Jared's Restful Retreat A Top the Sierra Nevadas

September 24-26, 2009

Sierra Nevada Adventure with Owsley Clan

Okay so Jared's idea of a "retreat" and my idea of a retreat are not the same. I soaked in a nice hot bath. He jumped into a freezing glacial lake at close to 10,000 feet elevation. I'll add a video, just for proof. Notice everyone else is wearing jackets and hats. My husband is the one wearing swim trunks jumping off the rock!!! You can't miss his gorgeous farmer tan!

From Left to Right- Trevor Owsley, Jared McBride, KC Owsley above 11,000 feet elevation.

(Notice Trevor holding on for dear life! KC is pretending to be "cool" for the photo. And Jared is ready to keep climbing!)

Yes, this is my husband doing Yoga in Rock Climbing Shoes, a top a Sierra Minaret

Here is Adam pointing to the Minaret. Yes, siree, the boys climbed to the tippy top. This is their idea of a fun adventure. What is so wrong with just getting a massage? I mean which would you choose... climb a jagged cliff up to 12,000 feet elevation, or get a massage???

I think men and women are suppose to be different. If for nothing else, so that we can miss each other terribly--even while we are both enjoying ourselves immensely!

To be completely honest, if I didn't have to camp without restroom facilities, the hiking and photography looks to be out of this world! I've got to learn to hike and take pictures faster, so I can make it back before dark.

Check out the videos below for more graphic details.

We would also like to thank KC for sharing his pictures and video of Jared's retreat!!! THANK YOU!!!!

Retreat Weekend!

Jared is in the Sierra Nevada's with the Owsley Clan and I am having a weekend retreat!

I've spent the past 3 days catching up on some "writing".

I found out that I don't sleep well without Jared in my bed! So, I went over to a friends last night and slept 10 hours! It felt so good that this morning I came home and treated myself to a facial and soaking bath for an hour! Am I spoiled or what???

I think I'll use this face mask as part of my halloween costume this year!!!

THE PLANE... THE PLANE...

Okay... I know that you can't see it... but really there is a plane down there! Seriously, they sunk a plane into Sand Hollow Reservior for the divers. (I don't know who... but they)

When the water is high the plane is about 45 or so feet under the surface of the water and depending on the conditions can be very difficult to find. It's a big lake and the plane is rather small in comparison. So, ever since we've moved here, Jared has wanted to dive down to the plane. Because that is what boys do. They dive down to touch things that are sunk in the middle of the lake. They think it is FUN or something!

Earlier this week, Jared had some jobs in an area near Sand Hollow. So, after work he went to the lake and thought to himself, I might touch the plane today. It was a Wednesday and there were only 2 boats on the lake and not another swimmer in site. (That's because all the kids are back in school!)

The Conditions were practically perfect. The water was a little lower so the plane was only 35 or so feet under the surface. The lake was perfectly still.

Now, you have to understand, everytime we go to Sand Hollow there is one or two suburbans full of divers... you know the kind with wet suits, oxygen tanks, fins, the whole outfit! Diving schools take their students there to learn to dive. Most people use this type of fancy and expensive equipment to dive down to "touch" and "check-out" the plane.

Not my husband... oh no... he shows up... he's the only one at the lake (practically)... he has a pair of shorts on and some small swimming goggles. He swims a quarter mile or so off shore and spots the plane from the surface. Takes a few deep breaths and dives down. Clears his ears... dives again and then back up the surface... and then at the surface he thinks, "I am going to touch that plane TODAY!!!" He takes a deep breathe swims down 10 feet, 15 feet, 20 feet, 25 feet, 30 feet to 35 feet and touches the plane!

Once again, Jared has a goal and achieves it!!! He is amazing and I am so happy that he finds so much joy in life! Great job free diving to the plane!!! You are AWESOME! I love you!

Saturday September 19, 2009- OBSERVATION POINT

Jared and I got up at 5:00 on Saturday Morning to go hike to Observation Point in Zion's National Park. We arrived before the trams were running! And were able to watch the sunrise during our ascent up over 2000 feet in Elevation! What a beautiful morning!!

It took us under 2 hours to hike 4 miles to the top and for some reason it took over 3 hours for us to get down. I must be getting old, because the down HURT more than the up! Up, I was out of breathe from time to time, but going down was downright painful, especially on the toes and knees.

After hiking we went to Fatali's Photograph Museum in Springdale! His photos were amazing! Then we went to an apple orchard and picked apples! YUMMY! What a wonderful day!

