Catching up with Pictures

How to fill in weeks of life? Pictures!

I was fortunate enough to spend the Sunday after my backpacking trip at Outside Lands. A couple highlights were Sam Smith and Elton John. I danced and smiled the night away.

And then back to the rest of my life. The next weekend was the last one before the kids started back to school so...camping in Tahoe! with our buddies Catherine and Gracie. Unfortunately I got hit with a bit of stomach flu so I wasn't much fun, but I enjoyed watching from the sidelines. Thank you Catherine for keeping us rolling along.

Myra and Gracie eating S'mores

King and Queens of the mountain

Tahoe Blue

Catherine with all 3 kids in the inflatable

And then back to school!!

My big 1st grader!

A few tears from Marek and a nervous wave goodbye from Myra but they both did great their first day of school - the days just keep flying by!

That Friday my mom buddy/neighbor Karen and I celebrated surviving the first week of school with a night out on the town. We danced, sang (karaoke!) and laughed the night away. Boy did I need that!

Which led to me thinking this sign at the coffee shop in the morning was a special message just to me.

I don't have any pictures to show for it but I spent that weekend at Spirit Rock (which I wrote about in my last post), in a state of calm, healing, self-growth and understanding. Life brings with it a whole host of experiences, feelings, joys and challenges... I'm striving to greet them all with an open curiosity, patience, love and even faith. Faith that all that rests within me and between myself and others, is always what's exactly right for the present.

The following week brought the last in our free outdoor summer concerts, again with our buddies Catherine and Gracie. Here are the girls enjoying their ice cream. I danced a bit with the kids, though they were much more interested in running around than hanging with me.

Here's a random lunch photo.  This was at Punjab Burrito...confusion cuisine and super yummy!

Seabass, quinoa curry dish. I could eat this every day.

And with the start of school comes the return of soccer. This year Myra is joining in the fun. She's still hesitant but getting into the swing of things. Her older brother is a good role model.

Marek is playing for the Super Sonics

And Myra is with the Super Kickers!

So my weekends will be alternating between soccer and grown-up stuff for the next few months. This weekend has been incredible so far. I started early with a lunchtime stop at the new Amy's fast food joint. Amy's is famous for their frozen vegetarian meals, this is the first time they opened an actual restaurant. Check out the garden roof!

I had a veggie burger and mac-n-cheese. The burger had a "special sauce" on it - wish I'd caught that when ordering and had them leave it off. Not only do I not want the mayo calories, it was also way too sweet and distracted from my enjoyment of the burger. The mac-n-cheese was a lot like Stouffer's; for me that's not a bad thing. All in all, the food was just ok, and for vegetarian fast food it's probably good enough. Based on the monster line of cars in the drive-thru, I'd say they're doing something right.

Last night I had a fabulous salade niçoise with grilled salmon for dinner, I should have snapped a picture of it. That and a couple drinks meant a great start to the holiday weekend. 

But no rest for the weary, I was up bright and early this morning for an 8am hike of the famous Dipsea Trail with a few ladies in the Marin tri club. We didn't hike the whole thing, turning around after 3 miles or so for an overall hike of 6+ miles. The hike starts with a nice climb up a total of 688 stairs - no problem for this awesome group of fit women. Thank you Amber for organizing. I'm feeling inspired to get off the couch and get back out there!

Stairs, stairs and more stairs

Keep climbing!

Me, Anne, Amber and Anne

Post hike brunch at Mama's Royal Cafe

I treated my body right with a no-cheese, egg white veggie scramble, fruit and dry toast with jam. Very satisfying morning all the way around. Oh, here's the elevation profile of our hike. 

that's some climbing! and people run this?!

So I think I'm feeling ready to start moving this body again. I haven't been to the gym - not on one run, not anything - since returning from the backpacking trip. I've been struggling to want to exercise and while my eating hasn't been bad, it's beginning to unravel a bit here lately. I know what I'm missing, and that's exercise. It's the best way I know to clear the bugs off my windshield of life, and right now, I need that as much as always. 

Thanks for reading!

Backpacking with Kids at Point Reyes National Seashore

Oh what an adventure! My buddy Catherine is an active, brave mom and asked if I was up for an overnight backpacking trip...with the kids (Marek 6, Gracie 6, and Myra 4.5). Without thinking too long I said YES! Catherine reserved a spot at Coast Camp in the Point Reyes National Seashore in West Marin. Coast camp includes vault toilets and fresh water, with a picnic table and a food locker at each site. Perfect for a first-time backpacking trip with the kids. West Marin is very special, with miles of beautiful ocean and amazing hikes, bays and beaches to explore.

Marek and Myra haven't done a ton of hiking, and none recently, so I took them out on a test hike. I let them know we were going backpacking and we needed to do a little training. The hike I took them on was less than two miles total but a bit hillier than we would face in Point Reyes.

