Category: adventure

adventure, friendship

The Gift

2chicksandapen

I was gifted a little tiny pig about a month ago. Why? No particular reason, but I felt an immediate connection to the tiny figure. Maybe it was because my son gave it to me. Maybe it was the uniqueness of it. Maybe it was just what I needed to spark my creativity. Cute enough to fit in my pocket. Flirty enough to take on adventures. Off we went.

We spent time out west posing and sharing our adventures via Snapchat with a group of friends. It became a game of sorts. Free entertainment. How could I outdo the last photo or snap? Where else could my pig go? We posed for holiday photos with Santa. We make snarky workplace comments only a pig could get away with. We had a good time.

My pig made it to a national park. My pig visited an animal sanctuary. My pig flew on a plane. My pig traveled to multiple states. My pig has done some funny stuff. My pig even played hide-n-seek virtually. Teens and adults were eager for the next move. I decided to share the wealth or fun. I ordered up a variety of small figurines from Amazon to gift. 

I then put them in holiday cards with instructions to live your best life with your new buddy in 2024. It’s been awesome so far! 

I get messages of coffee with friends. I get snaps about work frustrations. I get destination photos. Milestone photos. Down right funny photos. My last one being a car rave with techno music with my pig and a few new companions.

A simple idea. A simple share. 

Silly as it sounds, I spread smiles. I made a difference. I used my creativity to spark a giggle. To get others to tap into that part of their brain even if they are having a crappy day. We now have a virtual connection that stimulates many near and far.

Just a little fun for you on this Friday. Have you ever given a random gift with no expectation in return? Give it a try. It’s super fun.

Maybe you will catch a glimpse of my miniature friends that will be floating around the internet. I believe we have:

A pig of course.

A turtle out on expeditions.

A sheep having coffee and folding laundry or maybe it’s climbing a mountain.

A cat prancing around the office causing havoc.

A pink flamingo doing flashy stuff.

A duck planning a wedding.

A lady bug being good luck to a cancer patient.

A dog being the best pet for a girl who can’t have a real dog.

And many more are just beginning their journeys. Maybe I’ll give an update later in the year. For now know that my companion hangs out in my little Lululemon shoulder bag waiting for the right photo opportunity to appear. She is going to take an international trip in 2024 and she is going to run a few miles in unique destinations. Yes she is a she. A diva. Of course she has to be as she travels with me. My little pal seems to be an adventure buddy while others may have an emotional connection or a cooking partner. Whatever it means it’s hilarious to me.

2024 is going to be be a blast for me and my piggie! Can you spot the pig below?

adventure, fitness and nutrition

A Day of Twos

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Two shirts. Two pairs of socks. Two pairs of pants. Two pairs of gloves. Two jackets. The two layers were definitely needed to endure 22 degree temperature with wind while outside. A little pre-planning was the key to enduring the elements while being active.

A little adventurous spirit made the trek seem possible. A 10 Mile or so bike ride one way from Montana to Idaho on the new Yellowstone Short Line Trail. An ambitious goal per the bike shop owner, but one I shrugged off. I was looking forward to the experience. I wanted to say I did it. I may never have the chance again, so why not go for it.

The entrance sign has its warnings of bears and other wildlife. It also had fresh snow from the night before. Maybe an inch or so but depending on the tree cover the consistency varied which added to the variety within the outing. The first two miles or so the snow had tracks from boots, dog paws and maybe some birds and kids. It wasn’t well traveled but it was used at various times during the snowfall. This made the path somewhat bumpy on the front end. You can zoom Into the picture below to relate to the consistency.

When there was a break in the trees there was black ice where the snow melted. This made for a little glide time and concentration to avoid a spill or wipe out. Moving into mile 3-4 the trail was fresh. As in nobody had traversed it recreationally. This was one of the highlights for me. Uncharted exploration in the wide open.

The views along the pathway were nothing less than breathtaking. They looked like pictures from a travel magazine. The rushing river on the side of the path was so soothing on the ride. Time didn’t stand still but it seemed like a timeless journey. Hard to explain but when you take in so much nature you are not really looking at a clock you are just immersed in the experience.

