SoJa's Epic Pre-TUCK Road Trip

The BF and I have decided that before I settle back into working and him at TUCK, we would take an epic road trip out west with the doggies.  Hope you all enjoy!
Jared & Sonia


July 2012 - We Made it!
We arrived in the Hanover area and have finally settled into our house!  (All we need now is a sofa.)  The area is beautiful with a nature reserve just a half mile down the road.  It even has a lake perfect for fishing and swimming (and the spawning of thousands of bugs).  The dogs have settled in and settled down.  They are thrilled to have their toys constantly strewn about.  And much to our chagrin Mona has developed a love of digging up our very sandy soiled yard.  We've already gone through 6 Top Soil bags.  At $1.50 a bag she is fast becoming an expensive puppy...

We've already visited with Jared's college roommate Todd, his girlfriend Amy and his awesome family over in Norway Maine.  We also had the great fortune to spend my birthday and the last days of June with Dad and family in Cape Porpoise, ME.  4th of July was spent in Hoboken with Mom and Amelia. So much fun being able to visit so many people all within 6 hours drive!

6.15.2012 - End of Western Road trip
We arrived in Marshfield just before 1am!  Jared is an awesome driver and very fun road trip partner!  Now for some fun times with Tom and Jill!

6.14.2012 - Bye Bye Buck
We head back to Wisconsin and Mona tries to find a comfy spot in the car amongst all of our belongings.

6.13.2012 - Bozeman and a day trip over to Ennis, Montana
Visited a bit with Johnny and Wade Montgomery right where Jared hunted last fall.

6.12.2012 - Off to Bozeman
We stayed with Jared's fishing buddy Bryce who is currently caretaking a house with one of the most beautiful views of the valley.  He also is the owner of one of the coolest dogs we met the entire trip, Buck.

6.11.2012 - Hike above Sandpoint, Idaho
Happy Birthday Dad!

6.10.2012 - Wake up Mona, we're going to Sandpoint!

6.9.2012 - Shakespeare in the Park (well, Agatha Christie)
Jared's grandparents Fred & Sus took us on a marvelous wine tour and then to see the show "Mousetrap" at the outdoor Shakespeare in the Park theatre

6.8.2012 - Run/walk around the lake in Nampa, ID

6.7.2012 - Having fun driving around Boise area

6.6.2012 - Pit stop in Salt Lake City on our way to Boise
Best mexican ever, formerly known as Molca Salsa

6.5.2012 - We leave Aspen and attempt to get all the dogs together for a picture...

6.4.2012 - A final hike up Sunnyside

We took the dogs up Sunnyside a little bit, and Miss Mona was thoroughly exhausted!  In the afternoon we went down valley with Granma to check out Colby's studio and see her new Coral Collection (which is beautiful).

6.3.2012
Return from backpacking

6.2.2012
My photo of mountains.  It took 3 seconds to take.  Zachs took 5 minutes to take and I still haven't seen them.

6.1.2012
Jared & Zach were very nice to invite me along on a part of their fishing trip.  We camped up above Ruedi Reservoir at Chapman Dam.  The drive was beautiful and I took advantage of the opportunity to check out downtown Basalt.  I walked with the dogs along Homestead Drive where there are some beautfiul houses, new and old.

5.31.2012 - The boys come down and invite Sonia camping
One of the best fishing lakes I've found.

5.30.2012 - Smuggler Mountain Hike
I met up with a fellow 2009 CC alumna and did this fun little hike.  No word from Jared or Zach and their man backpacking trip.  The fishing up there must be amazing.  I've decided not to start to worry until tomorrow afternoon.


I also embraced out new way of life.  I had to go to a Walmart and I drove 50 minutes to get down to Glenwood.  Gorgeous drive, I may have driven behind my aunt Toni for a part of it.  That is, if she now has a smashed up Thule compartment on top of her Jeep...

5.29.2012 - Jared goes on a man backpacking trip and Sonia checks out the Snowmass mall

The Snowmass mall was almost completely closed down and what stores were open had meagre sales.  Aspen is far superior, Basalt also.  If the Snowmass Ice Age Museum had been open, it would've been worth the trip though!  I can't wait to check it out!

5.28.2012 - Another hike!
Fruits of a hike up to no tellem lake.

We did another hike outside of Aspen on a beautiful day!  My new Keen hiking boots are awesome, and my feet are healing from previous damage done thanks to my fancy waterproof band-aids.  I left Jared at the top and made my way down on my own, taking about an hour to descend.  He told me quite cheerfully that he ran most of the way down and did it in 20 minutes, well, maybe 25.

5.27.2012 - Found a loop to run along Red Mountain road
Gorgeous run up hunter creek valley

5.26.2012 - Date Night in Aspen
A night out on the town.  Jared takes ordering at Cantina very seriously...

5.25.2012 - Hike up Sunnyside & fun at Granma's house
Sonia beat while trying to out hike the water boogie.

