The Beginning of the End

My goal it to try to lose 15 lbs before we go to the Smokey Mountains the end of October. I know I can do it! I plan on hitting the Y after work today. My hubby is picking up Jordine so I can go work out. Thanks! I 'll post back later and let you know my workout.

Hello everyone......I will be updating my blog. I had a whole page written with a couple of pictures and accidentally erased it! UUGGGHHH!

Anyway, please stay tuned for the rest of the story.

I worked out at the YMCA today. 30 minutes on the bike; heart rate up to 140, 15 min on stairmaster; heart rate up to 150, then 10 min on bike as cool down. My L heel is still biting me today. I had physical therapy before my workout. My last session is Friday. Me and the therapist will talk then and discuss further action then. Who knows??

To the YMCA this morning for the first time. Rode the bike for 30 minutes and did some weights with my upper body. My R ankle is still sore but much better, I just need to be careful not to roll it to the outside. My L heel has been hurting today worse than it has. I did physical therapy last Friday and again yesterday. They are trying electropheresis with dexamethasone. I am not sure if it will help......we'll see.

Will be going to the Smokey Mountains the end of October. Can't wait!!! I may even try the Chimney Tops with Jim.

A beautiful morning greeted us and we were off to Lupine Meadows, just below the Middle Teton peak. A 7 mi hike up, rising @ 4,000 ft, it would be a long day ahead of me.

My ankle was painful but I was going to do this or have to be drug out of there. With help from my Dad, we wrapped my ankle and I prayed it would make it.

The awesome nature surrounding me on the trail kept my mind off the pain but my mind now became much more focused on all the rocks. The rocks that jutted out along the path and sometimes would lie half buried and camouflaged from my view. One miss step on my injured ankle and my trip would be over.

The steady incline on the never-ending switchbacks truly tested my endurance. I regretted missing out on more cardio work the last 6 weeks due to plantar fascitis. I probably should have lost more weight before I upped my intensity and distance of my training walks.

All I could think about was seeing that breathtaking view of the Middle Teton towering over a canyon that was full of rich green pines, beautiful rock formation, wild flowers and a crystal clear stream of glacier water. Those images I fell in love with after my dad's first trip out there.

I was becoming so fatigued and the altitude was really taking its toll on me and I tried to keep thoughts of despair from entering into my mind. Dad was doing a fabulous job being my cheerleader. He was so patient with me. With my preoccupation on my every step placement on the trail, I started to round a corner and .......there it was!!! I was truly overcome with emotion. I couldn't believe I was seeing Garnet Canyon with my own eyes. There were no words to speak. God's creation has a way of doing that to you. My dad had done me such a solid by letting me come upon this sight without any introduction. I knew we were getting there due to his pep talks, but as we approached, he just let nature take it's course. Thank you Dad! I'll never forget that feeling EVER!

After a brief rest we carried on toward the boulder fields and ultimately Lupine Meadows. The size of these rocks carved out of the mountain were incredible. What was not nearly incredible was the flexibility in my injured ankle. I had no agility whatsoever and the rocks were winning. Though my ultimate goal had been to see the meadows that just lie out of my reach, I sufficed to enjoy my victory of reaching Garnet Canyon.

Dad knew of a great spot to rest by the glacier stream, snack a little and just soak in the nature. This spot also served as a mini spa for me. The temperature of the water was probably around 40 degrees. I couldn't get my shoe off fast enough. I soaked my ankle, I know probably a good 30 minutes. It was long enough that I had to let it thaw and get feeling back in it before I could bare weight on it!!

We rested, reloaded with fuel, talked, laughed and just sat in the quiet. Now it was time for the return journey.

Overcompensating with my good leg in the boulder fields had provided me with a very strained left quadracep. Dad once again came to my rescue with a compression wrap he pulled from his backpack.

Several hours later and we were back at the car. I was completely spent....physically and mentally. After cleaning up back at the hostel, we headed out to eat. I had the best ahi tuna and seaweed salad ever. What a victory meal!

I had accomplished my goal, whether it had been very pretty or not. Thanks to my dad's proposal and my love of nature, I had persevered and made it from 265 lbs. to Garnet Canyon in 9 months. What a reach, right!?!?! Ha!

This is what I awoke to this morning! Very tender and painful. But I believe with a rest day or two, I can still attempt to get to Garnet Canyon.

