Day 3

That's it, day 3 at the new job, day 5 in Washington. Today I long lined for a hippotherapy treatment session. We went outside and on a huge dirt road. This road is gated off for cars and almost gated off for horses except for a small opening on each side. Apparently the horses are cool with this narrow way of passage and the sidewalkers are as well, the problem is if the driver is newer to these narrow ways of passage (me) then the steering is as great and some sidewalkers is smashed. :) hehe. Luckily the therapist and volunteers were very patient with me and understand that they won't get smashed every time. :)

Then I taught a private lesson to the cutest little boy. I feel much more in my element with the private lessons, that is what I have been mostly doing at the NAC. We had a pretty good lesson, it went by fast of course, but afterwards the volunteers said that I really connected with him and he was the most responsive they have ever seen him. They said for whatever reason he was way more focused then usual. So, just a little patting myself on the back because I have felt a little overwhelmed and under qualified. To have an obvious success made me feel much better.

On a lighter note...I found two pairs of my underwear on the bathroom counter this afternoon, folded and possibly cleaned. I'm not sure how they got there and whey they were clean. I set them in my room on top of my black duffel bag. I came into my bedroom the other day and my pile of dirty underwear, on top of my black duffel bag, was knocked over. I didn't think anything of it really because I could have done that myself. But now finding the loose underwear in a place I didn't put it, I think the dogs have been rummaging through my stuff to see if they found anything they liked. Apparently they like my underwear very much and have been wearing it around all day while we were out. :)

Things are going well and I am having a great time, my brain is working over time and it feels good. I miss my hubby even more and am just trying to keep myself busy so I don't have to think to much about missing him. I sure love him and can't wait to have him here.

Until we speak again...

New world

First day in Seattle WA. This is a photo of Pikes Market, not a photo I took obviously...but one I stole from their website. Anyway, I met up with Tera today, after church of course and we went to Pikes Market in downtown Seattle. Wow, what a cool place. It was late in the day when most vendors were packing up their flowers, jewelry, purses, art, and lots of fish for the evening. The narrow ally of open air shops was crowded anyway with people coming from the Wildcats game...football. (Is it Wildcats? Now I am doubting myself) Either way, there were a lot of football fans on the street. Tera and I ate some dinner and watched a huge barge, full of large metal boxes of something important I'm sure, get pulled into dock by two tiny tug boats. For landlocked girls this was a very exciting event. We watched these tiny 'little engine that could' type boats haul this million ton barge, it was spell binding. We talking for some time, by the way, Tera is here in Seattle working at the VA doing her large internship for Rec. Therapy. She has the town tapped already and showed me around. What a fun afternoon.

I must say though that I can't wait to come back and experience all these things with Ben. It is hard to see all these cool things without him. He has been getting a play by play via text message. Whether he liked it or not, he got my whole days events. I hope that makes him miss me less, I know it makes me miss him less.

Tera also showed me a really RAD bike part, downtown Seattle located under Interstate 5 (I-5), you heard me correctly, under a freeway. Check out this link for those who don't believe me. evergreenmtb.org/colonnade/

These photos don't really do it the RAD justice it deserves, but hopefully when I ride it, you will all get to see RAD photos of me. :)

All is well here in Seattle and the Xterra is a champ, can't wait until you are here with me Ben.

Until next time...

Some new material...

Ben went on a great trip down in southern Utah. This is the leprechan canyon area...

The end of a good thing

Two nights ago, in the morning hours, we pulled into our driveway groggy after a long tired drive. Two days ago, at this same time we were snuggled in our warm sleeping bags in Moab Utah up Kane Creek road. We had found a great camp site Wednesday afternoon where we could fit 16 people and still be comfortable. After we staked out claim we went exploring and hiked to the top of a few mesa's in our area. We took the dogs on this hike and needless to say, wore them out by the end. Poor 11 year old Bailey tore her front two pads and was out for the rest of the trip.

That night many people arrived, one worth mentioning...a silver Toyota pickup truck blaring it's high beems throughout camp and yelling. "Rae!" There was no mistake who had arrived. :) Despite a few interuptions sleep outside was better then any sleep recently had at home. The next morning we split up, a group to Arches and a group to bike Amasa Back. The best story to come of this bike ride is Pete's murdered shorts. They slit from bottom to crotch in the first 5 minutes of the trail. Pete had a breezy ride. The trail was fun and the new fork gave a new meaning to smooth. :)

After the bike ride and Arches trip we decided to hike to a obvious mine across the valley. we hiked up about 20 min to a large wooden structure that looked ancient by desert standards, fairly new by more wet climate standards. The structure took form as a tower of wood and nails that once used to transport some mineral to those waiting below. The mine attached to this structure was not extremely deep, but it split into many fingers and went far enough back to keep me away. Ben explored of corse and found nothing too exciting. The way down was more exciting then anything else, we went straight down a huge boulder field, hopping like mountian goats, trying to keep up with Ben. The puppes came along and did great.

