Triangle Tour 2010. Totally Rad Dude.

This guy up in Alaska is writing a story about the tour. He asked us for a little bit of info about our experience. I figured this will do for an explanation of the trip. Here are a few photos as well.

this is the saint of road trips. he lead us safely through canada.

Well Mr. Tim dude, yes, I am all of the above. An Alaskan outsider, with little biking experience. Both of these factors increased my genuine love of this grand adventure. Learning this little body of mine could accomplish such a feat! Pushing and pulling up passes so big I would think to myself, "who is controlling this body? How am I doing this?" I will admit there was one day of trouble for me. The first day was so exciting nothing could slow me down, the second day was about the same. However, the third day snuck in and here came the aches. The knees, the achilles, the doubts. I remember falling asleep after that 80 mile day and thinking, "well i gave it an honest effort. That's it. I'll go back tomorrow." However, the next beautiful sunny morning lured me back on that bike. The magic of the tour grabbed ahold of me and it was "all down hill" after that. There is a point when your body decides to surrender. There is an even more confusing point when your body actually wants the torment. The morning after our rest day (rest day - ferry to Valdez) I specifically remember an impatient feeling of, "I just want to get on my bike and keep going." As Ben and I discussed many times on the tour, those bodies of ours turned into little machines. Food is seen as fuel, and you can never seem to get enough of it. By days nine, ten, eleven, and so on being on the bike is the most comfortable spot. You're body starts to crave the effort and output. It feels so good to put energy in, usually in the form of a snickers bar, and feel it pump through your body all the way to the top of the hill.

When I got home from this trip, I was surprised how many people asked questions about the group dynamic. Most people couldn't believe nine adults could be together hour by hour for 16 days and not want to slug each other in the face. Well, I am here to tell you, this group was brought together by some sort of ultra positive energy mecca force or something. If I needed help with something I usually wouldn't even need to ask. Someone would notice and help before I could speak up. I felt supported in every direction. Every person played a role in pulling the group together. We all shared common values about the environment, we all laughed at each others dumb-as-ever jokes, we all wanted to be there. We wanted each other to succeed, we all wanted to have a positive experience. On the last day when we said goodbye with a big cheesy group hug, I'm pretty sure it was apparent we had helped each other accomplish our goal. I love those people. In sixteen days I never heard one person complain of distance, cold, or mechanical problems. Come to think of it, I don't remember anyone having any "problems". Sometimes something would happen that wasn't expected. We would just figure a way around it, go with the flow, or rather let the positive energy of the group lead us in the right direction. sounds weird I know, but it is true.

As for my favorite part of the trip, I'm not sure I have a good solid answer. Because I had never been to Alaska before, every single time I would come to the top of a hill, or round a corner, the next stretch was a surprise to me. I really loved the stretches of 80 to 100 miles on both sides of the triangle with no services. It was the real Alaskan wild. I loved biking along those long mountain ranges and wondering who had explored them before. The river valley out of Valdez, over Thompson pass, and into the wild, that is something I will never forget.

Anyway, I know this isn't really what you asked for. I started writing about Alaska and I just didn't really want to stop! Feel free to use whatever, or throw it all away. Hope you're having a great day up there. Oh and if you could email the article when your done that would be sweet. Thanks dude.

Holly Hackett

For Megs, Always.

On a ferry ride from Whittier Alaska to Veldez Alaska.

Six of the prettiest hours of my life. With eight of my favorite people.

A little song, played by an amazing friend, which did nothing but remind me of my Megs. The best part is, I didn't even request it. Thank you universe.

I love you Megs. and your sisters and your Mom and your Dad.

More Alaska stories and photos to follow. loves.

North Country

In the morning I am getting in a car with four friends and driving 2896 miles to Fairbanks, Alaska. It takes 49 hours and 53 minutes. Fun, uh? I will be gone for about four or five weeks. I wish I had more time to elaborate, but I am in the middle of moving and packing. Hopefully i will be able to update this thing somehow. Once we get there, we are riding our bicycles tons of hundreds of miles on a tour of the biggest state in the nation.

besides, we're driving through canada.

The O'Hackett Clan

Happy St.Patrick's Day from two Irish Lasses.
Hope you had a fun day, and laughed off your...

bumms.
love you grams.

I set out to write some limericks.

Instead, I shook me shimericks.

The lads liked it more,

my woobies got sore.

