discoveries

I cleaned out some of my closet today - tried on some things I haven't worn in a while. Conclusion: I have gained weight. I have hovered around 115-120 lbs. my entire adult life up 'til now. My size 6's are scandalously too tight to be worn in public. Ugh. My size 8's? Getting there. Let's just hope this is an unusally bloated monthly bloat, coupled with the inevitable weight gain caused by the side effects of The Pill. Please, please, please. I can't afford a new wardrobe. Ugh. And please let the rain let up so I can go outside and exercise! I'll scare myself into being a size 6 again - just weight wait.

northern exposure

It has been raining for nearly two weeks straight.

Initially, I thought the majority of our time up in the North Country would have to be spent shopping and eating (pity). We hoped for a break in the dampness long enough to do a little hiking over the weekend, in the Adirondacks, while visiting Old Forge. We were lucky, and for a few hours on Monday, the rain let up just enough so we could spend the afternoon hiking around Moss Lake.

The air was brisk and healing, despite its saturation. Parts of the trails were flooded, which forced us to circumnavigate quite frequently. After we had to ford a flooded-out bridge, Ryan spotted a "Caution" sign whose irony did not escape us, and we had a hearty laugh.

Now, I am depressed to be home again, even though the weather here is slightly better than in the mountains. We have no Autumn color yet, for which we have both been desperately waiting. Also, this was the last vacation get-away of the year...I used the last of my vacation days, and now the Christmas grind starts. Hopefully, if our work/school schedules allow, Ry and I will be able to take a few day trips on Saturdays to local areas to hike. We'll need to, I'm sure, the closer we get to December.

the perfect day

Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower. - Albert Camus

Tuesday, Ryan and I packed a picnic, and with the dog, headed to Chimney Bluffs for a day of hiking.

The weather being unusually warm for October, we frolicked on the beach, waded in the water, and coaxed Harley in for a swim.

We hiked to the tops of the peaks and looked out over breath-taking vistas of land and lake.