molly

57:365This is Molly. She's a Wheaten terrier who is sweet and adorable, and who kept me company all day today. I woke up sore from yesterday's hike, and sniffly and feeling lazy. I bid my friends good luck, sent them on their way, and snuggled up on the couch with my MacBook and Molly. I no longer feel like I'm drowning in work and personal emails. It was a relaxing yet productive day, and just what I needed. Granted, I still have a bajillion things on my plate, but I have a pretty good idea of scope and priority now instead of an ominous looming shadow of vague obligations and tasks. I'm organized again, with less than 50 emails in each email account. This is progress, given that when I started I had nearly 700 in my work inbox alone. I'm ready to get back to work, and I'm really ready to get home. To Kansas tomorrow night, and STL the next after a day of meetings. I'm ready.

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frozen

56:365We hiked with snowshoes a little over three miles to Mills Lake (elevation 10,400). Once there, we were rocked by 50-60 mph gusts of wind carrying snow. It felt like my face was being sand-blasted. The only thing to do was turn my back to the wind and brace. That worked well until the winds changed direction suddenly. At one point Lynn and I both held on to our guide's pack (to keep it from blowing away while he chased his hat that had blown away), and leaned back into the wind. I don't know how far I leaned, but let's just say that if there were no wind I'd have been flat on my butt. We stood on three to four feet of solid ice and grinned at each other between gusts. It was one of the most amazing experiences of my life.

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hike

55:365Went for an "acclimation hike" this morning, in preparation for tomorrow's snowshoeing. Gorgeous. We're not in Vegas anymore, Toto. I captured this image of our little band of women, who are also gorgeous inside and out.

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carbonation

50:365Nothing tastes like insanely-expensive airport beer. Well, maybe insanely-expensive stadium beer, but at least you've got a ballgame to go along with it.

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