Sierra's View: August 2016

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Monday, August 15, 2016

Why Everyone Needs a Dog.



THAT FACE. 


It's come to my attention that a lot of people don't like dogs. And, really, this just breaks my heart. I honestly don't understand it.
So, I'm going to tell you five reasons why dogs (especially Saylor) are the best.





I got my puppy, at about 11 weeks, two summers ago. Saylor, is a mini australian shepherd-poodle (aussiedoodle). Come read all about her here. She seriously is the best dog in the world. She is currently 2 1/2 and she has about a 100 word vocabulary right now (understand about 100 words that I say). She loves to swim, hike, go on walks, cuddle, and play. She will do anything with all ages. She loves kids and adults and anyone who will love her. She is incredibly smart and listens pretty well. She's my little sidekick and follows me around everywhere like a shadow. It gets annoying at times, but because it has been such a lonely summer with T gone, it has been nice to have another presence in my home and a buddy to hang out with.

Disclaimer: Puppies are a lot of work. This is not a post to explain why everyone needs a puppy, but rather, why everyone needs a dog. Puppies are fun and cute and you can train them how you want, but they are a lot of work. You can always get a two year old doggie :)

Okay, let's get this party going.

1. They empathize with humans.
Goldsmith College released a study that showed more dogs will approach someone who's crying or in distress than someone who is not. This shows that dogs are empathize and are eager to help comfort humans in pain. My dog always knows when I don't feel well or when I am sad. She comes and lays with me and is very attached. Dogs can sense pain or sadness. They empathize better than some humans! Ha!  

2. They are the best cuddle buddies. 
Dogs love to lay with their owners--even if it's just by them or on them, they are the best cuddlers in the world!

3. They have so much personality. 
Who says dogs are boring? Often times, my husband and I will just sit there and laugh at our dog. She is always doing something funny. We like to tease her and make her do tricks for us. She is such  a good source of entertainment. 

4. It bonds your family. Or gives you a companion. 
I know this may sound silly, but since having our puppy, I have noticed how much closer my husband and I are. We like to take her on walks or hikes together. We talk about how to take care of her. We aren't quite ready for kids, so this next step of getting a doggy, to have something to take care of together is awesome. If you are single, it is such a great companion. You leave for ten minutes and you come back and they are just as excited to see you as if you were gone for ten days. 

5. They reduce stress.
Some may argue this case because dogs do require a fair amount of work so one may think that it may cause more stress. However, there have been numerous studies that have shown that simply petting a dog for two minutes reduces heart problems, lowers anxiety, and helps with depression. There is just something so happy about petting a dog. 




Yes, there are some downsides to having a dog. For example, Saylor still jumps on people and is incredibly attached to me, but really, how could you not want an adorable face like that? And if you don't want to take care of your own dog, you can come walk and play with mine any time. She loves people so much.
:)

Thursday, August 11, 2016

Ainge Reunion 2016: Crescent Lake, OR (The Cabin!)

My super small family ;). And this was one of the better pictures. Ugh.. Ha! 
I've said it before, and I'll say it again: I LOVE our family cabin in Oregon. I have so many fond memories at this place as a child. I spent so many summers swimming, boating, sunbathing, and playing on the dock. Every year, my brothers and sisters gather together for our family reunion at the cabin. I am the youngest of five children and all of my siblings are married/have children, so our family of 21 (and growing!) means that evenings at the cabin are a little loud and hectic. It's chaos, but it sure is fun. Below are some awesome pictures of my beautiful nieces and nephews and family members.

How can you not be happy being in a cabin in the forest on a lake in beautiful Oregon with beautiful nieces and nephews?!

Those Ainge grandkids really lack personality ;) 

T Money surprised me at the cabin and driving up from the cabin! I was so excited to have him there! 


That water...sigh. 


Sea-doos are always a hit. 




Me with my sassy nieces (and nephew in the background!)

Dance party! (Nice, Nick...) 

The sunsets at the cabin are the best. I love my T Money and my Saylor. 


 Ride on Irv with Nona! 

All the girls! 

Wakeboarding and wake surfing, even with the babies! 



The kids were obsessed with Saylor. It was so cute to see. 



