The Other Marathon

No, this is not another post about my race. I'm referring to Grad School, Year Two.

We really lived it up this final week of summer! I am feeling so much more energized and recovered from my marathon, which allowed us to have a fun and active week.

Now the real marathon begins.

I had orientation on Friday, and it was far less stressful this year. In fact, it was just plain fun! The faculty bought us lunch and asked about our summers. We met the two incoming graduate students and reviewed the essentials. I can't say just how thankful I am! This time last year I was studying for entrance exams like a mad woman. Being immersed into the MM performance/ped program last year incurred an incredible amount of change in a short period of time. How grateful I am for returning students and a year of experience under my belt. I have much to learn, but the transition should be much smoother this time around. I couldn't be happier with my program and the opportunity to return for year two!

Enjoy some photos from our final week of summer.

A Hard Night's Day at the Granada Theatre -- first live show we've seen in Dallas, and a fun one at that!

Tuesday swim

Wednesday 10K with our local running store

Friday run in my new kicks!

Saturday ride -- 22 miles and new trails!

High-risk selfie :)

A friend from church snapped photos of everyone at lunch today, just because. I love this candid shot!

Super food salads, week three!

School at 8:45 this morning. I guess no one else wanted to make copies on their last weekend morning?!

Vacation, Part V: Go Climb a Rock

One of the main reasons we chose Colorado as a vacation destination was because of its myriad hiking trails. When I researched Ouray, I found that it was no exception. Located in the San Juan Mountain Range with a peak of 14,157 feet, Mount Sneffels is considered one of the "14ers" and is taller even than Pike's Peak.

With race day a mere 72 hours away, climbing to the peak of Mt. Sneffels was out of the question (besides -- that would have required a different and intensive training in and of itself!), but a 6.6-mile hike through Mt. Sneffels Wilderness? That was doable.

Three lakes reside on Mt. Sneffels in the Uncompahgre National Forest, and our adventure on the Blue Lakes Trail took us to the lowest of these three lakes. And what an adventure it was! Little did we know that just getting to the trailhead would be a feat! We drove nine winding miles down a sliver of dirt (apparently called "County Road 7") to find the trailhead. This could not have been more different than our experience of getting to Barr Trail at Pike's Peak, where we followed signs and parking attendants to a pay-per-day lot and barely found an available spot! To say Blue Lakes is "off the beaten path" is no exaggeration.

Remote location notwithstanding, there was a considerable number of vehicles parked at the trailhead. We later realized that both day hikers and overnight backpackers left from this location. To our surprise, there were also quite a few young children on the trails. I was impressed by their perseverance! This hike wasn't all that long, but it wasn't all that easy, either!

Trailhead altitude: 9,400 feet

Distance to lower lake: 3.3 miles (6.6 roundtrip)

Lower lake elevation: 10,940 feet

Elevation gain: 1,600 feet

The trip to the lower lake was not as steep as Barr Trail, but the terrain was much more rugged. It was clear that this trail did not receive a fraction of the traffic or a fraction of the upkeep! It was untouched and glorious. A true wilderness.

Adventure Dog! She carried our packed lunch and waters like a pro!

Can you say, "Out of breath?"

Staying hydrated on the ascent! This collapsable water bowl worked great!

Can you find us? My pink doesn't exactly blend in with the environment...

Neither of us had ever seen these fields of wildflowers in the mountains! Zoom in! 

Just when we were getting tired and cranky for lunch, we stumbled upon this...

The Lower Lake!

What color do you even call that rainbow-glistened, enchanted water?

We ate lunch and then just marveled. For once in my life, I wasn't in a hurry. Tyler fished (hooked a crazy red mountain fish, but it got away!), I slept on a rock, and Brooklyn did whatever it is free dogs do in the mountains.

She loved the water! I was surprised, considering how chilly it was!
After all, I was wearing a sweatshirt at high noon in August! 

The descent took us less than an hour, but it was difficult in its own right. (I, er, may have a nasty bruise on my backside by which I remember the return trip. Darn loose gravel!) After a final morning run, this hike may not have been the best decision for taper week. But a chance to behold such beauty with my own two eyes, feel the mountain water on my toes, and warm myself on a sun-kissed rock? That just doesn't happen every day, and I have no regrets.

Mt. Sneffels, we'll be back for more of you!

Need to catch up on Parts I, II, III, and IV?

Vacation, Part III: Small Town Treasures

(See our trips to Albuquerque and Colorado Springs!)

Let me introduce you to the neighboring cities of Ridgway and Ouray. These two little cities, with a combined population under 2,000 people, have captured my heart!

We arrived at our B&B around 5PM on Tuesday evening. Our trip from Colorado Springs took longer than expected, due to winding mountain roads and construction. The drive was stunning, though!

