The Thrill of Adventure

So it's finally summer! I think we will break into the 90s every day now here in North Texas and the sun has finally come out! I am so excited about all that summer brings and the adventures Jared and I have planned.

Speaking of which, some of those adventures include our newest endeavor...backpacking! Jared and I have always been interested in camping. We go all the time. But now, we are finally thinking about putting those fancy backpacks to good use and hitting the trails in the literal middle-of-nowhere.

Physically, this means I will have some different workouts going on. I still plan on running twice a week with my long run being five miles. Then I have a goal of riding my bike at least once a week. The rest of the workouts will focus more on strength in my back and arms so that I don't have to rely on my legs for all the work while hiking with my backpack on.

The biggest thing for me I think is going to be mental. As much as I say I love adventure, I get so anxious before traveling! I get nervous sweats at the airport waiting for planes. I get so anxious trying to plan for the "unknown."

So when thinking about backpacking, there is a ton of fear going on inside my head. When are we going to go? What trails are we going to take? How are we going to fit everything in our bags? What if we can't find a good campsite? What if we get lost? What if we see a bear????

I have been doing some research on fear this week for work. It's very interesting the studies that neuroscientists are conducting these days. One study is actually finding that we are wired as human beings to be optimistic by nature...assume the best about someone or something until proof of the worst. They also talk about how fear bypasses the logical part of the brain and goes straight to the emotional. But logic is how you quiet fear. No one fears a stampede of hippopotami followed by their car getting eaten by a T-rex when they drive on the highway because logic eliminates that possibility. When we see someone that's upset because of fear, we automatically try to help them calm down by using logic. And if we are having a really hard time, we can implement what scientists call "productive paranoia" where we plan for the worst case scenario while hoping for the best.

And that's kind of where I am right now. With my upcoming adventures, I am doing boatloads of research trying to arm myself with the knowledge needed in worst case scenarios (how to deal with a bear), as well as the skills to keep me from getting into worst case scenarios (buy a bear canister and use it appropriately). What's awesome is while I still get nervous about it, I am growing as a person because I am gaining new skills and learning new things about myself and what I am capable of doing.

I think God wants us to use fear, not be controlled by it. He wants us to develop courage, not limit ourselves because of anxiety. He wants us to continue to grow and learn and explore the world he created. So that's why I continue to travel, see new things and meet new people. Ultimately, I know that the best truth I can use against fear is the knowledge that God is in control and he has the ultimate power in any situation.

I recently re-watched an episode of Dr. Who where they search for the alien that might be the reason we as children fear the monster under the bed. But I love what Clara tells the child doctor at the end about fear:

"I know you’re afraid, but being afraid is alright. Because didn’t anybody ever tell you? Fear is a superpower. Fear can make you faster and cleverer and stronger. And one day you’re gonna come back to this barn and on that day you’re going to be very afraid indeed. But that’s okay, because if you’re very wise and very strong fear doesn’t have to make you cruel or cowardly. Fear can make you kind. It doesn’t matter if there’s nothing under the bed or in the dark so long as you know it’s okay to be afraid of it. So listen. If you listen to anything else, listen to this. You’re always gonna be afraid even if you learn to hide it. Fear is like a companion, a constant companion, always there. But that’s okay because fear can bring us together. Fear can bring you home. I’m gonna leave you something just so you’ll always remember. Fear makes companions of us all."

Clara explaining courage to a young boy during the "Listen" episode using a small army figure.

Memorial Day

This weekend will be full of people traveling and grilling and spending time with friends and family. And thank goodness because it's summer! I know friends and family that have much anticipated time off coming up and I am so excited for them.

Jared and I just got back from a whirlwind trip up to Washington D.C. He had work stuff up there and so we made a quick trip out of it. We woke up at 3:00 AM to get on a 5:15 AM flight. We were in DC by 9:00 and we ate breakfast at this awesome place called Wicked Waffle. It was SOOO good! And a great way to start out a touring day.

We started by geocaching along the mall. Most caches there are virtuals (can you imagine the potential bomb threats in DC with physical caches?) but it's fun to go to each monument and learn something new. Jared actually showed me a monument I hadn't been to (what???) for the signers of the Declaration of Independence. We also found the point where they measure all the highway miles on the South Side of the White House.

Mile 0!

I love touring DC. I find that each time I go I find a deeper and more mature appreciation for all the Americans that have gone before us to protect our freedom.

My great uncle, who is on the Vietnam Memorial

Hello Mr. Lincoln

Which is why I was a little disheartened by the second half of our touring. 

We went to the Smithsonian Museum of American History. This is one of my FAVORITE places. We got to go look at the gunboat Philadelphia. It was a small boat that helped delay the British from sailing down the Hudson River and split New York from the other colonies. Had this not happened, we wouldn't have had time to raise and train our army to fight in the Revolution. They found it at the bottom of the river 160 years later and brought it to the museum, cannonballs and artifacts and all. It was so incredible to see what these people did back then. And what drove them? This idea that the government did not have the authority to take all their money and dictate their lives.

What was disheartening was the amount of high school students there on field trips that seemed completely disinterested or were talking through the museum spouting incorrect information. It wasn't just the high school students either. While sitting and meditating about the War of 1812 in front of the flag that flew during that battle (one of the most awe inspiring displays ever) there was a mom who came in with her two year old and told him "Look, it's the very first American flag!" 

