February 1
15 years ago
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Back in the saddle again
I got to get on Buddy yesterday! First time! As Scott would say, that is just as unpredictable as trying to ride on Joey Kitten. But he was great! Shirley took me for a pony ride, leading him with me on his back. It was so funny...you realize that a lot of what you associate with your horse's identity is what the back of his ears look like from the saddle. This was the first time that I saw the world from between Buddy's ears. Pretty neat. We just walked around a little, got on and got off, with no big problems. He is very willing to do whatever.
Then we did some ground work, teaching him the basics of lungeing. Once he understood what we wanted, he did his best. He knows that Shirley and I keep a generous supply of carrots in our pockets for when he is a good boy. And that boy LOVES carrots.
Before doing the Buddy stuffy, Shirley and I went for what she calls a "horsey ride" through the forest service roads that connect with her place. She rode Buddy's daddy, Danny, and I rode his mother, Sugar. Her little Jack Russell Terrier, Spike, came along with us. His brother, Vigo, stayed home.
After all the horse stuff, I walked home. I had planned on running the ten miles, but my legs are a little sore. The walk was very nice. I saw a doe and her two fawns, and then saw a nice buck later down the road. The blackberries continue to be plenteous and juicey.
And that was my day off.
You should check out Scott's training log for today. Nice picture of the Beej and Nadia.
Then we did some ground work, teaching him the basics of lungeing. Once he understood what we wanted, he did his best. He knows that Shirley and I keep a generous supply of carrots in our pockets for when he is a good boy. And that boy LOVES carrots.
Before doing the Buddy stuffy, Shirley and I went for what she calls a "horsey ride" through the forest service roads that connect with her place. She rode Buddy's daddy, Danny, and I rode his mother, Sugar. Her little Jack Russell Terrier, Spike, came along with us. His brother, Vigo, stayed home.
After all the horse stuff, I walked home. I had planned on running the ten miles, but my legs are a little sore. The walk was very nice. I saw a doe and her two fawns, and then saw a nice buck later down the road. The blackberries continue to be plenteous and juicey.
And that was my day off.
You should check out Scott's training log for today. Nice picture of the Beej and Nadia.
Monday, July 28, 2008
The times they are a'changing
Call me crazy, but I think I feel the slightest nip in the air. August in the mountains is the start of fall. Feels good.
I had a very nice, slow night with not a lot of craziness. I had a very nice nap, watched part of Wings (the silent version, not the kitchy sit com) on TCM, did some knitting, and did my work. Sometimes things just are nice.
I felt good enough to run home...11 miles in 2 hours and 37 minutes. Run is rather euphamistic. I trot along for 20 exhalations and walk for 20 exhalations. I was able to pace myself pretty nicely so I could keep it up the whole way. The nicest part of the run today was seeing two separate deer families, each with a doe and two of the cutest spotted fawns you could ever imagine. They were pretty fearless and GORGEOUS.
Now, it's off to the shower and bed. Back to work tonight at 7. Plan on doing some manure shoveling and horse brushing before work. I should smell great!
I had a very nice, slow night with not a lot of craziness. I had a very nice nap, watched part of Wings (the silent version, not the kitchy sit com) on TCM, did some knitting, and did my work. Sometimes things just are nice.
I felt good enough to run home...11 miles in 2 hours and 37 minutes. Run is rather euphamistic. I trot along for 20 exhalations and walk for 20 exhalations. I was able to pace myself pretty nicely so I could keep it up the whole way. The nicest part of the run today was seeing two separate deer families, each with a doe and two of the cutest spotted fawns you could ever imagine. They were pretty fearless and GORGEOUS.
Now, it's off to the shower and bed. Back to work tonight at 7. Plan on doing some manure shoveling and horse brushing before work. I should smell great!
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Getting Stronger Every Day
Still a bit fatigued, but doing better.
Ran from work to home yesterday morning, total of 11 miles in 2 hours 50 minutes. Lots of walking. The best part was the sweet, juicy blackberries by the road at about mile 9. Second best part was the water fountain near the community pool at mile 10.
Ben left me a voicemail saying he had a layover in California on his way to see his true love. 24 hours in an airplane...last time he did that was when he was six months old...