Our home in Ridgway!

Brooklyn loved having a huge yard! We loved letting her off-leash to burn some energy!

Screened patio with a view! We also took advantage of that great hot tub more than once!

"You guys coming?!"

The weather was beautiful! Mornings and evenings were chilly and the afternoons were warm. 

Morning snuggles!

Our host, Lysa, made us a delicious breakfast each morning, complete with coffee, tea, juice, yogurt, fruit, cereal, omelettes, and muffins (gf)! Such a wonderful change from boiled eggs and bananas! Breakfast is my love language, by the way.

Breakfast with a view! (Are you catching on? Everything in Ridgway comes with a view!)

Our first morning in Ridgway, we rose early for our staple fishing/running date. I had one last run to fit in before the marathon. What better place to do it than Ridgway State Park? Did I mention it was a half mile from our B&B?

Helloooooo, Mt. Sneffels!

We had the park all to ourselves!

Nothing beats a mountain sunrise!

Training complete, and all ready for the Mt. Sneffels Marathon!

My fisherman and our very "helpful" Weimaraner.

Downtown Ridgway was located about two miles the other direction from our B&B.

It was like an old western town!

Downtown shopping and dining

Taco del Gnar! Ty and I loved this place so much that we took my parents there when they arrived! Everything was so fresh and flavorful! If you're ever in Ridgway, go get yourself some Yard Bird tacos and a housemade margarita. You're welcome.

Take one!

Take two!

Basically, we dined our way through downtown Ridgway. We tried 520 Burger, Kate's Place, and Eatery 66. All my meals were delicious and safely prepared to be gluten-free! Traveling can be so tough with dietary needs, but I was incredibly impressed by this small town's knowledge and care in cooking gluten free! Even the local grocery store, Ridgway Mountain Market, had a great selection of GF items.

Gluten-free pizza and salad for the win! Yay for crispy crust!

Eatery 66 - A stationary food truck and patio!

Ty and I shared the Housemade Organic Potato Chips and Dip, he had a local IPA, and I had the most delicious Revive Smoothie (berries, kale, beets, ginger, and honey).

We also did some shopping in Ridgway! I bought my new favorite earrings from Lupita's Bizarre Bazaar, which has been in Ridgway for close to forty years, and Mom found a neat candle shop (her love language). Ty and I also hit up the local art festival on the weekend. We were so impressed! The festival had unique treasures, live music, and incredible community support!

Does that give you a feel for Ridgway? Let's travel 13 miles over to Ouray ("yoo-ray"), and I'll give you a feel for Ridgeway's sister city.

County Courthouse, as seen in True Grit!

The haunted Beaumont Hotel -- our Jeep tour guide enjoyed telling us ghost stories about this place!

Main Street in downtown Ouray. Shopping with a view!

Ouray definitely had a larger selection of shops and restaurants, as it was clearly more of a tourist destination. All the hotels read, "No Vacancy," the RV park was full, and the hot springs was packed every time we drove by! The novelty shops were squeezed between tourist rental centers for Jeeps, ATVs, and fishing/boating.

We loved eating at Roast and Toast! I had a BLA on GF toasted bread and a most delicious hazelnut mocha (with housemade syrup).

Backstreet Bistro had a great dog-friendly patio on 7th Ave! We packed our leftovers for lunch this day, so I didn't try any house specialities. The boys liked their smoothies and coffee, though, and my parents hung out here with Brookies during our races.

I took this next photo for my SIL, Kelly, who loves glass art. I spoke with one of the artists, and she said all the glass is made on site in the back. It was stunning! And no, there's no filter on this photo.

(Taken with permission)

Some people like to try the local brews. I do, too, just the non-alcoholic type. Both were so tasty!

After picking up our race packets in Ouray (more on that later!), we had dinner at Cavallo's, a Louisiana-style cajun restaurant. The menu items were so unique! I was thrilled to hear the waiter say they use absolutely no MSG and make all their seasonings in-house. Ty and I both ordered the Creole Jambalaya, which had chicken, duck, and pork sausage. It had the perfect amount of kick, and a large portion of rice for pre-race carb-loading. Mom and Dad went with the Filet and the Jambalaya-Stuffed Pork Chop.

On our last night out, we went to The Outlaw, an old-style Western restaurant with live piano bar music. It was Ty's turn to order the Filet, and I had a delicious Greek Salad. Another fresh, flavorful meal! The housemade citrus vinaigrette was a table favorite!

Thanks, Mom and Dad!

Outside The Outlaw: post-race and last night in Ouray!

As you can see, there's no shortage of great sights, shops, snacks, and stops in both Ridgway and Ouray! I haven't even mentioned the main attractions yet, so stay tuned! Don't fall asleep on me!

Post-meal napping at the B&B