Is it really July 1st today? Where did June go? I've been filling a lot into my days so I guess that's the reason the time is flying by...that and the fact that time really does go quickly the older you get!
Since we got back from our mini-vacation to Wyoming, we've done two big hikes...Mount Chapin (12,454') and up the Longs Peak trail to Chasm Junction (11,518'). Still training to hopefully hike a 14,000' mountain in mid-August. We're shooting for Greys and Torrey Mountains...it depends on the weather and everyone's schedule.
We had a wonderful visit with good friends from our Minot days...Kevin and Heidi Conrad! We met them up in Estes Park and spent the afternoon with them. We're looking forward to seeing them again in Estes Park in January, too! They may be Coloradans before too long, too!
We went to our first Colorado Rockies baseball game versus the Washington Nationals a few days ago and they managed to beat the Nationals in 11 innings, 11 to 10! We had a lot of fun with some of our friends and look forward to another game.
We've also seen Sara and Sophia a few times and really enjoying visiting with them!!! Sophia is such a little charmer, too! She has 8 teeth now and looks almost identical to Sara when she was that age! The only difference is Sophia has brown eyes and Sara has steely blue eyes!
And finally, I continue to workout 6 days a week to stay as fit as I can. I was hoping that by doing the cardio, I would boost my HDL and lower my LDL and total cholesterol and thus allow me to stay off my cholesterol medicine; but I don't think that is the case. After 3 months of being off of the medicine, I had my first re-check and the numbers weren't very good. I may see if they'll stabilize after 3 more months and then determine if I need to go back on the medicine. I have to admit, I was pretty discouraged when I saw the latest numbers...I now know that my cholesterol numbers are definitely a result of genetics and not due to bad diet or non-exercise. I've even dropped 26 pounds and that didn't make one bit of difference! Oh well...I feel better anyway and am enjoying a smaller clothing size so it's worth the effort!
So, with June behind me, we are now looking forward to a visit from Holly, Zoe, and Ezra in just 17 more days!!! We have lots of fun things planned and are so excited to see them again. (Wish Erich could be here, too, but he has to work.) Sophia is going to LOVE playing with her cousins, too!
Sunday, July 1, 2012
Saturday, June 16, 2012
On Vacation From Our Everyday Vacation
Last Sunday, we decided to take a few days and travel to Jackson, Wyoming and Yellowstone. The drive was pleasant although we had a headwind most of the time which really cut down on our mpg. It was snowing a little when we arrived. We stayed at the Inn at Jackson...it was rated "3 stars" but should have been a "2 star". The room was clean but no view and no amenities. But, we were on the go the whole three days and spent little time there.
On Monday, we drove to Yellowstone National Park; it had been probably over 30 years since we were there last. I'd forgotten just how long the drive was and how long it took to get around the entire park. In 1988, there was a huge forest fire in the park and it was amazing to see how long it is taking to for the forest to come back.
We took in three of our favorite sites: Old Faithful, the mud pots, and the painted springs. Click on the picture on the right to see some of the photos we took.
We spent Tuesday walking around the town of Jackson and checking out the different shops. In the evening, we went to the Bar J Chuckwagon and ate a classic cowboy meal and then watched a performance by the Bar J Wranglers. They were awesome performing classic cowboy tunes like, "Ghost Riders in the Sky" and others! Great harmonies!
Our last day was fantastic! We did a 9.5 mile hike in the Grand Teton National Park and walked the Cascade Canyon Trail. We had the most beautiful setting for our lunch...at the base of the Grand Teton Mountain overlooking a small river lake. Absolutely gorgeous!
On Monday, we drove to Yellowstone National Park; it had been probably over 30 years since we were there last. I'd forgotten just how long the drive was and how long it took to get around the entire park. In 1988, there was a huge forest fire in the park and it was amazing to see how long it is taking to for the forest to come back.
We took in three of our favorite sites: Old Faithful, the mud pots, and the painted springs. Click on the picture on the right to see some of the photos we took.
We spent Tuesday walking around the town of Jackson and checking out the different shops. In the evening, we went to the Bar J Chuckwagon and ate a classic cowboy meal and then watched a performance by the Bar J Wranglers. They were awesome performing classic cowboy tunes like, "Ghost Riders in the Sky" and others! Great harmonies!
Our last day was fantastic! We did a 9.5 mile hike in the Grand Teton National Park and walked the Cascade Canyon Trail. We had the most beautiful setting for our lunch...at the base of the Grand Teton Mountain overlooking a small river lake. Absolutely gorgeous!
