{"id":4961,"date":"2023-01-31T11:41:58","date_gmt":"2023-01-31T01:41:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/?p=4961"},"modified":"2023-02-05T00:54:02","modified_gmt":"2023-02-04T14:54:02","slug":"catching-up-with-the-handels","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/?p=4961","title":{"rendered":"Catching up with the Handels"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Long time, no blogs.\u00a0 I&#8217;m sure you&#8217;ve all been wondering what we&#8217;ve been up to since we got back from Colombia last February.\u00a0 It&#8217;s your lucky day, because after months of &#8220;thinking about it&#8221; &#8211; I&#8217;m finally writing this post!<\/p>\n<p>So, in late March of 2022, we packed up the mighty Hyundai and drove to the Austin, TX area to stay with my dad, step mom Mary and younger brother Nick (and dogs Lucy and Luke!) for 5 months.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4966\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4966\" style=\"width: 2010px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/dad.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-4966\" src=\"https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/dad.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2010\" height=\"1508\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/dad.jpg 2010w, https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/dad-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/dad-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/dad-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/dad-1536x1152.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2010px) 100vw, 2010px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4966\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Dad with guard dogs Luke and Lucy<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>While we were in Texas we had many adventures. When we weren&#8217;t adventuring, it was good to just be able to spend time with the family.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4967\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4967\" style=\"width: 1014px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/hockey.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-4967\" src=\"https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/hockey.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1014\" height=\"1352\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/hockey.jpg 1014w, https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/hockey-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/hockey-768x1024.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1014px) 100vw, 1014px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4967\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">At the Texas Stars minor league hockey with Nick<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The whole crew hiked <a href=\"https:\/\/tpwd.texas.gov\/state-parks\/enchanted-rock\">Enchanted Rock<\/a>\u00a0 &#8211;\u00a0 (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.relive.cc\/view\/vdvmK3r3nN6\">Relive Hiking App view<\/a>)<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4968\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4968\" style=\"width: 1728px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/enchanted.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-4968\" src=\"https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/enchanted.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1728\" height=\"1296\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/enchanted.jpg 1728w, https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/enchanted-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/enchanted-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/enchanted-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/enchanted-1536x1152.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1728px) 100vw, 1728px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4968\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">From the top of Enchanted Rock in Texas<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>We all (including Jeff and Natasha) took a trip to Iowa for another one of my Uncle&#8217;s epic farm parties &#8211; this one coinciding with my dad&#8217;s 77th birthday and the &#8220;Arlington Days&#8221; parade. Sara and I stayed at the farm my dad grew up on.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4965\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4965\" style=\"width: 1568px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/iowa.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-4965\" src=\"https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/iowa.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1568\" height=\"1120\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/iowa.jpg 1568w, https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/iowa-300x214.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/iowa-1024x731.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/iowa-768x549.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/iowa-1536x1097.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1568px) 100vw, 1568px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4965\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The whole Handel clan in Iowa &#8211; Jeff, Mary, Dad, Nick, Natasha, me and Sara<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4969\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4969\" style=\"width: 1320px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/mayor.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-4969\" src=\"https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/mayor.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1320\" height=\"990\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/mayor.jpg 1320w, https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/mayor-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/mayor-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/mayor-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1320px) 100vw, 1320px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4969\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Selfie while Mayor Don Handel drives by in the background<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Back in Texas, we got a chance to hang out with my sister Natasha in Austin as well.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4970\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4970\" style=\"width: 1320px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/natasha.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-4970\" src=\"https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/natasha.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1320\" height=\"990\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/natasha.jpg 1320w, https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/natasha-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/natasha-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/natasha-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1320px) 100vw, 1320px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4970\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Hanging with Natasha<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>We briefly headed back to Maryland for Sara&#8217;s mom&#8217;s 75th birthday.\u00a0 We saw the musical &#8220;Six&#8221; while in DC.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4971\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4971\" style=\"width: 2000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/mum.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-4971\" src=\"https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/mum.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1500\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/mum.jpg 2000w, https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/mum-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/mum-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/mum-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/mum-1536x1152.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4971\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Sara and her mom after seeing SIX<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Sara also went back to the east coast alone for a long weekend to catch up with some friends.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4985\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4985\" style=\"width: 2048px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/girls.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-4985\" src=\"https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/girls.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1536\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/girls.