Free Spirit and Rule Follower Make Cookies

Max started making chocolate chip cookies all by himself this summer. It's one of his favorite activities now and Alex is always up for helping as well. They make a good team. He reads the directions, measures, dumps, and pours. She sits on the counter and stirs.

Occasionally she'll offer advice... like when he announces it's time to add the nuts.

I don't think you should add nuts, Max. That's not a good idea. Let's not do that. I don't like nuts. Max, sometimes you don't have good ideas.
Well, Alex, it says to add nuts in the recipe! I'm just trying to follow the directions. And it was my idea to make the cookies. That's a good idea.
Okay. Well, just don't add the nuts.
Mom? Do we have to add the nuts? *Why is it on here then?
Max, I told you.
Fine! Stop eating the dough!

Ruby Range Traverse

Email from Tom in August:
"I have a hike in mind that I have wanted to do all summer... now that fall is setting in. Might be too epic , maybe not... It would involve a shuttle to Pittsburgh, an early start, a good day, and someone that wants to do it with me... An abbreviated backwards version of the Ruby Ridge. Starting at Lake Irwin. Ruby, Owen, Purple, Afley, Oh Be Joyful, Hancock and Richmond. Then down the ridge to Daisy pass and into Pittsburgh. I think it would take 10 to 12 hours. Or we could do something else. Give it some thought..."
Reply:
"That sounds fantastic!"


So I went to Crested Butte this past weekend for another quick getaway. To catch up with some dear friends... and some mountains I've been missing for a while.

We did indeed get an early start and left the car near Lake Irwin. This is Ruby in the morning sunlight.

It was super cold and windy once we got to the top of Ruby. There wasn't much point in hanging out so we set out for Owen. It was still extremely cold and windy on top of Owen - so - onward! This is Tom, freezing his ass off, between Owen and Purple. He's so completely in his element. I'm impressed that my numb hands are still functioning at this point!

After Purple, we go on to Afley. The sun is making its way through the clouds more often and the wind has calmed a bit; so we decide to stop for a break. To the east is Mt. Crested Butte.

To the west is Marcellina... and Tom... working on a sketch...

And then there's me in front of the Elk mountains. I'm so happy I can feel my fingers again!!!! Hurry up, Tom!

We've still got a ways to go. Daisy Pass is in the saddle above the green basin on the right.

Looking back at Purple and Owen. I like cairns... particularly this one. Finding one is so satisfying. Where else in life do you get that? This is exactly where you need to be. Right here. And then you move to the next one. I just love that.

I can't remember what peak he's between here, but I do remember what he's thinking:

"Oh, shit! Look at that storm coming our way!"

Thankfully, it was so cold it snowed - and then there was a rainbow!

Finding the smooth, dirt trail at the top of Daisy pass, after scrambling over rocks for 9 hours, was kind of awesome. Can you tell?

And then we walked and talked - through the wildflowers, streams, and, of course, cows - to the other car in Pittsburgh. It was another fantastic adventure... just as we'd hoped.

Spider Monkey

The other day Alex informed me that she was done with ballet - as in it's completely useless to me and also, I don't like to wear tights - and then told me she really wanted to start taking karate lessons - as in I love The Karate Kid and I want to know how to do ALL of those extremely cool, possibly very useful moves! So, she was asking if we could go right now and I was trying to explain that I needed to actually find a place first and sign her up when Max heard us talking and chimed in, "WHAT'S ALEX DOING?! WHY DOES SHE WANT TO TAKE KARATE? WHAT KINDS OF THINGS DO YOU LEARN IN KARATE?"

I thought to myself, that's kind of weird: It's unusual for him to be interested in anything that doesn't directly concern him... and he actually seemed kind of concerned.

Then I caught of glimpse of Alex. She was staring at Max and this smirk began to appear on her face as she sensed his fear. Then she said, very matter-of-factly, "I'M GOING TO LEARN WHAT YOU LEARN IN KARATE, MAX, SO I CAN DO CERTAIN THINGS!!!"

Max just kind of sat there-speechless. Alex just smiled.

Well played, Little One. Well played.

