Back to life... Back to reality

I always have a hard time getting back into the swing of things after travelling.  Whether for work or play, it normally takes me about 1-2 weeks to totally unpack my bags and settle back into the routine of work/laundry/gym/etc.  Maybe I just like to remain in denial about the return to the real work for as long as possible.

Post-race bananas at the Washington Monument
c/o Bob Burgess and Credit Union Cherry Blossom

My two weeks in Peru were AMAZING.  I honestly hadn't given Peru much thought outside of Machu Picchu, but I'm so glad we spent extra time in Cusco and Lima.  Each of our experiences, from exploring Cusco city, hiking the Inca Trail, visiting the Machu Picchu ruins, and tasting the cuisine of Lima is truly deserving of its own post and dedicated reflection.

For now its back to the grind and training for the Cherry Blossom 10 Miler on April 7.  Last year Cherry Blossom was the first long(ish) distance race I ever did, and it was such an amazing experience to run it with my dad, Mr. Lincoln, and a new friend who since has become one of my closest. Getting back into a training routine has really helped me get back to the swing of things in my personal and social live, and I'm really grateful to have great friends by my side the whole way!

Reunited!

I saw a Sonic billboard today while running some last minute errands for Peru and told Mr. Lincoln we should grab a limeade. I didn't tell him it was 1.75 miles away, since that seemed to me to be a very small price to pay as there are no Sonics within an hour of DC!

A few minutes later, I was reunited with my lemon berry fruit slushy and it felt so good!!

Southward Migration

It's been a year since I took off more than 2 days in a row - so the bf and I have escaped the winter chill of DC for a myriad of adventures closer to the equator over the next few weeks.

On Tuesday we're heading down to South America for 12 days in Peru! Mr. Lincoln and I will be touring Cuzco, hitting the Inca Trail for the 4 day trek to Machu Picchu, and spending a few days getting to know his new neighborhood in Lima (lucky Mr. is spending 6 weeks there for school).

This trip has been so many weeks in the planning that I can't believe it's finally here! Neither of us had been to South America before, so I'm really excited to share all these new experiences together.

We're in south Florida now visiting his wonderful grandma, dipping our toes into the Atlantic, and soaking up perfect 78 degree days. It's a great kickoff to the adventures that lie ahead!

Killer Cacti!

Watch out for those Killer Cacti!

There have been a lot of changes around here.  Well... perhaps not in the blog world since I have been consistently absent.  The rest of life, though, seems to be constantly in flux, and seems to be especially crowded as of late.  Changes at work, and at home, can make the little things feel even bigger.

I went through an administrative change at work - same job, same clients, different company paying me - and the administrative changes are so frustrating.  New insurance, new 401k, new administrative procedures. Woof.

The manfriend, Mr. Lincoln, went off to Arizona to go to grad school, and I've be working to reestablish a routine as a (geographically) single woman in the City.

I spent last weekend in Arizona (my first trip!) and we got in some quality time. We drove up to Sedona, taking in the desert vistas from our rental convertible and a perfectly relaxed night watching the moon rise from our hotel balcony with pizza and champagne.  It doesn't get much sweeter than that.

Moonrise from the balcony

Its a tough change, and a big adjustment, but I always find the old adage is true: distance makes the heart grow fonder.  Its a great reminder to cherish the time we spend together and to slow down and enjoy each others company.

Brunch at Ken's Creekside

Way Out West

I've been slammed (as usual) at work this month - back in Seattle for work then a quick trip back to Texas to visit my family.  Here's a few quick (long overdue) pics!

Obligatory Space Needle picture

Dogs Days of Summer

Surprise landing to refuel at Dyess AFB - Abilene

In N Out Cheeseburger - Animal Style!!

Pike Place Market

Sustainable Seafood at Pike Place Market

Elephant Car Wash - Seattle

Status Update...

So... clearly I wrote a few blog posts... and then never wrote any more.  I keep thinking still that I want a blog to record the things that I am doing and experiencing.  A way to remember things I want to look back on.  A way to revisit this part of my life (I guess that's really the origins of blogging anyway - anyone else remember livejournal?).

I've been traveling a lot for work, and I'd love for my photos to go somewhere than the CameraRoll of my iPhone 4S.  Seriously.  The digital age is so sad sometimes.  We take so many more photos, but sometimes they become kind of meaningless.

This week I'm in Cle Elum, Washington.  I'm a Texan, born and raised, and while I may live in DC now, getting out to the mountains of the west coast still remains a relatively foreign experience for me.  We're staying at a resort - my room literally overlooks the mountains; now capped, tree lined, with a river running through the valley just below my room.  I would feel spoiled if it weren't for working 18 hours a day.

But I digress.  Here is the part I want to remember.  The Cle Elum River at sunset.  I took quick solo hike down to the river just before sunset.

Up North here, the light slowly fades and sunset seems to lasts for hours.  I was the only one on the trail, and it was quiet and peaceful.  The river is cold, clear, and strong.  Its obviously carved the valley that my hotel rests atop, but at the same time is seems timeless, as if its run the same course for eons and always would.

It seems a shame to come to such a beautiful place, full of activities that Mr. Lincoln  and I like to do together, and to not be able to share it with him.  Its always hard to find the time and money to get away, and while this summer may not be the time to revisit the other Washington, I think this is a great reminder to do what you can, when you can.  Present over perfect.