Travel

I remember when I was a 'kid' and I went to my first airport.  Spokane.  My sister was flying to Europe.  It was sooooo exciting.  I had an overwhelming sense that I would do a lot of travel in my life.  And then I promptly forgot about it and went on being a kid.  I remembered this scene as I was navigating my sixth airport in two weeks last week.  It was Denver and was nothing like Spokane has ever been.  I think this pic is from my window seat landing in Portland for a couple hours before my final hop home. 

It was pointed out to me (by my defacto dog sitter) that I have been gone a lot in the last six months.  Believe me, I know.  So do my dog friends.  And my dogs.  And my cat.  And my credit cards.  And my frequent flyer account.  And my work accounting department.  I think these are the Cascades a couple weeks ago when I went to see Mom.  For the day. 

And I know this is Denver.  I realized as I was landing that I haven't been there in over a decade and I have never landed there.  The beta I was given about this place was spot on.  Except for the part about not renting a car.  NEVER going to do that again.  Except maybe in a foreign country.  Let's just say I do not have an overwhelming fondness for cabs.  And that I am happy to have caught up with my one friend here the night before she moved to Hawaii.  And that I am happy to hear I now have a friend in Hawaii!  I did not enjoy the daily double nose bleeds or the weird weather.  But the hotel was great and the training was quality.

I'm pretty sure this is Denver in the afternoon.  I was really happy I didn't miss this flight.  The rental car return was farther away than I remembered and the security system would not let me check in on my phone like I normally do.  For once I was grateful I travel so much - the frequent flyer status can get you through hoops a bit quicker.  Who knows what the future holds; for now I'm just trying to make the best of wherever I find myself. 

Dog Days of Winter

It's been a really long winter here.  The snow has been slow and low to fall on us.  So we have taken to some alternative forms of entertainment.  Including some indoor fun with cameras.  It's not just the humans climbing the walls.  The dogs are too.  The ski-jor harnesses are still packed in the totes.

This means that after you have run around the dog park for the millionth time and no one has broken anything on the ice you enjoy some quality time hanging out inside.  And then the sun comes out again and the temperatures drop and that layer of water on the lagoon freezes again and you go ice skating.  Or you suck it up and ride the lifts with the big dog and do a few slow laps on the frozen mountain side.  And you tell yourself it could be worse. Even though you know a little more every day that the good runs are not going to get enough snow to open this year and those great backcountry destinations you have waited four years to be done with grad school to have the freedom to tackle in the spring will not be very realistic to take your skis to.  Unless you just like to hike with skis.  Which my thesis field work might lead you to believe.  

I still love winter.  And snow.  

Longer Days

Yesterday when I walked out of work, a little after 5 (maybe even 5:30), this was the view that greated me.  It actually stopped me in my tracks and made me wish I had backed in to my parking space so I could stare at the sky while my car warmed up.  Usually the cold air hits me and I see a row of cars in the dark that have been autostarted from inside the building and I have autostart envy.  I just put on warmer clothes and don't forget my hat and gloves now.  Plus I listen to the radio, which is nice because my drive is so short that I would otherwise get 5 minutes of news each day. 

We got a tiny dusting of tiny snowflakes last night.  I doubt it registers anything other than 'trace' on any measuring system.  But it made me hopeful for improved conditions for my Saturday morning plans on the mountain with my dog and other fellow crazy dog people.  It will be a nice break from running, swimming, and yoga workouts.  And the big dog will be a little tired.  Maybe. 

Snowless winter

This is March last year, a little more than 11 months ago.  I can't give you a comparison shot of this year because I haven't bothered to get out in the backcountry.  At all.  In fact, I have only been down to the resort once.  It's been closed a lot.  I didn't even know that was possible. 

I have taken to cutting out paper snowflakes and hanging them on my cube wall next to pictures of snow crystals.  I think I will put off learning how to telemark ski.  But I'm determined to go skate skiing.  Ice skating is good now that's below freezing again.  And running and swimming aren't too bad.  But biking is only good off the trails.  It turns out the snow eventually forms footprint depressions and then turns to ice.  Very bumpy for biking on. 

I'm so desperate that I am actually considering moving my workout back to the mountain and just skiing the ice covered groomed trails.  I hear tomorrow is the decision day for the Iditarod start location.  Did you know that sometimes they move the start to Fairbanks?  I just learned that today.  Two more fun facts: we finally have more than 8 hours/day of daylight (gained more than 5 minutes today!) and the clear sky allows for some fantastic star and planet viewing.  If you can handle the cold. 

Tutu

Yesterday I participated in my first ever ski race.  Never mind that it was in the party wave, I still got a number pinned to my tutu and a completion...checkmark.  Some of you may recognize this outfit, and you would be correct if you guessed that I used the tutu and hat last year for a company sponsored running race.  Once can never be enough for a flamingo. It must fly free frequently.  The team theme was caribou, very appropriate for the eskimo culture.  I said I would participate if I could wear my tutu.  Luckily the team organizer saw the humor and approved.  Tutu is the word for caribou in their language.  I suspect the tutu will ride again.  Almost as glorious as the Seahawks. 

20 Years

 A lot has happened in the past 20 years.  And you were there to experience it all with me.  I'm pretty sure I didn't catch all the lessons the first time around.  But I did learn a lot.  Like when it's sunny you should go outside.

And that fireplaces aren't really a great place for a fire, but they are useful for lots of other things.  Don't dwell on the negative side of what life throws you, turn your fireplace into a candelabra....or a cat playground.

Never be too busy to stop and smell the flowers.  Or pet the cat.  Laziness is a  fine art and we should all hone this skill.  There will always be wood to chop and water to carry.

Be comfortable wherever you are.  Because you are always in your own skin.  So like who you are.  Taking naps amid chaos is also a great skill; you can be the life of the party even when you are sleeping.

Don't let physical limitations stop you.  Who cares if the couch is suddenly farther away than it used to be?  The dogs still fear you and the human slave will help you magically levitate to wherever you want to go.  Because you always took great care of her and she wanted to do the same for you.

Quilts are products of love and were meant to be used.  No matter whether you sleep on them or under them, no one can hurt you.  They are magic.

Friends and family are what it's all about.  Treat them how you want to be treated.  A lot will happen in your lifetime, no matter how long it is.  Thank you for every moment.  You made the journey this far very bearable.  It certainly hasn't been boring.  You are missed.

Backlog List

So I have this list.  I've been working through it all my life it seems.  The magical 'to do' list.  I spent four years adding to it and rarely removing anything from it, even 'sleep'.  And then, in April, freedom.  It was daunting.  Where to start.  How to prioritize a list that long?  I started outside.  And never looked back.  I played with the dogs at the rocky beach in Seward.

I played in the yard with the cat.  I even rescued him when he fell in.  I played in the garden.  Lots of experimenting this year. 

And I petted this cat.  She owns my soul.  I listen when she yells at me.  I went to work a lot and traveled a lot.  And I rode my bike and paddled my boat and ran on some trails.  Autumn arrived.  My pace picked up.  I built a kayak.  My sister got married.  I got a cold.  Two weeks later I got well.....for one day.  Two weeks later I feel mostly better again.  Sunday the snow came.  And I started to pick up speed on my list.  Today we have 5 minutes less daylight than yesterday.  Which brings us down to less than 7 1/2 or so hours a day.  I'm still picking up speed on that list.  Organizing my photos is down near the bottom, right above ordering Christmas cards.  See, I found some logic.  The timeline may be a little blurry, but there are a ton of pictures and stories to share.  So you'll get them as they come.  Because Bearcat says so.  She also says to check out Tundra Home Companion if you want to read about village visits.