tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15814360323527281932024-03-14T00:00:36.098-04:00can I decide another day?A blog about a girl who names inanimate objects, takes ridiculous photos of all the things, attempts to cook, loves her dogs more than people, and loves to have a good time.Teh Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13715128040792877195noreply@blogger.comBlogger1597125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1581436032352728193.post-77334782680207844822024-03-14T00:00:00.001-04:002024-03-14T00:00:00.139-04:00Teh German's Geburtstag!<p>For Teh German's 40th bday celebration, I've been asking him what he wants to do FOR AT LEAST TWO YEARS but more like three. Finally, in December 2023, I was like, no really, if you want to do a group trip for your birthday it needs to be planned so make life choices. </p><p>Teh German decided he wanted to do snow activities with friends for his birthday. So I planned an epic snowventure told Teh German that he needed to invite his people. Turns out, most of his people are beach lovers, soooooo they REALLY love Teh German to attend his bday snowventures... also, I think a few of them were lured in by my incessant raving of how fun snowmobiling is... Who knows.</p><h2 style="text-align: left;">Feb 22 - Thursday</h2><p>We left BWI at really early on the 22nd.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLYKpKHnQqtotWYPABxtBJowTqKgequvqkNV8zSCrs29gapPpMZkha83tfrLqR5zObeBb15dp4bjWuMHQ8NRtNGHOIUmgWUb9_1QTMqFxsvUFTdXeuA1y4yWiVzpLjwMvYBtbcvYQaY7frYo1rqVZShARKW47GTC11Pc4vCsoeuuWm6dJesE5esBdA3ME/s3840/PXL_20240222_111129919.MP.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3840" data-original-width="2160" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLYKpKHnQqtotWYPABxtBJowTqKgequvqkNV8zSCrs29gapPpMZkha83tfrLqR5zObeBb15dp4bjWuMHQ8NRtNGHOIUmgWUb9_1QTMqFxsvUFTdXeuA1y4yWiVzpLjwMvYBtbcvYQaY7frYo1rqVZShARKW47GTC11Pc4vCsoeuuWm6dJesE5esBdA3ME/s320/PXL_20240222_111129919.MP.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The MD-ians (Teh Megan, Teh German, Teh Ultra Vet, Dan, and Omer) were all on the same flight and the SC-ians (Teh PT Wife and Teh PT Husband) were meeting us in Denver. While we waited for the SC-ians to arrive, we had breakfast and made a Walmart stop. We picked up Teh PT Husband once he landed, then headed to Prost since Teh PT Wife's flight was delayed.<div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggQoxOzhL3q8owTvHpHFhwEoeZ9CODtjmJfiQxOZpMnCGoxvGoGT4pZ2Oea4itIcNzvPmKo2O7f46VgUIlOa6dZyUqIRt0JrrMd-B5_7WB_fDrhHqG6rBw3y53rKjCbJ5ZvnCLwrGLiHN9fHfcOo06A_w9E7PkXQDYIlqB_QYDCgKejgONAKKJiNGWu60/s5333/PXL_20240222_195723016.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5333" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggQoxOzhL3q8owTvHpHFhwEoeZ9CODtjmJfiQxOZpMnCGoxvGoGT4pZ2Oea4itIcNzvPmKo2O7f46VgUIlOa6dZyUqIRt0JrrMd-B5_7WB_fDrhHqG6rBw3y53rKjCbJ5ZvnCLwrGLiHN9fHfcOo06A_w9E7PkXQDYIlqB_QYDCgKejgONAKKJiNGWu60/s320/PXL_20240222_195723016.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">IT IS TIME.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEQbqxxWQIXB2jpz2x-44BeU1gHPC9-irxmmREAzlL5fe3Q6f2LlzHWqmjYxtuEK0KHQMn7GSeh9Y_-6kxdZFCfG290bzRpsbkorHVZB8f92MtOZORBXM2Gzi-fwkikpyNFNBTwXMQ9itxeVA6NM37mpBsxDIr-zrG3pGbLHuNjWSMamYH0VdxW8GHmCk/s3840/PXL_20240222_195952489.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3840" data-original-width="2160" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEQbqxxWQIXB2jpz2x-44BeU1gHPC9-irxmmREAzlL5fe3Q6f2LlzHWqmjYxtuEK0KHQMn7GSeh9Y_-6kxdZFCfG290bzRpsbkorHVZB8f92MtOZORBXM2Gzi-fwkikpyNFNBTwXMQ9itxeVA6NM37mpBsxDIr-zrG3pGbLHuNjWSMamYH0VdxW8GHmCk/s320/PXL_20240222_195952489.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Start of birthday shenanigans!</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>Teh PT Wife ended up meeting us as Prost at 4:30 and after a Teh German requested "first with everyone, last for Prost" round, we got everyone and everything loaded in the Momvan and headed up 70 to Winter Park, CO. Thankfully, there hadn't been much precipitation the week before we arrived and the pass was open, so it only took us 1.5-2 hours to get up the mountain instead of the 3.5+ if the pass had been closed.</div><div><br /></div><div>Once we got into Winter Park, we had a disastrous dinner and then we stopped by the grocery store for snacks and breakfast and headed to the cabin to get settled in for the evening.</div><div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">Feb 23 - Friday</h2><div>Friday was snow activities! Snowboarding/skiing for Teh German and Omer and snowshoeing for the rest of us, followed by snow tubing for the ladies.</div><div><br /></div><div>We ended up doing 5 MILES of snowshoeing and it was beautiful and exhausting.</div><div><br /></div><div>All the photos of the day are mixed together because I'm lazy, you're welcome.</div><div>Green = Teh Megan</div><div>Purple = Teh German</div><div>Red britches = Teh PT Wife</div><div>Black/white coat = Teh PT Husband</div><div>Black pants, black/pink jacket, short = Teh Ultra Vet</div><div>Red coat = Dan</div><div>Black pants,black coat, tall = Omer</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ80WnuAnPCz8MWmjPwTGT2FBBzeGzyRMgjCuX60nTkUJa30WiRh0XrCLeNXWTi91xvzDFed1yYs__jxPoCbT5DFJNUGRWp3s6FBNLTCEZuh7HJ58SzYzHRaXt2vzq1BIHE2QlBe3wVBtu8m6k7UZAjGS4q8sKoFOSOux7RDc8E5Hi8r_TRJ5j93OEPrE/s2048/20240224_000349-ba63.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5333" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpHtPLoK72fN9MC5Vh5HDe7vt23uadWyLMEs3NFLgEp7Jdg9sTbuIF3W_N9gnM6aS90M-o6n8QF6UQam7qYtMmBDBHj0pLFWpBIb9UrhJx983WftVLO7rSXNuRSH5Gc47pP6kukNIY5cYPEMtQVvNpbWOePp-U1p5eEnglFdPcVtGwljMfIL2bZjMFrrU/s320/PXL_20240223_201354824.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqoQKRQh31xXymnzJtSHld2H3ZkKvzGJe3o1AU7TZtPP2NmHzK2_Vko16eW6bdURtAEbiFf3KCCrKLzfl6xPPn3TMwPaEusHhVrlsplPHqyXdwJPcTVD4rfGLVG5DGp3r9AeTPNQ7hGdT4trZpYKuH_YHbK0VQ2zeEtva5d7Awd0axfwbVymQyjSZ_wcM/s2016/20240223_163030-f392.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqoQKRQh31xXymnzJtSHld2H3ZkKvzGJe3o1AU7TZtPP2NmHzK2_Vko16eW6bdURtAEbiFf3KCCrKLzfl6xPPn3TMwPaEusHhVrlsplPHqyXdwJPcTVD4rfGLVG5DGp3r9AeTPNQ7hGdT4trZpYKuH_YHbK0VQ2zeEtva5d7Awd0axfwbVymQyjSZ_wcM/s320/20240223_163030-f392.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB0NDftghHoGV_TtpRhULQsmsH0QTEvTskhXrmFB2cspUO8oYdta668mtU_WOIQ4c_3QSO-n5A46cigx4iyallCssFoWZvFvfu6s50mWJzUy_HlbthD6naGguzyUD3OXZF0R_miQYYvSTL4VCCgo9zKIkmCsn9Pc7GjzGZNQAjQ6oMUp0IIYW35ZXTsgA/s5333/PXL_20240223_202655733.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5333" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB0NDftghHoGV_TtpRhULQsmsH0QTEvTskhXrmFB2cspUO8oYdta668mtU_WOIQ4c_3QSO-n5A46cigx4iyallCssFoWZvFvfu6s50mWJzUy_HlbthD6naGguzyUD3OXZF0R_miQYYvSTL4VCCgo9zKIkmCsn9Pc7GjzGZNQAjQ6oMUp0IIYW35ZXTsgA/s320/PXL_20240223_202655733.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHQmh-SRIgJORVY3u-J6ZQItpoyQWl9DjqxddWmfyITIF703xJFokjvky4A1b1-Y8orJ1kFUg6NmDoXYjrY94SihPwqtkMhGJw6v685DHj8UPgDsRyZ0dDASntDTE7kjrqox3ZQrOFTUuGX-Qk2S3ZrcymoOULAJcvWh1hjse83L9u9DDJvkdzvx9MOwU/s5333/PXL_20240223_202933115.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5333" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHQmh-SRIgJORVY3u-J6ZQItpoyQWl9DjqxddWmfyITIF703xJFokjvky4A1b1-Y8orJ1kFUg6NmDoXYjrY94SihPwqtkMhGJw6v685DHj8UPgDsRyZ0dDASntDTE7kjrqox3ZQrOFTUuGX-Qk2S3ZrcymoOULAJcvWh1hjse83L9u9DDJvkdzvx9MOwU/s320/PXL_20240223_202933115.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxyJTmIE-urxQH4eqnJCoiuK-C5M7gUBQP9bsaTIftirl-ZCCKSK3KCFKutEfI5T-UE4vnmep72fPx7wfXyRUlq1LfhurQYJNuWqxnZvU_ittE8wV1NursiJU8MlWsfLzuiBBjuYNat8ZsN6cseRxD4Zd5le73OowxUTuOnKTaQn1rWh9HYp4E4JhCgk4/s3840/PXL_20240223_212435185.MP.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3840" data-original-width="2160" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxyJTmIE-urxQH4eqnJCoiuK-C5M7gUBQP9bsaTIftirl-ZCCKSK3KCFKutEfI5T-UE4vnmep72fPx7wfXyRUlq1LfhurQYJNuWqxnZvU_ittE8wV1NursiJU8MlWsfLzuiBBjuYNat8ZsN6cseRxD4Zd5le73OowxUTuOnKTaQn1rWh9HYp4E4JhCgk4/s320/PXL_20240223_212435185.MP.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I made a new furiend at a brewery.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyLcMHniX5PU8PKbzPArGzmYY9s5ng1s8CIbcUyJED3mWWnvynMqIWokiM86qVBxkDrqW5MoNpUisrhDVfEMCUnjnugB0-XfuyAUbELO9M3uXRPUOE6cd-P0TJi2BmGEJ05oMozjzhL-5NRQrjOtlW7uJnL-dtB901jaszhF6sBDiOx4nlt4g9iPSjoTU/s5333/PXL_20240223_220510865.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5333" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyLcMHniX5PU8PKbzPArGzmYY9s5ng1s8CIbcUyJED3mWWnvynMqIWokiM86qVBxkDrqW5MoNpUisrhDVfEMCUnjnugB0-XfuyAUbELO9M3uXRPUOE6cd-P0TJi2BmGEJ05oMozjzhL-5NRQrjOtlW7uJnL-dtB901jaszhF6sBDiOx4nlt4g9iPSjoTU/s320/PXL_20240223_220510865.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSCZatKj1jlcqfE68CQcCk3E80VBej_4AZpU68BNyKjXqNnol9MpFD0ST1EVwuQRnJAIMB3UuCYHcn4y57xkAFli5l-hfryVdbssV2CLLCivMqXQ08ipMYIlkiKrQ1RACTDoEWZx8Tp-aDcKSnwqlbdJ7_Yrq6Jhth7CbV-qAK_S-Nyrx5fvW9J5Pt9Yc/s5333/PXL_20240223_220522136.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5333" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSCZatKj1jlcqfE68CQcCk3E80VBej_4AZpU68BNyKjXqNnol9MpFD0ST1EVwuQRnJAIMB3UuCYHcn4y57xkAFli5l-hfryVdbssV2CLLCivMqXQ08ipMYIlkiKrQ1RACTDoEWZx8Tp-aDcKSnwqlbdJ7_Yrq6Jhth7CbV-qAK_S-Nyrx5fvW9J5Pt9Yc/s320/PXL_20240223_220522136.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV6TfQo_gK5AJbuGKW6mFgb0M4NJ5AZEhwyvAlC681_xl4E5E6KTKZ8D7n7ThyKPMWSeCxLjZmTQ5xFZFSaNNP0TTs771hUnYKRcYcy_gJ3J9g8LuyJHJsGoIWJOoqahBRTHzpCxilpeeM2ZgGHsIF9G-EW7RzKhMs0ctwZLG7P85IwRdADlrxhAovqpI/s3840/PXL_20240223_220725453.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3840" data-original-width="2160" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV6TfQo_gK5AJbuGKW6mFgb0M4NJ5AZEhwyvAlC681_xl4E5E6KTKZ8D7n7ThyKPMWSeCxLjZmTQ5xFZFSaNNP0TTs771hUnYKRcYcy_gJ3J9g8LuyJHJsGoIWJOoqahBRTHzpCxilpeeM2ZgGHsIF9G-EW7RzKhMs0ctwZLG7P85IwRdADlrxhAovqpI/s320/PXL_20240223_220725453.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcFKzsRB1PKI1fktEmgUJwvXErZ_2tphMJkD-OQ8ckFiAoVpX5zYaI3SE-ITPh9jQdW-YLd1NsRV1TT0THRr2bvR6TAYvAStU9wNlNiKHCUKfflj3TVPS5sJt96MOC-fXolX6zI51cN2hwl_A06qQLCcAomn4VZ5Lop5w8GuNJ3c2alHRPLd5c03RroZ8/s3840/PXL_20240223_222527186.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3840" data-original-width="2160" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcFKzsRB1PKI1fktEmgUJwvXErZ_2tphMJkD-OQ8ckFiAoVpX5zYaI3SE-ITPh9jQdW-YLd1NsRV1TT0THRr2bvR6TAYvAStU9wNlNiKHCUKfflj3TVPS5sJt96MOC-fXolX6zI51cN2hwl_A06qQLCcAomn4VZ5Lop5w8GuNJ3c2alHRPLd5c03RroZ8/s320/PXL_20240223_222527186.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXRpn_jqANRacW4oFJgPs1aiimR6BYRtit6QlSV9kz6wnIF6l0UoMMmz7OsOqApfop9iDxVEjQ2c0RW0BoJX9fUgSeXurx-R_hGjjtB854pNMFz7d235MwENBs_sYtg3lunaewnpzshRuDfDBR4TfKAPlecQSnbkl7nDxQVXy-c2U_Mm1zJiiF265lPvE/s3840/PXL_20240223_224455556.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="3840" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXRpn_jqANRacW4oFJgPs1aiimR6BYRtit6QlSV9kz6wnIF6l0UoMMmz7OsOqApfop9iDxVEjQ2c0RW0BoJX9fUgSeXurx-R_hGjjtB854pNMFz7d235MwENBs_sYtg3lunaewnpzshRuDfDBR4TfKAPlecQSnbkl7nDxQVXy-c2U_Mm1zJiiF265lPvE/s320/PXL_20240223_224455556.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ft0JxuXxe7aWqhveO_WIpRiPDawSFd_4r5dGCDSmN0PIQ3QRztAf8azwJkD2c77SjzUrc-RLB6qZyptgS-68kHoW1Ny5B7EySlUjSpJu87_XppMSbTU544PaHhqR9ih3eTSYkza9EUethmc7ebIzplZGysG3s5WSj9kb6CZFClIXcOlG6Hu2eqmOn9s/s2040/20240224_234113-1fb3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2040" data-original-width="1148" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ft0JxuXxe7aWqhveO_WIpRiPDawSFd_4r5dGCDSmN0PIQ3QRztAf8azwJkD2c77SjzUrc-RLB6qZyptgS-68kHoW1Ny5B7EySlUjSpJu87_XppMSbTU544PaHhqR9ih3eTSYkza9EUethmc7ebIzplZGysG3s5WSj9kb6CZFClIXcOlG6Hu2eqmOn9s/s320/20240224_234113-1fb3.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><div><br /></div>After snow adventures, everyone was collected and we made it back to the cabin. I missed my evenings in the Hobbit Hole hot tub, so I, the driver, decided that I was going to Hot Sulphur Springs to soak myself. I was joined by Teh German, Teh Ultra Vet, and Omer. Everybody else stayed at the cabin.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO12HaHK3m-Qvphps_7kHCllH8V2v6gT9F1Pr-dKeBHOMJf7BilZ-C_Z3MlgRZplegVZv07cmhYKrZlcMlgAjeFMQ5_TxKREdSXYenN-bWPNITEp-gP2teG9_yIfZzql-Em3G0AVKW1Qc2eO5RlY1wOKq6kXXB9VOQvqWr6a8lP759NVUpyUksa3z520A/s2048/20240224_234111-194f.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1557" data-original-width="2048" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO12HaHK3m-Qvphps_7kHCllH8V2v6gT9F1Pr-dKeBHOMJf7BilZ-C_Z3MlgRZplegVZv07cmhYKrZlcMlgAjeFMQ5_TxKREdSXYenN-bWPNITEp-gP2teG9_yIfZzql-Em3G0AVKW1Qc2eO5RlY1wOKq6kXXB9VOQvqWr6a8lP759NVUpyUksa3z520A/s320/20240224_234111-194f.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi84Bk6Eef3dNDgPprrHhWaByM5TpkvIfw43KCMKB6nZJ-fdvyYfbFnNfRHhW671LUHAbO6y7bEpLGK8GGbL2AroGvIjEC_VVlVVtYl9I8MOirlN7Hy0p8o70IXbDudI_25xn0WI-pkFvTsGOUVrk1amD-xKmL7VDYqKDZ2dxgzDYFIO0cmW_BjHKaaOcU/s2016/20240224_000317-7df3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi84Bk6Eef3dNDgPprrHhWaByM5TpkvIfw43KCMKB6nZJ-fdvyYfbFnNfRHhW671LUHAbO6y7bEpLGK8GGbL2AroGvIjEC_VVlVVtYl9I8MOirlN7Hy0p8o70IXbDudI_25xn0WI-pkFvTsGOUVrk1amD-xKmL7VDYqKDZ2dxgzDYFIO0cmW_BjHKaaOcU/s320/20240224_000317-7df3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWgKrrKykJvS7GwF01tf1HBGicJPvBxVbDtmWh3prhCgvyJoNvztnWIOMhu391WzxVFmDcGLthpwpA1FKJeiCrXibVJRgmvdTq1lT6turAXBHPWzrhcOAc5lB8ixxoqHu9dpRdYocbHyMHmOVIEcp-Hq1YfDgzQ0tdkwhDqw4OZAsPOqmLeBXNu2Z5Yjc/s2048/20240224_000317-b754.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWgKrrKykJvS7GwF01tf1HBGicJPvBxVbDtmWh3prhCgvyJoNvztnWIOMhu391WzxVFmDcGLthpwpA1FKJeiCrXibVJRgmvdTq1lT6turAXBHPWzrhcOAc5lB8ixxoqHu9dpRdYocbHyMHmOVIEcp-Hq1YfDgzQ0tdkwhDqw4OZAsPOqmLeBXNu2Z5Yjc/s320/20240224_000317-b754.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj18taK8gi0uec0msEJXVSxK97F46Bkyoqgl8aoeUXlP2d4nBAMOGjhYnhgHLjqFhhQkVETMNWYfver2xbqwwUCfrOeqOY7V-yJNR3jYWgkWZj-EBo2Q7U3z2788t_XhBi_rPYpiXcaBVhoVSxpsCOG500JQfStLNd_omLF3Hv3JLNb3YYWI48vdQTa4U/s2048/20240224_000310-a2d9.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj18taK8gi0uec0msEJXVSxK97F46Bkyoqgl8aoeUXlP2d4nBAMOGjhYnhgHLjqFhhQkVETMNWYfver2xbqwwUCfrOeqOY7V-yJNR3jYWgkWZj-EBo2Q7U3z2788t_XhBi_rPYpiXcaBVhoVSxpsCOG500JQfStLNd_omLF3Hv3JLNb3YYWI48vdQTa4U/s320/20240224_000310-a2d9.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJwsEnrXdJFW4-y3425yL5-11LjGxyw5e2Qd7G2cHsXJdYOfGyRlYzsweDfY-lVB-wS1ZninIe7bSPUm5WODxDKG67tPJsnVFEOIl0oYMiA9fwQkK-kCCjZ_vGJ-fT4twIgCCCfNMpg4AHLZCmaqZMek_QIFLqX_T1SUYp3hjoXvs1yMjhatcn7adw0cM/s2016/20240224_000307-d5a6.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJwsEnrXdJFW4-y3425yL5-11LjGxyw5e2Qd7G2cHsXJdYOfGyRlYzsweDfY-lVB-wS1ZninIe7bSPUm5WODxDKG67tPJsnVFEOIl0oYMiA9fwQkK-kCCjZ_vGJ-fT4twIgCCCfNMpg4AHLZCmaqZMek_QIFLqX_T1SUYp3hjoXvs1yMjhatcn7adw0cM/s320/20240224_000307-d5a6.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pre-full moon!</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">24 Feb - Saturday</h2><div>Saturday was snowmobiling day!!! The day we'd all anxiously awaited. I've been talking up snowmobiling since Dec 2018 when Teh German and I went the very first time. I was obnoxiously excited from the moment I booked the tickets until the moment we got off the snowmobiles. Several members of our group had never snowmobiled before, nevertheless, they managed to keep up with the adrenaline fiends (Teh German, Omer, and myself) of the group without issue. It was an absolutely glorious tour ANDDDD we got free time at the snow track at the end, which was everything I knew we needed/wanted. Our tour guide thanked us several times for being a good group and for not being slow AF so we could actually do multiple trails and get some time on the track.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd-7SXk59XNE1qbvXcEso13FXvngfMVTcU9nl9oo2FdxaaPj20Ko8T9cf0D215dBKuSdk6wBLPt28oJl_FMZlouGUp9tcJ9eUm5ecZMoi3QTD2K-XqKu7zIUiFT57EbIDAK6iFAjusiRGYwGd_y3UbqcPLK30HHDQKhgP6SNOJhkZbc_G7v4ZnfpfuKcg/s4496/BBB_3746.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4496" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd-7SXk59XNE1qbvXcEso13FXvngfMVTcU9nl9oo2FdxaaPj20Ko8T9cf0D215dBKuSdk6wBLPt28oJl_FMZlouGUp9tcJ9eUm5ecZMoi3QTD2K-XqKu7zIUiFT57EbIDAK6iFAjusiRGYwGd_y3UbqcPLK30HHDQKhgP6SNOJhkZbc_G7v4ZnfpfuKcg/s320/BBB_3746.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieXsn_LLyN8ZdStQMj8btvCqqwou0JyD3wsKJzwtKj2HhlM9lAScfuW7QFmc_xU_8TgQNFUhL7tzJww6oICXQg60VmdYFqDjTOTBBfRN03XQx5y8IfVUZrSG6I2ZfjMNZIlVyPm42JWrOcLysfcJhSg3C9Sf0Y-JCel3OwFZ85AQZHJryQHICXXY7Aa9w/s4496/BBB_3764.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4496" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieXsn_LLyN8ZdStQMj8btvCqqwou0JyD3wsKJzwtKj2HhlM9lAScfuW7QFmc_xU_8TgQNFUhL7tzJww6oICXQg60VmdYFqDjTOTBBfRN03XQx5y8IfVUZrSG6I2ZfjMNZIlVyPm42JWrOcLysfcJhSg3C9Sf0Y-JCel3OwFZ85AQZHJryQHICXXY7Aa9w/s320/BBB_3764.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilTGCK0JvxZKgoVutqbgdBLCFMQ4FGUYlcnk-ivDJ7iTqW3OOMiX1V2frUEDAPIPB4zkYEjWCAN_ZfrbqEZsFl_UUaXxF4VXjuWUzkS2u51fA3w1DJUo_8aUM8qwzRixHDVr1lQpB4yI5ggyNgqUDNzhhIdzMz4WPndN-D0zQtBTQ2DTLDUs3R633aXUg/s4496/BBB_3771.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4496" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilTGCK0JvxZKgoVutqbgdBLCFMQ4FGUYlcnk-ivDJ7iTqW3OOMiX1V2frUEDAPIPB4zkYEjWCAN_ZfrbqEZsFl_UUaXxF4VXjuWUzkS2u51fA3w1DJUo_8aUM8qwzRixHDVr1lQpB4yI5ggyNgqUDNzhhIdzMz4WPndN-D0zQtBTQ2DTLDUs3R633aXUg/s320/BBB_3771.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLkJaf3SkLuMPQTbOS5C2kvGT7yaxQgIgErj5ZDXKKg9GvMxtl6DFU1Xtw26NRzcdy6NsL1QMzndTpkztGCI8Z4TmxwnmZezSb4nfTY-FzXAZl-BEDsESdzSQTqfTW8mOSv_Tyoks-W-3dCMSGAvKG6rSwi9MoX8pNHXQLAvPa_Jw7KJT32pUx2PMr-Aw/s4496/BBB_3848.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4496" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLkJaf3SkLuMPQTbOS5C2kvGT7yaxQgIgErj5ZDXKKg9GvMxtl6DFU1Xtw26NRzcdy6NsL1QMzndTpkztGCI8Z4TmxwnmZezSb4nfTY-FzXAZl-BEDsESdzSQTqfTW8mOSv_Tyoks-W-3dCMSGAvKG6rSwi9MoX8pNHXQLAvPa_Jw7KJT32pUx2PMr-Aw/s320/BBB_3848.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This guy.... with his so fast lean.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKxHIcV6aUxVPOgYMHRMKu6pPAZiebXNseBufnbh80LumcJOp4rcWVDL4hHfLHDeP2uwuEu2FjlhcFh3fVHvXE7LX64q4BfgMtwjXPIbZsP_nTpg7BlawB60Emzq-DoEKEuYyoV6m3ctsBqgRiWvHgtVreWUQbvca5MOAH8ZLrtJZoyW7tgPzqCV_h42M/s4496/BBB_3868.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4496" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKxHIcV6aUxVPOgYMHRMKu6pPAZiebXNseBufnbh80LumcJOp4rcWVDL4hHfLHDeP2uwuEu2FjlhcFh3fVHvXE7LX64q4BfgMtwjXPIbZsP_nTpg7BlawB60Emzq-DoEKEuYyoV6m3ctsBqgRiWvHgtVreWUQbvca5MOAH8ZLrtJZoyW7tgPzqCV_h42M/s320/BBB_3868.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV0umdklH2o5wPbh-CFCDhaUo_aJCeupaXoULiJFooNunG1_mOWDOejc2qhlTDbIpG62CARY1OJMFUtLG8c_MaGcUihbk4ETes1BwnA_fwa-3wPvEEsLhnf71hRkJSVev37C8DxMIgb4exHYF9xRdmPBIKhG-TZuII8PFJp9smgwDIFMUNmkvD4_fELdg/s3840/PXL_20240224_181853084.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3840" data-original-width="2160" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV0umdklH2o5wPbh-CFCDhaUo_aJCeupaXoULiJFooNunG1_mOWDOejc2qhlTDbIpG62CARY1OJMFUtLG8c_MaGcUihbk4ETes1BwnA_fwa-3wPvEEsLhnf71hRkJSVev37C8DxMIgb4exHYF9xRdmPBIKhG-TZuII8PFJp9smgwDIFMUNmkvD4_fELdg/s320/PXL_20240224_181853084.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbO2mc5jV7kTqQM1nbuMVwl4OAu3WJu2lDdTS9PaHHxhqu7Q1_1laZQ6m5Y_QUJoB81BSM1XZn44olXSeMTdV270uDfs2OXU6RKLNec1iBAtE_lxEJGdjfXhV7kM9hZm8s8U6Tcl3wghAm4kVEr9FqnFmRLNpiGkrWDL_BarOTK_au7M6BN12fT7XFi_U/s3840/PXL_20240224_185055044.MP.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="3840" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbO2mc5jV7kTqQM1nbuMVwl4OAu3WJu2lDdTS9PaHHxhqu7Q1_1laZQ6m5Y_QUJoB81BSM1XZn44olXSeMTdV270uDfs2OXU6RKLNec1iBAtE_lxEJGdjfXhV7kM9hZm8s8U6Tcl3wghAm4kVEr9FqnFmRLNpiGkrWDL_BarOTK_au7M6BN12fT7XFi_U/s320/PXL_20240224_185055044.MP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSrQxv__VsbfhyphenhyphenEO41-XZg8bF_KDd_vXIAJxSwivHShQfOm5m_S22PTVstv-rX7qtJjcg4uzh0zSNM3oEbliASSYKKQL12mzBjn3eK0jB32Dieo5icNM-OCZxbH4XfUw_-CxLtTNXlKfGJLeHe-H3WvvqNw7IQvpd6-lsGMRWzFaVcKZM-WXUIuQiZ4Qo/s5333/PXL_20240224_194837855.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="5333" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSrQxv__VsbfhyphenhyphenEO41-XZg8bF_KDd_vXIAJxSwivHShQfOm5m_S22PTVstv-rX7qtJjcg4uzh0zSNM3oEbliASSYKKQL12mzBjn3eK0jB32Dieo5icNM-OCZxbH4XfUw_-CxLtTNXlKfGJLeHe-H3WvvqNw7IQvpd6-lsGMRWzFaVcKZM-WXUIuQiZ4Qo/s320/PXL_20240224_194837855.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKDhOcfm6pk-sQtYvJHZKdQky7wNZ7dpBuAu_uzQRfboC8nkm54GbQnT98VRzghhc__GmJmcVYK7CLN-gVwAyD8A8ZpOem6NS-dlVEybiya_WSFXpN5BX2pPZAV_xZMuRo_HYvVeuoW5VAG15cECgTjqJRdXU58vbE7nJAEBv_2_RFjtt-QouSgHM5ejo/s5333/PXL_20240224_195024163.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5333" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKDhOcfm6pk-sQtYvJHZKdQky7wNZ7dpBuAu_uzQRfboC8nkm54GbQnT98VRzghhc__GmJmcVYK7CLN-gVwAyD8A8ZpOem6NS-dlVEybiya_WSFXpN5BX2pPZAV_xZMuRo_HYvVeuoW5VAG15cECgTjqJRdXU58vbE7nJAEBv_2_RFjtt-QouSgHM5ejo/s320/PXL_20240224_195024163.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There isn't a more "in our element" photo than this one.<br />Fairly confident in that assessment.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />After we finished snowmobiling, we headed straight to a mexican place for late lunch/early dinner since we were all famished. After, we stopped by to see the snow sculptures that we'd passed. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Vecxx1jWdIzQFcewsBPtn34i9MqqKX2aOsGrBo9GyRNKzhQnMjVnUKjXD5Brx75d5xWp4MXQ5si49dvtBl7EDP2HEd_HWl9TeBpNEgjSepRNWT-dDK-wGTruIxbDfme4c1kj1tiTnjvE749Ia9HcLZKXon4GhlmO-R5vBZsd-A39w2DQIRizixqFuaw/s5333/PXL_20240224_232958865.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5333" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Vecxx1jWdIzQFcewsBPtn34i9MqqKX2aOsGrBo9GyRNKzhQnMjVnUKjXD5Brx75d5xWp4MXQ5si49dvtBl7EDP2HEd_HWl9TeBpNEgjSepRNWT-dDK-wGTruIxbDfme4c1kj1tiTnjvE749Ia9HcLZKXon4GhlmO-R5vBZsd-A39w2DQIRizixqFuaw/s320/PXL_20240224_232958865.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoyi9gq-HmwaLWJdvMy4nKtK3XBNnZ8b0NVb_UHV8M4tqc_wIBJro10gxrtPSayZhIpYSP1GQhXg125P32m3ZemTyTXdjuLhXd6w4jyhZlRMUHwIVeprptSmc8q1SwZlfaxJB9shOnSyr9Priy17LvOe1aNprzpoCY4nXuEvUzDQeEinVV-oO3AWcL-qo/s5333/PXL_20240224_233114735.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="5333" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoyi9gq-HmwaLWJdvMy4nKtK3XBNnZ8b0NVb_UHV8M4tqc_wIBJro10gxrtPSayZhIpYSP1GQhXg125P32m3ZemTyTXdjuLhXd6w4jyhZlRMUHwIVeprptSmc8q1SwZlfaxJB9shOnSyr9Priy17LvOe1aNprzpoCY4nXuEvUzDQeEinVV-oO3AWcL-qo/s320/PXL_20240224_233114735.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpBtJK-xGkqxZoZLJb7Bsl7rJCWoTznrLx0UOhyphenhyphenuA8E4Vst3two2gCuBvEbHJwdjSpbkTpDIagEtVa_DHmByB9aWYY11TF2KorIB9HRfGVdy3UA_3gVrAZ1T9kqqBEk3hkT9rhSK_xwl7yn-WCEsdV2fuWrJJfAWlOj3qCdDzjwitx7GPs5WMgQTwbc1w/s5333/PXL_20240224_233202654.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="5333" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpBtJK-xGkqxZoZLJb7Bsl7rJCWoTznrLx0UOhyphenhyphenuA8E4Vst3two2gCuBvEbHJwdjSpbkTpDIagEtVa_DHmByB9aWYY11TF2KorIB9HRfGVdy3UA_3gVrAZ1T9kqqBEk3hkT9rhSK_xwl7yn-WCEsdV2fuWrJJfAWlOj3qCdDzjwitx7GPs5WMgQTwbc1w/s320/PXL_20240224_233202654.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>After we got back to the cabin, the driver (me) decided it was hot springs time again! This time I was accompanied by Teh PT Wife, Teh Ultra Vet, and Dan. We also made a quick souvenir stop before heading up to the springs.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDoAZSOYxYhRcZGYix6SgkDL4LxrilwX5X7mlDV_GXhN9gc4UYZmHuA0z9D2lOQ5VjBystFMn1mqo05Q6OTg0sFB7gAXQc4FKhlZB1Uik3gNSyHxKyyXxb3HA4GpEXf-aScZzf6P_FhOPsRNthz7VaxwL3XyJa5SMXpWizu02_l5zwo4ME0dEl5COgc3g/s2016/20240224_233010-2fdf.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDoAZSOYxYhRcZGYix6SgkDL4LxrilwX5X7mlDV_GXhN9gc4UYZmHuA0z9D2lOQ5VjBystFMn1mqo05Q6OTg0sFB7gAXQc4FKhlZB1Uik3gNSyHxKyyXxb3HA4GpEXf-aScZzf6P_FhOPsRNthz7VaxwL3XyJa5SMXpWizu02_l5zwo4ME0dEl5COgc3g/s320/20240224_233010-2fdf.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the ingredients list at Hot Sulphur Springs.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHnXgeD444dsjTyGWs6o32jbHPawNvrjyzxE6NTw82bZU9-YAPVt3Fy2nryTHwA0uKSHHV0ZcmEwjA8XnzLT8qSPhXgGCzzSr7x5nnzk9bCbPl9IAdCHNPv1RVvQYKHI3phs6npctqgujAt8bmg4eSiuAeiMvtKGnFihPwUID8cXrJ3CfAsF6d84Vs0iE/s2016/20240224_233010-5ef4.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHnXgeD444dsjTyGWs6o32jbHPawNvrjyzxE6NTw82bZU9-YAPVt3Fy2nryTHwA0uKSHHV0ZcmEwjA8XnzLT8qSPhXgGCzzSr7x5nnzk9bCbPl9IAdCHNPv1RVvQYKHI3phs6npctqgujAt8bmg4eSiuAeiMvtKGnFihPwUID8cXrJ3CfAsF6d84Vs0iE/s320/20240224_233010-5ef4.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So clear!</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">25 Feb - Sunday</h2><div>Sunday was the start of the return. We were out of the cabin by 10, thanks to a super team effort in getting everything prepped for departure. Once we got down the mountain, we went to Happy Camper for lunch. It was a perfect birthday celebration for Teh German.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7hrPioFaqaZK_4vTUIrkZTUfGyp7GNQfanfX0M-4pXBduYB7v4u91lgRi9YOl-Jap4fbdRjewbNZBVJSU44lY8hbFH-ySVRX0SsSfeikXO1UD-FibGODRHIjjV5E7RSRMEhucxeWvG6XXw8BRmEePN6pRczROW5uJ-FhIOiJRe57xt5glxjx7_J_WB28/s3840/PXL_20240225_183735484.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3840" data-original-width="2160" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7hrPioFaqaZK_4vTUIrkZTUfGyp7GNQfanfX0M-4pXBduYB7v4u91lgRi9YOl-Jap4fbdRjewbNZBVJSU44lY8hbFH-ySVRX0SsSfeikXO1UD-FibGODRHIjjV5E7RSRMEhucxeWvG6XXw8BRmEePN6pRczROW5uJ-FhIOiJRe57xt5glxjx7_J_WB28/s320/PXL_20240225_183735484.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8aD7nwMox1gPSVYNtd_gUM4szYK-XSwR19lz6lsUCE17kWcG6dvE88-tt8sEWpd6bcOu5T_TZzzGIKuzqYLK1gLxIEUncVoo8FB5eAh_xqRN1GcrjYDcIx9xhZ6sDwvtqlbffcdVecX-fh6M-dQN3bZi-wXEUh9QtGOFJakC6mejj2uRqxxN7_BkwXy8/s5333/PXL_20240225_185119962.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5333" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8aD7nwMox1gPSVYNtd_gUM4szYK-XSwR19lz6lsUCE17kWcG6dvE88-tt8sEWpd6bcOu5T_TZzzGIKuzqYLK1gLxIEUncVoo8FB5eAh_xqRN1GcrjYDcIx9xhZ6sDwvtqlbffcdVecX-fh6M-dQN3bZi-wXEUh9QtGOFJakC6mejj2uRqxxN7_BkwXy8/s320/PXL_20240225_185119962.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adult coffee served with a donut?<br />I think, yes.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOnVxDSUXQF9C3vrwF072rRcLOZNgj8vkYJ09VyOhlVOu-dzYJMbNgiY_-QQIcK4fVcZUhF9eWYsccOMpRf8tFx7nGNJAFCkSeptx39CYuIGuL8WZvM1JK-PT7_NDxBR1vVlrGMzfO_1CwHPHogpH7b6NRdVjFg5Z58FXwgxEasuoiVB4z9RJ0BjzqYNk/s2016/20240225_140552-f780.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOnVxDSUXQF9C3vrwF072rRcLOZNgj8vkYJ09VyOhlVOu-dzYJMbNgiY_-QQIcK4fVcZUhF9eWYsccOMpRf8tFx7nGNJAFCkSeptx39CYuIGuL8WZvM1JK-PT7_NDxBR1vVlrGMzfO_1CwHPHogpH7b6NRdVjFg5Z58FXwgxEasuoiVB4z9RJ0BjzqYNk/s320/20240225_140552-f780.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When we told our server we were celebrating a 40th vday, she brought us White Claw shooters (and also offered a fancy LaCroix for our not-drinker)! She definitely got a good tip. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghKYMc16idhPVTljDSKYC0lC-QML60SkZs-5CorYpgn800-6iDXNThR8nWLZwa9e8LRWBftkEQBUi0f7Thp8ifLa33YfjRt2UD35_aRTL4lB8UzMylLdhlG8L1YrW9ISSPzIxw8scPS2G8zBj3cgFh6Hw5R8Bw-FkYaWvlSUWQjHfS12RrvHtcYnSwDKA/s2016/20240225_155618-8f89.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghKYMc16idhPVTljDSKYC0lC-QML60SkZs-5CorYpgn800-6iDXNThR8nWLZwa9e8LRWBftkEQBUi0f7Thp8ifLa33YfjRt2UD35_aRTL4lB8UzMylLdhlG8L1YrW9ISSPzIxw8scPS2G8zBj3cgFh6Hw5R8Bw-FkYaWvlSUWQjHfS12RrvHtcYnSwDKA/s320/20240225_155618-8f89.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div>After we dropped Omer off at the airport after lunch, we headed to The Wild Animal Sanctuary to see some lions and tigers and bears, oh my. Also some wolves. I asked if I could take one home and Teh German told me no.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN11N2nmW5zbSRsnu128tSDFsYUGJhl485UUwgVd_HDJwgYds66rLwN86L3qoD_9YS1vRxeSz_hnP7CkRqMQSHlmteAfpefCldk6wysFLrcsMNkpw5oy-Gw-WcM8-cvXuSwDbzSqtZREsE7mCIM1R8K0wQvPS_P6JsrZ8gousvqZ_NF4qrp385CY69uNY/s5333/PXL_20240225_214047888.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5333" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN11N2nmW5zbSRsnu128tSDFsYUGJhl485UUwgVd_HDJwgYds66rLwN86L3qoD_9YS1vRxeSz_hnP7CkRqMQSHlmteAfpefCldk6wysFLrcsMNkpw5oy-Gw-WcM8-cvXuSwDbzSqtZREsE7mCIM1R8K0wQvPS_P6JsrZ8gousvqZ_NF4qrp385CY69uNY/s320/PXL_20240225_214047888.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the drive to the Sanctuary, Teh PT Wife witnessed her very first prairie dogs and when she asked if I'd pull over, I did just that. I'm here for a good time.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />The Sanctuary was for rescued wild critters (like from Tiger King or circuses/etc) and it was extremely windy when we were there, so we didn't get to see all the critters, but we got to see a good amount.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNTCFX-CMpi-Jhm4czstHawLJkOvYSq5IZk39Q2Am-6c5KXGwG5LCaijipKmoqaQjZDE1dUR9vtFaD3LrRCsgBZ0AcidlAkJaWgA475LQIWGSZ6manmIfn2RcXvjLK3v2cPdt5uGqFhBACrikG5IqBBXNO8xPsi5ztiy8xDen4nDzMb6d9-X2iolRRvWA/s5333/PXL_20240225_223650959.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5333" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNTCFX-CMpi-Jhm4czstHawLJkOvYSq5IZk39Q2Am-6c5KXGwG5LCaijipKmoqaQjZDE1dUR9vtFaD3LrRCsgBZ0AcidlAkJaWgA475LQIWGSZ6manmIfn2RcXvjLK3v2cPdt5uGqFhBACrikG5IqBBXNO8xPsi5ztiy8xDen4nDzMb6d9-X2iolRRvWA/s320/PXL_20240225_223650959.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkjyu5eM34cO2OhTznIW5S_0pdDJX1DZWtmIPV5a9IkyMCRBPTTX0zU-utXmlBAI3vSxyUSVb4USDpv5fx3qJilH985ZRJzYb2j_QYAzZug8re7MSf4JV-imw1JQszm3GXKbiyIbaJ4Jij-izq5XXvGKY5p9dKO5LOcLQJwx29LbGtAHtSwFqSjHSzwHA/s5333/PXL_20240225_231206515.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="5333" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkjyu5eM34cO2OhTznIW5S_0pdDJX1DZWtmIPV5a9IkyMCRBPTTX0zU-utXmlBAI3vSxyUSVb4USDpv5fx3qJilH985ZRJzYb2j_QYAzZug8re7MSf4JV-imw1JQszm3GXKbiyIbaJ4Jij-izq5XXvGKY5p9dKO5LOcLQJwx29LbGtAHtSwFqSjHSzwHA/s320/PXL_20240225_231206515.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbs9R6TOU0sKfs7Dgv-TkLsIQ73bHJ0Qw77rzsW6HRUfbSUVlvfpQ7a30J5MvOAvADRezCXB6afOnY9pb0bPuwfmsOdZn_zRMltrnfFbwkj0ODdWTl4D6tLz1qMX4Ggqiyn6rOpew9kfck7lyaef94I-b4KghCtBu8bnNAtQKMfzTSOYDDK9Zpnjcwg6U/s5333/PXL_20240225_232312146.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5333" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbs9R6TOU0sKfs7Dgv-TkLsIQ73bHJ0Qw77rzsW6HRUfbSUVlvfpQ7a30J5MvOAvADRezCXB6afOnY9pb0bPuwfmsOdZn_zRMltrnfFbwkj0ODdWTl4D6tLz1qMX4Ggqiyn6rOpew9kfck7lyaef94I-b4KghCtBu8bnNAtQKMfzTSOYDDK9Zpnjcwg6U/s320/PXL_20240225_232312146.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjobj8_Yko18NXXDDyJJtw-_2ZHWEi-dC1KAkxAgaRNSccTt70XdjFJ1GBilwDuauaM5z7PfNEjrrA9HT07KSijNTlRDqNSfXjbjp9iJpxkPDJxQ7i7-0xzgu9m8or3a4jC1EgIdjatp5FPwSyUiYxOZ2eBj5yYc3olPNEdY_5rwynWaps7m5YjQrn0OPs/s5333/PXL_20240226_000911558.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5333" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjobj8_Yko18NXXDDyJJtw-_2ZHWEi-dC1KAkxAgaRNSccTt70XdjFJ1GBilwDuauaM5z7PfNEjrrA9HT07KSijNTlRDqNSfXjbjp9iJpxkPDJxQ7i7-0xzgu9m8or3a4jC1EgIdjatp5FPwSyUiYxOZ2eBj5yYc3olPNEdY_5rwynWaps7m5YjQrn0OPs/s320/PXL_20240226_000911558.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes, that's a Freedom Bird.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9AKzNvcTt_7VWuNqXnSSsNNAxq6iGHC6j_0q2qFkrG48iFtOFTS-6-bHYWjuUi4f9mfLJf2FcbW4gL1FX__zcxm69nj3WwsaM59AFLkLwjUU7-h_-4kHffPGlWrJ83shm9VGXmgOspnzWX81xg7GMcbTLGNHfXHieNXCqjCH8mQhfUpvOj63Vcwna5YQ/s5333/PXL_20240226_001148856.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5333" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9AKzNvcTt_7VWuNqXnSSsNNAxq6iGHC6j_0q2qFkrG48iFtOFTS-6-bHYWjuUi4f9mfLJf2FcbW4gL1FX__zcxm69nj3WwsaM59AFLkLwjUU7-h_-4kHffPGlWrJ83shm9VGXmgOspnzWX81xg7GMcbTLGNHfXHieNXCqjCH8mQhfUpvOj63Vcwna5YQ/s320/PXL_20240226_001148856.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSWD_D1mzE2QrRg46ZyKbmyt62tU3yUq9IyoYsEqMxG_Aaoh3jtl88_cuIRqst_zJZA8ay9N6y5Fwn11RQ_ZOreScKVuSnKtLXzBATM3crKcIUzFa45lbs-6mOj6tURESWwk-D05OG4qAz-oU49QLKMXNss4evCc04WufYgWAczQFe-HvwVPOLFo7MkG8/s5333/PXL_20240226_002454933.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="5333" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSWD_D1mzE2QrRg46ZyKbmyt62tU3yUq9IyoYsEqMxG_Aaoh3jtl88_cuIRqst_zJZA8ay9N6y5Fwn11RQ_ZOreScKVuSnKtLXzBATM3crKcIUzFa45lbs-6mOj6tURESWwk-D05OG4qAz-oU49QLKMXNss4evCc04WufYgWAczQFe-HvwVPOLFo7MkG8/s320/PXL_20240226_002454933.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>After the Sanctuary, we headed back to Denver and got the Momvan cleaned up. After that we checked into the hotel and then went to our respective rooms and went to bed.</div><h2 style="text-align: left;">26 Feb - Monday</h2><div>Teh German's <i>actual</i> birthday was fairly uneventful. We had breakfast at the hotel and then headed to the airport by 0900 to meet the Turo rental person and get through security (because security in Denver is possibly the actual worst). We did walk around the terminal a bit before checking to make sure our gate was in its place. I made a stop at Little Man Ice Cream to get breakfast dessert, because I do not pass up opportunities for Little Man Ice Cream.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsmrz7gN9qbOifT-e38oko9Ds50ErTJqoi6EKZP3_e93WVndr4O6O-6frypFTNraoImiuATw0VjhJKO6SX2t_PKQ9FhOUZ78z3VQ4k38Hqu2QRmrjPg3n_OgVIMT4KOQBNBd14uU6-m9AujtI6Z4Mzu7xNRcc3lcimkhwJpXBdwSTg-YSlW6xpbdHU-Pw/s3840/PXL_20240226_164417239.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3840" data-original-width="2160" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsmrz7gN9qbOifT-e38oko9Ds50ErTJqoi6EKZP3_e93WVndr4O6O-6frypFTNraoImiuATw0VjhJKO6SX2t_PKQ9FhOUZ78z3VQ4k38Hqu2QRmrjPg3n_OgVIMT4KOQBNBd14uU6-m9AujtI6Z4Mzu7xNRcc3lcimkhwJpXBdwSTg-YSlW6xpbdHU-Pw/s320/PXL_20240226_164417239.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><div><br /></div>We made it back to Baltimore without any hitches, picked up the children from Jessica, and headed home for 24923932 loads of laundry and trying to adjust back to east coast time.</div><div><br /></div><div>Teh German did tell me that he had a fabulous time and that he really appreciated that everyone came on the trip to celebrate with him and extra thanks to me for planning it all and driving. So yay! I did good!</div><div><br /></div><div>I appreciated all our beach-loving friends tolerating the snow with us and actually enjoying the snow activities! I truly think that growing up in western NY really ruins people for snow, which applies to 3 members of our group, lol.</div><div><br /></div><div>Next up, I have to plan <i>my own 40th birthday shenanigans</i>!</div><div>In other news, if you have a trip you wish someone would plan for you.. I'm your girl. Nominal fee for my efforts (and your reservations) and you can have your trip planned and booked! Apparently, I have some skillz outside of being a nerd.<br /><p><br /></p></div></div>Teh Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00133596439315060218noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1581436032352728193.post-49466200839937855762024-03-11T21:12:00.002-04:002024-03-12T21:49:38.471-04:00Birthday Party (Part 3)<p>So, if you travel for the government and your flight is longer than a certain number of hours, you are authorized a "rest stop". I took advantage of this on the way back to the US. I flew out of Bahrain on Wednesday night and landed in Edinburgh, Scotland on Thursday morning at 0600. I extended my "rest stop" for several days since it was my BIRTHDAY and #TreatYoSelf... especially if that flight is PAID FOR!!!</p><p>I almost chickened out.<br />I'll admit it.<br />I almost chickened out of going to Edinburgh and just opted to spend a few days in London instead because it was easier, but then I found the absolute, most adorable hobbit hole on AirBnB. It was a over a week later when I finally purchased my plane tickets, at which point I knew I was allowed to stop in Edinburgh, and THEN I finally just embraced the Good Idea Fairy. </p><p>Embracing the Good Idea Fairy meant accepting all those "OMG I SHOULD...." instead of letting me talk me out of doing the thing... like taking the train from Edinburgh to London and staying in London for a night to tourist instead of flying directly to BWI from Edinburgh. But I knew the Good Idea Fairy was on to something when the <a href="https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/800541720537556932" target="_blank">Hobbit Hole AirBnB</a> was still available when I went to book. So I went with my heart's desire for my entire Scotland trip.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Thursday:</h3><div>I landed in Edinburgh at 0600 on Thursday morning. Thankfully, I had taken a nap on the plane. After picking up my rental car, I headed to a town near-ish to where the Hobbit Hole was for breakfast and meandering until I could check in at 10. My gracious host agreed to let me check in early since I was coming in so early.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihGVHvqNvC_e5v6hPozaRzYyubf6WWxxxmBu5KCkFEClRgsKjT7sjjiwh4E8sUhChsDBk_SUqwNdYvDdkwD256pA7YX1QcjQM6pqKyfFeg6GcUSD36__lDX9DL2IWHABsn7jh2W9AKlsqEWwrVOereimFSvWLriojjc_hJf8n2CGn3VNYFLhoy624otxw/s4032/IMG_0452.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihGVHvqNvC_e5v6hPozaRzYyubf6WWxxxmBu5KCkFEClRgsKjT7sjjiwh4E8sUhChsDBk_SUqwNdYvDdkwD256pA7YX1QcjQM6pqKyfFeg6GcUSD36__lDX9DL2IWHABsn7jh2W9AKlsqEWwrVOereimFSvWLriojjc_hJf8n2CGn3VNYFLhoy624otxw/s320/IMG_0452.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNN55SxjB0EqUDISVrF5u6ioU5YWDyU8YGrmDIyYNIZWcRMJn5Nt22AEr8aUYyeviyWiNrGN-mVTJ18Lq_2238wuh5aWuXCvXj55J-k0_NetD9gZZiwYCE8jA9oZHhpTXGSF5OJUJsPTD_i4NIkKDHBkO-5QkfEZmKnxEvY0954LJ0coLH6m7G4HqKuVM/s4032/IMG_0460.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNN55SxjB0EqUDISVrF5u6ioU5YWDyU8YGrmDIyYNIZWcRMJn5Nt22AEr8aUYyeviyWiNrGN-mVTJ18Lq_2238wuh5aWuXCvXj55J-k0_NetD9gZZiwYCE8jA9oZHhpTXGSF5OJUJsPTD_i4NIkKDHBkO-5QkfEZmKnxEvY0954LJ0coLH6m7G4HqKuVM/s320/IMG_0460.JPG" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Breakfast was a poached egg and mushrooms on toast with a gravy.<br />I am smitten with offering of mushrooms at breakfast.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />I walked around Falkirk for a short bit to pass the time after breakfast.<div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS-xwSCRFE7ruAAjLJJDUpQm4mc0LxNo4o0nytciqk77RzMZ9OLutt3HpxCHYjKfO9Lxic98z_NvmOqDTfciEJvMqfW2UsXBlMNbzWTURi7Ug0zyqnF748eskBRRm1F0AO08o-TkG4n7eVcRclCIFbXAVJeX4rDRgNP39pyiRfOOQmsq4YILyeBs2b_Ro/s4032/IMG_0466.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS-xwSCRFE7ruAAjLJJDUpQm4mc0LxNo4o0nytciqk77RzMZ9OLutt3HpxCHYjKfO9Lxic98z_NvmOqDTfciEJvMqfW2UsXBlMNbzWTURi7Ug0zyqnF748eskBRRm1F0AO08o-TkG4n7eVcRclCIFbXAVJeX4rDRgNP39pyiRfOOQmsq4YILyeBs2b_Ro/s320/IMG_0466.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">blooms!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghFE_6mAK8g8HQiJptQ8DVq8OiKsIwOUzgf3GgZ7grApHPjisq2R4wFGjExwlYf4jtK-4uxX3X86Zpu8YkXHItOAXVJytqcMfXDSRxwB9PEC_bhKpmkD2GiS9vJNgB04zh5g9bIXDjO6IVR537t_A2rwAofsoKrtZ6NSvrMLXm16EQUO-H_OLCWHIIuG4/s4032/IMG_0467.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghFE_6mAK8g8HQiJptQ8DVq8OiKsIwOUzgf3GgZ7grApHPjisq2R4wFGjExwlYf4jtK-4uxX3X86Zpu8YkXHItOAXVJytqcMfXDSRxwB9PEC_bhKpmkD2GiS9vJNgB04zh5g9bIXDjO6IVR537t_A2rwAofsoKrtZ6NSvrMLXm16EQUO-H_OLCWHIIuG4/s320/IMG_0467.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You're like the bairns o Fa'kirk<br />you'll end ere you mend</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcRkAYEOYD8Sk25s9-v33PcbxT37aO0UOVmyFkQg-50d83Zd-E1BC9e9C3YIJjiaXfDPpJRDI7kfVTt7CWahr8AfH_yKUhYLvTfMWXVd5Z444vWT9JPMWavN-2o_ebwysfNgdWvuNyjGfIa_cGqBs9Mx1H1fx7_6_lddMcAu9Vf4oUSeqmBn4-d_GNg5o/s4032/IMG_0468.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcRkAYEOYD8Sk25s9-v33PcbxT37aO0UOVmyFkQg-50d83Zd-E1BC9e9C3YIJjiaXfDPpJRDI7kfVTt7CWahr8AfH_yKUhYLvTfMWXVd5Z444vWT9JPMWavN-2o_ebwysfNgdWvuNyjGfIa_cGqBs9Mx1H1fx7_6_lddMcAu9Vf4oUSeqmBn4-d_GNg5o/s320/IMG_0468.JPG" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The handle of the Lonely Broomstick</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaflObwVu3NuUe_dBAbDDcMPn_VdKpF_uAtsBtNAiGSL1tN1RDApqzN_k_HOSeQ2lcZuNAv8G0ZZM3V_Z0fN27glMQOYCZeQnzLmjMFsFdG2nO1y7Uvizt_2lgIoaASaksfdfEMtVWnlYLfwRt-r54UJhR66-72GopirdnJGZHkohKYSx4SFR0MB1Vx3E/s4032/IMG_0469.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaflObwVu3NuUe_dBAbDDcMPn_VdKpF_uAtsBtNAiGSL1tN1RDApqzN_k_HOSeQ2lcZuNAv8G0ZZM3V_Z0fN27glMQOYCZeQnzLmjMFsFdG2nO1y7Uvizt_2lgIoaASaksfdfEMtVWnlYLfwRt-r54UJhR66-72GopirdnJGZHkohKYSx4SFR0MB1Vx3E/s320/IMG_0469.JPG" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A 1000% Harry Potter store.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqP3wmjDHTcTSDM_fGTwZep2YnYivi29nStuLkBjFn37HN3GzC3BXzNHeF79OXGetk9QcM46106SJRBrEo7YAceTu-UDZDrEqEOdtdTcneSvJcJc-mA_5L0xBZr3wLH8BhZtlwTjTJTSrYws0aXdCYvgb7SVTXPg45WRKpwyK5mN6z5ZagAay-XQu4neQ/s4032/IMG_0470.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqP3wmjDHTcTSDM_fGTwZep2YnYivi29nStuLkBjFn37HN3GzC3BXzNHeF79OXGetk9QcM46106SJRBrEo7YAceTu-UDZDrEqEOdtdTcneSvJcJc-mA_5L0xBZr3wLH8BhZtlwTjTJTSrYws0aXdCYvgb7SVTXPg45WRKpwyK5mN6z5ZagAay-XQu4neQ/s320/IMG_0470.JPG" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is not the Formula 1 of Bahrain, lol.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />When I got to the Hobbit Hole, I was greeted by the host who toured me around the tiny space. I was smitten. She also provides cereal, coffee, homemade pancakes (made by her sister), fresh eggs, fresh milk, and fresh OJ. And if that wasn't over the top, when she was showing me the space, I asked if there was a laundry machine that I could use since I was coming off a 2 week business trip. She apologized there was no laundry machine in the Hobbit Hole.. <i>but then she offered to wash a load of clothes for me.</i> Yall. 17 stars of 5 for this lady. She explained that she used to travel for work and she'd been in my shoes before. I wanted to hug her. Instead, I created a small bag of Middle East goodies for her as an appreciation gift for letting me check in early and for providing me with clean underwear for the weekend.</div><div><br /></div><div>OH ANDDDDDD... She "warned" me that she had big dogs and I was like, YAS PLEASE. So when she went back to the house, she let a few of the dogs out. I was in heaven. Great Danes and 1 Newfie.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi36MOEwaYEypZ_NsYhaxBSaPrZdjhASJQzoKKXVQCzgJOlxkEoU_uNrw4wKOdf5LUQo-YC_YI5HkWfJAxlVmmm5LEg5SFV688Oi6WoHAf1xAUicjwOdt_BJjvaWgR6HlgKXLLlUadcm8zDpO7B13LO24IrBffhFzw9IRL8oUyNeH2DmMZgIaCKUVJSO_I/s4032/IMG_0472.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi36MOEwaYEypZ_NsYhaxBSaPrZdjhASJQzoKKXVQCzgJOlxkEoU_uNrw4wKOdf5LUQo-YC_YI5HkWfJAxlVmmm5LEg5SFV688Oi6WoHAf1xAUicjwOdt_BJjvaWgR6HlgKXLLlUadcm8zDpO7B13LO24IrBffhFzw9IRL8oUyNeH2DmMZgIaCKUVJSO_I/s320/IMG_0472.JPG" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">much drool.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo2vV2jfI2nue8aYjktDg27gfTlQofeg8hQtZ9SQW7pqOrrmDyElBpKW8MSmQ1CQF9XI-6TiWMqAJbiHi5_dgZ_Vp6GKy6u7Ya4HjrfDIcElk3ltplbwuZ0wkT1dDpacsHfM_Gn1c68a4OluitWdnwHVGI6zmGVdBGj2PkFKV-9YaEnLRWAy7ODJRMoRA/s4032/IMG_0476.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo2vV2jfI2nue8aYjktDg27gfTlQofeg8hQtZ9SQW7pqOrrmDyElBpKW8MSmQ1CQF9XI-6TiWMqAJbiHi5_dgZ_Vp6GKy6u7Ya4HjrfDIcElk3ltplbwuZ0wkT1dDpacsHfM_Gn1c68a4OluitWdnwHVGI6zmGVdBGj2PkFKV-9YaEnLRWAy7ODJRMoRA/s320/IMG_0476.JPG" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These cars always make me giggle to myself.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />After getting settled... I had to come up with a plan. Coincidentally, someone who we ride motorcycles with in MD was also in Edinburgh at the same time as me, so we agreed to meet up at the castle, walk the Royal Mile, then have dinner.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFxs9VvsKMYowsGM6Yidl2KcooXCg2mwG0TA1KHIz9aKJMb_dIPf3jz7sWeuKgdYcC5WpzoOdeOdJXurEr3e_7qAXNXc1FgP8igl6HMy84vGPePSjR28KE8tn7z_CjFNFYp6Cf7wcrmq3pYCupT3XTJ6uJH76WacJrZZ9WZL7NbVeCmtE4N83FB8LNGrk/s4032/IMG_0479.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFxs9VvsKMYowsGM6Yidl2KcooXCg2mwG0TA1KHIz9aKJMb_dIPf3jz7sWeuKgdYcC5WpzoOdeOdJXurEr3e_7qAXNXc1FgP8igl6HMy84vGPePSjR28KE8tn7z_CjFNFYp6Cf7wcrmq3pYCupT3XTJ6uJH76WacJrZZ9WZL7NbVeCmtE4N83FB8LNGrk/s320/IMG_0479.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr_rSPMVE0ElC2JyXPNb-8EVTFrBXFe5OQrNRufistRwrNwyHaKx-8fkk-C8eQvw_fQVflOcMaQS-ltFaxG0H0uLUxZK5xY85Pu10NaNJG-eyGtFujaaVfxd_QaH6ZcaAnrne6R4mSdmlg99BqQdDC2veEcNPQYzVrWlyqj8RCH9TmGodZfIlRQdoRFW4/s4032/IMG_0488.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr_rSPMVE0ElC2JyXPNb-8EVTFrBXFe5OQrNRufistRwrNwyHaKx-8fkk-C8eQvw_fQVflOcMaQS-ltFaxG0H0uLUxZK5xY85Pu10NaNJG-eyGtFujaaVfxd_QaH6ZcaAnrne6R4mSdmlg99BqQdDC2veEcNPQYzVrWlyqj8RCH9TmGodZfIlRQdoRFW4/s320/IMG_0488.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The cemetery for soldiers' dogs. /sob</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtKet2ASkUdoo8l-YWPaD8B_XUPvuxaxOsElAU5B8VG4MSwGh8_UYvDjflFtldmJl6un9ddr9wgxY7SIU1x1O_4lrOn7N4Rjpk-5DuAmj6jHj336g6aZaIY0VuZcKrjejTnwUjuBjDzVZ2bef7132t0xwPbSY2kBkuVvdEShUcR68tPvbtudkl_LCACEk/s4032/IMG_0491.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtKet2ASkUdoo8l-YWPaD8B_XUPvuxaxOsElAU5B8VG4MSwGh8_UYvDjflFtldmJl6un9ddr9wgxY7SIU1x1O_4lrOn7N4Rjpk-5DuAmj6jHj336g6aZaIY0VuZcKrjejTnwUjuBjDzVZ2bef7132t0xwPbSY2kBkuVvdEShUcR68tPvbtudkl_LCACEk/s320/IMG_0491.JPG" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mons Meg and Me Meg</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkoNinA6ImFc8_x2_h0r1erYoE8TH2IXgUXTUlWl0Ug1_aap6KH4Aj_o-NL9NYJei5tlmqo1xiW24vV3Y7AgGbE1XXXafizDFz4uFK5tb4Cjz207NFd73ckacqHU70ncdwVJCY9nImFsMy_h3y-6i3paCOP_n_55Tq6VvLd1YNRM-meK7fkJxpEhgEOCQ/s4032/IMG_0495.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkoNinA6ImFc8_x2_h0r1erYoE8TH2IXgUXTUlWl0Ug1_aap6KH4Aj_o-NL9NYJei5tlmqo1xiW24vV3Y7AgGbE1XXXafizDFz4uFK5tb4Cjz207NFd73ckacqHU70ncdwVJCY9nImFsMy_h3y-6i3paCOP_n_55Tq6VvLd1YNRM-meK7fkJxpEhgEOCQ/s320/IMG_0495.JPG" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mons Meg is actually a big cannon.<br />Me Meg is just a little cannon.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhudDp6vvgZ3MHIBfJfnoL-cR9q8tWqkQd1sTu5Potn9o6VaE31aIZg6xqzxWJ9Nc84ewnPVeJrFoJ8z2pazd0AfjDJy1cHnYFoOYbXuZEtSgEsr2V92o_Y4bF3CdDgTP7cJCXrWoCk6znkSXCLi7H41imHxsXfgXY08aEa0s9jthY_3dNrRfDQ8yJ-wPA/s4032/IMG_0507.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhudDp6vvgZ3MHIBfJfnoL-cR9q8tWqkQd1sTu5Potn9o6VaE31aIZg6xqzxWJ9Nc84ewnPVeJrFoJ8z2pazd0AfjDJy1cHnYFoOYbXuZEtSgEsr2V92o_Y4bF3CdDgTP7cJCXrWoCk6znkSXCLi7H41imHxsXfgXY08aEa0s9jthY_3dNrRfDQ8yJ-wPA/s320/IMG_0507.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7uZt5QC3qFfueJgd6AGtLJXelINJ-WmrJyrWJf4ykhAcmAyY5zgtHHNHwgAUWlICSLVi-Q7fJNlAvltyQfOWIoCx9GXRStUJuaWtAxQoBle3ntoda2MXg7hCgQShaV8nzgJ7d33Y80Y1nwwhoudlFJJ-XJMtmGbGhbVvg0hHyf_nrrA9mQrLqFkS8gts/s4032/IMG_0512.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7uZt5QC3qFfueJgd6AGtLJXelINJ-WmrJyrWJf4ykhAcmAyY5zgtHHNHwgAUWlICSLVi-Q7fJNlAvltyQfOWIoCx9GXRStUJuaWtAxQoBle3ntoda2MXg7hCgQShaV8nzgJ7d33Y80Y1nwwhoudlFJJ-XJMtmGbGhbVvg0hHyf_nrrA9mQrLqFkS8gts/s320/IMG_0512.JPG" width="180" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqWRMwBnK5XuJlKKeuwGope2srhFo1DG_-2G8nwKdb-kpgUPscC_bZNKKZ_jhFFhJVM7ZghGPy6mqnQ4-lgl9dxBreWPSRkDPu1pbCXrq5oQnNtLFtM7Cc9zcIGCikLitwgkse4TLmNy5hVCU1LXKI_CL0E8RrIMmmow-S365d7_BpuFBJu734PzHDXd0/s4032/IMG_0520.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqWRMwBnK5XuJlKKeuwGope2srhFo1DG_-2G8nwKdb-kpgUPscC_bZNKKZ_jhFFhJVM7ZghGPy6mqnQ4-lgl9dxBreWPSRkDPu1pbCXrq5oQnNtLFtM7Cc9zcIGCikLitwgkse4TLmNy5hVCU1LXKI_CL0E8RrIMmmow-S365d7_BpuFBJu734PzHDXd0/s320/IMG_0520.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Edinburgh!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgslw3d1nxjfkjAbxKJdapCGkCs9Gvw-t6rqULwTszp5fke-TlnDfkQAT1tkBU8hRtGyO4DRKzNiyYPmmXvwWdcjawhwVEH_MeUsaBZl09iIkyf-E25Wm1YYYfjqGWJ8T0ppT3bhu-AqtNA6vukQFl9JK5DKzitxi15m72q5Gj4fIKUhhh0aGHnvInY_Bk/s4032/IMG_0522.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgslw3d1nxjfkjAbxKJdapCGkCs9Gvw-t6rqULwTszp5fke-TlnDfkQAT1tkBU8hRtGyO4DRKzNiyYPmmXvwWdcjawhwVEH_MeUsaBZl09iIkyf-E25Wm1YYYfjqGWJ8T0ppT3bhu-AqtNA6vukQFl9JK5DKzitxi15m72q5Gj4fIKUhhh0aGHnvInY_Bk/s320/IMG_0522.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lizzie and I touristing!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDlOQcy9izx_h-Mzs65iLw488z0vQpMKtNL8VV7qHvM7Xp3yQGZ3VNBKRSKi5xo23Qlg1-kH-bj0O4LaRvly5PGfnBgfIZl9mTpfNbJanwNH9ouOLhwWK3YrlbMYJOGb9JqKwga4dkPCUPOEaSVyF4bneFvZlJk3rEt1p5Pff7q6rcFoCFoqGiLLuzFMQ/s4032/IMG_0526.JPG"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDlOQcy9izx_h-Mzs65iLw488z0vQpMKtNL8VV7qHvM7Xp3yQGZ3VNBKRSKi5xo23Qlg1-kH-bj0O4LaRvly5PGfnBgfIZl9mTpfNbJanwNH9ouOLhwWK3YrlbMYJOGb9JqKwga4dkPCUPOEaSVyF4bneFvZlJk3rEt1p5Pff7q6rcFoCFoqGiLLuzFMQ/s320/IMG_0526.JPG" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHSeeUwY7wqrWnXcs2_WKP-xtPXWCzMqCsWfU6HLuJp8NaL5OlfAnU718RAVcbG16Lx-mquCmT1_ZYKSkZDiXgJV1HMfVZDdoOwUVBNBM5ErxmPyPAaDlkJMXN0j3n6gR_W6C41zUkqBImd9NEbPqJSq0yU32WreAKgNZmFVrRJJfsW_1UqdOL2EQlxCE/s4032/IMG_0527.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHSeeUwY7wqrWnXcs2_WKP-xtPXWCzMqCsWfU6HLuJp8NaL5OlfAnU718RAVcbG16Lx-mquCmT1_ZYKSkZDiXgJV1HMfVZDdoOwUVBNBM5ErxmPyPAaDlkJMXN0j3n6gR_W6C41zUkqBImd9NEbPqJSq0yU32WreAKgNZmFVrRJJfsW_1UqdOL2EQlxCE/s320/IMG_0527.JPG" width="180" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKMo0_t-vRmxTgti9osBKOYAjdPBV2rQ2cxNjVCYoPWN4GTum6G1E9GUSa3IKNUl9_z55lGYZ-xfHFK4r9Q3DZRBMC6Wj-3hMVcaqNSx8xgwEWBa5ysNEPbOwBM8NFrNQOlaaDSUPPi5WzgF2jgFeW-I4KtAZy8-S_JctJ5ETnpe05xrZO9BlJzuv9J1E/s4032/IMG_0528.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKMo0_t-vRmxTgti9osBKOYAjdPBV2rQ2cxNjVCYoPWN4GTum6G1E9GUSa3IKNUl9_z55lGYZ-xfHFK4r9Q3DZRBMC6Wj-3hMVcaqNSx8xgwEWBa5ysNEPbOwBM8NFrNQOlaaDSUPPi5WzgF2jgFeW-I4KtAZy8-S_JctJ5ETnpe05xrZO9BlJzuv9J1E/s320/IMG_0528.JPG" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Keep me flotin</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIkN99RwOCOXAHzUjPQRFG4eehOziYcwo7kVECzYMaPpMu7-xdPbQp_S9N8ogHyhJabgHyOKz7zh2P0BWoYdORL72sWhnCDYSukFg0_FIZ6xIJD32PWtnTI8Rqlh1WVU1h-zmvGnxAtl_KQfydHg8Pwh7d4t46vaPH87tGEJozUoECcI4Fxh_FtTrdxXM/s4032/IMG_0529.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIkN99RwOCOXAHzUjPQRFG4eehOziYcwo7kVECzYMaPpMu7-xdPbQp_S9N8ogHyhJabgHyOKz7zh2P0BWoYdORL72sWhnCDYSukFg0_FIZ6xIJD32PWtnTI8Rqlh1WVU1h-zmvGnxAtl_KQfydHg8Pwh7d4t46vaPH87tGEJozUoECcI4Fxh_FtTrdxXM/s320/IMG_0529.JPG" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We made a quick stop at the new Parliament building to check out the gift shop.<br />These Parly-mints did NOT disappoint.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLwqa5qgqrV-eJYp9_f_61s_1pPBiU0egBUC3Fnvlt-YoAVSb1AuSvvBWJVlGuhSfKc67PYs-ssS2uIcGAGVXOlWgro5KlwMGlPQ365N-oUHRJZYn_6MmPDrbgS2hsOse1AUmruox-3SKi5g6NIPPWQimhS-51lP1yhidtU5sqNCzUTqCTxbdO-0dXshs/s4032/IMG_0530.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLwqa5qgqrV-eJYp9_f_61s_1pPBiU0egBUC3Fnvlt-YoAVSb1AuSvvBWJVlGuhSfKc67PYs-ssS2uIcGAGVXOlWgro5KlwMGlPQ365N-oUHRJZYn_6MmPDrbgS2hsOse1AUmruox-3SKi5g6NIPPWQimhS-51lP1yhidtU5sqNCzUTqCTxbdO-0dXshs/s320/IMG_0530.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I didn't actually hike Arthur's Seat, but we did at least lay eyes on it.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />For dinner, we hit up MUMS Great Comfort Food. We were not disappointed. Life lesson: When in the Scotland, always order the hot chocolate.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7AeJSl1MmBmdB7QyN1yvtVHl4xGShBAJUBWIWF4dAWwQCtQCNFF11cyznxAJDZmG31akwvwG_-4PFA75XavO4Hj2pQKj9bq-2r22acPW1u2CoF7iLnadKYyb08abx1fLQL57mNVcUfqC5OW816y2_0Q1J3kRLsViFlXGEvPF2eSKwJcQ8TodKHaKSg7o/s4032/IMG_0531.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7AeJSl1MmBmdB7QyN1yvtVHl4xGShBAJUBWIWF4dAWwQCtQCNFF11cyznxAJDZmG31akwvwG_-4PFA75XavO4Hj2pQKj9bq-2r22acPW1u2CoF7iLnadKYyb08abx1fLQL57mNVcUfqC5OW816y2_0Q1J3kRLsViFlXGEvPF2eSKwJcQ8TodKHaKSg7o/s320/IMG_0531.JPG" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hot chocolate with Flake and whipped cream.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiphLgElf2CHSzMJuz2oFkRJjAn0O7agB-euU69Lqmhx_olhTCq_O8euHfUwcv8lIEvkplryOPMq3v3DlSSyMeeCHOJco3Ck0vWPAhsqQsVV6WvMUZVI67JdiMCER_2Ra-feXzPt-7xPzzj0fQZ7uuGHnJJKdiXEPm6xmHqkDJGCU5E8xWFVAaq1NmJqII/s4032/IMG_0532.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiphLgElf2CHSzMJuz2oFkRJjAn0O7agB-euU69Lqmhx_olhTCq_O8euHfUwcv8lIEvkplryOPMq3v3DlSSyMeeCHOJco3Ck0vWPAhsqQsVV6WvMUZVI67JdiMCER_2Ra-feXzPt-7xPzzj0fQZ7uuGHnJJKdiXEPm6xmHqkDJGCU5E8xWFVAaq1NmJqII/s320/IMG_0532.JPG" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bangers and mash (front) and shepherd's pie (back)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4-3Zk5HHPJx6RiAK392u5qVghfMxHbBwpK0oBwH2neVShANvKkBXe_Kh74hOm2fBJLUICRGPJwfxALQ1xIPnlF4HLsnqo0ilqghSnOHo5r7Zi-vQ_u94i0ibst-1DOXLOxNK50RJ1eTEIdgcjZiqdKCSvcTPI0EomniO6sizHlOMeK022uvo7FKe0vtc/s4032/IMG_0533.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4-3Zk5HHPJx6RiAK392u5qVghfMxHbBwpK0oBwH2neVShANvKkBXe_Kh74hOm2fBJLUICRGPJwfxALQ1xIPnlF4HLsnqo0ilqghSnOHo5r7Zi-vQ_u94i0ibst-1DOXLOxNK50RJ1eTEIdgcjZiqdKCSvcTPI0EomniO6sizHlOMeK022uvo7FKe0vtc/s320/IMG_0533.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sticky toffee pudding for dessert... as I do.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB3HZ8hfWEkJiLVqJDzpTe3bLzyvTkbVanKCYnzyIlJ0t-9m3h0Q23OePOBv5bBqWR-2Wi9Mlmk0wxi2Tgjz794BbTgMVYmhZvRku2PiHAX8mTtNfyaM2DoSaep78ndPa7k6rrqVLEBVT-aZ8hK72dxrMsgwrelV_cpSZ9z9W_mNdBGfE9Tug3KHQaeYE/s4032/IMG_0535.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB3HZ8hfWEkJiLVqJDzpTe3bLzyvTkbVanKCYnzyIlJ0t-9m3h0Q23OePOBv5bBqWR-2Wi9Mlmk0wxi2Tgjz794BbTgMVYmhZvRku2PiHAX8mTtNfyaM2DoSaep78ndPa7k6rrqVLEBVT-aZ8hK72dxrMsgwrelV_cpSZ9z9W_mNdBGfE9Tug3KHQaeYE/s320/IMG_0535.JPG" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This never gets old.<br />Probably because I always need the reminder.<br />Also appreciate that I was taught to look BOTH ways.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWSTfRKxeGeXRvuexU1gDZVg2se4P3zETO5wJi4znh076ORkqno30GdjqhiHGlw0Qm2eGT1UtWQ_kz3u2KN93C3txHFesdjOzrKOjr-WOCFo4uy000krtQi-ZCeAiwok9iAu2E9mYU3DNaOwYnS5f74BptV0tH1_3mZSYCzqHkAY5DqofkY-7YXP60ZoU/s4032/IMG_0536.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWSTfRKxeGeXRvuexU1gDZVg2se4P3zETO5wJi4znh076ORkqno30GdjqhiHGlw0Qm2eGT1UtWQ_kz3u2KN93C3txHFesdjOzrKOjr-WOCFo4uy000krtQi-ZCeAiwok9iAu2E9mYU3DNaOwYnS5f74BptV0tH1_3mZSYCzqHkAY5DqofkY-7YXP60ZoU/s320/IMG_0536.JPG" width="180" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-2IL2rgK-3Mt_3OanuOkJ8Qv-fL3RIgTL9JtzP7K3PIxUPfNdeioH7ijNhAEVAKgTdUo70rXxsFu0m2OLequc_kuLt5wCMMnL_P83kP6BLwjczY0qB_uYEwxIbYia9tLNxLGPOY0JWjvMkUZ4Kp8ctMSuh8sVHC1xduy3rwX-igUlVIJD5Zj1uAbaShY/s4032/IMG_0538.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-2IL2rgK-3Mt_3OanuOkJ8Qv-fL3RIgTL9JtzP7K3PIxUPfNdeioH7ijNhAEVAKgTdUo70rXxsFu0m2OLequc_kuLt5wCMMnL_P83kP6BLwjczY0qB_uYEwxIbYia9tLNxLGPOY0JWjvMkUZ4Kp8ctMSuh8sVHC1xduy3rwX-igUlVIJD5Zj1uAbaShY/s320/IMG_0538.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Edinburgh Castle from the back.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />I was definitely tired when I finally got back to the Hobbit Hole, but there was zero chance I wasn't taking advantage of the hot tub before going to bed.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHKvhM029y-YvHMjPg-m8fo4Su_iLmeRebh3LjxLZMsCsVYUblFB1Zmy4HBZH1thgINO_xntyqti1Hc6Xogb14eowU39GRRDv-zy38EC-6jOenvm6fKqzsc91cAqozkc_UcMZglsbARhyYLeKhfIF5hv30cxaP0Z6C4H0xnJKP5rrqsFjyGgP01hau4RE/s3088/IMG_0539.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="1737" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHKvhM029y-YvHMjPg-m8fo4Su_iLmeRebh3LjxLZMsCsVYUblFB1Zmy4HBZH1thgINO_xntyqti1Hc6Xogb14eowU39GRRDv-zy38EC-6jOenvm6fKqzsc91cAqozkc_UcMZglsbARhyYLeKhfIF5hv30cxaP0Z6C4H0xnJKP5rrqsFjyGgP01hau4RE/s320/IMG_0539.JPG" width="180" /></a></div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Friday:</h3><div>I didn't really have a set agenda for each day while I was in Scotland. I knew I wanted to spend some time in both Edinburgh and Glasgow, but wasn't sure exactly what I wanted to do. Because I'd been in Edinburgh on Thurs, I opted for Glasgow on Friday, with a stop at Stirling Castle on my way.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifDbT6QULJB4YuwynY1OeoGiIxmMj5Sj5jUU_5JrdUdNm_ffRL8bFEOsIDJUn9xqwMVodwMfM0dBS3xdU3BUgt3VokaywL6FxrezOBKef_t4aazNfbj9_3S6yQGuN3yM-1X_as0OPl-lQPjN94kLDtrsnxnxiSZoBfAM11MIcZJ8D4ZkYK5e1aNYJUv4Y/s4032/IMG_0550.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifDbT6QULJB4YuwynY1OeoGiIxmMj5Sj5jUU_5JrdUdNm_ffRL8bFEOsIDJUn9xqwMVodwMfM0dBS3xdU3BUgt3VokaywL6FxrezOBKef_t4aazNfbj9_3S6yQGuN3yM-1X_as0OPl-lQPjN94kLDtrsnxnxiSZoBfAM11MIcZJ8D4ZkYK5e1aNYJUv4Y/s320/IMG_0550.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiakf-2ekBZfoNZc1PjQE_tXfVFwbKUzZGRtvAORAiRDy4WFe349od32x6wIXTQyaHr1zoUUlYlG0XRmD-De3Vb1_cZ78wK3T7tRwyd_zHDgLuqu0YTe_5sxL4VFRIRqSVj0MktFdwkCDWdd_wbS3RIkaKGBpUhIyqLt880b3mjZHr7dBgDPalQT3scGA4/s4032/IMG_0553.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiakf-2ekBZfoNZc1PjQE_tXfVFwbKUzZGRtvAORAiRDy4WFe349od32x6wIXTQyaHr1zoUUlYlG0XRmD-De3Vb1_cZ78wK3T7tRwyd_zHDgLuqu0YTe_5sxL4VFRIRqSVj0MktFdwkCDWdd_wbS3RIkaKGBpUhIyqLt880b3mjZHr7dBgDPalQT3scGA4/s320/IMG_0553.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">William Wallace Memorial from Stirling Castle</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhovJp0oeAZK3kKVhnMYWTgmgiXVV-RCSkOJx4dRtfmKcmjcwl67e5hIrx_TbcYCpZuzubC8gXldZ6UksTT5MoCq83yiiWK7NdbNhGbxfs_GbjHO0HJmc8MGGb2I5EwOxufs_8yAIxRlk_abC6QrzwB11hsHtVlPHfXjUreFuO-k5Awcx-DLq9ys7iUy1E/s4032/IMG_0556.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhovJp0oeAZK3kKVhnMYWTgmgiXVV-RCSkOJx4dRtfmKcmjcwl67e5hIrx_TbcYCpZuzubC8gXldZ6UksTT5MoCq83yiiWK7NdbNhGbxfs_GbjHO0HJmc8MGGb2I5EwOxufs_8yAIxRlk_abC6QrzwB11hsHtVlPHfXjUreFuO-k5Awcx-DLq9ys7iUy1E/s320/IMG_0556.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4m-3M9CidQjw6Cc1xPaANP9wqOGDx7lTDpUS5fdFMBK0az6RJcd15QDNpaaa-TI0yORrE0eecmTrfglPFNyhzIVWCCljnx9VhKhGkidxHkQi4FXKKbpwwkLIIJRONLpDcTsSDHljyA0GYQD31gbZVYiy0DwWTAg4rWEu0T1JQ2wryX9Cv35ixfsN6ASk/s4032/IMG_0577.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="1707" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4m-3M9CidQjw6Cc1xPaANP9wqOGDx7lTDpUS5fdFMBK0az6RJcd15QDNpaaa-TI0yORrE0eecmTrfglPFNyhzIVWCCljnx9VhKhGkidxHkQi4FXKKbpwwkLIIJRONLpDcTsSDHljyA0GYQD31gbZVYiy0DwWTAg4rWEu0T1JQ2wryX9Cv35ixfsN6ASk/s320/IMG_0577.JPG" width="135" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh20ErrxDS9r4EUiT9gXpYb3183ivXJc8Y9lJ9Q32lvZJx2eamuaEdUuNKGMhPif9Z_0wzASTk1l83trfhd53wL-lRULZKfhy2lJjueMT8XO4DBf_CaUqaU8dhAllzSCMcuM89z10d__2VjFbA7kRyMLLVmdj1cBuShu7udqzX3u4l9G47RzMfZcsBbllc/s4032/IMG_0578.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh20ErrxDS9r4EUiT9gXpYb3183ivXJc8Y9lJ9Q32lvZJx2eamuaEdUuNKGMhPif9Z_0wzASTk1l83trfhd53wL-lRULZKfhy2lJjueMT8XO4DBf_CaUqaU8dhAllzSCMcuM89z10d__2VjFbA7kRyMLLVmdj1cBuShu7udqzX3u4l9G47RzMfZcsBbllc/s320/IMG_0578.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsfztYp4fNC1aDNihe232TCE1-GVUIs2IyUszqdSdm5rwKOGllhmViz1nZ4woYk1ymxP-wPozAq0U-wQnTjpD6ITEk20YIoJdUyeLAK04fLdor2WjUKFmyo42V9iZqUBlXFO-zNEyIOFnGGXAyYK2EFW8KbSyWuGjl8B9UqDaCWCazTl3r4EZR9PMdYNw/s4032/IMG_0583.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsfztYp4fNC1aDNihe232TCE1-GVUIs2IyUszqdSdm5rwKOGllhmViz1nZ4woYk1ymxP-wPozAq0U-wQnTjpD6ITEk20YIoJdUyeLAK04fLdor2WjUKFmyo42V9iZqUBlXFO-zNEyIOFnGGXAyYK2EFW8KbSyWuGjl8B9UqDaCWCazTl3r4EZR9PMdYNw/s320/IMG_0583.JPG" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDFTzX8Ho1X5yx_gsvP6HiijTPC1bAxNn2yNVp3BlgvRXc-JuUepk86SqPkU4rbJTFc_oYOPkyOu9IfFyvcPbMoxKle_3b7mb6Ko2QUfOM3ON9Qupy8jJ_HQR7JQtfNFopo5UK5p5BrFyuoCYQ866Or9omWME0TUI5vZGaTK641TJv2WrBW2uUQubMowM/s4032/IMG_0584.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDFTzX8Ho1X5yx_gsvP6HiijTPC1bAxNn2yNVp3BlgvRXc-JuUepk86SqPkU4rbJTFc_oYOPkyOu9IfFyvcPbMoxKle_3b7mb6Ko2QUfOM3ON9Qupy8jJ_HQR7JQtfNFopo5UK5p5BrFyuoCYQ866Or9omWME0TUI5vZGaTK641TJv2WrBW2uUQubMowM/s320/IMG_0584.JPG" width="180" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg74pVWUa0dAc8tKxxS1FN-Yr1iDVyNG8mSxV3kMzgGxYqELxA5tYeFlfpSq28blCNTBy3bR8bzec3W4zu0ChBLbursGLN9tvFC0kT9XyubKxVWEQWB9vMr39whpk_iIuRFYo2c6tJ46rXlSRyjmCI-JeZRcoMwplS09CxKJ4IziDHnMmqqllzjY5tM_So/s4032/IMG_0586.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg74pVWUa0dAc8tKxxS1FN-Yr1iDVyNG8mSxV3kMzgGxYqELxA5tYeFlfpSq28blCNTBy3bR8bzec3W4zu0ChBLbursGLN9tvFC0kT9XyubKxVWEQWB9vMr39whpk_iIuRFYo2c6tJ46rXlSRyjmCI-JeZRcoMwplS09CxKJ4IziDHnMmqqllzjY5tM_So/s320/IMG_0586.JPG" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These bathroom designators made me lol.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPxEtXV-O0mLpIOkq-Ion3yIlTxYuv0AfMlPutKBOUvbYuaTDA9Ck2HJ5n0ZC6tTM5Ha7Ij8Vs-ZLo6mn3aUB1qAc6NFj3vlRdgawH0othw_lBFo4Tyktw3juzVDRuWoC_AUDq1zKacE9fweyt1z1tgvn8rE_uZymrOoP2xe5aM7CT7hC5cy_TvAr1EpY/s4032/IMG_0587.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPxEtXV-O0mLpIOkq-Ion3yIlTxYuv0AfMlPutKBOUvbYuaTDA9Ck2HJ5n0ZC6tTM5Ha7Ij8Vs-ZLo6mn3aUB1qAc6NFj3vlRdgawH0othw_lBFo4Tyktw3juzVDRuWoC_AUDq1zKacE9fweyt1z1tgvn8rE_uZymrOoP2xe5aM7CT7hC5cy_TvAr1EpY/s320/IMG_0587.JPG" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The FRIGHT! lol</td></tr></tbody></table><br />After a guided tour of the castle, I set out of Glasgow in the rain. It wasn't great and I had a shituation when trying to find parking (props to that parking/security guard who told me about a secret parking solution that ended up working out). I ended up eating an overpriced, overly fancy lunch that I did not actually enjoy because I was hangry and didn't properly check the Googly. I had to eat before I could go visit the dead people at the necropolis (which I wasn't overly interested in, TBH). At I finally crested the top of the hill, as I was getting really irritated with doing this thing that I wasn't really in the mood to do... I looked up and there was a super vivid rainbow.</div><div><br /></div><div>It was the perspective shift I needed to get through the rest of my time in Glasgow. I stood and took in the sights for a few mins in the rain and finally walked back down to Glasgow Cathedral. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxteSqd6wGFFzievT1vXKTd4XzAXQ5Q6XGssbiyYtZE-bV2jyrL4R39thDxdpssu_j6tEhdtvjrxoYGgoGJv95B4T8QfGJMRkSpvml6leIa3hXg6lmNyeBginPkOtDfZvlWbLVITYNEuxKC7lyQLvF1dkrUsHFiKUEOnfpp2K8fCSzoxOv5XLzqI_jIhI/s4032/IMG_0596.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxteSqd6wGFFzievT1vXKTd4XzAXQ5Q6XGssbiyYtZE-bV2jyrL4R39thDxdpssu_j6tEhdtvjrxoYGgoGJv95B4T8QfGJMRkSpvml6leIa3hXg6lmNyeBginPkOtDfZvlWbLVITYNEuxKC7lyQLvF1dkrUsHFiKUEOnfpp2K8fCSzoxOv5XLzqI_jIhI/s320/IMG_0596.JPG" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-ddklhaNkdcMYLLCgU1-LnaUDHSxUTFn9P6l_gAW5NP7uvFSuWBzY2GCr_zcVIgvc9jBS4cgIvacLCxG8lmwWyRXznNaDnrIZbYNnaA5-Fri1pAjDSBVNZxG_JCBFmHIBmUrcVN700PUpS7zVLzM4ASsRGyWBfgnOLMwINeRO8c5w8Qnu4TmXpoJKIRY/s4032/IMG_0603.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-ddklhaNkdcMYLLCgU1-LnaUDHSxUTFn9P6l_gAW5NP7uvFSuWBzY2GCr_zcVIgvc9jBS4cgIvacLCxG8lmwWyRXznNaDnrIZbYNnaA5-Fri1pAjDSBVNZxG_JCBFmHIBmUrcVN700PUpS7zVLzM4ASsRGyWBfgnOLMwINeRO8c5w8Qnu4TmXpoJKIRY/s320/IMG_0603.JPG" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLsLWdCpo3O1YjYZvDTQC-ROMdDLOvgWoh6ag8sxrTj7FBMZOG9iVIGeNoyf3eWhnESGFqblpbOryGO1X6m-bxXjqEb3Gc2ekQbh5qjdKcmApzqlfiNERDjHPzXF5GmXU3nkva43Fvaxk6A6dlKPERzsryG3ZjhoIm0BrVDXVBNnm9c3_0NfROIi6tqi4/s4032/IMG_0605.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLsLWdCpo3O1YjYZvDTQC-ROMdDLOvgWoh6ag8sxrTj7FBMZOG9iVIGeNoyf3eWhnESGFqblpbOryGO1X6m-bxXjqEb3Gc2ekQbh5qjdKcmApzqlfiNERDjHPzXF5GmXU3nkva43Fvaxk6A6dlKPERzsryG3ZjhoIm0BrVDXVBNnm9c3_0NfROIi6tqi4/s320/IMG_0605.JPG" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht9toQpwSXhURPvM3s93LwEWZ6l3VJ2KDeiRqOOFE4A1ogJkwDBtGCeohKZ0h6hesVxxdj6_ZNqQzJqLq1dBV8sHwtFN_easaEjyDpw8j7vr0J4T4dE3kAqJYKETNGCwovOWRzsa5yGrNykdeHpiZkjE0E4gUXGVoEJMyPaIXqS_f3yf1THoko6ywurwM/s4032/IMG_0608.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht9toQpwSXhURPvM3s93LwEWZ6l3VJ2KDeiRqOOFE4A1ogJkwDBtGCeohKZ0h6hesVxxdj6_ZNqQzJqLq1dBV8sHwtFN_easaEjyDpw8j7vr0J4T4dE3kAqJYKETNGCwovOWRzsa5yGrNykdeHpiZkjE0E4gUXGVoEJMyPaIXqS_f3yf1THoko6ywurwM/s320/IMG_0608.JPG" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7hoAsLJr754yAv6_TW1CSMAzlI7kiibhjk9p56e_-7usW3OGIvO-dajROkWV9EiJtBiCttgBDmovZqpVMK1f9304E8u-JHUBEYQxqrpgdGnyQDLEJbtmj7tg97SiMCjEdzF1heBPEU52uzwtNCN3AiXgqaSl2vqAwL0bfHamzBgYX1AJbSbp_S0MXlQo/s4032/IMG_0614.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7hoAsLJr754yAv6_TW1CSMAzlI7kiibhjk9p56e_-7usW3OGIvO-dajROkWV9EiJtBiCttgBDmovZqpVMK1f9304E8u-JHUBEYQxqrpgdGnyQDLEJbtmj7tg97SiMCjEdzF1heBPEU52uzwtNCN3AiXgqaSl2vqAwL0bfHamzBgYX1AJbSbp_S0MXlQo/s320/IMG_0614.JPG" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZhWVT1r-A-MuRW1u49paYNx1OSwgJWIBHkdDUzO6s28V2caEnfhSHujBYEAKZ0k402f1-iIM85-pbTocsfRp_c5OCsUPqV8KhwrSBixpJQxaK10qSTGiywd5IBCE6Lo4VVp-vnf967p93-LCfZkmQ1dxt5OFQa4RXcin2qHKlH_1OcSWZUBAImjWBOW4/s4032/IMG_0620.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZhWVT1r-A-MuRW1u49paYNx1OSwgJWIBHkdDUzO6s28V2caEnfhSHujBYEAKZ0k402f1-iIM85-pbTocsfRp_c5OCsUPqV8KhwrSBixpJQxaK10qSTGiywd5IBCE6Lo4VVp-vnf967p93-LCfZkmQ1dxt5OFQa4RXcin2qHKlH_1OcSWZUBAImjWBOW4/s320/IMG_0620.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>In a hunt for castles/ruins, I accidently ended up at the Celtic Football Club where practice was going on... and then I may have done some shady trespassing.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL5pcPXqKVVxGYXW4QPLoFFLmsVm9iA8NvFyfVe3pfeBhOleJkss5Tahr9DiHCZ6cF6oS5ElH260EISA_aBscAZNLXaBz6c0I0MAYZo9cwByeiRjnb1X8OOwBqdX0Ln41ztrTiig7Pfe-vhRNZdWjgfXU7KRs_CyHD3Glg0qrU9_C83bsPdFs-gKsJgoo/s4032/IMG_0622.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL5pcPXqKVVxGYXW4QPLoFFLmsVm9iA8NvFyfVe3pfeBhOleJkss5Tahr9DiHCZ6cF6oS5ElH260EISA_aBscAZNLXaBz6c0I0MAYZo9cwByeiRjnb1X8OOwBqdX0Ln41ztrTiig7Pfe-vhRNZdWjgfXU7KRs_CyHD3Glg0qrU9_C83bsPdFs-gKsJgoo/s320/IMG_0622.JPG" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is not the castle ruins I was looking for.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ofc24TYG06tJAEt6pNSlMoPmHFhK9e3wWUbrbfuH6CZK9qWo3heKIH0omgFXBTxMw6MbFaixe2_ofu92Dzmi4xiCjD6V7Xvl18A7twPoV229h_HA5M_hVLA-I6nCL7-RBMrrWhjVxESP-MOE7-_e9MlrVJRhrkVpMwGop3aPoh-0gW3r6CNYE7zMdyM/s4032/IMG_0623.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ofc24TYG06tJAEt6pNSlMoPmHFhK9e3wWUbrbfuH6CZK9qWo3heKIH0omgFXBTxMw6MbFaixe2_ofu92Dzmi4xiCjD6V7Xvl18A7twPoV229h_HA5M_hVLA-I6nCL7-RBMrrWhjVxESP-MOE7-_e9MlrVJRhrkVpMwGop3aPoh-0gW3r6CNYE7zMdyM/s320/IMG_0623.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just some cows having dinner.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />My trespassing led me to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lennox_Castle" target="_blank">Lennox Castle</a>... at dusk. Yall, don't be like me. That's the biggest takeaway here. After a .75 mile walk to the ruins, I was greeted by a fence around the perimeter. HUGE disappointment.. so I kept walking around, hoping that someone had been more sketchy than me. THEY HAD! YAY! So there was a break in the fence and I was able to get into the yard and climb the rubble into the ruins. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrLnGQ1wPsFMLY8bj6K4nDYTh5l-GzJf5FndFGS7GnXJ2ZlG64BbbMM8S5m1zKf3xqxMmW9gbf9W43R9ZjJo_74-L3TCLR_QgaY5WREPuIhyphenhyphenhyphenhyphenh4-jtw4DQq2Rnd-VsDS1xETDKsuvGwmzZIfCFnc_PrUeEKU8nVGB5vnsjM7jqsOf46QqmmSDPk5vYfM/s4032/IMG_0625.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrLnGQ1wPsFMLY8bj6K4nDYTh5l-GzJf5FndFGS7GnXJ2ZlG64BbbMM8S5m1zKf3xqxMmW9gbf9W43R9ZjJo_74-L3TCLR_QgaY5WREPuIhyphenhyphenhyphenhyphenh4-jtw4DQq2Rnd-VsDS1xETDKsuvGwmzZIfCFnc_PrUeEKU8nVGB5vnsjM7jqsOf46QqmmSDPk5vYfM/s320/IMG_0625.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbstMJXI9SsbVuEhUURrUDCuPBBZZUKXAFpj_NqkZVpZOWqW-IuiY6-JcR58T57EcQ8qD5oF5hBvTADEJvqu3BwSLmn5ApnFM_wdqoVes51At7VFDhya3QJHIVEJUECdQJ9-9pvyv-3Fz24VkS649tHJQLGGm1EiOKsj4dcgcz3CUW_B-ZR-ywfb4BRhQ/s4032/IMG_0629.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbstMJXI9SsbVuEhUURrUDCuPBBZZUKXAFpj_NqkZVpZOWqW-IuiY6-JcR58T57EcQ8qD5oF5hBvTADEJvqu3BwSLmn5ApnFM_wdqoVes51At7VFDhya3QJHIVEJUECdQJ9-9pvyv-3Fz24VkS649tHJQLGGm1EiOKsj4dcgcz3CUW_B-ZR-ywfb4BRhQ/s320/IMG_0629.JPG" width="180" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcF4QQBm6-YasyzYHbGdHUHty6F8gQgsWyV0PGzQ9iXMB1ZvhnB4zGCh-QJuNzn3La1ZpsDGr2Ek_6oFGpysImeT9odz9SLlOn8pxHuedwziBB_lIARtHL-CPDkbA13zHjUn8k80z0mQszDwwSBRMK0ERHZoHujsav73YpUfdM7eNkhjYb2aznPbCWmhA/s4032/IMG_0632.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcF4QQBm6-YasyzYHbGdHUHty6F8gQgsWyV0PGzQ9iXMB1ZvhnB4zGCh-QJuNzn3La1ZpsDGr2Ek_6oFGpysImeT9odz9SLlOn8pxHuedwziBB_lIARtHL-CPDkbA13zHjUn8k80z0mQszDwwSBRMK0ERHZoHujsav73YpUfdM7eNkhjYb2aznPbCWmhA/s320/IMG_0632.JPG" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The absolute most creepy tire swing...<br />especially since it was rainy and windy and everything was creaking and the swing was just..swinging in the breeze.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXmTXskdPojRgC1pXVXHWqWgSylZM_DtgiGZECKXYJZtHwLoYsYKem7OTYMOTN-ngbrLg4C_SylzKLpIFUosLMUrkhqKSGB-gi65tXBrenEiZK62WHSLD2hkt9Oif02BJJRNaDZMeTfLb28anKi7q3NmhFXxdpaJYmMHagBAfZdIk-y6Rb-U0Z83uhNS0/s4032/IMG_0636.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXmTXskdPojRgC1pXVXHWqWgSylZM_DtgiGZECKXYJZtHwLoYsYKem7OTYMOTN-ngbrLg4C_SylzKLpIFUosLMUrkhqKSGB-gi65tXBrenEiZK62WHSLD2hkt9Oif02BJJRNaDZMeTfLb28anKi7q3NmhFXxdpaJYmMHagBAfZdIk-y6Rb-U0Z83uhNS0/s320/IMG_0636.JPG" width="180" /></a></div><div><br /></div>It got dark pretty quickly so I didn't stay for long since I didn't want to break my leg while being alone in castle ruins while trespassing. I decided to cross back to the road through the woods since there was another break in the fence... Questionable life choice as it was getting darkerrrrr and it started raining and the leaves were slippy. Additionally, I forgot that there was a big bank/drop off to the road... and what with the recent surgery and lack of ability to do laundry, I couldn't jump down OR lay on my stomach and slide down the bank. Soooo I walked back to where the wall was scalable.. in the rain.. in the dark.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2DQfvRYyaDwaG1o4Oa5EGV-A1TSXKShzV7bJ8RsnqakAgt-TEW47sTsajMQfaMx_BYGSgnWjthDkWviU1cxEySIukMzAkiB2uE4usDFdS7Kjv44gLdcdCy-JEiJrz1PWw2Xk9W5kJQAxBzsk1ortYAreDzXYY9V0cj0zprh_wzVNFuJrt9YgFHlp9It8/s4032/IMG_0643.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2DQfvRYyaDwaG1o4Oa5EGV-A1TSXKShzV7bJ8RsnqakAgt-TEW47sTsajMQfaMx_BYGSgnWjthDkWviU1cxEySIukMzAkiB2uE4usDFdS7Kjv44gLdcdCy-JEiJrz1PWw2Xk9W5kJQAxBzsk1ortYAreDzXYY9V0cj0zprh_wzVNFuJrt9YgFHlp9It8/s320/IMG_0643.JPG" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From the ground, the drop wasn't that far, but standing on the bank, <br />I was pretty sure if I jumped, I'd die.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />After that adventure, I was starving and opted for fish and chips for dinner. I looked for a well-rated chip shop on googly that was on my way back to the Hobbit Hole. I definitely proved my tourist self when I went in to order and I didn't know how to order fish and chips properly. But I persevered.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkpM9MBfpRmAhSdUrCbBWfGX03ZOZFxG2PbuZoyQfzPN4JAm4VtWoxe8UYNvfZY2Mvw_J8Vl6XWRBhnt2No3rz29B_AjKD5hZR1mkmPsnjFsHSK9e-gRiUDk3vodZaQp8V7t448LCtlcHoidVKtNcvfdhRlGrcxle5pQvi9wn5CFX3yKHHxeZBdQ19XWM/s4032/IMG_0645.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkpM9MBfpRmAhSdUrCbBWfGX03ZOZFxG2PbuZoyQfzPN4JAm4VtWoxe8UYNvfZY2Mvw_J8Vl6XWRBhnt2No3rz29B_AjKD5hZR1mkmPsnjFsHSK9e-gRiUDk3vodZaQp8V7t448LCtlcHoidVKtNcvfdhRlGrcxle5pQvi9wn5CFX3yKHHxeZBdQ19XWM/s320/IMG_0645.JPG" width="180" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3ENYpKp7MrpbW4hhvkSuzT46bu_OcsK0tRc8GFFQhVzhE_oNANMUTqTcirk7rt3WN9PLue67ibYohfOyp_WjoQO5GdKCatOmtL6wINvdvtgF5mTVB-Gik9vmnG-cqtZVBEZF9TKmGyjP6m6M2T1o-iPwQmX3OPLyPq7SolDZQi7NY6JEu1MahlfYEFrE/s4032/IMG_0648.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3ENYpKp7MrpbW4hhvkSuzT46bu_OcsK0tRc8GFFQhVzhE_oNANMUTqTcirk7rt3WN9PLue67ibYohfOyp_WjoQO5GdKCatOmtL6wINvdvtgF5mTVB-Gik9vmnG-cqtZVBEZF9TKmGyjP6m6M2T1o-iPwQmX3OPLyPq7SolDZQi7NY6JEu1MahlfYEFrE/s320/IMG_0648.JPG" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">YALL.<br />This fishy was HUGE.<br />I ate the fishy. I did not eat all the chips.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwfy3cbu_5BTY1QlbDxBgAyVNg1YkFFS2JnpwSHxRhjPwjF5842HOPsZ2b2-VzUsv0OCSwbg9P5lE6cEitPJjyNO2wXFk61KfTOM9-bVA_PXs2jWVzQmloBONPzhKBF4kXUiaR5ONSQZET0PozsKDsfGvzRo2E8efV7QJ9ucIY9L08zSzjXZ0fJN0g43w/s4032/IMG_0650.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwfy3cbu_5BTY1QlbDxBgAyVNg1YkFFS2JnpwSHxRhjPwjF5842HOPsZ2b2-VzUsv0OCSwbg9P5lE6cEitPJjyNO2wXFk61KfTOM9-bVA_PXs2jWVzQmloBONPzhKBF4kXUiaR5ONSQZET0PozsKDsfGvzRo2E8efV7QJ9ucIY9L08zSzjXZ0fJN0g43w/s320/IMG_0650.JPG" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Also, this ketchup packet changed my life and validated why America sucks.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_-P_kK7d0TraP9zozvnhgv2FwMaqg2Hxk5leL8SWwm3iamVJAnSLQX65gVMTMyNq5GkAIlIGbOO60Krywa5AmDoiOurEoTxtd9bN8i39xuR-2JNdThBuEl5wKHocUeBVWQDokGQiEWqEo3p8sw-SYvFhL85hOBtN919tV7A50n6P-1Z0QNjEnTE-Xj4o/s4032/IMG_0652.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_-P_kK7d0TraP9zozvnhgv2FwMaqg2Hxk5leL8SWwm3iamVJAnSLQX65gVMTMyNq5GkAIlIGbOO60Krywa5AmDoiOurEoTxtd9bN8i39xuR-2JNdThBuEl5wKHocUeBVWQDokGQiEWqEo3p8sw-SYvFhL85hOBtN919tV7A50n6P-1Z0QNjEnTE-Xj4o/s320/IMG_0652.JPG" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stopped in a quikmart and discovered these cookies which made me lol.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />And then after scarfing down my greasy, hot, delicious dinner, I headed back to the Hobbit Hole for more pre-bedtime hot tub time.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPe9G8ggxDoPFa4I4vQAyBulWmv10lft5BRgbiB_g9nKKdsT40_XyLyaw5kq_RfAO4FMEpeKF0G9X3yX_eJF9lk84H5zPWwjHgpOjJMIf75RMUCYkOVJ_j2GSp8S3ELCuHtlRZtzjjAFDRXINY9fnTz0iq61-Jz9Py5SUxaVk1JGc-EAHIFB3-LciMy5A/s4032/IMG_0654.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPe9G8ggxDoPFa4I4vQAyBulWmv10lft5BRgbiB_g9nKKdsT40_XyLyaw5kq_RfAO4FMEpeKF0G9X3yX_eJF9lk84H5zPWwjHgpOjJMIf75RMUCYkOVJ_j2GSp8S3ELCuHtlRZtzjjAFDRXINY9fnTz0iq61-Jz9Py5SUxaVk1JGc-EAHIFB3-LciMy5A/s320/IMG_0654.JPG" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The loaner phone I got through work didn't do the work my Pixel could have.. but the sky was perfection in Scotland. Because it was so windy, the clouds would clear away and you'd be able to see huge swaths of sky and then they'd come back and you'd have to look at the stars in a different spot.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">BIRFDAY!</h3><div>For my birthday, I decided to go to a glass blowing shop and watch them make glass and buy a souvenir, find some standing stones, then finish off the day with some highland cows. Unfortunately for me, the glass blowing shop isn't operational on the weekend.. boo. I did buy my souvenir and got some feedback on where to find highland cows.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwqZJGfk0jRnI6-1f-lh8a6Yvi4Tvq71tP6nXobwI5uZ5fZWaOC3jb7K-rApxkDlu1Ro_72OoMWVVD5W6u_rxWtv8oaloQOMpjpeCDBzIwFIIb9zy9tf6NMEIv4Pp1LHjV_D7OK_oYOaGh5YtxH4iwL9F3JQL88fswMmF7gB8Ww3oicTswv_XkCFsfdZ8/s4032/IMG_0659.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwqZJGfk0jRnI6-1f-lh8a6Yvi4Tvq71tP6nXobwI5uZ5fZWaOC3jb7K-rApxkDlu1Ro_72OoMWVVD5W6u_rxWtv8oaloQOMpjpeCDBzIwFIIb9zy9tf6NMEIv4Pp1LHjV_D7OK_oYOaGh5YtxH4iwL9F3JQL88fswMmF7gB8Ww3oicTswv_XkCFsfdZ8/s320/IMG_0659.JPG" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kelpies!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDc21yuAAAY1J0XS-PN8gG-A9_F4Q6zk2MdxsOys30GWxoZhSh52wVQji47zoy6Go8NAAeXXZM02GxTazCP5svCII43LIWjZdHMk4Leb0h7_sK81H9VrjK1XjUezFJE3PixAAW6Cw4k9bKum-WXTUl26EOgoXMwCYmLOILSZO1B4OLYQbhMzOK_wX4qZs/s4032/IMG_0663.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDc21yuAAAY1J0XS-PN8gG-A9_F4Q6zk2MdxsOys30GWxoZhSh52wVQji47zoy6Go8NAAeXXZM02GxTazCP5svCII43LIWjZdHMk4Leb0h7_sK81H9VrjK1XjUezFJE3PixAAW6Cw4k9bKum-WXTUl26EOgoXMwCYmLOILSZO1B4OLYQbhMzOK_wX4qZs/s320/IMG_0663.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Birthday indulgences = stopping on the side of the road for sunrise brook photos.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHnYGzE2RXFzNJSb6zHluq2cimhNLGtvtn2dloUWRkm7wGmSF6FwnNJWb5wBeSXFA0875M-028dQT2tROBpO6CFD1a8A56mAVygAh6_AUbr2ecOUb5Cb4w3tU3Bk6JjK2Ehakbn9M00Go_HmX4becP4P0VwY1BQ_1Ggx6DYdlTo1b1GTSbtlhlprAeXFg/s4032/IMG_0668.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHnYGzE2RXFzNJSb6zHluq2cimhNLGtvtn2dloUWRkm7wGmSF6FwnNJWb5wBeSXFA0875M-028dQT2tROBpO6CFD1a8A56mAVygAh6_AUbr2ecOUb5Cb4w3tU3Bk6JjK2Ehakbn9M00Go_HmX4becP4P0VwY1BQ_1Ggx6DYdlTo1b1GTSbtlhlprAeXFg/s320/IMG_0668.JPG" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Birthday indulgences also = stopping on the side of the road for random road sign selfies.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />I found the highland cows I was told about, but I couldn't get good photos so I opted to return to my original plan of finding them south of Edinburgh. Instead of squirreled when I was driving through a village and noticed a monument (<a href="https://maps.app.goo.gl/7mza5XjAfXdRL5hH9" target="_blank">Melville Monument</a>) at the top of a mountain-hill... and I decided to go to that monument. Then instead of driving up to it (not actually an option, I later learned), I saw a pull off for a hike area and opted to do a birthday hike. </div><div><br /></div><div>Let me just set this scene for you. I'm in tourist clothes. I'm wearing <i>jeans and a scarf and a snow coat</i>. I'm NOT wearing athletic clothing. I'm not carrying any water... but it's fine.. I'm just going to go saunter around the woods because I'm older and wiser... Again, don't be like me... Unless you like adventures and chaos.. but then always remember that I told you not to be like me.</div><div><br /></div><div>The hike to <a href="https://maps.app.goo.gl/9ZzynyP8j3U5rMFg8" target="_blank">Deil's Cauldron</a> through the woods was perfect. There were streams and waterfalls and a solid path to follow.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj38RuIG2qU935PRoLO2y0lBxGLURWnpV_HreMcBEBZKN-z0QRtm7xqULDpQLfLdBtp-KKVCtPXKa5BIolaxPKjYT3jzA_7g53ibVAr99luroiqIJW8fNebbsc-u2bx2ukrEjIqnJzrf_-5U9o9J32juhnYhA6bN4Qfti1QwvurosyoTlQO6ZddpRdKvf8/s4032/IMG_0677.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj38RuIG2qU935PRoLO2y0lBxGLURWnpV_HreMcBEBZKN-z0QRtm7xqULDpQLfLdBtp-KKVCtPXKa5BIolaxPKjYT3jzA_7g53ibVAr99luroiqIJW8fNebbsc-u2bx2ukrEjIqnJzrf_-5U9o9J32juhnYhA6bN4Qfti1QwvurosyoTlQO6ZddpRdKvf8/s320/IMG_0677.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioLnHOXiuI3gtdzi8E_RQaRFPjmZ6auz3MysYycla1s09BKT7m5pdWF3Eh0jTKy6WdQe_h_6x8oskjeR8BHLDGSS6sDwooqa3TUjpxDPKk-mxsKCqcGBWJdHmYfB9dLMWIUcatfE_7dCZYjRTInm-2uhkS-2K_lTXYLFx7qvRVwSx0_W4LVKxQXnZ7P30/s4032/IMG_0683.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioLnHOXiuI3gtdzi8E_RQaRFPjmZ6auz3MysYycla1s09BKT7m5pdWF3Eh0jTKy6WdQe_h_6x8oskjeR8BHLDGSS6sDwooqa3TUjpxDPKk-mxsKCqcGBWJdHmYfB9dLMWIUcatfE_7dCZYjRTInm-2uhkS-2K_lTXYLFx7qvRVwSx0_W4LVKxQXnZ7P30/s320/IMG_0683.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh60YNaWJZsyS6Nhb5NmtXUhi6MU9cpv7r1xnmbRs_d0foxOfsXJpX2O8fXKNYToACCLskPReVpDwU36ETfHMtroLNl4NryXZBVAc8FtHz9xlAXQVJ32j3ddzbHL1JpQjfq8KqXmuhiqfMTAp4pvds-MUt8yoKdQgnjp8CqLpvco4gc9o6XHI7AxaSrH8/s4032/IMG_0685.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh60YNaWJZsyS6Nhb5NmtXUhi6MU9cpv7r1xnmbRs_d0foxOfsXJpX2O8fXKNYToACCLskPReVpDwU36ETfHMtroLNl4NryXZBVAc8FtHz9xlAXQVJ32j3ddzbHL1JpQjfq8KqXmuhiqfMTAp4pvds-MUt8yoKdQgnjp8CqLpvco4gc9o6XHI7AxaSrH8/s320/IMG_0685.JPG" width="180" /></a></div><div><br /></div>So the hiking path wandered up the hill, and ultimately led back to the road.. where, apparently, you would find the trail for the monument to climb the mountain to get there. Yall, I did not find said trail, so I off-roaded for a stint until I could make it to the "trail"...</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJJ5LtLSA9rfIfZC1u3aKXEzarqr-hCpzhjevuS5t0MkFAyPFHVxbSeOaYps9kByAU2eVvD2HZqzjvAwdPZNzdvN_00Zz6FBtT1sGaG_AMYSGaqB94HaGHK32vcUlas9b_M8C0t9EAVXCZ4kRFrsTMMF2y67CYKiZDf4ksQl0B4lBAmA8xuLcipiZBX34/s4032/IMG_0689.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJJ5LtLSA9rfIfZC1u3aKXEzarqr-hCpzhjevuS5t0MkFAyPFHVxbSeOaYps9kByAU2eVvD2HZqzjvAwdPZNzdvN_00Zz6FBtT1sGaG_AMYSGaqB94HaGHK32vcUlas9b_M8C0t9EAVXCZ4kRFrsTMMF2y67CYKiZDf4ksQl0B4lBAmA8xuLcipiZBX34/s320/IMG_0689.JPG" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm comin' for you!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLqbAaeE67tQvoRg92efWjn5DX9rtYj2nhQ7wHsl0cy5zsmO2hjhtBghGhyphenhyphenNGbPLLFfwZDekRZD3SVBt39lVZst41s8WFn0wT4G5Y8F03YZTVSp5p2spB6BGVVD2drVvxXzKpLQe8pgmcaSMVxFjGkn2dwdZNpzposS7Uajd_X_Q1hSEJkZzQAo9HWWjM/s4032/IMG_0691.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLqbAaeE67tQvoRg92efWjn5DX9rtYj2nhQ7wHsl0cy5zsmO2hjhtBghGhyphenhyphenNGbPLLFfwZDekRZD3SVBt39lVZst41s8WFn0wT4G5Y8F03YZTVSp5p2spB6BGVVD2drVvxXzKpLQe8pgmcaSMVxFjGkn2dwdZNpzposS7Uajd_X_Q1hSEJkZzQAo9HWWjM/s320/IMG_0691.JPG" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How TF do I get up there though?<br />Please note what I am wearing. There is NOT a sports bra on my body.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqLe8cNOMEuN6b9OdvImj33Wa2a2OeE1-EekRMdZ-RQJiBeg8rcLXXfj3_rP9cGqEtEYabWoPwYXagm8MrTMztsiZz3VXb7Ta7tZhPY0l1nrLrZxbaa4DFdL0-79fD_3tVkNJzL2N9nLrmf-XXSiZFec6kyNtY12_RM5LKJwR3Da1Xtcgy5v7iME_6-Vc/s3088/IMG_0693.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="1737" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqLe8cNOMEuN6b9OdvImj33Wa2a2OeE1-EekRMdZ-RQJiBeg8rcLXXfj3_rP9cGqEtEYabWoPwYXagm8MrTMztsiZz3VXb7Ta7tZhPY0l1nrLrZxbaa4DFdL0-79fD_3tVkNJzL2N9nLrmf-XXSiZFec6kyNtY12_RM5LKJwR3Da1Xtcgy5v7iME_6-Vc/s320/IMG_0693.JPG" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Much confuse.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvXU9aWrEMn1RayaXYpLiY45ISDJ91DMiTFei_v9ndVuURzoeKeeQNanW1JneHrurJDpsph5fQQpQEINbTyGJbE2a7rfcw3eW8AHnHemmOZtnHJtUGhuFqmB07sLTX8kc8ZAcAcOjbC4f4xCk2j5bHGlEomxTTdrw3tlUaoHjZOzEvhseW8gwztIGBqbg/s4032/IMG_0692.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvXU9aWrEMn1RayaXYpLiY45ISDJ91DMiTFei_v9ndVuURzoeKeeQNanW1JneHrurJDpsph5fQQpQEINbTyGJbE2a7rfcw3eW8AHnHemmOZtnHJtUGhuFqmB07sLTX8kc8ZAcAcOjbC4f4xCk2j5bHGlEomxTTdrw3tlUaoHjZOzEvhseW8gwztIGBqbg/s320/IMG_0692.JPG" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the "trail"</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAsPUQpYQMDBUkAPn2zHmLB5moIAJrodHElINLDI77mZkekmZoobEw0g7zQoA6lWmjs9oSmI0oJ0dt9y3Jyp-IF-TOUcXYo7yTDnHserHfd-el0ZlXCJaathoRWqz4TO6gZq7_3ZiPpHnFzBLfkDlmKusOBWlOXs-YVkV2fvshEdHCRvVwFD4trP3Bjlg/s4032/IMG_0694.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAsPUQpYQMDBUkAPn2zHmLB5moIAJrodHElINLDI77mZkekmZoobEw0g7zQoA6lWmjs9oSmI0oJ0dt9y3Jyp-IF-TOUcXYo7yTDnHserHfd-el0ZlXCJaathoRWqz4TO6gZq7_3ZiPpHnFzBLfkDlmKusOBWlOXs-YVkV2fvshEdHCRvVwFD4trP3Bjlg/s320/IMG_0694.JPG" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I MADE IT!</td></tr></tbody></table><br />It was a fucking HIKE.</div><div>I climbed a fucking MOUNTAIN on my birthday... which is essentially my personal analogy for this entire year. If I can climb a <i>mountain</i> 3 months after back surgery.. I can do almost anything.</div><div>The views were phenomenal. Totally worth it.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_geoZnYgkpAT5oo7pXzQSpsbiARDhiXMn-bBYdSg-UTTTYeK5Ki7mtf1zYHQfTyfztgnEKMCb7ydJrM7Jk1nJLnlJBrcmSThsr1_Gs38EjWRoM9tgdzoDGa3B1-ogfLMgiTCuJKNZSg1WV5koMQgSiGt1WMUl1uo_TAfok-BLPV-i_QqIFHNqu7IW1Eo/s4032/IMG_0695.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_geoZnYgkpAT5oo7pXzQSpsbiARDhiXMn-bBYdSg-UTTTYeK5Ki7mtf1zYHQfTyfztgnEKMCb7ydJrM7Jk1nJLnlJBrcmSThsr1_Gs38EjWRoM9tgdzoDGa3B1-ogfLMgiTCuJKNZSg1WV5koMQgSiGt1WMUl1uo_TAfok-BLPV-i_QqIFHNqu7IW1Eo/s320/IMG_0695.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJlsEB1uhesMBxJD1PWPEsPYKxI8yw35a9CUVGiLVD9ppkvlP7npTbN8DHlP2ghgHs0gHEFNLPHX66vBmdxgdMbA1HRsFH0VgadKN37eHrAxomN-juZihfAtJ3XYxbCTCUihZceDfG-OIxyVGHh-v_97ZwF6zjHn1sAk86YjN0ck3KPGz54Ti89BFUOBg/s4032/IMG_0696.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJlsEB1uhesMBxJD1PWPEsPYKxI8yw35a9CUVGiLVD9ppkvlP7npTbN8DHlP2ghgHs0gHEFNLPHX66vBmdxgdMbA1HRsFH0VgadKN37eHrAxomN-juZihfAtJ3XYxbCTCUihZceDfG-OIxyVGHh-v_97ZwF6zjHn1sAk86YjN0ck3KPGz54Ti89BFUOBg/s320/IMG_0696.JPG" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqtUeOGMLdLzlV_2sJQRBIBVGQjLYDIa4yv2Qds3V_xdf02HNSwOOh6zZwf2SCOFxtsLNIDyjtWs9WbTY714ueTV9JCd_AdawXgY9BXB_rFO4YvDkPPfwkxBsVXRLt6NysFmf1Uw4ahgHg0DMA4HzhfZo7X_3RdfQFTCJE-69v_9MlDmvxpIb3xz9HSp0/s4032/IMG_0697.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqtUeOGMLdLzlV_2sJQRBIBVGQjLYDIa4yv2Qds3V_xdf02HNSwOOh6zZwf2SCOFxtsLNIDyjtWs9WbTY714ueTV9JCd_AdawXgY9BXB_rFO4YvDkPPfwkxBsVXRLt6NysFmf1Uw4ahgHg0DMA4HzhfZo7X_3RdfQFTCJE-69v_9MlDmvxpIb3xz9HSp0/s320/IMG_0697.JPG" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFmrX4GbjK_FimzoaErzKMja7Hwg4XD533UCaj3FLQyPYCuEtdf_yYj08ov5DpkON-5iJ01DNqyeqKDdY6RhignrraLBdIKuMg9Xgu89jRzeIikF2j_MxaCNeWvOhmd2Rq53hM3wfupmES-3hm8w0D37lEEs5YdfRkRsj92SmjxUSg3jZlyFeiB5BmBhs/s4032/IMG_0698.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFmrX4GbjK_FimzoaErzKMja7Hwg4XD533UCaj3FLQyPYCuEtdf_yYj08ov5DpkON-5iJ01DNqyeqKDdY6RhignrraLBdIKuMg9Xgu89jRzeIikF2j_MxaCNeWvOhmd2Rq53hM3wfupmES-3hm8w0D37lEEs5YdfRkRsj92SmjxUSg3jZlyFeiB5BmBhs/s320/IMG_0698.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimgoT-_zvRo8D2qPhhMwl4ZylPXUlGKnhU8ZDomXi4IlnSgaQwv07XzBSlHT-O21mNp1EM0PzCzqN6J2Y5IKWDyo8a-5J_mdjkJHJYFVdDXQGxMKC180Qd47M0NnljfwENGcqmuO98m2YF4ax8uysdUwAagA09g5zBwlISmId_tqip-fTdYPJbXO5Eyac/s4032/IMG_0702.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimgoT-_zvRo8D2qPhhMwl4ZylPXUlGKnhU8ZDomXi4IlnSgaQwv07XzBSlHT-O21mNp1EM0PzCzqN6J2Y5IKWDyo8a-5J_mdjkJHJYFVdDXQGxMKC180Qd47M0NnljfwENGcqmuO98m2YF4ax8uysdUwAagA09g5zBwlISmId_tqip-fTdYPJbXO5Eyac/s320/IMG_0702.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXutEyoeDnVcnodHMvZXDWON5edMhJzU42wJnW3mmb7YFfwtlWT9YXqeWsItDaj6N1ui4K_kogrjsRgH4u2Eyr2ntH8ogb8F-_LB1OB4HEzOCe_pHVCznPlGabOv1SbETOxYXXIYh3dormlIBq3j9T4rPNVAdR4Kw0oNX0WnRXUppiU8Qowe1m_VwHoJM/s4032/IMG_0704.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXutEyoeDnVcnodHMvZXDWON5edMhJzU42wJnW3mmb7YFfwtlWT9YXqeWsItDaj6N1ui4K_kogrjsRgH4u2Eyr2ntH8ogb8F-_LB1OB4HEzOCe_pHVCznPlGabOv1SbETOxYXXIYh3dormlIBq3j9T4rPNVAdR4Kw0oNX0WnRXUppiU8Qowe1m_VwHoJM/s320/IMG_0704.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9NO_a6RWZGiBG4wz0UNWFtkTlyTeuPTZTePeK-FXgT_d1vVJreIvfBEtRAnFuGVZ4wgGTQwreisztz5mgUvihAQgzwVv4u49OseLkymic2jTF0fb7PkYyKR5hiqRgcoQe_M-txh3-fe9i_UeMsupUILNbDVJCy_9pTwXhpyZiW0aGOiASJege1XwK_30/s4032/IMG_0710.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9NO_a6RWZGiBG4wz0UNWFtkTlyTeuPTZTePeK-FXgT_d1vVJreIvfBEtRAnFuGVZ4wgGTQwreisztz5mgUvihAQgzwVv4u49OseLkymic2jTF0fb7PkYyKR5hiqRgcoQe_M-txh3-fe9i_UeMsupUILNbDVJCy_9pTwXhpyZiW0aGOiASJege1XwK_30/s320/IMG_0710.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>There wasn't much to do at the top beside take photos and other hikers were starting to trickle up and there was already a group at the top when I arrived, so I headed back down, victorious. On my way down, I went slower, appreciating all the things I hadn't noticed or appreciated on my way up.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRfMGBwazG1hGDKdaT8rnAvYWNAMhuySong8jyH29K1djayC0_p1NmjioolRlehtW45yEGCh54TNu7FwBWz1RgEPYKUSvd9KZi0oBCP8qEIqVB3QACXHXYlneIaMHDj2J1D4YQ6Yl_R1_7qZ7PD2PxRMrOuVdcozJuvqYUDMcSmQZKcI0nZe00BGE51Oc/s4032/IMG_0721.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRfMGBwazG1hGDKdaT8rnAvYWNAMhuySong8jyH29K1djayC0_p1NmjioolRlehtW45yEGCh54TNu7FwBWz1RgEPYKUSvd9KZi0oBCP8qEIqVB3QACXHXYlneIaMHDj2J1D4YQ6Yl_R1_7qZ7PD2PxRMrOuVdcozJuvqYUDMcSmQZKcI0nZe00BGE51Oc/s320/IMG_0721.JPG" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Apparently we smush coins into tree stumps?<br />Mkay.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFTOGnZ1XpZLeKaC0vfo3lEzk_e7K6_Q-aY8Ze-SL3YAhxbUiXnavhZQ6xD485fPj95LXmMRXHSsPRe9n3LHHfvVM8Y4Qn0ZRQS1XB_2CRQLPeP3q4NDeABqUvIGT8fKnblvA1IElSang8x3d1MQJhzTnMP_3vjSEl9gXtPMOUioKj_pak9Axm6eq782c/s4032/IMG_0724.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFTOGnZ1XpZLeKaC0vfo3lEzk_e7K6_Q-aY8Ze-SL3YAhxbUiXnavhZQ6xD485fPj95LXmMRXHSsPRe9n3LHHfvVM8Y4Qn0ZRQS1XB_2CRQLPeP3q4NDeABqUvIGT8fKnblvA1IElSang8x3d1MQJhzTnMP_3vjSEl9gXtPMOUioKj_pak9Axm6eq782c/s320/IMG_0724.JPG" width="180" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwHnlo3JLHYtkkQAo7cS3DrlesS7FPwkfnnYecBrlQLzDpAhw_nhhnAyHz1AJXWcl68hYlXPlQcgAVytyE0fcCM2KtQFul01MM6tyBdrV4T9YU3aLZz8qBCEXMinBZ1_A4NAXoBAzh9_rEPi-0a6DMn7zMW8kyB5CYoEqhHld1GDjVkXRX-G7L77JFKK8/s4032/IMG_0729.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwHnlo3JLHYtkkQAo7cS3DrlesS7FPwkfnnYecBrlQLzDpAhw_nhhnAyHz1AJXWcl68hYlXPlQcgAVytyE0fcCM2KtQFul01MM6tyBdrV4T9YU3aLZz8qBCEXMinBZ1_A4NAXoBAzh9_rEPi-0a6DMn7zMW8kyB5CYoEqhHld1GDjVkXRX-G7L77JFKK8/s320/IMG_0729.JPG" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big booty Judy out here.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW7wK41yVtoLmqpsCgJk17tH0Df_qYFPqtUIUPCzB_6MxyfI_p7R_YKjvm95r6AEPE876t-nemNT6TwGiPo_Gi3ZPWAWt2WV2Aj7Ucwb29o3tr-dkKqM3JyuBJ-XhSxte2QbqTvKIA0ZeD_8MpDlTMYv7HvMS8CuLu3e_UIlem6kDXw7RCsIaIva5KL8I/s4032/IMG_0730.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW7wK41yVtoLmqpsCgJk17tH0Df_qYFPqtUIUPCzB_6MxyfI_p7R_YKjvm95r6AEPE876t-nemNT6TwGiPo_Gi3ZPWAWt2WV2Aj7Ucwb29o3tr-dkKqM3JyuBJ-XhSxte2QbqTvKIA0ZeD_8MpDlTMYv7HvMS8CuLu3e_UIlem6kDXw7RCsIaIva5KL8I/s320/IMG_0730.JPG" width="180" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUO1wR47MMukzsw6QKSTK9gKO-wqiAmhtAXTtk1xFUVAGxqSHZqhE7HmhE7Y01RFGLI1AW1HI9LDW9pKsiZPAqW_szo7n7wtn3qcXAMPpHSDceK5m2rVdZcGzQZKiGh8YoWKVaJqIijeGLzdOq_EaYpzKnf1fi7tTP1hxUxgajPdPMf-jAhi1s86IkisA/s4032/IMG_0733.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUO1wR47MMukzsw6QKSTK9gKO-wqiAmhtAXTtk1xFUVAGxqSHZqhE7HmhE7Y01RFGLI1AW1HI9LDW9pKsiZPAqW_szo7n7wtn3qcXAMPpHSDceK5m2rVdZcGzQZKiGh8YoWKVaJqIijeGLzdOq_EaYpzKnf1fi7tTP1hxUxgajPdPMf-jAhi1s86IkisA/s320/IMG_0733.JPG" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rock piles</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji6mVP_J5_wkVHK6OC-OsEvZRcu4HySYXH-T4IWkJ7jbbZr1q0086qBklgVHhV7ypVlXSkhuMCrYMgA1n6isXW1BdwCWlzRx-6cjUTL1muWXphJ-MS_h4LB_ixm6fRRTnmiQZPQ38xFea1TeHG2mJjKuaFtMN9iwft7rOA3f-GoW86Qoj3sQD48QZmB8w/s2244/Screenshot_20240311-195528.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1008" data-original-width="2244" height="144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji6mVP_J5_wkVHK6OC-OsEvZRcu4HySYXH-T4IWkJ7jbbZr1q0086qBklgVHhV7ypVlXSkhuMCrYMgA1n6isXW1BdwCWlzRx-6cjUTL1muWXphJ-MS_h4LB_ixm6fRRTnmiQZPQ38xFea1TeHG2mJjKuaFtMN9iwft7rOA3f-GoW86Qoj3sQD48QZmB8w/s320/Screenshot_20240311-195528.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Literally climbed a mountain.<br />715ft ascended.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />I was VERY glad to finally get back to the car, as it was starting to rain.<br /><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEVkl3C378fQ3I6bha6NChUekYcTVfxLlb_1RCt4xaKPL6yiJBjyRtW0PcrkkOVIhhBSDJ8VL0ZdFG0gkIIAuFPRQj6NZlfSREv6kOKa5VMGt7anHu5FDZMw42q0yrxSVuJrA2tdYOnND5q3iY1zePfI86l5G7I-gWHyLKK5k6fkMAct0iobNtOb5FIsg/s4032/IMG_0734.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEVkl3C378fQ3I6bha6NChUekYcTVfxLlb_1RCt4xaKPL6yiJBjyRtW0PcrkkOVIhhBSDJ8VL0ZdFG0gkIIAuFPRQj6NZlfSREv6kOKa5VMGt7anHu5FDZMw42q0yrxSVuJrA2tdYOnND5q3iY1zePfI86l5G7I-gWHyLKK5k6fkMAct0iobNtOb5FIsg/s320/IMG_0734.JPG" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A little library in an old phone booth! So much joy!</td></tr></tbody></table><br />After climbing a mountain, I headed toward some standing stones that I'd found on the googly. They turned out to be in the middle of a field and I had to pull off the side of a busy highway to get this photo. Very much underwhelming. Originally I had considered doing a day trip to visit several spots with standing stones, but I wasn't really feeling a 4 hour drive for big rocks, so these had to check the box.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtjcgdMCmx61CxT7Akz-xtKywM1wgltNhkPvCjiV5E9hKgxTTSVuVQHBOK3llzQ1kcLRitmRrdp_1VsmqQ8qfeHGHxcya4Vz3OH7psMXiplHCXRxwfWOc87sMPqTP1zmHG5JGkOFVi8PDbjw4RfhvlKw_unsm-iLNBZ_7y2yhmTR5R4a-fsw0rr1Ghzd0/s4032/IMG_0735.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtjcgdMCmx61CxT7Akz-xtKywM1wgltNhkPvCjiV5E9hKgxTTSVuVQHBOK3llzQ1kcLRitmRrdp_1VsmqQ8qfeHGHxcya4Vz3OH7psMXiplHCXRxwfWOc87sMPqTP1zmHG5JGkOFVi8PDbjw4RfhvlKw_unsm-iLNBZ_7y2yhmTR5R4a-fsw0rr1Ghzd0/s320/IMG_0735.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Then, I headed towards lunch-dinner and the COOS!</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ0eKIu6TLhY28-Q4CQnHnIWH4UyprwoD7HeKyKdaEgnUDLcs0djXOY_WHRMGnucycHuU3ILpgFRYo_daj8-gMm_4iNdXzr1HBBwaN5m57JJyWAmrb0JcRvZbTFc21UvReGADypr4aGfUhWL6KhvbI0V2KSU1vtMfe4Z6884GAjOyfd7yCUHg9HjqvIdA/s4032/IMG_0750.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ0eKIu6TLhY28-Q4CQnHnIWH4UyprwoD7HeKyKdaEgnUDLcs0djXOY_WHRMGnucycHuU3ILpgFRYo_daj8-gMm_4iNdXzr1HBBwaN5m57JJyWAmrb0JcRvZbTFc21UvReGADypr4aGfUhWL6KhvbI0V2KSU1vtMfe4Z6884GAjOyfd7yCUHg9HjqvIdA/s320/IMG_0750.JPG" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rainbow!</td></tr></tbody></table><br />I absolutely loved how moody Scotland was. It would be raining one minute and sunny the next. There were rainbows! Yes, this is science, but I love it, kthx.</div><div><br /></div><div>The farm I ended up at was called <a href="https://swanston.co.uk/" target="_blank">Swanston Farm</a>. I was looking for a place where I could get haggis and also find the highland coos nearby and this farm checked both boxes!</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3tE3lvtrPmcZ2l1K_s6NzmNN1y740r_8kw7o0580Kvmm3MuQCw72gxHN3b5zPAfo1YLLC-OMJANV9sus2rc8PRasUEwl7xiu2Ie55IO_vwILzRCnynd-d7tlCPUbVo3oqTEYWpIoSgotw2H8cus0sC7OrY4LXt5G0x6TVFGqaEue-Hq9zB-j7UmglNxE/s4032/IMG_0753.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3tE3lvtrPmcZ2l1K_s6NzmNN1y740r_8kw7o0580Kvmm3MuQCw72gxHN3b5zPAfo1YLLC-OMJANV9sus2rc8PRasUEwl7xiu2Ie55IO_vwILzRCnynd-d7tlCPUbVo3oqTEYWpIoSgotw2H8cus0sC7OrY4LXt5G0x6TVFGqaEue-Hq9zB-j7UmglNxE/s320/IMG_0753.JPG" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Always get the hot chocolate.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKg_BEmXCGDvKuY0MUTG2Ko48dPhw9Qm20lQf5dVfHq3EHJ5iaXXhSO0qo1Bp6DTtjg3gXRu3HlTJmuZCdBi70mGaJAAWeZlRFRNsHXH12vs4O2YgTk0ET5CNcM8Afb4U68SQCrLEaNfIcSVzXEtxlgSP1cfiA-0cpQ5PbsnwkY16FOx81Lsfxp8mD0as/s4032/IMG_0754.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKg_BEmXCGDvKuY0MUTG2Ko48dPhw9Qm20lQf5dVfHq3EHJ5iaXXhSO0qo1Bp6DTtjg3gXRu3HlTJmuZCdBi70mGaJAAWeZlRFRNsHXH12vs4O2YgTk0ET5CNcM8Afb4U68SQCrLEaNfIcSVzXEtxlgSP1cfiA-0cpQ5PbsnwkY16FOx81Lsfxp8mD0as/s320/IMG_0754.JPG" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">mac and cheese with haggis.<br />It was DELICIOUS.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />After late lunch, I headed out on, yet another, hike (ascent of 440 ft this time) to go find some shaggy coos. Thankfully it wasn't raining, but it was still VERY windy.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Y1xUpszKESE157B5tzFeURAAxmZuFuGTaC4Te4dDDQGXPFCgCVm0akUcUt_Q5Po4F1MH4WSkVGw6vAJdk7fniCOPzyOYLbSuuABuf1HYHe_YXo6c4_93k_jC6JHCoeea0AYcMl8Dl72SPXMLczxToF1r2K4CkI4SFU882lx8AFcqZ31um0pCuL-Zr-8/s4032/IMG_0757.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Y1xUpszKESE157B5tzFeURAAxmZuFuGTaC4Te4dDDQGXPFCgCVm0akUcUt_Q5Po4F1MH4WSkVGw6vAJdk7fniCOPzyOYLbSuuABuf1HYHe_YXo6c4_93k_jC6JHCoeea0AYcMl8Dl72SPXMLczxToF1r2K4CkI4SFU882lx8AFcqZ31um0pCuL-Zr-8/s320/IMG_0757.JPG" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spring is on the way!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8siQQMqfHXFq54_74mIsu6L7oZv0ByhM0_YZWaHQmA1MZbXGAnKmbYj-gqfw9Fo_afvCdsMwTY8NagmOVPlnRHN9QEV6GePZ9LL5kgDyyHv6gIooBngNKJvQT1GEfe4Uz3ttyX69GkU2lYyM2-zt_GV5cxvesaJzCYGJJHF3vQOlPWGXRXepgNiYVMrU/s4032/IMG_0768.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8siQQMqfHXFq54_74mIsu6L7oZv0ByhM0_YZWaHQmA1MZbXGAnKmbYj-gqfw9Fo_afvCdsMwTY8NagmOVPlnRHN9QEV6GePZ9LL5kgDyyHv6gIooBngNKJvQT1GEfe4Uz3ttyX69GkU2lYyM2-zt_GV5cxvesaJzCYGJJHF3vQOlPWGXRXepgNiYVMrU/s320/IMG_0768.JPG" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Made a horsey friend hunting for coos.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />The literature explained that the cows aren't snuggly, so it was recommended you keep a safe distance from them. I have a healthy respect of things that are bigger than me, so this was no problem.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR83lel8PQEQb-MMeR8KB8Sc2AZLmCU64ePA-bWe4xfWOgYE6C4ughexle07Gs5aL2-30xhHJJELH4V76Pg0j-qx4Zw0aYcv5S71jJCddaZaG1SyWuc5LXugKWgiZ7KFUQ4TffjYaUT5ZguyKpKeNXOb8eUoA5MpD9Y_82QlcofqNhlC8PoDIlJHCUSRY/s4032/IMG_0773.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR83lel8PQEQb-MMeR8KB8Sc2AZLmCU64ePA-bWe4xfWOgYE6C4ughexle07Gs5aL2-30xhHJJELH4V76Pg0j-qx4Zw0aYcv5S71jJCddaZaG1SyWuc5LXugKWgiZ7KFUQ4TffjYaUT5ZguyKpKeNXOb8eUoA5MpD9Y_82QlcofqNhlC8PoDIlJHCUSRY/s320/IMG_0773.JPG" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDsVsImQXrV1MdSKPBrTJOw1Id9Xy-sv5HQcOVWh_w40WsUDM3fKgyhyphenhyphen9xu52FeZfR91hR-cEc1XeCbZRSctc1kwShBq9Mk79F-eoKdyJRfbRytZ1Ok49zinwFrKtAOcjuZes_Jgpt7bM2w3MW8ZePTsfErBMuHk-OKE86pbucpG_JRPP6IzlnPEi5I40/s4032/IMG_0781.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDsVsImQXrV1MdSKPBrTJOw1Id9Xy-sv5HQcOVWh_w40WsUDM3fKgyhyphenhyphen9xu52FeZfR91hR-cEc1XeCbZRSctc1kwShBq9Mk79F-eoKdyJRfbRytZ1Ok49zinwFrKtAOcjuZes_Jgpt7bM2w3MW8ZePTsfErBMuHk-OKE86pbucpG_JRPP6IzlnPEi5I40/s320/IMG_0781.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZA95p0KJE8q7_hY2WsNFipu97lLmLMNdNvknLE0X1OJeA5vTtQo7VDFE64EelDSouY84y3SbpCasLeGRdUezMho3sFHaH0d7duS7qOMYrFYgye1x6FxsdYtSgBd9ZDqAhx2nXcm6VfGCd5VEFu8yCr-NsxhU0O-uspLMiJVQh3tpDXUFt28WWfqOVpUM/s4032/IMG_0787.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZA95p0KJE8q7_hY2WsNFipu97lLmLMNdNvknLE0X1OJeA5vTtQo7VDFE64EelDSouY84y3SbpCasLeGRdUezMho3sFHaH0d7duS7qOMYrFYgye1x6FxsdYtSgBd9ZDqAhx2nXcm6VfGCd5VEFu8yCr-NsxhU0O-uspLMiJVQh3tpDXUFt28WWfqOVpUM/s320/IMG_0787.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb07lmpA_TJegZFbQJVz3Y4XB7gW_SKt4hviwzttCwGCsddSpzD7EuQ7w43eqnsOJt5Jp95Co0nuUxUnzNRSGgu8D3GByuO8bdH9wNQ8zO1kaMjBg18EYsRqNUzCLxJ4emCzan-3JdhU8iRscLl4qLps_npRVK-WVCpNKNP5h9jGaF1n1k_7ZSC23DXZc/s4032/IMG_0813.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb07lmpA_TJegZFbQJVz3Y4XB7gW_SKt4hviwzttCwGCsddSpzD7EuQ7w43eqnsOJt5Jp95Co0nuUxUnzNRSGgu8D3GByuO8bdH9wNQ8zO1kaMjBg18EYsRqNUzCLxJ4emCzan-3JdhU8iRscLl4qLps_npRVK-WVCpNKNP5h9jGaF1n1k_7ZSC23DXZc/s320/IMG_0813.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH7zmGrvIQpB5w6Th9lLZZnFt7xvJ61eeXmDzROd_3OYtc0YaJR-STm3jDhjkRL_NzhnUCJbGxpaHb1zuC6Dti1LRGpXl7qZ4N6ZsdwttINkf6G0KAoy1DuLjkAwsAdQIX11MhGHQt7Drm4hZdJ2jwDspks1ScKTxIv5rpX8lhPBN-INUuQF-Fh9bCHys/s4032/IMG_0824.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH7zmGrvIQpB5w6Th9lLZZnFt7xvJ61eeXmDzROd_3OYtc0YaJR-STm3jDhjkRL_NzhnUCJbGxpaHb1zuC6Dti1LRGpXl7qZ4N6ZsdwttINkf6G0KAoy1DuLjkAwsAdQIX11MhGHQt7Drm4hZdJ2jwDspks1ScKTxIv5rpX8lhPBN-INUuQF-Fh9bCHys/s320/IMG_0824.JPG" width="180" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnXVPnNF-97d1XgsoJFZW7kioZ7pPMzquCqqtTjbsj5kRosmZHcX1aWvm6zzGwgdtTYDbAH3Ksw6N5FWNK2Fu51E1lCxFWj-sSh88VjYI1Wo5CJTze8tvBIB2wh-oJ_h3ArUXrJs0FH71kPmINZZx2alSXre88qgrPPohxZCLRVdposIqc3_QgnJ7p01k/s4032/IMG_0829.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnXVPnNF-97d1XgsoJFZW7kioZ7pPMzquCqqtTjbsj5kRosmZHcX1aWvm6zzGwgdtTYDbAH3Ksw6N5FWNK2Fu51E1lCxFWj-sSh88VjYI1Wo5CJTze8tvBIB2wh-oJ_h3ArUXrJs0FH71kPmINZZx2alSXre88qgrPPohxZCLRVdposIqc3_QgnJ7p01k/s320/IMG_0829.JPG" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From sand to shit, these shoes saw it all on this trip.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb3sEmMXH9vag_l7Edjtx2kz3K-2Mkt94Czdc3SyNAkTyaogzNFW2YA7dhXDdatqJvF3inrDgnaEHX4S3g6oCbkyZnxsxPMt0iaTtxlI6ndV-kCD-DdiSkOQUeLOLqzZwrEbe2bKpaFR8rYUaC4GMuEplYxAGUuod7uxkk0mOKmyvgSNF90XXvBAgL7ik/s4032/IMG_0832.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb3sEmMXH9vag_l7Edjtx2kz3K-2Mkt94Czdc3SyNAkTyaogzNFW2YA7dhXDdatqJvF3inrDgnaEHX4S3g6oCbkyZnxsxPMt0iaTtxlI6ndV-kCD-DdiSkOQUeLOLqzZwrEbe2bKpaFR8rYUaC4GMuEplYxAGUuod7uxkk0mOKmyvgSNF90XXvBAgL7ik/s320/IMG_0832.JPG" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flowers!</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>After walking with the coos, I finally made my way back to the car since it got more windy and started to drizzle. I stopped in Edinburgh for birthday "cake" (sticky toffee pudding) and to grab some souvenirs. The place I wanted to go was absolutely slammed since it was a tiny pub and there was a football (soccer) game going on, so I ended up somewhere else, which was fine. I blew out the table candle for my birthday wish. #notsorry.</div><div><br /></div><div>After grabbing some magnets and an adorable coo jacket, I headed back to my final night with the Hobbit Hole hot tub.</div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Sunday:</h3></div><div>So in true Megan fashion, I very much planned this trip. But, there was A LOT of planning going on.. and I made a mistake, which I realized when I arrived to the train station, after getting up earlier than I wanted to, to drop off my rental car and catch and uber to the train station... my ticket that I had pre-purchased so I could reserve a seat was for <i>the day prior</i>. UGHHHHH. There was nothing they could do for me at the station, so they gave me the number for customer service to call about getting a refund for an unused ticket. Then I bought another ticket for the first train to London that wasn't departing for another 85 minutes. Sigh. Did I mention don't be like me?</div><div><br /></div><div>Anyways, I made it on the train and made it down to London. Thankfully, I found a seat at a table with quiet people who respected the rules of transit. UNfortunately, the table of youths next to us had been drinking before they stepped foot on the train at 0945. They continued drinking for the duration of the train ride (3.5 hours for them, 4 for me). We also had a long stop because there were two women on the train who looked like sex workers and there were grumbles that they didn't have tickets. IDK what happened, we couldn't hear, even though we tried, but they were allowed to finish their journey on the train.</div><div><br />The man across the table from me suggested that after we arrived to Kings Cross, I should stop at St. Pancras Hotel and get a drink at the bar. He even escorted me there and carried my heavy ass bag up the stairs (which I think he regretted about 4 stairs up). The bar was very fancy and I hadn't eaten lunch, so I had a cocktail and then a delicious mocktail and headed to my budget hotel down the street.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9NDv950lU6JV96p5I8PSK4skh0ehIfhaB2BvqTcC3KZy_dAl8tfx8c7SXfLUP2FxbbGDYQbeI8RaiL4Xou1T5q-HdDGv_KYIjAAuJ4EN9osgxNEPp_VBkasKUU43BeU_yMc_prmkcwTMi0Clup3Yv9Qr-KBO850pXMNkzhmRvgCga4rr-MuETv6ZRXfI/s4032/IMG_0847.