...San Francisco, Day 3...

The life cycle of this tree. Zoom in to see when it became a tree.

I can't tell you the number of people that told us to visit Muir Woods while in San Francisco. Muir Woods has some old Redwood trees, you know, the kind that are over 1,000 years old, so Andy and I made it a priority to see them. The only problem we faced: figuring out how to get there.

Since we were relying on public transportation for the entire trip, there was quite a bit of "figuring out" that needed to happen so that we didn't end up stuck in Sausalito (which looks like is a quaint little town that I would have loved to have explored.) We had one bad experience with a driver (basically, he gave us completely incorrect information) but we arrived just in time to hop on a tour of the woods.

Inside a tree

The woman leading the tour was green, figuratively and literally, but she did a great job. At times, I could see her cheeks and mouth shaking as she spoke. We were a small group, but we asked her lots of questions, and her answers were solid and sure.

Did you know that the tannins in redwoods repel bugs and mosquitos and moss? Did you know that there are hardly any birds because there are no bugs to feast on?

It's an eerily silent forest.

After the tour, we explored on our own for a while, and then caught the shuttle back to the city. We cleaned up at our hotel and headed down to Fisherman's Wharf for dinner.

We felt that eating fish and chips while by the bay was a must, and the Codmother Fish and Chips had the best reviews. Similar to a food truck that's parked, we walked up and grabbed an open table on the patio (there's only a patio) and placed our order. The food portion was tremendous, and the taste was absolutely delicious. It was a bit more than either of us could manage.

(One of my favorite things about this trip, was that Andy and I bought food to share, instead of each having our own entree. It gave us a chance to try different things without breaking the bank. Everyone else probably already does this, but it was a first for us.)

This little guy was all by his lonesome.
All his friends were over on another dock. Loner?

We walked around the wharf, to Pier 39, and watched the sea lions sleep on the docks. We walked to Ghirardelli Square and ordered a sundae to share. Ghirardelli makes great chocolate, but I wasn't impressed with the sundae.

With race day the next day, we were again in bed before 8:30pm. I woke up with a start two times in the middle of the night, nervous my alarm wouldn't go off and I'd miss it. By 3:17am, there was no going back to sleep for me...

...San Francisco, Day 2...

Andy was desperate to play disc golf, so we walked to a Sports Store in the Presidio, and, when we realized that we could rent bikes, decided to bike across the Golden Gate Bridge.

It was a perfect day for it, clear and cool, and soon we were off exploring on two wheels. I'm not the best biker. I'm fine with balance, but there's an element of fearlessness that one needs to have which I do not. I tend to be a bit shaky. At one point, Andy stopped to check on me and, with a surprised voice exclaimed, "You're not doing too bad, babe!" Whatever!

Though the view was gorgeous, I couldn't really enjoy much of it. Only one side of the bridge is open on weekdays, which meant a mass of walkers and bikers and runners were trying to share a space smaller than most sidewalks. To make matters worse, there was a protest going on on the bridge. Sigh! I can't tell you how many times I rammed into the side just to avoid running someone over.

After we made it across the bridge, we biked back to our favorite pizza place and had lunch, and then returned the bikes and walked back toward our hotel so as to catch a bus for Golden Gate Park, the location of the disc golf course.

The Palace of Fine Arts - just happened to walk past this amazing building

Sadly, the bus took about two hours to get us there. It would have taken us an hour to walk. There was a car broken down on a two lane road and the man wouldn't let us out of the bus. While I napped on his shoulder, Andy watched google maps as we drove further away from where he wanted to be. It was discouraging, to say the least.

When the bus driver finally opened the doors, we jumped out and power walked toward our destination. While I ran one final 5K before the race, Andy found a few guys to tag along with and play. I met up with them after my run, and was so appreciative of how kind and welcoming they were to him. Some people are just really wonderful! Andy loves meeting new people, and he revealed later that that was his favorite part of the trip.

Once the game was over, we took a bus to San Tung and ate their famous Dry Fried Chicken Wings. If you are ever in San Francisco, these are a MUST!! Just incredible and amazing...and I am not a chicken wings fan. The wait was unbelievable, but next door you can find San Tung 2, exactly the same food and owner, just with a smaller menu. They also had a wait line, but we managed to sneak in before the big crowds started arriving.

We took the bus back to our hotel room, and were in bed by 8:30pm. We're not big night owls, but there are few people that make the most out of everyday like we do!

How are you making the most of each day?

...San Francisco, Day 1...

