Mile Hi Skydiving

For my 40th birthday, I got a gift certificate from Doug to go skydiving.  There wasn't a lot of discussion before he bought it (ok, there was none), but my mom had a gift certificate as well and it appears that our families thought it would be such a hoot to do it together.

It was the weirdest thing--I wasn't really nervous, but I honestly think it was because I was in total denial.  It didn't hit me until we got to altitude and the first tandem jumper opened that plane door.  We both had awesome jumping guides (is that what you call someone who straps himself to you and pushes you out of a plane?), both of whom had done over 5,000 jumps and looked like they were almost bored.  They made it so fun with some occasional teasing and harassment, but they were so calm and cool that it made it seem like no big deal.

I can't even describe that initial jump out of the plane.  It literally took my breath away, but as soon as we were out the door, I wasn't scared.  I followed my guide's instructions to a T and just tried really hard to take it all in.  The initial 60 seconds of free fall was crazy--the wind resistance was intense as was the noise (they told us we were going 120 mph during that part), but a total RUSH.  My brother gave us good advice to really try to take that part in because it goes so fast.  He and Erika did this before they got married and were there to cheer us on.

Once the chute opened, it was really peaceful and beautiful.  Even the landing wasn't too eventful.  I bought a professionally shot video (nothing like a camcorder in your face as you're falling to the ground), but Cooper also put one together as soon as we got home.  He's getting pretty good at doing these.   Here is a link to the video:

Skydiving Adventures

I think this is me, but who knows!

Coming in for landing!

Getting ready to go

Ready to go

The cheering squad

She had everyone fooled that she was 61

Someday, Syd!

Would I do it again?  Probably not.  Nothing will replace the first time and it is now crossed off my bucket list!

She's back . . . almost!

After 10 long weeks, Miss Kaiya is back--not at full strength, but she's getting there!  She had her first meet of the season with her new gym and only did bars and beam.  She had only received clearance to do beam just 8 days before the meet.  Needless to say, beam was a bit shaky.  But, all the extra work on bars paid off!  She placed 2nd on bars (NEVER placed that high last year!) and had a beautiful routine and scored higher than all but one meet last year.  She's hit some mental blocks getting back, but she knows eventually this will all make her stronger.  Way to go, Kaiya!!

2nd place on bars!

Team champs!

Fun hairdo for the meet!

Ladies with Altitude

I am always up for a new adventure.  In fact, it's pretty easy to talk me into things.  Might have to do with turning 40 this year.  Who knows.  Who cares.  Bottom line is that when a friend sent out an inquiry many months ago to see who might be interested in running a huge relay race, I was in.  I'd heard of the Ragnar Relay series from some fellow Utahans (the race directors are there and the original Ragnar was from Logan to Park City and was called the Wasatch Back) and it sounded so fun.  My best friend from college has done a couple of relays like this and she convinced me I would be fine.    

I trained most of the summer, including a lot of night running and that was fun in and of itself.  The relay consisted of 12 women and we ran 188 miles over 34 hours without stopping.  It was intense, grueling, fun, beautiful, exhausting, challenging, breathtaking and bonding all at the same time.  Our team of 12 women, all moms, had 36 kids between us with one on the way--yes, that means one of them ran while 20 weeks pregnant.  Pretty amazing!!

I think trying to explain the intricacies to someone who wasn't there is tricky, but I'll give it a shot.  Basically, our team was divided into two vans, each with 6 women.  I was in van 1 and we got to start first.  Each of us ran three total legs and each one started from where another person finished.  Van 2 then took off while van 1 had about a 4-5 hour break.  Each leg varied from 2 miles up to almost 10 miles and the terrain was everything from straight downhill to straight uphill and everything in between.  We were at altitudes from 6,000 to 10,000 feet and for the first time in my life, I truly understand the lack of oxygen at high altitude.  

If I had one lasting impression from the whole experience would be this:  I ran with some amazing women whom I grew to love and respect and the state of Colorado is stunning!  I ran in parts of the state I had never seen before (Basalt and Carbondale to name a few) and I almost tripped a few times taking in the scenery.  

My 3 legs were so different--the first one nearly killed me (2 miles straight up at 10K feet to start followed by 7 more miles of hills), the second one was at night and was a blast and my third one was absolutely gorgeous.  It was really an experience of a lifetime!

These pictures don't do the scenery justice--wish I had taken more photos of just the places we ran! Next time!!! :)

Van 1 

The whole crew

Van 1 at the starting line

A nice welcome for Jen Z finishing up her first leg and time for van 2 to take over

I think this was halfway between Breckenridge and Copper Mtn on day 1

Ready to start our second legs -- about 8:30 at night somewhere near Glenwood Springs

The halfway point

Van 2 gals ready to go at 6:30 am after about an hour of sleep in their van

Finishing up leg 3! Look at that scenery!

At the base of Snowmass having lunch at the very end while we waited for van 2 to finish.  Nothing like lunch at the Ritz Carlton to finish it off.  

Nominated!

At the risk of embarrassing Cooper, I love that this kid talks to me.  I mean really talks to me.  I find out more from him about what's going on in high school, his day, his friends, golf, etc. than I ever expected.  Last week, he texted me at lunch to say he was nominated by his peers for freshman homecoming attendant!  He was one of only 3 boys out of 180.  It was huge honor for lots of reasons--he has really let go of the need to be 'popular' over the last year and just come into himself.  He is hilarious (voted best sense of humor last year--I think this might make his dad prouder than his grades) and he's just a great kid.

He just found out he didn't win (the kid who won is the QB of the football team and has 3 older brothers who have gone through the school before him), but it didn't really matter.  Right after he got nominated, he went to a varsity golf tourney and had the best round of his life.

I told him to put those two great days 'in the bank' to draw upon when the not so good days come--advice I got from my own mom.

Way to go, Coop!!

2nd Annual Labor Day Camping Trip

I am not a camper.  Never have been and never will.  BUT, this is one trip I have no trouble taking.  Combine some of my favorite people on earth, no electronics, beautiful scenery at Lake Granby and decent weather and that's my kind of camping!  Doug, Kaiya and Cooper didn't come up until day 2 (yes, I survived without him, but only because other friends had awesome husbands to help!), so Kinley and I had some bonding time together.

It was just a great weekend--making s'mores, going for a run around the lake, playing card and board games, hiking to Adams Falls, repelling for the first time (thanks, Blaine!!!), and watching the kids just explore and play and get dirty.  Thanks to Tirsa for organizing this again!!  I am officially a happy camper. :)

Loved seeing all these little girls being buddies!

Lyddie getting brave!

The organizer and her sidekick

We had so much fun at the falls--quite an adventure crossing on this log!

Look at the background--unbelievably gorgeous (you, too, Sophie)!

Waiting for Ken to fall, but he never did!!

Lots of repelling photos, but I was AMAZED at the fearlessness of all the kids.  That first step off is scary!!

Our repelling cheerleader. :)

Not the shot I wanted, but you can see the steep drop off!

Dutch oven extraordinaires

The lake was way down, but a little mud didn't stop the kids!

A lot of work (I should have taken a picture of all the cars loaded down!), but so worth it.  Until next year . . . . . !