Family

shamrock shakes & turning 30

Published March 10, 2015

That time of year again when my housemates celebrate birthdays – Ash 25 & Tom, the big 3-0.

Ash unfortunately was sick during birthday week so home-feasted on rotisserie chicken & cheesecake. Tom however celebrated BIG – dinner at the Post, Shamrock Shake at McD’s & a South Dakota-themed birthday cake.

Happy Birthday young ‘uns – oh to be 30 again 🙂

: shamrock shake – an annual birthday tradition

: celebration at the Post

: bucket of chicken, mashed potatoes, mac n cheese & collard greens – YUM!

: South Dakota surprise – Ash gifted a weekend trip in May

Nymph, Dream & Emerald Lakes

Published March 7, 2015

Last March I first snow-shoed in Rocky Mountain Nat’l Park (with a guide through Apex Ex). LOVED it! This year purchased 3 more tickets and treated Ash & Tom as a Christmas gift.

Temps kicked up after weeks of snow – just above freezing, sunny in the mountains. Pretty much perfect 🙂

Same gig as last year – met up at Beaver Meadows Visitors Center in RMNP, followed by a 20 minute drive to Glacier Gorge Trailhead. Poles, shoes, group introductions, porta-potty – then, hit the snowy trail to Nymph Lake.

Today’s snow-shoe itinerary – Nymph, Dream & Emerald Lakes, a 3.6 mile round-trip trek, crazy popular this time of year.

Guide was more aggressive with elevation gain & hill climb than last year’s adventure to Lake Haiyaha. Wasn’t exactly the walk thru the meadows tour I touted to Ash (sorry) – that said, LOVED it!

Highlights? Trekking across Dream Lake – ice formations were stunning. And of course, 3-cheese fondue & apples high in the Rockies aside Emerald Lake. Honestly, absolutely nothing like it – highly recommended!

: shoeing across Nymph Lake

: good attitude, another hill climb

: today’s WOW pic – snow & sun high in the Rockies

: trip highlight: trekking across Dream Lake

: stunning ice formations

: all smiles kinda day

: Hallett Peak

: day’s obligatory selfie – can’t believe I live here!

: destination, Emerald Lake – left the group & hiked UP past tree-line

: kickin’ back, hot cider

: 3-cheese fondue, bread & apples – YUM!

: high-altitude fondue feast

Posted in Family, RMNP | Tagged snowshoe | 2 Comments

Home of the Clintons

Published February 28, 2015

When you tell folks you’re flying to Little Rock, Arkansas, everyone thinks of the Clintons – no worries, I wouldn’t disappoint this trip.

Arrived in Bill & Hillary Clinton National Airport, greeted by family – mom, brother, sister-in-law & niece – who travelled to Little Rock to support me at marathon #21 of my 50 State Quest. Best family ever!

Another unexpected cold snap in the deep South (Mississippi, South Carolina, now Arkansas) – perfect! Grey overcast skies (snow yesterday) – luckily had indoor activities planned in Arkansas’ capital city.

Bib pick-up, check. Next stop, lunch – Maddie’s Place, a Creole restaurant 2 doors down from the Cross-Eyed Pig 🙂 Food did not disappoint. Where else can one fill their pre-race belly with fried green tomatoes? YUM!

Googled top 10 things to do in Little Rock. All paths led to the Clinton Presidential Library. Library, seriously? These days I skim-read news headlines; haven’t actively read books since earning a MBA 10 years ago.

Luckily no Dewey Decimal system or card catalogue on today’s tour. Witnessed everything Clinton in these halls – thru film, photos & White House memorabilia. Clinton was a likeable President, super charismatic.

Completed our afternoon at the Old State House. This historical corridor-riddled building told Arkansas’ past, of its governors, its first ladies & of course Bill Clinton, first elected Governor at age 32.

President-Elect Clinton greeted the American public from this spot when elected in 1992. Lotta history here.

Ended the day with flaming queso at MarketPlace Grill. FANTASTIC day, surrounded by family. Super pumped, ready to run. Just wait ‘til tomorrow – a little freezing rain won’t slow me down 🙂