Training Interruptions

Matt and I just started back into our training schedule this week. It is really difficult when exercising schedules get interrupted because it is hard to get back into the rhythm. First, I got into a minor bike accident that messed up my left shoulder and hand. Although the damage wasn't very visible on the outside, my shoulder still doesn't move certain ways without hurting. And in the picture, I'm pointing to the bruise on my elbow. You can hardly see it in the picture, but it got pretty yellow and gross. I have to admit that the physical pain wasn't the worst part of the accident. It actually took me a few days to get back on a bike at all. All the confidence I'd built up when we rode around cars was shattered. I didn't like seeing lots of cars on the road or when Matt would stop without warning. Things seem to be back to normal now though. We've been biking to school for a while now. I just have to keep reminding myself that bikes aren't danger free. At least we wear helmets :)

We also went on vacation for a couple days. Even if it is possible to go running when you're on vacation, it just never happens. There are way too many things to do and people to see. Fortunately we were able to go swimming two days ago without any serious problems. But it was hard to come back and have only half the endurance I'd built up in the past month and a half. At least we know what we're capable of. Here's to training and building endurance! We'll get back up there soon!

Alamo Adventures

This last week Matt and I took a long weekend trip to visit his grandparents who live in Alamo, NV. Since we don’t have a car, we drove down with Matt’s great-aunt Pauline, who is his grandma’s sister. It was a great set-up because we all wanted to go, but Matt and I needed a car and Pauline needed a driver. We had a great time listening to stories, horseback riding, hiking, shooting, watching westerns, and eating amazing food. Oh, and sleeping in! Here is a rundown of our trip and some pictures (of course!).

Our first afternoon, we were able to visit many of the beautiful landmarks around the area. We saw worm holes in a mountain side (created by gas bubbles in solidifying lava) and petroglyphs on the sides of flat rocks. One rock is so covered with pictures that we thought it might have been the result of Indian children playing. Notice the awesome big horn sheep. So great. We even convinced Boots (the adorable dog in all our pictures) to come with us on our trips. Usually she is afraid to ride around, but I guess we pampered her enough to convince her to brave the trip.

While we were driving to see an abandoned ghost town, we drove on the bumpiest mountain road I have ever seen. We were bouncing so much that it was hard to talk! And we were laughing too much to say a lot anyway. But along the way we saw a beautiful wild stallion on the hillside. It was alone and not very skittish. He stayed where he was even as we drove closer to him. It was such an awesome sight! The town was fun to poke around too because it had these stone homes that were in varying states of decay. One building seemed to be at least three stories tall. Wouldn't it be amazing to see these towns when they were booming and growing? It is fun to imagine the families and children that grew up in these places that would eventually crumble into a relic of the past.

Another great adventure was going to visit the towns surrounding Area 51. Of course, access is off-limits, but a few of the locals are proud to advertise their proximity. One such place is The Little A'le'Inn in Rachel, NV. Seriously. The restaurant/motel/gift shop is full of photos, memorabilia, and novelties surrounding aliens, flying saucers, and abductions. It was such a fun place to see. Unfortunately, we arrived at the A'le'Inn when their kitchen was closed for Rachel Days (an annual celebration to commemorate Rachel's founding in 1978). Instead of an alien burger (complete with a flying saucer-shaped hamburger bun), we all decided to go to the cajun barbeque up at the celebration. There was a nitty-gritty band with a guy playing the steel drum (which neither of us had ever seen except in movies), alligator kabobs, homemade blueberry cobbler, frozen lemonade in a blender, and all the small town charms you could ask for--including an unsophisticated (but hilarious) game involving gambling and chicken poop (I'll post the picture below). Basically, you buy a number on a board at the bottom of a chicken coop. If the chicken poops on your number first, you win! Hooray! Needless to say, although we both hail from the south, we had our first real taste of small town America (and alligator) in Nevada. Go figure.