Three bridges I traveled over. They hadn’t even been installed that long. I felt pride to experience such a new rail trail. As I moved along the snow became crunchy. It had an outer layer of ice from the cold temps as the elevation rose slightly. The snow got deeper. The pedaling got harder. The wind became stronger. Mile 5-6 was the longest in my mind. Mile 6-7 was a lot of self talk about forging ahead.

The signs of others on the trail were evident. Mostly cross trail vs. the straight line I was riding. Deer prints in the snow. Some variety of birds or other critters. Always across the path never along the path. So interesting to have your mind wander as you ride and think what animal may be watching you in the distance.

Some bigger paw prints that I couldn’t identify. I’m not a trained tracker but I also know I was going to keep moving and not stop for that that photo just in case. There were many scratches or gouges in the trees. Different heights and different depths as you cruised by. These are signs of the presence of bears. I have had an abundant awareness of bears on this particular trip to last me a lifetime. Cool and unnerving in a way but as long as I did my thing and kept moving I felt okay.

Mile marker 7. 2 more miles to the continental divide. So close yet so far. As you can see the sky in picture one is blue and clear the sky is grey cloudy at mile 7. No breaks in the trees meant the wind was minimal but the chill was in the frigid air. This was the turnaround point. My cycling partner’s feet were colder than mine. Knowing the number of miles back. The temperature. The environment. The decision was made. The practical decision. The right decision. However, it was also hard to not hit the point you wanted to achieve. A life lesson of sorts. Aim high but be okay with progress vs perfection. Also listen to your body. It’s a powerful machine if used wisely.

The cruise back seemed quicker. It always does. A little downhill rest, but also the workout in the harder area with the snow, ice and existing tracks took a little more work to navigate. A few more stops to rest the bottom of my body as it’s been enduring some bumps and long riding. Yes this was required for my sanity the following day!

Then the break in the trees. The wind hit. Cold. Cold. Cold. The toes feeling it the most. More breaks to bend and flex the toes to keep them warm since they felt the brunt of the wind. Thankful for my neck gaiter, layers and glasses to block my wind. The excursion ended at my condo, in front of the fireplace to warm the toes and take a restroom break before heading back to the bike shop a mile away.

The fireplace seemed to be dimly lit but it was full of warmth. I sat there to warm up but to also reflect on what I had just completed. A monumental ride in extreme conditions. I did it. I am able to tell you all about it. I have great photos to remind me of my epic ride.

This rail trail is great for biking, running, walking and I hear even cross country skiing in another couple weeks. When traveling look for rail trails. Normally pretty flat and full of character. Great way to experience a little history. I give two thumbs up since this is a post of twos today for the Yellowstone Shortline Trail. Also you can make a donation to keep this trail pristine. The link is on photo one, if you feel the need to give.

adventure

Unplanned

2chicksandapen

I had breakfast today in West Yellowstone, Montana. Opted to hit the road to visit the famous Grand Tetons in Wyoming. Due to road closures this time of year I took the path less traveled. That meant I had lunch in Idaho and dinner in Wyoming! How much fun is that for a day? I also tried some new snacks: bison jerky and elk sticks. Pretty adventurous for me.

The ride out of Yellowstone put me in the forest so to speak. Trees, wildlife and wide open spaces. I loved it. Before I knew it I was in Idaho. Never been to Idaho so I was looking forward to the brief experience.

As the morning progressed the scenery did not disappoint. From the vacant roadway with the sun shining perfectly to accent to the sky to the view of the Tetons in the distance. This drive I would definitely recommend on a clear day like I had. Farmland galore. Oh all the potatoes hail from Idaho.

The time seemed to pass as I snapped a million photos and made pit stops along the way to enjoy the prestigious views all around. Before I knew it, Wyoming was in sight. A little climb over a mountain but what a spectacular view at the top. It’s hard to read the song in the photo but it stays Howdy Stranger, yonder is Jackson Hole, the last of the old west. Pretty cool sign in my opinion.

