Blackwater Falls West Virginia

Since we had a 3 day weekend due to Veterans Day, John and I headed to West Virginia for one last hiking trip before winter. Of course that doesn't mean we won't hike again, but just in case, this trip was made. We decided to stay in a hotel though. Even with nice sleeping bags, sometimes cold weather camping sucks.

We had a beautiful drive out west. A lot of the trees in Shenandoah were still colorful. But then the country music took over the radio, the trees lost their leaves, the temp dropped...and there was snow on the ground.

Our hotel was about 20 mins from the park, so after we checked in we went to do a quick look around before the sun set. The wind was pretty brutal seeing as we were still in fall mode, but I was pretty sure the weekend was supposed to be a bit warmer so I didn't cry.

That night we reverted to our college days and had PB&J, ramen, and various other random foods that were possible to cook in a hotel room. Actually oddly fun. We also watched way too many episodes of House-hunters International and pondered moving to Australia some more.

Our hike was not that long, maybe 6 miles. Hard to say since we did a combination of many trails. The park's longest trail was 1.5 mile so we just kept taking different pieces of them to make a loop. A lot of the time was spent in the woods. One trail seriously should have been about .2 miles, but was a full mile because it just zig-zagged around the trees.

Balanced Rock - milestone 1

We ran into these deer on the trail and they would not budge. No matter how much noise we made, they just looked at us with these "Dude, it's my grass, go away" looks. We would have just walked around them, but there was a baby so we didn't want the mom to flip out. So it took a few minutes, but eventually made it.

Lame stream crossing

Made it to the falls overlook! Realized there was another, better overlook on the otherside. So we hiked back to the car and drove there (No trail from where we were, across the river, to the other side)

On the way back to the car, we came across a rock in our way. So we had to do a little rock scramble.

View from the lodge, where we parked our car.

Good views of Blackwater Falls

Mt. Vernon - Washington Did It Right

Rob, Jamie, and I went to Mt. Vernon over the weekend. Washington had a pretty nice place to hang out.

Notes on Rock Climbing

John finally got me to the rock climbing gym, with equipment! And I'm in love. Notes:

~It's pretty awesome!
~John said if I did a 5.6 clean by the end of the night he'd be proud. I did.
~I also did not panic when rappelling, as he expected. Because it's actually quite fun.
~Seeing as I didn't fall once (hey, I was proud), he's going to make me to 7s and 8s next time so that I learn to fall. Oh joy!
~5.10: still a ways off, but I tried it, for a good laugh.
~I am not allowed to belay yet. I'm uncoordinated and cannot be trusted. I request a month alone with the rope to work on my skills.
~Nothing hurts, exactly, but everything I pick up seems very heavy. Cause my arms kind of turned to jelly.
~Climbing shoes make me feel like a ballerina. Until my toes start to hurt.

Miscellaneous Thursday

I have been in a funky mood all week. It's like I woke up Monday morning and the world just sucked. Is this hormonal? I never blamed hormones for my emotions. Never had bad PMS or anything. Hate that excuse. But the new BC is messing with me. Though it cannot be all to blame.

John was in trouble the other night. Things are happy again, but man, I was really mad for 3 hours.

I had a dream on Halloween that John was attacked by 100 zombie ladies all trying to make out with him. He had a lot of fun killing them. Ladies need to stop wanting my man. Even zombie ladies who just want brains. I know they're nice brains, but back off!

And no, our fight had nothing to do with those ladies. He appropriately fends off their advances. But I think I am going to make that "Get too close and my girlfriend will kill you" t-shirt for those times when he's out with the guys (many of whom are single...why aren't the girls flirting with them?!). I just have to have a scary photo shoot to get the appropriate imagine.

Also, John's coming home with me in December!! Happy times! Well, he's coming with me, but leaving before me. I took a lot of time off and he just couldn't get away from the new job and family. I am trying to think of how best to spend our time there. He's been to the Arch, and Busch Stadium. What other STL things must one experience? Oh, and Monday's activities must involve teenage boys.

I flipped the fuck out last weekend when I realized Evan was turning 17. SEVENTEEN! When the hell did that happen? He's starting to think about COLLEGE. Since Sunday I pretended that I did not have this revelation. Until it was brought up when I was talking to Mom last night.

My step-father's dickhead nature is back in full force. Not that it went away... Anyway, he basically told his son he was too stupid to get into SLU. The kid who one day was telling me some crazy physics something that went way over my head. Which he just googled for fun. Sure, he slacked off last year and his grades slipped. But he stepped it up when he picked the school, and just got honor roll this quarter. And yet, he was called stupid. Still not in the running for father of the year.

