St. Louis

I went on a relatively last-minute-visit to St. Louis, mainly to see Joan, my very dear mother-in-law-friend. Although we talk on the phone often, a real life visit is just soooo much better! We had a great time with lots of good food, plenty of episodes of belly-laughing, and some good solid soul-talk... so worth the trip!!!!

At the same time, I did get to see some of my wonderful St. Louis Children's Hospital friends for some catching up on stories, events, plans and just life in general....

My camera did make it to St. Louis, but never out of my carry-on, better next time!!

Soooooo Coooold.....

... water in our water bottles froze...
... I didn't take too many pictures; the thought of having to take my gloves off to operate the camera was just not attractive...
... even with the gorgeous views, we didn't take much time to stand still and enjoy it, even through lunch... had to keep the circulation going...

Still a beautiful hike... up Raven's ridge and 'snow-shoe-bush-whack' down through the trees at the ski area... At the bottom of the trail we shared trails with hikers and cross country skiers, up the ridge with down hill skiers, snow boarders and other snow shoe-ers...









I love the beauty of the snow filled mountain landscape and I hate to wish away precious time......
but I am looking forward to warmer temperatures soon ;-)!!!

Ignorance is bliss

That is in cross country skiing...




We had some fresh snow last week and contemplating how to spent my Monday day off, we decided to go cross country skiing. I had NEVER been before! We bundled up, rented cross country skis, drove out to park one of the cars at our finishing point and off we went..... What an adventure! About 4 hours and 25 falls later, we made it back to the car. It really was awesome and I'll go again in a heart beat. The road was generally on a downhill slope without pre-made cross country trails and on the icy parts I figured out cross country skis don't give you much -if any- control! It was a good thing I didn't quite realize what I was in for until well into the trek!
I am now a very experienced snow-and-ice-faller ;-), so I feel ready to take on some more winter adventures!!!

Simply irresistible!

Just an 'ordinary' view from the driveway coming home from work.....

Albuquerque?!?!

We are moving down to Albuquerque; not anytime soon but soon enough to have to start thinking about it.... As we'll be there for a minimum of 2.5 years, it's a significant move, so there's much to contemplate...

Buying or renting with many neighborhoods to choose from... Less impressive mountains to hike but still surrounded by beautiful nature... Milder winter temperatures but hotter summers... More interesting employment opportunities. Lower cost of living... University environment... Plenty of bike paths... Less quaint than Santa Fe... Good restaurant choices... Nice grocery stores and Co-op but no Santa-Fe-Farmers-Market... Different life balance with Doug in full time graduate school...

The list is endless and grows weekly....

It's a different transition this time as Doug and I are making it together.... It's challenging making a change when what you're changing FROM is SO good, but I'm almost -not quite ;-)- starting to look forward to it....

Still riding!?!?!

I started this blog post about a week ago and never finished it... I was so proud that I managed to ride my bike to work each day last week! The temperatures were mild -everything is relative!-without any new snow.
Well, this week was a different story, 6 inches of fresh powder, sand and mud and remainders of sheets of ice on the road; not a smart idea for riding....

Here are some of the things I've learned about riding to work in SF in winter:
- Riding in temperatures below 20 degrees F is not worth it. There's something seriously out of balance if it takes longer to put on and take off layers of clothing than it does enjoying the ride.
- There are 2 kinds of (car) drivers out there on the roads; the ones who wish they were on a bike too and the ones who wish bikes were never invented.
- Most people would rather not get out of the house at all than get out on a bicycle. When parking my bike at the hospital entrance, I get plenty of reactions from staff and visitors. Most just look at me with pity, thinking my car must be in the shop for repairs,... or maybe I can't afford gas anymore,... or maybe I lost my license because of one too many DUI's... Some look shocked, convinced I should get admitted to the inpatient psychiatric unit right there and than; only totally insane people would ride a bike in the cold..... Every now and than I meet a kindred spirit....

In the mean time, I go between wishing for weather warm enough to ride and for enough snow to make winters what they are supposed to be: beautiful, crisp and fun!!

I am SOOOOOO lucky .....

... to be living here in New Mexico (and for plenty of other things too)!!! Every time we go hiking (which is quite a bit as you all know ;-)!), I am still just amazed by the beauty and openness of the landscape, the endless skies, the far reaching horizons.... I have not been to any other place quite like it. Combined with so much sunshine, even with cold temperatures in winter, it really is the ideal place to live!!!!!

This is the trail head of today's hike:


We hiked from Tesuque up through Pacheco canyon: 2 hours just in hiking boots and than 2 hours in snow shoes, all uphill, REALLY!





We're leaving just footprints, a little bigger than some other living creatures....


Note the hat, my second knitting project.....


After 4 hours of great oxygen therapy (I'm convinced the hike cleared my sinuses!!!), we came to the SF ski area road and hitched a ride back into town. I haven't hitch hiked in almost 20 years and was a little sceptical at first but Doug was right; Getting a ride down the mountain on a Sunday late afternoon in the middle of ski-season is very easy. I don't think we had to wait more than 2 minutes before getting picked up!

No words needed....

For anybody that knows this ball-of-energy, these photos really are priceless....

Visiting with Belgian friends...

I love having friends who are great cooks!!! And who are keen to prepare Belgian foods..... Absolutely fabulous!!!

Little side trips (Dinant, Leuven)

Doug and I found some time for little getaways and went to Dinant and Leuven.







Yes, it is a beer, a rasberry beer, in Doug's hand... too sweet, he said.... I didn't realize there was such a thing!!!