Stuff 'n Stuff

Time...

2011-06-06T01:13:00.001-06:00

Today holds so much power.
It shouldn't - it's just a random day for the world, June 6th.
But today the memories break the wall they're so lovingly put behind. Grief intrudes. Sorrow swallows the air... and the reality of loss settles quietly in my heart.
The day life is taken from someone you love is forever hallmarked.
It cycles around like a beautiful burden.
Approaching and passing - leaving those few who remember shell-shocked and battered.
I hate today.
I struggle to celebrate his life on June 6th - because despite my best efforts, today I remember his death.

These thoughts aren't pretty. They're not full of platitudes and grace... and I'm good with that.

Two Years

2010-06-07T00:35:00.002-06:00

"I believe that we will always have one hand reaching back in time, hoping to feel the touch of that marvelous life, looking back to get a glimpse of the best part of ourselves"...

2 years ago today Shaun went home. For all who were blessed to love him, June 6th will always mark the date of our hearts darkest tragedy...Death may hold no sting - but living does.
Two years... should that seem like a long time? Should it seem short? Time dances between the two extremes, binding yesterdays to todays. It dulls the sharpness of vivid memory with its lengthy passage, but moves so quickly that the heart remains wholly untouched by time.

And so we love. Regardless of time or space between hearts. And although there's a sting, we can also learn to live.

I love you Shaun. As much today as yesterday... and will love you as much tomorrow. Your eyes were my hearts greatest blessing.
I celebrate you today - all you offered the world. All you offered me.

Tomorrow is a long time...

2010-05-20T12:47:00.002-06:00

Tomorrow Is a Long Time - Link to song

...There is beauty in that silver singin' river...

There is beauty in that sunrise in the sky...

But none of these, and nothing else can touch the beauty...
That I remember in my true love's eyes... ~ Bob Dylan

Miss you...

Time with Dad

2010-01-18T12:00:00.018-07:00

I had a wonderful weekend with Shaun's Dad, Norm.

I can't quite express how connecting it was to spend a weekend doing nothing but talking, laughing, and crying about our favorite topic.

Shaun felt closer when Norm was here... the apple didn't fall far.

My heart dropped a bit to see that fabled yellow-jeep of so many of Shaun and Norm's adventures disappear into the fog. What a precious son, and a precious Dad. Thank you for sharing your heart Norm, and with it, some precious insights into your sweet son.

There are some wounds time doesn't heal.
Until Heaven...
We love you. I pray that knowledge is deeply felt in your heart. You have left us aching... but you also left us with a beautiful heart to follow and memories to make us smile at night.
Someday when I find the right words to express the uniqueness of your spirit I can stop trying - but until then - I'll continue to somehow try to thank you for all your heart gives me, simply by being you. And to do a small part to help the world still be impacted by your goodness.

He is with me still... his audible voice is quieted, but my heart can still hear...
Companionship doesn't always come with a warm body... sometimes it's in the quiet of the heart. And when I can find the strength to see beyond this temporal world, I recognize I need never feel lonely.

Happy 36th

2009-12-21T14:08:00.000-07:00

December 21st...Shaun's Birthday. He should be turning 36 today. So many dreams and so much life he missed, and also so much living he was able to squeeze into his beautiful and brief life.
I asked him when his birthday was when we first met. He said, "Well, i can't tell you, but I can tell you it rhymes with Beesimbur Bunty-fun." I never forgot it..., guess his crafty and clever little plan worked.
I am amazed by Shaun still... every day I feel him. Every day I am better because of him. But this holiday season as I celebrate the birth of my Savior, I also celebrate the birth of my soul-friend, my heart's joy, my beloved. I express such gratitude for the blessings of their lives. They have both taught me and remind me still where I am going and the sometimes hidden and challenging path that leads home.
I feel so completely and utterly blessed to have had this incredibly precious man in my life, to have spent the closing scenes of his life with him. I could have missed out, I could have missed HIM. Thank You, God, for the blessing.
Loving and missing you always...
Happy Birthday.

What Is This Thing That Men Call Death

By President Gordon B. Hinckley (1910–2008)

What is this thing that men call death,
This quiet passing in the night?
’Tis not the end, but genesis
Of better worlds and greater light.

O God, touch Thou my aching heart,
And calm my troubled, haunting fears.
Let hope and faith, transcendent, pure,
Give strength and peace beyond my tears.

There is no death, but only change

With recompense for victory won;
The gift of Him who loved all men,
The Son of God, the Holy One.

God be with you till we meet again...I love you.

Back to the river...

2009-12-12T13:21:00.001-07:00

(This post has been sitting in my 'drafts' folder for a couple of months - now that it's 7 degrees outside, maybe it's time to post this in homage to the long lost warmth of Fall.)

Spent a week in Desolation Canyon... it was quiet and desolate... go figure.
It was also a much needed escape to what has always been my 'happy place'.
It provided partial solace - which was more than I expected. Seems that the best parts of life are still in the mountains, rivers, and deserts of the world. Concrete and city lights never had and never will have my heart!
During lunch, a couple of taildraggers came winding their way up the canyon... Shaun would have loved doing that... sand-bars a plenty for touching down on the river. The day remained somber and quietly lonely... wholly incomplete.
Hiking, petroglyphs, and chicks...
Watching one of our boats go through the newly altered rapid at 'Cow Swim' on river left. One or two rocks to avoid...
Hiked up to the Moonshiner's Cabin at Firewater Canyon with Ash and Kelli. Kel is one of my oldest and dearest (friends since kindergarten) and Ash was my roommate in our double-wide trailer while working as a river guide a few years back. Morning on the boats - Why mummy-bag it when I can bring my queen-size bag and sleep in comfort?
River-pup Jax. Had a great time and loved the river. Guess he's well trained.
Celebrating Kel's birthday on the river with a dutch-oven cake and match-stick candles... :)
Rowing on the river, even the worst days are good...
Camp at Upper Lion Hollow - Night 3. Awesome spot...
Queen Nefertiti - view from Camp 5.
It was good being on the river. Good getting blisters and rowing in winds... Good to remember what it feels like in places where city lights wouldn't dare detract from the skies. Found a new star cluster (new to me that is) - Pleiades - how'd I miss it all this time? Beautiful...
Always missing him - always feeling him near. Always waiting...
Love you.

Blue Skies and Tail Winds?

2009-10-03T21:37:00.004-06:00

These last months have been a challenge. June was especially painful - but also housed a beautiful day of remembrance for myself and my loved ones. We made Shaun's favorite foods up in the mountains, watched videos, looked at pictures, told how each had been and still was impacted by the life of this beautiful man. We concluded by playing a special song and releasing 34 red and white balloons into the mountains. As they drifted up over the peaks they looked so much like his Super Cub. It was such a painful moment - futilely willing the false vision into a reality that cannot be. The truth of his passing is still so painfully surreal at times it takes my breath away. June also contained some special moments with God. He is my comfort. My only foundation. And in the darkest moment of my life, He came and stayed with me... He walks with me still.
In August I started flight school. I feel a mixture of elation and gut-wrenching pain at the same time. It's the most bizarre combination of emotions I've ever felt.
Life always feels a bit like that now - a moment of joy, but incomplete and slightly pained. I've never felt it at such a magnitude until I started flying without Shaun. It brings me such happiness - yet, is the source of my greatest pain. It's such a perfect storm!

