Saturday, January 30, 2010

Week 4, Run 1

I had all intentions of running this morning, but the weather had other ideas. It snowed last night, which is rare for this area, I think the last time it really snowed was over 5 years ago. It sleeted a bit last year, but no snow. So, even though it snowed, at noon today, I dressed up in my running clothes and asked Boo if he wanted to go to the track. I said we could bring the dogs and let them run around while we got our workout on. We pulled up to the track and I could not even see it. All of it was hiding under a blanket of snow. (DAMN!) Since we were already out, I just sucked it up and decided to run around the snowy field. Well, besides the slick ice trying to take me out, my shoes got soaking wet and it was so freaking cold I couldn't even get past the first 5 min. warm up. Upset and chilled to the bone, I told Boo that this was ridiculous. We headed back to the car, but saw that the dogs were having so much fun, so I decided to stick it out and let Boo toss the Frisbee to Thing 1 for a while. Thing 1 was in dog heaven. Just running all over the fresh snow acting like the silly dog he is. Thing 2 hung out by my side most of the time. She was too cute. I actually caught her making snow angels and had to snap a picture of it. After a bit, I got chilly, so me and Thing 2 hopped in the car, and watched Boo and Thing 1 play from inside my warm heated car. After 15 minutes, Boo finally comes back with a reluctant Frisbee partner. (Thing 1 did not want to stop the fun.)


I guess Boo saw that I was bummed over not getting in my run so he suggested we go to the gym. So after we drop the dogs off at home, we headed over to our local gym. When we got there, we learned that they were closing down our branch (DAMN! I finally go and they decide to close the place down.) The guy told us we had two other locations we could visit, which were a bit further away. I have been avoiding jogging on the treadmill, b/c I read somewhere that it's not the same as running outside and because I'd be stuck indoors. So, once again, I sucked it up and hopped on the treadmill. I completed my 5 min warm up, 3 min jog, 90 sec walk 5 min jog, 2 min walk and repeated it again. That last 5 min jog was a killer. It really was a workout, but I was able to finish and for that I'm grateful. The music this session is crap, but it's only for a week.

Well, I tried to get outside today for a workout, but ended up taking a snow day and playing with the dogs. I did, however, get in my run, but on a treadmill. It's OK though. At least I got to be outside, even if it was cold as hell. Til next time.... GET OUTDOORS!!!

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Week 3, Run 3

This morning we got up at 5:05am to head over to the track. I had all intentions of doing my couch 2 5k session twice, since it was so easy last time. Well, I found out two things. First, it was still easy. I didn't have a hard time breathing and I pushed myself a bit. Secondly, I might of over did it last time, b/c my shin splints popped up again. I had just finished my first work out and had flipped the podcast back to start to do it over again when I felt my shins burn and my calves stiffen up. I had gotten through the first 90 second run and 90 second walk, but as soon as I started the second 3 minute run it hurt. I stopped and joined Boo for a walk around the track before we called it quits. At least I did the routine once, just not able to do it a second time, which sucks, cause I wanted a good workout. I wonder if my shin splints came back b/c I wore heels all week at work? hmmmmm...... On a different note, the music on this podcast was GOOD. Wow, it started with Eve's "Tambourine", then flowed into TI's "Bring em out", next was Ice Cube's "You can do it" and on and on it kept going! I didn't even feel like it was a work out cause the music was so good. Oh yeah, I like Hip Hop for working out :) Til next time... GET OUTDOORS!!!

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Week 3, Run 2

Boo and I got up at 5:30am this morning in 40 degree weather. It wasn't as chilly/windy as it has been so I left my down vest in the car. Since my run on Sunday was easy, I decided to do this session twice. So I did 4 sets of 90 second run and 90 second walks and 4 sets of 3 minute runs and 3 minute walks and of course the 5 minute warm up and 5 minute cool down. Well guess what? No shin splints and no hip pain!!! I felt good and like I got in a great workout. I think my next Week 3 run I'll do the same thing. Til next time.... GET OUTDOORS!!!

