What a blur!

Over the weekend, I flew in to join the Omaha Real Chicks for their 3rd anniversary celebration. While I don't have any pictures from the hike as I'm still nursing a bum foot (if you have them, please SEND them!), I can tell you that the shebang at Soaring Wings Vineyard did not disappoint!

In true form, the RCs rose to a challenge! We had 2 teams represent in the grape stomping competition and even took home the trophy..another bottle of wine. Cheese and crackers were quickly consumed as we finished off 4 bottles of wine. We laughed so hard we cried, we mooned each other...coughcoughtoniandsandracough and we generally caused some sideways looks from the others participating in the hosted Harvest Festival.

I know I get sappy and feel like I say it a lot, but I LOVE you chicks! There are not many people that I absolutely CAN'T WAIT to see and spend time with. You are at the top of that list though. Your encouragement, support and incredible sense of FUN just astounds me. And although I just had a few short hours with *some* of you this weekend, it was SO worth the trip!

Happy Anniversary Chicks!

I just wanted to take a moment to wish all of the Real Chicks a happy hiking anniversary.

3 years ago, 5 women set out to Hitchcock Nature Preserve to hike on a brisk fall morning.

The next month we had 7. Three months after that, 12. Today, the Real Chicks mailing list is over 400 women!

It has been amazing to walk with you as you've dreamed big and accomplished your fitness goals. It has been inspiring to hear your stories of strength and triumph and to watch you form deep connections with one another.

I thank each and every one of you for the role you've played in my life and for your passion to keep the real Chicks alive and thriving after my departure.

Happy Anniversary Chicks!

(if you are hiking with us this weekend, I will see you there)

Gear Review: Balck Diamond Apollo Lantern

Add this to your birthday/Christmas lists, ladies

I know I'm not reviewing the absolute NEWEST gear out there but I'm reviewing what I'm using. Let's face it, we don't all buy new gear every year just because it's new. Those items that are tried and true are what we want to know about. It's like fashion...there are those who want and need to know the latest trend, like banana clips and layered socks and those of that know that a good pair of jeans will never go out of style (okay, unless it's tapered).

So, let me bring you back to a long long time ago, to the year 2002! It was this year that Black Diamond introduced a lantern, called the Apollo...a little larger than a can of green beans and weighing in at only about 10oz (with batteries).

A few weeks ago, I dug this out of my gear closet to take on an impromptu camping excursion. I am realizing that EVERY time I pull this little guy out of the closet, I remember just how much I love it. Here's why:

* it's light.

-not ultralight, just light

* it's bright

-2 settings, bright or dim.

* it's rechargeable

- making my eco-minded self happy rechargeable batteries sold separately

* it's got legs!

-the aluminum legs bring the light to a usable level and it's stable on a table

* it's got a hangy-thingy

-allowing the light to hang in a tent or from a tree branch, perfect for night time card playing

and yes, ladies, that is an official term for gear..."hangy-thingy"

* it's durable

-I never have to worry about it breaking or banging up against other gear in my pack. it'll be fine!

* long lasting

- i don't have to worry about packing extra batteries every time I go out. On the low setting, the life of the batteries can reach 60 hours! that's an EXPEDITION!

Want to know specifics and specs? Well, I have no doubt that you smart people know how to google all of that biz. I just wanted to tell you why I love this item and why I plan to use it at every opportunity.

You owe us your story....

To all of you adventurous chicks...

I KNOW you're out there...

You're traveling, you're hiking, you're adventuring, your using gear and formulating reviews in your head.



I want your story!

Bring it on!



Send it to realchickshike@gmail.com

And then there was Sunday...

The Sunday of Labor Day weekend started off well enough. I woke up in Fort Collins and was treated to an incredible homemade breakfast by my friends Lisa and JV, watched a cheesy chick flick and then scurried to get ready to drive over to Estes Park for a wedding.

The wedding was held outside at the YMCA of the Rockies Estes Park property. The weather was perfect! The reception was a fun time to mix, mingle and bond with some of my coworkers and the dancing....OH, the dancing!

For those of you who don't know...or have yet to see it, I get a little rambunctious on the dance floor. I LOVE to dance and what better venue than the celebration of a wedding? Unlike clubs, wedding often play music that's a little more my speed. A little Sinatra, some Beach Boys, Niel Diamond, B-52s...what's NOT to love? Everyone is in a good, clean fun kind of mood at a wedding and you expect that there will be some festive moves showing up on the dance floor.

At about 10pm, my friend, Joe, and I decided to try our hand at a little swing dancing to Zoot Suit Riot. Not to boast, but we were getting away with some pretty sweet moves. That is until I twisted my foot and decided to sit out for a while. I took that as my que to turn in for the night and by the next morning...I couldn't walk on my left foot. At all. It took me 20 minutes to even get from my hotel room to the car.