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
More Updates
Had another nice hike last week, but unfortunately, I'm going to have to miss this week's hike because my knee needs a rest. It's just not healing fast enough! We hiked Wild Basin in Rocky Mountain National Park and were we surprised to find it had snowed the night before at the 8,500' level which is where the trail head starts. In fact, we had some light snow off and on throughout the hike!
We had planned on doing a 5 mile hike up to Ouzel Lake and back again for a total of 10 miles and a 1,500' elevation gain to 10,000' (our highest training hike for Mark and me). The trail was snowy, wet and difficult in some areas, particularly the last 1/2 mile or so. (There was no path so it had to be broken in and it was on a downhill part of the trail.) Because I'd slipped a little earlier in the day and hurt my knee again, I chose NOT to do the last 1/2 mile and instead had the rest of the group finish while Mark and I hiked back. I wanted to take my time and be extra cautious and I didn't want to feel like I was holding anyone up.
We ended up getting back about 15 minutes before the rest of the group. It was a very beautiful hike and this one has been my favorite so far. I want to go back and do it again when there isn't any snow on the ground. I'm sure it will look so different and be just as spectacular! Plus, I want to make it down to the lake, too! Click on Mark's photo on the right to get to other pictures during the hike.
So, with hiking aside for a week or so, I'm still working on on my spin bike and/or elliptical as best I can; I'm just not doing the intensity that I used to. But whatever I'm doing is working as I've dropped more weight! I made it to my first goal weight and want to lose about 2 more pounds. (I need a little buffer, plus I need to figure out what I have to do to maintain the weight loss, which always seems to be the trickier part.) I turned over my new leaf starting on Dec 14, 2011 and 24 weeks later, I've lost 26 pounds and dropped 3 sizes; and in certain clothes, 4 sizes! Whew! It's definitely been worth it.
It's funny, but this is the first time in all my years of "dieting", that I haven't been concerned with the pounds coming off. I think that's because I've finally realized that I'm going to always workout and always eat this way! I still go out to dinner, I still have a glass or two of wine each week. And, if I want dessert, I'll have it! The key for me is to track my calories and my workouts...it's as simple as that. If I snack too much, I'm not afraid to include it...I track it...period! And since I use the application "Myfitnesspal.com" it's accessible via computer and on my Android phone so I can always enter something.
My plan all along was to lose weight so that I could come off of my cholesterol medicine and so far, I've successfully been able to do that! I go for a cholesterol check next month which will be 3 full months that I've been off the medicine and during that time, I have worked out 6 days a week, almost every week. I'm hoping that I'll be able to stay off the medicine...I don't want to lose my memory!
One last thing I'd like to mention is: hand, foot and mouth disease...yeah, what's up with this disease going around in children? This isn't something that I remember as a common childhood disease when I was growing up or when our children were growing up. But, it seems to be a fairly common occurrence these days. Poor Sophia has it now and last year Zoe and Ezra had it! Thankfully, Sophia seems to be getting better now! (Glad she didn't get it on her birthday!)
Well, we are anxiously awaiting when we get to see Holly, Zoe and Ezra again! They will be visiting in July!!! (Wish Erich could be here, too!) Hope to have lots of fun times while they are here! We have several things planned...more on that later. :)
We had planned on doing a 5 mile hike up to Ouzel Lake and back again for a total of 10 miles and a 1,500' elevation gain to 10,000' (our highest training hike for Mark and me). The trail was snowy, wet and difficult in some areas, particularly the last 1/2 mile or so. (There was no path so it had to be broken in and it was on a downhill part of the trail.) Because I'd slipped a little earlier in the day and hurt my knee again, I chose NOT to do the last 1/2 mile and instead had the rest of the group finish while Mark and I hiked back. I wanted to take my time and be extra cautious and I didn't want to feel like I was holding anyone up.
We ended up getting back about 15 minutes before the rest of the group. It was a very beautiful hike and this one has been my favorite so far. I want to go back and do it again when there isn't any snow on the ground. I'm sure it will look so different and be just as spectacular! Plus, I want to make it down to the lake, too! Click on Mark's photo on the right to get to other pictures during the hike.
So, with hiking aside for a week or so, I'm still working on on my spin bike and/or elliptical as best I can; I'm just not doing the intensity that I used to. But whatever I'm doing is working as I've dropped more weight! I made it to my first goal weight and want to lose about 2 more pounds. (I need a little buffer, plus I need to figure out what I have to do to maintain the weight loss, which always seems to be the trickier part.) I turned over my new leaf starting on Dec 14, 2011 and 24 weeks later, I've lost 26 pounds and dropped 3 sizes; and in certain clothes, 4 sizes! Whew! It's definitely been worth it.
