One thousand one hundred and sixty-nine miles

This week, I 'cashed' in all my good luck touches AND IT WORKED!! I got a job and moving to Cleveland. Super excited about the company and position. It starts in March. Heading back up to Minnesota in the meanwhile. One thousand one hundred and sixty-nine mile drive back home and I'm starting it today. Charlotte, North Carolina has been good to me, I'm going to miss it.

Baker Park Reserve

September 16th-18th went camping at Baker Park Reserve with my friend Julie and her family (her mom & dad, 2 kids and husband). She likes 'easy' camping so we rented cabins. They were very nice. I still prefer tent camping. There was tons a walking trails, Alison loved it. Definitely recommend this park.

Duluth Trail Fest

A old co-worker once asked why I ran and biked. Jokingly I told him I am trying to kill myself slowly. He said it actually sounds like you are trying to kill yourself quickly. An example, this weekend my aunt and I did 3 runs in two days. Two on the 27th, Park Point Beach 5k run in the morning and Chester Tester Hill Challenge 5k run at night. Then the following morning, Superior Hiking Trail 15k. The runs were part of the Duluth Trail Fest. It was a challenge!! Ran on sand during the first race, a very nasty hill that I practically had to climb up on the second one and the third race was my favorite, it was a trail. I totally recommend the runs!

My times:
30:54 - Park Point Beach Run
38:48 - Chester Tester Hill Challenge
2:15:42 - Superior Hiking Trail

Backpacking August 6th-10th, 2008

August 6th thru 10th I was backpacking along the Superior Hiking Trail with the Veturing group. We started at Castle Danger and ended at Cove Point Resort. So much fun!!! The weather was beatiful. It only rained when we started our trip and a little that night. The was always a little breeze. The berries were is season so I was munching on thimbleberries, raspberries and blueberries during our hike. We backpacked around 4 to 7 miles a day. The streams and creeks were a little dry. One day we pumped our water out of a beaver pond.

This picture was taken on the second day, after snack time. Hopefully I can find a group in Texas to go backpacking with. My goal is to go camping at least twice in Texas while I am there.

I hope my dad gets my sister into the Venturing group. I was in it during high school and I have been a assistant adviser for about 1 1/2 years. I love it because I am able to camp, backpack, canoe, rock climb, horseback ride and tons of other things I do not think I would not do without the group.

Group picture on the last day after eating lunch at Two Harbors. I ate a greasy cheese veggie sandwich and cherry peach pie with ice cream. MMM!!!