I'm excited about getting my private pilot licensure. I feel it's important... for Shaun, for me...
I now realize how simplified Shaun was making it when he was teaching me. I'm amazed at the amount of information and minutiae necessary. I feel tremendous internal pressure to somehow memorize and perfect everything... Shaun was such a devoted master of the things he undertook. I think about all the advanced certifications, endorsements, etc that he's acquired and I'm amazed that he somehow mastered it all, along with medicine/anesthesiology, and a HOST of other things (sky diving certifications, advanced scuba, knots and pulley systems, corvette racing, aerobatic competitions, kite surfing, rock climbing, mountaineering, kayaking, dirt-biking, mountain biking, road-cycling, morse-code/ham radios, marksmanship/shooting, ad infinitum.)
I have no idea how he assimilated so much information so completely. Inspiring and daunting.
It was a hurtful and special thing to wear Shaun's headset on my first day at the controls. I hear my CFI Keith in one ear and Shaun in the other. The old familiar feeling of the headset takes me back to another time. It's so easy to remember...

I've realized that the idea of blue skies and tail winds is truly more of an idea than a reality in life. I don't think God intended this life to be one of absolute ease - but rather of trial, of tribulation, of testing, learning, refinement, and of humility. Like Shaun expressed at times, I realize that metaphorical blue skies and tail winds are rare... Perhaps the wonderment and true living of life isn't in the blue skies, but the stormy ones. That is where we are tested... where Shaun left onlookers breathless and wide-eyed.

So, I'll do my best to fly in the winds, I can't hold them at bay despite my most desperate efforts. And hopefully, by the time I'm done, I'll know how to fly in the storms and I'll be able to stand next to Shaun, someone who emulated standing firm despite the winds.
Until then, Stormy skies and cross-winds my love.
Missing you...

Trying

2009-05-30T23:29:00.004-06:00

As those who deeply love Shaun walk through his final days, the tears never seem to run dry. Everything is so acute - not knowing what was to come last year - this time, everything is sharp... because I know how the Alaska adventure ends this time.
These recent weeks house my 'lasts'. Last laugh, last fruitless attempt at 'givin five' before he pulled his hand away last second, last quiet conversation in the night, last touch, last and final moment... last...

Every day I go back and look at the text messages we sent throughout our days - today is the last one to read...

He packed up his plane this morning, hugged his dad, and flew out of Spokane heading North to Alaska. We had spent last night talking on the phone into the wee hours... he whispered to not wake his Dad and Susanne. He was troubled. Didn't know why - just knew the trip felt _____??
Perhaps it was because he had forgotten his underwear at home in S. California :}
Shaun had every item he was bringing to Alaska laid out in his spare room WEEKS before. Meticulously thought through, weighed, weighed again, and ready... and he forgot his undies. Those and his favorite black fleece with welded seams - the fleece you'll see on him in 80% of his photos.

After our conversation the previous night- He sent me my last text as he packed up this morning - still not feeling his usual peace associated with Alaska - saying "what the heck am I doing. Uggh. Silly trip"
He had felt some unrest about leaving... for many reasons I'm sure... some of which he could never pin-point.
I hate asking questions now -- they are an empty impossibility. Yet I admit... I am plagued by them.
What if... what if... what if..... Did he... Is he... Does he... Am I?
and the worst, most painfully unanswerable question... Why...

Shaun was so beautifully alive in every way. I can't stand, nor can I grasp the finality of what happened this coming week. I was worried about bears... I obsessed about the damn bears. Why did it never occur to me that the angel could fall...

The world is quieter. The colors are faded. Smiles are intentional. If Shaun lived in your heart, you know this is the way it should be.

Can I speak the pain and not regret it? Will my grief be critiqued?
I can't pretend to be strong tonight. I'm so tired of pretending.

The world is changed -- and it should be.

Father, please take care of my only and my last. Shaun's first night on the journey. Emailed a year ago tonight. Smithers, B.C.
(5/30/08, 10:55pm)

Remembrance of a Beautiful Life - One Year

2009-05-24T20:20:00.005-06:00

This is Heidi’s sister, Becky.

June 6th, 2009 marks one year since a tragic accident took Shaun from this world (shaunlunt.typepad.com). For some, including my sister, life will never be the same. This coming weekend we will be having a small celebration of Shaun’s life. I wanted to ask all of you to please participate.

Shaun always hoped his life would somehow make a difference. And he lived in a way that secured an incredibly beautiful legacy.
Something that has been very meaningful to Heidi as she has continued to grieve over the loss of this tremendous man, is hearing how he made and still makes a difference in the lives of others.

Some of you know and love him greatly and some of you never met him, yet still feel his impact. Whether you knew him well or not at all, if you have any comments or thoughts about his story, his life, remembrances and memories, or how his story or life have impacted, inspired or made you want to be a better person – PLEASE SHARE! You can email me directly at jbek07@gmail.com.
We will also forward all the comments to Shaun’s mom, dad and sister. They, along with Heidi, will cherish knowing how Shaun made a difference in life and still makes a difference in his absence. These comments will be read as we love and remember Shaun and his life on Saturday, June 6, 2009.

Breathe in, Breathe out

2009-05-05T03:29:00.002-06:00

What do I say about my sweet love...

I very much want Shaun's life to continue to influence others - and if I can help in that by sharing some of him, some of me - I want to. These past few months have been some of the hardest. Sometimes night is just night... with no cliche about stars or dawn. Sometimes it's just dark and hard.

I don't want to focus on the sad part of things - but the truth is, as incredible as this man is, he is gone from the world. Whether it's a brief or lengthy sojourn until we meet -- the empty truth is he is absent. And the hole is unavoidable. Grief never goes away... it never lessens... but I suppose our hearts continue to beat nonetheless. Grief does not equate depression. It's a rich burden... one that I gladly carry.

I have loved hearing from so many people who know or have never known Shaun, and are impacted by his life. I have also appreciated hearing from folks who still struggle to breathe from losses of their own.

I haven't written in a couple of months, not knowing how to even sort-of contribute to the legacy he wordlessly left the world with.
All I know is I still ache for this incredibly good man. I'm trying to figure out how to balance the desire for life to speedily move forward to the glorious end, and somehow living purposefully and leaving a legacy of my own.
So - until I figure out those age-old questions - there is still peace in the rivers, in the mountains, and in the quiet villages of Ireland. Guess I'll have to visit them all...

I love you Shaun. That is one part of my soul that is calm and peaceful... it is sure. I miss you...

Blue skies and tail winds :)

Just found this picture today. Shaun emailed from his iPhone letting me know what he was up to. 3/23/08: "Surfing the internet with my paternal".

Father and son. More importantly - respected equals and the best of friends.

shaunlunt.typepad.com

I took the one less traveled by...

2009-05-01T18:06:00.049-06:00

A much needed escape presented itself and I was able to spend 16 days wandering through Europe with my friend Samira. I think we got tickets in 8 different countries.
I thought the autobahn had no speed limit?