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9NDv950lU6JV96p5I8PSK4skh0ehIfhaB2BvqTcC3KZy_dAl8tfx8c7SXfLUP2FxbbGDYQbeI8RaiL4Xou1T5q-HdDGv_KYIjAAuJ4EN9osgxNEPp_VBkasKUU43BeU_yMc_prmkcwTMi0Clup3Yv9Qr-KBO850pXMNkzhmRvgCga4rr-MuETv6ZRXfI/s320/IMG_0847.JPG" width="180" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgitjGRHtVsv3ZFOtUyl0szV98d6PqIKJz0jU7WfVjDYkJVhyphenhyphen8qoUmkNjHX45vVpdbLq6JDpirih2OmX3oj3DHkhfAAuALqjPrbZMoHgPyrJ6HiqN72ftYmnvZJGTmvb0RrJMQO1fnHWJr6tGQb3fkyl0eQvOjCKYMdGCHWsbEMD9MPM4op9D2r5jYjbl8/s4032/IMG_0848.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgitjGRHtVsv3ZFOtUyl0szV98d6PqIKJz0jU7WfVjDYkJVhyphenhyphen8qoUmkNjHX45vVpdbLq6JDpirih2OmX3oj3DHkhfAAuALqjPrbZMoHgPyrJ6HiqN72ftYmnvZJGTmvb0RrJMQO1fnHWJr6tGQb3fkyl0eQvOjCKYMdGCHWsbEMD9MPM4op9D2r5jYjbl8/s320/IMG_0848.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This ...gem.. was in the parking lot at St. Pancras.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7GOV7XLE3T4WL3Cq6S9VmKAme-HGihKaP6lqAKLWHRAquvqdlC_Y7ziBnt5y_BNBjH8wbCKqeex5JE4vC5PjACdvM7ZIGLCiOpXcsCUtMM2akPYvhqk99UiU6a8SeoMPFNLzw3l7fP0ZOynI0bO9tgfv6AMnEBo7xd4piQ8-7rAap5HK8wTRB-OOjHHI/s4032/IMG_0850.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7GOV7XLE3T4WL3Cq6S9VmKAme-HGihKaP6lqAKLWHRAquvqdlC_Y7ziBnt5y_BNBjH8wbCKqeex5JE4vC5PjACdvM7ZIGLCiOpXcsCUtMM2akPYvhqk99UiU6a8SeoMPFNLzw3l7fP0ZOynI0bO9tgfv6AMnEBo7xd4piQ8-7rAap5HK8wTRB-OOjHHI/s320/IMG_0850.JPG" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A hotel where the window opens!?! Only in Europe.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />It was extremely difficult to pry myself off the bed in the hotel because after an eventful morning and a very long adventure, I was very tired.. but I had ONE night in London and I had to take advantage of it since I'd never been to London before!</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJl4C_jmPhiw0ViJs_zMog6y9Ow5MoBGVEYocWpxfurEYqv5a5aZBi3NCf3HFrSrtTwKHzZ8embcM-EOHF0stvCd0K17gei1riGDuRddWEsW2vPvHw9GlCVhwjTq6Rn7mPZgmiDdGrd0RpvBIvILG6aWKO9_iDBAk7jw_fNl8QKBU5ZgEBNpBtTJjaMW8/s3088/IMG_0851.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="1737" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJl4C_jmPhiw0ViJs_zMog6y9Ow5MoBGVEYocWpxfurEYqv5a5aZBi3NCf3HFrSrtTwKHzZ8embcM-EOHF0stvCd0K17gei1riGDuRddWEsW2vPvHw9GlCVhwjTq6Rn7mPZgmiDdGrd0RpvBIvILG6aWKO9_iDBAk7jw_fNl8QKBU5ZgEBNpBtTJjaMW8/s320/IMG_0851.JPG" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When you take the Underground so you can see the city, but then quickly learn why it's called... <br />THE UNDERGROUND.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Leaving the room was absolutely worth it for these dusk/night views:</div><div> <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUoAylfpsovXJjYHa6ecsWOoaErtYz-66Y43ZxTv0Y4QUmRDGc2aY02S5bFBhWV4fZ_glwI0GSl7ZVcm81ZsgayLeByjMojhwopLJ7r_Karc0cnMQ8PwNfgvFKmsUPVlcX9d_DaholqsnmnV199chM8rvwHUhySrTYjk16pJhoYEYXBn8G8z5WUQYW0kQ/s4032/IMG_0853.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUoAylfpsovXJjYHa6ecsWOoaErtYz-66Y43ZxTv0Y4QUmRDGc2aY02S5bFBhWV4fZ_glwI0GSl7ZVcm81ZsgayLeByjMojhwopLJ7r_Karc0cnMQ8PwNfgvFKmsUPVlcX9d_DaholqsnmnV199chM8rvwHUhySrTYjk16pJhoYEYXBn8G8z5WUQYW0kQ/s320/IMG_0853.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the Capitol building in the skyline wrinkling my brain about what country I'm in, lol.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPByuHLEWhY6OjtGcRM3LuitgOs9F1iYloPTNhf4zvoS5mIQQA5veJrmmkpXaHTacw55AKlmcQE5rEXuRseNWoJTj-S3vK_oFfVYDfB2dUewv6Xl2PER8uXXRGYu2iSwgHmndpcYn4ehr6_sVoCUgjSkIWgPje-1o2rXLK2kWRurVjDsy6jlJKf2pezPQ/s4032/IMG_0878.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPByuHLEWhY6OjtGcRM3LuitgOs9F1iYloPTNhf4zvoS5mIQQA5veJrmmkpXaHTacw55AKlmcQE5rEXuRseNWoJTj-S3vK_oFfVYDfB2dUewv6Xl2PER8uXXRGYu2iSwgHmndpcYn4ehr6_sVoCUgjSkIWgPje-1o2rXLK2kWRurVjDsy6jlJKf2pezPQ/s320/IMG_0878.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNJinaEjatZ2glZ5DETmFa6m0IokYYW-JrcfM89gwexL6JL3EyDdLXrQg7HIpm4DlEXy7-Eg2576ZhOW2wqcbzFze72eO2rMnD9eQ_Vxm0QM3yPY-Ou4hE8qacIZdxNomh8hLAWPOM1Fhj3TkhFDXlV5M-kZ5h8b8IZIlyG81ZtLTz6LJPllOCswszo-s/s4032/IMG_0886.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNJinaEjatZ2glZ5DETmFa6m0IokYYW-JrcfM89gwexL6JL3EyDdLXrQg7HIpm4DlEXy7-Eg2576ZhOW2wqcbzFze72eO2rMnD9eQ_Vxm0QM3yPY-Ou4hE8qacIZdxNomh8hLAWPOM1Fhj3TkhFDXlV5M-kZ5h8b8IZIlyG81ZtLTz6LJPllOCswszo-s/s320/IMG_0886.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh51vWfKE0I2_yCTkIaFIUXYlJuOctFVAkNoyDHV-e1VQ4HZnDE3q2ZdZgqo_R5sRahNXPvaJ9EVitQRCWoh5QFsE-s-eKvSI86ASvNlVe6jEyAry1GAk9YFfztLMB3zHRkxdw-SmLMdO0nWHIWTaQqeWf4Hyh-Xoo7i4897YcmOet1ZSwZsVA9RaYhw_Q/s4032/IMG_0899.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh51vWfKE0I2_yCTkIaFIUXYlJuOctFVAkNoyDHV-e1VQ4HZnDE3q2ZdZgqo_R5sRahNXPvaJ9EVitQRCWoh5QFsE-s-eKvSI86ASvNlVe6jEyAry1GAk9YFfztLMB3zHRkxdw-SmLMdO0nWHIWTaQqeWf4Hyh-Xoo7i4897YcmOet1ZSwZsVA9RaYhw_Q/s320/IMG_0899.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpTlLlwx51heoWKAT14cLFjHjkWblrRXyj2mYZngTk90uyKd41QgESddgac04miwJpYMAayBEMrGn2CJCIb6VJmhTh5kMyyJZP0s6gnKXt2Tl3AX_AvQoltd_h0YqD8Bxw9hkmonZITIudF4zESwn-2xaLVrzopZsSW6w9nfjAxrF19b8TrM8ggpLi47U/s4032/IMG_0902.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpTlLlwx51heoWKAT14cLFjHjkWblrRXyj2mYZngTk90uyKd41QgESddgac04miwJpYMAayBEMrGn2CJCIb6VJmhTh5kMyyJZP0s6gnKXt2Tl3AX_AvQoltd_h0YqD8Bxw9hkmonZITIudF4zESwn-2xaLVrzopZsSW6w9nfjAxrF19b8TrM8ggpLi47U/s320/IMG_0902.JPG" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPuL1exdAbwFD9T5uFJploUg7QEV_2f7QC9hLyYduZJqffsrrH3TEWZGe9o23ljEbsBBYs1daE23RYDSc0GA5hKrtxPC_sDxkdxNhgCD8rfxiANjZOscbjs89uAfuZDQSTDHjzm6cBOP_fegbZYAfjbIr5c6qHJxn-m99DyI2N38k8prllFY4U7Sfjd0k/s4032/IMG_0906.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPuL1exdAbwFD9T5uFJploUg7QEV_2f7QC9hLyYduZJqffsrrH3TEWZGe9o23ljEbsBBYs1daE23RYDSc0GA5hKrtxPC_sDxkdxNhgCD8rfxiANjZOscbjs89uAfuZDQSTDHjzm6cBOP_fegbZYAfjbIr5c6qHJxn-m99DyI2N38k8prllFY4U7Sfjd0k/s320/IMG_0906.JPG" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrKTD4_Ilf6EZGEG4erYhhChFfFIQtOdIlv0LlgOJnSvU_GU5g_C4cptL1LmwNmXcsJCd_pE6a-hje1Q1I-9V1mkCyOc45SeUwhmz_WRVYNRJ_ntbG-UAN7iGjfxDYstXKJlrnirAIlk1Stlhv50pJjMOaXP6DCmNReVNCplRmhyqcYSw-8XygGMMB3GA/s4032/IMG_0908.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrKTD4_Ilf6EZGEG4erYhhChFfFIQtOdIlv0LlgOJnSvU_GU5g_C4cptL1LmwNmXcsJCd_pE6a-hje1Q1I-9V1mkCyOc45SeUwhmz_WRVYNRJ_ntbG-UAN7iGjfxDYstXKJlrnirAIlk1Stlhv50pJjMOaXP6DCmNReVNCplRmhyqcYSw-8XygGMMB3GA/s320/IMG_0908.JPG" width="180" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I was pursuing menus in Chinatown for dinner when a friend who used to live in London messaged me with recommendations for dinner and dessert. I immediately took her recommendations.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGTcTkLWvBLFceOxhPE0flkSoXXOC_a33v108mgaHPGVoaAD5jedfsEYtPnfmKITUQ2kk8Ussj-cCHBfS031Ywrd9TR8uMYrJCagr8S4lapgWs8ZQunZQpVdos42_fehh6DVdJyypVi62kQSuW9XATRJm-DP7pOuzoAFjAPIvt6E1eqCLt3AHa3Y6Aa2c/s4032/IMG_0913.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGTcTkLWvBLFceOxhPE0flkSoXXOC_a33v108mgaHPGVoaAD5jedfsEYtPnfmKITUQ2kk8Ussj-cCHBfS031Ywrd9TR8uMYrJCagr8S4lapgWs8ZQunZQpVdos42_fehh6DVdJyypVi62kQSuW9XATRJm-DP7pOuzoAFjAPIvt6E1eqCLt3AHa3Y6Aa2c/s320/IMG_0913.JPG" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The <a href="http://www.thebarbary.co.uk/" target="_blank">Barbary</a> for dinner.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI1cC8IndOntaiagjeYrmMSkcrM2_4t8SZ7ohZyOYBLHhA8BP0XzhNbcvVXZMKKJ8HwveIbOybPOKEKQleq4kwSAHA0MjSy7v5BdvbgKU0Bb_38_FNOLbVwHem77GITsW0lQVuyS-39WA9wzgJbk0rUbtekZRMcfTkokWY_I6KWNMdsqFSQCke3qCPuSc/s4032/IMG_0915.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI1cC8IndOntaiagjeYrmMSkcrM2_4t8SZ7ohZyOYBLHhA8BP0XzhNbcvVXZMKKJ8HwveIbOybPOKEKQleq4kwSAHA0MjSy7v5BdvbgKU0Bb_38_FNOLbVwHem77GITsW0lQVuyS-39WA9wzgJbk0rUbtekZRMcfTkokWY_I6KWNMdsqFSQCke3qCPuSc/s320/IMG_0915.JPG" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitwyy2Qh3l0G5wbN-VdnA7cdG7_ScazazRzW8s5yQCK6noLelaVXwdmL8zZdC8GXo_mOF3wjKNiXK1U4aRqEls-GYEX_X2K2OEWZLFL3QuvKN_LiXmPqMDvmlrN3XItnvexcPvqvCk18nAiNt8J68uMCijr_fUxJoeDcezL-66V1ZcpEsNScKwXU5z3CY/s4032/IMG_0918.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitwyy2Qh3l0G5wbN-VdnA7cdG7_ScazazRzW8s5yQCK6noLelaVXwdmL8zZdC8GXo_mOF3wjKNiXK1U4aRqEls-GYEX_X2K2OEWZLFL3QuvKN_LiXmPqMDvmlrN3XItnvexcPvqvCk18nAiNt8J68uMCijr_fUxJoeDcezL-66V1ZcpEsNScKwXU5z3CY/s320/IMG_0918.JPG" width="180" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfsCFbox6fRIBth4k4LLdzFJCj3czfVw5b4i-7ql8Dw3kH58k6kZO8SYaCh0A7dStudnrNW9SFDeOn2JVGIouqx7b1srWQ9A6a0Xwi6imC4-Lk5-uzcXrV8nUUk1LfJuSHb1UKCksA4pQtAKGLsv9vrKF74zD0gsTIGqzXnX0KoHw74qPEBqhq_9QPMwU/s4032/IMG_0919.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfsCFbox6fRIBth4k4LLdzFJCj3czfVw5b4i-7ql8Dw3kH58k6kZO8SYaCh0A7dStudnrNW9SFDeOn2JVGIouqx7b1srWQ9A6a0Xwi6imC4-Lk5-uzcXrV8nUUk1LfJuSHb1UKCksA4pQtAKGLsv9vrKF74zD0gsTIGqzXnX0KoHw74qPEBqhq_9QPMwU/s320/IMG_0919.JPG" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Then dessert at <a href="http://www.lagelatiera.co.uk/index.html" target="_blank">La Gelateria</a>.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Then I was le tired from all the walking about town and headed back to the hotel to be horizontal for a while.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtd57mCf3Au3TgehbSc5HUcqGrWBplLB_csQedyNBelhWbwiAa3Hk11x5E00OEltWn5bpVvV2eJUSauLaLyhRLaQvItF62k76FeoQGSKvvtPcKmDGULucrYvo1SDRqqgyPUYMlRY-SS80WtXZ2yz4FBSPzxOZ5Z0qX__oaI4sYam1vTr6ZYVYcbWIYFTM/s4032/IMG_0927.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtd57mCf3Au3TgehbSc5HUcqGrWBplLB_csQedyNBelhWbwiAa3Hk11x5E00OEltWn5bpVvV2eJUSauLaLyhRLaQvItF62k76FeoQGSKvvtPcKmDGULucrYvo1SDRqqgyPUYMlRY-SS80WtXZ2yz4FBSPzxOZ5Z0qX__oaI4sYam1vTr6ZYVYcbWIYFTM/s320/IMG_0927.JPG" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love that the signs said "way out" rather than "exit".<br />English English vs American English is always so alluring to me.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9MAeGHcPhxKkZuBlaTuyKOtoqVQhXqKscXx0Iz-szNrV7Ry-KQQctvFi_Y8Y4XaljoitcyhHHVwJ8mhIIM5oau9mcGOUvtSTPLJH0kZbT-Qw8RvptVeWPqmqKuzAKd_yNu_xeqFODab4ruXWIZOGZnTfNe2CGbfUUWQY68rHtXR4TysHgFAvv8MlMA8I/s4032/IMG_0929.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9MAeGHcPhxKkZuBlaTuyKOtoqVQhXqKscXx0Iz-szNrV7Ry-KQQctvFi_Y8Y4XaljoitcyhHHVwJ8mhIIM5oau9mcGOUvtSTPLJH0kZbT-Qw8RvptVeWPqmqKuzAKd_yNu_xeqFODab4ruXWIZOGZnTfNe2CGbfUUWQY68rHtXR4TysHgFAvv8MlMA8I/s320/IMG_0929.JPG" width="180" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvewWEJtH6OsggMBroY8Lbx2Ds3aTJ0Hml0HT42VSeU9xgSmTBrfVOM1pZ5l4quJEKBcTsmUE10V0s9Zo9uOF8lqAIiKmmx0OFa1TnKVnlVGgbo7xca_rnWiqACPZJPgluiHEasI1IqcJnZu3SgGqkbDjJC0lort3NleZGaNGVN6NM5ivtY4v3OFvLy1U/s4032/IMG_0932.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvewWEJtH6OsggMBroY8Lbx2Ds3aTJ0Hml0HT42VSeU9xgSmTBrfVOM1pZ5l4quJEKBcTsmUE10V0s9Zo9uOF8lqAIiKmmx0OFa1TnKVnlVGgbo7xca_rnWiqACPZJPgluiHEasI1IqcJnZu3SgGqkbDjJC0lort3NleZGaNGVN6NM5ivtY4v3OFvLy1U/s320/IMG_0932.JPG" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Made the obligatory stop at Platform 9 3/4 since I was at Kings Cross without my luggage.<br />Unfortunately, the tourist trap items were already stored for the evening, so I made due with a stranger and my silly self.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Monday:</h3></div><div>My flight from Heathrow to Baltimore departed at 3:30, so I needed to be at the airport by noon, which gave me a few hours in the morning to do something. It was also up for debate if I wanted to take the train to Heathrow or just take an Uber. I ultimately decided to take an Uber since I didn't want to deal with my 2 suitcases on the train.. especially if I wasn't going to get to see anything. Also, an Uber would be reimbursed by work since it was part of my actual commute home, so.. yeah.</div><div><br /></div><div>Ultimately, I ended up grabbing breakfast at a small shop and then stopping at the British Library for some touristy things and checking out the library... because why not?</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjmyt-eU3k-kkNjNd_hKGBzf-aEAV-CkSAyVCIiD8Z9Isc69LOdrGkHNkOmZHu0a3kaKmJnPXh_GRUPkcfv3zAQufz-yk7saaKlWzQFCROMz1KY7haG2nINWxd_J9UsfEAzhxZO4CJI9pGaa7OVXYKvjSCqyate8vR3TSoOfgdFtsUd9IzVoUyyihu7jo/s4032/IMG_0933.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjmyt-eU3k-kkNjNd_hKGBzf-aEAV-CkSAyVCIiD8Z9Isc69LOdrGkHNkOmZHu0a3kaKmJnPXh_GRUPkcfv3zAQufz-yk7saaKlWzQFCROMz1KY7haG2nINWxd_J9UsfEAzhxZO4CJI9pGaa7OVXYKvjSCqyate8vR3TSoOfgdFtsUd9IzVoUyyihu7jo/s320/IMG_0933.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">St. Pancras in the daylight!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsjpbeHZt79kSJKX03jHWLwPP0Kbf7nEhLOlr9Nl8gctMoQ1yEIP_NBYCdk7RmdKrdnbbEjYhQPGO_A8WkAtAFScZl_AdU-5aHeXVtjo1hBbIZ4oQKX8KNVpqG0rRUEckoqZsEpo_AUEoCcrAvyXP4kUngQr8HBvqc0KUXpAm9n1OCFCt20wE05oLXfok/s4032/IMG_0934.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsjpbeHZt79kSJKX03jHWLwPP0Kbf7nEhLOlr9Nl8gctMoQ1yEIP_NBYCdk7RmdKrdnbbEjYhQPGO_A8WkAtAFScZl_AdU-5aHeXVtjo1hBbIZ4oQKX8KNVpqG0rRUEckoqZsEpo_AUEoCcrAvyXP4kUngQr8HBvqc0KUXpAm9n1OCFCt20wE05oLXfok/s320/IMG_0934.JPG" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mushrooms instead of beans = solid life choices.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />The museum had a Fantasy genre exhibit and their FREE Treasures of the British Library exhibit. I could have spent half a day in the Treasures exhibit. The Fantasy exhibit was fine, but I only paid for it to support a library.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9diC4VWPbDXVoMe5cHYFHG3aYflmc95MVTDaWqwiIT9D3YUjgWLQvKPu9SVo4VvE0T3h0Y9moJbmUTdjYFJRQ71xcq7JxCPauA-ZViqgOfw0Qc362tXIw0zGNU_NanBy4jXPmodA8vmFNr807dRlBogpBJNvfm3wNZS6Xm9pGciQvhNI8oXG1bbGshA0/s2048/92291141-9C81-4296-BE00-B9E373CED8E1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9diC4VWPbDXVoMe5cHYFHG3aYflmc95MVTDaWqwiIT9D3YUjgWLQvKPu9SVo4VvE0T3h0Y9moJbmUTdjYFJRQ71xcq7JxCPauA-ZViqgOfw0Qc362tXIw0zGNU_NanBy4jXPmodA8vmFNr807dRlBogpBJNvfm3wNZS6Xm9pGciQvhNI8oXG1bbGshA0/s320/92291141-9C81-4296-BE00-B9E373CED8E1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg_bCHtMmuIhXKd8HIjWFMGjw9eBUYyYUT-N56AdQ7pmLe8jowZmB8SR91tOhUyBqcSLrG0qm1CzYqG2mh4Q8s91bdxNZjSPtsYexYkkimPUs_PaPt0eBGWuf0GDxlpZzVuUqRAIp9hS7mH2NX6davmUzJ59j9wydRxD2I9ayzRG9Ijj7sTlR-fiZ0w9U/s2048/22E2186A-6147-413E-B062-8902EB03ECC1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg_bCHtMmuIhXKd8HIjWFMGjw9eBUYyYUT-N56AdQ7pmLe8jowZmB8SR91tOhUyBqcSLrG0qm1CzYqG2mh4Q8s91bdxNZjSPtsYexYkkimPUs_PaPt0eBGWuf0GDxlpZzVuUqRAIp9hS7mH2NX6davmUzJ59j9wydRxD2I9ayzRG9Ijj7sTlR-fiZ0w9U/s320/22E2186A-6147-413E-B062-8902EB03ECC1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDI2da-0q773Vlp9onMNWgiG84mHgsjR_Ez6Hvhm2baRyLognnZq7IBSCI2rHTCIA5mgoVLUfI6J-CZF4-W5CJGLZS0uDx3GL_-KH5-FxIyO_gZnJx4PlBD85XanFppieJyDdhhfXl_DWjc-UASkI2Xq7mtJ49LCeAyLkQUNF91PgkPb3rl8Wosc3BGY4/s2048/6C451528-DFD4-4CD3-9A9E-27F53E5914C1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDI2da-0q773Vlp9onMNWgiG84mHgsjR_Ez6Hvhm2baRyLognnZq7IBSCI2rHTCIA5mgoVLUfI6J-CZF4-W5CJGLZS0uDx3GL_-KH5-FxIyO_gZnJx4PlBD85XanFppieJyDdhhfXl_DWjc-UASkI2Xq7mtJ49LCeAyLkQUNF91PgkPb3rl8Wosc3BGY4/s320/6C451528-DFD4-4CD3-9A9E-27F53E5914C1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE1qWE_5ZSti8XgoSSavGVy3B54iSDWLdWVtKnJv8kK2L-TH0L2YjqKU10VTzDI7H24xtONFYa4QuRA1fCLJBtItGGKsLYi_OGE180vR_wTOqC2yvCn76R-etL7A7qH2oBQuTJGOCs3Tb2qRHt5-dtkFiodPTd4cPME4uikYVFo_H8XU773hrZQXSzL-4/s4032/IMG_0950.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE1qWE_5ZSti8XgoSSavGVy3B54iSDWLdWVtKnJv8kK2L-TH0L2YjqKU10VTzDI7H24xtONFYa4QuRA1fCLJBtItGGKsLYi_OGE180vR_wTOqC2yvCn76R-etL7A7qH2oBQuTJGOCs3Tb2qRHt5-dtkFiodPTd4cPME4uikYVFo_H8XU773hrZQXSzL-4/s320/IMG_0950.JPG" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV-ZM4PZTYnvC6Tci6kdXDJP1IhPTELrVBQDXctQGamfjwGrUBTF-A8EILE7StkuKLhJQVbbsJIEHu16GKIdMII-gyKX8Zbpb3H-A8IYBmDSHCOH8SBdGxEwWF_oJirmGkp2LUcToIqgfxn-f1X2OLMTkOmNKxEo_se2YIcsdEfM-rszHqhcCYGXvt6Eg/s4032/IMG_0949.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV-ZM4PZTYnvC6Tci6kdXDJP1IhPTELrVBQDXctQGamfjwGrUBTF-A8EILE7StkuKLhJQVbbsJIEHu16GKIdMII-gyKX8Zbpb3H-A8IYBmDSHCOH8SBdGxEwWF_oJirmGkp2LUcToIqgfxn-f1X2OLMTkOmNKxEo_se2YIcsdEfM-rszHqhcCYGXvt6Eg/s320/IMG_0949.JPG" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBn9F-IayoIpB43O_0LwKxENWZGgG40-cIqsJ7cD4P5wF9Kg_loEK8GjTkC5rKgIqsjyuurbjKiXz_GOWRN_mjiLGYI1QayD56MPB6Jiwtd3kaCWGh8mnrkRsE7AFnS5m3vuki-e4_izjOBKC7URJZGBtpBA9X7bp7JLa-aEj9kuNIxbMhXocTUliP0sU/s4032/IMG_0946.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBn9F-IayoIpB43O_0LwKxENWZGgG40-cIqsJ7cD4P5wF9Kg_loEK8GjTkC5rKgIqsjyuurbjKiXz_GOWRN_mjiLGYI1QayD56MPB6Jiwtd3kaCWGh8mnrkRsE7AFnS5m3vuki-e4_izjOBKC7URJZGBtpBA9X7bp7JLa-aEj9kuNIxbMhXocTUliP0sU/s320/IMG_0946.JPG" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNgprAwLF9wCCeSnXgwndV7TgWRrAxe_7R27k1u-WodBRy2CZOFZwPamOfKXIWXB9QL4QWhFzAUbHOnodiWWimy08OnCqj2fn2QjjvHArb8U_loTEE9FdK5Byr3rLaQzuhBrhj8MwPEDDwDef2gxwp_UxgBcSVEVROQMNaGvI23l0KnYu-Bcz21xSb-w0/s4032/IMG_0945.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNgprAwLF9wCCeSnXgwndV7TgWRrAxe_7R27k1u-WodBRy2CZOFZwPamOfKXIWXB9QL4QWhFzAUbHOnodiWWimy08OnCqj2fn2QjjvHArb8U_loTEE9FdK5Byr3rLaQzuhBrhj8MwPEDDwDef2gxwp_UxgBcSVEVROQMNaGvI23l0KnYu-Bcz21xSb-w0/s320/IMG_0945.JPG" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYsr_HMGbc_GrbcyVxdEYRcdgMfJeaJuIs500RBzqk7m2Zhjy2MgDzYAxo2P0N6UWfcKFM6GY-KnMPjx60LuBx_2wlQwZTzVbqKN3qiNCy1NHv4fHPlvh8lVGVEv9867TGnd7he4Ld-boIEbg3wt63pDxFgYrJ04p6zzEbQkQqHQALlgWgm3bV05N59xw/s4032/IMG_0937.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYsr_HMGbc_GrbcyVxdEYRcdgMfJeaJuIs500RBzqk7m2Zhjy2MgDzYAxo2P0N6UWfcKFM6GY-KnMPjx60LuBx_2wlQwZTzVbqKN3qiNCy1NHv4fHPlvh8lVGVEv9867TGnd7he4Ld-boIEbg3wt63pDxFgYrJ04p6zzEbQkQqHQALlgWgm3bV05N59xw/s320/IMG_0937.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYQtyDehn34gLbrA-kdbMv1Mi4VQIl3uJpKRUHKAQMYUMdsbVy-AO3dZ_gJLlb53jhmfgAF8FmisE4kl4jfrTV6rAYp4wWR060o9lRKIhyphenhyphen6oV7S3UErqRJ-PoVQZDZqCZ-X8P7Jc43qOkWUloOGW56Y7LmGHup6uNQcEYg94All6jWIQlwyumilGTprlY/s4032/IMG_0956.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYQtyDehn34gLbrA-kdbMv1Mi4VQIl3uJpKRUHKAQMYUMdsbVy-AO3dZ_gJLlb53jhmfgAF8FmisE4kl4jfrTV6rAYp4wWR060o9lRKIhyphenhyphen6oV7S3UErqRJ-PoVQZDZqCZ-X8P7Jc43qOkWUloOGW56Y7LmGHup6uNQcEYg94All6jWIQlwyumilGTprlY/s320/IMG_0956.JPG" width="180" /></a></div><div><br /></div>As a reader, I appreciated all of the books in so many ways. Some of my favorites were the ones I read for school. Kinda gives you another level of appreciation when you get to see the original. Except for Beowulf. No appreciation for that bullsheet.</div><div><br /></div><div>After the library, I headed back to my hotel to gather my bags and summon an Uber. Almost an hour long drive to get to the airport, which would have been slightly longer on the train, and the trip was almost to a close.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGxjkz_8Gi6JWrESUtZfo1icqxqPiWshyYj5i6daFG9Ou-VJYWy2UGgVaMWDdd7wl58t4-aF5c78_3oy_p3sQMlCa4FcuX-cFqYoDE0vg88NJFHf4yq6qN3tw2sGq3CUyNzKilt0ZBa7euBF1Obg8Vjsoi1L4wASQTgMMXwnJqz-n_iDPcAs654Rx6tkM/s4032/IMG_0957.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGxjkz_8Gi6JWrESUtZfo1icqxqPiWshyYj5i6daFG9Ou-VJYWy2UGgVaMWDdd7wl58t4-aF5c78_3oy_p3sQMlCa4FcuX-cFqYoDE0vg88NJFHf4yq6qN3tw2sGq3CUyNzKilt0ZBa7euBF1Obg8Vjsoi1L4wASQTgMMXwnJqz-n_iDPcAs654Rx6tkM/s320/IMG_0957.JPG" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love finding things with my name on them out in the wild.<br />I'm here for all the novelty.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">At the airport, I FINALLY found Teh Sister's candy that I'd been searching for the entire time I'd been away from the US. Apparently, Galaxy Ripple > Cadbury Flake, per Teh Sister. Anyways, I did my sisterly duty and bought her candy. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0S0MKdSRP68Hm5SUUoFMuW8UIii0BMfWgavpyG9bTQKtLvyBu8lYlHfPxH-saNETt5i5q8WRmtICSjhi3X0Rwp6u6sEu4mYWME2dDfEdqvyYr0ww0qv3hW_GKaAZglnJl34OEhR96oST8rZQK3d-u88WmNSTwWvztPwJkNKYQo2ayjDC405nCP0XcqWw/s4032/IMG_0958.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0S0MKdSRP68Hm5SUUoFMuW8UIii0BMfWgavpyG9bTQKtLvyBu8lYlHfPxH-saNETt5i5q8WRmtICSjhi3X0Rwp6u6sEu4mYWME2dDfEdqvyYr0ww0qv3hW_GKaAZglnJl34OEhR96oST8rZQK3d-u88WmNSTwWvztPwJkNKYQo2ayjDC405nCP0XcqWw/s320/IMG_0958.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Since I had time to burn, I stopped at a restaurant for late lunch, since I wasn't sure about the food situation on the flight home. We left at 3:30pm and arrived in Baltimore at 8pm.. </div><div><br /><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWA9kARLlT_uW9WW4HX_WIqpv3xjGVhASULV6jobUP9O3vG1CnbKc4oQsdmDSQMobIsc5Wk2LsYNtZ1deI8po4beDAueC5y8lxOuklVgcDyvap6zQiw9HoWorsbYYyorvehDdJy0ErRtM4_UnJdX5zJyEh3qtdD4SQgB09FPqYAM2ztyfXkYxYgSbQ93U/s4032/IMG_0959.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWA9kARLlT_uW9WW4HX_WIqpv3xjGVhASULV6jobUP9O3vG1CnbKc4oQsdmDSQMobIsc5Wk2LsYNtZ1deI8po4beDAueC5y8lxOuklVgcDyvap6zQiw9HoWorsbYYyorvehDdJy0ErRtM4_UnJdX5zJyEh3qtdD4SQgB09FPqYAM2ztyfXkYxYgSbQ93U/s320/IMG_0959.JPG" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tea and scones...<br />Being as English as possible for my last stint.<br />TBH, those scones were more like strawberry biscuits and they were fantastic.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo4V3QDBp8QCFlaNiYl7M3TRjpaAAY9izWLmdl35M1R3Q04O6GPspAVW-TDQVHZ3_v2VPggq9o38VmfpGomFmf-47XkrYOo1yym7qMuJg9zqbThlowZmQKFzQ-68kZ85lnVQ1-kbUTeonZVqj_kysv6nNn6TJp_TIC0ApOR3oa2p0tiBV6c2wCrfW2ht0/s4032/IMG_0960.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo4V3QDBp8QCFlaNiYl7M3TRjpaAAY9izWLmdl35M1R3Q04O6GPspAVW-TDQVHZ3_v2VPggq9o38VmfpGomFmf-47XkrYOo1yym7qMuJg9zqbThlowZmQKFzQ-68kZ85lnVQ1-kbUTeonZVqj_kysv6nNn6TJp_TIC0ApOR3oa2p0tiBV6c2wCrfW2ht0/s320/IMG_0960.JPG" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Goodbye not America!!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf22-GQKT9Navk7TEW8LIxUplWAIe4hcjj8IOgMqKAHYP2xueFoC5IyxiFUpy00H_13icwhfzfaNDUsFLd9Cy_pfCVJwJzhqOYHsyI6NckXOE8swQj_Ijfv9bnGrsqRONdE0yvK8zam_zq8MWRAQbhWptdALSUbrXSfgYmrWakMGHzWx3I1w5-0zr9vNI/s4032/IMG_0961.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf22-GQKT9Navk7TEW8LIxUplWAIe4hcjj8IOgMqKAHYP2xueFoC5IyxiFUpy00H_13icwhfzfaNDUsFLd9Cy_pfCVJwJzhqOYHsyI6NckXOE8swQj_Ijfv9bnGrsqRONdE0yvK8zam_zq8MWRAQbhWptdALSUbrXSfgYmrWakMGHzWx3I1w5-0zr9vNI/s320/IMG_0961.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The flight wasn't full, so I asked if I could move to a different seat (mostly due to the lady in my row having bathed herself in perfume for her flight). I ended up grabbing this baby because someone had spilled something in the seat, so I asked the attendant for a blanket to sit on.. and voila, ALL THE LEG ROOM for the tiny leg bisch.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>I purposely did not sleep on the flight home so I'd be ready for bed when I got home. Teh German was tracking my flight and was waiting for me at the airport when I emerged. </p><p>While my adventures were absolutely phenomenal, it was definitely good to be home.<br />Also, I'm ready to go on another work trip as soon as they want to send me.</p></div></div>Teh Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00133596439315060218noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1581436032352728193.post-64518543396772714392024-03-10T21:15:00.002-04:002024-03-12T21:49:31.682-04:00Returning to the Desert (Part 2: Bahrain)<h2 style="text-align: left;">Bahrain:</h2><p>The last stop of the work portion of my trip was in Bahrain. When I left Bahrain in 2011, I never expected to go back. I was pumped at being able to go back and see what all had changed. We landed Saturday evening and after checking in at the hotel, it was time for dinner. I'd made reservations at The Meat Co because #balla.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM_FrSrRswiWcmVH6db61tJUb86M0353nzjG1KgSdJ3nDd1IPVHd0ydp0YVVSo4NUNMpDYm8e7eES1aWboc98kMdAUSldEJDc6Ct9LRxvDvU4A5fskCtlae1XOYETOLqt1SiKU558q6KknrMEIksPPKH5yoowwVm1lTqHzEA3qae3C1h1A3xdjhVtZfY0/s4032/IMG_0339.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM_FrSrRswiWcmVH6db61tJUb86M0353nzjG1KgSdJ3nDd1IPVHd0ydp0YVVSo4NUNMpDYm8e7eES1aWboc98kMdAUSldEJDc6Ct9LRxvDvU4A5fskCtlae1XOYETOLqt1SiKU558q6KknrMEIksPPKH5yoowwVm1lTqHzEA3qae3C1h1A3xdjhVtZfY0/s320/IMG_0339.JPG" width="180" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrmEfJAH8dFt5jUvLDts1q9UtF33J15ZDtEP8WQvnfOB-BorH3sv-fZwwhVfHsbmj-ZLiO-hYlMZQw_fusKGzMj5xYrS67UNPk-eZ7RoKrj1Skfr-f0Wk0gZothucYwf943LXI_edIamQ_xTbyF9FwsDBLFzPriNQvSyQAGGibPXvs7ltWk-uinS0KJIE/s4032/IMG_0341.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrmEfJAH8dFt5jUvLDts1q9UtF33J15ZDtEP8WQvnfOB-BorH3sv-fZwwhVfHsbmj-ZLiO-hYlMZQw_fusKGzMj5xYrS67UNPk-eZ7RoKrj1Skfr-f0Wk0gZothucYwf943LXI_edIamQ_xTbyF9FwsDBLFzPriNQvSyQAGGibPXvs7ltWk-uinS0KJIE/s320/IMG_0341.JPG" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hello, Old Neighbor.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9tdnzzQ5VWzYUTLvMVr_P6YiT-ZWgu0LM5mbTSG4QEr_QihcC9mHMDHHa_9urmJcI572oGY9gFLWg0tL0r8JyaS2cq8OtDXTnVZ_euSlERXefjkQqMJq7whiAykRX8UJMAxMI_28g-Zmg6ZVMgJE_f5MFwc_FM-T3JaIsXlMfciNVunEIpCrVB8jiKic/s4032/IMG_0342.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9tdnzzQ5VWzYUTLvMVr_P6YiT-ZWgu0LM5mbTSG4QEr_QihcC9mHMDHHa_9urmJcI572oGY9gFLWg0tL0r8JyaS2cq8OtDXTnVZ_euSlERXefjkQqMJq7whiAykRX8UJMAxMI_28g-Zmg6ZVMgJE_f5MFwc_FM-T3JaIsXlMfciNVunEIpCrVB8jiKic/s320/IMG_0342.JPG" width="180" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvOsagjd6xr3U8uU8EwiPMCjksieNVBCd0W22NUPnbO2G9MP2PU93VIKRPbkP4MwUIsbVR8x-P4FKBLhsoFwITyix0mkxw3-FNWw4U1OJ6fOiJ77fL1e3rTExPJAwsd_SNTQnWWvqNV1O99Cj7nv5OfYmBmQmZgFB9uMZOD5nzctl-MryrDKx7Jxv0XTY/s4032/IMG_0344.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvOsagjd6xr3U8uU8EwiPMCjksieNVBCd0W22NUPnbO2G9MP2PU93VIKRPbkP4MwUIsbVR8x-P4FKBLhsoFwITyix0mkxw3-FNWw4U1OJ6fOiJ77fL1e3rTExPJAwsd_SNTQnWWvqNV1O99Cj7nv5OfYmBmQmZgFB9uMZOD5nzctl-MryrDKx7Jxv0XTY/s320/IMG_0344.JPG" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coworker and I split the tomahawk steak and all the rest of this deliciousness.<br />It was everything I remembered it was going to be, although I never ordered the tomahawk steak at any prior visits to The Meat Co, lol.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />After dinner, my coworker wanted to see American Alley, so we ubered to the area and walked around.<div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlz-VNrw2BF9yISMCCjjMeLGn6pnG14tG0Zh32PKMwZhf5LTWg7wWdhg7vIltBleMZuU5FGuKsEdeOMo4-TE_cLsnaQhfl0wrOLsuOWLIwX22zYhz8qlpV3F3aTpSXdOWhkMurmnEVPb6I779SJW68qmUwxeyyxcFc26N1O4GtjehfSMaSbTYlIaS_PzA/s4032/IMG_0345.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlz-VNrw2BF9yISMCCjjMeLGn6pnG14tG0Zh32PKMwZhf5LTWg7wWdhg7vIltBleMZuU5FGuKsEdeOMo4-TE_cLsnaQhfl0wrOLsuOWLIwX22zYhz8qlpV3F3aTpSXdOWhkMurmnEVPb6I779SJW68qmUwxeyyxcFc26N1O4GtjehfSMaSbTYlIaS_PzA/s320/IMG_0345.JPG" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My old flat!</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Coworker wasn't impressed by American Alley (as I knew he wouldn't be) and we ultimately returned to the hotel.</div><div><br /></div><div>Sunday was the big day!</div><div>Other coworker and I planned to do go karts at the Bahrain F1 track, my absolute most favorite thing I did while I was stationed in Bahrain. Unfortunately, we got there way too early since the kart track doesn't open until 4pm during the week (the work week in Bahrain is Sunday-Thursday). We made a stop by the F1 gift shop and we were told that we could take a tour of the track at 2pm. OKAY! We had some time to burn, so we headed over to the Al Areen Wildlife Park to burn some time.</div><div><br /></div><div>That same turtle from 2011 was still sexin' up all the ladies in the pen (or I assume it is the same horny turtle). There were some not sexin' turtles and flamingos and birds and other critters. Coworker did the tram tour, while I just appreciated sitting still, being alone, and scrolling for 25 mins.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVDUQMPJxBh8B8EOid81DsjPwW9k0W2QaGZCmrmL5fTUKOW2mXhn1dRQVL6o8qHUgTipPuPSaodSMJNRhfa55Gk4Z3LK57vzWz3cveLOA6FasMmn2ycTU2wfvCn3nUSSvKaOWE9POxS00sy4gr4GaeHu4fzknkp_JGiJXrRyVwCrHQKdHLMBOozKrfrUo/s4032/IMG_0350.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVDUQMPJxBh8B8EOid81DsjPwW9k0W2QaGZCmrmL5fTUKOW2mXhn1dRQVL6o8qHUgTipPuPSaodSMJNRhfa55Gk4Z3LK57vzWz3cveLOA6FasMmn2ycTU2wfvCn3nUSSvKaOWE9POxS00sy4gr4GaeHu4fzknkp_JGiJXrRyVwCrHQKdHLMBOozKrfrUo/s320/IMG_0350.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2mzy7xoBsl1S9kFxcVhYD2kVUlmudSlycsje_T2I6prxeAG0-TL0lEahPNKdXebKYhOFsiipS4NhiTZ-wXXD3eEO1LxJtSdNBKWZ2Jy3EsiwgBezbYsaCB4j1qsIUZac0WuRhiRR6lGYQNcfFhVpcZ0FPrUB2pifuRoseAX6NoFzzUbHejppP1KG7AhI/s4032/IMG_0351.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2mzy7xoBsl1S9kFxcVhYD2kVUlmudSlycsje_T2I6prxeAG0-TL0lEahPNKdXebKYhOFsiipS4NhiTZ-wXXD3eEO1LxJtSdNBKWZ2Jy3EsiwgBezbYsaCB4j1qsIUZac0WuRhiRR6lGYQNcfFhVpcZ0FPrUB2pifuRoseAX6NoFzzUbHejppP1KG7AhI/s320/IMG_0351.JPG" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggmgZNXpQP1vPdLuvytogzW9lVRc3nkqqIAbvXjcqNrsCiqblGZOWQTLhpNtsSh2qom0I13wUA2RgIlwWtfJxmNed-wZV0CgxSBw4nmYj8UWH8OwiKx-3zNhka_T5tfV59zCNmEVr7vrjFJVkV69BiA6IZWL5totvGboGapladmGIJV-QMeWEr_50LEq4/s4032/IMG_0356.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggmgZNXpQP1vPdLuvytogzW9lVRc3nkqqIAbvXjcqNrsCiqblGZOWQTLhpNtsSh2qom0I13wUA2RgIlwWtfJxmNed-wZV0CgxSBw4nmYj8UWH8OwiKx-3zNhka_T5tfV59zCNmEVr7vrjFJVkV69BiA6IZWL5totvGboGapladmGIJV-QMeWEr_50LEq4/s320/IMG_0356.JPG" width="180" /></a></div><div><br /></div>When it was time, we headed back to the track for our tour.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit_f2svllaj2Ns17q1huut6s3RYJfIVd40EXBgkdkEbPmW2zWe5q_xBZ3w51NsrbSdBgqhv74vtDr23mnxJdjrlJYZwi5DJPZTvWI7mTeq3s4GLY9eyN13K2BmlWEd-waD7szMnaWo0-dzFX3LgQs2ljaRdm-Ar_nRyVzcu7oScJV0cYlnjHC9oBEi9pU/s3088/IMG_0361.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="1737" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit_f2svllaj2Ns17q1huut6s3RYJfIVd40EXBgkdkEbPmW2zWe5q_xBZ3w51NsrbSdBgqhv74vtDr23mnxJdjrlJYZwi5DJPZTvWI7mTeq3s4GLY9eyN13K2BmlWEd-waD7szMnaWo0-dzFX3LgQs2ljaRdm-Ar_nRyVzcu7oScJV0cYlnjHC9oBEi9pU/s320/IMG_0361.JPG" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'd consider this the Sorting Hat of F1.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLdDgU5iPqgKz9PRwcXa23jzgJGdJrnE7sbXkOaIn1v4Idq2CpZIdg4TqBkLh9r8Rj-RgFB3NrgSAJH9aMUhqnDpjRIw4apBLQE2TYsLjV8U9jrxjl68GHfqiSr-a0zEBLBZ8a5sAKZqBAX7XOK0LcjU2k8wgDJ6FRWcoYtSLX-_9KqxYmoLIKBGVQuSk/s4032/IMG_0364.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLdDgU5iPqgKz9PRwcXa23jzgJGdJrnE7sbXkOaIn1v4Idq2CpZIdg4TqBkLh9r8Rj-RgFB3NrgSAJH9aMUhqnDpjRIw4apBLQE2TYsLjV8U9jrxjl68GHfqiSr-a0zEBLBZ8a5sAKZqBAX7XOK0LcjU2k8wgDJ6FRWcoYtSLX-_9KqxYmoLIKBGVQuSk/s320/IMG_0364.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From the Sakhir Tower 8th floor, the King's private suite during races.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUAvKan67WKS_xeVupQmSl_a4GIElme7OZjfvUoRCrGxQU2jTghzBdkfpG5DpE4jB9lQpykSEYSTyOfFfFFdnsV-cxzQ68ee7zNMjcVzouGT_fDUCEoTx6Hlhtjxl3n-G8dwKrMrLJSs7b7joNubb9E05anuVB5tPNOwATcOymM6n9yMjgT9xKMfcZU5A/s4032/IMG_0366.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUAvKan67WKS_xeVupQmSl_a4GIElme7OZjfvUoRCrGxQU2jTghzBdkfpG5DpE4jB9lQpykSEYSTyOfFfFFdnsV-cxzQ68ee7zNMjcVzouGT_fDUCEoTx6Hlhtjxl3n-G8dwKrMrLJSs7b7joNubb9E05anuVB5tPNOwATcOymM6n9yMjgT9xKMfcZU5A/s320/IMG_0366.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Box, box.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgANxHp4uweRP-L1V19_SHQv9aZsAsxCu4K9auoU9Odjd_m0zk15_TXC444Fz9cgCJmN-CD8cLGLCLZoAjAd9V87ACBipPzkt3trUsJufiw_ODaNzvui0ynuOk0zcferZJJsBu0i5HHnclGMGM_Tn5Pqll3ONpQMFiu5dPgqAr_WVtrXv257XxM8uzM1iM/s4032/IMG_0369.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgANxHp4uweRP-L1V19_SHQv9aZsAsxCu4K9auoU9Odjd_m0zk15_TXC444Fz9cgCJmN-CD8cLGLCLZoAjAd9V87ACBipPzkt3trUsJufiw_ODaNzvui0ynuOk0zcferZJJsBu0i5HHnclGMGM_Tn5Pqll3ONpQMFiu5dPgqAr_WVtrXv257XxM8uzM1iM/s320/IMG_0369.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Turn 1.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitK-kBrwbRXjAEewxCCch8OtimLhjB-TH0E_4BuDl4rt8NbjwRv6eA-2LTWNZ92VES6cuHArAMoASRMZBB02pDLgLdMZ9sDArD2lK8WLiF11L9qQR68OQKoMuMwNTx9ryu-zemTpBt3HqCOLPWytaO_mfvvmUzzAm8xF-4r4eV8WTIUiHjobzHIqnnnqM/s4032/IMG_0370.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitK-kBrwbRXjAEewxCCch8OtimLhjB-TH0E_4BuDl4rt8NbjwRv6eA-2LTWNZ92VES6cuHArAMoASRMZBB02pDLgLdMZ9sDArD2lK8WLiF11L9qQR68OQKoMuMwNTx9ryu-zemTpBt3HqCOLPWytaO_mfvvmUzzAm8xF-4r4eV8WTIUiHjobzHIqnnnqM/s320/IMG_0370.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-xvKFWYWoDSpNjtBcnmnxJ022DEmhnlY47m3M_g3GUUOWf9yUOaZp-y5SBOcLv2dTa9BI4tF-anNubSrHT89SAjOT313NYw9_vfREJD6b1ZkJcZOBYPXmH5V75wybW4uxVoNF0_66V0erW8U5zUA_gy_BoAkTBvtJQ0i68HJgnDmeOgYISOM3aAIcZUs/s4032/IMG_0374.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-xvKFWYWoDSpNjtBcnmnxJ022DEmhnlY47m3M_g3GUUOWf9yUOaZp-y5SBOcLv2dTa9BI4tF-anNubSrHT89SAjOT313NYw9_vfREJD6b1ZkJcZOBYPXmH5V75wybW4uxVoNF0_66V0erW8U5zUA_gy_BoAkTBvtJQ0i68HJgnDmeOgYISOM3aAIcZUs/s320/IMG_0374.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_M9cZsUckotgRRy8x_ETRNew0SFd38l7nzPvm9LT-d8en_As8iup3R6zOQ2GOQ8IkLkI1AzQO5LvWQ69GjwhW94Ud9Kcuk8GACttrB1ai1aIBG1BMO92c2FXyM1Kas24eAqJeoqLPHLOVFB5d61CjpdDBANH5iRiBjOWyx1yyYhEqx05jr6cVvCgVGwo/s4032/IMG_0375.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_M9cZsUckotgRRy8x_ETRNew0SFd38l7nzPvm9LT-d8en_As8iup3R6zOQ2GOQ8IkLkI1AzQO5LvWQ69GjwhW94Ud9Kcuk8GACttrB1ai1aIBG1BMO92c2FXyM1Kas24eAqJeoqLPHLOVFB5d61CjpdDBANH5iRiBjOWyx1yyYhEqx05jr6cVvCgVGwo/s320/IMG_0375.JPG" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our ride around the track wasn't in an F1 car, but I wasn't complaining.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRRyFWEvYBtzqUgNYBbUTu7AeXcsFmf9H3qoyhYL6C-j19siJLjoTl6iRWg5bnu-BS-EbelHNMTDbqjwmevYA4sxjm9odDQvBcpFxmXetWAcxP5nFvVA-v67GQ8v8SuH028a8B3FyNEe7vryT_XfSBzrCVsOwyNk8btontlXVmOX-5V_H0BnWgIdKAkiE/s2856/IMG_0376.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="2856" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRRyFWEvYBtzqUgNYBbUTu7AeXcsFmf9H3qoyhYL6C-j19siJLjoTl6iRWg5bnu-BS-EbelHNMTDbqjwmevYA4sxjm9odDQvBcpFxmXetWAcxP5nFvVA-v67GQ8v8SuH028a8B3FyNEe7vryT_XfSBzrCVsOwyNk8btontlXVmOX-5V_H0BnWgIdKAkiE/s320/IMG_0376.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Bahrain Circuit Grand Prix map.<br />There are 5 different track configurations available to race at the Bahrain Circuit.<br />Unfortunately, the command center was being renovated to prepare for the first race of the 2024 F1 season (end of Feb), so it was mostly just a dark room with some missing screens that was obviously under construction. Womp.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg11Zj-YTGN9aMoBH5kH6AhDmZJs4N-PywPuIbpdpHEVszH5izVW6mBEbOtshlnDy0jiRB6nk2t3Q2q00CG0rc2cV2DkNESUTV2Wdp659BSfXo47oRq-6NE5BBNcU_6huCT7sbkgq8kbeYLTXqt3LmHhDO6Hl-b7mle2phgHY5Vi1LFCATIKEBwQhpT6Ms/s4032/IMG_0379.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg11Zj-YTGN9aMoBH5kH6AhDmZJs4N-PywPuIbpdpHEVszH5izVW6mBEbOtshlnDy0jiRB6nk2t3Q2q00CG0rc2cV2DkNESUTV2Wdp659BSfXo47oRq-6NE5BBNcU_6huCT7sbkgq8kbeYLTXqt3LmHhDO6Hl-b7mle2phgHY5Vi1LFCATIKEBwQhpT6Ms/s320/IMG_0379.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The media room.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy0fIRv-3CZ9NmNKnkko1Ivi6eaCYqHxKuD7RotNc8G-rO5mUwsnqi3TaIYG9ldfvjDdCffPbMxpgm4hTbb6JzHArys2jOVHc1OJiWbm-JivQaAT8wtv9q57gaYPgimDcoYcHlcPsnC6-RbE3lQgZZOkGOrP-739y6cabBumKfhuCL244j8EXELq4elsI/s3520/IMG_0384.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3520" data-original-width="1980" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy0fIRv-3CZ9NmNKnkko1Ivi6eaCYqHxKuD7RotNc8G-rO5mUwsnqi3TaIYG9ldfvjDdCffPbMxpgm4hTbb6JzHArys2jOVHc1OJiWbm-JivQaAT8wtv9q57gaYPgimDcoYcHlcPsnC6-RbE3lQgZZOkGOrP-739y6cabBumKfhuCL244j8EXELq4elsI/s320/IMG_0384.JPG" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Riding the track!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaZlU6pzyMTCRrrs6NzegRRU4jSG815fYrUZHiOH6upnTSmeyasx-tPNW37XjY5-gRtwZ_AWhTp6HweuDqmAvvWj9TEKTFxgGwADTdiXwQhUGidefBKcwAvnIDAWQaDlui1ewTorGo21Mq8dIeO8GzXRg99sTDc_aff9LbTOMEvP77oWZT1T5kEgdbako/s4032/IMG_0380.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaZlU6pzyMTCRrrs6NzegRRU4jSG815fYrUZHiOH6upnTSmeyasx-tPNW37XjY5-gRtwZ_AWhTp6HweuDqmAvvWj9TEKTFxgGwADTdiXwQhUGidefBKcwAvnIDAWQaDlui1ewTorGo21Mq8dIeO8GzXRg99sTDc_aff9LbTOMEvP77oWZT1T5kEgdbako/s320/IMG_0380.JPG" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We got these fancy waters that I wanted to keep, but didn't have space for in my luggage...</td></tr></tbody></table><br />And then finally, IT WAS TIME FOR GO KARTS!!!!!!!!</div><div>I've been raving about how awesome the go karts are in Bahrain since 2011. They did NOT disappoint. Also, that sunset was on point.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmXr80rLIpcUGfJSZmPvR5U3H_uX6vfWZvOZCUE9F3w6mAP5Klz7zUDKrMD22dzyfTykO-cYaD0y7bM1FFlN6tTfQ5PF-bM-xXf7WELIo0L0a2Lm-6DP0HB0RkTI6Ta0WNBrgpm73GfwAxgF0Mhj6gWETPXaP91u5PffFfwVuj2B1XkkbvL_G5MpxnaTQ/s3088/IMG_0389.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="1737" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmXr80rLIpcUGfJSZmPvR5U3H_uX6vfWZvOZCUE9F3w6mAP5Klz7zUDKrMD22dzyfTykO-cYaD0y7bM1FFlN6tTfQ5PF-bM-xXf7WELIo0L0a2Lm-6DP0HB0RkTI6Ta0WNBrgpm73GfwAxgF0Mhj6gWETPXaP91u5PffFfwVuj2B1XkkbvL_G5MpxnaTQ/s320/IMG_0389.JPG" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMDrOTum07a2XhZyipZIdZo0FAqRde4az2SMf_xXH5jVtsA-2W7WQl5kDo8qsueXj3P89syhq63wVC8cQ4Qu57vlO-VKDLF06pt5hvjDnlEj7S6wcesO5CaHqcXWNiBXwmpK3vIAd-SKn2ZkayfXp9DKPyyDW16MbeMTd2NYzrAHzBuybXnodCuuur9-Y/s4032/IMG_0393.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMDrOTum07a2XhZyipZIdZo0FAqRde4az2SMf_xXH5jVtsA-2W7WQl5kDo8qsueXj3P89syhq63wVC8cQ4Qu57vlO-VKDLF06pt5hvjDnlEj7S6wcesO5CaHqcXWNiBXwmpK3vIAd-SKn2ZkayfXp9DKPyyDW16MbeMTd2NYzrAHzBuybXnodCuuur9-Y/s320/IMG_0393.JPG" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipnVxzlB7xxHb87HfaQplE2Hx9FomremWs-_ycC7wV9CQ-swQciBOCnvk9z3hz2FWIvAXbcGsuHEyAf0_Nutv_xN-KT8bSHqfsvTaAy5R8IeyMQdZmETcocVxNQWE8_1A2lIPKvcrrEWXDRGMQv2U447cPdK3HxsOM7-EVc-KPB3yD2dg1oPrLxeNfLwI/s4032/IMG_0398.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipnVxzlB7xxHb87HfaQplE2Hx9FomremWs-_ycC7wV9CQ-swQciBOCnvk9z3hz2FWIvAXbcGsuHEyAf0_Nutv_xN-KT8bSHqfsvTaAy5R8IeyMQdZmETcocVxNQWE8_1A2lIPKvcrrEWXDRGMQv2U447cPdK3HxsOM7-EVc-KPB3yD2dg1oPrLxeNfLwI/s320/IMG_0398.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqWVZ_ojtg9V5fc-t3euUihK8Xi1DPJpXPu7OcT4pub16crda_7WDKAvrQZmaYO266vFhc8tGmbQro0OxEL32hQann7b-aDDyk5u8J9o0ACvlKV15cnnZqqaDcHWEpcNI-nQTjv1rDciu9saN16knAHS6sf4pVp2LdQVuUl8kt0VsQL8Y20gz2-gJN34g/s4032/IMG_0406.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqWVZ_ojtg9V5fc-t3euUihK8Xi1DPJpXPu7OcT4pub16crda_7WDKAvrQZmaYO266vFhc8tGmbQro0OxEL32hQann7b-aDDyk5u8J9o0ACvlKV15cnnZqqaDcHWEpcNI-nQTjv1rDciu9saN16knAHS6sf4pVp2LdQVuUl8kt0VsQL8Y20gz2-gJN34g/s320/IMG_0406.JPG" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnGe6bvVYd0qQyggERaLNG2WORWTgTlluBG6yxu0emLcWSyXxl3QNDzj0d32zmPJIflaYHmGat2P7XG6sG69KOUANr2xdZcBgFXd1V0ic275NCW6uuTC2vgRUjLNOgUYYVCr6lQ7W9j8AwcRrQRTgLJBfUV8nJbSSFOdTPol4rcJo6ctxyny5QZ_XCb_Q/s4032/IMG_0411.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnGe6bvVYd0qQyggERaLNG2WORWTgTlluBG6yxu0emLcWSyXxl3QNDzj0d32zmPJIflaYHmGat2P7XG6sG69KOUANr2xdZcBgFXd1V0ic275NCW6uuTC2vgRUjLNOgUYYVCr6lQ7W9j8AwcRrQRTgLJBfUV8nJbSSFOdTPol4rcJo6ctxyny5QZ_XCb_Q/s320/IMG_0411.JPG" width="180" /></a></div><div><br /></div>After go karting (2 sessions because #YOLO), we headed to the Souq (yes, it's 'q' in Bahrain but 'k' in UAE. Idk). Other coworker needed some items from the souq and I was happy to revisit.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1FpTaKU3FY_hH24Qxtq9GC6yTo7rRVjY7EZlXFGpHq8_maG647-OyXBHcR6rMmjQeeGp2kyIu0qXPkc2GZ92atS4kMz-0t_RzSQcvIcsMhsIbTPtsRJXOw2qZPDWACY_gs0ITCi2nLxJ-GCQoQZQvuYMYdzVTJ1_s97Y6Y5EIERK6EVzXZopfChj_yXU/s4032/IMG_0412.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1FpTaKU3FY_hH24Qxtq9GC6yTo7rRVjY7EZlXFGpHq8_maG647-OyXBHcR6rMmjQeeGp2kyIu0qXPkc2GZ92atS4kMz-0t_RzSQcvIcsMhsIbTPtsRJXOw2qZPDWACY_gs0ITCi2nLxJ-GCQoQZQvuYMYdzVTJ1_s97Y6Y5EIERK6EVzXZopfChj_yXU/s320/IMG_0412.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6GWtT5IHF3E67AzgKwvn4AV40C5dlC63a1JszuW-H8eTOMR9I6AGRVMkQBlzIBj10OTiOceUioo-c0s6zVPdWqzDdHdCDUOlwCL6tQYEdzt53RiIVcRb9ko5Jr0cCNBbApPD6Xi8yja-rHp3X4mGGmAvBq96spZr0fpS7mVVE6jSIjkqy7hUku61SGv4/s4032/IMG_0415.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6GWtT5IHF3E67AzgKwvn4AV40C5dlC63a1JszuW-H8eTOMR9I6AGRVMkQBlzIBj10OTiOceUioo-c0s6zVPdWqzDdHdCDUOlwCL6tQYEdzt53RiIVcRb9ko5Jr0cCNBbApPD6Xi8yja-rHp3X4mGGmAvBq96spZr0fpS7mVVE6jSIjkqy7hUku61SGv4/s320/IMG_0415.JPG" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seriously, wtf is this even?</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyc4XuUS9npQFMxDd0604a0F3l5fSQwHPMPiK1j_svVM5LgNkkdfSqlyIpur-xUMSOSKFfBwv6jmMi2lC-ip_b2pB35ik4-8fLgI5FshkvPa5QA12ayZO3rxRHIKgFVIVagu8EQF7vb60IygkBUu8_l6XQTLEwmuKeA7XPRyCq_0emtm1O4qBZ_GuEODw/s4032/IMG_0416.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyc4XuUS9npQFMxDd0604a0F3l5fSQwHPMPiK1j_svVM5LgNkkdfSqlyIpur-xUMSOSKFfBwv6jmMi2lC-ip_b2pB35ik4-8fLgI5FshkvPa5QA12ayZO3rxRHIKgFVIVagu8EQF7vb60IygkBUu8_l6XQTLEwmuKeA7XPRyCq_0emtm1O4qBZ_GuEODw/s320/IMG_0416.JPG" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Made sure to get a fresh juice.<br />It was everything I remembered it would be.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRTpa3cQIG2B99oiyU1sQYT-_BQQFIvz0hbOFcYa2-82HgzS40qono_37MJekEbiC1CcZgrlwJQCfAwnT9EGeL-xrayq5k-4El-2dcVqeJN4Rfvvi2jF1H1amIKhBgTwmO-nA0dEh9QiCzWkvqcpn9rokrA0FEC8cmKrnMfd-QZkbGedICU2YS0lVPZKY/s4032/IMG_0417.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRTpa3cQIG2B99oiyU1sQYT-_BQQFIvz0hbOFcYa2-82HgzS40qono_37MJekEbiC1CcZgrlwJQCfAwnT9EGeL-xrayq5k-4El-2dcVqeJN4Rfvvi2jF1H1amIKhBgTwmO-nA0dEh9QiCzWkvqcpn9rokrA0FEC8cmKrnMfd-QZkbGedICU2YS0lVPZKY/s320/IMG_0417.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of my favorite thing about the souq is these shops with these lamps.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />After the souq, I realized I needed to get myself ready for the work week and my suits needed to be ironed by <i>me</i> since we were no longer staying at fancy ass hotels that offered free pressing. Siiiiigh. #peasants. So coworker dropped me off at the hotel so I could take care of business.</div><div><br /></div><div>We were all exhausted after work each day in Bahrain, but we did arrange to have one last "family" dinner on Tuesday night. We ended up at a delicious Turkish place.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGC_MGjOgDtaXHTP4iJSYRlOmj2XO3vP-wDwGgSSWOf63UO4jxBGlVqaN1Omg1lAmohE1ciCoBMY-LjoQe9zVs6o4A4-XWvaitJ56ENmF1Z11rHyyBft2m7jjI1JJ1hhtby-DKG8FNEea0daxbRYC1u_2oewknoHaMRtdRK8G8CDiLTDyPWT0x_xrtdBM/s4032/IMG_0428.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGC_MGjOgDtaXHTP4iJSYRlOmj2XO3vP-wDwGgSSWOf63UO4jxBGlVqaN1Omg1lAmohE1ciCoBMY-LjoQe9zVs6o4A4-XWvaitJ56ENmF1Z11rHyyBft2m7jjI1JJ1hhtby-DKG8FNEea0daxbRYC1u_2oewknoHaMRtdRK8G8CDiLTDyPWT0x_xrtdBM/s320/IMG_0428.JPG" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_rWSh9Q5q3onWw227UavM76HA8Y6JY6y4UIpogYbTTrWD1erNNDYxFFcnUYT2p14Are_9qjWbkN6hfmGC2t-Mdg6eCIT9J1mJ3AyNS8dDNBL-L2ZY8lTXOeklpFiVNaDnEnR9FogkcIohDArFSl_1KRemrTLiHUo3CTF6rxXWAHl76h3zq6f-YcMoVDM/s4032/IMG_0429.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_rWSh9Q5q3onWw227UavM76HA8Y6JY6y4UIpogYbTTrWD1erNNDYxFFcnUYT2p14Are_9qjWbkN6hfmGC2t-Mdg6eCIT9J1mJ3AyNS8dDNBL-L2ZY8lTXOeklpFiVNaDnEnR9FogkcIohDArFSl_1KRemrTLiHUo3CTF6rxXWAHl76h3zq6f-YcMoVDM/s320/IMG_0429.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh44dkWSt8uDKN4TqPAs-54r4TNqKz1hxzEr827vzncCrZ3NKfGc_XoZt29dOYh5qc5cyeKq4nvkwAV51VWUGbvXIS474l3Q60dMw93YMRZc45lowB-K8QyzHxdhNivWOpvTHBJfbT-cKNu3s4sNYfR7WnXwO-U5qzbJtD5frb3Eg4GBx1DTHEO-HZV9vI/s4032/IMG_0432.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh44dkWSt8uDKN4TqPAs-54r4TNqKz1hxzEr827vzncCrZ3NKfGc_XoZt29dOYh5qc5cyeKq4nvkwAV51VWUGbvXIS474l3Q60dMw93YMRZc45lowB-K8QyzHxdhNivWOpvTHBJfbT-cKNu3s4sNYfR7WnXwO-U5qzbJtD5frb3Eg4GBx1DTHEO-HZV9vI/s320/IMG_0432.JPG" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Post dinner tea never got old.<br />I've found myself making tea for myself in lieu of dessert after returning home.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Wednesday was our last work day and it was my first time at the Bahrain Rugby Club.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjc1ZttNXrf3EoFkwtlR7wHUoXTssdF5RQreKcKtJcJd2XDhXPWBzZ9xLq3Z57vcHZRGszo_U5LJIOn0BRbuIsYeliKeuE-RD3DOBGLto0U4wk-7UNyObaz584Upno9LkouJ6TbJafEu2L4A73_4riO9baiLYosmLkzslwh8_sjphIVKLObwYiZ0oBaEQ/s4032/IMG_0437.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjc1ZttNXrf3EoFkwtlR7wHUoXTssdF5RQreKcKtJcJd2XDhXPWBzZ9xLq3Z57vcHZRGszo_U5LJIOn0BRbuIsYeliKeuE-RD3DOBGLto0U4wk-7UNyObaz584Upno9LkouJ6TbJafEu2L4A73_4riO9baiLYosmLkzslwh8_sjphIVKLObwYiZ0oBaEQ/s320/IMG_0437.JPG" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtI-LVapDJEqJR_d-32RYhHP07RVC8nGW6SMH8du6aY9Dkz8C_V043ugUjw52LzFuX7og0K_z7gLpcTgaoOPS9X5GrWOGmPPYCSnFhQuXmkmVcrUFE0XEg4VtTinVfSUU5i8SiOnryRW96adGbhtnYuXEam9mYaL2WWP_bkkS4bMlMI6r5IbmR2__-kss/s4032/IMG_0438.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtI-LVapDJEqJR_d-32RYhHP07RVC8nGW6SMH8du6aY9Dkz8C_V043ugUjw52LzFuX7og0K_z7gLpcTgaoOPS9X5GrWOGmPPYCSnFhQuXmkmVcrUFE0XEg4VtTinVfSUU5i8SiOnryRW96adGbhtnYuXEam9mYaL2WWP_bkkS4bMlMI6r5IbmR2__-kss/s320/IMG_0438.JPG" width="180" /></a></div><div><br /></div>After work, we headed back to the hotel and no one wanted to do anything together, so I changed into comfy clothes and walked out for dinner at an Italian place I'd been to a few nights prior... where the manager <i>recognized me </i>and knew the name of the person he'd met me through... OVER A DECADE AGO LIKE TWICE EVER. Yall. I messaged the person he knew me through and was like, DUDE, WUT?!? I look incredibly different from 2011. Lesson is, don't underestimate the memory of some people. One final Karak tea later, I headed back to the hotel to grab my bags, called an Uber, and headed to the airport.</div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjnQmcOz7DrI6rKk4EWBr4Mx4pqxIx4LcdcqplE00QxDDaSFLtDEVX9l7wm-KARReRp8_VsX_DnoravYjAuuT0656Ci1NS4oId7Xi-DxUnnMf-xy8WpHt77YhKiTBx_7S9-GKzyDUZz6bba_lU2GnQY3ot1iVcOASfixMPKVemejU-yG7ItlKbN9DURgQ/s4032/IMG_0440.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjnQmcOz7DrI6rKk4EWBr4Mx4pqxIx4LcdcqplE00QxDDaSFLtDEVX9l7wm-KARReRp8_VsX_DnoravYjAuuT0656Ci1NS4oId7Xi-DxUnnMf-xy8WpHt77YhKiTBx_7S9-GKzyDUZz6bba_lU2GnQY3ot1iVcOASfixMPKVemejU-yG7ItlKbN9DURgQ/s320/IMG_0440.JPG" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was <i>extremely</i> disappointed that the financial district buildings were not lit up the entire time we were in Bahrain. The World Trade Center (right. blue lights) was always lit, but not the other 2 buildings.<br />LE SIGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Finally, it time to get the birthday party started!</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIeJ3EQyLCKX1TlhrCGo05I85QudtFu-MF1TEvCEZFde3GrTzmuuKn2tlrCMLEdA-QdrLyx-a_PvIgAv9YXljkirPngSomv8q4GVUOFYHBlocsZ-1lNdUsC_hm6fh8t83NEB13p1vcUmZRiHZUwsOnyCEB1dZ2R40v4YcWIl2jXjn8lg1Ylvk_DPhMiJ8/s3088/IMG_0442.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="1737" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIeJ3EQyLCKX1TlhrCGo05I85QudtFu-MF1TEvCEZFde3GrTzmuuKn2tlrCMLEdA-QdrLyx-a_PvIgAv9YXljkirPngSomv8q4GVUOFYHBlocsZ-1lNdUsC_hm6fh8t83NEB13p1vcUmZRiHZUwsOnyCEB1dZ2R40v4YcWIl2jXjn8lg1Ylvk_DPhMiJ8/s320/IMG_0442.JPG" width="180" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ao_DcM4dIdixLRaw2AJ045DGAEYOVwiUpuqLzBGGJuL8ErN8A32fOnwLLMSOEjD4VSb8kuYUeXVluePXVfVa8vB3Idp6YPXEjVPstmPbMlmcwsjqt4m_wYc2g130KZLNl1JWXhf21YF2go509jmX-fIb75oWOh-NdG09g5pYswDqnU8xwt0YzU-I9IQ/s4032/IMG_0444.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ao_DcM4dIdixLRaw2AJ045DGAEYOVwiUpuqLzBGGJuL8ErN8A32fOnwLLMSOEjD4VSb8kuYUeXVluePXVfVa8vB3Idp6YPXEjVPstmPbMlmcwsjqt4m_wYc2g130KZLNl1JWXhf21YF2go509jmX-fIb75oWOh-NdG09g5pYswDqnU8xwt0YzU-I9IQ/s320/IMG_0444.JPG" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bye Bahrain!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p></div>Teh Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00133596439315060218noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1581436032352728193.post-48228226194355515692024-03-10T20:37:00.001-04:002024-03-12T21:49:23.785-04:00Returning to the Desert (Part 1: UAE)<p>While I was on convalescent leave (recovery from my back surgery), I checked my work email a few times, despite being on short-term disability. Mostly I didn't want my inbox to be cRaZy when I returned to work, but also, I'm nosey AF and wanted to know what was going on. This paid off because one of the emails said, "If you are interested in going on travel, fill out this form." There were a few different destination opportunities, but the dates that worked for me was for a trip to United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain. </p><p>If you've been around here for a while, you may know that I was stationed in Bahrain for a year (2010-2011). I knew after I left that there was a low likelihood that I'd ever return, but when given the opportunity to go on the company dime? SIGN ME UP. So I filled out the interest form and was selected.. and that's how I ended up in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Manama in January.</p><p>Recovery wise, there was lots of concern about my pieces and those long flights, but I've been in PT since December and was confident in my ability to manage. I returned to work before Christmas and was immediately thrust into travel planning/prep. On a very snowy day, I headed to DCA to catch a flight to Dubai... let's just say, packing was.. complicated. In addition to it being snowy in DC, I also planned to have a stopover in Scotland on my way home, so I needed desert clothes and winter clothes and these are not the same. Nevertheless, I managed with one suitcase and one carry on, like a boss.</p><p>While the work days were long and full of "do not click links" cybersecurity briefs, there was some opportunity for fun and I made sure to take advantage of that time. This is the photo dump post!</p><h2 style="text-align: left;">Dubai:</h2><div>I left home at 0930 Friday morning, super early because there was a snow storm going on and my flight had already been cancelled once. We flew out of Newark at 9:45pm on Friday night. We arrived in Dubai at 7:40pm on Saturday night. Time zones are cray.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-PBzpaXdqZdKc1uysYB2TDkS8css9hUGNoGXW60gWR6z1s-QAnjAEubOU_Cfb1J0-6IvHIyZu0mIaAm-HVlPxtvhYZfunYKxpgLIK-pBRBCShVJTQFvw8XnHlF5htIKwfzWfWuomYwM7ycAmGH4_hFOvV9N6ZcVjOrWcsrWteMIqH6Qz8hEqTo80Uh6c/s4032/IMG_0004.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-PBzpaXdqZdKc1uysYB2TDkS8css9hUGNoGXW60gWR6z1s-QAnjAEubOU_Cfb1J0-6IvHIyZu0mIaAm-HVlPxtvhYZfunYKxpgLIK-pBRBCShVJTQFvw8XnHlF5htIKwfzWfWuomYwM7ycAmGH4_hFOvV9N6ZcVjOrWcsrWteMIqH6Qz8hEqTo80Uh6c/s320/IMG_0004.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Our first stop after checking into our hotel was dinner. <div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgReB1MmBkyeZVvAfJCFJWR8HsjPkk-u0cJggPxz8j7jeoIxOlw9ltpjUiHNVLayd-tkvufYOXNglZ_zbi1r6IE4ISrd66JM2sLn_zf2cu40lsfiDgvRh9NT8GmSMGXeAPuthSxwgy6rVM1NF3yeZ6tSHkkaRPJpOlnjM9drkEzba1ZyMKujBsVazfgic/s4032/IMG_0007.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgReB1MmBkyeZVvAfJCFJWR8HsjPkk-u0cJggPxz8j7jeoIxOlw9ltpjUiHNVLayd-tkvufYOXNglZ_zbi1r6IE4ISrd66JM2sLn_zf2cu40lsfiDgvRh9NT8GmSMGXeAPuthSxwgy6rVM1NF3yeZ6tSHkkaRPJpOlnjM9drkEzba1ZyMKujBsVazfgic/s320/IMG_0007.HEIC" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lebanese did not disappoint.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />After dinner, we walked to the Dubai Mall to view the Burj Khalifa, the tallest structure in the world. Fun story, I was wearing Crocs because I thought we were just walking to dinner, not touring, and I ended up with huge blisters on the "ball" of my foot, which made walking difficult for the subsequent 4 days. Also, I wore heels for work.. also treacherous.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Wbpzse6Esu0DOo_XlLT3ki5tr-UH7V9c9LKCxHpFgDZKKhHXndjbUEZcolpyQumTaKQ2w5paljyQgCp_yYwYYZgz9r5_KRwOwjhZZflScTT-3z42KxC1qqOKOoDFdBI7DAtJLXzrvBVn3Jnikc063_wijoybCwjU-Ac3Z_Hy3J6GFg3YSPzXpc3dEAs/s3088/IMG_0020.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="2316" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Wbpzse6Esu0DOo_XlLT3ki5tr-UH7V9c9LKCxHpFgDZKKhHXndjbUEZcolpyQumTaKQ2w5paljyQgCp_yYwYYZgz9r5_KRwOwjhZZflScTT-3z42KxC1qqOKOoDFdBI7DAtJLXzrvBVn3Jnikc063_wijoybCwjU-Ac3Z_Hy3J6GFg3YSPzXpc3dEAs/s320/IMG_0020.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I think we finally made it back, after 3 miles of walking, around 0200. Whew.</div><div><br /></div><div>Breakfast the next morning was at <a href="https://arabianteahouse.com/" target="_blank">Arabian Tea House</a>. I rediscovered my FAVORITE Middle Eastern delight: Karak Tea. When I'd had it in Bahrain a decade before, I thought they called it chai, and so I've been hunting for years for this tea. I just didn't know the right name for it. Now I'll never forget again.</div><div><br /></div><div>We also made a short trek through a historic district with an old fort (unFORTunately it was closed) to see the waterfront.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS-IHLhRbgbB8sWScADyMIbSwXDYXeZxW5pZRNbXmVlvhyLFTTTwSiqhp7b1faj4oqCqRdNuRvA8hhEf0K_tb5WXsg1iNnmni9GdlRCP_BeWWIG1zZozAFNa6JOX_usDWqBTY7mPyzAAHP4t48rq6CvQAYDHVsFGkXav11h83TEqQuQ3hv7F5ypW6R74A/s4032/IMG_0030.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS-IHLhRbgbB8sWScADyMIbSwXDYXeZxW5pZRNbXmVlvhyLFTTTwSiqhp7b1faj4oqCqRdNuRvA8hhEf0K_tb5WXsg1iNnmni9GdlRCP_BeWWIG1zZozAFNa6JOX_usDWqBTY7mPyzAAHP4t48rq6CvQAYDHVsFGkXav11h83TEqQuQ3hv7F5ypW6R74A/s320/IMG_0030.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG0Cg2arPLyjqOhgcCUvy2TMGwxGFUKogj1_-vbb9x7z6lw45Zm17EmgquYbpQYZGYyrBEubxxyCzishdg96sqH76eBI5ynHrkSnP95ZCnzUlyYN8H3GkUyCHyyt73FiELw7CMSYn2cxj9xVqq2JKd6WcHltahuLiNeRsdMTrDWiD9kEA5IOmXEKqj9cQ/s4032/IMG_0035.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG0Cg2arPLyjqOhgcCUvy2TMGwxGFUKogj1_-vbb9x7z6lw45Zm17EmgquYbpQYZGYyrBEubxxyCzishdg96sqH76eBI5ynHrkSnP95ZCnzUlyYN8H3GkUyCHyyt73FiELw7CMSYn2cxj9xVqq2JKd6WcHltahuLiNeRsdMTrDWiD9kEA5IOmXEKqj9cQ/s320/IMG_0035.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggDVu6vwX8YjCE0nJuCc7u6vPOg_Mv6xKNxfOdFgwy7psXQfgFbAKpvMCqrwmdEbDX3KnbiAxg5snJ6Re8I1Zf6rxe6g6qkZA5Nx99Mnmc2_YUQX1JVmjxVVwrJgPT4cry140ObgqlO7goTPxZU8Z5L3SePs_-4jJLgRBa_G3muo4O9IOsaIEmfwu7P2I/s4032/IMG_0041.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggDVu6vwX8YjCE0nJuCc7u6vPOg_Mv6xKNxfOdFgwy7psXQfgFbAKpvMCqrwmdEbDX3KnbiAxg5snJ6Re8I1Zf6rxe6g6qkZA5Nx99Mnmc2_YUQX1JVmjxVVwrJgPT4cry140ObgqlO7goTPxZU8Z5L3SePs_-4jJLgRBa_G3muo4O9IOsaIEmfwu7P2I/s320/IMG_0041.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div>On the way back to the hotel, we made a stop at the Museum of the Future. We didn't do the tour, but admired the view from the outside.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWRBBoEv13jcAL6f2myJM1B0zzC52iMD7MavWd8vOVppJS5KfVHk5ud6thLmG09fvuKcRElKo1G_UichrLCDMfgmR5pSpTwyFj-xByamrYLsJ_cNAqvGIvJLAIySB-Q1fz-VoW-WwIFNwELoq_gGvZ2ZgXSjydimY_F0rbJxcxFuCgWUk1RgTh2KGt3Zk/s4032/IMG_0046.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWRBBoEv13jcAL6f2myJM1B0zzC52iMD7MavWd8vOVppJS5KfVHk5ud6thLmG09fvuKcRElKo1G_UichrLCDMfgmR5pSpTwyFj-xByamrYLsJ_cNAqvGIvJLAIySB-Q1fz-VoW-WwIFNwELoq_gGvZ2ZgXSjydimY_F0rbJxcxFuCgWUk1RgTh2KGt3Zk/s320/IMG_0046.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA9nhDRFgW5XShSQq8Bh_ZACKQnimlj3YHD7IGlTJBIzWNTRvMPishDog3t_C73T8sWphEv0vVhd3MQ6RyUUiA74f6udf_Gxk1qzykrSYXG1mL_2YdZrd-9SoIQ-EENEpqvJXw2-SGlBaPjZu4_krZp_cBrN-umB45g5uMszmJqLmOyhGvLKw1_SjWrgA/s4032/IMG_0051.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA9nhDRFgW5XShSQq8Bh_ZACKQnimlj3YHD7IGlTJBIzWNTRvMPishDog3t_C73T8sWphEv0vVhd3MQ6RyUUiA74f6udf_Gxk1qzykrSYXG1mL_2YdZrd-9SoIQ-EENEpqvJXw2-SGlBaPjZu4_krZp_cBrN-umB45g5uMszmJqLmOyhGvLKw1_SjWrgA/s320/IMG_0051.HEIC" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Gate at the Dubai Financial District</td></tr></tbody></table><br />After breakfast, we had our hotel (the Ritz*, nope not kidding) make a beach reservation for us. A beach reservation. In January. IN JANUARY I WAS SITTING ON A BEACH IN A BIKINI. Highly recommend a reservation at a beach site with chairs and waiter service. There are public access beach areas, but if you're gonna do the balla life, do the balla life.</div><div><br /></div><div>*There are TWO Ritz hotels in Dubai. If you stay at one, this is a very important distinction to make... especially when calling an Uber.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5K7LsFpJftK3yNpqXpiT8RJFAKfqrhLveVbboTQnGRYQRYFWTfjZb4FlP4XNHhqT03zGWfpzRCWsAv3Am1WxM6TZpVHZDUTaHtBHckCOiiV9J7IhhdNh3LOFmlpo6cnCbonnHlbAPMQxHvQUqqX5OhniBgbMZwsxtr19RNeowney0Vm6v-qpEuxgP6Ao/s4032/IMG_0052.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5K7LsFpJftK3yNpqXpiT8RJFAKfqrhLveVbboTQnGRYQRYFWTfjZb4FlP4XNHhqT03zGWfpzRCWsAv3Am1WxM6TZpVHZDUTaHtBHckCOiiV9J7IhhdNh3LOFmlpo6cnCbonnHlbAPMQxHvQUqqX5OhniBgbMZwsxtr19RNeowney0Vm6v-qpEuxgP6Ao/s320/IMG_0052.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div>After the beach, we headed back to the hotel for a rinse, then back out to the gold souk where my coworker (who is Egyptian) haggled like a mfin BOSS for my birfday earrings.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIWtC3ZU8SV6LhqMyA44gzQMXEcJPpQbmEU5zvU6BKW4W9Dn0bnl1PnKJ-HaAKo77Rq5DPHKz3G5oEOgIvazaYr0Oil-FeVP8y7GWwaLFN0Uvno_sCUA3UByXXxI48nKXT5ypkxxFhKPFcnB2JQyTpmMwLvHmETUT9XPq8rDDi-E_W5AmRqOYR69FcQoQ/s4032/IMG_0060.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIWtC3ZU8SV6LhqMyA44gzQMXEcJPpQbmEU5zvU6BKW4W9Dn0bnl1PnKJ-HaAKo77Rq5DPHKz3G5oEOgIvazaYr0Oil-FeVP8y7GWwaLFN0Uvno_sCUA3UByXXxI48nKXT5ypkxxFhKPFcnB2JQyTpmMwLvHmETUT9XPq8rDDi-E_W5AmRqOYR69FcQoQ/s320/IMG_0060.HEIC" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes, that is a gold SHOE.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnDQye6M7pvLtlUJyv2MvacrQ8wAoTsjn5zoVU-RFdJ2g7PYgfdLgMjghRuUbDZtVmeKeX6HzCKYMYJ8nBI9_IhDg8I0no3H2p6ckYGRZ5oVwImAjgSt8b1wp2e47psZMNBPWQMwyVeckNtOKBHNTfGXNglhyPZCt2DUZDkGdaPQ6nsu8ov_wyc2rFn2U/s4032/IMG_0065.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnDQye6M7pvLtlUJyv2MvacrQ8wAoTsjn5zoVU-RFdJ2g7PYgfdLgMjghRuUbDZtVmeKeX6HzCKYMYJ8nBI9_IhDg8I0no3H2p6ckYGRZ5oVwImAjgSt8b1wp2e47psZMNBPWQMwyVeckNtOKBHNTfGXNglhyPZCt2DUZDkGdaPQ6nsu8ov_wyc2rFn2U/s320/IMG_0065.HEIC" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New earrings (hoop and 3 circles)!</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Monday was getting down to business.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBs6IkNeK0aQ3rvqYYUCb35EuUUcedLzhlqYsMjIitTFVcdT6NKYdgg0Vi7b4ulPnyyM30Wc-JNCdgONdGH2-uHL2JtnfPNaWaVmqonmTyJADvmLtcfgyVPW-cIFeUFD6XIyX77jGq_2lTGJRzlzovywTOPKcm7YXvZD8GlTVecv9jzmM8KFqtESEP7yc/s4032/IMG_0073.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBs6IkNeK0aQ3rvqYYUCb35EuUUcedLzhlqYsMjIitTFVcdT6NKYdgg0Vi7b4ulPnyyM30Wc-JNCdgONdGH2-uHL2JtnfPNaWaVmqonmTyJADvmLtcfgyVPW-cIFeUFD6XIyX77jGq_2lTGJRzlzovywTOPKcm7YXvZD8GlTVecv9jzmM8KFqtESEP7yc/s320/IMG_0073.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFRBrLBV9_Yl0LEw82Y3Uf_hnhyphenhyphen01bzkFUWFIZXlpH0JTEHBt_oYmO00PYO-mNYIzOqOf5OuWPEymILZ_t7N2FzlQorJOcWab0sVRUDEVmEqh-IiuOCJGdC5CMaKLtW7FPRwpWB-SsMXZusAaMcp4bPcLaqEF16AXOJsckcn35TqABkTmN-8_nP02iPcY/s4032/IMG_0078.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFRBrLBV9_Yl0LEw82Y3Uf_hnhyphenhyphen01bzkFUWFIZXlpH0JTEHBt_oYmO00PYO-mNYIzOqOf5OuWPEymILZ_t7N2FzlQorJOcWab0sVRUDEVmEqh-IiuOCJGdC5CMaKLtW7FPRwpWB-SsMXZusAaMcp4bPcLaqEF16AXOJsckcn35TqABkTmN-8_nP02iPcY/s320/IMG_0078.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsFaHpeVauO8vUe8y8T_OgoPZJLu7Ox7NL53O9ger-nb87HN_Lbh1Kx4qXP9fchYc1H-JuZA3-Ilcx2cgrBjgGdUjZjUuZX9romDG5Oqk_2PjWxMfojegP6rAb0p3EvkQqYmm6NazzdKs7pCmWQ2gL_p9H9IxJ56BxUYHGa6Xel2xHZ9ttr-PeIyoF4sY/s4032/IMG_0081.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsFaHpeVauO8vUe8y8T_OgoPZJLu7Ox7NL53O9ger-nb87HN_Lbh1Kx4qXP9fchYc1H-JuZA3-Ilcx2cgrBjgGdUjZjUuZX9romDG5Oqk_2PjWxMfojegP6rAb0p3EvkQqYmm6NazzdKs7pCmWQ2gL_p9H9IxJ56BxUYHGa6Xel2xHZ9ttr-PeIyoF4sY/s320/IMG_0081.HEIC" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Train ride back to the hotel.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Our final night in Dubai, we went out for dinner at the Iraqi place we'd seen by the Burj. We were treated to an epic light/fountain show while we were eating. We didn't realize that the show would happen, but we definitely weren't disappointed!</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmEGGhZMjDhHMQKczSNEzNGTVsocKNnqgaATJMapTdxxjlSy8xF1mU8z-cp5VNpCB1IGCSThrDniaV-n0gdbob4W4WtDLqsm167u-dBMysdg24ke9dHEnapgPuu-AnztuMHFP5e9UJ8OZGhr7tdJCJYZ2HfdNCp7e52ZOkdKXue1G5tR-rNTTvKYvf2JM/s4032/IMG_0091.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmEGGhZMjDhHMQKczSNEzNGTVsocKNnqgaATJMapTdxxjlSy8xF1mU8z-cp5VNpCB1IGCSThrDniaV-n0gdbob4W4WtDLqsm167u-dBMysdg24ke9dHEnapgPuu-AnztuMHFP5e9UJ8OZGhr7tdJCJYZ2HfdNCp7e52ZOkdKXue1G5tR-rNTTvKYvf2JM/s320/IMG_0091.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfjzS-SvJG8dMk5Z0JbQydtMHRNiHCJ3Rc5Vz64K8auKZd4CVCQeTteAnH3M9TZ9sH5TcKXk403fp6lxUTszKumIWnGK5H9QVGrx1PhUN9JkuC_GxsALlde7AtQY53cABb_PGyVJwFgHNrZtj8CKXRqGvkgBbCstsaO7un21txvoRQFel-UBkaornH_gU/s4032/IMG_0092.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfjzS-SvJG8dMk5Z0JbQydtMHRNiHCJ3Rc5Vz64K8auKZd4CVCQeTteAnH3M9TZ9sH5TcKXk403fp6lxUTszKumIWnGK5H9QVGrx1PhUN9JkuC_GxsALlde7AtQY53cABb_PGyVJwFgHNrZtj8CKXRqGvkgBbCstsaO7un21txvoRQFel-UBkaornH_gU/s320/IMG_0092.HEIC" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After meal tea was an absolute delight for me.<br />Even if it meant caffeine before bed.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />On my way back to the hotel, I stopped at the Museum of the Future to get night shots of the structure. Here's a secret about Tourist Megan, she will want to go out at night. I find that night touring shows different aspects of the buildings than day touring does. Some of my favorite DC tourist things are the night scoots that we've done to see Christmas lights. But also, I feel like the monuments are even more awesome at night.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqeeobQQ0Dayf6y7AfNgaZBSmcTKo8gGuJEfbe56svnRFsr0LxIH4Xjbrty-90byjNbWUVP1xg6_lSVNe-jmD-u6soi0FHMddnADtTIAXWYjtRSFmS5d6aIwX6oePLSQjhXJzKmvfS8X9EAG0WHpDmMO5ZYDL4qyIKeXDO9refA9nZViPsmek6zlD-LT0/s4032/IMG_0093.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqeeobQQ0Dayf6y7AfNgaZBSmcTKo8gGuJEfbe56svnRFsr0LxIH4Xjbrty-90byjNbWUVP1xg6_lSVNe-jmD-u6soi0FHMddnADtTIAXWYjtRSFmS5d6aIwX6oePLSQjhXJzKmvfS8X9EAG0WHpDmMO5ZYDL4qyIKeXDO9refA9nZViPsmek6zlD-LT0/s320/IMG_0093.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZbLv2uEoSad_HezAgCKKJWKlJMEiVQlnO6VuZQPnmGMz99txeJvDZmQjai6S3Y7Iha_2X-p3nxRXYlOdZ4eYHZT0K8I4Z3W7GBqODHmN7_q1E7flcBKoQmQsAzg36pf_bXOrCOCCdaUq4_e-07rmQmjKppEkaUEkgcQ6MwcAYHawpICmxZbG4TjRpPrw/s4032/IMG_0094.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZbLv2uEoSad_HezAgCKKJWKlJMEiVQlnO6VuZQPnmGMz99txeJvDZmQjai6S3Y7Iha_2X-p3nxRXYlOdZ4eYHZT0K8I4Z3W7GBqODHmN7_q1E7flcBKoQmQsAzg36pf_bXOrCOCCdaUq4_e-07rmQmjKppEkaUEkgcQ6MwcAYHawpICmxZbG4TjRpPrw/s320/IMG_0094.HEIC" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can't even tell me that's not cool AF. It is.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4gmnUQbaIjEjnU_uk71tGDI3wzftQYz4bWBg_nYn3ecAFoAtVXLihCS59x2hDWQdKNacsFp3_HCkMT5LURUYyLDwDcdVCOt2rfADVyiiLK0rfvs87c11wh_HupH9Evj1TNoWEty55cunCH_B1NrXiWJp4jLO3YiBGEp_LZRSc1Hwg3kofeGJtNUYYdwc/s4032/IMG_0102.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4gmnUQbaIjEjnU_uk71tGDI3wzftQYz4bWBg_nYn3ecAFoAtVXLihCS59x2hDWQdKNacsFp3_HCkMT5LURUYyLDwDcdVCOt2rfADVyiiLK0rfvs87c11wh_HupH9Evj1TNoWEty55cunCH_B1NrXiWJp4jLO3YiBGEp_LZRSc1Hwg3kofeGJtNUYYdwc/s320/IMG_0102.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>After a few quick days in Dubai, it was time to spend a few days in Abu Dhabi. It's only an hour drive (which you can get an Uber for) between Dubai and Abu Dhabi.</div><div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">Abu Dhabi:</h2><div><br /></div><div>Since the work days were long, the first few days in Abu Dhabi only included work and eating at the hotel (St. Regis) since the included buffet was absolutely mindblowing.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYs-i0nDg-3N6xmREVvByDG3j-9rMXzt4x0i43qTzn4HrEQ8nhB8u1u-YQr4T7TMcfOxoEWvgnA5z3T5k6YMyoNwqgY7OPDshyphenhyphenAevzc94DuDHN7GUw-IERgWPFO1aUOHpWRdT-ecscU_KW-YAoCr3B27l0JaqXVNf82pbSpsT_F0WlE9S5vIzjbNf6JsI/s4032/IMG_0111.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYs-i0nDg-3N6xmREVvByDG3j-9rMXzt4x0i43qTzn4HrEQ8nhB8u1u-YQr4T7TMcfOxoEWvgnA5z3T5k6YMyoNwqgY7OPDshyphenhyphenAevzc94DuDHN7GUw-IERgWPFO1aUOHpWRdT-ecscU_KW-YAoCr3B27l0JaqXVNf82pbSpsT_F0WlE9S5vIzjbNf6JsI/s320/IMG_0111.HEIC" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The St Regis is connected to a very fancy mall where I could afford zero things, but this photo op was not gonna be passed up by someone who was once described as having "mermaid hair" and whose favorite movie as a kid was A Little Mermaid.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiccV0erIrRjM7ahi4jSy_EylgpKEpPfrbatsdBGCV2iTv26qvbMPzMXlAwq3fe1bmMm0QPtsEQgfm_ExgSIXQRoI48vlukCPkzITjN2E8BBYY4BOTECnLhPr6kkTTKulRgwzJQ2VdiGIOPIxDFgc3IlSKB-z7FwdbkUgaytyF1TN1OuRQSnQWy02-AHSU/s4032/IMG_0118.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiccV0erIrRjM7ahi4jSy_EylgpKEpPfrbatsdBGCV2iTv26qvbMPzMXlAwq3fe1bmMm0QPtsEQgfm_ExgSIXQRoI48vlukCPkzITjN2E8BBYY4BOTECnLhPr6kkTTKulRgwzJQ2VdiGIOPIxDFgc3IlSKB-z7FwdbkUgaytyF1TN1OuRQSnQWy02-AHSU/s320/IMG_0118.HEIC" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I took advantage of every single bathtub at each hotel I stayed at.<br />Zero ragrats.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />One evening after work, we stopped by the <a href="https://www.szgmc.gov.ae/en/" target="_blank">Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque</a> since it was on the way to the hotel from the embassy. This mosque feels very touristy, especially with the market you must walk through to enter the mosque. Nevertheless, it was beautiful... AND it gave me an opportunity to wear my hijab and abaya again!</div><div><br /></div><div>We were there for final prayer call and sunset and both were exquisite. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4rJfSMENpqfg5MGbUnKXHxi4g_leix8hYiP9IaCcOQDjD4dlQz-2pDmvgGUsQoyTL3uV8Knu2cQ0I6A1JCEyO-A9KK1b-Xl6wyO4ahiDG3DxxxyOBxQvaoFIA4amH_2VGhfABeoTj1F7h_Bvq8nAwxX_Mztvu_lP-mNE3DODL27VxSGQrmlxT6UzuKds/s4032/IMG_0123.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4rJfSMENpqfg5MGbUnKXHxi4g_leix8hYiP9IaCcOQDjD4dlQz-2pDmvgGUsQoyTL3uV8Knu2cQ0I6A1JCEyO-A9KK1b-Xl6wyO4ahiDG3DxxxyOBxQvaoFIA4amH_2VGhfABeoTj1F7h_Bvq8nAwxX_Mztvu_lP-mNE3DODL27VxSGQrmlxT6UzuKds/s320/IMG_0123.HEIC" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfdjnYVMWuxLM2J8hJdgffB9ycu-q62X0KMbRlYWLR8ZSCeknuI3AvezcLCDXWUGHAor7IJpCPSU8g1LllxNc5EccLJ-i2_ovKE5ooimJqU2_h3ahc3vxZc4p4SGrvYza9Da1zmwJKVTGMFQ-NA2gd6sjjKT5Ywo4TT_YvPHilw6GNa4B1NIvYI81-rfc/s320/IMG_0156.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2U3O9tC7Z6jyKb3Uj4k63P8sd3TkQ_Rip402M4Dkp2LMv_2N-cuK4vMOj7Z9U4nJtilvBUsMRamv1AQq4-znK_2XDjQo3HhUREUssNVjaAfXn0qMgDWlhWK6XdpIbIKjQWjR2VhfmSLRPGmKTFvb6iFyzEXgFTTsSVSv4jlb5bkSkflb1LVQ5SppAKNs/s4032/IMG_0157.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2U3O9tC7Z6jyKb3Uj4k63P8sd3TkQ_Rip402M4Dkp2LMv_2N-cuK4vMOj7Z9U4nJtilvBUsMRamv1AQq4-znK_2XDjQo3HhUREUssNVjaAfXn0qMgDWlhWK6XdpIbIKjQWjR2VhfmSLRPGmKTFvb6iFyzEXgFTTsSVSv4jlb5bkSkflb1LVQ5SppAKNs/s320/IMG_0157.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp5GISjuZ6huh0dJ-C79WH-MWU17GtDi4aKUAs5f_sBpwrzB6o9-T1FZRa6MdLEZLGeFWnaE6N_uiexn3QlARj6aT0Md95schl-mXMb3UUSe-SU1ZcwnOPC385e6uZVWVBBbOY96-jrEAOFlCqTJGs-O8n4OlRY9flV5HRQFCyHrpoCN8US5rIGuUmiiE/s320/IMG_0185.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwh9rFSe4kP3qICeh32ywGsEQgaRed5hjca58_6zxrtuTOtd9il49y1UP3hm_bW36Aan7t_z25P_8zVxOrHluJqRdtB3PlgLoFGT6jDlsO7c0h2tgxwOsNeAMjGlJgIrEKGv9rY475g85iODgKl2tqLOD2LGfiBSyMMmFToxnKdRXIB_h7Vdfz8OPVdnI/s4032/IMG_0190.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwh9rFSe4kP3qICeh32ywGsEQgaRed5hjca58_6zxrtuTOtd9il49y1UP3hm_bW36Aan7t_z25P_8zVxOrHluJqRdtB3PlgLoFGT6jDlsO7c0h2tgxwOsNeAMjGlJgIrEKGv9rY475g85iODgKl2tqLOD2LGfiBSyMMmFToxnKdRXIB_h7Vdfz8OPVdnI/s320/IMG_0190.HEIC" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv4_ozI3D4OpKZjQxnj4GhDTPf2JAw2vyNvQh9DEK1k9nWVRB4nNxNaiNb5XuEWl7E-O8gAhSr5HhQMId63dbgph8eApQNd0AJImdg_Q92nvJKjMXTiHpSVywLL5lAYNxLf7sKx-1OkjxKwJbbTwn62XA8Gb1Wl-uX2r-ZnxjcCR8k4iYegwopsg6ikbE/s4032/IMG_0191.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv4_ozI3D4OpKZjQxnj4GhDTPf2JAw2vyNvQh9DEK1k9nWVRB4nNxNaiNb5XuEWl7E-O8gAhSr5HhQMId63dbgph8eApQNd0AJImdg_Q92nvJKjMXTiHpSVywLL5lAYNxLf7sKx-1OkjxKwJbbTwn62XA8Gb1Wl-uX2r-ZnxjcCR8k4iYegwopsg6ikbE/s320/IMG_0191.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Each evening at the St. Regis, there were snacks in the lobby. Usually, someone was there to serve them, but a few times I was able to sneak a few without someone helping.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-IapIRT9iCszyhljIPipXoL0VnhTpmr-DWBeKdnMBOr1CNIhesP0dNnvbJNYG3twv-0HDp8QRH5xLitMnEb0xbbRyDK9N75z4X1lMsz4jQtgAuppg1k7eNbeZCUWxrEI610MPKHjc0NRNn81DT6NG_1KQOdbWSSLgqYNGXEp4vLQZsJbOvRrNUK3lobM/s4032/IMG_0192.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-IapIRT9iCszyhljIPipXoL0VnhTpmr-DWBeKdnMBOr1CNIhesP0dNnvbJNYG3twv-0HDp8QRH5xLitMnEb0xbbRyDK9N75z4X1lMsz4jQtgAuppg1k7eNbeZCUWxrEI610MPKHjc0NRNn81DT6NG_1KQOdbWSSLgqYNGXEp4vLQZsJbOvRrNUK3lobM/s320/IMG_0192.HEIC" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I called these bird's nest (top) and bird poop (bottom).<br />Both were delicious, but bird's nest was better.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />The night before we left Abu Dhabi for Bahrain, we did a desert safari. 100% NOT surgeon approved. Essentially, you sand drift in a specially specced Land Cruiser. After the drive about the dunes, you stop at a <strike>Bedouin-style</strike> tourist trap camp for dinner. The food was meh at best, the henna literally didn't show, the shisha was licorice flavored (vomit), and I definitely wasn't dressing up in a burka for photos or riding a camel. I did do an underwhelming quad (4-wheeler) tour and hiked up a sand dune to (yet again) fill my shoes with sand and to just be for 20 minutes. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi50JEi6Vz9dyfCaHVHnDn8_FAGgXTfEogqV-5Tm82r2zITBrgVA5O0Dhsm_7bE6laGGrRkSfZo9HYW2CwEz-i3Z5D9Iq2BZm6w39YDvvQsGIleuXSF49DgQyV8Pa8uV3F21grcirgL-yv1DeZDgCEA1GofachdN-yG6Sh6IDVziNH83rerTzXXEpVnf8E/s4032/IMG_0204.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi50JEi6Vz9dyfCaHVHnDn8_FAGgXTfEogqV-5Tm82r2zITBrgVA5O0Dhsm_7bE6laGGrRkSfZo9HYW2CwEz-i3Z5D9Iq2BZm6w39YDvvQsGIleuXSF49DgQyV8Pa8uV3F21grcirgL-yv1DeZDgCEA1GofachdN-yG6Sh6IDVziNH83rerTzXXEpVnf8E/s320/IMG_0204.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyAaPLPYzcuSm6zUINlkKza3wUg1YgXYmIDpfr2TmgoNFlSxo2kXiECD7tAzFJ3H1ECBCm-dnJEBfJxzEW7AYXrruaS-Yzkf9lHUaSvOLtMqcMAcEzUN8fwhs8edLMAxNpDLVYx0A-hhbz65ApAxpV-ODqxoJ8sjRwufLKXXFMkLOdmHMO1QJVgtLzs6E/s4032/IMG_0218.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyAaPLPYzcuSm6zUINlkKza3wUg1YgXYmIDpfr2TmgoNFlSxo2kXiECD7tAzFJ3H1ECBCm-dnJEBfJxzEW7AYXrruaS-Yzkf9lHUaSvOLtMqcMAcEzUN8fwhs8edLMAxNpDLVYx0A-hhbz65ApAxpV-ODqxoJ8sjRwufLKXXFMkLOdmHMO1QJVgtLzs6E/s320/IMG_0218.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUw5wykjkJeR6ePkKfmtQ74E28-TuA5ZY_o4rp0_bWWRwHUlmU6MuQPJagSGsCYpsdb7Ge7naXqbKuZuRpYzd0quCpJ5kRvu1kACIB1p4f3_mW4hhYIVvDD0p760OVjVB0WU9_Z_YNbBplSKjwM8wnjv85QZIo6mZAY3PXuUpUpvKwcYDkH4QIqUu65Vw/s4032/IMG_0255.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUw5wykjkJeR6ePkKfmtQ74E28-TuA5ZY_o4rp0_bWWRwHUlmU6MuQPJagSGsCYpsdb7Ge7naXqbKuZuRpYzd0quCpJ5kRvu1kACIB1p4f3_mW4hhYIVvDD0p760OVjVB0WU9_Z_YNbBplSKjwM8wnjv85QZIo6mZAY3PXuUpUpvKwcYDkH4QIqUu65Vw/s320/IMG_0255.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisncBK1IjWOcstFbH8-w0PH-EVqAkisNejbLd20lA0J8ecaMEKg8ja176dDJh3t2lS31oiVxOvQFuuP2gfTCti-idngX43QAL-hCf-2OzeyDa6HlQQRQ_PuKfd7DI5gTYm-ka0tjrw9KmLb8ekf4ZQOCvEwQ3Asgkabrpf8Tmeh049RaPnS7FKq8C0fBA/s4032/IMG_0261.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisncBK1IjWOcstFbH8-w0PH-EVqAkisNejbLd20lA0J8ecaMEKg8ja176dDJh3t2lS31oiVxOvQFuuP2gfTCti-idngX43QAL-hCf-2OzeyDa6HlQQRQ_PuKfd7DI5gTYm-ka0tjrw9KmLb8ekf4ZQOCvEwQ3Asgkabrpf8Tmeh049RaPnS7FKq8C0fBA/s320/IMG_0261.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTRgIuzWwgiqmpC2et5vwphE6NgxOkmmphtPZPaFfqQTBxZdRlftbzTgwsEWhIpxLY7l7NJXiMbFLskH_Lxys9jPW9XUrxlWkMMyiFxVGmSmr4wW682DkFmzuIKYi-w5IR5IFZbc3qxPRU5SJUhVUTNoKTZvdSV4d31Adi6p76Og5ozH-Bc4iARQg7ffo/s4032/IMG_0275.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTRgIuzWwgiqmpC2et5vwphE6NgxOkmmphtPZPaFfqQTBxZdRlftbzTgwsEWhIpxLY7l7NJXiMbFLskH_Lxys9jPW9XUrxlWkMMyiFxVGmSmr4wW682DkFmzuIKYi-w5IR5IFZbc3qxPRU5SJUhVUTNoKTZvdSV4d31Adi6p76Og5ozH-Bc4iARQg7ffo/s320/IMG_0275.JPG" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqpmdCBqsjoXtG-aOvmB8tCjv-603ueKCRqraclVctWhkOekoZtAUrxnbsR3GD4552aYnlzYWWgTnm6S_pya8Q6MyBxjrlw-j7JMVjOzzCLGpAbp-KKPjIL0lgR3e03djemPHQbh6mEaOYkZ1P1rvU5Cpc14Zz_Wva9nIeZKO8nSMc4UG5vN2WcPIkq44/s4032/IMG_0283.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqpmdCBqsjoXtG-aOvmB8tCjv-603ueKCRqraclVctWhkOekoZtAUrxnbsR3GD4552aYnlzYWWgTnm6S_pya8Q6MyBxjrlw-j7JMVjOzzCLGpAbp-KKPjIL0lgR3e03djemPHQbh6mEaOYkZ1P1rvU5Cpc14Zz_Wva9nIeZKO8nSMc4UG5vN2WcPIkq44/s320/IMG_0283.JPG" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnHZ39Pxrk8YQAMslri2mq7MzYqgR8lwWCeCHpx3PIHN1dWW81qVRYHpLkjguOhs6xDDGddrxCGqlVEjFmAO3kH4gLK6NTPVexyS2FiiKjjoQrNIdad0Pnhq2vPmlTr7i5iqA2rC5oUeQleRbHtbmI5FdmTsBnQP3DeSuQF3nOFGWPS4S57x3e9hMRUhQ/s4032/IMG_0280.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnHZ39Pxrk8YQAMslri2mq7MzYqgR8lwWCeCHpx3PIHN1dWW81qVRYHpLkjguOhs6xDDGddrxCGqlVEjFmAO3kH4gLK6NTPVexyS2FiiKjjoQrNIdad0Pnhq2vPmlTr7i5iqA2rC5oUeQleRbHtbmI5FdmTsBnQP3DeSuQF3nOFGWPS4S57x3e9hMRUhQ/s320/IMG_0280.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyNNJyUFTJzi6iXOBtHzKWwECM6HZqEPrX-EXo9qPHWESDvYjtbOsohjhxs6jfNF5jWK2c2SZWcTgOzmZiFItnUPyQa9qJrXed2UaM14Dw-RLhFzV_YtCsmOl6B0v7lf10O4LBXN-PmHwmPe0n-SKl7Rw1QPJy983LooVjobtuJzpFHBtrWEPaqHj4cRk/s4032/IMG_0284.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyNNJyUFTJzi6iXOBtHzKWwECM6HZqEPrX-EXo9qPHWESDvYjtbOsohjhxs6jfNF5jWK2c2SZWcTgOzmZiFItnUPyQa9qJrXed2UaM14Dw-RLhFzV_YtCsmOl6B0v7lf10O4LBXN-PmHwmPe0n-SKl7Rw1QPJy983LooVjobtuJzpFHBtrWEPaqHj4cRk/s320/IMG_0284.JPG" width="180" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcFytB9qPfypUCrMTfA2nInP5vvchd96djAhFUo2M04nfnwlOmAsPTHsZ1TgiCy_8rWzthnlnMdiW32G0GwqEBR8TWey54f9EA37GZbqWJpn4GrpUCpXDfc4oq6nB_V2j79sjJa2PedaGajOs0mb3PSpe9L19PZhigszHFAwvVjZFY-7LI4tIz9W3gOkE/s4032/IMG_0294.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcFytB9qPfypUCrMTfA2nInP5vvchd96djAhFUo2M04nfnwlOmAsPTHsZ1TgiCy_8rWzthnlnMdiW32G0GwqEBR8TWey54f9EA37GZbqWJpn4GrpUCpXDfc4oq6nB_V2j79sjJa2PedaGajOs0mb3PSpe9L19PZhigszHFAwvVjZFY-7LI4tIz9W3gOkE/s320/IMG_0294.JPG" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These poor shoes.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFdoVOQ9eTm1jCPGFhGXGAKpm2w664UeU69wZhbYUXzzOxiFMzd78MXRtWHcK4EnC4dVwV5sDbyFon6UejC4b8a1auoLQTKoVB2v8S0UDnMVWiPS0-HFB9W23TX7ffJyzqM437zxSuPSxQt58629y42CKjvZIel6eXQXthDGGY6xIlU-cilXvpH4zfhzs/s4032/IMG_0295.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFdoVOQ9eTm1jCPGFhGXGAKpm2w664UeU69wZhbYUXzzOxiFMzd78MXRtWHcK4EnC4dVwV5sDbyFon6UejC4b8a1auoLQTKoVB2v8S0UDnMVWiPS0-HFB9W23TX7ffJyzqM437zxSuPSxQt58629y42CKjvZIel6eXQXthDGGY6xIlU-cilXvpH4zfhzs/s320/IMG_0295.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look at all those camels.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH9rx8I8triPquqEyDXEwNhBAAINpzZ9Ey9_hilvrbiVbzm7Z9AZBPsmLwVLRvKAFwYHuMAeTrLMC-k2DOshyFFqsRhBh6C9Y5wW2B3zeIsia-X5cMM-2x5kOmI30Wr3bcEfiwwp0aTKp2Mzwdr0eFBmkPXt1rt_o6WexDPEvQUKrZ4E7ZzuSo_vlUvZc/s4032/IMG_0301.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH9rx8I8triPquqEyDXEwNhBAAINpzZ9Ey9_hilvrbiVbzm7Z9AZBPsmLwVLRvKAFwYHuMAeTrLMC-k2DOshyFFqsRhBh6C9Y5wW2B3zeIsia-X5cMM-2x5kOmI30Wr3bcEfiwwp0aTKp2Mzwdr0eFBmkPXt1rt_o6WexDPEvQUKrZ4E7ZzuSo_vlUvZc/s320/IMG_0301.JPG" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The dancing was very.. spinny.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />After we returned from the desert safari, I really wanted to go to the Yas Circuit and do go karts, but there were NO tickets available, /sob. Instead, I walked to the grocery by the hotel, stopping for some sights along the way.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWxzXBpv1goysQnom4Uce8Fjr8rAJrKN60CWjiW_MthYkgv9pvDO-S5960VfmgguzEQunyMNmb2qb3c8myt40PFOjOJ-1d18iwveKQdnhx8my_BWmWOfkrpoq8XfheIFIn6Tc1xwxAYr1D-1pDADT2PxwqxYFyRssmZaEvRtAKsIX6qtd4CzksnCaW13c/s4032/IMG_0302.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWxzXBpv1goysQnom4Uce8Fjr8rAJrKN60CWjiW_MthYkgv9pvDO-S5960VfmgguzEQunyMNmb2qb3c8myt40PFOjOJ-1d18iwveKQdnhx8my_BWmWOfkrpoq8XfheIFIn6Tc1xwxAYr1D-1pDADT2PxwqxYFyRssmZaEvRtAKsIX6qtd4CzksnCaW13c/s320/IMG_0302.JPG" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Founders Memorial</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQoCvVd7kZcgelKRjVsfjE4P86z1QbgcNSkNUBU-lvlCYIU-t1tEpQ2_M_eSili5GuxV9aX6bZ_MiWkwFD5VVYTP7L8YMieQmSGCTaNnnMF2M_z4AaBOQ0Nt11S4Igzv8Y9LDWEJyTuN-4N8z5hDG37pUDj9j32Pf1Yl1uiUp0jLCc-Be_SrqWo388GnI/s4032/IMG_0303.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQoCvVd7kZcgelKRjVsfjE4P86z1QbgcNSkNUBU-lvlCYIU-t1tEpQ2_M_eSili5GuxV9aX6bZ_MiWkwFD5VVYTP7L8YMieQmSGCTaNnnMF2M_z4AaBOQ0Nt11S4Igzv8Y9LDWEJyTuN-4N8z5hDG37pUDj9j32Pf1Yl1uiUp0jLCc-Be_SrqWo388GnI/s320/IMG_0303.JPG" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hotel where we stayed.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Yall. I cannot begin to explain the buffet situation at the St. Regis. I had to ignore my brain screaming "the <i>waste</i> of this level of extravagance" to enjoy it... But yall.. there was food from every culture at every meal. There was a hot bar, a chef place, salads bar (as in like different types of salads (pasta, fruit, etc)), cheese bar, bread bar, appetizer bar, and an entire dessert buffet. I actually was video chatting with Teh German one night when I was at dinner and showed him all the different options and he was floored.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXx0PgxFPTk7ORcdGhTft_pJFBviA8jfTsyWYyKkoBvASLMDuGne2JD6CR6u0t177ZBlQZ1MkY9tyvncwUfz2BLeDY1KGClgUzPnYdXznW-v0HBIVD3SV1YTkr-YDJqVeIwOtpXsPLqGQIS5R86YDaNq2nmDIUO_qY0VQI9lnXEQY80BQ5rmKs7VjuLqY/s4032/IMG_0304.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXx0PgxFPTk7ORcdGhTft_pJFBviA8jfTsyWYyKkoBvASLMDuGne2JD6CR6u0t177ZBlQZ1MkY9tyvncwUfz2BLeDY1KGClgUzPnYdXznW-v0HBIVD3SV1YTkr-YDJqVeIwOtpXsPLqGQIS5R86YDaNq2nmDIUO_qY0VQI9lnXEQY80BQ5rmKs7VjuLqY/s320/IMG_0304.JPG" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sugar creations on the dessert bar. /mindblown</td></tr></tbody></table><br />We left Abu Dhabi for Bahrain on Saturday afternoon. I had hopes of doing something touristy and visiting the Qasr Al Watan (presidential palace), but I was le tired. Instead, I went to a cafe for lunch (since the restaurant buffet was only open for breakfast and dinner) and a karak tea. After, I stopped at a few shops to check for treats to send back home.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgkp6DUG_2bCi5buXrxgzeGqFYRG0Luja6aUsVys9SkV957nr5dP2QSKmwQPKNVRhrI7WF7jnl3ZeFV-8o07zArCuOtSnwsXo8ydhqjJvZ7XTyvdnj9Pj2qCvRARw3oLGHUG7FLEBXsfsvGuhSCG98c_ehNHFjSVuARW1ObcSubPXH7RghFKHoetxI4aQ/s4032/IMG_0307.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgkp6DUG_2bCi5buXrxgzeGqFYRG0Luja6aUsVys9SkV957nr5dP2QSKmwQPKNVRhrI7WF7jnl3ZeFV-8o07zArCuOtSnwsXo8ydhqjJvZ7XTyvdnj9Pj2qCvRARw3oLGHUG7FLEBXsfsvGuhSCG98c_ehNHFjSVuARW1ObcSubPXH7RghFKHoetxI4aQ/s320/IMG_0307.JPG" width="180" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I found a fountain by the hotel and had to get some photos. It very much reminded me of the Bahrain fountain for some reason. But also, that building is the St. Regis.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYiG9c-kduCTS-ocqQ34mlUw5QvFCzBPnI6CfAaNhuq_lTX3r7ST7vIFMPT-hl-Oz9Xu3K78rgwPs-Zo837jW7CMf6Xn0AOmJ5buZuea9jn6mhzO2rRs-kMXmJa82tQ341h3w6U4mkvM69Q9-rF6YSbAiuXWPZvmA2hsw5g58TvOAxuPNbfDUmFavBvXw/s4032/IMG_0332.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYiG9c-kduCTS-ocqQ34mlUw5QvFCzBPnI6CfAaNhuq_lTX3r7ST7vIFMPT-hl-Oz9Xu3K78rgwPs-Zo837jW7CMf6Xn0AOmJ5buZuea9jn6mhzO2rRs-kMXmJa82tQ341h3w6U4mkvM69Q9-rF6YSbAiuXWPZvmA2hsw5g58TvOAxuPNbfDUmFavBvXw/s320/IMG_0332.JPG" width="180" /></a></div><div><br /></div></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj09osqGg-QxB6RnIb3zpKsb_MXdAexlWA266IhR4504Uj0utelvC_leyn4TpRmPvtjgCqDHrXK_ZgeFOV5jmbCTRNxVUQiGbNRZoatNCJB2JWG_YN9JF5nbFJUHHrduZRmzeFxhcS9pOv6Zjk9L9cSiV2M0w8UZ2kSTrMl7tSnYD0kzNCXsVy3fv9biHY/s4032/IMG_0198.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj09osqGg-QxB6RnIb3zpKsb_MXdAexlWA266IhR4504Uj0utelvC_leyn4TpRmPvtjgCqDHrXK_ZgeFOV5jmbCTRNxVUQiGbNRZoatNCJB2JWG_YN9JF5nbFJUHHrduZRmzeFxhcS9pOv6Zjk9L9cSiV2M0w8UZ2kSTrMl7tSnYD0kzNCXsVy3fv9biHY/s320/IMG_0198.HEIC" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the St. Regis.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Teh Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00133596439315060218noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1581436032352728193.post-69739680214705165522024-01-01T11:35:00.004-05:002024-01-01T11:35:29.507-05:00Banana Pudding<p> </p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga9Turx6pZAN4E1RSSKXt6UHQV9o3JGdhs4125AvAitk_a9tjGSqp67kuOiEfPUq8EWpcGpt-Ez_4LzqoGfJMGA1esYyPGHYmW9Las8C-luSwEb4VPFvdd_nG8-xaYGoyVJaxz_hlSrkYXPLQgofrABVCunT8I7a74S0dJtpjdp0IwV55CGVEULxkYJGg/s5333/PXL_20231231_144537571.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="5333" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga9Turx6pZAN4E1RSSKXt6UHQV9o3JGdhs4125AvAitk_a9tjGSqp67kuOiEfPUq8EWpcGpt-Ez_4LzqoGfJMGA1esYyPGHYmW9Las8C-luSwEb4VPFvdd_nG8-xaYGoyVJaxz_hlSrkYXPLQgofrABVCunT8I7a74S0dJtpjdp0IwV55CGVEULxkYJGg/w400-h225/PXL_20231231_144537571.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>There's 294824 different banana pudding recipes on the internet, so I took 2 and made a Megan version because I was worried that one would be too sweet for Teh German (and it also contained Cool Whip, which I don't eat) and the other wouldn't be sweet enough for me. Soooo I fixed it!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7J00hIfmmJWpo1XZrouxpolOdhDtAIL4tCF36YFAQ3BjbiMJ3t62IkEW1njqYYsvsIWSGvp6dbRC4k-HoRwHaegMhNkkY5Ar-uH5p6n5oiAc10vf-Vq_f-PPyOBqwzUsc-tNTXaVbQfG7-9ftuvDdO26clupepjjcLNthhtylmdn2cAXmL_f8Sm2qgNA/s5333/PXL_20231231_141623916.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5333" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7J00hIfmmJWpo1XZrouxpolOdhDtAIL4tCF36YFAQ3BjbiMJ3t62IkEW1njqYYsvsIWSGvp6dbRC4k-HoRwHaegMhNkkY5Ar-uH5p6n5oiAc10vf-Vq_f-PPyOBqwzUsc-tNTXaVbQfG7-9ftuvDdO26clupepjjcLNthhtylmdn2cAXmL_f8Sm2qgNA/w225-h400/PXL_20231231_141623916.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fret not, I was supervised.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><h2 style="text-align: left;">Ingredients</h2><h4 style="text-align: left;">Pudding, step 1:</h4><div>2 cups cold milk</div><div>1 (5 oz) package <i>instant</i> vanilla pudding mix</div><div>1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk</div><div>1 tsp vanilla extract (optional)</div><div><br /></div><h4 style="text-align: left;">Pudding, step 2:</h4><div>1 pint heavy whipping cream</div><div>4 tablespoons confectioners/powdered sugar</div><div><br /></div><h4 style="text-align: left;">Assembly:</h4><div>1(+) box vanilla wafers</div><div>10+ bananas<br /><p><br /></p><h2 style="text-align: left;">Directions</h2><p></p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Mix sweetened condensed milk and milk together. Adding pudding packet and continue mixing for 2-3 minutes. Mash 1 banana and mix into pudding. Cover and refrigerate for 3+ hours.</li><li>When ready to assemble pudding, after pudding has set: beat heavy whipping cream and powdered sugar (and vanilla extract, if using) together until stiff peaks form.</li><li>Mix pudding and whipped cream together until there are no streaks left.</li><li>Slice bananas (I did one banana at a time because I wasn't sure how much I needed).</li><li>In a container of your choice (I used a 9x13 dish), place a layer of vanilla wafer on the bottom of the dish. Then add a layer of banana on top of the wafers. Add a layer of pudding mix. Repeat this step until dish/container is full/ingredients are used/you are satisfied. You could also make this in individual portioned containers.</li><li>Cover and refrigerate 4-8 hours.</li><li>Serve!</li></ol><div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">Megan Tips</h2><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Mixing a mashed banana into the pudding mix was a delight.</li><li>I used ripe but barely bananas to avoid them turning brown. I don't like green bananas, so not green, but definitely no spots. Also, my recipes called for 14 bananas and I bought that many and didn't end up using them all.</li><li>I don't use Cool Whip. I'd much rather make my own whipped topping and it's super simple if you have a mixer (it's quite tedious by hand, but doable with enough dedication (yes, I have hand mixed whipped cream before because there weren't mixers in 1792).</li><li>I was worried the whipped topping wouldn't be sweet enough for me so I added powdered sugar. I would consider skipping this next time to see what a difference it makes.</li><li>I sliced my bananas as I layered them in the dish because I didn't want them to turn brown. There are ways to help slow oxidation (which causes the bananas to turn brown), but I was too lazy for all that. I just made sure to quickly add the pudding on top of the layer. My slices were not too thin (I didn't want them to just fall apart) and not to thick (I wanted to be able to recognize a chunk of banana in my bite).</li><li>I like A LOT of bananas and A LOT of vanilla wafers. Obviously, you can use how ever much you want.</li><li>Crush up some vanilla wafers (less than you would expect) and write on your pudding! Just place some wafers in a ziplock bag, crush the wafters so there are minimal chunks, then cut the tip of the bag off and use like an icing piping bag. This was the most fun part!</li><li>I made the pudding mix the day prior to serving and let the mixture set overnight because I didn't want runny banana pudding.</li><li>I assembled my banana pudding at 9am on the day of serving it, knowing I was going to be serving it after 7pm. I wanted to give it time for the flavors to mingle and the wafers to soften. I'm sure that you could prob serve it immediately, but would recommend at least a few hours of flavor melding.</li><li>Make sure to let your dogs help with clean up, since they've probably been fastidiously supervising, by letting them do the dishes. Pax and Meri were both super dedicated to cleaning the pudding and whipped topping bowls.</li></ul><div><br /></div></div><p></p></div>Teh Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00133596439315060218noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1581436032352728193.post-56432781065240355422023-12-30T14:38:00.001-05:002023-12-31T14:06:56.324-05:002023 Review (Part 2)<div style="text-align: left;">And for part 2... (IDK why the formatting got wonky, but I'm too lazy to fix it, sorry not sorry.)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><h2 style="text-align: left;">JULY</h2><p>Beginning with the July 4th holiday, there was crossfit and scootin'.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuO0N7bCsvgJkVq5wsyKlwCWpRHk1blHokycsPcGWyxYtpfEeI0VxaY1_z7Ackg_Zyf0vr26jHYjYDDjBHGo68opYkCvybvTzN_ClGzb0qD1QkAmJe6u4ClnRkZbTASQxzdTGdRD-kT0c_Vgj07iP5qi5Un4j7YPgXXSVGF6S1U3F-i5fgJZddJMojohw/s3264/PXL_20230704_142300704.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="1836" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuO0N7bCsvgJkVq5wsyKlwCWpRHk1blHokycsPcGWyxYtpfEeI0VxaY1_z7Ackg_Zyf0vr26jHYjYDDjBHGo68opYkCvybvTzN_ClGzb0qD1QkAmJe6u4ClnRkZbTASQxzdTGdRD-kT0c_Vgj07iP5qi5Un4j7YPgXXSVGF6S1U3F-i5fgJZddJMojohw/s320/PXL_20230704_142300704.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I am not one to pass up a themed outfit opportunity.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH9vkIAsemCjdv6eyfWM0Q1ISarFRdOi868VT7Xfv84q4wIN8rD9GsHzuOmXO4_9EJn_IBxAU2NzqMQhIr_QITiErBFeGYPQxcJHEKSxM1fRnKClstXTrrI3fUC_e340KlZpuVCjGNKJsFLSl8Mfnt2gk18KCwH6biy7jGw-A_pHYGysdNNfsAVdZzHiM/s4032/PXL_20230704_213321536.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH9vkIAsemCjdv6eyfWM0Q1ISarFRdOi868VT7Xfv84q4wIN8rD9GsHzuOmXO4_9EJn_IBxAU2NzqMQhIr_QITiErBFeGYPQxcJHEKSxM1fRnKClstXTrrI3fUC_e340KlZpuVCjGNKJsFLSl8Mfnt2gk18KCwH6biy7jGw-A_pHYGysdNNfsAVdZzHiM/s320/PXL_20230704_213321536.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Teaching Teh German about the delightful blackberries that are sometimes allowed to grow on the path I take for my long runs.</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><p>I had 2 primary goals for 2023: <br />-No more than 15 races (after the 32 races of 2022, ya girl was tiiiiiiiired)<br />-No injuries (LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL x infinty)</p><p>One of the big races that had already been planned since 2022, was Ragnar Northwest Passage. This meant a trip to Washington (state). It also meant:</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4O6HI-_SzvWZ-YdnhbkYdVFqkNgm3Be1_a2WN6baot3begjWpHHOSG0BvNiYVQrNiFiQBCA8pu4oNqcmJuCY-QRD42idYxHM-AYlKFR_eksn4Dg9A28GOaSk6lIpGSJqaZqVwRBHWHAapcjvANkzN_JYJfCVxxkM2nf-nIpTA0pgMC10Nl2L8qHz-qA0/s3264/PXL_20230712_210631076.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1836" data-original-width="3264" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4O6HI-_SzvWZ-YdnhbkYdVFqkNgm3Be1_a2WN6baot3begjWpHHOSG0BvNiYVQrNiFiQBCA8pu4oNqcmJuCY-QRD42idYxHM-AYlKFR_eksn4Dg9A28GOaSk6lIpGSJqaZqVwRBHWHAapcjvANkzN_JYJfCVxxkM2nf-nIpTA0pgMC10Nl2L8qHz-qA0/s320/PXL_20230712_210631076.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting to hang out with a DC motorcycle friend who moved to Seattle earlier in the year.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQMi-ZluVUXOHtzPuCAu4gaDtPg20gB0bVL41QBz3jtojRwzve21ESP22LRG6KDQK9gpaWguBJOwkymfzAHZusWOMpYuVFBDosYbxjnqk3EVNArBbeaxBVZJmMtEEY7bsz9Qt6dikajZjY0zHPODkYi_U6PTpywkYt9c6WXPke391DyD2zbIuTcZJrKJQ/s4032/PXL_20230712_231648141.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQMi-ZluVUXOHtzPuCAu4gaDtPg20gB0bVL41QBz3jtojRwzve21ESP22LRG6KDQK9gpaWguBJOwkymfzAHZusWOMpYuVFBDosYbxjnqk3EVNArBbeaxBVZJmMtEEY7bsz9Qt6dikajZjY0zHPODkYi_U6PTpywkYt9c6WXPke391DyD2zbIuTcZJrKJQ/s320/PXL_20230712_231648141.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">THE MOST DELICIOUS PEACHES from the market.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYC1ff53W4hyptMkXS2ANCOuoSNvPrkmoTEp9RwoEVxmMBAqUzbvAtSEDmyvzDMdNXB4wpoAd73DyG3zDbi5EiwXtA0ekykmTZUQ6yc2BZoXBipUc9kpvlxj2GZ1nXUnlAZfNJ8doKqhBWtOWFoOvBqtVCw-ek6gdmwtJ-0A2LxsiXUH89xaqGOniuj18/s3264/PXL_20230713_145701128.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="1836" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYC1ff53W4hyptMkXS2ANCOuoSNvPrkmoTEp9RwoEVxmMBAqUzbvAtSEDmyvzDMdNXB4wpoAd73DyG3zDbi5EiwXtA0ekykmTZUQ6yc2BZoXBipUc9kpvlxj2GZ1nXUnlAZfNJ8doKqhBWtOWFoOvBqtVCw-ek6gdmwtJ-0A2LxsiXUH89xaqGOniuj18/s320/PXL_20230713_145701128.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Touristing with my faves.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoHCF4A6Loq5ZWLsv1fHvpFd0e6wl3F-XS6YfwhyphenhyphenGxTSiiivPbXMpCJS9128g-S37xaeYdJL09voLy8f627SPPH7HggHyWY50sglvN5XIdDMuZ-paNQ6RJM6JJESUdpllS31UqHd2UZ03yFnbb_iEbwdSVxnXAUWKFyqImVcGb1u1ylkz-bvC-GX5UEkg/s3264/PXL_20230713_172707143.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="1836" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoHCF4A6Loq5ZWLsv1fHvpFd0e6wl3F-XS6YfwhyphenhyphenGxTSiiivPbXMpCJS9128g-S37xaeYdJL09voLy8f627SPPH7HggHyWY50sglvN5XIdDMuZ-paNQ6RJM6JJESUdpllS31UqHd2UZ03yFnbb_iEbwdSVxnXAUWKFyqImVcGb1u1ylkz-bvC-GX5UEkg/s320/PXL_20230713_172707143.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And being silly.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQyFP3P8kHO0CgzgquMkkcOjnSiupgB9Hb4dbkqymcjIDutyyBCGgwJSVnq4vuYqbBWPttdPS71yEZzjq_XrV75DYyEFeVNKzQu8TZ3xhORyahZ2rqQNIaz4kydDqQliHBpl_OYIDjzoR7Pvomq_8eUY7dt1Dmamv8xRdubwcVcyC0B8-yzYszgHV2-nM/s3264/PXL_20230713_182349259.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="1836" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQyFP3P8kHO0CgzgquMkkcOjnSiupgB9Hb4dbkqymcjIDutyyBCGgwJSVnq4vuYqbBWPttdPS71yEZzjq_XrV75DYyEFeVNKzQu8TZ3xhORyahZ2rqQNIaz4kydDqQliHBpl_OYIDjzoR7Pvomq_8eUY7dt1Dmamv8xRdubwcVcyC0B8-yzYszgHV2-nM/s320/PXL_20230713_182349259.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seattle Fog Latte from Biscuit Bitch (x2)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfaeZeyk0SrP0boZVlVf2J475aEKLI0yZnt2nhn0jTtakQOA05AVlmuKj2ABfyDXwqlzhXER9kDFGoc25eJboj_wogBhfas3TlzdmIGUq4vuGLSFntladDG8-hlt8nDPbTsqxKNXTmTF32jksyNbKd7ykm3eWNWDfCZs8m8igzUCuswUdAx8JdNjuceMk/s3264/PXL_20230714_201934804.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="1836" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfaeZeyk0SrP0boZVlVf2J475aEKLI0yZnt2nhn0jTtakQOA05AVlmuKj2ABfyDXwqlzhXER9kDFGoc25eJboj_wogBhfas3TlzdmIGUq4vuGLSFntladDG8-hlt8nDPbTsqxKNXTmTF32jksyNbKd7ykm3eWNWDfCZs8m8igzUCuswUdAx8JdNjuceMk/s320/PXL_20230714_201934804.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Honeypot selfies!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGbqTjS1NCeLi96_caQejElzfmI5kpuU9pOjDscYXvxEtpHsOUMQWPLVLxDxnOmtg4J8DovHVIThej9NpKXBHG0-1H2V4sOWdGFNjFvP0hI2UG-hWrvkPkhTDR-7gzL420MZOPij10A1HIS4SafxPsd5wujO-FJyJpjhpyGr5og5WtyOXdY2oXfGYs38M/s2000/20230714_225113-118b.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGbqTjS1NCeLi96_caQejElzfmI5kpuU9pOjDscYXvxEtpHsOUMQWPLVLxDxnOmtg4J8DovHVIThej9NpKXBHG0-1H2V4sOWdGFNjFvP0hI2UG-hWrvkPkhTDR-7gzL420MZOPij10A1HIS4SafxPsd5wujO-FJyJpjhpyGr5og5WtyOXdY2oXfGYs38M/s320/20230714_225113-118b.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A "REALLY HIGH" UV index.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaPiV-Q6P1uEA5I21mWPSj4c7f8vMpPMEYEvn-cXdAPo6XzhhoKSn_Ln_CxAKdV0ukNiC9MXuyY0NqSDxzCDnr6E25u70B9UFSHVUErrtrJkn_sZluUc5bxtm205zTSd3bDSwNdQVa1LynfelCQB4-nyddel5__aXDGyqbBV2db98PyM9crkNXvp8XG0E/s2048/20230714_235952-7883.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="970" data-original-width="2048" height="152" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaPiV-Q6P1uEA5I21mWPSj4c7f8vMpPMEYEvn-cXdAPo6XzhhoKSn_Ln_CxAKdV0ukNiC9MXuyY0NqSDxzCDnr6E25u70B9UFSHVUErrtrJkn_sZluUc5bxtm205zTSd3bDSwNdQVa1LynfelCQB4-nyddel5__aXDGyqbBV2db98PyM9crkNXvp8XG0E/s320/20230714_235952-7883.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stunning views.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHGXQs4kdEoxRTwiAFPXmBmzeL8aDqRgW326-Ql1I6CvKzs5kwUKkcjMtQDyLcS_glCMRkkMjfU5Fof1BUegekkfwX4zbfClhghMboXiGRh-91kLFjTBY301ANx4neVr5NBtjKFF_qMvKAyYcktRY6iLnDqvBqxhNNDAyg_CbgdFMtwueDOsto0oxAzyE/s3264/PXL_20230715_044242056.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1836" data-original-width="3264" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHGXQs4kdEoxRTwiAFPXmBmzeL8aDqRgW326-Ql1I6CvKzs5kwUKkcjMtQDyLcS_glCMRkkMjfU5Fof1BUegekkfwX4zbfClhghMboXiGRh-91kLFjTBY301ANx4neVr5NBtjKFF_qMvKAyYcktRY6iLnDqvBqxhNNDAyg_CbgdFMtwueDOsto0oxAzyE/s320/PXL_20230715_044242056.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Naps on a gym floor.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu-U7u9wUAntFmg6TrQ7idHADNJhQU9myK4Euam0hR2MgsLWmb_PE8gmoUr7AEIMCGRac3Cim48iHjS5k0T8ws8xhSEV3pAgnu5toAe-sCMXrc0LaqjdAv5B1ZZ_DyHGXvWR6DuliFLukx84GDiJjE53wRqDJMiY-fPz2YBImvlK6eBNmwk2Y6PU-1mms/s2016/20230715_215342-df1e.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1134" data-original-width="2016" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu-U7u9wUAntFmg6TrQ7idHADNJhQU9myK4Euam0hR2MgsLWmb_PE8gmoUr7AEIMCGRac3Cim48iHjS5k0T8ws8xhSEV3pAgnu5toAe-sCMXrc0LaqjdAv5B1ZZ_DyHGXvWR6DuliFLukx84GDiJjE53wRqDJMiY-fPz2YBImvlK6eBNmwk2Y6PU-1mms/s320/20230715_215342-df1e.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unicorn onesie life.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrmGqvk7aiHROojIoMtcHFeKxpuCDfp0GjdelKuvfqUWpXozX_mJb2vZ7Ftph91vsSzRQvR9QPL9_PhlxKw_7yhvLrcje8fYptOolSEg83om_8cH-K-Zd7SkSEFwGQbvgaiBA-7qVT8icvhV-n6sHc8r1h-fmuJqwrrWFpux0QWUnlkoyjWmztSWCzSW0/s2000/20230715_165148-15da.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrmGqvk7aiHROojIoMtcHFeKxpuCDfp0GjdelKuvfqUWpXozX_mJb2vZ7Ftph91vsSzRQvR9QPL9_PhlxKw_7yhvLrcje8fYptOolSEg83om_8cH-K-Zd7SkSEFwGQbvgaiBA-7qVT8icvhV-n6sHc8r1h-fmuJqwrrWFpux0QWUnlkoyjWmztSWCzSW0/s320/20230715_165148-15da.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bestie runs.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaxn69H4lVBs5p1JVR5gcylgIChB9Z_FcNpoUtizLZgkX5pfqktOrTR33wN3dPaThEKEb0Jy8tFfGALRjnkITW5Gfywb_vtK0VZSoKYkVm3ysQZ_703v7gR3ps2UsymGc1XDGCkR39Lgad6AQcIS_jYb8Rr_wmwq_HW689iJOZoaeZw-rdxDZ0X3PmDzQ/s3264/PXL_20230715_122451332.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="1836" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaxn69H4lVBs5p1JVR5gcylgIChB9Z_FcNpoUtizLZgkX5pfqktOrTR33wN3dPaThEKEb0Jy8tFfGALRjnkITW5Gfywb_vtK0VZSoKYkVm3ysQZ_703v7gR3ps2UsymGc1XDGCkR39Lgad6AQcIS_jYb8Rr_wmwq_HW689iJOZoaeZw-rdxDZ0X3PmDzQ/s320/PXL_20230715_122451332.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Watching the sunrise while crossing Deception Pass.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjzg3fYr8WIrdzIiIvWRuMWNHh1EjRc8a-yBCgDJ_ZJrLk1xR1K1n9qnTdQvNeCwP1DZbH3TYWRasxRLyUdBK0nLJo6HAd7kdFinFb0gWC0OK-CJVUQEQpbPIuyqhYgrPnslSRjuRCFKIuIpeAJrcbDqMzW2q2zWw5SLqa_29zTsMZ-1NFOw_63HRyA18/s2000/20230715_165150-f31a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjzg3fYr8WIrdzIiIvWRuMWNHh1EjRc8a-yBCgDJ_ZJrLk1xR1K1n9qnTdQvNeCwP1DZbH3TYWRasxRLyUdBK0nLJo6HAd7kdFinFb0gWC0OK-CJVUQEQpbPIuyqhYgrPnslSRjuRCFKIuIpeAJrcbDqMzW2q2zWw5SLqa_29zTsMZ-1NFOw_63HRyA18/s320/20230715_165150-f31a.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Running legs with faves and almost dying because of direct sunlight, road running, and that high uv index.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKhnkhgJnJdvBynTb4J3ha3Sz-zb2lgZJhei8O_JJWqeZJw0hRZezX1GrIA20aQ0Xr3mZ0WoBXBQKYv0g3Ksy4JODRwIygoYKh7EgKfJu3aGeRB11UYupKv3kVH1OUC0ZbTlawp1-N8dF9_KbhFTH3oUxeziordSq4YtCuO5hqa-N012CkE6vbl8fXOQ0/s2016/20230715_190333-7a30.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKhnkhgJnJdvBynTb4J3ha3Sz-zb2lgZJhei8O_JJWqeZJw0hRZezX1GrIA20aQ0Xr3mZ0WoBXBQKYv0g3Ksy4JODRwIygoYKh7EgKfJu3aGeRB11UYupKv3kVH1OUC0ZbTlawp1-N8dF9_KbhFTH3oUxeziordSq4YtCuO5hqa-N012CkE6vbl8fXOQ0/s320/20230715_190333-7a30.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bringing the team in with a people tunnel.</td></tr></tbody></table><p>I was super pumped that our Van 1 for NWP was phenomenal. The other van can really make or break a Ragnar road, so this was a huge relief. Also, sunset over Deception Pass? This was a bucket list item I didn't know I had until I was standing on that bridge taking photos and thinking, "Holy fuck, this is MY LIFE."</p><p><br /></p><h2 style="text-align: left;">AUGUST</h2><p>In August, I was unbearably excited to have our SC family come to visit. We scoot-scooted around the National Mall, toured The Capitol, the Holocaust museum, and Arlington National Cemetery.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo5JV5tAokOfrtG6LLOKcneaPluJuywj7SF2d0tS2CzYXiMnZJVeEbe_aUmL0-P9yXQiSkYCOOPaj8qgREL2SUfKxtWyoeTshiEIZpFCsdyuDB-8VWCpKqyBDnW2ZF74c6Cokt_nKTeoRp3ghpS29W0O7394mXZQ5qXvw5C7yDWKEamHHpngdJ2dpimk8/s3264/PXL_20230805_153232327.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="1836" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo5JV5tAokOfrtG6LLOKcneaPluJuywj7SF2d0tS2CzYXiMnZJVeEbe_aUmL0-P9yXQiSkYCOOPaj8qgREL2SUfKxtWyoeTshiEIZpFCsdyuDB-8VWCpKqyBDnW2ZF74c6Cokt_nKTeoRp3ghpS29W0O7394mXZQ5qXvw5C7yDWKEamHHpngdJ2dpimk8/s320/PXL_20230805_153232327.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQEKLM7Os7Z1SUlzLrLh_7neEkmOu08ESd1GnExz5GgINLqcLxBsqFWDxcmYp71H1b7xHUo2HN8ksgr0XOBXc15bDf0Dy1K6k18kFxSpkyK04RQ2-yS6KGeIiUADs-3dZZ-2NDOh1m0O0MixQoCBmE4KtaDBuULiOl6zEeU9xF-EjK8ADYffCQe6mXJvc/s4032/PXL_20230805_174539965.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQEKLM7Os7Z1SUlzLrLh_7neEkmOu08ESd1GnExz5GgINLqcLxBsqFWDxcmYp71H1b7xHUo2HN8ksgr0XOBXc15bDf0Dy1K6k18kFxSpkyK04RQ2-yS6KGeIiUADs-3dZZ-2NDOh1m0O0MixQoCBmE4KtaDBuULiOl6zEeU9xF-EjK8ADYffCQe6mXJvc/s320/PXL_20230805_174539965.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>At some point, I got bit by the "I want to go to the beach" bug, which is strange since I don't love the beach. But it had been a few years since I'd been and I guess it was time. Teh German's company has a condo in Ocean City and we'd never been, so we opted for this choice. Unfortunately, the condo wasn't available during the date that I was available (race schedule woes), so we ended up at a super cute AirBnB that worked out very nicely.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpv2imHKGl_iEP7cAvlHXRY8pwmdSXhICczwSpVU89FHY9WZS6mzNV02rPPdRV8etvMP9fWvAIlG__8t-GbFqsh8jXTAVAkUVSRnHe60rs1CJBn6ZOmmA92Lj3UefsfYIJl9NTUgWnFJzR5roEciIgKaspctgmxok8AVLPfjc0oXgylQInCMJxjwS7Roc/s3264/PXL_20230820_164603280.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="1836" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpv2imHKGl_iEP7cAvlHXRY8pwmdSXhICczwSpVU89FHY9WZS6mzNV02rPPdRV8etvMP9fWvAIlG__8t-GbFqsh8jXTAVAkUVSRnHe60rs1CJBn6ZOmmA92Lj3UefsfYIJl9NTUgWnFJzR5roEciIgKaspctgmxok8AVLPfjc0oXgylQInCMJxjwS7Roc/s320/PXL_20230820_164603280.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><p>We made sure to catch the sunrise a few days, but we also got up EXTRA early on one of those days to drive down to Assateague Island to see about the beach horses. It was really cool.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3-NOkokgvOv564Tk0b7jwkZrAhzUUgwujgtfe-mqt0sYECNnVj0cD6QN4oZ6XV2cCMu9DuZZIAZWrYjd-ZEXRt0PaVPxmjOraZc-krXkHm3K29WDrKtm3kdBOKLRl6TfnrxaadLvqR_Pe7SPyS24vtBs-OXOF1cKoYFcgk_Dssk0t-cXvbpMRl_co18k/s4032/PXL_20230822_101658312.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3-NOkokgvOv564Tk0b7jwkZrAhzUUgwujgtfe-mqt0sYECNnVj0cD6QN4oZ6XV2cCMu9DuZZIAZWrYjd-ZEXRt0PaVPxmjOraZc-krXkHm3K29WDrKtm3kdBOKLRl6TfnrxaadLvqR_Pe7SPyS24vtBs-OXOF1cKoYFcgk_Dssk0t-cXvbpMRl_co18k/s320/PXL_20230822_101658312.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTP6ErsnFKK04oQH3YX85yCUoM9YbDLj9R-GwplkbWtFg1FcqjMnJuJ8K2yEGiFmeDQLESSLhm4FN3TLDjTXgNNa437SdP2iZ2MZ093b4rmYDbhtu88r7GKS6MO70dvQ8jcrS-YdukA9mm-a84axdpY3qcdxOqX-_s5cHnQh8KevIngVJ5dFeNgCvTzcg/s4032/PXL_20230822_104848023.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTP6ErsnFKK04oQH3YX85yCUoM9YbDLj9R-GwplkbWtFg1FcqjMnJuJ8K2yEGiFmeDQLESSLhm4FN3TLDjTXgNNa437SdP2iZ2MZ093b4rmYDbhtu88r7GKS6MO70dvQ8jcrS-YdukA9mm-a84axdpY3qcdxOqX-_s5cHnQh8KevIngVJ5dFeNgCvTzcg/s320/PXL_20230822_104848023.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJFaQ9XXcHRWNXUuhaYlqZnqR08xdpqGIF-b3U4G74i2dyEUe4Gf-Wrxf3Bw9OEWvJ4-LJiucA1wEhrYoevK5m-7ldHGoZFncvj3axAbOoournxLyZmhlFxCk5CNvI5VVX8XX4d-fTKoxSvMwpVNmdv8ZSCGMwH_XmvtHIUYZRHgValEMNNVNyZo9uHFs/s3264/PXL_20230822_102956077.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="1836" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJFaQ9XXcHRWNXUuhaYlqZnqR08xdpqGIF-b3U4G74i2dyEUe4Gf-Wrxf3Bw9OEWvJ4-LJiucA1wEhrYoevK5m-7ldHGoZFncvj3axAbOoournxLyZmhlFxCk5CNvI5VVX8XX4d-fTKoxSvMwpVNmdv8ZSCGMwH_XmvtHIUYZRHgValEMNNVNyZo9uHFs/s320/PXL_20230822_102956077.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><p>The sunrise at Assateague Island was underwhelming, but the horses more than made up for it. We also brought along Wheelbört and my scooter, which were essential in touring the part of the island we couldn't access via car since we weren't camping there.