Sunday, January 24, 2010

Week 3, Run 1

This afternoon's group run got canceled due to rain. So..... Boo and I went to the track this morning for our workout. Today's plan was to run 90 seconds, walk 90 seconds, then run 3 minutes and walk 3 minutes with a 5 minute warm up and a 5 minute cool down. For a total of 2 sessions. It was too easy, so I think next time I'm going to run a bit faster or just do the sessions twice. Even though it was drizzily and chilly, Boo and I had a good time. The podcast music for this work out was awesome. All the songs got me pumped up. It's great when you've got good music to get you going.

Afterwards, we changed and headed up to my parents for some family time. We enjoyed this rainy day by playing Apples to Apples, eating lots of good food, watching football playoff games, and putting together a puzzle. Til next time.... GET OUTDOORS!!!

Saturday, January 23, 2010

Disc Golf Pro Style

Spent the morning sleeping in, then lazily watching some DVR'ed shows with a bowl of Cheerios. After convincing ourselves to peel off the couch. We decided to check out a professional disc golf course. I felt I was ready to try one out. We headed down to Rock Hill SC and to Winthrop University. It was chilly out so I was bundled up with hat, scarf, and gloves. The course was laid out all over the place and it was a bit overwhelming b/c we forgot to download the course map before we left. After driving around a bit, we pulled up to a couple of disc golfers to find out where the first basket was. They were nice enough to point it out and let us know how the course flows. Boo and I pulled into the gravel lot across from "The Shack", which really isn't a shack, but a nice building called the shack. Anyways, we found the first tee pad, it was up from the lake on the side of "The Shack", by the way, the photo of "The Shack" on the right is from the Winthrop University web page. See, not so much a shack right?

So after the first tee, we stumbled on the second tee by luck, then had a confusing time finding the 3rd tee. So we decided to let the group behind us go ahead and just follow them. They were a nice little family. A Dad, his girlfriend and his college aged son. I'm so glad we decided to follow them, because there was no way I would of found my way around that course. The course itself is so spread out with long tees and lots of baskets near the lake. Very pretty course. I'll admit I was a bit nervous playing on a professional championship course, but it was actually nice. We played the easier/closer baskets and because it was so open, their weren't that many trees to block your throws. But the trees that were on the course, must have been strategically planted there, cause if there was just one tree on that tee, I hit it. No joke. haha!

This course was a natural for Boo. His long distance throws soared through the air forever. He had some nice throws and below par baskets. I was really proud of him. He had another fan too. On our 3rd basket, a funny, long legged blue heron flapped up into a huge oak tree to watch. I had never seen a Blue Heron up in a tree! It was so funny, he just perched himself up and kept an eye on us. After we finished up the basket, it flew away, but popped up from the pond just as Boo was throwing at the 9th tee. It just popped up, like it was hiding along the bank and as soon as it saw Boo, it rose up slowly to spectate.

We lost the family after the 12th tee, then caught a glimpse of them up in a neighborhood. We had to play two holes, one going up a hill on the side of someones yard, and one going down hill back to the lake. At the 17th hole, we noticed a huge crop of bamboo growing near the lake and and interesting hole that led inside. So I decided to take a peek and inside the bamboo maze was a nice bench to sit on. How romantic! A tucked away, hidden bench. Boo and I took the path out and it led us to the lake where we saw the little family again. Seems as if the dad tossed his disc into the lake. Well, the dad was stripped down to his undergarments and about to get into lake. (Did I mention that it was cold out.) We talked to them a bit and watched the dad look for his disc in the lake. We learned that the girlfriend was from Argentina and the first thing that ran through my mind was, Hey, I'm in SC and I think I just met the EX Governor of SC and his Argentinian "soul mate" girlfriend! haha! (I know, I told you I had an overactive imagination.) Anyways, they were a nice little family and he finally found his disc. We finished up back at "The Shack" and I hopped back into the car. Boo turned up the heated seats and we were on our way home to get ready for a party later tonight! Til next time.... GET OUTDOORS!!!