We also had a lot of fun doing traditional rural activities: 4-wheeling, horseback riding, and shooting. Let me just say, I didn't expect rifles to be that loud. They are. And powerful! Matt was the crack-shot of the night. And he looked awesome in a bandito belt (according to me). Also, riding horses is definitely a difficult skill. I think I'm better now than when I first jumped up on Dude's back, but it will take me many years to really ride well. First of all, I can't really think of any other activity that uses the inner thigh muscles that way. Goodness, my legs got sore. Also, communication with horses is so different. There has to be trust and clarity. I'll work on that. Bottom line: horses are beautiful, powerful animals. I definitely respect anyone that can ride a horse well.

In the evenings, Matt and I watched a TV series called “Into the West”. Matt had watched part of it on his previous trip and really liked the story. It has some beautiful shots of the west, including buffalo herds and majestic mountains. The main characters are also very likeable. Since the series follows several families over several generations, the story contains many themes and events from history. Half of the time is spent following a tribe of Lakota Indians. This was the saddest part for us because we already knew their way of life would suffer because of the changing times. The story is well done, however, and is an honest look at an extraordinary time in America’s history. We borrowed the DVDs and to finish watching—if we ever have enough spare time.

Sunday afternoon, Matt and I decided to record Grandma and Grandpa Biggs telling stories about their childhoods. Our goal is to collect life sketches from all of our living grandparents. We weren’t exactly sure how to conduct effective interviews, but the recording went so well! We got so many priceless stories recorded. It is so amazing and inspiring to hear about the determination and faith of our grandparents. What interesting lives they have led, what crucial lessons they have learned. This was a wonderful project for both of us. After we finished recording, Matt and I were so excited to be able to type up the transcripts and share them. This was such a great way for us to connect to our family and to our heritage.

A great start to a great summer. Here's to more fun and adventures in the coming months.

Bright Red Backpacks and MREs: 72-Hour Kit Madness

Ever since the devastating tornadoes in the south near our families--mine in NC and Matt's in VA--I have felt pretty anxious about getting something for our little family, just in case. So we decided to put a little money aside for food storage and emergency kits. Needless to say, I was pretty excited to get them. First of all, there is a lot less to worry about when you know you'll have something to eat for a few days if you need to. Matt is also excited because he wants to do 72-hour camping trips with just our bright red bags. He has decided that it will help us figure out what we wished we'd had with us. I, personally, don't really want to go out in the wilderness with not much besides MREs and a tube tent. We'll let you know if the 72-hour kit camping trip ever happens :)

Anyway, we spent a night putting our backpacks together and trying to figure out what else we wanted in them. They came with a lot of cool things already. Here is a link to look at the whole ensemble on the website. It has water, food, a small hygiene kit, tents, candles, matches, even toilet paper. We had fun adding clothes and extra toiletries. We even found some old-fashioned hard candies at the grocery store to add. We don't have a lot in our little apartment, but we don't have to worry as much about an emergency now. And we know it is the right thing to do! Here is a great website, Provident Living, with more information about how to prepare for natural disasters or other unexpected emergencies. It is great to just be as prepared as possible.

Also, wedding/engagement pictures are almost on the walls! We finally got the rest of the picture frames today, so I will be hanging them up ASAP. Love it!

4 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies

Sometimes we get invited over to someone's house on really short notice. (Or we forget about ward parties and we signed up to bring something...) Since we try not to go to a dinner or party empty-handed, we have a few things that we can whip up really fast. This recipe is one of them--especially since there are only four ingredients and we usually have all of them on hand.

Here's what you need:

1 cup peanut butter (we like the chunky kind)
1 egg
1 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla

Mix all the ingredients, form into balls on a cookie sheet, criss-cross the tops with a fork and pop them into the oven. We cook them for about 10 minutes at 350 degrees. This recipe makes 18-ish cookies, depending on the size you make the balls of dough. I love it--it is just so simple! We also get compliments when we bring the cookies over when they're still warm. Probably because peanut butter is just so delicious.