Day 2-3

Had every intention of writing a great blog post, but by 8pm I am exhausted. Bear with me, I will summarize and hope to get enough detail. First let me start by saying if you ever see the deals that fly around for the winter escapes to Iceland, DO IT! Ours was something like $625 per person, that included air, room and last nights tour to Fontana the thermal spa and baths, a lovely Icelandic dinner and attempt at the Northern lights. Well worth this experience, so much so my son and I may do it again next year.

Last nights baths were amazing, we did attemp the sauna, but the sulfur smell (or rotten egg smell) combined with it was 59 degrees Celsius ran us out in about 15 seconds. Food has been a little difficult. Shark is offered on every menu, the problem is every time I've gotten something with fish it's pickled, and have come to the conclusion that's not my thing. Basically we've been a little hungry, until last night. With our package came dinner, Luke had a ton of traditional meatballs and said they were amazing, and for the vegetarian there were delicious sweet potatoes, beets, couscous and fruit, wonderful!!

Today was again another treat. We took a tour that took us to Pingvellir Natinal Park (where the North American and Eurasian plates meet), Geysir, and Gullfoss. All incredible wonders that left me wanting and seeing more.

I have truly missed international travel. I can't adequately explain what this has done for my mind and spirit, but it's good!

Pingvillir

 

 

Geysir

 

 

 

 

Gullfoss

 

 

 

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SEA-KEF

We left Seattle yesterday (Wednesday) at 4pm and made it to Iceland at 7 am Thursday Icelandic time (11pm home time). Not one to lose a day we checked in at our hotel, took a one hour (my timer was set) power nap took the city bus into the city center of Reykjavik and began our Icelandic trip. Today simply involved getting our bearings together, the layout for the city. Finding the hip and tasty coffee shops, and just takng it all in. Tomorrow morning we will return there for breakfast and a little shopping, then head out on an evening tour of hot springs and search for the northern lights.

Today was fabulous (other than bloodshot eyes and feeling tired, it's been a while since I've gone 38 hours without sleep). The coffee shops were great. We walked all over downtown Reykjavik went up the Hallgrimskirkja to get this view of the city

Gorgeous people everywhere. For blondes like us I certainly feel at home! Prices are high like I expected but not over the top. The kids and I do things on the cheap, we don't spend much on food and often find the cheap good eats. We did sit down for a late lunch/dinner, it wasn't great but it wasn't bad and it came to 3630 kroners which roughly translates to $29 US. Coffee was fair price, and stopped at a grocery for some snacks and it too wasn't horrible.

I'd write morebut will just post pics instead. I've hit the point where my eyes won't stay open.

It was 38 degrees here today but felt 29 the windchill from the water is cold!

 

 

 

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Frozen Ground

There's really only one benefit to the below freezing temps we've been experiencing. Makes the ground perfect to hike. If it's above freezing this time of year the ground is too muddy, below it's frozen and perfect!

That's exactly what we did Sunday, took off up Icicle Ridge. I love these people, and this life.

 

 

 

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Cleansing the Mind

I run because it's good for me. I know how I will feel out there and how I will feel when I am done. Wenatchee is a funny place as far as athletes around, it's cliquey, you get identified as a "runner" "cyclist" "triathlete" "yogi'" "swimmers" "cross fitter". Some people (of which I am close to) are hell bent on identifying themselves as one. I choose not to belong to any, but to enjoy them all, as they all have a purpose. My "cyclist" friends (and I'll pick on them for a sec because they are the ones I am around the most), get so grumpy as soon as the bitter cold sets in and the trails are closed. Losing motivation to ride, complaining about not riding, and coming up with on going plans to get in shape. News flash, this is our weather and where we live, it happens EVERY year, nothing new there.

This is why I run. I am so grateful to be out there doing SOMETHING, it's why I learned to Nordic ski a few years ago. I despise the bike trainer, I know I don't like it, hence riding on Christmas Eve last year, hitting ice and breaking my hand, so I learned and took up other outdoor sports to stay in shape and clear my mind.

I always decide the night before what workout I will do in the morning, I NEVER leave it to chance on seeing what the weather will be. If the forecast is questionable I always just plan to run, but having it in my head of how I am going to start my day is the sure way it will happen.

This morning I knew I was going to trail run, the forecast was between 18-21 degrees, I planned to go when I woke and I did. I had perma grin out the there, it was cold, but I was dressed right, ran into a couple of friends and almost (literally) a buck. I was excited and grateful for my life and the day ahead.

 

I stopped to take this and my snot actually froze, it was that cold

This is not my photo, but I saw this on Pintrest and couldn't say it better myself.