The Tour de France officially ended today. With Badwater over as well, it feels like the New Year.
Ran from work to home yesterday morning, total of 11 miles in 2 hours 50 minutes. Lots of walking. The best part was the sweet, juicy blackberries by the road at about mile 9. Second best part was the water fountain near the community pool at mile 10.
Ben left me a voicemail saying he had a layover in California on his way to see his true love. 24 hours in an airplane...last time he did that was when he was six months old...
The Tour de France officially ended today. With Badwater over as well, it feels like the New Year.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
I'm So Tired
I haven't slept a wink....
Not really, but I'm pretty wiped out. Scott and I drove up to Mount Shasta fully expecting to go on a little walk, but we contained ourselves to horse depooperizing, then went to Berryvale for some iced tea. We couldn't even get ourselves to think about what to get for supper. That's tired.
One of my new favorite people is Connie Karras, who crewed with me at Badwater. Her blog is included in my list. She's pretty cool.
Here's a picture of our place back when it was a fabric store.http://www.moshercommercial.com/real-estate/89393.htm.
Didn't go out to do my Craggy Bob loop, because of a huge amount of bees. The smoke must have driven them there...they're drowsy and slow, but EVERYWHERE.
Funny how bears don't bother me like bees do.
Sorry for all the randomness, but that's how my mind is right now.
Not really, but I'm pretty wiped out. Scott and I drove up to Mount Shasta fully expecting to go on a little walk, but we contained ourselves to horse depooperizing, then went to Berryvale for some iced tea. We couldn't even get ourselves to think about what to get for supper. That's tired.
One of my new favorite people is Connie Karras, who crewed with me at Badwater. Her blog is included in my list. She's pretty cool.
Here's a picture of our place back when it was a fabric store.http://www.moshercommercial.com/real-estate/89393.htm.
Didn't go out to do my Craggy Bob loop, because of a huge amount of bees. The smoke must have driven them there...they're drowsy and slow, but EVERYWHERE.
Funny how bears don't bother me like bees do.
Sorry for all the randomness, but that's how my mind is right now.
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Deadfall Meadows
Just got back from a two hour hike through Deadfall Meadows to Deadfall Lake. Wonderful wildflowers, butterflies everywhere, even a shy little doe.
Here are some pictures of the place.
http://milgil.com/our-photo-albums/deadfall-meadows-photo-album/
Here are some pictures of the place.
http://milgil.com/our-photo-albums/deadfall-meadows-photo-album/
Don't push that button, Max!
A little finger malfunction...
Happy birthday, Karen! I hope you have a loverly one!
One of the neat things that Scott and I did in Vegas was to see the Lippizans. I have never seen them before, but they were gorgeous! Really graceful, strong and awe-inspiring. Airs above the ground. Made me want to cry.
I thought about you, Mimi. Wish you could have been there.
Happy birthday, Karen! I hope you have a loverly one!
One of the neat things that Scott and I did in Vegas was to see the Lippizans. I have never seen them before, but they were gorgeous! Really graceful, strong and awe-inspiring. Airs above the ground. Made me want to cry.
I thought about you, Mimi. Wish you could have been there.
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Sometimes this old farm feels like a long lost friend....
We're back! The house didn't burn down, the dogs didn't run away, Joey Kitten is still prowling around, and the Ki stayed fat and happy.
Scott had a great crossing! He never was in time trouble, never had significant problems with his feet, his stomach, his emotions...he did great!
My crew members were pretty interesting. One is a female ex-marine exercise physiologist who did a solo crossing of Badwater when Benjamin did it and is one of his special people. The other is a 65 year old Mexican concert pianist who has done ultras as long as Scott has. An interesting mix.
As usual, I'm glad to be home. It's hard to believe that this is my ninth year of crewing. Shouldn't I get some kind of award?
It was pretty weird...lots of thunderstorms, flash floods, road closures, lakes where there is usually sand. Cooler than usual (only got up to 117 degrees), but much muggier than usual.
I love the way that the other Badwater runners respect and enjoy Scott. This really is his family...a bunch of assorted long-distance runners from around the world who LOVE the desert. Very cool.
Scott had a great crossing! He never was in time trouble, never had significant problems with his feet, his stomach, his emotions...he did great!
