Mere Days

Kelsey leaves for school on Thursday. Random people keep asking her if she is ready and of course, the answer is "Yes," as it should be.

Then they ask me and my answer is, "I don't want to talk about it."

I am totally thrilled for her and know she will have an awesome experience. These are things I wouldn't change or take away for a minute. But my own sadness...wow. These kids do work their way into your heart, don't they?

13 and 13

Friday the 13th. I am without a coffeemaker and without a radio in my bathroom.

But even worse than both of those...in 13 days K goes away to school.

I get a pit in my stomach just thinking about it.

Gotta' Love the Cards

At least if you live in St. Louis, you gotta' love the Cards. We managed to get to the ballpark this week. The evening was hot and humid and unfortunately, the Cards lost, but still...a ballgame is a ballgame. And Pujols did hit a beauty of a homerun, which always brings the crowd to its feet. A few photos....

With my guy...

And with my gals...

Of Hikes, Motorcycles, and MINI Coopers!

I am so far behind.

Our week in Colorado was wonderful and included a 10 mile hike in Rocky Mountain National Park that took us to close to an 11,0000 foot elevation. We crossed snow four different times. Absolutely wonderful (though we were feeling the effects a couple of days later in our barking calves!).

This was followed by a 250 mile motorcycle ride that took us over Hoosier Pass and Loveland Pass (so got us to a 12,000 foot elevation). Lots of fun, though not gonna’ lie, by the time we finished my backside was thankful.

Upon coming back to STL we picked up my MINI, named, appropriately enough by K, “Caesar.” I love it!

Next up --- the empty next phase of life, which starts at the end of this month.

Good and Bad News

The good news is my wrist is only sprained.

The bad news is it still requires a splint.

64.8 Miles and Counting

Our paddling adventure thus far is 64.8 miles, from Washington, MO, to Columbia Bottoms in St. Louis County. We have a lot of miles to go - our starting point will be mile 554.4, which is just over the Missouri border.

More Paddling

Sunday was, I believe, our longest paddle trip yet – 24 miles. We started at old St. Charles (picture above was at the starting point) and went to Columbia Bottoms, which is 3.5 miles from the confluence.

Water levels were down significantly, which made putting in a bit of challenge since the ramp was under debris (the picture below) that had been stopped by a pier. This meant we needed to use the bank, which was mud. Think mud, the kind that makes you feel as though it will suck your shoe right off. Nasty stuff. Once we were in and moving, however, the trip was fine. It took us a bit longer than we anticipated since lower water meant a slower current.

But now our trip has covered Washington, MO, to Columbia Bottoms. I’ll update total miles at another time.

Start: St. Charles, MO
Latitude 38°47'19.9"
Longitude 90°28'14.6"

Stop: Columbia Bottoms, St. Louis, MO
Latitude 38° 48’ 41.7865”
Longitude 90° 10’ 53.7157”