Snippets of Spring

A deep breath of fresh air, a little more sunshine, and a lot more color. Thank God for spring.

Running

The kind of spring that gets me running. A bag of workout clothes and tennis shoes always packed and in the trunk of my car, just waiting for me to go for a run after work. I recently ran farther than I ever have in my entire life. I ran five miles with a girl at work who is training for Nashville’s half marathon this weekend. I wanted to quit. I wanted to quit so badly. But she kept running, so I did too. And by the third mile I was feeling good again. And by the time I was close to mile five, I was all smiles and cheers when I finished out the run. You might be rolling your eyes. I, too, am an eye roller when people talk about running. It makes me a little crazy, especially when people talk about running and liking it. I usually don’t. In fact, I always hope that someone will see me jogging down West End and get the impression that I am athletic. The best part of running in Nashville right now is that there are so many runners training for the marathon that if I get tired and am out of breath after running one block, people have no clue if I have just run 20 miles or 20 yards.  Oh, and you might be rolling your eyes because you run 10 miles every morning. In that case, get it girl (or dude). More power to you.

Power Walking

A few friends and I did the Chick Fil A 5k in Brentwood last weekend.

We just walked it. And when I say just walked I mean that there was a little power walking involved. Because I think it’s hilarious. And it was on video. You’re welcome.

Advertising

I recently purchased makeup from Bare Minerals for the first time. Cover Girl quit making my compact, so I moved on. I went into the Bare Minerals store and got the free makeover to test the products / shades. I let the sales girl do her thing, made my purchase, and then continued on my way throughout the mall. People were noticing me. Staring actually. I trotted through the mall with a newfound confidence in my new makeup. I must look great, I thought. Bare Minerals really is the best, I confidently told myself. And then I got home. And I set my bag down on my bathroom counter. And I took a look - my first - at the bag that I had been carrying around the mall all afternoon.

I'm not wearing foundation.

Yep. That's why people were looking. Staring awkwardly. Because I was a carrying a giant sign begging people to stare at my face. Great...

Sleep Talking

I went on a Spring Retreat with my young professionals group at church a few weekends ago. One morning I showed up at breakfast, sat down at a table of girls from my cabin, and said “Ashley, your sure did talk a lot in your sleep last night. And loudly!” They all turned to me and gave me a You must be kidding me stare as one of them said, “No, Emily. You talked in your sleep.” In my sleep I thought I was talking to Ashley, but I guess I was just talking out loud to myself. And I talked loud enough to wake myself up. Nice.

Wrong Talking

Something very important happened to me recently. I discovered that for 25 years of my life (all of them) I have been wrong. Very wrong. And I didn't even know it. All of my life, I have used the word "stook" as if... well.. as if it is an actual word. "I stook up for him when they were making fun of him." I know the phrases "stood up" and "stuck up", but all of this time I thought that "stook" was acceptable as well. When someone questioned me, I said, "Oh. Must be a southern thing." So I consulted the mother of southern lingo - my mother. She informed me that it's actually just an "Emily thing". I'm bummed. I like it and find myself wanting to say it even more frequently.

Biking

It’s finally time to dust off the motorcycle again. I’m obsessed. I go home any chance I get to hop on the back of the bike with dad.

A friend recently asked me if I wear leather when I ride. The answer to that is no. No, I don’t wear leather. In case you were wondering, I usually wear jeans and a tshirt. I’m not that intense. Although dad and I are planning another Harley weekend trip this summer. Destination? Charleston. Cruising down the Atlantic coast. Oh yes, I am so pumped.

Planning

Oh yeah, trips. I have a big one coming up this summer. Currently planning a big driving trip out West with the parents. Flying to Denver, then driving through Nebraska, South Dakota (Mount Rushmore and Custer State Park), North Dakota, Montana (my best friend!!), Wyoming (Yellowstone), Idaho, and then flying back out of Utah (Salt Lake City). I loved Yellowstone when I went a couple of years ago. I’m so excited that I can’t stop talking about it. Seriously, though. Have anything that I must see? Let me know.

Praying

My thoughts and my prayers have been consumed by Boston and West, Texas. My heart is broken for the families who are hurting. I find myself praying over and over again “Hold their broken hearts. Carry us.” Thank God for spring because it reminds us of Life and Hope and New Beginnings – all of which we so desperately need right now.

Going Back

I am a big fan of birthdays. Mine, of course. But everyone else's too. I love reasons to celebrate people. And I love that on one day every year I am on the hearts of all of my favorite people. 

