Gratitude Walk On Conference Sunday

Today was general conference for the LDS church.  Between the sessions I drove up to the road to Monte Cristo.  I found a closed campground & pulled in.  I just wanted a quiet walk by the river.  Mission accomplished. Dirt roads are so much less painful on my knees for some reason ~ asphalt hurts more.  Dirt it is!

Just a dirt road.  I don't like walking on asphalt much.  It hurts my knees less to walk on dirt.

The Ogden river in very early spring.  Dark clouds dotted the sky, rain had just finished.

Winter's Grove Nature Trail

I had just grabbed some fish & chips at Dylan's in Ogden, and a hotdog for my dog, Shadow.  I decided it would be fun to run up Ogden canyon to find a place to sit down & eat them outside, even though it was sprinkling rain & cool.  I remember camping at Jefferson Hunt as a teenager with my family when we were waterskiing at Pineview reservoir, so I pulled down into the turnoff.  The gates were locked, BUT I found a nature trail totally by accident!  It runs alongside the Ogden river, and the information at the beginning of the trail talks about it being a nesting ground for raptors and other birds there near the river and lake.  Walking along without my eyeglasses, I saw two large animals moving along the trail.  I thought they were deer!  I then heard their call, and I know that sound!  Sandhill cranes, brown bodies, with a little splash of red near the throat.  Shadow was startled, too, but she didn't chase them.  They were not happy to see us, so we walked by quite quietly and quickly.  The trail is just a flat loop that totals about 1 mile, benches are scattered about, and it was a pleasant place to eat our lunch.  I will count it as mileage for the year, though, and I think we may go back a time or two.  I remember the mosquitos being awful at Jefferson Hunt in the summer, so for now, we'll stick with the seasons before or after summer.  What a pleasant surprise!

Little foot trail, flat, easy and birds chirping made for a very pleasant walk.

Excited to find somewhere new to hang out!

The trail goes alongside the Ogden River.  This is the view looking Northwest towards Eden, Utah.

Willows alongside the trail

The Sandhill cranes.  They look to come up about to my hip.  Noisy, fun to see up close.

Thinking Spot on the Art Nord Trail

Needed to get quiet today & meditate on ideas for the upcoming WIN segments I will soon be video-recording.  I took Shadow & we went up to Art Nord trail to breathe the fresh air, listen to the birds and running water.  Success!  Ideas have come, now just to get them in writing & in a format that I can talk about.  Beautiful day, and Shadow just sat by my side when I sat down to think & dream. This is the Art Nord Trail, on the very North side of Snowbasin, accessed only by Old Snowbasin Road, via Huntsville.  

Doggie drinks!

My thinking spot today.  I swear I sat here for 30 minutes with the ultimate gratitude for the life I've been given.

Alone with my thoughts & my dog. 

She just sat down & stayed with me while I prayed & dreamed.

Doesn't get much better than this!

View from the Old Snowbasin Road on the way to the trailhead.  Pineview Reservoir in the background.  I have dreams of living on this hillside.

Very FRESH moose tracks!!  Where did he go?  We didn't get to see him.

First time on Legacy Trail!

Today was my very first time riding on Legacy Trail in Davis County, Utah.  We started out in North Salt Lake, and ended in Centerville.  It is quite a lovely trail, lots of families out today, young and old enjoying the weather and fresh air.  The trail is relatively flat, lots of places to rest, honey buckets for your pottying needs, and well maintained.  It is scenic in lots of areas.  I could hear frogs in the wetlands, saw some creatures scurrying about, and the BEST part is safe from traffic.  No worries about getting hit by a car!  My friend Robyn came with me, and I loved having someone to go with.  Sometimes being alone isn't the best way to train, right?  I will definitely come here often!

Me. I love my bike.  Not so fond of my hips, but they will shrink as I work hard this spring!

One of the "get ons".  There are TONS of places to get on the trail ~ easy access with parking, maps, and places to rest.  LOVE how this trail was set up.

View looking North to Farmington and Centerville.  I grew up here!

Tunnel!!  They made this trail just perfect for anyone!

Robyn Dallin, my motivation!  We were nurses together YEARS ago {1989} on West 6 at LDS hospital.  LOVE her, and so happy she took me today. 

My first jersey.  It has a little shrug with long sleeves for chilly rides.  Fond memories with this one.

Biking Miles ~ Welcome Spring!