The road less traveled... in Luxembourg... or Belgium.

The ill-fated spelunking expedition...

Pitch Black, No lights, No headlamps, and not a whole lot of thinking on my part.

Decided to wander into the pitch-black (spider infested) cave - and didn't notice the floor of the cave (or lack thereof) until I was falling... Seriously falling.

The stinky venture ended in bloody body parts and a swim in a whole lot of thick stinky mud that must've been in that stinky pit for hundreds of stinky years.

Bloodsucker #1, and Bloodsucker #2 were discovered after trying to light the way with flash photography. Not my 'brightest' plan.
(That pun was for you, Shaun)The middle of somewhere - "Sleeping" in our toy euro-car...

Heidelberg Castle, Germany
Heidi and Samira - Heidelberg, GermanySnoozin with Shrek - Our version of the traveling gnome.

Bourscheid, Luxembourg -the reward for taking roads you're not allowed to take, and entering property you're not allowed to enter. This view was courtesy of a gardener who brought us to a trailer park to find THIS.

Speed limit for tanks - remnants from WWII, Germany.

Going green? Cologne, Germany

Classic Netherlands
"Please stop trying to speak Dutch, it hurts my ears"

The O.G. of Germany

Loch Ness, Scotland - not quite as scary as one would suspect...

Neither was Nessie...

Ireland

Somehow Samira pulled off the Glamour-shot. Giant's Causeway, Northern Ireland.

Claiming the throne - Giant's Causeway, Northern Ireland

Stonehenge, England - If you pronounce that /stowne-enge/ and think of Spinal Tap, then this one goes to 11.

Our plan was to take the smallest and most obscure roads and see where they ended up. It paid off over and over... granted, there were times we got high-centered in the mud, ended up in somebody's farm, and had to plead ignorance with the polizei after entering the no-entry zones... but we were also lucky enough to end up here.
A village near Easky, Ireland.
A throw-back to another age, and utterly charming.

Blarney, Ireland

Somewhere... Irish Countryside

Ireland

Blarney, Ireland

Another benefit to our 'roadless' plan. A beautiful moss-covered wall in the middle of nowhere.

Creevykeel (Court Cairn/Tomb) - from 4000-2500 B.C., near Sligo, Ireland - FYI, it's against the law to remove rocks from neolithic World Heritage Sites... hmmm.Mussenden Temple, on the cliffs of the Irish shore.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

Love and Memories... Feb '09

2009-02-14T22:35:00.004-07:00

VALENTINE'S DAY - 2008

This week has been emotional in many ways. I tend to do a lot of re-living these days.
And this particular week houses my most treasured memories with Shaun.
This was the week that he sat me down on his couch, hugged my knees to his chest, and said those carefully given three little words that he'd never shared with another woman.

Shaun was one of the few people I've ever met who experienced life in the synergistic balance of emotion and reason. Many people cater toward their reason, and others get carried away by their heart - Shaun couldn't and wouldn't dampen the importance of either. You knew that when Shaun shared an important thought, that it was something he had balanced, weighed, explored and sometimes obsessed about in both his heart and mind.

Shaun could relax and be nothing but silly and funny... but you would be in err to think that for a moment he wasn't keenly aware. Shaun was fair. He was honest. He had zero tolerance for anything other than the truth. I felt safe in Shaun.
He didn't share his core truths lightly - and when he did, you knew you were being granted access to hallowed ground. His heart is absolutely precious to me.

Valentine's Day can be a bit of a silly ritual... but it now is something quietly meaningful to me. It's a memory of LOVE. Unfeigned and untouchable. I have struggled with being pulled toward the hopelessness of grief this week, but my cute mom reminded me of a greater perspective. Instead of mourning the loss of his daily love - I get to carry something much more lasting and meaningful in my heart. I can have something to hold in my memory... and I can wait for home.

My little lullaby for Shaun. I cherish all you gave me every day. I know you're there.

I love you too, Shaun... and you already know why.

Life 101

2009-01-14T00:58:00.005-07:00

(Making his famous nachos, chip by chip)

Did you know Shaun 'spoke' Morse Code?

He had a childhood passion for ham radios and learned Morse Code in his youth. Even as an adult he had a registered call sign.

He would send sweet messages that I would only have the reward of understanding if I went through the chore of deciphering them.

He actually knows Morse Code (!)... just another adorably unique little piece of his character that Shaun pursued with voracity. He built his character and his personality with devotion. When Shaun decided to learn about something he would LEARN it. If he was going to do it, he was going to DO it.

Example: He was very interested in guns and ballistics. He studied them backwards and forwards - analyzing trajectory and creating extensive ballistics charts (which he later tried to teach me with slight amazement that I didn't immediately grasp the complexity of his calculations).

I was always curious if I would ever be able to find something that Shaun wasn't amazing at doing - whether through practice or inherent ability. After months and months I was only able to come up with 2 things: 1st - Shaun was a little afraid of whitewater kayaking ( he wasn't the strongest of swimmers), and 2nd - the man could not cook eggs. He was actually a better cook than me with most things, which isn't a huge compliment to either of us because he's not a great cook.

Eggs are one of my few culinary talents - but one morning Shaun asked to do a solo-run on the eggs. He cooked the egg whites on very low heat for about 20 minutes. He was very proud of himself so I ate my rubber-band-egg quickly and with enthusiasm. He took only one bite (after having to saw the egg to create a bite-size portion) - then silently brooded, scowling at his plate for a good 5 minutes before picking up the offending food and sailing it like a frisbee across the room. He didn't attempt eggs again - one of the few things he ever stunk at... ever.

Shaun's passion for living and his devotion to mastering any undertaking is another of his gifts I carry into the New Year. As I determine a couple goals/hopes for the coming year, I think of Shaun... and I'm going big.

88 to Alpha Alpha Seven Bravo Tango

..-. .-.. -.-- / - --- / .--- . ... ..- ... / ... .... .- ..- -./
.. / .-.. --- ...- . / -.-- --- ..-

Happy Birthday to Shaun

2008-12-21T16:03:00.009-07:00

Shaun's Birthday - 2007

It's Shaun's birthday today.

Last year I got to spend it with Shaun. He spent a large part of the day flying. He got up at about 4 am, announced that is was cold and dark and he would just "microwave my underwear and go for it", and flew the cub from Spokane into Salt Lake #2 Airport - landing right about...now! I picked him up - and we drove to Zinn Bistro to celebrate over a dinner of Spinach Crepes.

The next morning we bundled up for some snowmobiling! There was way too much snow and we had to keep moving constantly to avoid getting ridiculously stuck. We rode for a few hours and then bailed to go hop in the plane instead.
Shaun flew us into the mountains - trying to throw me off with some aerobatics - even though that meant the super cub would get covered in splashed oil. I loved flying with Shaun. He made attempts to teach me - but my patience wasn't always as long as my learning curve :)
I always felt completely safe with Shaun - he was certainly a master of his domain. We'd be flying along and all of the sudden he'd pull the stick back and do a backwards loop - then look behind him with a mischievously innocent smile. We hopped around - landing in various fields and diving into mountain gullies... Shaun was at peace when he flew.