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/girls-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/girls-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/girls-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/girls-1536x1152.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4985\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Sara, Holly and Becky<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>After our time in Texas was up, we headed off to stay with my older brother Jeff in Tahoe for a month just like we did the prior summer.\u00a0 On the drive there, we stopped for two nights in both Santa Fe, NM and Las Vegas.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4972\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4972\" style=\"width: 1512px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/cactus.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-4972\" src=\"https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/cactus.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1512\" height=\"2016\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/cactus.jpg 1512w, https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/cactus-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/cactus-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/cactus-1152x1536.jpg 1152w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1512px) 100vw, 1512px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4972\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Obligatory cactus photo from Santa Fe<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Santa Fe was a nice stop and we did a few hikes and explored the old town.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4973\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4973\" style=\"width: 1078px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/beer.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-4973\" src=\"https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/beer.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1078\" height=\"808\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/beer.jpg 1078w, https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/beer-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/beer-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/beer-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1078px) 100vw, 1078px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4973\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">mmmmm.. beer<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>We hadn&#8217;t been to Vegas in years, and it&#8217;s changed a lot.\u00a0 There&#8217;s professional hockey and football on the strip now!\u00a0 No real luck at the craps tables &#8211; but lots of &#8220;free&#8221; beers were consumed.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4989\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4989\" style=\"width: 1331px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/tahoe.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-4989\" src=\"https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/tahoe.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1331\" height=\"998\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/tahoe.jpg 1331w, https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/tahoe-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/tahoe-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/tahoe-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1331px) 100vw, 1331px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4989\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Tahoe!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>This year Tahoe started off with glorious weather for the first two and a half weeks before we got a sniff of smoky air.\u00a0 The last week and a half were on again, off again smoky from nearby fires.\u00a0 We managed to get in quite a few epic hikes. It was great to be able to spend extended time with Jeff again.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4974\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4974\" style=\"width: 807px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/hike1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-4974\" src=\"https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/hike1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"807\" height=\"605\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/hike1.jpg 807w, https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/hike1-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/hike1-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 807px) 100vw, 807px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4974\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Enjoying a break while making our own trail up the backside of Alpine Meadows ski area.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4976\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4976\" style=\"width: 1600px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/hike2.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-4976\" src=\"https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/hike2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1600\" height=\"1200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/hike2.jpg 1600w, https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/hike2-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/hike2-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/hike2-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/hike2-1536x1152.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4976\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Sara scrambling to the summit of Twin Peaks<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4977\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4977\" style=\"width: 2000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/hike3.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-4977\" src=\"https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/hike3.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1500\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/hike3.jpg 2000w, https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/hike3-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/hike3-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/hike3-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/hike3-1536x1152.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4977\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">One of many alpine lakes we hiked by. This is probably Azure Lake?<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Click the link for a map and extra photos of our hike to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.relive.cc\/view\/vRO7gpVwAyO\">Azure lake.<\/a><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4979\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4979\" style=\"width: 1331px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/hike4.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-4979\" src=\"https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/hike4.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1331\" height=\"998\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/hike4.jpg 1331w, https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/hike4-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/hike4-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/hike4-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1331px) 100vw, 1331px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4979\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Jeff at the summit of Round Top<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Click the link for a map and extra photos of our hike to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.relive.cc\/view\/vrqok1GeQyq\">Round Top<\/a>.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4980\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4980\" style=\"width: 1632px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/hike5.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-4980\" src=\"https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/hike5.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1632\" height=\"1224\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/hike5.jpg 1632w, https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/hike5-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/hike5-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/hike5-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/hike5-1536x1152.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1632px) 100vw, 1632px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4980\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Mt Tallac summit selfie<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Click the link for a map and extra photos of our hike to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.relive.cc\/view\/vDqgewABjVO\">Mt. Tallac<\/a>.