Dad and I spent the day exploring around Jackson Hole and booked a white water rafting excursion on the Snake River. What makes this trip unique is that we were in a two man kayak-sort-of-getup.

I had never been in a wet suit before, so that was very interesting (leave your modesty at the door). Ha! What a fabulous adventure!! Our guide paddled in and around us and the 3 other couples and guided us through some pretty hairy rapids. My adrenaline was pumping for sure! My arms got a good work-out but my ankle was able to get in some needed rest. If only I could have seen a bald eagle overhead........saw plenty of nests but no eagles.

Well, tomorrow will be the day, Lord willing. Much ice and support are on the evening agenda......for my ankle.

The morning was brisk and we set out to see Yellowstone. I was just amazed at how enormous the geyer basin was at Yellowstone. This thermal activity is present for hundreds of square miles. All I knew was, if the ground began to shake I was ready to meet Jesus! There would be no escaping from here. Ha!

One very interesting steam vent sounded like a jet engine. It was so loud! I saw the paint pots, which are pools of boiling mud, and they sounded very funny. The Glory Pool, which is a thermal pool known for it's amazing colors, could not be seen due to the extreme amount of steam hovering all around us this morning. Doesn't mean I didn't enjoy my free facial! The colors in these hot pools come from the different organisms of life that are supported at the different temperature changes within the pool.

The day was overcast and misty and simply beautiful! We drove along looking at the incredible wooded areas and seeing damage still being rehabilitated from the fires of the past most recent I believe in 1988. But to see the regrowth of so many sapplings in various degrees of growth around the fallen elder trees was very humbling. God knows what He is doing and his plans are flawless.


We then came upon the Yellowstone Canyon upper and lower Falls. It was a nice 109 ft drop over about a 1/3 of a mile to the brink of the lower falls. What awesome power you could hear, smell and feel as you came closer and closer to the water.

Dad and I had gathered small pine cones and acorns and were tossing them back into the current and watched their perilous descent over the rapid falls. You could actually hear the suction of the water over the falls. I bet the sound from below was deafening.

We went to another area where the view of the falls was picture perfect! The trees framed my picture so well.

We also viewed the reason behind Yellowstone's name. Can you see the yellowstone in the walls of the canyon? Amazing isn't it?

My time in this natural erogenous zone had come to an end for now but now I would be on to more enticing natural pleasures.....

The Teton Mountains!!

We entered such a quaint little community called Teton Village. Our place of lodging was called The Hostel X. It has been a ski hostel for some 40+ years. Very accomodating but very simple and not to mention a wonderful relaxing basement area with many modes of entertainment.....TV, ping-pong, video games, board games, fireplace etc. etc.

Well with the backdrop of the Tetons as our inspiration we were ready for our first adventure. A ski tram ride to the top of Rendevous Mountain, the mountain directly behind our lodging and then a hike over and to the top of Cody Peak. Dad firgured it would be a nice warm up to the altitude and terrain.

I strapped up my new but used Exum approach shoes I bought for $20.00. I was so excited just to think how many climbs my new shoes had already been on and very enthusiastic about contributing to the count. Decked out in all my carefully purchased gear we headed up the ski tram.

What happened next was one of the worst feelings I have literally had in my entire life!!! As I exited the tram and started down the graveled stairs to the outlook cabin, I stepped too loosely and my R ankle, which has been injured several times but the last time being over 10 years ago, twisted and I found myself on the ground. I was in utter disbelief. I knew the injury was bad and as I looked at Dad at the base of the steps, with the beautiful scenery behind him, I could speak no words.

He helped me down to the shelter at the base of the steps and the tears started to come. I was so angry. All the work...all the suffering with my L heel. I wouldn't accept that this was the end of my adventure! As we removed my boot it was obvious this was no "walk it off" injury. But the injury to my ankle was high on my ankle and I still had pretty good range of motion of my foot and toes. Always prepared, my Dad took out first aid supplies from his pack and we wrapped it tight and I decided I best get hiking because who knew what the morning would bring. I wanted to try for Cody Peak because Garnet Canyon now was maybe an impossibility.









I had to stop short of the peak due to the pain my ankle, knowing I had to make it all the way back to the ski tram, but I got to watch Dad as he made over and up the last 1/4 of a mile.

