Annual Birthday Challenge for Charity 45k Run!

Yes, it is that time of year again!  Please support three great charities as I celebrate my birthday with my fourth annual Birthday Challenge for Charity. This year, I will be running 45 kilometers (almost 28 miles) and gratefully accepting donations on behalf of Doctors Without Borders, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, and the PKD Foundation.  One hundred percent of donations go straight to these organizations, and we also personally make a donation.  No donation is too small (or too big;), last year we raised almost $1600 with donations from $5 to $500! Usually, I divide the donations equally but if you feel strongly about one organization, just let me know.  And, if you need a receipt for tax purposes, again, just let me know.   Please use the PayPal donation button below (you don't need to have a PayPal account). And, if you happen to be wary of online donations, we also accept cash or checks!  Message me if you need my NEW address. 

Celebrate for a Cause 43 kilometer run

How "Celebrate for a Cause" was born:

June  of 2012 marked my daughter Casidy's first birthday and my 42nd birthday.  This seemed momentous to me--not only that my baby was a year old but that everyone in our house had survived that first year.   At the same time, I was looking for a way to reduce the amount of "stuff" in my life.  Babies add a whole 'nother layer to consumerism---they allegedly need all sorts of accoutrements like cribs, changing tables, diaper warmers, etc.  In short, my "minimalistic" lifestyle was being threatened, big time!  In honor of Casidy's first year of good health, I decided to donate all my birthday gifts to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.  And, that might have been it, if not for Cameron Lane.  A few months before our birthdays, Cameron was celebrating her own milestone birthday by soliciting donations for several charities and then walking 60K to earn those donations.  I loved the idea and stole it outright but added my own wrinkle (Casidy would also "run" a kilometer, and I'd attempt to run my entire route).  Everything went perfectly, and we raised $1080, mostly just through word of mouth.  So, in 2013, no less thankful for good health, we found ourselves ready to do it all over again!

My 43k Run:

I spent the night before my big 43 kilometer run listening to the rain pound relentlessly on the roof.  Although I had vowed to complete the run regardless of weather, the rain reminded me that running in the rain is no fun, no fun at all.  A light mist is great, especially in hot weather, but driving rain gets old in a hurry--the water runs down your forehead, right into your eyes and mouth.  Your clothes get waterlogged, your shoes slosh with each footfall, your toes marinate, and everything you carry is in jeopardy.

Luckily, when I awoke at 5 a.m., the rain had petered out, and The Weather Channel claimed that rain wasn't expected again until 1 p.m.  I was hoping to get out the door quickly but it was nearly six a.m. by the time I got myself together.  I decided to start the run without listening to my Ipod because it was still dark, and the birds were singing like crazy.  Seemed like a good time to commune with nature.  On a side-note, Georgia reminds me of Central America this summer--just so jungular (is that a word?  If not, I like it and just made it up) with lushness and humidity.  And, speaking of communing with nature, please note that it started raining seven minutes into my run: take that Weather Channel.

The first part of the run was a loop that would put me back at my house shortly after the ten mile (17ish K) mark.  Basically, I considered this portion of the run a litmus test.  If it wasn't effortless, I was going to be hurting big time later on.  Luckily, this portion went really well.  Mostly flat, few cars on the street and cool temps.  Perfect.  The only complaining was from my feet.  My freebie Nikes were just not doing their cushioning job, and I could feel the pavement with each step--pound, pound, pound. I knew from years of experience trail running and backpacking that nothing will stop you more quickly than unremedied foot issues.

I expected the support crew to be up at home to great me but everyone was still asleep.  This actually worked to my advantage, as there were no distractions while I changed my shoes, used the restroom, ate a quick snack (vanilla wafer cookies), and added some fluids to my Camelbak.  I tried to take a selfie at this point but my camera wasn't working so it remains undocumented.

After a quick 15-minute stop, I was out the door.  The first song on my Ipod was "Touch of Grey" by the Grateful Dead."  I figured it was a pretty apropos song which could be taken either literally (the weather) or figuratively (my potential state of mind).  In any case, I felt like it bode well for the trip ahead.  After working my way down toward the university, I decided to go ahead and tackle part of the last section of my run on the way out rather than the return trip.  I then headed the whole way up past the university towards the green way.  

