I’ve never been known to stick to the rules. With a title like that, one would think this is my first blog post. Interestingly enough, my first blog post is titled “The Flu is a lovely thing”. I seriously just opened up a Blogger account and started with stream-of-conscious words about running and dealing with …
Travel
Today was my first attempt at doing a long meal prep for both of us for the week. Today is the first time I tried to do this on this stove and tiny oven. I had grand illusions that I could do this, but it would just be an adjustment of total time. I knew …
I have so many emotions going that I’m having trouble with the words. I’m absolutely ecstatic to have this medal in my hand. It means 2 years of doubt are over. Those lingering questions about whether or not I could return to running are over. The answer is definitely YES! As far as the race, …
This weekend, I have a half-marathon in New Orleans. It is the first Rock ‘n’ Roll race of the year and my first half marathon in 2 years. This was supposed to be a 4-day race-cation for the both of us but it turned into a mad dash down to the coast of Alabama and …
This year marked the return of Christmas Afloat in Tuscaloosa. This is a boat parade down the Black Warrior River. Teams decorate boats and participate in a river parade. This annual event came to a screeching halt in 2011 after the April tornadoes destroyed the marina, thereby destroying most of the boats that participated each …
A couple of years ago, Tuscaloosa decided that we needed an ice skating rink. And that was a great idea. Last year, I think it down by our River Market farmer’s market area. This year, they moved it to the floor of the Tuscaloosa Amphitheater and that was a good move. I teach an after-school …
Lately, I’ll take anything but the heat and humidity. Fall rain is pretty close to perfection. I took these on the Riverwalk path in Tuscaloosa. After a gorgeous 4 miles, I ran some errands and came home to make this. Our local grocery store sells pork steaks. These are boneless cross sections of a Boston …
I’ve told this story more than a few times.. 10 years ago, we left the state of Tennessee after living there for 10 years. 10 long years. As Alabama fans, living in TN during their NC Championship and Payton Manning years was an exercise in humility and misery. But 8 years ago, we gained us …
Big big huge gigantic game is about to be played on the plains of Athens, GA. Alabama hasn’t been that impressive lately. The sports talk is all about the dynasty being over. Alabama is done. Saban is done and going to leave Tuscaloosa. The list goes on. We won the last 2 times we met …
It usually happens at least once a season, but this year, ESPN Gameday is in Tuscaloosa early. They came out for the “rematch” of Ole Miss and Alabama. I got up early and headed to the Quad to see what was shaking this morning. So much truth in this sign. Gary and Verne….no thanks. I …
Before I get to football, let me tell you about my morning. I didn’t sleep well last night and certainly didn’t have much planned for today. I felt horrible and the only thing I needed to do was drive into town and get my medicine. It wasn’t available late Friday after I went to the …
I have survived the first 2 full weeks of school and I fully expected to sleep in this morning. But 6:00 am came around and I was wide awake and did not want to waste a single minute trying to go back to sleep. I had my running shoes ready and my lists for shopping …
Our few days camping at Maroon Bells (Silver Queen Campground) in Aspen were amazing! A lot of hiking, fishing, dawn sunrises and late afternoon sunsets. Oh, and BEARS! Campfire beverages. I’m obsessed with blueberry lemonade. Afternoon downtown tourist thing. We searched forever for ice cream. The best BBQ I had during the whole trip. …
The whole point of this post is BREAKFAST!!! I love trying new places to eat while on vacation. It’s a double-edged sword trying new things with celiac disease…but I still can’t resist local café’s, diners, “hole in the wall” places. Often we revisit some favorites and often we find new gold mines. Today, was a …
I heard some rumors that a few places around Breckenridge offered gluten-free versions of French Toast. I totally blame Stephen for this. On Sunday, he got French Toast and slurped it down while I worked my way through my usual omelet at the Log Cabin Café. His looked so good and I could not stop …
After catching up on some sleep, and a big country breakfast, we took a drive over Hoosier Pass to scout out some 14ers for snow cover. This year, Colorado had a very late snow season and the peaks and hiking paths are still showing the results. These are from Alma around Kite Lake..which is frozen. …
Great news. No rain last night! That means I slept great and woke up ready to go. We took down camp, piled it all in the truck, Jenga-style, and made our way out of Rocky Mountain National Park down to I-70 to Breckenridge. Good by Estes Park. Long drive ahead. This is Trail Ridge Road, …
See this happy couple? Does it look like one of us…me…did not get ANY sleep from fear the tent would cave in under the monsoon storms last night? No? You’re too kind. Zero sleep. Every rumble of thunder, every random crash of water off the rain fly, every snuffle of wild animal (I’m sure it …
Our campsite is fantastic! We are staying in the Aspen Glen Campground, right inside the national park on the Estes Park side (Hwy 34). We have plenty of room between campsites, BEAR LOCKERS, access to water/flushable toilets (a huge bonus in elevation), plenty of shade, and designated fire rings. As you can see, we tent …
Our first stop in Estes Park was a quick lunch at the Big Horn Grill. This is a no-nonsense place with plain good food. Nothing fancy, but fast service and food like home. I got the philly steak (no bread) and ate the whole thing. We had been driving half the day and we knew …