And just like that, we have a third grader and a sixth grader!
Both girls had fabulous teachers and wonderful experiences (especially considering the state of the world). But hoping next year will be a little closer to normal…
“Over the past 40 years, every time I’ve driven past this mountain, I’ve wondered what it would be like to stand on the top,” said my dad’s voice on the other side of the phone. Turns out we both had free time two days hence, so let’s go climb a mountain!
A gnarly dirt road (plus half of one that was too gnarly), 1.3 hiking miles, 1800 vertical feet, and a few juniper branches that didn’t want to let us pass later — we were on top!
It was a hard-fought summit that we didn’t know would even be possible until we got almost to the top. The crux was hidden from view from below. But once we got there, it was just one step in front of the other until there was no farther to go! And then we could see the whole range (plus our campsite way down there next to the dirt road).
Because we were so awesome, we treated ourselves to a night and a hike on the slickrock too.
Not everyone’s idea of a perfect vacation, but it felt just right to us!
We traveled! We traveled! We went somewhere! And we went big; we went to Mexico!
We flew to Puerto Vallarta and then traveled a few miles up the coast to Sayulita, a sweet little ocean-side village just seemingly made for us to chillax for a week.
We spent our days doing four activities: swimming,
beaching,
walking,
and eating.
It was a wonderful series of days (despite the sunburns) full of tacos and margaritas and salt water and lovely friendly people.
Near the end of our trip, we travelled back to the Puerto Vallarta for our mandated COVID tests (the girls’ and my first!). After a half hour, we were cleared to travel back to the US in a couple days.
Our last two nights, we stayed in a beachside resort where we swam, Bill treated us ladies to pedicures, and we watched the sun set into the ocean.
Thank you, Mexico, for our reintroduction to a little bit of what we love!
Have you ever stood on the runners of a sled, icy wind humming past your ears, eight fur-ball muscle machines snatching bites of passing snow as a musher intones “haw! haw!”? After last weekend, we can say “Yes!”
We drove to the forest above Pagosa Springs where a local sled-dog operation was waiting (impatiently with lots of howling and yipping and jumping) to show us the ropes. So much unconcealed excitement!
We were out on the trails for an hour. We learned commands, helped steer and brake, listened to paw-falls and runner slides in the snow while the bluebird sky and bright sun (almost) kept us warm.
Then came snuggles and introductions and more howling and more snuggling. (And a toasty fire with smores and treats and extra malamute loving.)
Tessa’s favorite buddy was Tuck, an Alaskan husky (breed of malamute mixed with hound), and Maggie was partial to Nibbles and Miss Piggy. There was Tank and Havoc and Patty and Rolo and Kimble and 6-month-old puppy Rapid and, like, a dozen more.
And our guides, both awesome ladies, knew all their quirks and foibles and strengths and — miraculously to us — could tell them all apart!
We drove away exhausted, after watching those dogs work so hard, and a voice from the backseat asked, “Can we do it again tomorrow?”
About eight years ago (maybe? no one can exactly remember), Bill received an igloo making kit for Christmas. On a very snowy day, he and his friend got halfway through construction before naptime beckoned, and then our hot Colorado sun kind of totally sabotaged their efforts.
So oooooo, no time like a pandemic winter to try again!
The girls and their besties and I made ourselves scarce so the dads could concentrate.
And a mere 5 hours later … voila! Igloo!
It was hard work (I hear)! But it is huge and strong and the super duperest play fort ever!
Thanks, dads!
Magrilless 