Snoozing on Laraway Mountain

This weekend Dave and I rose bright and early (er, well, bright anyway) and, after a tasty breakfast of bagels and eggs, hot coffee and a walk with our pooches, we headed north for Laraway Mountain, a relatively easy hike with a great view. Up highway 15 we drove, eager to stop at a new coffee shop conveniently located on our way. Two cups of coffee, a brownie, a biscotti, and a pound of whole bean decaf (or so we thought at the time) later, we were on our way. Zoom, zoom, up highway 109, to a covered bridge, down a rutted road, a stop here--photos of foliage--and a stop there. Eventually, we arrived.

The trail leading to Laraway Mountain was a bit of a climb but nothing too crazy. The best section of the trail came after the overlook, where the alpine zone thickened. Short, scraggly trees; roots and rocks; the horsey smell of moss. Once on top, it was nap time. We spread out like snow angels, using our packs as pillows, and zonked for about 30 minutes before waking and heading down the mountain.

On our way down, we stopped again at the overlook, where we ate lunch earlier, and couldn't believe the difference: ealier we saw a valley of red, yellow, pink--an explosion of crayons--and now we saw the overlook, a rock ledge, and a wall of clouds.

Down, down, we descended to the car. As we sat on the hatch of the car, untying our laces, I looked at Dave: Pew! Do you smell that? Yeah, it's your armpits, he says. Sure.

I go to investigate and come up with a HUGE skull, hip bones, and leg bones. It must be a moose. I tell Dave to come look and we marvel at the massive size of these bones. I know it's not a cow or horse because I have seen my fair share of livestock bones and these look nothing like them. I want to take the skull home but decide otherwise. Don't want to be walking into work on Monday with a chipper "Hello!" and a raunchy "How are you?". No, I am sure my co-workers wouldn't welcome the dead animal odor; so we enjoy the bones for a bit before hopping in the car and heading home.

Rise and Shine

It's 5:30 in the morning and I am eating my breakfast--a cup of coffee with a drop of cream and a pumpernickel bagel, toasted wtih cream cheese. I have a bit of free time this morning due to a tight muscle in my leg, which is causing havoc on my back. Usually I would be nearly finished my breakfast and dressing in prep for my morning run, but I slept in an extra 20 minutes and am going for a walk instead of a run.

It has been so long since my last post and even longer since I have checked my favorite blogs to see what my friends are up to. I will probably have to join the crowd and post only once a week. The problem is that my new job requires a lot of time spent peering into the recesses of not one but two computer screens. Instead of editing papers the old-fashioned way, pen to page, we edit electronically on a pdf. So by the time I get home my eyes itch, my brain is mush, and my body is screaming: Get outside sister! Move your body! Sit me infront of a computer screen after work and I am likely to freak out.

For the first couple of weeks at my new job, my eyes were always sore. I kept thinking of them as muscles that needed to get in shape, even though I knew this theory was unlikely. However, it seems my notion has a bit of truth to it; my eyes are not bothering me as much this week. Yesterday, I made an appointment for the eye doctor (my new snazzy benefits package includes vision, dental, and medical!) to inquire about purchasing computer glasses. It suprised me the first time I heard the term computer glasses. They are glasses made for people who spend too much time on the computer. They help with eye strain. Years ago, we didn't have such a thing as computer glasses, but I guess we didn't have blogs either or mini cell phones or . . . well you know what I mean.


Well there is too much to say and too little time. For now I am posting a bunch of photos and will fill you in on more of my Vermont living on Sunday.

OH, ONE MORE THING! Congratulations to Jessica and Sean, my friends from Missouri, who had a itty bitty baby boy (there first child) on September 22nd at 1:30 p.m. It is crazy to think of Jess as a mom--not long ago she was an immature rascal!--but it fits her as well and I am so happy that they are fortunate enough to have Connor Patrick in there lives. Way to go girl!

Here's a photo of Connor:

The photos below are of the cool paintings in our house created by the previous owner's daughter. Who needs wall hangings? (I like the fish painting best! Reminds me of my friends Joe and Jess.)

So long for now my friends!

No Internet

It's been a long time since we've had internet and will even be a bit longer. We can't seem to find a plan that is feasible so we're going to keep looking.

Right now I'm blogging it up a notch in a local coffee shop. Dave and I did a short hike to a supposed lookout but ended up bushwacking through the Vermont woods. We had a good time even though we were lost. Today's temps are nice and cool after a calm morning of misty rain. I love it in Vermont!

My new job is super fun but takes up a lot of free time--I have to drive 45 mins one-way just to get there! Since I drive so far, my morning runs are scheduled for 6:20 a.m. rather than 7 a.m. and I leave for work at 7:15 rather than 8:00 a.m. like I did in Missouri. But it's worth it. Plus, the drive is so pretty.

I'm so happy to live in the country again. The previous owner of our house (we rent it from the new owner) was a carpenter and built a kick ass wood shop. This weekend, Dave and I set up and sanded and stained a bookshelf that Dave made for me in Missouri. Next weekend, I hope to get in the garden and weed a bit; save the blueberry bushes from the creeping vines.

Well, off we go to spend some time at home. I'm not sure when I'll post again but once we have internet it will be more regular like before.

Hope you are all well and are spending plenty of time out of doors!