Almost Gypsy Soul

It all started last year when the government shutdown for nearly 2 weeks. I would sit around watching the news all day and just get even more depressed about not being able to go to work. So I loaded up and went to Logan to hang out with Little Sister. We hiked for fall colors, we were slightly late and ended up in the snow so we decided that we would go a couple of weeks earlier this year. So this is how we welcomed fall and said good-bye to summer. It looked like fall and felt like summer. We hiked Jardine Juniper, a 5+ mile hike to a very large juniper tree that is over 1500 years old. A girl and her dog, on the way up These colors make all that is wrong, right. We made it! Both old ladies made it to the end of the trail Mom! Its hot out here. Are you sure it's fall? Just a few miles left Getting rejuvenated for the finale miles And I saw a moose on my way home!  Although I'm a little sad to see summer go, I just didn't get enough...

the highlight of your summer is getting a new sprinkler system, a deck, central air and some grass planted so there aren't puppy paw prints all over this house in the fall. And so any headway that I made on that ole' savings goa l I set a while back....well it can be viewed in my backyard from a cool house and probably doesn't really count as a checkmark. Work got in the way of my summer in a big way this year. I did manage (with lots of help and cash outlays) to get the sprinkler system, air conditioner and a deck installed. Up for next summer is planting grass and finishing the steps for the deck (assuming that I don't get them done this fall)....which I didn't. Even without the stairs, I'm sure enjoying the new deck and I've got a plan for completing the backyard this summer! Stay tuned for final, final pictures!

The annual all day golf trip to Fossil Island in Kemmerer, Wyoming. We decided to go earlier this year because the last 2 years we have golfed in cold weather.....all day. Fossil Island has an amazing fall golf special, all you can golf with a cart for only $25! The bad news is Pizza Hut in Kemmerer doesn't deliver to Hole 7. We played 33 holes and had a great time! I can't hardly wait until next year's annual trip. And this time we will be armed with our team t-shirts that are in the works as we speak!

Its no secret that I loved my time in Oklahoma and it remains that its one of my favorite places to go back to and visit, after all its the happiest place on earth. This year, our employee's association was hosted by the great state of Oklahoma and I was excited! I of course turned it into a slightly longer vacation and squeezed in some extra days to visit some of my favorite Okies! I started out in Tulsa with one of my good friends from OSU and his wife. Although I'd only met her once before at their wedding we were/are instant friends. I went to a baby shower, we got a pedicure....some quality girl time. I didn't completely ditch my friend though, we got in some good Mexican food and some beers too! Tulsa isn't one of my usual stops, but I'm sure glad I drove the few extra miles to visit them.....to see them and because I was one of the first few to find out they are expecting their first little one in March! They will be awesome parents! From Tulsa, ...

Military Friend, Colorado Transplant Friend, Little Sister and I signed up for the Color Run in Logan, Utah this summer. We made a weekend out of it and had a blast! Only 5Ks from here on out for this girl. That distance suits me.

I took the plunge and I bought my very own mountain bike. After lots of deliberation and riding about 10 different bikes, I made a decision and whipped out the ole' Visa (which is currently residing in a block of ice because I'm irresponsible). I haven't gotten to ride it much this summer and I'm already looking forward to next summer. There will be no running next year, all biking and hiking! Little Sister and I did get in a quick ride one weekend, it was her first ride and she did great! Little Sister's first mountain bike ride My new beaut! Logan River Trail Great day for a ride!

 Fourth of July is my favorite holiday in the whole wide world. I just love, love it! Its all good things, all in one weekend! Good friends, good reason for celebrating, good booze, good food, good activities.   The trip started off a bit shaky after a storm rolled in, bringing with it the infamous Wyoming wind which of course ripped my tent right off the stakes, leaving behind shreds of tent staked to the ground while the rest of it took flight. My trashcan is now overflowing with tent remains....but the weekend wasn't ruined. Thanks to Mike and his over zealous packing, we had a roof over everyone's head. We have made an annual trip to the Flaming Gorge Reservoir our July 4th plans. Music Man brings his boat, my family comes from Colorado, Utah and Texas. And we camp on the lake, we fish, we boat, we build campfires, we play cornhole. Its exhausting having that much fun! I have decided that I can maybe get this wakeboarding thing down, but slalom skiin...

 Well the day has finally arrived, I'm clipped in.....as in my shoes are attached to my pedals....as in I have way more power and way more incidents of falling over. which really happens by the way......TIMBER! Every Tuesday is a group ride. They are really nice and let me ride with them even though I'm way slower than they are, but I'm getting better. There is usually always good food, good conversation and a few adult beverages after the ride. Definitely the best night of the week! Doin' the Joler pose And the serious pose.....well most of us

 Yup, that really happened, that is how I was introduced at my cousin's wedding. I'm that girl. the single one. in a super awesome dress (I added that last part, it wasn't part of the introduction). So anyway, back to my cousin's wedding. It was held at a beautiful botanical gardens in Berthoud and there were lots of my favorite family people there. The weather held and the ceremony was gorgeous. They had a wonderful reception right there with music and dancing, food and fun. Missing the other sister Hands down best thing at the wedding.....a photo booth! Which we managed to drag both Mike AND the Big E into. against their will I might add, but the end product was some pictures that I'll cherish forever! Congratulations Landon and Kristen!

 Rock Springs is the host of the National High School Finals Rodeo for the past 2 years and 3 more. I am lucky enough to have some cool friends that work for Resistol, Cactus, NRS etc....and they descend upon Rock Springs each year for the trade show at the NHSFR. Now you all know that I have a raging social life so I'm really excited to have some folks to go out to dinner with, drink an more than one adult beverages with, sit in the shade of a really fancy NRS horse trailer,  go golfing and the annual grill party at my house! Plus they gather attention everywhere because they drink Coors Light and wear cowboy hats.....its like being famous in this town I think. Its always good to see them and catch up. I think they look forward to it as much as I do!

"Great opportunities to help others seldom come, but small ones surround us everyday" This quote is at the bottom of every single email I send while I'm at work. And I'm at work alot, 8, 9, 10, 12 hours a day. Yet it still escapes me how true these words ring. A while back I posted this picture on Facebook with the title "Do something awesome....donate blood"   And there were comments about how my friends and family....MINE were still with us today, thanks to blood donation. Wow, now that'll hit ya right in the forehead.  It took an hour of my time and I saved someone's life, actually probably 3 lives. That makes me a hero to someone. And that made my day. Please, please, please give blood donation some thought. Ask yourself if you can take an hour of your time and give life to someone else. You'll be their hero. I was going to promise that this would be my last blood donation post, but that is probably a lie. And see th...

Since I'm from Wyoming I bet you think this post will be about Cheyenne Frontier Days, but its not. I haven't been to CFD for ages. This post is about big ole' huge mountains and crazy folks who think they should hike up them. No, I did not take this picture Yes boys and girls, we hiked up that big ole' mountain and I crossed off a Dirty 30 bucket list item. We started at 6600 feet at 4:00 am, gaining 7300 vertical feet over 12.6 miles and in just 9 hours we were standing at the top. We managed to muster up one last smile for the victory shot! It was a brutal hike, but I had some good hiking buddies. Military Friend and her brother-in-law, Assistant Pack Leader and Spin Class Stephen and I set out on this great adventure. Check out our route! And while I may hike another 14'er, it sure won't be this one. It was a once in a lifetime experience for me, plus I don't think my ego can handle being passed by an 80 year old man who is runnin...