Off Season Blues

That's it, that's all. We're the brown house in the background.

I must apologize to you, Konfederates, the off-season blues have limited my adventures and I fear that my posts are becoming flat like the world before Columbus. Please bear with me as I figure out my adventures to be. If it helps with a mental picture, any time I wish to use the local internets I must first walk outside and around the building to the porch of the rental unit below. As of right now there are guests residing there for Thanksgiving so it’s a bit awkward. The up side to the lack of internets is that I see a bald eagle soar by each day, I have seen an 8-point elk buck walk just below my kitchen window AND each time I walk down the road to visit my postal box in the cutest, tiniest post office I pass by a herd of big-horned sheep across the river.

This is what I think I look like playing in the snow too!

Winter season hasn’t quite started here though we have snow.  The seasons here are determined by when tourists show up. As I wait for my job to start up in mid-December, I have found that being unemployed for almost nine months has depleted my bank account quite drastically. In light of that, I must stay home and avoid spending mula$$ which means I’ve been able to complete an 865 piece, 3D jigsaw puzzle of the Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany- the inspiration for Snow White’s castle in Disney Land. I’ve also been taking many snowy walks with Millie up a snowmobiling trail.

For my birthday, Millie woke me up around 6am (no one told her about time zones) and when I came back inside, there was a gift on the table wrapped in lime green with a hand-made bow. I ripped it open and there sat a beautiful, new, winter coat from my p.i.c. I absolutely love it! It is mostly black and hangs just above my knees so no more frozen benches AND it has a pretty sweet grass pattern in white across the bottom. I look like a ski profesh! P.i.c. then had to swing by the mountain resort to fill out paperwork to be a snowboard instructor again this year so I went on a hike with my new coat. When I returned, p.i.c. had prepared a monstrous chocolate mound cake with candles that spelled out Happy Birthday! A week later and I’m still eating it. Still delicious!

P.i.c. helping with the puzz

My Aunt Nancy and Aunt Carol sent some delightful cards that lifted up my off season blue mood and Caitlin sent me the oddest figurine of a T-rex devouring four garden gnomes. We put it next to the finished castle puzzle for a completed scene. And just today I picked up a package from p.i.c.’s parents which turned out to be a puzzle to get open and a bag of holiday themed Kit-Kats. They know me so well already!

Completed!

Since my fabulous birth celebration, I’ve been trying to determine whether our new, loft apartment has the presence of a pack rat. Dog food has been disappearing from Millie’s bowl and other small items have been disappearing off the counter. And each night I can hear the squeak of it prowling. But perhaps Millie has been eating and I haven’t been paying attention, perhaps I just misplaced that “H” birthday candle on the counter, and perhaps the squeak is the beep of a low battery detector in the downstairs residence. The debate continues but I could have sworn I saw a grayish blur run past me from the kitchen to underneath the dryer the other day. It was so quick, only a blur. Adam thinks I’m cray cray but we’ll see who’s crazy after I find me a snap trap.

Birthday Cheers and Loving Dears

Kmeg

First TBT Post! (Throw Back Thursday)

This comes from a time long ago known as The Great Cortland Pumpkin Fest of 2014 the year of our lord. I haven't seen my buddy Surmetty and her husband Jak since their wedding (May 2014? Yup, I'm a bad friend since I can't exactly remember). So while my P.I.C. and I were home recouping from the trail we decided to meet halfway between our places which landed in Cortland. What fabulous timing for the Pumpkin Fest!

We weren't quite certain how to participate in this exotic setting until we found a gaming truck with a new version of DDR. All four of us battled it out at once until only one champion remained...Surmetty. Here she is with the follow up challengers who ended her short range of championing.

And then of course, we needed to visit the children's tent and fish for stickers. Success!

To finish off the loveliness of this day, we took advantage of being in a college town and went to a local pub for some gnosh. It was here we learned of Jak's affinity for lamb's head. I guess don't knock it 'til you try it and I would like to try it. Here's to a possible annual event? Thanks for a great time Surmetty and Jak!

*Dance Revolutions and Friend Resolutions*

Kmeg

Making Moves for Winter

We're back in the heart of Colorado for another fantastic winter. When I started hiking the AT this past spring I thought the last thing I wanted was to come back here because I always want to move onto the next thing or to the next place. After 6 months, however, of moving every single day, I found myself craving the familiar. Someplace I could just be where I was back on my own but still knew where everything was and how everything operates. So here I am again back in the snowy mountains of Crested Butte. Only this time we're living in a cabin town 20 minutes south of town and I'll be forgoing my usual season pass on the mountain for maybe a 10 day deal? I would just really like to visit the other opportunities this amazing place has to offer. Below is a quick list of things I hope to experience this winter and I'm stoked!

My P.I.C.s and me back in Colorful Colorado!

