Day One Hundred Fifty Five

Woke up pretty early this morning.  I sure wished it was still summertime.  Dang, the seasons changed!  I woke up the same time I used to all summer, 5am.  It was totally black outside still and brrrr it was cold last night.  We got rained out yesterday so it was really chilly last night.  Anyway, I did 3 miles this morning, but I waited until the sun came out.  Huge difference than what I'm used to.  Over the summer, I tried to get as much of my walks done BEFORE the sun came out hahaha!  Now I'm waiting for the sun to come out and I know as the weather gets colder as we head toward the end of the year, it's going to get different as far as the times I go out there and exercise.  I love it though.  I mentioned this prior a few times that I've Never exercised this long to notice the weather changes during exercising.  It'll be interesting to see how I do things goin into the winter months.  I'm still going to keep at it.  Fyrescape doesn't stop when summer ends.  It'll lasts all the way until April 29, 2015.  Crazy, huh?!


Well I went up town after Lisa got back from College.  She's been stressing out over her homework.  So, to kinda get her mind off things, I took her up to walmart and I bought the new Transformers: Age of Extinction Blue-Ray.  Then, I bought her a Subway lunch.  That was really good.  I got the same sandwich I got when my dad and I were out in Chama coming home from our elk hunt last Saturday.  Very yummy yummy sandwich!!


The rest of the evening, I just hung out at home watching movies and enjoying being home.  I'm just so glad I'm out exercising again.  I really needed to do this.  My body did not like not doing my daily walks.  It really craved it!  When I was out in Chama, I was working out everyday climbing those slopes and I really loved that.  Breaking out in a super sweat and coming back in the evenings super tired and aching.  That was Amazing!  My body craves that again, but I can't really push myself too hard out there.  I'm not entirely sure that my knee and ankle is ready for that.  Time will tell.  Until then, I'm goin to keep a close eye on it, but I'm still goin to keep on losing weight and getting healthy!  That's what Fyrescape is all about ;}  Goodnight!

Day One Hundred Fifty Four

Today was the day....FINALLY!!!!  I got up early this morning, got ready then I headed out with Cody and Cooper on my morning walks once again!  Oh man I missed that so much.  I only did 3 miles though and that's all I'm going to do for this first week.  My ankle still feels kinda funny and I don't wanna push myself and end up hurting it again.  My knee feels great though.  No pain and it's not bothering me like it was when we came back from Chama last weekend.  So I know I'm totally ready!  Cody was so happy to get out there and exercise!  That poor dog, I'm sure he was so restless and wanting to just get away for a bit and run around.  He was a very good dog out there.  Didn't cause me any grief and was very obedient.  Cooper was the same way!  I love when they act that way.  I don't like getting after my dogs so I'm always appreciative when they are well behaved. 


Anyway, it felt great to get out there an walk.  I wasn't as fast as I usually was, but it was an easy walk.  I can't believe it, 3 miles was easy lol.  I remember I couldn't walk 3 miles 4 years ago.  Now, I'm so used to doing 6 miles that 3 miles seems like nothing. 


Well, I'm going to only do 3 miles this week and maybe this weekend.  Next week, I'll see how my ankle is feeling.  If there's no pain or irritation, I'll beef it back up to 6 miles, but we'll see how that works.  Ok, that's about all for today.  So happy that I'm back out there again!  I missed it, even though it's only been a week of rest because of my knee and ankle.  Lookin forward to doing more and more in the weeks/months to come.  Goodnight!

Day One Hundred Fifty Three

Got up early this morning.  Oh man, I was up about as early as I usually am before going walking.  I really wanted to get out there.  It was nice this morning too, cloudy and cool.  I stood outside almost ready to just head out, but I couldn't today.  I know for sure that tomorrow I will definitely get out there!  I can't take it anymore, I really need to start exercising again.  My body is really craving it.  Today however, is Church Day and I needed to write up my plans for the Halloween Festival that I'm hosting at my church.  So, that's what I did from the time I woke up this morning until about 15 mins before Lees and I left.  I got it done!


When we got to church, I posted my printouts that showed all the games/contests that I'm going to be having at the event and a help sheet that my brother made me so ppl could sign up and let me know what games they'd like to run and which kinds of food they're gonna bring.  It's getting exciting!  Our new pastor is really keeping everyone on their toes because he announces it every week.  That is great!  That's going to make the event really something this year, because he's very vocal about it and reminds everyone every week.  He did one other thing to me today that I really Really liked lol.  He put me on the spot.  After he told me to stand up and announce my event, I sat down.  Then, he told me to stand back up.  I didn't know what he was going to say, I thought it was about how I was running that Halloween festival for the church and how he wanted others to do what I was doing.  Instead, he tells everyone that "we all work on ourselves and make changes", then he pointed out to everyone that I've been doing so much walking over the summer and that I've lost a lot of weight.  He put me out there and said that I look really really good and praised me for keeping up with that.  He told me I looked good again and everyone clapped for me :D  That was so cool!!!!!  To know that now everyone knows my journey and all the hard work I put in to lose all the weight I've lost.  That is just so cool and I was very thankful to that.  I'm also and more than Anything else, thankful to God that He's given me the strength to continue this journey everyday since April 29th til now.  It's been really tough at times, but I never gave up and I'm never going to give up.  Fyrescape may only be for a year, but the healthy lifestyle and daily exercise, that's going to last Forever!


So that was my big news today hahaha.  I was put on the spot at church.  It was so great!  Not only that but I was dressed pretty nice today, finally.  I'll admit, the last couple of Sundays, I didn't dress up for church.  I came in my shorts and tshirt.  That was only because I was too tired to look for nice clean clothes to wear and because I was late getting to church.  This time, I dressed really nice!  I looked good to because soon as my dad saw me, he came over and gave me a hug, then he told me that I looked really really good today!  I was very proud ;)  Then, what pastor did really boosted my spirits up!  That was a wonderful feeling.


Ok, that's all I've got for today!  Time to get some rest because tomorrow, my exercising starts up once again!  Been waiting for this all week.  Goodnight ;}

Day One Hundred Fifty Two

Today it rained, again!  I didn't do much.  Stretched out my knee a bit.  It's feeling ok today, but my ankle still hurts a bit.  We went to town today and got some groceries.  Walking around out there, I could still kinda feel my ankle.  I really hope it gets better soon.  I'm tired of not exercising!  I was just thinking earlier today that our bodies are just like a vehicle!  You can have a really nice ride with a fantastic engine that can go for many miles and super speeds....but if you've got a flat tire, ppsshhhh you ain't goin Anywhere!  That's true and it's the same with our bodies.  You can be in great shape and able to walk or run for many miles, but if you've got a hurt ankle or knee, you can't do Anything!  You're sidelined until you get better, unless you're one of those really stubborn ppl who thinks they can tough it out.  Yeah, you can probably tough it out, but in actuality, you're actually going to make it worse and probably permanently injure yourself, and Then What?!!  Exactly.  So me, I'm gonna let it heal up, which is what I've been doing all week.  I don't wanna risk long term pain.  I've still got a long way to go in my Fyrescape and I've got lots more weight to drop.


