Zion National Park

After spending several days exploring everything around Zion we actually got to spend the day yesterday in the park! 

I don't have the words to describe how amazingly beautiful it is.  Nor do I have the pictures to show how beautiful it is.  I snapped some with my phone, but will have to wait until we are home from our trip to share Mark's much better pictures. 

It rained most of the morning while we did the tram tour.  It stopped in several places along it's route and we got out wherever there were kid friendly little walks/hikes to do with the kiddos. 

She's starting a new trend

 

After a morning in the park doing the free tram tour of the part of the park that you can't drive through, we headed into Springdale, a little town just outside the park, and had lunch and shopped a little.  We then headed back into the park to drive through on Highway 9.  It was breathtaking, just beyond words beautiful.  We even saw a heard of Big Horn Sheep!!!  Pretty cool. 

What I liked the most about it is that it is accessible to everyone!  While there are spots to stop and get out and walk around and take pics you could just take pics from your car window.  There were lots of wheelchair/stroller friendly spaces to visit.  Anyone can enjoy the beauty of Zion without having to hike in for miles and miles. 

There is however plenty of back-country stuff to do as well.  Tomorrow the plan is for the 4 adults to head into the park and attempt a pretty wicked hike.  Since we are having daily thunder storms with rain we will have to see how the weather is in the morning though, and if it rained all night or not.  If it's wet we won't be doing it...too dangerous and there have been some deaths on this particular trail.  We aren't taking on any additional risk like wet slick trail on the edge of a cliff! 

Check out THIS link for Angels Landing trail info.

As for running, we scoped out another trail to run on but then found out that Hunger Game style booby traps had been found on the trail, so now I'm done running in Utah.  I can't even imagine what a shock that would be to run into!  I'm going to have to hit it hard when we get back to be ready for the last half! 

Snow Canyon

Started the day with an easy 4 miles with Michelle.  We found a paved trail than ran in and out of the neighborhood/golf course next to the condo.  It's my first run since Mt. Diablo and I was a little scared going into it because my legs were still sore.  But, I'm happy to report that I felt great while running and nothing hurts now expect for a few toe nails.  Felt good to get back on my own turf and verify that I can still run.  I was so sore for a few days there that I was scared my legs would never work again.  :) 

After the run we visited Snow Canyon State Park in UT.  So pretty!  I can't wait to post some of Mark's pics from today...the rocks are so much more red with tons of deep rich color than what my phone shows. 

Currently we are enjoying the daily thunder and lightning storm.  Relaxing at the condo, watching football, blogging, reading, and napping depending on who you are. 

 Grace and Sky in her first cowgirl hat!

 

 Snow Canyon State Park, UT

 

Grafton Ghost Town

We visited a Ghost Town today and did a little dirt road exploring today!  I know it's a quick post...once w are back home I will post more details and use the pics Mark is taking with his camera.  I'm just trying to get quick snap shots of the trip so you all can see what we are doing. 

View from the road.

 



That is a for real deal Black Widow spider!  Yikes!

Above...ghost town house...below Grafton Cemetery

 

Random Pics From Walnut Creek

Just a few pics I took with my phone while running with my sister:

 Almost to the top.

 

 Ready to start our run!

 

Tarantula  

It's hard to see but that hill in background with the faint trail coming down...that was steep, steep, steep!!!



Santa Barbara

We headed to Santa Barbara from Walnut Creek to spend time with Mark's sister Kim and her boys.  Oh my goodness I'm in love!  The sun.  The sand.  The warm, but not too warm temperature.  The Mission(s)! 

It was my first time there and I'm can't wait to go back!  In fact I'm saying here and now I will be running a race in SB next year!  Kim said I can stay with them any time and I have a ton of airline miles to use.  So, SB here I come! 

Kim is one of those people you can sit and talk to for hours days and never get bored.  I love every second I get to spend with her, and once again Sky loved having three older cousins to interact with/torment with love and affection.  :) 

Mark and Sky looking at the ocean.