• Yoga: This is a big thing out here in Colorado. Mayhaps I shall harness my chi AND get a great butt.
• Snowshoeing the Back Country: Living away from town means I get a chance to explore new terrain where the coyotes and elk roam and the sage brush peek out from under mounds of snow. I just have to remember to get Millie some snow shoes.
• Single Employment: Since moving out here, I've had an obsession with having multiple jobs. Ski school requires having a second job since it doesn't really pay too much. But the last few seasons I've just been searching for direction and now I have been blessed with the opportunity to work at a new shop on Main Street that promises to be fun, entertaining, with room to grow. Maybe I can increase my knowledge of social media marketing? I think yes.
• Cross Country Skiing: This is harder than one would think. Yes, it's difficult to go uphill but it's more difficult to go downhill without having the sides of my skis to rely upon for stopping.
• Ski Competition: This one could be a stretch but there's a backcountry ski race that goes from midnight in Crested Butte over to Aspen in the afternoon. That's a big mountain range to climb up and over. And you have to have a dedicated partner and all the right gear...not sure if this is a 2015 goal or maybe a 2016 goal? I really have no idea how long we'll be out here.

Keep checking back as I'll be posting about the hilarity that ensues with these ideas. In the meantime, please enjoy this despicable me themed Halloween shot. Yes, Molly, I know the dress doesn't go but orange jumpsuits are surprisingly hard to find on short notice thriftings.

*Big Plans and Mellow Jams*

Kmeg

Have You Herd?

This last week I took advantage of being unemployed and found Millie a place that would teach her to herd sheep and ducks. We drove the hour out to Chisago, MN and had her evaluated on her potential. I've posted the video on my Youtube bar below as well. Though she is very vocal, the instructor JoAnna said this was part of Australian Shepherd genetics.

This is the first few minutes that Millie met the sheep and experienced the smells of a real farm so she's a bit distracted haha. As she continued to work with the sheep she started focusing more and began to understand her new job of keeping the sheep tight together near the person. We were so excited!

We're moving out to Crested Butte again this winter which means the nearest herding facility is in Denver or Santa Fe; both approximately 5 hours away. So at the moment we'll be working on other training with the hope that by next year we can get her involved more seriously. What a great dog I'm blessed to call my buddy.

*Herding and Nerding*

Kmeg

Early Gifts for Christmas

As we've bummed around Minneapolis for the last 2 weeks, we've visited quite a few family members and close family friends of the Beard family. One of their many traditions involves a themed gift exchange known as the Patter-Beard Christmas. They are close families since Adam was little and have remained so throughout the years. This was the first one in about 3 or 4 years in which everyone was able to attend.

The theme: Non-American Culture. This resulted in the smacking of a pinata, the garbage bagging of presents, and an assortment of gifts not everyone knows what to do with. Our contributions were a bottle of Glogg and a Mexican piggy bank of an extremely fat guy complete with sombrero. We left with a couple antler whistles (of the Native American culture?) and a 3D puzzle of a German castle. 

Next year's theme was drawn from a basket: Something Magical. I can't wait! What a great idea to have a theme. Then it's less about what you get and more about what you can give! Kelly family, mayhaps we should begin this new tradisheon?! I think yes. Expect to see a ballot pop up in your emails.

Also, have you noticed how well they all pose? I didn't think it could be mastered but anytime someone calls out, "family photo" everyone just gets into position. *sigh* the cooperation brings tears to my eyes. In case you don't know, the most bearded Beard is my p.i.c.

*Gift Exchange and Family Change*

Kmeg

Lazy Days

It has now been a full month since we completed our thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail. If you couldn't get enough of the pictures on facebook or you're still curious for stories, I'll be posting in a separate series for you! Since then, I have been the most lazy of couch potatoes. It's pretty much at the point where you could mash me up with a fork and experience very little resistance.
My parents' home in NY was not at all relaxing. They're of the mindset that daylight is for busy work regardless of what you did the day before (or months before). We also had to find a new home for one of our dogs because he had continued to regress while with my parents and was not happy around strangers and needed more attention than we were giving him. It broke my heart to see him go, not that either of my parents understood that feeling. He was my buddy and made me laugh with his goofy antics. I only wish I had a big yard away from the suburbs for him to play but sometimes where we are in life doesn't always match up with where we want to be.
My Aunt Nancy gifted me a fabulous Jeep Grand Cherokee and once our other dog had a home; my PIC, pup, and I all moved out to MN for much needed r&r at his parents' home. We've been doing occasional house chores- mostly just to stay busy and get out of our pajamas. It's been so nice to sleep in, to read a book uninterrupted, to play with my dog outside without feeling like I'm being watched by the neighbors. At both homes I've been able to bake and make things in the kitchen. I think that's my new favorite thing and I like it! Cooking--uhh we've still got a ways to go on that matter. But baking is great. 
Every week we've been waiting on the most recent classifieds for CB with as much enthusiasm and trepidation as the season finale of a favorite show. Every week a few more rentals pop on there but they're always so darn expensive. We didn't used to think those rental prices were too bad but living out of a backpack for 6 months will make you a pretty cheap person. So that's where we're at with future plans. Back to CB for the winter and reviewing how to live in the present and be satisfied. I didn't think I wanted to go back there but I feel there's still a life lesson or two to study before I feel ready to graduate from living in paradise.
Sorry no pictures in this post. It's really not necessary to show me in my pajamas at noon.

*Falling Leaves and Pajama Steaze*

Kmegan

Resurrected

It has been too long my dear friends. I was unfaithful to the blogger platform and attempted to venture into the land of "godaddy" where my website was an utter mess. I've decided to resurrect my old journal blog because there is too much delicious history here to throw away. In the next few weeks, I hope to re-live my Appalachian Trail thru-hike of 2014, state by state with delightful photos provided by my PIC. Along the Ridge has received a face lift with new gadgets and new pages. Let the games commence!