In Loving Memory

The 24th of July started out like any other day. I had decided to float the Oneida River with some friends. 

the group

I had been hearing about floating the Oneida since I moved here, and I was finally going to get the chance to experience it for myself!

the tubes
(mine in the cute one - it was on sale!)

I was afraid of being left alone on the river, so a group of us (probably about 8ish) tied our tubes together as we floated down. 

I was put in charge of keeping the sunflower seeds dry. It was an excellent job with great benefits
(i.e. no one would flip me over and I had free snacks whenever I wanted)

With Tyler and Jordan who put me in charge of the sunflower seeds
(Heidi should be in this picture too, but she opted to take it instead)

Everything was going along smoothly, until we realized we were heading straight for a rock!
The current was faster than anticipated, and we were suddenly on top of it (literally). 

Actually, Heidi was on top of the rock. My tube went on top of Heidi's and before I knew it, I was in the water.
(Somehow, Heidi managed not to flip!)

my lonely sandal

My first thought (after realizing I was in the water) was for the sunflower seeds. I had failed! My second thought was for my beloved sandals, which had been loose in the tube. I found one in the water, but alas, the other was lost forever.

in mourning

I was pretty devastated.

I wore black to the fireworks that night, in mourning for my lost sandal.

At the fireworks - Kalli, Jana, me & Carlie
This picture is mainly in here so that Kalli can be officially represented on my blog!

On the bright side, it made a nice object lesson for my Gospel Doctrine class on Sunday!

.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .

I have been through a lot with those sandals.

They are my go-to shoes, and have been on adventures of all kinds, big and small - rivers, hiking, camping, traveling, work, and even church!
They pretty much work for any and all occasions.

- England -
top left is the St Pauls Cathedral ("feed the birds" steps)
bottom left is the London Bridge

- France -
bottom middle is Mt Saint Michel

- Italy -
Venice!

- Austria -
The crazy house that I don't remember the name to, but it's cool

- Spain -
most of these are at the Alhambra
also, the top left is the best kebab (the only food I had twice while in Europe. i still crave it on occasion)

bike ride!

riding horses!

swimming!

rafting!

fun times with friends - shoe stealing wars!
(they are the ones still on my feet, in case you were confused) 

more fun times with friends - four wheeling (or at least pretending)

hiking!

redwoods!

my sandals

So long sandals.

You are missed.

<3