It's funny, but this is the first time in all my years of "dieting", that I haven't been concerned with the pounds coming off. I think that's because I've finally realized that I'm going to always workout and always eat this way! I still go out to dinner, I still have a glass or two of wine each week. And, if I want dessert, I'll have it! The key for me is to track my calories and my workouts...it's as simple as that. If I snack too much, I'm not afraid to include it...I track it...period! And since I use the application "Myfitnesspal.com" it's accessible via computer and on my Android phone so I can always enter something.
My plan all along was to lose weight so that I could come off of my cholesterol medicine and so far, I've successfully been able to do that! I go for a cholesterol check next month which will be 3 full months that I've been off the medicine and during that time, I have worked out 6 days a week, almost every week. I'm hoping that I'll be able to stay off the medicine...I don't want to lose my memory!
One last thing I'd like to mention is: hand, foot and mouth disease...yeah, what's up with this disease going around in children? This isn't something that I remember as a common childhood disease when I was growing up or when our children were growing up. But, it seems to be a fairly common occurrence these days. Poor Sophia has it now and last year Zoe and Ezra had it! Thankfully, Sophia seems to be getting better now! (Glad she didn't get it on her birthday!)
Well, we are anxiously awaiting when we get to see Holly, Zoe and Ezra again! They will be visiting in July!!! (Wish Erich could be here, too!) Hope to have lots of fun times while they are here! We have several things planned...more on that later. :)
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Still Hiking and Sophia's 1st Birthday Party
Well, I've managed to accomplish another hike since my knee injury although it's still not healed. (Luckily, this particular hike, though rather steep, did not involve any high stepping or rock scrambles.) I had xrays done yesterday to determine if I had any bone issues but everything looks fine there. I have a sneaky suspicion that it's a tendon that's acting up. I'll just continue to try and take it easy and to ice it regularly (even though there hasn't been any swelling that I can tell).
I'll put up a picture with a link to the last hike's pictures. As always, the scenery is so beautiful along these trails and it's just breathtaking at the summits! It's amazing to me that the only way to see these beautiful landscapes is to hike to them since there are no roads there! I'm thankful and quite fortunate to be able to do that!
Thursday's hike is supposed to be up to 10,020 feet but we may have some bad weather that day. If so, the hike will be canceled for this week and we'll try again next week.
This past Sunday, Mark and I had the pleasure of going to Sophia's 1st birthday party at Sara and Zach's house! (Sure wish we could go to all of Zoe's and Ezra's birthdays, too!) I think she was on sensory overload with all the family, friends, and presents! She seemed to enjoy the day! Sara did a great job on the decorations especially with the birthday banner which chronicled Sophia's first year with monthly photos! The cake lollipops were exceptionally tasty, too! (I need that recipe! Would like to experiment and see if we can get a vegan version so Zoe can enjoy them, too!) Check out the birthday party pictures by clicking on the banner picture.
More updates later...need to research and write an article now for the New Horizons International Music Association.
I'll put up a picture with a link to the last hike's pictures. As always, the scenery is so beautiful along these trails and it's just breathtaking at the summits! It's amazing to me that the only way to see these beautiful landscapes is to hike to them since there are no roads there! I'm thankful and quite fortunate to be able to do that!
Thursday's hike is supposed to be up to 10,020 feet but we may have some bad weather that day. If so, the hike will be canceled for this week and we'll try again next week.
This past Sunday, Mark and I had the pleasure of going to Sophia's 1st birthday party at Sara and Zach's house! (Sure wish we could go to all of Zoe's and Ezra's birthdays, too!) I think she was on sensory overload with all the family, friends, and presents! She seemed to enjoy the day! Sara did a great job on the decorations especially with the birthday banner which chronicled Sophia's first year with monthly photos! The cake lollipops were exceptionally tasty, too! (I need that recipe! Would like to experiment and see if we can get a vegan version so Zoe can enjoy them, too!) Check out the birthday party pictures by clicking on the banner picture.
More updates later...need to research and write an article now for the New Horizons International Music Association.
Monday, May 14, 2012
Training Set Back
I have been doing really well on all my training hikes since returning from California but last Friday's hike of the Fern Canyon Trail down by the Boulder Flat Irons proved a bit disastrous for my left knee!