Sometimes RCs don't know when to say "uncle." Instead of driving to the doctor in Estes, I first went and picked up my dog at a friends, drove 2 hours back to Granby, dropped the dog off at home, started a load of laundry and theeeeeeen opted to see what a doctor had to say about my swollen, bruised foot.

Well, folks...this may be the end of my wedding dancing days for a few months. Spiral fracture of the 5th metatarsal!! Oops. Interestingly enough, my doctor told me this injury is actually called the "dancer's fracture." HA! I spent 2 days laid up on my back, icing and elevating, then drove to see a specialist in Golden (fretting about the potential for surgery) who got a kick out of my story. No surgery. No cast. Phew!! I am wearing a walking cast for about another 2 weeks, at which point they'll take another x-ray to see how I'm progressing and hopefully be downgraded to a lot less required support.

It's a fun story. Much more interesting than "I fell down the stairs" or "tripped over the dog."

For those of you concerned about the fall trip. I'm still pulling for a full recovery by then so no need to concern yourself. I have a few great Colorado RC co-leaders lined up as well who can help if needed. I won't be able to hike at the Real Chick's Anniversary hike next weekend as I'm saving myself for the Adventure Getaway, but you'd better believe I'll be there for the post-hike celebration!!

Anyway, it's old news by now...over a week ago...but not a lot has happened in the last week. I'm sure you can imagine how difficult it is for someone who doesn't sit still well to be somewhat immobile for this long. It's maddening!! But I'm taking my recovery seriously.

Weekend RoundUp

Over the holiday weekend, Bracco and I hit the road! I love semi-spontaneous road trips. I also love when they take you to new places, to spend time with new people.

Friday night was an art gallery crawl in Fort Collins Old Town area. I met up with some somewhat new, incredibly welcoming friends to walk through an art gallery whilst partaking of an adult beverage or two. A lot of cities offer similar events, normally called First Fridays. I've been to the Kansas City version. Wherever it happens, I highly recommend going as it is perhaps some of the best people watching outside of an airport!

Then came Saturday. Saturday was EPIC (overused verbiage but true). You may or may not know that New Belgium Brewery is from Fort Collins (makers of Fat Tire, Sunshine Wheat etc). Every year they host a series of bike rides through the downtown areas of Chicago, Austin, Denver, Portland and several other large US cities. Of course, they bring the ride to their homeland of FoCo for Labor Day weekend every year. The Tour de Fat, as it's called, is not so much anti-car as it is pro-bike.

The first time I went, 2 years ago, I was advised that "everyone wears costumes." Not wanting to stand out, I obviously did NOT wear a costume. Boy, was that a mistake. I felt more like an outcast in street clothes as literally everyone wears their most ridiculous costume. Some are themed, others are obviously well thought out and creative. All of us costumed crazies load onto the most fantastic bike we can find and have a bike parade of sorts through the downtown areas normally congested with cars...this year there were 15,000 people in FoCo. At some point during the event a member of the crowd donates their car and receives a new bike in exchange for using only it to get around for at least the next year. There's music and local food vendors, custom bikes to try out, dancing and of course...beer. This is the party of all parties with all proceeds benefiting local bike co-ops.

There were pre-parties and post-parties to attend and no one would think twice if you showed up to a local business or restaurant sporting a hot pink afro wig. The whole town is out, laughing, singing, dancing and BIKING! What a great day!

Sunday is another post...along with Monday, Tues and Wed morning of this week. In the meantime, enjoy these pictures from Tour de Fat and if you ever find yourself in an area that hosts it, GO!!

Mid Week Camping

For several weeks in a row, my fellas and I (boyfriend and dog) have been camping out during the week. I like to think this is a perk of working on a 5000+ acre property, half of which has been designated a conservation easement. As long as I pack the morning before, a quick change of clothes is all that stands between me and sleeping under the stars.

(this is where I work. really. my office is in one of those buildings to the left)

We've found some pretty amazing sites to inhabit, all of which seem to have the "most amazing view I've ever seen." It seems every night boasts the "brightest stars" and "most coyote howling ."


Even with a bum calf, we left work on Thursday night to hike up to this beautiful spot (yet to be named) on the rocks. We had a cliffside campfire, dined on our gourmet pesto pasta, talked about the best things about the summer that has too quickly blown by, listened to the chirps, chatters and howls of the woods all around us and snuggled into "bed". Truly, an incredible night.



Of course my favorite part was when M (the guy) paused in his campfire building to tell me that while he would normally be excited to hide out watching the opening games of college football, he was surprisingly more excited to be camping out with me...score!

::SWOON::

The ONLY bad thing about weeknight camping is that it means a very early rise to hike back out...to work. Still, I'd say it was worth it, as would the fella, as would the mutt.

Have you ever noticed it is always worth it to go outside, no matter the inconvenience, no matter the weather or the company. Always!