Ok, well that's really all I've got for today!  Time to relax, eat a late dinner then hit the sheets.  I'm pretty tired tonight.  Goodnight!

Day One Hundred Fifty One

Got up early today and paid bills!  Oh man, it was such a good day as far as that went.  We got our Directv back on!  Wooooohoooooo!!!!!!!!  Oh man I'm so super excited.  That crazy thing has been off since July, I believe.  I have missed every week of IMPACTwrestling and I haven't been able to watch any football games since the season started.  I need to see my New York Giants play!!!!  Now I finally get to.  Not only that, but we have quite a bit of money left over.  Good size paycheck today and I'm very very happy about that!!!  It was such a great and wonderful day!  I really wanted to watch that movie, 'A Walk Among The Tombstones' with Liam Neeson, but it didn't start until after 2pm and Lisa had to go to work at 3 so that was out of the plans :(  Lisa wanted to postpone it until Tuesday so I guess we'll do that, but If she has lots of homework to do, we probably won't see it then either.  I don't know when, but I definitely wanna watch it.  That one and Denzel Washington's new movie, The Equalizer.  That one looks pretty Awesome also!!


The rest of the day was spent just hanging out, resting out my knee.  Walking around in town for that short time we were out there really made my ankle ache.  Not really bad, just enough to make me not wanna walk around much.  I bought some movies over at Hastings.  Great movies too!  Ones I've been looking for a while now.  That kept me busy lol.  Ok, that's all for today!  Tomorrow I've gotta head back up town again and try to go early.  Grocery shopping ;)  Goodnight!

Day One Hundred Fifty

Today was just another day!  Nothin much happened.  Just watched some movies.  October is here next week so my mind is getting into the Halloween mode.  I watched rob zombie's Halloween movie.  I really like that one!  I'll admit, it's a bit out there and he adds too much sex in that movie, but the whole Michael Myers story, that was really creepy and how it all plays out.  Very cool movie!  I gotta say though, this was the ONLY movie that rob zombie EVER made that was good.  The sequel to this movie, Halloween 2, was really crappy!!!  You couldn't understand what the heck was goin on and he made it all weird and added some really stupid, crappy stuff.  I mean, ugh nevermind, it was just weird and I hated it.  Just like all his other movies, I didn't like nor care for any of them.  He needs to stick to whatever else he does and leave the movie making to ppl who are good at it and can tell a really good story.


Watched my NY Giants play Washington tonight!  OH man, that was Awesome!!!  They blew those boys away, Big Time!  I was so happy.  I loved watching Eli Manning run in a touchdown.  That was so cool!!  Great game, well I enjoyed it.  I love watching the Giants dominate like that!  I really hope they make it to the superbowl this year again.  My dream superbowl match is the NY Giants vs The Denver Broncos.  That would be such an AWESOME game, plus it would be My team vs my dad's team!  He's a huge Denver fan.  I don't hate them either because they have a Manning on their team.  I was fond of the Colts because Peyton was there, then he jumped to Denver and now they're on my cool list.  Great team!  I wish they had won that superbowl last year.  Really bad game that was!  My dad still hasn't gotten over it :( 


Ok, enough football talk.  That's about all that I've got for today!  I wish I could've walked today.  I'm really missing it and my dogs are getting pretty restless out there.  I think Cody wants to get out of here so bad it's making him crazy lol.  Goodnight!

Day One Hundred Forty Nine

Very dull day today!  Not much happening at all.  I'm writing this one early just to get it over with.  My knee is still acting up.  I need to really stay off it for a while.  My ankle is ok, but I can really feel it when I walk.  I need to get a good knee brace and especially some good shoes.  One thing I found out is that I tend to wear sandals a lot, only because they're easy to put on and take off.  I really need to stop doing that, in fact I am!  Sandals have absolutely zero foot cushioning and wearing that kind of crap will screw up everything in your leg, from your feet, knees, back and all the way up.  So yeah, no more sandals for me!  I'm going to wear shoes everyday now.  I should've never been wearing those damn sandals, but because I was lazy and didn't want to put on my shoes and tie them every time because I tend to go outside often but I never wear my shoes in the house, I kept wearing them.  They were just so easy to slip on and off.  Well, No More!!!


Anyway, there's not very much I've got for today.  Just wish I was out there walking!  Fyrescape is waiting ;)  Enjoy the day!

Day One Hundred Forty Eight

Good Afternoon!


I figured I'd write this blog early since I don't have very much to say.  My ankle is doing pretty well.  My knee is feeling ok.  I really need to strengthen them both up.  My knees really crackle when I squat down, then stand up.  They've been that way for years and I've always thought it was odd.  Apparently that can be fixed.  I really need to start up some new exercises.  I want all these problems to be over and get back to A+ health.  That's a lot of what Fyrescape is all about, though I really need to be careful.  You don't wanna push yourself when you're hurt because you'll really end up doing something worse.  I'm trying to get my dad to see that, but as I've said, there are some things he'll try to fight thru because he can.  Yes he can, the thing is, he shouldn't! 


I might try and go on a short walk tomorrow.  I really need to take my dogs out.  They're getting really restless out there, it seems.  I need to start getting back into my daily exercising!  I still have lots of weight I want to drop.  I look pretty good now, I can say.  Way different from 4 months ago.  It was funny, this morning I stood in front of the mirror and lifted up my shirt just like I did everyday starting on April 28th.  Dang, it's crazy!  My body looks like it really shriveled up hahaha :D  Crazy!  I mean, literally looks like it shriveled up.  That is so cool.  I need to really hit the weights because I want to put on more muscle as I drop more weight.  Lots to do!


Well my annual fall festival at my church is coming up!  I've gotta start planning for that and building it up now that my hunt is over.  I've got another hunt, as I've mentioned a couple days ago, but that one is not until after the church fall festival.  So, I'll be planning for that as well.  Ok, not much else to share today!  Have a great afternoon/evening.  Do something fun! ;}

Day One Hundred Forty Seven

Good Morning!


Ok, today is another day of rest for me.  My ankle is doing ok today but I can see that it's still swollen.  I forgot to mention, yesterday night we watched a wwe pay per view.  Night of Champions, I believe.  I hated it!  The wwe is so predictable these days.  Totally not worth it but since I still have that wwe network that I purchased several months ago, I'm just keeping that for my grandpa because he's still into wwe wrestling.  Me, I haven't watched my TNA programs in a few weeks now.  My damn Directv was shut off a while ago and so because of that, I've missed IMPACTwrestling every Wednesday night for about 3 or 4 weeks now.  Sux!!! 