It was a beautiful hike on all three trails (Bear Canyon, Fern Canyon, and Mesa)! I wore my rain gear as showers were predicted for later in the afternoon. At the start of the hike, we passed a runner coming down who told us there were two bears at the summit. Pretty exciting, although I certainly didn't want to get close to them.
Once we got on Fern Canyon trail, there was a very steep rise (mostly on a rocks) all the way up to the 8,400' summit. Each step of the way was about a 2 foot rise and required constant use of the leg and butt muscles. No problem going up. At about the 8,100' level, it started snowing--this wasn't predicted! Mark and I were ready to continue as we probably only had about another 15 minutes to go to get to the summit; but, a couple of the ladies wanted to turn around. The hike leader used caution and said we needed to turn around.
By now it's snowing harder and the trail is starting to get covered. I managed to place my left foot on some slippery rocks and jerked my knee in my attempt to not fall. I didn't fall, however the damage had already been done to my knee. It was rather painful the rest of the way down but not excruciating or anything like that.
I got home and iced it a lot. That was Friday and I'm still icing it. I canceled going on a high altitude hike tomorrow to Twin Sisters in the hopes of doing another high altitude hike to Croser Mountain this Friday. Croser (the Glen Haven trail) is starts at 7,700' and is 9,250' at the summit. It rises about 2,000' in 4 miles (shouldn't be as bad as last Friday's hike, but I don't really know since I haven't done that one yet). I heard there is a rock scramble just before you get to the summit. (That's what I'm worried about! I think I'll do fine on straight walking, it's the lifting of my knee high that concerns me.) The total hike mileage is 8.2 miles.
So, I guess I'll just have to see how my knee feels when I get up on Thursday morning! I'm keeping my fingers crossed it'll be okay!
It was a beautiful hike on all three trails (Bear Canyon, Fern Canyon, and Mesa)! I wore my rain gear as showers were predicted for later in the afternoon. At the start of the hike, we passed a runner coming down who told us there were two bears at the summit. Pretty exciting, although I certainly didn't want to get close to them.
Once we got on Fern Canyon trail, there was a very steep rise (mostly on a rocks) all the way up to the 8,400' summit. Each step of the way was about a 2 foot rise and required constant use of the leg and butt muscles. No problem going up. At about the 8,100' level, it started snowing--this wasn't predicted! Mark and I were ready to continue as we probably only had about another 15 minutes to go to get to the summit; but, a couple of the ladies wanted to turn around. The hike leader used caution and said we needed to turn around.
By now it's snowing harder and the trail is starting to get covered. I managed to place my left foot on some slippery rocks and jerked my knee in my attempt to not fall. I didn't fall, however the damage had already been done to my knee. It was rather painful the rest of the way down but not excruciating or anything like that.
I got home and iced it a lot. That was Friday and I'm still icing it. I canceled going on a high altitude hike tomorrow to Twin Sisters in the hopes of doing another high altitude hike to Croser Mountain this Friday. Croser (the Glen Haven trail) is starts at 7,700' and is 9,250' at the summit. It rises about 2,000' in 4 miles (shouldn't be as bad as last Friday's hike, but I don't really know since I haven't done that one yet). I heard there is a rock scramble just before you get to the summit. (That's what I'm worried about! I think I'll do fine on straight walking, it's the lifting of my knee high that concerns me.) The total hike mileage is 8.2 miles.
Sunday, April 22, 2012
Fun Time in Ventura
It's hard to believe we are back home in Colorado and our trip to California is now just a memory. We had a fantastic time visiting with Holly, Erich, Zoe and Ezra!!! It was quite nice to spend Easter with them this year! I loved seeing the excitement in Zoe's and Ezra's eyes when they colored eggs the night before--and also on Easter as they searched for eggs inside and outside!
I was so glad we fit in a visit to the beach to just walk around. At Carpinteria Beach, luck was with us...the tide was out so we got to check out the tide pools...lots of interesting creatures, shells, etc.
Took a drive to Lake Casitas...another beautiful, relaxing place! Poor Ezra took a spill and landed on his face; a bit bumped up and two teeth slightly loose, but okay. Quite an end to an otherwise nice day!
The Ventura Charter School's biggest fundraiser, the Ventura Eco Festival turned out to be a bust (for the vendors) due to the high winds which kept the crowds down. It was a beautiful sunny day, in the mid-60s and despite the lack of "business", I thoroughly enjoyed spending time with everyone there! I was very happy that Greg and Michelle stopped by, too, to wish me a Happy Birthday! (Yes, the Eco Festival was on my birthday!) And, speaking of my birthday, I was trying to remember when was the last time that Holly was able to celebrate with me; I think it's been at least 12 years! So, I definitely enjoyed this one!