My fear of oversleeping woke me up at 3:05am, so I was already showering when the alarms started blaring at 3:15, 3:17, and 3:19. We were already packed, so we just needed to get ourselves, and Buddy, out the door. That proved a bit more challenging than expected, but we still managed to board our 6am flight before take off. Phew! Made it!

We had a layover in LAX, and arrived in SFO at 11am. One suggestion for when you come  visit SFO, take the shuttle to get to your hotel. It's $17 a person, but the other options, which are only a few dollars cheaper, take hours, literally hours.

By the time we arrived at our hotel, which is cozy (read tiny) but clean, we were exhausted and famished. Andy searched a place to eat (he's so good at finding great little nooks) and we walked up to a pizzeria in our area. It was tasty pizza, AND Andy and I both ate for under $10 - TOTAL! We'll be going back.

After lunch, we headed to the Nike Women's Marathon Expo-tique. Here are some pictures from our adventure.

Walking to the bus stop...I'm not sure I've trained for these hills.
8.0 on the treadmill incline doesn't seem sufficient now...

This is how close we are to the bay. So picturesque!

The start is at Union Square. Red are the steepest hills, yellow are your
basic hills and inclines, and green is supposed to be easy...we'll see...

After my free makeover. I need to remember to smile nicely.

My complimentary airbrush tattoo encouraging me to run like I have wings!

Also had my hair braided by the ladies of Paul Mitchell. I might go back
on Saturday and have them do it again for Race Day!

Because they offer so many free goodies (and I'm bringing home ALOT of free goodies), this is an expensive race to run. We wanted to make sure that I took advantage of everything they offer, and Andy lovingly and patiently carried my bags and took pictures while we walked to each activity. We spent our day at the Expo-tique!

(At one point he did say, "It would be so awesome if one of your girlfriends was running with you and could do all this stuff," but I think he sincerely meant that it would have been more fun for me to have a buddy, and not suggesting that all he wanted to do was get away from all the ladies. If you ever do this race, insist on a buddy, any buddy. If you weren't great friends to begin with, you will be by the time it's over.)


So the evening was all Andy's, and he wanted to watch the St. Louis Cardinals defeat the San Francisco Giants, so we walked to a sports bar, Jillian's, and waited 40 minutes for a table. In fact, they sat us at a huge table and asked us if it would be okay if others joined us. Soon, two older gentlemen came to our table, engulfed in a conversation about their online dating antics and the women they were meeting. At one point (I kid you not!) they were looking at a phone and giggling at the responses they were composing and receiving through text message! Did I mention these were grown men (at least in their fifties) and not teenage girls? It was fascinating!

It was a tense game. When that one guy on the other team hit the home run late in the game, the whole room erupted in cheers. I knew there was no stopping the Giants now...and we couldn't. They went on to win it in the 9th inning. The room went crazy, and Andy insisted we leave immediately. So quickly, in fact, that he left his phone on the table, and we had to go back to retrieve it. My poor, broken-hearted husband. I'm not sure he's over it yet.

When I wasn't looking, Andy snapped this.
Isn't he wonderful?

We have more fun for today! Can't wait to tell you all about it! Remember, I'm running on behalf of the A21 Campaign, and if you'd like to pledge to my cause, you can do so here!

Thank you for loving me so well everyone!

...one more week...

I finished my last long run yesterday.

11 miles down...

2.1 miles to go...

Most of my adventures of late have centered around running...and eating...and sleeping. By this Sunday at 10am, I'm hoping it will have all been worth it.

I have chosen to run on behalf of the A21 Campaign. I haven't been the best fundraiser, mostly because I crumble when asking people for anything. But I wish I had been more brave a bit sooner.

While this race will certainly be fun, there's more to it than that for me. Hopefully, you'll join me in supporting the A21 Campaign.

You can donate to my fundraiser here.

Thanks in advance!

...total eclipse...

The sky couldn't have been more clear.

Bright stars, some that I had forgotten existed, burned in the sky as I trudged down the driveway toward our open common area, my eyes, still clouded with sleep, searching the endless black night.

As I entered the clearing, the deep, dark wine colored moon held it's own against such a magnificent sky and I gasped, unexpectedly. I wasn't prepared to be so taken aback.

Within moments, a neighbor joined me, one I had never met before, and we stared in awe together. She began to tell me about the blood moon, that it's red color is because it is reflecting the sunrises and sunsets around the world in that moment.

There's a more scientific reason. You can look it up for yourself, but I've embraced the idea of such staggering beauty being mirrored. Am I a mirror? If so, who am I mirroring? Does my life reflect beauty and love?

