The beginning of falls leaves

The leaves are starting to change and it is so beautiful.  One evening when I was babysitting Evan and Greta we spent a little time outside enjoying the dry weather and beautiful fall leaves.

It's raining leaves

We had leaves in our coats and down our shirts

Life is good

This is the tree across the street from Derek and Alexis' house.  I love the red, yellow, and orange as it contrast with the green.

Greta enjoying a little bike riding

First you rake the leaves

Then you scoop them up with a snow shovel?

Get as many as you can on the shovel

Then you lift up the shovel

Tipping the leaves right back onto the ground 

Then Repeat

From Colorado to Washington

Since I have never moved my stuff up to Washington from Wyoming I decided to do it after running the Ragnar.  Sunday I rested, and rested, and rested to get ready for the drive.  Then I left Monday morning. I did stop by the University of Wyoming to see some former co-workers; it was nice to visit with them.

Owen, Kim, and I loaded up the 12 ft. Penske truck that I drove.  Monday I drove to Twin Falls, about 10 hours and spent the night.

Tuesday morning I got up early and went and did a session at the Twin Falls Temple.

As I was headed out of Twin Falls I stopped by the gorge and took some pictures. This is the north side of the bridge.

This is on the south side of the bridge

Along the Ragnar route

What's a Ragnar without some nature shots...

This was the mountain that Candace ran up, along the ridge, and down for the last leg of the Ragnar

Ragnar

On September 7 and 8, 2012, I ran the Colorado Ragnar with Owen and 10 9 other people.  The race was from Breckenridge to Snow Mass: 188 miles.  I ran the 3rd leg (6.6m), the 15th leg (5.9m), and the 25th leg (6.3m) for a total of 18.8 miles.  One of our runners got injured before the race so our van only had 5 runners instead of 6.  Owen ran 5 legs for a total of 25 miles, I ran a longer leg than previously planned and Mike ran an extra leg to make up for the 3 legs the injured runner would of ran.  Our team name was Hypoxia since we were running through the Colorado Rockies.

Van 1:  Mike, Holly, Owen, Zach, and Will

Praise to the Van

"On your marks, get set, GO!"  Ragnar has officially began for team, Hypoxia; Go Owen.

The beginning of my first leg I am all smiles...

Lost my smile along the way...the end of my first leg was uphill 

Mike at the end of his first leg...why is he still smiling?   

You know Hypoxia has set in when you put your fleece on backwards

I found my smile at the end of my 3rd leg.  I started the run at about 5:15am for my final leg.  I ran along a river and then up this canyon.  While I was running along the river the moon was right above me and the stars where out; it was really peaceful and beautiful.  This was a hard Ragnar for me because my quads cramped after my first leg and every step reminded me that I am a mortal.

Zach had the best 3rd leg; the sun was coming up over the mountains.

Zach enjoys the sunrise as he enthusiastically calls out "Death to Owen!"

Me and Owen after my 3rd leg

Will, a 14 year old, ran over 19 miles

Owen and me at the finish line.

I love this shot of Owen because you can see some of our team members reflected in his glasses; plus, he looks really cool with his shirt-hat!

Team Hypoxia (in Orange) coming into the finish line following Candace, our last runner

This was a great Ragnar; Owen did a fantastic job organizing our team.  Everyone had a great time and enjoyed each others' company.  The leaves were also starting to change color and I really enjoy being in Colorado again.