Let The Stress Begin

Yesterday, I started my three week study leave. This is the time I have to complete my final portfolio for consideration for graduation. I also have a case study due for my final course in the program during this time.

So I started the day by taking the boys to school, while I'm not at work we have been biking instead of walking! Then I sat down and made a list of all the things I had to do. I then immediately started freaking out.  There is a lot to do.

Today, I made more progress and found almost all of my points that I need to write about. So tomorrow I will become a writing tornado!! That's the plan at least. 19 days to put the finishing touches on the last three and a half years of work.

Must focus now!!!!

After day two of riding to and from school. Way more fun than walking!

The boys spent all weekend riding their bikes around the neighborhood.
 It's like they just remember they had them! 

Road Trip!

This last week I took some time off and went on a bike trip with Jefferson. We put in a lot of miles on the car to bike a few miles in New Mexico and Colorado. Got to stop in Dodge City on the way out and saw Aunt Rita and Uncle Steve!

I wrecked on the first day riding, so to make me feel better Jefferson wrecked on the second day. LOL

We were riding in a state park in Ruidoso and the trails were great! And my wreck was my first actually coming off my bike, so that was new. Usually, I just fall over with my bike, this time we went different ways. I cut my hand on some rocks but nothing worse than that. I have bike gloves now!

In Salida, CO we rode around S mountain. There were a lot of kids on the trails, so I knew they were my kind of trails! And I really enjoyed them. I would definitely ride them again.

Made it home today and was happy to see Purl and the boys. I picked up the boys from school and I should have known better. This is Kelly's week and when you mess with Alex's schedule it throws him. I walk into the after-school program and Daryl jumps up "Mom, I didn't know you were getting us!"

Alex comes up, "Today is dad's day, what are you doing here?"
Me-"I just got back and wanted to see you!"
Alex starting to cry, "But dad is picking us up today!"

Needless to say the after-school people thought I was kidnapping my children. I'm glad the cops didn't meet us at the house! Once I explained to Alex I was just picking him up, giving him some hugs, and taking him to dad's he was fine. I'll learn some day not to mess with his schedule!

These trail names were great!

Penelope is always confused when we climb mountains.
We live in Kansas she says!

We rode Lil Raddler and the pepper trails. 

Trails around S mountain in Salida. 

Hawaii Vacation Day by Day

Day #1 Wednesday-Arrive in Hawaii and marvel at even the airport. It is open and palm trees grow in the middle. Find our condo after much Air BNB confusion. Go to the grocery store slightly grumpy b/c I'm really tired. Buy a tub of butter for some weird reason.....

Day #2 Thursday- Decide this is the day we drive the road to Hana. Road to Hana is very windy. We see some beautiful water falls, I fall in a stream, watch some surfers, and head home after eating the best fish and chips I've ever had. We do not make it to Hana. LOL

Day #3 Friday- MY BIRTHDAY!! Find a cooler in the condo. Fill cooler with adult beverages. Hang out on the beach all day! See sea turtles!! Go to a Luau!! Enjoy the food, drinks, dancing and everything Luau. Best birthday ever!!

Day #4 Saturday- Biking Day! Go and get bikes. I tell Jefferson I'm not good at navigating. He gives me the directions anyway. For an hour I take us to the wrong trail head. He doesn't get mad! I take us to the right trail head. It rains, a lot. We stop biking and head back to bike shop. I had fun, Jefferson claims biking in Hawaii a bust! We watch Moana in Hawaii, I sing all the songs, ALL THE SONGS!

Day #5-Sunday- Golfing Day! I ride a cart and take pictures of mom golfing Hawaii. She only has three states left. Asa can take her to Montana! Get back to the Condo and swim in the pool. Then we go to Maui Brewing Company and have amazing pineapple beer and wings!

Day #6 Monday- Hiking Day! We hike Iao State Valley park and see the Needle. We then hike the top of Haleakalā volcano. Well Jefferson did, for the first time in Hawaii I was cold. The top of a Volcano looks like Mars. I could see it from the car! LOL 

Day #7-Tuesday- Snorkeling Day! We use friendly charters to snorkel with the fish and sea turtles. For real, I swam with sea turtles. I get so excited I dunk my head in the water too far and get a mouth full of salt water. Yuck! They also provided lunch and Mai Tais for the trip back to shore!

Then we flew home and got cold again in Kansas. The end.

Can you see Jefferson on the top of the Volcano? 

Mom hiking Iao State Valley park! 

Biking in the rain! 

Snapchat knows where I am! 

Bike Lawrence!

Decided to take advantage of the one day with no rain and biked the path around Lawrence with Jefferson on Saturday. He thinks it is about twenty miles but my legs thought it was longer than that! We made pit stops along the way and played Uno! It was a fun day, we started at 1pm and ended at 7pm. The scariest part was riding on the river levee in the dark because we thought we would be done earlier! Oops! So glad we did it Saturday because it was so rainy on Sunday. The only thing Sunday was good for was soup!

Today, I did a lot of things around the house including decorating for Halloween! I also met with a contractor to figure out what some of my house projects are going to cost. $$$$ I should have mowed but instead went for a run. With all of the rain last week it was my first run since last Monday. Yikes! I'm going to have to get more in than that if I'm dreaming about a half in April. Dreams!!

