Mr. Alaska and I officially broke up early January 2011. It was a really hard break-up for me because I fell hard. And those that are close to me know I don't fall in love easily, but when I do, I'm all in (I'm really a big creampuff under this hard outer shell). I bring him up specifically because he is the one that introduced me to backpacking and I got hooked (yeah, I might have a slightly addictive personality). After we broke up, I wanted to continue to travel, backpack and go on adventures. It was a daunting task taking on adventures/backpacking trips without my original mentor but I was determined not to let inexperience, being single or fear of the unknown stop me. What can I say....I'm pretty damn stubborn. Or stupid. *shrugs* Same difference.
New York City/Lake Placid: January 2011
What better way to ring in the beginning of a new year and recover from a broken heart? Get the hell out of town and visit one of my oldest, dearest and bitchiest besties in the world. The fabulous and ferocious Ms. Dragon Lady. Spent 3 days getting the VIP treatment (aka: hellacious hangovers) all thanks to Ms. Dragon Lady and her connections. Partied like a rock star: table and bottle service every night, which I don't normally get, due to being cheap and not really a big partier these days. I of course stuffed myself silly with delicious meals of lamb chops, pasta, sushi, ect. I've been to NYC a dozen times or so and is my fave city to visit in all it's noisy, stinky, crowded glory. There is something about that city's atmosphere & energy that reinvigorates me. I couldn't ever live there but I love visiting. I then took the Amtrak train from NYC and wound through the beautiful New York countryside up to Lake Placid for some snowbound activities. I spent five days in 15 to -10 degrees of snowy winter wonderland bliss by myself. I ran/shuffled around Mirror Lake, went downhill skiing, cross country skiing and snowshoeing in the Adirondacks. I explored, ate, checked out the Olympic museum and shopped in the very quaint town of Lake Placid. By the way, I LOVE traveling by train. That was such a neat experience.
Memorial Hermann 70.3 Ironman Texas: April 2011
My big "A" race of the year. I trained, I swam, I cramped, I wrecked, I bled, I biked, I ran, I cried, I finished. Race report: http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=248219
Colorado: May 2011
Went to Colorado for 5 days with Ms. V (Vikki) during the long Memorial weekend for some nice day hikes and beautiful weather. The Rockies are just gorgeous. Checked out the Denver area, hiked around Red Rocks and Rocky Mtn National Park. It is my dream to move here one day. I love it! The laid back vibe, the natural beauty, outdoor opportunities and the weather are awesome. Also, CO's micro brews are pretty darn good. Yum!
Yellowstone: July 2011
I literally booked this trip 3 weeks before I left. I happened to find a cheap flight and decided to hell with it. I was going to Yellowstone, the first US National Park alone for my birthday weekend. Backpacked the Yellowstone Lake region via the Thorofare trail for 4 days 3 nights. I got sick because I didn't fully recover from cold the week before because I had kayaked & raced Tri Waco. (I'm notorious for burning the candle at both ends) I got eaten alive by swarms of mosquitoes every time I had to answer a call to nature (thank goodness for mosquito head net and deet), developed a huge blister (which I named Mr. Bubbles) but it was one of the most amazing experiences I've ever had. The unique geo-thermal natural beauty, the weather and overall experience in being in the great outdoors was just incredible. Met some amazing trail friends and learned a lot about backpacking and the outdoors in general. Saw a little bit of Bozeman, MT and sampled a bison steak along with some micro brews.
New Orleans: August 2011
This was our annual work conference and of course it ended up being a "work-cation" all thanks to my awesome bosses Lane and Vivian. We stayed at the Mariott in the French Quarter on Canal St. and was a stone's throw away from Bourbon St. I love the food, creole vibe and culture here, it is so unique compared to most other US cities. Stuffed myself to the gill everyday with delicious seafood (clams, oysters, lobsters, crab legs, ect), beignets and other cajun specialties. Of course imbibed on the famous NOLA Hurricanes and Hand Grenades. I even won $150 from the penny slots at Harrah's (woohoo!). Had a grand 'ole time with my co-workers, Jeff (my corporate buddy) and Erik (my Denmark friend who I met in Yellowstone) on Bourbon Street. It's dirty, smelly, a little hood, a bit crazy but another city I love to visit but couldn't live.
New Mexico: October 2011
I started dating Mr. Rock Climber in August and we decided to do a short 3 day 2 night backpacking adventure in Wheeler Peak Wilderness. We drove from the DFW area and hit up Wheeler Peak Wilderness from Red River side via East Fork Trail (http://www.backpacker.com/september-09-rip-go-wheeler-peak-loop-wheeler-peak-wilderness-nm-/destinations/13286) as opposed from Taos. Found lots of solitude, only ran into people as we came back in and got closer to the trail head parking lot. I got altitude sickness and had blue lips majority of this trip but still had an amazing time. Got to check out the super cute mountain towns of Red River and Eagle's Nest. Did not think it was going to be as pretty as it was but I was pleasantly surprised at the beauty of Northern New Mexico.
Arizona: November 2011
My Auntie was headed to AZ and asked me if I wanted to go.....who am I to turn down a trip and a chance to spend time with my crazy Aunt T?! We spent some time exploring Peoria, Jerome, Sedona, Flagstaff and the Grand Canyon Village. We hiked in the Prescott area (Watson Lake), Sedona (Red Rocks) and of course the Grand Canyon (via South Rim Trail & Bright Angel Trail). Watson Lake was a gem of a find. I literally decided to turn on impulse to check it out and I found it prettier than the Red Rocks area of Sedona. Not that Sedona isn't pretty but I really enjoyed the boulder formations around Watson Lake. Now the Grand Canyon? Absolutely, breathtakingly stunning. It truly is one of the natural wonders of the world and I highly suggest everyone to make a trip down into the canyon if possible. Very crowded on the major corridor trails so no solitude. We hiked down into the canyon and it was just phenomenally majestic and so worth the busted quads afterwards. Another place I want to revisit and do a multi-day backpacking trip but from less busy trails.
My Auntie was headed to AZ and asked me if I wanted to go.....who am I to turn down a trip and a chance to spend time with my crazy Aunt T?! We spent some time exploring Peoria, Jerome, Sedona, Flagstaff and the Grand Canyon Village. We hiked in the Prescott area (Watson Lake), Sedona (Red Rocks) and of course the Grand Canyon (via South Rim Trail & Bright Angel Trail). Watson Lake was a gem of a find. I literally decided to turn on impulse to check it out and I found it prettier than the Red Rocks area of Sedona. Not that Sedona isn't pretty but I really enjoyed the boulder formations around Watson Lake. Now the Grand Canyon? Absolutely, breathtakingly stunning. It truly is one of the natural wonders of the world and I highly suggest everyone to make a trip down into the canyon if possible. Very crowded on the major corridor trails so no solitude. We hiked down into the canyon and it was just phenomenally majestic and so worth the busted quads afterwards. Another place I want to revisit and do a multi-day backpacking trip but from less busy trails.
In between my travels and major adventures, I managed to squeeze in a couple of triathlon's, swim races, bike rallies, over night camping trips in TX, rock climbing, kayaking, skydiving and even tried wind surfing. Needless to say, 2011 was pretty badass but I'm an overachiever and live to out do myself. 2012.......bring it. One life to live.