The down hill descent was steep. Not going to lie. I would not want to do that downhill trek in inclement weather! As I dumped into the town of Jackson I met some swans by the elk refuge center. No elk today but the swans were entertaining enough. The land reserved for the elk was huge to say the least.

Just a short drive beyond the town was the entrance to the Grand Tetons. What a special place to visit. Every camera angle captured a unique view of the scenic landscape. Words and photos don’t do any justice to the lived experience but I will share a few of my favorite shots.

The reflection of the trees and the peaks were simply amazing. The water was clear as can be. The air was fresh and crisp as it was in the 30 degree temps range on this day. It wasn’t super busy on this day therefore there was peaceful quiet at each viewing point. It seemed like I had the entire wilderness to myself. The trip back was a little hurried as snowfall was on the horizon. I had to beat the snow and ice conditions as the sun went down. And believe it or not the sun is down by around 5 pm and the darkness creeps in just before 6 pm. 

I sincerely hope you enjoyed this clip from my travel journal. I would definitely encourage a trip to see the Tetons, if you can.

Off to continue living my best life on the road.

adventure

Yellowstone

2chicksandapen

It’s November and I am on the road for an adventure trip out west. Wyoming, Idaho and Montana to be specific. The vast open land of the United States was the destination to explore.

Snow had made a little presence in the area before I arrived and some was on the forecast horizon. However, not enough to say it’s time to ski and not enough to fuss about. With that in mind I assumed business would be as usual in the areas. Little did I know.

Yellstone National Park for instance closed all but its north gate from November through December 15th for vehicle traffic. On 12/15 the only vehicles allowed are snow-equipped vehicles that mostly do tours of the park. Oddly enough you need nature to provide the snow too. I am sure there are many reasons for the closure of the gates to the south and the west, etc. Safety. Limited resources for plowing and sanding miles of roadways. The list could go on.

The downside of this is mountain towns are ghost towns. Shops, eateries, service businesses, etc. are closed for the season. As in until spring of 2024. I had a million questions about how businesses survived, where the proprietors go during these shutdowns. Just overall crazy to me.

But I did meet some cool workers at the few places who stay open year round. The fishing store guy. He was a wealth of information. He stays open to take calls and reservations for the busy season. Smart! The coffee barista who is also the ski rental girl and the bike rental girl and the retail store attendant. A jack of all trades. A free spirit who willingly shared her adventurous spirit and knowledge of the area.

This led me to a remarkable quest. Bike riding into the west entrance of Yellowstone National park in chilly 30 degree temperatures. An amazing experience that I will cherish in my memory bank. Picturesque scenery. Desolated roads made it seem like the park was just mine for a day. The quiet of the day allowing me to hear all of the sounds of nature. The anticipation of seeing a bison cross my path. All of it.

Snow under my tires. Ice at times. Thicker in spots but then sunny and dry pavement in other areas. The fresh air was clean and crisp. A little cold at times but then warmth hit in the break of the trees when the sun shined through. Mile after mile of peace and tranquility. I pedaled and enjoyed the ambiance in the air.

About 8 miles from the bike shop to the 7 mile bridge. About 1.5 hours with pit stops for absolutely stunning photos. Rolling alongside a river for a few of those miles was another level of awesome. Hearing the current hit rocks or logs showed the power of the flow. Seeing the fresh and clear mountain water was a reminder of how precious our land is. Observing nature. Being present in the environment. It was a great way to exercise.

From paw prints in the snow to animal droppings on the road. Suspense was lurking around each bend. A wolf? A bear? A deer? A bison? An elk? The options of wildlife were abundant. An experience worth my time. Unplanned yet unprecedented. While many may shy away from a non-peak travel time, I actually enjoyed the emptiness. It felt like my own private playground for miles and miles.

This particular trek had me starting in Montana while working my way into Wyoming. Two more states added to my biking list. I enjoyed it so much I’m planning my next ride to Idaho in a few days on a rail trail should the weather permit my excursion.