Today is probably one of my best memories with Shaun. He held me tight for the first time and I remember wondering how it could possibly be fair that one person could be so incredibly handsome on both the outside and the inside. Shaun has always felt like coming home. I miss him.
Shaun was a sweet little boy - and became an incredible man. His parents and sister are truly some of the best people I've met. The apple didn't fall far from the tree... Norm and Margie - you raised a tremendous son. I feel very blessed to have had him in my life. Thank you.

Merry Christmas - and to quote Shaun - "may the peace of this season yada yada yada"

Happy Birthday Shaun.
Love you.
Heidi

Six Months and Counting

2008-12-06T13:56:00.007-07:00

(Photo I took at the beautiful location of Shaun's memorial service)

Shaun’s thoughts:

“The gift of choice started with the fall of Eve :) (Adam didn't have a chance... poor 'ole sap... ha!) The most amazing thing is the concept of free will. The battle between God and Satan is truly not fair. God is going to win. He has all the cards. He even knows the ending, as does Satan. But faith allows us to make a decision to choose God because of our love for God. To know God is to love God. If we could see everything, we'd see just how unfair the battle really is, how God promises more than we can imagine and Satan promises death.

Brian [Brian is Shaun’s friend, a youth pastor in Washington who he greatly admired and respected for dedicating his life to what he believed in] and I were talking about this a few weeks ago, and I enjoyed some of his insights about a few of these details. The thief on the cross turned to Jesus and said, "I want to be in your kingdom some day." (paraphrased New Lunt version) Jesus told the man he would be saved, then they died. Up until then the man had been living a life worthy of criminal punishment, not at all Christ-like. Jesus didn't ask him to say anything special, or to "first do these tasks" or anything else. The man simply believed in Jesus and He was saved.

David is an interesting character in the Bible. He did just about every terrible thing a person could do. One of those "reality is worse than fiction" kind of deals. And yet David is the only person God ever called "a man after My own Heart." David did awful things, and yet he kept coming back to God, asking for forgiveness, asking God to be in his heart. If we were saved by what we did, David would be screwed. But we're saved through God's grace, through Jesus dying on the cross for our sins-- any of them, and us accepting that.

Anyway, all this brings me back to my original thought (though it isn't my thought, I'm stealing from other people, I'm sure)- Anything I do in this life should be aimed at helping to restore God's community with the people He created and loves. By telling people about Jesus, by living an example of a Christ-like life, by treating people well, by showing transparency in my dealings, by loving people as Jesus loves people to open their eyes to Him.

Well, I gotta admit, I find myself drawn toward the first 3 things more easily than the last paragraph. [This was following a silly pseudo-intellectual conversation on what was important in life and whether carpet should be considered toward the top of the list…]. OK, except for the carpet thing. I just really don't care about carpet. I know that is so irresponsible and selfish, but I just don't care. I probably need to attend a shag conference or something. Carpet does so much for me and I just walk all over it.

But anyway, back to what I was starting to say before I so rudely interrupted myself. My paragraph is my latest thoughts on purpose. It continues to evolve, hopefully in a mature and accurate direction. I know it's different than it was even 10 years ago. If someone were to look at my life and guess which paragraph I live by, I'm afraid it wouldn't be obvious enough. So I have a struggle with what I know is ideal, and whether or not I have my priorities in the right place. My friend Brian walks the talk, and I admire him for that. I can talk, but I'm working on the walk.”
~~Note from Shaun – December 2007

Again – I’ve struggled with whether or not to share my personal thoughts, and whether to share Shaun’s personal thoughts. Shaun was a very private person, but when it came to whether or not he could influence another’s life, help another move one step closer to eternity because of his transparency, he would have always chosen to share. I share his and my thoughts now, because he strengthens me, and I hope he can strengthen another heart. It’s unfair he’s gone from the world. I guess I don’t feel like it’s my right to keep his beauty to myself. Some things I’ll selfishly keep… some things I hope to share in an effort to keep expanding his impact.

Today, six months from the date of my heart’s darkest tragedy, please indulge the crudeness of my efforts and allow me to be a bit personal, to cry, to mourn the loss of my soul-friend, and my ‘shining moment in the sun’. In working with troubled relationships and marriages every day, I recognize the elusive nature of depthful connection, and the challenging, yet surreal beauty of its creation. So many can go their whole lives without creating that connection, without finding a person who connects, understands, and touches those deep, dark parts of our souls.

By some beautiful miracle, I found that gift in Shaun. Together, we carefully and respectfully discovered the core of the other, then moved in and set-up camp. Although love is meant to be pure and preciously protected, not all view it as such - and life experiences can jade the heart and lock doors. One's core is justifiably protected and seldom un-earthed... and few possess and develop the individual combination of traits, love, spirit, and courage to embark on that treasured responsibility and then commit to the challenge of fixing and forgiving when we foul it up. I feel blessed to have experienced the miracle - and with someone who amazes me, who inspires me, and who lovingly encourages me to be better simply by being himself. I feel I have been eternally blessed for that gift.

In Shaun’s honor, fight the good fight today. The battle is waging, but the outcome is already determined. The only defining point yet to be seen is whether or not we will allow ourselves to forget the truth and become a casualty of deception. Be good. Be honest. Try to love those that you have a hard time loving. And remember that ‘courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes it’s the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, I will try again tomorrow.’

To those that are aching for Shaun today (and every day). I’m praying for you. I hope you feel him in your heart and hear his soft encouragement and laughter in your mind. I hope we reach out for our Savior and find the light at the end of the too-dark tunnel. Shaun’s core believed in something real. He sacrificed for it. He cried for it. He lived for it. As Shaun’s Dad beautifully closes his thoughts with… Fly to Jesus, Shaun.

Loving you.

Heidi

(Shaun’s family has posted a video of Shaun that his Dad took moments before Shaun embarked on his final flight to Alaska. A film company based out of New York heard about Shaun and was interested in highlighting Shaun’s adventures in a movie on Real Life Adventurers. The film company requested a home-video for voice quality and visual perception purposes only. You can view this video on Shaun’s blog – www.shaunlunt.typepad.com)

Birthday Wishes - Nov. 2008

2008-11-20T22:21:00.003-07:00

It’s my birthday today. I spent the better part of the day today reading through Shaun’s notes, emails, etc. I’ve avoided much of that over the last couple of months… thinking that it might relieve some pain. It hasn’t… it’s just made things feel… well, empty.
Re-living where we were a year ago today, I have had the biggest smile on my face that I’ve had for months. Granted, there were tears flowing freely, but the sweetness of his heart, his witty charm, chased the darkness out and made me laugh the gut laugh! Like he always has, his humor, his silliness, and his love lit a flame of warmth and light inside me.

Shaun is so clever and delightful with words… but he is also so concerned, real, and humble in his testimony. It seems like his words are more for me right now than they were then…

“I don't understand it all. God tells me I won't understand it all until I'm with Him. Ahh, there it is again... faith. Man that's a tough one. For whatever God has in store for you, I don't know, but I know he'll take care of you for relying on Him. His Grace is sufficient. We all hurry to make our lives something, but I think God's timeline is much different. He's working in our lives through a process of us learning to trust Him. Patience is something I struggle with, seems like it's been long enough, in my eyes. And yet I pray for God's Will to be done...so I must let it be His Will and not mine.”
- Shaun Lunt – 12/01/07

Such a sweet man. He simply and transparently shares words of wisdom.
I wish he were here.
I wish I were there.