My crew members were pretty interesting. One is a female ex-marine exercise physiologist who did a solo crossing of Badwater when Benjamin did it and is one of his special people. The other is a 65 year old Mexican concert pianist who has done ultras as long as Scott has. An interesting mix.
As usual, I'm glad to be home. It's hard to believe that this is my ninth year of crewing. Shouldn't I get some kind of award?
It was pretty weird...lots of thunderstorms, flash floods, road closures, lakes where there is usually sand. Cooler than usual (only got up to 117 degrees), but much muggier than usual.
I love the way that the other Badwater runners respect and enjoy Scott. This really is his family...a bunch of assorted long-distance runners from around the world who LOVE the desert. Very cool.
Friday, July 11, 2008
Badwater, here we come!
Scott and I are headed to Las Vegas this afternoon. We'll be meeting up with two crew members, renting a humongous Suburban, and driving to Death Valley. The race starts on Monday and will be over on Wednesday. We'll climb Mount Whitney on Thursday, then fly back home on Saturday.
There is a pretty extensive webcast at www.badwater.com, if people want to check it out.
Good luck with the weight loss this week. As for me, I'll be living on PB and J (and a lot o' gatorade).
There is a pretty extensive webcast at www.badwater.com, if people want to check it out.
Good luck with the weight loss this week. As for me, I'll be living on PB and J (and a lot o' gatorade).
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Alleine: Photo by Photographer Marius Sabo - photo.net
I found a wonderful photography site, with all sorts of beautiful shots. This is one of my favorites.
Alleine: Photo by Photographer Marius Sabo - photo.net
Alleine: Photo by Photographer Marius Sabo - photo.net
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Fourth of July
Mount Shasta's biggest weekend is the fourth of July. About four thousand people come to run the Mount Shasta 5 mile walk/run. www.mtshastarunners.com. It's a &$%^$ zoo. Guess who gets to man the ER the night of the 3rd, 4th, and 5th.....Yeah, you're RIGHT!! Lucky me....
To get my mind right, I did a new loop in Castle Crags that I call Big Bob. It is probably 7 miles of climbing and then descending, with the highest part looking across the valley to the crags. http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=454 It's spectacular. No bears today, just one little woodpecker.
Now, it's off to my little nap before chaos strikes.
To get my mind right, I did a new loop in Castle Crags that I call Big Bob. It is probably 7 miles of climbing and then descending, with the highest part looking across the valley to the crags. http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=454 It's spectacular. No bears today, just one little woodpecker.
Now, it's off to my little nap before chaos strikes.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Mount Shasta
I had a fabulous shift last night, actually being paid to sleep...
So, Scott and I headed up to Bunny Flat, which is the highest parking lot you can get to on the way up Mount Shasta. We hiked up to the Sierra Club Horse Camp (where John Muir, et al would leave their horses before climbing to the summit). Absolutely beautiful day...we got above the smoke and didn't see any bears this time.
I made colcannon with kale, potatoes, carrots, and feel absolutely self-righteous.
So, Scott and I headed up to Bunny Flat, which is the highest parking lot you can get to on the way up Mount Shasta. We hiked up to the Sierra Club Horse Camp (where John Muir, et al would leave their horses before climbing to the summit). Absolutely beautiful day...we got above the smoke and didn't see any bears this time.
I made colcannon with kale, potatoes, carrots, and feel absolutely self-righteous.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Bears!
Scott and the dogs have seen the same bear (he hopes) on the same loop about five miles south of Dunsmuir. It runs away and hasn't been a threat. I asked Scott is he was going to keep going on that trail and hope for the best. So, today, he and I went on our Craggy Bob loop, which is about five miles total in Castle Crags State Park. Sure enough, about 15 minutes into our climb, I heard crashing off to my left, and what do I see but a curious looking half grown bear. I looked quickly to see if mama was around, but I didn't see another. Little guy just kept doing his rummaging around the logs and we went on our way. In a way, I'm much more worried about rattlesnakes, which we have seen, too.
Regardless, it was quite a nice thing. I remember Cindy Jacobs saying that bears were "good medicine".
Regardless, it was quite a nice thing. I remember Cindy Jacobs saying that bears were "good medicine".
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