football is back!

I probably shouldn't be so excited about football returning after a lockout these past few months. It was over money...like these guys-specifically the owners, don't make enough. Players make plenty as well, although i do view football as a brutal sport where many retire with long lasting injuries. But be as it may...I am a happy camper. I can't imagine fall without football Sundays! And football pools. And maybe a super bowl...I know- wishful thinking.
So, the changes were announced this week. Hurtful. Todd heap. Derrick Mason. Kelly Gregg. Can't imaginf the Ravens without this core of veterans. Especially Heap. Mason wrote a very heartfelt message in the paper the other morning about how much he loves Baltimore and the fans. And if they asked him back, he would return in a nano second. A very tearful goodbye.
I hate to see summer go away. I love the relaxed atmosphere. But I want football and fall.

blogs be forgotten

Wow...really been a week since I visited here? Guess I was busier than I thought. Catching up takes a while.
Heat wave has finally broke..it is 90 today, which feels great conpared to 120. Weekend was filled with socializing. We went to visit our good friends Barb and Arnout to the country..Monkton. They have a beautiful home they just remodelled with a state of the art kitchen. Barb demonstrated her cooking skills, swam, played games, chit chatted...nice weekend. It was capped off with a library summer social at a larger than life home of a board member. Large, tastefully decorated, and for sale. Anyone have 1.5 mil? A bargain..house is 8K squeare feet. Then back to my humble abode, which took me 20 minutes to clean the bathroom. Although I guess if you live in a house that big, you hire someone to clean it.
Off on another adventure next week...Colorado! And Mt Rushmore. Looks like I can check off CO, WY, and SD off my list of visited states.

Back to reality

After a very long drive home Saturday (10 hours), I am back in hot and hazy Maryland. Yesterday was not too bad, humidity was down, just hot. Maddie and I took a good 4 mile hike in the park...seemed more difficult in this weather.
So, I have stayed on track with good eating. In fact maybe too good..had a low blood sugar reaction at 4 AM. Gotta tweak a few things.
I miss the people I met and beautiful Vermont. But time to start thinking about Colorado! It just 2 weeks away and haven't given it much thought. I did make an attempt to arrange for a rental car..not cheap. At least 100.00 a day. Kids are excited about going..haven't been on a family vacation yet this summer. Should be easy to eat well in Denver, right?
More later..still behind in laundry. And I haven't gone searching for ak-mak crackers yet.

All good things must come to an end....

My last day in Vermont heaven. Hike this morning was an easy one. I actually wore tennis shoes this time. It was a long one-around 4 miles, but not many steep hills. Of course, we had Manhattan woman with us, who usually is way behind everyone else. One guide ends up staying with her the whole time. And she apparently complained there was no bathroom facilities on the route. Yeah, really. However, she is also the one who thought Appalachian Trail hikers stay in hotels in the evenings. Think we is perfect to deal with the jungles of New York City.
Headed back for a lunch of onion soup and caesar salad. not sure how low cal the salad was...
Did water aerobics in the afternoon and realized my body was exhausted. Guess 25 miles of hiking in a week finally caught up. Dinner:steak, stuffed portabello mushroom with quinoa and brown rice and steamed veggies.
Day ended with a hiking guide who plays the mandolin. Perfect for a week with snow lovers who try and make a living on the off season. And its not easy. many of the those working for thr spa work many jobs in the off season until the snow season opens up on December 1. Closes on May 1. They had 80 feet of snow this season. And Killington's population goes from 500 to 20000 during ski season. They make lots of money.
So, I went to check out tonight so I could avoid the rush and lo and behold, Ms.Manhattan was at the desk...yelling at the front desk clerk. So surprizing eh? She felt she should NOT be charged for 5 days of hiking when she only did 4. Because, if we could remind her, she was LATE. A sweety named Larissa (teacher heading to Boston to teach) mentioned she should be reminded that she had her own persoal guide everyday she was here.
So, back to the land of beautiful tomatoes and corn. It's been a great ride..feel good, energetic, healthy, calm....just what I wanted...

