Horse Butte

We've been having the greatest weather ever this January! It's been in the 50s the last few weeks so Henry and I have been trying to take advantage as much as possible. 

Saturday's adventure took us on a hike at Horse Butte. We've never been out that way before so we decided to give it a try with Jeannelle and Raylee. 

It was a fairly quick hike to the top, but we had a lot of great views of the mountains on the way up. 

Jeannelle was Superwoman and carried Raylee on her back the whole way.

We decided to walk around and take some pictures at the top. I wonder if I'll ever get tired of these mountain views.

This trail is a popular one for mountain bikers and horses, so my plan is to ride a horse up to the top next time!! In fact, I'm going to make that my New Year's resolution! 

This perfect Saturday was capped off with a Shawn Mullins concert at the local Tower Theater. You may remember his song, Lullabye, from many years ago, but his new stuff is so much better. Very singer/songwriter/acoustic-y music. My favorite kind. 

Smith Rock Sunday

Wanna know the perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon? 

Hike around Smith Rock! 

Today, Ashley and I tried a new to me 4 mile trail taking us around the backside of Smith Rock and up Misery Ridge. This quickly became my new favorite hike. The views were spectacular and just kept getting better as we got higher and higher. 

You can almost see all of the Oregon Mountains in this panoramic. 

Here's Ashley taking in the sights. 

Here's the side of Monkey Face. You can kind of make out that it's face looks like a monkey from this angle (this is his left profile).

These are the rocks we hiked around,

And here's a not so clear view of the switchbacks we hiked to reach the top. 

Now here's my favorite part...the view from the top. 

 Pretty awesome, huh?!

Big Eddy and Tumalo Falls

Nothing too exciting going on around here these days. Just recovering from the holidays with some Oregon beauty. 

First up, Big Eddy with the Sylvesters.

Then, Tumalo Falls with Ashley. 

Not a bad start to the new year! 

See Ya 2013, Its Been Real

Every January I read the Best of/Worst Of lists, What's In/What's Out lists, and Yearly Reflection Questions. I have always found these to be so fun. So this year, I found a list of reflection questions and decided to answer them on this little blog. 

1. What did you do this year that you have never done before?

Wow! Where do I begin! I feel like I became a new person with the adventures of 2013.  I fly fished, hiked in the mountains, camped at the lake, chopped down a tree in the forest, saw Niagara Falls, organized a lacrosse tournament, cheered on some cowboys at a Rodeo. All of which I never dreamed of doing in 2012. 

2. What was the smartest decision you made this year?

         If you’re reading this blog, you know this is a no brainer. The smartest decision I made this lifetime, oops I mean this year, was to move to Oregon! It was certainly a tough decision at the time. I wondered if Bend just seemed so wonderful because I was in carefree vacation mode, hanging out with some of my favorite people when I visited or if it really was as perfect as it seemed. In the end, I went with my gut feeling. It probably made no sense at all to other people. I didn’t know if I would have a job, Oregon was a random state no one really knew about, and it was 3,000 miles from my family. But thankfully, my gut feeling was right and Bend, Oregon became my place. 

My Utopia.

3. Name a time when you felt most alive this year?

         Each and every time I reach the top of Misery Ridge at Smith Rock. I literally feel like I'm on top of the world. Misery Ridge is a tough climb that leaves my quads shaking uncontrollably by the time I reach the top. But it feels so great to know you've made it and that your reward is the breathtaking view. Nothing like it.

Now for a few fill in the blanks...

1.            I lost.... weight! Although I put a few pounds back on over the holidays. I discovered the Paleo diet and actually stuck to it! Now hopefully, I can continue to follow it throughout 2014! No pictures for this one because that would be weird.   

2.            I gained... a complete adoration for this world. I always thought it was beautiful, but never in a breathtaking, I’m speechless, I can’t snap enough pictures kind of way. It started with my drive across country in March and has only picked up strength with my Oregon adventures.

3.            I am thankful for... many, many things but a few top the list this year. I am thankful my dad is healthy and back to kicking butt in races! I am thankful Heather is preggo and adding another amazing niece or nephew to my life. I am thankful that my mom makes the greatest chocolate chip cookie on the planet. I am thankful that I have, without question, the best friends in the entire world, especially my doggie.

Here's to an even better 2014!