5

Number: 5
Name: Brian
Date: July 2, 2013

First a bit of history:  Although Brian and I have only known each other for a few months, we actually go way back.  True story.  We went to the same elementary school until second grade - although we were never in the same class - and my uncle Todd was his eighth grade health teacher.  But it wasn't until we moved into the same single's ward in Provo a little less than a year ago that we actually met each other.  Confession: this was not actually our first or second date.  We have gone out a few times in the past.  But this was our first date since I started the hundred-date-challenge so I decided I am going to count it anyway.  And, honestly, I always have so much fun on dates with Brian that I would have said yes even if I couldn't count it toward Brasil.

Brian presented me with a few different date ideas and I chose hiking, despite the fact that we are in the middle of a heat wave right now.  (What can I say?  I love the outdoors!)  We would be hiking in the evening when it was slightly cooler and the hike we chose - Battlecreek Falls - was pretty easy and short.  We decided to go to dinner first and let the temperature cool off a little bit.

We ate at a little Mexican restaurant in Provo called Emanuel's Fresh Grill where we both got enchiladas as well as free entertainment by a cute little boy dressed as Captain America, complete with a frisbee-shield, who kept running up to our table and posing for us.  So cute!  By the time we were done eating the temperature had cooled off a little bit and by the time we drove to Pleasant Grove to begin our hike it was even cooler.

The hike was really pretty.  If you haven't done it you should.  It is only about half-mile to the waterfall and the trail winds through canyon maple and scrub oak as it follows a little creek.  Being a botanist, I had to stop and point out all the plants along the way, but Brian was a good sport about it.  (Future reference: If you take me hiking just plan on getting a botany lesson along the way.)  Once we got to the waterfall we sat and talked while we watched the sun set.  We had the whole place to ourselves.  The sky turned pink and the dragonflies came out.  I cooled my feet in the water and we both enjoyed the cold spray coming from the falls.

Once it started getting dark we headed back down the trail.  We listened to some classical music and some jazz and even some Brazilian music while we drove home - a refreshing change from the usual pop music that plays in virtually every public building in Utah.

Brian, if you are reading this, thanks again for a very enjoyable evening!  I hope you had as much fun as I did.