 

First thing Sky did was turn it into a nude beach.  That girl can strip her cloths off faster than I can stop her. 

 

 

Lunch on the beach!

 

We crammed a lot into a small amount of time.  We managed to hit the beach, shop downtown, see a little of the boardwalk, and have lunch on the beach before we hit the road again. 

 

Thank you so much Kim for letting us stay with you.  I can't wait to come back and visit again! 

 

Anyone know of a must run race in SB?



Best "Run" Ever!!!

The one thing I was the most excited about on this trip was the stop in Walnut Creek to see my sister and her family!  It has been 4 1/2 or 5 years since we saw each other last, so there was a lot to catch up on...like her meeting my 2 year old daughter for the first time!  

Oh, and running with her for the first time ever!!!  It's safe to say that if my sister hadn't started running there is no way I would have ever considered lacing up a pair of running shoes 3'ish years ago.  And, I would not be one 1/2 marathon away from my Half Fanatic goal this year.

For all the advice and inspiration she has provided the one thing we have never been able to do was run together. 

She started out mostly a road runner, but over time has now become an Ultra Trail Runner who spends a ton of time running on and around Mt. Diablo.  She mapped out an awesome route for us that would show me all her favorite spots and give her a chance to check out a new trail as well.  I knew I was probably in over my head...being a road runner does not a trail runner make!!!  Plus, it was really, really hot and oh there was only 4,300 feet of elevation to run down.  But, even though I was a little concerned I was not about to miss this opportunity to spend time with my sister on her favorite trails!

To say I ran with her is not exactly accurate.  I would estimate that out of the 7 miles we covered on the mountain I only ran maybe a total of 2 of them.  After the first few miles of downhill my legs were already shot and they were shaking so bad I could hardly walk let alone run.

Sorry for the low image quality.  These are all my sisters pics and for some reason transferring from her google+ to mine is not working well.

Started out all smiles! 



Ended up not so many smiles.

 

Proof I did run a little.

That view!!!  Amazing!

 

I finally gave up trying to run the downhill's because my legs hurt so bad and were giving out on me, and my toes were jammed into the front of my shoes.  Knowing that we still had 5ish miles of downhill I had to develop a new trail technique...

 

When all else fails turn around and walk backwards down the hill!





It's hard to tell but that was a really steep hill!

 

I may be the first trail runner ever to go down a hill backwards, but it worked.  It took the pressure off my quads and kept my toes from hitting the front of my shoes.  I'm sure my sister was cracking up and just wishing I would hurry up already.  ;)  She spent a lot of time waiting at the bottom of hills for me.

 

Even though I had a hard time and frankly struggled during parts of it I had so much fun and would totally do it again just to have the time with her!  It was awesome to see her in her element and see how strong a trail runner she is.  She flew down those hills like there were nothing and was whooping it up having fun the entire time.  I was already a proud older sister, but now I'm in awe of her, and have a first hand appreciation of the Mt. she loves so much. 

 

It was also pretty awesome to see our kids playing together and how much fun Sky had with them.  While the two of us were running the mountain the guys and kids were exploring some trails and caves in the flat land.  Sky was in her element running after the big kids. 

 

Our little explorer!

 

 

Finally 4 days later my legs have stopped feeling worse each day.  I was able to do a 2 mile flat hike today and while they still hurt at least I was able to get through it!  



WA State to Washington Utah - Pics From The Road

I know I haven't been blogging about it...zero internet and very sparse cell phone coverage for 7 days...but we have had/are having a great time!

A quick catch up in pics:  Mostly of Sky on the road because I know that's what people want to see! 

Ready to leave WA and start the 6 day drive to Washington, UT

 Lots of playing with new toys/books

 

A Dutch Brothers coffee stop

Lot's and lot's of sleeping on the road

 

Snack's!

 

 I love how excited she gets about books!

Once we are back home I will do a post about how I packed for the road trip part, and the being in a condo for a week part of out two week vacation.  I will also share how we handled food, and the daily car care packets I made for Sky. 