Friday, January 22, 2010

Week 2, Run 3

Got up this drizzily morning and made it down to the track for my third run of Week 2. Over all it was a great session. 6 reps of 90 second runs with 2 minute walks in between. I didn't get any shin splints or hip pain and I feel like I kept up a respectable pace. I was probably on the slower side, but it felt good. Boo says he noticed that when I walk, I wobbled a bit. I did notice my calfs tightening up, I wonder if that had anything to do with the umpa lumpa walk... If it isn't one thing, it's another. Next week I start my 3 min runs and I'm a bit nervous about that. We'll see how it all goes down. Til next time... GET OUTDOORS!!!

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Week 2, Run 2

Alarm went off at 5:30am this morning and I really considered hitting snooze, sleeping in, and not jogging today. But I got up, threw on my jogging clothes, grabbed my MP3 player, and dragged Boo out to the track. It was 40 degrees when I started the podcast and THANK GOODNESS the music on week2 was really good. As I listend to Kanye West's "Gold Digger" I started to get pumped up. After a 5 minute warm up, I jogged 6 intervals of 90 second and walked for 2 minute in between each run and finally cooled down to DMX's "Up in Here". My shins splints acted up a bit, (should of stretched) but my hip seemed fine. Over all I had a good session and I actually sweated a bit :) Til next time.... GET OUTDOORS!!!

Monday, January 18, 2010

Week 2, Run 1

Today my friend that convinced me to start the couch to 5k program and I met a group of runners who were on the same running schedule as we were. This was great b/c every Sunday we will run with this group for our first run. It helps keep up motivation b/c I look forward to seeing everyone and it gets me started on a new week. OK.... so the run. It was alot tougher than I expected. Only b/c instead of running for 90 seconds and walking 2 minutes like I thought we were going to do, we actually ran for 90 and walked 90. Barely enough time to catch my breath. I ran harder than normal cause I wanted to keep up with the group. Which is good b/c it pushes me, but it's tough on my lungs cause they aren't use to it. Another factor I didn't consider was rain. Yup, we ran in rain. This group is hard core. They could of canceled but I guess if you have a run scheduled you just do it. Rain or shine. So here I am, running in my rain jacket, fleece vest underneath, in some windy, cold, rain. The good thing was that my hip didn't hurt, but I got some ugly shin splints. Arrrggg! How do I get rid of them! It slowed me down on the walking, which forced me to make it up on the running to keep up with the group. So yeah, it was a tough day, but hey I was outdoors and I felt soooooo good after it was done :) Til next time... GET OUTDOORS!!!

Sunday, January 17, 2010

The Battle of Cowpens

Today's outdoor adventure was an educational and cultural one. Boo and I loaded up the car with my parents and a set of 8 year old twins that my mom keeps every once in a while, and headed down to Cowpens SC. Yeah, I said Cowpens. HAHA! It is a funny name for a town, but this quirky named town was the site of the January 17, 1781, American Revolutionary War Battle of Cowpens. Where the American Colonel Daniel Morgan and his 1,000 men trounced British Lieutenant Colonel Banastre Tarlton and his 1,100 red coats. It ranks as one of the greatest tactical battles in history. Along with the battle at Kings Mountain, this was a major turning point in the Revolutionary War for the Americans.

