Mt. Elden Hike

Before Our Hike

Yesterday, the boys and I decided to have a look at Elden Pueblo. It's an old Hopi Pueblo that was unearthed in the 30's, I think. Since 1978, the public has been encouraged to participate in digging out of the pueblo. The pueblo was home to the Sinagua people from 1070-1275 AD. (The people's name, Sinagua, comes from the long ago name of the area, Sierra Sin Agua, Moutains Without Water.) The pueblo is on Highway 89 North, from Flagstaff to Page, AZ.

After we visited the pueblo, we decided to check out Mt. Elden to hike. From that trail head, there were three trails, each a bit longer than the other. The longest was two and a half miles long and ended at the top lookout of the mountain. Two and a half miles is a 30 minute breeze on flat land! Two and a half Mt. Elden miles are a bit different. Right away, it started to rain hard. We took shelter under an Alligator Juniper tree, which by the way can be up to a thousand years old in this area. A-Mazing! When that down pour ebbed, we trekked on, only to find ourselves drenched half-way up.

After shivering for  a few minutes, I made the executive decision to start our decent. It was a bitter sweet moment; we were only a half mile from the top, but I felt that I would be risking hypothermia if we continued. The wind was blowing on our soaked skin and clothes and we all had cold, stiff arms. We did take the long way down though, which was a blast! It was longer, but it was also less steep, so we ran most of the way down.

Drenched and Happy After Our Hike

If it's a little broke, fix it!

My soft white sheet has been slowly ripping for two weeks. That is until the other night. It just tore; a big fat T! I am strapped for money and didn't want cheap, crunchy sheets, so last night, I fixed it. I tried to just pin and sew, but that didn't work, so I had to add a strip of flannel to the back and sew her up.

BEHOLD FRANKENSHEET!

I will get at least another 6 months out of her!!! Is there really a good reason to buy new sheets if the old one only has a tear? I think not. What is something that you will fix, instead of repurchase? Do you have any tips to share? Send them to us at twoqueerhippies@gmail.com. I would love to publish your ideas and photos.

home made (adult themed) wrap-n-mats

Are you sick of buying Ziplock sandwich bags? I was, so I bought Wrap-N-Mats. W-N-M are these awesome reusable sandwich wrappers that are lined with vinyl or plastic, they seal with velcro. They keep your sandwich moist and they are completely reusable. Over the years, only one W-N-M survived the boys, so last school year, I decided to take the bull by the horns and make my own. I traced a pattern from the existing W-N-M, then figured out how to sew them up. I buy all my supplies at Joanne's, so if you have any fabric store near you, you can do it too.

This year, I got sick of using kid themed wraps for my own sammys, so I got grown-up fabric. To be specific, I bought pin-up girls, skulls, day of the dead, and sugar skulls fabric. Here are some of my most recent creations! (Apparently, I don't have any pics of the pin-up girls, but I will get some up soon.)

I will see you one for $10 plus shipping. Let me know if you want one. :)

The last picture was my first attempt at a vinyl lined, velcro closed fruit bag. It gets so annoying having fruit drip out of bags or not being able to fit apple slices into the only small containers that fit into the lunchbox. This is really ingenious, if you ask me! Now I am going to add utensil holders to the set! I am super excited!! 

inspired!

I just checked out a friends blog, Leaner Sews. It hasn't been updated in quite a while, but what I saw there has inspired me to sew some utensil holders for the kids lunches. I can even use matching fabric from the wrap-n-mats I made. Did I ever post pics of those? If anyone wants one, I am selling them for $10 each, plus shipping. I will get those up ASAP! At any rate, when I get a chance, probably next week, I am going to make a pattern and sew these beauties up! Can't wait to post what the look like!!!! Thank Helena for your inspiration, ALWAYS!!

What You've Missed

2011 In Photos 

January Cold

February Frost

March Pile-Up

April Road Trip

May Snow Showers

June Pride <3

July Beauty

There is so much more to show you, but I will just have to post little by little. 

Finally Home

Last week we moved into our new home in town. It's a two bedroom with a large living area and dining room and kitchen. I have been a cooking fiend since we moved in. I have energy, I feel alive! I have neighbors and a walking/hiking/running trail just across the street. I have friends and renewed ambition. I start school in the fall. NAU, environmental biology. I am ready to be done and move onto paying back all my loans. I shower almost every day. Not because I need to, but because I can. I'm sure that will ebb in a few more days.

I learned a lot about myself in the back country. First and foremost, I can always find a way to survive. No water, haul it in. No shower, whore bathe (baby-wipe wipe down). No room to cook, campfire. Cold, layer. Sad and bored, cry and make myself go to town. Get lost, reinvent myself. Need friends, get a job. Want something, make it happen.

Some other things I learned are that my friends love me, but they love plumbing equally. The boys are resilient. I actually enjoy washing dishes and cleaning house when it's not so much of a chore. Summers rock up here. There are many things I can do to make money besides working for someone else. Sometimes one small job can save a life. Or four. The internet is free at the library, why should I pay for it at home? And, I want to do something for my community; I'm just not sure what yet.

Tris has big news, too. She has been promoted to mechanic at the Harley-Davidson Proving Grounds. This is big, not only for personal growth, but because she is the first female mechanic they have ever had at the Proving Grounds. Way to go, Babe! It's probably the gayest job I can think of for her. She is excelling at her job, like only she can, ROCKET FAST! If you see her on the street sometime, shake that woman's hand! She is paving the way for other women to break into this very sexist world.

As for now, I am going to sign off. I am going to eat the vegan, wheat free, apple crisp I just made and enjoy the afternoon monsoon. I will be back sooner than later, with pictures of the new digs.