Walt Disney World Marathon

In January I headed to Walt Disney World in order to participate in the Walt Disney Marathon. Getting there was quite the adventure due to a missed flight in Denver because of de-icing in Bozeman. I was re-routed to Los Angeles and then took a red eye flight to Orlando. Needless to say I was tired by the time I finally made it to our hotel, but ready to go for the day.
Day 1 - Once I finally made it to our hotel room I met Edd and my mom for breakfast. Afterwards we headed to the ESPN Wide World of sports to pick up my race packet, go through the expo and then have lunch. Afterwards my mom and I headed to Magic Kingdom for half of the day while Edd hung by the pool and relaxed.
Day 2 - My mom, Edd and I headed to Magic Kingdom for the day along with Nate, Tara, Cassie and my friend John. We all had such a blast together riding the rides and just having fun. It was great to see Nate and his family and spend time with them. I loved Space Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain and Pirates of the Carribbean. We also went to the Animal Kingdom. THe ride Expedition Everest was FANTASTIC! Cassie and I rode it twice before the park closed for the evening.
Day 3 - Race Day! I had a VERY early wakeup call and was on the bus at 3am to get to the start line. The race itself was ok. I started great and was keeping my interval pacing. Orlando had record breaking heat that day though and it was in the mid 80s with horrible humidity. I was slowing down about mile 12 and having problems keeping any liquid in me as I was sweating like crazy and horrible blisters were starting to form. At mile 13 I knew I had to get going or I would get swept at the next mile. I pushed on because I wanted to go further then I had before. At mile 14 though I had had enough and was more than happy to get on the sweeper bus. I wasn't disappointed at all, even though I would have liked to had made it further, I know I would have never made it all 26 miles in that heat. I met up with the family afterwards and we headed back to the hotel for a shower and lounging at the pool. That evening we went to dinner and then Downtown Disney to hang out.
Day 4 - Edd headed home with Nate and his family in the morning. Mom and I headed to Universal Studios. It was great a nice day and the rides were excellent. My favorite was Harry Potter and Spider-man. I rode both 3 times! Mom had fun to and we really enjoyed just being on vacation together. It was great to see the Harry Potter area and taster Butterbeer. Once back at the hotel mom and I relaxed and then headed to Downtown Disney again for dinner.
Day 5 - Mom and I headed home. Overall it was a great vacation and I am so glad I was able to enjoy it with mom and Edd.

Grand Canyon and NAI

In February I traveled to the Grand Canyon for work to attend the Train the trainer program for the National Association of Interpreters.

There were a total of 16 or so people from Xanterra, 8 of us from Yellowstone. the trip down was LONG and tiresome but well worth it once I saw the canyon. (Of course we got there at 10pm, had to be in class at 8am so it was 4pm on Monday before I finally saw it.)

The class itself was fantastic and I learned SO much. The program is geared for training Interpretive Guides, but it is a per-requisite for the Interpretive Host Trainer Certificate which I am going for next month. With these certifications I will begin training my companies new Guest Service course later this summer. While I loved spending time with my fellow Yellowstone co-workers it was really great to meet our comrades in the Grand Canyon, as well as people from all over the country and varying organizations. The class itself was Monday - Friday from 8am-4:30pmish. After class I had several hours of homework and preparing for a 20 minute training session on our last day. I can guarantee you though that I spent every daylight hour between class and dark outside exploring and hiking around the rim. It was a fantastic opportunity to spend a week there.

Each day of class we introduced our-self and each day it was a different introduction that really helped us get to know each other. On one day we were asked to explain who or what first introduced us to nature and learning to appreciate it. Well, this was easy for me and just made me so appreciative of my family. My mother's family is deeply rooted in Bliss, Idaho where my great-grandparents homesteaded Spring Cove Ranch. While growing up we spent a lot of time on the ranch with my grandparents, aunts & uncles and cousins. I can't tell you how much I learned through these people, especially my Grandpa, Uncle Art and Uncle Dan regarding nature, exploring and appreciating it. Everything from Grandpa taking us to the Oregon Trail ruts, climbing Mount Borah with Uncle Art and hunting with Uncle Dan. I cherish these experiences and men more than I realized. I love that through my family I have explored so many back roads, camping spots and gone on numerous adventures.

Daxton

The Best part of the fall was this little guy, Daxton James Doss.

Daxton was born on November 8, 2011 to my brother and sister in law. I was in love the moment I saw his first picture. I was in Denver when he was born and it was nearly 3 weeks before I met him in person.

