the Y

 (The trail head)

It started like this. Yesterday I had the privilege of hiking the Y with the Young Men/Women's group in my ward (I am the Beehive adviser and all).  This is a harder task then it seems with 20 + young adults ages ranging from 12-18.  Along with that, this was my first time hiking the Y since 2005. Yes its been that long... So I felt more like a sheep herder than hiking enthusiast. It was long and slow and guess what I only made it to turn 9 (there are 11 turns) when we decided to head back down. At the time I was all for going back down ( I was at the point of wanting to throw up the shrimp wrap I had like 40 minutes prior) and then going home. So we did, I mean I had to be at the bottom to take kids home, right?  But then nightfall came and I couldn't sleep. It ate at me that Y. Mocking me while I lay in bed underneath her.  I can see the Y from my bedroom window and she was taunting me all night. I couldn't believe how much it actually ate at me to not make it to the top. So this morning I convinced Josh it would be a good idea to take the kids and hike the Y. He concurred and we were off.

This was Josh and Chamberlain's first time hiking the Y. Chamberlain has been wanting to hike the Y the day we moved to 700. Josh carried Siri in a pack and Chamberlain ran up ahead like 20 feet or so the entire hike. Both kids did great. Siri smiled the entire trek.  I made a game out of it for Chamberlain, to see who could be the first to touch the turn markers and of course he won every time.

I think we should make this a weekly family tradition. One because it will get me into shape and two because Chamberlain fell asleep twice today and went to bed like super early!

Dear Y,

I never realized the love/hate relationship I have with you. 

I loved you when I literally could run up and back in 20 minutes or so and then run back home to 400, and still have energy in excess.  I loved when all my friends wanted to hike you in the middle of the night after finals and I was totaly game, because I knew you were such an easy climb. I even loved when my sister and friends played a dirty prank on us and we had to carry her all the way down. It was a sinch. I love that every time I look at you, you are a reminder of what I once was, and all the sweet memories we have shared. We were such great friends.

I hate however, the first time I climbed you fresh out of high school and didnt know the meaning of conditioning. I hate how I have aged and you have not. How my limbs have grown old and my body has changed and you have not. In fact you have gotten stronger and wider trails, a paved parking lot a pretty bathrooms, and a fancy new gate to state your existence.  You have been taken care of, and I have not taken care of myself. I hate how you own me now and I have to work even harder than I did before.

Until we meet again on Monday you do not own me!

Love,

Ash

Dear Dessert,

Oh how I love thee. I dream about thee and am constantly thinking of thee. However, I will be gone for a while.  I'm sure it wont be long,  just not as much and nearly not as often.

Kisses,

me