Golden

A late blog, but at least its here!

A couple of weeks ago, I got my work profit share and decided to invest in a new mountain bike. This is a new adventure for me and I am excited to explore the mountains. First up was a trip to Golden with my brother, his girlfriend Kim and Scott. After a slightly late departure we met devon and kim at the very nice quiet campsite in Golden right at the entrance of the moonraker trail system which we planned to explore. A beer by the campfire and then it was off to bed to get up and hit the trails. the next morning was a nice sleep in followed by a delicious breakfast of eggs and bacon. mmm bacon around a campfire is the best thing ever!!! Then we went up to the traills and began our biking adventure. The trails were great just a little rooty but nothing too bad. Having a great time and then I swallowed a mosquito, the first of my accidents. I nearly threw up right there on the trail. Recovered and off again. Went on a couple uphills, hard but fun and on a straight away I crashed, with the bike landing on top of me! didn't hurt but i got a huge bruise which was awesome. Then i kept on going working on the skills required to get up and downhill without crashing. my second crash was witnessed by kim as I pretty much just fell over sideways without even peddling that fast. there i was like a crab on my shell flailing limbs and laughing my ass off. Needless to say my love of mountain biking began and I hope to continue exploring many mountains and truly getting better!

East End of Wendell

So a couple weeks ago Scott and I joined a meetup group of other mountain scramblers to attempt the east end of wendell near Yam. It was an amazing hike, starting over a ridge on Yam and down into a valley and then up Wendell. Part of the path was covered in water so it was a bit of a challange keeping the feet dry. Further up the mountain was the exciting scree field, something I have never done before. Took some getting used to with the slipping and sliding and heading up is a bit of work. I made it halfway up the scree field before my legs decided i was done and had gone high enough. Found myself a safe perch and enjoyed the view while scott and the others continued up to the summit. On the way down, I found myself truly enjoying stepping and sliding down the scree field. It was almost like skiing down the slope and i had a blast. Then it was back down into the beautiful valley full of deep colours and warmth. The sun was shining and the birds were chirping and it was a great day had by all. not sure what the new few weeks hold for mountain adventures, but i have a craving to head out camping soon so hopefully thats next! we shall see. In July we are off to Ontario for a weekend and then Scotts dad is coming for 10 days so that should be fun, as well as going to the Folk Fest where tons of great bands are playing. Found out recently that Mother Mother and Tokyo Police Club are coming to the Calgary stampede, too bad its when we are away! If you haven't seen them yet, you should both bands are amazing live. high energy and great times.

Eating Clean

So tonight is the first night of my and Scotts eating clean adventures. I am not 100 percent eating clean, if we go out to dinner and I want something not clean I will get it but at home my meals are going to be healthy and non processed. Tonight I am making roasted red potatoes with garlic, rosemary olive oil chicken and corn on the cob. Not too shabby and it smells awesome. Breakfast is a granola banana strawberry mixture. I am using vanilla yogurt even though I know its not clean, but Scott doesn't care for cottage cheese which is what the reciepe wanted me to use. Still quite healthy which is the whole point.

This combined with our decision to train for another half marathon should make it a pretty healthy and happy household. well we are already happy just not quite as healthy as we would like. Also we have decided to eat in and not spend nearly as much money out on food as we have been out a lot lately and can see the results of that choice in our bank accounts! not really worth it in my mind.

As far as our mountain adventures are concerned we went out to an amazing backcountry campground for may long weekend, only about 40 minute hike off the highway but it was on a beautiful ledge overlooking a lake. Quiet and peaceful. roasted our smokies on the campfire, smokies which exploded and resembled something out of a crime scene! Still very tasty. Then the next night we were off to a car camping site, after exploring a rock way that kicked my ass. We were at Stone hill in montana and the route was a challange as i was supposed to scurry up the side of a crack. hmmm. Gotta work on those climbing skills and try again sometime! It was a great trip had by all.

This weekend is a scramble out at Mount Fairview, haven't attempted this before. In fact despite growing up in a small mountain town I never took advantage and explored those mountains. Really don't know what I was thinking as I love everything about it. Big kudos to Scott for introducing me to a whole new world! thanks Babe!

L

Climbing

This summer begins my climbing adventures in the Rocky Mountains and I am stoked! Having spent the winter climbing in the gym i am ready to hit the mountains. My appetite has been wet, a small taste of three climbs up Wasootch and I am gearing up for more. The sense of accomplishment when I get to the top of the rock and admire the view is indescribable. Its amazing and I love every minute of fighting for that next hold, searching for the next step up the rock face. And there are so many places to go and climb, pretty much unlimited. Before the limitless fun can begin, there is of course, learning. I must learn to lead climb, to bolt and anchor, safely and properly and to build up my climbing skill to get up steeper faces, overhangs and under hangs! So exciting. The world truly is a girls oyster and the possibilities are stretching out before me! Love the climb, love the burn, love the challenge, just love!