Ok now I promised to tell about my actual hunt.  Yesterday I shared the problems we had, or I had with my ankle and with my dad and his chest pain, which is why we raced home a day early.  So now I'll tell of the hunt itself.


It was Awesome!!  The first day was so exciting.  No more than twenty minutes into the hunt, we saw a big bull elk.  Dad saw it first and he told me to get ready and that it was coming.  So he got behind me and started trying to call it out.  I was ready, bow in hand, arrow knocked and just waiting.  Soon, it came into view.  Dad was standing about 10 yards behind me, still calling.  That bull got about 40 yards away from me, downhill but it was behind a tree.  I drew my bow back and waited for him to step out....he didn't.  Aaaahhhhh!!!!  Damn, I swear I was standing there holding my bow at full draw for a while.  My dad always talked about that experience and I finally got to go thru it.  After a while, my arms began to shake because I couldn't shoot.  The elk was behind a tree, no shot and he was staring at me!  Finally, I released my draw without shooting the arrow.  Couldn't hold it anymore.  That bull spooked slightly, but he never ran.  Instead, he stayed in line of the tree so I still had no shot and he walked down the slope and away.  We never saw him again!  Dad was all excited because he saw me draw.  He thought I'd get him.  Throughout the week he kept mentioning it.  "Dang that first day you would've had that elk" lol.  It would've been cool.  I would've had an elk on Day One of the hunt, which would've been one for the books.  Crazy!!


Later that first day, we had done a lot of walking.  Up slopes, down slopes.  Walked miles and miles combined.  Through rough forest and everything.  During the late afternoon that first day, we came across some domestic cows.  Not far from where they were grazing, we came upon some Bull Elk.  One of them was pretty big, and the other was a spike bull.  I had no shot at the bigger bull but the spike bull, he was about 61 yards away and so I drew my bow back.  I had him in my sights and he was turned broadside to where I saw a clear shot.  I fired!!  DAMN, MISSED!!!!  Somehow my arrow hit a tree up high so I think what happened was my arrow deflected off a branch or something because it really knocked my arrow off the path I shot it on.  It was a heavy forest area and there were lots of trees and branches everywhere.  Thick area!  Yet another experience that my dad and other hunters have talked about.  Deflected arrow!  I experienced that also.  Very cool.  It was exciting, but again, No Dice. 


The following day we didn't see anything.  We walked in many places.  There's a place that my dad and his buddies nicknamed 'The Saddle' because of the way it's shaped.  There's also a place nicknamed, 'The Black Hole' which is a very steep canyon where not many guys can get to but there are lots of elk.  A place called 'The Backbreaker' because one year my dad hurt his back in that area.  A place called 'Jones Peak' because it's where my dad's buddy, Jones, went to which was super far from the road, like way way out there where nobody goes.  Then there's an area nicknamed, 'The Treestand' because there's a homemade treestand up in a tree that's been there for years and a place called, 'Christmas Tree Top', because it's a meadow that has lots of these nice Christmas Tree style trees everywhere.  Now, there's a new place my dad and I nicknamed, 'Werewolf Ridge' because one year his friend was up there hunting and heading back to his truck.  He was deep in the woods and had a long way to go and it was getting dark.  The whole way back, there were some wolves that were following him.  Really freaked him out.  He hurried out of there and thankfully made it out safely.  Spooky!  And now lastly, we have another new place which my dad named, 'Twisted Ankle Ridge' which is where I twisted my ankle on Friday and fell flat on my face LOL.  So now, that place will forever be known as that!  I feel honored honestly.  Now I have my own stake and stories out at that mountain!


We visited all those places.  We saw mostly Bulls out there.  We didn't see any cows, not until Friday a few hours after I twisted my ankle.  We were heading back toward the truck but we were still pretty far out there.  Down at the bottom of a meadow, we spooked up a big Bull again.  He ran up into the trees on the side of a slope.  About 10 mins after we saw him, we saw our first Cow (female elk) and a calf.  They came running out of the trees and around the side of the slope, out of sight.  They were never in any danger though because I will NEVER shoot a cow or a calf.  I don't hunt females, EVER!  A lot of guys can't understand that, especially my dad, my grandpa and my uncles.  They see meat as meat!  But, I have strong morals.  I will Never hit a woman or abuse a lady, ever!  Same with animals.  I could never kill a female animal.  So I never hunt females.  I treat them all with respect, same with little babies (calf).  I only hunt Bulls!!!  Anyway, after we spooked up that bull, this is where the fun came in.  Dad and I walked up the side of the slope to where the Bull ran to.  Dad spotted him still in the trees.  So we got a good distance away from him.  We thought he saw us, but he never did.  We sat there watching him for a long time.  Then, dad made some suggestions for me to go over there and get him.  Rather than climbing the slope to the top and risking him hearing me then running off, I decided to use my indian skills and crawl thru the tall grass over closer to him, which I did.  I took off my pack and crawled over to the next batch of trees closer to him, staying hidden in the tall grass.  Then, dad wanted to help so he walked all the way down the slope and into the tree line across the way.  He got my attention and told me to get ready to shoot.  I stood up next to the batch of trees.  Up ahead of me was a wide open meadow.  Dad came walking up that slope toward where the Bull was standing.  It spooked and just as dad planned, it came out walking right to me.  Omg he came right into the open up above me, about 40 to 50 yards away, but he was completely uphill from me.  I went to draw, but my arrow slipped out of the clip and I fiddled with it for a few seconds.  I thought the Bull saw me, but he just glanced at me after stopping in the meadow, when he turned his head and looked up the slope, I drew back.  I took aim....then fired!!!!  Oh man I was sure I hit him because he turned and almost stumbled over, then he took off running back into the trees.  It happened so fast!  I knocked another arrow in and headed up the slope, looking for blood.  I looked and looked.  Dad was coming up the slope from the bottom.  As he got closer, I found my arrow.  No blood :(  I think what happened was I grazed the bottom of his belly.  I don't have much practice shooting uphill.  AAAARRGGGGHHHHH!!!!!!!  Missed him!!!!  Damn!!!  Dad was really excited for me though.  He comes up and hugs me, tells me that That's what Elk Hunting is all about!!  There was another experience I got.  Now I have my share of stories and mistakes to learn from, as all bowhunters do.  I was so thankful to God for the experiences.  I'm glad now that I didn't hit that elk.  I'm so so glad I didn't hit it, but I'm also so so thankful that I got the chance to do it!  That's what matters to me, the experience!