Anybody know if Birthday wishes on candles actually come true? Except I didn't actually have a cake... or a candle...

But, as Shaun reminds me even now, faith has to win. God’s timeline is different than my own. Bad days eventually come to an end. Heavenly promises are always kept. He’s working in our lives… be patient… let it be His will and not mine.

Missing you always.
Heidi

Isaiah 41:10 - For the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.

Nine Weeks

2008-08-08T20:18:00.001-06:00

Last night was another of many long, sleepless, and tearful nights. It has been 9 weeks, and the ache in my heart has not diminished. If anything, the passing of time makes his absence that much more acute.

When I think of Shaun, I find myself smiling through the tears. He lives in my heart and memory, and he never ceases to make me laugh. I still feel so very very blessed to have had him in my life.

Shaun and I both feel that God is the closest, and our minds and hearts the most silent when we are in the outdoors. That is now when I often feel the closest to Shaun as well, when I'm somewhere far from city lights, sounds and smells. I feel him near me. I feel his encouragement. I feel his love.

I have continued to do some of our favorite outdoor activities - backpacking, camping, cycling, rock climbing, etc. I appreciate time spent with others - it often lifts me. I also really appreciate being alone - because that's when I can often be the least alone.

Shaun told his mom in a quiet moment as he left for Alaska that he was ready to 'go'. I've never known another person so well prepared to leave this life. It was just the rest of us who weren't ready to let him go.

He lived for his Father in Heaven - and he still lives for Him now.

I guess I share these thoughts, because, in the end, I want to share how Shaun's influence and life testify of the God he loves. Shaun's life continues to testify to my heart every single day...

When I have let my grief push me loose from my spiritual moorings, Shaun's voice continually helps me find my anchor again.

These last 9 weeks have been so very long. The idea of "life" seems too long to wait to see Shaun again. Tonight, I put my faith in God, who I'm beginning to learn also cries with me at night. I have work to do. I pray that I can live for my Father. That I will choose Him when the choosing is hard.

Shaun's sister, Shelly, said it beautifully... "Heaven has become so much sweeter for me in the last weeks. Not that it is truly any sweeter, but that my relating to the concept and the promise now has Shaun's face beside God's".

I'm excited to go home...

I miss you, Shaun. :)

Thank You

2008-07-01T14:03:00.000-06:00

I wanted to write a quick note and thank friends and family for their sweet notes and especially for their sweet prayers. It has been 24 days and the reality of things is still a surreal nightmare at best.

Now comes that point in life where we can choose whether to walk with God, or walk away from Him. There is no peace in the latter. Someday I hope to understand this... for now, I trust that there is a God who loves me, knows my ache, and will walk me through this life.

One of Shaun's favorite scriptures ... jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

I miss you, Shaun.

Chaui - August 6, 2007 to June 20, 2008

2008-06-23T13:38:00.010-06:00

(Christmas Day with the kiddies - don't worry - I didn't humiliate him like this regularly!)Chaui, short for Chauite, is named for the town drunk in Pejibaye, Costa Rica. Chaui couldn't really bark, sounded garbled and drunk... hence his name-sake.

My cute little pup, Chaui, was killed on Friday evening. Guess God needed him too...
Chaui and I had gotten pretty dang attached and had some great adventures (hiking, climbing, boating, and exploring). Like most dogs I think, he was really sensitive to the feelings around him. Over the last 2 weeks since Shaun was killed (to the hour almost), Chaui has layed his little head on my chest while I cry. He didn't know what to do - so he'd just look at me and try to lick my tears. Crazy how consoling a little cuddling dog can be. Life has been lonely since Shaun's been gone - just got a lot more so...

I don't understand the plan in all of this - but I believe that Shaun is in heaven, I believe he is at peace and engaged in God's work, and now he's got a little piece of me there. It doesn't make anything feel better, but it is a little comforting to think that Chaui cuddled up in my arms a half-hour before he cuddled up in Shaun's...

I've got Becky's dog now, Jax, he's Chaui's brother - very different in temperment - but sweet. He's a little wussy with hiking and adventure - but we'll both adapt together. (In the above pic, we're climbing in Moab, Chaui's lovin it, Jax is trying to bite my head to get him down).
There has to be some adventure in heaven, or for some of us (including Shaun and I), it wouldn't quite be heaven. Shaun's got a new pal to do stuff with until I get there...

I'm pretty dang homesick...

Shaun :) - xo xo

2008-06-08T15:57:00.008-06:00

SHAUN LUNT

The last picture of Shaun - sent from his iPhone earlier in the week with this little note:
"Just landed on the knik river, sitting in my chair. Awesome! (close to anchorage, so have a signal for my iPhone)". He is happy.

Dear friends and family,

Friday evening, my love - Shaun, returned to the Father who gave him life. He was doing what he loved, flying his Super Cub and hopping across beaches near Bethel, Alaska. He saw a cool whale skeleton on the beach and circled around to get a picture. He is an amazing and very skilled pilot. We're not sure exactly what happened, but it appears that he may have been trying to frame a great picture with one hand and flying with the other while slowly circling the skeleton. His plane stalled only 100' from the beach with no room to recover and spiraled down at about 70 mph. I pray that he didn't hurt. Although the pain is immense for his dear friend and fellow pilot Loni Habersetzer, who watched this happen, I am so deeply grateful that someone was flying along side him and he wasn't alone.

He is a tremendous spirit. It is a privilege to know him, and an even greater privilege to love him. He loves his Savior with a depth and passion I've never seen. He walks with God. He lived his life as an absolute testimony of his faith. Shaun paid the price to know God - in the everyday decisions that he made - he sacrified to know God. He so badly wanted his life to mean something - to make a difference. Shaun loves with the same depth and passion. He would give the world if it would bring a small smile to those he loves. He couldn't go more than a few days without calling his family. He needed their connection - and they needed his. His eyes would turn soft and he would smile whenever he spoke of them. They lived inside his heart. Shaun lifts those who know him. He reminded me who I was - and would in a way, miraculous and solely his own, lift me to a higher place and remind me that I always belonged there.

From our pictures you know that Shaun was adventurous and funny and silly - but the real heart of Shaun was brimming with love to be shared. He was always occupied with whether he was serving God enough. He was constantly concerned for the wellbeing of his family and loved ones. His depth over-powers me... I am continually in awe of who he is. I don't have the words to say. It seems like no amount of time would be long enough with him. The loss is so deeply acute.

Thank you to all of you for your love and prayers - they are so welcome and so appreciated. Please continue to pray for Shaun's family. They are so deeply overwhelmed with grief.

Words are inadequate to tell about Shaun - He is so rich and deep and indescribable. Along with all who have had the blessing of Shaun - I ache for the day when I can be with him again. He was an angel among men - EVERYONE who knows him could see that. I have beautiful memories... it has been a blessing to share some of his life with him. I am better for having loved him - that is all he would have wanted.