In honor of the 229th anniversary (Jan 16-17, 1781) of the American victory over the British, the Cowpens National Battlefield Park was having a re-enactment of sorts. Not re-enacting the battle, (which they do every 5 years,) but they had hundreds of volunteers dressed up in Revolutionary War period clothing. They brought the 18th century to life right before our very eyes as we got to see how people of the period fought, dressed, lived, and cooked. The park had free activities like; park-ranger led battlefield walks, author talks, book signings, guided lantern lit walks, a 20 minute movie about the park every hour, and entrance into the museum/visitor center throughout the day from 9am til 7:30pm. After touring the visitors center, (to get warm cause it was chilly out,) we walked out onto the battlefield and our first stop was at the blacksmith. We watched him bring coal up to a fiery hot blaze and start pounding away at a rod of iron, bending, splicing, and contorting it into different shapes. The blacksmith really did a great job of explaining his tools, what they did, and how the life of a blacksmith was in 1781. Next, we walked over to a little camp where a group of women had kettles over an open fire going. They were boiling water to make coffee and some sort of chicken/vegetable soup for lunch. It was just startling to see how rustic and simple people lived back then. I mean I knew it, but to SEE it, was just another layer of "getting it" and really understanding 18th century living.

We moved down to the actual battle field to wait for the The Revolutionary War Cavalry demonstration. Since we were a bit early, we decided walk down the trail a bit to warm up and that's when we met a militia man. He spent a good 15 minutes explaining to us how the battle was laid out. I got a bit curious about his gun, so I asked a question and he spent another 10 minutes showing us his musket. How he loaded it with powder, the whole flint lock pan system to ignite a spark that would set off the gun, and how the bayonet fit on the tip of the gun. He explained that many American militia men had French bayonet muskets back then. He let me hold the gun and I was taken aback at how heavy and tall they actually are. It was over 6ft. tall! By now, the Calvary demonstration was about to start, so we all walked up to it. I thanked the guy for his time and hustled up to find my parents and the twins. The Calvary demonstration was cool. About 8-9 riders explaining what their role was during the war. They showed us some riding exercises they did to keep in shape and they explained their weapons to us. I learned what a dragoon pistol was. (Hell, I learned what a DRAGOON was. It's a European term that means an infantry skilled horseman, different from Calvary b/c of the infantry training.) I saw the dragoon sabre sword in action and learned about the different uniforms they wore. The British dragoon, usually a red coated soldier, wore a green coat and the American dragoon, usually a blue coated soldier, wore white coats. After watching them for a bit, we moved on to catch the weapons demonstration.

The 18th century weapons firing demonstrations was pretty interesting. We watched the militia and American soldiers line up together and enter the staging area where they lined up side by side. They talked a bit about the guns, (which I learned earlier from the militia man.) Then there was some witty banter back and forth about militia men vs. soldiers and how different/rough around the edges the militia were compared to the soldiers. (The militia were a group of citizens, farmers, and mountain men, trained to be soldiers.) Finally we got to see, and most importantly hear, the weapons being discharged. All the men lined up and one of the Officers told them to turn about face. He called out more orders that made them all raise their guns. They were just about ready to fire, when the Officer noticed some people walking in the area they were going to fire in, so he shouted to fire to the left. When they were ready, he yelled FIRE! and the guns went off. It wasn't as loud as I expected, but it was still really loud. Again, I knew the muskets were in this war, but to hear the actual muskets being fired, the sound just put another layer of understanding. Oh...and the smoke those guns gave off after being fired was stunning. I hadn't expected that much smoke!

After the firing demonstration, we checked walked around a bit more and checked out the rest of the camp. We got to see another group of women cooking hens on a spit. I mean they were cooking real chickens! One was about to make some peach cobbler over the open fire in a dutch oven like kettle. (It looked like she had the peaches bathing in a milk bath.) I got to sneak a peek into their tents and see how they slept. (Now you know I'm a backpacker, so any tent set up would definitely peak my interest, but to see just how sparse and uncomfortable their set up looked, made me cringe. Not to mention how cold it was. I mean, they had no 15 degree down bag, no aircore therma rest to layer between the ground and their backs. Just some hay and an old wool blanket. OH HELL NO! Seriously though, it just gave another layer to how harsh the conditions really were back then.) We finally made it over to the British soldiers camp. The first thing my dad says is, "I like these uniforms alot better." I (jokingly and lovingly) called him out and said it's probably b/c they are your people. haha! My dad is born and raised in Kansas and is a retired Marine, but has Welsh ancestry so it was fun picking on him about his European peeps :) He just smiled, chuckled and said "no, I like how authentic their uniforms look." Yeah right dad! haha!

