Greg Garvin

Bookcliffs elk hunt

2011-09-15T22:23:00.000-07:00

My friend Paul, that I have been hunting with for over 10 years, drew out a premium archery elk tag in the Bookcliffs, Utah. I offered to help him out along with a few of his family and long time family friends. I love going out there even though the folks I have hunted with there for the prior 2 years came up empty handed. Its a 5 hour drive from my house. The last hour and a half is around 70 miles on a gravel road. Lots of oil wells out there but the area was preserved for wildlife over 10 years ago and there are a lot of deer, elk, bison, wild horses, bears, cougars, free range cattle and more. Its awsome what the Utah fish and game department have done there.
So, I started hunting with Paul on his third day of the hunt and hunted with him three of my five days out there. The first day it was like the sound of music and wild kingdom coming together. The elk were bugling everywhere and the big bulls were gathering up their cows for the mating season. They were also chasing off the less dominant bulls which was a riot to watch. This is what elk hunting is all about. I would have had a great time even if Paul had not killed a nice bull. We hunted long and hard the first two days when Paul's long time family friend offered to go with us mid-day to a place he had heard bulls the evening before. Well, 5 of us marched in 3.5 miles to this meadow on the top of a mountain. The elevation is around 8,300 ft at camp. The bulls were bugling on all sides of us and we heard one that seemed less than a quarter mile away that was making a lot of noise. Paul decided to move forward. We waited for hours, hearing bulls come close to where we thought Paul had set up. Finally, a bull came in to challenge the bull that Paul was after. The bull came across a canyon and up the hill within 20 yards of Paul's son who hid behind some scrub oak. I also ducked as fast as I could to the ground only seeing a glimps of the bull. The bull had no idea we were even there. It kept to its task, moving on to challenge the other bugling bull. As Paul heard the new bull closing in, he turned his attention to it, moving down the hill a few yards to get a closer look. Then, he set up behind a tree and as the bull came closer, he drew back and closed the deal, hitting the bull with his arrow at around 45 yards. The bull turned and ran back in its tracks but it was too late. It fell about 50 yards later. We all helped de-bone the bull for the pack out. What an experience. I have killed several bull elk with my rifle, but this was the first time I have been with someone who killed a bull with a bow and arrow. A great hunt that will create great memories and stories for a lifetime.

Red Castle, Utah

2011-09-01T15:34:00.000-07:00

Wow! Another great four day adventure to Red Castle. From Mountain View, Wy we traveled 20+ miles down a dirt road back into Utah to the trailhead. Then we hiked 13.5 miles to our campsite, in very tall pines at 11.5k feet elevation, just below Red Castle Lake. The weather was perfect, upper 70's during the day, low 40's at night. We spent two entire days fishing and hiking around. I caught at least 30 trout in two days. Of course we threw most of them back but ate trout for lunch one day and once for a late night snack. The campfire, majestic setting, solitude, amaizing sunsets/rises, and stars that you thought were just out of arms reach made for some extreme relaxation. It takes a lot to silence my mind. This trip accomplished that every day. Heading for the Bookcliffs soon for some hiking, wildlife photography, and to help a friend with his archery elk hunt. Should be some more great memories.

The next hike

2011-08-04T21:17:00.000-07:00

The Wind Rivers left their mark on me last week. Wow! The timing was perfect for me. Now, off to the Uintas here in Utah back to Red Castle in two weeks and maybe at hike to Kings Peak, tallest peak in Utah, later this month. Down 18 pounds this year - I can tackle most any of these hikes in North America now. I am so lucky to have a great friend like Larry to go with.

Wind River Mountain Range, Wy, 2011

2011-07-31T22:16:00.000-07:00

Wow! Wind River Range in Wyoming is one of the premier hiking trips in the US and one that I will never forget. We started from the trail at Pole Creek near Pinedale, Wy. We hiked into our base camp at Pole Creek Lake and then explored from there. The best part of the trip was exploring the outlet from Pole Creek Lake and following the river to these beautifull waterfalls emptying into Thousand Island Lake. The fishing was the best day ever for trout. Larry and I caught around 30 big fish between us. After a while I would almost giggle every time I got a big hit on my lure. The timing of this trip was amaizing. With all of the vast world and possibilities out there, where do I go next? What is really important in life? 4 days in the wilderness, miles and miles away from the hustle and bustle, can really help you get back to who you are in this world. It was an awsome trip. I think I got it :).

Last Days at AMEX

2011-07-27T22:55:00.000-07:00

25 years at AMEX over this week. May sound weird but I loved every minute. Best part of my career was the last 4 years when we were the best site in the world for service and I was the leader of the pack. And, I had the best team and friendships. I am free now to explore the next adventure. We will see where I go from here.

Washington Lake

2011-07-27T22:53:00.000-07:00

Fun daddy dughter camping at Washington Lake for 3 days. Jess loves smores and campfires. She hates bugs so getting her out of the camper was a challenge at tiimes. Nice to get away with just the two of us. This site is at 10k foot elevation so notice the snow on the mountain. The campground opened a few weeks late this year and cut our trip by 4 days on the front end due to snow and tree removal. Snow was all around the trails. Fishing was great!

boulder mountains

2011-07-27T22:49:00.000-07:00

Lots of fun fishing in the Boulder Mountains. Came back through Escallante on Hwy 12. Hells Backbone, most interesting stretch of road I have ever been on in UT.