See the cow behind us? 

Biking through the wetlands

Wetlands

I LOVE PUMPKINS

AND SUGAR SKULLS! Halloween is the best for decor. 

Baking and Biking (Not at the same time!)

I had a funny video on Facebook not long ago of Alex telling me how to make cinnamon rolls. He had been very upset that I don't make them because they are very easy.
Alex-"Mom you just make rolls, put on some cinnamon and some white icing!"

See how easy that is? Most of the comments to my video were get the Rhodes frozen rolls. So for breakfast last Friday I made cinnamon rolls. Everyone was right that they were super easy. And now Alex thinks I'm fit to "mom". :-)

This weekend I also went on a mountain bike camping trip to Wilson Lake. I've been told these trails are the best in Kansas. Since this is the second bike trail I've been to in Kansas, I'm not one to judge. They were pretty awesome! Nice climbs, friendly downhills, and two not friendly down hills that I didn't die on! I was riding better than I thought I was capable and I  really want to go back to do the parts of the trail I didn't get to.

My experiences with mountain biking have ranged from frustration to delight and fear to accomplishment. I really enjoy that I'm getting better at this new found hobby and I thank Jeff for the encouragement. He also is a great photographer! LOL

Now that I've been on a bike for a year and had my own bike for 9 months I'm ready to get a new seat, bike rack for my car and bike shoes. You know you are committing to a hobby when you buy the shoes!

Alex approved!

They liked them so much both boys ate them standing! 

Wilson Lake at dawn

Ready to go back! 

Mountains!

I have vacationed in Colorado before, but did not bike, hike, raft or camp! Turns out those are the best reasons to go visit mountains. After hearing about all of Jeff's Colorado adventures I wanted to try them all, and we got close! 

So more thoughts and lots of pictures: 

I was really excited about camping, turns out I'm scared of bears. Didn't see one but was still a nervous trip to the bathroom in the middle of the night! 

I might be a better mountain biker than I thought. After our last day riding in Crested Butte, my wheel was totally pointing to the left when it should have been pointing straight. Don’t know how long it was like that but could have explained some difficulties I was having.

Ground hogs are not good at crossing the street. RIP poor groundhog...

I get really excited when I see chipmunks! 

The most important part of biking or hiking mountains is the snack you bring for your snack break! 

The people that you meet also exploring mountains are great! 

If you spend three plus hours doing anything outdoors, you deserve a craft beer! (or margarita) 

Hot Springs are hotter than you think....

Knowing your left from your right is very important when being the copilot of the car and when rafting a river. 

Biking on a Crested Butte Trail!

Princess Penelope getting new pedals. A much needed upgrade! 

Camping!!

It was a little cold....probably got down to 35 degrees. Brrr

I couldn't get over the flowers in Colorado.

Alien Hut!

The trail we were hiking around Ouray Colorado.

A photo of Ouray from the trail.

Selfie in a Canyon! 

Beer from Odell brewery in Ft Collins.
A great way to end my vacation! Back to reality!!

Thoughts After Day 1 of Mt. Biking

Me and my bike (Princess Penelope) are now mountain bikers! Did Monarch Crest yesterday outside of Salida. I will be brief and I will post pictures when I have better WiFi.

Did I Take A Shuttle Most of the Way Up The Mountain: Yes

Do I wish it went a little further Up: Yes

Was it hard to breathe up there: YES

Did I bike up big climbs: Yes

Did I push my bike up part of those climbs: Yes

Did I bike down a mountain: Yes

Did I walk my bike on scary parts down the mountain: Yes

Did I leave some Skin on the Mountain: Yes

Did anyone have to pick me up after I fell, twice: No

Do I want to try that trail again!: Yes!

Tour De Beir 2018

I'm fairly new to biking so when asked if I wanted to do a 15 mile ride with beer stops I said, "Heck Ya!"

Then I started to doubt myself when I was reminded that Kansas City has a lot of hills. My doubt was not helped by the fact that is was raining hard when we got to the starting point. However, since a registration was paid, and food and drinks were waiting, I did it!

It actually stopped raining around the second of five breweries so it turned out to be a really fun ride. I definetly want to do this one again!

Last week I also tried to get back in the running grove. I'm positive this will take more than a week to accomplish. However, I did get out four mornings and logged a little over 10 miles for the week! I  made it out the door this morning too. The weather has been great for morning runs. I'm not concerened with mileage at this point. I just want to get out the door and go!

Yay for Spring weather and getting outside to do all the things! I need to find a race to sign up for to keep my motivation up!

This was the weather when we arrived. Boooooo
Thankfully there was a bridge that we waited under to start! 

My favorite brewery in Kansas City is Emperial.
I was so glad it was one of our stops! I already knew my order here. 

All done! I sent this picture to my mom to let her know I had finished.
She replied "You don't look drunk." Thanks Mom, you do realize we still had to ride a bike?! 

Meal at the finish line. They ran out of burgers so the chicken sandwich had to do. 

My run this morning. It's a start!