No Hike, Browns Game, Run

This weekend didn't turn out the way I hoped. It was pretty crumby the entire weekend, which put a hold on the hike that I have been longing for.... Maybe another weekend.

Now for the Browns game.... HORRIBLE! It basically sums it up! I mean, I know they were playing the Ravens, one of top Defenses in the NFL, but cmon, only 3 points!? They make it awfully hard to be a Browns fan. I am not sure which QB is better, or I should say worse. Quinn, who holds the ball too long and makes bad decisions or Anderson, who has the experience but makes bad throws and chokes in big games. I am fortunate to get to go to both Browns vs Bengals games, but I am regretting it now cause I am sure the Browns will blow it! Oh well, I am used to them not winning, no reason to get too upset;)

I have been nursing a hip injury for about a week and this weekend it started to feel better. I decided to run today and see if it was better. I recently go the Nike+ insert and it is amazing. It tracked my progress and sent it to the website, where I can see my daily running logs! SWEET! If you want to go and see my progress go here:

(Copy and paste it)

http://nikerunning.nike.com/nikeplus/?l=runners,runs,202377150,runID,1074346978 .

You can keep track of me and go and see how my runs are and how far I am running. Very cool!

Until next time,

peace,

Weekend Hike

Backpack-check, tent and sleeping bag-check, hiking boots-check, some delicious freezed dried food-check, a weather forecast to postpone your trip-check.

This weekend my pops and I are trying to go hiking. We are looking to go down to East Fork State Park to hike the 33 mile trail loop. My pops and I enjoy hiking and love to get out and into the wild. The last time we hiked, it poured on us, I mean buckets and buckets soaking us to the bone. So when we saw the forecast, we decided to postpone the trip a day. My pops is getting up there in age and where I would of gone regardless, we got to watch out for the old man.

Heres hoping for better weather tomorrow!

Camping in the Rain

On this rainy day, I look outside and I wish I was in my tent. The way the rain hits the nylon of the tent just sounds so relaxing and puts me in state of serenity. It is a very different sound, not like rain hitting a roof or how it sounds when your in your car, a different more calming sound. Its one of those sounds that if haven't camped before, you may not appreciate it. I highly recommend it. So then next time you see rain in the forecast and you don't mind getting a little wet, go out camping! Take your tent, grab your sleeping bag and a good book and open your ears and let the sound of the rain take you away. Ill just say you're welcome now...:)

Cheers and happy camping!

Day of Babysitting

Yesterday was the day that I was faced with if I really want to be a parent or not. In a pinch, my sister and husband needed my help to look after the kids for a day. Now, it doesn't sound very daunting, but having two young, very picky little girls to look after, it can take a lot out of you, especially if you do not have a ton of experience babysitting.

The morning started out getting up early (7:30am) and waiting for the young ones to wake. Struggling to stay awake, as I sip on coffee and watch the 3rd replay of Sports Center, I wait nervously for the day to begin. Finally, around 830, the youngest one wakes up and the next challenge begins.... After starting the youngest one with a bowl full of cheerios and toast, or how she would pronounce it toassscht, the oldest one rises. Breakfast goes great, no spills, the kids eat most of their food and no major fits...from me.

After breakfast, I get the girls dressed and head up to the playroom. In the playroom, there are close to a 1,000 different things the girls could do. We however, decided to have a dance party! I tried to keep it light and fun with them. I don't want them to see me as a rule enforcer, just the cool, fun uncle. I think I did that with my awesome dance moves!

The time passes as we do, about 999 out of the 1000 activities and the next thing we know, it is lunch time. I make a deal with them that if they eat all their food, there will be special surprise for them after dinner. With much convincing, they struggle to finish their squash, or as they would say, quassh. We clean up and then head upstairs. The next part is probably the best part of the day...NAP TIME! They lay down like angels and fall asleep within 5-10 minutes. Call me the baby whisperer.

Shortly before the girls woke up from their nap, their mom, my sister, makes a surprise visit home for the day. I was excited to get to hand them off to her. I made it through my day of babysitting and was happy to have been able to help them out. No major problems and I grew that much close to my nieces.

All in all, a great day! I think I wont count out being a parent quite yet.

Appalachian Trail Hike

I want you to close your eyes, well, not right now cause you need to read what you will be picturing;). Imagine you are on a well beaten path that has been around since 1921. The path covers 2000+miles and travels through 14 states starting in Georgia and ending in Maine. Along the way you will see some of the most beautiful mountain ranges in over 40 national/state/federal parks. You will have a sleeping bag, tent, a weeks worth of food at a time, water and dedication. Everything thing you have will be strapped on your back and hopefully not weigh over 30 pounds. You will be on one of the oldest trials in America, doing something a very low percentage of people have ever done. Sound like fun, doesn't it? I think so!

I have always enjoyed the outdoors and have been an avid hiker since my trip out west to Philmont back in 1999. I want my next quest to be the Appalachian Trail, or also known as the AT. To hike the entire trail in what is called a Thru-hike, takes anywhere from 5-6 months, depending on how fast of a hiker you are. I have missed the ideal time to start the hike and do not have 5 months to dedicate to not earning an income, therefore, I think I am gonna do sections of the trail until I have accomplished the trail. I am very excited to do this and cannot wait to start my adventure.