Ready for fall

Confession time: I’ve never been a huge fan of summer. I’m a wimp when it comes to the heat and I hate bugs (though living in a 300+-year-old house has taught me to cope with the grossest of them). At the same time, I love the extra hours of daylight, camping, and feeling the sun on my skin.

As much as I enjoy those things, I love jeans and boots and cardigans and scarves a LOT more. I love fall beers with a passion unrivaled by many things. I love foliage and crisp mornings and evenings. I love pumpkins and apples and cider and cinnamon.

I’m ready for fall, and this one is shaping up to be a great one.

• Family trip to Seattle and the Puget Sound, immediately followed by a day of Wizarding World of Harry Potter (FINALLY!) and a trade show in Orlando.
• My first two half marathons
• Heading to VT for Dan’s 5-year college reunion
• Running  a race every weekend in October
• Heading to DC to run the Marine Corps Marathon 10k and cheer Dan on running the Marine Corps Marathon
• Thanksgiving. Yum.

Plus, I’m sure we’ll have other fun things like apple picking, and maybe we’ll actually have enough time to carve a pumpkin this year!

What’s your favorite season? Is there anything you’re looking forward to this fall?

I’m baaaaaack!

I got back from my whirlwind, fabulous vacation to Steamboat Springs, CO (I may have mentioned it at some point here) on Saturday afternoon. The BF and I had an amazing time, split comfortably between relaxing and exciting activities.

A quick overview:

• Saturday, 1/17: Arrived in Steamboat, Uncle Spike picked us up at the airport, took us for a tour around the downtown area and his job site (a 13,000 square foot house), and we got settled in at his house.
• Sunday: Skiing! Just about 45* at the top of the mountain, gloriously sunny, not a cloud in the sky. Spring skiing at its finest.
• Monday: Checking out downtown Steamboat, some shopping, then heading to Strawberry Park Hot Springs for the afternoon. So relaxing!
• Tuesday: More skiing! See Sunday’s entry for conditions.
• Wednesday: Woke up late, went for a 4-mile snowshoe expedition through Rabbit Ears Pass. Took 200+ photos of glorious scenery.
• Thursday: Skiing again, but my quads/knees were sore and the weather wasn’t so great, so I didn’t take too many runs. Took it easy and sad in one of the lodges reading for a while.
• Friday: Horseback riding at Saddleback Ranch, where “Filthy Rich: Cattle Drive” (short-lived E! reality show a couple of years ago) was filmed. We took a great ride around the ranch in white-out snow conditions, but it was still pretty and warm out. Afterwards, we learned how to lasso a steer! Yippee-ki-yay!
• Saturday: Woke up before dawn to some ridiculous snow, Uncle Spike drove us to the airport, and we made our way home.

Saturday night, the BF and I went out to dinner with some friends, and we found out they got engaged that same night!! I’m super-duper-can’t-even-explain-it happy for them

Steamboat

Just got off the phone with my uncle Mike (also fondly known as “Uncle Spike”), who informed me that the Steamboat Springs area of Colorado received about 16 inches of powdery snowfall last night and another 12 inches the night before that. 28 inches of Champagne Powder in the past 2 days? Yes, please!

Everyone I’ve talked to who’s skiied Steamboat in the past has said it’s one of their favorite mountains. I am waaaaaay beyond excited for this trip! Some of the plans:

• skiing 3 days, not sure which yet
• horseback riding
• hot springs hopping (possibly after 6 p.m., when they’re clothing-optional ::wink!::)
• watching professional cowboys try to ski
• experiencing Steamboat’s backcountry
• lounging in Uncle Spike’s outdoor hot tub

Yes, I think it’s going to be a GREAT vacation! Anyone been out there and have any suggestions?