One with Nature

Utah!

I love it here, the weather is super nice - even now in the summer. 

Everyone keeps saying how hot it is, but with zero humidity - it feels like an 81 degree day in Florida. 

Which is nothing, by the way.

I like being with my sister, and with Cortney. 

Even if Aleksi sides with Cassie on all our disagreements.

Girls...

 After coming home from frozen yogurt and renting our 90's movie marathon, 

 we found a graffitied Cortney's car.

Except - it was all nice and funny stuff - and they even left her a bowl of candy and gifts at the door, 

and it wasn't even her birthday!

We were laughing and giddy, ready to start watching our movies. 

But that's usually when disaster strikes.

and it did, 

in the form of a fish.

Poppy. 

Poor little Poppy was found dead, floating in her bowl at approximately 10:23 p.m.

It was a horrific scene, 

Poppy was just floating there, lifeless, as Petunia swam around

in panicked circles wondering if she'd be next. 

Poppy probably choked, 

her death is in no way a reflection of Aleksi or Cortney's ability to take care of animals. 

Petunia is so lonely now. 

Cortney cried herself to sleep and Aleksi hasn't said a word since she discovered Poppy. 

The next day, 

we went to the pool to get our minds off this accident.

Free hamburgers at the pool followed by shaved ice for the ride home. 

Why doesn't Florida have shaved ice kiosks on every street, like they do here?

I feel like it would be more appropriate to have them in Florida - with the beach and everything.

Aleksi left for work, Cassie took a nap, and Cortney and I went on a waterfall adventure. 

At the time, I told her I had never seen a waterfall before - but I realize that that's false. 

I've been to Niagara Falls, so I'm pretty sure that would count. 

But I've never been to a mountain waterfall before - so I guess I was somewhat accurate.

Waterfall one. 

That water was free-zing! 

So cold. 

I mean, that makes sense right, it was literally melted ice;

but it hurt like a mother.

Waterfall two. 

We had to cross an avalanche site, jump over a stream, walk through a meadow, but were too afraid 

to enter the forest to actually get to the falls. 

It looked incredible - from a distance.

Ever since Aleksi inceptioned our minds and planted a fear of bears, we no longer feel safe

traveling in the woods without the protection of bear repellant or pots and pans.

You can't be in the mountains - or anywhere foreign - and not take a jumping photo. 

At least, that's the rule I live by.

We were one with nature, 

minus our fear of being attacked by a bear. 

But we did see a wild turkey.

It was brief, it flew up from the ground into it's big tree trunk nest.

No photo though, it all happened so fast. 

How can you stand watching a waterfall of fresh ice water and not want to drink it? 

I know I couldn't. 

That water was so refreshing, 

and slightly addicting. 

One sip and I wanted more, 

but maybe I'm like Tuck Everlasting and will live forever now. 

 [Maybe Aleksi was right about the bears]

We found this random, deserted play ground. 

Naturally, we came to play so we entered. 

The stream ran along the side of the park and I convinced Cortney to drink the water. 

She said she would only because if I get sick from drinking it, she'll feel bad. 

She's the Juliet to my Romeo. 

Such a pretty-Utah day to be outside. 

Thanks to Cortney for taking me on this waterfall adventure. 

I can now say I've been to three waterfalls!

We made chicken pot pie for dinner, without a recipe - all from memory

[our mom would be so proud]

and finished up our 90's marathon. 

 "She's All That."

"Whatever it Takes." 

"I Can't Hardly Wait."