Thanksgiving 2013

Thanksgiving was awesome!  Awesome food awesome family

Jafer came to GIHP to ride with us.

He says "some people" say his mustache makes him look older......we are looking for those people......

Great day for riding under blue skies!  Followed by yummy lunch, of course.

GA State Cyclocross Championships 2013

Sneak Peek Masters 35+

Duncan Ridge Trail 2013

I planned a four day weekend of hiking the Georgia Loop.  (possibly with the dogs, but probably not)  I researched the course and started packing.  Shey asked to come along, but wanted to do a two day hike, instead.  I changed plans and did more research, then he said he wanted to be back Sunday to race a cyclocross race.  So, it would be a short hike and we could take the dogs.

I hoped to start between 6 and 6:30am on Friday, but we didn't get to our final parking spot and ready to hit the trail until around 10am.  Plans changed again.  We would go as far as we could, as long as the dogs (and the humans)  held up (Indy is 12yrs old) then turn around and come back early.  The Georgia Loop would have to wait.

Up, up, up Benton Mackaye to Duncan Ridge.

Serena got a new backpack and carried food for herself and Indy.  I carried their water, as there would be no water on the trail for most of the day.  

It was an ankle turning experience to hike the trail with all the leaves down.  Surprises of rocks and roots were found under the blanket of leaves and that kept us on our toes.  However, because the leaves had already fallen, the views were AMAZING!!!  The color was still bright with oranges, reds and yellows.

On the drive up to the trailhead we had stopped at a country store and picked up some homemade apple pies.  They made me very happy!  Catching up with Shey and doing our best to talk above the noise of the crunching leaves, made me very happy.

Shey was a great hiker and kept the pace steady for us all.

I had not slept much the past two weeks and was tired by early afternoon.  I didn't think we would find water at all along the trail, so I was conserving mine (which mean I carried 2 liters, plus the dogs water, though they drank most of theirs) and the weight was wearing me down.  We did find water at Mulky Creek and drank our fill.  I felt much better, but we had to make a decision about mileage and what to do about the next day.  We decided to turn around and hike back a ways then set up camp early and chill out.


A sweet fire to warm our feet, then we set up our hammocks.  It got down to 30 degrees that night, with wind.  We had a yummy chicken, cashews and rice dinner.

The dogs warmed themselves by the fire and passed out.  Later that night, Serena kept hearing noises in the woods and would wake us up with her barking.  Finally I put her in the hammock with Shey.  Yep, 65 lbs of dog sleeping on top of Shey, suspended in the air....then Shey put her back out around 2am, so I don't think he got much sleep.

Sunrise

Shey was up before me and he watched the sunrise.  We ate hot oatmeal and packed up to head back.

The Duncan Ridge Trail does not use switchbacks, but instead climbs straight up and down several gaps.  It's tough, and with weight on your back I am sure it's great training for something......

 We realize the dogs definitely slowed us down, but they really had a good time and I'm glad I got to take them.  We hike fast and I think they made us slow down to smell the roses a bit more than we would have alone.

Ah, love the woods!

Blaze on the BMT.

Back at the car, I was a little disappointed that I didn't get to complete my plan, but I am learning to go with the flow.  We drove to Dahlonega and ate at Moe's, then drove into Atlanta to pick up Jansen.

That left me with Sunday to chill out with the boys at home, then head into Little 5 Points to do some Christmas stocking shopping with them.  

Not a bad weekend AT ALL!!!!

Halloween and Texas Visit 2013

Shey wanted to carve jack-o-lanterns this year.  So, Everett picked up a couple and it was "on".

I went with a bat

Shey decided on classic style

Then we seasoned and roasted the seeds.  Yum!

The next weekend I flew down to Texas to visit my parents.  We saw them on a quick visit in April and then they came up to see Jansen's graudation in May, but it was time to catch up, for sure.

Mom and Mrs. Voigt had a luncheon to attend, so Dad and I got to hang out for the day.  We walked the path along the river in Boerne and ate great mexican food.

Mrs. Voigt and Mom.

Dad goofing off outside the nature store.

Mom and I went for a hike.

The Cibolo nature center is a cool place to walk around.

Then we practiced yoga.......

4 days of laughing and telling old stories about crazy stuff my brothers and I did as kids.  It's always nice to go home and see Mom and Dad.  They have been the most loving and supportive parents and grandparents!  See ya again soon!

**

Ah, reminds me of my badlass friends!!

Post by Extreme Peru.