Ed joined me for hike 5 for Tay's Summit Challenge. I'm fundraising for the Taylor James Steeves Foundation and would really appreciate your help! The donation link is here: https://runsignup.com/crittoria  

Thank you so much! I hope you're enjoying following along. I'm having fun spending even more time in the woods than usual. My house is a mess, but my heart is happy!

#staystrongclimbon

This sign always makes me laugh. It's really kinda self-explanatory!

My plans fell through, so on a whim this morning I texted Cait to see if she wanted to go for a hike. She was getting ready to go to Portsmouth. Perfect! I suggested we have a picnic on Agamenticus, which would be on her way.

I hadn't been there since I was a kid, when Dad took us there to see the defunct ski resort. (And probably to blow off some steam before a family event. I do remember my brother, sister, and I running around like crazy! 🤣) It had closed shortly after I was born, but at that point you could still see the trails and lifts. Now it has grown up into woodland, and looks nothing like it did back then. There is quite the trail system, and it's been beautifully redone as a park. It was a gorgeous day and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. It's always so good to catch up with Cait. Thanks for joining me!

Hike 4 for Tay's Summit Challenge 

https://runsignup.com/crittoria/Donate

#staystrongclimbon

George & I had a day! First, we discovered some waterfalls, 

and then we climbed South Mountain and ran back to the car from the trailhead.

 We'll sleep well tonight!

10 years ago today we met at a canicross race at Smiling Hill Farm. Who knew that chance meeting would lead to so much adventure and laughter? We've sure had some fun together. I can't wait to see where we'll go next! ❤️

Yup! They're fly fishing lores!

It's been a long time since I finished a cross stitch project!

"The best thing one can do when it's raining is to let it rain." - Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Happy belated birthday to Ike! We celebrated a day late with bagels, burgers, a hike up Kearsarge North, and an Oreo cream pie. When I suggested the hike, he said, "Okay." Once we got there he told me that he's hiked it before, and it was really, really hard. 

That might've been useful information back when I was planning which mountain to climb today! 🤣 Ayiyi. It was really, really hard. But, we got it done! And it was so gorgeous; just an incredible view up there! Plus, we got to meet Ella Fitzgerald, the dog. She was a cutie! 

Hike 2 - Kearsarge North, 6.44 miles with an elevation gain of 2,579 feet 

#staystronghikeon 

Please consider donating to my fundraiser for Tay's Summit Challenge to support the Taylor James Steeves Foundation: https://runsignup.com/crittoria

Thank you!

Happy birthday Ike! 

I've started putting tinsel in my hair. Why not? Y'all know how I love bling! Best of all, it surprises people. I like to keep 'em guessing!

George & I started this gorgeous day off right! We climbed North Mountain and had the whole place to ourselves!

I've signed up for Tay's Summit Challenge & we're off to a good start! From 9/11 to 10/11 I will be hiking as much as possible and raising funds for the Taylor James Steeves Foundation, a nonprofit that works to support patients and families affected by genetic forms of lung cancer. I'll put the link in my bio. Please consider making a donation, whether it's based on my elevation gains, mileage, or whatever you can spare. (I know that in itself is a challenge these days!) I really appreciate your help! Personally, I'm looking forward to this because I actually have all my hikes planned out on the calendar. I generally hike on a whim, so sometimes it doesn't end up happening at all. Knowing that they will ( barring extreme weather, of course) feels good. Please lemme know if you'd like to join me!

9/11/26 - Hike #1 - North Mountain, elevation gain = 610 ft, mileage = 3.20 mi

#staystrongclimbon

Suddenly this road seems small...

I grew a purple sunflower!

The friends we call family. ❤️

We had so much support from my family this weekend. It was awesome to see all of them!

Ed has decided to call it a night. He just couldn't get his aging body to do what it once did. His mind was writing checks his body couldn't cash, and he just didn't have the will to keep pushing. He's content, though, because now he knows. He fully enjoyed his day out on the course, running with everyone, and chatting with friends new and old. As always, Back 40 Timing has put on an incredible event and we're looking forward to hanging out and supporting everyone who is still out there racing today. But for now, we'll listen to the rain on the roof of the camper, and nap!

He's going to miss this so much!

Ed was able to grab a last minute entry to Last Man Standing 2026, so here we are! And there they go!!

All matchy matchy!

The almost perfect ending to a rough day... I could really use some alcohol right now, but we'll just pretend...mmm...these sure are tasty!

My co-worker gave me these cute li'l dried tomatoes, so I put them on my gluten-free bagel with vegan cream cheese, kalamata olives, and a drizzle of olive oil. It tasted even better than I thought it would!

(I'm not happy that I'm developing all these dietary issues as I age, but I'm figuring out how to continue to eat yummy foods!)

My first pink sunflowers! They're so pretty!