Travel Thursday- Zion National Park

Zion National Park in Utah is one of the most amazing National Parks in Utah! It gets so busy in the park that by the end of March they only allow shuttles to drive through the park (until Labor Day). I ended up signing up for the Zion Half Marathon (it was held in the middle of March in 2015), so we were able to drive through the park! We also ended up camping right in Zion, which I HIGHLY recommend. It isn't a super dog-friendly National Park, so we didn't do as much as hiking as originally planned, but the warm weather was a great change from the still very snowy Steamboat. I'd recommend planning to visit the park during the Spring or Fall, when you are able to drive-through and crowds are minimal. The trees were already blossoming when we visited, so it did feel very Spring-like in mid-March (ice cream cones were also a huge bonus). Make sure to plan your trip early and highlight some of the must-see canyons/ hikes. It's great to have a plan of what you really want to do, but have a loose schedule for doing them!

Mountain Monday- Havasupai Falls

Havasupai Falls on the Havasupai Indian Reservation is still one of my absolute favorite hiking trips of all time. It was around a 12 hour drive from Steamboat to get to the start of the hike (it is an 8 mile hike from the Hualapai Hilltop to Supai town and another 2 miles to the campground). The hike into the campground is generally all downhill and they recommend to take two days to cover the distance. We did it in one full day and arrived to the campsite around 5pm after leaving our car a little before 8am. There are also horses that I believe you can schedule to help carry your items to the town, however the town of Supai is really remote. No car traffic is able to get into or out of the town and the only accessibility is either by helicopter, horse, or hiking. It is also really important to remember that because of its remoteness, everything in the town is outrageously priced. I believe bottled water was 5 or 6 dollars! It's best to bring in all the food and necessities that you will need and I recommend planning to camp there for 4 or 5 days.

We hiked there over Labor Day weekend and the weather was hot, but it still gets pretty cool at night once the sun leaves the canyon. We only stayed two nights, which was enough to see everything but I do wish we had at least another full day to spend there.

Mooney Falls is the last Fall that you can easily get to and the hike to get down to the falls is pretty challenging. So challenging that I'm not sure if I would do it again. The ladders leading you down and up are almost completely perpendicular to the rocks and because they are close in proximity to the Falls, they are wet (makes it really slippery). We hiked down to the Falls twice (once to get to those falls) and once to go past Mooney Falls and hike the additional 2 miles to Beaver Falls.

Havasu Falls was the most spectacular and I would recommend just planning to spend a full day there. There are great caverns to explore by the Falls and the atmosphere is really peaceful. 

Beaver Falls wasn't spectacular (although ANYTHING in this area is really amazing), but I absolutely LOVED the hike to get there. Although it really is challenging to get up and down the ladders at Mooney Falls- I wouldn't recommend it unless you are in fantastic shape, have great gripping waterproof shoes, and are not afraid of heights/ close areas. You have to maneuver through many small holes and traffic is coming in both directions. It's not for the faint of heart. You can still get really great photos from above the Falls (which I really recommend).

I would highly recommend making sure you have the following items with you before making your hike:

• waterproof, durable shoes (I love my Keens)- I wore them for almost the entire hike in and out, as well as around all the waterfalls. They are amazing!
• empty waterbottles (they have water pumps there)
• swimsuit
• cash- It is expensive to travel to Supai and they didn't take credit cards when we were there in 2014. Entry fee is $50 and the campground was around $25 a night. 
• food- bring all the food you'll possibly need on the trek in AND out. Food is way too pricey to decide to purchase it once you get to town
• a really good camera (or two). you'll want to remember these experiences!
• sunscreen

Travel Thursday- Pics from Las Vegas Last Year!

I'm getting SO excited about running in Las Vegas that I wanted to reflect on some of my favorite moments from last year. I think that I'm most excited about the warmer weather and amazing shopping/ people watching! I will most definitely be bringing my walking shoes and hopefully get in some time at the pool. Already also drooling over all the amazing eateries that we will be visiting. I think I'm going to need a bigger bag to pack all the goodies I plan to get....

Sunset view from our first night at the Excalibur! The hotel isn't anything fancy, but the location is fantastic from the start line of the race and situated near the beginning of the strip/ monorail. 

View from the top of the stratosphere! It was a perfectly sunny last day that we were here last year and hoping for the same weather again this year :)

Any recommendations on places to see in Vegas or things to do? We did the Beatles Cirque Du Soleil last year and it was AMAZING. Planning to see the Michael Jackson one this year!

Best places to eat in Vegas and any good bakeries you'd recommend? Already can't wait for some treats post-marathon! 

Making That First Step Towards Change

I wanted to share with you a few thoughts that I had when I took the plunge to move to the almost the other side of the country, away from family and friends and how it was both terrifying and exhilarating. While this is mainly focused on relocating, I honestly feel like the same feelings can be felt in regards to anything new and different. Maybe you're considering a lifestyle or diet change, an uneasy relationship, or just at a crossroads in your life. 

When I decided that I was going to leave Maine and go out to Colorado, I was at a point in my life where I was beginning many things again (job, relationship, home etc.) and everything came into place like it was planned from the very beginning. It became so clearly obvious that this was the perfect time for a move because everything else in my life had ceased. It had honestly felt like there was yellow brick road leading me to Colorado and there was no other path.

I had full trust in my choice and left everything behind me. 

I think this part was really key. I believed in my decision and never once questioned it. My ship was set for sail and I knew my target. It wasn't scary or intimidating that I knew no one where I was going (or had ever been there) because there were no other options that I left for myself. I saw it as next stepping stone. 

If it isn't the right time or you're not ready, you will find every excuse in the book. If it doesn't feel right and planned, it probably isn't meant to be. If you're questioning your decision, then maybe take that as a sign to look at your situation and re-assess. 

I believe that questioning is always necessary. It gives your life purpose and it's how we are able to improve. Question your decision, but look at every avenue (not just the reason why you're questioning it) and you'll likely find your answer and your yellow brick road. 

Yes, it's absolutely been challenging to be so far away from friends and family and a life that I once had, but I've NEVER regretted it. I feel like having regrets is a constant reminder of the mistakes that we have made in our past. Regrets, to me, is not even an option. We need to move on from our mistakes (learn from them) and accept them. 

Ever made a big decision and had an 'ah-ha' moment?

Ever moved across the country or thought about it? What's keeping you where you are?

Travel Thursday- Lake Placid

Lake Placid, NY is possibly one of my favorite little mountain towns. I've trained there for several summers when I was younger (for figure skating) and every season there is fantastic. 

If you can also manage to be there during the Ironman-Lake Placid, it's a definite must-see! It was so inspiring to watch the swimmers take off together and the camaraderie during both the bike and run portions is amazing. 

I'd also recommend visiting in the winter (when the Olympic Games were held) to get a real-feel of how the town was during the Olympics (it really hasn't grown-up too much). There is so much to see and do there, that you really don't need a car once you get there. The only thing that is really out of town is the ski mountain or ski jumps, but I think there are buses that will take you to both!

Soul Shine Bagels, Lake Placid Pub and Brewery (great atmosphere & beer selection!), Dancing Bears (the best breakfast with a view of the lake), and Fireside Steak (their steak tips are perfection) are my favorite food spots!