Sun, Sand, and Dive-Bombing Seagulls

I'll do just about anything to get to the beach...a two hour drive with two of my favorite people just to see and feel the salt filled ocean and sand between my toes.  We decided on Clearwater Beach since neither of us had been there and since it's supposed to be one of the best in Florida, we headed out early to spend the day soaking up the sun.  Besides, I had already checked out the places to eat and found the cutest little joint just two blocks off the beach.

After finding rock-star parking, we found our perfect spot for the day and set up. Three beach towels, one umbrella, lot of sunscreen, snacks and water...because they don't allow "drinks" on the public beaches. But don't worry, we took care of that beforehand.  The water was the perfect temperature, not too hot or cold and I found that most people spent their time there.  It was nice to lay out for a while but the salt water was too nice to pass up...and the views of passing sailboats was just the view I needed.

But then this happened.  As we were eating our cheese, crackers, grapes and pineapple...because I can't imagine eating anything else at the beach, the seagulls started to surround us.  Almost as if they were talking to each other, like..."these people have food, get here quick before it runs out."  At first, no big deal...and then it happened.  Out of no where, one dive-bombed down and took the cheese right of Shelli's hand..as in beak-to-hand and I have never seen her jump up so fast in my life.  Apparently there was one hovering over my head but I was laughing so hard at what had just happened I had no clue.  Literally one of the funniest things I have ever seen in my life and apparently everyone else around us found it just as funny.  And so that was the end of lunch...it was either that or Shelli wasn't going to return to the beach towels...she hates birds.  

After gaining our composure and spending a few hours at the beach, we wandered around the local shops before hitting up Pearly's, which was perfect timing too...as it started to downpour right when we got there.  Seriously the cutest little beach bar, all outside seating, surfboard tables, bright orange and teal chairs and serving local beer.  We opted to share the Gnarly Nachos and a Blackened Fish Taco and I tried the Clearwater Honeycream Ale, which was perfect for a sunny/rainy/humid afternoon.  On the way out we stopped by Whiskey Joe's, it was Happy Hour...and enjoyed a few cocktails on their outside patio before heading to their Beach Bar where you could enjoy more ocean views with your feet in the sand.

A day on the water is always a good day.

Until next time Clearwater Beach...keep the seagulls at bay. 

Shona

Rocky Mountain High's

I am going to be blunt here, no pun intended, but if you haven't been to Colorado Springs and to the places I am going to mention...you may want to travel West! Seriously!  Of course, I returned to Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, a yearly tradition, where I am still trying to figure out how to snatch a giraffe on my way out.  The place never gets old, ever! The views of the city below are amazing too!  I could just feed the giraffe's but I give my attention to the other animals too, I don't want them to feel left out!  Get there folks! It's the only Mountainside Zoo in the US!

Bon Ton's ~ a small-hometown feel restaurant with some delicious bacon...I mean, food. No really, the bacon is to die for! It's located in Old Colorado City, so it's nearby to quaint little shops and many other places to check out.  They have outdoor seating and allow your dog to join...extra points for them!  The people are awesome too!  I wanted to take the newspaper-style menu home...and while debating how I was going to do that, I decided I should probably just ask the server if I could just have it, without "stealing" it.  But it was my lucky day, you can take them without even asking...it says so right on the menu.  I think I'll frame it. 

Tsing Tao House ~ Pre-race dinner and post-race snack! Because you know the servings are always enough for at least two meals! They have great food and their crab rangoon is the bomb!  My Colorado bestie recommended this place and I am so glad she did!  Besides we managed to stop by a couple of liquor stores and I grabbed some local brew, Dry Dock Apricot Blonde...Colorado has some of the best beer I have ever had! Besides the can is orange so that is what drew me in, but now I wish I would have stocked up on it! 

I had to include a pic of Harley girl..a dog with so much personality and so tall she can eat off the counter. She is the sweetest!  Until next time Colorado! 

 

Love To You Colorado!
Shona

Loveland Ski Area --> Georgetown By Way of Running

I do it for the view, seriously! This run, although called the Slacker Half Marathon, isn't as easy as it may sound.  It is mostly flat with some downhill running, but there are definite inclines too!  The race starts at Loveland Ski Area, an altitude of 10,800 feet and ends at Georgtown, an altitude of 8,530 feet.  Thirteen.1 miles of the most beautiful scenery....and even though you are running along the highway in the last 3-4 miles, it's not a bad site to see!  Besides, at that point, you know you are almost done!

This year I did not hit my personal best, but I finished the race and was still walking so there's that. The air is thin but that isn't what gets me.  I feel better running in that altitude than I do here in Kansas.  Besides that, the temperature was in the upper 50's at the starting line, so it was perfect weather.  I started having trouble with my knee last year before running but decided to still go for it and last year I hit my PR and was extremely happy considering I was having some pain while running.  The doctor said I should probably have an MRI, a likely small tear that could easily be fixed, but I chose to put that off....

This year, at Mile 4, both knees were shooting pain up and down each leg.  I knew then it wasn't going to be my best race or time.  I stopped when I needed too, but kept going and crossed the finished line regardless.  At Mile 9, besides them handing out gummy bears which I savored as long as I could, I knew I had 4 miles to go but it was going to be tough. And at Mile 12, I really thought I was going to have to walk the rest of the way.  Lesson learned, guess who's getting her knee's checked out? This girl...otherwise I know my running career is over.  And I'm not done running so I guess I better make that appointment.

Anyway, did I mention I do it for the views? Besides, all of the food they hand out afterward. I also have a tradition to stop by the cutest little bakery, The Cake Bakery, to reload with some carbs and their refreshing Mountain-Berry lemonade. I always get a chocolate croissant, but this year, the blackberry scone was calling my name! It didn't last long!

We finished that day with a trip to Manitou, a quick game of horse racing where somehow I managed to place 1st...Horse #4, thanks for playing! I handed off my winning tickets as we left to head to the The Loop for their famous Margaritas.  It was a good day...other than at this point, I could barely walk!  Thank you to my Colorado Bestie and baby Cohen for driving me to and from the race and supporting me the whole way through!  

11 Months to June 2018!! I think I better plan on making it 4 years and Running!
Shona