Ah. 2018. The year that many, many dreams came true.
1. I moved to Big Bear! It was a whirlwind few weeks that ended with Slugger and I living in a cute and cozy log cabin in Big Bear, a block from the trails. The absolute BEST part of living in BB is that Dad and Tuck come over for dinner at least once a week, Slugs and I hang out at their house, and we get to do fun stuff together. Whenever we want!! For example, just last week, Dad and I went snowshoeing in the forest behind my house, then I made chicken pot pie, and we watched TV. DREAMS COME TRUE!!
2. I went to Hawaii!! I had an excellent 6 days on Oahu. First I did a bunch of sightseeing and touristy things like hiking Diamond Head and visiting Pearl Harbor. Then I spent several days exploring even more of the island with my good friend Torrey and his girlfriend. You can read all the details in my July 2018 posts (all 4 are from this trip!). DREAMS COME TRUE!!!!
3. In November, I left the online world to take a position teaching math at Big Bear High School. Twenty-five years ago, I graduated and never thought I'd be back! The school has changed and almost every teacher has left. But there are a couple still holding on. And a couple who I went to school with! It was a crazy 6 weeks leading up to semester finals and Winter Break but I think it went pretty well, considering. I'm excited to finish out the year and start fresh in August! DREAMS COME TRUE!!!
4. For Christmas, I bought myself a new truck! I had shopped for many months, made many decisions and then changed my mind again, and practically given up. But I needed a 4WD vehicle for snow and dirt. I LOVE the truck I ended up with and actually look forward to driving to school in bad weather (okay, not really). DREAMS COME TRUE!!!
Yup, 2018 was a GOOD year!!
Some goals for 2019 include running a whole lot more, travel (alaska?), time with family, and getting more involved with the Trails Foundation.
Hope your 2018 was all you wanted it to be and 2019 brings many more blessings. Dream big - you never know!!
Sunday, December 30, 2018
Saturday, October 20, 2018
My Boys. Always.
There will be no new tattoos this November. There will be no spending money on Championship gear. Moments of holding my breath, screaming at the TV, happy tears, and frustrated ones, are over. For 2018. Luckily, there's always next year.
My boys will always be my boys.
I have seen this team through wins and losses and changes. Lots and lots of losses. Some impressive wins. Good and bad changes. Change is inevitable in this sport. A part I hate. More than the losses some times. But as has been proven in the last 3-4 years, change makes a difference.
Last year was a dream come true. The Astros became World Champions for the first time. Most of recent championship teams then deflated and had what is referred to as a World Series Hangover. Not my boys. They played hard and well and were the best team in baseball. They won a franchise record 103 games. They were the favorites to take it all again this year. MY BOYS!! It is still hard to believe that words like that are used by experts to describe MY team. Unfortunately, it didn't happen. Too many injuries. Slumps at the wrong time. Bad calls by umps. And an amazingly good team they had to get through.
Am I sad? Of course. Am I disappointed? Of course. Am I proud? Heck yes!!
My boys will always be my boys.
My boys will always be my boys.
I have seen this team through wins and losses and changes. Lots and lots of losses. Some impressive wins. Good and bad changes. Change is inevitable in this sport. A part I hate. More than the losses some times. But as has been proven in the last 3-4 years, change makes a difference.
Last year was a dream come true. The Astros became World Champions for the first time. Most of recent championship teams then deflated and had what is referred to as a World Series Hangover. Not my boys. They played hard and well and were the best team in baseball. They won a franchise record 103 games. They were the favorites to take it all again this year. MY BOYS!! It is still hard to believe that words like that are used by experts to describe MY team. Unfortunately, it didn't happen. Too many injuries. Slumps at the wrong time. Bad calls by umps. And an amazingly good team they had to get through.
Am I sad? Of course. Am I disappointed? Of course. Am I proud? Heck yes!!
My boys will always be my boys.