</p><p>While Teh German was working half days to save on PTO, I went out to the beach to just be.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXVWmThUFmmXbA2lZDAXaLpJjbZY1SII9wi8A9InjHrboG3KH8UhEy0a2BeYMXhJbu0gs3DvvYACkVic3OcRmsr4h015yMYBO-ebIQqNDVVi_MWSTVTxNUQSygW6sxp4bY87Pyg62lfVpDKNw4QzWjTtAvr6-Z_WXD5jOdk_kFhKERGuK1GadaSYCKxCE/s4032/PXL_20230822_122540916.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXVWmThUFmmXbA2lZDAXaLpJjbZY1SII9wi8A9InjHrboG3KH8UhEy0a2BeYMXhJbu0gs3DvvYACkVic3OcRmsr4h015yMYBO-ebIQqNDVVi_MWSTVTxNUQSygW6sxp4bY87Pyg62lfVpDKNw4QzWjTtAvr6-Z_WXD5jOdk_kFhKERGuK1GadaSYCKxCE/s320/PXL_20230822_122540916.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our last morning there, I discovered beach yoga.<br />It is probably the last time I do beach yoga.<br />SO.MUCH.SAND.<br />And the wind was terrible. Poor lady beside me.</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><h2 style="text-align: left;">SEPTEMBER</h2><p>September included more outside time!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRuUMjkdt_BqtmNNU1o56GB6Caw68cPm9PxXNdhARmuWRSiZwdZgvYkCeDP5ib-QBI4JMxiR82BN3EIcnBuEb6Z0k1pkdqzs1i71j3l4ZK2gv-S82I5sEIJojWikXBExAigbg0rwu-QVFMXDeecLEb1cXk2q-fV6DNHPL7Q5_u_IlaqCwlCumIy3ffo6o/s3968/20230902_084328.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3968" data-original-width="2232" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRuUMjkdt_BqtmNNU1o56GB6Caw68cPm9PxXNdhARmuWRSiZwdZgvYkCeDP5ib-QBI4JMxiR82BN3EIcnBuEb6Z0k1pkdqzs1i71j3l4ZK2gv-S82I5sEIJojWikXBExAigbg0rwu-QVFMXDeecLEb1cXk2q-fV6DNHPL7Q5_u_IlaqCwlCumIy3ffo6o/s320/20230902_084328.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trail runs with Teh Ultra Vet!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxzpZ-RRVTnccotJ10-pBM1E2pBe6e1fWBIoctxn1piKlaAzsMeuNo1WKKYSG_Hn_E0Y5oTlZUEqjS977ky6LtM01lde-2t5gL4QZ7vIPiqU1SFJ0rDz_jcbDLAXGPPJt83FfjHgT7uXpwg_EkbN9J1tFVE6xvGaxUdxLUD4ePkmVNn13-EUNhugoBn9U/s1600/IMG_20230903_213046.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxzpZ-RRVTnccotJ10-pBM1E2pBe6e1fWBIoctxn1piKlaAzsMeuNo1WKKYSG_Hn_E0Y5oTlZUEqjS977ky6LtM01lde-2t5gL4QZ7vIPiqU1SFJ0rDz_jcbDLAXGPPJt83FfjHgT7uXpwg_EkbN9J1tFVE6xvGaxUdxLUD4ePkmVNn13-EUNhugoBn9U/s320/IMG_20230903_213046.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">MD Renn Faire on the hottest day of year.</td></tr></tbody></table><p>And Papa G came to visit! </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiirya2oulktbipM2xGZLoy-ZJCA1nMWGxoFW3dJA7xAHPxwUSDWR77jJ7Sd5xWV5wlkqjemZGWzllj6I2u-nzudD1bldLIs6ZaTQbW2drpWila9rxfvorVZQuNrYWw5OuOdJo_t0sGyY_o1r4Bynzhz2TzlB3QRm1LSyOgBPDGa8y4GuYr4Di8A58d65w/s4000/20230909_110420.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2252" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiirya2oulktbipM2xGZLoy-ZJCA1nMWGxoFW3dJA7xAHPxwUSDWR77jJ7Sd5xWV5wlkqjemZGWzllj6I2u-nzudD1bldLIs6ZaTQbW2drpWila9rxfvorVZQuNrYWw5OuOdJo_t0sGyY_o1r4Bynzhz2TzlB3QRm1LSyOgBPDGa8y4GuYr4Di8A58d65w/s320/20230909_110420.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm always here for some silly hats.<br />(Yes, I was very surprised that I got both Papa G and Teh German to put on silly hats and take a photo with me.)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfZO2FpF3SmdTXkjPJUP3Z6MvB7cXo_-OPiXKKmFSxMdm8IIjxF29WhG0CWu_ShWhw-dN13gDY3XN0arup_M7SfhrhyPBL4Pmbd3T1utsczeOMBrMz08mX9MHTB0belhhEXWy5AbUeDGzj-g1jb35Yowsy0NBlpwkxip3FiNlZZqvpM6jZanK_dlNUH3U/s3968/20230910_093137.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3968" data-original-width="2232" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfZO2FpF3SmdTXkjPJUP3Z6MvB7cXo_-OPiXKKmFSxMdm8IIjxF29WhG0CWu_ShWhw-dN13gDY3XN0arup_M7SfhrhyPBL4Pmbd3T1utsczeOMBrMz08mX9MHTB0belhhEXWy5AbUeDGzj-g1jb35Yowsy0NBlpwkxip3FiNlZZqvpM6jZanK_dlNUH3U/s320/20230910_093137.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ran a local half that had a terrible medal while Papa G was here.</td></tr></tbody></table><p>Attended an Orioles game with Teh German's company.. and it was a big deal since someone was retiring... and after the game was a performance by Brett Young, which brought my country-lovin' heart some joy.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS9wuXI9Tc_zAOTD-WtOIrUebKq_eigpNskodcra6xrplvSNqlnn1HrAVPe1ec9htBU1dZIA1SfeZqJBSrby4TxnkBsMPE5BFJYa6ftM_64QY9Ep5lrtRFK4gAet6VF2A3iKazwBlDnXV-GpPKK9BfTmS0uehhS0cKJN8RpTihwPu1DsT-Pb0z_zjnUEs/s4618/20230915_194522.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4618" data-original-width="3464" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS9wuXI9Tc_zAOTD-WtOIrUebKq_eigpNskodcra6xrplvSNqlnn1HrAVPe1ec9htBU1dZIA1SfeZqJBSrby4TxnkBsMPE5BFJYa6ftM_64QY9Ep5lrtRFK4gAet6VF2A3iKazwBlDnXV-GpPKK9BfTmS0uehhS0cKJN8RpTihwPu1DsT-Pb0z_zjnUEs/s320/20230915_194522.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p>Unfortunately, my last local half was cancelled because of tropical storm weather. Boo.</p><p><br /></p><h2 style="text-align: left;">OCTOBER</h2><p>October was the mad dash to do ALL THE THINGS! before surgery. Enjoy all the things that I wouldn't be able to do for a while.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF_5gSPK95sCISeqJEF4SbcWCHxwoQlRsMd5SbvYKiz2hlcu85Oi5l1kg6WJC9Kxz1VuHtGzpDYg2-ZP09FpizuIIWzvEi3CaoG1IM_W1a6LqopKhmFkORhk3dasdBBUdiL0lYBqoWsYcK47Acq-jOusO7NDAOgy_2fsgAJpmnMijO698vRVQh8CXYpCo/s4618/20231001_122208.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4618" data-original-width="3464" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF_5gSPK95sCISeqJEF4SbcWCHxwoQlRsMd5SbvYKiz2hlcu85Oi5l1kg6WJC9Kxz1VuHtGzpDYg2-ZP09FpizuIIWzvEi3CaoG1IM_W1a6LqopKhmFkORhk3dasdBBUdiL0lYBqoWsYcK47Acq-jOusO7NDAOgy_2fsgAJpmnMijO698vRVQh8CXYpCo/s320/20231001_122208.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Runs when it's not 249394° outside</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRlLoCxOOnFSXIuqijcO-NOtzG8HGWJ5qD0KYtVQsvhShF5oKQMaK-SrPrhpRXt1jU6eIRwO56aLd-bS96W9AK_z_GXkoMqs3kq4HWWm6gNXycNGHb45M25DGnjuAOsQObdo-5TtHG7qXfkFxx3qd1gEKc9PfoYG0ay6qLs2fyXDyxk6daBX0rGmt66pw/s4618/20231001_154242.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4618" data-original-width="3464" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRlLoCxOOnFSXIuqijcO-NOtzG8HGWJ5qD0KYtVQsvhShF5oKQMaK-SrPrhpRXt1jU6eIRwO56aLd-bS96W9AK_z_GXkoMqs3kq4HWWm6gNXycNGHb45M25DGnjuAOsQObdo-5TtHG7qXfkFxx3qd1gEKc9PfoYG0ay6qLs2fyXDyxk6daBX0rGmt66pw/s320/20231001_154242.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Self-date motorcycle rides.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8cOJpJrQ2nwe59_-9Un2TcTBd7O7myV9-F_gqJjCEbkDaj-FFDs0tjzIfIWMu5XcYmGankreRsAwe2mGSdAc9_mgft78V4lyd3NqOix8EWx8nvfetmkM-rUCHF9tT2pAsG36jQ2ajhmj7PZ72ipejU7N-o0f4AHs2eMynTFeYD5JVJv01Bf9aWYoUsv4/s4618/20231001_143817.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4618" data-original-width="3464" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8cOJpJrQ2nwe59_-9Un2TcTBd7O7myV9-F_gqJjCEbkDaj-FFDs0tjzIfIWMu5XcYmGankreRsAwe2mGSdAc9_mgft78V4lyd3NqOix8EWx8nvfetmkM-rUCHF9tT2pAsG36jQ2ajhmj7PZ72ipejU7N-o0f4AHs2eMynTFeYD5JVJv01Bf9aWYoUsv4/s320/20231001_143817.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">For a milkshake.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigRuBy00w-FjW4lmCrF6D5oGiQ90p19lPyeK9lf8zjpfm-ugGV3BGyoKNeKKlIri3NtKaWN5_b347vz3DlSM647XNVTH8KkNZhwHVbQerykhC5dpXHZ91uNZWVtfMEz77BvV5lWGY6RWR5QoO84zU6tylAoaMhEmonzD6cYUlM30kDzRYBdJWFDJVAT5o/s4618/20231001_144321.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4618" data-original-width="3464" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigRuBy00w-FjW4lmCrF6D5oGiQ90p19lPyeK9lf8zjpfm-ugGV3BGyoKNeKKlIri3NtKaWN5_b347vz3DlSM647XNVTH8KkNZhwHVbQerykhC5dpXHZ91uNZWVtfMEz77BvV5lWGY6RWR5QoO84zU6tylAoaMhEmonzD6cYUlM30kDzRYBdJWFDJVAT5o/s320/20231001_144321.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And an adult beverage.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>2nd to last race before surgery: Ragnar Bourbon Chase.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqj1vKsjBuF6l4eMFiQaWhoo1K981kXPiFn7RZ38ACLq34SyQz3BsBh-GVxXSgIlOovthGKDNQokpPqIvIrWz4tHHsQEqWY3Lv0HpJQHEDHrPek9ynIvfwcV6b2TgxUem7DKytT_eI4Jg1bekiMR1t7G2Bg-SdkZJePsoJqvswsBIbFS6B8KH4UJLBS7s/s1440/Screenshot_20231005_221641_Gmail.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="831" data-original-width="1440" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqj1vKsjBuF6l4eMFiQaWhoo1K981kXPiFn7RZ38ACLq34SyQz3BsBh-GVxXSgIlOovthGKDNQokpPqIvIrWz4tHHsQEqWY3Lv0HpJQHEDHrPek9ynIvfwcV6b2TgxUem7DKytT_eI4Jg1bekiMR1t7G2Bg-SdkZJePsoJqvswsBIbFS6B8KH4UJLBS7s/s320/Screenshot_20231005_221641_Gmail.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This year, we opted to be Van 2 to get the "good views".<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD-sNrrDBzHtWf1eNycknj240iJBbqxZTERAARbJDvEtuwXn8NYUVIUxw6hPg8Enhkc4ujt3l8kVobdVyniTFKOiiAvGVIce8On6fznh9jkwDQcO-0-cHLshLIN5L1-N880BVm890UCqpZj_Q_ldsqB7hTUTJgoJQ3DuDEcUwS9D_ZOpOzAtt83QO2IRg/s4618/20231005_162430.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3464" data-original-width="4618" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD-sNrrDBzHtWf1eNycknj240iJBbqxZTERAARbJDvEtuwXn8NYUVIUxw6hPg8Enhkc4ujt3l8kVobdVyniTFKOiiAvGVIce8On6fznh9jkwDQcO-0-cHLshLIN5L1-N880BVm890UCqpZj_Q_ldsqB7hTUTJgoJQ3DuDEcUwS9D_ZOpOzAtt83QO2IRg/s320/20231005_162430.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reunited!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLopLsfIBnUgGOjFbGNRXHuyYbcl9PViuy7_4wS7rIhxe1nTkqbhU2-o5ywD7J4yGDBtGfCMzbYXyQ4ZcnrBcZkNnQ6eXOy6PWWFL1biIkZkSgB7eoy4b-Tnf9whU042kc7sySvhCtutTXywcsQCJ8MrrmxCghIkqdUACh-K3rWg58t9gC_BrneVRfJtU/s4618/20231007_124033~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4618" data-original-width="3464" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLopLsfIBnUgGOjFbGNRXHuyYbcl9PViuy7_4wS7rIhxe1nTkqbhU2-o5ywD7J4yGDBtGfCMzbYXyQ4ZcnrBcZkNnQ6eXOy6PWWFL1biIkZkSgB7eoy4b-Tnf9whU042kc7sySvhCtutTXywcsQCJ8MrrmxCghIkqdUACh-K3rWg58t9gC_BrneVRfJtU/s320/20231007_124033~2.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz0_x9xFJctkofbzrSLlgQ7xogajozioKtHw0hxwZsX4ZfyjrJ1eNzDEMVC-cKofeeHsuvSxgjpTuzOKaRs0oc5kmty7_bKfpE7-j4NsaL8y9Als0IhxLxqxeRBDgqRrrCZn45QXUwz68lCM9tI6xcDc1zRLJy6__77zGh5PR7Sr74cFc6IiAINaMysNI/s4618/20231007_121705.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4618" data-original-width="3464" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz0_x9xFJctkofbzrSLlgQ7xogajozioKtHw0hxwZsX4ZfyjrJ1eNzDEMVC-cKofeeHsuvSxgjpTuzOKaRs0oc5kmty7_bKfpE7-j4NsaL8y9Als0IhxLxqxeRBDgqRrrCZn45QXUwz68lCM9tI6xcDc1zRLJy6__77zGh5PR7Sr74cFc6IiAINaMysNI/s320/20231007_121705.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghXCj99SyYc0tdvBWnwk8AUhUaCYfMzKi0RqUirQtdCqONtwNowRM09Wr5hfKaYPysFSBOUys2ffqXahOXxSKtUAKZJa-KZIzJ0wZcs55rf5a_TnEA0SEBLvibFLnlJyLBx_xPgYKGA6-_8PkCL9SJ9ot5yyEzPcAli_EyyuJaF780H88uBRpn7xghhho/s4618/20231007_132531.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4618" data-original-width="3464" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghXCj99SyYc0tdvBWnwk8AUhUaCYfMzKi0RqUirQtdCqONtwNowRM09Wr5hfKaYPysFSBOUys2ffqXahOXxSKtUAKZJa-KZIzJ0wZcs55rf5a_TnEA0SEBLvibFLnlJyLBx_xPgYKGA6-_8PkCL9SJ9ot5yyEzPcAli_EyyuJaF780H88uBRpn7xghhho/s320/20231007_132531.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My final "one mile to go" sign for 2023!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibKSUuyJH78UXvc1rtZGHX86L9UTePPY-ctDpjRkjG3CvwRzIEXOSt0rQlG7jMFZkWmgb6yvo04C_JB4qwKxAx97NzzBV8svg0Wv725WbuOygFFB2ysKJqARXPQwf27jCZ3kraDo-5slHahyphenhyphen-NOCDTAyb0E9SWZsR5sjBdzquP1s8LpTq0ft0XUxGx7J0/s4618/20231007_164211.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3464" data-original-width="4618" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibKSUuyJH78UXvc1rtZGHX86L9UTePPY-ctDpjRkjG3CvwRzIEXOSt0rQlG7jMFZkWmgb6yvo04C_JB4qwKxAx97NzzBV8svg0Wv725WbuOygFFB2ysKJqARXPQwf27jCZ3kraDo-5slHahyphenhyphen-NOCDTAyb0E9SWZsR5sjBdzquP1s8LpTq0ft0XUxGx7J0/s320/20231007_164211.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cheesy team photos should always be a requirement.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH0ag46_IlzmNPZZPDxAyL6QPFs697f5JmJJgQy5-VM-ULQUdvlUSqdGmm_DClhqHNDxnDoWQEgApcmu0QTDGr63HiLefa1Jm0hXGl4E5CSstDoFLtUZFnb7FIylx-CfZzb6U4nJys54ujiu9uhe8zzAcIP8XRpE6XGmAx-Lb3R4JBaX94kIGqQHVjBo8/s4618/20231007_164243.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3464" data-original-width="4618" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH0ag46_IlzmNPZZPDxAyL6QPFs697f5JmJJgQy5-VM-ULQUdvlUSqdGmm_DClhqHNDxnDoWQEgApcmu0QTDGr63HiLefa1Jm0hXGl4E5CSstDoFLtUZFnb7FIylx-CfZzb6U4nJys54ujiu9uhe8zzAcIP8XRpE6XGmAx-Lb3R4JBaX94kIGqQHVjBo8/s320/20231007_164243.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And nostrils!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOfNu3-tJIG0RD6I7uZGkIPecy2JADtk9QhbYbBHrQMpLQR-eo9KCxehwrAqVJAFzBS1NIRydPla4Vrw2SqyTgRF5XJk3W6VDyi61fpTByUqboQFE4qrfYNFWN5_QMHfiF6wCKZYE-ID7RzKGvSYTd_OvZnasedaZekiHgXrBD5tf-U3yMNlUJVghfTYQ/s4618/20231008_135956.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3464" data-original-width="4618" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOfNu3-tJIG0RD6I7uZGkIPecy2JADtk9QhbYbBHrQMpLQR-eo9KCxehwrAqVJAFzBS1NIRydPla4Vrw2SqyTgRF5XJk3W6VDyi61fpTByUqboQFE4qrfYNFWN5_QMHfiF6wCKZYE-ID7RzKGvSYTd_OvZnasedaZekiHgXrBD5tf-U3yMNlUJVghfTYQ/s320/20231008_135956.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We brought the magic this year.<br />The big van was really a game changer.</td></tr></tbody></table><p>I came back home to recover for half a second before the next adventure.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvpf60ar84-H4uWTdx8a2paIoAoIYNxTYyn023YG4iqUYD_LDyIMSGuSF_5Eq2X7x1I-20c9VrOenqBsT76G49APcWcGC_lzy0pxKK0rxvOAQWT5eTnZdK-95rMC8W1a0WraiUIxYN1IgPgwR5rAIgTvFtxz2MG7W8g9gNwG7sP_pDUY3UFq02nCKQGLw/s4000/20231001_163815.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvpf60ar84-H4uWTdx8a2paIoAoIYNxTYyn023YG4iqUYD_LDyIMSGuSF_5Eq2X7x1I-20c9VrOenqBsT76G49APcWcGC_lzy0pxKK0rxvOAQWT5eTnZdK-95rMC8W1a0WraiUIxYN1IgPgwR5rAIgTvFtxz2MG7W8g9gNwG7sP_pDUY3UFq02nCKQGLw/s320/20231001_163815.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We had some landscaping done in the front flower beds and I was living my almost best life with these roses. Unfortunately, my phone and I were having some disagreements. More on that.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>The final adventure before surgery was the Detroit International Half (+ the 5k and the 1 miler the day before). Fortunately The Chief Smartass is from Michigan, so he was able to taxi Teh Bestie and I around efficiently. My brain was absolutely fried by this point (surgery prep + all the events), so I was glad that Teh Bestie had planned adventures and I just got to put my brain on cruise control.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzSiYo7jebSpXsRp5UHma5YQLGuU_l7aUm77EUg1dqqMpTPuREGZPJ7rE6k04BWAwwSFCi7opTqkUgMzCvClsogNQpgckI4ENNZibTT_kpkvVedc9VrlHe59fFqx_n3ayLzdmozIKb50_VnxnCOfIQ7Qi1BNn0fW6Jhf9iR3i6fX48X6IvbS0YD8hx0RQ/s4618/20231013_132111.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3464" data-original-width="4618" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzSiYo7jebSpXsRp5UHma5YQLGuU_l7aUm77EUg1dqqMpTPuREGZPJ7rE6k04BWAwwSFCi7opTqkUgMzCvClsogNQpgckI4ENNZibTT_kpkvVedc9VrlHe59fFqx_n3ayLzdmozIKb50_VnxnCOfIQ7Qi1BNn0fW6Jhf9iR3i6fX48X6IvbS0YD8hx0RQ/s320/20231013_132111.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We stopped by the Ford Factory.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0-KFJ6wk8399E3jbBQvnplkejxyS0cS420mRDWqR92tuUs-oJRQD-Ih4KyB94YyCQm_O0pSB8YuxnsyKKgGlOObZsdD5l-LIPNAnuWAwozyfpq679Fv0F5xfjDgVSQyLW33LCahl0MTMBV6YEi1XkCGaINPoASmpIZT0S5dE49n4wQnyWbxCLlYoVwl0/s4618/20231013_135407.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3464" data-original-width="4618" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0-KFJ6wk8399E3jbBQvnplkejxyS0cS420mRDWqR92tuUs-oJRQD-Ih4KyB94YyCQm_O0pSB8YuxnsyKKgGlOObZsdD5l-LIPNAnuWAwozyfpq679Fv0F5xfjDgVSQyLW33LCahl0MTMBV6YEi1XkCGaINPoASmpIZT0S5dE49n4wQnyWbxCLlYoVwl0/s320/20231013_135407.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Heidelberg Project<br />(which was very, very weird)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg39F8zA5s4urxddB_qRQaN5ZampMZH8SpTweeRRUdJ5IdhC3KTj9kL30j9StV0JFFEV2tYr22T0Vbe1N415mnLS2YqovI0RYUZObvBlegVnldaGYmFglYICVmceGDWMv8n0L0NT3QphsrECcPK3qeel3Uk2ISpdYe7W5A_FKLAcVIub072t86YpQ5Mi0/s4618/20231013_140052.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3464" data-original-width="4618" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg39F8zA5s4urxddB_qRQaN5ZampMZH8SpTweeRRUdJ5IdhC3KTj9kL30j9StV0JFFEV2tYr22T0Vbe1N415mnLS2YqovI0RYUZObvBlegVnldaGYmFglYICVmceGDWMv8n0L0NT3QphsrECcPK3qeel3Uk2ISpdYe7W5A_FKLAcVIub072t86YpQ5Mi0/s320/20231013_140052.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">But this made me think of my Gram.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>We did some Detroit touristing as well.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy-rqdReO1vT3C3J9CdO4iu14-Hw7H71FE_FnmbYTASI7lGAp01VG_j_wHwDe5b5zoxV2evUGuGl6SQmnIMeIZdO4ZgpSmlH07fztLXuQdaGMBStIuVkuNoxGRzCoEm6tGme37kVdTNrJUIIi9FHGaYJcB7BZjvIUD5xpnQIO85aQMDAheQdx0n-aR6hI/s4618/20231013_161347.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4618" data-original-width="3464" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy-rqdReO1vT3C3J9CdO4iu14-Hw7H71FE_FnmbYTASI7lGAp01VG_j_wHwDe5b5zoxV2evUGuGl6SQmnIMeIZdO4ZgpSmlH07fztLXuQdaGMBStIuVkuNoxGRzCoEm6tGme37kVdTNrJUIIi9FHGaYJcB7BZjvIUD5xpnQIO85aQMDAheQdx0n-aR6hI/s320/20231013_161347.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Must fist bump.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsZIERNj_NCHTKg8jeVZrr3UnNO4H8KHIyY8Mr3Jc6hfUy3aPeJZufj2O5LUtAUGiL47a_IuwALYHi0NSA1wW60-HzSLswhmz3sNZgpkiUJ9L2fYrVcpmElO70nAPE4yQs5hph-0UCY6Y5Q3eb57eRHvtoy_cV9QQkblidSC2zYH0PoepnI0TqyNX1uAc/s4618/20231014_101010.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3464" data-original-width="4618" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsZIERNj_NCHTKg8jeVZrr3UnNO4H8KHIyY8Mr3Jc6hfUy3aPeJZufj2O5LUtAUGiL47a_IuwALYHi0NSA1wW60-HzSLswhmz3sNZgpkiUJ9L2fYrVcpmElO70nAPE4yQs5hph-0UCY6Y5Q3eb57eRHvtoy_cV9QQkblidSC2zYH0PoepnI0TqyNX1uAc/s320/20231014_101010.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We splashed through the puddles in the rain for the 1 miler and the 5k for 2 medals.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm4rmhJr20_xhy_w4yQHaULmTmzGtQlCGDhyphenhyphenQUBlclwcz8sBHCMEcQ1EAaaRcuLos2C5V2h8vTfFprQYsV0bP79tdZXACtRdfSOjyyIg6tOsjeETgCADYZdQ2NbIlnOHO5yL0e94Be2aDqmSCNdVK9x0G43oWXttzxynhp4U9LTbGWx5w5_InxsfFZqDA/s4618/20231014_131038.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4618" data-original-width="3464" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm4rmhJr20_xhy_w4yQHaULmTmzGtQlCGDhyphenhyphenQUBlclwcz8sBHCMEcQ1EAaaRcuLos2C5V2h8vTfFprQYsV0bP79tdZXACtRdfSOjyyIg6tOsjeETgCADYZdQ2NbIlnOHO5yL0e94Be2aDqmSCNdVK9x0G43oWXttzxynhp4U9LTbGWx5w5_InxsfFZqDA/s320/20231014_131038.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Then we headed up to Frankenmuth for some German time.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7RocxBqu1GHRIQA_x9kLnip960LuGaQTYTQRPxqqkQ3b-i9gJlX_7pfndaDb52azLzut1h-O7C56JVbkLCycHSq5lOKbnlyi61UGTEPj56Z58XtR2OW7BaAHgzQddpNMCWDk-UtuZ00i71dL9j2tc4-_ocv5qx_pHhdvbNfefNvlgpA-czlpkUSWDRWM/s4618/20231015_075106.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3464" data-original-width="4618" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7RocxBqu1GHRIQA_x9kLnip960LuGaQTYTQRPxqqkQ3b-i9gJlX_7pfndaDb52azLzut1h-O7C56JVbkLCycHSq5lOKbnlyi61UGTEPj56Z58XtR2OW7BaAHgzQddpNMCWDk-UtuZ00i71dL9j2tc4-_ocv5qx_pHhdvbNfefNvlgpA-czlpkUSWDRWM/s320/20231015_075106.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The cool thing about the international races is that you go INTO ANOTHER COUNTRY.<br />Yall, I could have ran away to go live in Canada, but I didn't.<br />You're welcome.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-AEj1LlUg6ywoHrPOugAuMXgPsOqQuTDvqDOqE8VfySR4hubEm627s_OLoBh9Q7QMLbyOxWh0-tVTu4aHS4EPoIWqhx8VrQx43LMO_Sm_4ywkbcGtHHkgecDjm0xBgbysTczr6lOTqecDbcaqS8vVpXu8x7fCB602sfPj8jM7cHxdgBlrNL77cvBMq38/s4618/20231015_080450.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3464" data-original-width="4618" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-AEj1LlUg6ywoHrPOugAuMXgPsOqQuTDvqDOqE8VfySR4hubEm627s_OLoBh9Q7QMLbyOxWh0-tVTu4aHS4EPoIWqhx8VrQx43LMO_Sm_4ywkbcGtHHkgecDjm0xBgbysTczr6lOTqecDbcaqS8vVpXu8x7fCB602sfPj8jM7cHxdgBlrNL77cvBMq38/s320/20231015_080450.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Ambassador Bridge was a delight.<br />I love me some bridge runs.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpwDzIS6Ek72oMbW5N2U-KnDzODZtMX-OO9ZV7fuQKVUiWQoFLIw230VRAgQE2KHS2f8W5ngP1u3PYgt7QMK8q06CRbNUa76duCeqivIQkEQGZI2a8hFiVHpOCcAPEUQFDcdKJSjBwUc8KKq3OVUk5ckHme0Bx6zoUjdsMTPVV3oXI-_I8ZpkwU5N9aao/s4618/20231015_082442.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3464" data-original-width="4618" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpwDzIS6Ek72oMbW5N2U-KnDzODZtMX-OO9ZV7fuQKVUiWQoFLIw230VRAgQE2KHS2f8W5ngP1u3PYgt7QMK8q06CRbNUa76duCeqivIQkEQGZI2a8hFiVHpOCcAPEUQFDcdKJSjBwUc8KKq3OVUk5ckHme0Bx6zoUjdsMTPVV3oXI-_I8ZpkwU5N9aao/s320/20231015_082442.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Swoon.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIO4fEajnE-OHsPErWXFMzEbfp5ACdDUFC0DzIofOJEc1dSMESJ7b5Cp-MjEqB0W3cWrWMPUksnDC3UKhyphenhyphenCYur668pDFJ-8yKMzG97qMihGElU55FVnfkQfDmU02PtZgABnOSPCcCUIn6S_1svLkznINb3P6-5GdPxybMWn9K7WXFn25STJwCFKaufAHg/s4618/20231015_085502.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3464" data-original-width="4618" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIO4fEajnE-OHsPErWXFMzEbfp5ACdDUFC0DzIofOJEc1dSMESJ7b5Cp-MjEqB0W3cWrWMPUksnDC3UKhyphenhyphenCYur668pDFJ-8yKMzG97qMihGElU55FVnfkQfDmU02PtZgABnOSPCcCUIn6S_1svLkznINb3P6-5GdPxybMWn9K7WXFn25STJwCFKaufAHg/s320/20231015_085502.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Straddling the line!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPvO25t1nvoAUthBjloXeLVGg04iYhyphenhyphenN8wYtquXXJ-NesRa6Eujkdjz9oePvx4Ge1_NPgicUfXQvhv3OyPR2otZpHKFMmcFWzSl26mCF5sInSE4o7EnvBmnccJHMrTZw3on97eITCL7mHfJ89MYPjD6GZFKx8KEebbujvjLvAZWJEoQYztrcVP-gsnQDk/s4618/20231015_092629.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4618" data-original-width="3464" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPvO25t1nvoAUthBjloXeLVGg04iYhyphenhyphenN8wYtquXXJ-NesRa6Eujkdjz9oePvx4Ge1_NPgicUfXQvhv3OyPR2otZpHKFMmcFWzSl26mCF5sInSE4o7EnvBmnccJHMrTZw3on97eITCL7mHfJ89MYPjD6GZFKx8KEebbujvjLvAZWJEoQYztrcVP-gsnQDk/s320/20231015_092629.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I recognized someone from the internet!<br />It was joy.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq27ttwmTOaUqeBHvVQ87n8lMSkt3QWnPphgJ2iBKPCnq0XGy5fE7k8FZxRmh1b3y2ZOQBkNfHJQhLI72SlITECE19I35Edvcydu_ByOMYuQ6JwDvnMi8HDzjTOEkRDKGjWJm9imu5xdhu-_4W5tvRzdVP5UZDYc9OteOqiJJtYVMIyvr8xTWlWtPsbEY/s4618/20231015_092729.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4618" data-original-width="3464" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq27ttwmTOaUqeBHvVQ87n8lMSkt3QWnPphgJ2iBKPCnq0XGy5fE7k8FZxRmh1b3y2ZOQBkNfHJQhLI72SlITECE19I35Edvcydu_ByOMYuQ6JwDvnMi8HDzjTOEkRDKGjWJm9imu5xdhu-_4W5tvRzdVP5UZDYc9OteOqiJJtYVMIyvr8xTWlWtPsbEY/s320/20231015_092729.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A good Ted Lasso bonding moment!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNxr9-Bw7OrmasUHYDV_ec5mH2c4HytR1-aqHZbZskm6fsSnaMOZWn9y_tHEUvH4yozwp4ZUIcxkvJVpGpmDCkGFB0wJrua7LsApLu3obwE9lPX8VKNCv2NocNEB1XmPR-TP4zuyOad6lmZbx3s1zd3Bi4jg3Gtt6mqZqnfKmMTjLMUvJYKEUi_6iqrTk/s4618/20231015_104229.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4618" data-original-width="3464" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNxr9-Bw7OrmasUHYDV_ec5mH2c4HytR1-aqHZbZskm6fsSnaMOZWn9y_tHEUvH4yozwp4ZUIcxkvJVpGpmDCkGFB0wJrua7LsApLu3obwE9lPX8VKNCv2NocNEB1XmPR-TP4zuyOad6lmZbx3s1zd3Bi4jg3Gtt6mqZqnfKmMTjLMUvJYKEUi_6iqrTk/s320/20231015_104229.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And with that 17.2 miles complete, my 2023 race season came to a close.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPkIdTt4PtAK-iMFMf3Rp-vUb5cHWWUPDBf7WMX28rJAUo_bmYWIOgvR5DdF7bmKuOHh78dFQBXxVQqRk896No4LCGwlCWrxn31ZRLs3dJwzVK_dYLasej_uhoRJRlMI6_kHiQHGRdC2CtO6rhnQWMULDrXLptXRgG1yakbq4XobbR9c68Qne6KsdSCkA/s4618/20231015_104654.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4618" data-original-width="3464" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPkIdTt4PtAK-iMFMf3Rp-vUb5cHWWUPDBf7WMX28rJAUo_bmYWIOgvR5DdF7bmKuOHh78dFQBXxVQqRk896No4LCGwlCWrxn31ZRLs3dJwzVK_dYLasej_uhoRJRlMI6_kHiQHGRdC2CtO6rhnQWMULDrXLptXRgG1yakbq4XobbR9c68Qne6KsdSCkA/s320/20231015_104654.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All tha blang.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGowBFwq3NyV_qtw2OuUBl7rkN7YAuiVASdYbQG6Sy_yyiCUvGD6Z_HSNawPaxH3Z3B3dwdlMINpjhpGKZYakZW3JAlcr2vUY6hk8HMtszmgrGmWCh2Cz8xR4iIVCNjrxvmG4cT00Z-JZjHBfpMOcjnC_cx0-KmhDubGLiD0Gte9kFcrL01zArPIFvpW8/s4618/20231015_104806.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4618" data-original-width="3464" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGowBFwq3NyV_qtw2OuUBl7rkN7YAuiVASdYbQG6Sy_yyiCUvGD6Z_HSNawPaxH3Z3B3dwdlMINpjhpGKZYakZW3JAlcr2vUY6hk8HMtszmgrGmWCh2Cz8xR4iIVCNjrxvmG4cT00Z-JZjHBfpMOcjnC_cx0-KmhDubGLiD0Gte9kFcrL01zArPIFvpW8/s320/20231015_104806.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="240" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Let us not forget the required porta potty selfie!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGowBFwq3NyV_qtw2OuUBl7rkN7YAuiVASdYbQG6Sy_yyiCUvGD6Z_HSNawPaxH3Z3B3dwdlMINpjhpGKZYakZW3JAlcr2vUY6hk8HMtszmgrGmWCh2Cz8xR4iIVCNjrxvmG4cT00Z-JZjHBfpMOcjnC_cx0-KmhDubGLiD0Gte9kFcrL01zArPIFvpW8/s4618/20231015_104806.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT_4VF64ZNE2FpDEpS4qFgEI6pck4iNBczT4QUtjT73L7_t3FjJ1pbtjgndui50_WwgIDIJKVQLtYr1FkhgtCUMnWcdjx1rYTUXVamKbFYingGbkMXvYCz_XUzPGZn9jPIkVr11G03DjYwl6jQCZpJ5Al0RvGY5jI2kto_3YyzqgUpLdNSXNvNx2rQtqo/s2060/Screenshot_20231015_172439_Chrome.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2060" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT_4VF64ZNE2FpDEpS4qFgEI6pck4iNBczT4QUtjT73L7_t3FjJ1pbtjgndui50_WwgIDIJKVQLtYr1FkhgtCUMnWcdjx1rYTUXVamKbFYingGbkMXvYCz_XUzPGZn9jPIkVr11G03DjYwl6jQCZpJ5Al0RvGY5jI2kto_3YyzqgUpLdNSXNvNx2rQtqo/s320/Screenshot_20231015_172439_Chrome.jpg" width="224" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Also, t's and p's to Jenn, who takes really great race photos..<br />with me in the background acting like I'm dying.<br />LOOOOOOL</td></tr></tbody></table><p>When I got back to MD, it was a sprint to the finish line (surgery).</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv__uDhr9CTpEVBqas-Vh5ve7OWxULxn6rx3biq3Maya1Qq5OTiEd3sgMUanVTqcn1-XzrQrdUYla0WsrnMBuMtuRpBypc5kvup3JRvtsuy0RhqK1AH2loaXPxn8MCs6185MPkLwfzXDQmRM35vcoNe2Nz8B68UIcQihMSk9DJQ5bFCeASgo-xZ8uaXvE/s4618/20231017_170647.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4618" data-original-width="3464" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv__uDhr9CTpEVBqas-Vh5ve7OWxULxn6rx3biq3Maya1Qq5OTiEd3sgMUanVTqcn1-XzrQrdUYla0WsrnMBuMtuRpBypc5kvup3JRvtsuy0RhqK1AH2loaXPxn8MCs6185MPkLwfzXDQmRM35vcoNe2Nz8B68UIcQihMSk9DJQ5bFCeASgo-xZ8uaXvE/s320/20231017_170647.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last family dog walk!</td></tr></tbody></table><p>And FINALLY.<br />It was October 18th.<br />Surgery day.<br />For many years, I've dealt with low back pain. Like, a decade. I mitigated through chiropractic care, stretching, cortisone injections, PT, massage.. and I was finally done this year. So I had my L5-S1 vertebrae fused, which isn't great, but it was TOTALLY WORTH IT. SO MUCH WORTH IT. </p><p>At 10 weeks post op (today), the pain that I lived with every day is gone. I no longer have to medicate to get through the day. My pain is no longer the driving factor of how I plan my life. I had continued to do activities (running, crossfit) through the pain. In Aug/Sept, I really scaled back in crossfit to be able to keep doing things, knowing that my running schedule was ramping up.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2bdUWS6lp_NWPYYobvb-3ckVql-i4X5mDsstbQqH2_Ut9BUsCmis7C9mr5Kon-YJ7uRukj-LXjQN08lVpzT_kFqm76f9WMHoO2n0jft9MIX-hgPc3kqdpmHySLvzxJt271_8IynW2vGzXZEe7IDO4P17RkdwzRcrRazpMP4w9nqUo6RX0BAi0tV6rQCw/s4618/20231018_093553.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4618" data-original-width="3464" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2bdUWS6lp_NWPYYobvb-3ckVql-i4X5mDsstbQqH2_Ut9BUsCmis7C9mr5Kon-YJ7uRukj-LXjQN08lVpzT_kFqm76f9WMHoO2n0jft9MIX-hgPc3kqdpmHySLvzxJt271_8IynW2vGzXZEe7IDO4P17RkdwzRcrRazpMP4w9nqUo6RX0BAi0tV6rQCw/s320/20231018_093553.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Post-surgery selfie (while the drugs were still good and after my teeth had stopped chattering so hard I was afraid I'd chip a tooth)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-m6zh5TPxKRKcqHxalhKfYMvpG-QTRB6NGvJgEmbOTUY67N_yQwVg0c2gpIcEOJcl2aTejK1D478zvUOWo9hvvqnX4RFhJSyXzsETkojY6KUA5zPGt0Sr3FSx3fovDkqbnezsw4MIA2UGP1fXT3ERy0KXHHSYnYhUhBcOf2BaYUwL6fJkGYaQtMcv1qs/s4618/20231019_160543.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4618" data-original-width="3464" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-m6zh5TPxKRKcqHxalhKfYMvpG-QTRB6NGvJgEmbOTUY67N_yQwVg0c2gpIcEOJcl2aTejK1D478zvUOWo9hvvqnX4RFhJSyXzsETkojY6KUA5zPGt0Sr3FSx3fovDkqbnezsw4MIA2UGP1fXT3ERy0KXHHSYnYhUhBcOf2BaYUwL6fJkGYaQtMcv1qs/s320/20231019_160543.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Teh German broke me out!<br />JK, I was released after a very stressful shituation.</td></tr></tbody></table><p>I knew going into surgery that the MOST DIFFICULT thing for me was going to be the mental game. Recovery is hard and long (that's what she said) and the pain was not my problem. Yes it sucks, but I'm a pro at pain. I'm TERRIBLE at my mental game. This acknowledgement has helped me identify the worst days and be able to keep going.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMC7CBFuomhvx3GsCyrRKfyYQPzb74CpGB8zRAWzMhcSfoJsBVs-T-k52bWTiPM5baUXcULIt7w9SfHtptQ4QtfDvgQrwHYvp9g0qFzZmgdey578jkmqPi9fxVx_qoShFfd5ptWcdc8jbIkm5DcAgLrvGqH65yF2fGOkEtEKoDWT5_6HV143SvpkMePWg/s4618/20231020_110841.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4618" data-original-width="3464" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMC7CBFuomhvx3GsCyrRKfyYQPzb74CpGB8zRAWzMhcSfoJsBVs-T-k52bWTiPM5baUXcULIt7w9SfHtptQ4QtfDvgQrwHYvp9g0qFzZmgdey578jkmqPi9fxVx_qoShFfd5ptWcdc8jbIkm5DcAgLrvGqH65yF2fGOkEtEKoDWT5_6HV143SvpkMePWg/s320/20231020_110841.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After Bourbon Chase, my most important, favorite Goodrs were MIA.<br />I contacted the hotel to ask if they happened to be found and they had! I paid more for these to be shipped back to me than I paid for them originally, but it was totally worth it.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidq6FUU6080bL8wPDMfVBxLTZLMrp9s-dhqSrhS_CjRYTvhtF-cJky6JrThlWwVsDpuiBCBTxCNJDKNCeGcRCNszDVrACHFYuPrgnv8loPDPzMCSvaAl75yNmApcMJxalqLW73P9fSQ1CNF-nz73mP-kyX2WdeWeDgH85LIfngy41-JLnxFrCJbj5-sg0/s4618/20231020_143506.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3464" data-original-width="4618" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidq6FUU6080bL8wPDMfVBxLTZLMrp9s-dhqSrhS_CjRYTvhtF-cJky6JrThlWwVsDpuiBCBTxCNJDKNCeGcRCNszDVrACHFYuPrgnv8loPDPzMCSvaAl75yNmApcMJxalqLW73P9fSQ1CNF-nz73mP-kyX2WdeWeDgH85LIfngy41-JLnxFrCJbj5-sg0/s320/20231020_143506.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Teh Mom came to stay with me my first day home while Teh German was at work.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Wfdm_xxMh597jjq0CAxWI7Tqzdw4ouxkGLfgwrBi888gzihyphenhyphenoqOxik0IpyqfCdj-LDBGMrpsOQBhxDnWbPCJA9_CZUIE1M1KlqJ3HigRu_wXnV_zkyQnrE1nZOmHnlVBzZF7jiZ_wMJ3bqIUu3zut0g8I7jYagbPXP_juBAWYbRXPYIzqxO0GZhH4Y0/s3998/Screenshot_20231020_203705_Clock.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3998" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Wfdm_xxMh597jjq0CAxWI7Tqzdw4ouxkGLfgwrBi888gzihyphenhyphenoqOxik0IpyqfCdj-LDBGMrpsOQBhxDnWbPCJA9_CZUIE1M1KlqJ3HigRu_wXnV_zkyQnrE1nZOmHnlVBzZF7jiZ_wMJ3bqIUu3zut0g8I7jYagbPXP_juBAWYbRXPYIzqxO0GZhH4Y0/s320/Screenshot_20231020_203705_Clock.jpg" width="115" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the most important parts of early-stage recovery is pain management.<br />So there were MANY alarms to remind me to take my medication. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL054NcoKVcsV6kpGzlEChC0dQSzKlvlMg_Xs4_lNCammY9Ez_ZUKv0E1UcVq0xZBO5wtkvh4CLW69oT01dym-656a7w7gKSCy1BlaH2IMd83dglQbw8fur6lDfsKIGFN2i_hd3oS6nY5yNzJ-A9VEKRvxO7uzMYdg26Rs90H8B1IbH3sxgHrcPL8beBA/s4618/20231025_124630.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4618" data-original-width="3464" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL054NcoKVcsV6kpGzlEChC0dQSzKlvlMg_Xs4_lNCammY9Ez_ZUKv0E1UcVq0xZBO5wtkvh4CLW69oT01dym-656a7w7gKSCy1BlaH2IMd83dglQbw8fur6lDfsKIGFN2i_hd3oS6nY5yNzJ-A9VEKRvxO7uzMYdg26Rs90H8B1IbH3sxgHrcPL8beBA/s320/20231025_124630.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="240" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">While there were many walks around the neighborhood, since walking is the one activity that was allowed (and encouraged) after surgery, walks in public places were also a fun time.<br />For instance, a trip to the grocery store!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL054NcoKVcsV6kpGzlEChC0dQSzKlvlMg_Xs4_lNCammY9Ez_ZUKv0E1UcVq0xZBO5wtkvh4CLW69oT01dym-656a7w7gKSCy1BlaH2IMd83dglQbw8fur6lDfsKIGFN2i_hd3oS6nY5yNzJ-A9VEKRvxO7uzMYdg26Rs90H8B1IbH3sxgHrcPL8beBA/s4618/20231025_124630.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbAAvqOlFR-cdSF_6K0i-N2H7KWDsx7T2MvWT0kV-kPnP1eXvdztPC7aYSwtDfkUIeyYRy-YswWWeucmegpy0BWpxYi4IS8KcOYaUQwwvLV1Xe0RVDS2jEy0mXrE0bJuWcQdFiag8rTMZF3_0BrMVoIMYTieL6AaiOX758eQtsTRb8VPW4j12CWOt44cg/s3968/20231027_120839.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3968" data-original-width="2232" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbAAvqOlFR-cdSF_6K0i-N2H7KWDsx7T2MvWT0kV-kPnP1eXvdztPC7aYSwtDfkUIeyYRy-YswWWeucmegpy0BWpxYi4IS8KcOYaUQwwvLV1Xe0RVDS2jEy0mXrE0bJuWcQdFiag8rTMZF3_0BrMVoIMYTieL6AaiOX758eQtsTRb8VPW4j12CWOt44cg/s320/20231027_120839.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Teh SC Mom came to stay with me for a week and a half so Teh German didn't have to stay home with me. I made sure to get her to Little Italy in Baltimore.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS_FvitHbURvKKiqh0j6cnTUIlqiMxsuVz2W8aoU1IVoeZsPsry4HHBVVIR6s7M7dwLe1T-aQuvQ-VguoipmFxdfarjBTZC0EPlBkGcDysCeDu46ROd20iMMrkUIBV6rV1ezjgdQlE-5Fd-oOvZt5AfXwjWH91ke8uVygfEXYtPD5jg_fpVghoGB4WNdI/s3196/20231230_112613-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2400" data-original-width="3196" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS_FvitHbURvKKiqh0j6cnTUIlqiMxsuVz2W8aoU1IVoeZsPsry4HHBVVIR6s7M7dwLe1T-aQuvQ-VguoipmFxdfarjBTZC0EPlBkGcDysCeDu46ROd20iMMrkUIBV6rV1ezjgdQlE-5Fd-oOvZt5AfXwjWH91ke8uVygfEXYtPD5jg_fpVghoGB4WNdI/w400-h300/20231230_112613-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Part of my recovery was regular massages.<br />Thankfully, Elayne is MAGIC.<br />Also, this card made me cackle, because she knows me so well.</td></tr></tbody></table></div><p>For a while, the backspace key on my laptop wasn't working... and Teh German had agreed to replace the keyboard with/for me.. and then I ended up with a LOT of free time. I had purchased a replacement keyboard in August, so this was a project that had been on the list for a while. One day, after the haze of narcotics had worn off, I decided to undertake this terrifying project, knowing that if I fucked up my laptop beyond repair, Black Friday was coming to save me.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkttmQ__Y_te26jz61fojtsksh5s2pHvcq0YF0awUW0SAMfx2V2LxAv0YO7OPCPfs_pSI4p3iPBKYTKj55G5z0T1Qo_o_vk_LhoG-wdw91s1zZyyH5iFxK6IHK9C79zqJ2uC-53qXv6MLWkvqP1e_ku8KyX64vc2_8GIrXQD7GOYgvOuEhs_meqooY7Ws/s4618/20231028_113125.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3464" data-original-width="4618" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkttmQ__Y_te26jz61fojtsksh5s2pHvcq0YF0awUW0SAMfx2V2LxAv0YO7OPCPfs_pSI4p3iPBKYTKj55G5z0T1Qo_o_vk_LhoG-wdw91s1zZyyH5iFxK6IHK9C79zqJ2uC-53qXv6MLWkvqP1e_ku8KyX64vc2_8GIrXQD7GOYgvOuEhs_meqooY7Ws/s320/20231028_113125.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>Turns out, you're not supposed to be able to replace the keyboard in this laptop because it's built permanently mounted.. but I broke those plastic tabs like the bull in a china shop that I am... and replaced the keyboard and got it all put back together and it works like magics! Probably more scary to me than having back surgery!</p><p><br /></p><h2 style="text-align: left;">NOVEMBER</h2><p>November was for recovery. 100%. I actually ended up taking short term disability leave so I could just focus on recovery. In fact, I had anticipated going back to work after 4 weeks and ended up extending out to 8 weeks. Ts and Ps for our 2023 tax return.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbIvKxYFwDO8VvmT5nswqj9cm9anaAVM5hV52BpEsqrqI_vahKzLDHr_vQgC_9-4jHOzuaibGBpWjhDKjfCa2y7yQbihMuMluApowvLLaaPeSD617zvpnHEVyPUzSQTqDSUtxJ9fYIi60o6FRiqn81gLlIX5RhyphenhyphenRnjXPLV0VfzkuvcS-wB3nQXJzUdSEc/s4618/20231101_105651.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4618" data-original-width="3464" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbIvKxYFwDO8VvmT5nswqj9cm9anaAVM5hV52BpEsqrqI_vahKzLDHr_vQgC_9-4jHOzuaibGBpWjhDKjfCa2y7yQbihMuMluApowvLLaaPeSD617zvpnHEVyPUzSQTqDSUtxJ9fYIi60o6FRiqn81gLlIX5RhyphenhyphenRnjXPLV0VfzkuvcS-wB3nQXJzUdSEc/s320/20231101_105651.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sometimes, recovery means sleeping on a camping pad on the floor...<br />and your emotional support nurse making sure that your sleeping pallet stays warm.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVvbS6CzoQGToiV0tEAertBu7OmBELOQ55mA2cH8S4blyTjoYatqunNw_jpveUtl4ljU0Lm_Mk9LuaqwVj-qPx9aSNi8Q9bU8OHyTZe43I_P5413qi4xKgsvwshmLsPEFJhTDhr215nHsTMMJZkoO2jxaZoaUoHs77fZA9boLgSZgZqvjydCKZdbYGj9I/s4618/20231101_132336.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4618" data-original-width="3464" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVvbS6CzoQGToiV0tEAertBu7OmBELOQ55mA2cH8S4blyTjoYatqunNw_jpveUtl4ljU0Lm_Mk9LuaqwVj-qPx9aSNi8Q9bU8OHyTZe43I_P5413qi4xKgsvwshmLsPEFJhTDhr215nHsTMMJZkoO2jxaZoaUoHs77fZA9boLgSZgZqvjydCKZdbYGj9I/s320/20231101_132336.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="240" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lots of walking.<br />And leaf crunching.<br />And leaf peeping.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia9lsVNomOeOtSMEZhe-DamxfVi7JvUw7yWdK45Lywy8W9fFoLPJksEk4xsr1W6KAtEygxivIJCql_7IBGHw-poxVILotXPdV9XZbqGrF58RujuU_9euS5DmzHyA2IX5DWxOZFgXFv0-Wa0_tEBiwH6j8OizpstodfekCqNWTMrb1NgsJZkOUhqaAyzFY/s3648/20231101_204549.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia9lsVNomOeOtSMEZhe-DamxfVi7JvUw7yWdK45Lywy8W9fFoLPJksEk4xsr1W6KAtEygxivIJCql_7IBGHw-poxVILotXPdV9XZbqGrF58RujuU_9euS5DmzHyA2IX5DWxOZFgXFv0-Wa0_tEBiwH6j8OizpstodfekCqNWTMrb1NgsJZkOUhqaAyzFY/s320/20231101_204549.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anniversary selfie on the couch, since I forgot before we changed into comfy clothes.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh17i7LfdgrmwTwQ-qEzpgmT9fLkI5qnFshpvjMEcKab8pJnFgAJeCeAgohq2vdbBMBv_9KBpLKFWVoXkNn4AEzz755bh1achffeL4fed5pOfPk8Jyo9hQ1BJqsuvY-10kS8AL_BNssuZf69D05MBUasuBt9JcGqy8oQwnJQokOaL7U5FSxPdd2-CAEwGI/s4618/20231102_093527.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br /><img border="0" data-original-height="4618" data-original-width="3464" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh17i7LfdgrmwTwQ-qEzpgmT9fLkI5qnFshpvjMEcKab8pJnFgAJeCeAgohq2vdbBMBv_9KBpLKFWVoXkNn4AEzz755bh1achffeL4fed5pOfPk8Jyo9hQ1BJqsuvY-10kS8AL_BNssuZf69D05MBUasuBt9JcGqy8oQwnJQokOaL7U5FSxPdd2-CAEwGI/s320/20231102_093527.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="240" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emotional support cuteness, IN JIMJAMZ.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh17i7LfdgrmwTwQ-qEzpgmT9fLkI5qnFshpvjMEcKab8pJnFgAJeCeAgohq2vdbBMBv_9KBpLKFWVoXkNn4AEzz755bh1achffeL4fed5pOfPk8Jyo9hQ1BJqsuvY-10kS8AL_BNssuZf69D05MBUasuBt9JcGqy8oQwnJQokOaL7U5FSxPdd2-CAEwGI/s4618/20231102_093527.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig76LRucyuscKBrjgFjdTSLxGQVs3JFOelF9I_ShCudix5KvZpc5exzhGbOiaVdVGOk8Egb984_ub-S24m9QbA0oZqkKxfWvuYpOULxZtYnCQKQDOn35xz-Lm-VaAMEzR5AqrtHz6tmdvkXK9ZwUmGSn3EB6gFErOQ8J3nCbTVyTHWu0-ZHwcP9B2OTK8/s4618/20231105_141516.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4618" data-original-width="3464" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig76LRucyuscKBrjgFjdTSLxGQVs3JFOelF9I_ShCudix5KvZpc5exzhGbOiaVdVGOk8Egb984_ub-S24m9QbA0oZqkKxfWvuYpOULxZtYnCQKQDOn35xz-Lm-VaAMEzR5AqrtHz6tmdvkXK9ZwUmGSn3EB6gFErOQ8J3nCbTVyTHWu0-ZHwcP9B2OTK8/s320/20231105_141516.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Teh BFF came to visit and assist during recovery.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbsqKmyNrrM8OCD5TQR0tJx0K8fPcTAwrqb4JMR4RVUMiOAGAGgOuo_m8RyGo5J-o59vQDnzrqJRmkA7y8HI5OySWGeElbNWl15Ki0x38ue7dufAJ8jKjoDz5c_p6kIO2BweQkDCPsLWhq618xKaiKUQ2VfbtAM5CRebP5ncQJDU6cpyiEmK-ktmjfSbk/s4618/20231107_111600.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4618" data-original-width="3464" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbsqKmyNrrM8OCD5TQR0tJx0K8fPcTAwrqb4JMR4RVUMiOAGAGgOuo_m8RyGo5J-o59vQDnzrqJRmkA7y8HI5OySWGeElbNWl15Ki0x38ue7dufAJ8jKjoDz5c_p6kIO2BweQkDCPsLWhq618xKaiKUQ2VfbtAM5CRebP5ncQJDU6cpyiEmK-ktmjfSbk/s320/20231107_111600.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="240" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This girl is... BIONIC!!!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbsqKmyNrrM8OCD5TQR0tJx0K8fPcTAwrqb4JMR4RVUMiOAGAGgOuo_m8RyGo5J-o59vQDnzrqJRmkA7y8HI5OySWGeElbNWl15Ki0x38ue7dufAJ8jKjoDz5c_p6kIO2BweQkDCPsLWhq618xKaiKUQ2VfbtAM5CRebP5ncQJDU6cpyiEmK-ktmjfSbk/s4618/20231107_111600.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7hGeV2tuJhZ4Drkfw_6S7jEZsOv1w9Y8OKwsZp5ZZCW8KtwqP17k19nwXEiDkZOFUNLCXIbAKRWoPzbM7IvMID6uetsG7IDuRL2j7lQg_rQD9wYlbe2RNoxILmyAihHNi_LsQ43YaPsXI3t4qPcTPXR-TQ0WVpmosa0U2s189Vmn_SFxAXCL7HMtNW18/s4618/20231109_125146.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4618" data-original-width="3464" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7hGeV2tuJhZ4Drkfw_6S7jEZsOv1w9Y8OKwsZp5ZZCW8KtwqP17k19nwXEiDkZOFUNLCXIbAKRWoPzbM7IvMID6uetsG7IDuRL2j7lQg_rQD9wYlbe2RNoxILmyAihHNi_LsQ43YaPsXI3t4qPcTPXR-TQ0WVpmosa0U2s189Vmn_SFxAXCL7HMtNW18/s320/20231109_125146.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leaf peeping was the biggest motivation for all my walks.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdiQb0odj4TvVuOI6BU2uS_6KdeiHmyqWESQ2miWUzzX4iXjpV95B-_3mZh5M_RIE8iwMFORnPmEGw_VYGkuC37VgHsHljRDB76ysckYTFrHrzv2it8t6RLE6z_5C3lPXHKwRW1YLIaqDb-w-nKR6XvN7QDik5vinh56HgybDo9v9OI6HjYFiX98EsCns/s4618/20231111_112513.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4618" data-original-width="3464" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdiQb0odj4TvVuOI6BU2uS_6KdeiHmyqWESQ2miWUzzX4iXjpV95B-_3mZh5M_RIE8iwMFORnPmEGw_VYGkuC37VgHsHljRDB76ysckYTFrHrzv2it8t6RLE6z_5C3lPXHKwRW1YLIaqDb-w-nKR6XvN7QDik5vinh56HgybDo9v9OI6HjYFiX98EsCns/s320/20231111_112513.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="240" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Teh German came to the gym with me to "do" Chad.<br />Rather than box step ups, we just walked the loop around the gym.<br />Originally, I was going to go until the last person finished, but Teh German throttled me at a 5k.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdiQb0odj4TvVuOI6BU2uS_6KdeiHmyqWESQ2miWUzzX4iXjpV95B-_3mZh5M_RIE8iwMFORnPmEGw_VYGkuC37VgHsHljRDB76ysckYTFrHrzv2it8t6RLE6z_5C3lPXHKwRW1YLIaqDb-w-nKR6XvN7QDik5vinh56HgybDo9v9OI6HjYFiX98EsCns/s4618/20231111_112513.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH5PsxUT0MGUOOXeEN6VAzrLLo6vFlBFN7gKhLuggyhmfiuR3wTFl1ksKdKs86J1Emp_sGGGCL2jKrnC0RRLo5fVjMOvJWttMefNt1oGJtikd40Z_YxxpejZlUwxRqy5JY7Y1yX1Bv7EjNax_t-RDhNmyCYNnLdOfYacmieZ2b1OM24YSq01fcNstX3G4/s4618/20231112_135530.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4618" data-original-width="3464" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH5PsxUT0MGUOOXeEN6VAzrLLo6vFlBFN7gKhLuggyhmfiuR3wTFl1ksKdKs86J1Emp_sGGGCL2jKrnC0RRLo5fVjMOvJWttMefNt1oGJtikd40Z_YxxpejZlUwxRqy5JY7Y1yX1Bv7EjNax_t-RDhNmyCYNnLdOfYacmieZ2b1OM24YSq01fcNstX3G4/s320/20231112_135530.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We went to the MD Irish Fest so I could visit some Wuffs.<br />It was absolutely worth it for these kisses.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjrhQiL6V7lysKgHHY_GKifeE2p5TDUBK9KAjwVIdSPvO1G3tUoI0IsV_iakswbHOuyA2dbz2gG5u9ei5ssO1Z3d4QaTeFsSTntwVbgmqEQ2OmqqBIbcjBZUlhW5J8wpHm-a1V7R4jVgnE4D5mTvuXHQcIAnTmlyO1QYCKLtqfoiuCbbdOsDL6qjrpXUw/s4618/20231114_161702.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4618" data-original-width="3464" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjrhQiL6V7lysKgHHY_GKifeE2p5TDUBK9KAjwVIdSPvO1G3tUoI0IsV_iakswbHOuyA2dbz2gG5u9ei5ssO1Z3d4QaTeFsSTntwVbgmqEQ2OmqqBIbcjBZUlhW5J8wpHm-a1V7R4jVgnE4D5mTvuXHQcIAnTmlyO1QYCKLtqfoiuCbbdOsDL6qjrpXUw/s320/20231114_161702.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="240" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At some point in the fall, I tagged the gym in a Goodr social media post to win some free shit.. <br />and I actually won!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjrhQiL6V7lysKgHHY_GKifeE2p5TDUBK9KAjwVIdSPvO1G3tUoI0IsV_iakswbHOuyA2dbz2gG5u9ei5ssO1Z3d4QaTeFsSTntwVbgmqEQ2OmqqBIbcjBZUlhW5J8wpHm-a1V7R4jVgnE4D5mTvuXHQcIAnTmlyO1QYCKLtqfoiuCbbdOsDL6qjrpXUw/s4618/20231114_161702.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGp1DPavKFMF0RULGUWnE0yyiJUmmFbiF6TYYm0y066qxkQjTALYpJVVVpWWojV7MJGCxccIbf0HoClqZPZIi32NO4h10yh-MUgLdme5pubUNpY9tAwhlu47BkJnqOWxER3WSHo8F9JwRWaKL_ENhssyMdYWACXl2DVyF-o7b_DoHfkyU9PLEkETf1IDg/s4618/20231115_103733.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4618" data-original-width="3464" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGp1DPavKFMF0RULGUWnE0yyiJUmmFbiF6TYYm0y066qxkQjTALYpJVVVpWWojV7MJGCxccIbf0HoClqZPZIi32NO4h10yh-MUgLdme5pubUNpY9tAwhlu47BkJnqOWxER3WSHo8F9JwRWaKL_ENhssyMdYWACXl2DVyF-o7b_DoHfkyU9PLEkETf1IDg/s320/20231115_103733.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sometimes, during walks, you stop to pick the flowers because it brings you joy.</td></tr></tbody></table><p>The first big event after my surgery was a trip to Philadelphia to see Tool! I bought these tickets after we saw Pucifer in DC, before surgery was planned... We were accompanied by Teh Ultra Vet and her husband, which was a delight!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidu4t1FcYhPuPI6Atig95rM1hM1EyVthxuGUyoVzlwnRnryNk2ZSyOVmk5PnbtkNJuEQbDQPbM7rUbVfP3JxVqQyQNdTETl-Kciz789auNrWDDEzG2xGUUHVmbdjcD8OWeFx4ARnHWa2UxlmmnPbrEJkGoiOF-Q6nHg1fQ-lA2Tl_wdn0aI7HOmWuSNGo/s4618/20231116_204606.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4618" data-original-width="3464" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidu4t1FcYhPuPI6Atig95rM1hM1EyVthxuGUyoVzlwnRnryNk2ZSyOVmk5PnbtkNJuEQbDQPbM7rUbVfP3JxVqQyQNdTETl-Kciz789auNrWDDEzG2xGUUHVmbdjcD8OWeFx4ARnHWa2UxlmmnPbrEJkGoiOF-Q6nHg1fQ-lA2Tl_wdn0aI7HOmWuSNGo/s320/20231116_204606.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No devices are allowed at Maynard's shows, but I sneaked this ONE shot.<br />There was a famous musician also at the show who shared a photo on their Instagram and Tool reshared it, which made me feel like it's a huge double standard.. but here we are.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK_cVyf_tF8OLQQzUQpxNO7VtjXNIRXbdVw7Z5MIEs6ppDmrb4Upx5Rz0-DPttQL3zJ4OlE7qeEHpyAKKQMro4vQn1poaVI72C1OUMTnZJEnKaubYE8KVA2v_5olI7gKDfa9o_PMQJimph4n-iWaaTdHNEvD3zoVfc0qdPNIpoLZjnqf5TgDS2GAYSuH8/s4618/20231117_110152.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3464" data-original-width="4618" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK_cVyf_tF8OLQQzUQpxNO7VtjXNIRXbdVw7Z5MIEs6ppDmrb4Upx5Rz0-DPttQL3zJ4OlE7qeEHpyAKKQMro4vQn1poaVI72C1OUMTnZJEnKaubYE8KVA2v_5olI7gKDfa9o_PMQJimph4n-iWaaTdHNEvD3zoVfc0qdPNIpoLZjnqf5TgDS2GAYSuH8/s320/20231117_110152.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Independence Hall<span style="text-align: left;"> </span>selfie!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;">We were in Philly for 2 days, which happened to be the weekend that the Christmas things were starting to open. Lucky for us! We went to the Philly Zoo to check out ZooLights and we also walked around the Christmas village as it was being set up.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK_cVyf_tF8OLQQzUQpxNO7VtjXNIRXbdVw7Z5MIEs6ppDmrb4Upx5Rz0-DPttQL3zJ4OlE7qeEHpyAKKQMro4vQn1poaVI72C1OUMTnZJEnKaubYE8KVA2v_5olI7gKDfa9o_PMQJimph4n-iWaaTdHNEvD3zoVfc0qdPNIpoLZjnqf5TgDS2GAYSuH8/s4618/20231117_110152.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS9Q3zSC8ycqxrct5Mi7D49VHYyUTNDVDqnMbxMVWS_1fIOtDvgnqtg1lKrdJFFhW_yqVwPA-77Oax5yYAI4LlU6zeZij4dVnPxzVjK8IxkJKXqIvxmAUJMc0h9DCVR-O31V-V30E1_hCQur_qK4mgeMCrQXXLSM81suiacbdnoyA7HPZd_fuIbPvE6wA/s4618/20231117_190452.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4618" data-original-width="3464" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS9Q3zSC8ycqxrct5Mi7D49VHYyUTNDVDqnMbxMVWS_1fIOtDvgnqtg1lKrdJFFhW_yqVwPA-77Oax5yYAI4LlU6zeZij4dVnPxzVjK8IxkJKXqIvxmAUJMc0h9DCVR-O31V-V30E1_hCQur_qK4mgeMCrQXXLSM81suiacbdnoyA7HPZd_fuIbPvE6wA/s320/20231117_190452.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Silly hat selfie!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj55vQJYj4THI-Z4e6H_W-khYWOk3IsqIXJg5HeaviBsp8t1aVpi-J5-gVTlbKeJYouB41b6al7r45ZAlGz1ALNbMn2pLwTaBW51w8CEh1ys2agFd2HBwUwHjfadnFDsmmCRf7NBh_SAaoFFBx3cduJDPU59wKM7DwcKiGuD9SsR8tQnDD3F2uXTCkzf_g/s4618/20231117_192018.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3464" data-original-width="4618" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj55vQJYj4THI-Z4e6H_W-khYWOk3IsqIXJg5HeaviBsp8t1aVpi-J5-gVTlbKeJYouB41b6al7r45ZAlGz1ALNbMn2pLwTaBW51w8CEh1ys2agFd2HBwUwHjfadnFDsmmCRf7NBh_SAaoFFBx3cduJDPU59wKM7DwcKiGuD9SsR8tQnDD3F2uXTCkzf_g/s320/20231117_192018.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0IBBsywjOiL8K7Ejn9nUJOmCB8VcmVV64gcgP3GyIV8wUg1ABwwXMYCrb5ZAlCymfDLoy4hC2uzEVnylNtFklzt2oc8FJggAuiutSkrFORF3sAJtLjeIALtp8ONtnfgCuamvqTgiHsUc0uTkbeySKi9nft7QEC_3hKWUeJ2vGtaXlG7oAH5vdakVsdVo/s4618/20231117_190202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3464" data-original-width="4618" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0IBBsywjOiL8K7Ejn9nUJOmCB8VcmVV64gcgP3GyIV8wUg1ABwwXMYCrb5ZAlCymfDLoy4hC2uzEVnylNtFklzt2oc8FJggAuiutSkrFORF3sAJtLjeIALtp8ONtnfgCuamvqTgiHsUc0uTkbeySKi9nft7QEC_3hKWUeJ2vGtaXlG7oAH5vdakVsdVo/s320/20231117_190202.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>While I was searching for things to do in Philly, I learned that the Philadelphia Marathon was the weekend we were in town. I was crushed a little because it's a race on my to run list. We did crash packet pickup where I met Martinus Evans (<a href="https://slowafrunclub.com/" target="_blank">Slow AF Run Club</a>) and explained that he was my motivation for my cheerleading plans during my recovery no-run period.</p><p>Since I couldn't run, Teh German and I went to cheer on runners around mile 9 (my usual struggle spot). We picked up Munchkins on the way, because we were in the north, so Dunkin' it is. We set up in our onesies with our signs and table with snacks and waters and the BUBBLE MACHINE! It was freezing, but the smiles on the faces of the runners as they struggled up that terrible hill were worth it. If we had arrived about 20 minutes earlier, we would have probably seen <a href="https://www.laurenfleshman.com/" target="_blank">Lauren Fleshman</a> (Good for a Girl) run by, since she was the pacer for the 2:15 half.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0XX_e0cNlPU-XyUzXJwD1Or0y5iqXB89pRIFR4uityJ5_bYHE-TDTfCpf-HWhyphenhyphenQlTtwYBmafxH5W0ng_SdrJkJZuMkrdzkra7PmXcbHsOhg6j0lVPVB9GMkD6AtVm7ND5Pq3O2rxat3JV-d3H446o-Q1Go8dAjtK_cwaPS1fQsvBrjMR2h1nfd_ENPj0/s4618/20231118_104057.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4618" data-original-width="3464" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0XX_e0cNlPU-XyUzXJwD1Or0y5iqXB89pRIFR4uityJ5_bYHE-TDTfCpf-HWhyphenhyphenQlTtwYBmafxH5W0ng_SdrJkJZuMkrdzkra7PmXcbHsOhg6j0lVPVB9GMkD6AtVm7ND5Pq3O2rxat3JV-d3H446o-Q1Go8dAjtK_cwaPS1fQsvBrjMR2h1nfd_ENPj0/s320/20231118_104057.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCcXXTdZ_Lw4UDlVGZ08nwCy-UQTG1qBrwU-PVO6uuL0IGurpUV8IW-XU9exj1Cd3lJZsSKxXViha3JLxRq3BsFaPr2bmxm8K9MM1eTehMD-GpjYkMaxpjF5GCxVGHTn9rL9r91WmeX42W_m02C-CDQqje-GQOOaXIrL2oFSGRhjp3wZ4r5oNBgg8rCZ0/s2880/20231118_142108.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2880" data-original-width="2880" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCcXXTdZ_Lw4UDlVGZ08nwCy-UQTG1qBrwU-PVO6uuL0IGurpUV8IW-XU9exj1Cd3lJZsSKxXViha3JLxRq3BsFaPr2bmxm8K9MM1eTehMD-GpjYkMaxpjF5GCxVGHTn9rL9r91WmeX42W_m02C-CDQqje-GQOOaXIrL2oFSGRhjp3wZ4r5oNBgg8rCZ0/s320/20231118_142108.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I insisted that we create signs.<br />Lookin' magical RUNicorn!<br />You can do hard things<br />Blisters are braille for AWESOME.</td></tr></tbody></table><p>After we got home from Philly, we started really getting into the holiday swing of Thanksgiving and Christmas.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo6y4iwmqdsfLcrZxaSvkbKTycjpCL7FTrgXAaC304BizEVhE2WMkgVKbypPoU7tIShyphenhyphenR5qgteQOwuGZsbHYf94f2Uo2f7JFgvry2W9wLcPTY8oCukG3xHN6zo9gwuwwYHqEOyjs4wlGXLmZ-jVeoXRz5qieIO4TiRh18vd9GzjcqZsIMt-HrSib79HI4/s5333/PXL_20231124_184853647.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="5333" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo6y4iwmqdsfLcrZxaSvkbKTycjpCL7FTrgXAaC304BizEVhE2WMkgVKbypPoU7tIShyphenhyphenR5qgteQOwuGZsbHYf94f2Uo2f7JFgvry2W9wLcPTY8oCukG3xHN6zo9gwuwwYHqEOyjs4wlGXLmZ-jVeoXRz5qieIO4TiRh18vd9GzjcqZsIMt-HrSib79HI4/s320/PXL_20231124_184853647.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After a VERY long wait, all the children had tree representation.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsdTPdm5zDRVPAGhn5KzBwX1z2Z7264dvVV9ckWret-KNd7UxVl_OnPenCmPRa74XfTjeocPev8lkGtfVpFM18UfE3e8Dcv2z_UM0innED8uJHDrJ_EEH7VY6_rXuEXyYB6Wd476R0S2lYI0IFR-0pskDZ6VJMTAq-aUViGoGfSkl3_rgvI58SnSJ-3pM/s5333/PXL_20231126_035747756.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="5333" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsdTPdm5zDRVPAGhn5KzBwX1z2Z7264dvVV9ckWret-KNd7UxVl_OnPenCmPRa74XfTjeocPev8lkGtfVpFM18UfE3e8Dcv2z_UM0innED8uJHDrJ_EEH7VY6_rXuEXyYB6Wd476R0S2lYI0IFR-0pskDZ6VJMTAq-aUViGoGfSkl3_rgvI58SnSJ-3pM/s320/PXL_20231126_035747756.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of Teh German's coworkers is a member of the band Laughing Colors and we went to a performance at Cult Classic. As someone who was only allowed to listen to Jesus and Country until I was about 12 years old, my love of 90s rock is about 30 years late, but I'm leaning in as hard as possible.</td></tr></tbody></table><p>2023 was the year of phone woe. You see, this is because I'm an ungrateful biddy. I'd had my Galaxy S21 since Nov 2021 and I lurved it so hard. SO HARD. We went through A LOT together... and one summer day, my SIM card stop being recognized. I took it to a repair shop to see how much it would cost to fix (because I loved that phone) and it was more than it would cost me to get a new phone. So it began. I went through at least 4 different phones before finally buying a Pixel 8 Pro (at Thanksgiving) that I have decided to love.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeUF8cDgFlrHFzfbqNWNCp4UcbLEhcfeKy-420sNH_684oFb8bvYgYo89cXDjCW5URfHPIKX4kV-339-nHcV46lHnZ06byjc8v0hpvopeXtmjw25DPlIHRB804iYSh1CBs0iUyq3XuME0cSrWNVV6M25Mm-Zhw0-zA1IsYQJFnNhiVrznpDh8qL_amD08/s5333/PXL_20231127_141256859.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="5333" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeUF8cDgFlrHFzfbqNWNCp4UcbLEhcfeKy-420sNH_684oFb8bvYgYo89cXDjCW5URfHPIKX4kV-339-nHcV46lHnZ06byjc8v0hpvopeXtmjw25DPlIHRB804iYSh1CBs0iUyq3XuME0cSrWNVV6M25Mm-Zhw0-zA1IsYQJFnNhiVrznpDh8qL_amD08/s320/PXL_20231127_141256859.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This photo is from the Pixel 8 Pro.</td></tr></tbody></table><p>On the recovery front, I finally got to start PT. (all the praise hands emojis)</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJsX_s5n2PecG070kVXBHtTtS7hA8O-JwoUQJ8kCqgCRXzEjUX9iVaGeYbXs43M4NKb6aBMZZChjc2UiGrRLvTksglTsmSDDfv2AHmETbAOCL_h6xPpfsSc0V9hRfFQAOjrNJBn5t-muEa0PILrf6237WjtaywGq5oS6X_-Nhzkquvt_RESQOXy0G75uI/s3840/PXL_20231130_200647404.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3840" data-original-width="2160" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJsX_s5n2PecG070kVXBHtTtS7hA8O-JwoUQJ8kCqgCRXzEjUX9iVaGeYbXs43M4NKb6aBMZZChjc2UiGrRLvTksglTsmSDDfv2AHmETbAOCL_h6xPpfsSc0V9hRfFQAOjrNJBn5t-muEa0PILrf6237WjtaywGq5oS6X_-Nhzkquvt_RESQOXy0G75uI/s320/PXL_20231130_200647404.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heating pad for my butt!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix-4lTzHWpAQOLnLcTz6UAho3GPXhy3RQrrAVUPMLsHymGx9FMPaaKVvDC-QD-m-J0yDl5Xg_xCZQexxLGoHGuZZNgVB2PKWOe_Uu5jKjnFaHfGTWuf75jRdMel7VZ_p-gqY0bA0GTd8TJuprPVEZ9ukBANTPZPW3xTI-Iubx8qagRw0kCA2iOVWmVIHc/s5333/PXL_20231201_003129068.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="5333" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix-4lTzHWpAQOLnLcTz6UAho3GPXhy3RQrrAVUPMLsHymGx9FMPaaKVvDC-QD-m-J0yDl5Xg_xCZQexxLGoHGuZZNgVB2PKWOe_Uu5jKjnFaHfGTWuf75jRdMel7VZ_p-gqY0bA0GTd8TJuprPVEZ9ukBANTPZPW3xTI-Iubx8qagRw0kCA2iOVWmVIHc/s320/PXL_20231201_003129068.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emotional support cuteness, with a holiday flare.</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><h2 style="text-align: left;">DECEMBER</h2><p>In December, we hit the full holiday swing and all the busyness that entails.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTcj-_oVpoM9IKSByHu4YQi7pLIgq4OWc5RZRT7bmb6JRMpWSFDrkkl1h35TROIC-WyvExgzpAwyPMYvQM-n0wuM5RJVVj2RGhTiwqbQDSV-8to8rSB-lOPrO-S651OLD_mSzIXqmQUob3cMQK-U35-Sihe4SMNRe77xMBc6lP13gRXZXKLuw3aIg7xFM/s3840/PXL_20231202_210116843.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3840" data-original-width="2160" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTcj-_oVpoM9IKSByHu4YQi7pLIgq4OWc5RZRT7bmb6JRMpWSFDrkkl1h35TROIC-WyvExgzpAwyPMYvQM-n0wuM5RJVVj2RGhTiwqbQDSV-8to8rSB-lOPrO-S651OLD_mSzIXqmQUob3cMQK-U35-Sihe4SMNRe77xMBc6lP13gRXZXKLuw3aIg7xFM/s320/PXL_20231202_210116843.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There was the gym onesie bar crawl.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjOaLzrJjhyVyrVfne8oBVBuKIgKrn5WNHGm4uKZcBzi6iT-jjPeR6ToGMdyztAQE4S3vWPa95k8zclcYcCmUNfCBX0egoqPgmGTL_7ay8RwNNbu-61Oh3DRX7pA2pAjFMcWNqMIa0qpTbxQc40Dz5OzFfK_YDav5HJXwsWxib557UJfF9TL-1PfuDzPg/s5333/PXL_20231205_160202979.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5333" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjOaLzrJjhyVyrVfne8oBVBuKIgKrn5WNHGm4uKZcBzi6iT-jjPeR6ToGMdyztAQE4S3vWPa95k8zclcYcCmUNfCBX0egoqPgmGTL_7ay8RwNNbu-61Oh3DRX7pA2pAjFMcWNqMIa0qpTbxQc40Dz5OzFfK_YDav5HJXwsWxib557UJfF9TL-1PfuDzPg/s320/PXL_20231205_160202979.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Recovery massages</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivZi7BKehiwX8-EegjrB-Bs1mHEvt_yBLNVL41sco60KNYoS_ufwRY20CaZ_f9Ml3wtH0nBj5U1zNC3bFfFX0Rt12u78telKQp2IaeEBB9b-SjrNXxlQmVIzbzb3JKXkhMFQsVfqAwJxYxY2QYkdAajxEkRBKwzh5nPOQBnsaG0JUB9gkOj0vy2c1hJiQ/s3840/PXL_20231206_154151513.MP.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3840" data-original-width="2160" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivZi7BKehiwX8-EegjrB-Bs1mHEvt_yBLNVL41sco60KNYoS_ufwRY20CaZ_f9Ml3wtH0nBj5U1zNC3bFfFX0Rt12u78telKQp2IaeEBB9b-SjrNXxlQmVIzbzb3JKXkhMFQsVfqAwJxYxY2QYkdAajxEkRBKwzh5nPOQBnsaG0JUB9gkOj0vy2c1hJiQ/s320/PXL_20231206_154151513.MP.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Library card validation in Arlington after an interview for my job but a different flavor.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcI3tJ7Zrtj4KG2Tlc9WkVuyGu-RkXQeLfcKUZFD7yl5Uzwyf2e6mquwkuJiKtdUtm_5vSdSmETRgRieI8otFox-HAEDr9v_EyaJpYvAinV9151HDCxCR3yKAwGx5WhgG0ts1QfO-TcdnI2XOPOEE8OLq7wdHufEiCn_4XmVneUykGOW4GFXyzePlJ-xU/s3840/PXL_20231207_151807244.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3840" data-original-width="2160" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcI3tJ7Zrtj4KG2Tlc9WkVuyGu-RkXQeLfcKUZFD7yl5Uzwyf2e6mquwkuJiKtdUtm_5vSdSmETRgRieI8otFox-HAEDr9v_EyaJpYvAinV9151HDCxCR3yKAwGx5WhgG0ts1QfO-TcdnI2XOPOEE8OLq7wdHufEiCn_4XmVneUykGOW4GFXyzePlJ-xU/s320/PXL_20231207_151807244.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A swimming test run (that did not go well).</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBeHFUispcFk6GmkRSECTBUFXy6DaPUrHyePL2VTcIiMbpgVsPGQL-ATyf1flpF4uIM_kwmGvFHomfOgI6Pz_r73obsmc6bdJMk_zMQhDt8V6dF8TWryTRnFdOFmExzhuoCFlYGERtsNP4ZYNqoRUKjsPRWtXXN0zpjiQY5iZVyi2ElMKd412IM-RylMk/s3840/PXL_20231207_233543751.MP.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="3840" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBeHFUispcFk6GmkRSECTBUFXy6DaPUrHyePL2VTcIiMbpgVsPGQL-ATyf1flpF4uIM_kwmGvFHomfOgI6Pz_r73obsmc6bdJMk_zMQhDt8V6dF8TWryTRnFdOFmExzhuoCFlYGERtsNP4ZYNqoRUKjsPRWtXXN0zpjiQY5iZVyi2ElMKd412IM-RylMk/s320/PXL_20231207_233543751.MP.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The German Bundeswehr Christmas Market</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcr5Qon2QNM1oVpRG9uz0AiaEBi4wbOZyQ8qP8lzHNlhqRglzYA2K0EqKQeAfzq8m4M3vJzoQrdvjMcJEwyCOXO82c8PKwoSflzS6Yg6eL1xXo__Uzlvu5hnlY80fggvalek_cxUzn9xB4rrha2Zqr_WXY6yhQJkcbEj-hvQNOeX6b6b_u_kDVGF-Kp60/s5333/PXL_20231212_172001375.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5333" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcr5Qon2QNM1oVpRG9uz0AiaEBi4wbOZyQ8qP8lzHNlhqRglzYA2K0EqKQeAfzq8m4M3vJzoQrdvjMcJEwyCOXO82c8PKwoSflzS6Yg6eL1xXo__Uzlvu5hnlY80fggvalek_cxUzn9xB4rrha2Zqr_WXY6yhQJkcbEj-hvQNOeX6b6b_u_kDVGF-Kp60/s320/PXL_20231212_172001375.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A weird streak of warmer temps brought some rose blooms.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXfAVxmCfSo_-ZekQBzjLO_C9SQ2ubICYltmHSJJKCGyG81KJd_v40fkOdYYfyTGKgKAkNzjRYY7O4ElH32INjuqxkihzfHNgXgHSDrSqJbUWUa7AB_kHHPLe4nZaTRxAh9WOtiIc6M4KKJWRlbvpznQYb8uE5qQy7niKlgfs8TFhiEAg8jeaPzk84iko/s5333/PXL_20231214_004115034.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="5333" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXfAVxmCfSo_-ZekQBzjLO_C9SQ2ubICYltmHSJJKCGyG81KJd_v40fkOdYYfyTGKgKAkNzjRYY7O4ElH32INjuqxkihzfHNgXgHSDrSqJbUWUa7AB_kHHPLe4nZaTRxAh9WOtiIc6M4KKJWRlbvpznQYb8uE5qQy7niKlgfs8TFhiEAg8jeaPzk84iko/s320/PXL_20231214_004115034.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emotional support cuteness.<br />(The robot vacuum stayed tangled up in the tree skirt for 2 weeks because we didn't want to deal with it.)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNRQYKEY0fFQZXKCZIKrsZptbCOVytFU4W639bXdat_4QbP5B_L9Fhh6dP7z13XzS_Aeq-0d0n0z0lStzIZY-UatvwBuSafIvugrJCUW0XYJaSvE4DM5wCKp7whR7cCAm6xi9MWbxcY6LtRuIPQfEkDOg_R7uI_lbt4yjPMEeQCk5iaaqIPqhx3HPmyvw/s5333/PXL_20231215_170850892.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="5333" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNRQYKEY0fFQZXKCZIKrsZptbCOVytFU4W639bXdat_4QbP5B_L9Fhh6dP7z13XzS_Aeq-0d0n0z0lStzIZY-UatvwBuSafIvugrJCUW0XYJaSvE4DM5wCKp7whR7cCAm6xi9MWbxcY6LtRuIPQfEkDOg_R7uI_lbt4yjPMEeQCk5iaaqIPqhx3HPmyvw/s320/PXL_20231215_170850892.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trail walks with Teh Ultra Vet since running was still not allowed.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTOh-MqUZn5TjE82j_mzqTVGfH_WE5nGGU27XnFETgtz4QmBLDBJ773MnUNJGXe1tuH0y80BjSVHE6gluE-7vAEMUMtD2PR19mE42jTIFvoU0mqvndS_-dBBEyX8zRYfICgSpNrGRo8z5i-W3xGm4K9Drmf3dpBui-4cQUdZUkYsrd_A3SdiywfxnkPfU/s5333/PXL_20231216_020058592.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5333" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTOh-MqUZn5TjE82j_mzqTVGfH_WE5nGGU27XnFETgtz4QmBLDBJ773MnUNJGXe1tuH0y80BjSVHE6gluE-7vAEMUMtD2PR19mE42jTIFvoU0mqvndS_-dBBEyX8zRYfICgSpNrGRo8z5i-W3xGm4K9Drmf3dpBui-4cQUdZUkYsrd_A3SdiywfxnkPfU/s320/PXL_20231216_020058592.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lights on 34th Street (in Baltimore)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi42eYScOkTlC8GvP2ebHlcNNMhH9oe6qOnyy91UUL0pNsGw0gX6qSj7QudYDfhy7M5FB71xLZiEYmTf8r58TvkM9DprYAXkfVJQrj9atctf9F-D-UaGmNB_WiBybBmXXWKpx3bS_JfRxyfiro9pxvMgiSGL-0S0EGx_CLthGM8z6jLdG2YGohyphenhyphenzSkMMjQ/s5333/PXL_20231216_191401828.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="5333" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi42eYScOkTlC8GvP2ebHlcNNMhH9oe6qOnyy91UUL0pNsGw0gX6qSj7QudYDfhy7M5FB71xLZiEYmTf8r58TvkM9DprYAXkfVJQrj9atctf9F-D-UaGmNB_WiBybBmXXWKpx3bS_JfRxyfiro9pxvMgiSGL-0S0EGx_CLthGM8z6jLdG2YGohyphenhyphenzSkMMjQ/s320/PXL_20231216_191401828.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Family walks to the park.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAx1QAF-_mKW0JPPz0GnTM_291SUTMH9lGzpiP1jcn__wypknQfHmTommoShP51gF0U14VN7efp9IHACNE1LjfjHwp0JTzL-FFPoaGl8phXg3X4l0f1n7jmRUVEsl-YaJ3zMJcmrVxHsBCj7QGSv784OBYIFI1TEF0wzUDat2PmYLJL_SsCxsNRTJIvCs/s5333/PXL_20231217_010403823.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="5333" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAx1QAF-_mKW0JPPz0GnTM_291SUTMH9lGzpiP1jcn__wypknQfHmTommoShP51gF0U14VN7efp9IHACNE1LjfjHwp0JTzL-FFPoaGl8phXg3X4l0f1n7jmRUVEsl-YaJ3zMJcmrVxHsBCj7QGSv784OBYIFI1TEF0wzUDat2PmYLJL_SsCxsNRTJIvCs/s320/PXL_20231217_010403823.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Smithsonian Zoo ZooLights</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSq7TQr1hDTmBEsy88O4mZxpwAKzDftExAOe20WwW0jtYIzUvuohufL_cYvfRKLOD6dcOQdNnQ1_YtWkkjTKmZit-Y0Okk4p-4Iaf50YbCpt4NYHS3S4GYfjnQlgoicqqjDDQ82i0jpGbcRSMOIkQu9t5u-OPtAVh9kWqb19uIVXpZGD3d43slhN0SL7k/s3840/PXL_20231217_011823444.MP.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="3840" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSq7TQr1hDTmBEsy88O4mZxpwAKzDftExAOe20WwW0jtYIzUvuohufL_cYvfRKLOD6dcOQdNnQ1_YtWkkjTKmZit-Y0Okk4p-4Iaf50YbCpt4NYHS3S4GYfjnQlgoicqqjDDQ82i0jpGbcRSMOIkQu9t5u-OPtAVh9kWqb19uIVXpZGD3d43slhN0SL7k/s320/PXL_20231217_011823444.MP.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ZooLights selfie</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk2Wdo0zA3c5hC5YhN38vzGJKJxpBr-y_HqACeyN_vfWzyLoyUcEat7X4P0A-Q9lePO-iL2XqCZnyCPcY8ygxYhoEOV1wVi4K1MNubTDFClIWLCvpyeQYO9n1OSm1T9V1QVzlGmDVaaF2FY5YpC_vohDuO-S1L5Yr_cPmI4D1l-f_jBt6M1G_qrh7_39w/s5333/PXL_20231220_184838816.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="5333" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk2Wdo0zA3c5hC5YhN38vzGJKJxpBr-y_HqACeyN_vfWzyLoyUcEat7X4P0A-Q9lePO-iL2XqCZnyCPcY8ygxYhoEOV1wVi4K1MNubTDFClIWLCvpyeQYO9n1OSm1T9V1QVzlGmDVaaF2FY5YpC_vohDuO-S1L5Yr_cPmI4D1l-f_jBt6M1G_qrh7_39w/s320/PXL_20231220_184838816.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emotional support cuteness, in matching jammies.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtVxIMkcaQopwiO4ishtArPMt0_jsCIKwza1ArRdqX33vCsm0oDQTNaoU6oQZCDj0PUaxfvHYbP9FjIfvEbHFloGsEBLin_zCqtIG9VFsLE7dMS6vCwA3eUzkAh_WcYigXyJEHLA2xu6GaP-yQ99mfyDRcBgyaCqNTiDS2XvzvxNtd8dUVdzETAo1xFWc/s5333/PXL_20231224_223137595.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="5333" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtVxIMkcaQopwiO4ishtArPMt0_jsCIKwza1ArRdqX33vCsm0oDQTNaoU6oQZCDj0PUaxfvHYbP9FjIfvEbHFloGsEBLin_zCqtIG9VFsLE7dMS6vCwA3eUzkAh_WcYigXyJEHLA2xu6GaP-yQ99mfyDRcBgyaCqNTiDS2XvzvxNtd8dUVdzETAo1xFWc/s320/PXL_20231224_223137595.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scoot-scootin' to go tree viewing came back into play this year.<br />This is the White House with the National Tree and the state trees.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHu3TSpXfhTv4aZYoAlYHwsae-s80RFgGZ7kiGzlKh6DVNKSfZ8uGmMwwkk1tRnfoEjWgqAmC8Km_MJxLvWeHaCkvDYaz_JqYHK-kPEbj0WGj1d0VYzPc_Uze9hb4D-S5C0iXF5Zx_VRREYoJ6z4lA4BvXy3Fvf0Xmj0UCCZ9otPMrKg0axguBH8rXavY/s3840/PXL_20231224_230921568.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="3840" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHu3TSpXfhTv4aZYoAlYHwsae-s80RFgGZ7kiGzlKh6DVNKSfZ8uGmMwwkk1tRnfoEjWgqAmC8Km_MJxLvWeHaCkvDYaz_JqYHK-kPEbj0WGj1d0VYzPc_Uze9hb4D-S5C0iXF5Zx_VRREYoJ6z4lA4BvXy3Fvf0Xmj0UCCZ9otPMrKg0axguBH8rXavY/s320/PXL_20231224_230921568.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Capitol tree selfie</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI0DT9hRUqIItMaVczeZQMqvUNw0wXpeW1S23GT-_Aa2-7iiMMlF6jyKd6GTdqEB8dgUyeIuBHvxaYiuS8xU11bkkqga6YLG9nz6A-9P2eqfk_4_irdQg-RRWgJETgcRnyTYqK74_N32p_fpws7dONKJ5GA52LpaWRcEA0_WfdsJjsttdT7SEoIzfze2M/s5333/PXL_20231225_001319820.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="5333" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI0DT9hRUqIItMaVczeZQMqvUNw0wXpeW1S23GT-_Aa2-7iiMMlF6jyKd6GTdqEB8dgUyeIuBHvxaYiuS8xU11bkkqga6YLG9nz6A-9P2eqfk_4_irdQg-RRWgJETgcRnyTYqK74_N32p_fpws7dONKJ5GA52LpaWRcEA0_WfdsJjsttdT7SEoIzfze2M/s320/PXL_20231225_001319820.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">JFK Center for the Performing Arts with the Washington Memorial peekin' out.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Lwl8MbdTkUhmnvQTwTLp5FOHX8o0v2mA-x4lmWN_6YKsj3gxNng8crpXYckZQU0LtxQnBv0ZThEzqif3Aw91_dCE29DapRxqyrXPFTRCW9rn8BLA4a9UXor59-sU8jJhtcZnHN5K38vOnNH9kE6oscQUriRUN7hEBp6WY9B21asgz8s3ZEMa9SHGuqY/s3840/PXL_20231225_151800708.MP.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3840" data-original-width="2160" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Lwl8MbdTkUhmnvQTwTLp5FOHX8o0v2mA-x4lmWN_6YKsj3gxNng8crpXYckZQU0LtxQnBv0ZThEzqif3Aw91_dCE29DapRxqyrXPFTRCW9rn8BLA4a9UXor59-sU8jJhtcZnHN5K38vOnNH9kE6oscQUriRUN7hEBp6WY9B21asgz8s3ZEMa9SHGuqY/s320/PXL_20231225_151800708.MP.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New watches for both of us for Christmas!</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><h2 style="text-align: left;">Other things, not pictured.</h2><div>Teh German was <i>extremely</i> concerned after my surgery that I was going to be completed disabled and unable to function. He was very much relieved and everyone was <i>quite surprised</i> that I was up and walking within hours of being cut open. I <i>reallllllllllyyy</i> had to pee and the catheter situation wasn't great for me. The nurse removed the catheter and I walked to my cabinet toilet (with a nurse escort). I ended up walking the entire floor 4 times before I left the hospital 36 hours after I arrived. I had originally planned to stay for 2 nights, but after 1 night of zero sleep and when the doctor said I was going home after hearing how much walking I'd done, I was fine with that.</div><div><br /></div><div>I actually tutored a kid in pre-calc in the spring. Crazy to think that I was not a math kid for all my life.</div><div><br /></div><div>Lots of dog sitting this year. Had another elder dog situation though. That was least good.</div><div><br /></div><div>Teh German went on a 10 day motocamping adventure to Canada! I don't have photos of that, but it happened in June. There were some issues with the 29482th green card extension letter from USCIS, but Teh German was able to come back into the US after educating the border control agent that the letter was legit. </div><div><br /></div><div>Teh German also finally received THE BEST GIFT from USCIS, so yay for no more extension letters.</div><div><br /></div><div>I re-submitted my rescue application with the Irish Wolfhound club after speaking with them at the Irish festival. I went through some puppy fever in Aug/Sept, probably as a side effect of trying to control something before surgery. It's a low likelihood, but ya know, keeping my heart (and door) open to another Wuffs. Also, having 2 senior dogs has my heart worried, mkay?</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">2024 Goals: ME.</h2><div>-More music concerts (tickets are already bought for: NF, Alanis Morissette)</div><div>-Feel more feelings (my therapist broke up with me in the spring and said I was fine, cool)</div><div>-Less socials scrolling</div><div>-Get back to running and back to the gym (in progress through physical therapy, giving myself NO timeline on this so I don't hurt myself)</div><div>-More journaling</div><div><b>-Be more gentle with me.</b></div><div>-Some house projects</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I highly doubt this space will be active in 2024. Unless I finally get motivated to post some of the recipes that I've cooked that I'd like to be able to reference without having 39482 tabs open on my phone. This space served its purpose for many years and there are times that I definitely miss it. But I've enjoyed, much more, living without feeling obligated to stop and document things so I can blog/share it later. I will admit that Teh German has had some SOLID Shit Teh German Said comments, but I haven't logged it because I'm crying from laughing so hard. /shrug</div><div><br /></div><div>Part of me would love to document some of the adventures, but I'm too lazy and my work life is much different now than back when I was a real blogger. Oh well. </div><div><br /></div><div>Goodbye 2023.</div><div>Welcome 2024.</div><div><br /></div></div>Teh Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00133596439315060218noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1581436032352728193.post-45460400454699481832023-12-29T12:44:00.001-05:002023-12-31T14:02:29.191-05:002023 Review (Part 1)<p>Back when I played WoW (World of Warcraft), you could type in /played and see how much time you'd spent in game. It was always bittersweet because I spent SO MUCH TIME playing WoW, but also, I spent SO MUCH TIME playing WoW... not necessarily living in the real world. In that vein, I wish I could do a /played for Blogger to see how much time I've spent writing blogs. Weeks and months of my life posting on a consistent schedule for my own brain cleaning and for some moderate entertainment for those who were interested... and now, I'm out here living life and scrolling through instagram and barely even posting anymore. I've become the lurker I never anticipated. I thought I'd always be sharing. But these days, I'm looking more and more inward as I get older (and wiser?).</p><p>I don't hate it, but as I've said before, I miss this space; this comfort, this feeling of <i>home</i> and of <i>my place</i>.<br /></p><p>And now that I'm done being nostalgic, let's get on to the annual review. 2 parts because apparently there were too many photos. YOLO.</p><p><br /></p><h2 style="text-align: left;">JANUARY</h2><p>2023 started with street art scoot-scootin.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip_LiYGMAFm128K3CJcskCidWFWAy0slA0wxybn6slQ9tioX7YHUjtxkNukoOc3ZJBvmnMzJMMJUEGTv3-j4g_O7qykrGg272cfc0K9BdyYhEP5b8B3ka15s5C5MDgL1-9Mehj6vvMEk7_-tKDRT50xGdC0cC-a4_GRBaCCE2FOR4hLTBnEhkGeaqD3_U/s3968/20230102_095438.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2232" data-original-width="3968" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip_LiYGMAFm128K3CJcskCidWFWAy0slA0wxybn6slQ9tioX7YHUjtxkNukoOc3ZJBvmnMzJMMJUEGTv3-j4g_O7qykrGg272cfc0K9BdyYhEP5b8B3ka15s5C5MDgL1-9Mehj6vvMEk7_-tKDRT50xGdC0cC-a4_GRBaCCE2FOR4hLTBnEhkGeaqD3_U/s320/20230102_095438.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlsuzIRi0MGb2funlF0B5oOkHM9V6eucmAaoC83bvZvOySByGbIs0EYUHvPOHxnBX_dOyWMDYnZ13YZRqJBMr-rfNcqZdlQMyS5bEbLmcZ1uQdY4Rcpu01x02KmRGpYcvaZF0NGJyT3Y1SlqDvB64MfeEbL2AK343eKaiRuoPLAKGnU4jmXBtuom0nsBY/s4000/20230102_095354.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlsuzIRi0MGb2funlF0B5oOkHM9V6eucmAaoC83bvZvOySByGbIs0EYUHvPOHxnBX_dOyWMDYnZ13YZRqJBMr-rfNcqZdlQMyS5bEbLmcZ1uQdY4Rcpu01x02KmRGpYcvaZF0NGJyT3Y1SlqDvB64MfeEbL2AK343eKaiRuoPLAKGnU4jmXBtuom0nsBY/s320/20230102_095354.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhljqJIWkwhYN5ilaOUbYPRe0RhLQ6a0JPSEYEaq7C3WT5-ajwt7OpIp8CQGO8NFWylZW7yxqXCQ72QIzDEEaCiO5RENxvkVCvWjnrfSLAhYL2ZFhrpH4OY92Tnt13wKo-ckv6_1KWpNO2IgQNg079dyx6UyXuiCtY3NZCM2V5A0nBPmm-mOMsVCpYtOWU/s4000/20230102_100723.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhljqJIWkwhYN5ilaOUbYPRe0RhLQ6a0JPSEYEaq7C3WT5-ajwt7OpIp8CQGO8NFWylZW7yxqXCQ72QIzDEEaCiO5RENxvkVCvWjnrfSLAhYL2ZFhrpH4OY92Tnt13wKo-ckv6_1KWpNO2IgQNg079dyx6UyXuiCtY3NZCM2V5A0nBPmm-mOMsVCpYtOWU/s320/20230102_100723.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFUyIfU_JfzxmtBDYmlrWGJ_CYc-Oj3dmwcR-gZcJuggbk-DBNXJYFcuRVX061MYrQ41CpKth0g1GRcyBUOviT8QK4Tof1Xath7xnrNgsnyUd3dpEMJb67OOG80adcAgDFKEoH5ywFLB7LqT3llss4odfraoSr-5vy90FLmWTcnjNF1yoS_4Jrwyc_jgE/s4000/20230102_102724.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFUyIfU_JfzxmtBDYmlrWGJ_CYc-Oj3dmwcR-gZcJuggbk-DBNXJYFcuRVX061MYrQ41CpKth0g1GRcyBUOviT8QK4Tof1Xath7xnrNgsnyUd3dpEMJb67OOG80adcAgDFKEoH5ywFLB7LqT3llss4odfraoSr-5vy90FLmWTcnjNF1yoS_4Jrwyc_jgE/s320/20230102_102724.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhLzVxU3HvOODFQTQVZTI4v2FS82ziNit63izpNkHIG45-6dPlp01PEq5wALzmAmxScQZxIQ-fsBoWpRDaIYWt9l7QEjzSrVFfjt1LnnVKBBMXJMTv-UY_ACWbq_MHWQSDjfeuqCDO8swtjLqPcSiKWfTquhY80CbvMPQRInZXQPYx3g3nDvxNWBGFpk0/s4000/20230102_102909.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhLzVxU3HvOODFQTQVZTI4v2FS82ziNit63izpNkHIG45-6dPlp01PEq5wALzmAmxScQZxIQ-fsBoWpRDaIYWt9l7QEjzSrVFfjt1LnnVKBBMXJMTv-UY_ACWbq_MHWQSDjfeuqCDO8swtjLqPcSiKWfTquhY80CbvMPQRInZXQPYx3g3nDvxNWBGFpk0/s320/20230102_102909.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSZnHr-xOeczYP1nPSrJAoiYG20Ayjn_Pw-cY5bCeBPhTRYBE1loQQka1A6x5-T-19XIFV8lDN3XScSS6SoDW02n1W9nF2u0RbvUjPv-Bj2O0qNCXgXjuIYzq_zWHancIvRRTw9YUJdJmqgLIRLK0194SWlRtLMzrmIW5PK9H57ijuSap5i5bLxnbVjoY/s4000/20230102_104608.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSZnHr-xOeczYP1nPSrJAoiYG20Ayjn_Pw-cY5bCeBPhTRYBE1loQQka1A6x5-T-19XIFV8lDN3XScSS6SoDW02n1W9nF2u0RbvUjPv-Bj2O0qNCXgXjuIYzq_zWHancIvRRTw9YUJdJmqgLIRLK0194SWlRtLMzrmIW5PK9H57ijuSap5i5bLxnbVjoY/s320/20230102_104608.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This building no longer exists.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5nUSCn6YgRIk_9gSFa2q3xayveToC4VI587c3_ko5N08l9OTUVf1KJ_Hmtf1XN4SahbR7Unpm5iZpm9p_mukwrdjsJbP6TaydjXsUJ3AEMpcOT_8w5rOQ2P3fcJtYtplIgsQdtU1hftpyhw-s1wE_m3sxh5Cq5UX9IC-okzC3-ukxv3nvUH5Y7rJHSfM/s4000/20230102_104458.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5nUSCn6YgRIk_9gSFa2q3xayveToC4VI587c3_ko5N08l9OTUVf1KJ_Hmtf1XN4SahbR7Unpm5iZpm9p_mukwrdjsJbP6TaydjXsUJ3AEMpcOT_8w5rOQ2P3fcJtYtplIgsQdtU1hftpyhw-s1wE_m3sxh5Cq5UX9IC-okzC3-ukxv3nvUH5Y7rJHSfM/s320/20230102_104458.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs9yuzlfP1r-H3ExTft_NvcLu4I6BNzql3xjb9Nxm1avrW7rns8AYMPpsC5MoJSojV4C0qWenTYyS9Avy5MxSrGhpxJYBE_m_nqF57qaSabm9Ghbw-BfQpnkWGaxkJ628n1_WtFqWPmyj00us4FBov6VgcVIIdc3tsJX6gLPX_I2QFqDQx6TRunQ4Rvt0/s4000/20230102_110305.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs9yuzlfP1r-H3ExTft_NvcLu4I6BNzql3xjb9Nxm1avrW7rns8AYMPpsC5MoJSojV4C0qWenTYyS9Avy5MxSrGhpxJYBE_m_nqF57qaSabm9Ghbw-BfQpnkWGaxkJ628n1_WtFqWPmyj00us4FBov6VgcVIIdc3tsJX6gLPX_I2QFqDQx6TRunQ4Rvt0/s320/20230102_110305.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieQu6qpdN8l0UDlk0GV2aG7PHe3gNqtVPJBkLKEHT_SXuYX_pvG7BIKP5tmWdbCLBIZJo3bj1nlUUQrWOVZbkQWCOc8jT03uqSkwpIOBpYY25ymzz-NCKe-cH_48wHbBrPULKthB2Vqy35nuU9qfBMYIYTqUGLmev9I-nB7ylEapxqPg9IHUcsdDyOZAE/s4000/20230102_111538.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieQu6qpdN8l0UDlk0GV2aG7PHe3gNqtVPJBkLKEHT_SXuYX_pvG7BIKP5tmWdbCLBIZJo3bj1nlUUQrWOVZbkQWCOc8jT03uqSkwpIOBpYY25ymzz-NCKe-cH_48wHbBrPULKthB2Vqy35nuU9qfBMYIYTqUGLmev9I-nB7ylEapxqPg9IHUcsdDyOZAE/s320/20230102_111538.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjisy7R4b3FQd5sA2oB2z6VdFLX57rPZ7ShRuy8bT4gQmj9TkClnWN4e987CZV3f0fPdE59Ev28v8se_VEfeg6X2Qn3rXdlbuVd3PLNBRTlpraaUjF3qQXBOzdPaIHsJAJyCzYXk3lcQDzz5OM-qPN3lTnAuqcDrdHdBd0nezGYRWmvSebE6K7cwoO_RZQ/s4000/20230104_170927.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2252" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjisy7R4b3FQd5sA2oB2z6VdFLX57rPZ7ShRuy8bT4gQmj9TkClnWN4e987CZV3f0fPdE59Ev28v8se_VEfeg6X2Qn3rXdlbuVd3PLNBRTlpraaUjF3qQXBOzdPaIHsJAJyCzYXk3lcQDzz5OM-qPN3lTnAuqcDrdHdBd0nezGYRWmvSebE6K7cwoO_RZQ/s320/20230104_170927.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><div><br /></div>When we bought this house in 2020, we had feelings about the garage. In 2022, we had the sewer debacle... but during that time, our garage was leaking. We were low on funds (re: sewer line woes), so there wasn't much we could do about it, other than hope if the garage roof collapsed, homeowner's insurance would be there for us. The real kicker though was when the leak dripped some sort of glue on Willow (my car) that I scratched up my paint to get off with my vigorous rubbing. I called some people and got some estimates to fix the "leak".. from $10k to $40k.. it was not a happy time.<div><br /></div><div>But finally, in January 2023, we got the garage roof fixed (hooray for being repaid for the sewer repairs!). We were all surprised to discover that janky ass garage roof was: 4 inches of concrete, a layer of corrugated metal, plenty of rebar rods for reinforcement, some layers of plywood, and whatever else.. It was 9 trips to the dump, at a ton each, so about 18,000 pounds (or 8000 kilograms) of material was removed from the garage for the roof to be replaced. But the new roof has been perfect and we're both relieved that the garage is more structurally sound without 9 tons of weight just hovering over our vehicles and motorcycles.<br /><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigj2sPsLcXoPe7dfGzC1Z11MeDww0_YvzUmKHhVVThcdM9MLyrie9Fvu6JeQvTVxpN5LP6AE4x9wFxEawBi9pP-yFyKuBVt93HIOKPSCW6J06PjI82e11CDqPTp5HmP4G0O80i4TNoxU8ZlsJjwS9XCRUaHqVFghjTV45wcwHCjUxe8j1C-dCTBpY-98U/s4000/20230105_084411.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2252" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigj2sPsLcXoPe7dfGzC1Z11MeDww0_YvzUmKHhVVThcdM9MLyrie9Fvu6JeQvTVxpN5LP6AE4x9wFxEawBi9pP-yFyKuBVt93HIOKPSCW6J06PjI82e11CDqPTp5HmP4G0O80i4TNoxU8ZlsJjwS9XCRUaHqVFghjTV45wcwHCjUxe8j1C-dCTBpY-98U/s320/20230105_084411.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0S59USoyOAKbzqNd9hj15YSJindJXwGdwuGWhzxZmuj3uI_vp5VSaOu0sl3wZBINWcxFIx8KyexMSoE-0x6KEW1wzU39Ica9HG6ytHha9V3Ro05-A2sbpJlHdywaGlS1Jn1f05bFI64qLbyDuYc2qLT3PwmF18CQK89gghNoW9VZmAJfJA7kmSNs35rU/s4000/20230105_135233.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2252" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0S59USoyOAKbzqNd9hj15YSJindJXwGdwuGWhzxZmuj3uI_vp5VSaOu0sl3wZBINWcxFIx8KyexMSoE-0x6KEW1wzU39Ica9HG6ytHha9V3Ro05-A2sbpJlHdywaGlS1Jn1f05bFI64qLbyDuYc2qLT3PwmF18CQK89gghNoW9VZmAJfJA7kmSNs35rU/s320/20230105_135233.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiofSh4yziD9GZmLKNiLrbiKlbTUa5My1SgNu24Wo1o-HsGvMCpuMcfjuF4AwKOIgwtelbuPn3VenJAE3Du8bAx2cpQYJnx_I99baqFWo4Gfkc902tQgc7hlptFHOctWZeBxbThtF2sZQ0L4CWGgLUasJBV179uhpK7kAwz2nT9RU6kF8hE_4-haCkAzXU/s4000/20230106_132359.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2252" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiofSh4yziD9GZmLKNiLrbiKlbTUa5My1SgNu24Wo1o-HsGvMCpuMcfjuF4AwKOIgwtelbuPn3VenJAE3Du8bAx2cpQYJnx_I99baqFWo4Gfkc902tQgc7hlptFHOctWZeBxbThtF2sZQ0L4CWGgLUasJBV179uhpK7kAwz2nT9RU6kF8hE_4-haCkAzXU/s320/20230106_132359.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMmKflEXujYmQ8I61ZyMLbbM_yeREvrTM2wRaXsWYQLmWsEl_-4rLrDYXWgS7XNFxcLiAXrlOzayP1_tUyY21y3Ng0Znnxh2VT2f4EL1ripNaNfiL_adkuuyoDhhcgaH_EXY4kZfIY3pKnExN6sYTwWjr-4ChopQjxuY3NwGGW1Ab3JpUPNzkzGQCPnvI/s4000/20230107_124006.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2252" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMmKflEXujYmQ8I61ZyMLbbM_yeREvrTM2wRaXsWYQLmWsEl_-4rLrDYXWgS7XNFxcLiAXrlOzayP1_tUyY21y3Ng0Znnxh2VT2f4EL1ripNaNfiL_adkuuyoDhhcgaH_EXY4kZfIY3pKnExN6sYTwWjr-4ChopQjxuY3NwGGW1Ab3JpUPNzkzGQCPnvI/s320/20230107_124006.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The dogs provided emotional support along the way.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIt5erTOIOGkCJorCocux0ldb8A_YluMJNg2KSB_IU_VhjNIGU0PBXL_BCZWYPXQf1g4FmaGb498fTJcLXwbI99Og6bnaLe3UUJXgz5CxmW8egTMGp6w5rcpUnt-e1jenSmCsf3A8RAvDhQfHseLHhfJW3ohXRPXcwBIkDiICwwrG7fyHw-AsxBgCdDzo/s4000/20230108_190604.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIt5erTOIOGkCJorCocux0ldb8A_YluMJNg2KSB_IU_VhjNIGU0PBXL_BCZWYPXQf1g4FmaGb498fTJcLXwbI99Og6bnaLe3UUJXgz5CxmW8egTMGp6w5rcpUnt-e1jenSmCsf3A8RAvDhQfHseLHhfJW3ohXRPXcwBIkDiICwwrG7fyHw-AsxBgCdDzo/s320/20230108_190604.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I had a drastic hair change and I was very worried when I first thought to cut my hair off, but every day since has been a delight of having short hair and not pulling long hairs off of my clothes/out of my crevices... and having blue hair again. Blue hair is joy.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQINEpy55dR206h4aaV9so2mM6FMPu52Kb7F7D7t9njUKLq7nWLG0rW2Eb07EywVz7ghpyKABYafxbJkvgMeifbvuhyphenhyphenRHg1ZfvGyDX1JW7mZT6tvZORWhv3Yky7JMq9Cdiw-uQhptlM00kGtt0i6rWDyr8PtrsEcymgulFbL2oRptmqRxLf6lo0NRA7mM/s3216/20230124_195740.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3216" data-original-width="1808" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQINEpy55dR206h4aaV9so2mM6FMPu52Kb7F7D7t9njUKLq7nWLG0rW2Eb07EywVz7ghpyKABYafxbJkvgMeifbvuhyphenhyphenRHg1ZfvGyDX1JW7mZT6tvZORWhv3Yky7JMq9Cdiw-uQhptlM00kGtt0i6rWDyr8PtrsEcymgulFbL2oRptmqRxLf6lo0NRA7mM/s320/20230124_195740.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Emotional support through cuteness.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNSe3NG2yezO5tZnvFI9JIyRl3lytZLXrFNWPDM0XJtZZg3Nn8gbk7blZKjnbsF7HQPprizHHn1wx-ezT8im6WtptcGmjvjOz_dmKjw_Wqyb5KIlGPldh2KikUP9b33BU8K2HBK89rjtF9oM7HOmBk-rkWNlzu43KeWrZOvGxF-2tD5MGSv_f1icL7pBQ/s4000/20230127_094601.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2252" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNSe3NG2yezO5tZnvFI9JIyRl3lytZLXrFNWPDM0XJtZZg3Nn8gbk7blZKjnbsF7HQPprizHHn1wx-ezT8im6WtptcGmjvjOz_dmKjw_Wqyb5KIlGPldh2KikUP9b33BU8K2HBK89rjtF9oM7HOmBk-rkWNlzu43KeWrZOvGxF-2tD5MGSv_f1icL7pBQ/s320/20230127_094601.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><h2 style="text-align: left;">FEBRUARY</h2><p>We got a little snow in Feb, right in time as an early birthday present for me.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfINNgxuGXvoYarwrMwgW7qpWpv9mWMNp4nR1hen_7SwNxyQYP_skLoeNL3hBr3-lzl1wQWTMnudQJK6FKwaRM7VuwiahGbUKWYSsEjVzFl-LQ-fwcCQMgJmCbIlgN0UqFz7Q_QsN2FgBT3ZNLxZevFW1TeklYL7uYkRIFaSdKCthpEOZgUBI1Dab7lnE/s4000/20230201_060204.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2252" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfINNgxuGXvoYarwrMwgW7qpWpv9mWMNp4nR1hen_7SwNxyQYP_skLoeNL3hBr3-lzl1wQWTMnudQJK6FKwaRM7VuwiahGbUKWYSsEjVzFl-LQ-fwcCQMgJmCbIlgN0UqFz7Q_QsN2FgBT3ZNLxZevFW1TeklYL7uYkRIFaSdKCthpEOZgUBI1Dab7lnE/s320/20230201_060204.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snow must be taken advantage of!</td></tr></tbody></table><br />My birthday came with a flurry of workouts (gym, pool, dog walk) and treats.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPn4hkarodtER39z8AozYQ6GJWjN1QPghFVLghIIcdV8gqLchWMfT6EEl3z2-Eav1fMJS-SqRYHzaMYy38G-8nHJKlp0hkoMXriRfSMqzT4EvZL1JAiMgeIwryENgywRva-Qq4BugZkACNmyjyzXkXi-qW3QgipiT6riSqn3HJ14da7IE8oVfPYETmhBA/s3968/20230203_063616.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3968" data-original-width="2232" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPn4hkarodtER39z8AozYQ6GJWjN1QPghFVLghIIcdV8gqLchWMfT6EEl3z2-Eav1fMJS-SqRYHzaMYy38G-8nHJKlp0hkoMXriRfSMqzT4EvZL1JAiMgeIwryENgywRva-Qq4BugZkACNmyjyzXkXi-qW3QgipiT6riSqn3HJ14da7IE8oVfPYETmhBA/s320/20230203_063616.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjpZP8Shg-3jOP7K7SFWiTcTgVWBtZEf4yhyphenhyphenfwuvgpjzr1ZZqcgNYvzS6b6tAnTO6dXN1xDCUOoWXxL6sVnQGJqXx4qA7501qoLVIAFrlkR91u1l2QubQaeq8wL-IfkTcPD2FmrSMBrM4h_0AqPqvbO-s8JuRjFkM0r6AjvDG9b5PbAZ9iZ4bJQymZE4M/s3968/20230203_075810.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3968" data-original-width="2232" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjpZP8Shg-3jOP7K7SFWiTcTgVWBtZEf4yhyphenhyphenfwuvgpjzr1ZZqcgNYvzS6b6tAnTO6dXN1xDCUOoWXxL6sVnQGJqXx4qA7501qoLVIAFrlkR91u1l2QubQaeq8wL-IfkTcPD2FmrSMBrM4h_0AqPqvbO-s8JuRjFkM0r6AjvDG9b5PbAZ9iZ4bJQymZE4M/s320/20230203_075810.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKf7Rrp978nVwU6BHqnCnSm3_GrpFSD-P6RsUDjQfxntEtB2fGOwilKm2xrv_b4N6mj-sY_oCzFYjBsmslxf0K7Ydtc1zMEoWHM4g5CL5BUT90ebkOzELVDhlYepO97MztjjmY_Y2piwMFHvQ_0qrvwYbjVXzjWctH1mkTCbBJpOXamQXbO9_47AZgX1g/s3968/20230203_192254.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3968" data-original-width="2232" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKf7Rrp978nVwU6BHqnCnSm3_GrpFSD-P6RsUDjQfxntEtB2fGOwilKm2xrv_b4N6mj-sY_oCzFYjBsmslxf0K7Ydtc1zMEoWHM4g5CL5BUT90ebkOzELVDhlYepO97MztjjmY_Y2piwMFHvQ_0qrvwYbjVXzjWctH1mkTCbBJpOXamQXbO9_47AZgX1g/s320/20230203_192254.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The day after my birthday, I celebrated by running 18 miles on the coldest day of the year. HIGHLY recommend hour trail events. I selected the 5 hour event to do as many laps as I wanted. It was awesome.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ9tEpRyHtvm1nIvlRDiSehuy2IQLJ3FSOZw3KZ-NYPc6aay52uGy-zw5k5mBd8qkaZSEjANk1qBXS3fR-tf4dUrEwm4uZUMSf8quUfMpuSZqX8W_25QQuIAIwrgT0cXz4HQkxftPhwA9Ui2rgS-DaNGVX_30rf0udpLDa5mgo5INS6ppGeuDB3kge6OE/s4000/20230204_084247.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2252" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ9tEpRyHtvm1nIvlRDiSehuy2IQLJ3FSOZw3KZ-NYPc6aay52uGy-zw5k5mBd8qkaZSEjANk1qBXS3fR-tf4dUrEwm4uZUMSf8quUfMpuSZqX8W_25QQuIAIwrgT0cXz4HQkxftPhwA9Ui2rgS-DaNGVX_30rf0udpLDa5mgo5INS6ppGeuDB3kge6OE/s320/20230204_084247.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Krispy Kreme for race fuel and for the volunteers!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWFVdJGnSj56El5i7VBIhNhCLuhHc9CAf1Q97lLMB6Ibl1RGUafyJwts7Qg2zQRhdp9LisULSKlrDnnDPbGOfUYO_Bg_dEhBhxcDJXIMXIMc0xaTaeFT4zPj8KnqGFL1B1HgEysNdyQifacTZli8G5V3A-9fd9SdHrZhyphenhyphenrM6aYkT7O4rzuvfmx_qox9b4/s3968/20230204_095226.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3968" data-original-width="2232" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWFVdJGnSj56El5i7VBIhNhCLuhHc9CAf1Q97lLMB6Ibl1RGUafyJwts7Qg2zQRhdp9LisULSKlrDnnDPbGOfUYO_Bg_dEhBhxcDJXIMXIMc0xaTaeFT4zPj8KnqGFL1B1HgEysNdyQifacTZli8G5V3A-9fd9SdHrZhyphenhyphenrM6aYkT7O4rzuvfmx_qox9b4/s320/20230204_095226.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fun surprise: unexpectedly running into your people at a race!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAs-UPCKSmD77teOoAwT4M_hPsI1XhxPzLakN-t4u7ZF6YkUG4bMe9jnXdApR_tlBBfR1W0RHH5AIsG_THY003pGv21BCdpGHojkR9QxWd4ZSo59eTkB-4w7vMYW3rcc2TEWnmhtVkyqH4xAluuZ1g0858keg89hwY_T-HFc6J8fYZU4QuKMKKiDSsUww/s640/20230204_112930.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="360" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAs-UPCKSmD77teOoAwT4M_hPsI1XhxPzLakN-t4u7ZF6YkUG4bMe9jnXdApR_tlBBfR1W0RHH5AIsG_THY003pGv21BCdpGHojkR9QxWd4ZSo59eTkB-4w7vMYW3rcc2TEWnmhtVkyqH4xAluuZ1g0858keg89hwY_T-HFc6J8fYZU4QuKMKKiDSsUww/s320/20230204_112930.gif" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio1OQ6hPh8uXG90TCtslG7EO312YilDj0aNVoWC-36784_zt8McdJv3vtTA4tHYOEu16oCVRHXtzLrbTtc677pcRpmvSxstDPLSVTyvZh9KfFg8xCUQpw2gZE1XnFWKK6sP6juQxEiUz3R71-aiO9Y253AakjESjwAdym2Zk1v_we-uxvoib0ztgTWQI8/s4000/20230204_114053.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2252" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio1OQ6hPh8uXG90TCtslG7EO312YilDj0aNVoWC-36784_zt8McdJv3vtTA4tHYOEu16oCVRHXtzLrbTtc677pcRpmvSxstDPLSVTyvZh9KfFg8xCUQpw2gZE1XnFWKK6sP6juQxEiUz3R71-aiO9Y253AakjESjwAdym2Zk1v_we-uxvoib0ztgTWQI8/s320/20230204_114053.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwCXh6-9Y7OPSB7z0vjPcZVRp58tNmN0-BXFEcjsdoCsGprT0vBAr8An9GLiZEit1ZS7_iSLp8ieopKhr09mjD0YAQOQhibWc_ax3Ujiyda6kgjqn4Y4LlJc2yduRzRUetju7xthZlVEccmmuUNKyT2sa0ydnmksWrIvPqI9hyphenhyphenh5gyvBSkNAsJ50fXcc0/s4000/20230204_121010.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwCXh6-9Y7OPSB7z0vjPcZVRp58tNmN0-BXFEcjsdoCsGprT0vBAr8An9GLiZEit1ZS7_iSLp8ieopKhr09mjD0YAQOQhibWc_ax3Ujiyda6kgjqn4Y4LlJc2yduRzRUetju7xthZlVEccmmuUNKyT2sa0ydnmksWrIvPqI9hyphenhyphenh5gyvBSkNAsJ50fXcc0/s320/20230204_121010.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSmxUnOWd5YivlFcxTMTSw-WA0oZuW5TKLkIg6bSVn1pvbYmo91t46HPTfR_zFMHjacfKuWdUCWpBLt8tdqGEVi9NuLPte_O9U5wK7Lz_uXKVS9wi67pnVNe2K03tTbrijTqjjXTlxiuR3zBiGWt5WndDnaBfkZsoe88RHiuOvGTNIymjfHoJAaWixFw8/s4000/20230204_121020.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2252" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSmxUnOWd5YivlFcxTMTSw-WA0oZuW5TKLkIg6bSVn1pvbYmo91t46HPTfR_zFMHjacfKuWdUCWpBLt8tdqGEVi9NuLPte_O9U5wK7Lz_uXKVS9wi67pnVNe2K03tTbrijTqjjXTlxiuR3zBiGWt5WndDnaBfkZsoe88RHiuOvGTNIymjfHoJAaWixFw8/s320/20230204_121020.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeUxAA17gr5qMzbdFL4CLu2hl3Uu6RuJrzcw9NVH3gnRdeUXlahX3bdjtzwXXD-c_mHcvIcvT6R428FW5mbcXM4sR60tF0s0EMGNCsUYJeJNM0Z7WZ2xjZSphivzZI3ZDZJYl-WaxSIXIRut-X5Fph1BMGZaURJqMchLi7jAAPrDHrek8mU4BqD1DbF4k/s4000/20230204_121046.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2252" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeUxAA17gr5qMzbdFL4CLu2hl3Uu6RuJrzcw9NVH3gnRdeUXlahX3bdjtzwXXD-c_mHcvIcvT6R428FW5mbcXM4sR60tF0s0EMGNCsUYJeJNM0Z7WZ2xjZSphivzZI3ZDZJYl-WaxSIXIRut-X5Fph1BMGZaURJqMchLi7jAAPrDHrek8mU4BqD1DbF4k/s320/20230204_121046.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsoZCJdRcwwa-DH-eDBmEqswbY-K6qPofex2Gd0UuEvfo1VVLGVNzkzZNpUYl0LEL8Wtd6EWCFepSSl5iHQADsZAVRtBwdixsBoYYkUY_qsXIouN2OXsHCcCEvEIRlQf3BQlHqnTJZIBjmQcOPXJASO2JyUgYDzA560_SAeg3-4g7FvMduW2K14sriJo4/s3216/20230204_142020.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3216" data-original-width="1808" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsoZCJdRcwwa-DH-eDBmEqswbY-K6qPofex2Gd0UuEvfo1VVLGVNzkzZNpUYl0LEL8Wtd6EWCFepSSl5iHQADsZAVRtBwdixsBoYYkUY_qsXIouN2OXsHCcCEvEIRlQf3BQlHqnTJZIBjmQcOPXJASO2JyUgYDzA560_SAeg3-4g7FvMduW2K14sriJo4/s320/20230204_142020.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><div><br /></div>After the race, I went home to shower and we headed to Baltimore for my fried oreo birthday dinner with friends.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUdQXgyh409haHrIENJiU29Tk24yZJHgJHv_dHchQUmIOKmT1BB-sigX1gM4JFgJWwfziZjCV-Pr5oYCu2CDxQhQWFcjQt5IdAnIyizmlRnys3btGyuG4wBoMbweAAC8vIA-EAhLWalkFtxtB6ZDJZpvTKX9_yt_15buczYdCAQ-wuPpo32wBfETRXiS4/s4000/20230204_182730.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2252" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUdQXgyh409haHrIENJiU29Tk24yZJHgJHv_dHchQUmIOKmT1BB-sigX1gM4JFgJWwfziZjCV-Pr5oYCu2CDxQhQWFcjQt5IdAnIyizmlRnys3btGyuG4wBoMbweAAC8vIA-EAhLWalkFtxtB6ZDJZpvTKX9_yt_15buczYdCAQ-wuPpo32wBfETRXiS4/s320/20230204_182730.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fried oreos are lyfe.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Emotional support cuteness.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijCOcVMRCgKRjwwNjsE-uKfZJCtuz_682irczC6EiDOu7z2QilNeDq7pMZrdzKvx0C8IATUq6EOre0TBfbwTABLxLtsPff-GG3PeOApP-nHHQDtCySdd45rVczWsI_jULwLZatgOY4lWYpMIqWQq4xWLbo5lgrISeqsdXEi120US-aNwV1iP0yjOnQvJg/s4000/20230206_094359.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2252" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijCOcVMRCgKRjwwNjsE-uKfZJCtuz_682irczC6EiDOu7z2QilNeDq7pMZrdzKvx0C8IATUq6EOre0TBfbwTABLxLtsPff-GG3PeOApP-nHHQDtCySdd45rVczWsI_jULwLZatgOY4lWYpMIqWQq4xWLbo5lgrISeqsdXEi120US-aNwV1iP0yjOnQvJg/s320/20230206_094359.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><div><br /></div>When you don't usually plan valentine's day celebrations, but your teams are playing each other, you do the spontaneous thing: go to a hockey game!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIZO2ZFJJ70iG6L5ROPZF0-25zO5lj4iRXm6JGS0JIQ0eWtKQ9wZHYxCRCbq2Bs8Bp5ZW8EshJaBqq1smObpK9xsjDvX5xbHFmTx7OU86bJDP3cVTHrZSA7me0816Dq3zzQEYW9kWP0BE54AT8MEXGwU1RHjXp_VBF-88IGB0DGF0blG8F2SnHQNzLGWc/s3968/20230214_181630.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3968" data-original-width="2232" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIZO2ZFJJ70iG6L5ROPZF0-25zO5lj4iRXm6JGS0JIQ0eWtKQ9wZHYxCRCbq2Bs8Bp5ZW8EshJaBqq1smObpK9xsjDvX5xbHFmTx7OU86bJDP3cVTHrZSA7me0816Dq3zzQEYW9kWP0BE54AT8MEXGwU1RHjXp_VBF-88IGB0DGF0blG8F2SnHQNzLGWc/s320/20230214_181630.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Instead of valentine's day, we usually do a joint birthday celebration thing. This year, we went to Philadelphia for the weekend. Teh German had never been and it had been many years since I'd visited, so it was time.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhI1LE1UgUWDwHDutHUZ2HfdtcRmOJUFtukq8bOsbonlveQ0Hjf2rE1XtxYP2QKt5kLTKfnq-w9ooXqzdawaklQTYbIlxk6EXg_XqQZvtT6-GxzGLnKbAwkliTx3nhzDatb9Nq7Htx7FDui4WI1R63brmz9LJPkJUxcMhYAs4QNzNXqs8ouYxBFW5dQHg/s4000/20230217_120400.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2252" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhI1LE1UgUWDwHDutHUZ2HfdtcRmOJUFtukq8bOsbonlveQ0Hjf2rE1XtxYP2QKt5kLTKfnq-w9ooXqzdawaklQTYbIlxk6EXg_XqQZvtT6-GxzGLnKbAwkliTx3nhzDatb9Nq7Htx7FDui4WI1R63brmz9LJPkJUxcMhYAs4QNzNXqs8ouYxBFW5dQHg/s320/20230217_120400.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Checked off the tourist checklist: Geno's for cheesesteak</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXdXMkVaJwhZbQ56ZGJaFQxzGtlYYqRzsey-iV-grpa4DRRy5nxDYSkxX-qC1e-H7QYvsaVxsz5jE6EWK7tOhUFJnulWTsX_s2FGk-0drrWR8WSLvSHeUelIuA3wCRAkxl8g4IEHS8CFPhK5PLa9WwM7PbT3uHR3w5B4zOfnOvSN8qGwmNeniz5RBIAyA/s4000/20230217_133101.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXdXMkVaJwhZbQ56ZGJaFQxzGtlYYqRzsey-iV-grpa4DRRy5nxDYSkxX-qC1e-H7QYvsaVxsz5jE6EWK7tOhUFJnulWTsX_s2FGk-0drrWR8WSLvSHeUelIuA3wCRAkxl8g4IEHS8CFPhK5PLa9WwM7PbT3uHR3w5B4zOfnOvSN8qGwmNeniz5RBIAyA/s320/20230217_133101.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eastern Penitentiary</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidHjkJaXqEyYGALTtGcewh95RgOl7MmXKn0fy0WXFJE6RshnWjATVHT92vNAj8EBCiklQwsvr3t1hvyJ0_zdhX-3w29jpUGQ6TShzLHd1aXsdJY_iplhKewm9kXwnNrItPl8LjHe94g7lUmRo-0iROk6V2XnbzbzsuDMrLaY-QGhzcOi_JEzj3sE5Ecic/s3968/20230217_171157.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3968" data-original-width="2232" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidHjkJaXqEyYGALTtGcewh95RgOl7MmXKn0fy0WXFJE6RshnWjATVHT92vNAj8EBCiklQwsvr3t1hvyJ0_zdhX-3w29jpUGQ6TShzLHd1aXsdJY_iplhKewm9kXwnNrItPl8LjHe94g7lUmRo-0iROk6V2XnbzbzsuDMrLaY-QGhzcOi_JEzj3sE5Ecic/s320/20230217_171157.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Birthday dinner</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsL1-spkIdBOG7xpyRxDzY92Ck9BXsRXVFZL5IVNThUCPkcuQmhGJgQJyXmY3XtQCulJqUlMjHZGn5ofiDof66DWj09WacmIuv1B39CIghcz6gLoFWgO0KV292sFykYFcDapkxShFP980YVBcFIZXDu-QuZt12qoUGeBw0nbkBqMX_SdBvb0JOflFZcpQ/s4000/20230218_131013.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsL1-spkIdBOG7xpyRxDzY92Ck9BXsRXVFZL5IVNThUCPkcuQmhGJgQJyXmY3XtQCulJqUlMjHZGn5ofiDof66DWj09WacmIuv1B39CIghcz6gLoFWgO0KV292sFykYFcDapkxShFP980YVBcFIZXDu-QuZt12qoUGeBw0nbkBqMX_SdBvb0JOflFZcpQ/s320/20230218_131013.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCVg-uVksextNm41eQAlz0YglIEvcLYzEG_INUvJqwFlFF1IAZlUNmO5Y90NGKcU5aTUII2YcUNfZZGrJM8iXFFw2niRXGTIg-mlFFwjhfXOg9npFqN0d4o3BhoGf9RXmbmzr1sS6FmdVcy4TZ-Ls4Ct1VFjEoumkj5bLAnegLNOhPofvhqfDXRr3yu3k/s3968/20230219_110857.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3968" data-original-width="2232" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCVg-uVksextNm41eQAlz0YglIEvcLYzEG_INUvJqwFlFF1IAZlUNmO5Y90NGKcU5aTUII2YcUNfZZGrJM8iXFFw2niRXGTIg-mlFFwjhfXOg9npFqN0d4o3BhoGf9RXmbmzr1sS6FmdVcy4TZ-Ls4Ct1VFjEoumkj5bLAnegLNOhPofvhqfDXRr3yu3k/s320/20230219_110857.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aquarium shenanigans, as we do.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdf5UTq8byVyS3QckCEyyOfK4NQ3kKdXynxzazZckIkjp2TUuLeJs5rSKpLl2mkGld-EelWjLJ4uMHtY11EIAbW6FwhnFLWJCrbXslCAc0Am2kqS_tplAc-QDSa8Ahw5xeYSahWFXVjYeCJqUR-R0Oe8ujHS9bSzOMk3TPuHfJq3SKXtsEYMitOCR0p1c/s3968/20230219_142659.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3968" data-original-width="2232" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdf5UTq8byVyS3QckCEyyOfK4NQ3kKdXynxzazZckIkjp2TUuLeJs5rSKpLl2mkGld-EelWjLJ4uMHtY11EIAbW6FwhnFLWJCrbXslCAc0Am2kqS_tplAc-QDSa8Ahw5xeYSahWFXVjYeCJqUR-R0Oe8ujHS9bSzOMk3TPuHfJq3SKXtsEYMitOCR0p1c/s320/20230219_142659.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A stop at Longwood Gardens on the way home to round out the weekend.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />There was more snow, so more runs in the snow!</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdeBEzuJaPHOtIPKSevoczJgUsdMFgJK6KBZj7Kl2UgfucS_d2qNMBftgd1_0uuJtOGMwyhz-pU9IdvQOO2znJsKqG7F5bRvp0RqxI1vRQXoZEhZBfuKuOphCr3k0sgoDy_wmQyfPwYHDWw-ypnte3CgRaijyGEVdxALqXYtRZXIAZy9s5HUihDEaqM3c/s3216/20230225_123030.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3216" data-original-width="1808" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdeBEzuJaPHOtIPKSevoczJgUsdMFgJK6KBZj7Kl2UgfucS_d2qNMBftgd1_0uuJtOGMwyhz-pU9IdvQOO2znJsKqG7F5bRvp0RqxI1vRQXoZEhZBfuKuOphCr3k0sgoDy_wmQyfPwYHDWw-ypnte3CgRaijyGEVdxALqXYtRZXIAZy9s5HUihDEaqM3c/s320/20230225_123030.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Teh German bought me "flowers" for valentine's day: Lego flowers! They are awesome and we put them together, together, which always makes for a fun date night.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqjjVD9VYzbwS7uy7sKRNSRZZHXUfUwhxXG2nXu2_YYbHQXJcgufjMZWfEcQQi6srLAOR1HZDvhcnUTUG-jtvynXqOfJsnSXJHNr1TiEIerJzYQOz5XHunOVB7Gw5swBz_Z4qdpri0geYbrICcQpqCPgMrwVUAXiedT-O_PcuTXrl5qKK90rIADBZWqBY/s3968/20230228_191942.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3968" data-original-width="2232" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqjjVD9VYzbwS7uy7sKRNSRZZHXUfUwhxXG2nXu2_YYbHQXJcgufjMZWfEcQQi6srLAOR1HZDvhcnUTUG-jtvynXqOfJsnSXJHNr1TiEIerJzYQOz5XHunOVB7Gw5swBz_Z4qdpri0geYbrICcQpqCPgMrwVUAXiedT-O_PcuTXrl5qKK90rIADBZWqBY/s320/20230228_191942.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><p><br /></p><h2 style="text-align: left;">MARCH</h2><p>More hair adventures in March!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk7S2HaBsy51iHEc7WpV5zXXN4CSuKyKiMT9EN78mHVHGFEcexekyAbxD7NM-VdibJmrMHIacxiBxFy4BRtV7iJO5B4gXFVo1oaKpG0WuZOIWvGh-bPNdeKh6Xg3E4Dk7mvMc_CLkYVFFafDsKawPqSg_RJOLQfaQR8YYCeK9c1zz-axOU_pfDQXtOQHQ/s3216/20230302_161150.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3216" data-original-width="1808" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk7S2HaBsy51iHEc7WpV5zXXN4CSuKyKiMT9EN78mHVHGFEcexekyAbxD7NM-VdibJmrMHIacxiBxFy4BRtV7iJO5B4gXFVo1oaKpG0WuZOIWvGh-bPNdeKh6Xg3E4Dk7mvMc_CLkYVFFafDsKawPqSg_RJOLQfaQR8YYCeK9c1zz-axOU_pfDQXtOQHQ/s320/20230302_161150.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Going full blue.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ccv-jL5JkGKH57IyDoHIVYLvvMSEsWssurmmf2EnW5LKPII-aGYTKLLG0ly75Qd0q7tp8LOUThoUYqgHE5AFyRYZX_OfuE4sk0V0KCuHOVxlvibWAcj_e01sXn0u8-c2mCs5zYyA9oyWYuX3fkoWckt0S3Ex1Vdj4_SyxofAmfJIAFxxVXVDvahDLC0/s4000/20230306_163943.