Hiking

Since walking from Huntsville to home, I have done a lot of hiking. And I've done a lot more walking from Huntsville to our Home.  I was also able to do the San Francisco 1/2 mara with Rocky last month.  But I'll have to talk about that later.  I'm trying to catch up.  This wonderful trip we had earlier this Summer - I just have to write about:

  We went to Kanab, Utah area with our Son, Rock one weekend. We were able to hike around some beautiful area.  One amazing hike is through Buckskin gulch. It is a narrow walkway between two big rock hills that goes on forever.  I will post some pics.   We also got to see the beautiful "wave" that is in that area. Sooooooo awesome.  It is a sight that you can't believe you are actually seeing. You are constantly wondering " how was this formed?"  
    Then we spent a day with a very good guide who took us on a very primitive road way to "The White Pocket Area".   This place had formations that I've never ever seen in my life.  I was so amazed that this place existed. Here are some photos:

This spot looks like the Rock was clay once and someone walked through it and put in their footprints.

The above is in the 'White Pocket Area'

Above:    This is the WAVE  that I told you about earlier.

Here's Rocky Jay standing in the light between the two Rock mountains that go on forever in
Buckskin Gulch

The above two pics were taken at 'White Pocket".   The Rock formations were so amazing!

I will sign off w/this pic.  But there were sooo many more that I can't even begin to choose. We really saw a lot of country.   Loved it!

The Walk from Huntsville

Well, my first 10 mile walk in this area is accomplished!  It was better than I expected.
Jay dropped me off in Huntsville and I walked back to our home in Eden.  It was a beautiful day.
It did rain a little at one point, but for most of the day- it was nice.
I think I can handle doing this one (walk) often. There is a nice paved walking path - most of the way.
Also, I noticed, that most people I encountered were very friendly.   Example:
I saw a minivan parked in a precarious place on the road. It was a young gal with 2 children in the car. I asked her is she was okay and she motioned me to come over.  She pointed out to me what she was looking at. She said that she was showing her kids these beautiful big birds in a tree across the way. We talked about the birds and what kind we thought they were (Ravens or something), then she told me about herself and I told her a few things about me and why I live here now.
Anyhoo, we had a great exchange and then she went on her way. I reflect on this and realize that has happened to me a lot since I have moved here.  So many very nice and friendly people.
I think I'm going to like it here......:-)

 I live in such a beautiful Valley.

New Goal for me......

Yes, I myself can't believe it, but I am going to set a goal to do another 1/2 Marathon.
I Haven't done a 1/2 mara since October 2013 - The Huntsville Marathon.
  Our Son Rocky Jay has got me convinced that I need to do the San Francisco Marathon with him.  He will of course do the full mara, but I will , of course, do the Half.  
I signed us up so that makes it a full blown Goal or commitment for me. Anytime you put down money - that gives you the incentive. (well, it does for me....:-)

   So yesterday I started the 12 week course of getting myself ready.  I walked/jogged 4 miles.
Then today I walked 2.5 miles.  I also lifted a lot of rock today (landscaping outside). So I'm counting that as cross training .....:)   I guess I'm kind of following the plan and also kind of making up my own plan.  (nothing wrong with that, I hope)
I know I need to keep up 3 or 4 miles every other day - so I hope I can keep the commitment.  It has been hard for me to keep up my walking this year, because of moving and going on so many trips in the car.  It is very difficult to keep up your fitness plan on the road.  Unless you get up early in the morning before everyone else that you are traveling with........nope, that's not me.  Anyhoo, I  will do a long walk within the next week. I got in the car today and clocked out 10 miles for myself.  If Jay drops me off at Huntsville Park and I walk back -that will be my 10 miles.  I'm excited to start doing the long walks again.  I soooooooo miss my long walks around the Columbia River in Wenatchee, WA.   But those days are gone for me now.  I have to find my  new favorite walking ground.   There are a lot of beautiful trails and nice places around here, but since I walk alone - a lot of the trails will not work for me.  I have to walk out in the open where there are a lot of other people around and animals on leashes.....:)   Yes, I've been bitten by dogs before.  It is no fun!

Well, enough of my walking talk.  Now I will have to report back to this blog and hopefully that will help me accomplish this goal.  I don't want to say that I didn't do the Marathon.

 The above pic is of the Apple Trail Loop in Wenatchee.......I miss you.

This one is of my daughter and me after the Huntsville Marathon.