So many views of the mountains. Just above the tall pines. Between breaks in trees the white caps of the mountains shined bright. Pictures don’t even come close to magnifying the beauty of the lived experience. However sharing these photos may spark an interest for you to travel or learn about Yellowstone: the national park not the television series.

Enjoy. 

adventure, celebrations

Holidays Smolidays

2chicksandapen

Thanksgiving is a time to be thankful. I am so thankful for my life. The shortcomings. The high points. The people. My friends. My family. My pets. My coworkers. All of it.

I may reflect on my thankfulness differently than others. I don’t need to share my feelings through food nor see somebody in person to let them know they are valued. This year I reflected from a remote location. I was up early before the sunrise. Not to cook but to reflect. It was important to me. I opted for video or text messages to send reminders of value others play in my life. Non traditional, yes. Heartfelt, yes. Memorable, I think so.

My way of celebrating is my way. Family gatherings often end with stressful bickering or binge eating and food comas. No thanks. I’m carving out time for a hike this year. Some peaceful time in nature. Breathing fresh air. Listening to birds chirp. Avoiding chaos. I’m eating simple turkey breast and sides. Easy peasy. No rush. No fluff. No stress. Easy cleanup. I’m letting my adult kids choose how they celebrate. They appreciate this. They don’t want to be forced to attend a required gathering. Just keeping in simple.

When I look back over the past five Thanksgivings, I have traveled out of state for four out of five. There is a pattern. Avoid the conflict, chaos and disappointment. The latter being the worst. Not being able to go everywhere you are invited. Letting somebody down. It’s a tough cross to bear, but an invitation is just that. An invitation to join xyz. It’s not a requirement. If a host doesn’t feel comfortable in their own house, that’s added stress to host. That’s so puzzling to me. I just wouldn’t do it. Not worth it to me. 

I’ve read many articles online this year about Dear Abby, my son-in-law is a pig. Nobody wants him at the family functions. Dear Abby, my daughter-in-law has no manners. Her etiquette is not becoming of her. Dear Abby, my mother is not nice to my husband and it makes the meal table very stressful. So many variations of people being unhappy and losing sight of thankfulness.

I choose non-traditional. I don’t like to confirm to norms. I like to set new traditions and reinvent those experiences with a little flair thereafter. Is that wrong? Am I harming anyone? Am I choosing happy my way? How fun is it to go to a new destination and see how others celebrate? How about volunteering for the homeless and making their day? So many options. 

I prefer paper plates and easy cleanup. No fine china at my turkey day table or other major holiday. I prefer Friendsgiving or gatherings of such. The ones where everyone brings their favorite dish to share. The ones where people focus on what they liked about their standard traditions vs. all the must dos. 

I’m in shorts and slippers today. Nothing fancy. Just me. Comfortably dressed as I gorge myself. No uncomfortable dress up to be presentable to others. My holidays are full of options. The destination may differ. The food may be shaken up. The company may vary as well. That’s part of the fun.

However you celebrate Thanksgiving and other holidays, be thankful. Be thankful for your life, your health and your ability to be present. The latter being most important. Your presence can be virtually in some instances because you are a present to those receiving the message no matter how it’s delivered and really you can’t be everywhere at the same time. You have to improvise. 

I’m also okay with knowing that as I age I may chose solitude. I may choose to reflect alone. That’s my choice. I hope when and if that day comes, my kids understand. If I’m not able to travel or run a race on turkey day I may need to find my peace in my own way. Time will tell. Of course, I’ll probably write about it, too.

To all those who frown on this post, more power to you. I won’t hold it against you, rather it will be motivating for me. I will choose to enjoy my peace more to bank some peacefulness for you. 

Happy turkey day and smolidays to come from this finicky old gal with an independent mindset just tossing this rant out to the world. This post is also coming out after Thanksgiving as it may hit a little different after you had your actual Thanksgiving celebration or shit show.

Football

Parades 

Food

Shopping

Chaos

Embrace your celebration style as I do mine.