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2252" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ccv-jL5JkGKH57IyDoHIVYLvvMSEsWssurmmf2EnW5LKPII-aGYTKLLG0ly75Qd0q7tp8LOUThoUYqgHE5AFyRYZX_OfuE4sk0V0KCuHOVxlvibWAcj_e01sXn0u8-c2mCs5zYyA9oyWYuX3fkoWckt0S3Ex1Vdj4_SyxofAmfJIAFxxVXVDvahDLC0/s320/20230306_163943.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My favorite tree bloomed!</td></tr></tbody></table><br />The cherry blossoms went into peak bloom before the Cherry Blossom Festival/run, so I took advantage of my office proximity for an after-work run over to the Basin to tourist it up! No ragrats.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi8aT3lDr2criW2jNnWx0SQKI7dSibIPvS-P3VMnpphZmFGUFYHL3Rii4IiJQlhhOzE0Iq04s1S0rFczvVzetkExZRINxaffdZau4VLg_pbweskpmGYRUz7G6V8XlNUWpPvpQEKBMS8jJh0Td95HFAc8_BKVe0sfE7_yByJSsIT3X3KLueykKhPLSasRM/s3216/20230322_153334.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3216" data-original-width="1808" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi8aT3lDr2criW2jNnWx0SQKI7dSibIPvS-P3VMnpphZmFGUFYHL3Rii4IiJQlhhOzE0Iq04s1S0rFczvVzetkExZRINxaffdZau4VLg_pbweskpmGYRUz7G6V8XlNUWpPvpQEKBMS8jJh0Td95HFAc8_BKVe0sfE7_yByJSsIT3X3KLueykKhPLSasRM/s320/20230322_153334.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC4U_laNMr3Vk2Svl2vCDdoErVzY3QS02oRhKtqtmwPKQSE82EvwGOwvsFkP7wdjqn6tQ_RG7Qq9VTNPkRlex8kA_kvuPrm6GEfjebI8-fHG1XHhOJeohIW0DnBlq3IsyNj3PW75T4SntYS-niZDn7i2qhdYG1vW0uPQI2msMnWp2bBjUGYZIqNJ9m9jM/s4000/20230322_152734.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2252" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC4U_laNMr3Vk2Svl2vCDdoErVzY3QS02oRhKtqtmwPKQSE82EvwGOwvsFkP7wdjqn6tQ_RG7Qq9VTNPkRlex8kA_kvuPrm6GEfjebI8-fHG1XHhOJeohIW0DnBlq3IsyNj3PW75T4SntYS-niZDn7i2qhdYG1vW0uPQI2msMnWp2bBjUGYZIqNJ9m9jM/s320/20230322_152734.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAHMO6cuBw4NQC68RssPzrnMcK2wqavVxCXxmGbrJ9S9ZMS03XHqDSKEEiJc7UbuJSOZ6lFNtA8vySzRZM15A5gTjfXKKbjoxyjneWklU2_gMdB3vesxHaFmebwc1w8a7amTutymmnTRz4WmThicycTIE4OIhcSbSQfuv_31pdNgIAogVexa7pcsRC6AY/s4000/20230322_155720.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2252" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAHMO6cuBw4NQC68RssPzrnMcK2wqavVxCXxmGbrJ9S9ZMS03XHqDSKEEiJc7UbuJSOZ6lFNtA8vySzRZM15A5gTjfXKKbjoxyjneWklU2_gMdB3vesxHaFmebwc1w8a7amTutymmnTRz4WmThicycTIE4OIhcSbSQfuv_31pdNgIAogVexa7pcsRC6AY/s320/20230322_155720.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><div><br /></div>For Christmas 2022, Teh German bought me Rise (hydroponic) Garden and we started to enjoy the fruits of that gift!</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVdvsvOrwMN_vY1469rwu6Yx6rZEoeJUtYcw3tZ30PGhubOK4l4b_stXe_SFquCB84HlmvnDFqPl1KPv7NwUhO6fkMMDibmyu2tned7UuaYOIv1pP-AAj-YWsPZx1M6Cgz4XVjoVWRa66Wg9eA976RamuxaggDlqZ-61si3WnLwMe_2MC_cWu-GAj-xec/s4000/20230325_105456.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVdvsvOrwMN_vY1469rwu6Yx6rZEoeJUtYcw3tZ30PGhubOK4l4b_stXe_SFquCB84HlmvnDFqPl1KPv7NwUhO6fkMMDibmyu2tned7UuaYOIv1pP-AAj-YWsPZx1M6Cgz4XVjoVWRa66Wg9eA976RamuxaggDlqZ-61si3WnLwMe_2MC_cWu-GAj-xec/s320/20230325_105456.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>House wise, I finally talked Teh German into adding some shelves to our closet so we could have more room for <strike>activities</strike> clothes. It was a labor of love because the walls are janky af in this house and several of the shelf clips were pulled from the wall from the pressure of the shelf. Thankfully, Teh German had some tricks up his sleeve and he won in the end, but he was not happy about it. I was super happy with the final result!</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYW6pQPMkOdY6fc_vYMbn-xYbHeUYKHqNzZPLJB_LCYCQLJ1RH5JL_bOfTT-R-y1QGt60VWUD3Ey2GTIOZwfbba489KJMPrPw_lT4n14ZyejtcJUwOiFHp3XFmas2GeUKbw8EOQ4CIPwPTpRJ4S2fiRvqFKMfsmH1NM9hH2WDbJKMNLI98-rk5ofKl2wM/s4000/20230325_191856.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2252" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYW6pQPMkOdY6fc_vYMbn-xYbHeUYKHqNzZPLJB_LCYCQLJ1RH5JL_bOfTT-R-y1QGt60VWUD3Ey2GTIOZwfbba489KJMPrPw_lT4n14ZyejtcJUwOiFHp3XFmas2GeUKbw8EOQ4CIPwPTpRJ4S2fiRvqFKMfsmH1NM9hH2WDbJKMNLI98-rk5ofKl2wM/s320/20230325_191856.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Emotional support cuteness:</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5tOCpWZxnavt1tanI0RuN2onNMrxh-Lc0zAuU9a18WRUV82567ozjcZCx1CnTm0d9tMWLXVVg5glPA7wjc0hLYQgzPx1TnQh3F6XH7HY4iwoIk66a8NkH4hXLg6LGXTO9dsnnsLoBiXbGmfPvWayGJzCnT4f-y0pZ8FF9Y0n4zTtPgquVVlvD84ZJSJU/s4000/20230309_132129.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2252" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5tOCpWZxnavt1tanI0RuN2onNMrxh-Lc0zAuU9a18WRUV82567ozjcZCx1CnTm0d9tMWLXVVg5glPA7wjc0hLYQgzPx1TnQh3F6XH7HY4iwoIk66a8NkH4hXLg6LGXTO9dsnnsLoBiXbGmfPvWayGJzCnT4f-y0pZ8FF9Y0n4zTtPgquVVlvD84ZJSJU/s320/20230309_132129.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_81QisCt-ueImlltD0JpZGtEY_5WtSqE_kiIWcZdHIWES5ZmN1CDzocRtZoxObdFU0UdDX7CaPY2dggE_wJBxpMlS01cp-mpZIBmG6hxXrtVDjnSSC3UXexTWczmiVMAF-u-K6-CNYvhDtxUw2qZ8LQahTFDfWU2Uw3_8dNaJimAthalCTjxWXDzHFs0/s4000/20230314_190343.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2252" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_81QisCt-ueImlltD0JpZGtEY_5WtSqE_kiIWcZdHIWES5ZmN1CDzocRtZoxObdFU0UdDX7CaPY2dggE_wJBxpMlS01cp-mpZIBmG6hxXrtVDjnSSC3UXexTWczmiVMAF-u-K6-CNYvhDtxUw2qZ8LQahTFDfWU2Uw3_8dNaJimAthalCTjxWXDzHFs0/s320/20230314_190343.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><h2 style="text-align: left;">APRIL</h2><p>The first weekend of April was the Cherry Blossom 10 Miler. Kathrine Switzer was a featured speaker and it was awesome to get to hear her talk.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ZmmtiX5Uv7At3irFHH1-q0x6W-agFQyv41aKn6Req7ClA_M-b7padLZzgdz_vSiGfUboQlOJ-TxGc4fkM9UfrCXit9WDSh3X4PBeKfKUeV1NP_q5tSLDSjqBKRLok0e6yxQvBtVyqBos8DfygIb06fWIhtakaJOfbj4ec9Uw1YJ2sIRq_bLAeCMgGTc/s4000/20230401_110348.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2252" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ZmmtiX5Uv7At3irFHH1-q0x6W-agFQyv41aKn6Req7ClA_M-b7padLZzgdz_vSiGfUboQlOJ-TxGc4fkM9UfrCXit9WDSh3X4PBeKfKUeV1NP_q5tSLDSjqBKRLok0e6yxQvBtVyqBos8DfygIb06fWIhtakaJOfbj4ec9Uw1YJ2sIRq_bLAeCMgGTc/s320/20230401_110348.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmD_WF8NSfc1uMN0xXsOQ1MZpoHT0GcrIkWGVJqbpHAmGV4TIEKT-yk-FC8QvqKA99pLS3ykVLBGxJ_LVzqNAVFW4yMhdAyuQROz6oVDZ2DXWy3Xs626pi1i77PgMpO5-oTpzY9iGeP6C5fccnkEGhal5WY4Zf4zu8VD7A-YBqTF9MKXnmy_zDqUo84fA/s4000/20230402_065344.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2252" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmD_WF8NSfc1uMN0xXsOQ1MZpoHT0GcrIkWGVJqbpHAmGV4TIEKT-yk-FC8QvqKA99pLS3ykVLBGxJ_LVzqNAVFW4yMhdAyuQROz6oVDZ2DXWy3Xs626pi1i77PgMpO5-oTpzY9iGeP6C5fccnkEGhal5WY4Zf4zu8VD7A-YBqTF9MKXnmy_zDqUo84fA/s320/20230402_065344.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGk3PMEaPNizNwQ18XjkJGCHDJReGr8CYsRs09oJJlt29365ph8wmK2NI9Q8t-bfthtBx2BegNRM8Vx8JXQ8arYXh5F9EVS-TavNqlkzRG4V7GZzkXHPteAbzsg6_mVV2C_S7qo2uWUmtlCRiasidrdqAoiFDLC8phRBFSb_RaETVjRIhfh09aN8-L8ok/s4000/20230402_065856.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2252" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGk3PMEaPNizNwQ18XjkJGCHDJReGr8CYsRs09oJJlt29365ph8wmK2NI9Q8t-bfthtBx2BegNRM8Vx8JXQ8arYXh5F9EVS-TavNqlkzRG4V7GZzkXHPteAbzsg6_mVV2C_S7qo2uWUmtlCRiasidrdqAoiFDLC8phRBFSb_RaETVjRIhfh09aN8-L8ok/s320/20230402_065856.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWnEOv1vxlUHAYSLgYHIk-gqLD1s_hjhrN2uMeg2EZ5u4n2MA-k69AA-PFQplG24a88mWMT2FmCvp1KqgivQEUiCO9lGiKeoDbmYfe2gczQdzF8bj5G37n9Fe-exwHa9VqngZdKVlkO0Mwt484RvCLqXHt85EvnIBFKitXr9OohQfmsZsoxZS-SwoRzmo/s3968/20230402_092827.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3968" data-original-width="2232" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWnEOv1vxlUHAYSLgYHIk-gqLD1s_hjhrN2uMeg2EZ5u4n2MA-k69AA-PFQplG24a88mWMT2FmCvp1KqgivQEUiCO9lGiKeoDbmYfe2gczQdzF8bj5G37n9Fe-exwHa9VqngZdKVlkO0Mwt484RvCLqXHt85EvnIBFKitXr9OohQfmsZsoxZS-SwoRzmo/s320/20230402_092827.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>For a week, Teh Sister and fam came to live with us while they waited on their NOVA house to be ready for move in. Lots of Teh Niece time and learning about baby routines with Alexa.</div><div><br /></div><div>The end of the month picked up with a weekend in NC for the Tarheel Double Down Challenge (4 miles + 10 miles) and a visit to Infinity Acres with a new friend, Teh Ultra Vet!</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEVIolGJE25XBh29rZdR87bStz-w5bu53fM1O6qSyzrZjgHgqqw9No-sM5cKIXLbgocdUJ2xzTh9_yHGG8dOkI0LMGiSPivCkk1nLLt1EyhaBDD16LctpRguCmYGkyVlOaWFPBC1moNd5jA0JPTGjmnWvBkCn_tpE5lmxGv0PhOpM1oUGLzew28-yHe30/s4000/20230420_192822.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2252" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEVIolGJE25XBh29rZdR87bStz-w5bu53fM1O6qSyzrZjgHgqqw9No-sM5cKIXLbgocdUJ2xzTh9_yHGG8dOkI0LMGiSPivCkk1nLLt1EyhaBDD16LctpRguCmYGkyVlOaWFPBC1moNd5jA0JPTGjmnWvBkCn_tpE5lmxGv0PhOpM1oUGLzew28-yHe30/s320/20230420_192822.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I got to hold a baby wallaby.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_PfVrxNHf3Btf3Vogk89DF2lhKYCmiEUFXEks6AWJtIo0Gl0DKU7ycQ3FPAR5kS8svHe7SkAQt8Jsgjpd8dhoRgITmFI9UZNk2umHqV_pNWTuNVeOmcJR2LBVyvzuCDjttUCIiVD5i1uswYxvgU68wXQbPpdb4EW81HWopbdlwJVbFGOBPTlRkMscYIs/s4000/20230421_081259.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2252" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_PfVrxNHf3Btf3Vogk89DF2lhKYCmiEUFXEks6AWJtIo0Gl0DKU7ycQ3FPAR5kS8svHe7SkAQt8Jsgjpd8dhoRgITmFI9UZNk2umHqV_pNWTuNVeOmcJR2LBVyvzuCDjttUCIiVD5i1uswYxvgU68wXQbPpdb4EW81HWopbdlwJVbFGOBPTlRkMscYIs/s320/20230421_081259.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And feed the zebra-horse.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />I didn't get to participate in the Infinity Acres 5k since I had to be in Chapel Hill for my race, but I did walk the course with Teh Ultra Vet as she measured the course, so I was there in spirit.</div><div><br /></div><div>I had anxiety about the Tarheel race. This was my first 10 miler back in 2015 and I remember it being hard... and this time I was doing the challenge and I had to finish the 4 miler in a specific time window to be allowed to start my 10 miler. I managed, but self-inflicted stress, yo. The course was better than I remembered.. although the challenge hill no longer had a mat at the bottom since it was no longer a challenge. Nevertheless, the halfway Krispy Kreme doughnuts were the fuel I needed to finish chugging up that sucker.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqMeimNTWwpeo_jnxF3c4qYbHzG3Xd5qcM6H0XVTgsF0LKMzcM2GkilklS1X8jQoQaBvZftJWckfbSWifkC7_ukbR4ouN5wXwxZELofrranOs9QcdsBHXQHW8uEVf0fnzLJ0HNWn5LviZINTVdG-Lxv3AjxebdElGWmYuM1PZ72Nd1H9Olg8ZiE20npgk/s3968/20230422_070501.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3968" data-original-width="2232" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqMeimNTWwpeo_jnxF3c4qYbHzG3Xd5qcM6H0XVTgsF0LKMzcM2GkilklS1X8jQoQaBvZftJWckfbSWifkC7_ukbR4ouN5wXwxZELofrranOs9QcdsBHXQHW8uEVf0fnzLJ0HNWn5LviZINTVdG-Lxv3AjxebdElGWmYuM1PZ72Nd1H9Olg8ZiE20npgk/s320/20230422_070501.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV4xGGW0UzR3_fiQvnCjbtdCIDieXrbCZXg_Tr4dPb-tgu1ZVbJWSlh52q3TKhHm8BieN3t6_99sBTJxeyHW0o3VNqKPdSqk3tl910Jqc_v0bla0zCWEV_F8R8PMN_BfXJMzRJDut-hBoi0Yzk77WvpQ6tqpPyLR4DFj7xUpi4KaEuWUoXXK4T5A8sAmc/s4000/20230422_080709.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2252" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV4xGGW0UzR3_fiQvnCjbtdCIDieXrbCZXg_Tr4dPb-tgu1ZVbJWSlh52q3TKhHm8BieN3t6_99sBTJxeyHW0o3VNqKPdSqk3tl910Jqc_v0bla0zCWEV_F8R8PMN_BfXJMzRJDut-hBoi0Yzk77WvpQ6tqpPyLR4DFj7xUpi4KaEuWUoXXK4T5A8sAmc/s320/20230422_080709.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi34BF3Dyx30d27UzrM0RmL2DMlvcw-YARDBpodgsrMTZP_-SLHwPyaLOwSOJj2d_-V0EjPf9T6uGx-a6Gw9cTwoG2E4HKbZLBFd1sYXt2Xei1Az2o2uweCj7N7yhKDRhnVCtqbDi2GfRnqUTLl5-zBinYq6D_YyGwUil28ZpKMtB8vln4AsdKZGnfSHRQ/s3216/20230422_085714.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3216" data-original-width="1808" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi34BF3Dyx30d27UzrM0RmL2DMlvcw-YARDBpodgsrMTZP_-SLHwPyaLOwSOJj2d_-V0EjPf9T6uGx-a6Gw9cTwoG2E4HKbZLBFd1sYXt2Xei1Az2o2uweCj7N7yhKDRhnVCtqbDi2GfRnqUTLl5-zBinYq6D_YyGwUil28ZpKMtB8vln4AsdKZGnfSHRQ/s320/20230422_085714.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR5YwDHq5SqTh7IKmrQrL1Varcq_J1tXpkujh3lZ-Tiec7O6VEq7HlBhfOUd7heHRcQjclwptu_lbs4gN0qMimDlqO0wZUQmqxPpQbdJwL_Vt-281X-ky5RUOI9ASYKuO9jHgnFCr-87FMCmeKgzkXLhIMIFeyoO_f7SN9N2mif0OF0zAeLOkK7CaEYWY/s3216/20230422_092501.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3216" data-original-width="1808" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR5YwDHq5SqTh7IKmrQrL1Varcq_J1tXpkujh3lZ-Tiec7O6VEq7HlBhfOUd7heHRcQjclwptu_lbs4gN0qMimDlqO0wZUQmqxPpQbdJwL_Vt-281X-ky5RUOI9ASYKuO9jHgnFCr-87FMCmeKgzkXLhIMIFeyoO_f7SN9N2mif0OF0zAeLOkK7CaEYWY/s320/20230422_092501.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6oY2yOhZNOn3ARMjMaH7egvZYoIktkF95Fzy0bckTMEdZdHelPPFmOqz7WY7LySXCspSR3Kmg4HH2neBy3EQJsVGRN2fpFnnhlvxES6a-kWTl16LWHiZwi3uetv_cyfwg9yCS68Sa1AAaYAnYtBDd73abtwGypO6vsziY408V7Fbx5R6uWATZTEv7-JQ/s4000/20230422_095534.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2252" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6oY2yOhZNOn3ARMjMaH7egvZYoIktkF95Fzy0bckTMEdZdHelPPFmOqz7WY7LySXCspSR3Kmg4HH2neBy3EQJsVGRN2fpFnnhlvxES6a-kWTl16LWHiZwi3uetv_cyfwg9yCS68Sa1AAaYAnYtBDd73abtwGypO6vsziY408V7Fbx5R6uWATZTEv7-JQ/s320/20230422_095534.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><div><br /></div>After the race was brunch with Teh Advising Sister and an internet stranger. After, I headed to NC State to take some ironic medal photos with NC State things of my UNC medals.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKgtNL62lINGoNhxljNf3L_6jWzbOJvgr6FDkEtwUxT9F2IfgW32vmayqN3u5SWZdx8shmGA4Q44QNjJIfTDeszfTF7txRzk3ZlWQQtU7IgeTyVCYCFaXUai91FkclQx9eBhVoSlxHMjJRYdlVZ6t5yfHGXJLXXcoNWKlnN5CxEk6IklFlf12Lje9B5vg/s4000/20230422_144417.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2252" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKgtNL62lINGoNhxljNf3L_6jWzbOJvgr6FDkEtwUxT9F2IfgW32vmayqN3u5SWZdx8shmGA4Q44QNjJIfTDeszfTF7txRzk3ZlWQQtU7IgeTyVCYCFaXUai91FkclQx9eBhVoSlxHMjJRYdlVZ6t5yfHGXJLXXcoNWKlnN5CxEk6IklFlf12Lje9B5vg/s320/20230422_144417.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><div><br /></div>On my way home from NC, I made a stop by Teh Sister's for Niece snugs and Niecedawg and Nephdawg snugs.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhslzlFRkVBEaVrWsI_BJAfZDqiKhuzvQqtGebFXT2xJZGCXbln7jL0aGxpwlhsLbU2BzZUxOl6vo-Sy_FI25uMFPfh2X8PMJsebv4qVt40RGB4m8YXWQjBVkhUzBzatIRra-4QD-yNTOIgJ-Fx8p18np53gn3HeUwW2wm0MQtB3z_OS_WperGDzuuOTIU/s4000/20230423_141917.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhslzlFRkVBEaVrWsI_BJAfZDqiKhuzvQqtGebFXT2xJZGCXbln7jL0aGxpwlhsLbU2BzZUxOl6vo-Sy_FI25uMFPfh2X8PMJsebv4qVt40RGB4m8YXWQjBVkhUzBzatIRra-4QD-yNTOIgJ-Fx8p18np53gn3HeUwW2wm0MQtB3z_OS_WperGDzuuOTIU/s320/20230423_141917.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>And after a brief recovery, we headed to Vegas for Teh PT Wife's 40th bday celebration!</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggqbPxEZgTNivPQ_pmXHhFnQ1pzLkbhvcYcvfXJxYchYopUQ4g-tLq5vw5_63uMg0WRKPZCGU8WlcA9LX9SQaqPGgf5jTOO-ys6d_TLIEf56hg4laLUX0F_CluuBt5OXbNFMda5RlLv4snJhDeSsEHlFPZoVqXcaBWVoBHWrfj4VbRA-R_NMkls9wtQ-k/s3968/20230427_121328.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3968" data-original-width="2232" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggqbPxEZgTNivPQ_pmXHhFnQ1pzLkbhvcYcvfXJxYchYopUQ4g-tLq5vw5_63uMg0WRKPZCGU8WlcA9LX9SQaqPGgf5jTOO-ys6d_TLIEf56hg4laLUX0F_CluuBt5OXbNFMda5RlLv4snJhDeSsEHlFPZoVqXcaBWVoBHWrfj4VbRA-R_NMkls9wtQ-k/s320/20230427_121328.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiZVcDALRWUMO7qNa3ojO_KeQ9q8W_Ns2a0kFOwA_6BWxMixyw0IQpFGZswNibTLrhZFneZuKHt63el2KEf2iZT9YiWJ5Bb5lVou2HbTtXPXaZ5M76EaxpcBEPJ4PQDr0SQ0rG44-jeFFw_It25NhVQCx08NUgRIA7DwV_vY2Dy4p5mvTYvS5ykYMlEQc/s1200/IMG_20230427_174105.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="1200" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiZVcDALRWUMO7qNa3ojO_KeQ9q8W_Ns2a0kFOwA_6BWxMixyw0IQpFGZswNibTLrhZFneZuKHt63el2KEf2iZT9YiWJ5Bb5lVou2HbTtXPXaZ5M76EaxpcBEPJ4PQDr0SQ0rG44-jeFFw_It25NhVQCx08NUgRIA7DwV_vY2Dy4p5mvTYvS5ykYMlEQc/s320/IMG_20230427_174105.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVxy0pQ10-0N67ybug-qxRWLW1TGvvsN7FYpdpIGrov3ujj1vfMwK2wGqsgGaZFMh8X6DqEJU22FXEU9UIFZJsv-l26abUDq04MQq8DM1sPNJOmsEFsOnDr4Om-fpOzYJzkA9xmkb3EzpxJxuIUkiPi_kQui4dhyphenhyphenNFwOg3fqMU4sUR5KbqsDt9DpOiIO4/s4000/20230427_135011.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2252" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVxy0pQ10-0N67ybug-qxRWLW1TGvvsN7FYpdpIGrov3ujj1vfMwK2wGqsgGaZFMh8X6DqEJU22FXEU9UIFZJsv-l26abUDq04MQq8DM1sPNJOmsEFsOnDr4Om-fpOzYJzkA9xmkb3EzpxJxuIUkiPi_kQui4dhyphenhyphenNFwOg3fqMU4sUR5KbqsDt9DpOiIO4/s320/20230427_135011.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgQQLk4S6Ua5m3gcuXEyIfsOVbLJe9oMtwvzRpbxf_2KWxlPVRQFnmD24F6ziSH5Fx5toPq1TGyPmfVGc25nBgUgKUX2oOZl9pht5eJ58UE5UZOTDXfQIVIyNOIKAirPHotUe-8KTo59eGBdFNr62KsPK1sfYVOUDCM1lzSlFC-QLT8a_It3FVGmnuoTg/s3968/20230427_155903.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3968" data-original-width="2232" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgQQLk4S6Ua5m3gcuXEyIfsOVbLJe9oMtwvzRpbxf_2KWxlPVRQFnmD24F6ziSH5Fx5toPq1TGyPmfVGc25nBgUgKUX2oOZl9pht5eJ58UE5UZOTDXfQIVIyNOIKAirPHotUe-8KTo59eGBdFNr62KsPK1sfYVOUDCM1lzSlFC-QLT8a_It3FVGmnuoTg/s320/20230427_155903.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdlhnw4wU0TWAIbExN6irDDbQfSQUgHnz0H2-oyn0r0ksrz2khaA5M0z97tdJxKWia_SXcblJRXZCuRTVn5rtFmLAzvsmFx8UMYbK74fgf72GmDc7M8_oDA7LtKAc4HRSxqNEe3Zz56yoJVZkK_66qTpbepo15csDJae0oi_eSYWqYXn4MEuvwLZZyzj4/s3216/20230428_122837.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3216" data-original-width="1808" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdlhnw4wU0TWAIbExN6irDDbQfSQUgHnz0H2-oyn0r0ksrz2khaA5M0z97tdJxKWia_SXcblJRXZCuRTVn5rtFmLAzvsmFx8UMYbK74fgf72GmDc7M8_oDA7LtKAc4HRSxqNEe3Zz56yoJVZkK_66qTpbepo15csDJae0oi_eSYWqYXn4MEuvwLZZyzj4/s320/20230428_122837.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When you are twinning with Chucky...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCcx6yU3treMS7TlN9pepimM1Q5D_XuCYHHRIwPJImW-TrzQCFV4PFlv8VejK9p26RL7NrwsOzptGhlaQx0yBiDD_fx2zAIjjj_O0v5mive2Ny9HDqQwpKCrN-t7ndzV4nMFZw5dcAEqciC-eLg13IW_DvOJ9cZb99tQ43Wc8z777Vq9CkOZx8L1MPaqM/s4000/20230428_125756.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2252" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCcx6yU3treMS7TlN9pepimM1Q5D_XuCYHHRIwPJImW-TrzQCFV4PFlv8VejK9p26RL7NrwsOzptGhlaQx0yBiDD_fx2zAIjjj_O0v5mive2Ny9HDqQwpKCrN-t7ndzV4nMFZw5dcAEqciC-eLg13IW_DvOJ9cZb99tQ43Wc8z777Vq9CkOZx8L1MPaqM/s320/20230428_125756.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And you're twinning with the sidewalk!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxmrSqJASbm1NyKUS46kuo7XEmVZFu1UzGq9qxqH4OkZvvcsydV9ONmdjxdHeA3pnbe3q6lUtfL5i4zqAgKNkcyeD-kfrQYOpQEJwi7CZ6LreYjBNlfjYoHl9SUUtujaWnehV-DolZsEym7wUKt_todfglPpH7qsJWGQ9BgYhXuMzxcl2DkDTp19g_p64/s4000/20230428_135012.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxmrSqJASbm1NyKUS46kuo7XEmVZFu1UzGq9qxqH4OkZvvcsydV9ONmdjxdHeA3pnbe3q6lUtfL5i4zqAgKNkcyeD-kfrQYOpQEJwi7CZ6LreYjBNlfjYoHl9SUUtujaWnehV-DolZsEym7wUKt_todfglPpH7qsJWGQ9BgYhXuMzxcl2DkDTp19g_p64/s320/20230428_135012.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHORAD9PkCN5JKQ1F62JCaripvlv0fLuUs4W0c2IhgBk9EXJMTeMALI3I0imqaYoFvYPYicXB_rvy4QbuWIX6A0sjhFrmwZ_W2qPwU_ktt7lo0ojxau7QvfxC0YRgIIiNHBecgK5JbcU4H_eP73haqK3P8_IXBN38cQoQJOmOP8Bl95Gebr7EjR7WXdbY/s3968/20230428_221207.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3968" data-original-width="2232" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHORAD9PkCN5JKQ1F62JCaripvlv0fLuUs4W0c2IhgBk9EXJMTeMALI3I0imqaYoFvYPYicXB_rvy4QbuWIX6A0sjhFrmwZ_W2qPwU_ktt7lo0ojxau7QvfxC0YRgIIiNHBecgK5JbcU4H_eP73haqK3P8_IXBN38cQoQJOmOP8Bl95Gebr7EjR7WXdbY/s320/20230428_221207.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6buMBiSjKhX4b1NArUK72N6ULLbiJaYHNRspqlfYNksXMxOQWmREz49cK1uKEc5MCSThoyWekiXnQ_NAGTFLlV2m881S_ESBYGXi_2gYrWbu7MbiijzQtCwMKzfqen0-ef5TkxX44LEGaGXyMDQde0ZgfbNhHNY5gPSTQDyMIFyOIxGdIhUDzcwrnQgk/s4000/20230429_191547.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6buMBiSjKhX4b1NArUK72N6ULLbiJaYHNRspqlfYNksXMxOQWmREz49cK1uKEc5MCSThoyWekiXnQ_NAGTFLlV2m881S_ESBYGXi_2gYrWbu7MbiijzQtCwMKzfqen0-ef5TkxX44LEGaGXyMDQde0ZgfbNhHNY5gPSTQDyMIFyOIxGdIhUDzcwrnQgk/s320/20230429_191547.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsnjvfToKQikEt0Z4lHuqQpO2Bom5jy7wNmw19bzRVwGCUoOR51pyTIf4zQ3Vn3-MxSvYZP-dMQJKOCv6lpzwQPcZaQG-iiboefaCWqlL1ih492cMfZ6UsFQI44Ww-VJ4w98TwWNgMOIfF0yQP8aa2_U03cD57l5TR2HBKVaT1hZ7ebdcR7yPaSSJ2aPY/s4000/20230429_203050.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsnjvfToKQikEt0Z4lHuqQpO2Bom5jy7wNmw19bzRVwGCUoOR51pyTIf4zQ3Vn3-MxSvYZP-dMQJKOCv6lpzwQPcZaQG-iiboefaCWqlL1ih492cMfZ6UsFQI44Ww-VJ4w98TwWNgMOIfF0yQP8aa2_U03cD57l5TR2HBKVaT1hZ7ebdcR7yPaSSJ2aPY/s320/20230429_203050.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbFx-MhmhHJxNJXUwnSmYqyQUeHZeXNXEWyNdRWvPedl3BNNircid7B-Kb1lfurvSWzmjRxdRiodijao6WMuoAHM9rbLr6LMLrRI6imtm5kCYK6dxLLVo05ocUDOccmV4YVsgr2NEtAzTSanHEk14bxKM7cfxPXQgBV85VhGbzWVWzbVnwureeNIWDC4I/s4000/20230430_122051.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbFx-MhmhHJxNJXUwnSmYqyQUeHZeXNXEWyNdRWvPedl3BNNircid7B-Kb1lfurvSWzmjRxdRiodijao6WMuoAHM9rbLr6LMLrRI6imtm5kCYK6dxLLVo05ocUDOccmV4YVsgr2NEtAzTSanHEk14bxKM7cfxPXQgBV85VhGbzWVWzbVnwureeNIWDC4I/s320/20230430_122051.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnDkyIRc6ZVsA2AKob310Z3FCK-0mg1CwZE1f_6sJQPku2kIoi-xLwG2AcfLkDJHn7k8xZDaUr4N0jV7iVg489itCt-elrKLELtSrIrUkTLnijw0092DTpTaFjIpzFNBygfUOVAz4sZh7EQSEmwSC1hydn-Awfac6NwvhoPG5ZQ6MeW9_bo7i1RTsmzYo/s3968/20230501_113537.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3968" data-original-width="2232" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnDkyIRc6ZVsA2AKob310Z3FCK-0mg1CwZE1f_6sJQPku2kIoi-xLwG2AcfLkDJHn7k8xZDaUr4N0jV7iVg489itCt-elrKLELtSrIrUkTLnijw0092DTpTaFjIpzFNBygfUOVAz4sZh7EQSEmwSC1hydn-Awfac6NwvhoPG5ZQ6MeW9_bo7i1RTsmzYo/s320/20230501_113537.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><div><br /></div>There was lots of drinking and catching up and exploring and we had such a blast.. and then our flight out of Vegas got canceled and it was a VERY stressful 24 hours trying to get home. We did eventually make it, but Lawdt, I was tired of adventures.</div><div><br /><h2 style="text-align: left;">MAY</h2><p>May was full of being outside!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRhyphenhyphenCuSgk0rhIiWxsP1Mbo_M-_woi8-Q-bf0Bp4kvUhFnOcY9X0PjBN8tIWRRp5TxoaRvoHhy26bYQQdPbdQ0gS0UOiOsrt9HTwJhL0gbMy0s_2PhBQAfKNbtuChBu7oSzCnZo3xiMnzNjV1eKIkXX117SQu8IcLGHZBl8ejjIfo5nm7zaTSyvQ734P2A/s3968/20230513_093029.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3968" data-original-width="2232" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRhyphenhyphenCuSgk0rhIiWxsP1Mbo_M-_woi8-Q-bf0Bp4kvUhFnOcY9X0PjBN8tIWRRp5TxoaRvoHhy26bYQQdPbdQ0gS0UOiOsrt9HTwJhL0gbMy0s_2PhBQAfKNbtuChBu7oSzCnZo3xiMnzNjV1eKIkXX117SQu8IcLGHZBl8ejjIfo5nm7zaTSyvQ734P2A/s320/20230513_093029.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trail running with Teh Ultra Vet!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPnj_5y8AuMjY_poOvnPCxak5e4d3ZnEtUmt7EhCjhvNVmPzH_kDu8uoNzf8cmLSsiXCV2af8sCTuGGzGABX0o90jIUCP5mD8fK0CeYfXrPTCd56WuMCAEVl6As0LfhLRYps9olsIme0fNteZnl1Jh2tNaVkawEKZtwV3Fnf3cF7DevJN7ToRaoZe-f8M/s3968/20230514_140410.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3968" data-original-width="2232" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPnj_5y8AuMjY_poOvnPCxak5e4d3ZnEtUmt7EhCjhvNVmPzH_kDu8uoNzf8cmLSsiXCV2af8sCTuGGzGABX0o90jIUCP5mD8fK0CeYfXrPTCd56WuMCAEVl6As0LfhLRYps9olsIme0fNteZnl1Jh2tNaVkawEKZtwV3Fnf3cF7DevJN7ToRaoZe-f8M/s320/20230514_140410.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trail walking with a motorcycle friend!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO2fdIrpn54aox09QlZOWPQFNkuZ6PxG-Vy_rpghqKj0vOrpMUZiqHp_OWEbpwep-HJKpM3FIPNQ2-ay2JINGnxA2Ry8ISGY37PAXQh40xNO4LESb5Afa1KRuB48-8xP5iQRAl1d_gDTEHeHVLGSrRZdkBhRc9dyWSqP9FqY5TVSwry7gmMupoHaNVEoU/s4000/20230514_141406.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2252" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO2fdIrpn54aox09QlZOWPQFNkuZ6PxG-Vy_rpghqKj0vOrpMUZiqHp_OWEbpwep-HJKpM3FIPNQ2-ay2JINGnxA2Ry8ISGY37PAXQh40xNO4LESb5Afa1KRuB48-8xP5iQRAl1d_gDTEHeHVLGSrRZdkBhRc9dyWSqP9FqY5TVSwry7gmMupoHaNVEoU/s320/20230514_141406.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Family photos!</td></tr></tbody></table><br />After a 2022 hiatus, we headed down to Lusby, MD for the Greyt Expectations annual picnic.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJtIbC6MokO3xRzmBL1MtjiB6PSyrYxzvNcLhHYlF6BxGQiyCCKVDPhIt5v9BOUkcv-1oI9uthU-PQzGar9pau49Ch4vbZr8LK47BQo-EkXTuZQIbqN9MYub3bE4rwZbkwHvRrWGrDcLVIPIrVuH5b8P0hhasAZQyuLADUSOS9EVdbp_EEhg4u3b6lMf4/s4000/20230520_142744.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJtIbC6MokO3xRzmBL1MtjiB6PSyrYxzvNcLhHYlF6BxGQiyCCKVDPhIt5v9BOUkcv-1oI9uthU-PQzGar9pau49Ch4vbZr8LK47BQo-EkXTuZQIbqN9MYub3bE4rwZbkwHvRrWGrDcLVIPIrVuH5b8P0hhasAZQyuLADUSOS9EVdbp_EEhg4u3b6lMf4/s320/20230520_142744.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvK90RvLvnOdYx0x0BFayjSz-vCpXx1XsYIhFyf4NFm8mWTTDEdtX8qGjGrO_nFi7i9dGlwSbpY26bBPxwV88x2dnZBayTcfgxa1aFPoRWxn5KLQOUEajLXz_HivvLUKSfsuOHfRjdJN5ayhcX0X6kdB36s7rHFr69y9Qw_vxwpyT87HlHbmWS59NG4Ds/s4000/20230520_151720.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvK90RvLvnOdYx0x0BFayjSz-vCpXx1XsYIhFyf4NFm8mWTTDEdtX8qGjGrO_nFi7i9dGlwSbpY26bBPxwV88x2dnZBayTcfgxa1aFPoRWxn5KLQOUEajLXz_HivvLUKSfsuOHfRjdJN5ayhcX0X6kdB36s7rHFr69y9Qw_vxwpyT87HlHbmWS59NG4Ds/s320/20230520_151720.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>We invited some new vehicles into the family! Teh German bought a OneWheel, named Wheelbört. I bought a scooter because I don't have the life skillz to ride a OneWheel (although I did try).</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigXbIJr7wr2HRChrvwzrsc7sHiG70RihHjstcFfSuT1yB647FmvQK3jU9chqE9xYECgYHeTHNsdTx1E0g71xcPv7hHH-fUSaQ4ZW6-OH150NtvCRrKZPKlm3tseUzaplkFDOxOK_Z5SKn5o2V9XfhyphenhyphenCPepvOzCsL1aGxZj2dXnNOwyAjbMm8Cv0vFC2_8/s3968/20230528_160834.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3968" data-original-width="2232" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigXbIJr7wr2HRChrvwzrsc7sHiG70RihHjstcFfSuT1yB647FmvQK3jU9chqE9xYECgYHeTHNsdTx1E0g71xcPv7hHH-fUSaQ4ZW6-OH150NtvCRrKZPKlm3tseUzaplkFDOxOK_Z5SKn5o2V9XfhyphenhyphenCPepvOzCsL1aGxZj2dXnNOwyAjbMm8Cv0vFC2_8/s320/20230528_160834.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And now we go on adventures together, since I don't have ride my bicycle and keep up.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhat964SPXHZWUIX6sN2a8nSE4mmXoekC35IMK_2JmA2vcNYLwQN95BhObobwhuwDlTIKj67c9ldMYl-o-PCRaC5NBC4wckFs7gYH6V-EFWrE2qPdx75y8NIkci_lB08BO6DvVBy9dnWl-ggTmBdnnryRGjbIvhS55EGjq9K5BLXgsK8_GxG4HI1PSfphA/s4000/20230528_133930.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2252" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhat964SPXHZWUIX6sN2a8nSE4mmXoekC35IMK_2JmA2vcNYLwQN95BhObobwhuwDlTIKj67c9ldMYl-o-PCRaC5NBC4wckFs7gYH6V-EFWrE2qPdx75y8NIkci_lB08BO6DvVBy9dnWl-ggTmBdnnryRGjbIvhS55EGjq9K5BLXgsK8_GxG4HI1PSfphA/s320/20230528_133930.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More family adventure walks.</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><h2 style="text-align: left;">JUNE</h2><p>June started out with Teh Bestie's holy grail race: Navy Nautical 10 Miler in Memphis, TN. Let me just reiterated that it was JUNE in TENNESSEE. It was melty outside. But we managed.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBA6Ui8p5u5z774tPMkOB9WdpvcY9M6MERk8To8dZF67wC-lNveM0tPHNFW1raB0dQqTAB_s_9LfbxKA2wIPMU0TAz2Yt4mcydfOY_xiBmzbQMCorA5eXxzye05byKaoMxlWyCMoF-IyV50GwrXmbmBirjIGhvM4P74cRGTyMQ1qRd2kuDXvLbhaSPkcM/s3968/20230602_122109.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3968" data-original-width="2232" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBA6Ui8p5u5z774tPMkOB9WdpvcY9M6MERk8To8dZF67wC-lNveM0tPHNFW1raB0dQqTAB_s_9LfbxKA2wIPMU0TAz2Yt4mcydfOY_xiBmzbQMCorA5eXxzye05byKaoMxlWyCMoF-IyV50GwrXmbmBirjIGhvM4P74cRGTyMQ1qRd2kuDXvLbhaSPkcM/s320/20230602_122109.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After a Cookout snack, we walked to Arkansas.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQKXOblpt3HprwlJaTQ8S1rfUduASBG-3JUMa9uG2AAV8m92OeQELTnGlx03BKNk967To_chWc02agh93xg-KUU8CWeABH1BO4IhybVpINk3b_sAb3s14K3lBy-Pb77nHTpIER1qg_JA-GC-HwlLRKMWOlxT15sSG6Yr6EoacxrRrRK3uHui7UgLDFtwI/s4000/20230602_153923.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQKXOblpt3HprwlJaTQ8S1rfUduASBG-3JUMa9uG2AAV8m92OeQELTnGlx03BKNk967To_chWc02agh93xg-KUU8CWeABH1BO4IhybVpINk3b_sAb3s14K3lBy-Pb77nHTpIER1qg_JA-GC-HwlLRKMWOlxT15sSG6Yr6EoacxrRrRK3uHui7UgLDFtwI/s320/20230602_153923.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That walk was to prepare for our BBQ food tour in Memphis.<br />HIGHLY recommend a food tour if you are in Memphis.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyH3H5PwwhIeV5z3OlygsEXBH1CQoeo21Yls8uWDBI6CfXQ6BmpVh8o00q8oODFv22RpwZYP3kMOMwwK-YK47hD1kgW9DJAH82xN9h1_6uAGrIyy1fpJGf7LwQj-ik64mf7BWzkSbZtIoWP5CaGwKP5sku_lhiQp-UGKbyB-PhntGcVr6URbheJ7xt-10/s4000/20230602_191651.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2252" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyH3H5PwwhIeV5z3OlygsEXBH1CQoeo21Yls8uWDBI6CfXQ6BmpVh8o00q8oODFv22RpwZYP3kMOMwwK-YK47hD1kgW9DJAH82xN9h1_6uAGrIyy1fpJGf7LwQj-ik64mf7BWzkSbZtIoWP5CaGwKP5sku_lhiQp-UGKbyB-PhntGcVr6URbheJ7xt-10/s320/20230602_191651.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Do NOT recommend trying Absinthe.<br />Especially if you do not like licorice. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3t4nrdKXf-7eQCo5H9PDOypmLhyW9v0kMv9Kd7qTExFAY_2a_aIYaenhQhSWF-aX2OoWwuARKhXOZ43mGPgtdQfObvQ037B8PtNnrbSa2aaaebTAlU0yLgdbeX0Pxx5sia60xWsX64jeaibWNFyreezSfMZtOZFhBc-h4-fj1OgGnVENNSmzsDCu5Ms8/s4000/20230603_162734.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3t4nrdKXf-7eQCo5H9PDOypmLhyW9v0kMv9Kd7qTExFAY_2a_aIYaenhQhSWF-aX2OoWwuARKhXOZ43mGPgtdQfObvQ037B8PtNnrbSa2aaaebTAlU0yLgdbeX0Pxx5sia60xWsX64jeaibWNFyreezSfMZtOZFhBc-h4-fj1OgGnVENNSmzsDCu5Ms8/s320/20230603_162734.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We made sure to hit up Graceland to check off the Elvis box.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju5XyhVHC_qCAYX71pMEaBL4lOaV_q-3A-o2cSmoRLQ3b_TN3KXqAFgdyI3hq7sktkG7OtM3BclNCUUBWyTfTKjffjSnaDc1wYofAkrfjTUEWLquHJSLxkbZxnHS27GxcSebkeSTsxFMG3cH2R86HaplSo8FagRb9lLsRgEgXEAiY3oLEQgpoPcljq26g/s2547/20230604_091701.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2547" data-original-width="1933" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju5XyhVHC_qCAYX71pMEaBL4lOaV_q-3A-o2cSmoRLQ3b_TN3KXqAFgdyI3hq7sktkG7OtM3BclNCUUBWyTfTKjffjSnaDc1wYofAkrfjTUEWLquHJSLxkbZxnHS27GxcSebkeSTsxFMG3cH2R86HaplSo8FagRb9lLsRgEgXEAiY3oLEQgpoPcljq26g/s320/20230604_091701.jpg" width="243" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZzvuL6wb8nWSsRLF8tZlfE4mV3g7OnNWV2wjIVsJvckeTA2Qiyg-5DShnFF1MMlkxUmcU2KKV2D8F5ItMdrFDeFomd3R4rHz3-TNpOls7oCPqfqTimvITS2LGp6aVc3QuZ1I_X-G5Zz8_M35vZMips3bnsyW41EnGRmQt-9KtQCv5q6z_Pq5yJNa_NUQ/s4000/20230604_091430.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZzvuL6wb8nWSsRLF8tZlfE4mV3g7OnNWV2wjIVsJvckeTA2Qiyg-5DShnFF1MMlkxUmcU2KKV2D8F5ItMdrFDeFomd3R4rHz3-TNpOls7oCPqfqTimvITS2LGp6aVc3QuZ1I_X-G5Zz8_M35vZMips3bnsyW41EnGRmQt-9KtQCv5q6z_Pq5yJNa_NUQ/s320/20230604_091430.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIy3qe8Htr3PjTL11KkMTCfrPbDjhuexMp-4eioFzJQEFGzZ2v9fy9egDxC1cRn1PSELLxIhiTgHR_3gvWnGx35k93O3UqFmRN7mYYKWNQmz4AYazhoPOx3057xdRsW96fsGlwnhrM9uaNPIDH5DGGu0AbDgqxTQ4hXXH3uKbsNvxzUSKdmcrKtUEcmWs/s3310/20230604_091513.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1510" data-original-width="3310" height="146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIy3qe8Htr3PjTL11KkMTCfrPbDjhuexMp-4eioFzJQEFGzZ2v9fy9egDxC1cRn1PSELLxIhiTgHR_3gvWnGx35k93O3UqFmRN7mYYKWNQmz4AYazhoPOx3057xdRsW96fsGlwnhrM9uaNPIDH5DGGu0AbDgqxTQ4hXXH3uKbsNvxzUSKdmcrKtUEcmWs/s320/20230604_091513.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>FYI: 10 nautical miles (the distance of the race) is approximately 11.5 miles in real people distance.</div><div><br /></div><div>After years of hating the washer and dryer that came with the house, I bought a new (smart with AI!) washer and dryer. The washer is stupid, the auto detergent/softener dispenser is fantastic, and the touch panel is my least favorite thing. Do not recommend. I do love that they stack though!</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgijRsW9wSu1nR80VUGJg7TR-puLoKrwKIP7QwVfLlDtmNdI9i8w85NidJT_qmPrbBn5kmbDRt6S-SmUrm0TwlI9X5H9ODI60CYw1G6IkiMpvaanfzC0hCqd8dc5BXcLWX9we-FoClXC1IvsF6gEYyS19aE5F24saLX5NbiHtnIeNX5253V84lcGfwm8PE/s4000/20230605_142749.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2252" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgijRsW9wSu1nR80VUGJg7TR-puLoKrwKIP7QwVfLlDtmNdI9i8w85NidJT_qmPrbBn5kmbDRt6S-SmUrm0TwlI9X5H9ODI60CYw1G6IkiMpvaanfzC0hCqd8dc5BXcLWX9we-FoClXC1IvsF6gEYyS19aE5F24saLX5NbiHtnIeNX5253V84lcGfwm8PE/s320/20230605_142749.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I don't know why there isn't a photo, but the same day as the washer/dryer deliver was also the day we had a new deck built at the backdoor. All of this chaos was the day before Mama G arrived in MD. Much stress, yall.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg5Y7U8b4Na6bP2rQef8a3K9eXjA1Ad_i1I98hqa-_ytXuQg4Wq55nUt8HFX8DLn4R3AZk961WtHHa3_u10umjxskC8pA4QLsme58p0cmvql-cg0ked1yyAEcb8yvAYQplLeH77gW0R0phNYfXP4PaRRuzyObeMjE1ltUv6f-sC5gE5uzkr7obR_B8YMg/s3968/20230607_174509.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3968" data-original-width="2232" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg5Y7U8b4Na6bP2rQef8a3K9eXjA1Ad_i1I98hqa-_ytXuQg4Wq55nUt8HFX8DLn4R3AZk961WtHHa3_u10umjxskC8pA4QLsme58p0cmvql-cg0ked1yyAEcb8yvAYQplLeH77gW0R0phNYfXP4PaRRuzyObeMjE1ltUv6f-sC5gE5uzkr7obR_B8YMg/s320/20230607_174509.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>With the German visitor, they did some Baltimore touring on their own, but we accompanied them to the Naval Academy for a tour, hit up Annapolis for lunch at Chick and Ruth's, Arlington National Cemetery, and the Air and Space Museum. I had to work, so I missed out on the tour of the Capitol.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9fgd92RLjh9Cplah1ij5pZGs1FgFUye3ymF_0lrqlud-tov_sk5DfZAbnkdmZEsRfEaM4EiHCdmzMQ15MRwyUEkecSxKrfWzWpMrNIQvm6rsm21sJue-ppI5v03aPU1OFKjrzOn6RqM5i4fnwO-BFhTaJAMbcub62BfrdmxvUnsgbRBcyhc8Ozu_EhnY/s4000/20230610_113459.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2252" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9fgd92RLjh9Cplah1ij5pZGs1FgFUye3ymF_0lrqlud-tov_sk5DfZAbnkdmZEsRfEaM4EiHCdmzMQ15MRwyUEkecSxKrfWzWpMrNIQvm6rsm21sJue-ppI5v03aPU1OFKjrzOn6RqM5i4fnwO-BFhTaJAMbcub62BfrdmxvUnsgbRBcyhc8Ozu_EhnY/s320/20230610_113459.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdE6xwRLJzSW4EnYQkKz6BHMPsT9CQPS-XR9_wDH-QzrhbQ_hPP8yaCEiJ3KPxgh7aOpzINwE2RLWSa9rdBAR6vPmTwzjeJs9Gju5ypGI5dt0LPpDEcHY2uf5GKBZWOulm36adYXGkVC3Ydnu-QkmnqH6E_Xj3GsaRAv8cAisrmfXhpWvSP8JuIEtPGfo/s3968/20230612_134349.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2232" data-original-width="3968" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdE6xwRLJzSW4EnYQkKz6BHMPsT9CQPS-XR9_wDH-QzrhbQ_hPP8yaCEiJ3KPxgh7aOpzINwE2RLWSa9rdBAR6vPmTwzjeJs9Gju5ypGI5dt0LPpDEcHY2uf5GKBZWOulm36adYXGkVC3Ydnu-QkmnqH6E_Xj3GsaRAv8cAisrmfXhpWvSP8JuIEtPGfo/s320/20230612_134349.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chinatown!</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLMSEeDF0561xrNN3ZS1vsSEsCxwnUKAs9oEuaYkTCIHozvLt9oOvzbDyQQiGyZb1RmJIHg2QFBKKj7qCg5ZJgsxLDjsXXrcCFl8lTM-oKakNDal8KDzEgMCTrf39lFMh5c66mY_Hu62uUENpLTZBWAcoI6hJGlLeR9jytNxQglVio0kZmVUp8KLgBsVM/s3216/20230614_123631.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3216" data-original-width="1808" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLMSEeDF0561xrNN3ZS1vsSEsCxwnUKAs9oEuaYkTCIHozvLt9oOvzbDyQQiGyZb1RmJIHg2QFBKKj7qCg5ZJgsxLDjsXXrcCFl8lTM-oKakNDal8KDzEgMCTrf39lFMh5c66mY_Hu62uUENpLTZBWAcoI6hJGlLeR9jytNxQglVio0kZmVUp8KLgBsVM/s320/20230614_123631.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When you're supposed to be a professional..<br />but you can't resist selfies with statues in new places.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p>(<a href="https://www.canidecideanotherday.com/2023/12/2023-review-part-2.html" target="_blank">Part 2</a>)</p></div></div>Teh Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00133596439315060218noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1581436032352728193.post-25253940669548772842022-12-24T08:00:00.001-05:002022-12-24T08:00:00.197-05:002022 Review2022 was hard.<div>There I said it.</div><div><br /></div><div>2022 was a year I'd prefer to not review, in fact. I've been staring at this screen for hours and not putting words on the screen because I'd prefer to not feel those feelings again. I'd prefer to put all the things in their tiny boxes and only pull down the good tiny boxes. But that is not the purpose of a year end review. I'd say it's for showing you all the things we did this year, but this year consisted of 3 main themes: dogs, working out (running/crossfit), and struggles. Sometimes those 3 things even overlapped, an actual trifecta, if you will.</div><div><br /></div><div>2021 was full of new adventures in MD. There were struggles and achievements, but the rollercoaster didn't feel 2022 drastic. 2022 feels like I should have taken some motion sickness medication before the ride started. 2022 is full of dirty laundry that doesn't need to be aired on a public platform and so I try to focus on all the other things, the literal running away from my problems, instead of focusing on the negative things.</div><div><br /></div><div>January started off just fine. It snowed, there were dog snugs, 2022 began without a hitch.</div><div><br /></div><div>February is birthday month and Teh German came through with a spa day for us and I may have one upped him with a trip to Vegas (for a race), where I bought him a Porsche driving experience and took him to both the Western and Southern rim of the Grand Canyon. Also, I had my hairs did and then I had a stupid bang (yes singular because it wasn't like a full fray it was only a tiny section of like 20 hairs) from breakage and I really hated it.</div><div><br /></div><div>March is when the tribulations really began. Our basement flooded (again) and no one could figure out why it was flooding. There was also running and that bang. We got some estimates for having a deck built, butttt then the whole sewer thing deterred that good idea.</div><div><br /></div><div>April is when we learned that the sewer line that runs from our house to the public line had been BORED through and it wasn't actually connected to the public system, so really we'd been fertilizing the yard since whenever that had happened. We had to pay for the repairs and we were told we'd get all the money back.... eventually. Our fence was also damaged by the neighbor's landscapers AND one of the gates broke because of a windstorm. All things that had to be repaired. Which means people had to be contacted and harassed. Dislike. Also, that bang was now in my eyes.</div><div><br /></div><div>May included a trip to "DC Disneyland" aka the Mormon temple which is opened every 50 years to the public, so that was kinda cool and a few races and lots of dog snugs. Also, our garage started leaking in earnest. Leaking to the point of needing repairs.. but oh yeah, we'd spent all our funds on fixing the sewer line that wasn't our fault. Jokes about the bang started. I threatened to just cut it off.</div><div><br /></div><div>June was when the rollercoaster started picking up speed. There was running and a visit from Teh BFF and my first ever Pride parade and a Starset concert.. but the worst part was having to let Sandra Dee go. It was her time and we got 2 very unexpected years with her, but it hurt the MOST. Like, I knew it was the right thing and I'm still not over it. To the point that I put in a rescue application with the local Wolfhound group last week.</div><div><br /></div><div>July was fireworks, dog sitting (and subsequent dog drama that has caused continuous relationship strife), Teh Bestie's bday celebration, rage job applications, and a trip to NC where I was able to spend a good day with my Granny (which I didn't know at the time was "a good day" and now I treasure it even more), a hike with Teh BFF while I was at home, home, and my first Drum Corps International show. Like the predictable woman I am, when major life changes started happening, I cut my hair. This mostly solved the bang problem.</div><div><br /></div><div>August included a trip to Wisconsin to deliver Spinny Penny and buy all the cheese, a trip to WV to do some running in the woods, a trip to Oregon for more running, my first mammogram because I found a lump, a day-drinking bday celebration, lots of dog sitting, and finding out my Granny is actually very sick.</div><div><br /></div><div>September, I started a new job, I got covid (literally couldn't go to my new job on the first day because I had covid and I also missed a race), did the DC Bike Ride, did some dog sitting, went to our first Orioles game, and ran 2 Ragnars. Also, solved a financial mystery that had been plaguing me for months (nope, not the sewer line repayment, but was still in contact with those people too) that gave me a lot of feelings. </div><div><br /></div><div>October was running and dogs and going into the office and getting injured while running. It was fucking terrible being injured. More dealing with sewer things. Lots of unresolved feelings and rage about the financial mystery.</div><div><br /></div><div>November was injury recovery, leaves, visiting the Hirshhorn museum, our 5 year anniversary, the birth of my new favorite person: my niece, getting to see Pucifer at the Warner Theater, Thanksgiving, and finally we wrapped up the month by cashing the reimbursement check for the sewer line repair. After <i>months and months and months </i>(since May) of me having to send regular emails "regarding the status of this issue", I finally got some traction in Sept/Oct when I spoke with their insurance broker. It was a sweet relief.</div><div><br /></div><div>December held my 30th and 31st/final races of the year, Christmas adventures in Baltimore (the market and holiday lights), dog sitting, and throwing out my back. And soon will be Crimmus (as Teh German has taken to saying) and then New Years Eve/Day.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'd share photos, but it's a lot. I'm tired and I looked through the monthly photo albums to jog my memory to actually write all this.. and also I don't want to have feelings. Ironically, I was referred to and made a psychologist appointment for later this week. Now that we've been repaid for the sewer repairs, we get to turn our attention on fixing the garage, which is proving difficult because no one seems to want to do the work and if they are willing, they want to charge us $40,000. Kthxnope.</div><div><br /></div><div>When I write it all out, it doesn't seem like 2022 was such a bad year. I did many fun things: ALL THE RUNNING! All the workouts! So much travels! </div><div><br /></div><div>But 2022 feels HEAVY in a way that 2021 felt shiny and new. Maybe it's the lack of processing all the things, maybe it's grief, maybe it's the relationships that have irrevocably altered, maybe it's the decision to stay, even if walking away was the easier option (that is not a suicide reference, but it is purposely vague sorry not sorry), maybe it's because I've felt responsible for so many things that I'm finally willing to walk away from because I'm tired. I'm not really sure. But I know a shift is coming (has been coming?) and I'm ready to close the book on the 2022 chronicles. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin8thee4kSiUiZnthoUfVFzKNHBLFokfB-eggU41WliAG_Yy58cGnpaf_wwFncE0S6xS2YR3QNIE5ooAiiYh84debCyKN7JppP_9_aDuCkiqdudVaBMNon-aJTxScAqd40B70IF55Czlv2G-eRdGOVedKucO0pC9gzYSRRDEfRpseTNGbPIkidcFDl/s3216/20220315_173920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3216" data-original-width="1808" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin8thee4kSiUiZnthoUfVFzKNHBLFokfB-eggU41WliAG_Yy58cGnpaf_wwFncE0S6xS2YR3QNIE5ooAiiYh84debCyKN7JppP_9_aDuCkiqdudVaBMNon-aJTxScAqd40B70IF55Czlv2G-eRdGOVedKucO0pC9gzYSRRDEfRpseTNGbPIkidcFDl/w225-h400/20220315_173920.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><br /><div>Dear Muppet,</div><div>I'd give anything for another one of your kisses or for you to drag me down the driveway again at a full sprint or to come into the living room and see you huffing and stomping because Pax was in your spot or for you to just be sitting on the couch. You changed my life in ways I didn't see until it was over and now I can't unsee how you broke me open. I miss you my bestest Wuffie-Wuffs and I hope there's not a single shuffle happening anymore. -Yer Mahm.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Teh Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00133596439315060218noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1581436032352728193.post-5088800349507045022022-12-20T13:52:00.000-05:002022-12-20T13:52:07.283-05:00Chili Mac and Cheese<div style="text-align: left;">I've been attempting to mix up the menu on occasion and I was looking for crockpot recipes (because I'm still as lazy as always) and found a recipe for <a href="https://www.staysnatched.com/wprm_print/3449" target="_blank">chili mac and cheese</a> that I decided to cook on the stove. Would recommend.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Megan's version:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYrKBWXtDxRLOze5kW6Gq62rYwcrAT2vu92wWqepp87MR7uckpIkmUdZeYrCkRKzHPhnnOX5__U9CoZFqMn8qK81GQOrHQYy5-LM1_Z-1P4wSQ7C5aoYUAJRSfWuYiopu6n9vzaBXzuGd6JcEhwlUjSf0WivIVXwqRFdHaEMW5HN6k6JDiXIeq7-VR/s4000/20221220_131156.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2252" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYrKBWXtDxRLOze5kW6Gq62rYwcrAT2vu92wWqepp87MR7uckpIkmUdZeYrCkRKzHPhnnOX5__U9CoZFqMn8qK81GQOrHQYy5-LM1_Z-1P4wSQ7C5aoYUAJRSfWuYiopu6n9vzaBXzuGd6JcEhwlUjSf0WivIVXwqRFdHaEMW5HN6k6JDiXIeq7-VR/s320/20221220_131156.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Ingredients:<br />-1.5# ground bison</div><div style="text-align: left;">-onion</div><div style="text-align: left;">-red/yellow/orange peppers</div><div style="text-align: left;">-garlic</div><div style="text-align: left;">-1/2 box of pasta (I used cavatappi instead of macaroni)</div><div style="text-align: left;">-16oz fire-roasted tomatoes,drained or 1 16oz can rotel tomatoes, drained (next time I'll use the fire-roasted tomatoes I bought specifically for this purpose that I forgot about until after I'd opened the rotel, sigh)</div><div style="text-align: left;">-2 (8oz) bags "macaroni and cheese" blend cheese (1 bag was insufficient, if mac and cheese blend isn't available, cheddar is recommended)</div><div style="text-align: left;">-1 cup broth</div><div style="text-align: left;">-1-2 cans of beans, drained (I forgot this, but will add it next time)</div><div style="text-align: left;">-1-3 tablespoons chili powder</div><div style="text-align: left;">-1 teaspoon-ish oregano</div><div style="text-align: left;">-1 teaspoon cumin</div><div style="text-align: left;">-Cayenne pepper (if you want heat spice, I omitted this)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Directions:</div><div style="text-align: left;">-Start water to cook pasta, cook pasta while cooking meat.</div><div style="text-align: left;">-Dice vegetables</div><div style="text-align: left;">-Start cooking meat, add chili powder, when meat is almost cooked, add onion, peppers, and garlic. </div><div style="text-align: left;">-Drain.</div><div style="text-align: left;">-Add seasoning.</div><div style="text-align: left;">-Add broth. Simmer until pasta is cooked.</div><div style="text-align: left;">-Drain pasta, then mix with meat/veggies.</div><div style="text-align: left;">-Add 1 bag of cheese. Slowly add the 2nd bag until your heart feels full (I'd probably use half the 2nd bag, we added mexican cheese because 1 bag wasn't enough for my cheese loving heart).</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Megan Notes:<br />-I don't like ground beef so we use ground bison as a substitute, you can use whatever ground meat you prefer. I think this recipe is versatile enough for most proteins or even as a vegetarian meal.</div><div style="text-align: left;">-I made sure to add enough chili powder and cumin that the food was well seasoned, especially since I wasn't using the cayenne pepper and I'm slightly scared of chili powder. Teh German approved of the spices. I explicitly asked him. </div><div style="text-align: left;">-We didn't actually miss the beans, but the beans make it more like chili than hamburger helper, so I will fix that error next time.</div><div style="text-align: left;">-I will always pick the most fun pasta. </div>Teh Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00133596439315060218noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1581436032352728193.post-86315867316842906602022-12-20T13:17:00.002-05:002022-12-20T13:17:16.340-05:00Not Lasagna So recently I accidentally merged 2 different recipes and the concoction turned out delicious, so I'm gonna share it here so I can reference it later.<div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/favorite-skillet-lasagna/" target="_blank">Favorite Skillet Lasagna</a> + <a href="https://themodernproper.com/baked-gnocchi" target="_blank">Baked Gnocchi</a></div><div><br /></div><div>These recipes are very similar, so it wasn't a far reach to mix them up.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieWB5eAAWDHw9KpNGAQwmJdqBoH4E0R1UUz4hv8SiwmlnJjuOSv6KDXbkPgQr_6l8CC1qhpJHYUou0B9QzHJeTZXYLYdrbTT37DWXhLEE7mNOOnXGmSPj5woLQnVby4z8dyyZGdPGOwen-LYbTKITSwO83dPwMV3fA2wB0w2UjJMdaXjHP32pTqv8f/s2959/20221220_131140.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2959" data-original-width="2252" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieWB5eAAWDHw9KpNGAQwmJdqBoH4E0R1UUz4hv8SiwmlnJjuOSv6KDXbkPgQr_6l8CC1qhpJHYUou0B9QzHJeTZXYLYdrbTT37DWXhLEE7mNOOnXGmSPj5woLQnVby4z8dyyZGdPGOwen-LYbTKITSwO83dPwMV3fA2wB0w2UjJMdaXjHP32pTqv8f/s320/20221220_131140.jpg" width="244" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It might not look like much, but it tastes delicious!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Ingredients (I used):</div><div>-1 roll sage sausage</div><div>-enough mushrooms, thin sliced</div><div>-half an onion, diced</div><div>-enough garlic</div><div>-1 (yellow) squash</div><div>-1 zucchini (/green squash)</div><div>-1 package baby gnocchi</div><div>-fennel seeds (enough)</div><div>-16ish oz spaghetti sauce</div><div>-enough ricotta cheese</div><div>-enough mozzarella cheese</div><div><br /></div><div>Directions:</div><div>-Preheat oven to 400°F.</div><div>-In a dutch oven (or some oven safe-stove cooking container), begin cooking sausage. </div><div>-When sausage is almost done, throw in mushrooms, onion, and garlic.</div><div>-Drain</div><div>-Mix in squash, gnocchi, and spaghetti sauce.</div><div>-Cover and put in oven until squash and gnocchi are tender (i.e. you can stab them with a fork without too much resistance).</div><div>-Remove from oven. Top/fold in the mozz cheese (you're welcome for that reference). </div><div>-Drop dollops of ricotta cheese on top, as desired.</div><div>-Serve.</div>Teh Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00133596439315060218noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1581436032352728193.post-42445309821444762072022-10-04T14:50:00.002-04:002022-12-20T14:12:02.336-05:00Completing My Holy Grail Race: Ragnar Road Bourbon Chase<p>It really does seem like all I talk about anymore is Ragnar.. but Ragnar = running and I've been talking about running for YEARS so it's really not all that out of the ordinary. But really this post is a different kind of accomplishment post, but it does pertain to Ragnar, so here we are again.</p><p>Last weekend, I completed my HOLY GRAIL of ALL RACES I've ever wanted to run: The Bourbon Chase (BC). BC was the initial Ragnar race that I discovered all those years ago and knew that I didn't know the people to actually run the race. But since 2016, it's been a bookmark/favorite on my computer so I could visit the page and wistfully stare into space thinking of how awesome it would be to do THAT race. Years. Half a decade + 1 year. That's 9 Mercury Retrogrades. That's 1/3 of the way to being an "adult" (if "adult" is 18). A looong time, that's what I'm saying.</p><p>I posted about it, but in 2021, I completed <a href="https://www.canidecideanotherday.com/2021/10/2021-nova-sunset-ragnar.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Ragnar Sunset NoVA</a> with Teh Clique (originally supposed to be Oct 2020 (pre Clique existence), but Covid). Exactly one year later, I completed Bourbon Chase. Not only did I participate in the race, but I also completed the "Ragnar Leg" which is the most difficult leg of the entire race. That part was not originally planned, but due to an injury, someone wanted to switch and I agreed.</p><p>There's a satisfaction of coming full circle. From first time doing something to achieving an actual life goal within a year and on the same date. Sunset NoVA was the first step to achieving that goal and I didn't know it at the time. I knew that I'd be able to say I ran a Ragnar, even if it wasn't the race I truly wanted to do, which is still an accomplishment. But now I'm 8 Ragnar races into a crazy journey that has taught me many lessons (some of which have been more painful than others) and brought some fantastic people into my life and helped Teh Bestie and I continue our runcation traditions (although now we runcation with more people involving a lot less showering).</p><p>I'd be remiss to not acknowledge the people who made it possible.<br />-Teh German for encouraging me to do the crazy things and making sure the dogs were cared for. I tried to make sure that, the weekends I was away, the weather was great for motorcycle riding. I felt this was a fair trade off, even if beyond my control.<br />-Teh Bestie who listened to me talk about this race for <i>literal</i> years and stepped into the Ragnar life with me without (too much) hesitation. To date, there's no race that I've not, eventually, been able to talk her into. But I just want to put it out there that the 25k trail race we are doing later this month was ALL HER IDEA. ENTIRELY.<br />-My running tribe. Without yall, I'd be doing these races with ALL strangers or not at all. I'm glad you're along for this ride. #AlwaysAnAdventure<br />-Rangar "Strangers". Without these strangers, some of whom are definitely no longer strangers, but actual friends now, my teams would have been incomplete. I thank you for dealing with me at my best and worst (sleepy, smelly, exhausted) states.<br />-To all the others who've endured me talking about these crazy races I'm doing and listening to me whine about how torn up my body is, sometimes I just gotta get it out. I appreciate your sacrifices. </p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBQ-mjS7WCDLO4lfDDH3PotkMRiTcIzAZJbmJBo0fvG4PuVcaunDIGezpZ82eLCbgJGoMJInm-9OSoSxMzv_vRG--Fqd-8D4dYu6EPo3s6C4IiNJcNbNlYNG2lsKTa_2MO7dUxmdOL--_K3kxuix4Q9LZ62ijfN8f-KBmc_wq4y-ZyVh_QANWprUJi/s1564/IMG_20221004_141150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1564" data-original-width="1564" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBQ-mjS7WCDLO4lfDDH3PotkMRiTcIzAZJbmJBo0fvG4PuVcaunDIGezpZ82eLCbgJGoMJInm-9OSoSxMzv_vRG--Fqd-8D4dYu6EPo3s6C4IiNJcNbNlYNG2lsKTa_2MO7dUxmdOL--_K3kxuix4Q9LZ62ijfN8f-KBmc_wq4y-ZyVh_QANWprUJi/w640-h640/IMG_20221004_141150.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oct 2, 2021 then Oct 2, 2022.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Teh Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00133596439315060218noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1581436032352728193.post-89274004201927929262022-09-23T17:49:00.002-04:002022-09-23T17:49:15.815-04:002022 Ragnar Sprint Reach the Beach<p>Since I've created a post about all the other varieties of Ragnars that I've run, it was destined that I also write this post (also, someone was asking me questions about it and I was like, why don't I just have a link to send? oh yeah, I didn't write a post.. yet). </p><p>Reach the Beach (RTB) is my 4th Ragnar race this year (Trail Richmond, Road New England, Trail Appalachians) and it's my first road sprint. Our first Ragnar was Sunset NoVA, which is like a single day trail relay, no camping involved. Sprint RTB was like that, except on the same road course as the full Road RTB.</p><p>Our team was myself, Bestie, a rando from my Trail Florida team, rando's friend, Teh MD Native, and the captain from our Road New England team (who has actually done <i>several</i> races with me/us now). It was a very spectacular team, not just because we all got to sleep the night before the race and didn't have to deal with each other at our worst (the biggest downside of a full road relay).</p><h2 style="text-align: left;">THURSDAY</h2><p>On Thursday, Teh Bestie and I decorated Addie (her vehicle, which we were using as our race "van") so we didn't have to do it after we arrived or the morning of the race. This was a solid life choice because 1- efficiency, 2- being able to recognize other Ragnar bound vehicles was a fun game.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikqR4xKLIcA2S_c4V3GWnMNJVAZBrl3ikWkE0hjwD7b0VbJ8_3uEc41cMareq9L7t7tJXoHvTd3QVzezsTsh09fLaAJfKS8yz-GCDV9ZvOI-_ETTs1CHmPB0JeZ86a4b5UgQTydzNyhs-dtbDO_Swbr7ifFj4L1jbdKhx_ivANgzIrwX2UroylBmGN/s4000/20220915_181646.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikqR4xKLIcA2S_c4V3GWnMNJVAZBrl3ikWkE0hjwD7b0VbJ8_3uEc41cMareq9L7t7tJXoHvTd3QVzezsTsh09fLaAJfKS8yz-GCDV9ZvOI-_ETTs1CHmPB0JeZ86a4b5UgQTydzNyhs-dtbDO_Swbr7ifFj4L1jbdKhx_ivANgzIrwX2UroylBmGN/s320/20220915_181646.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEXpV1kuCDjyTvVI4NGBZGaB7npUWVwtZJTDfest4gqvPM4JidGfxpbP3LrYorSoR_yamR1BkrUslfiCXF0-9oFGRFvJNyFAgK1OUWjhFV3PcvbGca_-6ZoGXre4B-Qg-y0uyghCVSVh0OETS481SLlMrpg7xPxmZ2JSSIXt3nGF1lrgpd-0PBi43h/s4000/20220915_181704.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2252" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEXpV1kuCDjyTvVI4NGBZGaB7npUWVwtZJTDfest4gqvPM4JidGfxpbP3LrYorSoR_yamR1BkrUslfiCXF0-9oFGRFvJNyFAgK1OUWjhFV3PcvbGca_-6ZoGXre4B-Qg-y0uyghCVSVh0OETS481SLlMrpg7xPxmZ2JSSIXt3nGF1lrgpd-0PBi43h/s320/20220915_181704.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><h2 style="text-align: left;">FRIDAY</h2><p>The Sprint race started on Saturday, so on Friday morning, Teh Bestie, Teh MD Native, and I started the drive up I-95 to get to Seabrook, New Hampshire. We picked up FL Rando in Boston on our way through and then met NE Captain at our AirBnB. Rando's Friend drove in on Saturday morning and met us at the Airbnb before we departed for the startline at 0400.</p><p>After arriving to the Airbnb, we set our stuff down, introductions were made, and we headed to the beach. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyxZU_cRiFoytkjS2ch5nNfALLKEsvXxgRekzUbOllupAE2cVV93HS21dySvrusizfmVzOujMMLZD78K0wJjMh7XC4dTDQ-Hp5X1EUtDp2YRF5FuW4rCmzw1WwFIzlsIGF8erOQKop8Xzp_Lzwn-FB0maxmemCV5m4bWJsme5lwqA-FKnwTfxZRBjg/s3968/20220916_165623.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3968" data-original-width="2232" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyxZU_cRiFoytkjS2ch5nNfALLKEsvXxgRekzUbOllupAE2cVV93HS21dySvrusizfmVzOujMMLZD78K0wJjMh7XC4dTDQ-Hp5X1EUtDp2YRF5FuW4rCmzw1WwFIzlsIGF8erOQKop8Xzp_Lzwn-FB0maxmemCV5m4bWJsme5lwqA-FKnwTfxZRBjg/s320/20220916_165623.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPdLEh3BRPwa6B-RD6_eodjTna9UlUxvv8fQ0hFaP-YUUY-CFK60Snai5U6KNjUPhnslQ4-IMDyCvhG7iaiBKea-x8zdnVCsRzEqs3ewl8PNvFhOycT-AkxsW5TslEFU2Zbnwomd2qFRUlYWQoNSOFMVg25Anf3P204w_l5J4j3FHjg1Nhy__dyysi/s3639/20220916_165652~2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2047" data-original-width="3639" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPdLEh3BRPwa6B-RD6_eodjTna9UlUxvv8fQ0hFaP-YUUY-CFK60Snai5U6KNjUPhnslQ4-IMDyCvhG7iaiBKea-x8zdnVCsRzEqs3ewl8PNvFhOycT-AkxsW5TslEFU2Zbnwomd2qFRUlYWQoNSOFMVg25Anf3P204w_l5J4j3FHjg1Nhy__dyysi/s320/20220916_165652~2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When the wave hits your ankles when you're trying to take a selfie.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUT2b9YC2WP3EsI-yNkxLvfqPIkQ73USVrCXYSm8Zj5JlCCRr7xkfuW2vBM7bZvphrf0-nS2kU56fe_cptptQO-guZMOL1GoUupjiC-qOxgmcWG9627Vp-CQTQ8g3eqzLFRZs1lgdq0TFAn1dle_glnycQLNr4iKbkiJdqBQ02no_-YJICSt7liRP5/s3968/20220916_165806.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3968" data-original-width="2232" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUT2b9YC2WP3EsI-yNkxLvfqPIkQ73USVrCXYSm8Zj5JlCCRr7xkfuW2vBM7bZvphrf0-nS2kU56fe_cptptQO-guZMOL1GoUupjiC-qOxgmcWG9627Vp-CQTQ8g3eqzLFRZs1lgdq0TFAn1dle_glnycQLNr4iKbkiJdqBQ02no_-YJICSt7liRP5/s320/20220916_165806.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">NE Captain!</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><p>After getting salt water on our toes, we took some selfies and chatted and ultimately decided to head into town to make a snack run and grab dinner. We ended up at the same place as Ragnar staff/SWAT were at, which made us all cheer (since several of us were wearing Ragnar hoodies, we were easy to spot). </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA8aduk9IlLB6tETzyjn0MLtMedlJ1agQPhQ2OvhoWNEiX7ow3WbsyePp-h_-TzPcu3Pi-R2tauAj4CYa9uYmqt6DYgRFwDCtOyGwAje638Q5w8I6XOfPr-yuDyzzglS2yAUb_wF9G3bNhETJF6IkeDpkNEgHUNFeaGzX4pL-Ig5o3lXkrkkK-2IeB/s3968/20220916_203233.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3968" data-original-width="2232" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA8aduk9IlLB6tETzyjn0MLtMedlJ1agQPhQ2OvhoWNEiX7ow3WbsyePp-h_-TzPcu3Pi-R2tauAj4CYa9uYmqt6DYgRFwDCtOyGwAje638Q5w8I6XOfPr-yuDyzzglS2yAUb_wF9G3bNhETJF6IkeDpkNEgHUNFeaGzX4pL-Ig5o3lXkrkkK-2IeB/s320/20220916_203233.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The most important snack and the BEST fruit snacks.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><h2 style="text-align: left;">SATURDAY - Race Day</h2><div>Saturday am we woke up to... chilly temps. We hadn't experienced temps below 55°F in MD yet, so 39°F was a bit of a shock. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqVglVxdrvXfOuO5FCtBoUQhIIy09gmj5ic-R2kiDcL07jO3CusxDFCQ47ix5QnP-5jNHXfunKGtPK3e54qmbqKBdJHLkc3a-Q50-yVMtf-KXAp3WSXcLOXjkMf-e2hZjpWzR3yp6ZzynFS18le7VvfubNEHsNe32ZUTbWkPJfJ7Rb9-bFK77MJJ36/s2400/Screenshot_20220917-052255_Google.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2400" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqVglVxdrvXfOuO5FCtBoUQhIIy09gmj5ic-R2kiDcL07jO3CusxDFCQ47ix5QnP-5jNHXfunKGtPK3e54qmbqKBdJHLkc3a-Q50-yVMtf-KXAp3WSXcLOXjkMf-e2hZjpWzR3yp6ZzynFS18le7VvfubNEHsNe32ZUTbWkPJfJ7Rb9-bFK77MJJ36/s320/Screenshot_20220917-052255_Google.jpg" width="144" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjW6KcvpJz70wRjqevfihMMkxiigptlK2YbL6mVhQl9165bJVJuX1L5Dq3Elvtiav51lRCDcG-9PBJbwl3omk0GqNAQ9xmCoXpisv9zVv_m5PMc_1x3DEP3whfcoAp5YXXrqc7APpTl_wGzyXV6FrKhAy_2wbM44vdY8N8uJhEbzogLb47T9pmqgob/s3216/20220917_052857.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3216" data-original-width="1808" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjW6KcvpJz70wRjqevfihMMkxiigptlK2YbL6mVhQl9165bJVJuX1L5Dq3Elvtiav51lRCDcG-9PBJbwl3omk0GqNAQ9xmCoXpisv9zVv_m5PMc_1x3DEP3whfcoAp5YXXrqc7APpTl_wGzyXV6FrKhAy_2wbM44vdY8N8uJhEbzogLb47T9pmqgob/s320/20220917_052857.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Teh Bestie was Runner 1 and after a slight headlamp malfunction, she was on her way!<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3a9Ix8COfZLSClkdeaHuaZTnMmSwbkNbTcaA9c8Xa6YFR1MaSjV4oFERI_35C4Qxs0TV3HFjhLKkJlZ7ljeGp92wUU56xCegpx015_GPLK2M5qtFy-c9II3_wlpqRknF8dOnfrmVhgC3MTpVrw-q5tYvj4mmvz81lFwia6nsDIabRonjFZL1aniFh/s4000/20220917_052907.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2252" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3a9Ix8COfZLSClkdeaHuaZTnMmSwbkNbTcaA9c8Xa6YFR1MaSjV4oFERI_35C4Qxs0TV3HFjhLKkJlZ7ljeGp92wUU56xCegpx015_GPLK2M5qtFy-c9II3_wlpqRknF8dOnfrmVhgC3MTpVrw-q5tYvj4mmvz81lFwia6nsDIabRonjFZL1aniFh/s320/20220917_052907.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Made it!</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheMko9YeH5p2QGBm6FQ0ZyMpk2CPqNwOec_-b4HwvB7EXvz8f1Wq255q_qkiwK8faVr4nnCzueIecT276qBULaLyXeSSdnMwHgiiq_7g_Ox0wSoLc8xlmkjTA1QZAvKMh2pFpRYi2M1nqtk7t3kgbBMGhL86OTQIME23S5UCH5rJN6-UPtpWczKwDz/s4000/20220917_062647.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2252" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheMko9YeH5p2QGBm6FQ0ZyMpk2CPqNwOec_-b4HwvB7EXvz8f1Wq255q_qkiwK8faVr4nnCzueIecT276qBULaLyXeSSdnMwHgiiq_7g_Ox0wSoLc8xlmkjTA1QZAvKMh2pFpRYi2M1nqtk7t3kgbBMGhL86OTQIME23S5UCH5rJN6-UPtpWczKwDz/s320/20220917_062647.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Then we sent off Runner 2: NE Captain!</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGaUEHrutfJijf3VvO-gS5VULiWKrZfCB8RK-bXpi1i1OCYcqI9DNm5jO1e-s-LRqWDbUf0ygzdmxhF8RLXQjy6E8d9pAOtCXa4y2wEsyZdUMeudmpGq_kbXFFTp3KbD0pDPR0m7vAaDe06XptR5G6hBv4eiG0fn_BLqqPoGOz_J1kgu8pFPqSDkvQ/s4000/20220917_062729.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2252" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGaUEHrutfJijf3VvO-gS5VULiWKrZfCB8RK-bXpi1i1OCYcqI9DNm5jO1e-s-LRqWDbUf0ygzdmxhF8RLXQjy6E8d9pAOtCXa4y2wEsyZdUMeudmpGq_kbXFFTp3KbD0pDPR0m7vAaDe06XptR5G6hBv4eiG0fn_BLqqPoGOz_J1kgu8pFPqSDkvQ/s320/20220917_062729.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Selfies and vans at Exchange 2 waiting on NE Captain to come back so it would be my turn!</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW_-wVRxf4wfuJ0ISQE0iTD7ah6lZpHDmEgBZtBOnJlFOJ49m8s_d5U07HfDntxwKDAKSlcGfPoGvwJmyfombqc8dBH-kJNSLDJI_OhyvV2xbm21KbWtUD3eaJyp2Zo2GRhBDkJ-k_5YZ0TM6eHsWk1Qjujhxs8rfHboeE1MYsMyukRrBMUQ_f6nm9/s4000/20220917_065847.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2252" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW_-wVRxf4wfuJ0ISQE0iTD7ah6lZpHDmEgBZtBOnJlFOJ49m8s_d5U07HfDntxwKDAKSlcGfPoGvwJmyfombqc8dBH-kJNSLDJI_OhyvV2xbm21KbWtUD3eaJyp2Zo2GRhBDkJ-k_5YZ0TM6eHsWk1Qjujhxs8rfHboeE1MYsMyukRrBMUQ_f6nm9/s320/20220917_065847.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbAo8qRt3DTVlL6RL48cS_tWv-jVowy3vLMgydlE5yeajjVQdntfzaFXP5GQCCpawO7YEmqNf3p3Ng291lX1wL9pkxc-HleZzdJPPfLwYYzaqeFw0_klRNX8RFQPUi4PXj5TDDUmkftNZkk5g_OoJ5JVAzvU42rJEFcxS1hmliFdRJ3nXeGnaN_zKX/s3968/20220917_072220.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3968" data-original-width="2232" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbAo8qRt3DTVlL6RL48cS_tWv-jVowy3vLMgydlE5yeajjVQdntfzaFXP5GQCCpawO7YEmqNf3p3Ng291lX1wL9pkxc-HleZzdJPPfLwYYzaqeFw0_klRNX8RFQPUi4PXj5TDDUmkftNZkk5g_OoJ5JVAzvU42rJEFcxS1hmliFdRJ3nXeGnaN_zKX/s320/20220917_072220.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><div><br /></div></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN8eI88Ch_iHcuojTbwNa6XSttdB0_zb_z7WZAsJ8jPoYGIhyGBZ_-gyf9Kt1s_QCSDrSJjz3CbiQAiz0pK9FVTNCbYAkbtPrLKnB9P3nReuTlB4g8lioxYPPETH2XGOodlUDnTo4HhKrAcV3AjzsbHzdbrKHPdQqMrjAsmpxuGFGZdFeS08hIO-zE/s2048/20220918_115225-e94d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN8eI88Ch_iHcuojTbwNa6XSttdB0_zb_z7WZAsJ8jPoYGIhyGBZ_-gyf9Kt1s_QCSDrSJjz3CbiQAiz0pK9FVTNCbYAkbtPrLKnB9P3nReuTlB4g8lioxYPPETH2XGOodlUDnTo4HhKrAcV3AjzsbHzdbrKHPdQqMrjAsmpxuGFGZdFeS08hIO-zE/s320/20220918_115225-e94d.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here vee goooo!</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDdkN36HArwOrU92ESa9wurvTHx0gZaKmeCoyEapZQIS0K0a0eDUg_gDrSwOI1A5qzovYGJJCUpYrISKx1R5Nv2EZSkuz4F_sNj7usIWHNZT8rDyRLQrVtr1WqA_wtIuIbANZG7NAAU3kifYgP_vFr_flnntQguwmxqpusgFPViH_aySRsvXU0yBMm/s4000/20220917_074845.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDdkN36HArwOrU92ESa9wurvTHx0gZaKmeCoyEapZQIS0K0a0eDUg_gDrSwOI1A5qzovYGJJCUpYrISKx1R5Nv2EZSkuz4F_sNj7usIWHNZT8rDyRLQrVtr1WqA_wtIuIbANZG7NAAU3kifYgP_vFr_flnntQguwmxqpusgFPViH_aySRsvXU0yBMm/s320/20220917_074845.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The delightful smell of cow patty in the morning.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFqt6UCK3QbJOEv6_hdwMPHnjXR73DfCVsg3unfAWF7KFEVlozT21SsMvEY_NyDxwWxmLTxaPjVzzlNMR-Urs724RUUbEc4u51s-799wrTD1V3fpoRumprRaPvxGq4AfVkJWPanBPeDcwR5FNmK-heT5wAxILX8HtNeNFX_fba9iCKQ92tdSPopQIh/s4000/20220917_080353.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2252" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFqt6UCK3QbJOEv6_hdwMPHnjXR73DfCVsg3unfAWF7KFEVlozT21SsMvEY_NyDxwWxmLTxaPjVzzlNMR-Urs724RUUbEc4u51s-799wrTD1V3fpoRumprRaPvxGq4AfVkJWPanBPeDcwR5FNmK-heT5wAxILX8HtNeNFX_fba9iCKQ92tdSPopQIh/s320/20220917_080353.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After a driver commented on my Ted Lasso headband, I actually stopped to ask a lady to take a photo of me since she was at a stopped van cheering people on. This outfit was on point.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8piMbt6hHzyY5xof7sgz8UHnBtCB0Ic5HAt3p2_AFkv0mx-72lxHuUwI98PcBWLn6LmdzavKzrGvltgqTdvN0SUC51z4A5L7K6XT1zGdSlSkZM2kpPCUBtsznYzl2XiFagGv_vz-dJtNEwxY2Fx8Nmcnyi_1o2vaVlBQkSfj3qrz2pPs0Wx9nWnI3/s4000/20220917_082039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2252" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8piMbt6hHzyY5xof7sgz8UHnBtCB0Ic5HAt3p2_AFkv0mx-72lxHuUwI98PcBWLn6LmdzavKzrGvltgqTdvN0SUC51z4A5L7K6XT1zGdSlSkZM2kpPCUBtsznYzl2XiFagGv_vz-dJtNEwxY2Fx8Nmcnyi_1o2vaVlBQkSfj3qrz2pPs0Wx9nWnI3/s320/20220917_082039.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The barn box.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM9eRCeZ5kbxX7OKrXC9JOCGjvKHDrD7GRqXJ2NH6J1ezWsGZFVZ8sgbyAQPboAkPRpX6Jckd0UYZo3ZmzbbrCmyN7ktkPiWQvAYLl-J-Q8PfkIqH9mZwL2gqnh1vhdtvS2PC9qRNQshEBhPNNRcDnkiIOnNlKT883yPciQhRcUHNKgXxQQskUrKbT/s4000/20220917_082548.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2252" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM9eRCeZ5kbxX7OKrXC9JOCGjvKHDrD7GRqXJ2NH6J1ezWsGZFVZ8sgbyAQPboAkPRpX6Jckd0UYZo3ZmzbbrCmyN7ktkPiWQvAYLl-J-Q8PfkIqH9mZwL2gqnh1vhdtvS2PC9qRNQshEBhPNNRcDnkiIOnNlKT883yPciQhRcUHNKgXxQQskUrKbT/s320/20220917_082548.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOIotIY87YlzeQ4WxoPXi0Zx-ELXodxmdx5qpia-xLAPIOd6-nUJyZphFCYYkv6_s5qABYFtZQj-vBRuM4kFSivX1qA9iEn7FgdjNpfMSBuSE0QVKMg19lMwh81WN2oLbyM4ibf4bgmceO8HEIZLrDL4KKKgwiK9FxNENnMxQQmgAab9a9Ap6ci3B8/s4000/20220917_082940.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOIotIY87YlzeQ4WxoPXi0Zx-ELXodxmdx5qpia-xLAPIOd6-nUJyZphFCYYkv6_s5qABYFtZQj-vBRuM4kFSivX1qA9iEn7FgdjNpfMSBuSE0QVKMg19lMwh81WN2oLbyM4ibf4bgmceO8HEIZLrDL4KKKgwiK9FxNENnMxQQmgAab9a9Ap6ci3B8/s320/20220917_082940.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3SBrZEURHTTnKB6ESulaH2NgxhmK3duRsqZUUD97SKhK5sy__v-77Gz8OfVnaaN9MyPTD1O74bvGfqbrlXMmah5H6p6GjwRtJq12rWBOHPJq_WoOakowRfLq_KR49bTfcYboPEMZlTsLuc3mnNoclrxQZWIP6ycPNeVY1GM6lN74TCLTcs2bWo1_D/s4000/20220917_082948.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2252" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3SBrZEURHTTnKB6ESulaH2NgxhmK3duRsqZUUD97SKhK5sy__v-77Gz8OfVnaaN9MyPTD1O74bvGfqbrlXMmah5H6p6GjwRtJq12rWBOHPJq_WoOakowRfLq_KR49bTfcYboPEMZlTsLuc3mnNoclrxQZWIP6ycPNeVY1GM6lN74TCLTcs2bWo1_D/s320/20220917_082948.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3V-GdglesHcWbFUXyK-ciM7XgAQ4xN714ftgb0hnv3fUMTN8oAJrrWrhHExZCwGMq51Blk_NFbl9W1pM_P53-Y8OlAaIcJ8jlXYqipsJ5Pmo0dHjmTkN3x58inX3W-OfXx4VspMMPoOpqjKNXyyvmXpkNBSI-OkKmHa_40Bwou7B-DfMZMivRV7kb/s4000/20220917_083043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2252" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3V-GdglesHcWbFUXyK-ciM7XgAQ4xN714ftgb0hnv3fUMTN8oAJrrWrhHExZCwGMq51Blk_NFbl9W1pM_P53-Y8OlAaIcJ8jlXYqipsJ5Pmo0dHjmTkN3x58inX3W-OfXx4VspMMPoOpqjKNXyyvmXpkNBSI-OkKmHa_40Bwou7B-DfMZMivRV7kb/s320/20220917_083043.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">RTB signage is different than all other Ragnar races.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcY7vwFtzksai8D-5BU02mwyXqwGFzU9-XujaO8QFQL3Jdlex0ICAHP26ll-rxIvTgKU6HSHErAyn_bS1mcZBZkmxsRFzVBBWSxWGht7UlvLejEm0EGvFw5q2UJ72h2O2o1yOl0kguCEgi6h5hUeiQE6oVijN2P4IsfNwOdQy9V-RbyirEOLRGF8AS/s3968/20220917_083454.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3968" data-original-width="2232" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcY7vwFtzksai8D-5BU02mwyXqwGFzU9-XujaO8QFQL3Jdlex0ICAHP26ll-rxIvTgKU6HSHErAyn_bS1mcZBZkmxsRFzVBBWSxWGht7UlvLejEm0EGvFw5q2UJ72h2O2o1yOl0kguCEgi6h5hUeiQE6oVijN2P4IsfNwOdQy9V-RbyirEOLRGF8AS/s320/20220917_083454.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This lady was standing at the end of her driveway with her mom cheering on the runners. I actually doubled back to ask if she wanted to take a selfie so I could show Teh Bestie the unicorn I found on my leg. She agreed! If you BELIEVE, you will find a UNICORN!!!</td></tr></tbody></table><br />And then after a miserable uphill, my 8.4 mile leg was finished and it was time for FL Rando to show us just how fast he's gonna run his marathon in a few weeks!</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaCq2fdqYnO2BXnh5HO8mGq0CSG63JX7N6hNWQVK7Z5rmlI1cEyVHIDfOZ9LHfzREDGlEPXhytMGL5MiptQHYLBL9EHN3S-68jQOM8WWxVwpeckQXdSBL56Ak3xuZ2Jn34VbgtfIiLSbm4aVsyBrzDNtIqEs-0QnwxG5A_jZ1mUavcnx7kIGkAaBMx/s3968/20220917_111804.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3968" data-original-width="2232" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaCq2fdqYnO2BXnh5HO8mGq0CSG63JX7N6hNWQVK7Z5rmlI1cEyVHIDfOZ9LHfzREDGlEPXhytMGL5MiptQHYLBL9EHN3S-68jQOM8WWxVwpeckQXdSBL56Ak3xuZ2Jn34VbgtfIiLSbm4aVsyBrzDNtIqEs-0QnwxG5A_jZ1mUavcnx7kIGkAaBMx/s320/20220917_111804.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">FL Rando.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUnTSQbPXVOyuv9ci5j2syibYngJWcDzi_6-94ggM6jnbsgKsyV56PtLcZzqst9S33RTk8KH8xHJNMewwvwPTSxRSf_twnbagPeMNFLalUZrdgRrwitRPp1bsAQ0Ia4w23XPhP20eqgQ9KsJOuYlrhV4Md00NUMIODA-P18iFQjwRKyYMJlZv51xYH/s3216/20220917_120637.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3216" data-original-width="1808" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUnTSQbPXVOyuv9ci5j2syibYngJWcDzi_6-94ggM6jnbsgKsyV56PtLcZzqst9S33RTk8KH8xHJNMewwvwPTSxRSf_twnbagPeMNFLalUZrdgRrwitRPp1bsAQ0Ia4w23XPhP20eqgQ9KsJOuYlrhV4Md00NUMIODA-P18iFQjwRKyYMJlZv51xYH/s320/20220917_120637.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Portapotty selfies are going to become a thing.<br />Even if I have to do it myself.<br />It will be a thing.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Rando's Friend was runner 5, Teh MD Native was runner 6.. and then we started again. For my 2nd leg, I ran through a town which I didn't lurve because traffic and stupid people on a Saturday. Thankfully, it wasn't a super huge town, so I managed.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaxsX7DMezAjDoif62M2nTE82f4uSNupdiFdo5klTfi6w02qtmtJpqSh0zZ7eCyvsgVu21lwIhvJOG4d_EbxU2Sc4K1y87Qloy2sd0V0R6TbNU2EV8blf4oQlKwGW0EisxxQMpUqmCtp976R4TI6XgSjk_ejYdlGHfgnqpaIrR9JoS7vXKlt9PmL1v/s3968/20220917_122623.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3968" data-original-width="2232" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaxsX7DMezAjDoif62M2nTE82f4uSNupdiFdo5klTfi6w02qtmtJpqSh0zZ7eCyvsgVu21lwIhvJOG4d_EbxU2Sc4K1y87Qloy2sd0V0R6TbNU2EV8blf4oQlKwGW0EisxxQMpUqmCtp976R4TI6XgSjk_ejYdlGHfgnqpaIrR9JoS7vXKlt9PmL1v/s320/20220917_122623.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Found the library, as I do.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPXFTvymNAiAvR3nEvtArNOeTOhCxhrGkn9f6QjZbKEAxG5nZv8hEf4oa73jUsaOrVQbgbfDH19R6LdID8gzteslYZVKcZYSj-RKpX9kWTcqUjnlw6ts1-G-VV0PpgafCwN_bLOz4LYacSnJc9Bg347g7zsq7YyftQdyHHwHOk6n0erkIYoVK6aiku/s4000/20220917_123625.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPXFTvymNAiAvR3nEvtArNOeTOhCxhrGkn9f6QjZbKEAxG5nZv8hEf4oa73jUsaOrVQbgbfDH19R6LdID8gzteslYZVKcZYSj-RKpX9kWTcqUjnlw6ts1-G-VV0PpgafCwN_bLOz4LYacSnJc9Bg347g7zsq7YyftQdyHHwHOk6n0erkIYoVK6aiku/s320/20220917_123625.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Also found some dead people in the middle of the city.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV6Z4FOG_HCC3qmtizc5GlvVy7bGWp9xRDV17MipegodgKFv9x-4Rezb9bW7SHHBgnxu5kPqADDiSz_bDb4pUGkelWUBGJXIGgOMtdu441BMaLWuavvi1I3hRV7BecIX3waUnbu16FI4VMkx2Jqta3N6rpN5rBE4ceLCby2zzjflEDHG4MBGSa9UHP/s3216/20220917_124155.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3216" data-original-width="1808" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV6Z4FOG_HCC3qmtizc5GlvVy7bGWp9xRDV17MipegodgKFv9x-4Rezb9bW7SHHBgnxu5kPqADDiSz_bDb4pUGkelWUBGJXIGgOMtdu441BMaLWuavvi1I3hRV7BecIX3waUnbu16FI4VMkx2Jqta3N6rpN5rBE4ceLCby2zzjflEDHG4MBGSa9UHP/s320/20220917_124155.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stopped to smell the roses.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipkhzUwbXGyp2cksriCKDYx0m1dTsWlmxyZiAMCIved_vecT_R6103Drdt79sNambQkw4tCxLwSn5__T8H1sY21KZavuSUf_GYoYn0wwaSHQD4w4V1G3XA05qY-e3O4CyNib3TfcC-j0GGG-0DvxAHKqBBKEy_8lbsmfbuQDLaakdzoPs7kFhpqXHz/s4000/20220917_125925.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2252" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipkhzUwbXGyp2cksriCKDYx0m1dTsWlmxyZiAMCIved_vecT_R6103Drdt79sNambQkw4tCxLwSn5__T8H1sY21KZavuSUf_GYoYn0wwaSHQD4w4V1G3XA05qY-e3O4CyNib3TfcC-j0GGG-0DvxAHKqBBKEy_8lbsmfbuQDLaakdzoPs7kFhpqXHz/s320/20220917_125925.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7hetuHABUK6nz1OhgrVyz_AdSqZkTZMjN21jRZGKO4pjyFBuZZBd-jrISqzbmAYqmZB0YlrJ3dgBWKPhTUJ70wFvISPXXVJUjhEksvoZOP6s6jVtg63t9t1-Gm2qFB5qkxEWxOC1C-GBa5UOc5pd2D9pao8PS46EUPaWOrsiJBlf0b5cg8li1IsQJ/s4000/20220917_130428.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7hetuHABUK6nz1OhgrVyz_AdSqZkTZMjN21jRZGKO4pjyFBuZZBd-jrISqzbmAYqmZB0YlrJ3dgBWKPhTUJ70wFvISPXXVJUjhEksvoZOP6s6jVtg63t9t1-Gm2qFB5qkxEWxOC1C-GBa5UOc5pd2D9pao8PS46EUPaWOrsiJBlf0b5cg8li1IsQJ/s320/20220917_130428.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finish line Lindt is where it's at. Trust me.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />And then a few legs later, we were meeting Teh MD Native at the finish line!</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp5Es1GFnX12okBzkaDNirkv8cKjt35vnzJTpXKZy-Fcmlx9aNBbvdsS74wx8iNEHIPgVsNRBoeVZ6MwHiS48Nl-yq_YMpwdUAqfMdTCUDwObhy_FPRSVyfBv6Zkh4pU6CsJlzgzXRH5qD1a8pLFWKAUyFaQzWVc7gW3385f5IPGnqJmS46oknSJf2/s4000/20220917_144756.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2252" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp5Es1GFnX12okBzkaDNirkv8cKjt35vnzJTpXKZy-Fcmlx9aNBbvdsS74wx8iNEHIPgVsNRBoeVZ6MwHiS48Nl-yq_YMpwdUAqfMdTCUDwObhy_FPRSVyfBv6Zkh4pU6CsJlzgzXRH5qD1a8pLFWKAUyFaQzWVc7gW3385f5IPGnqJmS46oknSJf2/s320/20220917_144756.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">But first we had to get a team pic on the beach!</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Our official team name was Get in Toots, We're Going Running since our <i>actual </i>team name would have been Ragnar Censored: Get in Bitches, We're Going Running! In the spirit of our Mean Girls theme, we also wore pink shirts at the finish line, since we wear pink on Wednesday.. and Saturdays.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0tCX4qbTGCJhXHlX0bTwOhqSACLjVa8TUa8b68OZdCW8Po7-nRcffkmrhm2C-J69qb-sZZipJvmOUM1UFY5kXfdzSPjD5xcNOHdCrvDEr3RJ1mWEPZ8JuBAICZv0ZLX7DjMSthddTHEKUtZaF8fMBj434YqsiNPX66SpOkathNRTtjMzq3F69JLw3/s4000/20220917_145046.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0tCX4qbTGCJhXHlX0bTwOhqSACLjVa8TUa8b68OZdCW8Po7-nRcffkmrhm2C-J69qb-sZZipJvmOUM1UFY5kXfdzSPjD5xcNOHdCrvDEr3RJ1mWEPZ8JuBAICZv0ZLX7DjMSthddTHEKUtZaF8fMBj434YqsiNPX66SpOkathNRTtjMzq3F69JLw3/s320/20220917_145046.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_9ZxE0taIBRJqfzhMCei6eKNq180T1RIha-B-VQf-1IkgQwuaGBfaD5wnIKeEaPQL4lHBCUg1-YYpz5LGvS8IdnjhY9N7l20a_kQvsBg6589mfoDWy34K7Z_nS3hjaMRkMho9ivz85qN4za-rOGMdTQlkrQFfhZUON9b0akQYdbDsFyRwxCwyjP2o/s3968/20220917_152304.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2232" data-original-width="3968" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_9ZxE0taIBRJqfzhMCei6eKNq180T1RIha-B-VQf-1IkgQwuaGBfaD5wnIKeEaPQL4lHBCUg1-YYpz5LGvS8IdnjhY9N7l20a_kQvsBg6589mfoDWy34K7Z_nS3hjaMRkMho9ivz85qN4za-rOGMdTQlkrQFfhZUON9b0akQYdbDsFyRwxCwyjP2o/s320/20220917_152304.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnX4CgqbqYfwRmXxKeFSnvcPecXiv2plYrzQKwtbdOmYWeWBCBl89Ph8jb3qKR7TH-3b1GG2ndOOgtAahFBeOFxqd3EvIAxz027fTRfzqLGCSMdYXIfT5PtA2mdbcL_T7h2cHl9t-NphAJhnsD8HjxHWkyMcXHkenWwt0--XbwFy4FR7pxbqEhE1vN/s3791/20220917_152348~2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3791" data-original-width="2134" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnX4CgqbqYfwRmXxKeFSnvcPecXiv2plYrzQKwtbdOmYWeWBCBl89Ph8jb3qKR7TH-3b1GG2ndOOgtAahFBeOFxqd3EvIAxz027fTRfzqLGCSMdYXIfT5PtA2mdbcL_T7h2cHl9t-NphAJhnsD8HjxHWkyMcXHkenWwt0--XbwFy4FR7pxbqEhE1vN/s320/20220917_152348~2.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOfDA5NKvgKBq7LHx1XGXcVdNaXI4l7szqPYaGKy3AfaW5mj-v4Oe89GA1BkhXFDnjKp9iKboJ9C4x5045h1o1lgHtDp2kx7t865dDFkPWVRnjbf52uh2I8CL-fkRawwn2Q011LAJHaa4eeyyqMDQET3QmzyYyyVh4L0a37i3PXuuCTzS4JkjZ619e/s3968/20220918_082920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2232" data-original-width="3968" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOfDA5NKvgKBq7LHx1XGXcVdNaXI4l7szqPYaGKy3AfaW5mj-v4Oe89GA1BkhXFDnjKp9iKboJ9C4x5045h1o1lgHtDp2kx7t865dDFkPWVRnjbf52uh2I8CL-fkRawwn2Q011LAJHaa4eeyyqMDQET3QmzyYyyVh4L0a37i3PXuuCTzS4JkjZ619e/s320/20220918_082920.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finished my race!<br />1st leg: What goes up must come down!<br />2nd leg: Dead people during the leg, dead legs for my leg.</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>After we checked out the merch tent and took photos until our hearts were content, we headed to dinner a few towns over at an Italian place that fit us into their fully reserved restaurant, despite us lookin' like we'd been running since 0530. After dinner, we headed back to the Airbnb and the guys departed and the ladies head back out in search of ice cream. I knew if we stopped and took showers I wouldn't be able to peel myself of whatever surface I'd landed on to go back out to get ice cream.</div><div><br /></div><div>After ice cream, we came back to the Airbnb and showered and sat in my compression legs and went to bed early.</div><div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">SUNDAY</h2><div>I woke up with a terrible barometer head headache at 0645 and decided that since I was awake, I'd make my coffee and walk to the beach. Despite my attempts to be quiet, everyone roused and we all journeyed to the beach together. Even Teh Bestie limped down to the beach and joined us after some persistence. She may or may not have fallen out of a portapotty just before her 2nd leg causing more damage to already damaged bits from a trail fall the week prior to the race.</div><div> <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHo56ysiic40aQkQZpJoi2sAn9maenaoS9N70gMDGVuLcGwY4DdvHbHroFH7O628O5nFpC60Iz7S0uP801potQhZo3QfV8I1eiCcwu1MrIW8adERy8rLSIgotiUHqzWJsDFavXyLiwi-r5oUkLa6eIF1tEpqv9nPUkkkRrBVKBlBZ_nYwNoBZXgc_8/s3216/20220918_071842.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3216" data-original-width="1808" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHo56ysiic40aQkQZpJoi2sAn9maenaoS9N70gMDGVuLcGwY4DdvHbHroFH7O628O5nFpC60Iz7S0uP801potQhZo3QfV8I1eiCcwu1MrIW8adERy8rLSIgotiUHqzWJsDFavXyLiwi-r5oUkLa6eIF1tEpqv9nPUkkkRrBVKBlBZ_nYwNoBZXgc_8/s320/20220918_071842.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSkhJnzjpjtyTNHy_iCbK55EXNNgERXiINDENbUkdHOovLo4ielwmMnbn9voq9tW3btr8811Hpyg4HDv7d21o5lD0jMqD2ksbFMJwIj6bE0CeRRvxQVm1Xe4hE076Rki6ot4fcjqcW8fEwXyxm3ur3yyipvpmFPNYzV2svl8G2KmdKPwXo9dlsVmdB/s2048/20220923_170452-a9f5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSkhJnzjpjtyTNHy_iCbK55EXNNgERXiINDENbUkdHOovLo4ielwmMnbn9voq9tW3btr8811Hpyg4HDv7d21o5lD0jMqD2ksbFMJwIj6bE0CeRRvxQVm1Xe4hE076Rki6ot4fcjqcW8fEwXyxm3ur3yyipvpmFPNYzV2svl8G2KmdKPwXo9dlsVmdB/s320/20220923_170452-a9f5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimzL-iKLsnT7-WVsUob_rcZwmAxqiNqA4nstbdTh_2Bf4zVMHllkYurSVdSkMc8LZtQgUUOuLejyaGFRaYOZl9h3qY46UD8yoMXeKpRn8pceeuRX6UqctTc29eNUG5jwvqZS4y3BSmBvCGQO4I2hB0Yx4lMp5WiFf7P9EakBGMXE885gKdjbtDn9Bi/s4000/20220918_075348.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2252" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimzL-iKLsnT7-WVsUob_rcZwmAxqiNqA4nstbdTh_2Bf4zVMHllkYurSVdSkMc8LZtQgUUOuLejyaGFRaYOZl9h3qY46UD8yoMXeKpRn8pceeuRX6UqctTc29eNUG5jwvqZS4y3BSmBvCGQO4I2hB0Yx4lMp5WiFf7P9EakBGMXE885gKdjbtDn9Bi/s320/20220918_075348.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don't feed the fucking critters people.<br />FFS.<br />These aggressive ass seagulls wouldn't leave us alone.<br />One kept squawking and I wanted to throw a rock at it since it was disturbing my peace.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOilwiNjw4D8P9UFXzTM22W3cTrH_tU3S4pVxXup6hyFZerOm8PXPXZ-9if5Up1VQ_7g_r-qaLpAgi4ekM72YFUFP5ZapUbWQ81gB-4nDrgc0T0wSIxSWemzNqOhLd4MofSU5NOtHcLPAkS1J4hdUf8ThfWETkMABFJ1qgUCfjTIyOHj4fsbYkhsCo/s3876/20220918_075843~2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3876" data-original-width="2182" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOilwiNjw4D8P9UFXzTM22W3cTrH_tU3S4pVxXup6hyFZerOm8PXPXZ-9if5Up1VQ_7g_r-qaLpAgi4ekM72YFUFP5ZapUbWQ81gB-4nDrgc0T0wSIxSWemzNqOhLd4MofSU5NOtHcLPAkS1J4hdUf8ThfWETkMABFJ1qgUCfjTIyOHj4fsbYkhsCo/s320/20220918_075843~2.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF-9obxV7qPi6bWJKtAIStN6KixCOckKvsyFIyBWxYt_Bqc77SmOozZUgpxImISyqTSiDcxNr2Q3goS_9xhTGASUsLIRKs_POn0TJ03KcbeRq02Q1lNdSM_re6jH0laIAGknuvqKNh6vHWVHXwCEqQyHGKoLq3loSw5CiAiYCxVa1A1DlianZnSYUE/s3968/20220918_080834.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3968" data-original-width="2232" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF-9obxV7qPi6bWJKtAIStN6KixCOckKvsyFIyBWxYt_Bqc77SmOozZUgpxImISyqTSiDcxNr2Q3goS_9xhTGASUsLIRKs_POn0TJ03KcbeRq02Q1lNdSM_re6jH0laIAGknuvqKNh6vHWVHXwCEqQyHGKoLq3loSw5CiAiYCxVa1A1DlianZnSYUE/s320/20220918_080834.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look at me and my coffee on this beach shortly after sunrise.<br />#basicbitch</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBPo65id5AbEKsaFKa6nImzc3isjjw0_kmFDDvBmHkVhkBMzV_215JggQks5Rn2Oani8cxyDziO0nc7r8Sp-8JxTOujnGF3EqiTVaxpJZI6XQQcVwPAH-8Vh8zWmTgoloAUBzGcYMcIftsY2STYBv7ftKhGodIgGXwRaSOGUkbMOw85qnJ4YuIDfIH/s4000/20220918_080907.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBPo65id5AbEKsaFKa6nImzc3isjjw0_kmFDDvBmHkVhkBMzV_215JggQks5Rn2Oani8cxyDziO0nc7r8Sp-8JxTOujnGF3EqiTVaxpJZI6XQQcVwPAH-8Vh8zWmTgoloAUBzGcYMcIftsY2STYBv7ftKhGodIgGXwRaSOGUkbMOw85qnJ4YuIDfIH/s320/20220918_080907.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div><br /><div>After beach time, we all headed back to the house to get packed up. We stopped at Linda's Breakfast and Lunch Place for breakfast and then we all headed our separate ways. </div><div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">Final Assessment</h2><div>NE Captain claimed that Reach the Beach was her favorite race and to be honest, I really couldn't figure out why. I didn't overly love either of my legs. I ran through hilly wetlands that smelled like cow and then a town/along a highway. The town had sidewalks, but the wetlands, while moderately scenic, was all street running and moderately terrifying since there was also traffic and no shoulder. She clarified that full Road RTB was her favorite, so maybe I'll have to give it another shot? Most of the exchanges were awesome and the local community showed up to offer food and snacks (for sale and for free). </div><div><br /></div><div>As for the Sprint piece, I really enjoyed the total distance of this race. I wasn't absolutely exhausted running in the middle of the night having a breakdown, which was very nice. Unfortunately for my team, I was captaining this team and Bourbon Chase (2 weeks after RTB) so they received some moderately confusing info on occasion. They were all good sports about it though. I'd love to do more Ragnar sprint races, but I know they are rare. Full road relays are really exhausting and I don't hate them, but there have been struggles for sure. Not sure if I'd do Sprint RTB again, but I'd definitely try out the full RTB if conned effectively.</div><div><br /></div><div>Up next is my ULTIMATE Ragnar: Ragnar Road Bourbon Chase. THE Ragnar race that introduced me to Ragnar races. So far, it's going pretty rough and we've had several team member situations that I've had to manage, but I'm sure it will all be fine and we'll do some running and get some medals. Come what may.</div><div><br /></div>Teh Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00133596439315060218noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1581436032352728193.post-71789817641243498322022-03-06T15:29:00.009-05:002022-03-06T15:36:47.763-05:00Las Vegas and Grand Canyon 2022<div style="text-align: left;">In a definite "what had happened was..." situation, Teh German and I made a trip to Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon. So what had happened wasssss... In 2020, I purchased a Rock N Roll (RnR) Tourpass, which is 3 half marathon entries. And then well.. 2020 happened. So all my races were deferred until ??? So as time has marched on, races have come back.. except for the RnR Chicago race, which I had planned to do with Matilda. So I deferred that race to Nashville, which got deferred to Seattle, which got cancelled (even though I still went to Seattle with Teh Sisters), so finally I was like, NOLA or Vegas? And I had planned on NOLA and at the last minute changed my mind to Vegas. The difference was NOLA was my birthday weekend and Vegas was on Teh German's birthday weekend. Which meant that a runcation would turn into a vacation + birthday surprise... which meant a LOT more money spent, but YOLO bitches. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />So, yeah, that's what happened. Here's the story in pictures...</div><h2 style="text-align: left;">FRIDAY</h2><div style="text-align: left;">On Friday morning at really early o'clock we headed to BWI for our flight to Vegas. We've expanded our dog circle (yay!) so we had someone coming to our house to watch our dogs + Bestie's dogs, which really soothed my brain. We arrived after lunchtime, Teh Bestie and Teh Chief Smartass picked us up at the airport (having flown in the night prior), and after a stop at In and Out for lunch, we headed to the Lake Mead/Hoover Dam.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEid8NghHVpAaN8LmFITnjXF6qyEceyso2O1w-_23xeYUglorXJsuTXtuIlVQhIGAANUEYLUoqoo8BlkIT4B8OqJZDLr5LdK-zxx6Kg11Je2z-WMdD6C_QGsqTnicbpkOFYfwokrieC1u5a51f16rJJYrq0H7c-6Tha5VqxuSRDVU6rZ29H1v8GM4G4n=s3968" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2232" data-original-width="3968" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEid8NghHVpAaN8LmFITnjXF6qyEceyso2O1w-_23xeYUglorXJsuTXtuIlVQhIGAANUEYLUoqoo8BlkIT4B8OqJZDLr5LdK-zxx6Kg11Je2z-WMdD6C_QGsqTnicbpkOFYfwokrieC1u5a51f16rJJYrq0H7c-6Tha5VqxuSRDVU6rZ29H1v8GM4G4n=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Teh Bestie and Teh Chief Smartass are national park stamp collectors.. so most places we visited had a dual purpose of also collecting stamps as we were sightseeing.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgkbts_nN1YJ3lrBKXLWhkT2FDGMcgJUnUM_ox_wN1Sgk0WtWHJhxeJ_tEALBIkSEjpoyVPchT10SnIrSc0wA3dQUFVKANYu8FWchsBRJ69ES36DtX5cBzCxxCWNXRJRVLwtbMy-wZA29i_Sc3ioMk4WBozf86VxxEX6XWprq4eIaJ0vD9uAMeQ3dCI=s3968" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2232" data-original-width="3968" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgkbts_nN1YJ3lrBKXLWhkT2FDGMcgJUnUM_ox_wN1Sgk0WtWHJhxeJ_tEALBIkSEjpoyVPchT10SnIrSc0wA3dQUFVKANYu8FWchsBRJ69ES36DtX5cBzCxxCWNXRJRVLwtbMy-wZA29i_Sc3ioMk4WBozf86VxxEX6XWprq4eIaJ0vD9uAMeQ3dCI=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lake Mead selfie</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEioJnqTsNTw7QApyA86sGw73EuSMjrcvk15ne8AyTOOZDYXTkosktbO8IghI9eFgfHlgP0AluPvRZ_OBQJfHv_dPpEx7mVky7gCSAfMfWJfqEadaOGz24y4h4bEHNos2Pnwu_YKidSIERUqfXxRoM1wA1dc1GbqOfsnM8kgwb7dO0F8_4KiyY5MuCyU=s4000" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEioJnqTsNTw7QApyA86sGw73EuSMjrcvk15ne8AyTOOZDYXTkosktbO8IghI9eFgfHlgP0AluPvRZ_OBQJfHv_dPpEx7mVky7gCSAfMfWJfqEadaOGz24y4h4bEHNos2Pnwu_YKidSIERUqfXxRoM1wA1dc1GbqOfsnM8kgwb7dO0F8_4KiyY5MuCyU=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lake Mead</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgRVXFHIrsRGG7KYO_aQBTuaM5f2gmyHk2Sif1plEHIpi5stq3z6NWYdbLy8TNz5tJCFX1EesPl67It7nMvEZ8qh5gQ9aF4G5Hiu9trYIt_bFBrqDS5STOrK4l_re2DxzhFyoKTkZSlWeemF9aOZxoTa67xppggu_S7sOCryezZD7v2AEDulhPXWe5G=s1564" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1564" data-original-width="1564" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgRVXFHIrsRGG7KYO_aQBTuaM5f2gmyHk2Sif1plEHIpi5stq3z6NWYdbLy8TNz5tJCFX1EesPl67It7nMvEZ8qh5gQ9aF4G5Hiu9trYIt_bFBrqDS5STOrK4l_re2DxzhFyoKTkZSlWeemF9aOZxoTa67xppggu_S7sOCryezZD7v2AEDulhPXWe5G=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A fun thing about the Hoover Dam is that you cross the time zone line so it's 2 different times at the Hoover Dam! Nevada side is an hour behind the Arizona side.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgFOyT55QvSWYnmcDCptXL-DwWSlzFevOu4FhE9PP8swEzfdxpJbTl1y6ctoBlhAHiFDPl-NjzXFE5LH_HIVdC7VHpOFCYlw32OcaTfk0CpbbaVtbymCA_Ev_tnAnLqt_i6-71pWW-vkrn01lvuhL4x6n8OYnWW6fJANxxgBBQHpRCXrvM21aYpLgRe=s4000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgFOyT55QvSWYnmcDCptXL-DwWSlzFevOu4FhE9PP8swEzfdxpJbTl1y6ctoBlhAHiFDPl-NjzXFE5LH_HIVdC7VHpOFCYlw32OcaTfk0CpbbaVtbymCA_Ev_tnAnLqt_i6-71pWW-vkrn01lvuhL4x6n8OYnWW6fJANxxgBBQHpRCXrvM21aYpLgRe=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiHdZhivRAU235tIVTaUsiVrgQBCuw3pbTOb-COMTOiIGXfcbn475e9OApP54YL0UHNTnQGZp9wbVCvnB374IwJJ67fhLI7TO70nuOs9kfqyKQ7Zj3dbSkM_M99kTNLq6XID289siBG8Hp2Qw41opvwZ0E_N5R2MOqoWBAVjkz0FLioUM-U-MBZQQNS=s4000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2252" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiHdZhivRAU235tIVTaUsiVrgQBCuw3pbTOb-COMTOiIGXfcbn475e9OApP54YL0UHNTnQGZp9wbVCvnB374IwJJ67fhLI7TO70nuOs9kfqyKQ7Zj3dbSkM_M99kTNLq6XID289siBG8Hp2Qw41opvwZ0E_N5R2MOqoWBAVjkz0FLioUM-U-MBZQQNS=s320" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhCpRMZuX0ZE1owXg7jcgd-ZzPs10_sUBSW6Zq0eDVLXBtKwNgVgDiQF3LCsRlQYpM_urFDc1v5ZR8JMJkE_xbSol9ZxybRD0zGn8vkkanPbw_tfIt7zaph45I2zNyMZs212QbI3zuzTSf6rX9G_oX4XykOjiK4eJwUKZ-twIjYJTWAy_1usuTqxM7d=s4000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2252" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhCpRMZuX0ZE1owXg7jcgd-ZzPs10_sUBSW6Zq0eDVLXBtKwNgVgDiQF3LCsRlQYpM_urFDc1v5ZR8JMJkE_xbSol9ZxybRD0zGn8vkkanPbw_tfIt7zaph45I2zNyMZs212QbI3zuzTSf6rX9G_oX4XykOjiK4eJwUKZ-twIjYJTWAy_1usuTqxM7d=s320" width="180" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEir1yKHs6DP_zL5Gf0k0oIm9_eUbrMqklDMypqKVKuonwAYcWqdLj0kmb4bbPEzXaQl-WQ2WHEDcoqsGFGzEbh4rNSDeMzjxLKQre01zF7csMJyMAIPJruCyoKBGiIdcowc6oKz7fyNCacWZXU0zjQlK_GtpSqpYN8DUmWm9uY7IoQWNTEjsSJJme0v=s3968" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3968" data-original-width="2232" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEir1yKHs6DP_zL5Gf0k0oIm9_eUbrMqklDMypqKVKuonwAYcWqdLj0kmb4bbPEzXaQl-WQ2WHEDcoqsGFGzEbh4rNSDeMzjxLKQre01zF7csMJyMAIPJruCyoKBGiIdcowc6oKz7fyNCacWZXU0zjQlK_GtpSqpYN8DUmWm9uY7IoQWNTEjsSJJme0v=s320" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">silly selfies required when we find silly hats</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh5U_0A6EhatNarmROKD_uEeQlVqsTT82j-6VsehSG-OTghSvVLHX6ti17w5-dlz7v3_bil0BV-Fs_D6TSIRLFR4xbhRqkWDFFZgm53zJumU9B5u8GUop4hWd3mw3zjg0RXcYLQZa4I6jmrazmNKiXEy0s4d5H28P3ww874GPEt_Safs9BVBYMqeJSf=s4000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh5U_0A6EhatNarmROKD_uEeQlVqsTT82j-6VsehSG-OTghSvVLHX6ti17w5-dlz7v3_bil0BV-Fs_D6TSIRLFR4xbhRqkWDFFZgm53zJumU9B5u8GUop4hWd3mw3zjg0RXcYLQZa4I6jmrazmNKiXEy0s4d5H28P3ww874GPEt_Safs9BVBYMqeJSf=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg5tp00GXxqk3ZG63n3eIVm04MU3C3Cf-DEcTYJZnilUGjv5FhWLERPSW7z1CjgFZWSTfVdcwL_VoifzzlizEKuw7vEsP4HvsCQDCTRaTx5SlI-bJpt2DwUcvqNxD-EFgxef18TYjezo36W-HiZ8t1tFgwLeHv7gpqZOPOTbP3dftPCJwofaCHLDMyP=s4000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2252" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg5tp00GXxqk3ZG63n3eIVm04MU3C3Cf-DEcTYJZnilUGjv5FhWLERPSW7z1CjgFZWSTfVdcwL_VoifzzlizEKuw7vEsP4HvsCQDCTRaTx5SlI-bJpt2DwUcvqNxD-EFgxef18TYjezo36W-HiZ8t1tFgwLeHv7gpqZOPOTbP3dftPCJwofaCHLDMyP=s320" width="180" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhD5qingrLW_q3CInA46NMw3m43_bxoocYGA1I2aLJGNZEAm4RHEFTxkcUBtrryC1EXDDqf7XcCofP-guhA5h-10eZ5725HK4IXlCyQMFYzJGbcoDSBGI-tIY07AqOIkRjjaxFbnc24DdtAtvJRgIPhjpuBi4B86EBNH2U25pAIUpkqiLyMS5p-VnLn=s4000" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhD5qingrLW_q3CInA46NMw3m43_bxoocYGA1I2aLJGNZEAm4RHEFTxkcUBtrryC1EXDDqf7XcCofP-guhA5h-10eZ5725HK4IXlCyQMFYzJGbcoDSBGI-tIY07AqOIkRjjaxFbnc24DdtAtvJRgIPhjpuBi4B86EBNH2U25pAIUpkqiLyMS5p-VnLn=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The time line sign.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgOVBrdinJtS9DQO7f11K6o8OhyGM6Fsxkbfi5vecZkLYS3GUeU6wEOjflGRGO3BPsi4iK1-j7odk-tCB4tZmtBj3T7wmV-j470nTxdEbeP8JK7CNyt6l4AcEbeNZSnMgooMpKNfmolR_76szcdWlecU34scNqSDLBGirCqi1ENDEtBKutzPVhejziV=s4000" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgOVBrdinJtS9DQO7f11K6o8OhyGM6Fsxkbfi5vecZkLYS3GUeU6wEOjflGRGO3BPsi4iK1-j7odk-tCB4tZmtBj3T7wmV-j470nTxdEbeP8JK7CNyt6l4AcEbeNZSnMgooMpKNfmolR_76szcdWlecU34scNqSDLBGirCqi1ENDEtBKutzPVhejziV=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The water line, you can see how high the water used to be and how low it is now.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj0rkR21KLdUr1bpn4CKPeH7Kyvy0Erih3xRI8YYlpEihapAZJ8Ee5imKmxiEcU9gicnmuX4vX9wX-CeK33nO3wsf5VcmqnBDnry0EqN9j59n2X38NRyvWKMp9cOLHHFm7B9AFsmgnCYjDqt8AWAuEP71lN39q1lUKOPcTQFkYhgelSMgVn9xSsI0ip=s3968" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2232" data-original-width="3968" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj0rkR21KLdUr1bpn4CKPeH7Kyvy0Erih3xRI8YYlpEihapAZJ8Ee5imKmxiEcU9gicnmuX4vX9wX-CeK33nO3wsf5VcmqnBDnry0EqN9j59n2X38NRyvWKMp9cOLHHFm7B9AFsmgnCYjDqt8AWAuEP71lN39q1lUKOPcTQFkYhgelSMgVn9xSsI0ip=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">dam selfie</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh48tyOKadn3klyIz-3V-trJuLsBPPNwJO9ttHkN4i5tXY5r34wzkHAMLLimrl7pkGBFguquETlJURfxXcc9GWorGC4nASUqO1Iidpkja0Pd_Pt9uGbjlycIH3mFnxuPJkmCipdUeQJRur6RZkQ4kBm0TLw0kulJzihSmyw_NQJhrnBZBt-WFt5tVBF=s4000" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh48tyOKadn3klyIz-3V-trJuLsBPPNwJO9ttHkN4i5tXY5r34wzkHAMLLimrl7pkGBFguquETlJURfxXcc9GWorGC4nASUqO1Iidpkja0Pd_Pt9uGbjlycIH3mFnxuPJkmCipdUeQJRur6RZkQ4kBm0TLw0kulJzihSmyw_NQJhrnBZBt-WFt5tVBF=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From the bridge!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjxUcbt3MIJLGj0w6VxmbYwNjgI3iSQNo5hE5ofjYeXPXll62ydXnjABhOTKmy9QlUC-9rLBla8ulJnhdvmUCOuIx-8_neg268RF_i11IZi-E0TNxx9DX7waB6OKBSvNaS9Pb9RDD_FKOVk9vHgnsuNbsmNZcNUvpK4JWrb5nDbBsCMI30FiRP01xqL=s3968" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3968" data-original-width="2232" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjxUcbt3MIJLGj0w6VxmbYwNjgI3iSQNo5hE5ofjYeXPXll62ydXnjABhOTKmy9QlUC-9rLBla8ulJnhdvmUCOuIx-8_neg268RF_i11IZi-E0TNxx9DX7waB6OKBSvNaS9Pb9RDD_FKOVk9vHgnsuNbsmNZcNUvpK4JWrb5nDbBsCMI30FiRP01xqL=s320" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dis my sexy face.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After the Hoover Dam, we headed back to Vegas. We had some time so we headed to the race expo to pick up our packets so we wouldn't have to do it on Saturday. The race expo was the best one I've experienced since pre-Covid, so that was a delight, although someone else complained that they wanted less hair and lash extensions and more runner products and they weren't wrong about that. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh6B3PopIM626ErXQzkp-vhk2xpoted4BMgakPMRMuAwq2IoDHT04-kP5nXo_2ZEb2RS_86BVeMSwRE9nqsoLVk0Hl1t6l7SwwsLHm7ssBRIamWNJDXJppqvxz-aMTvIT59xA-l0hwRSsMyrYIQgXoXXzRjcxhrauUkAsErCRMQfqaziWzLOKYDLgOC=s2048" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="822" data-original-width="2048" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh6B3PopIM626ErXQzkp-vhk2xpoted4BMgakPMRMuAwq2IoDHT04-kP5nXo_2ZEb2RS_86BVeMSwRE9nqsoLVk0Hl1t6l7SwwsLHm7ssBRIamWNJDXJppqvxz-aMTvIT59xA-l0hwRSsMyrYIQgXoXXzRjcxhrauUkAsErCRMQfqaziWzLOKYDLgOC=w400-h160" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After getting our stuffs, we hit up the food court at the casino where packet pickup was. The biggest lesson we <i>quickly </i>learned in Vegas is that EVERYTHING is overpriced/expensive. The food was meh, but we fought off the impending hanger and headed back to the hotel so we could crash.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><h2 style="clear: both; text-align: left;">SATURDAY</h2><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Saturday was Teh German's birthday so I got ahead of myself and forgot to give him his card and instead just showed him the confirmation email for his birthday present.... a Porche GT3 RS driving experience. He was kind of confused at first and after he verified that, yes, he would be getting to drive 7+ laps in his dream car, he got VERY excited. Mostly, I'm just excited I was able to keep it a secret. Then I gave him his card. /facepalm</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Saturday's agenda included an ATV desert tour and then the RnR 5k and then "old" Vegas. First stop was breakfast.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhoj_KzZW6DV3Ef6VCr5Jgxxhexp2MKUbgW_gj2MJajzktivHq8oC5kfqaLhDNGGRa9xkUYH5cxaJuCZEJ_CDBDrPl0QD1K7w6TNS3GEWuMIH_FuItMV-NNY_NY_ZSwgEHcB26mTN7VJbyx3apFYHs9pecIVBOURFi7VNpCzNi7srKC4JfE39vX3uf1=s4000" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhoj_KzZW6DV3Ef6VCr5Jgxxhexp2MKUbgW_gj2MJajzktivHq8oC5kfqaLhDNGGRa9xkUYH5cxaJuCZEJ_CDBDrPl0QD1K7w6TNS3GEWuMIH_FuItMV-NNY_NY_ZSwgEHcB26mTN7VJbyx3apFYHs9pecIVBOURFi7VNpCzNi7srKC4JfE39vX3uf1=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If you are in Vegas, definitely check out The Egg Place.<br />This was their take on an egg mcmuffin.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We ended up with a trainee/new guy as our tour guide. I'm not sure if that's why our desert ride was so slow or if that's the regular speed, but for those of us who enjoy 2-wheels, this tour was not enough adrenaline rush for the price we paid. For Teh Bestie, she was satisfied because she is a chicken.