After 12 hikes with different groups, the first of which was in March, Mark and I finally decided to venture out on our own and do a mountain hike. This past Thursday we hiked Twin Sisters. There are two peaks almost the same height (11,248') with a saddle in between. We went up the one and ate lunch at the summit of the first.
It took us 3 hours to hike the fairly steep 3.7 mile rocky trail with a 2,500' elevation gain. Once we broke out of the trees and got out on the tundra, it became even rockier but was manageable. We came across several big horn sheep and the big guy was staring straight at us. I was glad he didn't think we were a threat because we would be no match for those horns!
We spent about 20 minutes eating our lunch and I was contemplating doing the saddle and going up the other peak but it looked even rockier than the one we just hiked. Also, there was an ominous cloud forming right overhead so we decided to get our backpacks on and head back down the mountain. Within a few minutes, we heard the first rumble of thunder and I started going as quickly as possible to get off the tundra and to the tree line. I had no intention of becoming a lightning rod!
It took us 2 hours to get down the mountain which is the fastest I've ever done a descent! As a matter of fact, Mark could barely keep up with me! There was lightning near by and I was not enjoying that part of the hike!
I can tell I've gotten so much stronger with each hike and my recovery time following a hike is quicker, too. As a matter of fact, I did over an hour power walk this morning and my legs and knees weren't bothered a bit! I have my trainer, Mark Warburton to thank for helping me get physically ready to be able to do the long hikes, particularly the mountain hikes. He works with me on leg, core, and arm strength twice a week and it's working!
Friday, July 6, 2012
Sunday, July 1, 2012
This and That
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!
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!
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