Labor Day Recap The day began at Gold Hill Trail Head a few miles outside Frisco. We came up with 3 rules to follow when reading about which hike to choose for the day/weekend. #1 It will always be longer; the book said 12 miles, the sign 13.5! #2 It will always be harder than you think; the book said this segment was 'strenuous even for the seasoned hiker'...I now know strenuous is not my idea of fun. #3 It will always take more time than you thought; the 3:30 arrival to copper Mt. And the shuttle ended up being 5:30. So these might not be ALWAYS for EVERYONE, but we are 2:2 with the Colorado trail. What a beautiful day. We discovered at the split to Breckenridge there was a marathon going on. It seemed to work every time I thought my legs were going to go numb someone came jogging by. Granted most of them looked like they were about to die, but I wouldn't wish it on anyone. Dolly and I at what we thought was the top! Oh no..Keep hiking. A look back on the lake near Frisco. The Marathon runners stopped passing at this point. A View from the Top, we finally made it. The trip was mentally exhausting, for we never knew when we were going to be descending! Just over that ridge, no...Look we can see through the trees, just over that ridge...They kept coming and coming. Copper Mt. A familiar ski area for us in the background

Ready to be done...The Descent.

Dolly starting laying down, but she did well for her first hike, even some of the runners stopped for a pet and a quick rest.

We finally finished the 13 miles and when we went to get on the shuttle found out Dolly couldnt ride unless she was a service dog. My dad rode to Frisco and came back for us and we were home by 8:30! And I thought hiking was only for vacation.

How Funny. This Article was Sent to me. Link to the story "Preaching the gospel of closet systems". An update on work. I have started my first official week at The Container Store and I am really liking it. In some ways it does feel a little weird that I just graduated from college with a major in Christian Ministries and now I am working in home organization, but I'm sure it's not a first. I don't know if it is the fact I'm out of the house now, or interacting with people and problem solving, or maybe a little of each, but it is making a world of a difference for my mental health! I'm convinced that there are some core attributes wired within us that electrify our lives and one of those for me is helping others; bringing people's ideas to life. On a very small scale that is what I have been able to do this week. People come up to you asking for tape measures and ideas on how to solve a certain problem they are having in their organization or home and you get to come up with ideas for them. One great thing about TCS is their empowering of their workers. When you arrive for your shift you are huddled in for the day, where you find out where the store is, and encouraged to serve the customers. Next, you check out the clipboard schedule and write down what role you play during the day and certain times...And NO ONE tells you where to be when. From the time you walk in until you leave you are in charge of how you manage your time, that is SO rare. So although I am not directly using my degree I am looking forward to this season at TCS, and if anyone is looking for extra holiday

We finally got our license plates, and in some ways it marks another step in Colorado being our home. Right now it feels like a long vacation, but who knows what is in store down the road. Joining the thinking of our fellow Coloradoians, we decided to participate in an annual labor day tradition for the outdoor folks here, getting ready for ski season. To early to think snow? Not here in Denver! Last night I was up all night (Josh ended up having to work, so he couldn't come) and at 3:00am My parents and I drove downtown for the annual labor day ski sale sniagrab or "bargains" spelled backwards. You might ask why in the world we would head out this early? Well, the first 100 people receive $100 gift card to spend at the sale! The doors don't open until 8am, but during the course of the day they are giving away season passes, weekend get-a-ways, etc. And they are selling most everything approach. 30-75% off! Turns out, when we arrived there were people camped out all around the block; tents, mattress', guitars playing, and picnics everywhere. NO WAY were we going to be in the top 100, or even the next group of 150 people who would receive $50. After making 2 trips around the city block to take it in we just drove home! Later we found out from a neighbor that the first people in line had been camping since Wednesday.... So much for free ski gear. Tomorrow, since Josh has to work again, (though we are happy for work!) I am heading north to hike the 7 segment (Breckenridge to Copper Mountain) of the Colorado Trail. I am taking Dolly (the dog in the previous post) with me and my parents are joining me as well. I am excited to get outside. Hopefully I wont be too sore. I post pictures later. Hope everyone finds their extended weekend filled with something fun or relaxing.