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgsdahifJpjxYX3vx2GSkdt7G79_Oq0OHdbJ_n6aGCd9-07qSR3WFFCZJoFjr0nQbVNCa7eHgO2PRdjXAAScjom5phQ6JaGajyVdIVxCNW2_p6XtBIPcZ_BSYNEPiLWKBt9kxA5l1aFovIwZqDyp-p0Ujw-fm_WPB15__TB1eqsXmppudXhTg-TFDPN=s3216" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1808" data-original-width="3216" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgsdahifJpjxYX3vx2GSkdt7G79_Oq0OHdbJ_n6aGCd9-07qSR3WFFCZJoFjr0nQbVNCa7eHgO2PRdjXAAScjom5phQ6JaGajyVdIVxCNW2_p6XtBIPcZ_BSYNEPiLWKBt9kxA5l1aFovIwZqDyp-p0Ujw-fm_WPB15__TB1eqsXmppudXhTg-TFDPN=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjr6DhkO0xznUVU1bdAf5ckd8QJMnLU2E7jIb1z3R3MoLA6h7vU9nFNAxgCg0YdR6vzHacOcDy6rMw9Nb09OyKumQ--M4zN1fQHG9OXIk7XbEwNxgyejPINKvOgohqsCBzPDP19X_22uC0ZLjI19QYe5BFMNKuv92ZIA1Af6ZtEG5xTVSudoPdF1FqM=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjr6DhkO0xznUVU1bdAf5ckd8QJMnLU2E7jIb1z3R3MoLA6h7vU9nFNAxgCg0YdR6vzHacOcDy6rMw9Nb09OyKumQ--M4zN1fQHG9OXIk7XbEwNxgyejPINKvOgohqsCBzPDP19X_22uC0ZLjI19QYe5BFMNKuv92ZIA1Af6ZtEG5xTVSudoPdF1FqM=s320" width="180" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">After the ATV trek, we hit up the MGM Grand food court for a "snack" for lunch since Teh Bestie and I had a 5k in the evening. After a hot dog, we headed back to the hotel where I showered and laid down for a quick (much needed (time change is hard, yo)) nap.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We had realized while eating our snack that the start line for the 5k was NOT the same for the half marathon start line. We did not know this prior, which is bizarre since we are usually on top of ALL the deets. So we tackled this problem and made a new plan, which included the dudes dropping us off at the start line (vs walking since it would have taken us almost 2 hours to get there) and then they would occupy their time somehow while we did our 5k and then we'd meet up afterwards to enjoy Fremont Street and find something for dinner.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi1tjzQbIr_v7niEmlF7wCHxLAyDCSokr4SThepTSWR49G9LvslrZwgiviKe2DnzBbPS1yMJWHSdYq2JVSKHO0ihIsYaPbff3jiF98Y7T9rEK8pRvRsiU3JAY3DkcKFS0TR-CcPGVHMDDQ7_iX7hL_mVBlISW0kEvAzF29W-NnaWoqH8ykWMFshblpQ=s3968" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3968" data-original-width="2232" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi1tjzQbIr_v7niEmlF7wCHxLAyDCSokr4SThepTSWR49G9LvslrZwgiviKe2DnzBbPS1yMJWHSdYq2JVSKHO0ihIsYaPbff3jiF98Y7T9rEK8pRvRsiU3JAY3DkcKFS0TR-CcPGVHMDDQ7_iX7hL_mVBlISW0kEvAzF29W-NnaWoqH8ykWMFshblpQ=s320" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Start line shenanigans.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi64sf3AWLhUkHrNB31ztHuPWZf3wqE1PXdOBZVUqKubHebOtQMZfY7KBY6LZXTycO-Wd1YzmLy7TnOxaxtY0wsY4yh3rYlJNjANrBwUhZS9lwnUwEGv1nzraKFisqin-iOL3JYeO4NM-1rGLgrVThuKigoP0U00Yik9aNiy4NteEXM0Fk4o_vKpP_D=s4000" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2252" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi64sf3AWLhUkHrNB31ztHuPWZf3wqE1PXdOBZVUqKubHebOtQMZfY7KBY6LZXTycO-Wd1YzmLy7TnOxaxtY0wsY4yh3rYlJNjANrBwUhZS9lwnUwEGv1nzraKFisqin-iOL3JYeO4NM-1rGLgrVThuKigoP0U00Yik9aNiy4NteEXM0Fk4o_vKpP_D=s320" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We passed the Pawnstars pawn shop along the 5k route which was cool.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgn8pbXn0f6KR_u8ws7KoqUbMpiLJ10RSidG42MV2LUOGjjZaQ4aj2fwN2_BNQce-ZmGM_D6QHnDjNJObNsiFypStPhR05lH11ZA1cFbdJMyYnOKzoXVfVkg7jpTXVFxfySxT6aRFyk0fVZJnLgdQFUPqrdH2_c5PzElUc2S7Kwc83RaAUZ5pyI9BcI=s3968" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2232" data-original-width="3968" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgn8pbXn0f6KR_u8ws7KoqUbMpiLJ10RSidG42MV2LUOGjjZaQ4aj2fwN2_BNQce-ZmGM_D6QHnDjNJObNsiFypStPhR05lH11ZA1cFbdJMyYnOKzoXVfVkg7jpTXVFxfySxT6aRFyk0fVZJnLgdQFUPqrdH2_c5PzElUc2S7Kwc83RaAUZ5pyI9BcI=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We HAD to get a selfie with the Maryland street sign!<br />(it's a weird selfie since the lighting was difficult)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg_H38QQkY7GIf4DWoMNh-dTpbRq4eiHpoETtdzWEbuQVf2Tkx9VAlREaSw3Ka7LhtnTLydn0pTSl_Hb4xiZ1IjApjH01NETOAUuTq7Jv1T2lBiyYOvQqI5mdssdzKDOfrTwF6_hvxR7kNX5mfd0dz18iPIOYMNjvFznzblPIFbagsOT3g-581fIoM3=s4000" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2252" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg_H38QQkY7GIf4DWoMNh-dTpbRq4eiHpoETtdzWEbuQVf2Tkx9VAlREaSw3Ka7LhtnTLydn0pTSl_Hb4xiZ1IjApjH01NETOAUuTq7Jv1T2lBiyYOvQqI5mdssdzKDOfrTwF6_hvxR7kNX5mfd0dz18iPIOYMNjvFznzblPIFbagsOT3g-581fIoM3=s320" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">other interesting things along the course: This weird truck sculpture.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi8Hpsul0qPOL_gQ8vWa2Xann9-tqZC2b0GAluf1eabz3YzD9nEyXTEx-PBA1rn1rN_L1Ytm2-orkRImM2G1VIl0LGpPnRTZd1miI8A9t5ynxMAUji_Y2UH4ZnqASYhZMkRe45c5QFRCIdHOcq1vzmkfM2LeP2llOMqZD_XFjOxvKYmYiWOAyfr6-kr=s4000" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi8Hpsul0qPOL_gQ8vWa2Xann9-tqZC2b0GAluf1eabz3YzD9nEyXTEx-PBA1rn1rN_L1Ytm2-orkRImM2G1VIl0LGpPnRTZd1miI8A9t5ynxMAUji_Y2UH4ZnqASYhZMkRe45c5QFRCIdHOcq1vzmkfM2LeP2llOMqZD_XFjOxvKYmYiWOAyfr6-kr=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Very slow for those who wait <br />very fast for those who are scared <br />very long for those who lament <br />very short for those who celebrate</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgEnNJq5-B3L7pV2MxeAM7W5Z73sVoc5h5OmA0w-Hx5wZlG7Vv-bLAAeVIvR0LcCD00ko0SvehAaN6NS2-vuqlQJKbEHug-I9ZNEnopBOKzKnKxmDR7Zi52Z0pB6vsEXp9_R1DPvsHaOf2wejq2iqQzWG5v3-bpWT6RhJ5udPgkeQOntQW-oW9RIGYr=s4000" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2252" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgEnNJq5-B3L7pV2MxeAM7W5Z73sVoc5h5OmA0w-Hx5wZlG7Vv-bLAAeVIvR0LcCD00ko0SvehAaN6NS2-vuqlQJKbEHug-I9ZNEnopBOKzKnKxmDR7Zi52Z0pB6vsEXp9_R1DPvsHaOf2wejq2iqQzWG5v3-bpWT6RhJ5udPgkeQOntQW-oW9RIGYr=s320" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The ruby slipper</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjS3DJ2fXaZFYNq3s1FZURR9mgFZls0upX0UYh51b1dub4f8ifVRb7BYkSUSusxqxsquI8Le3SSPXSvXPzRnrv9aTPr3iF6s4Pgfjzk7BElBhDZrd_khXveZNDJomXvyIR68IG_aax3eYFxQm5y3djevF3iX5e51pFT929mS08xLtEdk3nwczE6VhWB=s4000" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2252" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjS3DJ2fXaZFYNq3s1FZURR9mgFZls0upX0UYh51b1dub4f8ifVRb7BYkSUSusxqxsquI8Le3SSPXSvXPzRnrv9aTPr3iF6s4Pgfjzk7BElBhDZrd_khXveZNDJomXvyIR68IG_aax3eYFxQm5y3djevF3iX5e51pFT929mS08xLtEdk3nwczE6VhWB=s320" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">VEGAS!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEigv8DTaaQpMQKQ3ON4D9E1PyMcem9_Qd7EaiaSSxmKO6B-nkeez-nah8tkbNn_5fKlcV8eeU92VMVSw-psOs7X-VpbdMMLkQ4uGYa9JtUnE3mC09j0P6qPTwGOYxWD8KZs1hh0C7RqCeJ8e4t8Gz_s2JGRdRx67EeEWW9IOUV1noiWZVGNdG-gNSiO=s3968" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3968" data-original-width="2232" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEigv8DTaaQpMQKQ3ON4D9E1PyMcem9_Qd7EaiaSSxmKO6B-nkeez-nah8tkbNn_5fKlcV8eeU92VMVSw-psOs7X-VpbdMMLkQ4uGYa9JtUnE3mC09j0P6qPTwGOYxWD8KZs1hh0C7RqCeJ8e4t8Gz_s2JGRdRx67EeEWW9IOUV1noiWZVGNdG-gNSiO=s320" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">FINISHED!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;">For the 5k, we walked the entire thing. This was VERY difficult for me because people were passing me and I wanted to go fast but I also wanted to see things and, most importantly, I was nursing a hamstring malfunction so I could run the half marathon the following day. Bestie was fine with a walk and it meant that we stayed together and got to really see the cool sights along the way.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgTmegeNI4i3oNxwgkBI5l15gloWOrRnJ2rKyl_3kkXQz-OFVU63sietymR_qZxiCph7-aP8-h8eP_NX7iYuy4V7KrzC2j8uy8tVo3B9aXEkPJjXJ8LKarimEz4miROoz7wLpZlW8h4uVj0HIm4BSvR66XAosYAAoyA19A3zG-Mdla4Jo8eMy-ihaVv=s4000" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2252" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgTmegeNI4i3oNxwgkBI5l15gloWOrRnJ2rKyl_3kkXQz-OFVU63sietymR_qZxiCph7-aP8-h8eP_NX7iYuy4V7KrzC2j8uy8tVo3B9aXEkPJjXJ8LKarimEz4miROoz7wLpZlW8h4uVj0HIm4BSvR66XAosYAAoyA19A3zG-Mdla4Jo8eMy-ihaVv=s320" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fremont Street.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhq4aW7Q9uZwFTUz4PGdQ_GnDmam33mi-ggTrH8kZ3TzP2YftCtbpOsW1l0ms4vc7KTr-Fpqj70QZvCKeRUR2L6_DmhcXKN7qYyRzNn8E7ky3AgIXgx74rKFH5Kovauuy8i40in376f6CcgZ0SEq0AJ60YLPTIWXomN_L-dopq2AdXHGjuyDJKNjXsX=s3216" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3216" data-original-width="1808" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhq4aW7Q9uZwFTUz4PGdQ_GnDmam33mi-ggTrH8kZ3TzP2YftCtbpOsW1l0ms4vc7KTr-Fpqj70QZvCKeRUR2L6_DmhcXKN7qYyRzNn8E7ky3AgIXgx74rKFH5Kovauuy8i40in376f6CcgZ0SEq0AJ60YLPTIWXomN_L-dopq2AdXHGjuyDJKNjXsX=s320" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ok, the ceiling screen was SUPER cool.<br />SUPER.FUCKING.COOL.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhcb894z_sEINFr4ofk_BBnsMDdinP-m6OrNzWEdoJv1VhG80SpDhZPaSePh65RSSXtz1-Uj9mdsgQWXvBYgMu9BeXk0CW1IkVLYrUwfGPlsF2R2OXKnpYIiHzxAtn7-HSJOd1PHF_ZGWyhvOgzjB2B90lNaVfLiYHaNxGbWBwSX2s8DtB8nCp5V6L_=s4000" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2252" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhcb894z_sEINFr4ofk_BBnsMDdinP-m6OrNzWEdoJv1VhG80SpDhZPaSePh65RSSXtz1-Uj9mdsgQWXvBYgMu9BeXk0CW1IkVLYrUwfGPlsF2R2OXKnpYIiHzxAtn7-HSJOd1PHF_ZGWyhvOgzjB2B90lNaVfLiYHaNxGbWBwSX2s8DtB8nCp5V6L_=s320" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"The Rules"</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgimAxBmUiKGHYtJekMxpfQBw6TjtWnjpDzsHud2wdPtoQgKP6gob3Vh4UUBcojD1EbZF-FNZjuMmQiOkfD7OEPYLmxk5TXe1HQcCsfzGZFleewPs2BzxI8JnJ5aCduLkczFBJNys-BgVNpGWG7sr-NS6RopfPSkQFjF4HxE3esf4ZEau6j3iDREG43=s4000" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2252" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgimAxBmUiKGHYtJekMxpfQBw6TjtWnjpDzsHud2wdPtoQgKP6gob3Vh4UUBcojD1EbZF-FNZjuMmQiOkfD7OEPYLmxk5TXe1HQcCsfzGZFleewPs2BzxI8JnJ5aCduLkczFBJNys-BgVNpGWG7sr-NS6RopfPSkQFjF4HxE3esf4ZEau6j3iDREG43=s320" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These queens brought me joy.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiWfXVRBCWde9w9Za0ppKi1ZqpNxEwWaTlOM1keXqBgR40bGjGwpgGL2uHXfi55COrSItY6XuvD6Tp3MJ_dK2ffNoIoIWqD9_u2VGbgpf_hboQgcBFAcob1BFcLPT_eQrCl1waZpOI2p5TEKeNGj7YHy0XyCKMMzzUDhnS0gLn6I057Rw_iYHaJKm3F=s4000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2252" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiWfXVRBCWde9w9Za0ppKi1ZqpNxEwWaTlOM1keXqBgR40bGjGwpgGL2uHXfi55COrSItY6XuvD6Tp3MJ_dK2ffNoIoIWqD9_u2VGbgpf_hboQgcBFAcob1BFcLPT_eQrCl1waZpOI2p5TEKeNGj7YHy0XyCKMMzzUDhnS0gLn6I057Rw_iYHaJKm3F=s320" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh-4I9R0tXSdIwtmJQEAZ-db9xzNe_LOEbRp5EyUWzzSMVXuq5QVZmUa62lXq77atFpVA70AixvRx-vkkbTHickHL1DHAc8GnNehcWjCxyVBe0YIuLw4P6LAmaLbX-LIdQayFMymXOQL1Ob1Ih7st0zpujqbX78nTIbeutxvJLhgOIKLPzEwYyreBSC=s4000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh-4I9R0tXSdIwtmJQEAZ-db9xzNe_LOEbRp5EyUWzzSMVXuq5QVZmUa62lXq77atFpVA70AixvRx-vkkbTHickHL1DHAc8GnNehcWjCxyVBe0YIuLw4P6LAmaLbX-LIdQayFMymXOQL1Ob1Ih7st0zpujqbX78nTIbeutxvJLhgOIKLPzEwYyreBSC=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We decided on a place for dinner and the wait was over an hour and I was exhausted and so we finally succumbed to the bars along the strip.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiLtC2S4CktvjEpb_getHqGQMbBabOfez3NMV0joESD9Op7_RQ5x5yG3nf2lBA3y33NzYyCcsFi97FGxx3JCTRlSDmuw1R56hysun5_VO3S2hJz65RwXBOnRfv2DG00wJK5TYfp5fV6LTWtIfqYCk4ASyzr4D9ir8J40yb-UEanoZOLnJpvG8JrACTU=s3216" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3216" data-original-width="1808" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiLtC2S4CktvjEpb_getHqGQMbBabOfez3NMV0joESD9Op7_RQ5x5yG3nf2lBA3y33NzYyCcsFi97FGxx3JCTRlSDmuw1R56hysun5_VO3S2hJz65RwXBOnRfv2DG00wJK5TYfp5fV6LTWtIfqYCk4ASyzr4D9ir8J40yb-UEanoZOLnJpvG8JrACTU=s320" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I asked for "something blue, no tequila." <br />I got a Blue Hawaiian. I wasn't sad.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi6XqXqbal7kC64fO9AIBU2vca54X-dVFyNTa256iB0YBsVOXBVvxQhiejYGQmDMoLMTsPyh65qd2OnS_jBgsXCXwuOLIhNR_9ifY5AuLbyv-PBB77n3WFMBtFhjIVtfCNLT_oI5Hor3AFGEu3NV9rr0c0exfFzAmeR8GjgrdIl2BWUICrarFbWJiFk=s3088" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="1737" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi6XqXqbal7kC64fO9AIBU2vca54X-dVFyNTa256iB0YBsVOXBVvxQhiejYGQmDMoLMTsPyh65qd2OnS_jBgsXCXwuOLIhNR_9ifY5AuLbyv-PBB77n3WFMBtFhjIVtfCNLT_oI5Hor3AFGEu3NV9rr0c0exfFzAmeR8GjgrdIl2BWUICrarFbWJiFk=s320" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cheers!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;">While we waited for our table, we meandered around and I found a chocolate shop which helped make me a nicer person (and they gave Teh German a white chocolate oreo for free since it was his bday after I had asked him through the window, "Do you want something? They have white chocolate?") and I also made a trip into Walgreens <i>carrying my alcoholic beverage into the store with me</i> and not a single person batted an eye, to include the security guard who greeted me when I walked in. #Vegas. When I received the text that our table was ready, I booked it to the restaurant and walked straight in and sat at the table where Teh Bestie and Teh Chief Smartass were already sitting. They both looked at me confused and I asked what and they said, "How did you get to bring your drink in?" Yall, I walked right the fuck in like the Boss Bitch I am and no one said a damn thing to me. Teh German, I guess, had been stopped or seen a sign or something, and was standing outside chugging his beer. Do I recommend being sketchy like me? Absolutely. At your own risk.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Dinner was at Nacho Daddy and it did NOT disappoint. 12/10 WOULD recommend. Even with a long wait. Preferably not after a race where your legs are tired and there is no where to sit and wait, but ya know, life.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgudfnprVDkakO3x_6bjNfNBCdcR-tpz3A-EbGYnKMryo5ti_fh8l_-ANQIzVtqZ1YxyetL43piKOkwy6fvtNScDlLsQswYWEofGf7TkVOzMuo_QEiWy6i3p1-3-wCS8vXZ5RmrvmKPRoMMaQJOLl2QMU3B6X6MP6HdQirPIaN4OG67Vv8xAmDnvOZX=s4000" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgudfnprVDkakO3x_6bjNfNBCdcR-tpz3A-EbGYnKMryo5ti_fh8l_-ANQIzVtqZ1YxyetL43piKOkwy6fvtNScDlLsQswYWEofGf7TkVOzMuo_QEiWy6i3p1-3-wCS8vXZ5RmrvmKPRoMMaQJOLl2QMU3B6X6MP6HdQirPIaN4OG67Vv8xAmDnvOZX=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">#preach</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj8RQ2gw470rkRV7TVY55F16NeVNFPMmy5e0iL1GphdMmF78NsV4CxF0D3TEovHmd3WfiHkIBOqbq8z5YPLALjukWwQwMmcz7hfw6dIwuXl8dTGdCPae2GWCuYpPNKcMnywuPjcRmTquJG-Zm6Okoa8Ir1rF6peLzhlstPzDRIT1moYjJdykPCOSnSn=s4032" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj8RQ2gw470rkRV7TVY55F16NeVNFPMmy5e0iL1GphdMmF78NsV4CxF0D3TEovHmd3WfiHkIBOqbq8z5YPLALjukWwQwMmcz7hfw6dIwuXl8dTGdCPae2GWCuYpPNKcMnywuPjcRmTquJG-Zm6Okoa8Ir1rF6peLzhlstPzDRIT1moYjJdykPCOSnSn=s320" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I don't remember what we got, but it was all delicious (ours was something with carnitas).</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiWjwKle70uLAzPAX535NZrQkuE5tux--R9iXL7jZzTIMRlCahHq9VGOAqTQ_z8_sYdkzL31TU9Cj9ia-iO2mOIohFHmvGKB2wdo4jeTDv08kPEBGP61YlwMbSPuly90cZP6I633nEOscaS9KRyCHB-INMURakrF6h3HErQL3pjCVEHsqd-u3Qv6b2v=s4000" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiWjwKle70uLAzPAX535NZrQkuE5tux--R9iXL7jZzTIMRlCahHq9VGOAqTQ_z8_sYdkzL31TU9Cj9ia-iO2mOIohFHmvGKB2wdo4jeTDv08kPEBGP61YlwMbSPuly90cZP6I633nEOscaS9KRyCHB-INMURakrF6h3HErQL3pjCVEHsqd-u3Qv6b2v=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Apple dessert nachos == PERFECTION.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;">After shoveling all the noms into our faces, we were le tired. We had to, unfortunately, walk back to the car (ugh so many steps!) and then drive back to the hotel. We managed, then it was bedtime.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">SUNDAY</h2><div style="text-align: left;">Knowing that our half was on Sunday afternoon, as well as Teh German's birthday surprise, we planned an easy day for Sunday. First stop was breakfast at Blueberry Hill, 12/10 would recommend, then we headed on to Red Rock Canyon to look at the rocks and collect NPS stamps.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjaJ73SfVrRdY6CZk7MKGBj3uvEE5CbU68lzuBHV_9iIgfGnaRieVwjZ1-Pg_7MI2dMqs7TTybJetPoxhG0Aoxb-oGqFj8S5lkiviXuiMzujStRKtM2809TbIzVCP3JjNixJdW7icDqXRikE90M4sktFspSkCZ6MsciiuEqEBlPNyEC1RJyp2oVlGWf=s4000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjaJ73SfVrRdY6CZk7MKGBj3uvEE5CbU68lzuBHV_9iIgfGnaRieVwjZ1-Pg_7MI2dMqs7TTybJetPoxhG0Aoxb-oGqFj8S5lkiviXuiMzujStRKtM2809TbIzVCP3JjNixJdW7icDqXRikE90M4sktFspSkCZ6MsciiuEqEBlPNyEC1RJyp2oVlGWf=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEglfImPsKeVAwYiMHDntrZrMr4b_9-4JZj-u8l-X8KuN-JDux8vTwcHN4ZgbZjRPCf7Oa1BBtq82kBnqdpdkDdQ_brJW_grMPDgmb4GjrMpIjmwixqq20IiWe19oiWyMwm5-edqG2TH7K_JacWM1XJsOW436rChp-rlDQNN31lL9QOBO4P49HKoi_Wg=s4000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEglfImPsKeVAwYiMHDntrZrMr4b_9-4JZj-u8l-X8KuN-JDux8vTwcHN4ZgbZjRPCf7Oa1BBtq82kBnqdpdkDdQ_brJW_grMPDgmb4GjrMpIjmwixqq20IiWe19oiWyMwm5-edqG2TH7K_JacWM1XJsOW436rChp-rlDQNN31lL9QOBO4P49HKoi_Wg=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhTGveovLwi8fzRDakhhjAmZN5h09mMV5Qzr-XGZ0Oy14UYGUbIwTYcgtvzOkRMq9fNXbATKsRJtbp-saabNUnczsSK_JvFq0lWEDzrJb9HkorRue6MsMLK1kcSpfDNtDqSqHHcNq6eVVxeR3X0s1BJ3cjKp5vHWpycDnk1AUFFNF7Zeo59qQCwSVNI=s3968" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2232" data-original-width="3968" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhTGveovLwi8fzRDakhhjAmZN5h09mMV5Qzr-XGZ0Oy14UYGUbIwTYcgtvzOkRMq9fNXbATKsRJtbp-saabNUnczsSK_JvFq0lWEDzrJb9HkorRue6MsMLK1kcSpfDNtDqSqHHcNq6eVVxeR3X0s1BJ3cjKp5vHWpycDnk1AUFFNF7Zeo59qQCwSVNI=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgymLtEFPbF_afeMLs2QlFLr3UP7Jgdw7sy_oJyiPtd04N671G31ei2qH7atD9it8G2-qL-gBTPljg8HqCuQJXR2KVBo2xLR0-WpyosX6gEyYk8xMn-qgrTnpmmaqSM2OIhaf85Ww7ZETVODZLsATvIAIF23oyFlmXk-SW3upg_HFu-Ltqr9mxGPflS=s4000" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgymLtEFPbF_afeMLs2QlFLr3UP7Jgdw7sy_oJyiPtd04N671G31ei2qH7atD9it8G2-qL-gBTPljg8HqCuQJXR2KVBo2xLR0-WpyosX6gEyYk8xMn-qgrTnpmmaqSM2OIhaf85Ww7ZETVODZLsATvIAIF23oyFlmXk-SW3upg_HFu-Ltqr9mxGPflS=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If you don't see Jabba the Hut then obviously you've never been scarred by the Star Wars franchise like me.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjUCTEUrU_INW6oPqJuE1z18lC_2-TZ_4H42EBm21iSCWlEX4TF0GnYSLJgC71J01fXAsUE6XawMQ5pMV-6KHVWkKJFUmfkGraIAlYzfbRJqT9-jfNI_UKixGCaF1Q0jTSv_BVpbhMAHbn8zRtPn9KHs4kKB_9_uUXjZVprusF7ZT8zK1yQxo6kQPGb=s4000" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2252" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjUCTEUrU_INW6oPqJuE1z18lC_2-TZ_4H42EBm21iSCWlEX4TF0GnYSLJgC71J01fXAsUE6XawMQ5pMV-6KHVWkKJFUmfkGraIAlYzfbRJqT9-jfNI_UKixGCaF1Q0jTSv_BVpbhMAHbn8zRtPn9KHs4kKB_9_uUXjZVprusF7ZT8zK1yQxo6kQPGb=s320" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little critters</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhlSDTC4dssRMiUcOIyEppD73Xxcg8Bk7d11I_o7BR3TEqWQXA7AMnZhLWhlJ0va1JBS2sLNa5iR27RoztQQBTXXWqxihe2BIswkYGYrPyWe-OV0mV_TReHpO0cilw-vYlxbqdsFF5DbA6Y7m41-v19dJJdGTQndvUIcze7TiMr5Md1rXf3Zgm3NVOQ=s4361" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2337" data-original-width="4361" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhlSDTC4dssRMiUcOIyEppD73Xxcg8Bk7d11I_o7BR3TEqWQXA7AMnZhLWhlJ0va1JBS2sLNa5iR27RoztQQBTXXWqxihe2BIswkYGYrPyWe-OV0mV_TReHpO0cilw-vYlxbqdsFF5DbA6Y7m41-v19dJJdGTQndvUIcze7TiMr5Md1rXf3Zgm3NVOQ=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgJcd9EqnN6Kd2S3ydnfozxt2iJ5hzXKcw3QxD3NAlUzG_tQjEMwCK6lOQzE3xcmNNXhxJvdn1ObKnQSvyHgs5T7g-2QRblKEuyQSVSTQRpwGmBD5mgByWM8bm-J7vPU9Nvwo1qXZupB_yNhyLbzSkmaLpWyb8DZkglmMWlQ9H87kH-Wov1PVR6uBJt=s4000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgJcd9EqnN6Kd2S3ydnfozxt2iJ5hzXKcw3QxD3NAlUzG_tQjEMwCK6lOQzE3xcmNNXhxJvdn1ObKnQSvyHgs5T7g-2QRblKEuyQSVSTQRpwGmBD5mgByWM8bm-J7vPU9Nvwo1qXZupB_yNhyLbzSkmaLpWyb8DZkglmMWlQ9H87kH-Wov1PVR6uBJt=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEifOh95H-4nl-Xg5g8LzQoaaknVQwWcNwW0X2WNAN2jeZPEPrFqSMBf4oRKp2AGT3CJvdbAGkCePe0rdql5lbxNnQz2nVqk4eJe4SuNv4XInXn4rXRAZJkx0uLUqzV0hZdM7vNYDLP25_OdJ8M6ZP4CwPdzDxt5k02payj_nzN4B8z1FF9CMi-d169x=s4000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEifOh95H-4nl-Xg5g8LzQoaaknVQwWcNwW0X2WNAN2jeZPEPrFqSMBf4oRKp2AGT3CJvdbAGkCePe0rdql5lbxNnQz2nVqk4eJe4SuNv4XInXn4rXRAZJkx0uLUqzV0hZdM7vNYDLP25_OdJ8M6ZP4CwPdzDxt5k02payj_nzN4B8z1FF9CMi-d169x=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjS_D8AneTS_9ZuDdgvfGoKTTgj5h1VI5Bv2ysr2BHwRM4FK5y8RD0pYOyEKj5J4gVqR5DBSTFUdy4QlVCyY5lg9GKQtGA5mGum8SXHhUKjkC2RoG4Fo-JK_ybftKsNBCjxxYHck1YVRBi-QOlhgG42voZCPuhNaeCQ64IBAcIJ4CS2eF_KbMzjCht8=s4000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjS_D8AneTS_9ZuDdgvfGoKTTgj5h1VI5Bv2ysr2BHwRM4FK5y8RD0pYOyEKj5J4gVqR5DBSTFUdy4QlVCyY5lg9GKQtGA5mGum8SXHhUKjkC2RoG4Fo-JK_ybftKsNBCjxxYHck1YVRBi-QOlhgG42voZCPuhNaeCQ64IBAcIJ4CS2eF_KbMzjCht8=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhVbRGtYl6NM5LZkIeAn1F_rJs8zoSGgUMFN5Wgd5NbDYL1Nb1AhtXZlMSPsVva8OcHifNZvgZpibBj4nCEHYfg1yTUk02efG-sFI4pkWEslhw__0ez2lmK_jgKZoTAlYX57Q7bUe2J-xM9UG7LTuec2-mQvpE0YMg2i4pxLTHORpehj5ySMHSYVLjI=s4000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2252" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhVbRGtYl6NM5LZkIeAn1F_rJs8zoSGgUMFN5Wgd5NbDYL1Nb1AhtXZlMSPsVva8OcHifNZvgZpibBj4nCEHYfg1yTUk02efG-sFI4pkWEslhw__0ez2lmK_jgKZoTAlYX57Q7bUe2J-xM9UG7LTuec2-mQvpE0YMg2i4pxLTHORpehj5ySMHSYVLjI=s320" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjl40gk9aRtlj2S6Wcm8qXYfQMQO7ggrGAmmCD-2PjnzW0ewPHmHRJUFb2YTef5NK6wkm3AVkO_5X4VRnk5OVibmVXdpDVYjX_iyurzk-k0ydrj28mlLB1punLY4xEo2l17FFDxkizUpQnzAK05WGrkVKxDZyHTAQsTnerYZGfMUUYwYK6f4qKo0POW=s4000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2252" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjl40gk9aRtlj2S6Wcm8qXYfQMQO7ggrGAmmCD-2PjnzW0ewPHmHRJUFb2YTef5NK6wkm3AVkO_5X4VRnk5OVibmVXdpDVYjX_iyurzk-k0ydrj28mlLB1punLY4xEo2l17FFDxkizUpQnzAK05WGrkVKxDZyHTAQsTnerYZGfMUUYwYK6f4qKo0POW=s320" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjun7vP0ApunTfhIhVwAYCaSaxEDK6OsLi-5YnyPg2okKu-k3rDiyOUHApfTnZPRwClkR3uxPrGvG1UjHPT3X06SQwKnxIv6DUPh343wjZ44vv-IMSWikYZJowrws_YhinzDCpw-ICSp9ttiKfSpdhjVqUfxxLt5ff3-wLhlJR2xpKKQIl9k_K9jHTA=s6051" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1861" data-original-width="6051" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjun7vP0ApunTfhIhVwAYCaSaxEDK6OsLi-5YnyPg2okKu-k3rDiyOUHApfTnZPRwClkR3uxPrGvG1UjHPT3X06SQwKnxIv6DUPh343wjZ44vv-IMSWikYZJowrws_YhinzDCpw-ICSp9ttiKfSpdhjVqUfxxLt5ff3-wLhlJR2xpKKQIl9k_K9jHTA=w640-h195" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgmdkoptHwijSPrux2WC3MCZgj_daxSJ0jxqvi1PIA_8Q-tyo9U4nN4k-UDwcdm2udKugj3zj7wp7NYAnGRW1Snoq1kidZjQ6nX8szRuEpU_j9bTP_bjDnSmLZxrNcK7UfodKuAVMlfIRfjr9P-y5RJ6A7VAYvN1eEPUhFTIj4MeJXopE6Xz4iVS3cX=s4000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgmdkoptHwijSPrux2WC3MCZgj_daxSJ0jxqvi1PIA_8Q-tyo9U4nN4k-UDwcdm2udKugj3zj7wp7NYAnGRW1Snoq1kidZjQ6nX8szRuEpU_j9bTP_bjDnSmLZxrNcK7UfodKuAVMlfIRfjr9P-y5RJ6A7VAYvN1eEPUhFTIj4MeJXopE6Xz4iVS3cX=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjryem-zKh5c4yppFWLyFCdb8QsWkIoH8vNujcXoJ5azXUPMTmYQ9wlP-KxufAGByypCO6U8fgfDNahpJ8cxeTXnWwtQiOIEkbjqEVFsYIM769Q06cO2qZdZ862fEEDzsfv1mAEAL_KVaLjkoRUgA1UDMsSlUGrq1s2z-mQKKyhU4JLsWxdGh-JaOS0=s4000" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2252" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjryem-zKh5c4yppFWLyFCdb8QsWkIoH8vNujcXoJ5azXUPMTmYQ9wlP-KxufAGByypCO6U8fgfDNahpJ8cxeTXnWwtQiOIEkbjqEVFsYIM769Q06cO2qZdZ862fEEDzsfv1mAEAL_KVaLjkoRUgA1UDMsSlUGrq1s2z-mQKKyhU4JLsWxdGh-JaOS0=s320" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pizza!<br />We said it was pepperoni.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhr_fNL_zutWjs6CCcO9UrVlv9IcpAHjH87AuiRYvjwmTFA8UgHaW-e5zhTP-hvRzHRAB6sjlw0tLUqgv1lpHv2YEc-p_8VQPvh_qyaxwjA4mw5JJoimovsJ6yzS07UhDxtfpTJezRRE1YwNIkgPO33o-ezgw6kzLt8GAYqHkRXCOcWX8duxYKQL5Hn=s4000" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhr_fNL_zutWjs6CCcO9UrVlv9IcpAHjH87AuiRYvjwmTFA8UgHaW-e5zhTP-hvRzHRAB6sjlw0tLUqgv1lpHv2YEc-p_8VQPvh_qyaxwjA4mw5JJoimovsJ6yzS07UhDxtfpTJezRRE1YwNIkgPO33o-ezgw6kzLt8GAYqHkRXCOcWX8duxYKQL5Hn=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We called this one a sausage pizza, on principle.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiq0WzY-1dUfWHAbFM8y60Zqxx8ygG_YKZRGckSBIWRWPO_pxdnlcrwVdU3jFOShc4q8QNcM31-dma32FdwVZ3SR6ZHu-E2Z301Qf8Ff4u6oXWaf9igd2hhr-zux7EnaXdXLcuTNfB-ZGo6uyfx5KYjrq34mPkTNRDGgxbvMShR2iS3kle-11-f_YR-=s3059" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3059" data-original-width="2004" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiq0WzY-1dUfWHAbFM8y60Zqxx8ygG_YKZRGckSBIWRWPO_pxdnlcrwVdU3jFOShc4q8QNcM31-dma32FdwVZ3SR6ZHu-E2Z301Qf8Ff4u6oXWaf9igd2hhr-zux7EnaXdXLcuTNfB-ZGo6uyfx5KYjrq34mPkTNRDGgxbvMShR2iS3kle-11-f_YR-=s320" width="210" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joshua Tree blossoms with some rocks.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;">We ended up getting back into Vegas earlier than anticipated and everyone was still full from lunch, so we went back to our room for some downtime. Since Teh Bestie and I had planned to walk, Teh Chief Smartass and Teh German headed to the track for expensive car time.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEieqsIMqAJfKONergRAHac1kSTQGI7ws0dULjfanyAjqdYfbK9PDJPF_zaNvkl7fZCpBSLOSArjjn0AID9BE1dh0HIOeJYyb2LlyAZfjR44Y3AVlnqPQMrOQYylsC6ykJH315F012OvhY9B7Z3Z8syCvdOdsEmzonBHJQFd4O5OSa-l5AIKZf3QR34I=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEieqsIMqAJfKONergRAHac1kSTQGI7ws0dULjfanyAjqdYfbK9PDJPF_zaNvkl7fZCpBSLOSArjjn0AID9BE1dh0HIOeJYyb2LlyAZfjR44Y3AVlnqPQMrOQYylsC6ykJH315F012OvhY9B7Z3Z8syCvdOdsEmzonBHJQFd4O5OSa-l5AIKZf3QR34I=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEggbKjf0zHvXA6ztCXMGXU3awfAnmgk82eAHHEURYWVFiwUIb0m5SMu-yonW6b2_HeEPBrYBjod6oOP0ulHuoR_YRBZxk2nqYre_Z3rcv2ED_tf3Q8ysdCo3FxsxNUzNWPnWTg_QhDEwfbsgI5F5CeyiX5Qa3YchfIbnHOHAdSBUPFPrla0irzvaOXD=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEggbKjf0zHvXA6ztCXMGXU3awfAnmgk82eAHHEURYWVFiwUIb0m5SMu-yonW6b2_HeEPBrYBjod6oOP0ulHuoR_YRBZxk2nqYre_Z3rcv2ED_tf3Q8ysdCo3FxsxNUzNWPnWTg_QhDEwfbsgI5F5CeyiX5Qa3YchfIbnHOHAdSBUPFPrla0irzvaOXD=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">After walking <i>a mile</i> to get to the start line, we <i>finally</i> started the race. My hamstring cooperated for the entire race, which meant I got to run the entire thing. I took it easy and didn't go as fast as possible and stopped to take photos when I was so moved. It was a very enjoyable race to be honest. I saw a lot of things I wouldn't have seen if we had just driven around town.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgwfP9h5CkrhIGgIeFduQIMKPyieU7obhcmZq_cnmLFf8Gum1FCYXmbDm_r874Y87N_eGKg906mIryOAahVc8itbd1UAVZElML3E77I7XCrCwHdX0jZQa-SWyEEs2OnjijO6JceGHM9bHhP1zI2po2SHPOE9g3xllwRw-gUb-Sxlm7xyNpTsiPSLdWI=s3968" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3968" data-original-width="2232" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgwfP9h5CkrhIGgIeFduQIMKPyieU7obhcmZq_cnmLFf8Gum1FCYXmbDm_r874Y87N_eGKg906mIryOAahVc8itbd1UAVZElML3E77I7XCrCwHdX0jZQa-SWyEEs2OnjijO6JceGHM9bHhP1zI2po2SHPOE9g3xllwRw-gUb-Sxlm7xyNpTsiPSLdWI=s320" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Loading zone stretching.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiN_RBldXj9SN0CgJEfbrFUmcIxnBX_ecRZ92ruqSzFpw13jQPVedOEW8N4oeMDXIEq-9qHRdXwLy9en2Uw4PYFcD_AKdnzHffyEigNlK-rWcgWQo_egzDVawEQ0qTcnOinx2CPvr2lqOoCEtTuigOkIpxjcI7QLe1x3HoB-9VVN5RzHvtaaJqIlAiq=s4000" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2252" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiN_RBldXj9SN0CgJEfbrFUmcIxnBX_ecRZ92ruqSzFpw13jQPVedOEW8N4oeMDXIEq-9qHRdXwLy9en2Uw4PYFcD_AKdnzHffyEigNlK-rWcgWQo_egzDVawEQ0qTcnOinx2CPvr2lqOoCEtTuigOkIpxjcI7QLe1x3HoB-9VVN5RzHvtaaJqIlAiq=s320" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Along the 1 mile trek to the start line.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh8As6jhcamvxBpxxY_llFUMUTNwp8I0SioEafUZigtnk4rAJvoHdfH8_RSxuRKu4Mk-pqTYDcLszE8KcouIOQbp7xggdOrpVLFXhLDMF6boe3sY1LcQ9IE0wmCLNJNNYGI0KI8Qz9NwaUqLa_Nk8yE6ccRNiHw4kd0UK9fpxF1takym1RPktApZAw0=s3968" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3968" data-original-width="2232" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh8As6jhcamvxBpxxY_llFUMUTNwp8I0SioEafUZigtnk4rAJvoHdfH8_RSxuRKu4Mk-pqTYDcLszE8KcouIOQbp7xggdOrpVLFXhLDMF6boe3sY1LcQ9IE0wmCLNJNNYGI0KI8Qz9NwaUqLa_Nk8yE6ccRNiHw4kd0UK9fpxF1takym1RPktApZAw0=s320" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ironic sign since we kept stopping trying to get to the start line...<br />in the worst place since this was the Poop (smelling) Chute.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgq6QbGEXwyKyAVvvW644rOhpXGlbyLJEvRm_kdGmUQ4GRVP3xNDIjxYszi99FTgnwyA3qQbVML2a0DdBaP7TqgRVnu9gr-ymQqw5BcnGG64tKNV8pvZmYgl3QHsStCfdnZ5WCICXXjc6rVkKZ2Ca22El9XSnRg3byr3R-Ct4VJu9gm0k9-oLrd0xK6=s3968" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3968" data-original-width="2232" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgq6QbGEXwyKyAVvvW644rOhpXGlbyLJEvRm_kdGmUQ4GRVP3xNDIjxYszi99FTgnwyA3qQbVML2a0DdBaP7TqgRVnu9gr-ymQqw5BcnGG64tKNV8pvZmYgl3QHsStCfdnZ5WCICXXjc6rVkKZ2Ca22El9XSnRg3byr3R-Ct4VJu9gm0k9-oLrd0xK6=s320" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">FINALLY reaching the start line!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;">In a convenient turn of events, Teh German and Teh Chief Smartass had finished at the track just before our race started. They had dropped the car off at the hotel and were walking to the Pinball Museum when we started the race, so when I saw them ahead of me on the sidewalk, I stopped to walk with them for a short bit to ask if the driving experience was everything Teh German had hoped. It was. Definitely a "best wife ever" achievement, if I do say so myself. I didn't want to dilly-dally, so after a quick chat, I ran along.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjPCi9KlUK94Cu74HbGz6s481QzOCKEmUan9SFUCpbSHuLh8kJn2fy0KAZ61ncnuTlVTn8PAVjQNYJGptrfwKDWOIf6oKjvDQe4C8qJvq7M09eKfbe0V-ifKpxeeYRpKZRnuMIkC13vrL3ACV49DAC_eZnV5_KeYuFm2lK_dNjg8KeRMLwJXJPgcIFg=s3968" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2232" data-original-width="3968" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjPCi9KlUK94Cu74HbGz6s481QzOCKEmUan9SFUCpbSHuLh8kJn2fy0KAZ61ncnuTlVTn8PAVjQNYJGptrfwKDWOIf6oKjvDQe4C8qJvq7M09eKfbe0V-ifKpxeeYRpKZRnuMIkC13vrL3ACV49DAC_eZnV5_KeYuFm2lK_dNjg8KeRMLwJXJPgcIFg=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Selfie with the Vegas sign</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgAffqk3noS5Q79GLP1Jvy3lMT-LfIdIvuad4rUDwQQ04mK2xc7fW8XuUJ7uFjZwbO9iCuC5i3AnB0QD2aMdJ6E6OQPrth0a4GiAYNyhpidgQ_rZaEpiNNjsIoz62wghi_YuM-8Cj9L0P2MECmRFcFPhzKME1zjnorhs8P8glq8rsVgotgSrAwfdu8X=s3216" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1808" data-original-width="3216" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgAffqk3noS5Q79GLP1Jvy3lMT-LfIdIvuad4rUDwQQ04mK2xc7fW8XuUJ7uFjZwbO9iCuC5i3AnB0QD2aMdJ6E6OQPrth0a4GiAYNyhpidgQ_rZaEpiNNjsIoz62wghi_YuM-8Cj9L0P2MECmRFcFPhzKME1zjnorhs8P8glq8rsVgotgSrAwfdu8X=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And the other side.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhz92Cvt4dBXdZtWGUuZIzAXpZo6cl6-iVEOsm5ZUOk_QihnH1OlweWyLApX11JQaI88dGk8PBthq8qKwGsaQ7tICOgv7OngJUsSxaviAJ_yaUw_a6LnISwlW0mgXBvF8Gas8EnHW9B7XPQ9wuF1cAL6EmLWjZBTZuelBfvh2e5t38-4eymDSdelvWF=s4000" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhz92Cvt4dBXdZtWGUuZIzAXpZo6cl6-iVEOsm5ZUOk_QihnH1OlweWyLApX11JQaI88dGk8PBthq8qKwGsaQ7tICOgv7OngJUsSxaviAJ_yaUw_a6LnISwlW0mgXBvF8Gas8EnHW9B7XPQ9wuF1cAL6EmLWjZBTZuelBfvh2e5t38-4eymDSdelvWF=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That desert sunset.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjBP3F0xWqizzPJeZ2s8y5PLTd2TdnnYcWsE1pqs6c7Quh0buZcWv2ACKJbAqnp23VqhH45pKl5zQEJy_g9rajPnY-8znPLEITSZUCUJEEq2-IcUQLcJ4oXTUVz-dhDT9nPTfO0BoIJsM16j9nS4lqF5i3RsgTQhlrRJIFxsrsk89x2ve0JeJJtB_rr=s4000" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjBP3F0xWqizzPJeZ2s8y5PLTd2TdnnYcWsE1pqs6c7Quh0buZcWv2ACKJbAqnp23VqhH45pKl5zQEJy_g9rajPnY-8znPLEITSZUCUJEEq2-IcUQLcJ4oXTUVz-dhDT9nPTfO0BoIJsM16j9nS4lqF5i3RsgTQhlrRJIFxsrsk89x2ve0JeJJtB_rr=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">#StripAtNight</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh3z1zUp1Z7iAF9ZHyGb1cURfbb37vvuA91brFaP5drWnEib9BKGmzRpCEve7LMyBjF71fIoa76lqfSmYsguTt1tFuvkM_UgVUjkqWcOklfHUeVdSXLOBeaF1XmncxifysQWiYEzcTuTBx4amhnAW5cCVrXwfqIMsiwY7Dmuo8aZ1ObQjmXW5VvRD8e=s4000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh3z1zUp1Z7iAF9ZHyGb1cURfbb37vvuA91brFaP5drWnEib9BKGmzRpCEve7LMyBjF71fIoa76lqfSmYsguTt1tFuvkM_UgVUjkqWcOklfHUeVdSXLOBeaF1XmncxifysQWiYEzcTuTBx4amhnAW5cCVrXwfqIMsiwY7Dmuo8aZ1ObQjmXW5VvRD8e=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiaKzIv3ETE6mweAr37GMC4Qn4cgFGYWdlCuHZNEIZcT4DLnTA8QwcVTyJ-BJM6HeRMsbB6nbdEkSFCpYHn15LmgYgS605nL3vy1qBwbNJUZvvNtzfoXqUdA54r25RQk5hHX02J8evxfieCDT9m8rlS12NqY-S_DFIfn0E0Hkgvjd29fhfPAeQRl_hA=s4000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiaKzIv3ETE6mweAr37GMC4Qn4cgFGYWdlCuHZNEIZcT4DLnTA8QwcVTyJ-BJM6HeRMsbB6nbdEkSFCpYHn15LmgYgS605nL3vy1qBwbNJUZvvNtzfoXqUdA54r25RQk5hHX02J8evxfieCDT9m8rlS12NqY-S_DFIfn0E0Hkgvjd29fhfPAeQRl_hA=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh92oiEG0fh3f-Y_WdSATPpDL1jbzVAiGPGpJsPF0juuNrCGPir56TKQpx-NEJneTKhR7nnpTWRrBUd0-MP_0i0FXXlnYYOMPLYMNVVgbyomleVFDJ5P5rg7FRlGTX_P0PuRi-9qf8oYewFdhdyAV7corqkxhgExHgrBj4Xq9dYyhdDQQK8aza13mhx=s4000" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh92oiEG0fh3f-Y_WdSATPpDL1jbzVAiGPGpJsPF0juuNrCGPir56TKQpx-NEJneTKhR7nnpTWRrBUd0-MP_0i0FXXlnYYOMPLYMNVVgbyomleVFDJ5P5rg7FRlGTX_P0PuRi-9qf8oYewFdhdyAV7corqkxhgExHgrBj4Xq9dYyhdDQQK8aza13mhx=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vegas New York</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEglGdH_jl8QG5ma3P-akUn5fV6VzFup4aKCnWsVYHgK67o_r-va0ZkaR2RqPYOQTh52HkZLVaIfwuEZ9CgD_eoCDLc6FTRCE44W0WlxCTvRWQ_3gGZbnpgvynK2pWEqhUdzoRsJxxWYrLApnIpAmmy2GJ-hELhbTHjuN-P-wst1RI0ofxLT1LF48CAc=s4000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2252" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEglGdH_jl8QG5ma3P-akUn5fV6VzFup4aKCnWsVYHgK67o_r-va0ZkaR2RqPYOQTh52HkZLVaIfwuEZ9CgD_eoCDLc6FTRCE44W0WlxCTvRWQ_3gGZbnpgvynK2pWEqhUdzoRsJxxWYrLApnIpAmmy2GJ-hELhbTHjuN-P-wst1RI0ofxLT1LF48CAc=s320" width="180" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi3zne-1R0X8gZwDD2xMK9iwoOJq1j-wAv1ynA_ZfCdd3qoPdlqJXmoPEwFCAmXpsLsT_2fL5EugB-XQMRrLFzoEUoLjIC_n_JWK9LzKGEp26UmBR1HQ5-sO11uHrj_thmh1Vlri8Kh_EPGAkSsl52g1u8VrSfpOib4ABIh17IUfmwcpK90Kdb_24L6=s3968" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2232" data-original-width="3968" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi3zne-1R0X8gZwDD2xMK9iwoOJq1j-wAv1ynA_ZfCdd3qoPdlqJXmoPEwFCAmXpsLsT_2fL5EugB-XQMRrLFzoEUoLjIC_n_JWK9LzKGEp26UmBR1HQ5-sO11uHrj_thmh1Vlri8Kh_EPGAkSsl52g1u8VrSfpOib4ABIh17IUfmwcpK90Kdb_24L6=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My heart is always a Carolina Hurricanes fan,<br />but when in Vegas, we cheered for the Vegas Knights (also because our teams weren't playing).<br />Selfie with the Golden Knights mascot and show girls? ladies? whatever they prefer to be called.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgp9-MyGpyPx0cPUJQSjUTCKOOX43ubOzlP1fN_DMf9KOWTgNW0b6i1M4ag7IBTzrKa2SGCmFESibInWOZGCQWx6P5x1Ha-YY_Y0dIP_syQclAHmu-iOXfTCxnbVYsH03sBjo0lLhgN0zYZZQ2eE-uu-ePrGgV1AZ1jNzx3hJwc2xw3AVs78912T5hx=s4000" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2252" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgp9-MyGpyPx0cPUJQSjUTCKOOX43ubOzlP1fN_DMf9KOWTgNW0b6i1M4ag7IBTzrKa2SGCmFESibInWOZGCQWx6P5x1Ha-YY_Y0dIP_syQclAHmu-iOXfTCxnbVYsH03sBjo0lLhgN0zYZZQ2eE-uu-ePrGgV1AZ1jNzx3hJwc2xw3AVs78912T5hx=s320" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bullseye! (The Target puppy)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiUToDSLnj0lMKSdNyfDq8_AIDYb8Hj6zt3Q4ZNaiKgzHfLzn2V06Iufr6PzIF1pCvVeafXNR0lGm6GhUDgam7CVj_qUL5etilDQgXPhFhhk9mWbDENpm-j7A3v3osJD1cW50CCQGFMIRt75Q3zm6UnJp3x8AmERZ0jVo7s_aGX5HSqROELZ_T-jDM2=s4000" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2252" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiUToDSLnj0lMKSdNyfDq8_AIDYb8Hj6zt3Q4ZNaiKgzHfLzn2V06Iufr6PzIF1pCvVeafXNR0lGm6GhUDgam7CVj_qUL5etilDQgXPhFhhk9mWbDENpm-j7A3v3osJD1cW50CCQGFMIRt75Q3zm6UnJp3x8AmERZ0jVo7s_aGX5HSqROELZ_T-jDM2=s320" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Eiffel Tower</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgKHnWb_YoQ1tJsBg-P8t1GJzFSOeCBr0w69VxXZdIwMaZX7eGRpTmfiRI6w2hwrXx3GzSeJiTb0WvRSH-dsWIl3xaFmWIYt26-3roog9_yeJv4BZ0ZrwOK-1NpvQOVMReJqRIrTNW8slee6PlWXfoSNWZ-QHj_a7x3r84Up1h9D84Ly4HNETlXuXZ6=s4000" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2252" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgKHnWb_YoQ1tJsBg-P8t1GJzFSOeCBr0w69VxXZdIwMaZX7eGRpTmfiRI6w2hwrXx3GzSeJiTb0WvRSH-dsWIl3xaFmWIYt26-3roog9_yeJv4BZ0ZrwOK-1NpvQOVMReJqRIrTNW8slee6PlWXfoSNWZ-QHj_a7x3r84Up1h9D84Ly4HNETlXuXZ6=s320" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The 10k/Half split.<br />No turning back from here.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgNPIF7_SRGkjwhtRITjqiyzx5BhGeE6W_Ezp9JpfGz-zw3W0VJv2RClMvFZ3jXcDtew_DfWeGbFHB5Xm6OuCHzO72UIfCPR5HKgDruAubtvmK0vUY0MHm1uU6AzeMd5LZKPqNZeG2pR9dL4F3oT7sEf9Krqlmgj4o12A_CEqrJFJqYU5-ytxDByUkV=s3968" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3968" data-original-width="2232" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgNPIF7_SRGkjwhtRITjqiyzx5BhGeE6W_Ezp9JpfGz-zw3W0VJv2RClMvFZ3jXcDtew_DfWeGbFHB5Xm6OuCHzO72UIfCPR5HKgDruAubtvmK0vUY0MHm1uU6AzeMd5LZKPqNZeG2pR9dL4F3oT7sEf9Krqlmgj4o12A_CEqrJFJqYU5-ytxDByUkV=s320" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This awesome volunteer was handing out water <i>while balancing a cup of water on her head!</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhKb8aCmbVNzH3rA86w-XVuUPvqUtWAAtF41oceiev-tNkgis6KGrZa9XlAT8UCJZpn2JTVETi7cgdRNQTan8XnSK239UmHx3Qw57UIk9pwzGJvEV_7JPes6AnMkGFxRFc40C7cxag0HdXfencwRxLtK5WNuRdtybU70fRQrOsE0U17L7o7rCEIFwuC=s4000" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2252" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhKb8aCmbVNzH3rA86w-XVuUPvqUtWAAtF41oceiev-tNkgis6KGrZa9XlAT8UCJZpn2JTVETi7cgdRNQTan8XnSK239UmHx3Qw57UIk9pwzGJvEV_7JPes6AnMkGFxRFc40C7cxag0HdXfencwRxLtK5WNuRdtybU70fRQrOsE0U17L7o7rCEIFwuC=s320" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vegas Space Needle (Stratosphere)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj7OfTbos-CxqhPDr3Vk8BqGS6VhKq71sgdFsGccXJb3LpNk1uykw9Bh27xplOZbQeXyFowWsKFTL9pnj78DxOErEgp2p4xzMfMBykhKJs_nnTY7k7j_zbZCYSCTxZojwNxTHvLUzESOJHqrOwMeOPfj-p2bHvPOvuvLTvrkfU2nJrNZ9nUbPD-nBHR=s3216" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3216" data-original-width="1808" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj7OfTbos-CxqhPDr3Vk8BqGS6VhKq71sgdFsGccXJb3LpNk1uykw9Bh27xplOZbQeXyFowWsKFTL9pnj78DxOErEgp2p4xzMfMBykhKJs_nnTY7k7j_zbZCYSCTxZojwNxTHvLUzESOJHqrOwMeOPfj-p2bHvPOvuvLTvrkfU2nJrNZ9nUbPD-nBHR=s320" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Also had to get a Charleston Blvd selfie.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi_P5nMxJ_H6MYk6QzxfS2ul74K0zpz7p3tIlBlLt25AIfBcOCcaz6iWEfvpNFo-cx-72X-cVmFlLxsSfGUjQgBtDq0qaMD0t4i2WyEkEtspxTKp_UOBmy-LmZ3gOrL7Z2n4vVvdcOZcY-zS4YJ0Blv4LCq1sh3zj9qiz3YthR5dTXSG4ZXKQg33M6r=s4000" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2252" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi_P5nMxJ_H6MYk6QzxfS2ul74K0zpz7p3tIlBlLt25AIfBcOCcaz6iWEfvpNFo-cx-72X-cVmFlLxsSfGUjQgBtDq0qaMD0t4i2WyEkEtspxTKp_UOBmy-LmZ3gOrL7Z2n4vVvdcOZcY-zS4YJ0Blv4LCq1sh3zj9qiz3YthR5dTXSG4ZXKQg33M6r=s320" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The firey praying mantis!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhPTccwxonPiWbEPL7s_ec9MV2droItP-4QtJWh49YkJl_66Jof5Qes-dXrBHNptGn09gBdxEkYbCn6MfTd1eU1D6ypa71PELi90wGsbRn5HCmf-o68i7sK3OqmJMTrqVbGNXl_CRviTZPlYFdP-_p0f7qTqNAJ5vj25qvOTLckOtlLS_0_OVGQXlNx=s4000" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2252" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhPTccwxonPiWbEPL7s_ec9MV2droItP-4QtJWh49YkJl_66Jof5Qes-dXrBHNptGn09gBdxEkYbCn6MfTd1eU1D6ypa71PELi90wGsbRn5HCmf-o68i7sK3OqmJMTrqVbGNXl_CRviTZPlYFdP-_p0f7qTqNAJ5vj25qvOTLckOtlLS_0_OVGQXlNx=s320" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The creepiest thing in Vegas.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi-vbsmVShAHhRxZjIRC18tjU1xbw27-PLyvABvAGpC41Hn4Vh74ZD35bIeyGR7PqHILrmJR3vPScOgQ97J1nljuyC1qLLxLc065aj5tRtfwy16wNAGjjJrehl7mb7zUpN99CnVMJy5Mq7Ni7L81NIDW55hS3XBhscIppW6kb_gwvYMXaYb_dAGIusT=s4000" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi-vbsmVShAHhRxZjIRC18tjU1xbw27-PLyvABvAGpC41Hn4Vh74ZD35bIeyGR7PqHILrmJR3vPScOgQ97J1nljuyC1qLLxLc065aj5tRtfwy16wNAGjjJrehl7mb7zUpN99CnVMJy5Mq7Ni7L81NIDW55hS3XBhscIppW6kb_gwvYMXaYb_dAGIusT=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Time out for adventure</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjIQQGujs6egDQHVsGcT8n5DT_XW4sSFur21akWCOoqNH_E7yH8j9UagU3m-jrZYsArqHAJziH0aMDOxwcNggtKj9Xq0Mhf1go8RyoTpivag3xUs5WJzv0bhi8hMtVpGYrttYEo-2hDeMsrDjDFzeZri4W0TksVuKZ7MWBwuMcVGhRv2ZtnHcZyZSqy=s3216" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3216" data-original-width="1808" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjIQQGujs6egDQHVsGcT8n5DT_XW4sSFur21akWCOoqNH_E7yH8j9UagU3m-jrZYsArqHAJziH0aMDOxwcNggtKj9Xq0Mhf1go8RyoTpivag3xUs5WJzv0bhi8hMtVpGYrttYEo-2hDeMsrDjDFzeZri4W0TksVuKZ7MWBwuMcVGhRv2ZtnHcZyZSqy=s320" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finish line selfie!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;">After I crossed the finish line, I endured the 20482983 mile long finisher chute and finally found the tent to pick up my Remix medal and then tried to find an escape so I could meet Teh German and Teh Chief Smartass in front of the Bellagio while we waited on Teh Bestie to finish. I watched some fountain action and the guys found me and I actually did some stripping on the strip when I took off my sweaty run pants while standing on the sidewalk in Vegas. I mean, there were women walking around in thong bikinis and feather hats (the showgirls, who btw will <i>require </i>a tip if you take a photo with them, so do not do that unless you have $20 on hand), so my sweaty bikini underwear were definitely PG in comparison. Teh German was like, do you want me to stand in front of you to block people? I was like, Meh, I don't care at this point. So I changed my britches while we waited and got into some warmer clothes because it's cold in the desert at night, kthx.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Once Teh Bestie appeared, we headed down the strip to the Fly LINQ zipline since we had tickets. It was moderately underwhelming and I think we would have all prefered the Fremont Street zipline, but I didn't know when I booked the tickets, so this was fine. #LessonsLearned</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgRqospci_0KQHb080qnjmzMng6IuFls-dZOS3i8ANAb6CTfzrr9eOCTAC31q65Dztfs2S1wvI8UVAh1Wy3Wfc_YJhkorJWKiVMoc2rDeGxp3EOqxG1Ipz6GwZaDdY5cowP3v6nirBHvVB8-eGIuHEmSTPPsVSnKJV9KcOqvHDsUYiMAknLS4DqR4ar=s3968" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2232" data-original-width="3968" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgRqospci_0KQHb080qnjmzMng6IuFls-dZOS3i8ANAb6CTfzrr9eOCTAC31q65Dztfs2S1wvI8UVAh1Wy3Wfc_YJhkorJWKiVMoc2rDeGxp3EOqxG1Ipz6GwZaDdY5cowP3v6nirBHvVB8-eGIuHEmSTPPsVSnKJV9KcOqvHDsUYiMAknLS4DqR4ar=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zipliner selfie!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;">After the zip, we headed out to find dinner. We ended up at a pizza place and our wait was, graciously, only 20ish minutes. Time zones + a huge breakfast + no pre-race food + a half marathon = starvation.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhcZ1YOZiFhREaMMRAVMrJ9cGYR1IM7g-ieZKWbpRctJY6Dt8JxWdBYwcvFLWbeDk4k_vthu8msGmxrYRZBWeUCqgzmyYRq8eDgHe7M-rj9V7etLkJzHGK4ZVOejzpO_J8Fe7Wd1qrLBA_zjtr3Qe-KmzMUIaS7CPyYlNCAyYGHqLHUXsaRLpYaCNDa=s3216" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3216" data-original-width="1808" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhcZ1YOZiFhREaMMRAVMrJ9cGYR1IM7g-ieZKWbpRctJY6Dt8JxWdBYwcvFLWbeDk4k_vthu8msGmxrYRZBWeUCqgzmyYRq8eDgHe7M-rj9V7etLkJzHGK4ZVOejzpO_J8Fe7Wd1qrLBA_zjtr3Qe-KmzMUIaS7CPyYlNCAyYGHqLHUXsaRLpYaCNDa=s320" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BLLLLLLING!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;">After dinner, we trekked back to the hotel. I'm not sure how I managed to stand upright for a shower, but I did and then I passed out.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">MONDAY</h2><div style="text-align: left;">Monday was when our adventure headed out of Vegas and into the Grand Canyon. In the AM, we had a slow start and made a stop at the Hershey store before Teh Bestie and Teh Chief Smartass dropped us off at our rental car place and we headed for more mountainous adventures.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj9nS_KsO_rZgQ1BFwVyc6bclwdUhZ7PrpQG2dseC212LK6J9zZGzswI4wjwIWm8nmx5LO8P5GmArumJK8PcShEt7uObO_9ZjLvf13oaGhdsyVCdXpGXXijV4RqjZkfLVYxbS9iHqLizy5C7Ztp3CxrPjdPyW6sfmRjktnZ0iyXWaJyri-n6d-6nOxz=s4000" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj9nS_KsO_rZgQ1BFwVyc6bclwdUhZ7PrpQG2dseC212LK6J9zZGzswI4wjwIWm8nmx5LO8P5GmArumJK8PcShEt7uObO_9ZjLvf13oaGhdsyVCdXpGXXijV4RqjZkfLVYxbS9iHqLizy5C7Ztp3CxrPjdPyW6sfmRjktnZ0iyXWaJyri-n6d-6nOxz=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When Teh Sisters and I were in Seattle, and ever since, we've all noticed random orphaned shoes wherever we are. We cannot figure out how these shoes become orphaned. So I orphaned a pair of shoes by leaving them in front of the Hershey store. These were shoes I had planned on donating anyways, so I wore them for our dusty ATV adventure and then parted ways with them on Monday morning. Neither of Teh Sisters even commented when I shared my orphaned shoes with them because they obviously do not love me, assholes.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjV-8EuQv1_HnxuRjVPvtJWPa1Nenpi1rj1ZWX7kD59XPeLSdp8-OlQiKHnUxkZWPncVKWbACNNMxZwYM3PFtFhBDTHtNH_SavWOENzn8UVpLTeq9rMys8bVWkWJ3jjeMVXS27NiTRPm98bATxnHxJPcABLMS-wKPf5k-Gp9h0FiqHaGED-CBLn_L26=s2808" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2808" data-original-width="2252" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjV-8EuQv1_HnxuRjVPvtJWPa1Nenpi1rj1ZWX7kD59XPeLSdp8-OlQiKHnUxkZWPncVKWbACNNMxZwYM3PFtFhBDTHtNH_SavWOENzn8UVpLTeq9rMys8bVWkWJ3jjeMVXS27NiTRPm98bATxnHxJPcABLMS-wKPf5k-Gp9h0FiqHaGED-CBLn_L26=s320" width="257" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Also found the Coyote Ugly bar while at the Hershey store.<br />HAD to send this one to Teh Sister, who watched Coyote Ugly, the movie, on repeat for MONTHS of my life that I'll never get back.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEioDqp3k9nMVYvPDQ5NPkpbkfXZgowJJLK-eNHnnuqgTIm3_vnAIr9XdwpkAq30jWIC8dc-nP5QhUUIQMZZ7-sid5TkJHn-x8vmnMrs6Vs4XvX6OZGu_4aAaFIeg9EVN5NCWvaHs1fIGwnf6mcW6MHQ8Jaq6n5mhQM24H6hA2MO64eUJ4Pe_k8Byrow=s4000" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2252" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEioDqp3k9nMVYvPDQ5NPkpbkfXZgowJJLK-eNHnnuqgTIm3_vnAIr9XdwpkAq30jWIC8dc-nP5QhUUIQMZZ7-sid5TkJHn-x8vmnMrs6Vs4XvX6OZGu_4aAaFIeg9EVN5NCWvaHs1fIGwnf6mcW6MHQ8Jaq6n5mhQM24H6hA2MO64eUJ4Pe_k8Byrow=s320" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">MGM lion.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh0iPGAo_bEOn1rk0EKbxOVFe8z5WtHWC-nGFut85mKHzPNO7OZHUEvUMVhHURg7XWPbGaEgo7nfeMEnXchHbUawzb_Z1NNjlQxsuteqka8fvGvH0Q2lLFformrfDP549ej5D1n5VaII3EO924B6SqNWU1mLLSllSoq3EW5pfPBfP2DlA2JGuEjcROj=s3968" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3968" data-original-width="2232" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh0iPGAo_bEOn1rk0EKbxOVFe8z5WtHWC-nGFut85mKHzPNO7OZHUEvUMVhHURg7XWPbGaEgo7nfeMEnXchHbUawzb_Z1NNjlQxsuteqka8fvGvH0Q2lLFformrfDP549ej5D1n5VaII3EO924B6SqNWU1mLLSllSoq3EW5pfPBfP2DlA2JGuEjcROj=s320" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Gang.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh6jlvPY-e4JMsYu42gqf0ICxPZ22bnk70FCM-rqxyTdZVGOiNx5wsdWn5hvLhFPstOYzEQhCW6mTUh158un2quRgAwyu5bB41Joxtm7BagvNIF_jaxyYIChdgdyUEbKjTSeVN7Zv39jyitr1JZfJWJr0bNAJJ3o7ZcScVGLWXH5z849swoxNZI1aco=s4000" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2252" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh6jlvPY-e4JMsYu42gqf0ICxPZ22bnk70FCM-rqxyTdZVGOiNx5wsdWn5hvLhFPstOYzEQhCW6mTUh158un2quRgAwyu5bB41Joxtm7BagvNIF_jaxyYIChdgdyUEbKjTSeVN7Zv39jyitr1JZfJWJr0bNAJJ3o7ZcScVGLWXH5z849swoxNZI1aco=s320" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Did not pay for this.<br />But here some butts for you.<br />Not mine. Just random butts.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhkQvzXWxPZ-9NMztKcvCvaM2S7i6UnRecLnE5xn9-odSWA94KldPDuQl7NdRS1i_C-ITerLIUuUs6BiwmkaP3_AMJiamORMw_VHZ-j12CMzhbfjZ27yR8mcqQopSuVFkn3Axd2vqWlfu-1Yi0pnev1S0f78fafl9eK_AUrRLpWGbXBaq8301cVrWNm=s4000" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhkQvzXWxPZ-9NMztKcvCvaM2S7i6UnRecLnE5xn9-odSWA94KldPDuQl7NdRS1i_C-ITerLIUuUs6BiwmkaP3_AMJiamORMw_VHZ-j12CMzhbfjZ27yR8mcqQopSuVFkn3Axd2vqWlfu-1Yi0pnev1S0f78fafl9eK_AUrRLpWGbXBaq8301cVrWNm=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">NY NY during the day!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I gave Teh German the option of going to the West Rim/Skywalk or going just to the South Rim, where we had in-park hotel reservations. He said he wanted to do the Skywalk, so we headed that way. I had already put it into GPS to see that it was only an hour and a half extra worth of driving to swing by the West Rim and since we were here, we might as well.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">As we were driving up the mountains, I could tell that Teh German was NOT impressed with what he was seeing (the plateau tops of the Canyon) and I just let him be not impressed because I knew what was coming and didn't want to ruin it for him. You could tell he was seriously unimpressed when we paid $70/person to go on the Skywalk. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Side note: The West Rim/Skywalk is on Hualapai Tribe lands, this is a way to generate revenue so it's the ultimate support local experience.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">But when he finally got off the shuttle and stepped up to the edge and could really see the Canyon's depth, he was pretty astonished at just how big the ditch really is. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhiS7wYpicNFAYPMRXHRA9_UDoGBMLEZdLaakOpCRgq4-xwrdx1t1zyUZZdyjpcZxyulcbgDaKS2DO-r4yNKBP9b55__wvXOxt1fZpeoAEsx4GHDF6lJgiXVFfMk5MRaXcfU2sFcGOjQRL_sMMHCR07nc0aeuQZnTg82ge3aUYZ4pxV5f5xJqJ6URL-=s4000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2252" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhiS7wYpicNFAYPMRXHRA9_UDoGBMLEZdLaakOpCRgq4-xwrdx1t1zyUZZdyjpcZxyulcbgDaKS2DO-r4yNKBP9b55__wvXOxt1fZpeoAEsx4GHDF6lJgiXVFfMk5MRaXcfU2sFcGOjQRL_sMMHCR07nc0aeuQZnTg82ge3aUYZ4pxV5f5xJqJ6URL-=s320" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg1dpsmQgo5zLXfHT4s65IH515K_0U1JKEaIvc7Su5gF7Kx69BT8dg_0uESNZYDyOmd9un8CoYftJcJiUoxrcMHXXVVsSEUIFdaHr8VW4Ur5XcCN4iFlMVzbWo40qRhbw2GnKDJO-Whv7mht9KCEw3pP8oYkLeRtZX0ADyi3axLsb5c0WNDttwC4AWK=s4000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2252" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg1dpsmQgo5zLXfHT4s65IH515K_0U1JKEaIvc7Su5gF7Kx69BT8dg_0uESNZYDyOmd9un8CoYftJcJiUoxrcMHXXVVsSEUIFdaHr8VW4Ur5XcCN4iFlMVzbWo40qRhbw2GnKDJO-Whv7mht9KCEw3pP8oYkLeRtZX0ADyi3axLsb5c0WNDttwC4AWK=s320" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgDI2tlZhBGVHGTKHWPLq9ZCj8fIs09l0y96UO8nwQLZW1nQ_WBrVZF5adxsAlXz3YcMn-Iek8Pbi4jLPZWETT9I7m3b8areJ0KwKtCl62xFrpSmBdjH7m3432x9BpjT_gVpeTjiy2FFVlqFbUdQQeHjMu9nViZeammty1Xm4TDKgtGq-LYJ3SETh6s=s4000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2252" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgDI2tlZhBGVHGTKHWPLq9ZCj8fIs09l0y96UO8nwQLZW1nQ_WBrVZF5adxsAlXz3YcMn-Iek8Pbi4jLPZWETT9I7m3b8areJ0KwKtCl62xFrpSmBdjH7m3432x9BpjT_gVpeTjiy2FFVlqFbUdQQeHjMu9nViZeammty1Xm4TDKgtGq-LYJ3SETh6s=s320" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhJ6QC2VwD2kCF1f5Pav4-6vqhVXqW7ZYvc4EKou7I3xqmhdgoyF3JNl2HPw0REObvh8cAjPdzEkyFVCE7Ulw5BaLICMppOLBW_DEqrQLqe7kPYcuxGsynVe_mmwmY8qbThO9ws7osUZilhhJuLozgynuH7wpLAdi-vzcnAljIFbcC19QwX7hryYecS=s4000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2252" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhJ6QC2VwD2kCF1f5Pav4-6vqhVXqW7ZYvc4EKou7I3xqmhdgoyF3JNl2HPw0REObvh8cAjPdzEkyFVCE7Ulw5BaLICMppOLBW_DEqrQLqe7kPYcuxGsynVe_mmwmY8qbThO9ws7osUZilhhJuLozgynuH7wpLAdi-vzcnAljIFbcC19QwX7hryYecS=s320" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiuQS-4t1Glc0Lze9iY95X22rd8aKO-3qlLGB2Wfzkn_lQ1z_Wc1ZCiF6x-NROy01jQi5qmErRq--nY-Zt6IM2ndAYwHieABBS5fsVs2UXQIEK52fgk79Bmc9yjvewhxuQKAUJwGaI2HgtDzT6hQZ-wmmEbh1-hyjXRNKFyqNi0byJC2COUk1kYcjvq=s4000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2252" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiuQS-4t1Glc0Lze9iY95X22rd8aKO-3qlLGB2Wfzkn_lQ1z_Wc1ZCiF6x-NROy01jQi5qmErRq--nY-Zt6IM2ndAYwHieABBS5fsVs2UXQIEK52fgk79Bmc9yjvewhxuQKAUJwGaI2HgtDzT6hQZ-wmmEbh1-hyjXRNKFyqNi0byJC2COUk1kYcjvq=s320" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj3HGnDtJ-WUzDkD-sHjewCvWG4AsM7_LyGBS3YBpWeEaNxLSECSwGUq7PkT7Uh79do3r7aPVkK0UZcn3T3O8ybdbUO2nS_UnxPP4H7eWFdi6TpEivK-GP17Xd6wEkLPBFyQvbkajin6WnOT4Z9DYLrc2coyyg7F5prQUYE8xNMxGOkcrWQfmsQkfkL=s4000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj3HGnDtJ-WUzDkD-sHjewCvWG4AsM7_LyGBS3YBpWeEaNxLSECSwGUq7PkT7Uh79do3r7aPVkK0UZcn3T3O8ybdbUO2nS_UnxPP4H7eWFdi6TpEivK-GP17Xd6wEkLPBFyQvbkajin6WnOT4Z9DYLrc2coyyg7F5prQUYE8xNMxGOkcrWQfmsQkfkL=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiJKVPIxZc-LgN2pXoR4dcKL2TsWIAt7dPDObUaWu_wbxYkqnJh7kHwX4roaVDzD_5-vtVVyOwxU2SrPZUBHApGB0tHZqS0sPRvAF75K9MQEkuD42siHBdiriowruTyTX6ktENf-_k0b5C-XN8vGColQ3hYA2foRbb0qeMtn0Pj5OqNMNQrhkvshWRH=s3968" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2232" data-original-width="3968" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiJKVPIxZc-LgN2pXoR4dcKL2TsWIAt7dPDObUaWu_wbxYkqnJh7kHwX4roaVDzD_5-vtVVyOwxU2SrPZUBHApGB0tHZqS0sPRvAF75K9MQEkuD42siHBdiriowruTyTX6ktENf-_k0b5C-XN8vGColQ3hYA2foRbb0qeMtn0Pj5OqNMNQrhkvshWRH=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhu32Ech76hpA5N7uEL_q_BSo1kpqPwao2VdElRdxfbA0HMQdRALov2gSf250BXCDlc7UNznlWizKXo3_1dRRfOrf1pzOGQTux8bfZ0bBWcY-Fh7uZL5Bd9Fp1cIAno4f1Sze43bbHT0qdQ_whjCXWVN97XNNwtWfE59npeDCP07kbfSldsW09Ldh-z=s4000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2252" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhu32Ech76hpA5N7uEL_q_BSo1kpqPwao2VdElRdxfbA0HMQdRALov2gSf250BXCDlc7UNznlWizKXo3_1dRRfOrf1pzOGQTux8bfZ0bBWcY-Fh7uZL5Bd9Fp1cIAno4f1Sze43bbHT0qdQ_whjCXWVN97XNNwtWfE59npeDCP07kbfSldsW09Ldh-z=s320" width="180" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After some photos, we headed to the Skywalk. I ended up purchasing the photos because YOLO (and also USCIS, kthx).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiOLnkf_fC03MPryByYbhXjo_fuloCPCMLOtrrydR-w3xmuVOChjNlOzlO_MwCJplbyiZAzWRik-R0mZ2LCDRwka0xF-E8DuBz-a5sTeDxzEcjZCDl1x9TfBBskV_cT23xJ4eKUGRtiAUWZBdhlcUXIAYp2Ze2vdOOATxqGoxgqSRMfC9C6fRRfi9yB=s2480" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1860" data-original-width="2480" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiOLnkf_fC03MPryByYbhXjo_fuloCPCMLOtrrydR-w3xmuVOChjNlOzlO_MwCJplbyiZAzWRik-R0mZ2LCDRwka0xF-E8DuBz-a5sTeDxzEcjZCDl1x9TfBBskV_cT23xJ4eKUGRtiAUWZBdhlcUXIAYp2Ze2vdOOATxqGoxgqSRMfC9C6fRRfi9yB=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhM42dIB7SIzePqn5OpXujB10jaffN0cfy8MtPHPDy8sbp53dzDs-HbufT0nT_hudNCW26nWtQN3-DcNe8_EZdY_wKVap5UDgcA1RE3cmCOCIKGkk7hS-H0sUBKdFgyuJTAsabJKZRPNxybyDn9S51VUMQdfwf2oJsl-BdDH-5W3YC1phzMbQfy4xVY=s2480" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1860" data-original-width="2480" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhM42dIB7SIzePqn5OpXujB10jaffN0cfy8MtPHPDy8sbp53dzDs-HbufT0nT_hudNCW26nWtQN3-DcNe8_EZdY_wKVap5UDgcA1RE3cmCOCIKGkk7hS-H0sUBKdFgyuJTAsabJKZRPNxybyDn9S51VUMQdfwf2oJsl-BdDH-5W3YC1phzMbQfy4xVY=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhM10SvqMM356gKIBL_TIAKX_LA1_bxdS9mb5PzupDxVPoGWiS5g1aXQv2a1b4wQazb9srdqzV2cOIEYJe9apdmkxYH7rLDL1Ih4SNEXOiFxDlUlpSGfbuvyBPFn8mV8aAE19K1digJccFyLmetVsq9_dP2szumwfmMwf4ni6-ehTx2cmbe0sN2BsOl=s2480" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1860" data-original-width="2480" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhM10SvqMM356gKIBL_TIAKX_LA1_bxdS9mb5PzupDxVPoGWiS5g1aXQv2a1b4wQazb9srdqzV2cOIEYJe9apdmkxYH7rLDL1Ih4SNEXOiFxDlUlpSGfbuvyBPFn8mV8aAE19K1digJccFyLmetVsq9_dP2szumwfmMwf4ni6-ehTx2cmbe0sN2BsOl=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhsqwo2weylMMRr8ZmUiqeOwE4lV4dh0xOUrfTj0iUWQq64-nKU3iSkdqZKdtPND7JRU-FfU5AD6tCr1DC-sGsr5__t2rInwZ5xvL2KIEcLIqluuJkYbPXsou4BA-YU-KtohO6fN3yslGyGzr6Vxb5d6s8Z95dQNSHNPRO4srzkXPDKmvvc45_bA5oT=s2480" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1860" data-original-width="2480" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhsqwo2weylMMRr8ZmUiqeOwE4lV4dh0xOUrfTj0iUWQq64-nKU3iSkdqZKdtPND7JRU-FfU5AD6tCr1DC-sGsr5__t2rInwZ5xvL2KIEcLIqluuJkYbPXsou4BA-YU-KtohO6fN3yslGyGzr6Vxb5d6s8Z95dQNSHNPRO4srzkXPDKmvvc45_bA5oT=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjXBfQrAf2DdkB-OKmsUFNOxyIyPhtWtrqqakznpI9aNHAWzlEVBaFsR3M_ueJ28IlQaGqCvdnJAl2QQ06OLcPgXlD6wvqJCQYrChd6qg6Inl2wMjulELBvrGt9jFaTNCXsmt15ViYydCM8Mx6lurTPD_9sDOJBwKEd785iUlyTjeVK0UThWvVMi7c5=s2480" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1860" data-original-width="2480" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjXBfQrAf2DdkB-OKmsUFNOxyIyPhtWtrqqakznpI9aNHAWzlEVBaFsR3M_ueJ28IlQaGqCvdnJAl2QQ06OLcPgXlD6wvqJCQYrChd6qg6Inl2wMjulELBvrGt9jFaTNCXsmt15ViYydCM8Mx6lurTPD_9sDOJBwKEd785iUlyTjeVK0UThWvVMi7c5=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgcqeUz-MSHUHbBm6KnUpLGWomJvsxhhS9hLD41w-bmqHpS1-x3jwat0z-TBw2O_rnGIZYSiXyodrI7ybPldhZePpcV_aXEfaxISpBWQ4-Rauc4R86wnESDpKgXAuSl0HsQXLDxRnTTiVnZKuWRYm3S81ug8gMY5PuAWCUhjOGhZ6O_GwXRq5ayrjSd=s2480" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1860" data-original-width="2480" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgcqeUz-MSHUHbBm6KnUpLGWomJvsxhhS9hLD41w-bmqHpS1-x3jwat0z-TBw2O_rnGIZYSiXyodrI7ybPldhZePpcV_aXEfaxISpBWQ4-Rauc4R86wnESDpKgXAuSl0HsQXLDxRnTTiVnZKuWRYm3S81ug8gMY5PuAWCUhjOGhZ6O_GwXRq5ayrjSd=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhjw1Wn-HbtKrTXZKCGuXPHmJxpLNXi-_7ftWLBQynz5-fyRtLGY5QZMG0qR4hCvUwEy1StlCoXCaYgzKhaQ7SxS4IxBe-xHJri1Bf3HUA_0Fp3L1_eoOHH6jLgDihEzfOB7Gk-C-mTGvAbU1PO4cZmUVZpIwVAxcvfsYZx6sW1wdGkGzsdaK4J547h=s2480" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1860" data-original-width="2480" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhjw1Wn-HbtKrTXZKCGuXPHmJxpLNXi-_7ftWLBQynz5-fyRtLGY5QZMG0qR4hCvUwEy1StlCoXCaYgzKhaQ7SxS4IxBe-xHJri1Bf3HUA_0Fp3L1_eoOHH6jLgDihEzfOB7Gk-C-mTGvAbU1PO4cZmUVZpIwVAxcvfsYZx6sW1wdGkGzsdaK4J547h=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiyBeRB94ZCudXhTdIO4gEx0rQoBDrfv2ASQiUP-OydtSSB9nSpMofiK4POknPVTJKsAVLoQ250VZS18FgMX7R6Xbeuclswx8ydlgfmSfU98ZaBh_VHpV1M3qB_Wa8ZcwLuqscHDBTdQucX_FGCerFi8gck189ws7pmP9XJQBJzexCTmIB2A_pq6DrF=s2480" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1860" data-original-width="2480" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiyBeRB94ZCudXhTdIO4gEx0rQoBDrfv2ASQiUP-OydtSSB9nSpMofiK4POknPVTJKsAVLoQ250VZS18FgMX7R6Xbeuclswx8ydlgfmSfU98ZaBh_VHpV1M3qB_Wa8ZcwLuqscHDBTdQucX_FGCerFi8gck189ws7pmP9XJQBJzexCTmIB2A_pq6DrF=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We made one more stop on the West Rim shuttle at did some low key rock climbing and then started our trek to the South Rim, which included a drive through the literal desert where we spent the entire time questioning who the fuck choses to live out there, who owns the free range cattle, and how often someone hit a cow going 80+mph.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We made it to Williams, AZ around 8pm and grabbed dinner at Historic Brewing Company before finishing the remaining hour of the drive up to the Canyon.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiW-NU8HF6hxD2WsdKUJRSa0wjyIU4i2vCGa2YrOp-I9Z45_ZxWJ2v6PION_CQYf72-iFo2Aps46B3qA0swQSoPGq63NyWNoZ-HN1V65oVEJdQyDKuaeMmA1u31JkhysPw_vE740oWAyHfOxKIcrRhRNV6aCoYnvK0T3sVZCfJFRPSY3U3UV-OQbACd=s3216" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3216" data-original-width="1808" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiW-NU8HF6hxD2WsdKUJRSa0wjyIU4i2vCGa2YrOp-I9Z45_ZxWJ2v6PION_CQYf72-iFo2Aps46B3qA0swQSoPGq63NyWNoZ-HN1V65oVEJdQyDKuaeMmA1u31JkhysPw_vE740oWAyHfOxKIcrRhRNV6aCoYnvK0T3sVZCfJFRPSY3U3UV-OQbACd=s320" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Had to stop and get a Route 66 selfie, despite the "feels like 24°F"</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We arrived to our hotel around 10 and quickly got settled in and fell asleep. Time change and driving and travel is hard.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">TUESDAY</h2><div style="text-align: left;">We had a slightly late start because we were exhausted and the only thing on the agenda was "Grand Canyon" and "get back to Vegas". We had the last 2 breakfast burritos at the hotel cafe, made a quick purchase at the gift shop, and then set out for the Visitor's Center because I wanted to get a park stamp for Teh Bestie's postcard (because I'm an asshole, kthx) before we mailed them off. We get to the Visitor's Center and learn that it is CLOSED on Tues and Weds. WTF?!? I almost had a meltdown right then. It was almost as bad as discovering I fucked up the lenses of my favorite Goodr sunglasses after we got back to the hotel Sunday night (true story). Thankfully, I was able to use the Googly to learn there were other stamps at other places in the park, so the day was saved. After getting postcard stamps, we strolled to the Canyon so Teh German could see it from a new angle. After some selfies, we headed back to the car to drive to the eastern most point of the South Rim, the Watchtower. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhgusw0NAQsFF9uhzHDxfPvYmVkjvzEB2DgisP3Gnb2_0yl04MWJJJJ3L9VO3mm-3f5XKmCEtLH4MnVOY4dn8e-MVp8jt4ASGYAXAKjQUUUWcfwmhxjt8sPcFfDgxoIfOVBpi_N1vYR8CG58qOyYQLKMESvxuqZyoPuPwM2N1gZLl14TYVOONH508h3=s4000" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhgusw0NAQsFF9uhzHDxfPvYmVkjvzEB2DgisP3Gnb2_0yl04MWJJJJ3L9VO3mm-3f5XKmCEtLH4MnVOY4dn8e-MVp8jt4ASGYAXAKjQUUUWcfwmhxjt8sPcFfDgxoIfOVBpi_N1vYR8CG58qOyYQLKMESvxuqZyoPuPwM2N1gZLl14TYVOONH508h3=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Critters on the side of the road.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhkAaBKzC8lEQHSfns-6e1s52oJMNhsQQaH8zqxG9QSDka8iBpGc2R_kUNt1tdwxtaGC_0bxBx8GlMFD8wuSnPuStGsdthaiparxjBgiDwZ1OwOoHOg4twS2z2fCQg2vL0tI2CKTMIel6lQw0DGodz8EbnjjR3uBY5Ze9ZDdn3xdFdgcPdingVGy4K-=s4000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhkAaBKzC8lEQHSfns-6e1s52oJMNhsQQaH8zqxG9QSDka8iBpGc2R_kUNt1tdwxtaGC_0bxBx8GlMFD8wuSnPuStGsdthaiparxjBgiDwZ1OwOoHOg4twS2z2fCQg2vL0tI2CKTMIel6lQw0DGodz8EbnjjR3uBY5Ze9ZDdn3xdFdgcPdingVGy4K-=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhvpKhS5pntZR4ZzMfLcIYIOLESFE321QTbFazPD0MFNrFT3TvNzL2PQ95uEIRmyr8mNU__5tNf36LbYGw9wNNlITukBP2mT3-Cr3k54wcfn1bmh-mJR3kBlUPzN4QTo4g-MtIl2OmYuExYh603_l0h7CdOfVQS6RZiR9Gu6749NlCSYwSeiplP-ImJ=s4000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhvpKhS5pntZR4ZzMfLcIYIOLESFE321QTbFazPD0MFNrFT3TvNzL2PQ95uEIRmyr8mNU__5tNf36LbYGw9wNNlITukBP2mT3-Cr3k54wcfn1bmh-mJR3kBlUPzN4QTo4g-MtIl2OmYuExYh603_l0h7CdOfVQS6RZiR9Gu6749NlCSYwSeiplP-ImJ=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjBzgzbce0HsJkhbdtY8MnVWLe-bPGFSY9gknPQt68kYr1vIboLSWpMXyvQad1x3-nExvl1YDmdHrxCJJ5QoOHODFR8ByH3mhX3_wxTIl5i3m5WUK1HaLlRnJF3O1ypV8nJMKLvbaKOi-qE1hCqXvjupYuutkVenxlysO8rzwe9fvQT1GUk83kAC53x=s4000" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2252" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjBzgzbce0HsJkhbdtY8MnVWLe-bPGFSY9gknPQt68kYr1vIboLSWpMXyvQad1x3-nExvl1YDmdHrxCJJ5QoOHODFR8ByH3mhX3_wxTIl5i3m5WUK1HaLlRnJF3O1ypV8nJMKLvbaKOi-qE1hCqXvjupYuutkVenxlysO8rzwe9fvQT1GUk83kAC53x=s320" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Watchtower</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh03IPfgavQRy5Fk9P5Xno68MyA7-cEAuCCj3jlwIM5QGFQ9vlblROcMeqtXGXAM1wpv9HgPa1SyrbNhufKWBqvYmQoVNNNIEu-z4Ffbd2-ioqsP4i7nYaygnK9GtuDehDcweA1KIcZqJJXkmt0bY6yoPpr8bqGdS8a8H_sHTPOxJHUGrJhrYqSb0o5=s4000" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh03IPfgavQRy5Fk9P5Xno68MyA7-cEAuCCj3jlwIM5QGFQ9vlblROcMeqtXGXAM1wpv9HgPa1SyrbNhufKWBqvYmQoVNNNIEu-z4Ffbd2-ioqsP4i7nYaygnK9GtuDehDcweA1KIcZqJJXkmt0bY6yoPpr8bqGdS8a8H_sHTPOxJHUGrJhrYqSb0o5=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Colorado River + the Grand Canyon + Teh German</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjUjoe_0sfNzdeX4VOZM2w_ERm4vJktDa0_iVDnqKo5cNYOw81TXHgbN_cpFTpOdZk1NwdQZZIlr2aELH5Woz_PSsAzQw1ejNYplHV5VYWVGj-ybR4qYSAxit1-W_HwSzwi3TCbSM2Tr7-Slcboa2_ytVuB9kWyByaJK4yZRTJIFKt1UWiozxM8UKZ9=s4000" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjUjoe_0sfNzdeX4VOZM2w_ERm4vJktDa0_iVDnqKo5cNYOw81TXHgbN_cpFTpOdZk1NwdQZZIlr2aELH5Woz_PSsAzQw1ejNYplHV5VYWVGj-ybR4qYSAxit1-W_HwSzwi3TCbSM2Tr7-Slcboa2_ytVuB9kWyByaJK4yZRTJIFKt1UWiozxM8UKZ9=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Colorado River + the Grand Canyon + Teh Megan</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;">We had decided that we'd stop at a few view points on the way to the western end of the South Rim, so that is what we did.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiRybEBXb0ON0XPyf_5qu54g-WD6n3moFWaQ_aRBX1E4tVKoPL_mYXegm9akQ3zYiTx04YkQWBwT7upvWIlBKDNAHkLHnAeif51SI7lOKgmHgZmZqkgnvLGkabo0ARMkfLaVPZvAMJEclgp3twf6DKVV8y3uov1nSycQ0fJxz2_NyA1T_GrNTkQmiNF=s4000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiRybEBXb0ON0XPyf_5qu54g-WD6n3moFWaQ_aRBX1E4tVKoPL_mYXegm9akQ3zYiTx04YkQWBwT7upvWIlBKDNAHkLHnAeif51SI7lOKgmHgZmZqkgnvLGkabo0ARMkfLaVPZvAMJEclgp3twf6DKVV8y3uov1nSycQ0fJxz2_NyA1T_GrNTkQmiNF=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiRwhUMmaa7dkw7h6qW6RCGkCfrYkcIMx_PrD6sKP8rviSAQdptJ27WPJJRWwFdSdvCGIQuqaY-7fAJ8pmNFdxD4e01MvXfpGxBuObB-_yuDr7zENHpIcwA0JKHHB0Msu-dGFJaYouRRJGuzKifmKStcnnlAQdu-1m8iLuYokU1wlrWpKpamCzPzFL1=s4000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiRwhUMmaa7dkw7h6qW6RCGkCfrYkcIMx_PrD6sKP8rviSAQdptJ27WPJJRWwFdSdvCGIQuqaY-7fAJ8pmNFdxD4e01MvXfpGxBuObB-_yuDr7zENHpIcwA0JKHHB0Msu-dGFJaYouRRJGuzKifmKStcnnlAQdu-1m8iLuYokU1wlrWpKpamCzPzFL1=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjnQUsAXx3ZCJvLuFADJ6xf0N9X--rvyEwarcqE-k9aBfy4Utxvdg6jWAyu0ovjs2j0CDQ-9VlDcw6HoM-d1N8jMBGVwqhR8loW2FKRrAEbsfhwvXMF2oiqmJIhIlgZdEGLCqAqwAU0IJX4XqglcyyI1b1yMZxXo128bsn7Wch9F_xkJlg8S3lxJDKo=s4000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjnQUsAXx3ZCJvLuFADJ6xf0N9X--rvyEwarcqE-k9aBfy4Utxvdg6jWAyu0ovjs2j0CDQ-9VlDcw6HoM-d1N8jMBGVwqhR8loW2FKRrAEbsfhwvXMF2oiqmJIhIlgZdEGLCqAqwAU0IJX4XqglcyyI1b1yMZxXo128bsn7Wch9F_xkJlg8S3lxJDKo=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">At one stop, I heard someone speaking but couldn't find them.. and then all of a sudden they appeared out of nowhere in front of me, having hiked down a little ways into the Canyon... and so that's what we did too... in the snow. #AdventureSeekers.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiRYUcAbFqCC6wDyiGRIjbDRKWcXrVipTxNemZq7Gh18gnGK88_IaGSecpK_mMdpMgbJElVQX1Gh_eTOMYE3qv3EfS65Tv33n6yCCk10O8N20R794zMPPBlDMCF9Oz8SH_XMHdWRPr5UMkPEXdATqHJGOOHeHwz-iEeKV7l7bfbQ0PRnRRVmSMgHWM-=s3216" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3216" data-original-width="1808" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiRYUcAbFqCC6wDyiGRIjbDRKWcXrVipTxNemZq7Gh18gnGK88_IaGSecpK_mMdpMgbJElVQX1Gh_eTOMYE3qv3EfS65Tv33n6yCCk10O8N20R794zMPPBlDMCF9Oz8SH_XMHdWRPr5UMkPEXdATqHJGOOHeHwz-iEeKV7l7bfbQ0PRnRRVmSMgHWM-=s320" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhn5XhUXSPHjbNFRd_7pNUcSfBHxXTn-vKOf1sCueu6QQLJMRhMJIs10pLlJHK3OX7JhhOHLWKqnCPRGS28v3EvfBL9JDFyWlmWFPgEaYY84Xs6O0oPveuQfA44T_mR4YjmKB-AJ1kGNvoPW6hUE-RbRLD0Q_uQavtOT-0PD-Zf7MmULHwB2y6mKp5A=s3968" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3968" data-original-width="2232" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhn5XhUXSPHjbNFRd_7pNUcSfBHxXTn-vKOf1sCueu6QQLJMRhMJIs10pLlJHK3OX7JhhOHLWKqnCPRGS28v3EvfBL9JDFyWlmWFPgEaYY84Xs6O0oPveuQfA44T_mR4YjmKB-AJ1kGNvoPW6hUE-RbRLD0Q_uQavtOT-0PD-Zf7MmULHwB2y6mKp5A=s320" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhIzMQQkdVrSFUNTpGUJtQIyDec7DT8eszNl0sqKqngvJ-3cGra16Vc68gTZrJGpIubiMsryrg63gicdrQFVE-DhZsRYpQeBFIzq7Sb9I9fGNL0559E1LhsJaRmlrVmh2iZigvFhTU0M0YIWG7pN8zyXSHXffSa9Ng1unQ_1R4VybVLi5ykoZAX8F7b=s4000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhIzMQQkdVrSFUNTpGUJtQIyDec7DT8eszNl0sqKqngvJ-3cGra16Vc68gTZrJGpIubiMsryrg63gicdrQFVE-DhZsRYpQeBFIzq7Sb9I9fGNL0559E1LhsJaRmlrVmh2iZigvFhTU0M0YIWG7pN8zyXSHXffSa9Ng1unQ_1R4VybVLi5ykoZAX8F7b=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgAWywE5s64L1qMzd_9WN9pwq38Jl20Hqkc3KSca0KIDIFhNpVR0RPUK0QiwROvm0TINB0S3ERuDEpRZNknaphWmLepUnj8TiHemHWxFXMxdSwwJlXiZWiXcnff_XJEkT-iVbh7LNq_Fcd7bamdFDxc1W0PUvEcw7WDejUGwSMGeHOkqxZCWEZ_Jsj7=s4000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgAWywE5s64L1qMzd_9WN9pwq38Jl20Hqkc3KSca0KIDIFhNpVR0RPUK0QiwROvm0TINB0S3ERuDEpRZNknaphWmLepUnj8TiHemHWxFXMxdSwwJlXiZWiXcnff_XJEkT-iVbh7LNq_Fcd7bamdFDxc1W0PUvEcw7WDejUGwSMGeHOkqxZCWEZ_Jsj7=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEig6ISNlTVby1tjSoYcc3f9qWEtw8KiSQFOnPGA3dtE9tIwxHJJKjsogxHMV85mySx-Dc9kk_56_u0jMYhTE7UChydMtAgORGkpWMIEXnh9uBZO4pMvbJDJe_Tswn8cquuo2x7zMlhiytkT1pY9fPhJPQx_7bnOSjBJo0fGl3RI_ASZmDCGDFRi0rQv=s4000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEig6ISNlTVby1tjSoYcc3f9qWEtw8KiSQFOnPGA3dtE9tIwxHJJKjsogxHMV85mySx-Dc9kk_56_u0jMYhTE7UChydMtAgORGkpWMIEXnh9uBZO4pMvbJDJe_Tswn8cquuo2x7zMlhiytkT1pY9fPhJPQx_7bnOSjBJo0fGl3RI_ASZmDCGDFRi0rQv=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">After our "hike" we jumped back in the car and headed to the west side for one more stamp for Teh Bestie's postcard and my last photo request of our feet hanging off the Canyon.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgyarb_rfC9sq_JA8D3Vf7UWfiYVOTy7Swqb_OmPclDWsjCwtNiPwIXY5ODBxDbo9zSp0ddKTFVadhThYnLfqNnZ2cnbnOKpAYgb0a_pu7L6bCGsXxOTuF-OAIvaW0CEgc4ZbeOQCCQAiWdHFiR4FCimNSRJsdogdv44CR0HULO1AIN8524elwh_Eef=s4000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgyarb_rfC9sq_JA8D3Vf7UWfiYVOTy7Swqb_OmPclDWsjCwtNiPwIXY5ODBxDbo9zSp0ddKTFVadhThYnLfqNnZ2cnbnOKpAYgb0a_pu7L6bCGsXxOTuF-OAIvaW0CEgc4ZbeOQCCQAiWdHFiR4FCimNSRJsdogdv44CR0HULO1AIN8524elwh_Eef=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgRVhcwZyqa5Gy9Cpw5KxDBOCioBYzGlM8taVxtId_5xErl5drFqzgBzgVyirpSqqMWZbqK_pYZaGMjBmx2J7hQLvG9CTDtUEdmULTG6xNQH7DvdfxfmY1vTEq12rNA3VE186LrWcc-FgHm2LkG_tGrN9Suz7-pHVO5MlZ9O5fOwGoMhb3NXyg6EvcW=s4000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1733" data-original-width="4000" height="139" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgRVhcwZyqa5Gy9Cpw5KxDBOCioBYzGlM8taVxtId_5xErl5drFqzgBzgVyirpSqqMWZbqK_pYZaGMjBmx2J7hQLvG9CTDtUEdmULTG6xNQH7DvdfxfmY1vTEq12rNA3VE186LrWcc-FgHm2LkG_tGrN9Suz7-pHVO5MlZ9O5fOwGoMhb3NXyg6EvcW=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhSuNVM3aZvR79h6gHBYJ5n6gy8Nk3JCNjqlIOWftyARAU-z5CtgLhfkzco_wBCrxCEih4ZRMzkmlfv5gYqdlfpwJGnwxCVMwkz69HdZXsXhscHytZ5fIuqesMBoURk52E9JP95lHW3s3p5f9Dz7UGKzkCxNCULNNvEC9e-7EahTK8Xir3BmFKa74th=s4000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhSuNVM3aZvR79h6gHBYJ5n6gy8Nk3JCNjqlIOWftyARAU-z5CtgLhfkzco_wBCrxCEih4ZRMzkmlfv5gYqdlfpwJGnwxCVMwkz69HdZXsXhscHytZ5fIuqesMBoURk52E9JP95lHW3s3p5f9Dz7UGKzkCxNCULNNvEC9e-7EahTK8Xir3BmFKa74th=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">With that, our Ditch tour was complete and we headed back to Vegas. We made a quick detour for a snack in Williams and selfies with the Route 66 sign.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg_f1nt2FJ8xK6-V7FNtkB1JWI60ysh3GzE3zF1557kuYRhj1-tpeDBrYR0k8piuNX0w-G-t69PxF7J71IlBTgO5ztqxTSApd8IZJSCDhh-7ipxhC95bMRAQ-8ZaavloYqZB019PHW7ARhWjfA40XCs6rjR1XObudzD0ZuB9cGCmGtLMXm4lWjXayg4=s3968" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3968" data-original-width="2232" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg_f1nt2FJ8xK6-V7FNtkB1JWI60ysh3GzE3zF1557kuYRhj1-tpeDBrYR0k8piuNX0w-G-t69PxF7J71IlBTgO5ztqxTSApd8IZJSCDhh-7ipxhC95bMRAQ-8ZaavloYqZB019PHW7ARhWjfA40XCs6rjR1XObudzD0ZuB9cGCmGtLMXm4lWjXayg4=s320" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjzpsqYyYgR5NG3UYAeKt-qse3zRuF3ydHr8jQ4e2rTVou06hAsNZX0yc05JAzmxnLwVTxVrU4C0P-dv9VHiZEfuai21Ymy0JZSq9uyouRTI5krnfApHejLWiE84wJLME-QCUrdrAOli2gzdo_lofSl_S6_rPHS8o3K577Dq3KjbBHcl3fKmuuIHaGn=s4000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2252" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjzpsqYyYgR5NG3UYAeKt-qse3zRuF3ydHr8jQ4e2rTVou06hAsNZX0yc05JAzmxnLwVTxVrU4C0P-dv9VHiZEfuai21Ymy0JZSq9uyouRTI5krnfApHejLWiE84wJLME-QCUrdrAOli2gzdo_lofSl_S6_rPHS8o3K577Dq3KjbBHcl3fKmuuIHaGn=s320" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj2G81ATYtZNvclOQL6Gx_raYvuM06nSZQ7y7JDf176IszXoqzRFM1SQKzgPfdlf6qbeX9pG2B6XrhNzEfjAh9e-_4WSKwqe2OwXPN8rW7Io3SGqbwnnLzjixPsfQW1nSKLEn-nqk5isJ3vb7ofnJ6_d47SlOcFLmxxIAagh2dncHOUb5ZzR89-xaUB=s3216" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3216" data-original-width="1808" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj2G81ATYtZNvclOQL6Gx_raYvuM06nSZQ7y7JDf176IszXoqzRFM1SQKzgPfdlf6qbeX9pG2B6XrhNzEfjAh9e-_4WSKwqe2OwXPN8rW7Io3SGqbwnnLzjixPsfQW1nSKLEn-nqk5isJ3vb7ofnJ6_d47SlOcFLmxxIAagh2dncHOUb5ZzR89-xaUB=s320" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh8wWdBRVxn4GfuD4zForIFr64eKHPMgxsqrpEXZCIsytG_FHoSvkcAlcdUoEOXDTeF7R3vAW2hnuuoqlRhALf9WtrcrdRbBy8oVXDaopypDq24aSX0Cs7ZVW9raAPqa70gsqIcWbfChckNXSwdAi1cp_skvMfL3cZiXpExlK0Z3rqAe7MEXkoBgDpb=s4000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2252" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh8wWdBRVxn4GfuD4zForIFr64eKHPMgxsqrpEXZCIsytG_FHoSvkcAlcdUoEOXDTeF7R3vAW2hnuuoqlRhALf9WtrcrdRbBy8oVXDaopypDq24aSX0Cs7ZVW9raAPqa70gsqIcWbfChckNXSwdAi1cp_skvMfL3cZiXpExlK0Z3rqAe7MEXkoBgDpb=s320" width="180" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhNIc_jypydy0lJPzAutnfvKsBNvkC19CcemKUOadb7EuXv7CWa91O0ly6agi-sGRdVAc8SAP7qmoM7iy3F3IJp-xBpcpuG_Ik6DyBbic-HgrSCmSskKxiKHWnY7GTmW5_YiIs6hySQH2DigNGB5jDveZigjtQOPETiua1yiG9smjnamKb_V5Jzb9Qm=s4000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhNIc_jypydy0lJPzAutnfvKsBNvkC19CcemKUOadb7EuXv7CWa91O0ly6agi-sGRdVAc8SAP7qmoM7iy3F3IJp-xBpcpuG_Ik6DyBbic-HgrSCmSskKxiKHWnY7GTmW5_YiIs6hySQH2DigNGB5jDveZigjtQOPETiua1yiG9smjnamKb_V5Jzb9Qm=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We got back into Vegas at dinner time and opted for The Front Yard for dinner. Our server was trying to get me tipsy (I didn't mind) and we shared a massive appetizer for dinner and had drinks and cheered that they changed the tvs from basketball to hockey, even if it was the Knights game.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgc8urRQiwjEwE-tQo5kc3ohv_O2ZUrV8dKmhqxEr0ajvTA_eL7u_OBNcoBlph-xo9kRPhqGCri_itKEUo0llQtdvxp3ymu9HH6SFspH09cGrmlnR-RbvL_Yzs4CZwE8270SELaMzsyKJM8YklxBNf5N5uu70xCq2utOAV8atvrw3wzg2UaPJXEXzYW=s4000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgc8urRQiwjEwE-tQo5kc3ohv_O2ZUrV8dKmhqxEr0ajvTA_eL7u_OBNcoBlph-xo9kRPhqGCri_itKEUo0llQtdvxp3ymu9HH6SFspH09cGrmlnR-RbvL_Yzs4CZwE8270SELaMzsyKJM8YklxBNf5N5uu70xCq2utOAV8atvrw3wzg2UaPJXEXzYW=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">After dinner, we headed to our hotel and promptly crashed since the alarm was set for a whopping 5 hours later since we had to get up and drop off the rental car and do the airport thing. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">WEDNESDAY</h2><div style="text-align: left;">Go home day. Praise hands. Even more praise hands? AN ALMOST EMPTY PLANE. I've never needed a nap more, so this was truly a blessing I didn't know I needed... and when Teh German, the rule follower, wouldn't get up and go to an empty row, I finally made him get up and let me out so I could go to an empty row so I could nap. #Worthit.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">When we got home, everyone was still alive (duh) and I proceeded to scoop poop, fill dog beds, break the vacuum while cleaning the floors, repaired the vacuum, finished cleaning the floors, and did 2949234 loads of laundry (approximately). I collapsed into bed and the next day started way too early.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Vacation is hard and exhausting and it was fun and all, but I'm so glad to be home surrounded by my tiny furry army.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div></div>Teh Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00133596439315060218noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1581436032352728193.post-20541593365837145852021-12-30T14:24:00.001-05:002021-12-30T14:24:51.673-05:00Consider This Our Holiday Card<div style="text-align: left;">One of my favorite things about the end of the year is reflecting back on all the things throughout the year. This was easier when I was an actual blogger who blogged about all the things all the time. I enjoyed reviewing the chronicles of our life, but as life has taken over, blogging has obviously gone to the wayside... and so now I have to just look at pictures from the year and hope that I can remember the specifics.<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">But I'm going to do a 2021 review... So here goes.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">JANUARY</h2><div style="text-align: left;">After closing on New House right after Christmas 2020, January was move-in month. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjqHN_cRSlT1N7eHDBWJ7WuovyEatS0ieJP8EWZ636JRsRtDUrwc5UFA26y9rbm4E4qW6RQb2tDYwWPlyGViyCPyMNM3iQ7W69i9Nvy5LuWNApBOLqRuzSVylXMWbFwUXYgAifDr6-tb_rKgIO9osL0KO1sB-X6yeQAqs8sj_ncMbIYZPaWtOLps-Oz=s3264" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1836" data-original-width="3264" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjqHN_cRSlT1N7eHDBWJ7WuovyEatS0ieJP8EWZ636JRsRtDUrwc5UFA26y9rbm4E4qW6RQb2tDYwWPlyGViyCPyMNM3iQ7W69i9Nvy5LuWNApBOLqRuzSVylXMWbFwUXYgAifDr6-tb_rKgIO9osL0KO1sB-X6yeQAqs8sj_ncMbIYZPaWtOLps-Oz=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First New House selfie!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhOX8AUEms7UC0wuFpTJKeIs3PMQZj4RIy2GO_fD4OfumDD4WzyndE_oBDFa0AmdzrfJmx2TqZpu40UMBp96vELtzgiy4dziIPrvSeHol5w6CsMYPTjtnvgWjG1l4FUPfk8yh8IDBTRMxgHIlv7pj555LNs9TcmTaSNiIlWJzuZZNZGZax7GrOskOrA=s3264" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1836" data-original-width="3264" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhOX8AUEms7UC0wuFpTJKeIs3PMQZj4RIy2GO_fD4OfumDD4WzyndE_oBDFa0AmdzrfJmx2TqZpu40UMBp96vELtzgiy4dziIPrvSeHol5w6CsMYPTjtnvgWjG1l4FUPfk8yh8IDBTRMxgHIlv7pj555LNs9TcmTaSNiIlWJzuZZNZGZax7GrOskOrA=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The empty pod. For real though, fuck that pod.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjk5H_VkNF44viGHqtmBBC1KM6PANo9hRLKoL9exlLkc9Dv-WGxYq5F9k57AfoTo7Qgi0DElRHea0-3ixk66RuUTL0vS1l8G5GKL2XnqYYL-25vIs90jVPpA81pswwmcIWy01GOjWZ_mN6Zg6UEqHvi2zdalzHIyKHaX95Zjwv8pvtcXu3uB4THf65R=s4032" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjk5H_VkNF44viGHqtmBBC1KM6PANo9hRLKoL9exlLkc9Dv-WGxYq5F9k57AfoTo7Qgi0DElRHea0-3ixk66RuUTL0vS1l8G5GKL2XnqYYL-25vIs90jVPpA81pswwmcIWy01GOjWZ_mN6Zg6UEqHvi2zdalzHIyKHaX95Zjwv8pvtcXu3uB4THf65R=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I vacuumed our back yard because of all the shards of glass.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhiJAF_KZIQcerIHLHlIl6BXkGSdVKIV7m3twu0AiNVazSlQ-X96eO8lQi4k2gxWMFBGbEEupC9ymPw-cfTVejX6SmgfPtBu94KtU1-pVOlTRvU0FSFjfskSHR3WxNM9M34URip4YqDDm-EHQt86Hj9UwQ4mlB7k3ZiGgO4xVmv6AhiagcXQdOdPLp1=s4032" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhiJAF_KZIQcerIHLHlIl6BXkGSdVKIV7m3twu0AiNVazSlQ-X96eO8lQi4k2gxWMFBGbEEupC9ymPw-cfTVejX6SmgfPtBu94KtU1-pVOlTRvU0FSFjfskSHR3WxNM9M34URip4YqDDm-EHQt86Hj9UwQ4mlB7k3ZiGgO4xVmv6AhiagcXQdOdPLp1=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Teh Ville 3.0!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjc-s6AohxZI5YXrRy0KhEAWjXKYrCjj19oVY426CxOsCqTL7NRcnu65mBajynqZgQpSrOBycMWiK25UfHAiNyDbGGKfBKfz5L1IN2oTKu_wY_J6M1lsPaMPC7J1AIJBCqy5s3XHzbcYczean2qESRLDb89kUuF1JMS8FKsjc5JxDRjj6rGVON08t_m=s3264" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1836" data-original-width="3264" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjc-s6AohxZI5YXrRy0KhEAWjXKYrCjj19oVY426CxOsCqTL7NRcnu65mBajynqZgQpSrOBycMWiK25UfHAiNyDbGGKfBKfz5L1IN2oTKu_wY_J6M1lsPaMPC7J1AIJBCqy5s3XHzbcYczean2qESRLDb89kUuF1JMS8FKsjc5JxDRjj6rGVON08t_m=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First sleeps in New House!</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Other than moving in things, I did some running and fuck it was cold.<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhsxjhnG6f184-sm_k5D4pQpld3kNvQMCoayqGKi_KceaU7TqP843wQ8Q-twfgMBz8lDp0Q1ls3bELZDdxIW9-UckKYqvhOc_Rjntc-5ey1QOUo44A2JexhTP8bxrS3bgv9fuFkfieIUWitPMAg83X9_oLpgDagYTZPqyenszRumpXNm8SYWEAalcvw=s3264" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="1836" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhsxjhnG6f184-sm_k5D4pQpld3kNvQMCoayqGKi_KceaU7TqP843wQ8Q-twfgMBz8lDp0Q1ls3bELZDdxIW9-UckKYqvhOc_Rjntc-5ey1QOUo44A2JexhTP8bxrS3bgv9fuFkfieIUWitPMAg83X9_oLpgDagYTZPqyenszRumpXNm8SYWEAalcvw=s320" width="180" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg7pcZjTeF5C0OkRuPJsumaN9o6WGZzdTYhTRAfGHZ8i55ofFADyILg2bnNziGpg8khmV-waVoPpoDgB7oxM6P7yx0qNxfYOcMAxpiWmUYVCE95OAdU1OJX2Rdp6HVudWbM2kJ-nUdTri-IrHzRRgofWPhT9ywAEX2QLN7pboLtvjyGkMJXyiMbP9Wv=s4032" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg7pcZjTeF5C0OkRuPJsumaN9o6WGZzdTYhTRAfGHZ8i55ofFADyILg2bnNziGpg8khmV-waVoPpoDgB7oxM6P7yx0qNxfYOcMAxpiWmUYVCE95OAdU1OJX2Rdp6HVudWbM2kJ-nUdTri-IrHzRRgofWPhT9ywAEX2QLN7pboLtvjyGkMJXyiMbP9Wv=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meri, Sandra, and Pax continued their usual shenanigans.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEisa6PU3rCGj8GhiwS_fVnSvanb-11lmZOzsy34qV1Mwf2pYeHz2bGmyeYux2PDjOzo6LKkZMUI8vvUQCJB5Ep3lK2ChXEhGXDJGpguXwp7fzel7tvUtc4czhgxadPeRVjBtL7vLBTZsSBg1gCdgZS9sGXgCKzO8JHmOnJV4yWrORKOx0Z3HY6h6Wg0=s4032" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEisa6PU3rCGj8GhiwS_fVnSvanb-11lmZOzsy34qV1Mwf2pYeHz2bGmyeYux2PDjOzo6LKkZMUI8vvUQCJB5Ep3lK2ChXEhGXDJGpguXwp7fzel7tvUtc4czhgxadPeRVjBtL7vLBTZsSBg1gCdgZS9sGXgCKzO8JHmOnJV4yWrORKOx0Z3HY6h6Wg0=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The ladies watched <i>Madam Vice President</i> become a reality.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjIo-OLb-1AtT4IVIl8FyZezYubRgRVE5TiMOdujURyObJfrFBi8Qr_8GNB8_3yxtv06aA7z9w3v5S30jRg2Yz7HYeLIXR8vVi1rfN-_mLiY12162THSRAqjh5pYnleTRdwr3mQGYvg5aBt7bEKoyzcUkFPGDfsu1_e-K982pIWPTXpZN90XvOPCdSG=s3264" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1836" data-original-width="3264" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjIo-OLb-1AtT4IVIl8FyZezYubRgRVE5TiMOdujURyObJfrFBi8Qr_8GNB8_3yxtv06aA7z9w3v5S30jRg2Yz7HYeLIXR8vVi1rfN-_mLiY12162THSRAqjh5pYnleTRdwr3mQGYvg5aBt7bEKoyzcUkFPGDfsu1_e-K982pIWPTXpZN90XvOPCdSG=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bestie and I went into DC the following afternoon to see the flags on the National Mall. They were mostly already picked up, but we saw some and it was a fun reminder that we can do spontaneous things now.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgi9T_BZ0o2772crl-mORblZQuWn4RPfx0eXjAz6EqNq7CxoiuCj4QPZPuzYEjfdDoIWWANJOY6wLudUBB580sLIZSQAjz8W_2Cku8oLQ12ATzHUtnSB6aCOKaM8S2IsaqlpcMQw3wusEjQAEKtuGucooUtegmYosP8Ih4M7dmFGoTa5m4UZfcRrsHB=s4032" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgi9T_BZ0o2772crl-mORblZQuWn4RPfx0eXjAz6EqNq7CxoiuCj4QPZPuzYEjfdDoIWWANJOY6wLudUBB580sLIZSQAjz8W_2Cku8oLQ12ATzHUtnSB6aCOKaM8S2IsaqlpcMQw3wusEjQAEKtuGucooUtegmYosP8Ih4M7dmFGoTa5m4UZfcRrsHB=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beasts being beasts.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Most important for January was that we had our first out of state visitors, Teh PT Wife and Teh PT Kid, for Teh PT Kid's bday weekend! We did all sorts of fun things, including touring the National Mall, eating all the food, B&O Railroad Museum, the National Aquarium, annndddddd the weekend was topped off with snow!</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgFz7BHT32rc5zNXCPaSmV2-_D7GyAaaNFVDqF6uz11apJjnXDZKwJ1RqUQXeZCh87KN2ZlzjX4qj3zZoORzQOxv4NvUT0Ea9TTX7O_oF0M5qTQlEUdBmN_mNPwKixF0bTHCS5aehy-9ysng-T0_LlItBMddC_nGe7Xf0COu4N3vopFjxaIYo9dABoc=s3264" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1836" data-original-width="3264" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgFz7BHT32rc5zNXCPaSmV2-_D7GyAaaNFVDqF6uz11apJjnXDZKwJ1RqUQXeZCh87KN2ZlzjX4qj3zZoORzQOxv4NvUT0Ea9TTX7O_oF0M5qTQlEUdBmN_mNPwKixF0bTHCS5aehy-9ysng-T0_LlItBMddC_nGe7Xf0COu4N3vopFjxaIYo9dABoc=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgAPQ6TynpsH7sW8M0vsqKqSz4D8hjSm7R5kKw8eEm546jn12EG22dMJ-KPz4tpz0yv8_AHCMS9YEbbdrWrPPNj6mufIbS5SBF8XcHAFJYUA3CXOfq8_jarS9AuuJq-KMqdAhOFYwRNeWt3DBUA_pmMu7CFwb1mZr1u6_2HlhiQkT02eBg4-8jLiELT=s3264" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1836" data-original-width="3264" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgAPQ6TynpsH7sW8M0vsqKqSz4D8hjSm7R5kKw8eEm546jn12EG22dMJ-KPz4tpz0yv8_AHCMS9YEbbdrWrPPNj6mufIbS5SBF8XcHAFJYUA3CXOfq8_jarS9AuuJq-KMqdAhOFYwRNeWt3DBUA_pmMu7CFwb1mZr1u6_2HlhiQkT02eBg4-8jLiELT=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">FEBRUARY</h2><div style="text-align: left;">Birfday month! I got snow for my bday! It was fabulous. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiqHljHURHD2W9Vjgcm241ID3IcK17yckOA2tY4m3KSo8rRKoyGCFvkKOWEgiLU4R9dxtF4mSoALtViauhogMakKpik6UdvpI83xZqUmIcql09rcCBWAVRWcmXlV5rv6rmnP2XxVbDKh4iDsjl_SJagfjpWsYgGjBkUiVfG9DbYHWDkpcE4i4yeQfur=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiqHljHURHD2W9Vjgcm241ID3IcK17yckOA2tY4m3KSo8rRKoyGCFvkKOWEgiLU4R9dxtF4mSoALtViauhogMakKpik6UdvpI83xZqUmIcql09rcCBWAVRWcmXlV5rv6rmnP2XxVbDKh4iDsjl_SJagfjpWsYgGjBkUiVfG9DbYHWDkpcE4i4yeQfur=s320" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEitxp9h60W5L0DH15r57KGtg6eIrgH3sE1UWyUymnEdaabIOB43ixEPK132bQFO-npTVpmgOqAku7gzhZBAvQ7RcGs7yowHOhamb7YWSCFbK0_sCz3wiUxXYyb9q5lltxVOh1ccNuncYkcKagdnTQrnDw9TETUBrZ1VtonJt_DbpIKqI--DEzhuE_0K=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEitxp9h60W5L0DH15r57KGtg6eIrgH3sE1UWyUymnEdaabIOB43ixEPK132bQFO-npTVpmgOqAku7gzhZBAvQ7RcGs7yowHOhamb7YWSCFbK0_sCz3wiUxXYyb9q5lltxVOh1ccNuncYkcKagdnTQrnDw9TETUBrZ1VtonJt_DbpIKqI--DEzhuE_0K=s320" width="180" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj4KmY_sC_qVBqqyzv5ygI9fC45_iGSCwmaLem80co1-PT2PJkG5ZpcihqdKq7x1Ymvu5h2i7a1p-NdT6KhprOXE2yD7-PKppuWTUDwjVBz8aiRnvnAFrWfREgqydg35sKmDgzxpZCPllnzSWAgVP8X3_n55xqKgISmsFHe60FI6BHqhqRyRtL6yhq_=s3264" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="1836" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj4KmY_sC_qVBqqyzv5ygI9fC45_iGSCwmaLem80co1-PT2PJkG5ZpcihqdKq7x1Ymvu5h2i7a1p-NdT6KhprOXE2yD7-PKppuWTUDwjVBz8aiRnvnAFrWfREgqydg35sKmDgzxpZCPllnzSWAgVP8X3_n55xqKgISmsFHe60FI6BHqhqRyRtL6yhq_=s320" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Teh German bought us bicycles as a combined birthday/Christmas present on Valentine's day.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi5q3CrQpuvNIApXR_w-3snr4evhbyYrGfOs-KQPUB8fS3SrjgXPGz3Jyeo3y0CRg5eYsjro6ZLJRqYnLkSlk4kyTMYelgxM_x_qEN1QFxT7-ACtWKOARoALS4PkVOOVJuWc_YA6wqZBh7tOoKNxWlq-nlWJP2_ZVbsiWrKH-vv6mNqfP6c55wPsm18=s4032" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi5q3CrQpuvNIApXR_w-3snr4evhbyYrGfOs-KQPUB8fS3SrjgXPGz3Jyeo3y0CRg5eYsjro6ZLJRqYnLkSlk4kyTMYelgxM_x_qEN1QFxT7-ACtWKOARoALS4PkVOOVJuWc_YA6wqZBh7tOoKNxWlq-nlWJP2_ZVbsiWrKH-vv6mNqfP6c55wPsm18=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunrises from my kitchen window.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Then for Teh German's bday, we went ski/snowboarding at Whitetail Mountain, the closest slopes to us. They are only Appalachian hills and not the Rockys, but I mostly wanted Teh German to see that there are slopes nearby if he wants to make the daytrip to go do the things.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiyrxTrdC3BR1re4uyYw_PZ-yVah_5d-y7s-6nprFrPB8PRyyUgiyg6nDX5HmH2MZRqTBzcbNmQQq59OzP1dpZu5xyxUKYYEWRdNy51Frcv0AOjPjdNswzPubj3BDaJ1IRXF7cI_i6bFBR3W0NHyHJIpeHIBvd9-fmPWGm04oYF2MlRqe-Rhves-7iU=s3264" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1836" data-original-width="3264" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiyrxTrdC3BR1re4uyYw_PZ-yVah_5d-y7s-6nprFrPB8PRyyUgiyg6nDX5HmH2MZRqTBzcbNmQQq59OzP1dpZu5xyxUKYYEWRdNy51Frcv0AOjPjdNswzPubj3BDaJ1IRXF7cI_i6bFBR3W0NHyHJIpeHIBvd9-fmPWGm04oYF2MlRqe-Rhves-7iU=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">MARCH</h2><div style="text-align: left;">In March our bedroom furniture FINALLY arrived and we no longer looked like we were living like college students with a mattress on the floor. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiS3RTyn07KivVs9SIcmlmnK96IOJ0DAzULQBcBKroXcjYqG8Q4-C88SoQ9hf2mD49VRSWA3Tt7NYh4C91gqQ-RzwZpd3twPZvtWSH_9fy6IcRfNqaYtx33RxZOY31ODViSasSCChgZovt83cie6o5iTA-9NMvgn9IaLm4RP8N25IpmTd7JPiO64XY-=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiS3RTyn07KivVs9SIcmlmnK96IOJ0DAzULQBcBKroXcjYqG8Q4-C88SoQ9hf2mD49VRSWA3Tt7NYh4C91gqQ-RzwZpd3twPZvtWSH_9fy6IcRfNqaYtx33RxZOY31ODViSasSCChgZovt83cie6o5iTA-9NMvgn9IaLm4RP8N25IpmTd7JPiO64XY-=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>There were continued dog shennanigans.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj7ilczr033u4zcJHv-ReN6nHTqG-wwVY1pUMp_YiMMzBXLQvDob_CfIuY2FG6YSeluuHJrNZJOSu2EL4xrnbhEzPpVx4oytKKY_DClvpDw7Vqm4p5OwigoIZN1oLx8aqE6msHQR8whlJ2SphRzH0QTDRRW98cBSNVGU5_KcMREZbFlkob0cLgc0pL4=s3264" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="1836" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj7ilczr033u4zcJHv-ReN6nHTqG-wwVY1pUMp_YiMMzBXLQvDob_CfIuY2FG6YSeluuHJrNZJOSu2EL4xrnbhEzPpVx4oytKKY_DClvpDw7Vqm4p5OwigoIZN1oLx8aqE6msHQR8whlJ2SphRzH0QTDRRW98cBSNVGU5_KcMREZbFlkob0cLgc0pL4=s320" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEggVNh11FAXckuVjDi4Ah3tmDVnxzFPew6em3kO2UWzO-GLVuck86ByQejMOIl4QI08zDc7V7sXdcbykk5uDLyHTFHi5Cj1ulMfQ6c2JjX9CETlyGgw3CusW_XULNay15FtDOBsjPZf5KIxWchRQ_pMJZw1_xlGPskDq_tLGCMwyzW3UHDk_MhfJBhL=s3264" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="1836" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEggVNh11FAXckuVjDi4Ah3tmDVnxzFPew6em3kO2UWzO-GLVuck86ByQejMOIl4QI08zDc7V7sXdcbykk5uDLyHTFHi5Cj1ulMfQ6c2JjX9CETlyGgw3CusW_XULNay15FtDOBsjPZf5KIxWchRQ_pMJZw1_xlGPskDq_tLGCMwyzW3UHDk_MhfJBhL=s320" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhTPzqsibXs_piVb19D8Q51LEIe9HEKGBH1CBv2jkGcfqu1Yq9rGdxDiiAvBCNCwrRSmQycscLYQ5NkNg1lIuLadEIsp4F9sFwMUMfJxt4dK3oOsgLwefbFdP6jdkkULb-y7IFhjEvbjCbJkbfJInsudiuSJo916Qetp-CkxSca_UckVxYZfH0wIeP1=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhTPzqsibXs_piVb19D8Q51LEIe9HEKGBH1CBv2jkGcfqu1Yq9rGdxDiiAvBCNCwrRSmQycscLYQ5NkNg1lIuLadEIsp4F9sFwMUMfJxt4dK3oOsgLwefbFdP6jdkkULb-y7IFhjEvbjCbJkbfJInsudiuSJo916Qetp-CkxSca_UckVxYZfH0wIeP1=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>At the end of February, Teh German and I started doing Crossfit since there is a gym 7 minutes from the house. We needed to find some people and I figured this was a good place to start, given COVID limitations. We attended several Friday Night Lights games to watch people compete in the Open.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi9OfOj4VOb8nlGzIRRczZT2JM_0zdc7bGTRQW35sT51mkWR1R6OQq1ERCMDQMktS6f-wnMzYPzylMAI5Q4DXdSfSD6-LBSmEnI8sfhwYyetz2djZFhJ4KyIQqzbeP83TqLIXuydiNQpD_putS231ab4dpSSNs7xAxVFI6RVbudLi4KOciCRv55KI_C=s3264" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1836" data-original-width="3264" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi9OfOj4VOb8nlGzIRRczZT2JM_0zdc7bGTRQW35sT51mkWR1R6OQq1ERCMDQMktS6f-wnMzYPzylMAI5Q4DXdSfSD6-LBSmEnI8sfhwYyetz2djZFhJ4KyIQqzbeP83TqLIXuydiNQpD_putS231ab4dpSSNs7xAxVFI6RVbudLi4KOciCRv55KI_C=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>We also managed to do some yard things to prep for our fence that took foooooorrrreeevvverrrrr to get. We didn't realize that we were going to need a variance when we signed to put up the fence in January, that paperwork took half my life and finally started moving in March. We would continue to wait until May until our variance hearing, but we'll get there. To prep for the fence, we had to clear out the back corner of our lot which was overgrown with something (vine, tree, we'll never know) and had HUGE pile of rocks. All the rocks were moved to the slab in the backyard (which has been discussed at the future home for a shed) and the overgrowth was cut down, loaded into the trailer, and hauled to the yard waste location for the county, 40 minutes away. It was a whole thing. But we got it done.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiGcISzdWwjfibVVe_lzJOgyFM_ewk1-2yM_vsWBi6rZQeJqaz3r2KfqZiUfCs4Vp8EYn_iqEdGE55pZlkOV1J-B9CKwSm6YknIAGugbErdW0i47tWqEktZIrqv_bQkypvSDyjQDXV5ktG3CVMa-6sVxo2fj1TXRFOmHNA0vrB0iGk-NdzdWv4yGjSs=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiGcISzdWwjfibVVe_lzJOgyFM_ewk1-2yM_vsWBi6rZQeJqaz3r2KfqZiUfCs4Vp8EYn_iqEdGE55pZlkOV1J-B9CKwSm6YknIAGugbErdW0i47tWqEktZIrqv_bQkypvSDyjQDXV5ktG3CVMa-6sVxo2fj1TXRFOmHNA0vrB0iGk-NdzdWv4yGjSs=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEikas_Q3tzu4KLyh3IwlqSIeVUzR8exh5vMNvMsOW86LEzmefP7OoP3j2YP4ekn2UncQj3-PDsynEDbg57YMDOOFQonIf56KMPW-8XPJjIhV8MCLHxsnQH3HJaIH9a7EXvp_crOGE7gK3hKqyIz1a83eFgpazBMeY-7YJ96oklP5DdB-tWVeb1lskhe=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEikas_Q3tzu4KLyh3IwlqSIeVUzR8exh5vMNvMsOW86LEzmefP7OoP3j2YP4ekn2UncQj3-PDsynEDbg57YMDOOFQonIf56KMPW-8XPJjIhV8MCLHxsnQH3HJaIH9a7EXvp_crOGE7gK3hKqyIz1a83eFgpazBMeY-7YJ96oklP5DdB-tWVeb1lskhe=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>We had the permanent fence put up around the back of the yard, but we had to leave it unfinished until our variance was approved (we weren't sure if they would approve a 6 foot fence on the street side of the house, which would affect the end point of the final fence). This meant that the dogs got a larger poop spot than just the temporary fencing we'd put up around the backdoor. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi1Ab1giGwvtSCx51nyZaAElvzX-PTff_eEv9a0v2KUPxs1WgOWU_UPQUPkspbxyMmrBuoWA0kqsrpRzwCqKtkax9oOafCKTxQdg2KAmAvNHEj6AJmtcnqhS9xCbooIU44FcDYypiKXLaPNyLDrRmRwHifTBvFk1BjEOl-TRN4DPb8khTukIkMILHRs=s4032" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi1Ab1giGwvtSCx51nyZaAElvzX-PTff_eEv9a0v2KUPxs1WgOWU_UPQUPkspbxyMmrBuoWA0kqsrpRzwCqKtkax9oOafCKTxQdg2KAmAvNHEj6AJmtcnqhS9xCbooIU44FcDYypiKXLaPNyLDrRmRwHifTBvFk1BjEOl-TRN4DPb8khTukIkMILHRs=s320" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I reread one of my fave books: Untamed by Glennen Doyle<br />Here's to The Untamed:<br />May we know them.<br />May we raise them.<br />May we love them.<br />May we read them.<br />May we elect them.<br />May we be them.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Did some outdoors activities.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgjZZxX3y2RleB2gfzqzY7WrAB9wX2iUMfXcDKgYTH63Mhj7Ylt3NreNjhJQ_y1sKXnzyUxig0BWKjM2Xvwo-okdf_EoeGCml8AsvSa8BTSrIYVwusoc6YP3PUZ7VbXY2-N3_gvb_0rLmSaTJzOogIRLSw2N-1LppUvSrHumjhb-Me6pf6X-XTAIhTG=s3264" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1836" data-original-width="3264" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgjZZxX3y2RleB2gfzqzY7WrAB9wX2iUMfXcDKgYTH63Mhj7Ylt3NreNjhJQ_y1sKXnzyUxig0BWKjM2Xvwo-okdf_EoeGCml8AsvSa8BTSrIYVwusoc6YP3PUZ7VbXY2-N3_gvb_0rLmSaTJzOogIRLSw2N-1LppUvSrHumjhb-Me6pf6X-XTAIhTG=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgaiyZnAYLk6UpygI7dG7O1KYMQ1NxXeiYezIG3rPNStl2PRb9rAidqj-5QqqRk9FqDEayZCdYmTDi8EurzoR7oS8W4Y-F2Ma2ZkgXhstnq2Pq2lfrn3S6DdL6kk8gfInN_Jn7iMWtKB86gZI0-1odM2wylXl5Qn6pguqSNoK86nWk91zUnsqsDAm48=s3264" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1836" data-original-width="3264" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgaiyZnAYLk6UpygI7dG7O1KYMQ1NxXeiYezIG3rPNStl2PRb9rAidqj-5QqqRk9FqDEayZCdYmTDi8EurzoR7oS8W4Y-F2Ma2ZkgXhstnq2Pq2lfrn3S6DdL6kk8gfInN_Jn7iMWtKB86gZI0-1odM2wylXl5Qn6pguqSNoK86nWk91zUnsqsDAm48=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhGXeMdbdSAAY6KG3uzqHLL_4jn_25e5nSFAEb8xneCo-aS8UTuxJZQMtA1K9AnkGtVTRXTTbPWCsq_185bE_3AWvYczNJaG7p-JiRQd6y7n2JrOaSXptH_K4TaLXo2KqOpMvLbK2R-3SXOkOVkg0o9DviWNB79WyrMsXCcO8KSXNAkQRYazNTr0g_Y=s4032" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhGXeMdbdSAAY6KG3uzqHLL_4jn_25e5nSFAEb8xneCo-aS8UTuxJZQMtA1K9AnkGtVTRXTTbPWCsq_185bE_3AWvYczNJaG7p-JiRQd6y7n2JrOaSXptH_K4TaLXo2KqOpMvLbK2R-3SXOkOVkg0o9DviWNB79WyrMsXCcO8KSXNAkQRYazNTr0g_Y=s320" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And of course, these bitches continued running the house.</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">APRIL</h2><div style="text-align: left;">In April, things started to settle some.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjjlvWSHPJqbU8NdnElkhLMk-f7TppUOaa8e5d9-nyCVFwRibVd4BuguwaNPINlE1dvG6gAfLZrEV_IWHun_Smj2_a69qm70WRxyD7H_2vQ07mTZIOyndys_S4fspFf9levXMrDfjWMsJ1FYGsmPo8YGQs6IGzLBeCH0aA3Wy5vo6hAj14nNp_uyb_D=s3264" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1836" data-original-width="3264" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjjlvWSHPJqbU8NdnElkhLMk-f7TppUOaa8e5d9-nyCVFwRibVd4BuguwaNPINlE1dvG6gAfLZrEV_IWHun_Smj2_a69qm70WRxyD7H_2vQ07mTZIOyndys_S4fspFf9levXMrDfjWMsJ1FYGsmPo8YGQs6IGzLBeCH0aA3Wy5vo6hAj14nNp_uyb_D=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We found Teh German's new favorite hipster restaurant.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjyjWcqu0hBJ6cLOJTHJBYl9EjKHX354Z_DDxoqkH8wqqqd1fo7XkyMKmPGe6_w_k15ERQDYI3xTWs7cebN0rn1CorgMW81uNduCxzwNf2GpjK7kMyclLCWogRUQQafNlXjhUv2E_dGTtNs68X6UAsWCeThQfdS366O5iCYW0b0xL0GJCl4pmHU6oQT=s4032" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjyjWcqu0hBJ6cLOJTHJBYl9EjKHX354Z_DDxoqkH8wqqqd1fo7XkyMKmPGe6_w_k15ERQDYI3xTWs7cebN0rn1CorgMW81uNduCxzwNf2GpjK7kMyclLCWogRUQQafNlXjhUv2E_dGTtNs68X6UAsWCeThQfdS366O5iCYW0b0xL0GJCl4pmHU6oQT=s320" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Continued dog things<br />(Here you can actually see the unfinished fence, there is a temp fence up that kept the dogs contained)</td></tr></tbody></table><br />The gym has a running club, so we did the virtual Cherry Blossom 5k/10 miler (10 miles for me) at the National Mall on Easter which was actually really fun. Then after we had brunch, as one does.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiS4tAnbUIEqJj6w-m3WuFj0DZRQwslLzF2rPdfgJAXJsD6e2Nzj18JVVgs7cpGzj5dqzUULblinbX1_idEA89Eta4mxTJUV_bV1XdFPm8qYCyaVYXieeoajP9LisqlchHtqI8vMDb11kX3NUAHWnFO7CG5MKVZspVO0QLAR9a7fE_QyllsrhJ-dVvk=s3264" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="1836" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiS4tAnbUIEqJj6w-m3WuFj0DZRQwslLzF2rPdfgJAXJsD6e2Nzj18JVVgs7cpGzj5dqzUULblinbX1_idEA89Eta4mxTJUV_bV1XdFPm8qYCyaVYXieeoajP9LisqlchHtqI8vMDb11kX3NUAHWnFO7CG5MKVZspVO0QLAR9a7fE_QyllsrhJ-dVvk=s320" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg5A4tewF2T9gqAPM6RzwDxlv6JM4N2Nr2UtFlWIoIZMldL5exfejjDjhZV43kQxQSojJjAOPAS1PnGyQVbtmB299FE6wcoUJoHij6s56UTBSMjrxq2LE1yebyJaIsHbygIB06mYnzmehGa9ZllzSGXi4HHdoP9H9lYZKNoapedCQWVKf2rzTIw8In-=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg5A4tewF2T9gqAPM6RzwDxlv6JM4N2Nr2UtFlWIoIZMldL5exfejjDjhZV43kQxQSojJjAOPAS1PnGyQVbtmB299FE6wcoUJoHij6s56UTBSMjrxq2LE1yebyJaIsHbygIB06mYnzmehGa9ZllzSGXi4HHdoP9H9lYZKNoapedCQWVKf2rzTIw8In-=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>With the weather warming up, it was time for motorcycle things again. Bagheera became an official MD resident. Group rides were a thing since Teh German joined an MD riders group on FB to see when people were going out and he got to know some people.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhQJg77zDGufEv3xWUKNjtU9kNeBctvvGtds8T_VGlbwHDkakveMqHP90BgaGmf_Oxzk50FnBYS_IU5ha8mfpdNoSYvQ0dX_M1z9bPsFs4WSc_N7dgTV-FB684cVtZwxtKqcvC3sc3ezPW_6a-_Rp8MjfCHRtIeYXC9xUcZsr0RLjJk9hbASM-bisaL=s3264" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1836" data-original-width="3264" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhQJg77zDGufEv3xWUKNjtU9kNeBctvvGtds8T_VGlbwHDkakveMqHP90BgaGmf_Oxzk50FnBYS_IU5ha8mfpdNoSYvQ0dX_M1z9bPsFs4WSc_N7dgTV-FB684cVtZwxtKqcvC3sc3ezPW_6a-_Rp8MjfCHRtIeYXC9xUcZsr0RLjJk9hbASM-bisaL=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh6vLzjWXvLgXOrR12zDgi5sTyKE56LSmJ8UqEd7o4_ekAO8NkU7-SmoqpgIB0t5G_QV_Gap_AbYugpjRTuPsydrsBjgVIxceJL8AC-TIauZVp0MUepl2hFTfCvR4aVyDdafAWo7_jkaQ3NWyYh1olFT4wy4rBfSpLdDgwB4jb9zmCompr1PIrqMER7=s3264" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1836" data-original-width="3264" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh6vLzjWXvLgXOrR12zDgi5sTyKE56LSmJ8UqEd7o4_ekAO8NkU7-SmoqpgIB0t5G_QV_Gap_AbYugpjRTuPsydrsBjgVIxceJL8AC-TIauZVp0MUepl2hFTfCvR4aVyDdafAWo7_jkaQ3NWyYh1olFT4wy4rBfSpLdDgwB4jb9zmCompr1PIrqMER7=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi3xKl98T-7YkeYByzLpWkxOEJNfc_Z3jSs6HFqN6JDFtuSe99ApHvGHRfXlPcsan_XjrUphdRo-T7evOlBhGiwyAicC5BnZP8B14STsnmuL7qliZ6DwUbXa-O1R3ToIQSJxLXZ_sMlZjyXTSfjfpkdYvhkqCs0gddTmjugZ3BLwdIk3M6xPoX6TZ5n=s3264" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1836" data-original-width="3264" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi3xKl98T-7YkeYByzLpWkxOEJNfc_Z3jSs6HFqN6JDFtuSe99ApHvGHRfXlPcsan_XjrUphdRo-T7evOlBhGiwyAicC5BnZP8B14STsnmuL7qliZ6DwUbXa-O1R3ToIQSJxLXZ_sMlZjyXTSfjfpkdYvhkqCs0gddTmjugZ3BLwdIk3M6xPoX6TZ5n=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>In April, Teh German's age started showing and he had to wear a boot for his ankle for a few weeks. He's fine and nothing came of it, but the boot remains in our closet for "just in case".</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj8hhEF3kFq1twtqpXUozKF8TBtiKWKknuahEVd6KmC8yiUSyMfOnKLpubTNKzzSrIJjqxK0qHCkEu3rTMPyOnLrsqrnvoYNmTvKP1JIlzAga9BWTtNeNfjjvL2YdTwXwxgEHsyblFdt3jZ2dUyBBa7cOIcrOkKht-V3Z1uC5r7aKaJ4Wc2K85eQDie=s4032" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj8hhEF3kFq1twtqpXUozKF8TBtiKWKknuahEVd6KmC8yiUSyMfOnKLpubTNKzzSrIJjqxK0qHCkEu3rTMPyOnLrsqrnvoYNmTvKP1JIlzAga9BWTtNeNfjjvL2YdTwXwxgEHsyblFdt3jZ2dUyBBa7cOIcrOkKht-V3Z1uC5r7aKaJ4Wc2K85eQDie=s320" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We found a place called Prost in DC, which we knew we had to try!</td></tr></tbody></table><br />And there were more outside adventures on our slower 2-wheeled vehicles and with the beasts.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEis0PQcHll0QKKzQ4LK-qyAeEpnDp2WEqB-C1daQH7NpXZeB3oWKZuFobdH3bH06htQepR59u3iMAgNnC4zPcCNqkKWXT_vIBZPsla1lmf5kyL-wvkzc6IWOblKcjOOtSr1L0djbztc_ZzrJGdNsR-NY83ejo3rskMOiSCLDNwSW85bf59qXHQp9pmv=s3264" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1836" data-original-width="3264" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEis0PQcHll0QKKzQ4LK-qyAeEpnDp2WEqB-C1daQH7NpXZeB3oWKZuFobdH3bH06htQepR59u3iMAgNnC4zPcCNqkKWXT_vIBZPsla1lmf5kyL-wvkzc6IWOblKcjOOtSr1L0djbztc_ZzrJGdNsR-NY83ejo3rskMOiSCLDNwSW85bf59qXHQp9pmv=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiO60N5YM3pKtou-O3yKNIF4ef0zY0z4y5eSJSYwid_v66q54uod2hX5qxHoykocZVZVY1KoeOErjXs0wn24gnaSlfAZuprvWFRB0gkJptXkI3go__QD8A771j5sh17OCw8B3heO-F7DofXelH0U8Sup_VpxXJzmqAWLPKg4gjC25l6Ix5F9AlbKWjY=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiO60N5YM3pKtou-O3yKNIF4ef0zY0z4y5eSJSYwid_v66q54uod2hX5qxHoykocZVZVY1KoeOErjXs0wn24gnaSlfAZuprvWFRB0gkJptXkI3go__QD8A771j5sh17OCw8B3heO-F7DofXelH0U8Sup_VpxXJzmqAWLPKg4gjC25l6Ix5F9AlbKWjY=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhE-mX9GoBIVTfNZEhyqLRY_nGrVpa_LZkUsRlkcJRWybct_KaFl-EfuRdA_O75xMrCd5KPeqvD8HUDGjcicVAA4pqQYz0K59yY8ZgVy-zpYgANGAtem3Z6KJzPmD68uNEIKVyWpQr8_rYbA5cbWzmuNWUdUCpGZNE5BXylDK5amPYxbDARq-mlZww3=s3264" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1836" data-original-width="3264" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhE-mX9GoBIVTfNZEhyqLRY_nGrVpa_LZkUsRlkcJRWybct_KaFl-EfuRdA_O75xMrCd5KPeqvD8HUDGjcicVAA4pqQYz0K59yY8ZgVy-zpYgANGAtem3Z6KJzPmD68uNEIKVyWpQr8_rYbA5cbWzmuNWUdUCpGZNE5BXylDK5amPYxbDARq-mlZww3=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">MAY</h2><div style="text-align: left;">More motorcycle rides in May. Teh German was introduced to the delight that is Gettysburg, PA, which doesn't make me sad since I really like Gettysburg.