Then it was the whole way out to Sandy Creek Nature Center, and back down the green way.  Casidy and Pat meet me at about the 33k point, and they brought me two things (besides their companionship) that saved the day: a third pair of shoes and a 16 ounce Coke.  I'm not a big soda drinker but nothing has ever tasted quite a wonderful as that Coke.  I'm sure the sugar and caffeine provided a boost, too. We took a quick picture, and I was off again.

Now, it was just five more miles.  My feet had stopped hurting (thanks to Asics, a true runner's shoe), and I was living on the confidence that I could do it.  It didn't hurt that Pat and Casidy kept popping up unexpectedly to shout encouragements (or in one case, taunts as Casidy's CD played "its great to be crazy, it great to be crazy" and Pat pointed at me).

Before I knew it I was literally sprinting (would pay for that brilliant idea later) the last .5k uphill to my house! Was it worth it to raise$1200 for two great non-profit organizations?  No doubt.

And, now, a few last thoughts on the whole thing:

When people hear about this endeavor, the first question they ask is "how do you train for it?"  The answer is, in truth, I don't.  For most of the past year, I've been running four miles at a time, usually about five times a week.  However, since Casidy staged her big "I refuse to get in the jogging stroller revolt," it has been a lot harder to get out the door because I have to leave her at home.  As a result, I pretty much didn't run at all in June (Pat was out of town a lot) but I did at least go to the gym regularly.  So, how did I do it?  It is a mystery, really.  But, of course, I do love me a good theory so, yes, I do have some.  In one sense, I am sure that muscle memory is a factor.  I've run long distances before, and my body knows what to do.  And, on the physical side, going really, really slowly (10:30ish per mile?) helps, too. We'd also better acknowledge the role of pride--I would be terribly embarrassed if I didn't make it. But, you know, I also believe there is a metaphysical component to it, too.  I believe this simply because there is no other explanation.  This run is a song of thanks and prayer and my own version of poetry.

Now, it is your turn!  I challenge you, my friends and family, to pick up where I have left off and mount your own "Celebrate for a Cause."   There is no need to run a kilometer for each year of your life--simply pick an organization or two you believe in, and find a challenge for yourself.  It should be something that will represent a genuine challenge for you but is also entirely doable.  

The lyrics to Alice's Restaurant come to mind: "If one person, just one person does it they may think he's really sick. And if two people, two people do it, in harmony, They may think they're both gay. And three people do it, three, can you imagine, three people walking in singin a bar of Alice's Restaurant and walking out? They may think it's an organization. And can you, can you imagine fifty people a day? Fifty people a day walking in singing a bar of Alice's Restaurant and walking out? And friends they may thinks it's a movement."

So, let's make Celebrate for a Cause" a movement!  I'll be your first donation!

Thanks to everyone.  Hope to see you next year!

 

Highpointing

Nearly a decade ago, I was living in Fort Worth, TX and in bad need of an outdoor adventure. Fort Worth, Texas may have many positive attributes (like, say, the friendliest people around), but it is pretty low down on the list of "outdoor meccas."  So, in 2005, over spring break, Patrick and I headed west to Guadalupe Mountains National Park in order to get our "mountain fix."  On the long and mostly dull drive, I discovered that Guadalupe Peak, which we planned to hike, was the highest point in Texas.  Impromptly, I announced that I thought it would be cool to hike to the highest point in each state.  Pat countered with the valid point that one would end up spending a lot of time in very, very boring places (like perhaps, the highest point in Florida. Sorry, Florida, don't mean to pick on you).  But, in my experience, a lot of goals involve tedium.  For example, everyone seems to think running a marathon is really, really hard. In truth, running a marathon is easy and a lot of fun, too.  It is the miles and miles, hours and hours of long boring runs in preparation for the race itself that will get 'ya.

