School's Out Road Trip 2021

 Because the world is only sort of opening up, and because I wanted Slugger to come too, I decided to take a little road trip as soon as school was out. The plan was to camp the first 3 nights and then motel the last night. As with any good road trip, plans changed. 

Slugs and I set out about noon on the Monday after school was out. 

I had run the HVTR 15 miler on Saturday and my toes HURT. I also had a weird foot pain that could've been a stress fracture (feels better but still not 100% so who knows). About 2 hours into the drive I started to realize that driving wasn't helping and I had no desire to set up camp. SO I got online and reserved a room in Bishop. This was a little further than we had been planning for the day. But without all the stops to hike/walk we got there about dinner time anyway. Once we were in Bishop, I changed up the rest of the trip too and it all worked out marvelously. 

Anyway, the trip: We stopped in Lone Pine at Gardners hardware which hasn't changed. I didn't shop long though because Slugs was in the hot car and my feet hurt. And it was crowded. 

After a decent night's sleep in Bishop, we went to a local bakery recommended by a friend who used to live there. We went to the local park to eat. We sat on a bench in the shade in front of a small pond, watching the ducks and enjoying the green grass. It was splendidly relaxing. 

From Bishop we drove North. We saw a lot of amazing scenery and sang a lot of good songs with the radio blaring. 

We stopped in Mammoth Lakes and had a little hike. Pretty sure Slugger thought we were back home - it smelled the same, looked a lot like it, and was finally almost not hot.

Next we stopped to look over Mono Lake.

The next stop was one of Slugger's favorites! A river!! I *think* it was the West Fork of the American River. I'm took lazy to look it up. 

THEN Slugger went to Nevada for the first time!!!

I decided that we should go over to Lake Tahoe and drive up the CA side. I forgot about all the casinos on the NV side. Weird. And two totally different places on each side of the state line. Once we were back in CA though, we got out so Slugger could swim again :)

Driving up to Truckee from Tahoe was a lot like driving at home. Slugger even thought so and kept getting excited. I was really tired of driving on foreign mountain roads though. Strange that I do it all the time here at home but there it made me nervous - I guess because I wasn't familiar with the terrain.

We spent Tuesday night in Auburn. I am familiar with Auburn due to Western States. I wanted to take Slugger to see some of the trails and sights. When Dad and I are there for the race, we don't usually see much more than our aid station. After driving into Forest Hill and talking to Dad, we drove back into Auburn and went to Robie Point. This is the VERY end of WSER. Where they come off the trail and hit the last mile of uphill on road. It was a very steep road, as advertised. 

We followed these footprints up the road to the high school track that they run around to the finish.

I don't remember the track being quite so fancy! That's TURF!!

After we left Auburn, we drove down I5 to Stockton to take a walk around University of the Pacific, my alma mater. I kinda felt like I was doing one of those trips where the parent drags their kids to all the places they lived growing up. Pacific was nice and quiet and beautiful as ever. Lots and lots of grass for puppy to roll in and even a well-watered tree! 

Then we had an excellent visit with Christy (freshman year roomie and forever bestie) at her house. Slugs got to meet Tobie (totally chill older lab/pug mix). 

Thursday we drove home. We were both done driving. And tired of the heat (hot at home but not THAT hot!)

Not the trip we set out on, but definitely an excellent trip!! 

It's been a while

 So life got busy. And boring. Pandemic and all. Slugger and I enjoyed walking and hiking and being together. I ran. Oh, he had another knee surgery. I taught some math. Online. Oh, we bought a house! So yeah it was a boring yet exciting 15 months of pandemic life. 

I feel like we're coming out of our cocoon. 

There are some things I hope don't change - space between you and me in line at the PO or grocery; masks when you're sick or in allergy season; people appreciating the outdoors and nature. 

And hopefully some more posts here :) 

Just In: I LIKE SNOW!!!

If you know me at all, you probably know that I have always hated snow and cold and winter in general. I don't want to go out in it, on foot or by car. When I decided to move to BB, I made Dad promise he'd drive me around when it snowed and I had to get somewhere. One of the reasons that the online job seemed perfect - I would't HAVE to go out in it. It took me 25 years to move back to BB because I didn't want to deal with snow.

I don't really remember hating it in DE but I also only remember one or two snow storms. It was in DE that I learned what an ice storm is all about. But I also had a 4WD truck so I guess I just dealt with driving in it when I needed to. My memories of DC snow are getting a day or two off here and there and that people would just abandon their cars in the middle of the street. Every year they acted like it had never snowed before even though we generally got at least one decent storm each winter. And Texas snow wasn't really snow. The few times it was, we got lots of days off school so I didn't have to deal with it. Same with the ice. Lots and lots of ice days over the years!! In fact, eight years ago I was in the middle of a week off due to ice - I went nowhere!

Fast forward to 2019. I now live in BB and own a 4WD truck again. And snowshoes. I have appropriate clothing for the cold (though not like the -40 polar vortex the midwest just experienced). And guess what? I LIKE SNOW!!! I was actually bummed yesterday because it rained all day instead of snowing!! It did finally snow once it got cold enough. Just an inch or so though.

I took off on my snowshoes this morning to see how much the woods got. Maybe two inches as I got a little higher. I'm sure it was a lot more even higher because that rain would've been snow up there. Anyway, as you know, my most favorite place on earth is in the woods. Today, I mostly was on the established trail but most of the time I was the only tracks. It was AWESOME!!! I'd show you how beautiful it was but I left my phone at home on accident. But I was kinda glad that it was just me and God, roaming through the snowy woods, the sun trying to peak through the clouds and trees. Seriously just amazing.

We are supposed to get even more snow tonight and the next TWO days. Hopefully it's snow!! We might even get a snow day but I hope not. I have plans for the day we'd give up in May!! Besides, I can drive in it so might as well go to work!! I do already have plans to take Slugs with me tomorrow afternoon, snowshoeing in the woods :)

Moral of the story: people CAN change!!

2018

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!!

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.

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 all night gang

everyone!

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...

the beach

where we put in

my suit, I think

water

I couldn't figure out my phone's issues so got several screenshot looking things 

actual picture of the ocean floor

there were lots of snorkelers out but we'll say this is T&S

we saw lots of fish and a couple turtles - they could be in this shot - who knows!

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.

That's all coral!

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!

Tired and happy!!

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!!

Here we go!!

Started out easy

I thought this was bad!

couple nice views before we headed down

there's a ROPE to help you get up and down!

this is actually fairly flat, though wet and knotty 

bottom of heart attack hill

this is actually headed down

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.

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 :)

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!!

hot, sweaty, muddy, but still a tourist!

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.

A church

where apparently people were getting married

outside of the art museum

statue of one of the queens 

the Palace

church down the street

walking back to T's house, he says, "oh yeah, Obama went to school there"
really?! that's an afterthought!!?!?

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!!