I've Discovered Podcasts!

I've recently discovered Podcasts.  I admit I never really understood how they worked before but they are great for the drive to and from work.  Currently I am listening to Sounds from the Trail.  It is a podcast about thru hiking on the Appalachian Trail and the Pacific Crest Trail.  I've read Wild and have seen the movie and didn't think it was that great.  I also saw Robert Redford's movie about walking the AT and was disappointed in it.  This podcast covers different topics concerning through hiking.  I can't say I want to through hike but I sure would love to do a couple of sections.

Feel free to leave some podcast suggestions in the comment area.

Silver Sneaker Time

Happy Birthday to Arnold!! He turned 65 on May 7th and can't wait to get started with Silver Sneakers - free admission to nationwide health clubs and the Y.  Tyler and Lauren came down and we went to dinner at the Speed Trap in Palmer Lake which was wonderful. The picture above is from Val and Eric's wedding with a couple of college buddies/frat brothers - Mike and Bernie. 

DIY Dryer Sheets

I'm trying out another DIY ecco idea I picked up on Pinterest.  Dryer sheets supposedly have toxic chemicals so I made some of my own with white vinegar and essential oils (lavender and mellaluca).  I used some fabric scraps and have them soaking in a jar.  One dryer load takes 3-4 sheets and they can be reused by putting them back into the jar.  We'll see.........................

Elephant Towels

On one of our last visits to Crested Butte Tim created some special towel animals for our bed.  It was a cute surprise.......what a guy!

Uncle Rock Visits

During March Uncle Rock came to Colorado to visit.  Arn and were able to get away to Crested Butte for a few days. We also skied a day at Copper Mt.and checked out Ski Cooper and the Tennessee Pass Nordic Area.  We skied 6 mi. at the nordic area.  The conditions weren't the best but next time we will park further down the road and do the flats in the meadow which we didn't try due to the wind, etc.  Nick, Matt, and Noah were in state to ski at Vail and we were also able to spend an evening with them in Vail at Chris and Maren's (thx a bunch). On the way home we grabbed dinner at the Swiss Chalet which was delicious.  Thanks a bunch also to Rock for staying with Gma and entertaining her with lots of card games and eating out.  We did also go to Garden of the Gods for a stroll one day.

Icy the day we went and a lot of downhill but a nice area.

New bucket list item - a night in a yurt, dinner, nordic ski, and Ski Cooper

Swiss Chalet - great fine dining in Woodland Park - cute place

February Update

Wow, I just realized I have been lax in updating..........what's been going on?  Grandma is still here and plans on returning to Ohio in May after Lauren's wedding shower.  Arn and I have been trying to walk more since we haven't had snow since the last big dump when we made the snow dragon.  Arn worked over a whole week which tired him out and I have been trying to work as much as possible.  Some of the recent walks/hikes we've taken..............walked from Spruce Mt. Trailhead almost to Larkspur (6 mi.), Black Forest Section 16, thru the fire burn area (4mi.), Monument Preserve with Tyler, Lauren and the dogs (over 3 mi.) , around  the neighborhood (over 3 mi.), and I stopped on the way home from work and walked 4 mi. on the Santa Fe Trail until the Air Force Academy closure (should reopen this spring).  We took a mud hike on the Lincoln Mt. Open Space for 4 mi. which was a mess and now are checking out some of the drier places we don't usually go until the snow melts and the ground dries up.
I have also been trying to keep up with Betty Rocker, a 30 day challenge workout video series.  Gotta get this excess poundage off!