Change of Season

I think that the change from summer to fall is my most favorite time!  I love that brisk but fresh air that arrives that just makes me feel better and kinda healthier :-) !  When I drive around I enjoy seeing the colors change on the leaves..oh how I love that!!  I guess I don't know how to put it into words how this season makes me feel.  A couple of words I guess I can describe it is peaceful and loved.

I am so grateful for this turning of fall right now, it came at a perfect time in my life.  It always seems to.  Big T was born around this time, October 10th, and he was the most amazing blessing I have ever had.  And now it comes again for me as support to Coach's departure.  Driving home from Missoula I saw the evidence of the change everywhere and even though I was sad, the sight brought me peace!

Coach walked to his plane at 6:40 am on Monday morning.  That was the first time the reality of the situation really hit.  Every time I picture that image of him all dressed up carrying his M4 I get teary eyed.  I love that Man so much and I know that I didn't tell him enough and probably didn't show him enough.  He is the most hardworking guy I know and really sticks by his morals and principles.  I should have know he was going to be a soldier because in his heart he already was.  He fights for freedom and safety and for what's right.  He can do what needs to be done even though it will be hard emotionally and physically.  He is truly always loyal.  He is the Infantry.

So here Coach and I go starting the new season out on different paths, experiencing different challenges, and yet heading to the same end result.  I will miss his company greatly, but I know that this season will end soon and with the end and change of every season usually brings something great and rewarding.  A new growth will have been developed!

Mystic Lake

Coach and I finally made it up to Mystic Lake..yeah!!!!  It is our 2nd attempt on bikes.  It is a 10 mile ride up hill, I think it was pretty intense.
The first attempt we took the cut-off trail which is for far more advanced mountain bikers, and I am not.  I rode off the mountain instead of turning with the trail, cut up my arm pretty bad and I went into  slight shock.  We ended up turning back after that (we realized now that we were pretty much almost there.)

This time I was definitely more out of shape, but I pushed myself and after the first 2 miles my lungs stopped hurting and my legs started :-)  Coach had it so much tougher than I did. He pulled Big T behind him and we added some lunch into the trailer as well, adding to the weight of around 35 or so pounds. Plus, the trailer ended up getting a flat tire about half way up which made Coach's job that much more difficult.  I actually stayed ahead of Coach which would have never happened if he was not pulling anything, but none the less I stilled enjoyed the feeling that I was doing awesome!!

On the ride up Lucius stayed with me and Spartacus stuck behind with Coach and Big T.  Every once in awhile Spartacus would catch up with me check on me and then return to Coach. It was sweet of him.  On the way home, both dogs ended up staying with Coach, neither one of them had the energy to stick with me.

                               My Bike :-)

I did ride behind Coach and Big T a couple of times and couldn't believe how well Big T took some of those big bumps.  On the down hill Coach really got to cruising and there were places you couldn't avoid the huge rocks in the trail.  Coach told me a couple of times he looked back and Big T was taking a snooze, what a tough little guy :-).  He does sure put up with a lot when it comes to his parents adventures.

                           Dad went through some big puddles

     This time he decided to put the weather flap down!!

The lake was great.  We didn't have enough time to stay and fish like we wanted, but we played with the little frogs instead.  There were thousands of them everywhere!! I'm sure I killed a couple by stepping on them, but it was inevitable.  Big T would hold them in his hand and kinda squeeze them, but they all got away alive.

              
                Made it back...yeah!!!

Today is a nice relaxing day, a much needed re-cooperation day.