I hope so.

My phone's camera snapped away, but there are some things that an iPhone cannot capture. So I stopped and stared, breathing in the moment before it passed.

It was definitely worth the 5:25am alarm...

...beers and brats...

Andy and his sister and parents

Oktoberfest!

St. Louisans love their beers and brats! In fact, Andy was telling us how Quiktrip used to sell brats, but they only sold well in the St. Louis market, so they discontinued them.

There are several Oktoberfests to enjoy in the area, but one of the biggest and best is the St. Charles Oktoberfest, mostly due to the fact that Andy's sister, Heather, is on the committee. And there couldn't be a more perfect evening for a festival.

Held on the riverfront, we were shocked at the sheer magnitude of it all. The hungry and thirsty masses crowded together in long lines (that moved quite quickly) to get a sampling of brats, pretzels, bavarian sliders, beers and ciders, and other festival foods.

The first bite

Those that weren't waiting for food and drinks were trying to sift their way through colossal crowds to hear the performing groups, peruse the merchandise tents, or simply sit by the riverfront and enjoy the evening.

I enjoyed my very first brat (yes, my first!) while sipping on some tasty hard cider. Andy found a tent where he could purchase a liter beer stein, and when I saw the dance floor, I pulled Andy out into the open taught him a simple polka as the German band played.

I can't believe this was our first year attending this event. It was so much fun, and such a lovely evening to be outside.

You have one more day to check out this fabulous festival, celebrating community and German heritage. Don't miss out!

For more information on the St. Charles Oktoberfest, click here.

The picture is blurry, but you can see how happy I was.

...defying gravity...

I was shaking, a bit uncontrollably, as I stood on the small rectangular frame high above the net. I had just ascended a way-too-high ladder, and was clinging to the thin ropes and bars for dear life. Somehow, so high up in the air, I had completely forgotten that I was safely harnessed in.

Evan powdered my hands with chalk and reminded me what would be happening. Matt gave us a basic run thru on the ground, but it all seemed to seep out of my brain as I stared at the ground far below. Evan pulled the bar close and I reluctantly grabbed it with my right hand. Then, he held onto my harness as I reached out with my left hand to grip the other end. I panicked as I tried to tighten my grip. Evan made sure I was ready and steady before yelling “Hup!” the universal symbol for “Go!” in trapeze flying.

As awkwardly as possible, I forced my feet from the frame. “No no no no no!” I screamed, as I hurtled through the air. (Yes, I screamed. In my defense, it is pretty nerve rattling! At least it provided some comic relief for my fellow classmates and teachers.)

But when my senses semi came back to me and I realized I was still hanging on, I heard Zach call: “Okay, are you ready to do a knee hang?” I thought, well, I'm already up here. I might as well try. I gave a meek okay, and then heard “Knees up!”

One of the best parts of this trapeze flying class are the teachers. Matt, Elliana, Evan and Zach are excellent flyers, but, more importantly, they're stellar teachers. And here's why: Did you hear Zach's question? Are you ready to do a knee hang?

Not “Are you going to?”

Not “Do you want to?”

Are you ready to?

A great teacher believes in you before you ever believe in yourself. They see the possibilities and they encourage and train you toward them. I was full on terrified, and convinced I'd fall off. I was sure I would embarrass myself. But each teacher took a part in patiently encouraging and nudging me toward the goal.

And guess what? I hooked my knees over that bar! Then I let my arms fly free and arched my back as I reached for the other side! It took everything in me to pull arms back up to the bar, but I did it! Then I dropped my legs down and let Zach safely drop me down to the net. (I wasn't interested in attempting the backflip dismount...at least not the first time!) 

I crawled, laughing, shaking, panting to the edge as Matt and Elliana helped me flip off the side onto the mats. “Breathe,” they kept repeating, “breathe.”

It took me a moment to re-learn out how...

We practiced several more times before ending the class with a few “catches.” Here is video proof of my catch!

I admit, I kind of look like a frog on take off, and my dismounts are less than desirable, but look at what I accomplished after ONE ninety minute class!

You can, too!! But you don't have much time left.

Circus Harmony will close its swings for the season on October 19^th. If you are interested in going, let me know. Our friends and family will receive 25% off the cost of a class. More if we can get a group together! With available class times Tuesday – Saturday, we can find something that will work for everyone. Don't wait, though! This is one adventure you won't want to miss!

I know Matt, Evan, Elliana, and Zach would love to teach you how to fly!

Can't wait for a group? Wanna fly today? Call Matt at 314.436.7676 to schedule your adventure!