August 29, 2009 This is the Place Monument- PARK

The last weekend of August, Jared went to the Tetons with one of his best buddies- Nate Cox. He dropped me off in Northern Utah, while he climbed the Grand in a day! You'll have to ask him the details... unfortunately, no bear stories on this trip. (Other teton adventures usually include a bear or some other friendly creature of the wild!)

I was able to spend Saturday Morning with Noelle, John and their children at " This is the Place Monument Park, Salt Lake City. Here are recent pictures of the children! Aren't they cute! We had so much fun exploring and petting goats! Some of the kids even got the chance to ride a train and horses! While I was in charge of photos!

I also had the opportunity to see Anna and Maya Cox, Leah, Savannah and Patch, and the Kosorok Family. They just moved from Seattle, WA back to Utah! I had a great weekend and was very happy that Jared made it home safely into my arms!!!

I'M DONE!

The DVD is completed! I presented Strong and Beautiful: 30 Minute Blast Thursday August 20, 2009 at SUU! I passed!!!

Check out the awesome Cover art-Graphic Design by Bryan Harrison! I love it!

It is official! I have passed my four summer courses, including my capstone project! I have a master's in sports performance and conditioning from SUU!

I am so excited!!! It is such a miracle that I was able to complete the program in a year! And by the way... I am the first graduate of the new program! And as Dr Lambson said, "There is only one first!" Not that I am competitive in nature... but I sort of like being able to say that! :)

Jared and I spent the weekend in Brian Head and exploring around Cedar Breaks. Jared went for a fun bike ride and stopped and met me at this cool water fall in a tunnel! I got some fun pictures. I especially like this funny one of Jrad!

Jared took this picture of me! I love it! What a beautiful place.

Oh... I was also offered a job teaching as an adjunct professor at SUU! It isn't official... but I've looked over the text for the wellness class and I really like it! I hope that it works out and that in January I can start teaching Part-time! Dr Lambson the department head offered me the job and I was honored. Because he knows me!!! I am really excited about this opportunity!

Here is a picture of me at Cedar Breaks!

I am so excited to be done!!!! And in nice cool weather for the weekend!

My husband can fly!!!

Friday morning we were up at close to 11,000 feet elevation at Brian Head peak! It was a beautiful morning!

Here is a picture of me with Dr Karyn Spencer. She really helped me get the project underway!!! And was such a support!

Here is a picture of me with Dr. Rick Lambson the Physical Education Department Head.

Here is a picture of me presenting.

Oh... by the way half way through the presentation... the alarm went off and we had to evacuate the building! That was fun!!!

Pine Valley Retreat

Jared and Jennie at Ence Cabin

Jared and I had one of those perfect days Saturday, August 8, 2009. The weather had surprisingly cooled off about 20 degrees in St George, making life absolutely wonderful!!!

I've discovered my number one complaint is that I don't like being outside in 115 degree heat! I am accustom to being able to go outside all summer long. I like going outside. I like playing in the outdoors. But in the summer some mornings are in the mid 80's!!!!

Jared and I went up to Pine Valley Saturday Morning and cleaned windows for the Brooks. The weather was cool and the company was fantastic. After cleaning windows we went to the Ence Cabin early to find Janice Ence all alone!!!

We kept Janice company until her husband, Jay and the rest of the branch showed up for dinner. But we were spoiled, Janice and Jay gave us a wonderful lunch and shared amazing stories about their life, their mission and other adventures!!! We had a blast getting to know the Ence's better! And they even let us go for an ride on the fourwheeler! Like I said a perfect fun day!

Jay and Janice Ence- Party Host's

Patty Abraham and Patty Haynes!!

Jennie and Janice Ence!

Mary Brady and Joyce Webb

It was so wonderful being able to have a wonderful dinner with all our friends of the Green Valley 8th Branch! We are so spoiled and love EVERYONE!

Pamela & Dean Marriott.

I kept observing Dean talking to Jared at various events and he kept asking Jared the same question... "Anything new going on in your life?" To which, Jared gave a different response depending on the week! Well, Sunday August 9, 2009 Jared met with President Christensen of the Stake Presidency. (Note: Jared thought we were going to be asked to clean the chapel windows on a regular basis, because they need it!)

President Christensen asked Jared to accept a new calling for the Lord, in the Green Valley Stake Sunday School Presidency. He is serving as President Dean Marriott's Secretary/Third Counselor. Jared was really sad about not starting up Special Needs Mutual for a second year... but is also really excited to be working with President Marriott and the other brothers in the Stake Sunday School Presidency. About 15 minutes after he accepted his new calling he was sustained in Sacrament Meeting!