That night we all went into town and ate at the best Moab Mexican restaurant then had a fire and played capture the flag with lanterns. Joel sprained his ankle and Garrett lost some skin on the rock somewhere, the usual carnage of night games.

After sleeping in, we all went climbing just down the road at the Ice Cream parlor. I was quite impressed with theis adventurous crew, they all wanted to climb, so they did. We found a couple good routes, a 5.7 and a 5.9 just 10 min from out camp site. I led the 5.7 and Josie led the 5.9, a first for Ben, not leading anything. After a few hours, everyone got a turn and we headed down the rocky approach trail and on to Goblin Valley.

Getting to Goblin Valley proved to be more of an adventure then actually being there. Ben, Pete, Joel, Andrea and I all went back to camp first to pack up and the others went on to Goblin Valley. Needless to say, we got there only 5 min after they because they all missed the big brown sign that pointed to Goblin Valley. Everyone in different cars, not even traveling together, ended up in Hanksville, about 30 miles south of Goblin. Anyway, they all called me and we got them to the right place. We all explored the little HooDoos and at the end ate So Cupcakes. Thanks Amanda and Josie. ;)

Captain Morgan

Roommate photo, cute! (Andrea, Garrett, Amanda, Ben, Sydney, Rae, Turkish)

Moab trip cont'd

BIKING: There has been interest in riding bikes so for anyone who wants to rent...Poison Spiker Bicycles has daily rentals for $40, that's the cheapest I could find, you can reserve them and I would suggest it (435) 259-7882. You can get rentals cheaper at the ORP at the U, but you would have to rent them for multiple days and haul them down, then its way more expensive.

If you are going to bike you should bring closed toed shoes (tennies are good), shorts, biking shorts if you have them, a breathable t-shirt, a helmet (if you don't have one you can get it with the rental), water bottles (at least 2), sunscreen, sunglasses, gloves (i have a few pair if needed), food (energy bars or pbj).

CARPOOLING: Anyone who can drive and is willing to drive please say "I". This will help me plan carpooling because yes, we should carpool for sure.

I also need an accurate count of who is coming, please say "ME" if you are planning on attending. :)

Here is the list of everyone going so far: Ben, Rae, Josey, Amanda, Andrea, Garrett, Cendy, Katie, Pete (Ben's bro), Desi (Rae's sis), anyone else is invited, who did I forget?

Cendy, you can park in our garage.

Moab Trip April 8-11

Okay, many people have asked for details and a gear list. Here it is...

Ben and I will be leaving Wednesday morning by 7:30am so we can be in Moab by lunch time. We will secure our campsite (its 4 wheeler weekend so its going to be busy) then we will most likely go on a hike.
Thursday will be bike day, please reply if you want to rent a bike or have your own and want to bike with us. Depending on who's coming will determine where we go. For those not biking you will do arches and hike the delicate arch then we will all meet up in the afternoon and see Canyon lands.
Friday will be climbing day and everyone can do this, we have enough stuff and we will most likely hit up wall street or the ice cream parlor (I think thats the name) Friday night we want to travel to goblin valley and camp around there and Saturday morning either hike Little Wild Horse or play with the goblins, then we will leave about 1:00pm on Saturday to head back home. Friday is still up in the air a little so, there are other options for play that day.

Here is the gear list, if you don't have any of these things, let me know and we will find it:

• Sleeping bag
• Sleeping pad
• Tent (we have some and can share)
  
• tennis shoes/hiking shoes
• water bottles
• backpack/daypack
• shorts
• pants
• t-shirts and longsleeve shirts
• sweat shirt/jacket (it will be warm in the day and cold at night)
  
• socks (clean pair for each day)
• sandles or flip flops
• toiletries (we will try and get a campsite with a bathroom but no garuntees)
• towel/face towel
• pj's and underwear :)
• swimsuite in case we can poach a hot tub
• hat
  
• sunscreen
• flash light or headlamp
  
• pillow (optional)
• any gear you have (bike, climbing shoes, harness, stove, lantern, etc)

We can either go in together on food or fend for ourselves, I would appreciate some feedback on this before Monday the 6th so I can plan and go shopping at Costco if I need.

If you are going to bike let me know, I can tell you the best places to rent and what you will need to bring for that. Ben and I want to do two rides, one advanced and one intermediate...so just let me know who wants to do what.

This is going to be fun. I'm excited. Just respond to this post or give me a call. 801-520-6658.