John's going out of town this weekend. I may do nothing but bake. Oh, and plan. The following 2 weekends we'll be out of town and I need to figure a few things out. Plus the St. Louis trip. And I need to Christmas shop. With no ideas!

John's going to go to Africa and fight the diamond lords. "I can buy a diamond any time but it's just a rock like every other woman has. If I fight for a diamond it means something. Isn't it more a symbol of eternal love if I killed someone for it?" Dude, you don't have to make up elaborate excuses not to buy me a diamond. I told you I didn't need one.

We're going on a "Stashes and Lashes" brewery tour...so I'm off to get some fake lashes. What's the appropriate outfit for such an event?

My roommates need to clean he kitchen before I lose it. I did it last and I'm not giving in. Or maybe I will when I want to cook this weekend. Man.

Not only did John's family have a fire, but my coworker's family did too. It's made me a little paranoid. I didn't even light candles during my bubble bath!

Oh, you know what else happened? CARDINALS WON THE WORLD SERIES!!! Amazing happy times.

I got sappy and told John it was meant to be because we won 5 years ago when we had just started dating. And this year we're back on track. And 5 years is a big milestone. So, the Cards are going to win the WS every 5 years, just so we can prolong our anniversary happiness. It's been declared! (hoping for too much? Maybe)

This was me 5 years ago, the day after we won.

Autumn in Shenandoah

This past weekend we went on a group trip to Shenandoah with Mike and Marissa (OBX people), Dale, Mike's sister Erin, and some other people somehow associated with M&M. It was a perfect fall weekend, which means a lot of time was spent around the campfire drinking, chatting, and trying to stay warm. But that's pretty awesome in itself.

We hiked the Rose River Falls trail on Saturday. John and I started at the campground, hiked about 1.5 miles on the Appalachian trail, and then picked up the trailhead where it met the AT on Skyline Drive. Then we did the loop and hiked back the same part of the AT. So we had a total of 7 miles. Everyone else drove to the trailhead and just did the 4 mile loop.

We had some great views of the fall colors along the AT and at the overhead (before the real trail began). Although we had a small spat before starting the hike, the tension quickly died. I love that about us - we disagree and get back to happiness. Who doesn't disagree? Anyway...stupid sidenote. So, we sat on a rock not far into the hike and just looked out over the mountains. It was incredibly peaceful and the fall air was cleansing.

The falls were not the most impressive we've seen, but still a nice change of scenery from city life. I will always be happy with a waterfall, even small ones.

We met up with the crew about halfway through the real trail. Some were fighting injuries, so they were slower. John, as always, was happy to be around dogs. Dudley would later eat horse poop and rocks and end up at the emergency vet. Poor pup.

Back to the trail. We hiked with the group for awhile, but eventually got back to our real pace and passed them. Unfortunately, by the time we finished the loop, my back was sore. So the last 1.5 miles back to the campsite were not as enjoyable as the rest of the day. 7 miles shouldn't be too much for me, but I was tired. But I made it! And despite the rough end, was really glad we added the extra bit.

On our way back to the campsite, John stopped to use the facilities. I saw a chipmunk run into a kid's shoe and go flying. And I shouldn't have laughed, but I did. Especially when the kid ran to his dad, worried that he'd killed a mouse.

Back at camp, I ate way too much hummus and tostitoes (hint of lime!), and we all then proceeded to cook burgers and all kinds of other food, and ultimately smores. Dale and Erin got drunk and made out in front of everyone, even though they continue to maintain nothing is going on. Something about wanting different things. Really, as adults can't you just say "Hey, we're hanging out and making out, but it won't ever be serious because we want different things." Nothing wrong with that. Anyway, it was funny.

Also, Erin asked John and I to go hike Kilimanjaro next year. A trip she should be taking in a few months, but with her injured ankle she's thinking of postponing. Now if only I had 2 more weeks of vacation time...

John and I switched sleeping bags that night. Mine's a 20, his -20. I was cold Friday night because there's something wrong with me. He said he was chilly with my bag, but it was fine. He likes cold. In his bag I was all snug and warm and couldn't have been happier. So we'll probably switch for good. Until we go real backpacking, in which case I need something lighter.

Anyway...it was a pretty great trip. That's about all I can say. I hope we get in one more camp trip before winter, but it may be a cabin trip in November, if anything. Our weekends are filling up.

Some Zombie Like You?

This is why I love this boy.