So we continued to walk around.  We saw some more elk, but no more shots for me.  It was a really fun time!  We had lots of laughs out there.  I was trying out my new elk calls and they ended up sounding like a cat hahaha.  Dad was laughing so hard and we're out there hunting.  One afternoon, we cooked steak and potatoes back at camp.  Afterwards, we were so worn out from walking and with a full stomach, we each took a nap.  Dad cracked me up when we both didn't wake up til amost 5pm lol.  He says, "Hunter?!! Just eats steak and goes to sleep!" hahahahaha :D  That was so funny!!!!  My dad says the corniest things and just makes me laugh like crazy.  That was fun!  One night also, we built a fire outside and roasted polish dogs and looked up at the stars.  You can see so many up there, unlike here at home because of the city lights.  Later in the week we went down into Chama and used to RV facilities down there to shower and get cleaned up.  It was nice to get a hot shower.  Dang, I needed one really bad because I was sweating like crazy up there.  By the end of the week, I stunk pretty bad.  Those elk probably smelled me before I got out of the truck LOL.  Anyway, that was pretty much a rundown of the hunt.  I got two, almost three shots at some Bull Elk.  We're already looking forward to going next year, same time.  I've got a year to really practice and perfect my Bow shooting.  First, I've got to buy my own bow.  I was using my Dad's out there.  Next year, I want my own.  I saw this really nice Red and Silver one over at Xpert Archery here in town.  Just my style ;)  Well, that's about all I've got for the hunt.  I'm still goin to be resting up for a few more days.  Lisa thinks I may have sprained my ankle.  It still looks slightly swollen, but it doesn't hurt.  Still, I don't wanna start pushing myself and end up injuring it more severe.  I'll have to just suck it up a few days.  My dogs are getting really restless, especially Cody.  He hasn't been walking in about 2 weeks now.  So I'll need to take him out soon.  Ok, well thanks for reading about my hunt and my dad and I's crazy adventure!  Lookin forward to next year!


Fyrescape continues ;}

Day One Hundred Forty Six

Ok, back from my Elk Hunt.


Let me just say, it was one of the most Coolest experiences of my life!  I've been on bow hunts before, but I've never been focused.  There was always something on my mind, some woman or some crazy thing that totally distracted me and made me not want to be out there.  My youthful mind back then.  This time, however, I was totally focused and just enjoyed being out there with my dad.  Just me and him.  Not to forget, our Heavenly Father was out there with us also, which is why we came home safely and had an Amazing time!  We weren't supposed to come home until today, but we came back yesterday.  Let me just say why first.


Those mountains kicked my arse, literally.  My knee, as those who've been reading my blogs know, has been giving me problems.  Particularly my right knee.  Well out there, walking up those steep slopes, yeah that really did a number on my right knee.  It was popping with every step.  Then, to add more injury, we went down a super steep slope on Thursday and my right ankle really flared up because all my weight came down on it with every step, not to mention I was walking funny to keep the pressure off my right knee.  So that was hurting me, but I toughed it out because I wanted to keep on hunting.  Well on Friday morning, my dad and I were coming down this steep meadow and my right ankle hit this small mound of weeds, then it buckled and I flung forward flat on my face!  My right ankle twisted really bad.  I was on the ground, then I rolled over and sat up.  I immediately busted out laughing because I could see my self falling flat on my face.  It was a funny thought!  Well we ended up walking a long long time after that, which included stalking a big bull elk up another steep slope, then finally crawling back up the mountain.  By Friday evening, my ankle was swollen.  I still toughed it out.  We went out on Saturday morning and walked a long ways.  By mid morning, my ankle was done.  It hurt to walk down hill.  I could walk up hill just fine, but walking down hill really bothered me so I was really slow.  I also was carrying a lot of weight.  My backpack was kinda heavy, as well as my bow.  So that really added to the pressure being pressed down on my ankle and my knee.  Anyway, my dad began to get worried about me.  He was kinda tough on me at first and I didn't mind because I was being tough on myself.  I didn't want to pack up and go home.  I was out there to hunt and I knew the landscape and was ready for it.  But Saturday morning was when I had pushed it as far as I could and I told him that.  He got worried, then decided that we should just call it and head on home because even if I got one, there'd be no way I could pack that elk out of there with my bad ankle and my dad can't do it because of his heart surgery, which he's not fully healed from.  He has no strength and honestly, shouldn't have even been out there which leads to the next problem we ran into on Saturday. 


Because my ankle was bad, on our way back to the truck on Saturday morning, well it was actually early afternoon.  My dad offered to carry my backpack.  He also had a backpack he carried around out there.  Now my dad had heart surgery back in April of this year.  Just around the time, maybe a few weeks prior, to my Fyrescape actually starting.  He's not healed, obviously.  He still has a long way to go.  He can walk around now and he's went back to work, but he can't lift heavy things and he can push himself as far as physically.  But my dad is a tough man.  He's where I get a lot of my strength from.  But what comes with that strength of his is a lot of stubbornness.  He doesn't know when to quit at times and he won't admit when he just can't do it.  He'll just naturally push himself.  Anyway, he offered to carry my pack.  I didn't want him to so he just said he'd carry it down the hill, then give it back to me.  So I gave it to him.  He didn't give it back to me and ended up carrying it a while, along with his pack.  Finally about half way to the truck, he stopped and I picked up my pack and put it on.  I was walking pretty slow so eventually he offered to carry it again.  This time he insisted.  I was kinda weary, which I should've stuck to, but after he assured me he could do it, I went against my instincts and gave him my bag.  He put it on his back along with his bag.  He walked up ahead of me.  When we were close to the truck, I had caught up with him.  He was sitting on the ground resting.  I hobbled up to him and asked him if he was ok.  He said he was and that he needed to just rest.  I sat next to him and didn't think much of it, but after a minute or so, I knew he did not look too good.  I told him to give me both his pack and mine.  He said No and that he could do it and that he was alright.  I kept an eye on him, finally he told him, "Dammit Dad, I know you're not ok. Here take off the bag!"  Finally he did.  Then he lied down on the ground, saying he felt tired and kinda dizzy.  He lay there for a couple minutes, then I helped him up.  I picked up both bags and my bow, then we continued to the truck.  He offered to carry my bow.  I did not want to give it to him, but I did anyway.  Damn I shouldn't have!  We finally got back to the truck.  He got there before I did.  I walked over behind him and suddenly he just broke down in tears saying he was feeling a very bad pain deep in his chest.  He turned around and leaned on the truck.  Omg I was so so scared!  I held on to him and kept an eye on him.  I almost broke down too.  I can't stand to see my dad cry.  It made me feel so bad but so so scared at the same time.  I didn't know how bad his health was.  Quickly, I got him into the truck.  I told him, "Come'on dad we needa get you home!"  I loaded up everything and then I drove back down the mountain to camp.  Dad was feeling slight sharp pains in his chest but nothing as bad as what he felt right when he got back to the truck.  Omg I couldn't believe it.  I was so scared that I totally blocked out the pain in my ankle.  We got back to camp and quickly packed up everything, tossed everything in the trailer and hitched up, then headed out, not even washing up or anything.  We headed off the mountain and back down to Chama.  I kept an eye on him and kept asking him how he was feeling.  The pain was gone, but every now and then his chest hurt but it felt to him like his stiches were hurting, like they came out or something.  It wasn't a bad pain and soon he was back to his normal self, joking and laughing.  We got down into Chama and I bought him a big lunch at Subway.  It was the most yummiest lunch we'd had all week.  We sat there, my dad and I, eating these big Subway sandwiches and watching College Football on the big screen TV they had.  Afterwards, we emptied out the septic from the trailer and I drove us back home.  Dad just relaxed the rest of the day.  Totally back to his old self.  We were laughing and joking all the way home, talking of old hunting stories and reminiscing on the week's hunt.  It was a very nice drive back.  I was still worried, but everything was ok.  When we got home, we greeted my mom and my brother.  Right away though, I told my mom to take Dad to the doctor and check everything inside his chest, make sure that it's all working ok.  She agreed.  Dad agreed also but he doesn't think the doc will say anything because he's complained about his chest pain before but the doc didn't really think anything of it. 


