Happy 30th Carly!!

Happy 30th Birthday Carly!!!!

XOXOXOXOXOXO

Our (and America's) Favorite Dancer!

Ok...I embarrassed to admit that I was addicted to this season of "So You Think You Can Dance"....not only do I not like getting sucked into TV series.... I don't really like watching DANCE! .... and... to make it worse.... I'm blogging about it.

It all started with Dave showing me You Tube videos of a former Boston Arts Academy student of his... Russell Ferguson. All of the videos were Krump. Although I had never seen it performed, Dave would come home from school many nights and tell me about the impromptu Krump session that inevitably occurred during the lunch hour.

We were glued to the entire season :o) Um.. yes.... we even voted....

Last night, Russell won the finale.... America's Favorite Dancer!! (and $250,000!).

Congratulations Russell!!!!!

Check out his video (posted above).

Full Circle

While eating lunch at the Art Cafe in Thimphu, Bhutan we met two interesting brothers (1 lived in Austin, TX, the other in Australia). They had just finished the Snowman trek, following a route that took them along much of the Laya-Gasa trek trail on which we were about to embark. They trekked to Lunana to film a documentary about the effects of climate change on glacial lakes in the Himalaya.

They told us of a week filled with slopping down the trail through rain, mud and manure. One of the brothers lost 15 pounds. They recommended bringing baby wipes. They were happy to have finished the trek in "good" health and wished us safe travels.

Most of my thoughts of the brothers while we were trekking were no more than to say "Wow, I'm so happy we aren't trekking in rain and mud like they were". What I didn't know (either b/c they never said, or b/c I wasn't listening) was that the workers that we saw on our last few days of trekking, who had been repairing a dam in Lunana, were the same workers from the brothers' video 3 weeks prior. By the time we crossed paths with them, many of the workers had been stranded for days without food, had severe frostbite and snow blindness due to snowstorms high in the mountains. A high price to pay for manual labor on a glacial lake/dam.

Carly saved the brothers' business card and emailed them after our return. Their video (plus one filmed in China) played recently at the climate conference in Copenhagen.

Check it out - "Bhutan: The Silent Tsunami"

First Day of the Season!

In celebration of Dave's 38th Birthday we head to Pagosa Springs tonight for our first day of snowboarding this season. Tomorrow morning we arrive at Wolf Creek Ski Area hoping for POWDER!!! They received 59 inches in the last 7 days :o)

Let the FUN begin!

14 days

We Trekked for 14 days and approx. 130 miles in Bhutan. Starting in Paro, visiting the remote villages of Lingzhi, Chebisa, Laya and Gasa, wandering past many yak herder's camps. Each turn displaying a view just as breath taking as the last. We carried only our day packs while our mules did the brunt of the work. We were spoiled with coffee in bed and warm wash water, hot lunch and tea on the trail, tea time when we arrived at camp (and sometimes fresh popped popcorn), delicious dinners (each night included soup and dessert), hot toddies and hot water bottles for inside our sleeping bags each night where we dreamed of our favorite foods, hot stone baths and snuggling with our husbands (and puppies!).

Land of the Thunder Dragon

The first question people ask when I tell them I went to Bhutan is "Where? I've never even heard of Bhutan?"

Bhutan is a small country nestled between Tibet (China) and India (Sikkim). It has a population of approximately 650,000 people, is similar in size to Switzerland and 72.5% of the country is covered in forest.

The country is deeply Buddhist, traditional culture and

national heritage are proudly cherished.

Satellite TV arrived in 1999 and more people have mobile phones than land lines. Solar panels are sold cheaply to even the most remote villages, subsidized by the government. Each home collecting just enough solar power to sustain light through the evening.

Dzongkha is the National language but English is also taught in school.

Gross National Happiness is still deemed more important than Gross National Product.

Men and women wear traditional dress (the Gho and the Kira), and children run barefoot.

Mouths are stained red from the habit of chewing Doma and cheeks are often full of dried yak cheese called chugo.

Traditional homes house extended families and each has its own garden. Grains, meat and red chilies hang from roofs to dry.

Life is slower here.

We spent time meandering through Paro, Thimphu, Punakha and Wangdue. Visited monasteries, dzongs and chortens. Witnessed festivals, including the Dance of the Black Hat Magicians (a sacred dance of purification) and other masked dances.

Browsed shops and markets.

Watched prayer flags flutter and prayer wheels turn, murmuring their intentions endlessly to the heavens.

just one

In the minute I have to finish my breakfast, I am inspired to post just one quick photo of my journeys in Bhutan.

More to follow soon....

Overlooking Paro from the windows of Paro Dzong. Day 1 in Bhutan.

And I'm Off!