Monday, August 6, 2018
Angeles Crest 100 2018
The hardest part about AC100 this year was leaving Slugger. We had only been in the new house for 10 days. I found a dog sitter and she came over 4 times to get to know him and make sure both were comfortable. Luckily, it all worked out!!
The big difference this year was that Dad drove up from Kresse's and I drove from BB. Because I wanted to stay with Slugs as long as possible, I didn't actually get to Millard until about 6pm. I still beat the aid station folks by a little bit. We got all set up and settled in for the night. By the time runners got anywhere near us, the early favorites, big names, and frequent guests had all dropped out! It was an interesting race - hot was the key word, I think.
Seriously have no exciting events to report!! Oh wait, there was one bit of drama. An early runner was reported going through the aid station before ours with a pacer. This is normal except that at AC, there is a category of runner called Solo. This means they are running without crew, and without pacer. They sign up this way and get an early start in the registration process. This runner was supposed to be running solo, but seemed to have a pacer. We were at first told to stop the runner and DQ him. Dad conferenced with Aid Station folks and explained to Net Control that this wasn't going to happen. It really wasn't our job!! Net Control did some research and agreed that it wasn't our job. Runner came in, with pacer, and left. We never mentioned the issue!! Two of our aid folks knew they guy, sort of, and knew he'd always planned to have a pacer and there must be some mistake with the Solo markings. After the fact, we learned that it had indeed been a clerical error and he wasn't running solo. He got his finish in under 25 hours :)
Our last runner came and went (though didn't quite finish in under 30 hours). Sweep runners and bikers came and went. We packed up. I finally bailed even though Dad wasn't done yet - we have to wait until everyone finishes. I was QUITE anxious to get to Slugger!! Oh, and I was having some weird allergic reaction (I assume) in my eye and was in pain and couldn't see clearly. I was hoping getting out of the woods would clear it up. It didn't. It was an interesting drive home. I didn't feel better until the next day!!
And as always, I took no pictures. Here's a couple someone else took!
The big difference this year was that Dad drove up from Kresse's and I drove from BB. Because I wanted to stay with Slugs as long as possible, I didn't actually get to Millard until about 6pm. I still beat the aid station folks by a little bit. We got all set up and settled in for the night. By the time runners got anywhere near us, the early favorites, big names, and frequent guests had all dropped out! It was an interesting race - hot was the key word, I think.
Seriously have no exciting events to report!! Oh wait, there was one bit of drama. An early runner was reported going through the aid station before ours with a pacer. This is normal except that at AC, there is a category of runner called Solo. This means they are running without crew, and without pacer. They sign up this way and get an early start in the registration process. This runner was supposed to be running solo, but seemed to have a pacer. We were at first told to stop the runner and DQ him. Dad conferenced with Aid Station folks and explained to Net Control that this wasn't going to happen. It really wasn't our job!! Net Control did some research and agreed that it wasn't our job. Runner came in, with pacer, and left. We never mentioned the issue!! Two of our aid folks knew they guy, sort of, and knew he'd always planned to have a pacer and there must be some mistake with the Solo markings. After the fact, we learned that it had indeed been a clerical error and he wasn't running solo. He got his finish in under 25 hours :)
Our last runner came and went (though didn't quite finish in under 30 hours). Sweep runners and bikers came and went. We packed up. I finally bailed even though Dad wasn't done yet - we have to wait until everyone finishes. I was QUITE anxious to get to Slugger!! Oh, and I was having some weird allergic reaction (I assume) in my eye and was in pain and couldn't see clearly. I was hoping getting out of the woods would clear it up. It didn't. It was an interesting drive home. I didn't feel better until the next day!!
And as always, I took no pictures. Here's a couple someone else took!