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgq_mgu3w0NmefCStPi4lnOAvcXqMVtEjQ_8SsEJgoCiKLKgAme16au1qqKLUCgkBim2wZMQw0ViPhcwtc0V_O-zP6Qf2xZ7DAO0GIpAFVGhQSeRbCshxbheoSJuA7iskLXYs0pWA1C510aH0f6S-zmt1eRq8RLRFGH5rLzxCYrWgAjHKwPsMtdyqxV=s3840" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="3840" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgq_mgu3w0NmefCStPi4lnOAvcXqMVtEjQ_8SsEJgoCiKLKgAme16au1qqKLUCgkBim2wZMQw0ViPhcwtc0V_O-zP6Qf2xZ7DAO0GIpAFVGhQSeRbCshxbheoSJuA7iskLXYs0pWA1C510aH0f6S-zmt1eRq8RLRFGH5rLzxCYrWgAjHKwPsMtdyqxV=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj-Pw_GM2sWdG-NqqvsXdN-Ra0qkuTLEcy9U2zAWWVjgAgNysKrAVK9wLD22LRrf6lkhg0ZAUoFzYrR3Z-rnyMXTybDLkajtM44q-UbrZcsdsrsE80jblJzUce-rQntr7wbeIMsFWOCbzH-7S92jB-2aThTpczm0n4WL1-_eZNNXtCcq4MSSM4Qk8kD=s2688" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2688" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj-Pw_GM2sWdG-NqqvsXdN-Ra0qkuTLEcy9U2zAWWVjgAgNysKrAVK9wLD22LRrf6lkhg0ZAUoFzYrR3Z-rnyMXTybDLkajtM44q-UbrZcsdsrsE80jblJzUce-rQntr7wbeIMsFWOCbzH-7S92jB-2aThTpczm0n4WL1-_eZNNXtCcq4MSSM4Qk8kD=s320" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiWmS1jgg5_JCWL7fYHWnKRbPjmaXt9Dh9ZiGv5EyGxz6P4BkrmNbL_mUZPMYiZAa4JXR9usFWLXAro83Ms4rQmxUeDCrXYzIGkGCQTupaiZPDXRD925PByLlZYi14bzzKgqzB5n1TJ0xsZUDcJS_HMT2fHwvMPt8wZd20o5Q8KsQECXEXEPcbQG42F=s2688" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2688" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiWmS1jgg5_JCWL7fYHWnKRbPjmaXt9Dh9ZiGv5EyGxz6P4BkrmNbL_mUZPMYiZAa4JXR9usFWLXAro83Ms4rQmxUeDCrXYzIGkGCQTupaiZPDXRD925PByLlZYi14bzzKgqzB5n1TJ0xsZUDcJS_HMT2fHwvMPt8wZd20o5Q8KsQECXEXEPcbQG42F=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Teh Bestie and I started having our own adventures! We took our bikes to the National Arboretum and I took a millionty photos I never shared. Oh well.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgj965KjtdjpVOf955H--KnfRkwrgwXmT9B7Lj9DcWLD4JbJqQf5h6iabAt5WW8cRq9p7E7w7bfkqTBEO1WW9Z-Vc7td1-dMneornCKypl4mFdoGRfrDSrl2BwRyvuN5gJOKgbW2_U73OX4Rxm5Z5gPZLGz9C8cTVU3c0BQoJ9Lbxpi23mRF04wNPFy=s2688" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2688" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgj965KjtdjpVOf955H--KnfRkwrgwXmT9B7Lj9DcWLD4JbJqQf5h6iabAt5WW8cRq9p7E7w7bfkqTBEO1WW9Z-Vc7td1-dMneornCKypl4mFdoGRfrDSrl2BwRyvuN5gJOKgbW2_U73OX4Rxm5Z5gPZLGz9C8cTVU3c0BQoJ9Lbxpi23mRF04wNPFy=s320" width="180" /></a></div><div><br /></div>We also met up with Teh PT Neighbors in Denver for a Neighbor Besties weekend.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiyUZL-jUlEAVxNyutPIpZiNevregg56ZWirkgUAl8N1_KyedUbtDnrU8Cuaq58fAK7aHFBdksqD0YOCo8EFVlrAp3htSkCfngNfaffF-WeFdECGN48gBSYbxyTe85jZF39HEGIgNL79C4uzW9HikOgtBZD-6-gA7EHtkigMa6919G-NgAz0Re6PaY7=s2688" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2688" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiyUZL-jUlEAVxNyutPIpZiNevregg56ZWirkgUAl8N1_KyedUbtDnrU8Cuaq58fAK7aHFBdksqD0YOCo8EFVlrAp3htSkCfngNfaffF-WeFdECGN48gBSYbxyTe85jZF39HEGIgNL79C4uzW9HikOgtBZD-6-gA7EHtkigMa6919G-NgAz0Re6PaY7=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First stop: PROST!</td></tr></tbody></table><br />And to end May, I completed my first hero WOD challenge (or whatever you want to call it), Murph. I wanted to die, but I survived.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhJmoP0LobX5lW0zwPEO6VLVJXCo460R1LTlNcIuJZgl94SqoubqcZb3ofg0iunr6BvWqch0zUjoEKdz4rF02beUeV3JTCh2iXkvPfEQCI2Qne43tGpMxidUpLFXPOnl8p9-kCOnjNHMiF-r2n8JhUqfP-NusYjcUZM40ZtQ0TS6rIR3C6GoBxKHnZS=s2688" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2688" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhJmoP0LobX5lW0zwPEO6VLVJXCo460R1LTlNcIuJZgl94SqoubqcZb3ofg0iunr6BvWqch0zUjoEKdz4rF02beUeV3JTCh2iXkvPfEQCI2Qne43tGpMxidUpLFXPOnl8p9-kCOnjNHMiF-r2n8JhUqfP-NusYjcUZM40ZtQ0TS6rIR3C6GoBxKHnZS=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">JUNE</h2><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhrVQ1ntyzP1LNMXCVpq_PMfbmqDf_egqFjgVjiApCO_gXW6rK6i80dMlkBPkzTfRG0uuJ4SwgvaJzkGJKGVvDrH0WZA2jI3siDISPk52ZcdEheS19Sl3ClOJt6AtS-511Ru1F8Pvm48SSwAYh6P1Z9fGEMvm2BZJI2RgOpoP63w4l0k2bLPa3eQ6IG=s3840" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3840" data-original-width="2160" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhrVQ1ntyzP1LNMXCVpq_PMfbmqDf_egqFjgVjiApCO_gXW6rK6i80dMlkBPkzTfRG0uuJ4SwgvaJzkGJKGVvDrH0WZA2jI3siDISPk52ZcdEheS19Sl3ClOJt6AtS-511Ru1F8Pvm48SSwAYh6P1Z9fGEMvm2BZJI2RgOpoP63w4l0k2bLPa3eQ6IG=s320" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Teh Terrific Trio</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhfT83p_Fx1nPnQ_GnrWA-u1vftFrvHR1AL0T2CISbeNQGfPQ3YGhGOU1CnTNR1b5lvbFApSdSCT0PwZ8FvbgOMNwINzjExJikemoFsihKL8jd1ogok4--NVUGQ6UF18oi6CiHBN7xRmJUs27PqfURhyTwIrKPSCKmC6C_bPZ2PULTmTUCXzQnCithh=s2688" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2688" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhfT83p_Fx1nPnQ_GnrWA-u1vftFrvHR1AL0T2CISbeNQGfPQ3YGhGOU1CnTNR1b5lvbFApSdSCT0PwZ8FvbgOMNwINzjExJikemoFsihKL8jd1ogok4--NVUGQ6UF18oi6CiHBN7xRmJUs27PqfURhyTwIrKPSCKmC6C_bPZ2PULTmTUCXzQnCithh=s320" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Went to the new and improved Spy Museum with Teh Clique.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />In March, I had planned to go down to SC for the Myrtle Beach half marathon, but they gave a virtual option, which I took because of marriage drama and it not being a good time to go. So I rescheduled my SC visit for June. It felt weird not parking at our former house, but it was fine.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjgHHpo1aRX07YnsvyzRzIqpm6Lkink030KPyradhyhKnz_olZG1AKXZIz5qgBwW0tJQucm_dcSPA-kPbwC_MMGeRZqeI-wd8wjJ87yqO3TR6gEDG9hcZdwlFIIx9h86tryItq8TlSBR3Rn3nxWmiK1WPX-EiiABDYeUin8BZDb7d_FBYpvBScbA5rb=s3840" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="3840" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjgHHpo1aRX07YnsvyzRzIqpm6Lkink030KPyradhyhKnz_olZG1AKXZIz5qgBwW0tJQucm_dcSPA-kPbwC_MMGeRZqeI-wd8wjJ87yqO3TR6gEDG9hcZdwlFIIx9h86tryItq8TlSBR3Rn3nxWmiK1WPX-EiiABDYeUin8BZDb7d_FBYpvBScbA5rb=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhPe6ACCmQ-MapGuPhsiP7YjHl9t8q7uoSAOGdzEXk9Dz0fRSzQUFSRuGQ3Vs5zLxeBfUDcPD5GLaYxfA7kD2x4FDa4eomRDds1dZs-0fL0YiTy-lGyfWnoIGwBTCRERhpHDHKb0KmVUsbsHP5W0aSTKy4lpnvM1IrEABMFV1xOd73hoChI_RwG1MFb=s2688" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2688" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhPe6ACCmQ-MapGuPhsiP7YjHl9t8q7uoSAOGdzEXk9Dz0fRSzQUFSRuGQ3Vs5zLxeBfUDcPD5GLaYxfA7kD2x4FDa4eomRDds1dZs-0fL0YiTy-lGyfWnoIGwBTCRERhpHDHKb0KmVUsbsHP5W0aSTKy4lpnvM1IrEABMFV1xOd73hoChI_RwG1MFb=s320" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiuPym9r2WjLw_mIFx-djCQwto2R1QGNpjlHckPngQYI46lu7eMn7EcMHXP5fIZTKhLjSCIQ2ppUALIIHQ23aG2QKPXyyTatQbrysKHByZQa3ycRmODfMTri5s5zXOb6OSXmVTQlLgicOSrJ2YlM5ivFjqRtn8laaUaguqqDUR56sD_aNkofheNNFVI=s3840" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="3840" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiuPym9r2WjLw_mIFx-djCQwto2R1QGNpjlHckPngQYI46lu7eMn7EcMHXP5fIZTKhLjSCIQ2ppUALIIHQ23aG2QKPXyyTatQbrysKHByZQa3ycRmODfMTri5s5zXOb6OSXmVTQlLgicOSrJ2YlM5ivFjqRtn8laaUaguqqDUR56sD_aNkofheNNFVI=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>At the end of the month, we did a photo shoot for a Greyhound connection who is starting a photography business. He needed some practice and to work out lighting issues, so we were the models. It was a good time.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgJnDMYhw767wECAcHB2d1rP2j6HMDCtz9A0lbKYd3opj7sulTzFWP7vXz3GWqhA0VNFcEjA_ir55KI3OhkGnTuVl3rFTCxm9MUo0IE8M-8TGu8Zgsv0RpCqRLHy0kgz0qBG72XBxcBAgpA2cTmbQrSAPpzKuw5tF7pS6B34rxXr2l5qd5_Jb2H9ZEm=s3840" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3840" data-original-width="2160" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgJnDMYhw767wECAcHB2d1rP2j6HMDCtz9A0lbKYd3opj7sulTzFWP7vXz3GWqhA0VNFcEjA_ir55KI3OhkGnTuVl3rFTCxm9MUo0IE8M-8TGu8Zgsv0RpCqRLHy0kgz0qBG72XBxcBAgpA2cTmbQrSAPpzKuw5tF7pS6B34rxXr2l5qd5_Jb2H9ZEm=s320" width="180" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Teh German suggested at some point in the early summer that we do the 20 mile bike ride in DC and we signed up with Teh Bestie and Bestie Husband +4. So we make it a point to ride the bicycles more.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhDude13co6UCjxd7vdPKpjBqWwPRPcrHnufYJRWDaFTB6zlE0rU7WYOIomPCAVKuxXcIs5jeSKvVlUQ5xbUc56zVh7jlhxAZXZtD6v6UfCwCvpxvpGg1NtxR56_BhEZEHQKR0Z4ZEF-Ql76jMy9FWcTqITaGTJNafk85YPCXJUN1sI9OqzVLFnF2Fm=s2688" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2688" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhDude13co6UCjxd7vdPKpjBqWwPRPcrHnufYJRWDaFTB6zlE0rU7WYOIomPCAVKuxXcIs5jeSKvVlUQ5xbUc56zVh7jlhxAZXZtD6v6UfCwCvpxvpGg1NtxR56_BhEZEHQKR0Z4ZEF-Ql76jMy9FWcTqITaGTJNafk85YPCXJUN1sI9OqzVLFnF2Fm=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">JULY</h2><div style="text-align: left;">More group motorcycle rides!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh5Hig_JF70PzjeJ7FFvbOLht2bCAx-Sqb-0ta8eaJdgOPC6r8ZHGuHeEPXpHGMWoDC2o-kIACln__VN0ph2ZnGOMK23b2aen4rOjDcKsaj9D3ZW7dDVqJMmX5m82mSls4kz0IEUTPENDFm_KoqEmfRbIOKJAZX6N90miSyR-W3yNcPYQEKVoxJbaxi=s3840" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="3840" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh5Hig_JF70PzjeJ7FFvbOLht2bCAx-Sqb-0ta8eaJdgOPC6r8ZHGuHeEPXpHGMWoDC2o-kIACln__VN0ph2ZnGOMK23b2aen4rOjDcKsaj9D3ZW7dDVqJMmX5m82mSls4kz0IEUTPENDFm_KoqEmfRbIOKJAZX6N90miSyR-W3yNcPYQEKVoxJbaxi=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg7nIRQycJ6rQHINsECucsyEhS2-tIkH-rMEK_XDDJQ8HxWiQMZbvXMIT99stdD-WGVIFkttBsze2GwKEeIwfuwGqDS2STcT-tsfztna17OsQ5YFz1xGKgDiTnlnmtUD3VJOmx1-ptI5NvlIRQsF2kb_V-BQ2M-QruvLrVFu3nlplAPYWkOdmXItdsH=s3840" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="3840" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg7nIRQycJ6rQHINsECucsyEhS2-tIkH-rMEK_XDDJQ8HxWiQMZbvXMIT99stdD-WGVIFkttBsze2GwKEeIwfuwGqDS2STcT-tsfztna17OsQ5YFz1xGKgDiTnlnmtUD3VJOmx1-ptI5NvlIRQsF2kb_V-BQ2M-QruvLrVFu3nlplAPYWkOdmXItdsH=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi4wZSoCbmE2rCBF3hu-uU7F8le-G1OWwE3Nm7ILRnuwAJqIT01ZFsAjxTC2MDVV_OzI-32JrIKNDz9lchJBKNB4SCKxjmi-tVJMN27UkmnG59Qt2Uts-9NxRWv4zru4beQoKuBmY-2SkdkkiBLnh7EBCfPED1GybfbWbdfoQYtB-9qUjeTa78QGLan=s2688" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2688" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi4wZSoCbmE2rCBF3hu-uU7F8le-G1OWwE3Nm7ILRnuwAJqIT01ZFsAjxTC2MDVV_OzI-32JrIKNDz9lchJBKNB4SCKxjmi-tVJMN27UkmnG59Qt2Uts-9NxRWv4zru4beQoKuBmY-2SkdkkiBLnh7EBCfPED1GybfbWbdfoQYtB-9qUjeTa78QGLan=s320" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I did the running thing.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEidgnBw06jDFcESLQ0ZQE1n39QmBmeuRtoMg_HTN50l88t24wwonL25Hc-qIMMNFg8vSWOn--KtVf2EIFJMrA_eTyr9hzby4orwq0j1O1T3ZBvoXMsajjUCQlcNxY8llClWd0pJ9iEP9xANpZknxoTQksYijIZAYeiYnBQ_oAUw9g2NiJplteALUZpc=s2688" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2688" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEidgnBw06jDFcESLQ0ZQE1n39QmBmeuRtoMg_HTN50l88t24wwonL25Hc-qIMMNFg8vSWOn--KtVf2EIFJMrA_eTyr9hzby4orwq0j1O1T3ZBvoXMsajjUCQlcNxY8llClWd0pJ9iEP9xANpZknxoTQksYijIZAYeiYnBQ_oAUw9g2NiJplteALUZpc=s320" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We watched an old man pee on someone's tire and saw fireworks for 4th of July.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgvg6dOAh5i6-kZYoDVs-xzuWfOdcwo-kj0Dsda975TtrC4Bd88AQ0N8WfLskBpfyUVfaRynldQ1J6Baro43koY9OTjDAQry7Q4ncPJelCSgqYgfXXCtQ_oR5HFbygIxHQLFM18bon8qSyHWhzwvHj3P7GEfgqWm_Pmz1IB5-h_qn86yKjtpLzK6ORU=s2688" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2688" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgvg6dOAh5i6-kZYoDVs-xzuWfOdcwo-kj0Dsda975TtrC4Bd88AQ0N8WfLskBpfyUVfaRynldQ1J6Baro43koY9OTjDAQry7Q4ncPJelCSgqYgfXXCtQ_oR5HFbygIxHQLFM18bon8qSyHWhzwvHj3P7GEfgqWm_Pmz1IB5-h_qn86yKjtpLzK6ORU=s320" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Did another slayer workout, but with friends this time.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />The cutest beasts I've ever let live with me kept being cute AF.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEisKQJpsai_hCtq4_fmGOOB-qr9P9TaEfKO-lOwtkhlcWc4FWQVvC9OZ4_0b0iZURqTHyPn4Q9KpID-IxUeEip33WWj_qUMcvH1CeoOY0CF0_eTB5K11wbv6ZPh6JK3kipeT0dHAufC9S9mTUK5xow4chAE1crkueb55SAlDQ5VGCyPjLhutvyLW2SK=s3840" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3840" data-original-width="2160" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEisKQJpsai_hCtq4_fmGOOB-qr9P9TaEfKO-lOwtkhlcWc4FWQVvC9OZ4_0b0iZURqTHyPn4Q9KpID-IxUeEip33WWj_qUMcvH1CeoOY0CF0_eTB5K11wbv6ZPh6JK3kipeT0dHAufC9S9mTUK5xow4chAE1crkueb55SAlDQ5VGCyPjLhutvyLW2SK=s320" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Muppet.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjtAKCDfYexIH4emulUQatd22uE__povoD81K5TYERhWBRA2nQXFG__fL3W0ISLTPEVJqpybqUV-CDeclml3ul16sjZ_PYXaLA281Vh-SZAyvxuW_1aYuhM5T-NBVDuBxpQrRhBuaKryGydSv8VdgVI0EgHO_h2NN22_YtoLapJ1UySCseLS72T4Io5=s3840" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="3840" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjtAKCDfYexIH4emulUQatd22uE__povoD81K5TYERhWBRA2nQXFG__fL3W0ISLTPEVJqpybqUV-CDeclml3ul16sjZ_PYXaLA281Vh-SZAyvxuW_1aYuhM5T-NBVDuBxpQrRhBuaKryGydSv8VdgVI0EgHO_h2NN22_YtoLapJ1UySCseLS72T4Io5=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Monkey.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgNRMVELgjRY5IAFiswzwF3nE0EMymmZXO9Kt3w-XFfFRsnNvGRHgmqwFalTSH5YWAAxzjz7o5X6V0vaPbIjpI-cpJsXHD06-XjoHpAKKwxQImOALDUGmoxQJGkJQxUwgSdieZnzqVwF32guBRAnZqXI_uKKpFRicmxd_CEwh4-To6mhoveOeJrMsow=s3840" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="3840" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgNRMVELgjRY5IAFiswzwF3nE0EMymmZXO9Kt3w-XFfFRsnNvGRHgmqwFalTSH5YWAAxzjz7o5X6V0vaPbIjpI-cpJsXHD06-XjoHpAKKwxQImOALDUGmoxQJGkJQxUwgSdieZnzqVwF32guBRAnZqXI_uKKpFRicmxd_CEwh4-To6mhoveOeJrMsow=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And a Moose.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />In an unfortunate turn of events, Teh German's step-brother passed away and so we had to make an emergency trip to Germany for the funeral. It was super complicated because of COVID, but we managed. While we were in Essen, we also made a point to see some German friends.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgQFfe0gpA1VWiPDI8INTq6iB92RIAoRcEqn0NmWSnMXmHIt1k3rfldpKf6Ont8TBAFy1A5ZXr2mFPHwPciWR_4PJV_vEmyQvqDnorJrMk8eY0M9bRww6InBHBx7l579vdjqi9tPpBCBz6RYWRZnvTrKpFP8sPOgozNQJheH9OK4hgZfOhsSmlg_HOI=s2688" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2688" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgQFfe0gpA1VWiPDI8INTq6iB92RIAoRcEqn0NmWSnMXmHIt1k3rfldpKf6Ont8TBAFy1A5ZXr2mFPHwPciWR_4PJV_vEmyQvqDnorJrMk8eY0M9bRww6InBHBx7l579vdjqi9tPpBCBz6RYWRZnvTrKpFP8sPOgozNQJheH9OK4hgZfOhsSmlg_HOI=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhvVHHpQZbu4UWuEWoEvhF3M7MNf_VCT9u5WKU8d-yqmkDVsObHqPQ8A2ms7yjPnCVrVPoL2K9Pdvf4oLywTBlvezJQdzCoUnaKxSNpUfKjOPbdgwb4MJMrK84a9MtBAyqWzR9NhcDFuuZjR3uLWFqrK0384CvsxYRV4iCOAznolABwTNwounnKCDH9=s3840" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="3840" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhvVHHpQZbu4UWuEWoEvhF3M7MNf_VCT9u5WKU8d-yqmkDVsObHqPQ8A2ms7yjPnCVrVPoL2K9Pdvf4oLywTBlvezJQdzCoUnaKxSNpUfKjOPbdgwb4MJMrK84a9MtBAyqWzR9NhcDFuuZjR3uLWFqrK0384CvsxYRV4iCOAznolABwTNwounnKCDH9=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg-Cq7VJBPq7LHYJl8-GyllSaPeHjNH_FbynZtOBpDPM9QBkHeA5KOh_evK_Bi5z85VPgLCQFL00qq4r_JZx_WNxxGNTVo5mscjSIjA1e9-0BJmgJSvqG1xBFTaRNYD1vn6lxpED9KcF0tMW_aasXQzuN6Q2_0Bw0WM2yjNzgCM1jIVL_L9JwqZfVcF=s2688" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2688" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg-Cq7VJBPq7LHYJl8-GyllSaPeHjNH_FbynZtOBpDPM9QBkHeA5KOh_evK_Bi5z85VPgLCQFL00qq4r_JZx_WNxxGNTVo5mscjSIjA1e9-0BJmgJSvqG1xBFTaRNYD1vn6lxpED9KcF0tMW_aasXQzuN6Q2_0Bw0WM2yjNzgCM1jIVL_L9JwqZfVcF=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjmOCyCAq-8oTdEUE32kSd5Sciq9XypJJ7GH5zGCCCyRkShTlzP2a8zH7zcCsjsP8nggkKbKDqD1wGrOxJDpRNgkvJb83Qh7Tx9cK5OcurxLYd3Ib8wOcOTWhQSGuKgN8lMC53gEy1-13rh6juqXv1CKkFG0QSW5wpiqcqt4EWlGTRUigRADpUpCiCZ=s2688" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2688" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjmOCyCAq-8oTdEUE32kSd5Sciq9XypJJ7GH5zGCCCyRkShTlzP2a8zH7zcCsjsP8nggkKbKDqD1wGrOxJDpRNgkvJb83Qh7Tx9cK5OcurxLYd3Ib8wOcOTWhQSGuKgN8lMC53gEy1-13rh6juqXv1CKkFG0QSW5wpiqcqt4EWlGTRUigRADpUpCiCZ=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiGRt9s_-Z6Gg87-q0j-Sg4P-_LOqYzz2zvSmxJnvMPaF2pEMdLE4eNcktmxnD_9nNvDZ8hVsxCDZNFr588nEo4H2N5TghE8QuBIsH6t0buDhs584w311dXHtEVUI-RVDsyqfxnaLNwW4UBCMW5mBSz-D39xfMJDYkzxnVVy0IOobFK9XF7YnKz2fFh=s2688" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2688" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiGRt9s_-Z6Gg87-q0j-Sg4P-_LOqYzz2zvSmxJnvMPaF2pEMdLE4eNcktmxnD_9nNvDZ8hVsxCDZNFr588nEo4H2N5TghE8QuBIsH6t0buDhs584w311dXHtEVUI-RVDsyqfxnaLNwW4UBCMW5mBSz-D39xfMJDYkzxnVVy0IOobFK9XF7YnKz2fFh=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>After we got back from Germany, friends from SC happened to be up for an event for one of their kids so we got to hang out with them for an evening, which was fabulous! Not just because I won Risk either.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg93DqSsXz9_sS_TPnUqb3Le7_m-qUWyEhNxoVwnE9MCmCBCe31EsKaN9CinL1tgStBqM4FLlsfEu-uhxXJWC9ySnEm85F_1TxNFga30QxmbYEPbioLXmqKhk05dTKjS_UZvGBXLhMRdCkYt2x1wnp6YP8BsnMnSDTI6PnSOmbiccF70Nq5MuUOGLi-=s3840" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3840" data-original-width="2160" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg93DqSsXz9_sS_TPnUqb3Le7_m-qUWyEhNxoVwnE9MCmCBCe31EsKaN9CinL1tgStBqM4FLlsfEu-uhxXJWC9ySnEm85F_1TxNFga30QxmbYEPbioLXmqKhk05dTKjS_UZvGBXLhMRdCkYt2x1wnp6YP8BsnMnSDTI6PnSOmbiccF70Nq5MuUOGLi-=s320" width="180" /></a></div><div><br /></div>And, continued dog adventures.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiuI98nKQ0wpCsaQ5qZdNNXYIXqtow3dansHxFU3IntUu7C20s3Jx0qtUqqa1otmSHuU6xQgY3MPmlXRqDB12zaGmXgF0hSXdsHH-hOZHzdIrDRHhIxnJsCOIede0UC400LJpEWJXaA2B_hGq8lvCBmZTRpNN9UJSme8vPlI--mBYasSIPALOl3SOMy=s3840" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="3840" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiuI98nKQ0wpCsaQ5qZdNNXYIXqtow3dansHxFU3IntUu7C20s3Jx0qtUqqa1otmSHuU6xQgY3MPmlXRqDB12zaGmXgF0hSXdsHH-hOZHzdIrDRHhIxnJsCOIede0UC400LJpEWJXaA2B_hGq8lvCBmZTRpNN9UJSme8vPlI--mBYasSIPALOl3SOMy=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi1kjrsbiwvbAbZ_EFuEPPxBpKXy029xniuiBn1u0aRSvQGdP-RSOQ6G6w-7q-JsDTqFdEUfNeN2jtTk6Nm_8ICk-aiZWLGy68mUuzpbOtHwtXJosYCphkq5xEMQ__7dRelpUuzrgLTlbZ0TlJcGPri1hZNfnMl3aeQMsnp5EOYDM1h_7km9e-CcLBJ=s2688" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2688" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi1kjrsbiwvbAbZ_EFuEPPxBpKXy029xniuiBn1u0aRSvQGdP-RSOQ6G6w-7q-JsDTqFdEUfNeN2jtTk6Nm_8ICk-aiZWLGy68mUuzpbOtHwtXJosYCphkq5xEMQ__7dRelpUuzrgLTlbZ0TlJcGPri1hZNfnMl3aeQMsnp5EOYDM1h_7km9e-CcLBJ=s320" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">AUGUST</h2><div style="text-align: left;">Teh Dad and Teh Stepmom came through MD on their way to NY for an event, so we hosted for a few days, which included a trip to the National Aquarium and desserts from Amicci's.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjgKqN8sQf7lMD55a74gUoHlSJrxi1qhthPc33EkKnVgR65EVBaCr5jT1n00VmeIzIjF46zJygHnXw1yf7k1pyPt0p7tXhZ2xt4p0Lp2dpIsX_H9o5ZVgZ9Xc33DHXnQ2nvhPbSuYb4HAVVMDIM875UNM_TX6ujwf5_0O0EteP4xARW-7iSzvrV5SXu=s2688" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2688" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjgKqN8sQf7lMD55a74gUoHlSJrxi1qhthPc33EkKnVgR65EVBaCr5jT1n00VmeIzIjF46zJygHnXw1yf7k1pyPt0p7tXhZ2xt4p0Lp2dpIsX_H9o5ZVgZ9Xc33DHXnQ2nvhPbSuYb4HAVVMDIM875UNM_TX6ujwf5_0O0EteP4xARW-7iSzvrV5SXu=s320" width="180" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjGUMtH_0gmVkOtZ-wVjdhb-3DJYahKgKZLJnlgw5JwCuxsJjMg-aM51tYNkd2g7aG5xub2X1QDm0VMH-AmKYNTTs29FIkR25KhKzit6vW-V0530kpPobmSzs4W1R54iIeBhtTCQjh8s5_GB5ImnO2xL2tbBIKgVgj9JqnRTpAXjM6Agmg4ua4IorQn=s3840" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3840" data-original-width="2160" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjGUMtH_0gmVkOtZ-wVjdhb-3DJYahKgKZLJnlgw5JwCuxsJjMg-aM51tYNkd2g7aG5xub2X1QDm0VMH-AmKYNTTs29FIkR25KhKzit6vW-V0530kpPobmSzs4W1R54iIeBhtTCQjh8s5_GB5ImnO2xL2tbBIKgVgj9JqnRTpAXjM6Agmg4ua4IorQn=s320" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Teh German started track racing on his 2nd motorcycle.<br />Yup, we're back to being a 3 motorcycle household.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhCwaRe1tt9xCOQN5NWgZOJ8JTMY4otCla7IiKY8qOtDx8cxmXErZq6SUYxsksi8d1mhskHCcpiA3rZ380E2NvcEPB3RJggLq9adpmxD2RjQB3-_YuwxZzrKG8Px-08vD4xMKaivve0uwlnNkDU1_xaPLYQFDBSx4D47YKLbjP1m07x7ZjmXMLy8yAt=s2688" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2688" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhCwaRe1tt9xCOQN5NWgZOJ8JTMY4otCla7IiKY8qOtDx8cxmXErZq6SUYxsksi8d1mhskHCcpiA3rZ380E2NvcEPB3RJggLq9adpmxD2RjQB3-_YuwxZzrKG8Px-08vD4xMKaivve0uwlnNkDU1_xaPLYQFDBSx4D47YKLbjP1m07x7ZjmXMLy8yAt=s320" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Since my return to MD, I picked up right where I left off with my GEGR volunteering.<br />But now I'm the chaos coordinator for adoption events, ensuring that every family meets their dogs and that things run smoothly.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiNEo-UwWL91wi0g6ITYNuQlyEKXwI89oPxpTa0tiJ45kwPOSBoYtpHUuR9oykEPZT-O1Q5PjFRyD4OzrFSdde2c62BqAeRO8rqLKtg1zgvi_w02RPxDBKYJK6XcOklPLV54xAdWcPX56ojPZsUWC5RnVnYoTk7MgrXW2U06F3RSu8-tTm1xctM21bg=s3840" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3840" data-original-width="2160" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiNEo-UwWL91wi0g6ITYNuQlyEKXwI89oPxpTa0tiJ45kwPOSBoYtpHUuR9oykEPZT-O1Q5PjFRyD4OzrFSdde2c62BqAeRO8rqLKtg1zgvi_w02RPxDBKYJK6XcOklPLV54xAdWcPX56ojPZsUWC5RnVnYoTk7MgrXW2U06F3RSu8-tTm1xctM21bg=s320" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><3 Running?</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj_ShyA6XvKHT_xF0PaEsyFCHE5Ycj8WxiouRqRD_Nj6rRzaEkHKyE5S9JQxZuYqyRKqXJW66DDK_YilnTjgcNZG1a6JYCUhMZVyHu5VPMfEuGVB0b0aEl2gkagZnk_N3XYLnOfEjIkXsKwcHXG5Rmqgyz9aRRcHRch-edfQe9GdbdfS5HwAhUYnP2y=s3840" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="3840" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj_ShyA6XvKHT_xF0PaEsyFCHE5Ycj8WxiouRqRD_Nj6rRzaEkHKyE5S9JQxZuYqyRKqXJW66DDK_YilnTjgcNZG1a6JYCUhMZVyHu5VPMfEuGVB0b0aEl2gkagZnk_N3XYLnOfEjIkXsKwcHXG5Rmqgyz9aRRcHRch-edfQe9GdbdfS5HwAhUYnP2y=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Because of Germany, Teh Bestie postponed her bday gokart celebration, so we finally got to ride gokarts!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgU01eXptyfhR8s9FM51QjNPnN8UFkh_jkY_odveANcLFszDQ8gdV6EBTZAilsYwdahWS-WuM9gYX1MOITtaI8JcDJ6vsijzCZ4qEgWjcUbZky3NQcwPnKbc5ZJRJqiiBpTmYKl17hiBBk4WJ8hiMR-6Gu9IFmS6sIvyLgJM45YQ37t4HN7pv0GC860=s2688" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2688" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgU01eXptyfhR8s9FM51QjNPnN8UFkh_jkY_odveANcLFszDQ8gdV6EBTZAilsYwdahWS-WuM9gYX1MOITtaI8JcDJ6vsijzCZ4qEgWjcUbZky3NQcwPnKbc5ZJRJqiiBpTmYKl17hiBBk4WJ8hiMR-6Gu9IFmS6sIvyLgJM45YQ37t4HN7pv0GC860=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We went on a motorcycle ride to a dairy farm that has a creamery and I discovered a new flavor of ice cream that I like.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Because of COVID, many of my 2020 races were deferred and a few were straight up cancelled (RnR Chicago) and so I had to select new race locations. Since Chicago was cancelled, I opted to do RnR Seattle and I managed to make it into a Sisters Weekend, so Teh Sister and Teh Stepsister joined me in Seattle for the weekend..... and then 30 days prior to the race, it was cancelled and we already had a hotel and plane tickets and we said fuck it and went anyways. No one died and it was a good time.</div><div> <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj3-026QYfijko0RFhNUVkTY-2-iZ7pkAH6n3TT70T00ESXGk6JPx-Q04eaQprhAEXRMfVgnZGx8kz6CL2ZxwuL0mH_SZ3lTb4417jTRk6QddrisYo0Ei01A8zdCI2dtddSQiTGvxdhK4FMoV5L_L8XzOqsBQaEpHhJzDg6l_W0PD44Khxo9e5GkwIi=s2688" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2688" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj3-026QYfijko0RFhNUVkTY-2-iZ7pkAH6n3TT70T00ESXGk6JPx-Q04eaQprhAEXRMfVgnZGx8kz6CL2ZxwuL0mH_SZ3lTb4417jTRk6QddrisYo0Ei01A8zdCI2dtddSQiTGvxdhK4FMoV5L_L8XzOqsBQaEpHhJzDg6l_W0PD44Khxo9e5GkwIi=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiF4sqeQDJNeQply5Sxe3iOiD4Q3GXP42J-wxuTK7C54aAs7fHnCfdiJ0ZSaVn8cjl3j0Cresc6i48A7CmB9Q4qj-UPgt1g7WqKyY5h_DIWhi6z1G61HpWPNty1f8SJ7icI36umOlXGBbKzaz7MdhJ2EawmV91NwARzDW8xgrc0M_Ml0vX4sWLCbiZ2=s3840" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="3840" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiF4sqeQDJNeQply5Sxe3iOiD4Q3GXP42J-wxuTK7C54aAs7fHnCfdiJ0ZSaVn8cjl3j0Cresc6i48A7CmB9Q4qj-UPgt1g7WqKyY5h_DIWhi6z1G61HpWPNty1f8SJ7icI36umOlXGBbKzaz7MdhJ2EawmV91NwARzDW8xgrc0M_Ml0vX4sWLCbiZ2=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhzxLG_8AnOkoJLXeU3-4MtKe2rs3HpoaCyVvZWL_VHldh1XM9a3002TvJdw5rv6BQBBwNrZAnz_BSgllKRx6BvP_JZJvbtB7FDUqr8zIMh2-tBZ7jKf6rypnqfcc27juRYtVayiyLqZvHRukaKVucA14ghrIoCe29Ekt3dJmsZpcM2urji71aKGFR-=s3840" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="3840" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhzxLG_8AnOkoJLXeU3-4MtKe2rs3HpoaCyVvZWL_VHldh1XM9a3002TvJdw5rv6BQBBwNrZAnz_BSgllKRx6BvP_JZJvbtB7FDUqr8zIMh2-tBZ7jKf6rypnqfcc27juRYtVayiyLqZvHRukaKVucA14ghrIoCe29Ekt3dJmsZpcM2urji71aKGFR-=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhWhlePAcKbqyWW1A4zAdPEo_xGgsn61EQxhALxe8f3r0HilOCmKmeZ_kxtGLspydkCkkzrhV2wTDVmaVosEkUHJKWQPLhvbi68auOZMxGNntBeytzr8OED1meUKWEmDmzMNTYEHz-zl9r6dMg0PHomID3Sx_biMTYUaZELiV5MmgYUN9R38ClqSGtQ=s2688" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2688" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhWhlePAcKbqyWW1A4zAdPEo_xGgsn61EQxhALxe8f3r0HilOCmKmeZ_kxtGLspydkCkkzrhV2wTDVmaVosEkUHJKWQPLhvbi68auOZMxGNntBeytzr8OED1meUKWEmDmzMNTYEHz-zl9r6dMg0PHomID3Sx_biMTYUaZELiV5MmgYUN9R38ClqSGtQ=s320" width="180" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Got back and did more outside things. To include getting childhood level muddy during a bike ride.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjHSh4Zhb1tqYy-_KmxhqU1f9_kq3uJbS6BuVHWippd7EtcYp3u3alAG1qaLnDnmu6x4O7VXUMSWuJtVsF1Mpiq5t_rliC0xfykA7DEIlxDzC3IYfDw_qF5qZEiBmVGVIU9TFzg0OaARaN02uheFJst-FhIcFrcaOL6D9IeC8TMAE5W8_iqYgdpy8WE=s3840" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3840" data-original-width="2160" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjHSh4Zhb1tqYy-_KmxhqU1f9_kq3uJbS6BuVHWippd7EtcYp3u3alAG1qaLnDnmu6x4O7VXUMSWuJtVsF1Mpiq5t_rliC0xfykA7DEIlxDzC3IYfDw_qF5qZEiBmVGVIU9TFzg0OaARaN02uheFJst-FhIcFrcaOL6D9IeC8TMAE5W8_iqYgdpy8WE=s320" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg0e5sFUuy2fWhPy0aQ2l_biFMRXwg11_LbAi_8-9dWlugPHiTnBfgA-vHdvp5Ep5XOh6kksMWVisC8JYEP_esj9qqyjiLe1MZsDuWLId3DvNmmYb0rO6rdkunFJEGw6DyzlZNpsjt-UG6TmAzKmlIk7cPQt2WgJNW4gg1PDUSlRpFEkYyeI1DJjGZM=s2688" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2688" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg0e5sFUuy2fWhPy0aQ2l_biFMRXwg11_LbAi_8-9dWlugPHiTnBfgA-vHdvp5Ep5XOh6kksMWVisC8JYEP_esj9qqyjiLe1MZsDuWLId3DvNmmYb0rO6rdkunFJEGw6DyzlZNpsjt-UG6TmAzKmlIk7cPQt2WgJNW4gg1PDUSlRpFEkYyeI1DJjGZM=s320" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">SEPTEMBER</h2><div style="text-align: left;">In September, I FINALLY got to do an in-person race again with Teh Bestie: RnR Virginia Beach! It was terrifying and exciting. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg9b4R6K7Ls0XvNAYMnDNh-ocC8g3M8Kk3Xi2itsh8c6lm0GcS1FxdRuhldZO0bzxXWtchrbpfX3DexBhk6URCw1yfeyPepHxQgw09UORFm30SM0g_P_gDsg-gkyaFk5EJN7sW1vRlcQf6JRGgUAse0U9YWpCfd9l5klgsU_ZIgEVK--Ay3-AFKVgqG=s2688" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2688" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg9b4R6K7Ls0XvNAYMnDNh-ocC8g3M8Kk3Xi2itsh8c6lm0GcS1FxdRuhldZO0bzxXWtchrbpfX3DexBhk6URCw1yfeyPepHxQgw09UORFm30SM0g_P_gDsg-gkyaFk5EJN7sW1vRlcQf6JRGgUAse0U9YWpCfd9l5klgsU_ZIgEVK--Ay3-AFKVgqG=s320" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgTEz8atrk4i4t9KBFc5HP5MVBblQ1XIFFsMRTqfL81EtOyFdLch8oCRouAFiupPat2VuCy5TMToXIBmEoNaOoG65_-nPXjCTOS428LH2yqtdZJyWLt5k7DdHxg2mY8yX4-q8q5-7xwz6m65wAj6v8kmXfj3QswSvxtF3-joh96SLHUDC5KuV9wFRMW=s3840" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3840" data-original-width="2160" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgTEz8atrk4i4t9KBFc5HP5MVBblQ1XIFFsMRTqfL81EtOyFdLch8oCRouAFiupPat2VuCy5TMToXIBmEoNaOoG65_-nPXjCTOS428LH2yqtdZJyWLt5k7DdHxg2mY8yX4-q8q5-7xwz6m65wAj6v8kmXfj3QswSvxtF3-joh96SLHUDC5KuV9wFRMW=s320" width="180" /></a></div><div><br /></div>After a weekend in VA Beach, we worked a few days then headed down to Lusby for the GEGR Greyhound Picnic weekend.</div><div> <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgeg9xOTMqCVTR_l3qquSgrOOjoU1qxsyWsQ8-m_vtpTmzkcVWkNs_xGSGtV34AJ0el-ola4fMcMnbUlqq6mqCRs9W_GQOsXLCHgTE3UAPrBdilWdluW_kvJmHxTmI-tJEA_5hc68eeVa-le-S81kF6ctUgbGj7VoRx0_3LfQ-QhfhOqGD1wsmTZ1FZ=s3840" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="3840" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgeg9xOTMqCVTR_l3qquSgrOOjoU1qxsyWsQ8-m_vtpTmzkcVWkNs_xGSGtV34AJ0el-ola4fMcMnbUlqq6mqCRs9W_GQOsXLCHgTE3UAPrBdilWdluW_kvJmHxTmI-tJEA_5hc68eeVa-le-S81kF6ctUgbGj7VoRx0_3LfQ-QhfhOqGD1wsmTZ1FZ=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhQHpADNZffvpvS7LbU66VqBEY1b-pN8P2N5d4gCbgVODQUpV8vPcXyiDSL2O9fc5mhY3gzyVeYe2CDq1NepcDvpMxLPmj_2dYfVB6XZzNuaDbHCUuRb_0lIH-j11RU5Ohdh2KBbm7XNklIepPWvSfcXuEnFbdyKqzl-Fwq2e3ChLk_JIgc8TvIzwsC=s2688" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2688" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhQHpADNZffvpvS7LbU66VqBEY1b-pN8P2N5d4gCbgVODQUpV8vPcXyiDSL2O9fc5mhY3gzyVeYe2CDq1NepcDvpMxLPmj_2dYfVB6XZzNuaDbHCUuRb_0lIH-j11RU5Ohdh2KBbm7XNklIepPWvSfcXuEnFbdyKqzl-Fwq2e3ChLk_JIgc8TvIzwsC=s320" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We finally hung something on the walls! Which was a huge event since it meant that shortly thereafter, the rest of the shit was hung on the walls and it finally looked liked we lived in the house.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgO5WBO6B71WLR9fW3GyF5p19fRXEK5qwfDMXjp0UJVPOklRawbuPOIj3God8eupDdW5KuDolxU0U3hMsBSG5UOdMiz1ttkUZMXI-JjtxrsiQ4jLgCJiIwHbyzwhs19RIdlk9kT3uHjcutGqCh6cZmdEb-09dNIshWmt425I-WlYMrSgxIJAKfiSy42=s2688" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2688" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgO5WBO6B71WLR9fW3GyF5p19fRXEK5qwfDMXjp0UJVPOklRawbuPOIj3God8eupDdW5KuDolxU0U3hMsBSG5UOdMiz1ttkUZMXI-JjtxrsiQ4jLgCJiIwHbyzwhs19RIdlk9kT3uHjcutGqCh6cZmdEb-09dNIshWmt425I-WlYMrSgxIJAKfiSy42=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Teh German and I found a cool arcade/bowling alley place on a random date night.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhGqPPOm2LeRQ_Tv78JaVmyJGDTo3MrWboIiLZpIJV0RfX8Njz-8oZ6UtEUUE9udMQBKGQ-ikrvgA9iyHsb9b2AR3VFoDMzhDR6KDXvb3--z-TgphNGdZvXaHx1PMpWzbWgQTaeRRcE_mwslJz-u4OuvwwzRaOsg0yLrLrNq7K7G9m2EidfAT9cYGKk=s3840" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="3840" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhGqPPOm2LeRQ_Tv78JaVmyJGDTo3MrWboIiLZpIJV0RfX8Njz-8oZ6UtEUUE9udMQBKGQ-ikrvgA9iyHsb9b2AR3VFoDMzhDR6KDXvb3--z-TgphNGdZvXaHx1PMpWzbWgQTaeRRcE_mwslJz-u4OuvwwzRaOsg0yLrLrNq7K7G9m2EidfAT9cYGKk=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dogs being cats?</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhdiGiE4V8vzo4clw-3K4Li6FKV3IXEccK5pqwFF5nBDBF_0slNhkDqkWmnvNCSO0cGcboliPdfYmnvpUz0ECjbiWAjh3LC4I4EmF9MXnURo63uY9uQ17vaR8t6FnkdLEGx0ZKhY5yHehAGfQb-HcN3gA_QYXQuo8ytVjPeqAtZMgU_Z79ydFk_XhFB=s2688" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2688" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhdiGiE4V8vzo4clw-3K4Li6FKV3IXEccK5pqwFF5nBDBF_0slNhkDqkWmnvNCSO0cGcboliPdfYmnvpUz0ECjbiWAjh3LC4I4EmF9MXnURo63uY9uQ17vaR8t6FnkdLEGx0ZKhY5yHehAGfQb-HcN3gA_QYXQuo8ytVjPeqAtZMgU_Z79ydFk_XhFB=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Clique in Gettysburg for Greyhounds in Gettysburg!</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Then finally it was the event we'd been prepping for all summer: the DC bike ride!</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiWwHl75QMJQpAi_Pcb8DofTM6yeA-8KUQV7bBuAWFhCMQiWc04qi7cI3Fp9WIcx6ejOI93QyTZaQUpqwFWqNketZDxmXwa5CtcJChzK5VUm3i8JhUSPDiRpcNcByBY-Zm_Y6TGufnu5VMCbgMVPYVQ-WeqxmRV-3U3nLcbITyD7YeZYGSytRiQ7Lmu=s2688" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2688" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiWwHl75QMJQpAi_Pcb8DofTM6yeA-8KUQV7bBuAWFhCMQiWc04qi7cI3Fp9WIcx6ejOI93QyTZaQUpqwFWqNketZDxmXwa5CtcJChzK5VUm3i8JhUSPDiRpcNcByBY-Zm_Y6TGufnu5VMCbgMVPYVQ-WeqxmRV-3U3nLcbITyD7YeZYGSytRiQ7Lmu=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhuynWOzdYj0SPo30N8sBpfzZRdxZq6QtbwORnALuXB6VgTclEgMlDAP9tbv9wSAt6j4OQ46_10scsDGKBhdtkgOmtmNcUWQAA-O7snuE0VoyfacSUkX-wTrJPBqOrSqbPFSpE9sQyIO4Xb-kZ4zZ1shYLQv3syWxwN7bl-3m5UskPts0V9JWgEVkB-=s3840" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="3840" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhuynWOzdYj0SPo30N8sBpfzZRdxZq6QtbwORnALuXB6VgTclEgMlDAP9tbv9wSAt6j4OQ46_10scsDGKBhdtkgOmtmNcUWQAA-O7snuE0VoyfacSUkX-wTrJPBqOrSqbPFSpE9sQyIO4Xb-kZ4zZ1shYLQv3syWxwN7bl-3m5UskPts0V9JWgEVkB-=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjdYyoYjFfkAlFUJFzTsQbKOn4LZTytVEeXfZHXinQ5wMQnHg2u0MzYC2Xs1uoFistwYLDjnTJGDzdkH2CVsHaUTO6AymLm3WSLm6I9LRM3gCn4zjOY9_CFcI-8TqnuFMnFYExNCX4inErB8FmB-uBOb4mKqWsojv8pONnCQpeb03-h3Ab1NPZM4Z1S=s3840" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="3840" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjdYyoYjFfkAlFUJFzTsQbKOn4LZTytVEeXfZHXinQ5wMQnHg2u0MzYC2Xs1uoFistwYLDjnTJGDzdkH2CVsHaUTO6AymLm3WSLm6I9LRM3gCn4zjOY9_CFcI-8TqnuFMnFYExNCX4inErB8FmB-uBOb4mKqWsojv8pONnCQpeb03-h3Ab1NPZM4Z1S=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gratuitous Sandra photo.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">OCTOBER</h2><div style="text-align: left;">In October, I started down a rabbit hole that I'll never escape from: Ragnar. Teh Clique and I ran <a href="https://www.canidecideanotherday.com/2021/10/2021-nova-sunset-ragnar.html" target="_blank">Ragnar Sunset NoVA</a> and I was sold. A few weeks prior to our race I had actually joined a Ragnar Road New England team with a bunch of strangers I didn't know, then Teh Bestie and Matilda also signed up to go with me! More on that in a bit.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhIFJzBrdv4LP1m6zK6awagjwNcbP_VvE1aZTdc8mSwodQ861uhIuFUH5uHaG1Px4CkareUsgIYmcUjm4NJMhIvk11dLMgRR2F_6D7sNG9cRD6LMgVHBRI-zlNBHtgLCA_puDr7lboeG0lWjtc4A8iFbHuZavJDmjGe_aiAjjPwWrr2_iRsvmw6jLXl=s3642" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2731" data-original-width="3642" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhIFJzBrdv4LP1m6zK6awagjwNcbP_VvE1aZTdc8mSwodQ861uhIuFUH5uHaG1Px4CkareUsgIYmcUjm4NJMhIvk11dLMgRR2F_6D7sNG9cRD6LMgVHBRI-zlNBHtgLCA_puDr7lboeG0lWjtc4A8iFbHuZavJDmjGe_aiAjjPwWrr2_iRsvmw6jLXl=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhTfKmfmSuOSKvFA0fUP3Fpx3AoPqgW-qoUkLVSXyFdrYTn01RDh_nPd8Xwq2pJ87rqebIlue_IDLJ6eCF6mtGqrTbNzs-yOYmxqNdtrtFudlvtfDzFUAxaSzQvLGTSqoY-qbKhg6xQRsDfj52UjJpyuK_1cu1x1arrLPfaWiKmoBWfqMPeftiWzerK=s2861" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2861" data-original-width="1930" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhTfKmfmSuOSKvFA0fUP3Fpx3AoPqgW-qoUkLVSXyFdrYTn01RDh_nPd8Xwq2pJ87rqebIlue_IDLJ6eCF6mtGqrTbNzs-yOYmxqNdtrtFudlvtfDzFUAxaSzQvLGTSqoY-qbKhg6xQRsDfj52UjJpyuK_1cu1x1arrLPfaWiKmoBWfqMPeftiWzerK=s320" width="216" /></a></div><div><br /></div>After NoVA, Teh Bestie went on vacation, but when she got back, we headed straight up to New England for <a href="https://www.canidecideanotherday.com/2021/10/2021-ragnar-new-england.html" target="_blank">Ragnar Road New England</a> race. I had my first Amtrak ride and made snow-sacrifices by enjoying the beach in exchange for snow this winter. I dressed in a unicorn onesie for the non-running portion of the race and it was fabulous being fabulous. You can read the blog post to see all my feelings on completing a Ragnar after years and years of wanting to do one, but let's just say, there were tears.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj1c1YwzxNLCMon6tGonqwsuJXlhnlsVDVETnh1xVr3mzFXMrF6FlPH_aVshq4vhraQ_69pegQFppmhFng-Or1MS7XUuE_nDZrcOpWn18ZVGgSoCfmyAFn8QEPoPGgf51Rb9RWnOaD9T1wTK0PJ4BfHR4YS5YAMazxua4VddSIyoFloDQrdE2a7whta=s2688" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2688" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj1c1YwzxNLCMon6tGonqwsuJXlhnlsVDVETnh1xVr3mzFXMrF6FlPH_aVshq4vhraQ_69pegQFppmhFng-Or1MS7XUuE_nDZrcOpWn18ZVGgSoCfmyAFn8QEPoPGgf51Rb9RWnOaD9T1wTK0PJ4BfHR4YS5YAMazxua4VddSIyoFloDQrdE2a7whta=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjBvOCf5EIizH0wcuKIgBUfkfjhmzhBj1_9AdhpJ2dZIACU1gI1ReadFxlC5Fra2q4ySat8CEIB-ib3CpzivFgurUDx-tVIaV_XvfK8XjzSb_h6qwXmD0FO25KQDtuA3o6C7fV18Zbkb07HXN2qGI9kIBAZBXoNXYezEzSep_T62UTuBAcrovc0uyED=s2688" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2688" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjBvOCf5EIizH0wcuKIgBUfkfjhmzhBj1_9AdhpJ2dZIACU1gI1ReadFxlC5Fra2q4ySat8CEIB-ib3CpzivFgurUDx-tVIaV_XvfK8XjzSb_h6qwXmD0FO25KQDtuA3o6C7fV18Zbkb07HXN2qGI9kIBAZBXoNXYezEzSep_T62UTuBAcrovc0uyED=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjHUFt5qy8rSXzmboteSY-vaBBi7-oJU7NGSAGl4mR9beBsLUWkrpyW_YH2J8EML0HKWVwqPGVwQ-nz0SshQqgfw_hcEINR8_osvQcGQye-V_-ejsU21IFg-n4rD_EHWKHG1gFFmi06TRhP2riYaTO2Yv0sX4O9Pc5OPYQASiwn5ElQvVSu_hC4fUzc=s3840" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="3840" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjHUFt5qy8rSXzmboteSY-vaBBi7-oJU7NGSAGl4mR9beBsLUWkrpyW_YH2J8EML0HKWVwqPGVwQ-nz0SshQqgfw_hcEINR8_osvQcGQye-V_-ejsU21IFg-n4rD_EHWKHG1gFFmi06TRhP2riYaTO2Yv0sX4O9Pc5OPYQASiwn5ElQvVSu_hC4fUzc=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhfDdq1jTaBKUm4C3xVA2LmjVWI8pOBXFBpf9UPlcptgpNpu-eODqZZm03WNLuAmbgHCcY0aTSmz7o5aT_xZaP37DSyp79qHGxjkxh7e4OtfN12Nn1JwEOLa_yep8OA446UKMPjCUDZb_nMqOHv5ks-THoORwi14om9XddkjX5iiEXHFsBQzfhbyXqS=s2076" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2076" data-original-width="1266" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhfDdq1jTaBKUm4C3xVA2LmjVWI8pOBXFBpf9UPlcptgpNpu-eODqZZm03WNLuAmbgHCcY0aTSmz7o5aT_xZaP37DSyp79qHGxjkxh7e4OtfN12Nn1JwEOLa_yep8OA446UKMPjCUDZb_nMqOHv5ks-THoORwi14om9XddkjX5iiEXHFsBQzfhbyXqS=s320" width="195" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">#Ragnarian</td></tr></tbody></table><br />We had our first gathering at the end of October! The wood was wet and the fire was complicated, but there was plenty of snacks ANDDDD we got a visit from a Citadel Sam which never breaks my heart.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgnOIv-M9wRsMo_PDVHpoGWlPU0VXUMMty46wnkHhEZ6lw5TlhR-xGxIq00aJLeLpnmnM9bh53JCdUQUgOC740bFlwxUFVmsptExmf0Lsqzcq7mcdzQ3QPFoMftlb0Ltkmy9qS8vDIpO3X0MTbfHlJky9kpbfyW6IYOnhGNg8RVy1rUfv3t007rDC8Y=s4618" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3464" data-original-width="4618" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgnOIv-M9wRsMo_PDVHpoGWlPU0VXUMMty46wnkHhEZ6lw5TlhR-xGxIq00aJLeLpnmnM9bh53JCdUQUgOC740bFlwxUFVmsptExmf0Lsqzcq7mcdzQ3QPFoMftlb0Ltkmy9qS8vDIpO3X0MTbfHlJky9kpbfyW6IYOnhGNg8RVy1rUfv3t007rDC8Y=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Halloween decor.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />On Halloween, I gathered with part of Teh Clique and we did the Bay Bridge 10k, which we are now committed to for the next 4 years since it's a 5 piece medal.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj-ApE4G1bC3AtFWformyUppomlS-J7U8CXXX48doCgxI0DimHp_rCAxBBoeskDR1HOssedOgN9sTlI9n4rT03Ixt_UVaBcD_Y_Ahobow34rLeVff-V6oR9pBx-cRUCnZhb9OSitTzPkQSdnfGVohRYIWba-hxlgZcWbXgyYiW-6D98rpj6mJXU1HUd=s4618" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4618" data-original-width="3464" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj-ApE4G1bC3AtFWformyUppomlS-J7U8CXXX48doCgxI0DimHp_rCAxBBoeskDR1HOssedOgN9sTlI9n4rT03Ixt_UVaBcD_Y_Ahobow34rLeVff-V6oR9pBx-cRUCnZhb9OSitTzPkQSdnfGVohRYIWba-hxlgZcWbXgyYiW-6D98rpj6mJXU1HUd=s320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg0QwUGy8er0z2_ljqt_7ycD6nPuWPtnMTRjuo8FlR-Mln0uTOJ86iMbTbNhyfiHC1lqhL8YtFi0wuEBlbSNvzQtgNR23p7DBWqMETN6yD_wpwJknYC11zmqVqtTEznHMIAcs5jD3kRZAPfuT2wB19Hu2JEXpWqRcUu78nPLDwtJLmndbzbI4qRr0bG=s3968" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2232" data-original-width="3968" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg0QwUGy8er0z2_ljqt_7ycD6nPuWPtnMTRjuo8FlR-Mln0uTOJ86iMbTbNhyfiHC1lqhL8YtFi0wuEBlbSNvzQtgNR23p7DBWqMETN6yD_wpwJknYC11zmqVqtTEznHMIAcs5jD3kRZAPfuT2wB19Hu2JEXpWqRcUu78nPLDwtJLmndbzbI4qRr0bG=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Then after the race, I showered and Teh German and I headed to a biker friend's church where he is a pastor for some motorcycle trunk or treat.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgbm5INIgrPrN6PB778VdjYFys7bJJQto06xEa_qJKNvsdgav3NP6Z1zs9VKzayHeRvr1FkiJQMGHjMoYDl5Iu_IzfDC14w5rQzpTRY2pVzmD4QStkOn-4Su4m-OnuTuujEVwIsZAAraE9J71sK5ETwXX90sVkgRLl5p1hXrrMxfR8gfnKFwDdOp4WR=s3216" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3216" data-original-width="1808" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgbm5INIgrPrN6PB778VdjYFys7bJJQto06xEa_qJKNvsdgav3NP6Z1zs9VKzayHeRvr1FkiJQMGHjMoYDl5Iu_IzfDC14w5rQzpTRY2pVzmD4QStkOn-4Su4m-OnuTuujEVwIsZAAraE9J71sK5ETwXX90sVkgRLl5p1hXrrMxfR8gfnKFwDdOp4WR=s320" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj5HSYDwwFcbKI2p3XcoOh4epskaG0azHl4-fYYj7Df7QzpfSd4YNqodQYbDMw_MxNYXf-Z3Et5OnfROJ_g2uvZ817_fAv4YG8I6iUDdvPukYb5CkTSLFiAXUw0GYwMN1zAdKwzDP_nLSoB0MYwOwnpL7vi1ObV9e9mTkGQpHMI9f_Z_V2wSE_KZU47=s4618" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3464" data-original-width="4618" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj5HSYDwwFcbKI2p3XcoOh4epskaG0azHl4-fYYj7Df7QzpfSd4YNqodQYbDMw_MxNYXf-Z3Et5OnfROJ_g2uvZ817_fAv4YG8I6iUDdvPukYb5CkTSLFiAXUw0GYwMN1zAdKwzDP_nLSoB0MYwOwnpL7vi1ObV9e9mTkGQpHMI9f_Z_V2wSE_KZU47=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">NOVEMBER</h2><div style="text-align: left;">We started off November by celebrating our 4th anniversary! I made reservations at The Capital Grille in DC since we hadn't done anything fancy since we've been in the North. And let's just talk about the irony of SC Senator TIM SCOTT walking in and having dinner "with" us while we were there! HA! Teh German did not encourage my fangirling, but I did sneak a very bad selfie because YOLO bitches.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg_M5s0oef_QZ5kgv5e1nqTbLoj7ud88oWd3Huknr03jnjLBKHPKOzGvxXTArW-2rRWpoxBpF4BaKBy1jXBgcDpKlaVRG3C2AYbK1ymDbIHFfI5SBXczdxXwgP1IxT15VJdWqrX9GqiQU2V-pVnSClSEgYRACyJLN2K5EbZzTecPfwvM5vB3FLLOec8=s4618" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4618" data-original-width="3464" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg_M5s0oef_QZ5kgv5e1nqTbLoj7ud88oWd3Huknr03jnjLBKHPKOzGvxXTArW-2rRWpoxBpF4BaKBy1jXBgcDpKlaVRG3C2AYbK1ymDbIHFfI5SBXczdxXwgP1IxT15VJdWqrX9GqiQU2V-pVnSClSEgYRACyJLN2K5EbZzTecPfwvM5vB3FLLOec8=s320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjD7qYtOAwxWpEmNXBwYfjCc_t9vy0vBTukC6_F91oEQODxp9PJJL28gxc3V43eVQmJj8KHIMsU1V5gn5pWs28KGuItIJPCxKIox1B2Mv3GymkgNQggMv43gv7wSnwryhxgslHwO62imTGDl4rpM6HnWxrNgSdAHexqumeANs9aPf7sbuOwyLJSeqW0=s4618" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3464" data-original-width="4618" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjD7qYtOAwxWpEmNXBwYfjCc_t9vy0vBTukC6_F91oEQODxp9PJJL28gxc3V43eVQmJj8KHIMsU1V5gn5pWs28KGuItIJPCxKIox1B2Mv3GymkgNQggMv43gv7wSnwryhxgslHwO62imTGDl4rpM6HnWxrNgSdAHexqumeANs9aPf7sbuOwyLJSeqW0=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjxvqApOiJ2It3GU8sx0JQm-vjQqdgu07Fs5yvwD8_A28H53xq9GTcrNf5EBnzWlt_WbQDGMtM3ldqCNQTaUkjB-TodxlROPA6k7EuppZHTYso5KboVmo7FWmZL2H-LxEL0UeJRVT3nabFuLKeeTpKjPw-ADHZYmVtoqG9AYJv5YMEPYcK85_beKwmG=s3216" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1808" data-original-width="3216" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjxvqApOiJ2It3GU8sx0JQm-vjQqdgu07Fs5yvwD8_A28H53xq9GTcrNf5EBnzWlt_WbQDGMtM3ldqCNQTaUkjB-TodxlROPA6k7EuppZHTYso5KboVmo7FWmZL2H-LxEL0UeJRVT3nabFuLKeeTpKjPw-ADHZYmVtoqG9AYJv5YMEPYcK85_beKwmG=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Fall finally came to MD and I was here for it, erryday, all day.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiaf4CdQFtadHYbrV11hwVBanoCtWKDbn2TIFm1goEe0P7QfShj-lTK5uYy_esFOuWX8Rh7TFCmYNYjWOIWca9A0EuRVa0s9BdcDMx3zwSBtRDbY8xAikhDqkj3oe7vpA2hrBEGAHyLnkyOp9Hl9tRLVIrzkauNRNcfUuL4dMw7n07wqBkHNqe68xQ8=s4618" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3464" data-original-width="4618" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiaf4CdQFtadHYbrV11hwVBanoCtWKDbn2TIFm1goEe0P7QfShj-lTK5uYy_esFOuWX8Rh7TFCmYNYjWOIWca9A0EuRVa0s9BdcDMx3zwSBtRDbY8xAikhDqkj3oe7vpA2hrBEGAHyLnkyOp9Hl9tRLVIrzkauNRNcfUuL4dMw7n07wqBkHNqe68xQ8=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The absolute scariest part of the year was when Pax and Meri escaped the fence because they were chasing a cat and Pax's big ass broke through the fence and created an escape route for both the cat and the dogs... Thankfully they chased the cat next door and not into the street. Pax lost a toenail but otherwise, it was just minor scratches to both Pax and Meri. Sandra just stood in the yard looking pretty the whole time, probably wondering why I was screeching like a banshee.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEioilfwAkd32LUlQRIGHhZNf7BJrhGsCrvhQ80_iuO0zHsX7CQorPLGe6ekQKdq9C25HWdvnAqLDf5RASor1czwHca7I6V50psDh95fhBq8Ss4nY0GbUdU4uvCU-wor70miEyYUpon46eyqZc4sitcgMC5veVy1Yry3DCs7sDtJQrs30ik1SWA0u6bh=s4618" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4618" data-original-width="3464" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEioilfwAkd32LUlQRIGHhZNf7BJrhGsCrvhQ80_iuO0zHsX7CQorPLGe6ekQKdq9C25HWdvnAqLDf5RASor1czwHca7I6V50psDh95fhBq8Ss4nY0GbUdU4uvCU-wor70miEyYUpon46eyqZc4sitcgMC5veVy1Yry3DCs7sDtJQrs30ik1SWA0u6bh=s320" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div>More in person racing! This time the RnR DC race. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh6ThkoCTuxzYmbkUfPZFrq3Ywyqew7fvCwfZpYiStwFUsCM7uwW0V9UZLysb0BWlQ2hxdRf_LGO8O7V-dE8kTX6mOAedpICcBoKa9rBnNQF46rPymgIYFwu4wrnUPXY-3akc6w5LUGN33jMhI4Bl0IW0xOAV824Lpjg7vLFs_pDxaDaV1TojyAuOSz=s4618" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3464" data-original-width="4618" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh6ThkoCTuxzYmbkUfPZFrq3Ywyqew7fvCwfZpYiStwFUsCM7uwW0V9UZLysb0BWlQ2hxdRf_LGO8O7V-dE8kTX6mOAedpICcBoKa9rBnNQF46rPymgIYFwu4wrnUPXY-3akc6w5LUGN33jMhI4Bl0IW0xOAV824Lpjg7vLFs_pDxaDaV1TojyAuOSz=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhB-VC94jHOgWzi91b3lS_zRIctxuFdjFCwTv-Yw-hpbzeRJRIJgQrXMet2GvfCM-KwsQuI7bnbJ6hbcQbRIF86ahFITeQsnEhS9BmdVlchhi-kNw7aIBCPLUpLquDE8q08xOB4-ukg33YHhkW3xomqCGZbvG8VfyHbJqGId_-Uymkj7_7r2pFSASRm=s4618" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4618" data-original-width="3464" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhB-VC94jHOgWzi91b3lS_zRIctxuFdjFCwTv-Yw-hpbzeRJRIJgQrXMet2GvfCM-KwsQuI7bnbJ6hbcQbRIF86ahFITeQsnEhS9BmdVlchhi-kNw7aIBCPLUpLquDE8q08xOB4-ukg33YHhkW3xomqCGZbvG8VfyHbJqGId_-Uymkj7_7r2pFSASRm=s320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiZcFGJ3Gv90AVH7Pc2l10NYMXupuCBDVS6lyZgqlWAQE8f7e_IJMB7VSjOh2lVFn-SoCzonyJb0MJBumkCxvyrLzRm1DCeyb7N4VweE0I5R05a96y4fYA_CA0UKNxm3hvEpXtyrWqR5Trj-OhTAfnwafjVa1Fkzr-P7mi1ockGbv2HhnqUbxn3n7pq=s4618" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3464" data-original-width="4618" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiZcFGJ3Gv90AVH7Pc2l10NYMXupuCBDVS6lyZgqlWAQE8f7e_IJMB7VSjOh2lVFn-SoCzonyJb0MJBumkCxvyrLzRm1DCeyb7N4VweE0I5R05a96y4fYA_CA0UKNxm3hvEpXtyrWqR5Trj-OhTAfnwafjVa1Fkzr-P7mi1ockGbv2HhnqUbxn3n7pq=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Oh and I joined a team of random people for the Ragnar Trail Florida race... and then I became a trail runner. WHO THE FUCK AM I?!</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjxMIbKYIR5836-sQan1vL-QPhg7PsgSeAz4ZpkBoD1bzexR5nWSOZQyj5awR9z1in-XopvHDYZfBEn0zfvCNUTTuVcCwurzY_JOw-1FCGFkw9hwV2ecKy2hZ0nVNnY3RsG1YrsM0i3GyoKndg_B2O6breKccCvd9U_-P0QDr4un4keakfAWtwTBML2=s4618" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4618" data-original-width="3464" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjxMIbKYIR5836-sQan1vL-QPhg7PsgSeAz4ZpkBoD1bzexR5nWSOZQyj5awR9z1in-XopvHDYZfBEn0zfvCNUTTuVcCwurzY_JOw-1FCGFkw9hwV2ecKy2hZ0nVNnY3RsG1YrsM0i3GyoKndg_B2O6breKccCvd9U_-P0QDr4un4keakfAWtwTBML2=s320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhfrurS9ckH5QzaX8o_sCjz39TLZdm19MrkZtz46WwlzDa1y6TnrrcB7C8UaPy1i5x0JrxV-8duoN52fXtjjbEU_i7I9GtpwlwGMWIh5LwMkHlCCULSCzvB6bBPgS8E44ISiDq7vpNULkhCgx6J3r56eXs3wuZyLcFZeqVEpDTFJF99t-leS1KQMgse=s4618" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3464" data-original-width="4618" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhfrurS9ckH5QzaX8o_sCjz39TLZdm19MrkZtz46WwlzDa1y6TnrrcB7C8UaPy1i5x0JrxV-8duoN52fXtjjbEU_i7I9GtpwlwGMWIh5LwMkHlCCULSCzvB6bBPgS8E44ISiDq7vpNULkhCgx6J3r56eXs3wuZyLcFZeqVEpDTFJF99t-leS1KQMgse=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhZUcdzMDQjIeL5pGuFoihz5IeOYxwiTk38p37a4g-LIvY1J4I77h06EnelV69fQTshmkWGoYFKmf5RVzYT_D42MPoeDD9fyaJ_4K93PxTkCHIFRS9z6MD6rLTZ2WRhA6u_72snE93PoIifd6wK9ETwScMIRAolm6DxZ_6dh_GEMDefSKQjvFJc6Zq7=s4618" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3464" data-original-width="4618" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhZUcdzMDQjIeL5pGuFoihz5IeOYxwiTk38p37a4g-LIvY1J4I77h06EnelV69fQTshmkWGoYFKmf5RVzYT_D42MPoeDD9fyaJ_4K93PxTkCHIFRS9z6MD6rLTZ2WRhA6u_72snE93PoIifd6wK9ETwScMIRAolm6DxZ_6dh_GEMDefSKQjvFJc6Zq7=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Because Timo is in constant contact with the motorcycle gang, we've made some friends and we like go out and do stuff together now. It's cool. I like it.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEga5XKT774PiMMjmJ0cPyPcU2tEB7jwYeL-_Jo4Fwc58MXezZgctrEXj0bD8QvR-Hpf6rKo-5te6PBaWnaz-YO7cPFDDKVGpmEC1EcMX2X4_j-as7IybNVxmNTDe_5iyPOyR_aIe3RSNrV0A_nSYZOn0Vl6zMzdab5fTivVH_OSJh821nA1Tuj-QWuj=s4618" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4618" data-original-width="3464" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEga5XKT774PiMMjmJ0cPyPcU2tEB7jwYeL-_Jo4Fwc58MXezZgctrEXj0bD8QvR-Hpf6rKo-5te6PBaWnaz-YO7cPFDDKVGpmEC1EcMX2X4_j-as7IybNVxmNTDe_5iyPOyR_aIe3RSNrV0A_nSYZOn0Vl6zMzdab5fTivVH_OSJh821nA1Tuj-QWuj=s320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhSujbhPZ_8GLr-v2UDqaX-DqKjotZkfDNTr9ZDHME3QPWgjJh5DpflmK53M8up0LaCGXqfDqk6bmGRyajgix8tOix3PhGvPCHWjoV8_eHMUx-oDG-WOGv3UVmjWFzpjm8L0EMj0yTtJ7fGZiGh3nvHDb9zyKiQmc6_2pTh3NYBNATBeiWJjtF_AWfW=s4618" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4618" data-original-width="3464" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhSujbhPZ_8GLr-v2UDqaX-DqKjotZkfDNTr9ZDHME3QPWgjJh5DpflmK53M8up0LaCGXqfDqk6bmGRyajgix8tOix3PhGvPCHWjoV8_eHMUx-oDG-WOGv3UVmjWFzpjm8L0EMj0yTtJ7fGZiGh3nvHDb9zyKiQmc6_2pTh3NYBNATBeiWJjtF_AWfW=s320" width="240" /></a></div></div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg_dxd_FnUyq3q1sB1gc9dlkYhQdErIdxhG2RjT-CuQ5M3ZIhdqHUZJhoTnlJqRF3NA6CV8JuPjoso4M8QaUzn62oOMNsXOUW4tu_WM2tlq3BoZPwjoE2Y06eldBYy2Ic-Lh1puKFJ2z5l6kPAQsJ5e2gllION7AvaguGr7WpKUnQFjo3ZX29hldAL7=s4618" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3464" data-original-width="4618" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg_dxd_FnUyq3q1sB1gc9dlkYhQdErIdxhG2RjT-CuQ5M3ZIhdqHUZJhoTnlJqRF3NA6CV8JuPjoso4M8QaUzn62oOMNsXOUW4tu_WM2tlq3BoZPwjoE2Y06eldBYy2Ic-Lh1puKFJ2z5l6kPAQsJ5e2gllION7AvaguGr7WpKUnQFjo3ZX29hldAL7=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A meeting of the minds.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh0mZBoVp-5-ZVr7BXFBv0RP23WCmCepMQ1OEOOhNDwU6WdqJbJPdu6JpDKlVZU88LJRCT-Vt7h_G1IQ7WAlJ-f5c9HxiV78yXP2QKS5Jp5VSZu3tTEUS33DRy89zZhorAWIIuUZ26eHMSBReWN2r_nEtFrJw8csAV-dMoQmf6NRSANf_FWEwQ3r2Cg=s4618" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4618" data-original-width="3464" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh0mZBoVp-5-ZVr7BXFBv0RP23WCmCepMQ1OEOOhNDwU6WdqJbJPdu6JpDKlVZU88LJRCT-Vt7h_G1IQ7WAlJ-f5c9HxiV78yXP2QKS5Jp5VSZu3tTEUS33DRy89zZhorAWIIuUZ26eHMSBReWN2r_nEtFrJw8csAV-dMoQmf6NRSANf_FWEwQ3r2Cg=s320" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was finallllllyy peppermint vodka hot chocolate season! <br />This can be anytime, but I was out of peppermint vodka and then I found it at Total Wine.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi_dPRyaFJq17WsI5Hc4wGEtMyKMPNRE7jCuidmdxnyHSlzOPkF_uU5RasojXoKxoKtu6i_EaXVgxAhUUCnWn1gSxNCZZPJIRjmezWl7MDuUV7xij-r9OW_QmeJB1l2FMUvmi9A15j0ng5CjB6mou57RtgZfJNVchmzsD8e4dh9NTuUyZ1pX8qD33JA=s4618" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4618" data-original-width="3464" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi_dPRyaFJq17WsI5Hc4wGEtMyKMPNRE7jCuidmdxnyHSlzOPkF_uU5RasojXoKxoKtu6i_EaXVgxAhUUCnWn1gSxNCZZPJIRjmezWl7MDuUV7xij-r9OW_QmeJB1l2FMUvmi9A15j0ng5CjB6mou57RtgZfJNVchmzsD8e4dh9NTuUyZ1pX8qD33JA=s320" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Had my first Poke bowl. Will do again.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>For Thanksgiving, we hosted a Friendsgiving which I brined and cooked a turkey for the first time ever (both the brining and the cooking). My turkey was BEAUTIFUL and IDK where the photo of it went. But just trust me, it was gorgeous.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg2l0IFnlFHEbifM_cDEXE-Mg76Jhfjfava-8tgrsZoY_CPYYDCTFbaq5mR57jP10vpvk_OrX7bRqfwL_yAqBRwR6odbJg7jAOzWS18oDW9ANgjEdS1-pfmjx9crY33wTi1TR1CSz8TXmkA3mBedApwlNnvaI6OK40_ztPjEi4EsocISsoHy4YlJdkp=s4618" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3464" data-original-width="4618" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg2l0IFnlFHEbifM_cDEXE-Mg76Jhfjfava-8tgrsZoY_CPYYDCTFbaq5mR57jP10vpvk_OrX7bRqfwL_yAqBRwR6odbJg7jAOzWS18oDW9ANgjEdS1-pfmjx9crY33wTi1TR1CSz8TXmkA3mBedApwlNnvaI6OK40_ztPjEi4EsocISsoHy4YlJdkp=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiwgnXidVH6jhsbzD5LADrA2xh6gEDIXGQ4NATk8YnA981aNQyimFwSI3UyJdKQzf88_ErFKbnO084tTY8Y5EVC95vtdyA2YrqQ6qOfMT9EmejCvGIE7JBb9z5ChmQp8qRebYFwGBsj_8t7hu6_LDrppsUelc1xgItqgEzjQShWAdYOWP8dNDq6AQs0=s4618" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3464" data-original-width="4618" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiwgnXidVH6jhsbzD5LADrA2xh6gEDIXGQ4NATk8YnA981aNQyimFwSI3UyJdKQzf88_ErFKbnO084tTY8Y5EVC95vtdyA2YrqQ6qOfMT9EmejCvGIE7JBb9z5ChmQp8qRebYFwGBsj_8t7hu6_LDrppsUelc1xgItqgEzjQShWAdYOWP8dNDq6AQs0=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Part of Teh Clique did the Annapolis Turkey Trot and then later was Thanksgiving at Teh Ville 3.0.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjEWmwr5A-27FLR_wRpiOb47W2mMtZK1KwXU8ZCSgjIqKWgpQFf7mtmY73lWlDgrl0Wt5mzuCjdT45KfxHO5y8adwI_bvO7IxS3sLwE1tZ0w69-RNlPJmDGjYyjuHtcWcDTZmZ9JlhgeHXSa68EwXK1ubFbHH0z8_nPPebH_WDc8bEMgyHjAOAQmK38=s4618" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3464" data-original-width="4618" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjEWmwr5A-27FLR_wRpiOb47W2mMtZK1KwXU8ZCSgjIqKWgpQFf7mtmY73lWlDgrl0Wt5mzuCjdT45KfxHO5y8adwI_bvO7IxS3sLwE1tZ0w69-RNlPJmDGjYyjuHtcWcDTZmZ9JlhgeHXSa68EwXK1ubFbHH0z8_nPPebH_WDc8bEMgyHjAOAQmK38=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhzhwL2Nw2duDFBI8yEpr6Jezx2oXGXzMvUH6SMEl_h4StS2BI4SWb08lMVv7yoVQIDECcloaY7KIdRc29XyWQI2sVdKZ-Beo-rxhFEBwsef-T-_G_CCbJHaFuOdH3w5FbgM-oDmqJyNst6q-w8P2A6ry-bsJNNxmIeqrXMDVBGFsQCJHifO05Yj4Mk=s4618" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4618" data-original-width="3464" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhzhwL2Nw2duDFBI8yEpr6Jezx2oXGXzMvUH6SMEl_h4StS2BI4SWb08lMVv7yoVQIDECcloaY7KIdRc29XyWQI2sVdKZ-Beo-rxhFEBwsef-T-_G_CCbJHaFuOdH3w5FbgM-oDmqJyNst6q-w8P2A6ry-bsJNNxmIeqrXMDVBGFsQCJHifO05Yj4Mk=s320" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yep, we wore matching shirts.<br />#CliqueLife</td></tr></tbody></table><br />To "work off" all that Thanksgiving dinner, I completed Chad (another hero workout of 1000 box step ups) the Saturday after Thanksgiving and couldn't touch my calves for a solid week.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiyuInskLYDBj-0oryCB05f-Egej49LrL73j-CdztPBthpJ6-5DPfpwwC2RCltspcsKp1B1DgA3M6s9eelGj4izw0NJMKobSfJgYwZqSw2T-fae_y6lyu0QE4trWPF1ggeIIIHr7PWt_g379eoJ4p7y8Cm2FtdFrQKJPMTkRr_b-j28SMndVxXtk89q=s4618" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4618" data-original-width="3464" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiyuInskLYDBj-0oryCB05f-Egej49LrL73j-CdztPBthpJ6-5DPfpwwC2RCltspcsKp1B1DgA3M6s9eelGj4izw0NJMKobSfJgYwZqSw2T-fae_y6lyu0QE4trWPF1ggeIIIHr7PWt_g379eoJ4p7y8Cm2FtdFrQKJPMTkRr_b-j28SMndVxXtk89q=s320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">DECEMBER</h2></div><div>About the time I was able to touch my calves again, I was heading down to Florida to complete the <a href="https://www.canidecideanotherday.com/2021/12/2021-ragnar-trail-florida-recap.html" target="_blank">Ragnar Trail Florida</a> race with the randos. #NORAGRATS</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj5oA6v2O60U5AYkiVP47_Hfc7muAFNyI50-nvXNkNBGNYkcfznTWCCpiWkfhcwPozhoImzT2DjyzZAlQH4WybC-iHyOdddaY-zYmRREnZ4YSyX0re4euhkj168I_2Ej7T5EXNdcbuYF3M5pAs8LJ4UKeRKeUd6VivpNl9rYrJnV5kaWSUbryp9e_oL=s4618" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3464" data-original-width="4618" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj5oA6v2O60U5AYkiVP47_Hfc7muAFNyI50-nvXNkNBGNYkcfznTWCCpiWkfhcwPozhoImzT2DjyzZAlQH4WybC-iHyOdddaY-zYmRREnZ4YSyX0re4euhkj168I_2Ej7T5EXNdcbuYF3M5pAs8LJ4UKeRKeUd6VivpNl9rYrJnV5kaWSUbryp9e_oL=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I didn't know how much I would enjoy trail running until I actually did it. Now I'm not sure why I was so afraid of it to begin with (yes, I do, I'm fucking clumsy and sometimes my feet don't lift good).<div><br /></div><div>I got home from FL and started to feel like garbage and asked for antibiotics for a sinus infection and was told they don't like to overprescribe antibiotics and to take some mucinex. Soooo we headed to SC a few days later for a visit/the Kiawah Half Marathon and I spiked a fever and ended up at urgent care for antibiotics for a sinus infection and a steroid shot so I could complete the half the next day and maybe be a less miserable person since we were visiting friends and I wanted to die a little.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Kiawah half was HOOOTTTT (70°F) but it was my 2nd fastest half marathon to date. That's the power of a steroid shot, yall.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhm0kXZA2ka3Ke_CdD-_0ingzvqGTEyJ2gh6mollXtDgf2ytZj8jzd4mR1UyfcVqFdWTFso4Omy8bIvI43ewQBXbgf9cC0DvLQ5L_bEDgjyWLI1m6RpjiEXWkM_l_P37oHEMMrN303gcaDpoycvbYsAwRo45nZLO9mldCtBYqnBW5PRw7cYMZdLVCPD=s4618" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3464" data-original-width="4618" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhm0kXZA2ka3Ke_CdD-_0ingzvqGTEyJ2gh6mollXtDgf2ytZj8jzd4mR1UyfcVqFdWTFso4Omy8bIvI43ewQBXbgf9cC0DvLQ5L_bEDgjyWLI1m6RpjiEXWkM_l_P37oHEMMrN303gcaDpoycvbYsAwRo45nZLO9mldCtBYqnBW5PRw7cYMZdLVCPD=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My favorite saying</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgpkfpRLZQfqirwxLiFkT6dUbVXWukllTeytnKI3cmSHRfu8gWDDEEc8LM8jG8XDXa6jdU7CxE43onX0BL_2QVuWqzerCwoDTCCqs11d4KuiOMtFAD7yYvuoNU3Nt376fUCk2tPHd5ukkET_W_fvf7eFvpRQRXNwE_Dj1wLqHisYzD220-0lTqGSe0w=s4618" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3464" data-original-width="4618" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgpkfpRLZQfqirwxLiFkT6dUbVXWukllTeytnKI3cmSHRfu8gWDDEEc8LM8jG8XDXa6jdU7CxE43onX0BL_2QVuWqzerCwoDTCCqs11d4KuiOMtFAD7yYvuoNU3Nt376fUCk2tPHd5ukkET_W_fvf7eFvpRQRXNwE_Dj1wLqHisYzD220-0lTqGSe0w=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My favorite pre-race nap.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg7Dc7vWNXOONBRottdFbJPg-UV3IEboZVu4heHv7Kd4aANMFImmgWoCRufy6ZnuDEnHKGbYZwmlIf-hBhu369At60auq8eQHkjw9WvVSHPdghWBDh927tiYI98PbnJNLQfrYU0dUnfKuR-MO7pDGaPtiyE3CCzVYplCir1xUWVSK_D8QL1sd3Y5u1k=s4618" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4618" data-original-width="3464" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg7Dc7vWNXOONBRottdFbJPg-UV3IEboZVu4heHv7Kd4aANMFImmgWoCRufy6ZnuDEnHKGbYZwmlIf-hBhu369At60auq8eQHkjw9WvVSHPdghWBDh927tiYI98PbnJNLQfrYU0dUnfKuR-MO7pDGaPtiyE3CCzVYplCir1xUWVSK_D8QL1sd3Y5u1k=s320" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Went to Kiawah, didn't get eaten by a gator.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />After we got back from SC, I finally started to feel healthy again, which was good because Christmas saw an uptick of activity for me.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjkYDYRawHX6_PgpowOGGFGQKwqI9Y3mzQaCyB9PHY4_0WvCOxV3HZTlHjdsIc1wS6XZnTl693oVRXm5X-KL7BC0A_KwK867nTJrBeXE7qw34nREFxEspsPkntpOAj00N5qR7RCKwBTQx37Tctnr1IbWd4P8XSMFVBipYDLc7FIHw4BUfZOjujPZ6pj=s4618" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3464" data-original-width="4618" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjkYDYRawHX6_PgpowOGGFGQKwqI9Y3mzQaCyB9PHY4_0WvCOxV3HZTlHjdsIc1wS6XZnTl693oVRXm5X-KL7BC0A_KwK867nTJrBeXE7qw34nREFxEspsPkntpOAj00N5qR7RCKwBTQx37Tctnr1IbWd4P8XSMFVBipYDLc7FIHw4BUfZOjujPZ6pj=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Going to see my first Cirque du Soleil show with Teh Clique!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiRZ_bcIBeoe_JLYj15W9eI4tC3POycEyTiSfZfTF3LYDJ3QYJn58JkHFxnKic7nAacV5lD3wQRHfYOBq48ksRAg3ozxLB2uRpie91IWoHsw02S69aQuI-jG7V3frGP2Z2UjY0vkVc9wh4aW6boHS9EeFhuTrmd2QIsheAoqdP8iG2F--mpocbiYYz4=s2944" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2944" data-original-width="2208" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiRZ_bcIBeoe_JLYj15W9eI4tC3POycEyTiSfZfTF3LYDJ3QYJn58JkHFxnKic7nAacV5lD3wQRHfYOBq48ksRAg3ozxLB2uRpie91IWoHsw02S69aQuI-jG7V3frGP2Z2UjY0vkVc9wh4aW6boHS9EeFhuTrmd2QIsheAoqdP8iG2F--mpocbiYYz4=s320" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christmas Tree runs with people I met in FL.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjx_z5DUZTeYR-WOTKBhWp3Toh-pzq37l8jPue-feKpwA05Gk8AZGCi5PyPwQkc66EJ9NLizqgHU-Ew0nI40SXzCA1zbscOjiIn83vf7tZ-6zvkB_i93f77Y6-j6r5BGQubcCgOTSDO91zPyWF0B0JtEfBCWlRlgeMzCZQQmfASMcXz-VMJH6zfWLdl=s4618" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3464" data-original-width="4618" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjx_z5DUZTeYR-WOTKBhWp3Toh-pzq37l8jPue-feKpwA05Gk8AZGCi5PyPwQkc66EJ9NLizqgHU-Ew0nI40SXzCA1zbscOjiIn83vf7tZ-6zvkB_i93f77Y6-j6r5BGQubcCgOTSDO91zPyWF0B0JtEfBCWlRlgeMzCZQQmfASMcXz-VMJH6zfWLdl=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New watch for Christmas from Teh German!<br />(praise hands, because that Samsung Galaxy 3 watch only left me frustrated and pissed off)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi31t1ZZa7MPFI7GJ6vUScNvv-hS5bIjxGdKxgexc1t8XP5P_-8QQb01kWm1MxP7psaHkcBjhWT90rmEkZqHF-tNsGjNrwhvErfoihUjRV_hhyiqLbnngBLAS-FqDefrsP7ZC3TZ5R3HewLvtmoQkEKv6InqPS0Pc-eZuw5ZpZm6tqnduJg6QY-mjHD=s4618" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3464" data-original-width="4618" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi31t1ZZa7MPFI7GJ6vUScNvv-hS5bIjxGdKxgexc1t8XP5P_-8QQb01kWm1MxP7psaHkcBjhWT90rmEkZqHF-tNsGjNrwhvErfoihUjRV_hhyiqLbnngBLAS-FqDefrsP7ZC3TZ5R3HewLvtmoQkEKv6InqPS0Pc-eZuw5ZpZm6tqnduJg6QY-mjHD=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christmas day motorcycle rides!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjczL9glRFSDMroIb6JThAf3YfnxcutdrRwuIowf7u6xGDQcwRcfNKYKFPheJ3V5woN-PebV5VSJQXOvvX9J_6vJmNcQwbFOQS93OrhNC3zBzxAi2uriwxok1KTbzivdmSCGhMkBWSkzo5dzzxrBm1paJJQpRZ9jA3UM6CSsO8m_UtV0Uh1_h9zUUVq=s4618" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4618" data-original-width="3464" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjczL9glRFSDMroIb6JThAf3YfnxcutdrRwuIowf7u6xGDQcwRcfNKYKFPheJ3V5woN-PebV5VSJQXOvvX9J_6vJmNcQwbFOQS93OrhNC3zBzxAi2uriwxok1KTbzivdmSCGhMkBWSkzo5dzzxrBm1paJJQpRZ9jA3UM6CSsO8m_UtV0Uh1_h9zUUVq=s320" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christmas night light/tree scootin!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjYcxFIVhbc-zal-TnFGdTFnOIQsZrwlITy8IuyqIkkN6sZcDobbmSmrVjO_CWelKAxVa8BFOS7IlcMbdqRZMp8vfifrfwRM33k_lRwXf0S4oZlI52jfFPuypUUAbdPHa6mcH3xIslkUimur5Lkm_efM7SheXycgT5JsZSnT-uvql5Q35jUKd0UClIR=s4618" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3464" data-original-width="4618" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjYcxFIVhbc-zal-TnFGdTFnOIQsZrwlITy8IuyqIkkN6sZcDobbmSmrVjO_CWelKAxVa8BFOS7IlcMbdqRZMp8vfifrfwRM33k_lRwXf0S4oZlI52jfFPuypUUAbdPHa6mcH3xIslkUimur5Lkm_efM7SheXycgT5JsZSnT-uvql5Q35jUKd0UClIR=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjXZEn7HjYS2mDM8dnpzNAyR6X-Xm2EBhK7r-ojpYvJovvOQY5SuqRGxqtfs8w2VVVrOGr5Ts7T6VdhWp9CLBnLf-Snwi0D8lOOLj1pF9QCI5ZJSvh3wtzHeoYj2IKnhXYABDYQe8tYp5Xd_JiINezQBjJPKCHKtPPFbWI3w7Apwc4mIEAjS3_aya8H=s4618" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4618" data-original-width="3464" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjXZEn7HjYS2mDM8dnpzNAyR6X-Xm2EBhK7r-ojpYvJovvOQY5SuqRGxqtfs8w2VVVrOGr5Ts7T6VdhWp9CLBnLf-Snwi0D8lOOLj1pF9QCI5ZJSvh3wtzHeoYj2IKnhXYABDYQe8tYp5Xd_JiINezQBjJPKCHKtPPFbWI3w7Apwc4mIEAjS3_aya8H=s320" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Post-Christmas day motorcycle rides with the gang.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgyNRhe846GpuoXzLWP-VdMYMMhN1BNKY3ym2kGtOeDrYuFiULnB5PEXBnkTM_0jfTWqU7SfwM9nnT98Ej2jzkYJFMpp3sCzjIf_wGnPjWoKARJ17PJwY1sN-UcPLgX4HmHsvKFVMS2uUGvI3HqOujnlbnmlMEyNdyAbFJGx8TvRDaoFfx9tGP7YPN3=s1564" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1564" data-original-width="1564" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgyNRhe846GpuoXzLWP-VdMYMMhN1BNKY3ym2kGtOeDrYuFiULnB5PEXBnkTM_0jfTWqU7SfwM9nnT98Ej2jzkYJFMpp3sCzjIf_wGnPjWoKARJ17PJwY1sN-UcPLgX4HmHsvKFVMS2uUGvI3HqOujnlbnmlMEyNdyAbFJGx8TvRDaoFfx9tGP7YPN3=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And an impromptu hockey date night with Husband.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>For NYE, we're hosting a small group for charcuterie and games and staying up past our bedtime to watch the ball drop.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><h1 style="text-align: center;"><b>____________________________________</b></h1><div>Overall, 2021 was an interesting year. Full of new adventures by default since we were new to the area, which didn't really hurt our hearts. I was able to go back to SC twice and Teh German went once. I really kicked up my workout game this year and added races back into my life (which were sorely missed, to the point that my 2022 race schedule is out of control). </div><div><br /></div><div>Teh German got integrated into the motorcycle community here and he has really enjoyed riding in a place with hills and curves. He bought a 2nd bike specifically for track racing and has gone a few time and enjoyed it very much. </div><div><br /></div><div>Pax, Meri, and Sandra are all in good health and continue to drive us both crazy with their antics (Pax) and neediness (Meri) and picky eating (Sandra). </div><div><br /></div><div>We look forward to what 2022 will bring and hope your 2021 was just as full as ours was.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiQKiNm4hAvUYItvN_92VXFC5Raa20pkfx-7T7kdY1SGSHSrJAipKaVrneKYEtl5sa5e_QdxBaUBQ0HxsyjS9sp-ApJLqUdJskF81UIDJvMiWoRe8lDOt9LrrOVA7bc9v8UszEcYVBYkUSJKaIH_fHlFD-CfJ_CdNku1YZKVigJMyXWUYLvzpP3XvGk=s2688" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2688" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiQKiNm4hAvUYItvN_92VXFC5Raa20pkfx-7T7kdY1SGSHSrJAipKaVrneKYEtl5sa5e_QdxBaUBQ0HxsyjS9sp-ApJLqUdJskF81UIDJvMiWoRe8lDOt9LrrOVA7bc9v8UszEcYVBYkUSJKaIH_fHlFD-CfJ_CdNku1YZKVigJMyXWUYLvzpP3XvGk=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Teh Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00133596439315060218noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1581436032352728193.post-43668838081925385602021-12-08T00:00:00.003-05:002021-12-14T21:31:43.009-05:002021 Ragnar Trail Florida Recap<p>So this one time, a random person posted on the Ragnar Life FB group looking for teammates for the Ragnar Trail Florida race. I happened to be free that weekend, so I asked Husband if I could desert him for the weekend to go run and he said it was fine. Literally, our team name was Jerry, Amber, and a Bunch of Randos... and I was a rando.</p><p></p><p>So here's some background info. My first ever trail run was Ragnar Sunset NoVA. I didn't realize it was 100% trail running. I just knew I wanted to do a Ragnar. Between that race and Trail FL, I went trail running a grand total of ONE time. I did do a trail walk that one time and I even bought trail running shoes that I broke in on said walk. Otherwise, I was maintaining my regular gym schedule and hoping for the best. BUT I had the shoes!</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgzYSJguoWrC9OMM6rka7sTtSFN8T0v2B2FC2-o9108OSmfkiHPwDbyyhms07yseaxH21qnNJATPEyHJkZTyHX3KP6XGqnUZ_NYDLSRLSYopPtE_0GfZ_qfeMORog4c94eYExHVs4IsyRMGi4ruRZK626TWBgA0foxkSEhgtPUA7C8dAxGMOcNGIYxg=s4618" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4618" data-original-width="3464" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgzYSJguoWrC9OMM6rka7sTtSFN8T0v2B2FC2-o9108OSmfkiHPwDbyyhms07yseaxH21qnNJATPEyHJkZTyHX3KP6XGqnUZ_NYDLSRLSYopPtE_0GfZ_qfeMORog4c94eYExHVs4IsyRMGi4ruRZK626TWBgA0foxkSEhgtPUA7C8dAxGMOcNGIYxg=s320" width="240" /></a></div><p></p><p><br /></p><h3 style="text-align: left;">THURSDAY</h3><div style="text-align: left;">So it was finally race weekend and after working through the morning and dealing with absolute fuckary, we finally headed out the door to DCA. Teh German had committed to bringing me to the airport and we were 15 minutes into the 45 minute trip when he informed me that we HAD to get gas before the airport.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbFnMKFkijoCOY7V4ChQ6o-SSwO3gK4QVZfvN7vYthNJSfSlRw409ClgxUdo498oeIGakQnTp1uVcBPZXXvgiGTtDwga21d1Ctf6V8X-HOw-_a4aQg0aMhp6EOIFlw9FWQFbCIrsgnuMQ/s4618/20211202_102241.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4618" data-original-width="3464" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbFnMKFkijoCOY7V4ChQ6o-SSwO3gK4QVZfvN7vYthNJSfSlRw409ClgxUdo498oeIGakQnTp1uVcBPZXXvgiGTtDwga21d1Ctf6V8X-HOw-_a4aQg0aMhp6EOIFlw9FWQFbCIrsgnuMQ/s320/20211202_102241.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That says "10 miles to empty"</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Me: Why didn't you say you needed gas? We could have taken my car.<div>Husband: I didn't know I needed gas.</div><div>This is fair since he rarely goes anywhere these days and if he does go somewhere, it's usually on the motorcycle... I just tried to keep my face quiet and searched for the nearest gas station on the beltway.</div><div><br /></div><div>We got gas, got back on the beltway, made it to DCA, made it through security, found something breakfasty for lunch with an adult beverage, then headed to my gate to wait. At some point the week before the race, I had arranged a ride with someone from the airport but during the morning, one of my teammates said they would pick me up from the airport instead and since I had embraced #TeamStrangers, I just went with it. I just needed to get to the site, it didn't matter how.</div><div><br /></div><div>Turns out, it did. Actually, it didn't matter how, it mattered the circumstances.</div><div><br /></div><div>When my plane landed in Tampa and I turned my phone on and received texts from the person who had said they'd give me a ride saying that they were doing things and I could ride with someone else they knew. At which point, the struggle started. I'm a control freak by nature so the plan being changed the day of had my anxiety pinging. Changing my plans for me while I'm unavailable to have a say really had me on high... I was texting my people and explaining the situation and telling myself that this weekend was about "riding the rollercoaster" and being flexible and meeting strangers and just being cool. Yall, I'm not that cool. A stranger telling me that they aren't going to do what they said and that I could ride with even more distant strangers was apparently my limit. Yet, I rode the rollercoaster. I managed not to be a bitch to this person who had "so graciously" planned an alternative option for me.</div><div><br /></div><div>I finally got the contact info for the new stranger I'd be hitching a ride with and met them at their baggage claim. This individual was a man, so I was trying to be cool with being uncomfortable with a strange man in a car for an hour. He did end up being very nice, but I appreciated that there was a woman with him when I met them at the baggage claim. Then when we got to the rental car area, there was another woman waiting on us as well. So it was fine, but lawdt there was anxiety. </div><div><br /></div><div>We all recapped how we ultimately ended up together and, thankfully, these women agreed with me that my situation was cause for anxiety. #Validation. So the wait for the rental car took a LONG time, but we finally got the car then headed to Walmart to pick up snacks and dinner at Subway, then to Total Wine for essentials, then we finally headed to Alafia River State Park, home of the Ragnar Trail FL race.</div><div><br /></div><div>I texted my team when I arrived around 7 and eventually someone came through the field yelling my name; a very drunk person who was my teammate. The individual who had changed my plans for me. I'm still trying to be cool. Telling myself they had good intentions. Blah blah. After getting my crap from the car, my teammate led me to our Glamping site.</div><div><br /></div><div>Real quick helpful info:<br />Glamping = your camping equipment is provided and set up by Ragnar.</div><div>Camping = your camping equipment is provided and set up by you.</div><div>The Village = the main communal area of the race where the transition zone/start-finish line, big campfires, smores, vendors, recovery area (stretching/leg sleeve rental), medic tent, DJ, and food trucks were.</div><div><br /></div><div>Because we were in a very grassy area and I had a 40lb huge ass suitcase and I didn't know where I was going but knew I didn't want to have to carry this suitcase the entire length of the race in the dark, I stopped at one of the Glamping sites and asked if I could pass through their tent. Yall, you would have thought I asked to borrow their great-grandma's special china. Someone yelled back, "Would you ask someone to walk through their living room?!" Drunk teammate was like, "Wow, you don't have to be rude." Someone else said, "I don't think you'll fit through the table." I was like, "Making things fit is my life skill. But whatever." We start to trek around behind the tent and (it's dark) so I tripped over the cord that was staked into the ground from the tent and someone yelled, "WTF ASSHOLE?!" At which point my drunken escort got SUPER pissed at being called an asshole and hissed at the people talking inside the tent, "We can STILL HEAR YOU, ASSHOLES!" It was a whole thing which was kinda comical after the fact, but definitely not in the Ragnar spirit of them to make us stumble around in the dark.</div><div><br /></div><div>We did finally make it to our tent site anddddddddd drunk teammate was my tentmate. You can imagine my excitement. I started to get my stuff settled/unpacked what I needed/find a place for my stuff. There wasn't anyone else at the tent, which was fine. I eventually headed out to where people were gathered in the Glamping area and made friends with a lady dressed in a Rudolph onesie, which I explained was fitting since I had a Bumble onesie I needed to put on! #InstantFriends. I met a few more of my teammates and hung out with NewFriend, who happened to be at the Glamping site next to us, conveniently enough. Eventually, I put on my onesie and headed to the Village for smores.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoylo06-p14pwr2px_dOA7Ny4reu8ElkXE15KYLfcxsjpT66AImJSMLAtcsnmn-yKn74tj1ZyJLQU1aoY1aXmf2qqR-QfXDmsL-IHGgLRgkog4k2AZeKR2NFuz_t0aDqwxzCyVqSpaNoU/s4618/20211202_202939.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4618" data-original-width="3464" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoylo06-p14pwr2px_dOA7Ny4reu8ElkXE15KYLfcxsjpT66AImJSMLAtcsnmn-yKn74tj1ZyJLQU1aoY1aXmf2qqR-QfXDmsL-IHGgLRgkog4k2AZeKR2NFuz_t0aDqwxzCyVqSpaNoU/s320/20211202_202939.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFkAQvwxKvhiWITVfVyJgedhsNrmh1jCLciMh1yB36wq7Udki67h-nfpVtUcDtFkU5iw9INSEnIW0GfCRiW7zwT7-0ZeydxlNyuLHT6igkqpizVcEgpBcGnyo_-YVgHJOoq4gPsoz59_I/s4618/20211202_210208.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4618" data-original-width="3464" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFkAQvwxKvhiWITVfVyJgedhsNrmh1jCLciMh1yB36wq7Udki67h-nfpVtUcDtFkU5iw9INSEnIW0GfCRiW7zwT7-0ZeydxlNyuLHT6igkqpizVcEgpBcGnyo_-YVgHJOoq4gPsoz59_I/s320/20211202_210208.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Teaching Rudolph how to perfectly toast marshmallows.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Around 7:30-8, we watched drunk teammate get escorted to our tent to be put to bed. I was hopeful she'd sleep through the night. After meeting a few more of my teammates, it was eventually time for bed. While we were in FL and the temperature was ~50°F, I ended up sleeping in what I wore during the day + a hoodie + the Bumble onesie, all inside my sleeping bag with little icicle toes. Did not like.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu0tWyN8az2vsiwz2pw6HP3hNwA-SCLLly7g3yXGaGu02eF523FMXgkFc8rJ38_FmJczhMCD5ye-qn3XuVp0n02wPdEzyTitHKkL_uaU8xoU2l7qxE5QgjCC11Ij31XWSfzsJN8H5vKy8/s4618/20211203_070635.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3464" data-original-width="4618" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu0tWyN8az2vsiwz2pw6HP3hNwA-SCLLly7g3yXGaGu02eF523FMXgkFc8rJ38_FmJczhMCD5ye-qn3XuVp0n02wPdEzyTitHKkL_uaU8xoU2l7qxE5QgjCC11Ij31XWSfzsJN8H5vKy8/s320/20211203_070635.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>In the middle of the night tentmate had to pee and she ended up tripping over my cot, waking me up. Then tripped over my water bottle when she came back so I struggled to get back to sleep since I was freezing. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">FRIDAY</h3><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The daylight came so soon. At some point before the middle of the night interruptions, I heard our last 2 teammates arrive and go to bed, so the whole team was finally together.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjReunOQeeMyte2BSUpihNO0lZwFXET70NGyL4nTk6DchVmFOZOIutpopOGg9ugsfT9sA6oJbRngKVCSVh_W331g_H-5AnVKJOt9qGeyzpoqJZ8gWCyz1WuIIx5r8QLDbxBDIr9Zwyh2Kc/s4618/20211203_070729.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3464" data-original-width="4618" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjReunOQeeMyte2BSUpihNO0lZwFXET70NGyL4nTk6DchVmFOZOIutpopOGg9ugsfT9sA6oJbRngKVCSVh_W331g_H-5AnVKJOt9qGeyzpoqJZ8gWCyz1WuIIx5r8QLDbxBDIr9Zwyh2Kc/s320/20211203_070729.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">While I look peaceful, my sleeps did not feel peaceful on a cot, in the cold.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Since we had team shirts made and we didn't start till <strike>11</strike> 10, we gathered at the village to get some group photos before we started, because once we started, we'd always be short one person and after the race we're all bedraggled looking.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl0Ofd8JQPpwJaumfa8Dfte92VwRc57-Mfs-uCQYSUyRVytW96V4m45aBchVpHQ4N56h7mN1IZSabHUDu0IzlfAObKqLbjSbumaPnYr0oILdp4udKUC3zm8tZKqrKe5B4IqHT9a8JxCB8/s2048/264393183_4571678979595703_4884925651653544826_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl0Ofd8JQPpwJaumfa8Dfte92VwRc57-Mfs-uCQYSUyRVytW96V4m45aBchVpHQ4N56h7mN1IZSabHUDu0IzlfAObKqLbjSbumaPnYr0oILdp4udKUC3zm8tZKqrKe5B4IqHT9a8JxCB8/s320/264393183_4571678979595703_4884925651653544826_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGD5Y3coIOLG3lgqR0FyCfc1nu_uTDr5Iwzn8AoI1EnVrPdJcCGYOB7boGxu3qOv4xAaz7i4ApuQw2-4Kk42VsN30VgSHZ9SzTx5DjS2ZqfhxRHSkFi4kOmhnfYERVoX-d0LDfMVi5YkI/s2048/264461084_4571678639595737_8310839815409621177_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGD5Y3coIOLG3lgqR0FyCfc1nu_uTDr5Iwzn8AoI1EnVrPdJcCGYOB7boGxu3qOv4xAaz7i4ApuQw2-4Kk42VsN30VgSHZ9SzTx5DjS2ZqfhxRHSkFi4kOmhnfYERVoX-d0LDfMVi5YkI/s320/264461084_4571678639595737_8310839815409621177_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHP3Pl9FOM0Aq4OxK6U5pEFV-cpmwWIhmX7mGW3X3GoXlozfB7a2a_1b-QsG0J2qgs8pp7Pr5pYlzQzRe6zcdne_ab_F1JiGMNXouzMpeLqSDe7jQip6C0nfBWce8UXABo4yyRtqMkoA4/s4618/20211203_093139.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4618" data-original-width="3464" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHP3Pl9FOM0Aq4OxK6U5pEFV-cpmwWIhmX7mGW3X3GoXlozfB7a2a_1b-QsG0J2qgs8pp7Pr5pYlzQzRe6zcdne_ab_F1JiGMNXouzMpeLqSDe7jQip6C0nfBWce8UXABo4yyRtqMkoA4/s320/20211203_093139.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_W7pSxr7PvETSBJVROtahusED9nlYOUAxnVNCmmVvrtejEAfsHW7dJ7mfnIQFkikLxJldgkytXCCv4AS3y0ho7brNU8bi7HkW03AKsyPMUZtR2Wh5OprCabt8kpM8PJwu0hhFpeecdCk/s4618/20211203_093227.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4618" data-original-width="3464" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_W7pSxr7PvETSBJVROtahusED9nlYOUAxnVNCmmVvrtejEAfsHW7dJ7mfnIQFkikLxJldgkytXCCv4AS3y0ho7brNU8bi7HkW03AKsyPMUZtR2Wh5OprCabt8kpM8PJwu0hhFpeecdCk/s320/20211203_093227.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpsuwQSAIkgT05xpHNnQ_p93zZX1yOuR39q8td7wxmmBStqHhninPFiT2hJu2P3AIF-BaqL-jPP-VlYr0OrwnaEwsuORe2c89Lv7-chvwDIOSkN_ik7MEeVTfSg7GDz1U4psSE2kDQRRc/s4618/20211203_093304.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4618" data-original-width="3464" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpsuwQSAIkgT05xpHNnQ_p93zZX1yOuR39q8td7wxmmBStqHhninPFiT2hJu2P3AIF-BaqL-jPP-VlYr0OrwnaEwsuORe2c89Lv7-chvwDIOSkN_ik7MEeVTfSg7GDz1U4psSE2kDQRRc/s320/20211203_093304.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sometimes, you gotta give Santa a blowjob to show your teammates who they are really dealing with.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgorfWxRGiz7elkTcoINCCkWVHLoFNl69sVqeoRvlKQf2UcOtcs-VuCRzSQL2piQvh7uXU1AC9MBze_nflYXype29ygZBjxc4b-u7B8EwpvgK0FUv2CjFasxKKNmWZQTG-XFYz2fs2c1qI/s4618/20211203_101402.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4618" data-original-width="3464" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgorfWxRGiz7elkTcoINCCkWVHLoFNl69sVqeoRvlKQf2UcOtcs-VuCRzSQL2piQvh7uXU1AC9MBze_nflYXype29ygZBjxc4b-u7B8EwpvgK0FUv2CjFasxKKNmWZQTG-XFYz2fs2c1qI/s320/20211203_101402.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0-8Xs5s6lhEtpegF5n2YcrdQz1_2hmDt5aIa_yp4KRk9pAkDUhhvCz5S222RI30e63YQAiwyH82-a24yW_IUpKB2Xrcg5a0ru7yDO80rNhqQjrzRtplYL5hLDRb_uTvUfwU_yxIN4YYQ/s4618/20211203_150206.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4618" data-original-width="3464" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0-8Xs5s6lhEtpegF5n2YcrdQz1_2hmDt5aIa_yp4KRk9pAkDUhhvCz5S222RI30e63YQAiwyH82-a24yW_IUpKB2Xrcg5a0ru7yDO80rNhqQjrzRtplYL5hLDRb_uTvUfwU_yxIN4YYQ/s320/20211203_150206.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5yg8pnJrtyXTnC5Bcr8T_VBTgjRlPjrv6DhCYqoTM6j296ZRVX92ZPbp3eO92EEh-pLrta_HA67ax2CRvZ1T5EzG1lVjhtCO31ChKELaV31-T5b-ax9qvhmQ9x2QQEJzw35M6EjCNzhM/s4618/20211203_150341.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4618" data-original-width="3464" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5yg8pnJrtyXTnC5Bcr8T_VBTgjRlPjrv6DhCYqoTM6j296ZRVX92ZPbp3eO92EEh-pLrta_HA67ax2CRvZ1T5EzG1lVjhtCO31ChKELaV31-T5b-ax9qvhmQ9x2QQEJzw35M6EjCNzhM/s320/20211203_150341.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>After hanging out at the village for a while, it was agreed on that we'd start at 10 since we wanted to be done early. The schedule estimator was wonky and I never saw it, so I just trusted that it was something I wasn't in control of, so come what may. We also ended up having 2 people double up for all their loops since they were walking.</div><div><br /></div><h4 style="text-align: left;">Red Loop (Leg #1)</h4><div>Eventually, it was my turn to run! I was runner 6 and that's a LOT time to wait to start. With a regular race, you get started at start time.. with a relay, you have to wait until it's your turn and there are few things more anxiety inducing than that. </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP0u7_Wf_5BEjwFIV0CFq006JaU0du_Le7gHECUdXRg2I7xkh0URjLtf2BuBnMMsbZWVkiTpz5hlAEVwSlwQ1wYEpN8MEp19qIPu1oO-oFTOYtsv8WVr-a9oM-RJUw7N0u9mKiA4r3OTE/s320/263890165_10159560158522510_2856225875337720228_n.jpg" style="color: #0000ee; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="240" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ready for leg 1.</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirwqBIzCBn0VKwNyI0lQ1j3nTQphRxB2LVSKKyeT23FO-X-ELavuvGTrgNtYiHKUtpkfw5w1lr2pPM91ZsaCFVNi-piNTH_KMu5k9AkRqXnujdiSHwshOVew7dxNpujp0xAoDmqhqBnQo/s4618/20211203_152720.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3464" data-original-width="4618" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirwqBIzCBn0VKwNyI0lQ1j3nTQphRxB2LVSKKyeT23FO-X-ELavuvGTrgNtYiHKUtpkfw5w1lr2pPM91ZsaCFVNi-piNTH_KMu5k9AkRqXnujdiSHwshOVew7dxNpujp0xAoDmqhqBnQo/s320/20211203_152720.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was the board in the transition zone to communicate any hazards/things to be aware of to outgoing runners.</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5jJyIr7-UaqpjxVP6lb24xyQw-oIfR3t4s0DDxB5ZHbo4EhvmVHJkykn6NI8GLF1kQm7kvLlg029XlnRArqYEx9i39X04WLykkzsHAnj_oVokizNXpxDMutEsSSUr86ZKruTY5vIVEZo/s960/264148470_10159560167672510_7917958249297503439_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5jJyIr7-UaqpjxVP6lb24xyQw-oIfR3t4s0DDxB5ZHbo4EhvmVHJkykn6NI8GLF1kQm7kvLlg029XlnRArqYEx9i39X04WLykkzsHAnj_oVokizNXpxDMutEsSSUr86ZKruTY5vIVEZo/s320/264148470_10159560167672510_7917958249297503439_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My team cheering me on as I started my first leg!</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My first leg was the Red loop, which was the most difficult loop. I wasn't sad to be getting this beast out of the way first AND in the daylight. The red trail was black diamond mountain bike trails and we were running them backwards. #Adventures</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I knew I needed to take it slow because I had the Kiawah Half Marathon the weekend following Ragnar Trail FL and I didn't need to be injured for that race. With that in mind, I took it easy, I stopped to take photos and appreciate the scenery since I couldn't really appreciate the scenery while running since I was staring at the ground trying not to trip over roots/etc. I also pulled out my inner Bestie and took photos of ALL the signs just for her. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXZn2CsZWbE5ZdJcHjE7Lzcf5kMGpSXSXYlQ2kFWq8vjTGBof-Bb2IIQ8sZGulOAYlbg-tNLyEu_jDItpUJqMEFqZp5pzcHBsyQo2SSZtqY1drYQasSxKqB1WBr_KMIzqI-GZKr2Gk6dk/s4618/20211203_153125.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4618" data-original-width="3464" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXZn2CsZWbE5ZdJcHjE7Lzcf5kMGpSXSXYlQ2kFWq8vjTGBof-Bb2IIQ8sZGulOAYlbg-tNLyEu_jDItpUJqMEFqZp5pzcHBsyQo2SSZtqY1drYQasSxKqB1WBr_KMIzqI-GZKr2Gk6dk/s320/20211203_153125.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Fun fact, I tripped and fell within the first mile. I was fine.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw_Kmjrcl-qdhWx6Y8gjKFu10MTSiA9G_eFNYC7V3lnvtiTe-KEsbhv46_T0C_1p7A772RJVIskfNoCP5URtsCuVibrP_oMAfRirg9XFjKCRxKOIzDjrVxhNQOmSBJqvkKcYOBCMMsLck/s4618/20211203_154012.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3464" data-original-width="4618" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw_Kmjrcl-qdhWx6Y8gjKFu10MTSiA9G_eFNYC7V3lnvtiTe-KEsbhv46_T0C_1p7A772RJVIskfNoCP5URtsCuVibrP_oMAfRirg9XFjKCRxKOIzDjrVxhNQOmSBJqvkKcYOBCMMsLck/s320/20211203_154012.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh40z6GoDGnvLTRI15ZI-yKvWgHKYeJ4uQ_NLAMSoBsTCnRxNFYbp8GTmuIinjUkB02JOHSEg77XJ1D2OBkLc7IUtI3YKCdkHAJjUZdxwVm3hKmrStZtlv_cHulu_45pmshyphenhyphenkNUnbRI1nQ/s4618/20211203_154124.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4618" data-original-width="3464" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh40z6GoDGnvLTRI15ZI-yKvWgHKYeJ4uQ_NLAMSoBsTCnRxNFYbp8GTmuIinjUkB02JOHSEg77XJ1D2OBkLc7IUtI3YKCdkHAJjUZdxwVm3hKmrStZtlv_cHulu_45pmshyphenhyphenkNUnbRI1nQ/s320/20211203_154124.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8mTEhqj6yvp7sOhpUTXqNgps4KCZ3sH4oXfNHdEBX1RFkcEGC06fqssNqF8PDcLHTw7tUPWM-dPmL1UvJmPjptOn6KcOf3NqQh-7OkESvjkOi7ys2dlEUZMkbGe1fA68hSn6PR9cziIA/s1564/IMG_20211206_091428.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1564" data-original-width="1564" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8mTEhqj6yvp7sOhpUTXqNgps4KCZ3sH4oXfNHdEBX1RFkcEGC06fqssNqF8PDcLHTw7tUPWM-dPmL1UvJmPjptOn6KcOf3NqQh-7OkESvjkOi7ys2dlEUZMkbGe1fA68hSn6PR9cziIA/s320/IMG_20211206_091428.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The only time I wore the band for a loop. Oops.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXdGs3woS6CHsW2Ska5jdPUmHvxhg2QZoOXuS_tqyEt7tYnL5R8lTmVbNIv5YUKmzWcAAsXgAAbXPz7r88UVK3r_8qKQrCJMeNoX4Hiht3Af78G2Rmqh_Ig6R3V6TTQfZrhNSB5hPDDj0/s4618/20211203_154535.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4618" data-original-width="3464" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXdGs3woS6CHsW2Ska5jdPUmHvxhg2QZoOXuS_tqyEt7tYnL5R8lTmVbNIv5YUKmzWcAAsXgAAbXPz7r88UVK3r_8qKQrCJMeNoX4Hiht3Af78G2Rmqh_Ig6R3V6TTQfZrhNSB5hPDDj0/s320/20211203_154535.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJIL11Jo_GbDE7seBXI_M_3wTLDHZfzAEd0yCfnOOtzVA0Y28Qhrkcdl5KvdiUaBbPgmXlymwDu74jOWOkE539h-sK9hv5VEnO_sl26tciNvxyplF1-EasoFwkWJuhmeRYM2xKOI2goWI/s4618/20211203_155442.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4618" data-original-width="3464" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJIL11Jo_GbDE7seBXI_M_3wTLDHZfzAEd0yCfnOOtzVA0Y28Qhrkcdl5KvdiUaBbPgmXlymwDu74jOWOkE539h-sK9hv5VEnO_sl26tciNvxyplF1-EasoFwkWJuhmeRYM2xKOI2goWI/s320/20211203_155442.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9FHYFkgSXBzW-jQCldNEzguOg4m3FCiXwMk_e3h9JLiwLk55XMV-EhdBEX4HHqKw2XVf-4hzvX-EzbbMskbE9xKFkuE3vTH3cqkF8FRAe9lTnuQm_Oau7RhfsAXVebwayyu_-ZUnuYvw/s4618/20211203_155857.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3464" data-original-width="4618" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9FHYFkgSXBzW-jQCldNEzguOg4m3FCiXwMk_e3h9JLiwLk55XMV-EhdBEX4HHqKw2XVf-4hzvX-EzbbMskbE9xKFkuE3vTH3cqkF8FRAe9lTnuQm_Oau7RhfsAXVebwayyu_-ZUnuYvw/s320/20211203_155857.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgajP_0AWOMNdp-SaokrRk25SzuUd5_Rl_4ZX9O-sxtE3B4yCRj6kkvnD5sTFikYj0dxVKd3hyphenhyphenLEj65GbYvm01ontWwSWvyuvGt9WsuxyreymrjQHsgogyYB57stMk2XPfH7JB-G1-lBOg/s4618/20211203_155954.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4618" data-original-width="3464" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgajP_0AWOMNdp-SaokrRk25SzuUd5_Rl_4ZX9O-sxtE3B4yCRj6kkvnD5sTFikYj0dxVKd3hyphenhyphenLEj65GbYvm01ontWwSWvyuvGt9WsuxyreymrjQHsgogyYB57stMk2XPfH7JB-G1-lBOg/s320/20211203_155954.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ4lO-A9TjU5SrQL4mE8d3GgWnE1EnKvsBMPjJkiD30yf28zlHWQmQp6TTNr2vGDXrMauQ940En92DQULFi-O7QgvOey__P-dRlP4OKvE86Cdtq7cbQVF0Lf1TuNJM0C2RbfEQeklG6gw/s4618/20211203_160405.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4618" data-original-width="3464" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ4lO-A9TjU5SrQL4mE8d3GgWnE1EnKvsBMPjJkiD30yf28zlHWQmQp6TTNr2vGDXrMauQ940En92DQULFi-O7QgvOey__P-dRlP4OKvE86Cdtq7cbQVF0Lf1TuNJM0C2RbfEQeklG6gw/s320/20211203_160405.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRyLPHdOk_lFAfwjpVhll203AzRq17diFJWhFmOS7nXzbOSw4gB4XeDSPm65rDM9YJxwYsPPKJDRKRumZKGgP8u8MnQXq42V1CAfLWjgwdbKzii6hSxTdxISs23mN8Vjk1o-60RTI_6EI/s4618/20211203_160445.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3464" data-original-width="4618" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRyLPHdOk_lFAfwjpVhll203AzRq17diFJWhFmOS7nXzbOSw4gB4XeDSPm65rDM9YJxwYsPPKJDRKRumZKGgP8u8MnQXq42V1CAfLWjgwdbKzii6hSxTdxISs23mN8Vjk1o-60RTI_6EI/s320/20211203_160445.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxupwU41CZcu3f1EhBLXWjoe2UfZmpdw8rTDXHpfyRN7-LrqqFEjlhiZiHWiABELbI_Y-ozdCOg2T9nXVIkVA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div><br /></div>And in true Megan fashion, I recorded that video because I thought running through the ferns was SOO cool and I ended the video and then tripped over a root. Fortunately, the fall is NOT part of the video, but there was definitely a FUCK! yelled and an oof when I went down. I banged up my knee a bit, though no blood.</div><div><br /></div><div>Which leads me to my next photo, these fantastic volunteers at the water station who HEARD ME FALL (and yell/cuss, of course). The dude was nice enough to dust some of the dirt/leaves/sand off of me when I came up for water. We chatted for a few minutes and then I ran on. I also made it a point at this event to get photos WITH the support people. They are the unsung heroes of events like this and without them my good time wouldn't be possible.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaedBJ8hykQcQSVa0_VpIFtkJ5JlWHQVwJVOrALdlVKDmPa03hoNR_BXGQK2AWvisImAcFQWn1ulVfwFxa-oMt0rN1Xqmbq6X8aJsbO_vDGQK5V7vhqeVVChZNJaQ-ZZYo7aMkOUZFb_g/s4618/20211203_160840.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3464" data-original-width="4618" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaedBJ8hykQcQSVa0_VpIFtkJ5JlWHQVwJVOrALdlVKDmPa03hoNR_BXGQK2AWvisImAcFQWn1ulVfwFxa-oMt0rN1Xqmbq6X8aJsbO_vDGQK5V7vhqeVVChZNJaQ-ZZYo7aMkOUZFb_g/s320/20211203_160840.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiohsjLbypQD7XGP6kKhLiz3HYGgVETcbDocwkNqlueNuzsV2O8YJDx8Re-Fj0_iNUvh5yb4YJqFa-R_sGArNDIy1jKcnxsVFWGqluJUrM_ePphBxyiPsK3XHJlNR6tr4nWw3KGeWcLTyc/s4618/20211203_161211.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4618" data-original-width="3464" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiohsjLbypQD7XGP6kKhLiz3HYGgVETcbDocwkNqlueNuzsV2O8YJDx8Re-Fj0_iNUvh5yb4YJqFa-R_sGArNDIy1jKcnxsVFWGqluJUrM_ePphBxyiPsK3XHJlNR6tr4nWw3KGeWcLTyc/s320/20211203_161211.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijPza2EOQ-h_sOybokb5XuoldGcriQeQjKF9TY4XPHdDlOIvtXV5G-UkuUs98rBhw_S31cge7xz85djXpAHdp4BYlz_9L91JBN8p_uxEIR11uvX7n9HBMVthV9zyU4KVLLrRi-bKndHxg/s4618/20211203_161420.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4618" data-original-width="3464" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijPza2EOQ-h_sOybokb5XuoldGcriQeQjKF9TY4XPHdDlOIvtXV5G-UkuUs98rBhw_S31cge7xz85djXpAHdp4BYlz_9L91JBN8p_uxEIR11uvX7n9HBMVthV9zyU4KVLLrRi-bKndHxg/s320/20211203_161420.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsCxeTq2pEySvDpSU44FEzXJJAiwivA2FqeVAykvdEX1Zr2E85ddTnGvc6OfbyuoCP4fDnanv0WwPruLGyk5N223932hu_U-u8RH1wzUXvjLxrx-bFjYMGFR7uPXmHCuUKckUQFqFfHy0/s4618/20211203_161955.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4618" data-original-width="3464" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsCxeTq2pEySvDpSU44FEzXJJAiwivA2FqeVAykvdEX1Zr2E85ddTnGvc6OfbyuoCP4fDnanv0WwPruLGyk5N223932hu_U-u8RH1wzUXvjLxrx-bFjYMGFR7uPXmHCuUKckUQFqFfHy0/s320/20211203_161955.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9vwtLQaqc_kEW2wtwv2TRiUoBr7vvSw17NKkqZ26vDJV0qMAkva-iqYlxamViYqPu4fLb8QNS9U1b0yaHf1Ib0FUpLsXBsk3XJWncv6WU6-Vid7vj9C3lcRFXeqxphN3kU7pzqi-gphc/s4618/20211203_162735.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4618" data-original-width="3464" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9vwtLQaqc_kEW2wtwv2TRiUoBr7vvSw17NKkqZ26vDJV0qMAkva-iqYlxamViYqPu4fLb8QNS9U1b0yaHf1Ib0FUpLsXBsk3XJWncv6WU6-Vid7vj9C3lcRFXeqxphN3kU7pzqi-gphc/s320/20211203_162735.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIR-lEaEbuJJD3JYObNtC7DrfOeyCj392zzoCqYDLmQHSVAFECEyCWIk3aOAXF2zL_gPiib89zWKraRYuEeUFojtC5s2Gc0pK1rFuJwPlxpOIY-1y1h5Y87-2k6_ny-Dlr_z920vUqJYk/s4618/20211203_162942.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4618" data-original-width="3464" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIR-lEaEbuJJD3JYObNtC7DrfOeyCj392zzoCqYDLmQHSVAFECEyCWIk3aOAXF2zL_gPiib89zWKraRYuEeUFojtC5s2Gc0pK1rFuJwPlxpOIY-1y1h5Y87-2k6_ny-Dlr_z920vUqJYk/s320/20211203_162942.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9T72RPWrQSu2HK0qILOnOZCP5EpBnJ2u7mVZdw4n7GDSxkp5GlM5nTBDQ5oYhb8t1yKB_KmFXInA0z2oVoThYZz3CAi481kmakG2u7Y9rG8Qs5oD3wuN8dIeVdRWc7Yil8M1yZgyPCko/s4618/20211203_163136.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4618" data-original-width="3464" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9T72RPWrQSu2HK0qILOnOZCP5EpBnJ2u7mVZdw4n7GDSxkp5GlM5nTBDQ5oYhb8t1yKB_KmFXInA0z2oVoThYZz3CAi481kmakG2u7Y9rG8Qs5oD3wuN8dIeVdRWc7Yil8M1yZgyPCko/s320/20211203_163136.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyoYt8rUPcsB-CH9LjX_ydb2dkHkbLKW_9ePSi6FumPWG-Y32KK7Hh_BNHAIdS_dtrKtRa9GzSsdgGjj_AmzP5QUZ6gAm094uwbydM3sdr-X1D1A0zO-yidve-WK12bKj64e30725LuG0/s4618/20211203_170453.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4618" data-original-width="3464" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyoYt8rUPcsB-CH9LjX_ydb2dkHkbLKW_9ePSi6FumPWG-Y32KK7Hh_BNHAIdS_dtrKtRa9GzSsdgGjj_AmzP5QUZ6gAm094uwbydM3sdr-X1D1A0zO-yidve-WK12bKj64e30725LuG0/s320/20211203_170453.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Holy fucking Florida. Ugh. Why is it so hot in December? Haaattteeeee.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfbuCJtxvdHTdEFSXVC_ShVUD8fNsLRZBFf3TQuXy0Fr0zYR7ZJaosB18k1e_6bC1ucgrgleCYtjXgA4ff8GIt0AmvcXNRXfUgKcjI0clH_V9FgEAiscfSS7Pytj7_lcZeRQC5KYW-xNA/s990/IMG_20211206_221502.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="990" data-original-width="990" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfbuCJtxvdHTdEFSXVC_ShVUD8fNsLRZBFf3TQuXy0Fr0zYR7ZJaosB18k1e_6bC1ucgrgleCYtjXgA4ff8GIt0AmvcXNRXfUgKcjI0clH_V9FgEAiscfSS7Pytj7_lcZeRQC5KYW-xNA/s320/IMG_20211206_221502.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Originally supposed to be 6.1 miles, but a half mile was cut off due to shitty trails before the race even started, so only 5.6 miles.. Maybe my tumble got me an extra .3 miles? Or shitty reception?</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><h4 style="text-align: left;">Post Red Loop</h4><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">After I passed off to the next person, I headed back to the tent to cool down, ice my knee, to have my post-workout shake, and wipe off/change...</div><div><br /></div></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP1GUCEU5kwx6VV8T1KWKFw6u1U3rU1vFCG1oyuAmeTHP-JKALN_7MTvBylRJB0O_xSERKnY5lLTFabvyNIul1v2tDrocGdfO7Ej2dD2NKS2ye0mA-q_9_o-uM5MDbDNr2zuqEEYJvGxc/s4618/20211203_172251.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4618" data-original-width="3464" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP1GUCEU5kwx6VV8T1KWKFw6u1U3rU1vFCG1oyuAmeTHP-JKALN_7MTvBylRJB0O_xSERKnY5lLTFabvyNIul1v2tDrocGdfO7Ej2dD2NKS2ye0mA-q_9_o-uM5MDbDNr2zuqEEYJvGxc/s320/20211203_172251.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Found this little friend (a frog) while pulling out my next outfit.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />As I was about to start stripping off my clothes, our neighbors started playing Goodbye Earl by the [Dixie] Chicks and I SPRINTED to their tent to start the most EPIC karaoke session in the history of man. There is video somewhere, but I feel like these photos do it justice.. and also fully show why our neighbors were so awesome.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAaCMcX4p8N1qbfjlvCvmIREcxoLZn6xBiydipeSpKnyo_0n1rvIzYpOayU_JY3HUnGbJuDc004RrE2WHYgNsIU8nPTbnmlBxMGI8cg9AFxjH0UDlJzEtEASAhKn_E8xxjuILhTVSAP9w/s960/264448634_10159560070627510_5370763955334070651_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAaCMcX4p8N1qbfjlvCvmIREcxoLZn6xBiydipeSpKnyo_0n1rvIzYpOayU_JY3HUnGbJuDc004RrE2WHYgNsIU8nPTbnmlBxMGI8cg9AFxjH0UDlJzEtEASAhKn_E8xxjuILhTVSAP9w/s320/264448634_10159560070627510_5370763955334070651_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkrifvfEFlZpsIh5LI_f66VP7CVYd6UQpuCAk0aUKsItsuwOr7BsPxpRDNRing2qF1UwAEC8BJ8kiFY4HuM07saujRIH3ukUxLXdYbRA6MldQh0yRlduXFwgC58LntPu9bJy1fLqp1r4M/s960/263883793_10159560070182510_8991938631789482168_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkrifvfEFlZpsIh5LI_f66VP7CVYd6UQpuCAk0aUKsItsuwOr7BsPxpRDNRing2qF1UwAEC8BJ8kiFY4HuM07saujRIH3ukUxLXdYbRA6MldQh0yRlduXFwgC58LntPu9bJy1fLqp1r4M/s320/263883793_10159560070182510_8991938631789482168_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilOJXMiVfOaZNmbuynHEhH-H-zpzAEHrPap5KY8ExNYC8-Te4u6pCnxVEsVvK-yIAEW98ZwzHNb9IHYzESqvg0WpJU5ESokzF322yJ2X9ANZjKvfubv_QuT3zoMyZLk3o1nqLBEev1pbs/s960/264225079_10159559924257510_1715141148630441255_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilOJXMiVfOaZNmbuynHEhH-H-zpzAEHrPap5KY8ExNYC8-Te4u6pCnxVEsVvK-yIAEW98ZwzHNb9IHYzESqvg0WpJU5ESokzF322yJ2X9ANZjKvfubv_QuT3zoMyZLk3o1nqLBEev1pbs/s320/264225079_10159559924257510_1715141148630441255_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>After several songs, I finally headed back to my tent to wipe down and change clothes and put on my onesie before it started getting too chilly. I headed to the Village to grab bbq for dinner from a food truck, made a few smores (only a few since they had run out of long sticks the first night and all they had was kabob skewers and the fire was too hot for such short sticks and I didn't bring my usual roasting stick #badlifechoice), then headed back to the tent for a nap since leg 2 was my middle of the night run. Best thing was that now I had 2 pairs of dirty socks, so I doubled up for my nap to help ward off icicle toes.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiURiJ_QioVGwx77GQm_md8dvbEIvZtvw11vTf-4sV5g-IRhcpQfoeNyGsjkwcQU8H8GJQNw7f27utY5A1hgwQ_K6Ft7VcLYdK2es36b6LmQu35Oi6TJFuJwd_gOEGWbAiZ0I0jafyaArk/s4618/20211203_184224.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3464" data-original-width="4618" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiURiJ_QioVGwx77GQm_md8dvbEIvZtvw11vTf-4sV5g-IRhcpQfoeNyGsjkwcQU8H8GJQNw7f27utY5A1hgwQ_K6Ft7VcLYdK2es36b6LmQu35Oi6TJFuJwd_gOEGWbAiZ0I0jafyaArk/s320/20211203_184224.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So much holiday spirit!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2cLS24XHWd10gK3C8abP-VNJMEfW0l4WMBqMCkm8dSn45YuvVPYQmOW1M6TXPqlgHzciPrSkL9c32X35KV_6fNEX1qQkNyDduJPcNBmAhz0SxMk39X7R8SSvKXLyaEDKuquzwUQNGLYY/s4618/20211203_210633.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3464" data-original-width="4618" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2cLS24XHWd10gK3C8abP-VNJMEfW0l4WMBqMCkm8dSn45YuvVPYQmOW1M6TXPqlgHzciPrSkL9c32X35KV_6fNEX1qQkNyDduJPcNBmAhz0SxMk39X7R8SSvKXLyaEDKuquzwUQNGLYY/s320/20211203_210633.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>My tentmate was 2 runners ahead of me, so usually when she left for her legs, I would wake up and start getting ready slowly. When it was closer to run time and she had finished her leg, I would get up and go pee and head to the Village to for pass off.