Nothing can express his legacy and nothing can express my grief at his loss.
I love you Shaun, until heaven...
Forever yours,
Heid

Shaun's Celebration Service

2008-06-08T12:00:00.000-06:00

Dear friends of Shaun,
Shaun's family is planning a memorial service for Shaun this coming Sunday evening, June 15 at 7:00 PM. The location is a very special place that Shaun dearly loved:

Camp Mivoden
17415 Hayden Lake Road
Hayden Lake, Idaho

This is located just a few miles north of Coeur D'Alene, Idaho, but allow extra time since you will need to travel a small road around the far side of the lake to the youth camp. Directions are at: http://www.mivoden.com/home/directions Depending on weather we will plan a portion of the celebration of Shaun's life to be out of doors in an ampitheater with a campfire so bring a jacket and be sure to dress casual. Out of doors and casual dress was Shaun's style. Oh, be warned, Shaun hated ties so we will have a person armed with a pair of scissors to cut off any tie that shows up. Light refreshments follow.

The family of Shaun Lunt

PS We will have a Book of Life if you wish to write a note about Shaun bring any memorablia relating to the legacy of his life ... pictures or anything. The book will then be a treasure for the Lunt family. Thank you.

Southern California - May 2008

2008-05-28T12:59:00.012-06:00

Shaun sighting in his new .457 Magnum rifle before he gets ready to head to Alaska in a couple of weeks for 2 more months of flying around and living the good life. It's good being Shaun Lunt - unless there's bears involved...

Shaun getting knocked around a bit after shooting the .457 round through his rifle. And he's STILL a great shot...

This was after shooting some .45-70 rounds saying, "Hey, that wasn't so bad!"... then we swtiched to the .457 Magnum...

Shooting the .457 Magnum, shortened barrel, un-ported, Wild West rifle. I only shot it once... My arm went numb and tingly, tears came to my eyes, and I felt like somebody just hit me with a 2x4. If that sucker doesn't stop a bear - what the heck will??

This was fun - shot the .308 sniper rifle at about 250 yards. The scope makes things so much eaiser!

Shaun shooting the .308 sniper rifle... he's good at EVERYTHING!

The .457 ammo isn't on the paper - it's bigger and meaner than the .45-70. Shaun always asks me what I would rather be shot with... are you kidding me?
In the hangar before Shaun heads out to do some aerobatic flying in an Extra. He had to have a heart to heart with the Super Cub so there weren't any hard feelings.
It was another great trip to visit Shaun! He's headed back to Alaska for another couple of months of flying. Keep an eye on his site for his new photos and adventures in the northland. http://www.shaunlunt.typepad.com/. Grizzly Bears beware!!! I'll miss you... PLEASE be safe! I LOVE YOU!

San Diego - Red Bull Air Race - May 04 2008

2008-05-04T12:42:00.000-06:00

Shaun and I drove to San Diego for the Red Bull Air Race!! Very cool! I couldn't believe the speed those suckers fly at! They get some serious G's! Before heading to the race we visited seal beach in La Jolla.

seals... hmmm...

We had a great spot to sit at the Air Race - perfect view of the course. These planes fly a little faster than the Super Cub...

Impressive flying.
Loved the Air Race. Great day!

Death Valley - April 2008

2008-04-20T11:26:00.002-06:00

Death Valley for a little hiking, camping and shooting stuff

Found some wildflowers in the sand dunes and decided to land and pull out the guns...

We shot the .40 S&W, 12-gauge shotgun (my first time shooting clay discs - I didn't stink too bad!), and the .454 Casull (which scared the crap out of me and I only fired it once!). Shaun on the other hand, was a perfect shot, once again...

We took off again to head toward Death Valley and found a really cool dried lake bed to land in. Only the crust was hard, about 1/2 inch below was gooey salty stuff - pretty interesting.

Ah, our little oasis in the desert... Just a few palm trees and a hot spring in the middle of nowhere.

Life is good...
Headed back to Southern California, found a gorgeous canyon to fly up. You can't really tell, but the ground was covered with wildflowers. We landed here and explored for a few... the Super Cub is awesome. But the pilot is even better. :)
Shaun found a lake and did a little Super-Cub-skiing :). Another successful adventure and a fun trip!

Shaun Lunt - Extraordinaire :)

2008-04-18T10:47:00.006-06:00

Ok, so I have to toot Shaun's horn for a minute - because he would never do it himself. Coolest thing! Shaun and his photography are in the May 2008 Issue of The Smithsonian - Air & Space Magazine! You can't see the photography online (oddly enough) so go check it out when you're wandering through the grocery store. The article is called "School of Hard Rocks". Also, if you want to see more, go look at his Super Cub adventures in Alaska at
http://www.shaunlunt.typepad.com/
He is an amazing pilot and photographer - just ask The Smithsonian! :)

April Fool's Day

2008-04-02T14:12:00.000-06:00

I pulled April Foolio's Day on the 2nd this year - everybody would have been too suspecting otherwise. I actually DID have a hair appointment - but only cut off about 4 inches. The wig store helped me elaborate. It was great - everybody was very diplomatic and kind. I now know that I can't trust anybody... ;)

Southern Utah - March 2008

2008-03-30T22:59:00.001-06:00

Shaun and I met in St. George for one more March adventure of biking, hiking, flying, and shooting stuff.

Shaun biking Gooseberry Mesa - all I know is that it's too hard for the likes of me...

Southern Utah redrock... did I mention I love it?

Shaun landed the Super Cub in some really cool places... I'm sure none of them were illegal.
We landed on the top of a butte and found some rocks that were patiently waiting to be trundled...

... we obliged.

We flew out to the desert and decided it was time to shoot some stuff...
Shaun's targets (radishes, we're eco-friendly)...

MY target... (little bigger, but again, eco-friendly).

I swear - the guy never misses...

Yep - Bought a gun. It's a Kahr .40 and I love it.
Rainy weather grounded us so we naturally turned to our favorite amusement - shootin stuff. We determined that fruit was no longer exciting enough and hit the dollar store for some 'targets'. Shaun decided that we needed a big remote controlled truck so we could have a 'moving target'. By the way, the dollar store doesn't actually sell many things that are a dollar.
We set up our lawn decor, ceramic frogs, exploding soda cans, etc...

Die bird, Die... Shaun is a ridiculously good shot. The bird never had a chance...

S. California - March 08

2008-03-16T14:22:00.002-06:00

Headed to Anza Borrego...

All of these pics were taken with the iPhone - so photo quality isn't the highest! Shaun and I headed to the desert to see some wildflowers and caught some gorgeous scenery on the way!

Hmmm... look at that, more gorgeous scenery... Isn't he adorable?

We flew through some mountains and came upon this lake. It was situated in a little valley in the tops of the mountains. I actually have no idea where we were - but wowsah, it was pretty!

Beautiful, huh...

This is our destination, Anza Borrego. The desert wildflowers were in bloom in a gorgeous purple.

Shaun and I ventured out to do a bit of rock climbing at sunset somewhere near Riverside. It was a perfect eve... watched the sun set up on the rocks... ate some grapes and chatted about life and love. I feel blessed to have him.