Later, I would discover that there is a group of people who try and hike to the highest point in any given area.   They are called highpointers and the act itself highpointing.  Logically, hiking to each state's high point is a popular goal. I don't have any delusions that I'll ever climb Denali (or probably Rainer, either) but, over the years, when I find myself near a high point, I do make the effort to get to it.  So far, I've done six.  Texas, Tennessee, California, Arizona, Georgia and North Carolina.  In addition to those, I also made it to the top of Norway.  Here is a recap of those adventures:

That first highpoint,Guadalupe Peak in Texas, was a nice hike and easily done.  I happened to forget our camera so no pictures document our ascent.  We were there, I swear.  Below are a few stock pictures--just try to envision us there;)

Guadalupe Peak: 8,750 Feet

The pyramid at the top commemorates a stagecoach road that passed south of the mountain.

Shortly after our Guadalupe Peak adventure, I met my mom and sister in Great Smoky Mountains National Park where we had an opportunity to hike up Clingman's Dome in Tennessee.  I thought it the concrete observation tower on top was quite bizarre.  I would later learn that this is typical of southern state high points.  And, also, I found the hoards of women hiking up in high heels a little strange too but each to her own!

Clingman's Dome: 6,643 Feet.  Do you think that counts the observation tower?

My sweet baby sister and I on Clingman's Dome.  Oh, and that hat. I miss it.  Hat, where are you?

In 2008, we got a permit to hike Mount Whitney, the highest peak in California and in the continental United States as well.  It was a three-day project which involved us backpacking to a high camp, bagging the peak as a day hike the next day, returning to the camp for a night and then hiking out to civilization the next.  It was a grande adventure, one which is documented in a post earlier in the blog (see July 2008 entries).

  Raul, Pat, Audra, Rose and I (seriously, where is that hat?) at the Mount Whitney portal.

Mount Whitney: 14,505 Feet. Windy, which is why we are dressed for December.

Our next highpointing adventure actually occurred outside the United States.  When we planned a Norwegian vacation, I looked up the country's highpoint--by this point it was a habit, and, yes, I did make room in our travel plans for an ascent of Galdhoppen in Jotunheimen National Park.

Here I am on Galdhoppen (Elevation 8,100 feet).  The picture is somewhat terrible given that I had given the photographer serious instructions not to include any other people in the shot.  Despite a very nice uncrowded ascent, there were several hundred other people at the mountain's apex.  The spot is such a popular destination that there is a staffed hut at the top selling coffee and snacks! Hat-has anyone seen my hat?

We returned to the United States for our next highpoint--Arizona's Humphrey's Peak..  I loved this one, not for the great hiking or breathtaking views (although, in fairness, it did have those as well) but because it was a pell-mell road trip adventure.  We left Long Beach on a Friday evening and drove into Arizona, stopping for the night only when we reached the national forest outside Flagstaff.  To sleep, we just pulled off of a dirt road and set up our tent. In the morning, we were relieved to find that we hadn't set up shop in someone's backyard.  We drove up to the Humphrey's Peak trailhead, bagged the peak and drove home.  Whew...

Humphrey's Peak: Elevation 12,637 Feet

And, then, there would be a highpointing drought of about three years.  I was sad to leave unfinished the high points of western states when we moved to Georgia but I also saw it as an opportunity to explore new territory and perhaps get some of the easier high points.  Little did I know that those southern states would make it easier than ever on me. Brasstown Bald, the highest point in Georgia hosts a museum at the top AND a shuttle bus that can drop you there.  No, we aren't that shameless-we took the paved .05 mile trail to the top;)

Brasstown Bald, the highest point in Georgia at 4,784 feet.  And, of course, our littlest highpointer bagged her first peak (on her second birthday, to boot).

The USGA elevation marker at Brasstown Bald is actually locked away to prevent theft  but Casidy charmed the ranger enough that he unlocked it for us to take a picture. 

Next up was Mount Mitchell, the highest point in North Carolina (and east of the Mississippi River).  Interestingly, the tomb of the peak's namesake is also at the summit-Elisha Mitchell died in a fall from the mountain when he returned later in life to verify his earlier measurements.

Mount Mitchell, North Carolina: Elevation 6,684 feet.

As you can see, the view was not impressive.  Non existent would be more like it.  The mountain was shrouded in fog and rain.

And, that's what we've got so far.  Next up  (pun):  I'm really not sure.  Perhaps South Carolina (Sassafras Mountain).  Onward and upward, friends!

2nd Annual Celebrate for A Cause!

