September Updated

Time to get my blog updated. Looks like there was nothing going on in September when in fact, lots went on in September. I'll start off with the quick weekend trip to Michigan for my cousin Katie's wedding day. The wedding was on September 5th. That morning I checked off my marathon training run. It was a nice long run from my parents house to my friend Audrey's house in Onondaga (15 miles). The weather was perfect and I started off at 7:00 a.m. There was a morning mist and the roads are very quiet out in the country. Matt drove ahead of me and took some photos as I progressed towards Leslie where Kayla (Audrey's daughter) met me for the final 8 miles. She's a FAST girl so I told her just to go on ahead. She came back for me for the last few miles. Matt met me at Audrey's and she made us a waffle breakfast (Yummy... Thank You Audrey!)

Here I am turning off of Fitchburg Rd.

This was about 5 miles from my parents house.

More photos on the RC3 Running Club blog.

Then there was the wedding that evening. I was very bad about taking photos this trip. However I did get this very nice photo of the Newlyweds.

Newlyweds Katie & Christopher Wolcott

Matt & I stayed at my Parent's house and the farmhouse I grew up in. I still love that old house with all the big trees, flowers and my Mom's awesome gardens. Matt just loves the sweet corn and he like the donuts that we picked up at Gee Farms to take to the after wedding, gift opening brunch at my Aunt Jill & Uncle Steve's house.

Brother, Alan, took this photo of the farm house that we grew up in.

One of the great things about growing up on a farm was that we were never bored as children. Especially with so many chores and things to explore. My brother and wife, Debbie, took their Grandson, Logan (I guess that makes me his Great Aunt—talk about feeling OLD!). Needless to say, the farm was a big, new world for Logan. He had a blast going on tractor rides, exploring the farm from corner to corner and getting his first up front and personal with the farm sheep.

Logan and my Dad feeding the baby lambs. More photos of Logan, family and farm can be found by clicking here.

The trip to Michigan was the highlight of September. I got home and immediately went on a HOT 16 mile long run the weekend after. It was incredible how difficult that run was after running a cool Michigan morning run. Luckily, those hot mornings are behind us now and I'm enjoying some of the same weather here. Next up, Matt and I are going on a weekend trip to Moab, October 16-19. Matt's going to do some mountain biking with some buddies and I'm going to run the Moab "Other Half Marathon" on October 18th. I'm looking forward to the run as it will be a nice training run with some beautiful scenery. Look for some photos for that soon.

Note: September was a big month for the running club I helped start. RC3 is now an official non-profit and we are a member of the RRCA (Road Runner's Club of America). We're now up to 50 women and still growing! I'm quite proud of all we've accomplished in such a short time. You will see most of my blogging about running by visiting the RC3 Running Club blog.

Farm Life

Going back to the family farm for vacation is not all rest and relaxation. However, it can turn out to be a gratifying experience. Not only did I get fresh vegetables from my Mom's garden, I also got a nice farm work out by helping my Dad unload wagons of hay. My brother Alan was also home for the 4th of July holiday and he got to partake as well.

Here's how it works. My dad drives the tractor with the baler that shoots the bales into the back of the wagon. My brother walked along side picking up the bales that get over shot or under shot. Once the wagon was full, I threw the bales out of the wagon and my Dad picked them with his little bulldozer like tractor and took them into the barn where Alan stacked them. I have to say that my job was a bit "easier" than Alan's as I wasn't inside the dark enclosed barn. He also got to do a couple extra wagons while I was visiting friends.






You can see a bale being "shot" into the wagon in this photo.


The hay before it's cut and dried.

Milwaukee

I'm finally getting around to posting some photos from the Milwaukee part of my vacation. I stayed in Milwaukee before and after my Michigan excursion. It's very easy to take the Lake Express Ferry across Lake Michigan to Muskegon (Michigan side). I find this more of an adventure than just flying into Detroit. Admittedy, I really don't like the Detroit airport and flying into the smaller Milwaukee airport for less money was WAY better.

My Uncle Tom and Aunt Kathy were their usual awesome host. They made sure I got in a long bike ride along Lake Michigan and another to see more of the city (We found a nice little Inn and had an icy cold Milwaukee brew on the latter trip--that was an added bonus!). They also booked me on a schooner outing which was a nice way to see Milwaukee from the lake.


Milwaukee's very cool Art Museum. We saw the Pissarro exhibit here on my last day.


The schooner we sailed on.


Huge sail on schooner.


Uncle Tom & Aunt Kathy at one of their favorite local dining cafés.


Sychronized duck competition.

Lake Michigan

I camped for 4 nights in Northern Michigan (yes, I actually slept in a TENT) and was lucky enough to camp with my friend Audrey and her girls for the first night. Audrey's spouse Collin was in a softball tournament in Traverse City so I didn't see much of him as was in games all day.

We camped in the rustic park by my old summer stomping grounds in Interlochen, Michigan. I spent 3 summers working as a camp counselor for the music camp while in college. Some of my most memorable summers. It was strange, yet comforting, to go back and see that almost everything was the same. The Fireplace Inn where Wednesday polka nights took place to the same pizza place (Ciceros) that we ordered from on a regular basis. The campground was on Green Lake where I spent lots of time lifeguarding and no doubt getting skin damage.

We took a ride just outside of Traverse City and visited a light house and played around on some pretty Lake Michigan coastline.
My only regret is that I was too lazy to lug my camera on the mile walk to the beach where my parents were camping (Platte River Campground on the Sleeping Bear Dune shoreline) as the view was beautiful there as well. I did take some pictures with my Mom's camera so maybe if I can get her to e-mail them to me, I'll post at a later date.

Here's some pictures of the Smith girls.


Audrey, Kayla and Sierra getting ready to walk down to the shoreline.


Sierra showing her usual "cute-a-tude".


Kayla is going into high school next year and is on her way to being a track star. She's turned into quite a beautiful young lady.



Kayla and Sierra are NOT shy when it comes to getting their picture taken. I keep laughing at the "photo shoot" photos where I just let them strike poses while holding the shutter down. I love hanging out with Audrey and her girls. They are too fun and even though the girls think we're "old" they certainly make us feel younger.


Audrey and Sierra having a little fun on the rocks.