Pain that we Suffer......Thought for April

"No Pain that we suffer, no trial that we experience is wasted . It ministers to our education, to the development of such qualities as patience, faith, fortitude, and humility.  All that we suffer and all that we endure, especially when we endure it patiently, builds up our characters, purifies our hearts, expands our souls, and makes us more tender and charitable, more worthy to be called the children of God....and it is through sorrow and suffering, toil and tribulation, that we gain the education that we come here to acquire and which will make us more like our Father and Mother in Heaven..
by Orson F. Whitney

I like this quote.  It makes me feel a touch better about pain. We have to go through pain in this life.
I read C.S. Lewis's book  " The problem of Pain"   It wasn't an easy book to read. But it did make me realize that - if we didn't have suffering (pain)..... We probably would have a tough time becoming humble and we need to be humble to be more Spiritual.  It's all part of the Plan of Happiness.
 How would we know Joy, if we didn't have pain?

Well, that's my thought for this month. We've had a pretty good month, but are still trying to figure out this Retirement thing.  It is hardest on my husband.  He is use to going to work everyday. We just have to keep him busy and find a new normal.....:)
We had a good week at Disneyland with our daughter Staci's Family.  Jay and I did notice that we were very worn out and tired, tho.  I guess we can't keep up with these youngins'.  But we tried our best.

Freedom

The ultimate freedom is the right and power to decide how anybody or anything outside ourselves will affect us.    Stephen Covey

Every choice has a consequence whether we like it or not, even not choosing anything is a choice.  We are here to learn, grow, evolve and transcend.  The better choices we make - the freer and happier we will be!

That's my quote for this month. Yes, I was going to have a quote of the week, but a month has gone by and it looks as if I might have to be happy with getting a post of the month on here......
I did have a good excuse tho,  we actually moved all of our belongings from Ephrata, Washington to Eden, Utah.  I can't believe that it really happened. I have to say that it was harder than I thought it would be. We did have some help, but most of the work was done by my husband and me. We haven't moved in 30 years - so what did I expect?  But we are finally feeling like we have things in place and have some order in our home.  I realize that I am OCD or type A or whatever you call it. But I do feel a sense of accomplishment that most of the things I wanted done are done.  Now to go on with this choice we have made and make the best of it!
(-more on the move later.....)

Optimism

No Pessimist ever discovered the secrets of the stars, or sailed to an uncharted land, or opened a new heaven to the human spirit..... - Helen Keller

I'm keeping with my happiness theme for awhile. Especially since it's the first part of the year and it is  gloomy and gray outside. I always have a tough time with January and February. I'm a person that loves light (sunshine).     I'm sure I've said that already, but it doesn't hurt to repeat it....:)
  So it is a little hard to be feeling Optimistic when the weather is cold and disagreeable.
But being and feeling optimistic has always gone back to the word "Gratitude' for me.  When you start counting your blessings, it is very hard not to feel Optimistic about your life.
So that is what I try to do as often as I can. Start thinking about all the things I am grateful for.
My Family is probably the first one I think of and then my Health. And of course then there are many other physical and spiritual things when I start thinking about it.  So by the time I am done, I am feeling very Optimistic about this life.   I just have to keep reminding myself about that important word "GRATITUDE!!

Let's give it a try.....:)

Yes, I know it's already the end of January, but I think I want to try and do what I said in the last post:
Give a thought or quote for the week.  Here's my quote for this week:

 There is no duty we so much underrate as the duty of being happy.  By being happy we sow anonymous benefits upon the world.    Robert Louis Stevenson

I believe it is human nature for us to keep thinking that we will be happy after something happens:
when I get that new job, or the new house, or a bigger kitchen, or when my kids grow up, or.....etc. etc.    I  realize at this time in my life that I have to try and make happiness a habit.  Every morning I wake up - I've  been given a wonderful gift -  another day of life -  so  I have to make the most of it.
No one can do it for me.  It really is a state of mind and I have the power to make it a state of my own mind.  I hope that I will do that more now.
  My husband and I are in the process of moving to another state. We are blessed that we can do this. We can live closer to our kids and grandkids. We are able to semi-retire. It is a blessing and I have to look at it that way.  But right now, I'm feeling a little sad about leaving a place that we have lived at for 30 years.  We raised our kids here. We have family and friends here. 
 But now it will never be the same, because we will come back as visitors from now on.  Someone else will be living in this house. I have to let it go and let a new chapter of our lives begin. I think we are ready. But it is a bittersweet thing to move away from a place that has been your home for so many years.