I headed South and met up with Bec, Jared and kiddies in San Diego. Em and Ky found burying stuff and burying people to be great fun. Ky ran down to the ocean to go get "his feet wet" and took a total face plant into the waves - drenched from head to toe and covered in sand. I'll admit it, I'm not the most supportive Auntie, I couldn't even begin to console him because of my gut-wrenching laughter at his poor little expense. :)

Emma in mid-tirade with me for taking her picture while she was sitting in "time out" for splashing.

After leaving the Chisholm family, I hiked around San Diego with my dogs and ended up at Seal Cove in La Jolla. I used to live down the street so it was a fun walk down Memory Lane.

I happened upon an 'illegal' dog park and somehow wandered into the underground world of doggie parties. I guess these guys meet up every night and chill with each other and their dogs. On Friday evening's they all bring food and wine and get drunk with each other and their dogs. Jax, Chaui and I hung out and talked for a while, then bailed before the police came to issue $350 tickets per dog for the 'illegal' dog meeting. Shortly thereafter, we filled up the car with ridiculously expensive gas, loaded up, and started our trek back to the frozen tundra's of SLC (after a brief and clandestine stay in a 'no pet' hotel in Mesquite). And thus concludes the March adventure to California. Stay tuned... April's adventures look to be a doosey!

2008-03-02T19:16:00.002-07:00

I'm here in Michigan - visiting Mom and Dad! Best mom and pop ever :)

Valentine's Day - 2008 (Heidi Brunner and Shaun Lunt)

2008-02-14T16:52:00.003-07:00

The coolest, funnest, sweetest, most bestest valentine...
Truly one of the best days of my life. Shaun made it absolutely magical - what a closet romantic!!

Catalina Island - Feb. 2008

2008-02-14T16:50:00.002-07:00

Driving to the Redlands airport to go hop in the Supercub and fly to Catalina for the day! :)

Wearing our lifejackets for the water-crossing to Catalina. "Heidi - you know what's funny about safety?? ..... NOTHIN!! Put on your lifejacket!".
Playing a few feet off the ocean surface... ok, I get it now - lifejackets are good.
Shaun gave me the comfy headphones today :). Sweet boy... with a cute nose up there in the corner too.

Cobblestone streets of Catalina. Really picturesque place. We had a perfect day!

I'm pretty much 100% sure that Shaun is one of the most kind and thoughtful men around... just ask him, he'll tell you. ;)

Random picture I took on the back porch for Shaun's medical licensing paperwork... Turned out pretty dang good - guess the subject made it easy. WOW - Adorable...

Shaving Ounces - January 2008

2008-01-31T11:49:00.000-07:00

Loni (friend and fellow pilot) emailed Shaun that he had shaved some ounces by drilling holes in his step. Not to be out-done, Shaun and I embarked on drilling even MORE holes in the step on his cub. "Wait 'til Loni see's THIS!"
Shaun doesn't do anything half-way. He's tapping out an intricate pattern with his axe (yes, an axe) before drilling. We discussed patterns ,and proper placement of each hole was measured, evenly spaced, "so as not to disrupt the strength and structural integrity of the bar". Gotta love this man... :)
The ceremonial first hole...

Moonlighting as Super Cub mechanic.

Sweet... power tools!!
The beautiful finished product. Barely shaved a few ounces, but we WAY out-drilled Loni so it was a success!

Fallbrook and more - January 2008

2008-01-29T12:40:00.000-07:00

Boredom struck us... what to do? Take silly self-portraits with Shaun's laptop!

Cheeeese...

Day 2 of silly portraits - Ok - we gotta get out!!!Shaun and I were craving guacamole - so, he decided to fly us to Fallbrook, the "Avocado Capitol of the World". "If the woman wants avocado - we'll get her avocado!"

The Fallbrook Air Park
We had to cut cross-country and hike into town. This is not going as planned...
Found an avocado company - perhaps we should have checked to see if avocados were in season before flying here... oh well, hindsight is always 20/20. Fun day nonetheless!!

Day 4, Shaun throws an impromptu marching trumpet show :). His laughter made it a little hard - but he pulled it off beautifully. Had me crying...Never a dull moment!!

There really is nothing he can't do! Day 5 - we invented games involving dancing moves, balloons, and an intricate scoring system. Shaun won - even when I cheated and invented 'girl rules'. It was worth it, watching Shaun leap and dance about the house in order to create the unbeatable sequence. Another great trip!

The Baja Peninsula, Mexico - Jan. 2008

2008-01-28T21:50:00.003-07:00

Shaun invited me to go down the Baja and volunteer with him in a clinic. Shaun is an anesthesiologist at a hospital in Loma Linda, and volunteered to work in the O.R. for a few days in San Quintin Mexico, with a group of physicians and nurses called The Flying Samaritans. I got to tag along and had an amazingly cool time doing it!

My handsome pilot... headed south off the coast of Mexico.

Saying Hi to the sea cliffs...

The Piper Super Cub with the Cessna's on the airstrip of San Quintin.

Since the cub has no locking doors (or locking anything for that matter), Shaun decided that a bike lock on the prop would surely deter mexican thieves...

I got to squeeze the bag-thing and breathe for this woman during her surgery. Granted, Shaun had to continually fix my technique so she actually DID breathe, but she lived so it all worked out. :) The good doctor... being a good doctor.
Notice Shaun took over the breathing bag...

Blood shooting everywhere... dogs and cats, living together - MASS HYSTERIA! Playing with sharp instruments inside another human's body... ONLY in Mexico... hee hee.

After spending a few days in San Quintin eating questionable Mexican food from street vendors, we flew south...

We have now established that Heidi and Shaun can read and write - but their accuracy with numbers is in question... 2008.

Another candid shot because Heidi is incapable of judging the allotted time in self-timer mode.

The beach off of some exceptionally windy point on the pacific side of the peninsula, headed south after San Quintin.

Mexican toilets leave splinters...

We found dinner as we walked along the beach... AND some replacement crowns - who needs a dentist??

Shaun's artisic shot at sunset in Alfonsinas. Notice the moon rising behind Shaun's shoulder - beautiful eve.

Another artistic shot - "Hey look over there and act really interested..."

This photo looks rather benign, but it's completely misleading. The water you see around the plane is what remains after a night of flooding and ridiculously high winds. The plane is parked here on the 'runway' in Mexico. When we landed, we were told some stories about a plane being stolen here the week before. And since the supercub is probably about as easy to steal as my bicycle, we felt a little skittish about leaving it unattended for the night. We decided to pitch a tent next to it on the runway and spend the night watching over the cub. Shaun carefully assessed the tide, but noted that due to the full-moon we might experience higher tide than anticipated. We found the highest spot available to us (about 3 inches higher than the rest of the ground) and thought it to be the perfect spot for us to pitch our tent. For some reason, a hurricane decided that THIS was the night to visit Alfonsinas, Mexico. So, we pitched our tent in the growing winds, knowing full-well that sleep would probably be elusive that night. We lay in our sleeping bags, continually marveling at the almost-frightening winds that threatened to bend the poles of our tent. Around 11:30 pm, the winds died down for about 10 seconds. In the quiet, we both heard water lapping... CLOSE water lapping! We peeked out of our tent to discover that the ocean was about a foot away from our tent and closing in quickly. We of course scrambled about, trying to throw all the heavy stuff back out of the tent so we could actually move it - all the while, battling winds that were high enough Shaun was actually concerned it might over-turn the plane! Anyway - I'm waxing a little literary here - sorry - in a nutshell... we moved the tent, and moved the plane... layed around for several more hours, commented on the fierceness of the wind, wiped more sand out of our eyes... Then around 3 am realized that we were again about to be one with the ocean and moved the plane and tent yet again. Sands got worse, wind got worse, the floods got worse... but alas - the not-so-wise men DID pitch their tent upon the sand - it was just higher sand, and we happened to survive. After a COMPLETELY sleepless night, with sand now embedded in every crevice, opening, and pore of our bodies, we hopped in the plane after the gorgeous sunrise and waved goodbye to Alfonsinas, Mexico. Adios.

