San Juans and Beyond

We got back a couple days ago from a week long trip to the San Juan Islands. The main purpose of the trip was to release my Grandma's ashes. But, since we were going to be there a week there was plenty of time for "vacation".

We drove there on the North Cascades Highway and it was BREATHTAKING!! As we passed trailhead after trailhead I couldn't help but fantasize about backpacking. Then we started passing signs for the Pacific Crest Trail and I decided it was something I want to do. I'm not ready yet but I'm going to get there. My thinking is if I do a few easier and shorter backpack trips next summer and everything works out, then the following summer, the summer before I turn 30 (gulp!), I could shoot for doing a longer trip on a section of the Pacific Crest Trail. Maybe I'm thinking way over my head, but I LOVE the idea of it and the goal setting is never bad.

Since we are on a very limited budget we knew we needed to come up with some free activities to do. There are lots of trails and hikes to do on San Juan Island and Orcas Island which seemed perfect and right up our alley.

I did a little yoga and went on a short run. (There were lots of hills so I didn't make it very far.)

We walked around Lime Kiln Point State Park a couple times.

  

We walked around the San Juan Island Sculpture Park.

 

And my personal favorite, was hiking Mt Constitution. It was a little over 1,000 foot elevation gain in the first mile, then about another 500 foot gain over the next two miles. It was hard and I was aware of how much I haven't been hiking lately. Then I would think about the Pacific Crest Trail and how much harder it's going to be and I kept pushing myself.

 

The whole trip was fantastic! I realized a while ago that I used to be just existing, just going through the motions but not really happy or alive. And now I feel like I'm really living and experiencing my life in an amazing way.

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

We found a fitting spot to release my Grandma's ashes and as a family said our final goodbyes. It was beautiful and sad.

 

 

I ate without restriction during the trip, and the scale reflects that decision. I gained 6 pounds and I totally feel it. I gave myself yesterday to recover and went shopping to stock the house with lots of fruits and veggies.

Today it's back on! I did some fitness tests that I will repeat once a week to track my progress in addition to my regular workouts. Day one felt great!

And it gets better!....An old friend, who I really respect her running career and life choices, challenged me to sign up for the Spokane 10k/half/marathon in October. So... I'm signing up for the 10k! Challenge accepted!! I am PUMPED!! Let the training begin. :)