Mountain High

I just got home from a few days in Colorado. I went with a group of women from church. We hiked and summitted a 14,000 foot mountain. I've now summitted my second "14er". Only 52 more in Colorado to go! Amazing views of God's creation along the trail and from the top!

One of my favorite seasons!

Not only was last weekend Labor Day, but it was also the start of one of my favorite times of year: College Football Season!!!

I can remember my parents going to KU football games when I was a child. In those days, I sometimes got to sit on "the hill" overlooking the stadium. I can't recall much about the actual games but I remember loving being outside on beautiful autumn days.

When I first start watching football on TV, I thought the object of the game was to see how many guys you could run in to. I never saw the football. Just big guys pushing each other around. He got one! He got a couple! Oh...he fell down without hitting anyone.

My understanding of the game has progressed quite a bit since then. Actually, football is the one team sport that I'll watch, follow, and enjoy even if I'm not a hard-core fan of either team playing. There's just something beautiful about the sport.

Several years ago, my dad started the tradition of tailgating before every KU home game. When we started, it was a simple affair: store bought fried chicken and me and my parents. The menus for our tailgates these days range from ribs, to french toast for a morning game, to baked brie and Jayhawk decorated cookies. Think of the tailgate as weekly party in a beautiful setting, with family, friends, food, games, and even a little TV to follow the other college football action. So fun!!

And now KU actually even wins some games!

"Working" Hard in D.C.

I've been in Washington, D.C., since Monday afternoon, attending a training class for work. The training class is fine, but I've been *loving* my time outside of class.

My hotel is in downtown DC (about a 7 minute jog from the National Mall) and I've been walking to work every morning. Man, I could get used to this walking to work thing. Turn on the iPod. Listen to some good tunes. Don't have to worry about traffic. Or parking. Or gas mileage. Just me and my iPod. (For those that know I don't like to walk, are you shocked at this change in me?)

The second night I was here, I took the Metro to Pentagon City to visit a swimming friend who just moved here. Even though I've taken the subway lots of times in Chicago and foreign cities, I always feel a sense of accomplishment when I figure out how to get where I'm going on it. It's the little things... Anyway, I met up with my friend in Pentagon City. She showed me around and then made a super yummy dinner for me and her hubby. We had a great time catching up!

The unexpected surprise of the week was getting to see my friend Rachel, who lives in Chicago. She used to live in D.C., so I had emailed her Monday night to get her reccommendations for what I should do here in my spare time, and what do you know, I woke up on Tuesday morning to a message from her saying she's actually going to be in D.C. this week! WOO-HOO-WOO!! So, we had breakfast together yesterday morning. It was so fun to catch up. I usually see her in Chicago in September when I do the Big Shoulders 5K swim, but I'm not doing that this year, so it worked out great to catch up this week!

Last night, I had dinner with my cousin Ashley and her boyfriend Mike. It's probably been 2 and a half years since I've seen her. We popped in to her cute walk-up near Dupont Circle before dinner. Great location and tons of character. It was so fun to get caught up on her life!

This morning, I went running along the National Mall. I discovered last fall that my aversion to running isn't nearly as bad with my iPod. Add in some great scenery and architecture along the Mall, and lo and behold, I actually like running! Today, I ran towards the Capitol building. Tomorrow, I'll head towards the Lincoln Memorial. What a great start to the day.

After work today, I'm heading to the National Air and Space Museum. Several people recommended it as a must see.

So, this has been a great week in D.C.! Thanks to my employer for sending me here!

Olympic Obsession

It's all Olympics, all the time at my house this week. Even my Build-a-Bear, Camille, got in to the act. (Since I don't have children, Camille is my "kid" that I get to dress up in patriotic clothing.) I've been clued to the TV every minute that I've been home. And, I'm staying up way past my bedtime. I usually go to bed before 10:00, but I just can't turn off the Olympics until all the swimming is over (and men's gymnastics last night...and probably women's gymnastics tonight...). I'll probably get more sleep next week, but for this week, I'm just drinking more caffeine to make up for it. The Olympics are so worth it!