Gratitude

Dear Max,

I just wanted to let you know that I really like getting to know you. As your mother, I know a lot about you. But most of the time I hesitate to say that I really know you. You're constantly surprising me and teaching me about who you are... and, in a lot of ways, about who I am... and it has been such a pleasure to be allowed that insight.
The other day at the pool, you went over to a group of college kids who were playing Ladder Ball and you asked them if you could play also - without an ounce of hesitation! They were a bit taken aback by your request, but they gladly accepted you into the game. You were so happy to be included that anytime you had to move to pick up the ropes you would skip!!! I watched them smile at you and your skipping (not many 7 year old boys are still skipping - especially around a group of older kids) and I was just blown away with your authenticity. You live so clearly in the moment and are so true to whatever emotion you are feeling. Honestly, that is not always ideal, but being authentic does not mean just being happy. I kept watching you with the older boys - it just doesn't ever occur to you to be any other way than who you really are. I think part of that is the beauty of being a kid, but with you, it seems like much more.

In the end, they really enjoyed playing with you and let me know how great they thought you were. Then you looked at me and said, "I told you they'd want to play with me!" So, I promise you, from now on, I will try not to stand your way or hold you back; because clearly you know who you are and what you're doing. I just hope that should you ever begin to doubt yourself or begin to feel insecure about who you are; you'll remember this little boy that you are now... so sure and so pure... and so incredibly special.

Love,
Mom

Seal Rock at Low Tide

A little ocean time is always good for the soul...

San Juan Run

Last weekend my friends and I did our 2nd annual San Juan Run where we covered 45 miles of the HardRock 100 course in 3 days. We ran from Mineral Creek from Silverton into Telluride on the 1st day - from Telluride to Ouray on the 2nd - and then did a loop between Ouray and Silverton on the 3rd. The best part about the whole CRAZY adventure, besides amazing scenery like this...
was the fantastic company and all of the laughter. This is Rob, who was my instructor and research advisor in college. He's always been like a sweet, protective big brother (with perfectly inappropriate humor)... not to mention a super supportive friend.
And this is his gorgeous wife, Amy. She is - honestly - always this happy and being around her instantly makes me happy. When I grow up, I want to be just like Amy....

I decided to include this nasty picture of myself because 1. I seem to have this look on my face a lot these days - WTF? - and 2. this was at the top of the 2nd pass (Oscar's) on the first day and Oscar's kicked my ass!!! Thankfully it was all downhill into Telluride from here.

Look at it - this is Oscar's - the zig-zagging line. Holy shit, right!?!

It really hurt!!! Badly!!!! I'm not kidding when I say I was worried about whether I was going to make it to the top -it's not like we had a car at the bottom. I had to get up to get to Telluride - and the clouds were closing in!!! This was where we had just come from - Swamp Grants Pass.
Eventually, I made it.
And it felt SO good!!!! Because my life has felt like that day for the past year. I seriously wonder (on many more days than I'd like to admit) whether I'm going to make it. But mostly, like on this particular day, I'm more surprised at how hard it all is and I think I kind of get stuck in the shock at that realization - hence the constant WTF? stare. So that photo's a nice reminder -to let go -it doesn't matter how I thought things would be -they are what they are.
I have a lot more inner strength than I ever give myself credit for. I'm not sure why. But I'm working on it so that there's more of this...

After a great night with yummy Thai food in Telluride and doughnuts for breakfast, we were off on the second segment - up over Virginius Pass and into Governors Basin, which had some great glissading!

Extremely scientific exploration of the snow pack...

Simultaneously fierce and weird... actually, maybe just weird. The road into Ouray was a long one from here, but I had the Hot Springs to look forward to... and the big slide.

On the third day we took the Bear Creek Trail over 550 and went up to Oh! Point near Engineer Pass, then down to a jeep road, winding our way back to 550. Rob and Amy at Oh! Point.

Then it was over. It would have been sad if my legs still worked. Now that they're back to normal and my blisters are healed, I can't wait for next year!!!!

Solitude

I love how peaceful it is up in the foothills at 6am.
Lots of wildflower power today.