  shimmy along the rock, unclip, repeat. However there are some sections with out cables or handholds. And because I’m short I couldn't reach some of the footholds, so those arm workouts came in handy during those sections of the climb. 

Via Ferrate means “Road with Irons” in Italian. In climbing the term Via Ferrata refers to a route with additions like ladders or cables. It’s so hikers and climbers can feel safe while above exposed terrain. The concept for Via Ferratas started in the Dolomites during World War I when the Austrians and Italians were fighting in the mountains. Routes were built and permanent lines installed to help troops climb.

This is a link to a video that will give you a look at exactly what we did this weekend. No this isn't a video of my group but it is the same exact route we took. 

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=1908361709037&set=vb.357683390122&type=2&theater

Pretty awesome right?

After we passed, what I think was the most extreme part of the trek  I had to go to the bathroom BAD. And as you may of guessed, there aren't many public restrooms up 700 feet above ground. So, with the help of another woman,Julie, we tied a rope around my harness and attached that to a cable and repelled me off the side of the cliff to a spot where I could do my business. Needless to say there couldn't have been a more beautiful  spot to go. While that was probably the most memorable part of the trip I was the talk of group for the rest of the trip haha with every time someone said "shit" or "poop" heads would turn and you'd hear someone say "Jess? you gotta go again?" haha I can cross that off my list of most awesome places to relieve myself.

The girls. It was a blast because all of us signed up for the trip together and early, so it turned out to be an all girls trip! Well.... for the most part, we had three guides who were guys. But by the second day (when we did the Via Ferrata there was only one). I've got some pretty BA girls who love doing outdoor adrenaline stuff as much as I do:) 

Me and Kenzie :)




















Telluride was BEAUTIFUL!! It was just tucked in between mountains, and you could see in the aspen trees that fall was approaching by the gorgeous yellow color of their leaves. The blue skies, great company and gorgeous view made this trip definitely one of the most memorable for sure. I am sure I will never forget this trip.