So Long Sweet Summer!

Well summer has come and gone.  We both officially start work on Friday (although you could argue we've been working the past few days).  What a summer!  We feel especially fortunate to see all the strides Seger has made over the summer.  She went camping for the first time and has become quite the fan of swimming in the river at the dog park (pictured above).  

I've been so proud of Marcus this summer.  Our backyard is about 2 hours of work from being completely done!!  We will post pictures of everything once it is complete.  The flagstone patio looks awesome.  It was a wonderful surprise to get to spend the summer together and I honestly don't know how I would have held up without him the entire summer.  

Our days of leisure are gone, but I find myself excited for the upcoming year.  I can't wait to be around kids again and to see all my colleagues.  Even lessening my load of grad classes will come as a huge relief.  I feel as though we spent the summer more isolated than usual, but in many ways, I found tons of inspiration and motivation from it.  I'm ready to be around the friends I work with and to have another VERY fun schoolyear!

March-June in 60 Seconds or Less

So I realize we've dropped the ball on posting lately.  Let me bring you up to speed.

1.  Marcus came back from the Colorado Trail after 5 days and 57 miles.  He wasn't enjoying it and didn't find the solitude and relaxation he thought he would.  I am so glad he is back.  It has been awesome to have him to enjoy the summer with!

2.  We really haven't updated our life since March.  So without further adieu, here it is.  Some important events:  We redid our kitchen with granite countertops, put in sod and gardenbeds, went to Teton and Yellowstone for our 1st Anniversary, and Marcus has climbed 4 fourteeners since he has been back from his trip.  So here ya go!

42 miles and counting...

Day 1: 13 miles

Day 2: 15 miles

Day 3: 14 miles

Marcus made it to his meeting point with his Dad today around 5 pm. He greatly appreciated some time to relax, stretch, and sleep. I ended up being able to talk to him on the phone again. This time we were able to talk for an hour (since his Dad is coming with the car charger). I sent Dave with a ton of junk food for Marcus to binge on and increase his caloric intake since he is burning so many calories. I made breakfast burritos for them to eat for dinner at the campsite. A couple of cool stories Marcus told me today:

He was walking yesterday in a really remote part of the trail. He saw about 20 tents surrounding a huge canvas tent. As he got closer he saw dozens of people at the campsite. He ran into two guys on the trail carrying pickaxes. They were all there doing trail maintenance for the Colorado Trail. They kept trying to talk him into staying for dinner, but he had a schedule to keep. They made him a turkey sandwich, gave him a Fat Tire, and a bagel for breakfast and he was on his way. He was really glad to talk to them for a while and get some fresh food.

He ran into two kids that just graduated high school in Durango. They decided to do the CT, but starting in Denver and ending just a couple of miles from their backyard. They got dropped off around the same time as Marcus and are planning on hiking the trail in 38 days (Marcus is going to shoot for 30).

As for me, I'm trying to keep busy. I have any amazing support system. I've been really lucky to have friends calling me a lot the past few days. I decided to sign up for an oil painting class at my gym, I'm taking two courses for grad school this summer, and babysitting my nephew, Ambrose. I think I am more busy now than I was during the schoolyear!

The First Day

I just got off of the phone with Marcus. Despite getting off to a late start, he managed to climb around 13 miles today. He gained almost 2300 feet in elevation and he said he is really sore. He also had some delicious Pad Thai for dinner, so that's good. :) His spirits were a little low- the trail was really steep and difficult, and he is camped on the side of a hill, but he is well and ready to start a new day tomorrow.