So what did I do to celebrate 25? I went to Oklahoma to visit my sister. Okay, she isn't my sister. She is one of my very best friends. But we can't go anywhere without people asking if we are sisters. Sometimes even twins. (I, of course, am the much shorter twin). We were roommates at Oklahoma Christian together and have been the best of friends ever since. We bonded over Gilmore Girls and cheese dip and late night chats in the dorm for several years.

2006: Playing Putt-Putt

2012: Visiting our college dorm where we lived in 2006-2007.

You may remember her as my Yellowstone Camping guide. 

2011: Bear Tooth Pass

I couldn't think of a better way to spend my birthday weekend than in Oklahoma with her.

When my flight landed, the pilot came over the intercom and said "Welcome to Oklahoma City. It is 112 degrees and the wind is about 35 mph". Ahhh... Exactly how I remembered it. I unfortunately saw tons of places where wildfires had taken a toll on the land. But I was fortunate to be there while a "cold front" was coming through. It had been 117 on the day before my arrival, but a mere 103 on the day that I left. We're talking major cold snap, people. You probably saw it on Good Morning America - the globes melting off of street lights in Stillwater because of the heat and fires. Yep. That's where I was. Stillwater. The home of OSU. The home of the national wrestling museum. The home of the first Sonic. And the current home of my best friend.

I strayed from my normal french manicure and painted my nails with OPI's I Don't Know, Beets Me because it seemed like a good birthday celebration color.

We had such a great weekend together. We went to the lake.

We went out for sushi.

We had birthday smoothies (because I don't eat sweets).

Me, My Bestie, and Her Husband

We played games and looked through photo albums and watched old movies (and I habitually fell asleep on the couch during them).

And then we drove to Edmond.  The home of Shannon Miller. The home of Oklahoma Christian University.  And the home of so many of my favorite memories.  We walked around our campus. 

It's the first time I had been back in the nearly four years since graduation. As soon as we pulled into the parking lot, we were flooded with memories. Every conversation began with "Remember when...". You know, the best kinds of conversations. It was a strange feeling to be there again. It felt so familiar and so much like home, but there were little changes everywhere -improvements and additions- that reminded me of the span of time that has occurred since my graduation and my visit. I have been gone for longer than I was ever there. It is different now, but I do love that place.

And my last day in Oklahoma I spent time with my dear friend and mentor. We got lost in conversation for hours at a time. And she took me to a birthday tea party. It was perfect.  

Oklahoma isn't home anymore, but it is home to so many incredible memories and some incredible friends. It felt good to go back.

Bull: 2 Emily: 0

I promised pictures of my white water rafting trip. Voila!

At the end of my Yellowstone adventure we decided to do a half-day white water rafting trip down the Yellowstone River. This was my first rafting adventure and I must admit that I was nervous. I just knew that after our rattlesnake, grizzly bear, and buffalo experiences I would not make it out of the river unscathed. Fortunately, I was wrong! We had a blast! I must admit that I was little surprised to see a smile on my face throughout all of the pictures. I didn't realize at that time that I was smiling - I expected to look worried in at least a few of them! 

 I am on the second row on the left-hand side of the boat... the one with the hat but no glasses. 