P.S. - It's a multiple post day...next up sharing time spent with family! 

Hello From The Road

Just a quick post to say we are having fun!  A few pics from the road...Beach in Santa Barbara, run with my sister, and lunch break for Sky.

Happy Friday!

I'll admit it has not been a stellar parenting day on my part.  There may have been a back-to-back viewing of Rio by Sky so that I could pack all her stuff and cook a few meals for the trip. 

After that she spent a lot of time trying to entertain herself while I tried to tune out her noise and focus on getting everything ready to go tomorrow morning. 

I did take a lunch break in the sun, outside with her, so she could play and enjoy some time with Bishop.  She doesn't know it, but she won't see him for a little over two weeks! 

future soccer player? 

 

 

Love how vintage that hat looks.

 

I feel a little bad about how much entertain herself time she had today, but she has a fun filled few weeks ahead of her, with some of her favorite people.  The good news is we are all packed and ready to hit the road tomorrow morning! 

 

I don't know how much blogging I will be doing, but will most likely be posting pics and quick updates on INSTAGRAM and/or Facebook. 

 

Fun fact...we are leaving WA and going to Washington, UT.   



Thankful Thursday

So glad this thing bloomed before we left on our trip.  I expect it will be gone by the time we are back.  I didn't even know this plant had flowers on it!  That's what happens when I buy plants based on the lowest price.  Every plant I have planted this year has been on clearance, and not always looking so happy.  So far they are all doing great and we were able to afford to plant all the flower boxes! 

 

I was pleasantly surprised that Sky did so well at her hair cut this time around.  Partly because Eleanor is amazing with her, and partly because I used Sprite Zero to bribe her.  I don't usually approve of bribing, but sometimes it's just necessary.  She even got a little fun color (don't worry it washed out that evening in the bath) this time around. 

I'm most thankful for the fact that this last hair cut got rid of the length that got so tangled and caused Sky to scream and cry when I brushed her hair.  She still has PTS from it and cries when she sees the brush, but now that it's shorter there is less to brush and it's not nearly as tangled! 

I'm also thankful that I have several non-running days before my epic run Monday.  My legs have been cramping like crazy the last few days, so I'm focused on hydration and compression to make sure I'm ready!  So excited! 

What are you thankful for?  I would love to hear about it!

9 Years

Happy Anniversary to us!!! 

We tend to not make a big deal about the day we signed the dotted line. There was a card this morning and I'll leave the mushy I love my husband so much stuff for the card.  I will say that I have been thankful every day for the last 13 years we have been together and the 9 of those that we have been married!  We have a pretty amazing life!

We got to do some early anniversary gift shopping with my Dad a few weeks ago.  We have been about 30% wanting and 70% needing a good cooler to use for camping and road trips.  We actually had to tape the lid on our old one, so maybe it really is a 100% need!  Thanks to Dad we got this! 

 

A cooler that is big enough, and insulated enough, to contain our whole refrigerator!  You can make almost any trip affordable if you don't eat out every meal, and it's way more healthy.  So, now that we have an awesome cooler that will keep things cold for days, I will be cooking all our meals on our upcoming road trip!

So nice to know we are eating healthy, Mark friendly, Sky approved food while traveling.  Road trips seem to be the one time most everyone, including me, feels like it's ok to eat junk food.  While we will have a little bit of that I have healthy breakfast, lunch and dinners planned for us, so I won't feel bad about the occasional treat.  :)

I'm making sure there is room in there for a wine bottle or two! 

Thank you Dad!

Sky says she is going to pack everything she needs for our road trip in this...

...it does fit her water bottle and a few snacks along with diapers and wipes, so maybe she could get by for 6 days with just the backpack.  ;-)

Love my little girl with her little backpack.  Thank you to Grampy for being the one to finally get her to put it on.  She has had the thing for months now, carries it with her anytime we leave the house, but refused to wear it. 

Is it mean that I make her tote around her own diapers and wipes?