Katie and Casidy's 2nd Annual Celebrate for A Cause

 

 Its that time of year: Katie and Casidy's Second Annual Celebrate for A Cause Fundraiser in honor of our birthdays!  This year we will be collecting donations for two non profit organizations that made a difference in our lives this year: Ronald McDonald House and Athens Mothers' Center. All monetary gifts we receive will be donated to these two organizations, and we will also make our own donation to both groups.

 In appreciation of our friends' and families' generosity and a year of good health, Casidy has already run two kilometers on her birthday, and I will run 43 kilometers on mine. This isn't part of an organized race, we just go out and do it on our own! So, I hope that everyone will consider a donation this year--last year people were amazing.

Casidy pulled the "I'm a baby" card and split her "run" up over two days.  The first day she ran one kilometer  to Anna Ruby Falls near Unicoi State Park.

Casidy did the second half of her "run" on her actual birthday, and ran one kilometer on the Brasstown Bald trail and enjoyed the highest point in Georgia on the way.

Katie's run is planned for the weekend of June 28, and she will try to run the entire 43 kilometers.  Rest assured that she will certainly suffer for your donations!

Please use the button below to donate.
No donation is too small (or too  big;)--it really adds up. 

 100% of all donations go directly to the Ronald McDonald House or the Athens Mothers' Center.  Please shoot me an email if you feel strongly about which organization you would like to receive your donation. Also, tax receipts can be provided upon request, just let me know.

 And, if you happen to be wary of online donations, we also accept cash or checks!  Message me if you need my address. 

Many thanks! 

Mono Lake (Thanksgiving in Mammoth)

Regular blog readers will remember that our Thanksgiving tradition is to spend the holiday at some unexplored (to us, at least) location. Usually, this involves freezing our asses off in a tent in some rustic area (see blog entries for 2008, 2009). This year, for some reason, neither Pat nor I felt up to "roughing it" so we decided to splurge and get a hotel room. I want everyone here to know that I lobbied for Death Valley (average daily November temp: 70 degrees) but both Pat and I were intrigued to check out Mammoth Lakes, a popular mountain town on the East Side of the Sierras. So, we booked a hotel room in town, and off we went.

When we checked the Mammoth Lakes weather report, we were dismayed to discover that the low for our first day would be 11 degrees. Luckily, we had packed warm clothing and even thrown in our snowshoes. This is our first view of Mammoth, at the visitors' center where we stopped to get some local information. Since we arrived late, we had an early pizza dinner, and hunkered down for the night.

The next morning (Thanksgiving) we drove out to Mono Lake. Mono Lake is a salt-water lake with no outlet to the ocean that was formed at least 760,000 years ago. It recently made the news when scientists discovered a plant that synthesizes arsenic rather than any of the six essential elements previously known to sustain life. But, that is an aside. On Thanksgiving Day, there were no scientists or tourists. Just Pat and I enjoying this amazing, eerie landscape.

We parked at the visitors' center (closed) and walked down to the lake.

We soon came upon the first of many Tufas we would see. The Tufas are limestone formations created by underwater springs that have been exposed as the lake levels recede. This one was so big that I could stand inside.

Later, we drove down to the Tufa State Reserve where there were many more Tufas both on the shore and in the lake.


A good view of Tufas on the lake shore.

Up close and persona Tufas.

More.



A final view of some Tufas in the lake. I highly recommend a stop at Mono Lake if you find yourself in the area. It was unlike anything I've ever seen.

After a quick stop at the hotel room to change and call the families, it was off to Convict Lake for Thanksgiving dinner. A friend from work had recommended this resort for Thanksgiving dinner, and we weren't disappointed.

Both dinner and the view were terrific, and the rustic dining room reminded me of our favorite Montana restaurants. And, on the drive home, we saw a shooting star. What an perfect ending to a great day!

NEXT UP: Hollywood

Bad Blogger!!!

Well! How does one become such a slacker?

At first, my goal was to blog once a week. Then, I downgraded to once a month.

And, somehow, after one final post in September, I seem to have given it up altogether. It wasn't a conscious decision--I just got busy, and blogging fell off my list of priorities.

The worst part is that there have been several blog worthy topics over the last several months. Luckily, I did manage to take some pictures, and my goal now is to go back and share some of these with you. In a few weeks, I hope to be caught up to the present.