Freya howling at the sun, anyone know what the opposite of a werewolf is?
Notice Freya's new friend Dozer.  While they are the same age, Freya weighs 40 lbs. and I was told Dozer weighs 160lbs...

5.24.2012 - Jared run/hikes the entire Sunnyside trail after a spring snow
Was charged by a red fox with a ground squirrel in his mouth.  This is him running after I talked him down.

Cutting first tracks through last night's snow at 11,000 feet.

Maroon Bells with fresh snow.

5.23.2012 - Day after hike
Mona looking goofy and Sonia looking.
When we woke up the day after our Aspen hike we were both chipper and ready to welcome another beautiful sunny day.  However, an unusual rain had settled, and as the day progressed I discovered (much to my chagrin) that my muscles were extremely sore and resistant to me descending stairs.  So we decided to take the dogs to the Grottos and Weller Lake.  Freya learned how to heal some on an exciting trail, and Mona got very very tired.


Jared's new hunting spot.  Good thing aspenites are known for their pro-hunting stance.

5.22.2012 - Hike up Aspen Mountain
Sonia taking a quick cat nap mid photo at the top of Aspen Mtn. No idea why she smiles in her sleep.


We hiked this route in just over 4 hours!  Jared was a great encourager, especially after I told him it was one of my lifetime goals to hike Aspen Mtn.  We were both pretty tuckered out afterwards, but I made us steak paninis on Granma's amazing grill press.  The guacamole on top is what made them extra delicious.

5.21.2012 - Jared falls in love with the Aspen area
No witty remarks.  Just cool scenery.

5.20.2012 - Hike at Red Rocks!
Cool cats and hot dogs


Dan & Steph took us to Red Rocks as we left Denver.  While they told us it was an easy mile loop I was sweating and Mona was panting just halfway through.  Freya was terrible on the leash and the walk ended with Jared carrying puppy Mona and Freya walking by me.  Otto of course seemed to do the whole walk with no problems other than the fact that his tail kept tickling his back.

5.19.2012 - Zach T's wedding at Lookout Mountain
Jared finds sweet souvenir

5.18.2012 - Zach T.'s Rehearsal Dinner on Lookout Mountain
Disaster strikes.  Beard/mustache fades away in the high country.  Only plausible explanation is that my body is choosing to consume facial hair for energy in this intense environment.

5.18.2012 - Denver, Maison des Dan & Steph
Otto and crew playing duck duck goose

5.17.2012 - Denver, Maison des Dan & Steph
Otto and the headless chicken having a stare down courtesy of yours truly.

5.16.2012 - Denver, Zach Y's sweet new digs

Annual (1st edition) Jared v Zach mustache competition.  Jared - 1 Zach -  0.  Zach is currently at the store trying to find rogaine.














5.15.2012 - Dropping the Trailer off in Marshfield, Wisconsin

Taken on our final night in Arkansas with friends.

After a lovely stay in Wisconsin (and lots of packing, unpacking, and purging) we are now headed to Denver!  The BFis a groomsmen in our friend Zach's wedding this Saturday. We are excited to see our Colorado friends and family again!


The big question is whether or not to shave the beard he's been working on growing for two weeks plus...

Mona on a tether to teach her to not wander... in theory.

The dogs have loved being country dogs.  Freya has shown off how fast she can run, and Mona has shown off how fast she can run away from us while we call "COME".  Much training must be done, and so a treat jar has been fashioned that can be shaken with the command to attract her attention.  So far this solution is doing well, except when she finds an interesting smell....  Other strategies are to call Freya and hope she follows, or start running yourself while hollering and laughing.


Happy Birthday Tom!

5.15.12 - Jared's Gnarly Photos
There it is.









Mona challenging the elk to a duel. She lost.  Unemployment status meant i have the time to watch instead of ending prematurely.  Sweet.






5.14.12 - Jared's Pics

Hunting down some clay pigeons out back.   Beard really coming on strong.






Dog reunion/rhubarb extravaganza.  Notice Mona leashed after making a run for it.  Couldn't get the beard in there. Sorry.

No idea what this one is about.

5.13.12 - Jared's Pics

Sick canoeing.  Sonia needs to up her fashion game.  Sweet Hat courtesy of Tim R. with Phat Tire Bike Shop (but he still owes me for it).


Sweet musky caught within 20 ft of boat ramp after paddling all around a big ol lake in 20 mph winds. Notice the beard progress.

5.12.12 - Jared's Pics
Jared's photo of the day. awesome find.  Hard copy photo found in desk back home.  Looking forward to rocking it unemployment style like I was in the aspen bike trip 6 odd years ago.


5.11.12 - Jared's Pics


Jared's photo of the day.  Made it to wi!  Pulling a trailer and rocking this sweet coozie the whole day.








5.5.12 - Jared's Pics


Jareds picture of the day.  Caught and ate frogs.  Unemployment is delicious.