Friday, September 12, 2008

Birthday Surprises

I was surprised several times on the weekend of my birthday.




















Will took the time to make Saturday a special, and secret, eventful day. He drove us up north about 2 hrs to Cascade lake. The drive there was beautiful. When we arrived Will pulled up to an Inn and told me just to follow him. We went around the building to the back and there sat my surprise. He had booked us on a wine tasting train ride on the Idaho Northern Pacific. The experience was great. We were able to taste 4 different wines, a variety of hors d'oeuvres, and listened to the music and enjoyed the views of the Payett river. He did such a great job getting our birthday date put together.




























Sunday, Rygh made sure that I knew that he got me something too. He presented me with a very beautiful card with a gift card. He knows how much I love to shop, even though I don't get to do it very often.





Of course Will and Rygh had to make sure that I had an ice cream cake (with all 28 candles), the birthday song, and a day of rest. It was good.





To make the weekend perfect I was able to hear from a lot of my family and friends. I haven't talked to a few of them in a LONG time. Thanks so much for the calls! I really enjoyed hearing from everyone, and learning what was going on in their lives.

Monday, September 1, 2008

17.1 miles

The length of the most grueling hike to date.

Top Elevation: over 5,300 feet.

Bottles of water consumed: 5.75

Duration of hike: 5 1/2 hrs.

State of energy at end: depleted


What does all of this mean - total bliss.

Rygh and I hiked 8.55 miles up the mountain, and then back down again. He did not complain once. (OK maybe just twice)
I picked the hardest hike just to see if I could do it. And we did.

Mission accomplished.