Let's hope that 2011 is a good blogging year!

Anniversary Trip to Pismo Beach

In October, Pat and I celebrated our 10th anniversary. On one hand, it seems impossible that we have been married that long! One the other hand, when we started taking stock of all of the experiences we have shared, we wondered how we fit it all into a mere 10 years. I don't want to sound too mushy here (you all know that isn't my style) but I can't imagine being with anyone else. As Pat's mom always says we are "two peas in a pod" or as we say "two people: one brain." So far, it has been an amazing adventure, and I don't expect anything less in the upcoming years...

One thing I really appreciate about Pat is that despite my relentlessly practical side, he remains a romantic. Thus, I wasn't surprised when 10 red roses were delivered to my office on our anniversary. Rascal (shown here) and Stormy, of course, believed the roses in be in their honor and immediately started munching on them.

After a leisurely start Saturday morning we headed north on PCH. Our original destination had been Santa Barbara but ,apparently, SB is a very popular fall destination in SoCal. That is something I hate about California: there are so many people that it is almost impossible to plan spur-of-the-moment trips. This bodes very poorly for people like Pat and I who do not seem to have the "planning gene." In any case, Pismo Beach had been recommended as a laid-back beach destination so we wanted to check it out.

Our hotel, the Sandcastle Inn, was right on the beach in downtown Pismo. Quite nice.

I took this picture of Pat right outside the hotel when we arrived. That night, we had a wonderful seafood dinner at a restaurant overlooking the town. Too bad I forgot the camera!

The hotel had a really neat little patio on the beach where we ate breakfast early the next morning.

Then we went for a walk on the beach. Our hotel was right beside the pier pictured in this shot.

I even put my toes in the water which is unusual for me.

Pat, meanwhile, contemplated life before the drive back to the big city.

Hike to Mount San Jacinto

As our last hurrah of the summer, we decided to hike up Mount San Jacinto. Mount San Jacinto is one of what are called "the three saints"--the highest points of the three tallest mountain ranges in Southern California. We've already climbed the other two (Mount San Gorgonio & Mount San Antonio aka Mount Baldy) so we thought it would be a good opportunity to complete the trifecta.

However, we decided to take the cheater's route. Instead of hiking from the Idyllwild side (a climb of almost 5,000 feet), we drove out to Palm Springs and took the aerial tramway to an elevation of 8,516.

The tram ride was somewhat freaky and not for the faint of heart. The floor of the tram rotates 360 degrees (three times) while climbing the incline.

Looking back down to Palm Springs made me a little ill.

But, the view did make me very happy that I didn't have to hike up this portion.

At the top, we entered Mount San Jacinto State Park and began the 5.5 mile hike to the summit.

Despite it being almost 100 degrees in Palm Springs, the temperature was moderate and the scenery green and beautiful.

The grade was so easy that we were able to really enjoy ourselves.


After four mile of hiking, we hit the ridge.

Then, about a mile later, we were on the summit: 10,834 feet.


There was a US flag and a USGS survey marker. And about 20 other people. But, I still managed to get a picture of Pat without anyone else in it.

Lately, I've been forgetting my sunglasses everywhere we got so I look a lot like this!

After a brief stay, we headed back down the mountain, onto the tram, into the car and back home again. It is probably the last time we will get out this summer:(

NEXT UP: Conquer the Bridge Run

Adventures in Yellowstone

After a thankfully uneventful 12 hour drive from Long Beach, we arrived at what we think of as the southern gateway to Yellowstone: the Grand Tetons. Seeing those great mountains rising straight up from the valley made us feel like we had arrived.

After a night camping outside of Jackson, we headed straight for a Teton tradition: All-You-Can Eat Pancakes at Dornan's in Moose Junction.

You don't go to Dornan's for the food, you go for the view.

On our way to Bozeman, we made a few quick stops in The Park. Of course, we had to catch Old Faithful even though we have seen it countless times. When we drove up, it was erupting so we jumped out and took this not-so-great shot. But, it counts, and you get the idea.

And, here it is: The Old Faithful Inn, where Pat and I met 17 years ago (yes, I know, you can't believe we are that old, but it is true).