vermont day 5

Today i realized my feet were yelling at me. 20 miles of hiking in 4 days was way more than what they were used to-especially in those awful hiking boots. So, it was a quasi down day. I did an alternate walk today..an hour around Killington, which will always involve hills. Felt that was adequate and could do that with sandals on. However do you remember the woman who came in a few days ago and had a meltdown? Guess who joined on the walk? Oh joy. I was also joined by the healthy cooking woman-little spacey, but good hearted and always looking for her Zen. Fortunately, it was buffered by June, another spa attendee who I took a quick liking to. Small business owner in New Hampshire-very grounded and was known to break free of the compound and do her own thing-lobster dinner (no butter), cruising the mountains, whatever moved her. Loved her spirit. The meltdown woman I have come to find out, is from Manhattan and probably wound too tight. Also admitted often she was a 5 star kinda gal..have NO clue why she came to go hiking in the mountains.
Afternoon Karen and I cruised Vermont. We touched on all things Vermont-cheese, maple syrup, and covered bridges. Great day..this is a beautiful state...
Lunch: butternut squash soup with dried cherries; salad, and pizza on pita bread. Dinner was grilled salmon, brown rice, and snow peas and zucchini. Delish.
One more day :-( One more hike. And two days away from a glass of wine.

Vermont The real day 4

I must be in a fog of perspiration. Today really is day 4 and I am alive and well. I am still struggling with blisters (like many others) but feel good otherwise. Fell like I've sweated off 10 pounds. I should be so lucky. Today's hike was a bit challenging-some big hills. We stopped for a fruit break at a beautiful meadow overlooking the green mountains. Worth the effort.
Had a free facial today...ahhhh....and laid low..swam and read.
Tomorrow I am taking off from hiking and heading out to see some of Vermont. Maybe my blisters will heal. Or not. It makes hiking tough, but then you think about Survivor and think..shit, I can do a 4 miles with blisters.
Off to dinner...lunch was the best yet:
crackers with goat cheese (goat cheese in vermont...yum)
quinoa salad
chick peas and fruit.
Cheese!!!!

Vermont Day 4

Today's hike took us to Woodstock Vermont..a charming town of about 5000. hike leader was "Shannon"=a spry,very serious young lady in her early 20's. We call her general. She feels she needs to tell everyone how to hike, breath, drink water, and set the pace. I almost threw her off the path. She carries a small pack filled with bandaids, trail mix, almonds, cell phone, bug spray..list goes on. We r not hiking the Appalachian trail people. We returned to the van and those riding in her van asked her to turn on the A/C-weather was very hot and humid for Vermont...she said no, she would roll down the windows. I guess they needed to tough it out..
We spent some time in town..a welcome break. Headed back for a pedicure. Karen needed to do some laundry (you go through clothes quickly with sweat)and low and behomd, the local laundrymat is a bar/laundrymat. Yeah..we got nuts and drank a wine spritzer! Wonder what Shannon would say...
Lunch was a turkey, veggie, and hummus sandwich. yes, people, I experienced bread for the first time since arriving. Dinner was salad, talapia, beans and rice, and fresh pea pods..gotta had it to the chef-he is quite good.
Speaking of chefs, we had a cooking demo yesterday for black bean burgers. At least I think that was the end result...instructor was all over the map..no measurements, then she passed out vinegar to smell, followed by pickled onions-not sure how that related. We did actually get to a black bean burger with fresh salsa. We had 13 people. I had a taste equal to a teaspoon. I consider that a snack..
A golf group arrived today at the hotel..I sighted bagels and cream cheese. In addition, looks like a few newbies for the spa are the serious minded hikers. Who go on 30 day cleansings. I sat with Jeanne, a die hard liberal from Philly and her hubby.
Bought different socks today in hopes of avoiding more blisters. No really, I am loving this. Hikes have been beautiful. Food great. Met some terrific people. I could do without Shannon.