I board the plan in ABQ at 540am tomorrow... beginning 2 days of travel to the Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan... dubbed "the last shangri-la". Land of the Thunder Dragon.

Here is their national tourism website... check it out!

21 days.... 7 days in towns, visiting monasteries, festivals and seeing sights... 14 days trekking the Laya-Gasa route (complete with sherpas, horses, and yaks).

You can read their national newspaper - The Kuensel

I'm already missing Dave and the pups, but am looking forward to a magnificent trip!

Where did the summer go - Part I

Where did the summer go? Luckily I can say we played it away :o)

In July, a good friend from Boston, Marc Seiden graced us with his presence. Dave and Marc spent a week romping around the Rez and Four Corners area.

We went to Cedar Mesa for an overnight camping trip and had a blast together. Thanks for visiting us Marc!

In July, Dave and I traveled to my parent's home in PA for the Karwacki Family Reunion. The event was great thanks to all the planning by my siblings and parents ;o) It was so nice to meet toddler cousins we haven't yet met and to become reacquainted with the ones who are growing up so quickly. Even though my pictures all came out blurry, I had to post one of our entertainment for the day - Sumo Suits!!

We were barely home for 72 hours. It wasn't nearly enough time to even begin to catch up with my family. We boarded the plane home wishing for a few more days to hang out with everyone.

The following weekend brought John Novak (optometrist extraordinaire) back to Chinle, and the White's hosted the 2nd annual Tsaile Crawfish Boil. We were stuffed silly with spicy crawdads, that seemed to multiply every time we turned around!

Lake Powell beckoned the last weekend of July, and thanks to the Scarborough's planning, we had a fabulous boat, excellent food and a perfect camp site. The cool, clear water was a perfect respite for the 100+ degree weather. Good thing we were never far from an incredible place to swim. Saco was our champion swimmer doing laps around everyone as Allagash floated around the water like an old lady in a swimming cap and suit with a skirt.

It was hard to tear ourselves away and drive home to land locked Chinle.... and work the next morning.

an emerging photographer

If you follow the Scarborough's blog... you'll already know this info.  For those of you who don't, I wanted to share some exciting news.  

Our friends Evan and Jillian have started hosting a "coffee house" where they whip up yummy coffee drinks, teas and snacks.  The past two coffee houses have also provided an outlet for local artists to display and sell their work.   Last night's event featured Patricia and her photography.  

Although throughout the past year and a half of knowing her and seeing her work, I have always been impressed; I am even more impressed than ever that she is making the brave next step of displaying her work and promoting herself as an emerging photographer.  

I have seen a lot of her prints and have been encouraging her to do this for a few months now, but seeing a compilation of her images on her newly designed website blew me away.  I am truly amazed at her talent and view points through her camera lens.   Besides being my friend, she is definitely my favorite photographer.  Check out her work here.   (If the link doesn't work, go to www.pscarboroughphotography.com)

Anyone need artwork for their home?? (yes family and friends... this is an open request for ideas for your next birthday or Christmas presents from us!!!)  Or need a gift for others??  I know just the artist to buy from ;o)

who's your farmer?

For the past few years Dave and I have been trying to support local and organic farming efforts.  It only makes sense to start the movement at home.  I am so proud of our little high desert garden!!!  We are by no means good gardeners, but are learning much as we plod along. 

We have a smaller garden with green chilies, jalapenos, bell peppers and tomatoes in our front yard.... partly destroyed by a nosy dog that keeps jumping the fence.... and a larger garden (pictured below) in our back yard with lettuce, spinach, broccoli, rainbow chard, watermelon, carrots, cantaloupe, cucumbers, yellow squash, zucchini, green beans and sunflowers!!  

Not too much is more satisfying than harvesting your own garden!  

  

seconds

Since it is our second summer in Chinle, it makes sense that it is also our second Telluride Bluegrass Festival, second 4th of July in Silverton and second anniversary too!  (posts coming up will include our second visit to Muley Point/Cedar Mesa and our second garden... okay, enough seconds already)

This time around for the Bluegrass Festival, since we camped in Town Park, Telluride, we decided to spend a few extra days in festival mode.  We had the most relaxing and rejuvenating week.  Nothing but hiking, camping, napping, reading, eating festival food, and of course listening to great music with even better friends.

4th of July in Silverton was so good last year, a repeat was a no-brainer.  

We camped at the same location in South Mineral Creek (also known as Bandera).  Friday was Patricia's Birthday and we celebrated by hiking Ice Lakes in the morning, during which Patricia won the alpine speed sledding contest!! 