We both worked as waiters in the dining room for several summers in the mid-1990s. The dining room looks just about the same. I really do not miss waiting tables but I do miss the adventure of living in Yellowstone. It is something not many get to experience. I estimate that I probably hiked over 1,000 miles of trail when I lived there.

After a too-brief stop in Bozeman to see friends (see post below), we headed out into the Yellowstone backcountry in hopes of visiting a very remote area called Hoodoo Basin on a three-day, two-night trip. Here is a picture of us at the Lamar River trailhead.

The first three miles through the Lamar Valley were a bit hot but uneventful. Then, we ran into this fellow. If you look carefully, you can see the orange trail marker right behind this bison. Yep, he was right in our way. At first, we weren't too concerned, and we walked slowly toward him, veering just a bit off-trail. Just then, he lowered his head, butted it into the ground and started running towards us. We made an immediate retreat and ended up skirting him by about 100 yards. At least we didn't end up on the TV news!

Shortly after our bison encounter, it was time to ford the Lamar River. Luckily, it was only about knee deep. Still, the power of water always surprises me. It took a great deal of concentration (and a handy stick) to keep my footing.

We continued on until the Miller Creek Junction where there is a backcountry station in which rangers occasionally stay while in the field. Just to the left of the cabin you can see a big, ole bison keeping an eye on things. It was at about this time that Pat and I realized our assigned campsite was actually almost 15 miles from the trailhead, rather than the 12 we had originally estimated. This was not good news for two people who had not carried a full-size backpack for two years.

After what seemed like an unnecessarily long period of hiking we came to our campsite. I was a little uneasy to see a variety of bear prints by the creek near the campsite.

I became even a little more bear-a-noid when I saw the two bear poles.They seemed unusually high which made me think that the bears in this area must be extremely large. Let's just say I didn't sleep too easily that first night. But, it passed uneventfully, and the next morning, we decided to do a day hike to Hodoo Basin.

Despite evidence of the 1988 fires, the scenery was spectacular. However, it quickly became apparent that we weren't going to complete the 20-mile round trip journey to Hodoo Basin. Both Pat and I were having foot issues (blisters, etc), and we were feeling the effects of carrying 35-pound packs for 15 miles the day before.

So, we just did about 5 miles down the remote Miller Creek Trail and up towards Bootjack Pass. We didn't see a soul but we did come across the cool elk skull.

After a second night at our campsite, it was time to head for civilization. The hike out was hot and dusty, and we didn't have much mojo. Here I am whining at the hike's conclusion.


Even with battered feet and sore shoulders, we were back on the trail a few days later after two days of R&R in Gardiner, MT. We lucked into a great campsite at the Slough Creek Campground and decided to do one of our favorite trails, Pebble Creek, as a day hike.

After climbing 800 feet in just over a mile, hikers are rewarded with this splendid view of the Pebble Creek area. We hiked down the valley for just a few miles and then headed back.

On the hike back, the weather started to look a little sketchy. This is the face of The Thunderer, a mountain with a massive face. It looked quite ominous.

We were very lucky to see a lot of wildlife during our stay. Here is the first bear we saw, just outside of the Mammoth Hot Springs area. We weren't sure if it was a black bear or grizzly but, in hindsight, I think it was a black bear, despite its misleading brown coat.

We saw this black bear just outside of the Tower Junction area.

And another black bear, just a few miles down the road.

And, yes, a fourth black bear near Mount Washburn.

Finally: a Grizzly Bear! This great specimen was digging just beside the road, and we even got an amazing video (Posted on Facebook).

We also saw this mama pronghorn with her babies just outside the Slough Creek campground.

And, of course, there were buffalo herds everywhere. We also hung out with the wolf watchers one morning and evening, and saw wolves through our spotting scope. No pictures--too far away.


The Lamar Valley and a buffalo herd under a rainbow.

Finally, when we got tired of being dirt-bag hikers, we headed to the ultimate in luxury: Chico Hot Springs, where we just happened to get married nearly ten years ago. We spent the night, soaked and had an awesome meal in their renowned dining room.

The pool soothed our aching muscles and brought back some many memories. We only hope it doesn't take us another four years to get back to our most-favorite places.

Next Up: Hiking Mount San Jacinto.