And yes, that’s me in all my radiant glory: bare footed, no makeup and wild hair. It’s been a long, busy weekend and I yanked the dress on, handed the camera to Princess Pea and said “Take My Picture! I’m about the miss the deadline!”
My prescribed update.
1. Item of clothing and a picture of me.Finally!
2. Weight This Week: 160, exactly the same as before the hiking trip. The great outdoors didn’t yield any loss.
3. Goal Recap: Pounds, Pullups and Arm Toning . Pounds still making me nuts. Pullups are coming along, as are the arms. LOTS of hiking last week, about 45 miles total, including climbing the mountain. Did I give the elevation? Not to boast, but I survived a 2,000 foot climb over 3.5 miles. That’s steep. I also got in a 10 mile bike ride, a five-mile site hike for work and 12 hours of heavy yard work that included cutting down tree limbs and pulling acres of weeks. Acres, I tell you.
4. Books
End of Overeating. Almost done. Finally.
5. Catch up with the Challenge Buddy. Yes!
7. Visit Other Challengers: Made a quick round when I returned from Big Bend, but didn’t comment much. I’m all in this week!
Yes, we’re back to the real world, and It. Was. Wonderful!! I had the absolute best time with the teens, and Big Bend is so beautiful. The most amazing thing of all? I climbed a mountain and made it back down the other side. This trip was a milestone for me – I was so nervous that I would be the “old fat lady” chaperone, lagging behind and being pitiful – and it didn’t happen. I hiked every trail, laughed, joked, climbed over boulders, skipped down sand dunes, waded in the River, and acted silly when necessary to keep going.
The highlight of the trip was the hike to the South Rim. It’s a 2,000 foot climb, about fifteen miles round trip, and I made it! I was hiking with my friend Elizabeth, who was also chaperoning. We kept each other climbing when we just wanted to sit down and cry.
It's a five hour climb up the mountain. I was starting to look a little grim after the third hour.Point of No Return...either head back down the mountain or continue to the top. We kept going to the top, of course!The view was totally worth the climb. That's Mexico in the distance.Me and Princess Pea. I was SO SCARED that close to the edge. It's a long way down.
It was really chilly at the top, and the wind was gusting about 40 mph. It took us seven hours and forty minutes to make the journey. Five hours up and almost three hours down. Down was a whole lot easier, for sure, especially on those turns in the path when the wind was at our backs.
On the way back down the mountain, looking back at the South Rim. That little spec on the very tip of the cliff is the tree we were posing next to in the previous picture.
I was amazed at how absolutely gorgeous the desert was, even in it’s present condition. Last winter there was a hard freeze that damaged most of the plant life, and then the past summer’s drought finished a lot of them off. Yes, there is such a thing as drought in the desert. They didn’t get their annual quarter inch of rain, and that made all the difference in survival. It’s such a stark beauty.
Ernst Tinaja rock formations. Yes! I hiked back here, too! It was pretty warm on this day, and the shade felt so good.
The Chisos Mountains are like an oasis in the middle of the desert.
Mexican Jay - There was a pair of them who followed us up the South Rim trail for quite a distance. I suspect the teens were tossing them crumbs.
Boquillas Canyon is at the eastern side of the park, where the Rio Grande twists through the rocks.
Boquillas CanyonSand Dune in Boquillas Canyon, with teens scrambling up to the top
There’s a sand dune in the curve of Boquillas Canyon that leads up to a cave. Yes, I followed those teens up the dune, right after I snapped this picture. The teens were impressed that I made it up. I was impressed that I made it up.
Texas Horned ToadSouth Rim
Celebrate. Keep the Faith.
P.S. Want to see all the pictures? Check the slideshow below.
I’m hiking HERE!! It’s gorgeous, wonderful and HOT! Wish you were all here!
My prescribed update.
1. Item of clothing and a picture of me. No photo, but I swear, I do have a dress. I’ll be back in town next week and will post ASAP. I
2. Weight This Week: 160, before the hiking trip. I expect it to drop a few pounds. Living outdoors for a few days will drop a few pounds fast.
3. Goal Recap: Pounds, Pullups and Arm Toning. Pounds still making me nuts. Pullups are coming along, as are the arms. LOTS of hiking (I’ll have exact mileage when I return) this week, two bike rides, pushups and two kettle bell classes.
4. Books
End of Overeating.
5. Catch up with the Challenge Buddy. Oh Lordy. I skipped town before actually saying anything to Jo.
Keeping the Faith 
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