Just Some Random Thoughts!

Deer Mountain Trail - RMNP

June 13, 2011

Mr. B took this picture yesterday as we were hiking to the summit of Deer Mountain.  With views like this not far from the start, you can only imagine what they were like from the summit.  It was an amazing hike in every respect.  Our time in Colorado in quickly coming to an end and we are beginning to turn our thoughts eastward toward Tennessee and home.  We have no regrets - we have used our time here wisely.   As much as we love our travels, we always look forward to returning home.  We miss our family, friends and our church, so the feelings are mixed as we prepare to leave.  There are many things we haven't seen and many trails we haven't covered, but that's o.k.  We will head to our home which we love and I'll start planning our next adventure.  Before we know it, it'll be time to get the luggage out again.  But we still have four more days in Estes Park.  Our plan is to hike twice, bike ride a trail in Longmont and as is our custom, spend the last day revisiting our favorite places close by.  

But back to the picture......I had no idea he was taking this shot and I really like it.   There is some deep contemplation going on and I can tell you exactly some of the things I was thinking about.

First of all, I am extremely pleased with the way I have handled my eating on this trip.  With all the exercise we get, I'm not surprised to have lost a few pounds.  I know that's unusual for most people on vacation, but not unheard of for me.  What I have been surprised about is that, with a few exceptions of course, my choices have been effortless and I can truthfully say I have chosen what I wanted.  And at times, I have easily made the choice to throw something away or leave it laying on the table.  Although I have indulged in some treats, only once have I overeaten to the point of feeling miserable.  And I didn't like that feeling AT ALL! 

Just today, I easily made a decision that in times past, I never would have.  From our one and only run to The DoNut Haus, I had 1/2 of a giant doughnut left.  Mid-afternoon, I decided I was ready to eat it and went to heat it in the microwave.  When I took the first bite, the staleness hit me square between the eyes.  I chewed it up anyway, but looked at the rest of it and thought, "not worth it."  I immediately put it down the garbage disposal.  In times past, I would've eaten it no matter how stale.  Don't know why, but I would have.   Who knows what choice I might make next time, but for that moment, I made a good one and felt great about it.

Earlier in the afternoon, we walked partially around the Lake Estes Trail which I wrote about here and as we headed back through town along the riverwalk, Mr. B mentioned he'd like some ice cream.  I thought about it and realized that I just didn't NEED ice cream.  Again, in times past, I would've gone right along with him whether I wanted any or not.  I thought I ALWAYS wanted ice cream.  To lessen the temptation, I asked if he minded if I stepped into the bookstore down the street while he went to get his ice cream.  That strategy worked perfectly.  He got his ice cream, sat on a bench outside the bookstore eating it and then came in.  I don't even know what kind he got!  Of course, my time in the bookstore cost him $19.00 since I found a book I couldn't live without!  LOL!

But all of this rambling just points back to what I said earlier.  I'm pleased with not only what I have or have not eaten while we've been traveling, but with the mindset that I've approached each choice.  I believe that progress is more significant than the fact that I've lost weight while being away from home.  Of course, I'll take that as well!!

I have really missed maintaining this blog in the way that I normally do and I am so looking forward to getting back into a regular schedule of posting the things on my mind along with the continued progress I plan to be making toward my goal.  It's one of those times when the ideas are rolling around much more quickly than I can get them jotted down (another thing I was thinking about when Mr. B took that pic) and I can't wait to start sharing them with you.  Being the radical soul that I am, I will let you in on a little secret.  Summer is my LEAST favorite season of the year.  Prime hiking season is over, the East Tennessee heat and humidity has kicked in and being outdoors just isn't pleasant most of the time.  I try to get my walking in very early and that leaves lots of afternoon time for writing.  Mr B's summer class starts the week after we get home, so I'll have lots of quiet time to get all those ideas and thoughts out there. 

And my last random thought for today is to thank you again for continuing to read while we've been traveling.  I really, really appreciate it.  This blog means a great deal to me and that's mainly because each of YOU have supported it with your comments and feedback.  I'd write it anyway because of the outlet and encouragement it provides to ME, but I still, to this very day, smile when that little "ding" tells me I have a comment.  

So there you have it - you know what I was thinking about as I gazed off into those totally mesmerizing formations we call the Rocky Mountains.