The water was freezing! Yes, I did fall in. But not because of the rapids. While we were navigating the river I surprisingly never felt like I would fall in. I was only in the water when I was either 1) pushed in by our guide ("Hey! You guys sit on the edge of the raft while I check the air pressure of the seats..." Splash!) or 2) when I was suckered into riding the bull. Oh, the bull. In a raft, "riding the bull" means that you sit on the front edge of the boat and let your legs hang over into the water. You are supposed to grab the rope (that goes around the perimeter of the raft) with one hand and wave your other arm around in the air. The guide said over and over "It is the safest seat in the raft. When we go through the rapids the front of the boat will pop up and if you fall, you will fall back into the boat." First of all, this is the same guide that just had us sit on the edge of the raft to "check the air pressure" while he pushed us into the water. Second, "when we go through the rapids"? What?!? We are going to be on there through the rapids? Oh gosh. I make a mental not to not volunteer for the bull.  Don't make a sound, Emily. Sit quietly. Stare at your shoes. Act like you aren't listening. Please. Oh, please. Don't let anyone look at me. And then it begins. The chanting. "Emily. Emily. Emily." I zone out to the moment in seventh grade when I decided to hop on a fake bull at a friend's house. It was basically a barrell tied up in the air with a rope attached to four posts. I bravely hopped up on to a plastic patio chair and attempted to stradle the bull. I throw one leg over the barrell. I glance up at my friends, not sure if my body is shaking because of the wobbly chair or my nerves - but I am proud to be the one who goes first. I begin to throw my other leg over, silently celebrating that I have never been quite so brave. I'm not even sure if I made it all the way up, because the next thing I know the patio chair is broken and I am laying on the ground with the inside of my leg sliced open from a jagged plastic edge on the chair. One ride on the back of the lawnmower back to civilization (I, sitting on a pile of grass and leaves in a make-shift wagon, trust my life to a fellow 11 year old to drive the lawn mower down the street and up the long, country drive way. I remember there being a discussion of both how to turn it on and which pedal was gas or brake.), a 3 hour waiting room visit, 11 stitches, and a 4-inch scar (still visible, by the way) later, I decided fake bulls and I were finished. The memory blurs as I realize that I am still in fact on the raft in the middle of a river being taunted by my friends who are now grabbing my paddle and pushing me to the front of the raft. I once again find myself attempting to stradle a bull. I throw one leg over the edge - thinking that this seems eerily familiar. I glance up at the rapids, not sure if my body is shaking because of the waves or my nerves - but I am somewhat proud to be the one who goes first.  I begin to throw my other leg over, silently celebrating that I have officially never made it this far with a bull before. I'm not even sure if ever even sat on the bull, because the next thing I know I am in the icy water staring at the rapids in front of me.  Before I can blink, Marina's dad reaches down, grabs the back of my life jacket, and pulls me straight back up into the boat. I refuse to not look as defeated as I feel.  I should have waved my white flag. But no. I take the advice from the little red guy sitting on my left shoulder and I try again. This time, in an attempt to not slide down into the water, I drape my legs over the edge and lean backwards. That dosn't work. I rode for the next few mintutes with my rear end on the floor of the raft and my feet straight up in the air... through the rapids. I liken it to sticking your face up to the exhaust pipe when a semi starts it engine. Or perhaps getting out of a hottub and immediately jumping straight into artic waters. It was neither fun, nor brave, nor impressive. I was doused with water uncontrollably. I was pounded by the river for what felt like hours. I couldn't open my eyes, couldn't breathe, couldn't move. I didn't let go of the rope, though. And Marina's dad never let go of me. Finally, we made it through the rapids and I took the crawl of shame back to my place on the raft and watched every other person successfuly ride the bull with grace and ease.  

 

Grace

Ease

One embarrassing ride on the floor of the raft, two rope burns on either hand, four large gulps of river water, one impressed guide (apparently he has never seen anyone but me actually fall out of the front of the raft before... or ride on the floor), and 5 laughing friends later I have once again decided that fake bulls and I are finished.  May we never meet again, Bull. May we pretty pretty please with a cherry on top never meet again.

Emily’s Top Five: Montana / Yellowstone Highlights

I just got back from spending 8 days with two of my favorite people

in the most beautiful places that I have ever been. 

Love.

I met Marina my freshman year of college at OC. We sat next to each other in a communications class for an entire semester, but didn’t talk to each other until April of that year when we were assigned to be in the same group for a project! We walked back to our dorms from the library one night and have been best friends ever since.  Our favorite show is Gilmore Girls.  She eats crunchy fries. I like soggy ones.  People think we look like sisters. We are the perfect pair.

Marina and her husband Brady were living in Montana for a while this summer for an internship, so I went up to see her! We spent the first half of the week in Montana at her dad’s house and the second half in Yellowstone.

Here are the Top Five Highlights from my trip:

1.  Montana Life

Colstrip

The first half of my trip I was in Colstrip, MT - a small town in southeast Montana. I don’t know how Montana did it, but somehow they negotiated and got a bigger sky than any other state. It was wider, taller, and bluer than I could have ever imagined.  And I love that their hills look like little mountains. I am used to the rolling hills of Tennessee, not the rocky terrain of the wild, wild west. 

Coal Mine

Colstrip thrives off of the local coal mine.  Marina’s husband and dad are both engineers there, so they took me on a tour.  The reclaimed land is gorgeous.

I was very interested in the coal mining process. They use drag lines since the coal is close to the surface (they don’t have to send people underground to get it).

Gun Range

We went to the gun range a lot. I shot trap one night… and even hit some!

One night when we were walking out to set up a target, the dog with us halted and cried. We realized that we were all standing very close to a long black snake! The snake coiled up quickly and then started making a tick, tick, tick sound. A RATTLE SNAKE! AH!  Marina’s dad shot it twice with a 9 mil and then it slithered into a hole and died. For the rest of the trip my Montana Name was "Rattle Snake Emmy Lou”.

Around Town

We had a blast just playing tennis in town

Swimming at Castle Rock Lake

And having bonfires at night. Oh yeah, my other favorite thing about Montana. The weather. It was mid-80s during the day with no humidity at all.

