Hello Fall!

Today, I went on a bike ride up Emigration Canyon in an effort to prepare for my triathlon this weekend, and at the top, the leaves were changing. Already I could see familiar shades of oranges and reds as the maple trees have started to turn. (Emigration is a such great place to observe the seasons.) It was a little cool out, and smelled earthy.

I always welcome

the change to Fall as it is my very favorite season, but it seems like this year, it just couldn't come fast enough! Summer felt interminable. I am excited to say sayonara to the heat and sunshine, put a little more distance between the spring and me, and greet the fall with all the enthusiasm possible. Hooray!

The Emerald City

It was a last minute trip. I decided to go not 12 hours before departure. The conditions were right. I only missed one class.

And aside from an outrageously expensive speeding ticket in the great state of Oregon,

It was perfect weekend.

What a city.

For the small amount of time I was there, I feel like I got a good feel of the place...

and I LOVE it!!

I didn't feel a drop of rain the entire time.

I don't know what everyone complains about...

"It rains nine months out of the year in Seattle."

Pike Place Market. Ate mini donuts, hot fresh out of the oil and sprinkled with cinnamon & sugar. Had non-seafood chowder at Market Chowder. It was delicious. Had a grilled cheese from Beechers. Even managed to score some of the gorgeous dahlias that were for sale!

Bainbridge Island.

Sigh.

What an incredible place.

Hydrangea were growing wild everywhere. It was sunny and quiet. Dinner on the water at Doc's. And, I had the best ice cream of my life at a little place called Mora's. Bainbridge probably was the highlight for me.

The cool grey of the northwest.

Mariner's game. $0.50 tickets...14th row. Booyah.

Of course, made it to the Chi Omega House on UW campus. (Pictured in back. It was huge.)

I'm flashing my X-O ring just to prove I'm legit.

I Triathlon-ed

I did it. I didn't drown, or collapse. It was great! So great that I'm going to do another one next month. I'm hoping to beat my time, have a better swim, and a faster bike. We'll see how it goes. It was so great to have my parents and Dave at the finish!

Mt. Olympus

I cannot believe that in my 24+ years of residing in the Salt Lake Valley, I have never hiked to the top of Mt. Olympus. I still can't believe that in just a matter of minutes, I can go from being in the city to hiking through the mountains.

The hike started at 3:00am. It took 2.5 hours to the top, and boy what a view! It was lucky that the morning was so clear! I might have to do this again next year...

Looking West

Looking East

oh boy, oh boy...

Just signed up for the Jordanelle Triathlon.

August 21

Better start training...

Weekend At Home

Pedi with mom for her birthday

11 inches for Locks of Love...

going...

going...

going...

...GONE!!

Deedre Timothy has been my hair dresser/therapist for going on 11 years now. She's basically a sister and has been present for all of the major events of my life.

This hair cut was no exception.

A little birthday surprise for mom!!

No birthday party is complete without a Glaus cake. Chocolate mint...YUM!

XO

Iron Lion ZION

A few of my closest friends from my program came down to St. George last weekend to see Southern Utah and Zion National Park. It was so fun showing these girls the gorgeous red rock. I think it was kind of like taking kids to Disneyland for the very first time. None of them are from Utah, so they'd never seen anything like it. We had such a great time hiking around. It was the perfect weather. Loved it.

On the Shuttle.
We got up early in the morning to head to Zion.
It was actually really cold up in there during the morning hours.

Me, Kim Henderson (From California), Sara Mickleson (also from California), and Katie Olsen (from Green Bay Wisconsin)

Another classic...

Angel's Landing. Wish I could say I was brave enough to go all the way out, but I just couldn't do it. I'm a little embarrassed about it still. The idea of steep cliffs and chains just didn't do it for me.

Overall, a successful trip. Sure loved having some visitors!!