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| the all night gang |
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| everyone! |
Tuesday, July 10, 2018
HAWAII!!! Day Four-Six
I spent my last three days hanging out with my good friend Torrey and his girlfriend Siri. Torrey and I go back to Kindergarten and I was super excited to see him and meet Siri who he'd met while living in HI. When I told him I wanted to come visit, he was very inviting. When I told him I wanted to hike and snorkel and see "real" Hawaii, he said OKAY! And boy did he deliver!!! I have fewer pictures of these days because I was having too much fun visiting :) I decided it made more sense to turn them into one (long) post.
T&S picked me up at the airport, we enjoyed Acai bowls and we drove to the West Side. I had been up the North shore on Saturday's tour. By the time we were done, I'd seen basically every part of the island that one can get to! Snorkeling was first on our agenda. I had borrowed a pouch to put my phone in to keep it dry but still be able to take pictures. These are the best I got...
We were out maybe 45 minutes. It was an adventure and now I can say I did it. I was terrible at getting in and out with the flippers and waves and all. Siri was very nice about it and said it was a pretty tough place for a novice. Apparently Torrey forgot to tell her I was a newbie!
From there, we kept driving up the coast until the road ended. Then we got out and hiked! We ended up at a Nature Preserve at the very western most tip of the island. The only way to get there is on foot.
We stopped and got shaved ice on the way back to their house. It's a Hawaiian staple!
We ended the evening enjoying beverages and snacks on the lawn with their neighbors. They live in a former staff house of a larger "estate". They're basically all one big happy family! It was great!!
The next day, Siri went off to work and dropped us at a bus stop closer to where Torrey and were going to hike. Saved quite a bit of time sitting on a bus!!
So our hike didn't end up like we'd planned. The trailhead was VERY steep, wet and slippery, and took incredible balance to stay on our feet. I made one wrong step and my knee SCREAMED at me. And not it's normal screaming. I sat for a few minutes but decided to be a smart adult and turn around. We only had about .25 miles to the waterfall but I really didn't want to get stuck down there or hurt myself even worse! So we turned around. Up was actually a whole lot easier than down!! By the time we got up, the screaming knee had shut up but the opposite ankle was a mess, probably from favoring the other side.
On our way back to the house, the bus put us right outside whichever building has the famous statue in front of it. Seriously should've written this 2 months ago!!
That night T&S took me to a local restaurant that was quite yummy! Then they took me to a Don Quixote store. Wow!! So much stuff!! It had everything!! From aisles of souvenirs (of course I bought more!!) to fresh meats to housewares. Seriously everything!
Tuesday was my final day in Hawaii. I had woken up Monday with a cold though I didn't let it slow me down. Tuesday morning Torrey had a thing and I volunteered to just stay home, sleep in, and pack. I had a LOT to fit in to my little suitcase and one carry-on!!
Tuesday afternoon Torrey and I ventured not too far to the Palace for a video and an art museum and general wondering around cool historical Hawaiian stuff.
We got cleaned up, picked up my luggage and met Siri for dinner at a local pub. Yummy. They took me to the airport and I flew home! Okay, it was a nightmare flight with lost luggage, canceled connections, etc but whatever. I'm home. I went to Hawaii and had an AMAZING time!! I can't wait to go back!! Oh and to go visit T&S in Japan maybe!!
T&S picked me up at the airport, we enjoyed Acai bowls and we drove to the West Side. I had been up the North shore on Saturday's tour. By the time we were done, I'd seen basically every part of the island that one can get to! Snorkeling was first on our agenda. I had borrowed a pouch to put my phone in to keep it dry but still be able to take pictures. These are the best I got...
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| the beach |
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| where we put in |
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| my suit, I think |
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| water |
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| I couldn't figure out my phone's issues so got several screenshot looking things |
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| actual picture of the ocean floor |
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| there were lots of snorkelers out but we'll say this is T&S |
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| we saw lots of fish and a couple turtles - they could be in this shot - who knows! |
From there, we kept driving up the coast until the road ended. Then we got out and hiked! We ended up at a Nature Preserve at the very western most tip of the island. The only way to get there is on foot.