2. Beartooth Pass

We drove into the park through the Rocky Mountains via Beartooth pass. If you ever go to Yellowstone, you have to drive over these mountains. 

The views were incredible.

The hillsides were dotted with navy blue lakes.

And there was still snow!

3.  The Wildlife

I am notoriously not an animal person. I don’t like to smell them, take care of them, or touch them. But look at them? Sure! I saw some awesome animals…. before we even got to the park! This was my room at Marina’s dad’s house.

 Deer over Bed, Giant Fish Pillow

Antelope over Desk

 Buffalo Hide in Closet

Coyote on Wall

Priceless.

Grizzly Bear

Driving over Mount Washburn we drove past a bunch of cars parked on the side of the road. They were all looking up the mountain at the same spot… a GRIZZLY BEAR! It looked big from 100 yards away, so I think it was big.

We also found out one morning that a grizzly had been chased out of our campsite the night before. Oh goodness. At least we had the bear spray with us.

Buffalo

When you enter the park you get a bright yellow flyer telling you to beware of the buffalo.

They gore more than 100 people each year. That is one person every 3-4 days. We were there for 4 days. Deal. I will stay far away! I was amazed at the number of buffalo roaming the park. For the most part, they stayed in large herds.

All of the animals in the park are wild, and there are no fences. They have no qualms with crossing the road right in front of your car.

At the Mud Volcanoes, Marina, her dad, stepmom, and I were walking down the wooden path to each geyser.  The path makes a triangle shape at the beginning and then a path stems off of the top.  We went to the first geyser on the right, then the second, and then reached the top of the triangle. We started to go up the path off of the top, and as we rounded the corner we were standing within 10 yards of a buffalo. There was a family right in front of us with two adults and four kids getting really close to the animal and making it agitated. We saw him shaking his head back and forth, so we immediately turned around and started walking the other way. As soon as we did he started charging straight towards us. I took off sprinting for my life down the trail that I had just come. Keep in mind that on either side of the path are geysers with the same acidity level as battery acid. In front of me, a dad whipped up his child and started running too. He pulled him up so fast that his shoes came off. The whole time I was sprinting, I was watching this child reach out his arms to me yelling "My shoes! My shoes!" while the dad yelled "Those are just shoes! This is your life!".  Meanwhile, I was running so fast that I could't even turn around or I'd wipe out.  I kept hearing screaming and crying. I imagined this buffalo running straight down the path behind me, running so fast that he was kicking up planks and dust behind him like a cartoon. I thought, "Should I keep running down the path and take my chances with the buffalo, or bail off of the path and take my chances with the acid?".  Right around that point I turned around and realized that the buffalo had stopped and we were no longer being chased, but I had no idea what had happened behind me. The other three people I was with were nowhere to be found. Finally, they yelled and waved to me from across the exhibit. Turns out, when the buffalo charged, they turned and ran down a different path, while I just went straight.  They thought, "A big buffalo is less likely to turn than to go straight".  Well, Emily is too. And they were right. The buffalo did go straight, but then - as an answer to every last minute prayer - he stepped off of the path into the grass. No one was hurt. Just scared, panicked, and chaotic. My heart. It is still beating fast.

Antelope

Antelope in Montana are just as popular as deer. We saw tons of these in Yellowstone, but also in Montana at the mine. Here is an antelope roaming around the mine property:

Elk

In northern Yellowstone there is a town called Mammoth right beside the Mammoth Hot Springs. 

Elk seem to own this place. They hang out in the streets, at the post office, beside the gas station… They are awesome.

4. Camping / Hiking

I actually really liked camping!

We ate salmon that Marina’s dad had just caught in Alaska...

and I popped popcorn over the fire for a first time…

We froze at night! It got down in the low thirties each night – but by the end of our trip I figured out that 3 pairs of pants, 2 shirts, and 2 sweatshirts really do the trick.

We camped near the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. It was so gorgeous. I loved the canyons…

and the canyon waterfalls…

 We took a hike down to the top of the falls. Straight down and straight back up! That warmed us up early in the morning!

In the park, there were lots of great waterfalls...

A gorgeous lake...

Beautiful rivers...

And incredible mountain views...

5. Geysers

There used to be a volcano in the park that imploded which left all sorts of hot magma under the ground. This has resulted in hot springs and steam pots all over the park. I have never seen such rich, vibrant, beautiful colors than at the geysers in Yellowstone.

The Middle Geyser Basin was my favorite. Gorgeous.

Old faithful erupted right on schedule (well, only a few minutes late).

And the Norris Geyser Basin felt like the moon!

 I'm ready to go back.

We also went white water rafting down the Yellowstone River, but I don’t have the pictures yet. Not to worry. It will get its own post.