So we're home and that's why we came home yesterday instead of today!  My dad is safe and he's doing fine right now.  He's back at work starting tomorrow.  Me, I'm still in some slight pain.  My right knee is still kinda acting up and my right ankle is really acting up at times.  It's still swollen so I've been advised to stay off it for a few days and let it heal up and to keep icing and heating it.  So, I've got it wrapped up now and I'm wearing a knee brace.  I'll talk more about the hunt tomorrow.  We didn't get an elk.  I got two shots, but no dice ;)  Honestly though, I'm so so so glad I didn't get one.  Had I did, my dad would've tried to help me pack the meat out of there and he would've probably collapsed or something :(  I'm so thankful to God for being out there with us.  He gave us a very great experience and good times, but He also watched over us and worked everything out the way it was supposed to.  We didn't bring home an Elk, but we still had an Amazing and memorable time!  So my Fyrescape continues, but for a few days, I'm going to rest up my knee and let my ankle heal up.  I've got another hunt coming up in November.  That one is going to be a deer hunt, rifle.  Dad wants to come with me on that one too.  It's not too far from home.  I'm definitely going to keep a huge eye on dad when we go.  He's not doing ANYTHING EXCEPT DRIVING!!!  I'm really going to enforce that this time.  I've gotta take care of him out there and watch over him. 


As far as exercising, heck yea I got that out there.  I came home a few pounds lighter ;)  I pushed myself really hard and I can definitely say that doing 6 miles everyday since April has really got me into shape.  I'm very proud of that!  Ok, that's all I'm gonna say for now.  Have a good one!

Day One Hundred Forty Five - 2014 Elk Hunt

Out in Chama, NM for my Elk Hunt.
Be safe, everyone!


 -Fyre

Day One Hundred Forty Four - 2014 Elk Hunt

Out in Chama, NM for my Elk Hunt.
Be safe, everyone!


 -Fyre

Day One Hundred Forty Three - 2014 Elk Hunt

Out in Chama, NM for my Elk Hunt.
Be safe, everyone!


 -Fyre

Day One Hundred Forty Two - 2014 Elk Hunt

Out in Chama, NM for my Elk Hunt.
Be safe, everyone!


 -Fyre

Day One Hundred Forty One - 2014 Elk Hunt

Out in Chama, NM for my Elk Hunt.
Be safe, everyone!


 -Fyre

Day One Hundred Forty - 2014 Elk Hunt

Out in Chama, NM for my Elk Hunt.
Be safe, everyone!


 -Fyre

Day One Hundred Thirty Nine - REST DAY

I thought we were leaving today!  Apparently, we're not leaving until tomorrow lol.  Here I was all ready to go too.  Oh well, I get one more day of rest before heading out to Chama.  Seriously, that place is gonna be tough!  I can't stress that enough.  I won't be exercising here at home all week, but out there, I'm definitely going to be doing just about everything I do here at home with the 6 miles, but then some.  Anyone who knows what the mountains of Chama, NM look like, you'll know what I mean.  We're talking some near vertical slopes, rough terrain, and no roads to walk.  You've got elk trails, cow trails and one road going up to the top, that's it.  You wanna get any elk, you've gotta go in there and get them.  They ain't gonna be standing near the road either.  So yeah, I've got a big week ahead of me.


Well, that's pretty much all I've got for today!  I'm gonna rest up, then tomorrow morning I'm gonna take all my stuff over to my Dad's place, load it up then we're heading out.  I shall be back next week sometime!  Everyone, be safe ;}


Fyrescape continues out in Chama, NM.

Day One Hundred Thirty Eight - REST DAY

Today was pretty busy!  Lees and I did our laundry this morning, then we did some serious running around in town.  We needed to get some groceries for both her and I.  I finished up getting the stuff I wasn't able to get last night, then we got Lisa some food that she'll be eating all next week while I'm gone.  We did pretty good.


After, we headed home and had a great lunch before she had to go to work.  I'm totally ready for my hunting trip now.  Today and tomorrow being my rest days, that's really gonna help my body prepare for next week.  My legs feel at ease, and my feet feel amazing!  Once we get out there, it's gonna be a lot of up hill walks, down hill climbs, constant walking and when I do get one, it'll be lots of heavy lifting and walking so my legs are really in for it!  I'm so looking forward to it.


I'm packing right now and I should be ready to go in the morning.  I'm not sure when exactly we're leaving, but it'll be tomorrow sometime.  I'm guessing in the early afternoon so we can get out there and set up camp.  We shall see.  Just note, I won't be updating my blog for the next 8 to 9 days, unless I get fortunate enough to get one early in the week.  We'll see how it goes.  So far, I'm hearing good things about that place. 


Ok, I've got lots to do before I go to bed so this'll be my last entry until I get back.  It's been Awesome!  Fyrescape continues out in Chama, NM.  Wish me luck on my Elk Hunt ;}  Goodnight!

Day One Hundred Thirty Seven

I woke up pretty early today.  I almost didn't do my walk, but I figured, last day of the week, I need to get it in there so I got out there and did my 3 miles.  It was pretty good.  I just took Cooper with me.  Cody was being naughty again, so he got to stay home. 


The rest of the day was quite busy.  After my walk, I showered up then we headed to town.  We paid some bills, then went to Sportsmans Warehouse so I could buy some hunting gear that I didn't have.  Pretty good, but we sure spent some serious money.  Afterwards, I took Lisa to the salon and she got a haircut.  Her hair is short now.  Not like boycut or anything, just like shoulder length.  It looks very nice on her!  She had long hair that went down to her lower back, but now it's only shoulder length and she has bangs.  She looks like a different person.  She really likes it too.  I'm glad!  Now we both have haircuts lol. 


After she went to work, I was home for a bit, then I headed up town by myself to start grocery shopping for my elk hunt next week.  That crazy walmart was so packed, I hate going there on Friday's.  I didn't get everything I wanted, only a few stuff.  I'll have to head back out tomorrow and get everything else I need. 


