Trek....

Ok, I admit it. I've been very busy lately and haven't had much time to devote to looking into trek possibilities.

The first question that rises to my mind is what difficulty level we want to consider. The members of the group are at varying levels of fitness, me probably being the least fit of the bunch. We've done B and C level treks. Do we want to attempt a D? Are all of us ready, or could all of us be ready for such a feat? We have to take in to account our various daily schedules. Some have more time to train than others.

Possible suggestions so far, serious or not, are Everest Base Camp and Croatia. My room-mate has also asked if anyone would be interested in South American treks. Heck, why not. Seeing the world is part of the adventure. Since we are currently looking at Explore only treks, I'm going to expand the Everest Base Camp to Everest area.

Everest possibilities then become--

Everest Base Camp, 19 days, level D

The Other Side of Everest, 23 days, level C/D

Everest Tea House Trek, 15 days, level B/C

Annapurna Sanctuary, 16 days, level B/C

Annapurna Panorama, 16 days, level A/B

Two members of the group have already done Annapurna. I hear that the trek was very tough. Something about lots and lots and lots of uneven steps, which equates at the very least to aching knees. Another thing to consider, is that due to the climate and the time of year that we would be considering venturing out, the Everest and Annapurna areas might require purchasing more equipment.

Treks in Croatia and Albania might be a bit less strenuous. Shorter too.

On Foot in Croatia, 8 days, level A/B

On Foot in Montenegro, 9 days, level B

Albanian Trails, 8 days, level B

And, if we want to stick with Europe and the nearby areas, there are quite a few more to choose from, including the other Pyrenees trek that we didn't take two years ago.

There are so many possibilities to choose from and so few listed here that it almost feels like we should just throw them all in a hat and take the luck of the draw. :-)

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!!!

We woke to rainy weather here, but that's not really a bad thing for local lovers. It's an excellent excuse to stay home and enjoy a private candle lit dinner for two. Then cozy up in front of the fireplace, or the big screen tv (featuring a romantic movie, of course), or do both. Most importantly, snuggle.

I hope you all have a very happy day whether with your significant other, or just out and about with friends.

My plans--snuggling up with a warm pup, a green feathered fluff ball and a mug of something warm and soothing. :-)

Did you know

that it is nearly impossible to listen to your iPod while sitting in a busy Starbucks? It's not just the noise created by their sound system, which seems to get louder as soon as your earbuds touch your ears, but the undulating vocal cacophony of your fellow patrons, that disrupts all attempts at personal musical harmony.

Ah well, I will just have to listen to the latest selections during a more peaceful moment, like one of my walks.

And speaking of walks, my trainer has uploaded this months workout schedule today. It looks like we are back on the serious training track. If I survive, I think I will be sleeping very well indeed for some time to come.

This month's schedule--




Look like fun? The newest aspect is the biweekly test to see where I stand. In other words am I improving or back sliding. Yep, there have been some back slides, loathe though I am to admit it. Still, sometime in March, if I stick to my schedule and there are no backward slides, I should be able to run (or more likely slow motion jog) 1.5-2 miles continuously. I have never been able to run without falling unexplicably or having a knee buckle and tumble me painfully down to the ground--not even when I was a little girl. I'm still getting used to the fact that I can run, even a little. Still, I'll never be a marathoner--ok, I don't think I will be. My trainer could prove me wrong.

Now, I need to figure out how to use the lap function on my heart monitor. I'm going to need it in order to gather data for those biweekly tests.

So, did I manage to succeed on day one of this schedule? Well, considering I didn't receive the schedule until this afternoon and had to guess at what would be there, I'd say I did pretty well. 2.5 miles at lunch, no pack. 4 miles in the evening with an approximately 30 pound pack.

When you feel like talking about nothing in particular

and everyone you know is busy, what do you do?

You write in your journal or in your blog, and when everyone is ready, when everyone is no longer busy, if what you had to say is worth repeating you tell them then. Well, unless they've already read your blog. ;-)

So, the time has come when the possibility of yet another trek is being discussed. Where shall we go? When? For how long? How challenging should it be?

The first possibility mentioned when the call went out was Everest Base Camp. The next, Croatia. Dubrovnik anyone?

Am I ready for Everest Base Camp? No. Could I be? I'm not certain, but I could train in an attempt to be ready, and be all that much better off for wherever we do decide to go.

The list will likely grow as we all receive our trek catalogues. The only definite request so far is that we go with the Explore company and not the Exodus. I'm not completely certain why, though I am under the impression that some of our party did not enjoy last years trip as much as the trip in the Pyranees the year before. We split up onto two separate treks this year. The one I was on was wonderful--good food, plenty of water, entertaining and knowledgeable trek leader, and excellent accomodations.

For a friend

who thinks I have not been listening to his gifts. I admit I'm a bit behind, but I will catch up. Meanwhile, I'd like to recommend this album.

The Grand Archives


The lyrics are clear and simple, the meanings of the songs not hidden in code. Still, it is the music that I appreciate the most. Upbeat and bright, it leaves a fresh smile on my face each time I play it. Three times so far this week. :-)

Make that four.