I am so in love with my little nephew and can hardly wait to play soccer with him the first time, go hiking, read him books, etc.

The time I have spent with Daxton so far has consisted of him sleeping, sleeping and sleeping. I hear that he is now more alert, grinning and giggling up a storm. I can't wait till next month when I can see him again!

Update

Well, apparently it's been awhile since I last posted. I am happy to say that I FINALLY installed internet service into my apartment last week so I should be back up and running with this blog.

This Fall flew by in a blur. In early November I traveled to Denver to visit my company's corporate office. It was a great trip; I learned a lot and made some great contacts. Within days of returning my Papa John passed away unexpectedly. My sister Heather and I quickly made our way to Taft, CA (well, as quickly as you can) and helped my Dad and Linda as much as we could. It was hard saying goodbye to him, but I will cherish the memories I have and am grateful I was able to spend some time in Taft and hear from the locals what a difference he made in their lives. Hot diggity dog! From Taft I returned to Boise for Thanksgiving before making my way back to Montana.

As winter settled in my Dad and brother moved Grandma Rene from Taft, CA to Boise, ID. She is staying in a great assisted living place that's basically right in between my parents and Adam. Although it has been a major adjustment I think she is doing good. I know she enjoys seeing everyone so often and being a part of their day to day lives.

Christmas was spent in Boise. Unfortunately my mother broke her wrist ice skating the day I got there. I spent time helping her as much as I could, chilling with the parents and Rocket and visiting Daxton. I loved having our first Christmas with Grandma Rene!

McCall, Idaho

I spent the weekend before my birthday in McCall, Idaho with my mom and aunts. We had a place rented on Payette Lake had a wonderful time exploring town, soaking at Burgdorf Hot Springs, a little hike and sitting on the dock.

Montana Wanderings

This past weekend my friends and I headed out towards Dillon, MT for some adventuring. Our first stop on Saturday was to Clark's Lookout State Park. In 1805, the Lewis and Clark party passed through this area of the Beaverhead Valley. On August 13, 1805 Captain Clark climbed this high bluff to get a sense of his surroundings and document the location. This monument, which sits on top of the bluff, shows the three compass readings that Captain Clark took that day. We just happened to be there on August 13th so we had to stop. I loved the fact that I stood, looking out across the valley, in the vary place Clark stood exactly 206 years prior.
After spending some time at Clark's Lookout State Park we head to the Dillon KOA where we were staying for the night in a Camper Cabin. It was a cute little cabin and we enjoyed the evening grilling hot dogs, swimming in the pool, roasting marshmallows and chatting the night away.


On Sunday we headed for Bannack State Park, which is a preserved Ghost Town, for a little exploring and touring. Bannack was founded in 1862 and was the first territorial capital in Montana.At its peak, Bannack had a population of about ten thousand. There were three hotels, three bakeries, three blacksmith shops, two stables, two meat markets, a grocery store, a restaurant, a brewery, a billiard hall, and four saloons.

This building housed the school in the bottom level and the masonic lodge in the top level. The masonic lodge is still active and masons from around the world can be members. They still hold annual meetings here. This was originally the courthouse and was then converted into the Hotel Meade. It was very cool to wander around inside the buildings and imagine what life would have been like if you were a guest there.


Some other buildings include the Methodist Church, the Gibson Hotel, the view of the gallows and what is left of the Governors house. After leaving Bannack, we drove the Pioneer Mountains Scenic Byway to get back to Butte and the freeway home. About halfway down the road we saw a sign to the Coolidge Ghost Town and took decided to go see it to. Coolidge is about a 5 mile drive down a dirt road and then a half mile walk back to the town site.
I loved Coolidge! It was just an abandoned town sitting in the middle of the forest in gorgeous surroundings. Coolidge just happened to be the site of the largest, and final, silver development. Here are a few of my favorite pictures of the buildings and mine.





As always, I loved getting out for another Montana Adventure and learning a little about Montana's past. I can't wait for the next adventure!

The Apartment!!!!!!

After 4 months of being homeless (don't worry I wasn't living in a box down by the river, just couch/spare bed surfing)I FINALLY found a decent place to rent and moved in! Welcome to my new digs.....
This is the view of my kitchen, looking towards the living room, from my front door.
More kitchen. Look at all that cupboard and counter space!
Living room and door to my back deck.
One of the two bedrooms, which are located in a small hallway off the kitchen.
The bathroom.

I am SO excited to finally have my own place and to start unpacking. At the moment I only have a futon, but eventually I will get a bed, kitchen table, chairs, bookcases, etc.