Thursday, January 2, 2014

Hiking, committing to a running streak, and other random thoughts



The second day of 2014 was also a very, very good day!  I am still in Santa Cruz, CA visiting my sister Sue (AKA Sisu), and enjoying the last few days of a long stretch of freedom. I have been unemployed (and collecting unemployment) since March of 2013, but I return home to Texas on 1/6 and start back to work on the following day.  We shall see how THAT all goes!

If I had to chose a word to characterize the theme of 2013, I would have to say it was EXPLORING.  For 2014, it will be NESTING.  Because getting this job offers me the opportunity to solidify and formalize my move to Texas.  I want to make it my HOME. Not just a place where I play and explore, but a place where I have a home of my own, and roots.

Today I made a decision that I was going to commit to running every day in 2014, at least one mile.  When I first started running, in 2012, I ran every day, and I did the best on that schedule. I felt better, and I really felt like a runner.  So I'm going back to that place.
This morning I ran two miles along West Cliff by the ocean.  It was a beautiful morning and my heart was singing.  I slept 12(!) straight hours last night.  I was rested and happy.

Then this evening Sisu and I went for a sunset hike at Wilder again.  What a beautiful trail and what perfect weather.  We had hiked the same trail with the dogs a few days ago, and I saw my very first mountain lion!  That was really a thrill for me!  This year I saw my first moose in Alaska and my first mountain lion in CA. In soooo many ways, this was also a year of firsts.  No wildlife sightings this evening though.  Just perfect golden light.  I'll take it with no complaints.  I have always had a weakness for the golden hour.

Tomorrow we are heading to a wilderness cabin with Sisu's friends, Anne and Margaret, so I won't have signal to post. We will do some hiking and some wine drinkin' and other silly stuff.
I'll blog more when I get back.  Until then--  look for the golden light!

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