Now go on and wiggle your wimericks.

hjh

Makin' Pies and Long Ride Home. Coming to SLC!

Just bought tickies.

I'm already counting down the days.

March 30th, Kingsbury Hall

You should buy tickets too.

801-581-7100

Empty as a Pocket

i wonder how many times i have heard this song.

too many to count.

love it.

love paul simon.

Remember, You're Alive.

The Banff Film Festival always amazes me. Welcome to the world. way to go people. Way to go. Totally awesome. Be sure to watch...well, the whole thing is sweet, but the stunt at 2:30...are you serious? you can click on it so it is widescreen in youtube.

I'm in Delaware. Are you mental?

little. yellow. different.

yes, and it's the choice of a new generation.

camera one. camera two.

i don't even own ah gun.

SUCCESS!

I work at Alta ski Resort. Tons of people walking around in beanies, ski hats, helmets, what have you. If you know me AT ALL, you probs know I make hats. Because of this, often times I find myself checking out peoples head wear. Mostly I like to see the difference in people wearing homemade and store bought attire. WELL guess what? Today as I was leaving work, it happened. There was this awesome skier girl I had never seen in my life. No connection whatsoever. What did her hat look like? Homemade, rusty orange, bill in front, double crochet, and to top it off, MY fun little tag in the back. I made her hat! There it was walking around on its new owner. Way to go little buddy, you made me proud. I have seen lots of people wearing my hats, but usually it is my friends and family. It was cool because it was just some random person. I know to everyone else this probably seems meaningless. But to me, in some small way, I had stuck it to the man, the store bought man. I didn't dare say anything. Didn't want to freak her out.

belle, lovely, music.

I can't stop listening to this sweet little song.

Just thought I would share it contigo.

Adios 2009. Adios.

Well, whale, wail.

The last day of the year.

Lesson learned:

Breaking your leg is easier than breaking your heart.

But, both get better.

Hope everyone has a fun and safe New Year's Eve.

no sledding.

Hey Sweet Boy...

If you really want to be happy,

all you have to do is fancy the high traverse.
Dear Greely bowl, let's run away together.
You are so good to me.
I fell in love with Alta once.
it happens every year.
People shouting, hoot and hollering.

We warmed up on a groomer run: Sugarloaf. Scary for me.
Why? That is the last place I stood on my own two feet.
When I skied over the exact spot I broke my leg last year,
I flipped it off. I was wearing mittens though, so it might have
looked like I was just waving, which is probably better anyway.
The good news is, my little leg remembered how to ski.
They opened the high traverse half way through
the day. We skied the backside until
our legs were shaking.
It was so much fun I almost cried.

Here's to a good season for all of us.

hey everybody...

have you ever been so confused

with life you didn't know

which way was up?
i have.
it was during a handstand competition.
it totally freaked me out.

when it's dry, it's dry. but when it rains...

it pours.

Hats, Skis, and Pizza...TRIFECTA!

before...after...
Still more to come, but here is the start. If you would

like to buy a hat you should go to

Straightline Ski Shop. It is located at 1312 East 200 South
just below the University and next to the Pie.
You know the Pie, that pizza place?
If you want to go get one of those gigantic, oversized
monster pizzas, you should then go next door to the ski shop

where you can have your skis tuned and bindings mounted.
You could also rent skis for that new girlfriend of yours.
Or you could check out the new Bluehouse demos.
It is a cool, little, LOCALLY OWNED shop.
Not to mention, the only store with my adult hats. THEY OPEN FOR THE SEASON ON MONDAY.
SKI SEASON! SKI SEASON! SKI SEASON!
Sa-wheat!

eleven eleven

what a lovely little birthday i had yesterday.
thanks for all the birthday notes, calls, flowers, and food.

citrus grill
settebello
eggs in the city
porcupine
breakfast in bed
and of course, Ruth's Diner

this whole week people just kept taking me out to eat.

most of my favorite restuarants, all in one week. mmm.
please note that everytime we go to Ruth's diner, my grandma still asks about "old Ruthy."
Thanks to everyone for a great 25th!

...is baby be friends with you.

I recently moved back to the Sugarhood.

Almost forgot how great it is to live with roommates.