I did a bit of research and at this age all they can really carry is a daypack, lightly loaded. I got them both a Tarn 18 daypack from REI and purchased a separate hydration pack to put in it. They loved having water at the ready and stayed well hydrated. I also got them each a Sea to Summit Delta bowl and lid, and Teva sandals to wear at camp. A bit of a splurge but other than the sandals, they'll be using this gear for years to come. Heck, they might use the bowls forever.

So I put their packs on 'em and out we went.

Ready mom!

I love seeing my kids in nature

On our way toward the (dry) waterfall, Marek was behind me when I heard a shout of "Mommy!", turned back to see him frozen. "Snake, mommy, there's a s-s-snake." Marek was standing still just a few feet behind me. He pointed to the snake next to the trail. I mean right next to it, a couple feet from his feet. The snake was coiled up, looked relaxed, but was doing that tongue thing where it pops in and out of its mouth. Marek was scared, tears were starting to stream. I reached back, asked him to take my hand, which he did, and I gently pulled/led him past the snake.

Far past the snake and our adrenaline was pumping, he was still crying, and so we sat down to take a breather. After we calmed a bit I went back to snap a picture, if I could, of the snake. By now it was slithering away and I could only see his body but...oh my, I saw something on his tail that got my attention.

Yep, that's a rattler. Wow, I shouldn't have led Marek past the snake. We had an option of him walking back and going around another way, had I known it was a rattlesnake, I would have done that. Now I know, Michelle does not know diddly about snakes, assume the worst.

The rest of the hike was less eventful. We arrived at the site of the waterfall, which was bone dry of course. Enjoyed a snack while talking about the drought, and then made the return trip. We were careful when got to where the snake had been, surveying the area before passing through. After we passed I looked around for it and saw him coiled up in some leaves. I snapped this picture (yes, major zoom, I was nowhere near that close to the snake).

What a story the kids had to tell. My story was good too - test hike was a success. Their packs were comfortable, they love having hydration packs, and I felt good about our upcoming backpacking trek.

Tuesday came quickly and we were up early to pack for our adventure. Catherine and Gracie came to the house and eventually, we all piled in the car for the hour drive to Point Reyes.

We stopped at the Bear Valley Visitor's Center to pick up our permit.

"Primary method of travel: Foot" (I love it!)

The kids ate lunch in the car as we drove the final 20 minutes to the trailhead. The kids carried their water, a change of clothes, toothbrush/paste, and a snack. I carried a tent, all three sleeping bags and pads, clothes, the tiny stove, and a few other things. It wasn't too bad, only stuff for one night.

Ok, we're packed up and ready to go!

It was a sunny day with few clouds in the sky. The plan was to bribe the kids with candy every half-mile.

The hike in went beautifully. A few whines here and there, less shade than we wanted, and somewhere between miles 2 and 3 Catherine and I ended up carrying all the backpacks, but on the whole, wonderful. We came upon a deer munching on some vegetation, found funny-looking bugs, and otherwise enjoyed the walk, and the building excitement as we got closer to our destination.

It took us 2 hours, 7 minutes to walk 3 flat, easy miles - roughly 45 minutes per mile. Here's a Garmin screenshot of our hike. And bonus, no rattlesnakes!

We arrived at camp and starting setting up, and when the whine level started to escalate, we dropped everything and took the kids to the beach, a 2 minute walk from camp. And the real fun ensued!

We love you Grace Ann!

Playing with kelp

When it comes to kids and backpacking, a lake, river or ocean nearby is essential. They ran, jumped, dug and played until hunger started calling.

Myra running near our campsite

Our campsite is in the distance (near the porta potty bathrooms)

Back at camp and I realized...I forgot the pot to boil water. This was bad because all our food was dehydrated. Luckily, we had angels for camp neighbors, who happened to have two kids, a 6 year old boy and 2 year old daughter. They saved us with a pot, and with some extra food when our kids were still hungry after eating everything we brought. But they really made our night when they made s'mores! They'd gotten to camp on bikes, making several trips with a bike trailer so they had way more stuff than we did. Thank goodness!

The kids happily eating mediocre dehydrated mac-n-cheese

I'll spare you our tale of woe regarding food, but let's just say I learned a thing or two about how much to bring as well as the importance of measuring water and following cooking directions. Bottom line, with the kindness of strangers, all was good.

S'mores!

And then suddenly, I needed to sleep. I brought my two-man tent (aka a one-woman-and-two-kids-tent), two Thermarest Ridgerest Classic pads for the kids, and my beloved Big Agnes air pad. That, plus three sleeping bags and I think we were all snoozing within 10 minutes. I slept really well and lucky me, no kids up asking for a mid-sleep trip to the bathroom! Score!!

The kids were up early, getting hot chocolate from the neighbors and eating the Lucky Charms we brought. I slept a little late but eventually got up and took the kids back to the beach. The fog hadn't burned off, it was a little chillier than yesterday, but the kids still splashed and played their hearts out.

Buddies!

After the beach, we packed up and started our return trek to the car.

Me and my babes

I wish I could tell you what a lovely hike out we had. And I guess some of it was lovely, but mostly the kids were tired and hungry. Marek and Myra cried all of Mile 2. All of it. It began over Marek getting an m&m that was not his preferred color. And Myra eventually joined in for reasons unknown. The crying got louder, but they never stopped walking and as long as they were walking, I was happy. Happy, because I had no plan to get them back to the car if they staged a rebellion. And I was hungry too.

