Sooner Meet-Up

Yesterday, I met Jo.  Jo is a Sooner. How crazy is it that I go for the first time to a new Meet-Up group and the person leading the group is a born, raised and true Sooner?  Awesomeness all around.  In fact, she was the only one at the meet-up...well, her and this little guy:

I have a thing for bears...only a few folks actually know this...but bears have had a very special meaning to me of late and they've brought me a great deal of comfort, power and courage. In fact, though I've been having many dreams of bears lately...I've actually seen TWO...one after each of my most recent hikes.  So bear has something to tell me...something about courage, and seizing the moment (or opportunities as they come, like that open dumpster full of yumminess)....or maybe he is just letting me know he's glad I'm out there enjoying his home.  But I'm glad to see him...from a distance, of course.

Jo, Penny & I enjoyed the hike along Wildside Trail on Cougar Mountain...it was a pretty low-key easy hike, and frankly, I want a bit more because I like challenges...but the it was nice to meet a fellow-Okie...and Penny seemed to like her, too.  (Note...it was the first time Penny has been "e-collar-free" in 2 weeks...so she was stoked to be out and about!).  

I saw one thing this time out that I had not seen before...this nifty mine shaft opening.  Pretty cool, actually...and a lovely night for hiking.   Next time I go to the Red Town Trailhead, I'd like to try something a bit more challenging...I have to get ready for Mission Ridge Peak, after all.


This weekend, I move into my new place...officially start the Hike-a-thon and say farewell to my parents home (at least as a resident...love the 'rents, but excited to have my own space again ;).  Tom and I haven't yet planned what hike we are going to tackle Sunday to start the HaT...but I'm looking for a wee bit more of a challenging...knowing Tommy...he'll help me find it :)

A Hike-a-Thoning We Go!

Sunday, August 1st, I start hiking in the name of Washington Trails Association. 

Please sponsor me and support the WTA here. My goal is 40 miles and $750 dollars raised. I do it for many reasons:  

• I love hiking.
• I love the trail system of Washington...it ROCKS!
• I want more motivation for getting up off of my rather large behind and getting out there to explore (and reduce the size of my rather large behind)!

My partner, Tom, on our hike last weekend.

So...Sunday it begins.  I have some hikes planned already. Each Wednesday night I will be joining the PNW Leisure Hiking Meet-up Group for their weekly Cougar Mountain jaunt.  It's a great way to meet people and do some "low-key" hiking.  I'm stoked!

Next Thursday, August 5th, I'm joining Kara and the gang from WTA to hike out to the Stampede Pass work crew to take them some good cheer and ice-cream.  Should be a good, hot and sweaty trek...with ice cream!  Does it get any better???

My "before" pic...next year, I'll be smaller!

The only other planned hike I have it to tackle Mission Ridge Peak again on August 14th.  Tom & I got 3/4 of the way up...but my legs and feet just couldn't take any more.  So...I'm gonna tackle it again in two weeks!  The pics on this post are from my first attempt this weekend. They (the pics...and the hike itself) are a good "before" look at this journey.  By December, my goal is to be down 30 pounds and to have hiked over a 100 miles.  

Please contact me if you wanna come along...it will help raise more money :) and I simply love the company.

Off to get ready to tackle Cougar Mountain...just a warm-up. :)