Well, this will be my last day exercising for the week.  I'm going to rest up the weekend.  Saturday and Sunday, I'm going to take it easy and give my body a good rest because once Monday comes around, I'll be hitting the slopes of Chama and let me tell you, those are some super steep hills.  When I do get an elk also, I'll be packing it out all by myself.  My dad can't lift anything heavy because of his heart surgery.  He's still healing up, as you know.  He still doesn't have his strength back so it's gonna be all me out there but I'm really looking forward to it.  Lots of prestige in this hunt, especially if I get one and get it out of there myself! 


Ok, it's getting late and I need to clean up the place before Lisa gets home.  Goodnight!

Day One Hundred Thirty Six

Woke up early and did my 3 miles.  I really felt like I wanted to get more in, but I'm making sure I stick to the 3 miles only.  I'll go back once the hunt is over. 


Lisa went to class early today, so I was running solo all day long.  Soon as she got home, we had a pretty good lunch of chicken, then after she went to work, I just did some stuff around home.  I'm keeping up with my bow shooting/practicing.  I'm pretty accurate anywhere before 40 yards and I can hit a few bullseyes at 55 yards.  At 72 yards, I can hit the center of the target, but not every arrow I shoot, so I'm pretty confident.  I'll just have to keep up the practicing all the way up until Sunday, before we leave.


Well, today will be a short blog.  Not much else to say!  Time to go to bed and get some much needed rest.  Goodnight!

Day One Hundred Thirty Five

Woke up and did 3 miles today!  I've decided that the rest of the week I'm only going to do 3 miles instead of 6.  Reason being is because I noticed that my knees aren't hurting.  Sometimes, especially when I do six miles daily, my right knee really gets to me.  I know that it's because I really push it, but since I've only been keeping it at three miles, my knees feel Awesome.  That's just what I need before my hunt next week.  I sure don't want my knees giving me problems out there because it's a lot of really treacherous landscape out in Chama.  I definitely feel like I'm in shape because I've been on Fyrescape since April, but it's still gonna kick my ass out there because I'm serious, those slopes are no joke.  We're taking vertical in some places. 


So I'm going to only do 3 miles the rest of this week.  Saturday and Sunday, however, I'm going to take Rest Days.  I want my body to get as much rest in as possible before my hunt.  We're heading out there on Sunday, my dad and I.  Hunt starts on Monday.  It's gonna be the calm before the storm on Sat and Sun haha.  I'm so looking forward to it though.  I'm already getting stuff ready.  It's gonna be an Awesome Exciting week for me.  I hope it goes great and I've been praying to God everyday that He blesses me with good fortune out there.


Ok, that's about all I've got for today!  Until tomorrow ;}  Goodnight!

Day One Hundred Thirty Four

I woke up early this morning.  I'm still sad about losing Rico.  I don't think I can focus today.  I did 3 miles this morning.  Broke in my new boots that I'll be taking hunting next week.  Really cloudy and cool today.  I didn't bother doing 6 miles though.  Instead, after completing 3, I just came home then started looking all over for Rico.  I walked everywhere hoping to atleast find his body, but nothing.  I'm so upset.  I miss him so much!  He was our future and I hope to maybe breed him with another cat and keep the bloodline going from their dad, Sebastian.  I already lost their mom a couple months ago.  She disappeared one day and I never saw her again.  Now Rico is gone.  I really need to get my perimeter fence up and I need to buy some guns.  I'm getting sick of these damn wild and stray animals coming around killing my poor cats.  I'm sure that's what's happening.  I'm gonna blow them away if I catch them.  Normally I don't hurt animals, but if I find the one that's killing mine, trust me I'm not going to hesitate!  I'm gonna blow it away!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


I bought the movie, Captain America: The Winter Soldier, today.  I don't know if I'm in the mood to watch it though.  Plus, Lisa and I got into an argument all because I told her she shouldn't have brought her backpack into the casino.  Why the hell she did that, I don't know.  Security had to check it, make sure there weren't any bombs or guns in there.  I kinda got after her!  I just told her that she shouldn't be bringing a back pack into a casino.  I mean, for cryin out loud.  We're going there to have fun, not set up your office.  She likes to study for her college classes while I'm playing the machines.  I have no problem with that, but I'd hope she would just bring in one book and that's it, or a notebook and a book.  This time, she brought in her whole damn backpack and make security uneasy!  Anyway, I just told her she shouldn't have done that and what does she do, she gets Mad!  She start walking around with her attitude and walking away from me.  I fucking hate that!  I mean, shit I just said to not bring your whole backpack into the casino.  What's the fucking problem with that?????  Damn I swear, women are so fucking emotional and get mad too damn easy!  And they say Men are like that, well shit some men may be like that but I'm not.  I'm a very respectful person, I know when to say I'm wrong, I know what I screw up!  Yet, I get punished for it all the time.  Ppl try to walk all over me but I sure as shit never let that happen so when I stand up for myself, they get pissed off and think I'm the one attacking them!  I guess they all think they're royalty and can treat everyone however the hell they feel like it, but when it comes to them, everyone better show so damn courtesy and respect!  That is such Bullshit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


....yeah my day sucks.  That's all I got for now.  Maybe tomorrow will be better.

Day One Hundred Thirty Three - REST DAY

Today was a sad day!  Reason I took a rest day today was because last night, I was up pretty late.  I was messaging with a woman I know.  I really was not tired, but I tried going to sleep.  I heard a sound outside and noticed a big, black dog digging in my trash can outside.  I yelled and it ran off.  About ten minutes later, I noticed something moving out at the front of my driveway.  I couldn't see clearly because it was so dark.  This was about 2:30 this morning.  I think they were dogs, but I'm not sure.  If I were to guess, I'd say they were two dogs.  One of them was probably the one I chased away that was digging in my trash.  The other, I don't know.  Well this morning, I didn't think nothing of it.  Went on with my day, but this evening I finally noticed.  One of my cats was missing!  When I feed them, my young cat Rico, he is always the first one at the bowl because he loves to eat.  I did not see him.  Then, I recollected the entire day and noticed that I didn't see him all day and I always do.  I was outside practicing my bow shooting this evening and I did not once see him anywhere.  Dammit, I'm so pissed that last night I didn't tell that woman to buzz off and me goin out there to chase off them damn dogs.  They probably killed my poor cat :(  Rico was still young.  He was only 5 almost 6 months old.  The only dogs he knew were my three that I have, one of them being a little Chihuahua that he played with.  The other, Cody and Cooper, they were very nice to him and never hurt him at all.  He probably thought All dogs were like that and didn't think twice about running from them....oh my gosh this makes me sad and mad at the same time.  So SHIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I'M SO FREAKIN MAD I CAN'T BELIEVE I LOST ANOTHER CAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!  THAT'S TEN CATS I'VE LOST SINCE MOVING TO THIS PLACE. TEN POOR CATS THAT JUST TOTALLY DISAPPEARED WITHOUT A TRACE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


