End of July update

CONGRATULATIONS MILISSA AND MIKEJuly 21, 2008: Milissa with brand new Brendan Wyatt (7# 8 oz and 19 inches long). Isn't he cute??? Milissa even let me hold him despite what she knows about me and how I feel about babies. I actually really like this little guy. He sleeps a lot too.

Sorry this post is so long. I've split it up in case you're not interested in reading all of it.

I apologize in advance for not returning emails. If you want to talk to me, email me and I'll give you my cell phone number. If I can figure out how to answer the damned thing, I'll talk to you.

UPDATE:
Hi, I'm on my way to Steamboat (flying, wahoo!) to work Mountain RATS stage race tomorrow (Wednesday). I'll be back home on Monday night. When I get home, there will only be about 30 days of summer left! They will be busy, see "AUGUST PLANS".

AUGUST PLANS:
August 4 - return from Steamboat
August 9 - get my son back from his 30 day backpacking trip
August 14 - 19 Go to Leadville and pace/crew Julie in the Leadville 100
August 23 - 24 Ride 24 hours of Targhee
August 30 - September 1 Run?, volunteer?, cheer people on? in the Grand Teton Races

BIG HIKE #1:
Since I last posted, I've been busy. Paul and I hiked up past the Lower Saddle toward the Grand Teton. We didn't make it to the Enclosure, our initial goal, because we didn't have helmets. The helmet omission was all my doing. Of course I thought the entire hike was flat and smooth, not steep and rocky. Anyone who's hiked or biked with me knows that I always remember everything as flat and easy regardless of how difficult or dangerous it was! The hike was great and challenging. We were running down at the end of the hike and I ended up pitching myself 8 feet down the edge of the trail. My only injury, miraculously, was a scraped finger. Amazing!

ADDISON'S COMMENTS: I upped my HC by a lot (about 20 mg) and I felt great during the hike. I should have doubled my florinef too but, once again, I forgot. Because the hike was so long and demanding (lots of elevation gain and loss), I should have upped my HC during the following day as well. I did not and I paid for it by feeling crappy, tired, mean and out of sorts. It took me 3 days to realize my HC was suboptimal.

A view of the Grand Teton from where we turned around.

Paul going up toward the Lower Saddle of the Grand. That's one hell of a fat rope.

FUN:
For my birthday present, Paul sent Allison and I to a day spa in Teton Village. Allison, Dave, Paul and I dressed up, went to dinner, listened to live music (Isaac Hayden check him out! He is great) and stayed overnight in Teton Village. FUN!!!

Allison and I at my birthday dinner. I look rested from the nap I took during my facial.

BIG HIKE #2:
I wanted to mountain bike with Jo but she decided to ride horses instead. My bike is a death trap at the moment so I was afraid to ride alone but heck, I'll ride it if I have someone to take care of me when I fall off of it. I ran instead. My initial intent was to hike/run up Mahogany to the ridge. I was feeling pretty good so I kept going and went to the top of Garns. It was a great day although I did nearly literally run into a bear right at the beginning of the hike/run. I saw it at the same time it saw me and we ran in opposite directions. I was really scared.

ADDISON'S COMMENTS: I upped my HC liberally and forgot to double the florinef...again. I paid for it yesterday because I was sluggish. When the hell will I learn that I need to up HC the day AFTER big activity?

Elk Flats was covered with wild flowers. It was stunning!

At the top of Garns. Tetons are in the background but you can't see them because of the fire haze (California fires maybe?). See the snow. I'm being tortured with it. It's almost August and I'm running into it everywhere I go.