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhyf3Mm0V29qfMGWwJt5_xySDw3uV5zZMnudU2tPX4J3EQ5m22Ym9R7xqdg3TShKgqs-UW2jz6XkU_zgKl8P1L7jQ3dA5lh3uSkfRm5iPsCmxvHzxoJ05oEvsGjGhj3e-SF1l2CJbgNEU/s4618/20211203_230456.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4618" data-original-width="3464" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhyf3Mm0V29qfMGWwJt5_xySDw3uV5zZMnudU2tPX4J3EQ5m22Ym9R7xqdg3TShKgqs-UW2jz6XkU_zgKl8P1L7jQ3dA5lh3uSkfRm5iPsCmxvHzxoJ05oEvsGjGhj3e-SF1l2CJbgNEU/s320/20211203_230456.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me + teammate</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4JQ1cbRkhBnx7JqKDcipFm252fQes73eEf5UMezeJwBGURBRKnP9oAf-JGhMTBTtCGCOzhlGcyi6xDzEUu76_YbwH2xjdAxJhVaMjsDrCAoV5JdHAojnyjCMHy-jFuzIEPpF9RsLIRRU/s4618/20211203_230519.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4618" data-original-width="3464" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4JQ1cbRkhBnx7JqKDcipFm252fQes73eEf5UMezeJwBGURBRKnP9oAf-JGhMTBTtCGCOzhlGcyi6xDzEUu76_YbwH2xjdAxJhVaMjsDrCAoV5JdHAojnyjCMHy-jFuzIEPpF9RsLIRRU/s320/20211203_230519.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Keep me warm fire!<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><h4>Yellow Loop (Leg #2)</h4><div>Leg 2 was in the dark and yellow loop = medium difficulty. For me, yellow loop was my favorite, despite the dark. When I set off, I ended up finding someone who was going about my pace (a little slower actually, but that was fine for me since it was dark and I needed to be careful. I tripped a few times but didn't fall... We ran the entire loop together, which was fantastic since he was carrying a maglite and my chest light ended up being so dim it was useless (and this is why rechargable lights suckkkk). I still had my headlamp, which was a last minute add-on to my packing list, but it was darkkkkk, so #grateful for my running buddy. It was also super foggy and then the cloud your breath made just made more fog. You could see the water particles in the air from the lights and it was cool, but also 150% humidity is never my idea of a good time.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR31EQFmKVfhBGdBKX6iNh9thKGIujl0R7fblqUMrB6xqxiSMRNSB8OzgoZ2cdp0h4se190mukhcT-sh8Cf2k2FbEKFnf3rZa2U2u6yLaM7X_izM37VScdxlFmDElZuGRNFC1vdIrk_q4/s4618/20211203_153132.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4618" data-original-width="3464" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR31EQFmKVfhBGdBKX6iNh9thKGIujl0R7fblqUMrB6xqxiSMRNSB8OzgoZ2cdp0h4se190mukhcT-sh8Cf2k2FbEKFnf3rZa2U2u6yLaM7X_izM37VScdxlFmDElZuGRNFC1vdIrk_q4/s320/20211203_153132.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Took this during the day since it was right beside the red loop totem.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJBLkcFY5cMt5y1KmN2E_Uy4Z5DMSfvEWG0-TpQsV286gmEn2TUjArbDFwFI9XbB94MY2QowG_x2pZw69fcS_rjixMnEEsq9o_ovRp5t2dn5BgCwOp-pRC_-cJwRBjvFQHbG6L2jHxwls/s4618/20211203_234852.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4618" data-original-width="3464" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJBLkcFY5cMt5y1KmN2E_Uy4Z5DMSfvEWG0-TpQsV286gmEn2TUjArbDFwFI9XbB94MY2QowG_x2pZw69fcS_rjixMnEEsq9o_ovRp5t2dn5BgCwOp-pRC_-cJwRBjvFQHbG6L2jHxwls/s320/20211203_234852.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nope, ain't got no slap bracelet.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp3K_C70gFnldKxkfdDCT-_F8zA6VEjauKZyFnz5KwTnH8Bz73w8M4eladyItJR8Z3D7LTP-o6GlmcoMiZrBvNK3NEWThz3KBhvuJcGPLdsGDj002u-ZuBlNpf8khKjC5ShrVnVZwiRx8/s4618/20211203_235104.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4618" data-original-width="3464" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp3K_C70gFnldKxkfdDCT-_F8zA6VEjauKZyFnz5KwTnH8Bz73w8M4eladyItJR8Z3D7LTP-o6GlmcoMiZrBvNK3NEWThz3KBhvuJcGPLdsGDj002u-ZuBlNpf8khKjC5ShrVnVZwiRx8/s320/20211203_235104.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEJXsmkfC6TXUKSo-pk1Q0QCgJeSHA_8iBWE3NegiKQ3RI5z1pV1xXy2knG1RrM6SDvn1qLfZfQAScF3ZKrLFhzYunv4tibLGnyQQb4-xnKPYJT9E3CTODGdMkSZpeY0esYJyP20zfjGI/s4618/20211203_235823.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4618" data-original-width="3464" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEJXsmkfC6TXUKSo-pk1Q0QCgJeSHA_8iBWE3NegiKQ3RI5z1pV1xXy2knG1RrM6SDvn1qLfZfQAScF3ZKrLFhzYunv4tibLGnyQQb4-xnKPYJT9E3CTODGdMkSZpeY0esYJyP20zfjGI/s320/20211203_235823.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyqKDoDlhmM9q1sE2jPLz8iy4Ivz0c_ccITLby6xJN1h3JVMtYnj8DXT4bRYbwBQrXBKEgwSte2AO5ZzfZ8zYAXSa33LsuabiN4nT2DtOtF3CUzTjZAq5u26R8O7jQOSU1mRU9sUoiRR4/s4618/20211203_235931.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4618" data-original-width="3464" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyqKDoDlhmM9q1sE2jPLz8iy4Ivz0c_ccITLby6xJN1h3JVMtYnj8DXT4bRYbwBQrXBKEgwSte2AO5ZzfZ8zYAXSa33LsuabiN4nT2DtOtF3CUzTjZAq5u26R8O7jQOSU1mRU9sUoiRR4/s320/20211203_235931.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTklJN7dfxmyDbPvG7PZJPXUt1OnZaH_d3ff9dtfa-_mAIg3rfoCOx43tvnXQdNYrNdFUIa3seH8PCvF0PQh1cgssKDU2Cgi7VcEkBGafIHmzqeHCNqpfpBrJs5FF9ejCcGez9Z7sALgI/s4618/20211204_000622.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4618" data-original-width="3464" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTklJN7dfxmyDbPvG7PZJPXUt1OnZaH_d3ff9dtfa-_mAIg3rfoCOx43tvnXQdNYrNdFUIa3seH8PCvF0PQh1cgssKDU2Cgi7VcEkBGafIHmzqeHCNqpfpBrJs5FF9ejCcGez9Z7sALgI/s320/20211204_000622.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">STRONGLY disagree.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGi1ikpSFTq188Jfzy-dIEycdq5dgRfEJ0Hth4Xmh5BWgnie7IGZXElSVdB2S3d2wLFcuwayJDyxsymR3CBUsgKm2q194pzQ1y352vJxWvv9spaLi7vMXdhP-Yislx3C5qQMksbllJicw/s4618/20211204_001139.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4618" data-original-width="3464" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGi1ikpSFTq188Jfzy-dIEycdq5dgRfEJ0Hth4Xmh5BWgnie7IGZXElSVdB2S3d2wLFcuwayJDyxsymR3CBUsgKm2q194pzQ1y352vJxWvv9spaLi7vMXdhP-Yislx3C5qQMksbllJicw/s320/20211204_001139.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlIFFVo4jgXZtMRm_GVJb5IFhOCb5FVzl5exl3erI08hMUueuA-jwoHm4gj2385baoDWZHFsYiZy90GxAQdkqObLt-NdL1AItWd-FkjBBwvizh3CcfwkQflmPc44yLZbOOK1VEhLDblh4/s4618/20211204_001710.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4618" data-original-width="3464" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlIFFVo4jgXZtMRm_GVJb5IFhOCb5FVzl5exl3erI08hMUueuA-jwoHm4gj2385baoDWZHFsYiZy90GxAQdkqObLt-NdL1AItWd-FkjBBwvizh3CcfwkQflmPc44yLZbOOK1VEhLDblh4/s320/20211204_001710.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAAT1R4FPty3MxVdTFqFAFCjjJfVHgzGxVasyjVfdBl6WCkizDQ-aLbQOImLYL9eOM8VZ9YHKG6bweyvhqxJL4iGPWv_jRmbFgDJZ8SH1iwZZh4tcfMYEBlZdw7NoxXvk61pUT_qh3dKo/s4618/20211204_002243.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3464" data-original-width="4618" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAAT1R4FPty3MxVdTFqFAFCjjJfVHgzGxVasyjVfdBl6WCkizDQ-aLbQOImLYL9eOM8VZ9YHKG6bweyvhqxJL4iGPWv_jRmbFgDJZ8SH1iwZZh4tcfMYEBlZdw7NoxXvk61pUT_qh3dKo/s320/20211204_002243.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlcvv4ZgRdAY8q0gZ9MGwBqPXvcrddRa51jjheH2OODqTHRDYlJ5CgLvXHXt7a7-_QiZUmfSLBZUpaG-YhxH9UjWY8kJrItKPV_KgSpsyUKsF0prbzeT0BdHAbEcmpzf1gwIHJGYWwym0/s4618/20211204_002442.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4618" data-original-width="3464" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlcvv4ZgRdAY8q0gZ9MGwBqPXvcrddRa51jjheH2OODqTHRDYlJ5CgLvXHXt7a7-_QiZUmfSLBZUpaG-YhxH9UjWY8kJrItKPV_KgSpsyUKsF0prbzeT0BdHAbEcmpzf1gwIHJGYWwym0/s320/20211204_002442.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Within a half mile of the finish line, I tripped on a root and bit it. Thankfully, it was like sliding to homebase since the ground was sandy and covered in pine needles.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDOJa-Rko8MpNzpSAm4rLEyU3CVjIEviEgP1fAnFaeEpDXheWbw92cMwrnuK3gfmut8NMGz5E1npUSGNYPvyHVIJZmaMaN_5t5X7N95oyLAFemfY3GXccqxbybY_5tKj0s7VuqaDRnkcA/s4618/20211204_003132.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3464" data-original-width="4618" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDOJa-Rko8MpNzpSAm4rLEyU3CVjIEviEgP1fAnFaeEpDXheWbw92cMwrnuK3gfmut8NMGz5E1npUSGNYPvyHVIJZmaMaN_5t5X7N95oyLAFemfY3GXccqxbybY_5tKj0s7VuqaDRnkcA/s320/20211204_003132.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and my running buddy, Jim, with my photobombing teammates.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXPQ9SHU7WyV1TxBXscTNOQv4MZ-aF6OFnRnUWH04MuRzH0PXGvQGdtxs9qkPm0LrKSEnbwDBos4drRKAJjCOw7dkJATQz2UEVATQXDitRSY8_fiZZRuPELZ_L_GtQVLwYOEeXrzN0peQ/s990/IMG_20211206_221504.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="990" data-original-width="990" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXPQ9SHU7WyV1TxBXscTNOQv4MZ-aF6OFnRnUWH04MuRzH0PXGvQGdtxs9qkPm0LrKSEnbwDBos4drRKAJjCOw7dkJATQz2UEVATQXDitRSY8_fiZZRuPELZ_L_GtQVLwYOEeXrzN0peQ/s320/IMG_20211206_221504.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ragnar said 4.3 miles... and the tracker started late due to no reception.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />After my loop, I cooled down for a little while and had my shake and chatted with some people at the Glamping firepit and had a tea (to get warm). Eventually, I got cold enough to need my onesie, which meant having to pee before putting it on, but once I put it on, I knew it was bedtime. So I peed, headed back to the tent to take the most excruciating wipes bath ever (it was cold, I was sweaty, and those wipes were COLLLLLDDD in all my sensitive bits, mkay), put on my run 3 outfit, a hoodie, a cap (it's my sleepin' cap yall, I just need a gown to go with it!), and Bumble.. doubling up on socks did NOT eliminate icicle toes, which sucked, but I was tired so I did eventually go to sleep.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1xFjY2If632HIr9WI8_7aZ7S4p4HjWgtn4m8vd7ldoEdB2V1NQgFFY6FiGdxaTtHLyt9x7TieRF_l0Lrf92DEFMYfZcDvUUrr0wEQeNVwChcwUmWnMAPABN8BCIFgR-ktefpOZkNGXH8/s4618/20211204_015040.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="4618" data-original-width="3464" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1xFjY2If632HIr9WI8_7aZ7S4p4HjWgtn4m8vd7ldoEdB2V1NQgFFY6FiGdxaTtHLyt9x7TieRF_l0Lrf92DEFMYfZcDvUUrr0wEQeNVwChcwUmWnMAPABN8BCIFgR-ktefpOZkNGXH8/s320/20211204_015040.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">SATURDAY</h3></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I wasn't sure what time my next leg would be and I kinda wanted to catch the sunrise, so I rolled out early to make sure I was where I needed to be when I needed to be there. I was actually way early, so I hung out and brushed my teeth and went to the Village to see what was going on there.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha1giab4iI2FNINyTbHmX2Vf2-oEdA-3Qo5BADuj0yUv7SIbUGysqAuCu7qaFdqevYrkyx8JH1JEGH64N1b8WMT3BdAk1VPeZROgDtAC41Op9P8nXyagtd3dpMi09vlnR5_ZVSGN3nJ3o/s4618/20211204_064626.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3464" data-original-width="4618" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha1giab4iI2FNINyTbHmX2Vf2-oEdA-3Qo5BADuj0yUv7SIbUGysqAuCu7qaFdqevYrkyx8JH1JEGH64N1b8WMT3BdAk1VPeZROgDtAC41Op9P8nXyagtd3dpMi09vlnR5_ZVSGN3nJ3o/s320/20211204_064626.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy0AkegHTyh_dBU72JDbv_jSMoWBQYV1Q-GrKYRu51XSIzTkSs9g9WMO6WrLpRJ4bHseuayG7LA9ciLtlu_r2LMAJCUhgB-eRheTcrMempNJNLhZS5GheXYDr_IJJUMNSbmdnXloqCDfI/s4618/20211204_070107.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4618" data-original-width="3464" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy0AkegHTyh_dBU72JDbv_jSMoWBQYV1Q-GrKYRu51XSIzTkSs9g9WMO6WrLpRJ4bHseuayG7LA9ciLtlu_r2LMAJCUhgB-eRheTcrMempNJNLhZS5GheXYDr_IJJUMNSbmdnXloqCDfI/s320/20211204_070107.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOv_g9-cfycKMKuI7Tc8NAT5EhbmUhyMQmHHK8smYq4GTYVaGtrvoIWteDMcH9pq5A54eCd7xTIfqMQgibfixY6CO85NCyDj2n0OIzZQ7XZAA9KctxubHVC-uRF9JT45Z0bpWwmTN4Gmk/s960/264422495_10159559925282510_4834628511020940568_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOv_g9-cfycKMKuI7Tc8NAT5EhbmUhyMQmHHK8smYq4GTYVaGtrvoIWteDMcH9pq5A54eCd7xTIfqMQgibfixY6CO85NCyDj2n0OIzZQ7XZAA9KctxubHVC-uRF9JT45Z0bpWwmTN4Gmk/s320/264422495_10159559925282510_4834628511020940568_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Selfies with Greg, a Rangar legend.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKOhjy7rzuO5Lw9cml1-KasMfuVk5O_Sk-HKOjrYNam7eaceEWHEPwiIon3IBX8ishVI9SqEMAcW9xTUOtfNYMuPFA3tQMVN93XDzwAwDI2pom825lRSMLsTaGNr2s67CzSNhrEysJ-3Q/s960/264551232_10159560069767510_4469126133038977002_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKOhjy7rzuO5Lw9cml1-KasMfuVk5O_Sk-HKOjrYNam7eaceEWHEPwiIon3IBX8ishVI9SqEMAcW9xTUOtfNYMuPFA3tQMVN93XDzwAwDI2pom825lRSMLsTaGNr2s67CzSNhrEysJ-3Q/s320/264551232_10159560069767510_4469126133038977002_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Selfies with the race director!</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlGnuokzpqmeYpv8aor1FsrfSesTN1BH9NtN-6h_ZDvA7FdjfzdM6vBrFKLrvofnP9QjbcWogOGc2dbBKYwsXW0Te-AvFwKebKUZlc-qlPM9GzejSHAuv0ijpO_q1087-j53I3gmK0Y10/s4618/20211204_073834.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4618" data-original-width="3464" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlGnuokzpqmeYpv8aor1FsrfSesTN1BH9NtN-6h_ZDvA7FdjfzdM6vBrFKLrvofnP9QjbcWogOGc2dbBKYwsXW0Te-AvFwKebKUZlc-qlPM9GzejSHAuv0ijpO_q1087-j53I3gmK0Y10/s320/20211204_073834.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even though I had wiped down, I still looked like a child of the Dust Bowl.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><h4>Green Loop (Leg #3)</h4><div>Eventually, it was almost my time to run. I tried to stay warm under this heat lamp, but really I just wanted to get the show on the road and get this race DUN. I had heard that the green loop was the most pretty and it was. Instead of mountain bike trails, we were on horse trails. Thankfully, the green loop was also the easiest.. KINDA. The most technical part of the green loop was the sand and a fallen tree... andddd because I often run without regard to signage in the most direct path... I ended up missing a turn, with someone else because we were chatting, and we ran the ENTIRE DISTANCE of the worst sandpit and then halfway back up it to catch where we missed the turn. So.Much.SAND. UGH.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh68-0G_Y3UUB06cmNWFzV3zjBV4cKLBmLzXsdC0Vj8KBI_G46q_FyNtNRcx3PXHE-xIzuYCLLrVvtq5Xgw4sQKcC6vCbqTbNLGFBodLeF6SgkxBHAP4CUJ8WOf_0WnDAXifP1h2FF_wCA/s4618/20211204_082123.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4618" data-original-width="3464" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh68-0G_Y3UUB06cmNWFzV3zjBV4cKLBmLzXsdC0Vj8KBI_G46q_FyNtNRcx3PXHE-xIzuYCLLrVvtq5Xgw4sQKcC6vCbqTbNLGFBodLeF6SgkxBHAP4CUJ8WOf_0WnDAXifP1h2FF_wCA/s320/20211204_082123.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Praise be to the heatlamp.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis1tUVrtGvJmyraZ55uuMw9RgIOt-hwpQ32Cpv2xmsM4GgWXs4V03-QA_b8pmHFaVhgZ5G4d_aGZeljd7bTfTlo6XoBEhwvpkQKODdhjHQ3M46sqTMMPXQbnWEmCFjNgBDx001Ylu4KUs/s4618/20211204_084138.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3464" data-original-width="4618" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis1tUVrtGvJmyraZ55uuMw9RgIOt-hwpQ32Cpv2xmsM4GgWXs4V03-QA_b8pmHFaVhgZ5G4d_aGZeljd7bTfTlo6XoBEhwvpkQKODdhjHQ3M46sqTMMPXQbnWEmCFjNgBDx001Ylu4KUs/w320-h240/20211204_084138.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trail conditions were about the same.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp3VK1iV6_h31Ws-5wIkpooUUC7zinfFu5iQq_dPZL2706WaqJB2SXtKbXSFx9mx9fMX_fU1Xp2Q55cHc002YiD80lXt6S_SRWrnELw7ajZa7Lnc5XHpZMvBAt48Ri1mD2LJ6QykoWFzY/s4618/20211204_084256.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4618" data-original-width="3464" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp3VK1iV6_h31Ws-5wIkpooUUC7zinfFu5iQq_dPZL2706WaqJB2SXtKbXSFx9mx9fMX_fU1Xp2Q55cHc002YiD80lXt6S_SRWrnELw7ajZa7Lnc5XHpZMvBAt48Ri1mD2LJ6QykoWFzY/s320/20211204_084256.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dat spanish moss</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLwcjThB86T5vB_i2vhgDxrz2IQ3q2_50ktsecu58UrHt-EeUErhoPmoDfrBRtB5uOih8cbrwO4P5k9bmfD3Gy9CvTSg2O0W2HzU52ub9ynIw9-ps7fcnSwfuh1a3rk1eK4U_I09mtDwY/s4618/20211204_084324.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4618" data-original-width="3464" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLwcjThB86T5vB_i2vhgDxrz2IQ3q2_50ktsecu58UrHt-EeUErhoPmoDfrBRtB5uOih8cbrwO4P5k9bmfD3Gy9CvTSg2O0W2HzU52ub9ynIw9-ps7fcnSwfuh1a3rk1eK4U_I09mtDwY/s320/20211204_084324.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Rdd99f8zI-fkJjkCzry8JFNbmiqL6OysUTb-smOEDr6bxM4-xYHtXtTsIiJhKn-FquX_BFw9hybCpCtZ72DAaq4iojrHg5hnZd64BLNAfE5weZQTTMMx7gmti-2lRebE_PVu8t8EvU4/s4618/20211204_084416.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4618" data-original-width="3464" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Rdd99f8zI-fkJjkCzry8JFNbmiqL6OysUTb-smOEDr6bxM4-xYHtXtTsIiJhKn-FquX_BFw9hybCpCtZ72DAaq4iojrHg5hnZd64BLNAfE5weZQTTMMx7gmti-2lRebE_PVu8t8EvU4/s320/20211204_084416.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoUY7z3r8S_D-e64HOICbf4GhOzOzLkTDMKT5E1LbfIVnxU4NVKgW5P60tDKWZxRhFK_4ENnBk8IUVGNXRloVL1LEmqLSnYBrVUmplHVtutR7Sd_8MIE4S2KEMNQr2kot4Tn6mWdYgUi4/s4618/20211204_084548.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3464" data-original-width="4618" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoUY7z3r8S_D-e64HOICbf4GhOzOzLkTDMKT5E1LbfIVnxU4NVKgW5P60tDKWZxRhFK_4ENnBk8IUVGNXRloVL1LEmqLSnYBrVUmplHVtutR7Sd_8MIE4S2KEMNQr2kot4Tn6mWdYgUi4/s320/20211204_084548.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Part of the regular camping area that you could see from the green loop.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwpOc8vn1HDKTreELk81oOC2jtvRPo7OPjeVoZ18GVcEozqgTJ6herIJKqUyuUe1t0X2Nduyi7L0qX83jZYKx22xrHCcAP7EHT-OlYqZdgtHqsMEt2AOgBeMQEARrLXozAPYbzdmwmqxY/s4618/20211204_084753.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4618" data-original-width="3464" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwpOc8vn1HDKTreELk81oOC2jtvRPo7OPjeVoZ18GVcEozqgTJ6herIJKqUyuUe1t0X2Nduyi7L0qX83jZYKx22xrHCcAP7EHT-OlYqZdgtHqsMEt2AOgBeMQEARrLXozAPYbzdmwmqxY/s320/20211204_084753.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1gSk1ctUq-SYVjTJdpeNnId5nOW8j-h38VJtbBXefKkKtFUdXiEobzC9L71ZfOPfjv0objYtqYZFyshypNbkMfkjUouNJ8Vdie5IbuQsuPAsY2Nti8Lz5QtWRUMarBSALJCUa0EsvjTE/s4618/20211204_084808.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3464" data-original-width="4618" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1gSk1ctUq-SYVjTJdpeNnId5nOW8j-h38VJtbBXefKkKtFUdXiEobzC9L71ZfOPfjv0objYtqYZFyshypNbkMfkjUouNJ8Vdie5IbuQsuPAsY2Nti8Lz5QtWRUMarBSALJCUa0EsvjTE/s320/20211204_084808.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ran for a short bit with this dude who was wearing The Bear shirt, a race that takes place near Home, Home (NC). We talked about my desire to run the Asheville Half, but also my lack of desire to run all dem hills.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9UbNfIxDOjakLgMrINbvvWqzREmt53HmVjYiobdnaDIncL_o_teSe-J-zvfjYuSb1UVyAgkF9M-zPEYjpFB81sIRnHKcLHuUiPqakSje4Nco69TvY129UmeV5Z70SvrMITTMta8wsYQo/s4618/20211204_085327.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4618" data-original-width="3464" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9UbNfIxDOjakLgMrINbvvWqzREmt53HmVjYiobdnaDIncL_o_teSe-J-zvfjYuSb1UVyAgkF9M-zPEYjpFB81sIRnHKcLHuUiPqakSje4Nco69TvY129UmeV5Z70SvrMITTMta8wsYQo/s320/20211204_085327.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGQy6uhGJRl8CCRDjjCswjEayBUM5zvUQHpQx0BoiFGKwKXWFjAqsrZHo3FNgGbRWPsV91zNKaWBj8Y8S6FgLSuPwG64KrzgRFcKMIWKYfe7O1LGUi_1vHN3hNz-42CuVcFWqlp0Ka-mU/s4618/20211204_085531.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4618" data-original-width="3464" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGQy6uhGJRl8CCRDjjCswjEayBUM5zvUQHpQx0BoiFGKwKXWFjAqsrZHo3FNgGbRWPsV91zNKaWBj8Y8S6FgLSuPwG64KrzgRFcKMIWKYfe7O1LGUi_1vHN3hNz-42CuVcFWqlp0Ka-mU/s320/20211204_085531.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpH2hFFlztxauP9lAJoHVDWK1Aacq9kdrnpUFLcmth9BnN0ovdd6An2gDeE3A8Vq-hk-0Y1o74T0snWWPynv15rmYP7jQvoPafl9GtbFM3oDOaNf5FqnQJD10EgfuHO-H-7_3GE450quI/s4618/20211204_085641.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4618" data-original-width="3464" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpH2hFFlztxauP9lAJoHVDWK1Aacq9kdrnpUFLcmth9BnN0ovdd6An2gDeE3A8Vq-hk-0Y1o74T0snWWPynv15rmYP7jQvoPafl9GtbFM3oDOaNf5FqnQJD10EgfuHO-H-7_3GE450quI/s320/20211204_085641.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The sign says: Mud happens.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbe2hbG4xmnqtmqtBxGvUlQdPvB330qnZQ-BvMIva2Djb5rdlTlIPCyuJioXjJXahHIkQ_uLYDFNFE2k6PtXL0DJse5bt2wxAjfb7HH803jfYZD5JnuEE8F_rgCeJ0fV9XbL1CjdIicBo/s4618/20211204_090103.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4618" data-original-width="3464" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbe2hbG4xmnqtmqtBxGvUlQdPvB330qnZQ-BvMIva2Djb5rdlTlIPCyuJioXjJXahHIkQ_uLYDFNFE2k6PtXL0DJse5bt2wxAjfb7HH803jfYZD5JnuEE8F_rgCeJ0fV9XbL1CjdIicBo/s320/20211204_090103.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Megan Teh Stallion comin' at cha.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxLpNdsL8C9ZdbSnY6NBHgZaCe2WKaaDNLpmYibiU48p4s2SFC5R644BMVlcKohoRxzvAzTIjZqMao_27jvj3O9caPjs0rbWhYp9588_tDBQBIB290SBKiHqjEzolbU6kb2hc8caEzl00/s4618/20211204_090222.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4618" data-original-width="3464" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxLpNdsL8C9ZdbSnY6NBHgZaCe2WKaaDNLpmYibiU48p4s2SFC5R644BMVlcKohoRxzvAzTIjZqMao_27jvj3O9caPjs0rbWhYp9588_tDBQBIB290SBKiHqjEzolbU6kb2hc8caEzl00/s320/20211204_090222.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvk2AQdQfPdZKbCR3TA9XiSkodpQ6EuoD82uUB4UUygflYwkxlp_1kqzBi7nf3N-MRSU4ZfUMmRcYj-Ef6EE62CNXWFPdk1195PJN4_CQzAsj53hALNsLGWsj8maDl9wDl8MDkWChYnhQ/s4618/20211204_090403.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4618" data-original-width="3464" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvk2AQdQfPdZKbCR3TA9XiSkodpQ6EuoD82uUB4UUygflYwkxlp_1kqzBi7nf3N-MRSU4ZfUMmRcYj-Ef6EE62CNXWFPdk1195PJN4_CQzAsj53hALNsLGWsj8maDl9wDl8MDkWChYnhQ/s320/20211204_090403.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFcMkKkYP_CBo9kqYYLPMcB-FILO7GpY-70d-q-vhXDhM7QjBkdee1m5V76MVF3bLtbxmGuCnnWlLFibIScQUv8SHoX4VRSapJpYtX962JwK14n2kKjPZFOhQzqDybUU3NCjVJUSPVwkM/s4618/20211204_090630.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4618" data-original-width="3464" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFcMkKkYP_CBo9kqYYLPMcB-FILO7GpY-70d-q-vhXDhM7QjBkdee1m5V76MVF3bLtbxmGuCnnWlLFibIScQUv8SHoX4VRSapJpYtX962JwK14n2kKjPZFOhQzqDybUU3NCjVJUSPVwkM/s320/20211204_090630.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Other than the sand pit, this fallen tree was the most technical part of the green loop.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh9gTWMXzpk6y4gxyCDJfnZOzPGuqFa8uRf7YJqKnk8LEBlvP-vnB7hTtZjrMhz38CIZOFuX7SS1fKYPLEYf40K1FOYh3wD1SAuSjMl6nCxqc6J0yJ3yixpLER8MwkTPHlF_leVEvXRio/s4618/20211204_090646.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4618" data-original-width="3464" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh9gTWMXzpk6y4gxyCDJfnZOzPGuqFa8uRf7YJqKnk8LEBlvP-vnB7hTtZjrMhz38CIZOFuX7SS1fKYPLEYf40K1FOYh3wD1SAuSjMl6nCxqc6J0yJ3yixpLER8MwkTPHlF_leVEvXRio/s320/20211204_090646.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhBtUEHgMVdR2Wqf6xA5eCG3AerFpCFuGoiWQ68pcKse1LrusXsl9TEKuj4HsdKBEsIULMycYrIEgED_C6l6ikI3qXLEo_rzlguRLcHKZs6-CnQ47Iqgy9Pb644BVfC_D-XHUq1lRTJds/s4618/20211204_091103.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4618" data-original-width="3464" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhBtUEHgMVdR2Wqf6xA5eCG3AerFpCFuGoiWQ68pcKse1LrusXsl9TEKuj4HsdKBEsIULMycYrIEgED_C6l6ikI3qXLEo_rzlguRLcHKZs6-CnQ47Iqgy9Pb644BVfC_D-XHUq1lRTJds/s320/20211204_091103.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpdEm7cyxHUZPhNIDB-w8182tTOriKTYiuOK07CXnEiV8T9zYNIeNdCK4aBR0H0J5h8QW_hjQJTu5zrmhCN9bk04-xjNsozmLhgxLQtjTKm2Bsj4iQ3xpb4IcErNhjGqv3N0GKQlQDy5A/s4618/20211204_091540.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3464" data-original-width="4618" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpdEm7cyxHUZPhNIDB-w8182tTOriKTYiuOK07CXnEiV8T9zYNIeNdCK4aBR0H0J5h8QW_hjQJTu5zrmhCN9bk04-xjNsozmLhgxLQtjTKm2Bsj4iQ3xpb4IcErNhjGqv3N0GKQlQDy5A/s320/20211204_091540.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Definitely had to get a selfie with this water station crew, since 2 of them were my teammates!! </td></tr></tbody></table><br />The last half of the loop took a bit longer because I was socializing and missed a turn, oops, but also because I found one of our neighbors from the Sunset NoVA race and we ran together for a little while. She ended up tripping and going down pretty hard so our group walked for a bit since the trail was single file, but eventually when the trail got wider, I ran on.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3pRFIJfmoSVJLS4lUJUXsZrFUSYlhqMslTtQQob7DxDeoFQCaOW76yWHVNkVvJLbCQPz2fPq4FmjStQFvAe2a92wEF9b22BniQIdb9RX7aHUVOxreaAS9l1Oyl8LzZ_DaicLrYuI8j7w/s4618/20211204_094029.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4618" data-original-width="3464" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3pRFIJfmoSVJLS4lUJUXsZrFUSYlhqMslTtQQob7DxDeoFQCaOW76yWHVNkVvJLbCQPz2fPq4FmjStQFvAe2a92wEF9b22BniQIdb9RX7aHUVOxreaAS9l1Oyl8LzZ_DaicLrYuI8j7w/s320/20211204_094029.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrI_r9n6qIHqr1o1MYzdsCrwD2vtmVpGqhyHXUTVaIrZuHSFWx4tpeRbtH6XaC3gsne994rO6_EjVeM0homVuGlmGxTAZN5DkwdA0MdXFSSCJKu70ldtt2Fo-0nXFAwUi5iWrTkRV85aM/s4618/20211204_094607.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4618" data-original-width="3464" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrI_r9n6qIHqr1o1MYzdsCrwD2vtmVpGqhyHXUTVaIrZuHSFWx4tpeRbtH6XaC3gsne994rO6_EjVeM0homVuGlmGxTAZN5DkwdA0MdXFSSCJKu70ldtt2Fo-0nXFAwUi5iWrTkRV85aM/s320/20211204_094607.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiveW_ttqANci9-Pe0f9FlqSX-OZedOuU29xgCBkj2evyKS-81mLo9Rq0fcYfG1Gq-Fc2gxxfZ4yyimGDdgUL0yxXGEPKOrqw6Lqzc1LdE1d0c6ICTRTbGbzuyM9emDtvljm4g-xN1fpuk/s4618/20211204_094639.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4618" data-original-width="3464" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiveW_ttqANci9-Pe0f9FlqSX-OZedOuU29xgCBkj2evyKS-81mLo9Rq0fcYfG1Gq-Fc2gxxfZ4yyimGDdgUL0yxXGEPKOrqw6Lqzc1LdE1d0c6ICTRTbGbzuyM9emDtvljm4g-xN1fpuk/s320/20211204_094639.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisDHa9VpSWgV0XOM23RwGKAweUyjyt2OcmMHOCG_nucjHP0xwm4QCJZijJGBdzAyFL4UWPhrANUDC1YzxSGh6ITAkHQDqh2HMpTMqgCU5AvKoa-jFxqeqo9Z2K_YxuAyTJnEfW_lEDxHE/s4618/20211204_095146.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3464" data-original-width="4618" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisDHa9VpSWgV0XOM23RwGKAweUyjyt2OcmMHOCG_nucjHP0xwm4QCJZijJGBdzAyFL4UWPhrANUDC1YzxSGh6ITAkHQDqh2HMpTMqgCU5AvKoa-jFxqeqo9Z2K_YxuAyTJnEfW_lEDxHE/s320/20211204_095146.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNycT4Teb3L7a7RgQ_93MuzCXXN9DBPHAzWXqYbsHz4MRpAOkgL93Gc6hX4c8nOFKT-zqcreDAvlTmWCy6GeY04GceHxyIl5qYOYZS04V-3UjHHLbRFwSkwRrYDLEuXtRoKmcd8ud8nYc/s4618/20211204_095516.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4618" data-original-width="3464" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNycT4Teb3L7a7RgQ_93MuzCXXN9DBPHAzWXqYbsHz4MRpAOkgL93Gc6hX4c8nOFKT-zqcreDAvlTmWCy6GeY04GceHxyIl5qYOYZS04V-3UjHHLbRFwSkwRrYDLEuXtRoKmcd8ud8nYc/s320/20211204_095516.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA_8PlG5ahuHHMWfRD8e7FhRuR1TW2LSYSWfLJ_P3QYAQXgd4SLo0TWjTK_aWIIOV_sIuHZOTsKQxp2yQPlAffeGfjTFJ_nZrOWsxqoBdrfkYJnDiuCTnpa03IDYAoZ7AjN08bIVrayeg/s4618/20211204_102008.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4618" data-original-width="3464" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA_8PlG5ahuHHMWfRD8e7FhRuR1TW2LSYSWfLJ_P3QYAQXgd4SLo0TWjTK_aWIIOV_sIuHZOTsKQxp2yQPlAffeGfjTFJ_nZrOWsxqoBdrfkYJnDiuCTnpa03IDYAoZ7AjN08bIVrayeg/s320/20211204_102008.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWIlbSWFGflamMDk8n9g0W6JyZRIF4hwvazzNJNa9OznKXCoKP6HMQr35F40UoxWRWrUHvkEfoyN0DX2RH7Fk931A4nLoo2sTiGe_nVY7f75oa9oV2FoGY-rPDRuCet1L-KXgLfTTeVek/s990/IMG_20211206_221530.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="990" data-original-width="990" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWIlbSWFGflamMDk8n9g0W6JyZRIF4hwvazzNJNa9OznKXCoKP6HMQr35F40UoxWRWrUHvkEfoyN0DX2RH7Fk931A4nLoo2sTiGe_nVY7f75oa9oV2FoGY-rPDRuCet1L-KXgLfTTeVek/s320/IMG_20211206_221530.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ragnar said 5.5 miles. A missed turn made it 5.9 miles.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />And just like that... my race was complete! While waiting in the food truck line (which took half my fucking life), I acquired a bag of marshmallows, that I ultimately "accidentally" left behind because my bag was already overweight with the shopping spree I went on... Oops.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOtqKjeLS4B2GMwV6WmvcUX0cNVWP5N78H9onwsoXjlUlXjnL31hEh1MqHumDC3PeALQYTm9xMWOYGHRX-WrzGZOjc36s1O0lHFDDf8MD_lxSZAMnvEGv342JAsN4cdyn8LG1hTvG-yOM/s4618/20211204_104451.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4618" data-original-width="3464" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOtqKjeLS4B2GMwV6WmvcUX0cNVWP5N78H9onwsoXjlUlXjnL31hEh1MqHumDC3PeALQYTm9xMWOYGHRX-WrzGZOjc36s1O0lHFDDf8MD_lxSZAMnvEGv342JAsN4cdyn8LG1hTvG-yOM/s320/20211204_104451.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi66focr7lCYIetqdlZ4G6vNPoc2upyLRsz-kuj4PpsLrJV9B1Hb0_OaCFWbzKkP5u2WHHHweaWRn5uYNLDGrRVALBOqyUxD5pBiAZI-CPINd17LmOukjluXtqQOqtkDPXSKTajI-Ms6Gg/s4618/20211204_105009.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4618" data-original-width="3464" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi66focr7lCYIetqdlZ4G6vNPoc2upyLRsz-kuj4PpsLrJV9B1Hb0_OaCFWbzKkP5u2WHHHweaWRn5uYNLDGrRVALBOqyUxD5pBiAZI-CPINd17LmOukjluXtqQOqtkDPXSKTajI-Ms6Gg/s320/20211204_105009.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not the best chicken and waffles, but for someone with race standards (I was fucking starving, kthx), it did the job.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpz4vskYLP0pePP_dn2XWV5AIuzUNU6kbU-q3NjYvjL1F5-dUsNqsGeXkScYp37dz-DK0gNmFGnrEmSVIgfxjoBOKc5hK7qVZUKhqVXxOwo87KRlO3eJd4aFg1y_Xcv_VgIfVkvFMb2Vc/s4618/20211204_095904.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3464" data-original-width="4618" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpz4vskYLP0pePP_dn2XWV5AIuzUNU6kbU-q3NjYvjL1F5-dUsNqsGeXkScYp37dz-DK0gNmFGnrEmSVIgfxjoBOKc5hK7qVZUKhqVXxOwo87KRlO3eJd4aFg1y_Xcv_VgIfVkvFMb2Vc/s320/20211204_095904.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7nClWuq198weuVbgl45oVYzghEsoY0hZypnkgZjclEO7dU_mkr8IEBzRVzyUaxu1KljbV_YWvK5Oeztzoh7X_zdQcI-kQs1hYkx8VsfUCrCBZYzMOchXztIgWBNAZTLUbbyo0__sInRY/s4618/20211204_095913.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3464" data-original-width="4618" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7nClWuq198weuVbgl45oVYzghEsoY0hZypnkgZjclEO7dU_mkr8IEBzRVzyUaxu1KljbV_YWvK5Oeztzoh7X_zdQcI-kQs1hYkx8VsfUCrCBZYzMOchXztIgWBNAZTLUbbyo0__sInRY/s320/20211204_095913.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><h4 style="text-align: left;">THE END</h4><div>I was our 2nd to last runner so after our last runner came in, we gathered our medals and headed to the trailer for some team photos. There was some finish line drama where the last guy wouldn't stop and put on his team shirt and then cross the finish line with all of us, so we had to re-cross the finish line. It was fucked up and shitty, but whatever.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu6lspp1RtvBEqOz6bePUKPae0ia4a-t0hooQzcHKjUpKyyz04SvEY1vLmp_z9QuWFO1tHGvP0UPgYkGgaw91O0mDyyT2Rthrak_0yz7014HoWk2OJjCftB67XO8QvnmHAjB0yDaKYw8M/s4618/20211204_114049.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3464" data-original-width="4618" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu6lspp1RtvBEqOz6bePUKPae0ia4a-t0hooQzcHKjUpKyyz04SvEY1vLmp_z9QuWFO1tHGvP0UPgYkGgaw91O0mDyyT2Rthrak_0yz7014HoWk2OJjCftB67XO8QvnmHAjB0yDaKYw8M/s320/20211204_114049.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihaOf6nesjbUxzQ-wjuE62oaOFt4ZdjuaaRL8D_5n_6P4kukQi9c-tDAQjhdBgcYrJnSbp0z4hvmgLx9s-JT_Y9tC-UQ8-bE8BB5-9enTE7h9531NXk7onbSJh7hAWMimywWpe3nY3Jgw/s4618/20211204_114119.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3464" data-original-width="4618" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihaOf6nesjbUxzQ-wjuE62oaOFt4ZdjuaaRL8D_5n_6P4kukQi9c-tDAQjhdBgcYrJnSbp0z4hvmgLx9s-JT_Y9tC-UQ8-bE8BB5-9enTE7h9531NXk7onbSJh7hAWMimywWpe3nY3Jgw/s320/20211204_114119.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Of course, selfies with the support team!</td></tr></tbody></table><br />So here's the mushy part of this post...</div><div><br /></div><div>I've been running since a dare in 2014. I've got 2 medal racks and plenty of credit card statements to prove it. But after that first race, I've stuck to my comfort zone for the most part. I stick to road races. Sunset NoVA was the FIRST time I'd ever accidentally-intentionally did a trail race. Road New England was the first time I'd done a relay (not to mention the choosing to spend intimate time with strangers part). But Trail Florida was really stepping outside all of my comfort zones.</div><div><br /></div><div>Not only was it a trail race, but I was also 100% completely with strangers. I had met a few individuals there long enough to call them an acquaintance and recognize them in a crowd (thanks social media!), but none of MY people were there with me/for me. Also, I had barely any cell signal, which made my people feel even further away. On my first loop, my audiobook wouldn't play, so I gave it up and just ran in silence (weeeeirrrdd). By my 2nd loop, I didn't even bother with an earbud. By loop 3 I realized that the way my bras sound against my shirts is like miracas being turned (not shaken, just turned).</div><div><br /></div><div>Ragnar races have taken me out of my comfort zone into a whole new world that I love. I'm meeting new people who are perfect candidates for my running gang that I've started forming. There are no strangers at a Ragnar (except those assholes who wouldn't let me cross through their tent) and awkward moments are as awkward as you let them be. Also, this is my first non-medal medal (it's wood with a Husband-approved multi-tool inside). Well, with the exception of that weird rubbery runDisney 5k on from Princess weekend. </div><div><br /></div><div>Running Ragnar races has challenged me to embrace strangers in a new way, as potential friends instead of people who I'd rather not be hanging around, kthx. This is helping me be a nicer, more empathetic person. With strangers, you don't know their story, you don't know what they are going through RIGHT NOW, and so, for me, I approach strangers as I would want to be, open-heartedly, nonjudgmentally, and willing to learn from the experience, be it good or bad.. and often with Ragnar strangers, I feel like this is how I am also met. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC6GM0T-os96axgsC4a0Dm1pOIWmxk0SX1NaaTuUsMotXN5EJiVOW_T2T7HQAixc7wc2apQkYbRcZxv_C4YD9JU9HGTDDCgX_smN7lU5CiqkUwKwvAcnoGcg1HDl0Eax-jpR1EXFY094A/s4618/20211204_114607.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4618" data-original-width="3464" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC6GM0T-os96axgsC4a0Dm1pOIWmxk0SX1NaaTuUsMotXN5EJiVOW_T2T7HQAixc7wc2apQkYbRcZxv_C4YD9JU9HGTDDCgX_smN7lU5CiqkUwKwvAcnoGcg1HDl0Eax-jpR1EXFY094A/s320/20211204_114607.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeNmbZp9VbCtXlFEGOQY1LAwZdatEVo3GEYVN-R5QCROpi-D7dXlUI47V5SnLmaD7_jDPjLOwSchkg427rm_lckIObHhIunlSv-hS5rFeceuJhuPJeYyiNNb1Lg7DSB-alXtF_l8g7rWs/s4415/20211204_123605.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3311" data-original-width="4415" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeNmbZp9VbCtXlFEGOQY1LAwZdatEVo3GEYVN-R5QCROpi-D7dXlUI47V5SnLmaD7_jDPjLOwSchkg427rm_lckIObHhIunlSv-hS5rFeceuJhuPJeYyiNNb1Lg7DSB-alXtF_l8g7rWs/s320/20211204_123605.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">#GlampLife</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmYjFTNHqflG6Z6GYEgDW1lSnWlKrA3MfcLFAezod8B6YLL-Vi6TCScaYSqLgzyamq3UV1NPDhjEdlsEg-jEka5kwgjGg5HH3kbELFu3kY-uqvMikvCrQpQMEAhuLCbNQ3lqpDcxWhUVA/s4618/20211204_133035.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4618" data-original-width="3464" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmYjFTNHqflG6Z6GYEgDW1lSnWlKrA3MfcLFAezod8B6YLL-Vi6TCScaYSqLgzyamq3UV1NPDhjEdlsEg-jEka5kwgjGg5HH3kbELFu3kY-uqvMikvCrQpQMEAhuLCbNQ3lqpDcxWhUVA/s320/20211204_133035.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It would take 3 scrubs to get those toes clean...<br />And that is ALL from running shoes.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Part of the agreement for employee discounted Glamping was that we'd tear down our own campsite. With that complete, we started to head out. My driver set off towards "power plant manatees". He explained that the last time he ran the race, they went to this power plant that discharged hot/warm water into the bay, which attracted the manatees. So essentially we went manatee watching.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmEuDB0vI8IvTEZzLucCHUHepE-ghc3NkynaPUaeYBg70WFtBQfloqKw-ZrXn_9ELRfww2kBumJuAYOOV7I6qY8uBeaIbN6NiU7XDL9lU7wEDjE9VYFsrTAt8Wh3a-l8yzSWaCgSMCzkk/s4618/20211204_143230.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3464" data-original-width="4618" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmEuDB0vI8IvTEZzLucCHUHepE-ghc3NkynaPUaeYBg70WFtBQfloqKw-ZrXn_9ELRfww2kBumJuAYOOV7I6qY8uBeaIbN6NiU7XDL9lU7wEDjE9VYFsrTAt8Wh3a-l8yzSWaCgSMCzkk/s320/20211204_143230.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWZPnXOpmv9wFeGxWJ-jGbHaUR7uglNH3tXM30UFFv19ZQoVMuXnWSnzc3DMpIgadcMBSdVzS0iW5eK-C-OzEcTbZSql7IJjOh-Eg10yYvQ_cyi-68SxxFb8_NHvxTxkdB3OlSQlR6aHM/s4618/20211204_143754.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4618" data-original-width="3464" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWZPnXOpmv9wFeGxWJ-jGbHaUR7uglNH3tXM30UFFv19ZQoVMuXnWSnzc3DMpIgadcMBSdVzS0iW5eK-C-OzEcTbZSql7IJjOh-Eg10yYvQ_cyi-68SxxFb8_NHvxTxkdB3OlSQlR6aHM/s320/20211204_143754.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There were also stingrays.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPXprTAnfqSM5aCY-t_mH7rgaL-ebYBTmSu9JYMnIDUAnl2s0Oh2S8VYmiURAp1iszxtxOLVObgFVzBIa6vqH45jnERRpdFYhOt3oXx2oItSmvT7YGLDNFxw5WxrFefz_8ZZF0TpxRaHo/s4618/20211204_143845.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4618" data-original-width="3464" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPXprTAnfqSM5aCY-t_mH7rgaL-ebYBTmSu9JYMnIDUAnl2s0Oh2S8VYmiURAp1iszxtxOLVObgFVzBIa6vqH45jnERRpdFYhOt3oXx2oItSmvT7YGLDNFxw5WxrFefz_8ZZF0TpxRaHo/s320/20211204_143845.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfSVg3MT51vnQNHun7yo9UHOyHoT-gZ1ODK0GITYisBpWDHbnIR1U8du95OR8N5pYDKHqCUaL6duY17__rGrBXLzxF5l8QS8TeK90KzbbvA188rhlLG0fGgRtQNMKPkIBb_HuFVq7GjSo/s4618/20211204_143945.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3464" data-original-width="4618" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfSVg3MT51vnQNHun7yo9UHOyHoT-gZ1ODK0GITYisBpWDHbnIR1U8du95OR8N5pYDKHqCUaL6duY17__rGrBXLzxF5l8QS8TeK90KzbbvA188rhlLG0fGgRtQNMKPkIBb_HuFVq7GjSo/s320/20211204_143945.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9JXduD6Fm-QxE3iuS8-M8IrVcpA122zZgia8NVslr1MX9mLGrxe_k9XeRY4e-dRwTTbQTwDVa2q5WUtuRcTkaExwyz3S7rvlpIUKr-FoV511ONYhyphenhyphensBYItr2Jo7u1rm9JLLMdIT1m1Hk/s4618/20211204_144043.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4618" data-original-width="3464" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9JXduD6Fm-QxE3iuS8-M8IrVcpA122zZgia8NVslr1MX9mLGrxe_k9XeRY4e-dRwTTbQTwDVa2q5WUtuRcTkaExwyz3S7rvlpIUKr-FoV511ONYhyphenhyphensBYItr2Jo7u1rm9JLLMdIT1m1Hk/s320/20211204_144043.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8vLnhthFsxd9Q1WrIQLlNks2olxAcOU49JAkNAVu1f5u04VEc52yNZdGSRkdy-rUHa09Ib5k5KJads47ozmBhwZWy_1NfiY0gB99Cdp_3-SF2tQ3nxK4HiHPrX4_dW_AwRh4441oVR3s/s4618/20211204_150301.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4618" data-original-width="3464" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8vLnhthFsxd9Q1WrIQLlNks2olxAcOU49JAkNAVu1f5u04VEc52yNZdGSRkdy-rUHa09Ib5k5KJads47ozmBhwZWy_1NfiY0gB99Cdp_3-SF2tQ3nxK4HiHPrX4_dW_AwRh4441oVR3s/s320/20211204_150301.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Unfortunately, the wind was making the water super cloudy so we couldn't see a lot and we only ended up actually seeing 2 manatees. It was better than 0.</div><div><br /></div><div>After the manatees, we headed to the AirBnB, which wasn't ready yet because the previous renters had been a disaster and the cleaning lady was still there. Felt pretty bad for her, tbh. So while she finished up, we went to a Puerto Rican place down the street for dinner and it was delicious.</div><div><br /></div><div>After dinner, we headed back to the AirBnB, showered in the water trinkle (seriously, there was barely ANY water pressure at this place) and hung out for the rest of the evening.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFX64xYKmxWfAoA3WoAZeNWQ1DMvaQwclDbvTpmIQlJs3wVI4UMSwxHAaavNmTmpsTeNvOFkPsyoCV_pTUou5qmZM-EHS8Vv3BBvujcKGnCqU0lVfKiVNn-ramTGiZxSi9dGPXZMVTdWQ/s4618/20211204_201345.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4618" data-original-width="3464" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFX64xYKmxWfAoA3WoAZeNWQ1DMvaQwclDbvTpmIQlJs3wVI4UMSwxHAaavNmTmpsTeNvOFkPsyoCV_pTUou5qmZM-EHS8Vv3BBvujcKGnCqU0lVfKiVNn-ramTGiZxSi9dGPXZMVTdWQ/s320/20211204_201345.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">By Saturday evening, I was able to use a percussion massager on my calves (after doing Chad the Saturday prior).<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><h3 style="text-align: left;">Sunday</h3><div>I woke up Sunday morning and caught up on my screen time and found a place for breakfast and started texting to see if anyone else was awake. We ended up at a restaurant called Mom's Place and it was everything I knew we needed. The food was simple and delicious and they had real sweet tea (of which I had no less than 5 cups).</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglPCH5WgJaZPCOSl8pi09Qe-yimyyPyXzb7dxpJhDGZkTARO142bxiEa44QHjXRjoVjK2yX3umJvs_o50i_ZnaZRCM-SmX86hI1zZiJeV_Uo1P5djzJ2BRqOfmKENOU_LbFqeaA3UNlhk/s4618/20211205_091554.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3464" data-original-width="4618" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglPCH5WgJaZPCOSl8pi09Qe-yimyyPyXzb7dxpJhDGZkTARO142bxiEa44QHjXRjoVjK2yX3umJvs_o50i_ZnaZRCM-SmX86hI1zZiJeV_Uo1P5djzJ2BRqOfmKENOU_LbFqeaA3UNlhk/s320/20211205_091554.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">After breakfast, we headed back to the AirBnB to hang out and pack and ultimately head back to the airport. I also took another shower because after you've been without a shower for almost 3 days, there is no such thing as too many showers. There was some drama about getting to the airport, someone trying to change existing plans but we managed to get through it and everyone got to the airport/their preferred destination and it was fine.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />I made it home at my scheduled time and we (Husband and I) had Afghan for dinner with my teammate and his wife since we were on the same flight home.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />All in all, a very fabulous weekend!<br /></div><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><h1 style="text-align: center;"><b><u>________________________________</u></b></h1><p>I know we did the sappy thing already.. butttttttt....</p><p>Let's talk about the hardest thing.<br />Dealing with complete strangers was hard.<br />Not having my people with me was hard.<br />Running 15 miles of trails was hard.<br />Being tired/hungry was hard.<br />Being in a situation that very much mirrored the "worst weekend in September" was the hardest thing.</p><p>You see, when I was raped, I spent the evening at a party with mostly strangers. We were drinking Mountain Dew energy drinks with vodka. I had a good time. I was drunk, so it was agreed we'd all sleep at the house we were at, because you don't drink and drive. I went to sleep, drunk, in an unfamiliar bed alone. Yet, there were drunk strangers in the next room. I woke up to someone, one of the people I barely knew at the party, on top of me. </p><p>There was a LOT of drinking going on around me. I was in an unfamiliar place with people I didn't know. I had met maybe 5 total people of the hundreds-thousands of people in the park for the event before, ever. I wouldn't even say I <i>knew</i> these people, I had met them and we had once exchanged pleasantries and social media and carried on. So I definitely didn't drink much. I had one or two seltzers, but that was it.</p><p>As I've gotten older (and wiser?), I've stopped drinking as much because I just don't enjoy it. In fact, it's rare that I do actually drink and when I do, I have to be in the "right" setting/group of people. Usually though, I just claim that I'm cheap or I don't like beer/wine and end up being the DD, which isn't always the most enjoyable of situations either, TBH. </p><p>Sometimes, things don't click into focus until they are in progress and this situation was one of them. I had put myself in this situation, again, because I wanted to have a good time. This time didn't end like the "worst weekend in September" but once that cloud passed over, it was difficult to shake it, I'll be honest. So when I saw the "do hard things" medal, I almost started crying right then. This time, I didn't realize I was doing the hardest thing until I was IN IT. I don't often give myself much credit, but I am proud of me for this. For dealing with the strangers and the unfamiliar situation and the drinking and the energy drinks. Yes, I definitely used running as the excuse not to drink, but I can also say no one tried to push me to drink either, which was a relief. </p><p><br /></p></div></div>Teh Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00133596439315060218noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1581436032352728193.post-54645910205286719862021-10-29T00:00:00.005-04:002021-10-29T17:13:58.738-04:00How to Prepare for a Ragnar...<div style="text-align: left;">My <a href="https://www.canidecideanotherday.com/2021/10/2021-ragnar-new-england.html" target="_blank">last post detailed the experience of the Ragnar</a>, but I did a LOT of Googling before our Ragnar adventures to find out how I needed to equip myself for a Ragnar race and hopefully, this will be that post for you.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><h4 style="text-align: left;">Reasons to run a Ragnar:</h4><div style="text-align: left;">-you're crazy. </div><div style="text-align: left;">-you really love the 5/6 other people in your van.</div><div style="text-align: left;">-you have a medal obsession.</div><div style="text-align: left;">-you want to have an adventure.</div><div style="text-align: left;">-you're tired of the same old distance.</div><div style="text-align: left;">-you want to make new friends.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><h4 style="text-align: left;">Reasons to not run a Ragnar:</h4><div style="text-align: left;">-48 hours with the same people in sweaty/tired/achy conditions.</div><div style="text-align: left;">-Said sweaty/tired/achy conditions do not bring out your best self.</div><div style="text-align: left;">-Weird food things.</div><div style="text-align: left;">-It will destroy a regular routine</div><div style="text-align: left;">-No one is a stranger.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><h1 style="text-align: left;">Things I wish I knew:</h1><h2 style="text-align: left;">1. There is no stranger danger at a Ragnar.</h2><div style="text-align: left;">When I first heard of a Ragnar years ago, I knew it was crazy which is why I wanted to do it. For years, the logistics scared me away. I couldn't find 11 other crazy people. Maybe 2 others, max. Fast forward several years and now we have social media groups where we can find teams/other runners to fill a team. It was a risk to decide to run with complete strangers, but I had faith that it would work out, I mean obviously these people are as crazy as I am since they are running this same race, right? Right.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Don't be scared to join a group of strangers. Definitely talk to them through group texts/email/FaceTime before the race to make sure they aren't assholes or completely repellant to you, but definitely be willing to take the risk on strangers. The people that were strangers in my van were AWESOME people and I'm so glad they are now in my circle. Same for the neighbors near us at the Sunset Ragnar. I became Facebook friends with them and told them to let me know if they ever need another runner. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Also, it doesn't matter if they are your teammate or not, people will talk to you at the exchanges. If you are in some type of costume, you are inviting attention to yourself. I was wearing a unicorn onesie and happily accepted photo/selfie requests. We are all there for a good time and I was glad to be part of that.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTI9AZMi36xTinUZW79PcA-MkqjprNdsg5YXy9uOrc5nFRZPtcdyIaAIiXnh9lrf_QA_KmhqqxTdp99MXH3flVP3Vo01FXK5PDwzO0lq5i8bGP2xyWCzr59LVsMZjcvWityoRhhM9k7EU/s1219-no/?authuser=0" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="686" data-original-width="1219" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTI9AZMi36xTinUZW79PcA-MkqjprNdsg5YXy9uOrc5nFRZPtcdyIaAIiXnh9lrf_QA_KmhqqxTdp99MXH3flVP3Vo01FXK5PDwzO0lq5i8bGP2xyWCzr59LVsMZjcvWityoRhhM9k7EU/w400-h225/?authuser=0" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">2. Remind yourself WHY you are running this race.</h2><div>There will absolutely be times that you will have to dig DEEP to keep going. With minimal recovery time and wonky eating and no sleep and who know what the course will hold, you will be challenged. Add into that being with 5/6 other people for 48 hours? REALLLLL DEEP. Adele's Rolling in the Deep DEEP. When you are ready to just jump out of the van or, worse, have the van pick you up on the 900th hill on your leg, <i>remember why you are there</i>. </div><div><br /></div><div>If your team is more about participation than winning, slow down and appreciate what is around you. Appreciate the experience. Sometimes I get lost in the pace, not the race. I participate in races so I can experience the location, when I focus on just getting to the end, I don't appreciate the journey to get there. Even if the journey is me running down the side of a busy highway with transfer trucks passing me at 55+ mph.</div><div><br /></div><div>For me, I wanted to see New England in the fall (just call me a Leaf Peeper). I wanted to challenge myself with something different than a half marathon. I wanted another medal for my rack. Did I absolutely dread getting out of the van to run leg 3? Fuck yes. Am I glad I powered through? Fuck yes.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw70_FV9doDfZiAEOXFB9NhjXiJa3J_QyPdPn_yaceHDhYLshyxx3yysV9s2hb-ntQfgPDmmmy2n_8S5g4YUKFclRxUIxRJggQ5QkfW7V6raCngdW9mcsQJN5OMDsWO_XDGUUp3NbWK8k/s3057/PXL_20211023_201155019%257E2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1926" data-original-width="3057" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw70_FV9doDfZiAEOXFB9NhjXiJa3J_QyPdPn_yaceHDhYLshyxx3yysV9s2hb-ntQfgPDmmmy2n_8S5g4YUKFclRxUIxRJggQ5QkfW7V6raCngdW9mcsQJN5OMDsWO_XDGUUp3NbWK8k/s320/PXL_20211023_201155019%257E2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">3. The only way to prepare is to run a Ragnar/relay.</h2><div>This sucks, but it is true, because your race is different from everyone else's.</div><div><br /></div><div>I was not afraid of the distance (which you can prepare for) and running at weird times (which you can also prepare for), but I was afraid that I was going to be cranky and someone else would be cranky and the van would vote to leave me on the side of the road to Uber to my next leg if they didn't just drop me off at public transit with my shit and tell me to go home. I tend to escalate quickly, so this wasn't an unlikely scenario in my head.</div><div><br /></div><div>I also wasn't prepared for was being so poorly fueled (while being SOOOO TIRED).</div><div>I was so tired and dehydrated I had a headache for most of the race. That super sucked. It was hard to remember to keep drinking water because we were in/out of the van so frequently and when we were stopped for a while, it was hopefully for sleep and that one time for food. IDK why our servers were afraid to keep our glasses filled with water, but that was an issue when we did stop for food.</div><div><br /></div><div>I didn't know how to properly fuel myself. There's lots of talk about van snacks, but I'm not a snacker. I usually eat 3 meals a day. Snacks don't fill me up, but there isn't TIME for meals. I didn't realize that. The other problem is that I didn't want to run with a meal on my stomach. It's complicated, yo. For my next relay race (because I'm glutton for punishment, I guess), I will insist on an insulated cooler to pack sandwich meats or something so I can take in something besides mini muffins and fruit snacks. I wonder how well I would have done with a protein powder as a meal replacement, but hadn't tried it and wasn't about to try it DURING the race.</div><div><br /></div><div>I did bring my post-workout powder and I believe that helped me a LOT with recovery because I usually have it after my workouts. I only drank it after my first and second legs, knowing that after my 3rd leg we'd be getting a meal.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">4. Be compassionate and show appreciation.</h2><div>This sounds like something your mom told you growing up, but your captain, and if you have them, your driver/navigator, are busting their asses to help YOU run this race. Make sure you show these people appreciation and if they need something, MAKE IT HAPPEN. </div><div><br /></div><div>Also, the other van is also your team (if you're not an ultra team). Don't be selfish. Think of how your actions will affect others. We had 2 runners in van 1 that weren't able to make it to the race and van 1 ghosted the long runs, not necessarily the legs of the missing runners. This sucked for van 2 because it meant even less recovery time, even though van 1 was able to get in all their recovery time. Our van had 7 people and theirs had 4 and when we asked to put something into their van, they said, "Not our problem." Yall, I'm sassy on a good day, but I'm outright bitchy when I'm exhausted, sore, and hungry. But even I would have never said that to anyone, especially people <i>on my team</i>. </div><div><br /></div><div>Also, everyone is tired. Your bad attitude isn't helpful. But also, if you had the best race of your life and none of your teammates are at the exchange because they all fell asleep in the van and you didn't text that you were a mile out and you bang on the windows in excitement and wake everyone up, do NOT expect your vanmates to be excited for you. They might love you, but they also might kill you.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpUO5W_bQbvHResTq6vA2O2FOSGohChufRvYRqswfrRCFS31ERRG64FWLzfZOtwZRx18RaWE1JWq_fvrJwdVMYLfal1JeoMLWwndy_5fL7T0TL57zVocgy4RRjvh_skGO4xUvRqwIrgbQ/s3840/PXL_20211023_171506157.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="3840" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpUO5W_bQbvHResTq6vA2O2FOSGohChufRvYRqswfrRCFS31ERRG64FWLzfZOtwZRx18RaWE1JWq_fvrJwdVMYLfal1JeoMLWwndy_5fL7T0TL57zVocgy4RRjvh_skGO4xUvRqwIrgbQ/s320/PXL_20211023_171506157.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">5. COMMUNICATE YOUR NEEDS/SITUATION.</h2><div>This is in all caps because it is imperative to surviving 48 hours with anyone, especially strangers. These people might not know you. They don't know that your hanger is on another level. They don't know that when you have a headache, them shining their headlamp directly into your eyes could result in a maiming. By communicating your situation/needs, you are telling people what is going on with you so THEY can be compassionate to YOU. </div><div><br /></div><div>If you tell them that you are extremely tired and you're not thinking straight they know to probably not take directions from you. If you explain that you're still sweaty from your run and every time they roll down the window you almost become hypothermic, they will understand why you're asking them to roll up the window, even if they really want to cheer on all the runners the van passes and air out the stink. If you don't like when people cheer you on as they pass, tell your team that so they can cheer quietly for you or so they at least know not to be offended when you're just in the zone, kthx. I straight up told our team that I would prefer no van support during my runs because it's distracting to me and that if I had an emergency, I'd let them know or flag down a passing van. So I'd set off, they'd cheer me on as they eventually passed me on the way to the next exchange, and I'd meet them there. </div><div><br /></div><div>Prioritize the current runner and the runner-on-deck over everyone else. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">6. Be flexible.</h2><div>Nothing about a Ragnar race is exact. Everything is an estimate and depends on soooo many different factors. The pace of a runner determines how long it will take them to run the leg, but if they want support during their leg, it means less stopped time for the van. If a runner ghosts a leg, it will affect the timing of the overall event. Sometimes, there will be holds on start times so participants don't arrive too early/late at exchanges and your team can get strikes (3 and you're disqualified) for violating the rules. If a runner is struggling, they may go slower than their estimated pace. It is what it is. </div><div><br /></div><div>The captain will be getting texts from Race Command to keep them up-to-date on the situation. During our race, there was a car fire along the course. Runners had to go around it, which was sketchy. There was also a gap in the course. It happens. Just roll with it. </div><div><br /></div><div>Some of the major exchanges were full-service (you could go inside to sleep/shower/use the bathroom), some were only half-service (you could go inside to use the bathroom and there was a hang out space, but no showers/sleep space). Take advantage of the full service exchanges. Sleeping on the hard floor of a warm gym is better than sleeping in a field when the temp drops and the wind kicks up... and both are better than sitting in the van for another second.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">7. Prepare what you can.</h2><div>-Have a meeting (virtual is perfectly fine, it's the way of the future!) with your team a few weeks prior to the race. If you're running with strangers this is a good way to get to know them, but also you can coordinate who is bringing what so you don't end up bringing duplicate items and wasting precious van space.</div><div><br /></div><div>-Coordinate with your team if you are doing costumes/etc. It's perfectly acceptable to not, but you don't want to leave someone out of a team plan.</div><div><br /></div><div>-Decorate your van BEFORE the race starts. Doing it during the race is stressful.</div><div><br /></div><div>-Have dinner with your team/van the night before. KNOW the PLAN. Everyone being on the same page eliminates a lot of drama when you're all tired. </div><div><br /></div><div>-Having dinner with your team means arriving at a decent time and having a hotel room the night before. It may seem like an extra cost, but you'll appreciate that you were able to be horizontal the night before the race.</div><div><br /></div><div>-If you can recruit someone to drive your van, DO IT. I honestly do not know how we would have survived without a driver. None of us were at our optimal condition and I cannot imagine driving the van on such little sleep is actually safe (not that the driver is getting more sleep, but at least they aren't running) in a place you don't know trying to follow signs that may or may not be there.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSzcw2ye-XLT0e_WgM6srF8N9r5aRyKdYtgMIPwMS-XZ3GLIfLzqHuQBTg4S8QJHLQmGfFg251BF9rEOhjSln7YH7PwKwk9vWTQKFBTuH2cyjPkB-No2YKV5BcQbHm0LE5A3q_vk2z8d8/s1494-no/?authuser=0" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="840" data-original-width="1494" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSzcw2ye-XLT0e_WgM6srF8N9r5aRyKdYtgMIPwMS-XZ3GLIfLzqHuQBTg4S8QJHLQmGfFg251BF9rEOhjSln7YH7PwKwk9vWTQKFBTuH2cyjPkB-No2YKV5BcQbHm0LE5A3q_vk2z8d8/s320-no/?authuser=0" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>-Have someone who is willing to find the places to eat when there is time. Finding a place to eat, in consideration to food limitations (i.e. gluten free, vegan, etc) of a group of people can be difficult, especially when everyone is hungry and unable to make choices. Having a person who is willing to do this to provide a few suggestions to everyone is much less complicated than everyone doing their own searches. This needs to be done in advance of being AT a major exchange because time is precious. I'd recommend eateries that are on the way to the next exchange or close to a major exchange.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">8. What to bring</h2><div style="text-align: left;">Everyone wants to know EXACTLY what to bring, especially if you are travelling in from outside the race area with limited luggage space. I can't tell you. But I can tell you what I brought and used and what I brought that I didn't use and what I didn't bring that I wish I had. The more you bring, the less room you have. Bring what you need, but see if you can't share things everyone will use like food, wet wipes, bandaids, etc.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">What I want to figure out is <i>how</i> to pack so next time I don't have to pull out my suitcase after every leg to change. I know some people suggest the plastic 3-drawer organizers, but our van definitely didn't have space for that. Maybe it means more, smaller bags, but I also didn't want to have my stuff strewn about everywhere to get lost (because shit WILL get lost/crushed in a van with 6 people constantly getting in/out/shuffling). It didn't help that we took the train to get there so I couldn't bring more, smaller luggage. It's a weird situation that would only really be solved by driving there, which isn't always feasible. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHEFzN3_USWW0PTN87aHA-MYqQEtOV2dmIwKbBoKNtzmA6zZjFwWv8qhris5CRDwd0D6u9N3G-Ld705YpLxAk8v5j0ea91fZDLTaasOMlvF5IyMe8wTmUv6vjOt9voGBN5HuGmFaHGRos/s3840/PXL_20211020_011200057.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="3840" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHEFzN3_USWW0PTN87aHA-MYqQEtOV2dmIwKbBoKNtzmA6zZjFwWv8qhris5CRDwd0D6u9N3G-Ld705YpLxAk8v5j0ea91fZDLTaasOMlvF5IyMe8wTmUv6vjOt9voGBN5HuGmFaHGRos/s320/PXL_20211020_011200057.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><h3 style="text-align: left;">Didn't bring, then needed:</h3>-KT tape. The medic tent didn't have KT tape. Fortunately, I walked from van to van at an exchange point asking if anyone had KT tape and eventually someone did. Thank you, kind stranger for my knee bra.</div><div style="text-align: left;">-Paper towels</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Brought, didn't use:</h3><div style="text-align: left;">-Attaday roller</div><div style="text-align: left;">-2nd towel (although a vanmate said they wished they'd have brought a 2nd towel, one for sweat, one for shower, depends on you)</div><div style="text-align: left;">-Water cooler (like for a sports team, good idea in theory, but it took up way too much room)</div><div style="text-align: left;">-disposable teeth brushers (we had bathroom access at major exchanges and I just used my toothbrush)</div><div style="text-align: left;">-knuckle lights</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Brought, used:</h3><div>-3 full running outfits in individual grocery bags with some type of odor/moisture absorber (I had charcoal bags on hand, but shoe balls would probably also work). I know the other posts say gallon ziplock bags, but they obviously didn't mean for a fall/winter race or have boobs. I even put a sticky note in the 2nd and 3rd bags to remember to grab items used in other legs (my heel lift, for instance).</div><div><br /></div><div>-2 pairs of running shoes (especially important if rain is in the forecast)</div><div><br /></div><div>-a van outfit (I wore a unicorn onesie over shorts and a t-shirt that kept me perfectly toasty during fall in New England, but sweatpants/a comfy shirt are crucial. I didn't want to always be in my compression leggings)</div><div><br /></div><div><div>-non-running shoes that you can slip on/off (flip flops/sandals/clogs) as part of your van outfit. Free the toes!</div></div><div><br /></div><div>- regular pillow/blanket (but I'd trade this for a toddler pillow (smaller) and a sleeping bag instead since you don't know if you'll be sleeping outside or inside).</div><div><br /></div><div>-recovery item(s)</div><div>...tens unit. I knew going into the race that I was already injured so this was another recovery tool that I used. </div><div>...yoga mat because sometimes you don't want to do child's pose in the dirt.</div><div>...foam roller; I wish I would have used it more, but the opportunities were low.</div><div>Whatever your recovery tool is, make sure you have it on hand.</div><div><br /></div><div>-Fully charged battery packs for all the devices with the cables for each device you will need to charge (watch, cell phone, earbuds, etc). Do not count on your vehicle having places to charge your devices.</div><div><br /></div><div>-bandaids/blister patches/moleskin. The medic tent will have some things, but it's best to have it when you need it.</div><div><br /></div><div>-a clean outfit to go home in. Even if you don't get to shower after your last race, this will help give you life back.</div><div><br /></div><div>-ALL THE WIPES. I brought toilet wipes because I had a lot on hand and they worked just as well as shower wipes or face wipes.</div><div><br /></div><div>-a roll of toilet paper (by the end of the course, sometimes the porta-pottys are out of TP and that is no bueno)</div><div><br /></div><div>-a popup changing tent</div><div><br /></div><div>-back and head lights and a reflective vest for the night leg (the vest is NOT optional)</div><div>...I had knuckle lights that I didn't use, but I loved the clip on light instead of having to deal with a headlamp bouncing around. </div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">If you have room:</h3><div>-sleeping pad/cot</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/e/2PACX-1vQ4S9JYpH4fAxIG4rgDd-mQpw8aGHN7ur1QQFDeeE-fS37C93frbq6NLZd_Cd6NF6NiXihT0LpbE5Yk/pubhtml" target="_blank">Packing List</a> (link to the Google doc below):</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="1" height="400px" marginheight="0px" marginwidth="0px" name="myiFrame" scrolling="no" src="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/e/2PACX-1vQ4S9JYpH4fAxIG4rgDd-mQpw8aGHN7ur1QQFDeeE-fS37C93frbq6NLZd_Cd6NF6NiXihT0LpbE5Yk/pubhtml" style="border: 0px #ffffff none;" width="600px"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">There could still be items this list is missing, because as I said, no one runs your race but you and maybe you require different things. For me, I wanted a clip on light instead of a headlamp. Also, no one else needed a tens unit. You do you, but also remember space is limited.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Hopefully, if you're reading this post to prepare for your upcoming Ragnar event, or you're considering doing a Ragnar event, this has helped you. If I forgot something, make sure to leave a comment to tell me what I missed!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Happy Running!!!!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Teh Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00133596439315060218noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1581436032352728193.post-38115563966580937702021-10-24T19:51:00.030-04:002021-10-29T17:34:25.954-04:002021 Ragnar New England Recap<p>I did some research and while I still don't know the exact first time I learned of "a Ragnar", it was probably late 2015. Nevertheless, in July 2016 I finally <a href="https://www.canidecideanotherday.com/2016/07/five-on-friday-85.html" target="_blank">made my desires public about doing a Ragnar</a>. Wut is a Ragnar you might ask. LET ME JUST TELL YOU (<a href="https://www.canidecideanotherday.com/2021/10/2021-nova-sunset-ragnar.html" target="_blank">again</a>, kinda). </p><p>There are now several varieties of Ragnar race, but my ultimate goal was to run a Ragnar road relay; 200 miles covered by 12 (or 6) individuals over a 36 hour period, preferably in the northeast in the fall (during leaf season). In my <a href="https://www.canidecideanotherday.com/2016/07/five-on-friday-85.html" target="_blank">July 2016 post</a>, I literally described running the Ragnar Cape Cod event and I didn't even realize it. Ragnar Cape Cod doesn't exist anymore, but Ragnar New England replaced it and that was the race that I signed up for in August on a whim. </p><p>I did an obnoxious amount of research before this race. Obviously, people have done it before me and I wanted to be prepared in terms of what to bring and how to be the best teammate. I was also researching for our NoVA Sunset at the same time, so 2 birds, 1 stone deal. </p><p>So here's how this went down.<br />In late August I looked at my schedule and assessed that I was free Oct 23/34th and <i>maaaayyybbeee</i> I could find a run to fill my time. At the time, I was starting to gear up for the Sunset Ragnar so I looked at the upcoming race schedule and saw that the New England event happened to be during my open weekend. Convenient, one might say. But I needed to find a team that needed a runner. To the social medias I go!</p><p>I joined a "looking for group" Facebook group for Ragnar and other relay races and posted that I was looking for a team for my first road Ragnar. I got a few responses, but mostly for ultra teams. An ultra team is a team of 6 instead of 12. So instead of running 3 legs, you run 6, but still all 200 miles. It seemed like a big challenge for my first race, so I communicated that with the people who had messaged me and waited. I saw 2 women post that they were looking for teammate and I contacted one who was in Delaware, but I took to long to pull the trigger with her and she filled the team before I could confirm. Shit or get off the pot, so it was totally fair. Then I contacted the other woman who had posted about needing teammates. They were still looking and actually had 3 available spots. I told her I'd take one. </p><p>There was some Venmo shenanigans where I almost lost $350 to a ghost account (the race fee twice because the app sucks), but through a fucking miracle, Venmo refunded me my dollhairs. I got money to the right person and was good to go. Obviously, I was telling Teh Bestie about all of my <strike>drama</strike> plans and then she was like, you want me to go with you? When would I ever say no to that? SO THEEENNN, Teh Bestie said she'd run with me/us and she joined the team. Then we had 1 more spot available in our van. On a whim, I messaged Matilda and was like, "Yo, you wanna run a Ragnar with me and Teh Bestie?" And she was like, "When? I'm in." Our trio was going to reunite! We hadn't run together since Feb 2020, so it was the ultimate excitement.</p><p>Teh Bestie and I had a zoom call with the rest of the group (prior to Matilda's commitment) to essentially get to know each other before we just showed up and spent 48 hours together (thanks to 2020 for making a zoom call a not weird way to meet people, lol). Thankfully, the meet and greet went very well, the other 3 runners seemed to accept Teh Bestie and I and my/our craziness, so that was good. In the week/s leading up to the race, we had a group text where we were able to ask questions and make sure we were all on the same page, which was very helpful. </p><p>THEN FINALLYYYYY, it was runcation time!</p><p><br /></p><h2 style="text-align: left;">PRE-RACE ADVENTURES</h2><p>On Thursday, I picked up Teh Bestie at 0430 and we headed to the Amtrak station to catch our train to Westerly, RI. We opted for the train because it took just as long as a flight but was $75 roundtrip for 2 people instead of $500. It was a super early train because Teh Bestie wanted to do some touristing in Mystic, CT and get pizza at <a href="https://www.mysticpizzaoriginal.com/" target="_blank">Mystic Pizza</a> (yes, like from the movie (I've never seen)) for lunch. We didn't realize the train actually stopped in Mystic, so instead of going all the way to Westerly and getting an Uber to get there and back, we hopped off the train at Mystic and just walked the 10 minutes into town (yes, with our luggage). We did some window shopping as we made our way to the pizza place.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5LcwLxOH6MM830qCZurcMmu819CJuGVBYkH_3Y2iPWlL19cdrEs6Ow56lCYW2bd5DTV4O4gJpCKnI1ZVFhJGM2_SwI8esMJC1V4qg2ea6Lk5nL5YkcuFhuvTMYsU27gzlo-0xOkeS7-Y/s2688/PXL_20211021_092026274.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2688" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5LcwLxOH6MM830qCZurcMmu819CJuGVBYkH_3Y2iPWlL19cdrEs6Ow56lCYW2bd5DTV4O4gJpCKnI1ZVFhJGM2_SwI8esMJC1V4qg2ea6Lk5nL5YkcuFhuvTMYsU27gzlo-0xOkeS7-Y/s320/PXL_20211021_092026274.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Nuc0w3vE7U14zoHn5ErUxPn5zasoSWA-6jgmajZg8zvQ7VKT2lMgd1mwPYR70sllad21789Yl7c0hxYpEHiSkmThAS_5KBDJwhJjG2ltsLp8bbS5aaXuO4uFeCgrs0xqdJG7_wGeRFU/s3840/PXL_20211021_120424046.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="3840" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Nuc0w3vE7U14zoHn5ErUxPn5zasoSWA-6jgmajZg8zvQ7VKT2lMgd1mwPYR70sllad21789Yl7c0hxYpEHiSkmThAS_5KBDJwhJjG2ltsLp8bbS5aaXuO4uFeCgrs0xqdJG7_wGeRFU/s320/PXL_20211021_120424046.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">NYC</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDzy-aKc0dFpJCN35U73kd0XLat9I6x2jnCI8geGKoQkxUFdcQfq0fhFKKjHbyBzyWMGBpENdCATrY0VKnePF0KMh_1fSX5sbKR4En9DCZgrngu7ekPuX3lyI12grUCs-pHRh9hDxqMc0/s2688/PXL_20211021_153443849.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2688" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDzy-aKc0dFpJCN35U73kd0XLat9I6x2jnCI8geGKoQkxUFdcQfq0fhFKKjHbyBzyWMGBpENdCATrY0VKnePF0KMh_1fSX5sbKR4En9DCZgrngu7ekPuX3lyI12grUCs-pHRh9hDxqMc0/s320/PXL_20211021_153443849.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS8hPEgGiOoI6ds0iSTAuwldl9orlv9NZQj2nvlXaWkkCOAuAVcUeAORDItUnUbHwvPOYBtFnNKzEBW0U2n-cKLHH1So64-JuvXBKGMeF8sgLCM3i7XeTl0IpIJbkwHXQkBaQpYMBNetg/s2688/PXL_20211021_155434569.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2688" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS8hPEgGiOoI6ds0iSTAuwldl9orlv9NZQj2nvlXaWkkCOAuAVcUeAORDItUnUbHwvPOYBtFnNKzEBW0U2n-cKLHH1So64-JuvXBKGMeF8sgLCM3i7XeTl0IpIJbkwHXQkBaQpYMBNetg/s320/PXL_20211021_155434569.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We were having a whale-y good time!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2l-mzMhC0yBTRb1HXxd49FyzBDmRQAJ2hbiSflxPuBgy61taEjRpk2TeOEwd_JG8merZJfcFblxl1cw5nmv-LXZmj-rkM6kaxxTIHw1H-KBOrXcgu171ZOXKr2PTWchFUAyVscb77k98/s2688/PXL_20211021_170117963.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2688" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2l-mzMhC0yBTRb1HXxd49FyzBDmRQAJ2hbiSflxPuBgy61taEjRpk2TeOEwd_JG8merZJfcFblxl1cw5nmv-LXZmj-rkM6kaxxTIHw1H-KBOrXcgu171ZOXKr2PTWchFUAyVscb77k98/s320/PXL_20211021_170117963.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-0WLCGfqWbrXdG_PsBAnI4BN4Mn9RCzD5uFmejsnrwSnPF4WeK55ltRh7df3SbvzoSPJtq0TOE8PVndwVahyRochN_IcpKqZg-CvYeDQzDn_mXoxbXPAdP-nohrvhC2SBtOpS82X-IUs/s3840/PXL_20211021_172231772.PORTRAIT.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3840" data-original-width="2160" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-0WLCGfqWbrXdG_PsBAnI4BN4Mn9RCzD5uFmejsnrwSnPF4WeK55ltRh7df3SbvzoSPJtq0TOE8PVndwVahyRochN_IcpKqZg-CvYeDQzDn_mXoxbXPAdP-nohrvhC2SBtOpS82X-IUs/s320/PXL_20211021_172231772.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Perfection = brownie with pumpkie pie ice cream</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlIZdt4Tig-c1SzBwoEe4aOtrhP5EYB-oQW6v7zikNDnL412k39WZKjnK1US-DuC5SizZiIGg12XsXQVEjj93HdqH3VUqBIB0bXuNBUYEFaGpA46cvqJnNjHZ1OH31CMcqX15Ax78OTZg/s3840/PXL_20211021_174759177.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3840" data-original-width="2160" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlIZdt4Tig-c1SzBwoEe4aOtrhP5EYB-oQW6v7zikNDnL412k39WZKjnK1US-DuC5SizZiIGg12XsXQVEjj93HdqH3VUqBIB0bXuNBUYEFaGpA46cvqJnNjHZ1OH31CMcqX15Ax78OTZg/s320/PXL_20211021_174759177.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAvmgo21HQYtbiYkydG_PUmWlnXkLkJ66llBc78gFwG9h4S0nXCTGvFRnSX3m1D3hB52ztslGyeoWgSfH1-rMX0D4GwCS_7rRnlDIa_vRE_0BjsmVlv9p5CLzkVKlsU_TmuBQ4G-060U4/s2688/PXL_20211021_175015010.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2688" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAvmgo21HQYtbiYkydG_PUmWlnXkLkJ66llBc78gFwG9h4S0nXCTGvFRnSX3m1D3hB52ztslGyeoWgSfH1-rMX0D4GwCS_7rRnlDIa_vRE_0BjsmVlv9p5CLzkVKlsU_TmuBQ4G-060U4/s320/PXL_20211021_175015010.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>The pizza was pretty good and then we followed it up with ice cream at the bridge, as was suggested. After noms, we got a Lyft to Westerly where I outjoked our driver like a fucking boss. Our hotel was right on the water, which was a nice surprise. While I really wanted to go to the beach (my annual beach excursion) and make my snow-sacrifice (snacrifice, if you will, where I go to the beach (which I don't love) as an offering to Mother Nature so I receive some snow, it's a trade-off), I really <i>needed</i> a nap... which is what ended up happening and it was glorious. I knew I was about to fuck up my normal routine, so it didn't matter too much. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh48Gr1GIq2nNGYrAoHdhKjkQSnVUIyLc2ZShOzTcEQd5Tz-pTIGtRNTrxsVmcL0dCuiMTkZDWuPGyhHLJLFO8pJdAXjwn9muTA52VMdamNUGW8pjjZM3r-PRdOTbSyXIIGc1zkHNPTh-c/s2688/PXL_20211021_202741961.PORTRAIT.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2688" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh48Gr1GIq2nNGYrAoHdhKjkQSnVUIyLc2ZShOzTcEQd5Tz-pTIGtRNTrxsVmcL0dCuiMTkZDWuPGyhHLJLFO8pJdAXjwn9muTA52VMdamNUGW8pjjZM3r-PRdOTbSyXIIGc1zkHNPTh-c/s320/PXL_20211021_202741961.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrI793W_MV3uEFJ3srl7Ggae3otOSTFHU_fEq98p7Ak7nEhZQy6i7t3TuR5KyJ3OUrQD7zB6h5Gpk0K2T90HfJBg1lYtYUASXoauUt-WU_KeAq0YylrUcNCabRgp4WY69a1tNVThFkRfs/s3840/PXL_20211021_202721987.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="3840" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrI793W_MV3uEFJ3srl7Ggae3otOSTFHU_fEq98p7Ak7nEhZQy6i7t3TuR5KyJ3OUrQD7zB6h5Gpk0K2T90HfJBg1lYtYUASXoauUt-WU_KeAq0YylrUcNCabRgp4WY69a1tNVThFkRfs/s320/PXL_20211021_202721987.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>We woke up shortly before sunset and finally made our way to the beach, <i>just in time</i> for sunset which was PERFECTION.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHKL5zKVcVzeGLefXihgbG4ug6hb_RAC4mtdg25WwiR_G4nOwSm72g6QtLDTL9CfrvuBs8tGyLi3ni_Cm2q8z70dai4fbsIjLKBl3uv63psxPXTNowTrMzZne3JTkvq6qwhnbHVWDWR3c/s3840/PXL_20211021_214310809.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="3840" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHKL5zKVcVzeGLefXihgbG4ug6hb_RAC4mtdg25WwiR_G4nOwSm72g6QtLDTL9CfrvuBs8tGyLi3ni_Cm2q8z70dai4fbsIjLKBl3uv63psxPXTNowTrMzZne3JTkvq6qwhnbHVWDWR3c/s320/PXL_20211021_214310809.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_RNeZiT5wC23EcPi-fjVXAyntWy3Kwnf8CZBkujqttA93UuTPdASqsaFxfBJztXfjSeUAboxBv5aGlMgNnNgCnTgWw-SHu98aqr5AEBJHCJ3O7yPwV2VjgnXHIxf56kCJi8558iITFpc/s3840/PXL_20211021_214329617.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3840" data-original-width="2160" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_RNeZiT5wC23EcPi-fjVXAyntWy3Kwnf8CZBkujqttA93UuTPdASqsaFxfBJztXfjSeUAboxBv5aGlMgNnNgCnTgWw-SHu98aqr5AEBJHCJ3O7yPwV2VjgnXHIxf56kCJi8558iITFpc/s320/PXL_20211021_214329617.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMRqEeeLqqPgcVDC41HNNl_0E47IbPrT0rSPNinSa6HfPi5DXbOwmU5RAaHyI8EAG2Q4dzI4WK-CU4_x0nJt0KeWqMFel7nX85A3_dxVe1TwUaCBagE3XvFxxDiYFBmMIfyoeK6hBoB8k/s2688/PXL_20211021_214921326.PORTRAIT.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2688" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMRqEeeLqqPgcVDC41HNNl_0E47IbPrT0rSPNinSa6HfPi5DXbOwmU5RAaHyI8EAG2Q4dzI4WK-CU4_x0nJt0KeWqMFel7nX85A3_dxVe1TwUaCBagE3XvFxxDiYFBmMIfyoeK6hBoB8k/s320/PXL_20211021_214921326.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQlaUrSJ0iKq-I4vZkbi_nhBPj7D89afwnL_MLZlnUCG_iB3-UytS9f5aUBV5_935rAKOqifb2PRQXQsFtSft8KQmTFtvSozxfxnftcOkPEf6qIWUwcF6paHIbZFwk-MPKBYUyUPhaFBQ/s2688/PXL_20211021_215447422.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2688" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQlaUrSJ0iKq-I4vZkbi_nhBPj7D89afwnL_MLZlnUCG_iB3-UytS9f5aUBV5_935rAKOqifb2PRQXQsFtSft8KQmTFtvSozxfxnftcOkPEf6qIWUwcF6paHIbZFwk-MPKBYUyUPhaFBQ/s320/PXL_20211021_215447422.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimiQRTK0cd2zqNI8R83yCzgmIItyowobUGOHAT5Fcf4soxNNXnDKYfh0KLX5hLJGklWgYcf40jmhoyS2UKb_5Ls99QAWihvQRCXJJ2GK3-GFtxnwPbUhujwLB01056yoXZCrrJ0DnKf0s/s3840/PXL_20211021_215903270.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="3840" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimiQRTK0cd2zqNI8R83yCzgmIItyowobUGOHAT5Fcf4soxNNXnDKYfh0KLX5hLJGklWgYcf40jmhoyS2UKb_5Ls99QAWihvQRCXJJ2GK3-GFtxnwPbUhujwLB01056yoXZCrrJ0DnKf0s/s320/PXL_20211021_215903270.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>As we were coming in from the beach, the rest of the team arrived (with Matilda, who they'd picked up on the way)! We all met in person finally and after they got settled into their room, we headed out to dinner at <a href="https://www.hoofsct.com/ " target="_blank">Hoof's</a>. We literally popped into Connecticut and back into Rhode Island for a minute before dinner.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVpoUBunD9-GDTV5dbA35wyHha93pJgfsgaBTsLke_AJilYBEdvHAMUjbIkE1V9ZQVuT2kJsd5w4ph9IRKxFzo3Z1ASSbQymf76svIBLEAMmAbrBGuz5eLGoYT9LFC1kGmaivq4B5Lhu0/s2688/PXL_20211021_224505099.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2688" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVpoUBunD9-GDTV5dbA35wyHha93pJgfsgaBTsLke_AJilYBEdvHAMUjbIkE1V9ZQVuT2kJsd5w4ph9IRKxFzo3Z1ASSbQymf76svIBLEAMmAbrBGuz5eLGoYT9LFC1kGmaivq4B5Lhu0/s320/PXL_20211021_224505099.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDKgocmRu2PPhkB7Gyd9lwLCltN5i-WDAgojU-0KHUK9aLtLvFMX00rUeL-VTPzsDUusbnMuUK8r9xKPRHK30uPEJZZSs6wrJTx2Excc3HUP1UrB_-V6Z-FM0AvZbMNKINBizQWg09NsE/s2688/PXL_20211021_224524943.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2688" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDKgocmRu2PPhkB7Gyd9lwLCltN5i-WDAgojU-0KHUK9aLtLvFMX00rUeL-VTPzsDUusbnMuUK8r9xKPRHK30uPEJZZSs6wrJTx2Excc3HUP1UrB_-V6Z-FM0AvZbMNKINBizQWg09NsE/s320/PXL_20211021_224524943.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4_3hWmISHTql4IJXfYe1u8LyA02-XYV5VJWuweawMMCAP6eMhQGjmA82LLdswePIocguUH9s_cVWyjnmG4qHe_HHUTCmgSgCWQQZXJH1jebg2ZRkSkfnBCwTgAjVG-o141fZaN_TJgNM/s3840/PXL_20211021_233515459.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="3840" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4_3hWmISHTql4IJXfYe1u8LyA02-XYV5VJWuweawMMCAP6eMhQGjmA82LLdswePIocguUH9s_cVWyjnmG4qHe_HHUTCmgSgCWQQZXJH1jebg2ZRkSkfnBCwTgAjVG-o141fZaN_TJgNM/s320/PXL_20211021_233515459.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Swordfish with some stuff.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />After dinner, we headed to Walmart to pick up van snacks and then we headed back to the hotel to try and get some rest.<p></p><h2 style="text-align: left;">LEG 1</h2><p>In an unfortunate turn of event, van 1 lost 2 people the week of the race. So they were down to 4 people, which caused some kerfluffles. Actually, inconsiderate teammates caused kerfluffles, but we managed. First off, Van 1 started too early and our team received a warning. You get 3 strikes and you're out of a Ragnar race, which means you're disqualified (which means no medal, go home). Strikes are given for safety violations and time violations. They try to keep everyone on a schedule so people don't arrive too early at stops that haven't been set up yet or arrive to late and miss the amenities. There is a LOT of calculation that goes into arrival/departure times in consideration of the current runner's pace/distance, so it is a science. Because Van 1 was down 2 runners, that mean the recovery time for van 2 (our van) would be less, which fucking sucks. Van 2 was not allowed to start until 10:15 on Friday morning, so at least we got to sleep in. We all commented about how glad we were to not have to be waking up at 0530 to get to the start line by 0630 for a 0700 race start. #runnerproblems lolz. We got to our exchange (area where your team switches runners) and poked around. We picked up our bibs/shirts and checked out the store (same stuff as at the Sunset race) and started to get set up for a group photo when the last runner from van 1 came into the exchange and our first runner, Abby, was off... (in the wrong direction because the person directing runners told her the wrong direction and it took a half mile for those runners to figure out they were going the wrong direction). We loaded up into the van and headed for the next exchange where I would start running.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiy0CCmFVhjW6O9__OmaVYHcUiIzJXRHSEBbEXvRmE2Ap30p5QGdDx_aQ7Qmzef2K_0sOGLqhORfHGICo7bhkQFq4z81KuPYcxDWmK_7Q2WTHfOD8DAWMVbQVxC4PARSDEHuvpoL2ADsE/s2688/PXL_20211022_141308976.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2688" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiy0CCmFVhjW6O9__OmaVYHcUiIzJXRHSEBbEXvRmE2Ap30p5QGdDx_aQ7Qmzef2K_0sOGLqhORfHGICo7bhkQFq4z81KuPYcxDWmK_7Q2WTHfOD8DAWMVbQVxC4PARSDEHuvpoL2ADsE/s320/PXL_20211022_141308976.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Start line" selfie!</td></tr></tbody></table><p>We were lucky that we had a driver for the van, instead of us runners having to navigate/drive. We stopped ahead of Abby to offer her support if she wanted and also took the time to decorate the van.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeBezm89-kEwdiRG4BssAkJo8H2q6hgyhh-K4s9OHGCZFVVWkHomRuwSIXCxhmnzv6HdjcRcHclXoO9sS3UTxUmEwwMtIJrHncAZpWFJV4kzlOAzuf78Mp__KgvvM0_tFsWu_qPcok5Rg/s3840/PXL_20211022_174229945.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="3840" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeBezm89-kEwdiRG4BssAkJo8H2q6hgyhh-K4s9OHGCZFVVWkHomRuwSIXCxhmnzv6HdjcRcHclXoO9sS3UTxUmEwwMtIJrHncAZpWFJV4kzlOAzuf78Mp__KgvvM0_tFsWu_qPcok5Rg/s320/PXL_20211022_174229945.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpqtuNOpJ6JGAcBDAklrJG5NesXF5oE6cr37OkLJ9iA9RxmCIPCqclYAFR6hGxr6Z0MggGe9C_iJ5R06VZs-aIwpOJiSTLqYvXwVDpBtcb2qYP4PzR8ubr_-eGkzta9dmbAoz3-Nv-eFc/s3840/PXL_20211022_174240007.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="3840" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpqtuNOpJ6JGAcBDAklrJG5NesXF5oE6cr37OkLJ9iA9RxmCIPCqclYAFR6hGxr6Z0MggGe9C_iJ5R06VZs-aIwpOJiSTLqYvXwVDpBtcb2qYP4PzR8ubr_-eGkzta9dmbAoz3-Nv-eFc/s320/PXL_20211022_174240007.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisnTtAmyWrV-5WXgK4NZp3aGFVUxeF_YVvNS_7IR33rHcYolQG8VGiEl4sT5BBFqL11g7z-g8nLmxZ_e2FeNOvxHL0o9-mrRLcc-LFiyE0MYhFployieeIuqMErLH9ZNzVG8kA58lM1nA/s3840/PXL_20211022_174247664.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="3840" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisnTtAmyWrV-5WXgK4NZp3aGFVUxeF_YVvNS_7IR33rHcYolQG8VGiEl4sT5BBFqL11g7z-g8nLmxZ_e2FeNOvxHL0o9-mrRLcc-LFiyE0MYhFployieeIuqMErLH9ZNzVG8kA58lM1nA/s320/PXL_20211022_174247664.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>At the exchange, Abby passed on the slap bracelet to me, and off I went for my first leg!<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivvAgIthrfyOyTVeTdMTEx_we4_Zku_U7KUrINFSQOJ-cKVmDbAoMVBysvdZ7RMlVKjCrKFOc46TqGlnnQ_QIDIolVoD2-x88_EN3OLTvlH6fT7Nh1jpocPAs0yZJlmXAV2-H9z-vRFJI/s2688/PXL_20211022_160611590.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2688" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivvAgIthrfyOyTVeTdMTEx_we4_Zku_U7KUrINFSQOJ-cKVmDbAoMVBysvdZ7RMlVKjCrKFOc46TqGlnnQ_QIDIolVoD2-x88_EN3OLTvlH6fT7Nh1jpocPAs0yZJlmXAV2-H9z-vRFJI/s320/PXL_20211022_160611590.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUBmirT2EtbnLajfio-CCBysWNQpjbvuGEvekJoiKpW0Aqranv4tyajQ0Q8HPkaruuLfynQBEFI5xxjMavh8WEEwWHWBTCY556XUyx7WZ7pruC3A_YoEtpIl4KNHWIgq9LgI4uzySdJ2U/s3840/PXL_20211022_161547435.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="3840" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUBmirT2EtbnLajfio-CCBysWNQpjbvuGEvekJoiKpW0Aqranv4tyajQ0Q8HPkaruuLfynQBEFI5xxjMavh8WEEwWHWBTCY556XUyx7WZ7pruC3A_YoEtpIl4KNHWIgq9LgI4uzySdJ2U/s320/PXL_20211022_161547435.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFc5RQnIsi-r85OVTrfD5ybCrGMWnYet-VfZ3QQ-XA1m0giUtWmgYIv7LodgQmtfKwiWcLLyIn7X7KoBYaP4gpbl4R2oQl8VTO_y25Bb5vUvA-lunlSKp7GZ87rPvAGN3vJN1e5qMv2hY/s2688/PXL_20211022_162642424.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2688" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFc5RQnIsi-r85OVTrfD5ybCrGMWnYet-VfZ3QQ-XA1m0giUtWmgYIv7LodgQmtfKwiWcLLyIn7X7KoBYaP4gpbl4R2oQl8VTO_y25Bb5vUvA-lunlSKp7GZ87rPvAGN3vJN1e5qMv2hY/s320/PXL_20211022_162642424.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSEmPBF3o7DYUszVLaomfkOPBBsZY6E1sCCes2s9pl9AP5NOXogbiOg1N-Vo_lQ-mZh3goHIJiZkcr_Zm2sd-24atvYj_dppRKvpVRPObeMVRMkTsAf7yOAdt-DFKjBK4Bt64uzBKVErg/s992/IMG_20211022_131634.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="992" data-original-width="992" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSEmPBF3o7DYUszVLaomfkOPBBsZY6E1sCCes2s9pl9AP5NOXogbiOg1N-Vo_lQ-mZh3goHIJiZkcr_Zm2sd-24atvYj_dppRKvpVRPObeMVRMkTsAf7yOAdt-DFKjBK4Bt64uzBKVErg/s320/IMG_20211022_131634.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">LOOK AT THAT PACE!<br />That's adrenaline for you!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEKOqLvpo7FV3kcEy51ZwWGZb414epwi4DQ2CLoJdi1XO42gDecLLhvKM5SE9oSm5DX8VgHFjmb29XMNWsw_eXRexZr_25HZq2LWwM8rs18wN49nMnNnS-kYXnHm3_06FD3GXWRWWG1rk/s2688/PXL_20211022_170740882.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2688" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEKOqLvpo7FV3kcEy51ZwWGZb414epwi4DQ2CLoJdi1XO42gDecLLhvKM5SE9oSm5DX8VgHFjmb29XMNWsw_eXRexZr_25HZq2LWwM8rs18wN49nMnNnS-kYXnHm3_06FD3GXWRWWG1rk/s320/PXL_20211022_170740882.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div>I passed off the slap bracelet to Teh Bestie and off she went! We headed to the next exchange to pick her up then Matilda would start her leg!</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqcOfNZ_DA2YdNXqkcumC56wfvEAY_9z4l_197iToh58NwW6fx8HGVnwVEGZ6HVzZ4ubmGv-IaIECYz0Qy7fIlm7xSvQ0Eu1rCt8_eg6CsEqqkaS1yLrzLKm8vWXDNVoOjyesMrk9fbaI/s2688/PXL_20211022_173635962.PORTRAIT.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2688" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqcOfNZ_DA2YdNXqkcumC56wfvEAY_9z4l_197iToh58NwW6fx8HGVnwVEGZ6HVzZ4ubmGv-IaIECYz0Qy7fIlm7xSvQ0Eu1rCt8_eg6CsEqqkaS1yLrzLKm8vWXDNVoOjyesMrk9fbaI/s320/PXL_20211022_173635962.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More Snacrifice</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoAhUWIySbywKc5EHlY7nyxzB6jKSwJAuFVbPBykmCnWZHXx65l5B5Lw60wzM76pJTlEVfKCvr1Mo1LWoOkHHq6xGMSC3YViinNBow3b-Aj33J9uCp7Cewp2ykcSTnQn1eizPOj0Ms2_c/s3840/PXL_20211022_173835053.PORTRAIT.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="3840" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoAhUWIySbywKc5EHlY7nyxzB6jKSwJAuFVbPBykmCnWZHXx65l5B5Lw60wzM76pJTlEVfKCvr1Mo1LWoOkHHq6xGMSC3YViinNBow3b-Aj33J9uCp7Cewp2ykcSTnQn1eizPOj0Ms2_c/s320/PXL_20211022_173835053.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Why hello Air Force, didn't expect to find you here.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhEgdXX9SckmlPMDoVoYrVZ0xeQ8NaAes21lR7R5GC_tKlanthzvt_8ToWtUT-5g8Uvq9xPUsNeUYsrCNy7zbLiatex2VR2xDVYk7Mc0JKPBOvCweTj6ro-c4LKpZ4ipls4awQrEX0eGM/s3840/PXL_20211022_175248078.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3840" data-original-width="2160" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhEgdXX9SckmlPMDoVoYrVZ0xeQ8NaAes21lR7R5GC_tKlanthzvt_8ToWtUT-5g8Uvq9xPUsNeUYsrCNy7zbLiatex2VR2xDVYk7Mc0JKPBOvCweTj6ro-c4LKpZ4ipls4awQrEX0eGM/s320/PXL_20211022_175248078.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxZLBI18-1kNsYDQDMEUeSPqcGufP7DNzz-12AU-VqSQ6CahQNSPqD8-Scp5I0ZZY8IJ4sfMqMvgpPLAoCW507xljtRN8ynD3gBARcVxgLDrXbfe8ZovAn-ZqTtp5YJ6RyPu9zQi36pIw/s2688/PXL_20211022_175317290.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2688" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxZLBI18-1kNsYDQDMEUeSPqcGufP7DNzz-12AU-VqSQ6CahQNSPqD8-Scp5I0ZZY8IJ4sfMqMvgpPLAoCW507xljtRN8ynD3gBARcVxgLDrXbfe8ZovAn-ZqTtp5YJ6RyPu9zQi36pIw/s320/PXL_20211022_175317290.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Then we headed to pick up Matilda and Monica set off!<div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDVBymm9APwZnLsb6m91MADR5X07edjzGbEwAxgCmY2ASRCyaiRctesm0n9FLAgRcZ0w_sWb2mn1mWVqE_bvfTlzdw4z8_RXmWuH0GhpV4sO7V7YUw4FNAQtOGiKZprzTksifVt9AAq_0/s3840/PXL_20211022_191546904.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3840" data-original-width="2160" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDVBymm9APwZnLsb6m91MADR5X07edjzGbEwAxgCmY2ASRCyaiRctesm0n9FLAgRcZ0w_sWb2mn1mWVqE_bvfTlzdw4z8_RXmWuH0GhpV4sO7V7YUw4FNAQtOGiKZprzTksifVt9AAq_0/s320/PXL_20211022_191546904.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Teh Bestie on flag duty so Matilda didn't get hit by a car.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzDs4MnvF-DS86uODXPaGaC65ZaCHNzksgUU9ee7n1QtKwfpOK6Qst26eyMUlZ-HZ4dettz-i1vSGq3mKKsl8nqcIRFwUhzwWFpy_So8LxsK4hCqx4SLipT9-OnMz8ikq8gpRCnITX6wc/s3840/PXL_20211022_191555198.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3840" data-original-width="2160" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzDs4MnvF-DS86uODXPaGaC65ZaCHNzksgUU9ee7n1QtKwfpOK6Qst26eyMUlZ-HZ4dettz-i1vSGq3mKKsl8nqcIRFwUhzwWFpy_So8LxsK4hCqx4SLipT9-OnMz8ikq8gpRCnITX6wc/s320/PXL_20211022_191555198.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So fast! Much fasts!</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Then we headed to the next exchange, then finally to the major exchange where van 1 would start running again. Another kerfluffle with van 1 when we asked them to take a water cooler we couldn't use from our van since we didn't really have room and they only had 4 people and they told us "not our problem". I almost lost my shit. The back of the van was re-Tetris-ed, but we were still extremely cramped.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1n7UC0Wt4kMeYvG2krZtJp8pJvE7jmWQg6uhXh3kW9SaVr6TzrsquudWKi2oLYKmVeT1g5k4fatDOUqoub_HySmC9p14Q1EhwESs72fklfkIkqq1E4uHuXar7JN4XpmV9iFrjAN4lGH4/s3840/PXL_20211022_215421824.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="3840" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1n7UC0Wt4kMeYvG2krZtJp8pJvE7jmWQg6uhXh3kW9SaVr6TzrsquudWKi2oLYKmVeT1g5k4fatDOUqoub_HySmC9p14Q1EhwESs72fklfkIkqq1E4uHuXar7JN4XpmV9iFrjAN4lGH4/s320/PXL_20211022_215421824.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All the vans!</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_cBCi-mpGabBUSWR-f45xOWYUtX0bwLYP6HpwmMoBdv9uPSLg4Q0noGyVYy6SCrPmRRL9A7nlUKgTfBogXtO8a10s39Tbtn-jjBNshsYoJa3qx5W0nqwrFl8K7DzIFPwg6S1GiJ0ztkE/s2960/PXL_20211022_215534784.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1706" data-original-width="2960" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_cBCi-mpGabBUSWR-f45xOWYUtX0bwLYP6HpwmMoBdv9uPSLg4Q0noGyVYy6SCrPmRRL9A7nlUKgTfBogXtO8a10s39Tbtn-jjBNshsYoJa3qx5W0nqwrFl8K7DzIFPwg6S1GiJ0ztkE/s320/PXL_20211022_215534784.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Octopus is my new favorite critter.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div>Since we didn't have anyone running, we found dinner on the way to the next major exchange. For me, it was a flop, but everyone else said the food was good. I ordered steak (medium) frites, and my steak came out charred and extremely well done and I had to send it back. I tried to be cool about it, but I felt like we had to wait an extremely long time for our server to take our order then for our food and then for my food to come back out, our glasses stayed mostly empty, and then it took forever to even get to ask for checks. I was over it. I knew I was tired, but I also was not impressed with the place.<div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">LEG 2</h2><div><br /></div><div>Finally, we were on our way to the next major exchange, a school, so we could maybe sleep. The school was open (bathrooms and the cafeteria), but there didn't seem to be an available sleep space, which kinda sucked. So we set up on the grass outside (#RagnarStyle). I had my pillow and a blanket, but had opted not to bring a sleeping bag to save on space. It was all fine until the wind started blowing and the temp dropped and I got cold and woke up. I relocated to the van. Before Abby set out, I changed into my running outfit so I could be ready and brushed my teeth. Once she started her leg, we headed to the next exchange.</div><div><br /></div><div>Leg 2 was our night run. I was excited about this because I enjoy night runs. Because it's almost Halloween, there was some creepy shit about, but it was fine. I was tired, but still kept a good pace, which I was proud of since I was worried my first leg burned me out (#overachiever).</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinvt3hIHfwABM6O6XN3QPRkeZoUqGdp8ZF9zHevbyj5tisSh1dQyqwxxO9Bq8LPqohuV64AyGeV6P4qsEeg5LHVguweGUzb7pkyhYg3kMwu6BSHizMEArlmj5YnagerMNHeuHtb7YhGNU/s2688/PXL_20211023_053407147.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2688" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinvt3hIHfwABM6O6XN3QPRkeZoUqGdp8ZF9zHevbyj5tisSh1dQyqwxxO9Bq8LPqohuV64AyGeV6P4qsEeg5LHVguweGUzb7pkyhYg3kMwu6BSHizMEArlmj5YnagerMNHeuHtb7YhGNU/s320/PXL_20211023_053407147.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjghW2U77OjC_xRJMztUFx32c-C1JAxZiwNaMnMjVr2sTK_dVkq_eBghDRdXTWpu-_mjlVMO6Lon-hgu6Vx51KHzaAtt4tUohVTMFZirRs3cfB0okJqiZQyWQzJc0c3rigbwHwV85jbVy4/s3840/PXL_20211023_061032910.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3840" data-original-width="2160" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjghW2U77OjC_xRJMztUFx32c-C1JAxZiwNaMnMjVr2sTK_dVkq_eBghDRdXTWpu-_mjlVMO6Lon-hgu6Vx51KHzaAtt4tUohVTMFZirRs3cfB0okJqiZQyWQzJc0c3rigbwHwV85jbVy4/s320/PXL_20211023_061032910.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjUqKeDmBSW6gYeWiyg3UTEOb22E_BeSPQKY15GKqo3jYpeEevrQxhCEDQqIRadjiWSQCxM0qhyphenhyphenlVLM4PumXnVE19IIKF5wnPPQu_ShSoJ0eHcuNmtQlnkkstKUexaRGXIv-lAYzkOMaI/s3840/PXL_20211023_061407534.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3840" data-original-width="2160" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjUqKeDmBSW6gYeWiyg3UTEOb22E_BeSPQKY15GKqo3jYpeEevrQxhCEDQqIRadjiWSQCxM0qhyphenhyphenlVLM4PumXnVE19IIKF5wnPPQu_ShSoJ0eHcuNmtQlnkkstKUexaRGXIv-lAYzkOMaI/s320/PXL_20211023_061407534.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7AiF85kn1ZaMOgbxiwlNVqU8xNCJq7M0Z5ZFHrra1FLOndke86dw82OsvduRXntx2vpKt9jq8A9J4u-yM-QNKxoFaPrboJHVqoZvtCn_mSalvuOH6a4yIVLQRajRMLS7XABktF4YFouw/s2688/PXL_20211023_063510683.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2688" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7AiF85kn1ZaMOgbxiwlNVqU8xNCJq7M0Z5ZFHrra1FLOndke86dw82OsvduRXntx2vpKt9jq8A9J4u-yM-QNKxoFaPrboJHVqoZvtCn_mSalvuOH6a4yIVLQRajRMLS7XABktF4YFouw/s320/PXL_20211023_063510683.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ykaf0M8zmkC4cCq5yYQPsnkOACJUz7Hi7tI_bBACIlfrABJKvnKLQOLxKG_75dpKsZa8S334ZEbY2ibqkDvOzFh5lLsDxGY3QSMg8u2gFKYQHnT3NaqA-NLjQzVwK-uhH47hXhRNRTs/s3840/PXL_20211023_064406546.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3840" data-original-width="2160" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ykaf0M8zmkC4cCq5yYQPsnkOACJUz7Hi7tI_bBACIlfrABJKvnKLQOLxKG_75dpKsZa8S334ZEbY2ibqkDvOzFh5lLsDxGY3QSMg8u2gFKYQHnT3NaqA-NLjQzVwK-uhH47hXhRNRTs/s320/PXL_20211023_064406546.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This creepy guy with the glowy eyes at the door took me off-guard since it was 2-something in the middle of the night.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0M5kLj3xs1aVfMZV4YI_jgeDrY9Vg5VRV0HYrB4Sjbu7qw6jeh0Rfbtz-gxh7zyKublOJuoSTxAD3E4TGs8kzKNLjWPG_I0VQJosfqjPdZ_dAdj3nzbU9ZpA_A1IT1ZInvAKbXkxeVFc/s992/IMG_20211023_032440.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="992" data-original-width="992" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0M5kLj3xs1aVfMZV4YI_jgeDrY9Vg5VRV0HYrB4Sjbu7qw6jeh0Rfbtz-gxh7zyKublOJuoSTxAD3E4TGs8kzKNLjWPG_I0VQJosfqjPdZ_dAdj3nzbU9ZpA_A1IT1ZInvAKbXkxeVFc/s320/IMG_20211023_032440.png" width="320" /></a></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvwhsaJxi9tGRRHTDpZHq9RyUvd75JKoi71qWu-2MEaHIlsZI0qNEr2N91XnB8bRTWDSRJDs4DJBXGR0GZ0sWVSbzua31L6orH9CcP5DQYung2ptIvPbU_7cXUJCON82xeFUHGSlgCD00/s2688/PXL_20211023_070003872.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2688" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvwhsaJxi9tGRRHTDpZHq9RyUvd75JKoi71qWu-2MEaHIlsZI0qNEr2N91XnB8bRTWDSRJDs4DJBXGR0GZ0sWVSbzua31L6orH9CcP5DQYung2ptIvPbU_7cXUJCON82xeFUHGSlgCD00/s320/PXL_20211023_070003872.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><h2 style="text-align: left;">LEG 3</h2><div><br /></div><div>With my night leg complete, it was a matter of waiting until the next major exchange for more sleeps. Thankfully, the next major exchange was a school with an open locker room and gym, which was perfection. Matilda took the opportunity to shower. Teh Bestie, Abby, and I wiped down and stretched. After, a few of us fetched our sleeping stuff from the van and headed back to the gym to try and sleep. I was torn on this because I really wanted something to eat before my last run, but the rest of the team wanted sleep more, so I prayed snacked would be sufficient (they were not, but the sleep wasn't so bad).</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBIdrlpInZX9NNxSpSSdK76lpItJAQkx5ogSBnNthI7d6q9fg31X-lpfRcufPwV0g_nBZbqFH_CH9XKxY3R6JLsd0pdsdMPrmgGwMF9p_CCjwb12AJvn0KuNbKq7nkbNHp4S6DwTxutIc/s2688/PXL_20211023_104125848.NIGHT.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2688" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBIdrlpInZX9NNxSpSSdK76lpItJAQkx5ogSBnNthI7d6q9fg31X-lpfRcufPwV0g_nBZbqFH_CH9XKxY3R6JLsd0pdsdMPrmgGwMF9p_CCjwb12AJvn0KuNbKq7nkbNHp4S6DwTxutIc/s320/PXL_20211023_104125848.NIGHT.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">things I can talk to: sleeping in a unicorn onesie on the floor of a school basketball court.<br />#askmeanything loool</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0A_aGUtkIawbTNPhtNov1le9gGDqWUqPlDdqbyFE6XScMwFkBKPsAoz3rkF6KN81NX9E6LsYfeWHyWMQD6iYVzi7qCknIM3kZ40LjLRHou2JNojRHohJQgu37YbIMprEiM1yUrbU9Wg8/s3840/PXL_20211023_112832048.