I also had fun going on the Wheeler Springs hike with Holly, Ezra and Zoe, too! We had to be careful to avoid the new growth of poison oak, particularly at the start of the hike. But it was so pretty walking among the trees.
And just doing the everyday things was extra special...fixing Zoe's hair as she gets ready for school, taking Ezra out for ice cream, playing a game of Scrabble with Holly, Erich, and Mark, dinner at Ferraro's, lunch at In-N-Out Burger...the list goes on and on!
Now we get to look forward to July when they will come out to Colorado for a visit! (Erich has to work, though...we'll miss him.) I'll be counting the days until then! Can't wait for them to see Sophia, too! They last saw her as a newborn almost a year ago! She'll love playing with Ezra and Zoe!
I was so glad we fit in a visit to the beach to just walk around. At Carpinteria Beach, luck was with us...the tide was out so we got to check out the tide pools...lots of interesting creatures, shells, etc.
Took a drive to Lake Casitas...another beautiful, relaxing place! Poor Ezra took a spill and landed on his face; a bit bumped up and two teeth slightly loose, but okay. Quite an end to an otherwise nice day!
The Ventura Charter School's biggest fundraiser, the Ventura Eco Festival turned out to be a bust (for the vendors) due to the high winds which kept the crowds down. It was a beautiful sunny day, in the mid-60s and despite the lack of "business", I thoroughly enjoyed spending time with everyone there! I was very happy that Greg and Michelle stopped by, too, to wish me a Happy Birthday! (Yes, the Eco Festival was on my birthday!) And, speaking of my birthday, I was trying to remember when was the last time that Holly was able to celebrate with me; I think it's been at least 12 years! So, I definitely enjoyed this one!
I also had fun going on the Wheeler Springs hike with Holly, Ezra and Zoe, too! We had to be careful to avoid the new growth of poison oak, particularly at the start of the hike. But it was so pretty walking among the trees.
And just doing the everyday things was extra special...fixing Zoe's hair as she gets ready for school, taking Ezra out for ice cream, playing a game of Scrabble with Holly, Erich, and Mark, dinner at Ferraro's, lunch at In-N-Out Burger...the list goes on and on!
Now we get to look forward to July when they will come out to Colorado for a visit! (Erich has to work, though...we'll miss him.) I'll be counting the days until then! Can't wait for them to see Sophia, too! They last saw her as a newborn almost a year ago! She'll love playing with Ezra and Zoe!
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Fun in California
It seems like we've waited so long for our visit to California and now it's here! We had a (too short) two day visit with my brother, Tom and sister-in-law, Mona before we made it to Ventura to visit Holly, Erich, Zoe and Ezra. It was so great to see them again as well as Jack, Joleen, Maelee, and Earky! We hope to stay longer on the next visit!
We are now having lots of fun seeing Zoe and Ezra every day and love spending time with them and Holly and Erich! (Too bad Erich has a business trip next week to Tuscon.)
I've managed to get in a couple of exercise classes at the YMCA thanks to Holly and Erich's guest passes and hope to have a few more opportunities before we leave here to return home. (I'm trying hard just to maintain the weight I've lost these past 3 1/2 months...21 pounds!)
The weather has been quite nice during the day...sunny and in the mid 60s! I'm hoping it stays this way for most of the time we are here! I especially hope it's sunny and warm on April 14th, my birthday and the day of the Earth Day Festival here in Ventura. We will be vendors along with Holly and some of her friends at this festival.
More on our Ventura adventures a bit later...
We are now having lots of fun seeing Zoe and Ezra every day and love spending time with them and Holly and Erich! (Too bad Erich has a business trip next week to Tuscon.)
I've managed to get in a couple of exercise classes at the YMCA thanks to Holly and Erich's guest passes and hope to have a few more opportunities before we leave here to return home. (I'm trying hard just to maintain the weight I've lost these past 3 1/2 months...21 pounds!)
The weather has been quite nice during the day...sunny and in the mid 60s! I'm hoping it stays this way for most of the time we are here! I especially hope it's sunny and warm on April 14th, my birthday and the day of the Earth Day Festival here in Ventura. We will be vendors along with Holly and some of her friends at this festival.
More on our Ventura adventures a bit later...
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