Week 4 Pics from DHTour

Bike Fall...

So, I kinda took a spill on my bike in Yellowstone...and I know some of you are dying to see the pics. How ironic that the boys bike over 1000 miles with no falls and then I take my bike out in Yellowstone and fall on the first day??? No worries, I'm healing quickly and got out on my back last night again...no fear, right?

All I remember is looking forward, seeing two cars turn a corner coming towards me in the opposite lane and then all of a sudden falling. I put my hands out in front of me to catch myself and unfortunately, wasn't able to keep my face off the ground and kissed the pavement...resulting in a fat lip and beat up chin for a few days!

I was by myself when it happened, which made it a bit scary and about 3 miles from the car. So, I quickly jumped up and of course tried to look like I was just fine...no big deal. Me trying to be as strong and inconspicuous as possible meant that no cars stopped to help me along the road even though blood was oozing down my leg and face...ick! I was able to hop back on the bike and ride back to the van, clean up a bit and then drive back to where Brian was running. I was so tough until I drove around a corner and saw Brian...then the tears started coming! I pulled over and started walking towards him trying to get out, "I fell off my bike..." but I don't think anything I said was recognizable at that time! :) Brian was so sympathetic and made sure I was fine before he took off again to finish out 4 more miles of the 20 for the day. I drove on ahead and pulled over onto the turnout at the 20-mile mark. There happened to be a bison on the opposite side of the road that was taking a little nap...I thought that looks too good to pass up. So, I layed out my pink blanket on the gravel, took out my pillow and stretched out on the side of the road (big blue was protecting me from the cars...and the bison). I also took out a bag of ice and held it to my face to try to reduce the swelling of my already HUGE lip! Soon enough, Brian comes running up, completely exhausted and lays down next to me...what a site we were. People were stopping left and right...not to see if we were okay, but to take a picture of the bison napping. Animals are so overrated in Yellostone! :)

Yellowstone and Teton

Serenity

I woke up this morning in the cutest rustic cabin near Teton village in Jackson, WY. My internal alarm clock went off at 7:15am and I thought…I have to get up and enjoy the quiet morning. Jed, our host, is up early to go fishing and comes back in the house to tell me there are two moose in the yard! What! So cool! They are so awkward looking with knobby knees and wobbly legs frolicking (I can say that, because they really were) around the yard eating and playing…so not graceful due to their sheer size and awkward proportions.


So, I decided to sit on the deck wrapped up in my pink blanket to watch the sun slowly rise as it shines through the aspen trees and listen to the creek as it gaggles over the rocks. The sky is a clear pale blue with a few clouds lingering over the hills and the leaves on the trees are starting to turn color…fall is here. I suppose I could just take a picture, but I’ve taken so many of those as we’ve toured through Yellowstone and Teton and the picture never quite does the view justice.


I feel as though I am in Packwood (our summer place near Mt. Rainier). It is the best feeling of peace, rest and rejuvenation. The last three weeks have been fast-paced and nonstop. I feel so blessed to have such a peaceful and quiet morning to just sit, think and be.

I love you friends and family and miss you terribly!

friends forever

Jen and Family!

I love making Isa smile!

Brian and I went for a run in the morning

I gave Annalyn a headlamp so she could find all the nooks and crannies in "big blue" it was the best fort ever...I had to coax her out of it to get ready for bed!

I know it's a cheesy title, but I couldn't think of any other way to describe my friendship with Jen. I was so excited the triathlon tour was headed to Montana, that I immediately looked up the location for the YWAM base in MT, knowing that Jen and her husband of almost 6 years, Johan are currently working there. I can't even tell you how excited I was when I found out that the guys wanted to swim across Flathead Lake...and that the YWAM base was in Lakeside, right along the lake! YEAH! I get to see my absolute best friend from high school, her husband and two adorable girls! And...bonus...we stayed two nights. I couldn't have been happier!

Our time with the Besters was perfect, just what I imagined it would be. It was like no time had passed yet, there was so much of life to catch up on. It wasn't overwhelming or overbearing, but just so natural and easy to be in good conversation about life with the girls, life in montana, life as a wife, life away from family and our life experiences. It amazes me how similar we are, yet different. We went down two completely different roads after high school and yet talking to her I feel as though she can relate to and identify with so many of my experiences, thoughts, and emotions. I was so encouraged by our time spent just hanging out like friends who see each other every week and the thoughtful conversations that went a little deeper into the struggles, challenges and dreams that have made us who we are. I know that our friendship is one that stands the test of time and space. I am so thankful for the chance to have shared two days with her. I don't think she knows how much it meant to me...thanks Jen! and Johan makes a killer white chocolate mocha...my kind of guy!

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