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="3840" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0A_aGUtkIawbTNPhtNov1le9gGDqWUqPlDdqbyFE6XScMwFkBKPsAoz3rkF6KN81NX9E6LsYfeWHyWMQD6iYVzi7qCknIM3kZ40LjLRHou2JNojRHohJQgu37YbIMprEiM1yUrbU9Wg8/s320/PXL_20211023_112832048.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>Again, because of being down 2 runners, van 1 was done in a short amount of time and we had to start rolling again. Abby set off and we stopped to offer support (water/needs) about halfway, where I made some new friends.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGUTeAWzGX46t0VTf_7yp9qdVyrV0R4m2Y7l52VHNIus2HFoxU5Eom7yIu3h8SSqkBlFzM0whmfs4FPA3JOlYPgA50-uzSivcCYyXRdBr43ewx-YE2Tcy2f2_uobXtwCeXnZo2sbVc9rU/s2688/PXL_20211023_140727225.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2688" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGUTeAWzGX46t0VTf_7yp9qdVyrV0R4m2Y7l52VHNIus2HFoxU5Eom7yIu3h8SSqkBlFzM0whmfs4FPA3JOlYPgA50-uzSivcCYyXRdBr43ewx-YE2Tcy2f2_uobXtwCeXnZo2sbVc9rU/s320/PXL_20211023_140727225.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New frans.<br />Obviously I'm not picky.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/pw/AM-JKLUge89VXkE4Z5ZamkvBukzVmnFw2DhQ0T5rL4oRgxQZOgaIw0D7JAr-F1xyOxIITgPoa917F3SDhw_xDpkXdW7IDbOCsYT7Gicjse59J9nrwJUjr5h5eWSfyuvVSdVrzNxtlxFdGTvjnW3XFOCdCC6e=s977-no?authuser=0" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="977" data-original-width="550" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/pw/AM-JKLUge89VXkE4Z5ZamkvBukzVmnFw2DhQ0T5rL4oRgxQZOgaIw0D7JAr-F1xyOxIITgPoa917F3SDhw_xDpkXdW7IDbOCsYT7Gicjse59J9nrwJUjr5h5eWSfyuvVSdVrzNxtlxFdGTvjnW3XFOCdCC6e=s320-no?authuser=0" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"high"-five line!</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Once Abby gave us her jacket and continued on, we headed to the next exchange which we had difficulty finding. This was good for the runners because we got to nap some, but bad for the driver/navigator since they had to figure out where we needed to be. Thankfully, it was a long leg, but unfortunately, we arrived shortly before Abby did. I was pulling up my pants in the porta-potty when I heard people start cheering for her as she ran into the exchange. Uhh.. cool. So I exited the porta-potty and Abby passed off the slap bracelet to me. I commented that I wanted to grab my shirt from the van and other runners (not from our team) were like, "You'll be fine! Just go! You'll warm up fast." My teeth finally stopped chattering after a mile. <div><br /></div><div>For leg 3, I took a different approach. My body was hurting and my hip was angry. I was running on no sleep, not the right fuel/food, and adrenaline mostly and I knew we had PLENTY of time (what with van 1 ghosting 2 runners). So I let myself mentally slow down. My pace was already slow from the rest of the circumstances (and the fallen pine needles that covered 90% of the trail when I wasn't running on the edge of the road), but rather than focus on getting to the end, I focused on all the things around me. I stopped and took photos to have memories of this, not just the silly stuff to share, but things <i style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration-line: underline;">I</i> appreciate that aren't for sharing (it's weird how I fall into the trap of only taking photos of things to share and I don't allow myself to keep things that only mean something to me).<br /><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLYIEJlldCPTR0gUurau8NRK4lkBOUC-lMmn_nkDdE4mheVh3uQ3mnuakbqwkGsjLfQVc2vPonGLFlrvY0Ec4EkWU-u-mfwlVcMNtDjXUKYLPCuKdRR03iIFWwHpccPY3mQ6ZWW85UyQQ/s3840/PXL_20211023_153027868.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3840" data-original-width="2160" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLYIEJlldCPTR0gUurau8NRK4lkBOUC-lMmn_nkDdE4mheVh3uQ3mnuakbqwkGsjLfQVc2vPonGLFlrvY0Ec4EkWU-u-mfwlVcMNtDjXUKYLPCuKdRR03iIFWwHpccPY3mQ6ZWW85UyQQ/s320/PXL_20211023_153027868.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The road less traveled.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMxn29UMpLA382OKktS2sGhMiIN9F4ok-wR7DorxAbKgsDDe5R1i5shHPSs0vJwVTEE60Esa2jeGx1C8Pj-AGeYiCEnKygOr4O0EV4zXLA4-XTRq9GEDaLjxO40ITDvsKprI_uJB99vK8/s2688/PXL_20211023_153033792.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2688" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMxn29UMpLA382OKktS2sGhMiIN9F4ok-wR7DorxAbKgsDDe5R1i5shHPSs0vJwVTEE60Esa2jeGx1C8Pj-AGeYiCEnKygOr4O0EV4zXLA4-XTRq9GEDaLjxO40ITDvsKprI_uJB99vK8/s320/PXL_20211023_153033792.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When I passed through the park gate (behind me) and I knew there would be no van support to deliver the long sleeve shirt I had wanted. C'est la vie.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOkpnE4f4el8zuQHlhyphenhyphenYNphYopyPqEogmrcnItzAcQPRGeWJ1uDx9CHjJWHHGWE9IHv4hdRrA2LxISN9d-B7CRaffmsQKg9hhjqPzbJPKtPl5Ii8CC-Re4p8vgD3pl9sWxP2QvK1PoMBQ/s2688/PXL_20211023_153444191.PORTRAIT.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2688" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOkpnE4f4el8zuQHlhyphenhyphenYNphYopyPqEogmrcnItzAcQPRGeWJ1uDx9CHjJWHHGWE9IHv4hdRrA2LxISN9d-B7CRaffmsQKg9hhjqPzbJPKtPl5Ii8CC-Re4p8vgD3pl9sWxP2QvK1PoMBQ/s320/PXL_20211023_153444191.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Everything I had been waiting on for my New England run.<br />Just call me a leaf peeper. IDC.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxxSQcXTkiKE5Q8HD7eGAIzLzBpxgCagqeH4JyO2UlPvyZBec_ybEPxohceKS0HMoJAWzWx9ZDLGQaQ9B6hCvACLkWlHRYE7Ye78BTsyHOxlQqKlRbYLPUgcGkllN1-g_vS98ZPJyaWZU/s3840/PXL_20211023_153627866.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3840" data-original-width="2160" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxxSQcXTkiKE5Q8HD7eGAIzLzBpxgCagqeH4JyO2UlPvyZBec_ybEPxohceKS0HMoJAWzWx9ZDLGQaQ9B6hCvACLkWlHRYE7Ye78BTsyHOxlQqKlRbYLPUgcGkllN1-g_vS98ZPJyaWZU/s320/PXL_20211023_153627866.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I could have stood here for HOURS.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyedy_3r45lLS3WRVJ64YOox81NhaApHGUxuldi1cMnMdFS9JyHbXhfPpwA6oXrDHKqBItIB1CPamz2JzT7RXA_nYY3fNboBDv02vvQ0wqiPdgwjd4Gh_K5CwR9DMKeV4GWm5sVk8vxZI/s1243/PXL_20211023_153921651.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="876" data-original-width="1243" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyedy_3r45lLS3WRVJ64YOox81NhaApHGUxuldi1cMnMdFS9JyHbXhfPpwA6oXrDHKqBItIB1CPamz2JzT7RXA_nYY3fNboBDv02vvQ0wqiPdgwjd4Gh_K5CwR9DMKeV4GWm5sVk8vxZI/s320/PXL_20211023_153921651.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look at this good boi/gurl.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAvaKrmEPS4u2TgiKChX5zKHT9umxmp7K-h-3u-lwlZ6_faybbM2P7gmsfuY1Vke-_cP6V9zeuUzbZ4p0XgNOz251D6nHpqe_kwAWnIp4ESrqwabIwEviHeMRr0Ra3_TdyA5phbskEBek/s3840/PXL_20211023_155452846.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="3840" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAvaKrmEPS4u2TgiKChX5zKHT9umxmp7K-h-3u-lwlZ6_faybbM2P7gmsfuY1Vke-_cP6V9zeuUzbZ4p0XgNOz251D6nHpqe_kwAWnIp4ESrqwabIwEviHeMRr0Ra3_TdyA5phbskEBek/s320/PXL_20211023_155452846.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Motherfuckin fall yall.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLHZv7Mp1CUejbL9QxB5R1u6UeIQFUJI6LMdq1zHnXLJ7Zj4wCeykpYWsv_uuDjHEG1HNDcnF0jJcNbOvmXKsIjcrCWoR7bTXkJK6ofQwr96GhWnx0AjLzlJumK9C6XYNWNCxoVWq46Ng/s1564/IMG_20211023_133604.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1564" data-original-width="1564" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLHZv7Mp1CUejbL9QxB5R1u6UeIQFUJI6LMdq1zHnXLJ7Zj4wCeykpYWsv_uuDjHEG1HNDcnF0jJcNbOvmXKsIjcrCWoR7bTXkJK6ofQwr96GhWnx0AjLzlJumK9C6XYNWNCxoVWq46Ng/s320/IMG_20211023_133604.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More on this photo in a bit.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipo8Spy0JKLXKjILP1-6j-rL_VUWzs0JnDC7M-TjYeQ-tbD2nf9iq6E7kJvxQPe3k6xjV2iMQ2z07oKxXxElklptY92Ih_zIkJV2XRh3w9K4chf9yUgx3HDfbQsuU_eXUqv7gQB-do6ac/s3840/PXL_20211023_160502476.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="3840" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipo8Spy0JKLXKjILP1-6j-rL_VUWzs0JnDC7M-TjYeQ-tbD2nf9iq6E7kJvxQPe3k6xjV2iMQ2z07oKxXxElklptY92Ih_zIkJV2XRh3w9K4chf9yUgx3HDfbQsuU_eXUqv7gQB-do6ac/s320/PXL_20211023_160502476.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">IDK what this building was, but it said Constitution with the ship, so I thought it was cool.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghEr7JhY7cQB-TnOjm4mmdgwr5mkau61M_enSjbw-l_d1LnaKcA0S9tIhaV-8z0ezdV04cVdq8GEVeO37St17sQ076zaA2mD7MqC22EtLdN39D9YJ5gXkE2S_mL4cJocj0JUKGn9hr0Hk/s3840/PXL_20211023_161039881.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="3840" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghEr7JhY7cQB-TnOjm4mmdgwr5mkau61M_enSjbw-l_d1LnaKcA0S9tIhaV-8z0ezdV04cVdq8GEVeO37St17sQ076zaA2mD7MqC22EtLdN39D9YJ5gXkE2S_mL4cJocj0JUKGn9hr0Hk/s320/PXL_20211023_161039881.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A sundial!</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfDQTHZhoTuwodEP8A96aqr2cf18JhCN2KbkBsD1dO5FxANqkpw3v4wopyaczkiN6vQx7UTe6MlU8eZ-PjCZ1OtGAIjgiUhR1E7glVuuJ-3Oy033VPz6710SHNYshCFoK4li-vi9YjA_Y/s992/IMG_20211023_122220.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="992" data-original-width="992" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfDQTHZhoTuwodEP8A96aqr2cf18JhCN2KbkBsD1dO5FxANqkpw3v4wopyaczkiN6vQx7UTe6MlU8eZ-PjCZ1OtGAIjgiUhR1E7glVuuJ-3Oy033VPz6710SHNYshCFoK4li-vi9YjA_Y/s320/IMG_20211023_122220.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3lM1V1AiEWidD9gZ-ifTpcxIdXRBfZ_sRshPK55qYVjiJ5H7ypayuO6ZPMD7-Ce-_9WnEtl9-GUkWt3Zvm5c87rf8OBcJXNUmXI8z3GJsMYXZRZHiQr20yw_XEeGofCSSnw70DyfYEAk/s3840/PXL_20211023_161238654.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3840" data-original-width="2160" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3lM1V1AiEWidD9gZ-ifTpcxIdXRBfZ_sRshPK55qYVjiJ5H7ypayuO6ZPMD7-Ce-_9WnEtl9-GUkWt3Zvm5c87rf8OBcJXNUmXI8z3GJsMYXZRZHiQr20yw_XEeGofCSSnw70DyfYEAk/s320/PXL_20211023_161238654.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">LAST LEG COMPLETE!<br />(It says: I am enough!)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>Feels talk for a minute.</div><div><br /></div><div>When I was running my first leg, I was running through Charlestown and feeling the irony because it will be our 1 year MD anniversary in a week. But I was also amused at the irony of Charlestown being my leg when I moved from CharlesTON, it wouldn't have meant anything to anyone else. I was thinking about how much I miss our Neighbor Besties and the GLCK and the life we had there and knowing where things were and not having to use GPS to get to everywhere and knowing the traffic patterns.. because we'd lived there for a while and learned those things. We will learn those things about our new area too (we already have) and we've made new friends, but a new chapter isn't always easy and it doesn't stop us from missing what we had.</div><div><br /></div><div>But before I even got to Charlestown, within the first 1.5 miles, I was running on the side of a highway like a fucking crazy person, a crazy person <i>who paid to do this</i>, and thinking to myself, THIS IS IT. I FINALLY FUCKING DID IT. I'M DOING IT RIGHT NOW. I'M RUNNING A MOTHERFUCKIN' RAGNAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!! There were tears. This challenge felt impossible 5 years ago and I let the logistics scare me for FIVE YEARS and this year I threw caution to the wind (literally, I found people on the internet that I would spend 48 hours with that I didn't know from Adam). I wasn't afraid of the running, I was afraid of the logistics... and once I stepped around that, I FUCKING ACHIEVED MY GOAL. There isn't a single way of accomplishing something and that was the reinforced lesson of this achievement. I didn't HAVE to find 12 people, I could be the ONE person that 11 people needed. Or in my case, less than 11, but still. I know social media gets a LOT of shit because it's awful sometimes, but it's also good sometimes. It brings people together and can help people. </div><div><br /></div><div>During my 2nd leg, I was focused on not tripping on loose gravel or getting hit by cars that might not see me and not having heart attacks from creepy shit like the Sanderson sisters hanging from a tree by the road. Also, I started a new audiobook with one of my favorite narrators and it started getting good, so I was excited to continue listening. While my hurting bits were glad the run was over, I could have kept ignoring the pain to keep going so I could keep listening to my book and enjoy the night run.</div><div><br /></div><div>For the 3rd leg, I was challenged from the start. I was cold, I was tired, I was in a bad headspace and knew I needed to fix my attitude before I finished so I could be excited for the team. Did I mention that I fought a headache from a few hours after my first leg until after the end of the race? I medicated, but I think that I was dehydrated and that was causing problems. The no sleep and weird eating didn't help either. So I was in a bad place and I knew that focusing on WHY I was there and all the things that made me WANT to be there would help set me straight. </div><div><br /></div><div>So I was trudging along, taking the leaf photos and people were passing me (don't curr about your #killcount, if you care about how many people you pass, we're not doing this for the same reason), hoping my teeth wouldn't start chattering again, sighing heavily over the slippery pine needles that would probably try to kill me if I tried anything other than gingerly treading. I passed the one-ish mile left sign, texted it to the team so they knew I was inbound, with a comment that I was taking it slow. I had a mile to get my head right, that's ~10 minute for me. Kept trudging for half a mile and I was looking at the houses, nbd. Most of the houses have stone walls in the front yard and I thought that was cool, but this one house had a weird pattern of rocks on the hill in front of the stone wall and I thought it was interesting. Then I realized the stones had words painted on them, so I stopped to read it.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuwZK7LL4J3p1xhmesajYqsRArK0ai6BQbsTP0AZjY22cAmA0ylWQOmOodIdZojRnoya00PDUUrlks_KWEUvdTlJsycT5vP9aIrT_6VMjjoA_ZExebMbi-vKm-bCyHFyA7pbslytn0YLg/s3840/PXL_20211023_160008080.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="3840" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuwZK7LL4J3p1xhmesajYqsRArK0ai6BQbsTP0AZjY22cAmA0ylWQOmOodIdZojRnoya00PDUUrlks_KWEUvdTlJsycT5vP9aIrT_6VMjjoA_ZExebMbi-vKm-bCyHFyA7pbslytn0YLg/s320/PXL_20211023_160008080.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Kindness Rock Project<br />Take one for motivation, leave one for inspiration.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />I thought to myself, that's a cute idea and turned to keep running on and before I could even start up running again, this rock, to the left of the design, caught my eye.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCVCYcMzA2PRsgysAquGO39-b5zz0IqNYw-o8Wok0REqZ9f8vGymMZzWvoSvpwrzoVwGJL26im-HgpsJ4NzoIzfe4Acv9ir6lGNU2jFLlCnAeqRyFLRZdBmxgvNbP-jC_0uhuTl902Gzk/s3840/PXL_20211023_160018192.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="3840" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCVCYcMzA2PRsgysAquGO39-b5zz0IqNYw-o8Wok0REqZ9f8vGymMZzWvoSvpwrzoVwGJL26im-HgpsJ4NzoIzfe4Acv9ir6lGNU2jFLlCnAeqRyFLRZdBmxgvNbP-jC_0uhuTl902Gzk/s320/PXL_20211023_160018192.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I AM ENOUGH</td></tr></tbody></table><br />If you've been here for a minute, you know that "I am enough" is significant to me, to the point that I even have it as a tattoo. I have struggled with not being enough and I've struggled with being more than enough. But I should never have to quantify what my enough is, because as I am, I am enough. </div><div><br /></div><div>I am enough to want to do this race. </div><div>I am enough to DO this race.</div><div>I am enough to complete this race.</div><div>I am enough to be a member of this team.</div><div>I am enough to be the captain of a team (NoVA Sunset).</div><div>I am enough to dress like a unicorn for most of the race (when I wasn't running).</div><div>I am enough to be the friend that motivates others.. (to want to do this race too).<br /><div>I am enough.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>I.</b></div><div><b>Am.</b></div><div><b>Enough.</b></div><div><br /></div><div>I had to walk until I was done crying (because I didn't want to slip on the pine needles or trip on a broken spot in the path from a root emerging while I was unable to see) but once I stopped crying, I picked up the pace and made it through the finish line to the Cookie Godmother (a stranger who was handing out chocolate chip cookies at the exchange point) and my vanmates who were cheering me on (with a sweater in hand to give to me in case I still needed it, because they are the best (and had guilt, lol)) and to Teh Bestie who was waiting for the slap bracelet. </div><div><br /></div><div>This is why I wrote "I am enough" for my final leg checkbox. I had been reminded. I needed to be reminded and the Universe delivered.</div><div><br /></div><div>I was finished with my race and from that point on all I had left to do was cheer on my vanmates and cross the finish line with the rest of the team. I was hurting and exhausted and exhilarated and excited. </div><div><br /></div><div>We trekked on to the next exchange point to pick up Teh Bestie and for Matilda to start her final leg.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIIMAAmBZtZa_uc5nlCsI6d5hx979npwkYTZrNun__rmyA_NCbOp79SpKX3Xn7oXKKngJDcg-haljw2s-3MOTFl1XjR2RvNng9yOcSWQk4zfWs7HGhH1s5s_3Tb56SnGzvRn-tF_Br_Wo/s3840/PXL_20211023_165603684.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3840" data-original-width="2160" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIIMAAmBZtZa_uc5nlCsI6d5hx979npwkYTZrNun__rmyA_NCbOp79SpKX3Xn7oXKKngJDcg-haljw2s-3MOTFl1XjR2RvNng9yOcSWQk4zfWs7HGhH1s5s_3Tb56SnGzvRn-tF_Br_Wo/s320/PXL_20211023_165603684.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiClU5otTvLm4D3xhfJeZhTq2tCAr76btS-bUlnd6wR2MiOdFV1ZVqbgVIsyifnLYKxl8BWmSK4iADChTs5fPBT3M0PImH6QqgcYyU0zmxPdWHMt4M9nY52jf0iZau_6RgwtWItMdvUUKY/s3840/PXL_20211023_165617631.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3840" data-original-width="2160" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiClU5otTvLm4D3xhfJeZhTq2tCAr76btS-bUlnd6wR2MiOdFV1ZVqbgVIsyifnLYKxl8BWmSK4iADChTs5fPBT3M0PImH6QqgcYyU0zmxPdWHMt4M9nY52jf0iZau_6RgwtWItMdvUUKY/s320/PXL_20211023_165617631.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Since we had time, we made sure to get some group photos. We only considered Van 1 our team based on technicality. There were 2 rotten apples in Van 1 that really ruined it for us, that I'll make sure to never run with again, but the other 2 women were really nice and I'm kinda sad they had to deal with those other 2 individuals. Anyways, we took our vanmates photos at this exchange because we knew the finish line area would be chaos and the background at the exchange was perfect.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP344ch_L9lPP_e44E3nrA050r_PEaaPaYu7Dg4wE1Uh7RSAcI2rNBJvGGbvaMwKOgawdtt2opp8J4mq6SWULbHRR60jFfLutEfNRuXd-R8dlSaMItxewHBFjg-JbcM4q_VgX0bMZg4Ls/s3840/PXL_20211023_171457528.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="3840" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP344ch_L9lPP_e44E3nrA050r_PEaaPaYu7Dg4wE1Uh7RSAcI2rNBJvGGbvaMwKOgawdtt2opp8J4mq6SWULbHRR60jFfLutEfNRuXd-R8dlSaMItxewHBFjg-JbcM4q_VgX0bMZg4Ls/w400-h225/PXL_20211023_171457528.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2021 Between a Walk and a Snail's Pace Van 2!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbfHxwd379rHA-4qPSnUKF2flwT-RfcLwn5N2R0vnnlczWUH8Zhc1bUlUWPLULl9A6K2n7n5nrAfsjDNL_AoGn6EQm4LQtsz94mGjNwi9gRqIOL1NNdFg0u_y3UezQpct5UMRGuD2hN5w/s3840/PXL_20211023_171506157.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="3840" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbfHxwd379rHA-4qPSnUKF2flwT-RfcLwn5N2R0vnnlczWUH8Zhc1bUlUWPLULl9A6K2n7n5nrAfsjDNL_AoGn6EQm4LQtsz94mGjNwi9gRqIOL1NNdFg0u_y3UezQpct5UMRGuD2hN5w/w400-h225/PXL_20211023_171506157.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2021 Between a Walk and a Snail's Pace Van 2 but tired.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><div>We got lucky at the exchange point for our last runner. What had happened was, the exchange was at a YMCA. Know what YMCA's have? <b>Locker rooms</b>. Know what locker rooms have? <u style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">SHOWERS</u>. Captain Abby, Teh Bestie, and I snuck in like sneaky-sneaks and showered quicklike while we waited on Matilda to come back for our last runner to leave. Ya'll, I've never appreciated a shower more than that one. It wasn't that I felt all that gross (I mean, I was, but not the point), but we had planned to shower at the hotel of one of our vanmates after the race, but we kinda got the hint that they didn't want that to happen. So when we discovered a shower opportunity, we took advantage of that. Especially Teh Bestie and I, since we didn't really want to have to shower on the train. I have no regrets.</div><div><br /></div><div>Matilda opted not to shower and we packed the van back up and headed towards the finish line.</div><div><br /><br /><h3 style="text-align: left;">Tribute Time</h3><div>Also, because this post is already 900 years long, I'm just gonna go ahead and throw in my Bestie tribute here.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfTtA1WUAUNybEA393gPWLnuBSB0gMt-W6s5P7HBvIrrJ8DFjyZMerDZC43SXMheASd2ZY7Pb0xHZjPdufG-h877rQxicsQsAMhmdGUhuilE__25BUwu6Z32HnPUFrwtVcgnxeNXVPPIg/s2688/PXL_20211023_171644132.PORTRAIT.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2688" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfTtA1WUAUNybEA393gPWLnuBSB0gMt-W6s5P7HBvIrrJ8DFjyZMerDZC43SXMheASd2ZY7Pb0xHZjPdufG-h877rQxicsQsAMhmdGUhuilE__25BUwu6Z32HnPUFrwtVcgnxeNXVPPIg/s320/PXL_20211023_171644132.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>To this woman who really does complete me (and my sentences and my thoughts and sometimes my actions when I forget what I'm doing), Teh Bestest Bestie,</div><div><br /></div><div>What the fuck would I do without you? I mean seriously. You joined me on this crazy adventure with STRANGERS because you have listened to me go on and on and on about doing a Ragnar for years. In fact, I didn't even have to ASK you to join me, you were just like, ok, so when is it so I can put it on the calendar and tell the Husband. I literally could not ask for a better Bestie/not-wife-Wife. I don't even have the words for how grateful I am every.single.day that you are my person and that I get YOU in MY life (and now the 8 hours closer version).</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/pw/AM-JKLXbPu2ltZlrR8j098VHFXYYRVkNNeUnKgTlZ6dq29NA4Keu5xur50mIc6Gq2eQl9kWHEUCiOJPsaFPtDtf-80N7uaFGYDIYNHnziF6Mvgw6MeafMMtUBQbOM0Ee79bzA48gzGCmgW5vRmR5Q43_1u3l=s1737-no?authuser=0" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="977" data-original-width="1737" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/pw/AM-JKLXbPu2ltZlrR8j098VHFXYYRVkNNeUnKgTlZ6dq29NA4Keu5xur50mIc6Gq2eQl9kWHEUCiOJPsaFPtDtf-80N7uaFGYDIYNHnziF6Mvgw6MeafMMtUBQbOM0Ee79bzA48gzGCmgW5vRmR5Q43_1u3l=w640-h360?authuser=0" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">#TeamBrokeAsses<br />#MegNey4Eva</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I'm also gonna give a shoutout to Matilda who joined us at the last minute because she thought we were in pickle so she joined us at the last minute despite a having minimal available time off and having homework due. I'm so glad I chatted you up all those years ago and that you continue to tolerate my/our shenanigans and I've missed your face since Feb 2020 and I'm already ready for our next race. Thank you for dealing with my attitude and I'm sorry that I'm kind of a bitch sometimes and I'm glad you're so awesome because you make me more awesome.<br /><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDL61ZFoWUmzrnK5ZzIg8qm0UXXs0zcBCgomNrMiOMd__D99hB8CO-WxEpjZs7FEtO-rdJpvPZs2aJaAqnUUtRdgRxnkHgUJdRbOaK7FrWE2JMvioaUQ0Gv9KjJy7FV7W84CgOIjkVonQ/s3840/PXL_20211023_231337916.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="3840" data-original-width="2160" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDL61ZFoWUmzrnK5ZzIg8qm0UXXs0zcBCgomNrMiOMd__D99hB8CO-WxEpjZs7FEtO-rdJpvPZs2aJaAqnUUtRdgRxnkHgUJdRbOaK7FrWE2JMvioaUQ0Gv9KjJy7FV7W84CgOIjkVonQ/w225-h400/PXL_20211023_231337916.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>Ok, enough of the mushy stuff.</div><div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">THE FINISH LINE</h2><div>As is Ragnar tradition, the entire team crossed the finish line with the last runner. Based on past experience with the runners of Van 1, the captain knew that they would probably leave as soon as they got their medals, which was fine, since we planned the same thing, AFTER medal photos!!!<br /><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgStfYV8ceAC2Iizo3AmkvMIryNzTGQuCgB1m5dvMf913APkOM8momIMSiS4Pu7e5c7O1RMh1rA2o2aOkyFWAa9YwZN_jkEB8guQnOJoJjd3KFHKnV5jcSGhbm1KWM0xSvr-WbsloZe41g/s3840/PXL_20211023_200919152.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="3840" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgStfYV8ceAC2Iizo3AmkvMIryNzTGQuCgB1m5dvMf913APkOM8momIMSiS4Pu7e5c7O1RMh1rA2o2aOkyFWAa9YwZN_jkEB8guQnOJoJjd3KFHKnV5jcSGhbm1KWM0xSvr-WbsloZe41g/s320/PXL_20211023_200919152.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2021 Between a Walk and a Snail's Pace!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjypIN5sNZ7kttJOLnu8tChMQ7oOtxV5kOS6G3v5PatKPEe5D5CCAd4FKdu20P1Fnk-itCU7h22qgTPoLtrLXz6mfSgHAF-dRn1uQp1OSr_EXlXro331cqQzLdoC_9oCH7LdI46VJEyfzI/s3057/PXL_20211023_201155019%257E2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1926" data-original-width="3057" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjypIN5sNZ7kttJOLnu8tChMQ7oOtxV5kOS6G3v5PatKPEe5D5CCAd4FKdu20P1Fnk-itCU7h22qgTPoLtrLXz6mfSgHAF-dRn1uQp1OSr_EXlXro331cqQzLdoC_9oCH7LdI46VJEyfzI/s320/PXL_20211023_201155019%257E2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sooo maybe it should say "Together we can... We are Ragnarians.<br />Whatever, we do what we wawnt.<br />Each medal has a different line on the back. The captain tried to give them out accordingly.<br />You can guess which one I got and then I'll show you. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvT_9yOx3AIdopQm0uOfK057rqrNvSsPZ_tAKunFPaZU2rCSq4N5vFm6iQpuapxEy0e0lS5Vo3aFMj8yHT8SZsIx3zHmHOMe346BaZbD5JByWUudsAzD_BAA1D9LXZ1QtohoajbU0OsHQ/s3840/PXL_20211023_201445492.PORTRAIT.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3840" data-original-width="2160" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvT_9yOx3AIdopQm0uOfK057rqrNvSsPZ_tAKunFPaZU2rCSq4N5vFm6iQpuapxEy0e0lS5Vo3aFMj8yHT8SZsIx3zHmHOMe346BaZbD5JByWUudsAzD_BAA1D9LXZ1QtohoajbU0OsHQ/s320/PXL_20211023_201445492.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My WTF face when Cousin Eddie photobombed us.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnOnApH0jpIqUG6GVPcGBT18I4cuiv0oLl1tTKPSEtMuNjCj7KJdNjvxsLchnjqEzu5l95ly09wg7KG2qhlKvJ5MzxRHQH5-wHG7OKYO97I3Eua_pcc2B2OQOd_cU7nVR07HnlZexwP1E/s3840/PXL_20211023_201448258.PORTRAIT.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3840" data-original-width="2160" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnOnApH0jpIqUG6GVPcGBT18I4cuiv0oLl1tTKPSEtMuNjCj7KJdNjvxsLchnjqEzu5l95ly09wg7KG2qhlKvJ5MzxRHQH5-wHG7OKYO97I3Eua_pcc2B2OQOd_cU7nVR07HnlZexwP1E/s320/PXL_20211023_201448258.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7DOjIwXnaqkWkVRABGhFy69Ih0hliWjgZk-yFLxIGoaZnaNyztSgFzqXQ-mgUL0QbduvfcOtgnz5wpdbwB6MBA1dEVW0wfcvrxaCLbNod4rC-_zJnRe6qoB4STmrtb96iGKAHzJgBb9M/s3840/PXL_20211023_201456671.PORTRAIT.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3840" data-original-width="2160" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7DOjIwXnaqkWkVRABGhFy69Ih0hliWjgZk-yFLxIGoaZnaNyztSgFzqXQ-mgUL0QbduvfcOtgnz5wpdbwB6MBA1dEVW0wfcvrxaCLbNod4rC-_zJnRe6qoB4STmrtb96iGKAHzJgBb9M/s320/PXL_20211023_201456671.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HIGHLY recommend grabbing booties to get the BEST laughter photos.<br />#secrettrick (it works on Teh Bestie every time)<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJb3jLsv2kmfsBdPpP8CACZlXBsdS90ihhYoQpK8pyr8Xmvxf1pujzC4z7DE1wUNdf4IIBcY8B1S43w_J6TB5GQhC5UA_09LvUbjo8PWbnDz0PJH4WYEIyQ3BhvSbtGZb5kOD5W4kmrAA/s3840/PXL_20211023_201542769.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="3840" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJb3jLsv2kmfsBdPpP8CACZlXBsdS90ihhYoQpK8pyr8Xmvxf1pujzC4z7DE1wUNdf4IIBcY8B1S43w_J6TB5GQhC5UA_09LvUbjo8PWbnDz0PJH4WYEIyQ3BhvSbtGZb5kOD5W4kmrAA/s320/PXL_20211023_201542769.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Van 2</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>So I forgot to explain something, the <strike>elephant</strike> unicorn in the room. I am a morale booster and I'm not afraid to do silly shit. Teh Bestie and I have this unicorn thing going on. They are magical beasts, much like we are, so we are into that shit. You're never to young for things that make you happy, so don't come at me with, "Unicorns are for kids." Fuck off. </div><div><br /></div><div>So anyways, these unicorn onesies popped up on Woot a few weeks before the race and I sent the link to our Van group text and was like, "CAN WE PLEASE ALL WEAR THESE?!?!" There was debate about the fact that our name has snails, so maybe a snail costume would be better and I did look for a snail, but then realized the whole shell thing and having something on your back being annoying and explained that and the captain said, yeah I get it, and approved the unicorns. Only Teh Bestie and I purchased them though and with Woot, if you don't get it that day, it's likely not available later. THENNNN, when we were at Walmart picking up our van snacks for the race, we went through the Halloween section to view the candy selection annnnddd there happened to be unicorn onesies, so Abby the Captain purchased one to wear with us.</div><div><br /></div><div>The unicorn was the BEST silly idea I had for the entire race because it was rather chilly for the entire weekend and I was SUPER warm in the onesie. It was slightly annoying when I needed to pee, but otherwise, I was extremely happy with the purchase. Also, we got a lot of fun attention because of the costume. We didn't run in them, having learned <a href="https://www.canidecideanotherday.com/2016/11/weekend-review-1128.html" target="_blank">our polyester lesson in Nov 2019</a>, but I wasn't sad about that since I knew we'd have enough challenges to deal with. Several people asked for photos/a selfie with the unicorn (me). I also may have pretended to milk a guy in a cow costume since it had utters. #RagnarAdventures The best though was a lady who came up to us and asked for a photo of the 3 of us in our unicorns because she had just had a conversation with one of her teammates where the teammate had said, "I'm so exhausted I'll probably start seeing unicorns soon." Then, there we were so she HAD to send the photo of unicorns to her teammate. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirzdKD3TViickGwOsgJzGzcVUT2GNPp-p6pf3e5Nsm7xajvGoVhqIlvTI1em3YZjnN-yCh5hwlaNE21PdEO6KBNlQzPnEXdbKZ7KGwm5O2NDH1T6rq62gLOGwlUuP0gSmn0OzHmvrqG7c/s960/248730566_10108614368797789_1795727401473679870_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirzdKD3TViickGwOsgJzGzcVUT2GNPp-p6pf3e5Nsm7xajvGoVhqIlvTI1em3YZjnN-yCh5hwlaNE21PdEO6KBNlQzPnEXdbKZ7KGwm5O2NDH1T6rq62gLOGwlUuP0gSmn0OzHmvrqG7c/s320/248730566_10108614368797789_1795727401473679870_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the unicorns three.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div>Oh yeah, and my medal?</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Wf1Ncj3UXdreRQhKrXsmqbI88_2yW1cEJeD4wOq6UyArArCNSfFPpBSo9X6PUJQ-Pr3NoWcjgguNns3jV7cpPM6or2bSEPYVEHJpb331c5qg8TxHs_MDpp7oj3W_pEg1NajOnAoY2D4/s2688/PXL_20211023_200604074.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2688" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Wf1Ncj3UXdreRQhKrXsmqbI88_2yW1cEJeD4wOq6UyArArCNSfFPpBSo9X6PUJQ-Pr3NoWcjgguNns3jV7cpPM6or2bSEPYVEHJpb331c5qg8TxHs_MDpp7oj3W_pEg1NajOnAoY2D4/s320/PXL_20211023_200604074.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...keep things weird.<br />How fitting, looool.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">POST RACE THINGS</h2><div>After we dropped off 3 vanmates at their car, Matilda, Teh Bestie, Abby the Captain, and I went to dinner. Teh Bestie and I didn't have to be at the train station until 9:20pm, so we had time since we finished around 4pm, which was way earlier than we had anticipated (thanks to ghosting two runners). I found a mexican place not far from the Amtrak station (which was where the we had to drop off the others anyways) and then we went and grabbed ice cream for dessert.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmcNskfDUxYcAteAqJ4YB2VupniV3V1KqztQIKlN-Aivkbm3lD3RzXEVwCM9OQiWwgcR3eZ1MuxzgUhEhN9nHxxrQ2r0M09gVB6yhBLvjC-FZ-QPzE9c49gMV0vAmaubwjf0KxYuTuddw/s3840/PXL_20211023_223136260.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3840" data-original-width="2160" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmcNskfDUxYcAteAqJ4YB2VupniV3V1KqztQIKlN-Aivkbm3lD3RzXEVwCM9OQiWwgcR3eZ1MuxzgUhEhN9nHxxrQ2r0M09gVB6yhBLvjC-FZ-QPzE9c49gMV0vAmaubwjf0KxYuTuddw/s320/PXL_20211023_223136260.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">THIS TOILET. OMG.<br />IT IS A TINY TOILET!<br />The seat of this toilet was maybe at my knee level. I definitely had to break 90° to sit on this toilet, which was AGONY after sitting in a van for 36 hours with breaks to run 15 miles.<br />AGONYYYYYYY. I should have stood beside it for reference.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz9PFHymiyvwlb6nTySjAkql9lT4Dme7XhhCDZ-gvKgnDf4zdCGUYhVfj3rfo4-jY30hT3HHdcGzpA8p1EtuRcOROl7KZnubzjRGfIg3oMJiDVMTfG60kS7WhRAH6FYsLhdZatsqNFC4c/s2688/PXL_20211023_224957447.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2688" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz9PFHymiyvwlb6nTySjAkql9lT4Dme7XhhCDZ-gvKgnDf4zdCGUYhVfj3rfo4-jY30hT3HHdcGzpA8p1EtuRcOROl7KZnubzjRGfIg3oMJiDVMTfG60kS7WhRAH6FYsLhdZatsqNFC4c/s320/PXL_20211023_224957447.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">#earnedit</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div>After dinner, we were dropped off at the Amtrak, Matilda was dropped off at her hotel, and Abby headed back home. Our train came and we had upgraded to the sleeper car and it was the best $75 I spent for any race amenity ever. To be vertical on a cushioned surface... I cannot describe the bliss. I was finally able to sleep for more than an hour and I woke up in a confused, but peaceful, trance. We didn't realize it until after we'd shuffled out of bed and rearranged the beds back to the sitting space, but our train was delayed for over 50 minutes somewhere and we could have slept for another 50 minutes. Oh well. </div><div><br /></div><div>I highly recommend Amtrak now. Cost is <i>significantly</i> cheaper than flying, less baggage restrictions/no cost, and that sleeper car for a "red-eye" was absolutely worth every cent. <br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>So uhhh, TL;DR*:</div><div>I RAN A RAGNAR RELAY!!! Dream achieved.</div><div><div>I ran 15 miles in 36 hours. Whew. </div><div>I endured 6 other people for 48 hours.</div><div>6 other people endured ME for 48 hours.</div><div>I proudly wore a unicorn onesie in public (to include in restaurants). #NoShame </div></div><div>I met some awesome people. YAY!</div><div>Yet another medal for the rack (actually 2, but they didn't have the 2nd one (yay shipping delays) and will mail it). BOOM.</div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvfLOA6kjurIjXhVI7eEtuXG-b409331et7j0N6LQTVGG4d49K4ht-zc8yOsAgHuZNnq5nRz-Ef0eTha1JYZqdqsAYAg_Od_ZqnoeU9-H2nDGg6G_K4sdF8cVP7ekg1juS6GwxarnVIIc/s2076/PXL_20211023_201425708.PORTRAIT.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2076" data-original-width="1266" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvfLOA6kjurIjXhVI7eEtuXG-b409331et7j0N6LQTVGG4d49K4ht-zc8yOsAgHuZNnq5nRz-Ef0eTha1JYZqdqsAYAg_Od_ZqnoeU9-H2nDGg6G_K4sdF8cVP7ekg1juS6GwxarnVIIc/w244-h400/PXL_20211023_201425708.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="244" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">UniMeg!</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div>*Because this post became more of an event recap, I will create another post for the race details. </div></div></div></div></div>Teh Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00133596439315060218noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1581436032352728193.post-63004722872920169832021-10-04T22:08:00.003-04:002021-12-06T20:31:53.352-05:002021 Ragnar Sunset NoVA Recap<h2 style="text-align: left;">In the beginning...</h2><p>I'm not sure the first time I heard about Ragnar races, but I remember it was soon after I fully accepted and embraced the runner life. I decided I wanted to do a Ragnar, I told everyone I knew about it. It's a 200 mile relay completed by a team of 12 people. Each person runs 3 legs (of varying distance) and ultimately the team will cover 200 miles. Insane, right? I KNOW. </p><p>I told myself that I needed to wait until I could recruit 12 people to run with me and that never happened. I couldn't even get one other person to commit to doing a Ragnar with me. I think Teh Bestie only committed out of sympathy for me and having listened to me talk about it for YEARS. But then, there was a glimmer of hope, as Ragnar announced a new variation of the race, the trail version that started and ended at the same point instead of different start/end points with a team of 8. The trail race included camping in the woods and running laps on the trails around the camping area. Cool, except that I don't camp. Or run on trails. One of these I was more willing to budge on. Then, Ragnar announced a Carolinas trail run and I was tempted mightily. Could I gather 8 people to camp in the woods and run in the dark? No, no I could not.. and I was disappointed, but I knew my day would eventually come.</p><p>Then Ragnar announced a NEW race: a team of 4 who run 8 consecutive laps (so 2 laps each) of 4.3 miles to "beat the sunset". This, this might just be my chance. I asked Teh Bestie if she was serious about running that Ragnar with me and she said yes, so I purchased a team entry on March 3, 2020 for the October 3, 2020 event. Unless you live under a rock, you know where this story is headed. The race was cancelled for 2020 because Covid literally ruined everything. This probably wasn't the worst thing to happen, because if you were around for my October 2020, it was kinda chaos, so it was for the best that my schedule was free for other activities, like... packing.. and migrating.. </p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Would Covid ruin another good plan?</h3><p>In May 2021, I received an email that the NoVA Sunset Race was a go for October 2, 2021. Teh Bestie and I managed to <strike>trick</strike> <strike>con</strike> find 2 more teammates over the summer. Then there was the Delta variant and I was confident the race would be cancelled, but I also had faith that VA would continue to be the red state they usually are, which would allow the race to be held. When we were 30 days out, I expected the cancellation email, but it never came! We were on! </p><p>The week of the race, I hit the internet searching for Ragnar Sunset reviews to see what to expect/what we should prepare. There were only a few not-official Ragnar pages talking about the Sunset race and those that did discuss it, were from several years ago, which meant not affected by Covid protocols. Nonetheless, I gleaned what I could from the reviews and did my captain planning thing.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Night Prior</h3><p>Friday night, we met for dinner to discuss race day (we were all Ragnar virgins, but I tried hard to prepare the team as best as possible to what they could expect) and to go to the store to buy decorations for our tent. We took advantage of the option to rent a tent that was already set up, which you had to jump on quick because tents sold out fast. It was worth the $50. After dinner and shopping, I headed home and stayed up late making decorations that I kept top secret from the team until their reveal. </p><h2 style="text-align: left;">Race Day</h2><p>We were assigned a 10:30 start time, which was calculated by our estimated pace the month before the race. We arrived to the site at 0900 because we knew we needed to get checked in and pick up our bib/stuff and to get our tent set up. Teh Bestie had some anxiety about the traffic/parking situation, but we managed to power through <strike>her</strike> the excitement induced anxiety. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCg89z1bPSS-b8Y0AOqLaARrwHBpc5A7f5ZLTYWIuj8EVwtPxqvznpre8hcy6VUvKd8LRDjjkv50FbXHgyfLgDZyMmCYiNG4eW4yswEo3bLjUa_vQSum6WA2UbPubk_xg7imQIVV5dAZE/s2688/PXL_20211002_130521076.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2688" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCg89z1bPSS-b8Y0AOqLaARrwHBpc5A7f5ZLTYWIuj8EVwtPxqvznpre8hcy6VUvKd8LRDjjkv50FbXHgyfLgDZyMmCYiNG4eW4yswEo3bLjUa_vQSum6WA2UbPubk_xg7imQIVV5dAZE/w640-h360/PXL_20211002_130521076.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Team 4.5mph Couch Potatoes</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><p>Things we brought:<br /></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>a wagon. Ain't nobody got time for hefting all that shit to the car before the race and I definitely wasn't going to feel like carrying it all back to the car <i>after</i> the race. We also half joked that we could use the wagon to carry any injured individuals back to the car. (I brought our gorilla cart which has a 1500lb tow capacity, so I knew whatever we threw at it would work, it was just awkward to load/unload, but SOOOOOO worth it.)</li><li>a table. Know what else I don't feel like doing? Bending over to reach things all day long or worrying about bottles/cups toppling over when sat on the ground.</li><li>a cooler with sodas/sports drink/gallons of water. We weren't sure what amenities would be offered because Covid is really the cockblock of all great things so we made sure to take care of our business accordingly.</li><li>snacks/food since Ragnar had informed us that no food would be offered but there would be food trucks.</li><li>decorations for our tent. We needed people to know how fun we are. These decorations included garland and some fun dangly things and poster board and a white board for marking off our laps (although I saw some people that were using plain cardboard, which was clever).</li><li>quilts for laying on the ground for stretching/rolling/napping. My body itches all over after I roll in the grass, no thank you.</li><li>camping chairs</li><li>foam roller/attaday roller/lacrosse ball, if there had been electricity, I'd have brought my percussion massager. </li><li>popup changing tent (last minute, TOTALLY worth it, splurge)</li><li>extra outfits since we endured multiple seasons throughout the day (I thought it was excessive to have 2 running outfits and only packed one and then ended up borrowing capris from Abi because my leggings were warm, we didn't end up changing into not-running clothes after the race because we had embraced the smell by that point)</li><li>non-running shoes for between laps</li><li>2 pairs of running shoes and socks (maybe less necessary if it's not raining, but I wasn't sad about having a fresh pair for my 2nd lap).</li><li>any normal run things (earbuds/gels/etc)</li><li>toilet/face wipes. I wish I had known what a satisfactory feeling it is to wipe the crusty sweat off your face after a run many years ago. I'll be packing face wipes in my post-race recovery bag from now on.<br /></li><li>deodorant </li><li>emergency supplies: first aid kid, extra hair ties, itch cream</li></ul><p></p><p><br /></p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Getting set up</h3><p>The first thing I did was get our tent situation sorted out. Super easy process. Once we had our tent number, I went and grabbed our race bib/stuffs while everyone else headed to the tent to get set up.</p><p>Our team name was the 4.5mph Couch Potatoes as a nod to our greyhound connected friendship. So one side of our tent had the 4.5mph Couch Potatoes and the other side had photos of our 45mph couch potatoes (photos of all our (current) greyhounds). Not many people understood until we explained that greyhounds are called 45mph couch potatoes and our greyhound group is what brought us all into each other's lives.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXIv-wsLyMCFG7TEqs9o4AXVEHTmE0TtIow-zZPbOhK614M2E4Z0llQ7PhvxMM2IT6FqgriYzQTjUAgQSEtFkcmB7vWywLmFu-gqnhoZrCcIzDXC8B0N1kfHbLQTzFihOdPjPz_i_uT98/s4032/Photo+Oct+02%252C+9+58+10+AM.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXIv-wsLyMCFG7TEqs9o4AXVEHTmE0TtIow-zZPbOhK614M2E4Z0llQ7PhvxMM2IT6FqgriYzQTjUAgQSEtFkcmB7vWywLmFu-gqnhoZrCcIzDXC8B0N1kfHbLQTzFihOdPjPz_i_uT98/w480-h640/Photo+Oct+02%252C+9+58+10+AM.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigK3p5AmoV0V_jAl8JO4Uu8FhUN_9SYsfQUJGte6B0BPO5Bwhsc0j0a3sXyy5Imz3XX7Nx42Teqv_nKZalxnkIRtezzavliFBqdCMH7Hpmq0zKOTzWXunmcLHgd_hNOWQE1NiOW2klztE/s4032/Photo+Oct+02%252C+10+02+52+AM.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigK3p5AmoV0V_jAl8JO4Uu8FhUN_9SYsfQUJGte6B0BPO5Bwhsc0j0a3sXyy5Imz3XX7Nx42Teqv_nKZalxnkIRtezzavliFBqdCMH7Hpmq0zKOTzWXunmcLHgd_hNOWQE1NiOW2klztE/w300-h400/Photo+Oct+02%252C+10+02+52+AM.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><h2 style="text-align: left;">The Race</h2><p>We had debated who should go first, me (the fastest) or the slower runners. It was decided I would go first so I could scope out the trail for everyone so they would know what to expect. I was glad to do this because I knew that sitting around waiting to start would ramp me up even more and I was reaching obnoxious excitement levels. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggXK7t2UX3GeF8yHEpMVUzDLTbu69VxXM08dc0qtacjqQQtxU5T0zXtmEsAK_AkSAfP30TZp-9fo6taVtfoNpguVZlZ7day49tZvxwADTjwMP2yy-UAGHZyQ1dTBAbrTplvgGmOchTg0w/s4032/20211002_111006.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggXK7t2UX3GeF8yHEpMVUzDLTbu69VxXM08dc0qtacjqQQtxU5T0zXtmEsAK_AkSAfP30TZp-9fo6taVtfoNpguVZlZ7day49tZvxwADTjwMP2yy-UAGHZyQ1dTBAbrTplvgGmOchTg0w/s320/20211002_111006.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCPqrt5wRhFc9xrLje3DKawzXWyvzpscYqnXpQ6iPMv-yxIGJiFWi-PsMFaLyPvbmi5fXjfgPf889PShJwCCYJ3QdNTfTpGaBs3oUU2RihblIhaodHI4GcPpxDyszcn7l266YbyW20wbE/s4032/Photo+Oct+02%252C+1+52+15+PM.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCPqrt5wRhFc9xrLje3DKawzXWyvzpscYqnXpQ6iPMv-yxIGJiFWi-PsMFaLyPvbmi5fXjfgPf889PShJwCCYJ3QdNTfTpGaBs3oUU2RihblIhaodHI4GcPpxDyszcn7l266YbyW20wbE/s320/Photo+Oct+02%252C+1+52+15+PM.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p><br /></p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Lap #1</h3><p>Ok so, I don't do trail running. I'm a road runner. I'm good with fairly flat, smooth surfaces. Trail running is a different beast. I don't actually remember much of the course because I spent the whole time watching the ground making sure that I didn't trip and bash my skull open on a rock and die from a brain bleed. Thankfully, our walkers got some photos along the way. Due to a shitty volunteer situation, at the first water station, I ended up going the wrong way (towards the very smooth, very beckoning road) and 3 other women followed me and we ended up going about a quarter of a mile out of our way. We lost the flags and eventually turned around and when we got to the water station the (teenagers who had been scrolling on their phones when we'd all come through the first time) volunteers were like, you're coming from the wrong way. YES BECAUSE YOU DIDN'T FUCKING TELL ME TO TURN WHILE I WAS GUZZLING DOWN THIS LIFE GIVING WATER WHICH WAS IMPEDING MY ABILITY TO DEDUCT THAT YOUR STUPID FLAG WAS INDICATING A DIRECTION. I did actually say something to the volunteers about having to DIRECT people if there were options. The 4 of us who had went the wrong way were super pissed. There ended up being a lot of super pissed people because I heard other people complaining about the same issue. </p><p>For the NoVA race, there were lots of hills (very reminiscent of my first half marathon in "wine country" VA), lots of gravel on said hills, and plenty o roots along the fairly well packed trail. Other runners who had done other Sunset Ragnars said that NoVA was a difficult course, so I'm going to take their word on that. It wasn't for the faint of heart, that's for certain.</p><p>Teh Bestie and Jess went down and there were scraped up knees and a gnarly twisted ankle. </p><p>Photos from the trail (taken by not me):</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin0J6JBBHnMqegLQwjd8UwbMUsTnl5XIjCg51Ch2Q4aw8YnYO7rDEuS09HBS0LH_31baJcetrnd3Ya0dh_qiSg8onnvGlomVerFvylb-PiDSvR5gBYUtSL4rPouD7oQ6NrSpEbsRZz9pA/s4032/20211002_131213.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin0J6JBBHnMqegLQwjd8UwbMUsTnl5XIjCg51Ch2Q4aw8YnYO7rDEuS09HBS0LH_31baJcetrnd3Ya0dh_qiSg8onnvGlomVerFvylb-PiDSvR5gBYUtSL4rPouD7oQ6NrSpEbsRZz9pA/s320/20211002_131213.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn932zl-pxrRPLPZrnmD2ZyozTT3xT3EqljvZ4OGGYLGNuT40_wtrm0-emxAjWOkWpdnFzFuR7lEhLnXGNJ00OJf01yd-lkmorlG3GyAhlSfPEPbesNEA1NzA8YigPypBKKni1c7ABM4o/s4032/20211002_131218.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn932zl-pxrRPLPZrnmD2ZyozTT3xT3EqljvZ4OGGYLGNuT40_wtrm0-emxAjWOkWpdnFzFuR7lEhLnXGNJ00OJf01yd-lkmorlG3GyAhlSfPEPbesNEA1NzA8YigPypBKKni1c7ABM4o/s320/20211002_131218.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCOlmgTX5RhuWOcEZstBayMejAXCm0Jc1k_TqJa2na_isQi2bdM9VVMXgm_Yd9UlMD3LGnMCknj2ZBoU21Cpu2aSKeiH5uWKxsWOjVvezzWQGbxmuWM8r6CeHEgFyJwxlEFCzqCbpkMkA/s4032/20211002_132635.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCOlmgTX5RhuWOcEZstBayMejAXCm0Jc1k_TqJa2na_isQi2bdM9VVMXgm_Yd9UlMD3LGnMCknj2ZBoU21Cpu2aSKeiH5uWKxsWOjVvezzWQGbxmuWM8r6CeHEgFyJwxlEFCzqCbpkMkA/s320/20211002_132635.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUlwiIsuhdplzR_KkHSUhBdlZt1DWYQNaNGkVW0ZVeJ0Uu8cyw8wOh1Iq1E9XgZ8UCKxqvnF_TvS9CiiQ1KUzZQeGmqKUQuMqr49pmLBKKwH0FUyrq4-dIIdwr5CpZMgUG0habGdI4nkE/s4032/20211002_132636.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUlwiIsuhdplzR_KkHSUhBdlZt1DWYQNaNGkVW0ZVeJ0Uu8cyw8wOh1Iq1E9XgZ8UCKxqvnF_TvS9CiiQ1KUzZQeGmqKUQuMqr49pmLBKKwH0FUyrq4-dIIdwr5CpZMgUG0habGdI4nkE/s320/20211002_132636.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhounLxNOsop2hTF5h408hNqnqXP70T7x_juwflSnv7f6yX63mmObT_KPL4r2ZaKCy-DCxv_FGhCv_ig1xO8Ii-XKskHObfparF4bfTgUfl9Gb88P1aAS7ibFyLi6mZrR_J8cvZmzWrPSw/s4032/20211002_132641.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhounLxNOsop2hTF5h408hNqnqXP70T7x_juwflSnv7f6yX63mmObT_KPL4r2ZaKCy-DCxv_FGhCv_ig1xO8Ii-XKskHObfparF4bfTgUfl9Gb88P1aAS7ibFyLi6mZrR_J8cvZmzWrPSw/s320/20211002_132641.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ayl6BeCcub5uIkiDUKCn7GgFdNsmARBcR9Wb695gZhWRUufp3OOUuZoNnGbO29rQPeyK0gdnhOgiCxcvCnb2RjH4-xVkPth8SQxHgSnpWMEsjIE-D-j-LNQjeZoqfym4x9zP1WDPN64/s4032/20211002_165942.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ayl6BeCcub5uIkiDUKCn7GgFdNsmARBcR9Wb695gZhWRUufp3OOUuZoNnGbO29rQPeyK0gdnhOgiCxcvCnb2RjH4-xVkPth8SQxHgSnpWMEsjIE-D-j-LNQjeZoqfym4x9zP1WDPN64/s320/20211002_165942.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE6SRDpjJQae05NrKv7LpOkP8uWKCpTDIHOgFcaYfuB7xRYFNJB5Mf24jlxuGg-i1nHYrDerrmawjzaf3UqqCPwGAMn_C-b3sgAy0JNuu35mzXTxI5YOI2C0ZljKa_HSm6Dzr3We9rcC8/s4032/20211002_172348.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE6SRDpjJQae05NrKv7LpOkP8uWKCpTDIHOgFcaYfuB7xRYFNJB5Mf24jlxuGg-i1nHYrDerrmawjzaf3UqqCPwGAMn_C-b3sgAy0JNuu35mzXTxI5YOI2C0ZljKa_HSm6Dzr3We9rcC8/s320/20211002_172348.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHhD3Qq7_ri_Opp9xdPPBKGmhAXB0cfBWbTAUBgyrVTF_ZlXRaCnKNDzl5Ej84DfN4LTEfSUJszeWTzj4mNLOucXcvyIzHaQhi8Lvy7pfEQnplzusycSWLT7oRLGNEnPFxb3Q_rZJn62I/s4032/20211002_173333.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHhD3Qq7_ri_Opp9xdPPBKGmhAXB0cfBWbTAUBgyrVTF_ZlXRaCnKNDzl5Ej84DfN4LTEfSUJszeWTzj4mNLOucXcvyIzHaQhi8Lvy7pfEQnplzusycSWLT7oRLGNEnPFxb3Q_rZJn62I/s320/20211002_173333.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Accurate representation of feelings going on here.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCkkx5qb5rWlKp9FeTBK7dFo9fARCaxanGlZiVZQEevnHVsRNsFfTyqKlm9E3azSN2vfjd7ytmm16ov3q1fFIqeZvis3Zrti7qvh5rXd61dtgkpUFxmhpNV0pLy0CZcZ_RMsWThtJg8G4/s4032/20211002_173803.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCkkx5qb5rWlKp9FeTBK7dFo9fARCaxanGlZiVZQEevnHVsRNsFfTyqKlm9E3azSN2vfjd7ytmm16ov3q1fFIqeZvis3Zrti7qvh5rXd61dtgkpUFxmhpNV0pLy0CZcZ_RMsWThtJg8G4/s320/20211002_173803.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What 85% of the trail was like but add roots.</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><p>As a heads up that a runner was almost to the transition zone, we made sure to message our group text so everyone would be aware and we could go to the transfer tent and be there to cheer on our incoming/outgoing runner.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6GdjLQIf7ipNqvyx3kjXSJQimgbLPtHz6mQhD89lvLUHC8YCO9KtLWN7WB6KxuP0Jxaok_WPGIcGJjc4AYjT8zT7O2H1ViofXHqh9yvV4NkVDAtjMCvXb9ArhxbwupsyZRoz8JjOoJXA/s2688/PXL_20211002_150818072.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2688" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6GdjLQIf7ipNqvyx3kjXSJQimgbLPtHz6mQhD89lvLUHC8YCO9KtLWN7WB6KxuP0Jxaok_WPGIcGJjc4AYjT8zT7O2H1ViofXHqh9yvV4NkVDAtjMCvXb9ArhxbwupsyZRoz8JjOoJXA/s320/PXL_20211002_150818072.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHIatzVEIasdVzH5lAZaQOVu2gpu9noWNs6tJT-qkEIFvWDQpTPUF-dVyKoGFws014zfVMMazfLinLgCjNc0lVzr6WoFXXvHpMI7vEG3YW0WVj20RKb8u89Z87rC0xysnsnxycl8Yu5bc/s3088/Photo+Oct+02%252C+12+11+42+PM.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="2316" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHIatzVEIasdVzH5lAZaQOVu2gpu9noWNs6tJT-qkEIFvWDQpTPUF-dVyKoGFws014zfVMMazfLinLgCjNc0lVzr6WoFXXvHpMI7vEG3YW0WVj20RKb8u89Z87rC0xysnsnxycl8Yu5bc/s320/Photo+Oct+02%252C+12+11+42+PM.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhZcdQWmammi5KtiOaKe811cNctl7_X27hREGbpSJnOTjuWWXldp9xxCd411vFp1fWp7JLYOYJixQaZEC3o5cfOARnO2MQCAWv8LEdxJgrIc0nlbxBIhDxGyu8aHGRvSqs9tm7esaucSA/s3088/Photo+Oct+02%252C+2+34+52+PM.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="2316" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhZcdQWmammi5KtiOaKe811cNctl7_X27hREGbpSJnOTjuWWXldp9xxCd411vFp1fWp7JLYOYJixQaZEC3o5cfOARnO2MQCAWv8LEdxJgrIc0nlbxBIhDxGyu8aHGRvSqs9tm7esaucSA/s320/Photo+Oct+02%252C+2+34+52+PM.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi7Y6_yG132yI81Rrx_v647pGkdeqMkWbbERXyJKjIiDb34MdEWNDm81RcFC5vN8LHTcp0iK66qR_njSLkp9vJ6uH3XfVs99w8IkC48CC4sEC6N1zuPvAOnfkld4JrvYL8iqh2LP4EXHc/s2592/IMG_20211004_205621.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="1944" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi7Y6_yG132yI81Rrx_v647pGkdeqMkWbbERXyJKjIiDb34MdEWNDm81RcFC5vN8LHTcp0iK66qR_njSLkp9vJ6uH3XfVs99w8IkC48CC4sEC6N1zuPvAOnfkld4JrvYL8iqh2LP4EXHc/s320/IMG_20211004_205621.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Coming in hot...</h3><div style="text-align: left;">There are transition tents for swapping runners. They are labeled with numbers, so if your bib/team number falls within the range posted on that tent, that is your transition zone. We were team 155 and we happened to be directly beside the start/finish line inflatable. This was optimal for extended cheering.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD9ezlxngjjY0kFcWXn5R55CUDrk9TLfeYsmptaifLlul9Aczu72GuMa5z8lewng8L2cSChi0cdHEDvkZHxbMsfeXA4AHDV2ljPkTzsmXoe0Jfpon-YQnlVhHmgzwmZPfzPaLyMZlN3-s/s4032/Photo+Oct+02%252C+11+20+06+AM.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD9ezlxngjjY0kFcWXn5R55CUDrk9TLfeYsmptaifLlul9Aczu72GuMa5z8lewng8L2cSChi0cdHEDvkZHxbMsfeXA4AHDV2ljPkTzsmXoe0Jfpon-YQnlVhHmgzwmZPfzPaLyMZlN3-s/w300-h400/Photo+Oct+02%252C+11+20+06+AM.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I might have been holding back tears a little bit as I finished my first lap.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfC9HvPNkuGqRLfRyDOhhvBFmJoOh4rJl9yrVGxHQJdJIth8q8PP1JVueASk25hFRG1sUuyWVmFBZTEGvbuBR6SASpgWOGWDEfI_4w4S89aFzJ9mSfSiD0Ycl-HXQS8rE5vf-NMj-3By8/s4032/Photo+Oct+02%252C+12+29+46+PM.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfC9HvPNkuGqRLfRyDOhhvBFmJoOh4rJl9yrVGxHQJdJIth8q8PP1JVueASk25hFRG1sUuyWVmFBZTEGvbuBR6SASpgWOGWDEfI_4w4S89aFzJ9mSfSiD0Ycl-HXQS8rE5vf-NMj-3By8/s320/Photo+Oct+02%252C+12+29+46+PM.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When a ridiculous cheering captain (me) gets in the way of your photo of the dressed up staff.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ2P8jU3DL_v0EW99LbX3tgsKM1c4wMVqjqAQEfRdCG9TDFbK7n_9qCR4hJ2eVT7I7CaW53TZ6tewFMND503GISCWs2kIUEQWnHDPi3IGmECXt5h9qpkXg4aJkx9u101JfviYsBFhGT4g/s4032/Photo+Oct+02%252C+12+30+01+PM.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ2P8jU3DL_v0EW99LbX3tgsKM1c4wMVqjqAQEfRdCG9TDFbK7n_9qCR4hJ2eVT7I7CaW53TZ6tewFMND503GISCWs2kIUEQWnHDPi3IGmECXt5h9qpkXg4aJkx9u101JfviYsBFhGT4g/s320/Photo+Oct+02%252C+12+30+01+PM.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dressed up staff and Teh Bestie comin' in hot (and EXTREMELY disgruntled about a scraped up knee).</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyfD8x65ojIs3vq7o36Dicb7CI51eLvz5O5VOE6NXWEI-36kJIC7D23PA7H6SrBBkAYG7Vbwly3j65F_puIktxhB7YAbOhXNrghdmVAeV60nQcjKZkIWI4KDa8CNjeFuQnAGeCYI56nH4/s4032/Photo+Oct+02%252C+1+46+29+PM.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyfD8x65ojIs3vq7o36Dicb7CI51eLvz5O5VOE6NXWEI-36kJIC7D23PA7H6SrBBkAYG7Vbwly3j65F_puIktxhB7YAbOhXNrghdmVAeV60nQcjKZkIWI4KDa8CNjeFuQnAGeCYI56nH4/s320/Photo+Oct+02%252C+1+46+29+PM.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The joy was a mask for the scraped up knee and sprained ankle....</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiStZZyOA1dwcCzYDyKY202QWIpkask4sRHiWTkZB-gl3I_I9tJ7ZEvzUKHg0-dpF8-juarV-7xY3IAtqoS-TzjOnht8KvN4v_5J274w8n1hGgFZOdRcBl14n1GehwowVzI4w1rz27sHkA/s4032/Photo+Oct+02%252C+2+53+12+PM.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiStZZyOA1dwcCzYDyKY202QWIpkask4sRHiWTkZB-gl3I_I9tJ7ZEvzUKHg0-dpF8-juarV-7xY3IAtqoS-TzjOnht8KvN4v_5J274w8n1hGgFZOdRcBl14n1GehwowVzI4w1rz27sHkA/s320/Photo+Oct+02%252C+2+53+12+PM.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQDmw620AqK6W9T4_B4nSz3UpvEm958fptIhefLcEHBksiv3GQ4tbRNFQYDWpM3Exeq6HJ2BXHREkJHppV1uVhNW3psPnaMwQn4ubVXtO62BqbQesvrrLyhKNu9KH40e4xWJ1TUwedmYI/s3840/PXL_20211002_190523046.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="3840" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQDmw620AqK6W9T4_B4nSz3UpvEm958fptIhefLcEHBksiv3GQ4tbRNFQYDWpM3Exeq6HJ2BXHREkJHppV1uVhNW3psPnaMwQn4ubVXtO62BqbQesvrrLyhKNu9KH40e4xWJ1TUwedmYI/w640-h360/PXL_20211002_190523046.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HALFWAY!!!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">While you're not running...</h3><div>During the not running portion, you just get to hang out, which was actually way cooler than it sounds. I figured I'd be doing some scrolling, but also stretching and snacking and rolling. But instead, I chatted with my peeps as well as our neighbors, who happened to be experienced Ragnarians who were excited for our upcoming New England Ragnar race.</div><div><br /></div><div>For my not running shoes, I brought my Clawz because they are hilarious and also good meh shoes. They got so much attention. People wanted photos of the shoes, of me wearing the shoes, photos of me, photos with me. It was bizarre. Is this what it's like to be a celebrity? I shared the shoe fame with Teh Sister who informed me that our "lazy" shoes can no longer be purchased online and if you do find them, they are $90 used. NINETY DOLLARS FOR CROCS WITH TOENAILS. Sweet christ. I have 3 pairs. I'm sitting on a gold mine.. and I leave a pair outside for poop scooping!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-xjpWcSGTfNr9vZZRXaLP_PFgbhmR0r2ehTFl4_GthOisi1QaC7LXmjwZg3txYrhsBZ90SBcRx6YnbiRvCuoyBul3aYkTz8gOxXED0UNp6Fiwx5P7R-E8UjQFVSGUuKpDuWV2vEz40bk/s4032/20211002_183134.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-xjpWcSGTfNr9vZZRXaLP_PFgbhmR0r2ehTFl4_GthOisi1QaC7LXmjwZg3txYrhsBZ90SBcRx6YnbiRvCuoyBul3aYkTz8gOxXED0UNp6Fiwx5P7R-E8UjQFVSGUuKpDuWV2vEz40bk/w300-h400/20211002_183134.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg79UDuNfsYMtVhbLTr850wmkPnrNyMNEdZNxOobEwiscWDmH9lE4yWByOI6OQR9eZPHzABoarBcc6qTSflFVwHqxH3ZLOl3tBI7g-s3lZ6ULq7mOFcMMIGjr5kce5mLXA-MWBPz3fonQ/s3024/IMG_20211002_155953_829.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg79UDuNfsYMtVhbLTr850wmkPnrNyMNEdZNxOobEwiscWDmH9lE4yWByOI6OQR9eZPHzABoarBcc6qTSflFVwHqxH3ZLOl3tBI7g-s3lZ6ULq7mOFcMMIGjr5kce5mLXA-MWBPz3fonQ/s320/IMG_20211002_155953_829.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Fancy" charcuterie board</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ITta5kdhwfGu1LH02_-2kRsSgUyOHR0BXaCYUVISmkE5CWM03LeJukKSCyhx_ZGoIyghIDymy9Zrza8PSW65CY95gG8zH5KlQV5xtA1NvPpaK42jOAOV0USfg2BY869wa6U5QMCfPMo/s2688/PXL_20211002_173211656.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2688" data-original-width="1512" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ITta5kdhwfGu1LH02_-2kRsSgUyOHR0BXaCYUVISmkE5CWM03LeJukKSCyhx_ZGoIyghIDymy9Zrza8PSW65CY95gG8zH5KlQV5xtA1NvPpaK42jOAOV0USfg2BY869wa6U5QMCfPMo/w225-h400/PXL_20211002_173211656.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thanks to the GLCK, I was prepared to cheer with my clappers from my graduation ceremony!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpI6o8IDBmVMiPpfYK22QDhfw331Rz0vsLT4Ucrv5B31yUE2oksDJYWzs-HSRWCZBV4iGdzMQk9j0I8T6bkl-5BYrk_H3PvN2musm7p36CoM7XyGkbCffGQEZN3awoHJPu2YPUiINA8hU/s4032/Photo+Oct+02%252C+1+47+45+PM.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpI6o8IDBmVMiPpfYK22QDhfw331Rz0vsLT4Ucrv5B31yUE2oksDJYWzs-HSRWCZBV4iGdzMQk9j0I8T6bkl-5BYrk_H3PvN2musm7p36CoM7XyGkbCffGQEZN3awoHJPu2YPUiINA8hU/s320/Photo+Oct+02%252C+1+47+45+PM.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">MEDALLLLLSS!!</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Lap #2</h3><p>I was concerned about timing so we switched up the order/situation for lap 2. Teh Bestie went first, I went second, and then Abi and Jess went at the same time (referred to as "doubling up"). To beat the sunset, the last runner had to leave the transition zone by 5:45 and I was fearful our 2nd to last runner wouldn't make it back in time for our last runner to leave by 5:45. There isn't really a penalty for doubling up, your team still gets the medal and glory, but your time is counted as an "unofficial" time, which was fine since we are participators not winners.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ3qi8kIds7PBPo_5t6s-qbnlcQdQUVvnP3Tc7a_bOGRoH2qkeyv6R_1lc7uhFNhirvVUSvKhvaOLNvLZDnuU7GGWr9eTohbe3tElW0PTb0bd4aOOctlHFEImWU7lOkoWF0uHLq4NnLYk/s4032/20211002_145426.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ3qi8kIds7PBPo_5t6s-qbnlcQdQUVvnP3Tc7a_bOGRoH2qkeyv6R_1lc7uhFNhirvVUSvKhvaOLNvLZDnuU7GGWr9eTohbe3tElW0PTb0bd4aOOctlHFEImWU7lOkoWF0uHLq4NnLYk/s320/20211002_145426.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There she goes!</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj97BgW0olY976T-oYaOVUDlqXLD00hhak_ka6kDK6V7NvmrfeafsvUL04B0xbvv3WX8R74e_2i_prhFaAnyJGpmY4QpftejNeeQKTn8wSt3jSfJsIjNhd9pzVEVwpaewn_MiwrSl0ylz4/s4032/20211002_160800.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj97BgW0olY976T-oYaOVUDlqXLD00hhak_ka6kDK6V7NvmrfeafsvUL04B0xbvv3WX8R74e_2i_prhFaAnyJGpmY4QpftejNeeQKTn8wSt3jSfJsIjNhd9pzVEVwpaewn_MiwrSl0ylz4/s320/20211002_160800.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I had to borrow britches and I got so hot that I took off my shirt for Lap 2. #YOLO</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNjoxMAiO-dCKm29DHIZJ45AciLzIC9tlkC5q7VXnumnc_cL7Vjr-O-qiAOcmLv7l01a6LSiYLOyW2l4jMQSGdOwTsOO8tfjULumbAMeO-xb5J55BcdS3izAtfRhTcR4nRrSel4F60oPI/s4032/20211002_160846.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNjoxMAiO-dCKm29DHIZJ45AciLzIC9tlkC5q7VXnumnc_cL7Vjr-O-qiAOcmLv7l01a6LSiYLOyW2l4jMQSGdOwTsOO8tfjULumbAMeO-xb5J55BcdS3izAtfRhTcR4nRrSel4F60oPI/s320/20211002_160846.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look at that FOCUS!</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><p>Thankfully, no one went down on the 2nd lap. As Jess came in, she tossed on her "uniform" and we all crossed the finish line together! For our team "costume" we purchased greyhound "silk" shirts while we were at Greyhounds in Gettysburg, after I'd made a comment about what an awesome group halloween costume the shirts would make. Since we were the slow couch potatoes, we chose 5, 6, 7, and 8 as our "silk" numbers.</p><p><br /></p><h2 style="text-align: left;">In the end....</h2><div>WE MADE IT!!! We beat sunset!!! We actually had a gorgeous sunset as we were packing up and taking medal selfies and trying not to collapse.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw_r5_e6mH2ZnYqnDQnTagxgyZMLwM-K6da1_oVTplNRry4DXYgsPV6C19s6WrXh1djDVG1cyyCIE4CWTFo9FVg9so8zuq9voNhUZJXI7fLJW1fcv_xydyxrMVPDoYbxAdGeN0JEeEw2s/s2861/PXL_20211002_221430108.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2861" data-original-width="1930" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw_r5_e6mH2ZnYqnDQnTagxgyZMLwM-K6da1_oVTplNRry4DXYgsPV6C19s6WrXh1djDVG1cyyCIE4CWTFo9FVg9so8zuq9voNhUZJXI7fLJW1fcv_xydyxrMVPDoYbxAdGeN0JEeEw2s/w432-h640/PXL_20211002_221430108.jpg" width="432" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLdu1TGX1jE36sori0QI7hC6ZAT-BwLrHtMBUSsKS5cg_n0LoFkodhFRK8QXNFhq5MUVqRu0x1hk02NX8x2-0Lx0ACgrwfVYT1oiU0FdrAxfqrw-AEj5pfgpwa6Lquc_492h4QANm5fKY/s2160/PXL_20211002_221959128.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="1986" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLdu1TGX1jE36sori0QI7hC6ZAT-BwLrHtMBUSsKS5cg_n0LoFkodhFRK8QXNFhq5MUVqRu0x1hk02NX8x2-0Lx0ACgrwfVYT1oiU0FdrAxfqrw-AEj5pfgpwa6Lquc_492h4QANm5fKY/w588-h640/PXL_20211002_221959128.jpg" width="588" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTrUAFyik_FfA1UkAkC9jWFaSGIEjSQjoIq1UoqDFp-Pab_600j_x04CvwWLRKBCA0gKzdSKY-pY76-AmI2hHnJZ1NMQMPZfgUCyU4cDWXwIqeU13-PR87Q2AWymk2UN_sSUOWFDedFOs/s3840/PXL_20211002_223432126.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="3840" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTrUAFyik_FfA1UkAkC9jWFaSGIEjSQjoIq1UoqDFp-Pab_600j_x04CvwWLRKBCA0gKzdSKY-pY76-AmI2hHnJZ1NMQMPZfgUCyU4cDWXwIqeU13-PR87Q2AWymk2UN_sSUOWFDedFOs/w640-h360/PXL_20211002_223432126.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All done!!!</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqgXTcIqfUD4gg-e3_WvsKWPxPCVC7M9g-IalP3aH2vBK_onlU2n7oZXUHiVW_qPsoEcmVeOR0MmiiCuP1TKW5mgOt4pEKfC-YSirJzmllIjyu2m4gaS8Lg7zC8Lw54fY6slZiL_njOYk/s3840/PXL_20211002_222848596.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3840" data-original-width="2160" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqgXTcIqfUD4gg-e3_WvsKWPxPCVC7M9g-IalP3aH2vBK_onlU2n7oZXUHiVW_qPsoEcmVeOR0MmiiCuP1TKW5mgOt4pEKfC-YSirJzmllIjyu2m4gaS8Lg7zC8Lw54fY6slZiL_njOYk/w360-h640/PXL_20211002_222848596.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="360" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">MEDALS!!!!</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>For all the times I talked about running a Ragnar over all those years, I almost cried at the sheer joy and excitement and feeling of satisfaction/completion of a goal as many times on Saturday. It might have also been a tinge of PMS, but also, joy. The best part though? This was just the WARM UP! In 2 weeks, Teh Bestie and I will be headed to New England to complete an original Ragnar race (the 200 mile relay) in New England, from Groton, CT to Boston, MA.</div><div><br /></div><div>To completely acknowledge all my feelz though...</div><div>I have to give a shout out to Teh Bestie for helping me make this long-time dream come true, as well as Abi and Jess who were really good sports and joined us even though neither of them really felt prepared (although I'm not sure any of us <i>really</i> felt prepared for what we did). Also, it was AWESOME to be the El Captian. It wasn't 12 people, but I feel like I did my best to prepare my little team and ensure that we had all the equipment we needed to spend a day in a field with strangers while we intermittently ran around in the woods kicking up dust. Also gotta give a shoutout to the home support team, Husband, who manages the <strike>children</strike> dogs while I'm out traipsing around in the woods/going random places to run for a silly medal.</div><div><br /></div><div>I've been running for a while now and I might just be a Ragnar convert (I'll research this and get back to you in a few weeks). There is a huge feeling of accomplishment after I finish a half marathon or a 10k (or shorter distance) I probably didn't really train for (it's been over half a decade of running, at this point my body is just like, mkay we're doing this? Alright, Sparky). There was a feeling of accomplishment after this race (what with the trail and the roots and the hills and the loose gravel and getting lost that one fucking time, oh and did I mention that right before you got back to the transition area was this super steep ass 70+° hill? No? Oh well, there was a steep ass fucking hill that made me feel like I was going to die and then you get to the top and <i>everyone can see you gasping for breath and wanting to die</i> but you CANNOT let those strangers see you struggling so you have to just pretend like you aren't fucking dying by smiling and being cool, when you definitely are NOT cool, as you run back into the transition area) but there was also a feeling of community. You're near other people all day long and you're likely to interact with them and that was awesome.</div><div><br /></div><div>When I run a half marathon, it's just me running.. and maybe yakking to someone along the way if I'm not interested in my music/audiobook and the person near me is also suffering and not listening to anything. It's boring, to be honest. It's challenging. It's lonely. With a Ragnar, you're suffering on a TEAM and your team is suffering with other teams along the way. I enjoy the running part (weird, I know), but I also enjoy the social part. It's why we go on runcations and why I pulled Matilda (who will be doing NE Ragnar with us!) into our run club. Ok, that was kinda an accident, but I've never regretted it. You never know who you'll meet when you're on the run and THAT is why I keep doing it... oh and the medals.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9owssR02xmBi3cZlqKOmhRBDzxpR_rZwBC1FGjOdBtQJQPa-Xze0BY_TEX7SkWxx2pr1nFy5JgaWlMxR17EwdKF4Dac1QMJwiIx3h9Cu_9UHoY1IW9K-bad3oEJt-HqqkWUg6MqVxBvs/s2688/PXL_20211002_223047043.PORTRAIT.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2688" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9owssR02xmBi3cZlqKOmhRBDzxpR_rZwBC1FGjOdBtQJQPa-Xze0BY_TEX7SkWxx2pr1nFy5JgaWlMxR17EwdKF4Dac1QMJwiIx3h9Cu_9UHoY1IW9K-bad3oEJt-HqqkWUg6MqVxBvs/w360-h640/PXL_20211002_223047043.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PS those holes in the medal are for the challenge medals you can earn if you do multiple Ragnars in a calendar year. So for our NE Ragnar, we'll be getting the 2x medal plus our race medal. :D</td></tr></tbody></table><div></div>Teh Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00133596439315060218noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1581436032352728193.post-65437662784267533572021-09-01T15:17:00.005-04:002021-09-01T15:17:36.287-04:00Are You Not Entertained!?!<p>You know how sometimes people LURVE this one thing and you just don't? That's me with podcasts. It's been this way for <i>years</i> and I could not figure out what my problem is. WHY can't I like podcasts? So many things I'm interested have podcasts. People I respect have podcasts. I could <i>learn</i> things from podcasts. I don't mean like true crime type of podcasts, but something like <u>Adulting</u> or <u>Stuff Mom Never Told You</u> or <u>We Can Do Hard Things</u> or <u>Scale and Bail</u>. </p><p>I listened to 2 episodes of <u>We Can Do Hard Things</u> before I gave it up. I made it through 10 minutes of <u>Scale and Bail</u> before I switched to an audiobook. It's not a matter of attention span, I am <i>interested </i>in the subject matter, but...</p><p>I'm not interested in <i>listening </i>to a conversation I cannot participate in. I want to interact, I want to be part of the conversation. I want to ask questions. I want to explore something that isn't in the podcast. Also, I fucking hate ads/sponsored content. HHHAAAATTTEEE. </p><p>This doesn't just apply to podcasts, this also applies to talk radio and talk tv. You won't find me watching a TV show with people just sitting around a table chatting about whatever. I am overly-aggressive when it comes to radio stations that aren't playing music, worse if it's a commercial break (on every single channel I have programmed as a favorite). </p><p>If I can't be involved, I need to be entertained. Thus, how I consume media has become very intentional for me. If I can't interact, I need to be entertained, otherwise, I will find something that I can either interact with (my stupid game) or entertains me (an audiobook or particular streaming shows or Instagram reels (my weakness)).</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPzFuWZRUt7BIcz_13xOf1rBYx4wYSqz4eJddR3BDJLzRaTVK0IvDIe0v_eupakC8h2RSiSbMcfrrxO8vQLgW27te3yl5eXFbm-23aIKetiOPu7hMDerAMIwvBWj-W7slGH5SAfYF-nok/s480/entertained.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="204" data-original-width="480" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPzFuWZRUt7BIcz_13xOf1rBYx4wYSqz4eJddR3BDJLzRaTVK0IvDIe0v_eupakC8h2RSiSbMcfrrxO8vQLgW27te3yl5eXFbm-23aIKetiOPu7hMDerAMIwvBWj-W7slGH5SAfYF-nok/w400-h170/entertained.gif" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>Anyone else have this issue? <br />Just me? K, cool.</p>Teh Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00133596439315060218noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1581436032352728193.post-8125484595986598432021-08-11T16:43:00.001-04:002021-08-11T16:43:26.689-04:00We're hurting and we're tired.Hey, it's me, you remember, right?<div>Cool, moving on.</div><div><br /></div><div>So, when settling into MD, I joined the Crossfit gym that is 7 minutes (with red lights) from our house. It gives me something to do besides run and #humblebrag, I've lost 15-20 pounds depending on the time of month and that don't make me sad none.</div><div><br /></div><div>That whole situation is fabulous, but do you know what isn't?</div><div>My bad hip being bad again.</div><div>Since June, I've been having hip issues again.</div><div><br /></div><div>Let's rewind quicklike to 2017.. that one time, when I had hip surgery to repair a torn <strike>labia</strike> labrum and the Ortho either fearmongered or truthmongered me that if I were to tear the labrum again, I'd need a hip replacement. Ok, we're caught up.</div><div><br /></div><div>So now, I'm doing 294820302 squats a week and my bad hip is <i>angry</i>. </div><div>Thankfully, I'm willing to be a pincushion and my chiropractor's office has a nurse practitioner who is willing to stab me frequently. So far I've enjoyed a non-cortisone shot, a cortisone shot (right before our flight to Germany*), and another non-cortisone shot. The goal is to eliminate possibilities of things that could be wrong, which is soo, soo tedious.</div><div><br /></div><div>So anyways, yesterday afternoon was my 3rd injection and it wasn't what I would consider a pleasant experience, but neither is achy-all-the-time hip, so here we are. Achy to the point of waking me up in the middle of the night because bad hip is obviously not as afraid of me as it should be. So, now I'm hurting and tired... and I'm still expected to function and do all the things I always do and yall... <b>it is exhausting.</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>It's exhausting trying to stay still or not stay still depending on what does/doesn't hurt my hip at the time. It's exhausting hurting and trying to react to literally <i>anything</i><b style="font-style: italic;"> </b><i>else</i> like a normal person that isn't consumed by pain that is making me irritable and tired because I'm probably actively hurting and I didn't sleep well last night because I was also hurting then too.</div><div>It's exhausting knowing that I have medication I could take to maybe dull the pain some, but it also dulls my brain and that makes it even more difficult to respond to literally <i>anything</i><b style="font-style: italic;"> </b><i>else</i> like a normal person.</div><div>It's exhausting trying to perform at my normal level of being pain free because that's what is expected of me.</div><div>It's exhausting asking for help because I, usually, still have to breakdown how to do all the things that I normally do without help (although this applies even when I'm pain free, lets be honest).</div><div>It's exhausting not using my exhaustion and pain as a reason when I fuck things up because sometimes it's just incredibly hard to concentrate when you're hurting and also multitasking 234183 things at the same time.</div><div>It's exhausting not telling people that I'm hurting so they know to be gentle with me.</div><div>It's exhausting trying to be funny about my pain levels when I'm really just trying to distract myself from it all.</div><div>It's exhausting that I guilt myself over not working out because I'm trying to rest my sore pieces.</div><div>It's exhausting that I guilt myself over how much it will hurt if I take too many rest days, when I inevitably return to the gym.</div><div>It's exhausting trying to limit myself at the gym so I don't further aggravate this mysterious injury.</div><div>It's exhausting trying to mitigate the pain when just sitting or laying or standing hurts.</div><div><br /></div><div>Also, it's exhausting <u style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">being</u> exhausted.</div><div>And so this spiral continues...</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdDXKN8YEBImJCQTQTcMdshl2LLDDqrteoXzb2ktODbzSMat7KW-dUIykp40VhIutJUVJLnE-6flnc8n3rPFRz6bCzRGGJnDJ6J7P3CP5H9af7T_eZRc8WFT3vY6XtfZFVnOv17MpYXGI/s300/dying.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="300" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdDXKN8YEBImJCQTQTcMdshl2LLDDqrteoXzb2ktODbzSMat7KW-dUIykp40VhIutJUVJLnE-6flnc8n3rPFRz6bCzRGGJnDJ6J7P3CP5H9af7T_eZRc8WFT3vY6XtfZFVnOv17MpYXGI/s0/dying.gif" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>So if you know someone who is hurting, cut them some slack. They may have a physical hurt or a mental hurt, but I am confident you know someone who is hurting in some way. Offer them help, even for the simple tasks you know they can do. When you see their own disappointment in themselves, reassure them that this isn't what defines them. Reassure them that not every day has to be a good day. Help them assess the new/temporary limitations that they can wrap their head around/manage and don't be hard on them when they bite off more than they should... because they will.</div><div><br /></div><div>Because We the Pained just want to go back to those days without concerns or constant mitigation or having to just endure the pain because life doesn't stop and so we can't either. But we would like some compassion for our exhaustion and a little bit of slack when we can't always pull off "normal operations."</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>*We had to make a family emergency trip to Germany in July on short notice. It's a long flight so we went big on the injection situation. I also pulled out the big gun medications. #NoRisksTaken.</div>Teh Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00133596439315060218noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1581436032352728193.post-79495661934689278272021-05-31T18:59:00.000-04:002021-05-31T18:59:55.196-04:00System Overload.<p>Sometimes I really feel like I have a really good handle on my anxiety...</p><p>But sometimes I have an hour-long conversation with my Granny that makes me worried because it's the same stories over and over and every time I try to get off the phone she ropes me back in and I can't get what I need to get done done. </p><p>I finally get off the phone on a bad note because she wants to talk about politics and we disagree on politics and how she just wants to pinch that Nancy Pelosi lady's head off and I don't want to fucking talk about that and I'm still trying to get off the phone because I really need to get my shit done, but I also really love my Granny... </p><p>So I finally get to go into the store and the entire 35 minutes I am in the store, they are moving pallets so the backup noise of the pallet moving tractor (or whatever the fuck it is called) is constant.. and then it stops.. and then it starts again.. and then it stops, and then it starts again... It is overstimulating to the point of irritation. </p><p>In addition to that, I happen to be unlucky enough to be shopping at the same time as a family of 7, three adults (grandma, man, woman) and the rest were children pushing buggies or riding in a buggy. To include the 3 year old in the buggy with the ten-year-old pushing it having a "fun" argument where she purposely misheard everything the kid was saying not only frustrating him, but also me. I could not get away from this family. Every time I tried to go to the next aisle, they'd turn down the same aisle from the opposite direction. I could feel my frustration rising and I knew I needed to leave, but also knew that I needed to get my groceries. </p><p>As I was on my way to checkout/leave, I was tempted by the brownie sundae at the cafe, but there was a sign that said cash only and a line and the incessant fucking beeping of the machine moving the pallets and so I said fuck it and kept walking. By the time I got to the door, the lady was holding out the scanner to scan my phone and I actually said to her, "Please just let me out of here." </p><p>I just couldn't take anymore. My anxiety was so high it was filling me with rage and I could no longer function. I finally make it outside and a car drives by continuously backfiring. It was everything I could do to calmly put my groceries in the car instead of literally throwing everything in the car with no fucks to give and hauling ass out of the parking lot. </p><p>The problem was I had to sit there in the silence before I could drive because I was still so overstimulated and overwhelmed. This is anxiety. <br />After 2-3 minutes, I was finally able to breathe easier, so I felt confident I could concentrate on driving.</p><p>I still had to stop at an actual grocery store, so I get in and out of Giant with no issues. As I'm trying to load my stuff into the car at Giant, I get a call from Teh German that I ended up missing because I was literally tangled in the bag and trying to move the items from Sam's to make room for the new bag. But, I call Teh German back as soon as I disentangle myself. He is trying to feed the dogs and, at the time, we were dog sitting. I tell him I'll be home soon if he wants to wait, he says no, so I talk him through it. We get off the phone and I'm sitting at a red light to do a u-turn. Mind you, Giant is 4 minutes from our house. I'm 4 minutes from being done with this fucking disaster trip. And the light WILL NOT turn green. </p><p>Apparently, the fire department near the intersection can put a hold on the light before they even leave the station, so they have a green light when they approach the intersection... except the truck still hadn't pulled out of the station when their light turned green. So I sat there and sat there and sat there and reminded myself of how well I had handled all the street prior to this moment. I was doing so well...</p><p>Finally, the fire truck goes through the intersection and their light turns yellow, then red... and then my light STAYS RED, despite it being the light that should have turned green during a normal cycle. I finally lose it and let loose a scream from my soul and almost start sobbing.</p><p>If this is what an anxiety attack looks like, this shit is for the birds.</p><p>I even went so far as to Google misophonia (noise sensitivity) to see if maybe that was something that could be causing this level of anxiety... but misophonia seems mainly focused on shit like chewing noises, which I don't care about. My reaction is to extremely loud noises or repetitive noises. </p><p>After the trip, I was feeling super raw, like an exposed wire or like my skin had been sandblasted, and we went out to dinner. After we were seated, Teh German asked our server for NOT spicy salsa so I could also enjoy chips and salsa without setting my mouth on fire. It was like he put a cap over the wire tip or added salve to my over-exfoliated skin.</p><p>That same evening, Teh German took too long to back the truck in when we got home from dinner and I made a comment about that was good enough (meaning he didn't have to be precisely 3" from the object behind him) because the backup beeping noise the truck makes was starting to set me off again.</p><p>Maybe it was PMS or maybe it was a number of other tiny things that had already worn me down. I'm not really sure why these things on that day were so much more abrasive to me than any other day, but they were. So I'm sharing the ugly to say, anxiety has good days and anxiety has bad days. This was definitely a bad anxiety day.</p>Teh Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00133596439315060218noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1581436032352728193.post-19505808769998457032021-05-11T17:04:00.001-04:002021-05-11T17:04:18.707-04:00Off the Hook?<p>Fun update regarding the <strike>never ending</strike> jump rope debacle.</p><p>I was throwing Pax's frisbee for him <i>the day I wrote the 2nd jump rope post</i> and I tossed it over the fence, as I do. Which means I had to walk <i>all the way around the entire house</i> to go fetch it. As I was coming back around, I happened to look down as I was walking by the stairs to the front door..</p><p>I found that mother fucking jump rope gasket that went AWOL the day I was trying to work on my jump rope skills.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirsKmFX2mLkBxmtPRaMeUeT1Ov_KOQfYJspVLp5bqpPDTsst4a3HorWi2lKoy4zatfgI-Jq8fDCkWkqI2Kt__oqrwts6T4LsRbgtE_TiXxS6KQKfuAuylLiZLDqTPu1lvBddvepnPVWTw/s3840/PXL_20210511_025618307.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3840" data-original-width="2160" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirsKmFX2mLkBxmtPRaMeUeT1Ov_KOQfYJspVLp5bqpPDTsst4a3HorWi2lKoy4zatfgI-Jq8fDCkWkqI2Kt__oqrwts6T4LsRbgtE_TiXxS6KQKfuAuylLiZLDqTPu1lvBddvepnPVWTw/s320/PXL_20210511_025618307.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p>It survived several days of heavy rain, multiple deliveries, Teh German doing yard work/walking through that area, a visitor or two, and general being outside-ness (there's a lot of birds, ok, any of them could have picked it up).. and I FOUND IT.</p><p>I thought I was off the hook for jump rope and now it's like my jump rope has been revived.</p><p>What the fucking fuck is this garbage nonsense? </p><p>UUUUGGGHHHHH.</p>Teh Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00133596439315060218noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1581436032352728193.post-31896581096798396802021-05-10T22:29:00.000-04:002021-05-10T22:29:07.009-04:00The Jump Rope<p>So yall remember a few weeks ago when I told you about my jump rope strife?<br />Let me jog your memory: <a href="https://www.canidecideanotherday.com/2021/04/double-unders.html" target="_blank">Jump Rope Strife</a></p><p>Well, my gym goals are currently not to injure myself (always #1) and to be able to do box jumps, nothing related to jump rope.. but it's been bothering me that I let this "small" thing defeat me. I mean, I've purposely avoided jump rope gym days and I hate being that guy. Rather than go to the gym I'd go on a run, but still, I pay a lot of money each month to go to the gym, so like.. I should go to the gym.</p><p>Anyways.. last week was a jump rope workout and I wasn't sold, BUT I wanted to maybe try to work on my jump rope malfunctions. So, I decided on a happy medium for myself. I would NOT go to the gym for the workout, but I WOULD work on my skillz, since I have my own jump rope. I didn't need an audience in case I needed to sling shit.</p><p>I woke up and went on my run. During my run, I met 2 greyhounds, which validated my life choices to do my own thing. When I got home, I planned to do the gym workout sans the cardio, jump rope, air squats, and push ups. Cool. </p><p>I start with my jump rope. Minor leg whip. I have to size it. Do some jumps. Resize it. Whip ankles, no rage. Keep jumping. Start getting tired. Rope gets tangled in my feet. Rope whips my ankles. Each time, I reset, no rage involuntarily erupting from me. I finally make it to 100ish. Do the rest of the set. Move back to the jump rope to start another round.</p><p>I get about 4 jumps in and all of a sudden my jump rope becomes a jump string. The little gasket that holds the rope in the handle had flown off and was NO WHERE to be found. Yall, I used ALL my imagery skills to look for this fucking thing. I was doing so good with the jump rope situation. I wasn't angry, I wasn't in my feelings, I wasn't frustrated. NO WHERE. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2la3VXg8YoPuJzakDw4O32pkPliujORHWfV-DjO6KOTNk1BGzXo2axstgYs5CRT_i-a2oS2n2nRAZl-9Lgldz7Ku2EqtmFgUuosutLFeaFtca4ZCfbACjRGkT5kmGy_uT6SmvnPXcLg4/s3840/PXL_20210507_121652095.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3840" data-original-width="2160" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2la3VXg8YoPuJzakDw4O32pkPliujORHWfV-DjO6KOTNk1BGzXo2axstgYs5CRT_i-a2oS2n2nRAZl-9Lgldz7Ku2EqtmFgUuosutLFeaFtca4ZCfbACjRGkT5kmGy_uT6SmvnPXcLg4/s320/PXL_20210507_121652095.jpg" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>At which point, I accepted the truth:<br />Jumping rope is NOT meant for me.</p><p>I tried. But I mean, I can take a hint. When your jump rope breaks when you're having a GOOD day, it's a GOOD day to walk the fuck away.</p><p>That said, now I have to decide if I want to replace the gasket/jump rope or not and I just cannot decide. </p><p>I'm all for some emotional growth, so it's tempting, but at the same time, I think I need to stick to the box jump goal. But what if jumping rope would HELP me with the box jumps? Oh shit. Ugh. Guess I have to go fix this jump rope situation.</p><p><br /></p>Teh Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00133596439315060218noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1581436032352728193.post-63504409115429396012021-04-29T11:07:00.002-04:002021-04-29T11:07:50.206-04:00Happy Gotcha Day, Sandra Dee!<p>Not to be Captain Doom, but if you'd have asked me a year ago if I'd be making this post, I'd have told you definitely NO. You see.. what had happened was.. Teh FL Greyhound Wife found an Irish Wolfhound on Craigslist and then The Sighthound Underground picked her up... and I was subsequently trying to manage my mental breakdown because the semester was so close to ending and graduation was so close I could SMELL IT and seeing the intake videos of this dog absolutely shattered my heart. </p><p>I figured she was in such rough shape that she wasn't going to live much longer. 3 weeks? 6 weeks? 3 months? 6 months, MAX! She was 30 pounds under weight, her back feet knuckled and dragged, she was 7.5 years old AND a giant breed, the ONLY thing I wanted to do (besides fucking graduate already) was to give this old lady a soft landing for the rest of her, obviously minimal, days. </p><p>You know what Teh German did NOT want to do? Let me bring home ANOTHER dog. And a dog with special needs who I was literally bringing to our house to DIE? Oh he was NOT into that. He knows how attached he gets and he was (is?) still not over losing Teh BaggyPants, I mean, it was a completely fair and understandable argument to NOT bring home a 3rd dog into our "2 dog house"... and still I begged and actually CRIED about giving this dog a hospice home. I knew with school ending I'd have time to devote to her care. I knew she would break my heart in the end, but isn't that what it ALWAYS means to love a dog? </p><p>Finally, Teh German relented and I made a stealth trip to DC during full blown quarantine time to pick up Sandra Dee. You guys. I did NOT fucking know what I was getting myself into. Senior dog rescue-ers will tell you straight up that seniors will defy your expectations, but I didn't KNOW, KNOW. First off, Sandra THRIVED with us. I expected to give her a soft landing and manage her pain and let her live out her days in whatever ways she wanted and have to make the call within a few weeks to let her go. </p><p>What this Floofs wanted was to RUN and frolic and eat from your plate please, but do not diss her by expecting her to eat THAT kibble or THAT chicken or so many various other things that were placed into her bowl as a sacrifice/trade for her to just fucking eat already (we now always have "Sandy cheese" in the fridge). This sassy lady keeps us on our toes. She LOVES to be out and about, even with her droopy booty. Her fancy "boots" (Timo's socks with duct tape over the toes so she doesn't scuff her nails/knuckles to the point of bleeding when she drags her feet) gave her a new lease on life. She prefers to RUN everywhere, which usually results in me being dragged along at a full-sprint to keep up with her, which is wildly hilarious and equally horrifying because I could die at any moment. </p><p>She does NOT trust strangers but she is curious about them. Teh Bestie is probably her favorite person, but I'm going to pretend it's actually me, but I see the way Sandra reacts when her Other Mama comes over. Sandra quickly won Teh German over with her goofiness and her desire to play and just LIVE and her obvious lack of interest in dying. And when she sat on his lap? He was a goner. Her Backup Mom still enjoys it when I send her smut of Sandra running in the yard with Pax and Meri or roughing around with Pax or participating in a "family talk" or just being generally adorable. </p><p>As for me? I've been smitten since I saw her wobbly booty 1 year and a week ago (her rescue-aversary). My heart broke open and I just knew <i>in my soul</i> that we could provide Sandra with what she deserved, for as long as she'd let us. Each time she gives me kisses it makes up for all the frustration I've had when she refuses to eat for absolutely no reason. When I see her galloping in the yard with the other 2 hoodlums, my heart grows 3 sizes because I NEVER expected her to be well enough to consistently PLAY with the other dogs. And when she joins in on the family sing-alongs? Be still my motherfuckin' heart. </p><p>This lady let us be her pack and every day I'm so honored and relieved to get to spend another day with her.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU0HKgmnR7G3-udhKDZqs2d8xj7ISmLZa8SOJbz_PzxLgofvgU0c3qbFC6sQn2snc4QC5c5fixbyZiA96wTXvSD7a0oCikYLzTOFVHeX_abR6iBewoloA1iDujkpFcALK4hpYiemLy5h4/s2048/SandraDee.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="2048" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU0HKgmnR7G3-udhKDZqs2d8xj7ISmLZa8SOJbz_PzxLgofvgU0c3qbFC6sQn2snc4QC5c5fixbyZiA96wTXvSD7a0oCikYLzTOFVHeX_abR6iBewoloA1iDujkpFcALK4hpYiemLy5h4/w640-h400/SandraDee.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Sandra Dee,<br />You have taught me that I have more patience than I thought I had (parenting at it's finest?). You taught me that broke parts are for overcoming and working around in whatever ways you can. You have taught me to be even more grateful for every single day, because I thought I'd only get maybe 3 months with you, 6 if I was lucky... You have defied so many expectations and I know you DNGAF about anyone's expectations, which is what makes you so fabulous. </p><p>I know we joke that you're going to outlive Pax and Meri, but if that actually happened, I would be ok with that (disclaimer, they aren't allowed to die #sorrynotsorry)... but like I told you on our ride to SC, as soon as you give me the sign that you are ready, I'll make sure that the necessary arrangements are made. No sweet old lady should suffer and even if it breaks my heart, I'll make sure the end is the celebration you deserve.</p><p>I break my own heart thinking about days without you because I want to feel gratitude from my toes to my soul for each day with you. You tolerated 4 meals a day until we got you up to weight and now you actually have muscle definition (wuttt) and you don't knuckle or sway like you used to and we do the stairs 2x a day and call it PT and you absolutely LOVE going on walks in the park/getting out of the house. I sometimes wonder about your previous family and I hope that we are able to provide you with even more love and comfort than they did (until they didn't, fuckers). I wonder if you miss them and hope that my snuggles and butt scritches bring you comfort during those times. </p><p>I promise bully sticks and bedtime snacks and eye booger removal services and obnoxious Mahm love for perpetuity. You are my bestest, floofiest, tiniest Wuffy-Wuffs and I love you unconditionally.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEk2v5D58jvn-YjGHQNMUbP1saUVnD9-T2ViFGod174znjBiZX1DynltQGAhjcOGYJQPOMXIlTJJA3ls1LoClMaJPWRFNI-aLWnSf9noNGm_GXlFTvISmUgkMKJg81rEmRWnAOT4XOuU4/s4032/PXL_20201001_203230882.PORTRAIT-01.COVER.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEk2v5D58jvn-YjGHQNMUbP1saUVnD9-T2ViFGod174znjBiZX1DynltQGAhjcOGYJQPOMXIlTJJA3ls1LoClMaJPWRFNI-aLWnSf9noNGm_GXlFTvISmUgkMKJg81rEmRWnAOT4XOuU4/w400-h225/PXL_20201001_203230882.PORTRAIT-01.COVER.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Teh Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00133596439315060218noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1581436032352728193.post-70799289357909359882021-04-28T11:08:00.000-04:002021-04-28T11:08:16.021-04:00Seasons Greetings<p>Are you ever in one of those situations where you're the outsider and you want to be part of the group but you're definitely not part of the group so you still want to support the group and you're trying to find ways to be supportive? Obviously that was super vague so let's have story time.</p><p>I was at the gym before class started and talking to the coaches. We have a new member who doesn't speak English but they come with someone else who translates for them, but the coaches want this individual to be able to come to any class without the assistance of a translator, so they reached out to ask for some common phrases in the language this individual speaks so they can attempt to communicate with this person, even if it's mispronouncing the words and pointing to a piece of paper with the actual word written on it. </p><p>Did I mention my gym is awesome?<br />It is.<br />They are also injury supportive, which is hella convenient for me, as you'd expect.</p><p>So anyways, there was a discussion about when Ramadan was ending and I don't bring my phone into the gym so I couldn't Google it during the discussion. Then there was the question, "What do you say to someone who celebrates Ramadan? Like Happy Ramadan but obviously not that." I couldn't remember, but I knew Eid Mubarak and Eid Al-Something and I suggested she google that as well. She found it, there's one for when Ramadan begins and one when Ramadan ends, and then said, "But is it appropriate to wish someone a "Happy Ramadan" if you're not Muslim?" </p><p>I didn't even think twice about my answer.<br /><b>Why wouldn't it be?</b></p><p>My answer was so immediate and it wasn't until later that I had some self-reflection where I questioned why <b><u><i>I</i></u></b> wasn't better about this. It's no different than a Jewish or Islamic follower wishing a Christian/white person (because we all know Christmas isn't just for Christians) Merry Christmas since so many people celebrate Christmas compared to Hanukkah or Ramadan or any other non-Christian religious celebrations there are. I've seen several friends on FB who are NOT Jewish or Islamic post things celebrating holidays they themselves do NOT celebrate, but they obviously know people that do. I've always found it heartwarming to know that I have friends who are supporters of other cultures and religions, but this situation made me question why I wasn't more vocal about supporting these celebrations.</p><p>Now let me clarify, I specifically mean, supporting these celebrations IN AMERICA, where the white people are. I struggle mightily with the fact that America was founded in search of religious freedom and yet.. so many people do NOT support religious freedom of others, WHEN IT IS DIFFERENT FROM THEIR OWN.</p><p>I am not talking about how zealots become terrorists and blow up religious sanctuaries in the Middle East. I am talking about when zealots become terrorist and blow up religious sanctuaries IN AMERICA. I'm talking about how much intolerance Americans practice towards people of other cultures who celebrate different than they do. How their religious celebrations aren't as sacred as our own.</p><p>I mean, fuck yall, Ramadan is A MONTH of fasting during the time that the sun up as a way of honoring God. I know Catholics have Lent where some people give something up or perform an act as a way of honoring God, but are they fasting ALL.DAY.LONG for A MONTH? Absolutely not. Ramadan is a hard time for those that practice and those people SHOULD be celebrated. If it's as small as saying, "Eid Mubarak!" to someone, why is it so difficult?</p><p>Is it because it shows that we appreciate someone else's culture? <br />Is it because we think accepting someone else's culture is an erosion of our OWN culture? <br />Why is it so hard for us to celebrate others?<br />And that doesn't just apply to their religious celebrations, but also their accomplishments and struggles...<br />Why is it so hard for ME to celebrate others?<br />In what ways am I intolerant of others and how can I fix that?<br />How can I BE BETTER?</p><p><i>As always...<br />How can I be better?</i></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEQ7sV3oAFNR9w9ayWrXsKoMEYZnz3OvkosBKVX7OwQ492U0unwWZBTmhUHAM8I_wVzEdEQQnGmGVEn5Qv0tnd1jl3voi86x0vW96u_2WtOqDeZIriHezPDf5vnZv1VMEBnbzadDsKdp4/s720/abayameg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="478" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEQ7sV3oAFNR9w9ayWrXsKoMEYZnz3OvkosBKVX7OwQ492U0unwWZBTmhUHAM8I_wVzEdEQQnGmGVEn5Qv0tnd1jl3voi86x0vW96u_2WtOqDeZIriHezPDf5vnZv1VMEBnbzadDsKdp4/w265-h400/abayameg.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">For the record, there are NO reasons for me to wear my abaya and that makes me SUPER sad.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p>Teh Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00133596439315060218noreply@blogger.com0