Jess and Kell old time photo

2011-07-27T22:45:00.000-07:00

my girls in Jackson Hole. I love them so much.

growing up

2011-07-27T22:21:00.000-07:00

yes, i was a kid at one time (in back with dark stripes. lots happened since then. not as innocent but my heart is the same :). no regrets!

2011-07-26T10:40:00.000-07:00

I love the Grand Tetons. Spent a few days there last week with the family.

Friends

2011-07-25T21:04:00.000-07:00

Best friends are forever.

2010-01-23T17:19:00.000-08:00

Changes...

2009-08-19T22:22:00.001-07:00

I updated the site and added a new picture. Hope you like it!

2009-04-17T06:59:00.001-07:00

2009-04-17T06:26:00.000-07:00

Jess and I traveled south to Zion National Park over Easter weekend. We were there from Friday - Wednesday. We took the fifth wheel and camped at a great campground. Jess made a lot of friends, one from Salt Lake that she will be friends with for a long time. Our neighbors were there a few days. We drove through the Park one day and Jess hiked with her friend another. Great time together and a beautiful spring trip. A few days in the 70's and 80's, then it snowed the day we left and all the way home for 5 hours.

2009-04-14T15:33:00.000-07:00

Jess and I went to St George for a dance competition the last weekend in March. Doreen and Kellie decided to drive up at the last minute. I took this great picture of Jess and Doreen while on a hike. It was great to see them.

Thursday

2009-03-08T17:56:00.000-07:00

On Thursday i went to get my nails done with my dads admen (Kendra). We had so much fun and after that we went to UFood grill it was really nice.

Visiting Kellie and Doreen in LA last weekend

2009-03-03T21:31:00.000-08:00

Had a great time visiting Kellie and Doreen last Friday thru Monday in LA. Friday we went downtown Hollywood and to a mall. We returned to their cozy apt to cook steaks for dinner. It was very nice to meet their roommates Ann and DJ. I think having roommates that are there for the same reason makes it easier for Doreen and Kelly to cope with all of the change and new adventures. The apt manager was very protective of the girls. He was a very nice man. The apt windows were open most of the time because of the nice weather. Their apt is right on a street and the noise takes some getting used to, especially when sleeping. We were so tired at bedtime that the noise didn't bother us so I thought. When we returned back home to Utah Jess' first comment when she went to bed was that the car noise was unbearable for her and it was so nice to be home. We had a good visit. Sat and Sun Kelly had auditions. After the auditions we went to the Santa Monica beach both days. Sat we saw the sunset and ate dinner at the pier. Good margaritas! Sunday we spent the afternoon on the beach with DJ and Ann and returned to the apt to celebrate Jessica's 11th birthday. Had a great time. Monday we all went to lunch together before going to the airport. Jess cried for an hour after they dropped us off.

Melanoma update

2009-03-03T21:14:00.000-08:00

Doin g very well over the past two weeks. The nurse at work gave me antibiotics before I went back to my doctor. Cleared up the infection over a few days. Good thing. It hurt like hell and I couldn't move my entire left side of my upper body. When I visited my Dr two days after the antibiotics of course I got a lecture. They kept me on the antibiotics until this past Monday. All is well. Jess is still dressing my wound every day and will continue for another few weeks. Funny thing. Visited Doreen and Kellie in LA this past weekend. Jess said she would show Doreen how to dress the wound and she could do it while we were there. Well, Jess did it every day there too. This is a view of the remaining opening on my back.

Post surgery

2009-02-15T22:29:00.000-08:00

The first few days after surgery were a little painfull but I thought it would be much worse. So, being Greg, I didn't take it that easy. I packed Doreen and Kellie two days later in the Tahoe and took it slower, but not easy. Well, I paid for it last week. I returned to work Monday and it was tough Monday - Wednesday. Hard to sleep at night and my back feels like I am pulling apart a wound every time I sit at my PC or move. Driving the truck hurt. Walking hurt. Walking the dogs hurt. By Friday, I was exhausted. Didn't leave the house Sat. and Sunday a quick trip to the grocery. Feeling better now so hoping this week will be better. Hard to take it easy around the house. Jessica has been an angel. She dresses my wound daily. She is a good friend. She contributes around the house without much direction. Tuesday we had a morning snow shower. When I returned from work and she returned from her 3 hours of dance, she informed me that she had shoveled the driveway. Didn't even ask her to. Jess is so easy to be with. She misses Doreen and Kellie, but she has been very strong so far. Jess made me several cards for valentines day. I gave her a Puppy calendar and a Space Buddies DVD. Doreen left a package for her which surprised her. Jess's boyfriend gave her a bag of assorted candy as well.

Sunny California

2009-01-16T17:24:00.001-08:00

Cheers and Happy New Years!

2009-01-16T17:14:00.001-08:00

Cheers

2009-01-16T17:01:00.001-08:00

National Anthem

2009-01-16T13:14:00.000-08:00

Hello im Jessica. I'm going to tell you about my day. I auditioned to sing the National Anthem at school. And i did pretty good. I was so nervous.I was the first one to go up. I nailed it. It was so cool. I've never done that before. I don't know if i sing it or not. You sing it at the 5th grade program. Except one time i auditioned to sing at the Bees game.

Goat meditating

2009-01-15T15:05:00.000-08:00

In July we camp at Washington Lake. On one of our hikes up Bald Mtn, we encountered this mountain goat. I entered this photo in the Share the Experience photo contest to be the photo on the 2009 National Park Passes. This is Forrest Service land which qualifies the location here in Utah.

Under construction

2009-01-15T11:42:00.001-08:00