The British camp was really efficient, clean, and organized. Not that the American camps weren't, it just seemed a bit more regimented. We caught them pulling out the boiled beef from their pots and distributing them among themselves. One of the red coats explains to us that during the War, British soldiers would put all their rations together and make one big meal for the day. They would start with boiling the beef chunks, eating those and then using some of the beef flavored water along with some flour to make dumplings, that they would pack up to eat later in the day. The rest of the water was used to make a hearty soup of potatoes, carrots, onions, and some beef. Very efficient to only have to cook once a day. I learned that the reason all the volunteers were cooking real food was b/c that was their real lunch. Most of the volunteers had spent the night in their 18th century tents, warmed themselves up from their 18th century fire pits, and ate their 18th century made lunches. They were really going for authenticity. Not sure if I could rough it like that. By this point, we were all a bit cold and hungry for lunch ourselves, so we said goodbye to the red coats, hopped into our 21st century car and blasted our 21st century heat as we rode home in search of some 21st century pizza :)

Since my dad was such a history buff, I knew he would dig it. What I was surprised to find, was that we all really enjoyed it. I mean, I knew I would, cause I'm a dork like that, but my mom, Boo and the twins all had a good time. We all found something we really liked about it. Even though it was chilly out, we all got outdoors, learned something about our country's history, and spent some quality time as a family together. All in all I thought it was a wonderful day. Til next time.... GET OUTDOORS!!!

Thursday, January 14, 2010

Week 1, 3rd Run

Boo and I got up an extra 1/2 hour early, (well at least I did, I think he got up just in time to go jogging) just so I could stretch. I've been reading alot about shin splints and hip pain this week and most of the medical advice I found was simply.... Stretch. So I did. I've never been a stretcher, I used to always think it was a waste of time, but whatever. I spent a good 20 minutes stretching this morning. I also added some cushioning inserts. Some of the stuff I read for shin splints said to make sure I had extra cushioned running shoes if I have high arches and tend to underpronate, which I do. Well, what ever I did really helped today. I had a great run this morning with minimal shin and hip pain. I also went a bit faster on my first 2 sets to warm up my body by the 8th set I was fine. Oh... and I did stretch afterwards. (So much stretching... sheeesh!) This Sunday I start my second week, where I will up my jogging to 90 seconds and walk in between each set for 2 minutes. We shall see how it goes. Til next time... GET OUTDOORS!!!

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

6am Jog

WEEK 1, 2nd Run.

I just finished up my second day of the first week of Couch to 5k. I was early and still dark out when we left. Oh.. I dragged Boo with me cause I didn't want to go to the track alone, in the dark. Boo is fond of saying that no criminal would be up this early, but you never know. I decided to run a bit faster this time, to help elevate my heart rate and work on my lung capacity. I got about half way thru my 8 sets and my left shin started acting up again. Man I really hate shin splints. I've read that it could be anything from an overuse injury to bad shoes to not stretching. Well I stretched this morning, and warmed up the first 5 minutes. It's either bad posture or bad shoes. I'm banking on bad shoes. I called up the local running store to set up an appt. to get properly fitted for running shoes for my type of gait. I hope this helps. I stuck thru it and by the last set, my shin was feeling better. Not sure if it finally warmed up or not. Maybe I need a longer warm up time. I'll play around with it to see what works. Til next time... GET OUTDOORS!!!

Sunday, January 10, 2010

Jogging and Art.

WEEK 1, First Run.