The hobble back to the base was slower than I would have wanted. I was remembering my own advice I give my patients in the hospital who were getting up and walking for the first time after surgery, etc , "Just remember, you have to come back as far as you go." I had been Gung Ho, believing this might be my last hike in Wyoming and now my ankle was really angry with me!!

I made it back and down the ski tram and now I was ready for some ice. Dad set me up on the front lawn of the Hostel X with a comfortable chair and a 5 gallon bucket full of slushy ice water.

After I convalesced for awhile, I made it up to our room and into a hot shower.

Then I was in for a special treat.......Bubba's Barbecue. Delicious, family owned, low maintenance, good eating 'hole-n-the-wall. I ordered a pile of pulled chicken barbecue that came with texas toast and a wonderful salad. Yum! Yum!

Needless to say I was ready for some sleep and time off my poor mangled ankle. I would have to wait until morning to see if there would be an early plane back to Indiana.

My Adventure is here!

I spent the night with Mom and Dad last night and we got up @ 4:15 am to get out the door to the airport. I was ready to go!!

Thanks to Dad I started the day off with a large cappacino with an extra shot of espresso from Star Bucks in the Louisville airport.

We boarded a little plane and flew to Cincinnati, 18 min. We had an hour+ layover at Cincinnati so we ate some breakfast. Walking toward our gate in the airport I saw Steve Zahn an actor that I really like, going the opposite direction. That was really cool!

On board the big 747, it was 3 hrs and 45 min to Salt Lake City. I caught a little nap and really enjoyed my window seat coming into the Salt Lake area. How beautiful!

After we got off the plane we only had time to guzzle down a soft drink and eat chips until it was time to board again to Jackson Hole. This flight was 38 min. The sky was a little overcast and the peaks of the Tetons were in the clouds but the view was STILL awesome!

After we got our rental we were off to Yellowstone....about an hour+ drive. I was so excited and the scenery around me kept me fully entertained.
We entered Yellowstone and got to see some sights as we traveled toward The Old Faithful Inn. We saw Yellowstone Lake, Lewis Lake and West Thumb. We got out at West Thumb and walked around a bit. The thermal activity at this park is mind boggling. The presence of such raw, awesome power is very humbling......as beautiful! I knew I was in for a grand adventure.



We arrived at the Old Faithful Inn and I surely wasn't disappointed in it's grandeur. The architecture is phenomenal. I couldn't wait to get exploring and that's just what I did!

Our dinner reservations at the world renown restaurant were not until 6:00pm so I had about an hour and a half to play around. I was eager to see Old Faithful do her thing. It was quite cool out and overcast. I wasn't sure when the next eruption was due, so I walked back and forth a few times and then decided to go follow some of the walkways through the other geyser, pools and fumaroles. They have these raised wooded walkways throughout the geyser basin for walking because the ground is just too unstable to allow people to go out and walk around anywhere.

I probably walked a mile or so and headed back to Old Faithful. The crowds had started to gather so I figured a time was getting near. I found a nice place to sit and waited. Several different languages I could hear conversing. It reminded me of trips to Washington D.C. and the Grand Canyon. This area definitely has world wide appeal!

As the minutes ticked off I started to feel a sprinkle and decided I better head for shelter since I wasn't properly dressed. As I started around the geyser she started her magic. I continued to walk but not taking my eyes off her display. WOW the power that exists there for the water to reach such heights. I thought the rain was coming more now but then realized I was receiving some of the spray off the eruption. Pretty cool.

Well, I had seen Old Faithful and was now ready to eat!

The resteraunt was worked by all different nationalities of young people. Very neat atmosphere! What a summer job for a college student. We went with the smoked salmon appetizer and the buffet which had on it roast bison and cocktail shrimp. The bison was magnificent. Very tender and flavorful. I had found a new favorite! I had suspected something very tasty. On the drive to Yellowstone we had stopped and picked up some buffalo and elk jerkey and they both were delicious!

Well, we got our bellies full and called it a night. I couldn't believe I was really here and I couldn't wait to see what tomorrow would bring.

Well, I have been pretty much out of commission for the past few days. Sleeping a lot....trying to let my body play catch up from my illness. I actually feel better this morning than I have in a couple of weeks......it may only last for a few hours though.Ha!

Anyway, I am getting very excited about the trip. Thursday morning @ 0600 we will be leaving Louisville. Sounds like Dad has an adventure of a lifetime planned. May the Lord guide and bless out travels!!