John: Oh it's your girl! *turns up radio*
*listens*
What's this about?
Me: Her guy is all married to someone else now. It's sad.
*listens*
John: In my zombie movie, this is going to play during the scene where I have to smash my wife's head in.
Me: Please don't smash my head in.
John: No, this is movie wife. If you become a zombie I'll keep you in a cage and feed you the brains of our enemies while we wait for a cure.
Me: Aww
John: So, it's a good song for that scene, right?
Me: Well, hopefully it's a sad scene, yes, but it may be sending the wrong message with the whole other woman thing.
John: Just the music then.
Me: Perfect

PS: I'm totally calling my zombie novel "Some Zombie Like You" hahaha

Great Falls Climbing

These are old, and some people may be tired of climbing pics. But next time I will probably be up on the wall! I have to take it slow and see how it affects my back. But ultimately, it should help strengthen the muscles and make life better. I'll just have to suffer some first. But, I have a harness and shoes now, so as soon as John gets me comfortable, I'll be on my way.

Anyway, we went climbing at Great Falls on Columbus Day. It was awesome outside. I sat on a tree and just watched leaves floating down the river. There was a snake in a crack in the rock. And wasps. John got poison ivy. There was 1 impossible climb. I ate a lot of hummus.

Dear Santa,

I would like a puppy for Christmas. But I really can't have one until I have a bigger yard. So, can you give me a house too? I don't mean to be greedy, but I've been very good this year. Also, I think it's about time I get that puppy. Wasn't the plan always to get a puppy, make sure I don't kill it, and then have babies? Yeah, so if I'm going to have babies someday, I need to start with the puppy thing. Sooner rather than later. You know how it is, right? I'm sure you and the wife got the reindeer (instead of puppies) to address the whole "how do we know we won't kill a baby" question. And the reindeer all seem to be very happy and well cared for. I need that chance with a puppy. So, I'm giving you some advanced notice on this Christmas wish so you have time to figure it all out.

Love,
Melissa

PS: If the brothers have sent you a list, please forward on the items you will be unable to obtain. I will take care of them as I have no clue what they want.

***

Dear Readers,

This is what happens when Melissa is bored at work. I almost just typed this and deleted it, but I figured I should share my insanity with someone. I am thinking about going home for the holidays and seeing the family's puppy (sure, the family too) and it's kind of making me crazy. It should be a pretty fantastic Christmas this year and I'm pretty excited. But then I get sad because as great as life is, there's no puppy. It will probably be next year or the year after before I actually get a puppy, but I really have puppy fever. It's probably because there are babies on FB. And puppy fever is like baby fever. But I know I don't have that baby fever thing. Yet. So it's all puppies. If you know of puppies that I can play with to get rid of the puppy fever, please send them my way.

Miscellaneous Thursday

I feel like there are many things I should be writing about today but I don't actually feel like anything is worth an entire blog post. Even though it is. Maybe I'm just not in the mood to share.

Like, I could write about all my kitchen adventures. Apple butter, apple jam, apple bread, pumpkin bread, pumpkin ravioli, jambalaya. I kicked John's butt in the jambalaya cook-off. No, actually, his was tasty. Mine was just tastier. And spicier. I also want to make a lot more jam now! And pumpkin everything.

Or I could write about how much I love my brother Matt. And how because of him I will probably need 1 suitcase just for beer when I go home at Christmas.

Or I could write about how annoying it is to have to plan my Christmas in St. Louis around the kids' visitation schedule.

Or I could write about my general excitement over the holiday. And how much I want to do Christmas shopping but don't know what to get most people. (Boys are tough) And how I want to be crafty and make ornaments and tie bows and the like. Oh, and the gumdrop cookies!

Or I could write about this: "When you get knocked up, I'm going to need you to have a cute little baby bump that I can rub for good luck."

Or I could write something like this: http://www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/an-open-letter-to-pumpkin-flavored-seasonal-treats

Or I could write about the fire and how it made me realize every family has problems.

Or I could write about how I should be working on an article about Yosemite so I can actually attempt publication again. (It's ok to yell "slacker!" here).

Or I could write about the Cardinals status in the playoffs. And how I think my roommate is really sick of my monopolizing the T.V. And how if we do make it to the World Series I'll be out of town for games 3 and 4 (possible the winning game!) and I kind of want to not go camping because of that. But I will.

Or I could write about how the leaves are beginning to change, and the world wants me to all into fall, but it's like 80 degrees in my bedroom with the windows open and a fan on.

But those tidbits are all you get! Cause I just don't feel like writing any more.