Today was the first day of my training for a 5k race. I'm using the "Couch to 5k" training program. It does a pretty good job at laying out what you need to do week by week. I'm doing it with a friend and she and I will train for one day together, but the other two days a week, I have to do it on my own. She's wanted to do it for a while and convinced me to join her. I'm more of a hiker than a jogger, but I like the fact that I'm actually working towards a goal. A 5k race. So, we'll see what happens :)

This morning at 8am, I was bundled up and out the door into the 32 degree weather. I
drove to our local middle school track, turned on my MP3 player to the music podcast for the couch to 5k (I actually found a great podcast by Suz, who put together a great playlist of music and she actually prompts you when you need to start running or walking. She has a podcast for each week of the 9 week program.) And started my first training session. It was actually pretty easy. I was worried I'd be too out of breathe too continue. But the way the program is set, I warm up for 5 minutes, then I do 8 repetitions of jogging for 60 seconds and walking for 90 seconds, finally cool down for another 5 minutes. So for roughly 30 minutes I walked and jogged around the the track. I didn't gasp for breathe during any of the intervals. Now it could be b/c of the recent hiking I've been doing or b/c of the slow pace I was jogging. hahaha! But I was happy realizing that I could do this (at least the first week.) But on the down side, I did experience some shin splint pain on the left shin and some hip pain on my left hip. I figure with more exercise, the hip pain will work itself out, but for the shin pain... I'll probably check out the local running store and see about getting properly fitted for some running shoes. I want to make sure I'm doing the best that I can for my legs/feet. After all, I need them to hike!

After the morning workout, I came back and got ready for a day of Art. Boo and I were headed to Sout
h Carolina and to the Columbia Museum of Art. Not only was it free on Sundays, but they had an Ansel Adams exhibit that we were interested in checking out. So off we went! By noon we were walking thru the museum doors. We decided to check out the exhibit before watching the 30 minute film. The photographs were just as amazing as I had imagined. Just to get up really close and see the details of the cloud that's looming in front of the Tetons, I mean it was amazing. Boo's favorites were the Yosemite National Park photo's. All of the photos were breathe taking. If you ever have a chance to see any Ansel Adams exhibit, I highly recommend it. After walking through the exhibit we grabbed a seat in the auditorium for the movie. Now I had thought the movie was about Ansel Adams, but it was really about the art of photography. When the movie ended, we decided to check out the rest of the museum. Lots of Italian Renaissance paintings, a huge 19th century Venitian Murano glass chandelier, marble roman busts, Chinese snuff boxes, jade scrolls, and china dishes, more paintings by French, Dutch, and American artists. Over all it was a very nice day at the museum and I got to get outside for a bit. Til next time... GET OUTDOORS!!!

Saturday, January 9, 2010

Dogs, Discs, & BBQ.

That's how I spent my Saturday. Hiking with Boo and the dogs around Morrow Mountain, then playing 9 holes of disc golf, and ending at a local BBQ joint. We arrived at Morrow mountain around 9:30am and it was eerily deserted. Not a soul in sight. The temperature gauge in my car read 19 degrees but the sun was shining. We hopped out the car, got the dogs in their harnesses, and headed down the icy trail. You could see ice in some parts of the trail. It made a nice crunching sound beneath my boots each time I took a step. The dogs did pretty well for it being so cold. Boo did really well too. We had hiked this mountain years ago and in July, so what I remember is lots of snakes scurrying away and over grown weeds creeping up on the trail. Today it was awesome. No snakes (thank goodness) and no over grown trails. Just nice graded, well maintained, crunchy trail. We started with a climb and it was a gradual climb for the first mile and a half, which was great, cause it warmed us up. It was a bit windy on top and on the way down, but I think that's because it was on the lake side. The next couple of miles has some amazing views of lake Tillery and then the last mile and a half was along the lake shore line. I got some great pictures of the ice that formed along the water. When we finished up, Boo changed out of his cold sweaty/wet shirt into a dry one and we were off to the Chuck Morehead Memorial Park's disc golf course in Albemarle NC.