....I will miss you Rico :'(

Day One Hundred Thirty Two

Woke up early this morning and I just did 3 miles today!  I had a really scary morning.  My dog, Cooper, apparently has worms.  Ugh, I saw him trying to poop them out this morning.  He's had them for years.  I remember my mom telling me a couple of years ago that both he and their other dog, Suzie, had worms.  They were sometimes seen scratching their butts on the ground.  Yeah, I have no idea what that is, but anyway Cooper has apparently had them for years now.  I'll need to take him to the vet and get him dewormed.  I'm sure they have pills or something I can give him for that.  It doesn't seem to hurt him, he's always playful and happy.  He also tested negative for Heartworms, whew that was definitely a relief.  Anyway, I need to get him check out.  I just don't have the money right now so I'm going to just keep an eye on him for a while and I'll need to do a bit of research on that!  It doesn't seem serious, I'm sure all dogs get that because when you take your dog to the vet to get them vaccinated, one of the first shots they give is the deworm shot, which of course, deworms them.  Kills any worms that may have built up in their system.  So, it sounds common.  But, what do I know.  I'll have them tell me.  Thing is, I hate the vet offices.  They will give you the absolute worst case scenario just to get money out of you.  They did that with me and my cat.  One day, his blatter got clogged and he couldn't pee.  The damn vet ended up charging me almost a thousand dollars just to get that fixed.  They drained his blatter within ten mins of admitting him.  They they kept him there for about a week, giving him meds and baths.  They charged me $70 for one bath.  They must've washed him 2 times everyday.  I was disgusted!  So yeah, I don't trust vets.  They know their shit, but they give lost of unnecessary treatment to animals just to leech money out of their customers.  I'm not stupid!  Pisses me off.


Anyway, we also had church service today.  It was nice!  Had an ultra long business meeting.  That was insane.  I was so tired I almost dozed off.  I did talk a bit more about my fall festival that I'm holding at my church in October.  That'll be fun.  Lots to do, but first I have my big elk hunt coming up next week.  Just 7 more days until we leave for Chama, NM.  Lookin forward to it!


Well, that's about all for today.  I'm gonna get on Facebook for a while.  Goodnight!

Day One Hundred Thirty One

I didn't wake up too early this morning.  The days sure are getting shorter.  I used to get up at 5:30 and head out just as the sun is starting to come up.  It's crazy because I've never been exercising this long before to where the seasons are changing.  It's Amazing!  Anyway, I used to get up at 5:30, but now when I wake up that early, it's still dark outside!  I mean, Dark!!  The moon is still out and my security light is still on.  Crazy.  The sun doesn't start coming up until almost 7am now.  About 6:45 is when the sun finally starts to come out.  It begins to get bright around 6:15am.  But yeah, that's the times changing now.  I love it!  Soon it'll be getting cold.  I'll be sad because this summer has been Awesome!  I really loved it, mainly because I've been at Fyrescape all summer long.  It's been good to know that I'm losing weight and having ppl compliment me, also to be able to wear clothes comfortably.  It's a real blessing! 


So anyway, I did my 6 miles this morning.  I did my 3 early with Cody and Cooper.  Then I finished out the rest with Lisa.  It was good!  Boy I'm sure getting dark though.  That's why I try to get out there early.  My arms have gotten so dark over the summer, it's crazy!  Hopefully I lighten back up over the winter lol.  I'm sure next summer I'll be outside more than this summer ;)  We'll see how that goes, I'm so looking forward to it!


Well the rest of the day was boooooorrrrrriiiiiinnnnnng.  Absolutely did not do Anything!  So yeah, nothing to report.  Right now, I'm going to bed.  Got another day coming up tomorrow.  Goodnight!

Day One Hundred Thirty

Today I woke up early, surprisingly.  I didn't think I was going to because we stayed up pretty late last night watching a movie.  I did get up early though and right away, washed up, dressed, then headed out and did my full 6 miles ;)  I also checked my weight today, OMG!!!  I'm now in the teens ;)  I'm so happy and proud!  I know I could've lost more, but I've been busy with camping trips and such lately that I haven't really put my all into my workouts. Got my hands full the rest of this month though, especially with my elk hunt coming up here in another 2 weeks.  That's gonna be some real intense exercise there because I'll be doing a lot of walking up and down steep mountain slopes then if I get one, I'll be packing it out by myself because my dad still can't lift anything heavy or do any hard work because of his chest.  That sure does take a lot of time to heal.  He's back at work now, but he's very limited as to what he can do.


So I did my full walk today.  Lisa came with me and ran 3 miles.  She's doing good.  I had a talk with her this morning about keeping up with her running and getting plenty of exercise in each day!  It's very important, exercise, as she's also learning about in her anatomy class at the college.  We gotta do it, daily, for the rest of our lives and that's definitely my plan.


Well that's all I've got for today!  Later I'm gonna try and get a short Bowflex or DDPyoga workout in.  I really want to start pushing myself harder from now on.  That's my goal.  Lots to do and I wanna be at a really good point by Christmas this year.  Time to get busy busy busy ;)  Have a great day!

Day One Hundred Twenty Nine

Woke up early today and got out there!  I only did 3 miles today though.  Reason for that was my stomach was really not feeling too hot.  The past two days I've been eating cereal and I think the milk wasn't very good.  I didn't smell funny, but I don't know, after drinking it, my stomach was not good.  So that did me in today!  I wanted to do the whole walk, but nadda.
That's a rather good tip for you!  If you're in pain, Don't Push Yourself to exercise!  Seriously, pain is not good.  That doesn't mean for you to make excuses.  If you're tired, get your butt out there and do it.  If you're in Pain, however, like your legs hurt or your stomach hurts, Do Not push and take a Rest Day!  You don't want to end up doing something that'll hurt you in the long run.  It's not worth it.  There's always the day after to get back to it after your body had time to rest up.


The rest of the day was pretty mellow.  Not much to do except work around the house.  I did practice tonight.  I'm getting pretty good at 40 yards.  I hit 3 bullseyes at 40 yards.  I'm getting pretty good at the 50 and 60 yard lines also.  All my arrows are hitting the middle of the target.  Good enough for me!  I'm feeling pretty confident about my upcoming hunt!  Just gotta really hit the walking/running because those slopes out in Chama are no joke!


Ok that's about all I've got for today!  Time to play some Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door and then maybe watch a lil of a movie before hitting the sack.  Goodnight!