Miles on foot have improved a little bit!  The snow is off our streets, and here's a glimpse of my new route from home.  Not quite as awesome as Wilkinson Reservoir, but it is still close-by, and I plan on going there a lot.  Along this route are the Browning Firearms offices, the Morgan County airport, and a virtually traffic free route to walk and bike.  Today I biked about 5 miles ~ my first real ride of the season.  Not very far, but a 580 foot rise in elevation, so my legs and lungs were burning as I fight off a little respiratory bug that isn't going to take me down!  Bike miles to date ~ 20.  480 miles to go for 2013. Shadow isn't able to go very fast, and neither am I just yet, so she came along for a little bit.

The Browning firearms offices ~ I'd like to run on in and grab a gift certificate for a .22 rifle!

Neither one of us likes asphalt.  She is a good sport to come along a bike ride. 

Lonely road next to the runway.  Lonely is good.  Very good.

Showing a Southern gal my beautiful state of Utah!

Kristy Youngblood and her son Jaxon came to Utah to receive a diabetic alert puppy.  I am so glad that there are amazing animals that can alert diabetics when their blood sugars rise or drop!  Kristy is from Georgia, so I thought it would be so fun to show her my beloved mountains and some snow! How do I know Kristy?  She is in the 100 pound club with the same nutrition program I use.  In fact, Kristy helped me so much the first time we were on stage to be honored as 100 pound club losers.  I had a meltdown backstage, and she helped me with moral support, and her makeup kit.  We have been friends ever since.  Amazing how people are brought together, right?! 

Picnic table covered with ice and snow

Outside Earl's Lodge

Our shuttle ride ~ such a fun day

Kristy and Jax at Needles Lodge up at the top of the gondola ride

Lunch, chilled ~ no problem!  Isn't it cool how the ice is just on the top of the table?

Jax with his new diabetic alert puppy ~ Avii

Don't Eat Yellow Snow.. But what's a girl to do?

Green Pond in its frozen state

Yep.  It's yellow.  It's mine.  Did I really take a picture of it?  Oh jeez.

Shadow at the trailhead.  What would I do without my faithful companion?

Taking a break

The little brook ~ loved the designs the ice made.

Love the peaceful snow.

Really.  What's a gal to do when you get out on the trail and nature calls?  Should I tell it like it is?  Well, I'm going to.  You find a clump of trees, drop 'em, and pray no one is there to witness the coloring of the snow.  Seriously, though, this was a beautiful snowshoe on the Green Pond Trail at Snowbasin.  Green Pond was totally frozen over, and we got to stand right on it!  Green Pond is one of my favorites in the summer, and now winter!  I apologize for discoloring the snow...but when nature calls, I must answer!  :)

Snowed In? No way! Girls' Day Out!

Had an awesome day today! Suzanne Lantz is here visiting from Las Vegas & we needed a total girls' day out! It was snowing hard all day, but Suzanne and I decided to brave the snow covered roads and snowshoe.  We went up to Snowbasin instead of Ogden Nordic just because it was a lot closer.  We just went a mile or so, but it was peaceful and fun to just get outside. We had planned a mini high school reunion at the Maddox in Brigham City, but it was way to stormy to brave heading that far North.  Change of plans ~ didn't want anyone to get hurt in an accident on the scary roads. We ended up at Garcia's Mexican Restaurant and then had lunch with some beautiful Viewmont high school classmates and friends {Class of '75!!}.  It was fun catching up with them & hopefully we can do it again soon, without worrying about the weather! After lunch Suzanne and I saw Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks.  Total chick-flick, and loved it!  Perfect way to spend a blustery, snowy, and cold day.

In front ~ Kayla Foster, myself, Bobi Green Muhlestein.  In back ~ Arleen Harper, Suzanne Wilson Lantz

Suzanne's first time snowshoeing!  Catching snowflakes!

Shadow sporting her snowflakes!

The trail towards Wheeler Creek

Beautiful SnowBasin Scenery

The very kind Snowbasin worker took our photo before we got started.

Pretty awesome chick flick!! 

Leading Ladies Abundant Soul Event

Beautiful Ladies!

The beautiful soul sisters that sat at our table.  Each one with a unique and touching story.

The end of the event, we circled around and let our lights beam with absolute brightness. 

Ember, Espy, Rinda and Kris

My sweet and amazing friend Adhis!

Oh my.  My soul coach and friend Tina Metcalf.  This was her event, and as always, she touched everyone.  I can't tell you all how much she has helped me with self esteem, hard decisions, and helping me learn a lot about myself.  I love her.

Kendra, Aleca, myself, and Jessica! 

Sister sandwich!  Ember and Rinda, the beautiful redheads.  Love.

Total "fill your cup" kind of day.  Learning how to let go of our "crap", bonding with women, and honoring how unique and wonderful we all are.  I had a wonderful day, and just loved connecting with so many many amazing LEADING LADIES.  Thank-you Tina Metcalf for putting on an event to cherish!