Something about the Mile 3 break did the trick, no more tears. Again, bring more food, I think more snacks could have helped. Lesson learned. But we made it! Our maiden backpacking voyage was a success!!! We dropped our packs, hopped in the car and drove to Point Reyes Station for a much deserved late lunch, and then home for the evening. What a day, I was exhausted, but happy. We all were.

What a life I have. I lost weight, and I gained this life. Not always easy, but always worth it.

Day 6: This body needs carbs

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Ahh, Saturday. We had a sleepover at my mom's house last night. My brother and his family were over too and the kids went ballistic with the excitement of it all. We all stayed up WAY later than usual. Myra was up just a little later than usual so I got up with her at 8am. Marek slept until 11am! I think that kid has my food and sleeping genes. God help him.

I made myself some food.

Breakfast: two fried eggs, ham and avocado.

I played with Myra all morning, mostly painting, while the big kid slept.

Snack: Banana, orange.

Lunch turned out to be more like extended snacking, which is usually not good.

Lunch: 2 small slices of ham and later, back at home, a bit of leftover rice and chicken.

Back home and Catherine came over for our run swap. She left first while I watched the kids. While she was gone the kids asked for some pretzels for a snack. I started thinking about what the doctor said about my glycogen stores being low and, well...I had some pretzels. I was worried about my run and just wanted to have some easy fuel to help me out. Excuses, excuses, I know. But hey, I'm still not eating caffeine and I'm 99% there on following the program, so - er, maybe 97% - but anyway, I'm doing great overall so I feel okay good about my choices.

Snack: Pretzels and plaintain chip combo

Oh yes, and a few plantain chips too.

So Catherine returned looking a bit worn out and mumbling about how, "I forgot about the pain." What a pep talk, eh? I ignored her, used my inhaler and promptly changed my clothes to leave. I'd been planning on only running 3 miles given the whole bronchitis thing and just how hard running has been lately but Catherine's 7 miles inspired me so I picked a slightly longer 4-mile route.

The run started out hard. It was my legs. They hurt. I'm not used to that. And I started thinking again about my doctor's theory (she's a runner too) that they've been hurting because I need more simple carbs. So they hurt, but I'm tougher so I kept going but I remember thinking, "this body needs carbs." I'll spare you all the details but it's enough to say that things eventually turned around. At just under 4-miles I started feeling good. No, not good...great!

So I passed the block I was supposed to turn on to head toward home and instead kept right on running. I decided to run an even 5 miles. I was coming to the end of another block and checked my Garmin to see if I was nearing the 5 mile mark when lo-and-behold, I was at 5.15 miles. And I'm feeling awesome! Let's make it 6 why don't we?!

I re-routed myself again and kept right on running. Oh, the fact that my pace was getting faster and faster didn't hurt my feel-good vibe either. Check out my splits.

A funny thing just happened. I thought, "let me pull up the elevation to see if the big hill was in the first mile or second" (a bit of both) and saw how for the first two-and-a-quarter miles I was running slightly uphill (and at one point, more than slightly).

One of the neat things the Strava does is tell you your Grade Adjusted Pace (GAP) for every mile and overall. So I averaged 10:27 on the run (which I LOVE, by the way) but taking into consideration the elevation changes, 10:17. It makes you faster on uphills, slower on downhills. Here, it's easier to show you.

You can see where I gained elevation the GAP was faster, but where I lost, it was slower. You know I get a bit preoccupied with the numbers but the bottom line is, I ended strong. I felt great in the last couple of miles. Oh sure, I was hurting a bit in the last half-mile but mentally I was so happy to be enjoying the run that it didn't bring me down.

I got back and started cooking.

Dinner: Teriyaki chicken, rice, brussells sprouts.

I was momentarily tempted by some ice cream pops in the freezer but it was fleeting and easy to bat away. I'm enjoying my now stronger resistance muscle and I don't want to weaken it. Old/new again habits are forming and I know this is a tender time. Keep on keeping on, that's the best thing I can do.

I'm still not sure about changing up the food plan. For me a big part of this challenge is to stay entirely away from processed foods. I don't want to start eating breads and pasta and all that. I'd really like to keep that part of this up for 28 days. But what my doc said is niggling at me so we'll see. It's going to come down to how I feel with the exercise. She'd said some people's bodies are really good at breaking down complex carbohydrates and turning them into fuel and others are not so good and do better with simple carbs. Maybe I'm in the latter group? Too early to judge, it's only day 6, right? And I've been eating white rice, that's a simple carb right? So who knows what my leg soreness is about.

If you feel like weighing in on all this, I welcome your opinions in the comments. I always learn so much. Signing off...until tomorrow.

ps - I had an off-leash dog encounter during the fire-road portion of my run. Nothing happened, and I'm sure he was a friendly dog, but it still got my adrenaline going. Hate that!