Out to play

This weekend is going to be great!  Do you know why?  OH, I DO!

I get to see my 2nd parents.  We are going to CO to see Chris' rents.  His dad is in the Army and has just arrived back and we get to go out for a few days and hang around.  Though we have gone and seen them in CO before this will be our first time in CO in the summer.  I am excited!  His dad has, as per usual, an iterator for the whole time we are there.

Part of this time will include a famous hike: THE INCLINE.

According to my Dad#2

"What is the incline? It’s an unforgettable, most difficult hike - one mile up in length - 2800 railroad ties (steps) - 2000 feet of vertical climb - and a three mile hike back down the Barr trail (most people run or jog down) - This is one serious workout.

Why do it? It’s a once in a life time opportunity worthy of your best efforts – it’s a very popular hiking trail (thousands do this trail daily), so we need to get there early (plan on leaving the house at 0530 on Monday 25 July) – we’ll be finished and back home by 0830 - a lot of people train on this trail, chugging up to the top in 40-60 minutes and racing back down in another 20-40 minutes - So we’ll be mindful of our speed (or lack thereof) and the pace of others behind you – it’s tradition to let faster hikers pass you with ease (step aside).


The trail is always full of people trudging or dashing up the wooden beams - the climb is difficult, but the views are stunning – the sun will rise to the east behind us and while most of the time you're looking at your footing, when you stop (for air) and look around, it's really worth it - you'll be above 7,000 feet, and your surroundings are pine trees and giant boulders.

There's a false summit, so if you're new to the trail, don't celebrate too early - about half-way up, there is a place where you can sneak over on the Barr Trail back down if it's too intense for you at that time.

There are wild animal concerns (bear, coyote, fox, wolf, elk/dear, mountain lion, and the like) but, stay on the trail and follow my instructions and we’ll be fine – there have been very few wild life incidents in this area but ‘seeing’ them is very common. 

Don’t forget to bring water (you will need it) – durable light weight running or hiking shoes – sunglasses, breathable or wicking shorts and shirt (dress light) – it will be cold (50-60 degrees) to start, but it heats up fast . 

Remember to stop and take in the views and take pics – remember to be safe, always ensure you have sure footing going up and down (many people trip and fall), eat a high protein dinner the night prior, heavy hydrate the 24 hours prior. "

To me this sounds amazing.  Yes, legs will be sore, lungs will scream for air and falling isn't an option but really how many times do you get this type of opportunity?  

But to give you an idea of our visit: this is just one item on our filled iterator!  

Can't wait to see you, #2 rents!

Saying goodbye to a dear old friend.

Rushing through the parking lot, "must get there... what if we are too late".  Cars are everywhere at 9:45pm on this Thursday night.  Slipping the car into a spot not too far away, I sling myself out of the car and quickly make my way to the door. No lines this year just mass chaos.  People everywhere, some sitting in circles, some weaving their way around trying to make it just a little closer to that glorious velvet rope that is the gate way to bliss, at least for tonight.  Slowly making my way around some mulling about I spot some people I know and we start up a conversation as the doors open continuously for more and more fans pouring their way into the lobby, "they will have to stop letting people in the doors soon" as my personal space get to the point of a small perimeter around my person but more people just keep walking in.

(yes, we did dress up.  Wands and all)

I hear a yelling voice off to my right and I see a man standing on the consession stand calling out to the crowd, his poor voice strained as he announces "Theaters 4,5, and 11 are now seating".  As the moment pass more people enter and the man on the counter keeps yelling the same thing over and over,every once in a while he adds another theater but never mine. With each time I wonder will he ever announce my theater is seating.

The lobby has mostly cleared out by this point and my theater is the last to seat.  Finally the man on the counter announces "Theaters 2,3,4,5,9,10,11,8, and 7 are now seating"  The energy in the crowd before was nothing like it was at that moment, pushing on my back and sides as people try and force their way closer to that beautiful velvet rope.  I make it through into my seat and sigh at our good fortune: we not only made it in but mostly unscathed and to rather good seats.

Legs shaking with anticipation, the lights dim and there is a eruption of cheers in every direction.  I sit enraptured by what is about to happen and saddened at seeing it all come to a close.  Odd I know but it felt like having a close friend move away, knowing that you would never see them again but only have the memories of your friendship.  What will life be like?  I know it is silly but these people, these characters have been around for more than 10 years of my life.  As the moments that we all knew came to play across our screen we compared them to the imaginary scenes that we had envisioned.  With each silly moment there was such joy, conquering moments meet with loud applause, and in those moments we all knew had to come jeering quiet as tears silently slid down already wet cheeks.

To those who will always exist in my memories, I am sad to see you move away but overjoyed at the time we had.

Mini vacation

I have the great pleasure of going out of town this weekend to Asheville/Black Mountain area.  I am excited.  Though not a great outdoors "man" nor am I comfortable with bugs touching me, I am however a great lover of hiking and rock climbing... I know makes no sense.  Chris and I haven't been on a vacation since our honeymoon, about 3 years ago.  Whenever we can take time off we go see family, most everybody lives away.  Don't get me wrong I love our family but it isn't going on vacation.  It can be but you must actually GO somewhere.  Don't ask me why, I don't understand why that is but for whatever reason it never works out to have the "feel" of a vacation.  Do you know what I mean?  Maybe it is because it is someone who is with your's home town and house so they have obligations... I don't know.

That was a lot or rambling to get to the point: since Chris and I seem incapable of going on an actual vacation we do day or weekend trips (limits where you can go, especially since I am SUPER cheap) but it is nice.  It is something small to look forward to doing.  The only issue is when you get back because of all the driving in a short time it also doesn't have a "vacation" feel but we do come away with great memories.

Going to the mountains and despite being in NC it is supposed to be high of 87 this weekend... awesome.  = It is pretty much assured to be a great time.

What are your weekend plans?

Silly, unacknowledged, and kind of creepy

I know it is silly but I get attached to characters on TV series.  I am not sure why.  I don't get attached to characters in movies.  I think the difference is that a TV series is a lot more invasive in your life.  In my mind, when I watched Friends they were my friends... unacknowledged and kind of creepy but still somehow a part of their life much like Gunther.  I am not a crier, really.  But when Friends ended I felt like people in my life died...  Yes, yes, you can all feel sad for me. ;P

What is even more weird about it is that I can only get attached when it is at least a halfway decent show with a good amount of character development.  So the really sad fact is that out side of friends for the most part all the shows I fall in love with end after their first season.  This is a real tragedy.  No, not for the actors who loose their livelihood but for me who looses these people I know.  Yes, yes, the world is about me?  This is all on my mind because I have recently discovered a great show, Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, but going in I know that there is only one season.  Why then do I put myself through it... even if it is silly?  Because it is better to have known these characters and fall in love with the writing then to not know.

So this is my input for the day, silly as it may be.  I miss you, JD, Malcom Renolds, Chandler, Olive Snook, Eli Stone, Veronica (yes, I am a fan),  Joan, Georgia, The whole Bluth family, Veronica Palmer, Echo and many more!