Day One Hundred Twenty Eight - REST DAY

Oh man, yeah it was way too soon for a rest day, but I've gotta be honest in my blogs.  The reason I took one was because last night, Lisa and I stayed up way WAY too late watching what turned out to be a really cheapo movie.  We watched Cabin Fever: Patient Zero.  Oh my gosh, that was such a waste of money.  I loved the Cabin Fever series movies, but this one sucked.  I'm glad I payed only 9 bucks for it instead of 19.  Dang, that would've pissed me off!  It was a crap movie.  The second one was better than this one. 


Anyway, that's why I took a rest day.  I was so tired, there was no way I was getting up super early and heading out there.  I've been pushing myself too hard anyway.  I'll hit the walks again tomorrow.  I slept in this morning which felt good.  Since the camping trip, I haven't really caught up on my sleep but today, I definitely did which is Awesome!


Well, another day.  Lookin forward to tomorrow.  Be safe!

Day One Hundred Twenty Seven

WOW!!!!  That's all I can say to describe that wonderful, Awesome camping trip we went on this weekend!  We got back yesterday around 5:30pm.  It was Grandpa's birthday yesterday, officially.  Oh man, my parents spoiled him rotten!  They bought he and grandma's groceries out there in Pagosa Springs.  They bought their gas!  Bought his fishing license and yesterday on our way home, they met us at the Casino in Ignacio, Colorado and gave him some gambling money.  They gave him a very wonderful birthday!!!  It was definitely better than MY birthday hahaha.  But I'm very glad.  Grandpa deserves a wonderful birthday!  Me, I don't mind.  To me, others are more important.  So I was very happy for him that he had a wonderful trip and great special treatment lol.


The camping was Awesome!!  Lisa and I stayed in this cabin called the 'Red Robin'.  It was nice!  We really loved it.  The cabins are fully furnished and even have dishes, running water (no hot water), a fridge and a stove for heat and an oven to cook.  It was very cool!  I definitely wanna go out there next year.  I wish I knew about that place earlier in the summer when we went to Jackson Lake, Colorado.  That place sucked ass this year because the fishing was terrible and the lake was super low, if you remember me writing about that. 
Anyway, this place was Amazing!  There were lots of good fishing ponds we found out there too.  On Saturday evening, we went to some lakes but had no luck fishing.  Sunday however, we found the place called the Tucker ponds and we were pulling them out there!  Grandpa caught his limit, I caught my limit, Dad caught his limit and even my mom got her limit!  It was so super fun.  Lisa had a great time too, but she spent the weekend studying her school work.  She had fun doing that and seemed to really be able to concentrate in that serenity the mountains offered.  It was Great!  We also saw some deer out there and I saw an Elk on Sunday night.  Very cool.  Also on Sunday night, just before dinner, my dad, me, Lisa and my grandpa went for a drive thru the mountains up the road from the cabins.  It was great!  We took lots of pictures and saw some great scenery.  Before heading home, we stopped at this little pond where they said there was fish.  There was!  It was a small pond and there was nobody there.  I couldn't resist so I cast my line in there.  Right away, I caught two.  I was getting bites left and right.  So Awesome!  The first fish I caught was crazy lol.  I actually had it out of the water, took the hook out of it's mouth, then it squirmed out of my hand.  I picked it up from the mud and it squired out of my hand again, this time it splashed mud in my left eye and I couldn't see LOL.  It was funny!  He worked his way back into the pond and definitely earned his freedom hahaha!  I wouldn't have kept it though.  I was just fishing for fun.  My dad and grandpa were watching me.  Dad said that when I was a little boy, the last time we went to that place, he said I was pulling them out then too.  Catching fish like crazy!  I thought, here I am a grown man, over 25 years later and I'm still pulling them out haha.  It was a great moment!
We often drove into Pagosa Springs and went to the City Market there.  I swear, those ppl in that town are so so so friendly.  They greet you with a smile like they've known you all their lives.  I loved it there and I wouldn't mind buying some land up there one day.  That is a very wonderful place.  We visited the City Market so often that the workers there knew me.  One guy saw my sharktooth necklace I was wearing and knew me by that.  It was cool!  Grandpa and Grandma had such a wonderful time as well.  I will remember this trip for a long time.  Grandma really bonded with Lisa too, which was awesome.  Those two seem to be kinda distant from each other and have been for years so to see them really interact with each other, laugh and joke, that was so nice to see.  We also enjoyed the time with my mom and dad.  We all joked, laughed and share some great stories.  Saturday night around the campfire, dad, mom and I just sat around talking.  I wish my brother and sister went with us, but they didn't wanna go.  Anyway, that's about all the happened.  It was a great trip!  Yesterday ate a big breakfast in my mom and dad's cabin.  Then we cleaned up and headed home.  We stopped at the City Market in Pagosa Springs one last time, then we headed out and to Ignacio, Colorado because Grandpa wanted to go to the casino there.  We met my mom and dad there whom offered to take Lisa home which was great because Lees had to work at 3pm yesterday and I didn't want to rush grandpa from his casino visit so my mom and dad took her home.  She was very happy about that, as was I.  So, we ended up staying at the casino until after 4pm.  We all had fun!  Won some, lost some, but we had lots of fun doing it all.  Grandpa almost hit the jackpot on this HUGE slot machine there and that got him really excited.  Him and I played on this quarter machine together.  It was so fun and I'm going to remember that for the rest of my life.  I played a slot machine with Grandpa for about an hour on his 73rd birthday :D  I thank God for my wonderful grandparents and my wonderful parents, and especially my best best friend, Lisa.  They are all such a blessing and I am so thankful to have them all in my life!


So that was my trip!  I brought them home after the casino and we talked and had some good laughs all the way home. 
Now for today, this morning I was back to exercising.  I did my 6 miles this morning!  I gotta share this.  Every morning, I always pray to God.  I start off my morning with a long prayer.  During my prayer this morning on my walk, I saw something I never ever ever seen before around this area.  I saw a raccoon!  Yes, a raccoon.  I know that may not seem like a big deal, but I love raccoons.  They are the funniest, most loveable animals I've seen.  I've never seen one around this area.  Ever!  I've seen them in town and at other places, but this one was down there where I do my walk and I saw it during my prayer to God.  I was so awed by that sight and I included it in my prayer, thanking God for giving me that moment.  I took it as a blessing :) 


The rest of the day was pretty mellow.  Lisa cut my hair.  It looks Amazing!  She made it short, but long enough to where I can still put it in a ponytail.  She cuts hair really good and I'm thankful for that so I don't have to go spend 10 bucks just so someone else could do it.  She made my head lighter to go along with my lighter body.  Now I look good ;)  Ok, tomorrow is another day!  Gotta get my sleep and get ready to hit my 6 miles again in the morning.  I had a wonderful weekend.  Lookin forward to many more Awesome memories with my parents and grandparents, and especially with Lisa, all throughout my life.  Many great adventures to be had still.  Goodnight!

Day One Hundred Twenty Six - REST DAY (Bruce Spruce Ranch Camping Trip)

ENJOY YOUR WEEKEND
 -FYRE