We pulled up to the "ghost town" disc golf course. (Come on Albemarle! I know it's cold, but get your butts outdoors! You got alot of cool stuff to offer.) And since we were the only ones
in the park, we parked as close as we could to the course. As soon as we got out, we knew it was going to be really cold. There was alot of wind blowing and Boo and was feeling it. I had on my down vest, fleece zip up, two shirts on, long johns, pants, gloves, hat, AND scarf. Yeah, I know it's alot, but I wasn't cold at all. My cheeks got a bit nippy, but other than that, I was OK. The temperature was hovering around 30 degrees. We put the dogs back on their leashes and walked over to the course that was hidden behind the local community swimming pool. It was a bit hard to find, b/c there were no obvious signs for it. Just a yellow arrow pointing in the general direction. We checked out the course layout on the bulletin board to make sure we didn't get lost. Then we were off! The description of the course on line said "forested, narrow fairways" and it didn't lie. It was tough, you have to use your straight flying discs for most of the baskets. What I liked about this course was that it was very well maintained and it had arrows directing you to the next tee. Very nice. I wish we would of played all 18 holes, but we were running low on energy and needed to eat something to keep us going. Not to mention we had thing 1 with us. I was reminded why he's never gets invited to go disc golfing with us. He's a great hiking and backpacking dog. But as a disc golfer companion, he's horrible. He whines at the tee's b/c we aren't moving. As a Labrador retriever, it's in his nature to chase and retrieve anything he sees flying near him. So imagine the constant jerking on the leash as Boo throws his disc and thing 1 attempts to bound down the fairway to chase it. Now imagine the crying fits he lets out b/c he's not allowed to chase discs he feels he's entitled too. It was a nightmare. Between trying to hold him back, him tripping me with the leash as he runs circles b/c he's so energetic, wrapping himself around trees, and his whines as he has to wait for me to tee up, I don't know what was worse. Thing 2 was great. She knows the deal, she's been disc golfing with us b/f and is not a retriever by nature, so we had no problems from her. After the 9th hole, Boo decided to call it. So we walked back to the car and I promised that we'll come back another time w/o the dogs, so we can get in a good round. Besides, we were both thirsty, starving, and Boo was freezing. As soon as we hopped in the car, the dogs went to sleep. Boo and I decided to grab lunch somewhere. We passed a little BBQ place and then it hit me that I remembered an episode on PBS by about NC BBQ. They mentioned that Albemarle North Carolina had one of the last real wood burning fire pits and served an eastern NC BBQ style pork. Having lived in eastern NC, I remembered and missed my vinegar based BBQ sauce. So I mentioned this to Boo and he says that it sounds great. I look it up on the I-phone and BAM, we got BBQ!

We pulled into the quaint Whispering Pines BBQ. It looks like a house converted into a restaurant. As we walk up to the door, I read that it's been in business since 1954 and they don't take debit cards, (Boo had to run across the street to an ATM to pay the bill. hahaha!) Boo points out the stacks of hickory logs in the back. YES! Real wood burning fire pit! We slide into the rustic wood booths and glaze over the simple but yummy menu. When the waitress comes over, we order BBQ pork plates (I get o
nion rings and the famous red slaw, Boo gets baked beans and fries) and a side of hush puppies. The plates come out and the portions are HUGE! Way more than I expected and way more than I can finish. I spot the vinegar based sauce and liberally splash it on my chopped pork. Boo tells me to taste it without sauce, b/c he wants me to to savor the wood smoked flavor. Yeah it's good that way, but I've been waiting to douse my pork with authentic eastern NC sauce. It's amazing. I love the zesty, hot peppery, flavor and am so glad we decided to stop by. Even Boo's beans were good and well spiced. Two thumbs up for Whispering Pines. We enjoy a well deserved BBQ lunch as we debate where the best eastern NC BBQ is. I still heart Parkers in Greenville, but this place is a close second and Boo tries to tell me he likes Elliots or Lancasters.... whatever. Love the mountains of western NC, but not their BBQ. Hahaha! After stuffing our faces and still leaving food on the plates, we return to the car and the sleeping dogs. It's a long sleepy ride home. Even though it was chilly day, it was a great day to be outside. Til next time.... GET OUTDOORS!!!

