Joanie Hamelin

The first chapters of my life took place in Sonoma County, California where I was the 6th of 7 children and the only girl in the whole bunch. I had no problems making mud puddles with my brothers, climbing trees, riding bikes, playing cops and robbers or whatever activity kept me outside. I still had a love for the girlie things in life, but never cared if I was dirty at the end of the day.

After our family spent a few years in Colorado, I landed in Utah within days of my 12th birthday. In high school, I had a wonderful teacher who incorporated rock climbing into his curriculum, which deepened my love for the outdoors and adventure. I spent the summer after graduation climbing nearly every day in the Cottonwood Canyons of the Wasatch. Soon thereafter, I began taking every spare moment from my full time job, jumping in my Jeep and exploring new places in the Southern Utah desert, which I fondly refer to as "The Dez." I've traveled many places, but two places always seem to draw me back and make me feel most at home... Southern Utah and Hawaii.

I spent years sitting behind a desk, doing administrative and accounting work, never feeling I was getting the most out of my life. In October of 2008, I quit my job in search of more fulfilling experiences. I spent a couple of months in Northern California and then Hawaii, but found myself back in Salt Lake City by Spring of 2009. Convinced that it was not the place I was meant to be, I began looking for ways I could live amongst the places I love the most. Springdale has always been one of my favorite little towns and I feel very blessed to have had the opportunity to spend my summer here.

Aloha Nui Loa,
Joanie