More Summer Going on's

Marcus Norths family

On Memorial Day, we were at Annice's family cattle ranch helping with the branding, etc. In the two pictures, Ashley and Andy are holding the back leg of a little "bully" while they become a little steer, if you know what I mean. We were hot and sweaty, and the dust coats your thoat and nose. You can see that the girls do just as much work as the guys do. That kind of work cleanses the soul, and the country cookin' is everything you'd imagine! I just need some spurs and chaps.

In June, Annice and I hiked the Grand Canyon rim to rim. We started on the North Rim and walked with 30 and 35 pound backpacks for two days. We stayed overnight at Phantom Ranch in the bottom of the canyon near the Colorado River. They fed us well and we each had a real bed in our respective dorms. This picture is on the South Rim just after we finished the 24 mile, 10,000 vertical foot trek. We were smiling on the inside, just too tired to let it out. :) You can see the canyon we hiked through in the background to the right of me. It was a great little adventure, we recommend it highly! We'd go again if anyone wants to do it.

For our birthdays in July, we went to Cedar Point on Lake Erie to ride roller coasters. It has been touted to us as the "roller coaster mecca" by several friends, so we had to go. They were right, we spent two days eating terrible amusement park food and having the rides of our lives! Seriously, it was better than flying jets. Here is Andy and Ash in line for the Mantis (yellow and red track), a stand-up ride that was insane. In the background you see the Millenium Force, which goes seventy two mph. Our favorites were the Top Thrill Dragster (120 mph and the highest coaster in the country) and the Maverick (first hill goes past vertical downhill with awesome acceleration and turns). Once again, a definite recommendation.

I just finished my first year flying for Southwest Airlines and couldn't be happier with it. It doesn't really seem like work, especially compared to how busy the Air Force was. I've seen a lot of the country and done some fun stuff. I ran through Philadelphia the other day past Independence Hall (where the Declaration of Independence was signed), the Liberty Bell, and the Philadelphia Museum of Art where Rocky ran up the stairs and where they erected his statue.

Life is good, it's hard to complain. We are gearing up for the new school year starting in August, a wedding in September and the St. George Marathon in October. The pace is fast but it is good. We'll sleep when we're dead. :)

Marcus, Annice, Ashley and Andrew