Sunday, January 3, 2010

17 degrees.

17 Degrees is what the temperature was this morning for our first hike of the year. Brrrrrrrr... Boo and I woke up at 6:45 am, packed up our day packs, put on our long johns, found our scarves and gloves, and headed out to Crowders Mountain State Park. Where we were meeting a group of hard core hikers. Let's face it, if your hiking in 20 below weather, you ARE hard core. hahaha! At least I think so :) As soon as we pulled into the park (8:10am) we caught a glimpse of the group, just starting the first loop. We were late b/c we had to stop for breakfast. Oops :) The reason we were all meeting, was to do a series of several loops, as much as you wanted or could handle. 5, 10, 15, or 20 miles. Since Boo and the dogs were with me, I decided that just one 5 mile loop was enough for us today.

We unloaded, go
t the dogs all leashed up, tightened our scarves around our face, and hit the trail! MAN, that first 1/2 mile was one of the coldest I had ever hiked. My hair hurt it was that cold! Thank goodness we started our climb after that 1/2 mile. It really began to warm us up. I think Boo even broke a sweat! We stopped a couple of times to drink some water, but other than that, it was a tough beginning. It was a beautiful day and as we got to the top, we were rewarded with the most crystal clear view we had ever seen. We stayed up on that mountain top for a while, long enough to meet some characters. We met an older gentleman with his dog "Freddie the Freeloader", who just barked and barked, and barked. I think the guy was deaf, cause he didn't hear his dog barking at anyone. Then we met another guy who had lugged up a thermos full of coffee, just to enjoy on top of the mountain. (So remembering to do that next time. Maybe I'll fill my thermos up with hot chocolate) Boo, coffee guy, and Freddie the freeloaders dad had a nice discussion about the days football schedule. After a bit, I was getting cold and the dogs were getting antsy, so we decided to climb down. I always forget how much the stairs on the other side make my knees all jello-y. At the bottom of that 1/2 mile descent, I hyper flexed my right knee and had to take a quick break. I definitely need to strengthen up my quads, so my knees don't give out on me. We finished up the 2 mile rolling section with Boo and Thing 1 cutting through the woods and road walking the last .20 miles. His heel was hurting him. Thing 2 and I finished up and met them at the last 1/2 mile section. As soon as we finished, we saw the rest of the group, checked in with them and got invited to do another loop. We declined and wished them a good rest of the day. By then the temperatures had climbed up to a frigid 22 degrees. As soon as we loaded up the car, we blasted the heat and headed home with a quick stop for a $5 foot long. Til next time... GET OUTDOORS!!!

Saturday, January 2, 2010

Skills-bourne.

While partying late into the night on New Years eve, (WHOO HOO 2010! YAY for a new decade!) we made some plans with some friends to go disc golfing with the next day, but not too early ;) We got up late on January 1, 2010 and headed over to Kilbourne Park to meet up with Peter and Charlie. On the way there we saw Charlie walking and picked him up. We all warmed up with a couple of tosses into the practice basket, then zipped up our jackets, put on our gloves and headed into the 40 degree weather for some disc golf. We noticed one other person brave enough to venture out onto the course. Boo said, "Looks like we know who all the hard core disc golfers are." The guy smiles and says, "Yeah." Boo says, "Even if we are all hung over." Everyone laughed and agreed. HA! It was a late night, but it was fun. So after we talk about the party last night, (Charlie and Peter left around 2:30am and there were still people dancing! Boo and I left around 12:30am) we decided to start our 18 holes. For it being so cold and all of us a bit hung over, we all pretty much played at the same pace. We had some sucky tosses mixed in with some good throws. I had an awesome throw at hole 6. I made an amazing basket from 100 feet. All the guys told me it was the best throw of the day. I even played with my new pink disc that Boo got me. It made me feel good :) but it was a pure luck. No way could I do THAT again. Hahaha! We finished up strong. Looks like 2010 is starting off to be a pretty good year. :) Til next time, GET OUTDOORS!!!