"Savior Snacks and Other Sustenance...."

"Mmmm...and they're tasty, too!"

Here are some fun food items to enjoy

on your next long trail run, hike or

mountain bike adventure!

*

Who would've ever imagined a delicious

pasta salad could be enjoyed 20 miles

out in the middle of nowhere (??!!)...no refrigeration

required, and as easy to open as 1-2-3!!

*

 

 

 *

St. Dalfour's, Gourmet On The Go,

Ready To Eat Pasta Salad in a can!!

*

This wonderful little gem will be a true delight

to pull out of your pack when you reach the 20 mile 

turn around point on your next outdoor adventure...

* 

*

...included is a tiny fork and salt packet

for seasoning and bringing those depleted sodium

levels up for the trek back to the car!

*

 

*

...delectably delicious!!

*

...several different flavors are available

and can be found

at "Sprouts" and "Whole Foods".

*

...another wonderful find from the "Sprouts"

cookie/granola bar etc. isle,

that is all natural, loaded with flavor and

completely Gluten Free!!

*

*

"Betty Lous Gluten Free Fruit Bars".

Available in a variety of delicious flavors,

this little tasty treat will not disappoint!

*

*

...with 41 grams of carbohydrates, this

2"x 2" cookie square delivers a nice punch to

the taste buds and to the carb reserves

as well!

*

"Farro and Barley" 

...a nice change to eating pasta...

*

*

 

*

...these instant, ready in 10 minutes, varieties

 are from Trader Joes. Look at the carbohydrate

content for a simple 1/2 cup serving...perfect

for sustaining those crucial glycogen levels!!

*

Happy Running!

 

 

 

 

 

"Concrete Hurts!!"...and some other current events...

#1-Concrete Hurts...

*

There's never been a close call of falling,

ever, while running on the road...

Several on the trails where a tree root

or jutting rock was to blame, but

never an incident out on the

smooth hard concrete.

*

The little upward elfin-like curl at the tip of my

new Brooks Pure Connect minimal running shoes 

is to blame for the injuries.

A tiny rise on a driveway apron grabbed the curl

and threw me to the ground with a flesh slapping thud...

...a bruised hip, palm, knee caps and

throbbing elbow road rash have hung up the

running shoes for a few days... 

 *

 

#2-Good Things Do Break...

 

...pink rubber watch bands can

mysteriously snap in half

during sleep...

*

 

*

...plastic tabs will shatter off a Nutri-Blaster

mid-blend...

 

*



*

...expensive bikes will fail!!

*

 

#3-A Little Help Can Go A Long Way...

 

 

 

*

...nature needs a helping hand when

there is no chance of survival...the evil

Red Racer snake would not let up and continued attacking... 

*

*

...so the sweet bunnies were removed and transported to Pat,

a true Wildlife Rehabilitator specializing in

wild rabbits. She's rehabilitated and released

over 50 bunnies back into the wild just this season

alone. (I do hope you both were strong and healthy enough to

make it back into nature.)

*

 

#4-Shelter Dogs Make The Best Friends....

*

"Lacey"

 

*

...6 months ago, lying on the couch, you were skin

and bones, knocking on death's door...

Oh, the stories you could tell about

where you came from and what you'd been through...

a stray found wandering scared through the bleak Antelope

Valley Desert, matted and dirty...tagless,

never spayed, abandoned and forgotten...

one of hundreds left behind to be uthenized at

the Lancaster Shelter...

*

...if they could only see what became

of you...  

 

*

...A happy, healthy hiking partner on

the trails of the Eastern Sierra over

Memorial Day Weekend...

 

*

...your first camping trip to

the mountains...

... a real trooper!

* 

*

...you stepped up and took me hiking

when the spouse had to stay back at camp

with a sore back!!

*

 

*

...and then there was all of your invaluable 

help and insight

on our taxes and financial investments.

Thanks, Lacey...

You're such a good dog!!

 

"Never Underestimate The Possibilities Of A Shelter Dog!"



 

 

 



 

 



"A Sunday Hike In The Mountains....."

* Mt. Waterman *

...fall is in the air...

 

*

Hiked to the top of Mt. Waterman yesterday,

and the feeling of fall was definately in the air.

It was how the wind blew this time...and how

the shadows stretched out longer like they do

when the sun sits low in the sky....

~

...and even though the stream beds have been dry

for sometime now, there was a noticeable

presence of birds...hopefully the sign of an early

and abundantly wet winter.

~

This hike has always reminded me of "The Perfect Run"...

*

*

...a re-occurring dream involving a trail run

that finishes beneath the pines by a beautiful

mountain lodge with the sound of bluegrass music

echoing through the trees for miles...such a unique

dream, it had to be sketched out on paper in order

to bring the location to life...though Mt. Waterman Trail

is similar in some ways, the "true" trail

and location will present itself one day when I least

expect it.

~

Back to the hike: some nice views and a few big pieces

of teriyaki beef jerkey were enjoyed before returning...

 *

*

 ...back to the trailhead to complete the hike....a beautiful

day spent outdoors enjoying clear air, blue skies

and puffy white clouds.

*

*
*Back At Home*

...the evening sunsets are never a disappointment

this time of year and are always a nice way to end the day,
and the final weekend of summer.