 5 of us ran the Blue Ribbon Run to start off the 4th of July festivities in town.  The remainder of the day was spend eating, relaxing (yes, common themes to our weekend), exploring and (the boys) fishing.  That night we rallied to make the trip into town for Silverton's amazing fireworks.    Sunday as everyone went their separate ways, Dave and I headed to another great location just outside of Silverton - Cascade Creek.  We spent the next two night's camping there for our anniversary.  We hiked Highland Mary's Lake trail and much to the dogs' delight, found ourselves slopping across many muddy sections of trail and stream crossings.  It was well worth the trip.

Amidst these seconds, there were a few firsts...... we met a good friend of Patricia's - Megan and her sweet pup, Suz (congrats on you decision to stay in San Francisco!!)... and we are in the midst of our first ever green bean harvest (I cant get enough!!)!   

little by little

A lot has happened to blog about in the last month.... I will try to get a few posts up this week to catch up (but don't hold me to it!).

While Dave was away living up the first few weeks of summer vacation, I finished the Gallup Triathlon with Patricia.  I wish I could say she twisted my arm to do it, but I admit, I willingly get myself into these things.   It was a small sprint triathlon - about 100 competitors, 375 yard pool swim (15 laps), 20K (12.4mi) bike and 5K (3.1mi) run.

Check out the overall results here and age group results here.  Even though there were a small number of competitors, coming in 1st in my age group, 5th overall female and 20th overall competitor was still really cool!!!  Congrats to Patricia who, battling a nasty head cold, found the motivation to complete the event 4th in her age group, 11th overall female and 33rd over all competitor.  Had she been feeling good, I'm sure she would have whipped my butt!!!  

 

Although after Iron Horse and Gallup Tri, I would love a break from training... the Imogene Pass Run is a mere 9 weeks away.  Dave has become well versed in the early morning roll of the "get out of bed and go for a run and stop hitting snooze already" motivator!    The most exciting thing about the run this year?  My father-in-law will be running with me!!!  (keep your fingers crossed he gets a race registration transfer since the race is already full)

My first 13er!

I spent this past weekend in Mancos, CO at my friend Kristi's house.  She invited me to climbHesperus Peak with her and her Uncle Dave. 

Hesperus is otherwise known as Dibenitsaa, the northern peak of the 4 Navajo sacred mountains.   I'm not sure how accurate this is, but I found this description online:

Mount Hesperus

  
The name comes from the Greek word for the evening star. The Navajo call it Dibenitsaa which translates as Big Mountain Sheep. Dibenitsaa lies in the northern quadrant of their mandala, fastened to earth with a rainbow, covered with a blanket of darkness, decorated with obsidian and black beads, black vapours and different plants and animals. Upon the peak is an obsidian basket holding two blackbird eggs covered with sacred buckskin. These birds will provide black feathers. Lightning was sent to guard the doorway of Jet Boy/Pollen Boy and Grasshopper Girl in the north.

Although we didn't find a basket filled with eggs on the peak (maybe we didn't know where to look for it), it was a great first climb.  I was thankful to have two experienced guides... and no lightening! 

Plans are already in the works with Kristi for more more mountain summits :o)

Belated Wishes

Happy 9th Birthday Ashley! 

Hope it was as rockin' as you are :o)

We love you!

The Iron Horse

This past Saturday I was one of 1200 riders on the Iron Horse Bicycle Classic Citizen's Tour(there is also a simultaneous road race with 1200 riders, many of whom quickly passed us!).

The ride covers 50 miles of HWY 550 from Durango to Silverton, CO and riders "race" the train. Check out the race profile below:

WE ROCKED IT!!!!

You can see pictures of my ride here at the top of Molas Pass, and here at the finish line in Silverton. Check out Ryan and Patricia making it over the pass! It's 8 miles downhill from there to the finish!

Despite the weather forecast, there was no rain, snow or thunderstorms during the ride. We were even treated to sunshine in Silverton.

Following the ride Dave and I along with Ryan and Patricia went 26 miles further north to Ouray. We relaxed in the hot springs and had a fabulous, well deserved dinner.

Dave and I spent 1 more day in Ouray; a late morning breakfast with the Scarboroughs, lazy afternoon hike, beers at Mr. Grumpy Pants Brewing Company, more hot springs and another great dinner.

Fabulous visit with the family!

Yes, I know this posting is 2 months late.....  but better late than never!

Ed, Kailey and Ashley came to visit us in March.  We spent one last powder filled weekend at Wolf Creek.  I believe I heard "there's just too much powder" more than a few times ;o)

We spent an evening in Durango, an afternoon at Mesa Verde and fit in a quick stop to 4 corners before heading to Chinle for a night.  

It was sooooo good to see them but the visit was way too short.  I  missed them the moment they left.   I'm already looking forward to next year's ski outing!