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| That's all coral! |
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| It was REALLY hard not to put sone in my pocket!! |
We stopped and got shaved ice on the way back to their house. It's a Hawaiian staple!
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| Tired and happy!! |
The next day, Siri went off to work and dropped us at a bus stop closer to where Torrey and were going to hike. Saved quite a bit of time sitting on a bus!!
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| Here we go!! |
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| Started out easy |
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| I thought this was bad! |
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| couple nice views before we headed down |
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| there's a ROPE to help you get up and down! |
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| this is actually fairly flat, though wet and knotty |
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| bottom of heart attack hill |
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| this is actually headed down |
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| This is a pic T took of the waterfall when he was there in March. It was probably 20 times fuller today! Oh well!! At least I am still walking :) |
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| hot, sweaty, muddy, but still a tourist! |
Tuesday was my final day in Hawaii. I had woken up Monday with a cold though I didn't let it slow me down. Tuesday morning Torrey had a thing and I volunteered to just stay home, sleep in, and pack. I had a LOT to fit in to my little suitcase and one carry-on!!
Tuesday afternoon Torrey and I ventured not too far to the Palace for a video and an art museum and general wondering around cool historical Hawaiian stuff.
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| A church |
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| where apparently people were getting married |
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| outside of the art museum |
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| statue of one of the queens |
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| the Palace |
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| church down the street |
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| walking back to T's house, he says, "oh yeah, Obama went to school there" really?! that's an afterthought!!?!? |
Saturday, July 7, 2018
HAWAII!!! Day Three
I booked this tour MONTHS in advance! I was SO excited for it! I am happy to say that it did not disappoint!! Robert's Hawaii works on several of the islands and does several different types of tours. I chose the Grand Circle Tour which took us all around the island with several fun stops. I figured it was the best way to see more of the island. It WAS!! My driver/guide was incredibly good at his job! He got that tour bus (a big charter bus) in all kinds of parking spots and turns and such. He knew A LOT about Hawaii - history, culture, flora and fauna, sights, etc.
I think I took about 500 pictures on this day alone. Here are the highlights!!
Seriously fabulous day!! There were about 30 of us on the bus, people of all sorts, exploring a gorgeous island!
Next day I was checking out the of hotel so that night I packed up and tried to make it all fit! I bought a few souvenirs along the way!!
I think I took about 500 pictures on this day alone. Here are the highlights!!
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| On the bus - front seat - ready to go! |
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| Hanauma Bay Lookout |
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| wild chickens everywhere! |
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| a lot of my pics look like this -out the bus window also, it rained most of the day so windshield wipers were a common sight |
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| From Here to Eternity |
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| these were "small" waves |
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| cemetery sectioned by country - there were Japanese and quite interesting |
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| Meditation spot at the Temple - I was SO tempted to spend my 15 minutes there |
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| Inside the Temple - I wasn't going to photograph out of respect/reverence but everyone else was so I did |
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| Macadamia Nut Farm (extra stop cuz our driver was awesome) |
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| an un opened Macadamia Nut - I then smashed it |
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| and let the chicken eat it - the ground is covered with nut shells |
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| chinaman's hat and surroundings |
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| we stopped at Kuala Ranch where a LOT of movies and TV has been filmed, including Jurassic World we had lunch there and got about 90 minutes to wander around |
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| so many cool sights along the shore! the tour drove most of the day right long the ocean - so cool! |
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| jumping rock - zoom |
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| not zoom |
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| pineapple fields |
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| Dole Plantation |
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| random waterfall - it had rained a lot! |
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| Aloha Stadium - former home of the ProBowl |
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| heading up H3 which is mostly bridge and tunnel |
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| our last stop we'd tried earlier in the day but the weather didn't cooperate |
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| still not clear but much better windier than I've ever experienced! |
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| drove through town on the way back down this is the convention center I have many other building pics but don't remember what they are! |
Next day I was checking out the of hotel so that night I packed up and tried to make it all fit! I bought a few souvenirs along the way!!
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