Some serious tubing... 


And, a movie!!! 

Tuesday, August 2, 2016

Dog Lake // Utah Hiking



Utah Hiking Series has returned for the summer. Yes, even though it is August 2nd, I know. In my defense, I have been hiking, I just spent a month hiking in Maui, so the "Utah Hiking Series" has been... a little absent, obviously. Ha. 

This hike was up Millcreek Canyon that leads to a lake called Dog Lake. I thought that this was going to be a little simple hike because it only said 1.8 miles. Uhhhh, I was wrong. It was HARD (and I'm really out of shape). That guy running up the trail obviously did not think it was that hard, but I hate him so never mind that. There are a few trails that lead up to Dog Lake, but the Millcreek Canyon, Little Water Trail. is one of the steeper ones (and I could take Saylor on this one). Side note: I hate that I can't take Saylor up Little or Big Cottonwood Canyon. Dang you, Utah! I decided to take the steeper route because well, apparently, I'm an idiot. But it was good for me!!!! You know it was a long, good day because Saylor fell asleep within 5 minutes of being in the car. Despite the challenge of this hike, it was absolutely gorgeous and one that I will be doing again. 

















Other Utah Hikes: Summit Trailhead AF Canyon Hike //  Bells Canyon // Horsetail Falls // Battle Creek Falls // Y Hike // Stewart Falls // Bryce Canyon // Lame Horse/Salamander Flats Trail // 

Have you been to Dog Lake?
What is your favorite hike up Millcreek Canyon? 

Monday, August 1, 2016

Maui Guidebook: Central Maui Fun!












Guys. I know that I have been posting so many videos and pictures of our trip to Maui. I want to see you go to Maui for 23 days and try to document less ;). Even though I have been to Maui many times, I have never experienced so many of these awesome things that we did over the course of these few weeks. I wanted to share my fun with you. My brother in law (he's 17...) mentioned that I was being annoying with my posts, but you all get to deal with it. Mostly because I don't write in my journal anymore (I know!!! I need to still!!!) so this is my documentation. I hope you enjoy the videos and pictures and info! If you ever go to Maui, you now have a guidebook and know who to contact!!
With that being said, this is the LAST MAUI POST. WOOOOOOO!

Over the last week while we were in Maui, we spent a ton of time exploring parts of the island that I have never really seen: Central Maui. We spent time mostly in Wailuku and Makawao area and doing some amazing hikes.

In the video you will see some of these awesome things to do while in Maui. The Haleki'i-Pihana Heiau State Monument in Wailuku is a hike that shows some cool stones that the ancient Hawaiians used as sacrifice. It is not a popular place and not well known, but still a cool thing to see (and it has an awesome view as you go up higher). Over past Wailuku is the Waihe'e Ridge Trail. It is a hard hike. My mother recommended this hike, but she somehow forgot to mention that it was INCREDIBLY muddy. It was so muddy that you couldn't even lift your foot up while stepping, so beware of that if you decide to go. But if it is not cloudy (which it was...), you can see  the entire valley. Be prepared to get dirty! In the Maui mountains we explored Iao Valley and the Iao Needle. It is the only area where they allow you to go in the mountains because they want to preserve it. Our next goal is to go find some secret hikes up in those mountains...for our next time....in December, probably ;). It had been raining quite a bit over the course of the three weeks while we were there so everything was so green and gorgeous, so the mountains were extra green and luscious. My aunt and uncle just moved to Maui and it was so fun to have them there! We spent so much time hanging out with Hudson and Sandy and we loved it. We went up to Third Friday with food trucks and music and local shops in Makawao and saw my cousin's awesome private school (it was so gorgeous). Makawao is a little up country and it's definitely country--tons of horses and rodeos! I love it, Hawaii cowboys!

Go see all of my other Maui Guidebook posts below if you missed any photos or videos!!!
Aloha!

Maui 2016: Central Maui Fun! from Sierra Charlesworth on Vimeo.






Maui Guidebook:
Lava Rocks and Snorkeling Cove 
Olivine Pools
Honolua Bay & Haleakala National Park
Road to Hana
Maui Beaches