Today is a good day to be a "runner"!

 

 

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Travel: It's my Thing

I can't tell you how many times someone comments on the amount I travel, then  promptly follows it with telling me WHEN I won't be able to travel as much. I don't reply but I feel like posing the questions of, how much is that new car you are driving, is there a time you are not going to race as much (because let's face it, races add up too, one of the primary things I have cut out to travel more), do you have cable television, how much do your jeans cost, more bikes, wheels and such (that's a big one in my world) oh shopping trip AGAIN...people we all choose how we live our lives, own the way you live yours.

I work a fair amount at my own business, making very little, not exactly the American dream, but it allows flexibility to be with my children and work. My retirement consist of a measly IRA (and no in my divorce I didn't touch my ex husbands), and my house. I drive a very functional car (that lacks a lot of luxuries that would be nice), it's fuel efficient and I live within a mile of my work, kids school, groceries and bank (yeah my average monthly gas is around $50). I don't have cable television, or new clothes. The only new shoes I ever buy are running shoes. My furniture is used, worn and comfy. The only one with an actual bedroom set is my daughter. I don't do knick knacks that don't serve a purpose. I certainly don't feel like I am missing out. Those things do nothing for me, what feeds my soul is travel. Experiencing different cities, meeting the people that live in these places. In the U.S alone there is diversity everywhere, abroad it's the different cultures. The greatest experiences in my life have come from traveling. The most growth in my life has come from traveling. Some of the best memories the kids and I have made are on our trips.

This year my finances took a bit of a beating, I've been paying off lawyer bill to update my parenting plan, this came out of money I set aside for the wedding, then my sons fuel pump went out and my dog ended up in emergency surgery to the tune of $2400. Such is life, no I don't make enough to cover any of that, but I have been saving the last few years for a new roof, so I sucked it up put on my big girl panties and used that to pay it off. Such is life. I have two trips already booked from this summer in the next four weeks, Iceland and Costa Rica, again I didn't really have money for them, so I sold both my time trial bike and cross bike. I also have sold quite a bit of unnecessary furniture and household items on Craigslist to pay for those trips.

I guess what I am getting at is, I will never actually have money to travel, but it will never stop me.

(Thanks Katie for this one)

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Finding Four Minutes

I love to blog, it helps me gather and organize my thoughts. Writing down the moments of our lives helps me stop and appreciate them. I've seen people's slightly passive aggressive comments about bloggers, and to each is own. You don't have to click on the link to a blog, that's why I love this forum. Ok in any case I haven't been able to find four minutes to blog. Life is BUSY, I don't feel overwhelmed, just busy and at the end of the day when I like to gather my thoughts, I've been opting for sleep instead.

I had grand plans last weekend to spend time blogging, but the weekend ended up a little crazy.

 

I snapped this picture of the boys, because I ahead failed to celebrate Kaisers 8th birthday 10/18

 

A few hours later at 10:30pm Kaiser was in emergency surgery with Gastric Dialation Volvus (bloat), his stomach flipped and twisted cutting off oxygen and blood supply, essentially killing him. Scary stuff, lucky for us the on call vet was quick to act, got him into surgery (he did lose his spleen but that's actually ok), and his now on the mend with a bunch of staples in his stomach. Thank you Rick for being so calm and incredibly supportive, Jake and Taylor for showing up, and my Mom for heading to my house at 11pm to grab Lo.

 

The kind of big stuff that is going on, is all my sons "last" for his high school experiences.

The last homecoming

 

His last XC meet

 

There will be more, today was "senior skip" day. I can't say I've gotten sad. I am now a firm believer life prepares you very well for every stage of your kids life, if you have the right outlook. I have enjoyed immensely raising this kid. I have loved being at everything and have no regrets to how my time with him has been spent. Now I am excited for him, to go out on his own and create the very life he dreams of. There are things/events in my life that have shaped who I am and how I live, that's what I want for him. That and to live life with a bit of passion, to be excited in whatever he chooses to do, where he chooses to live, and who he chooses to be with.

 

My little miss is doing well too. The girl is involved in everything. She is an ASB officer, and all their meetings and such are keeping her busy. She's just started an hour a week at the hospital volunteering. She does magazine/book delivery with a friend and really enjoys it. Along with our two hours a week at the humane society, and again that experience has been amazing.

I thought last year may have been her last year trick or treating, but she was all excited to go again this year. She invited a few friends and trick or treated the neighborhood and had a slumber party (thank goodness for the basement in my house)!

I will enjoy it while it last.

Life is good, feels good to find a few minutes to blog!

 

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