Birthday Weekend in Breckenridge

Ben surprised me with a weekend getaway to Breckenridge for my birthday. In planning for my day a few months ago, I asked Ben that we escape for a weekend in the mountains--be it camping, backpacking or renting a place. Since I can't carry more than 25 pounds on my back (which, regrettably, I learned the hard way after nearly passing out on the public transportation in Vancouver with my too-heavy pack) and because of a shortage of "car camping" spots available mid-summer in Colorado, we did not backpack or camp. Instead, we stayed in a luxurious hotel suite on Breckenridge's Main Street, facing the river and the ski hill.

The trip was wonderful, the perfect combination of comfort, pampering and adventuring. We ran from our hotel right up a mountain overlooking Breck and the ski resort. We toured the alpine gardens. We slept with our patio door open to allow the cool mountain air to penetrate the room, to hear the creek running below. We soaked a bit (not too much, don't worry!) in one of the many hot tubs the hotel offered. And we decided that if our trips to the mountains evolve for a little while from grueling hikes and backpacking trips to more of what we'd experienced this weekend, to become a bit more baby-friendly, we'll be just fine with it. And how exciting to know that soon we'll have a little one to take with us on our adventures, to show them just how fascinating and beautiful this world really is. For this, we can hardly wait.

Thank you again, B., for the beautiful weekend.

29

Today I turn 29. Another turn of the calendar, and I'm alright with it. This 29th year is sure to be filled with many adventures, as all my years have been filled. With much happiness, excitement, surprise, love and contentment. And this, perhaps the greatest adventure of all: in this year, I will become a mother.

On my birthday I am seventeen weeks into my pregnancy. In these weeks, I've watched in astonishment as my body begins to transform into someone I've never been before. I've felt little bubbles of movement down low in my belly, making me acutely aware that, yes, there is in fact a little one growing and moving inside of me. I've felt more tired than ever before, sleeping endlessly. I've learned that I have little control over this process -- this miraculously natural process of growth -- and that has been difficult for me. I know my body, I know my limits. Or at least I did. I've been humbled by my new and evolving self. I've learned to listen to my changing body and give it exactly what it wants. And, amazingly, what it wants is exactly what it needs. For that, thankfully, I've been blessed with a relatively smooth first trimester, a healthy heartbeat trotting out of the midwives' doppler, and the gradual return of energy.

My journey into motherhood has just begun, but it will be here in the blink of an eye, I just know it. And because I know this, and because I have little to no experience with this life that I'll soon call my own, I read. I read voraciously, insatiably. I want to know everything there is to know about pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, newborns, babies, toddlers, children. Exercise, nutrition, vitamins, prenatal yoga, massage, sleep, natural birth methods, bonding, parenting. Ups and downs, highs and lows. Really, it is a seemingly endless list. I want to know it all. I need to. For I want to be the best possible mama I can be. So I read and I ask questions and I'm building around this base of knowledge a community of women who've done this before me and who are experiencing it with me.

I'm doing the best I can.

Yes, this year will be full of surprises and adventures--not all wonderful nor wanted, I know, but worth the journey. Most importantly, in this 29th year I'll experience love like I've never felt before. To love someone, whom I've created (with a little help from B., of course), more than anything or anyone else in the world, more than my own life; I can hardly fathom this feeling. And I can't wait for it.  So now, I continue to read and I continue to grow and I wait. We wait.

PNW: The Bear

Marci and I drove to Whistler with the intention of taking the gondola to the top of the mountain for a hike. To our dismay, we arrived to find that there was a downhill mountain bike competition happening and the snow at elevation was still too dense to manage for a hike. Instead, we set off from the base of the hill, away from the masses of mountain bikers, to find some peace and solitude. We zig-zagged our way up the mountain, attempting to follow a roughly marked trail, but after an hour of climbing and the trail dwindling and eventually leading us to a dead end, we decided it was best to take the fire road back down to the base of the mountain.

So there we were, walking down the fire road, looking out over the hills and down at the races below. Chatting away, passing a fellow hiker or two here and there, minding our own business. And that's when Mr. Bear decided to join us on our hike. On a bridge. So this is one of those situations that you look back on and think, Really? Did I really just find myself on a bridge--not 200 feet from thousands of people--with a bear? We were about 3/4 of the way across the bridge when all of a sudden this black bear steps out of the woods and onto the bridge with us. Rather than do all those things you are supposed to do when you run into a bear, I grabbed Marci's arm and told her to just keep walking. At it! Here's the thing: the bear was also continuing to walk toward us, with his eyes on us, but he wasn't angry or charging or scared, just moseying. And there was enough distance between us and the bear (Oh, about 15 feet) so that it seemed logical to just keep walking. So I kept my eyes locked on the bear and we walked passed him and off the bridge. And so we survived and so did the bear. And I managed to snap a picture of him.

Seems pretty small you say? Well, let me just put you on a bridge with a bear and see how you feel about him then! All things considered, I think we handled the situation well, although my insides were quivering for many minutes afterward. An onlooker rode up and asked us if it was really a bear on the bridge with us. Yes, yes it was. He then informed us that he'd be taking the paved road up the mountain thanks to our experience.

PNW: Vancouver

 

Vancouver is, by far, my favorite big city on American soil. I love everything about the place: the coastline, the mountain views, the diversity, the food, the convenient public transportation system, the little districts within the city, Stanley Park, the beaches, and the coffee. Love, love, LOVE Vancouver.

And, just a stone's throw away from great outdoor recreation. I'll be keeping this place in mind as Ben and I begin our house hunt. (Lofty dream, I don't know if I'd have the guts at this point in my life to move to Canada. And of course, there is the rain to take into consideration...)

PNW: Hoh Rainforest

Here are a few photos from the Hoh Rain Forest on the Olympic Peninsula.

You wouldn't believe the variety of mosses to be found on every surface of the rain forest. Beautiful!

PNW: Tide Pools

PNW: Ruby Beach

These photos require no words to describe the beauty of this beach. I could walk, feet sinking in the wet sand, for hours along this shoreline. Its simple, natural state of being brings peace to the mind and body and soul. I am thankful that I could experience it again.

PNW: Bainbridge Ferry Ride

PNW: Down on the Farm

Carli and Hersh have a wonderful hobby farm outside of Seattle and we spent a few days with them there, porch-sitting, bird-watching and animal-petting. It was fan-tastic.

Feeding the chickens... chicken.

Here's Marci holding a hen. Interestingly, just seconds after this photo was taken the chicken became restless and Marci threw it at Carli out of fear.

The proud rooster, master of his domain (except for all the hens who out-rank him, which includes exactly all of them).

Beautiful feathers, and soft, too!

Taking the John Deere to the neighbors' place for the Fourth celebration.

The fire that Hersh built (and Carli made "better").

We had such a good time with Hersh and Carli in the few days we could spend with them. To say we laughed would be an understatement. They are such great people and I look forward to the next time we see them (this time in Boulder, right guys?).