Sunday mornings with my skatey and my ladies in the park.

dance parties in the front room.

talk talk talk ourselves to sleep.

love you

ashley and alissa bumm.

caps for sale

the first cold snap of the year; my hands, they just start workin.

fingers stiff, and getting thinner, basically i crochet all winter.

around, down, grab, and pull it through.

repeat, repeat, repeat, repeat.....

how could i resist with all these pretty ladies i just picked up

at Blazing Needles?

in the next few days i should have some fine little hats.

i'll post the final projects later this week.

today i went around to some boutiques. they want in!

amour doux. musique. film.

old news, i know. but i can just never get enough of this one.
un petite treat for your eyes and ears. the end of this film, Amelie, in my opinion is possibly the sweetest little love scene. shy. i love when they are riding around on that little moto and she smells his sweater and closes her eyes.

she found it.

a shy, kind, beautiful girl sets out to do good in the world. learns to love. and be loved.

Rare as a Redhead

i was one of the lucky ones.

born with it.

red stuff sittin' up there on top of my head.

wavin' and grabin'.

teasin' and pleasin'.

it's hard to get, but easy to have.

you love it, you hate it.

they want it, i got it.

hjh

thanks to audrey georgia hackett.

i know 10 redheads.

that is including Brights.

how many can you think of?

But Not Right Now.

Lately...

Oh me oh my oh, look at Miss Ohio

She's a-running around with her rag-top down

She says I wanna do right, but not right now

Gonna drive to Atlanta and live out this fantasy

Running around with her rag-top down

Yeah I wanna do right but not right now

Had your arm around her shoulder, a regimental soldier

An' mamma starts pushing that wedding gown

She says I wanna do right but not right now

I know all about it, so you don't have to shout it

I'm gonna straighten it out somehow

Yeah, I wanna do right, but not right now

Oh me oh my oh, look at Miss Ohio

she's a-runnin around with her rag-top down

She said I wanna do right but not right now

Oh I wanna do right, but not right now

Gillian Welch

David Rawlings

Mon Bon Ami, Pour la Couture. Je Veux un.

Does anyone even know where I could find an inexpensive sewing table? You know, the kind that are actual sewing tables...like this? You might be thinking, "um...Holly, that is too small for sewing." Well...tricked you. Unless you sew, then you already knew about this secret...
What a little dream. The sewing machine and the table, all flush like that. Wouldn't it be nice? I have a sewing machine, I just dream of a sewing table, you know, to make things easier. So, if you see one at the D.I., or somewhere like that, it would be great if you called me and let me in on the little jewel.

p.s. cheap for me is under $50.00. i know. i'm cheap.

Merci, Mon Bon Ami.

Buckets Of Rain

By Barbara Kingsolver

Southern grit moves west and pulls down a deep drawn breath of dry desert love. In this quick read you'll find thick, heavy issues described and dealt with in such a casual way you might feel as though you are accidentally listening in on neighboring conversation. Life changing situations simply displayed, absorbed, learned from, and loved. Mothers and children with a side dish of men. Needless to say, I enjoyed it.

My favorite part of the novel is when Esteven spills a little South American folklore describing heaven and hell. If you happen to get a hold of this book, it is at the end of chapter seven. He explains a delicious meal, a delicate aroma, and the simple act of selflessness being the only factor which sets the two places apart from one another.

ALSO...if anyone has a copy of Animal Dreams, Pigs in Heaven, or The Poisonwood Bible which are also written by Barbara Kingsolver I would L-O-V-E to get my hands on them for a week or so. Chances are I'll bake you something if you let me borrow one.

You're Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go

One thing I know for sure, I love this little boy. His name is Van and he is my nephew. This weekend Kim and Zack are moving to St. George for a new job. Who is this George anyway? Why does he keep taking all of my siblings? I am excited for Zack to have a new job, but I will admit there is a little bit of heart break to see them go. Lucky for me we all went up the tram to Hidden Peak the other day....oh so beautiful. Little Cottonwood, fall colors, family. Thanks Kim for the photos. I'll sure miss you guys.

Also, their condo is for sale. Go here if you know of anyone that might be interested.

Presenting:

Finally. Something I can be proud of. Last week I had this fun little idea. Vintage children clothing. Why had I not thought of it before? It is so obvious. I'm never going to be able to afford those richy shops. So, I started an etsy shop selling vintage children clothing...and my hats too. Every now and then I make one of the dresses or aprons, but you will always know because they are priced as such. Please visit my little shop. There are tons of photos there. I never knew I would like taking photos of clothes so much. Look around, maybe let me know what you think, what i could change or do better. I have more clothing in stock. Tell your friends.
oh and the URL is vintagepetite01.etsy.com