Sunrise in Alfonsinas.

It was a surprisingly calm morning, and a beautiful sunrise after the hellish night of winds and flooding.

Sunrise - Alfonsinas Mexico. Heidi and Shaun.

Shaun and Heidi were walking along peacefully and he just SNAPPED! A scuffle ensued and he took off after he beat Heidi mercilessly... Don't let the baby face fool you.

Beach strip of Alfonsinas Mexico - GORGEOUS! Until the tsunami anyway...
By the way - all of the Baja pictures are courtesy of the ever-so-handsome Shaun Lunt. He's becoming quite famous for his gorgeous photography taken during his 3-month stint flying around the wilds of Alaska this last summer. Check out his pics at www.shaunlunt.typepad.com

Salt Lake City, Utah - December 2007

2007-12-21T23:45:00.000-07:00

What to do in Utah in the winter? hmmm... well - it better have to do with snow.
Shaun, Heidi, and brother-in-law Jared, grabbing snowmobiles and heading out for the day.

Took the snowmobiles up to Soapstone. There was so much powder that you couldn't turn without standing up and hanging off the side of the sled. No pictures of snowmobiling because we rarely stopped - stopping meant getting stuck. Crazy day - but always fun with Shaun. He's good at everything - I'm bound to find something he stinks at... crochet perhaps? Doubt it.

What else to do in Utah or anywhere else - well, fly of course...
Shaun hand-propping the super cub into life.

My handsome pilot.

His oh-so-beautiful co-pilot. ;)

We flew over Kennecott Copper Mine - very cool. Did ya know it's one of the few man-made 'structures' visible from space? That sucker is huge and deep.
Great adventure in Utah. Flew up in the mountains - and of course we landed nowhere illegal.

Birthday - Nov 2007

2007-11-20T16:00:00.000-07:00

Happy birthday to ME! I kinda look like I'm crying... oh wait - I just turned 31, I think I am...

Heidi and Tiff with the twins: Jackson and baby Roo

Me, Bec, Jared, Emma and Kyler.

Donovan, Katherine, JT, and baby Nate

JT, Emma, Kyler, and Baby Nate copping a feel....

Bowling with the kiddies - Oct 2007

2007-10-20T15:55:00.000-06:00

Kyler - the ONE time he would actually use the ball-guide... Why use a ball-guide when you can throw a ball haphazardly down any number of different lanes? Emma - confusing the bowling lane for the modeling runway...

Teaching the nephews how to bowl the RIGHT way...

J.T. - wearing his "river" shirt from Auntie's job this last summer.

Costa Rica (Heidi, Bec, and Jared) - Sept. 2007

2007-10-05T12:35:00.000-06:00

At the put-in of our 2-day trip down the Pacuare River, one of the top 5 rivers in the world. The rapids are awesome - in close succession, whereas the rapids on Utah rivers are separated by flatwater stretches. It's a FUN run!!

Start 'em out young...

Pacuare River

Mesh huts built on the side of the hill in the middle of the rainforest. Not bad digs for the night spent on the Pacuare River.

Sleep is goooood. With mesh "walls", the jungle is pretty much in your room. The night sounds were pretty incredible, as was the sound of the river running just below me. Waterfall we stopped and swam at during day 2 on the Pacuare River.

Ok - not the most flattering picture of me... but the freakin bird was trying to beak my eye out.

Heidi and Jared

Waterfall near La Fortuna

View of Arenal Volcano from our hotel room. The clouds did clear one night and we could see lava flowing down the volcano... cool.

Arenal Volcano A localized storm hits a little town as we cross Lake Arenal.

Crossing Lake Arenal on the way to Monteverde.

After crossing Lake Arenal

Monteverde, C.R.

Video of the Tarzan swing - Extremos Zipline

Zipline stuff... we did two ziplines in Monteverde. The first was lame so we found a better one - Extremos - that was exceptionally cool!

Leaving Monteverde, Costa Rica - heading to the coast.
Gentlemen's Quarterly photoshoot...
View from the ferry to Montezuma

Our costa rican hotel room... or was it Mexico? Guatamala?
Montezuma, Costa Rica
Does anybody know where I can get some drift wood?

Got to see Frodo's condo in Costa Rica...
Our hotel in Montezuma
View from the hotel room in Montezuma, Costa Rica. No roads leading to the hotel - they come pick you up in the town and drive over the rocks on the beach to get to the hotel.

Tin-Jo.... mmmmmm....

River Guiding 2007

2007-09-05T12:30:00.000-06:00

The Colorado River near Moab, Utah. Life is good here...

I got to spend the season guiding for Western River Expeditions (http://www.westernriver.com/). Best "job" of my life. Best summer of my life. Being retired has its benefits. ;)
-- Danger sign entering Cataract Canyon at the Confluence of the Green and Colorado Rivers.
This didn't end well...

Cataract Canyon - Summer 07

Cataract Canyon.
Holding down the cooler... you know, just in case.
(Corey Chatwin at the helm, Grace Rich lounging down back, and Patrick Parsons sacrificing for the other Gott - Desolation Canyon.)

Cataract Canyon - July 07. There's no greater peace for me than on the river. I think God lives here - in fact, I'm sure of it. :) Ashley is a good friend and my roommate in our double-wide trailer for the season.

My purple boat - Desolation Canyon - July 2007
The Pied Piper...

Heidi and Carly making "turn & burn's" for the Captain's Dinner - Desolation Canyon 5 day river trip. Everyone dresses up for the last night of the trip... well, as much as possible.
We're ahead of the curve... this look is all the rage is Paris.

My boat is the one with the orange gott on it... Desolation Canyon 4 day river trip.

2007 Season River Guides after Desolation Canyon rowing training trip - May 2007.

2007 Western River Expeditions Red-Nosed River Guides (I think they're using this as a skin cancer awareness ad).

A Loo with a view... Cataract Canyon

Slack-lining in the park in Moab. This picture is awesomely deceiving. I fell after walking 2 steps - but HAPPENED to get a picture looking like I had a clue what I was doing.

2007 season WRE River Guides - at Brown Betty on Cataract Canyon Training Trip in May.

Working hard on the Daily stretch... "Paddle monkeys! Paddle!"

Wearing every stitch of clothing around on an early season 4-day Deso trip. Mosquitos were biting through my clothes... mean-spirited little suckers.
Life is good on the river... even the worst days are good.