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4981\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4981\" style=\"width: 2016px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/hike5b.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-4981\" src=\"https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/hike5b.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2016\" height=\"1512\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/hike5b.jpg 2016w, https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/hike5b-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/hike5b-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/hike5b-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/hike5b-1536x1152.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2016px) 100vw, 2016px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4981\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Earth Porn from the top of Mt Tallac<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4978\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4978\" style=\"width: 1632px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/golf.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-4978\" src=\"https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/golf.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1632\" height=\"1224\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/golf.jpg 1632w, https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/golf-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/golf-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/golf-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/golf-1536x1152.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1632px) 100vw, 1632px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4978\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Don&#8217;t worry, I managed to sneak in some golf<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>In mid-September it was time to leave Tahoe, and we started our trek back across the country to Maryland.\u00a0 We stopped for two nights in Park City, Utah for a few more days in the mountains and got in a few more hikes. Here&#8217;s a link to the longer one we did &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.relive.cc\/view\/vAOZoMX58y6\">Deer Valley<\/a>.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4982\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4982\" style=\"width: 1632px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/park_city.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-4982\" src=\"https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/park_city.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1632\" height=\"1224\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/park_city.jpg 1632w, https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/park_city-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/park_city-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/park_city-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/park_city-1536x1152.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1632px) 100vw, 1632px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4982\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Park City, post epic hike<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>After park city, it was a lot of driving with stops in Sidney NE, Iowa City IA and Columbus OH. The mighty Hyundai performed admirably.<\/p>\n<p>We went to see Hamilton with friends in DC!<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Hamilton.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-4991\" src=\"https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Hamilton.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"360\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Hamilton.jpg 480w, https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Hamilton-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 480px) 100vw, 480px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Our nephew Adam turned 15!<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4992\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4992\" style=\"width: 1078px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/adam.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-4992\" src=\"https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/adam.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1078\" height=\"808\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/adam.jpg 1078w, https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/adam-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/adam-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/adam-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1078px) 100vw, 1078px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4992\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Happy 15th!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Then it was another trip down to Greenville, SC &#8211; to hang out with friends and look for a place to live.\u00a0 We found a nice little apartment in a small town about 10 miles away &#8211; Travelers Rest.\u00a0 We packed up all of our stuff in a POD and moved to South Carolina!<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4983\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4983\" style=\"width: 1078px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/gville.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-4983\" src=\"https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/gville.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1078\" height=\"808\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/gville.jpg 1078w, https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/gville-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/gville-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/gville-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1078px) 100vw, 1078px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4983\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Sara, Terra, Mike and I before a delightful meal<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Right after moving in, I went back to Texas to play some golf with my dad and Jeff<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4984\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4984\" style=\"width: 1600px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/texas.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-4984\" src=\"https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/texas.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1600\" height=\"1200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/texas.jpg 1600w, https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/texas-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/texas-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/texas-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/texas-1536x1152.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4984\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Golf Selfie<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Well, that gets us to November at least.\u00a0 I thought I was going to be able to catch all the way up to the present time, but we&#8217;ve even done a lot between November and now, so that&#8217;ll have to wait for another blog &#8211; hopefully sooner than a year from now!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Long time, no blogs.\u00a0 I&#8217;m sure you&#8217;ve all been wondering what we&#8217;ve been up to since we got back from Colombia last February.\u00a0 It&#8217;s your lucky day, because after months of &#8220;thinking about it&#8221; &#8211; I&#8217;m finally writing this post! So, in late March of 2022, we packed up the mighty Hyundai and drove to &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/?p=4961\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Catching up with the Handels<\/span> <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4,2,3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4961","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-adventures","category-rm","category-travel"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4961","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=4961"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4961\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4994,"href":"https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4961\/revisions\/4994"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=4961"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=4961"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.handelblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=4961"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}