*Face palm*

I do admire her bringing her toddler to see American History. But I don't know what does more damage...not bringing your kid or teaching them incorrect information. Never mind that she had just walked through the first part of the exhibit explaining the story behind the flag. But apparently she didn't think it was important enough to get her facts straight before teaching her son something. 

I get it. He's two. There's plenty of time to get the record straight. But this instance, combined with several other examples just in the few hours we were touring, just highlighted to me the lack of interest people have for getting their facts straight. It's why political pundits can just spew lies about stats and history and get away with it. Because no one knows if they are telling the truth because they don't know their facts. Apathy is a killer. And it's people's apathy that is going to trap them from their potential as not just Americans, but as humans. 

Americans have built our nation on the ability to identify a problem and create a solution. Then they refine the solutions until it is the best it can be. But I have seen a trend in history where we balked at our ownership of innovation and told the government to take care of it. That's not the government's job and that's why it fails at many of the things it tries to do (Obamacare website perhaps as one of many examples?). 

While standing in the Lincoln Memorial, I always take time to stand and read the Gettysburg Address engraved on the side of the building. Something stood out to me this time. While standing at this site where so many Americans died, he said there's nothing we, the living, can do to add or subtract from this consecrated ground. Whether or not we dedicate this space makes no difference because the blood spilt makes it a sacred place. Rather, it is us, the ones alive, who should dedicate ourselves to finish the work they started. 

So this Memorial Day, I want to take the time to rededicate myself to the work that so many Americans have started. I'm killing apathy instead of letting it kill me. I want to help make sure that the ideas the Founding Fathers used to create this nation stand. We are nation with a government by the people and for the people. Not a government where some people can bully other people into submission. Not a government where we take more of your money to reward those who break the law or don't work. Not a government where we shame you for being "politically incorrect." Rather, we can, and should be, a government that gets out of your life and allows you to build things that benefits  people. Because American history has shown that when Americans succeed, the whole world benefits.

I'm taking time to do that today. I hope you do too. And God bless America so that we may become who we originally set out to be. 

"Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.

Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.

But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate -- we can not consecrate -- we can not hallow -- this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth."

Abraham Lincoln

November 19, 1863

Disneyland Trip Report!

Today is going to be a long post, but I hope it's worth it because we are talking DISNEY today!

Mom and I went out west to hang out at Disneyland over Mother's Day. We participated in the Tinkerbell Half Marathon as well as checked out all the new stuff they had for Star Wars and the 60th anniversary.

First off, we used The Mouse for Less Travel Agency to help us book this trip. Since we are normally Disney WORLD goers, it was so helpful to have someone give us an idea on what to expect for Disneyland. Jeannette Cona-Larock is our agent and she is FANTASTIC! When it came to restaurant recommendations and photo pass questions, she was able to help us out with all of it. Definitely check them out next time you are looking to go to Disney. Their services do not cost you ANYTHING and it's so helpful to have someone help you with all the questions you may have.

We headed out early on Friday morning. With the time change, it was like we time warped. We arrived "shortly" after we had left!

After getting to the hotel and unpacking, first item on the list was to get to the expo to pick up our race packets. Then came our favorite, shopping! After visiting all the vendors we made our way down Downtown Disney to shop in all the fun stores they have there.

At the expo!

There are several fun vendors at the expo and we always love the photo ops they have available with the photo pass photographers!

Look mom! I got wings!

All the swag!

Dinner that night was at Napa Rose. It was seriously one of the best meals I have ever had!  

My tomato-bell pepper soup with shrimp!

The following morning, we rope-dropped California Adventure and rode several rides!

Hello Cars Land!

Going down Route 66!

I got to see Red! He's my favorite!

 While out and about we got to see Chip and Dale! They were so excited to see us!

Happy Chipmunks!

Lots of love from Dale!

We dropped into the Twilight Zone!

Toy Story is our favorite! I actually got the high score for our car!

We pretty much did everything in California Adventure we wanted to do by noon, so we headed over to Disneyland and checked out the new Star Wars stuff they had! The Launch Bay ended up being one of our favorite things on the trip. They had a great small film talking about the impact the past Star Wars films had on movie making and where they were going in the future.

Then we got to meet Kylo Ren! They had us stand in a hallway to wait and so we started chatting. Then suddenly, he appeared from around the corner and just stared us down! He finally invited us in and said "I sense you sympathize with the resistance." I said he was correct. He told me that was unfortunate...he could teach me about the dark side of the force. After our picture he told us to give his condolences to those in the resistance. It was one of the BEST character interactions I have ever had!

Kylo Ren trying to use Jedi mind tricks on me.

I guess it isn't appropriate to side hug Kylo Ren??? I didn't feel like it at all!

Outside the exit they had a place for you to take photos with a lightsaber! Haha.

I'm feeling it. Just need the robe!

The force run strong in my family!

We then checked out the Blue Bayou for lunch...one of my other favorite meals!

The menus lit up!

Before we left the park we ended up stopping to get mom her Mother's Day present...a silhouette of her with my brother and I (who sent me a picture before we left!). 

Hand cut. Saying hi to Walt as he looks over the town square!

That night we "carb loaded" at PCH Grill before going to bed early because the next day...we raced!

I could write a whole review about the Tinkerbell race, but I don't think I would be able to add any more than others have already written on other blogs. I enjoyed the course immensely. It was a little weird running down Main Street "backwards" away from the castle and not going down the main street for Cars Land. But the out and back nature of going through Anaheim helped the "non Disney" miles go by quicker. I am THRILLED that they switched to having Photopass photographers on the course because we were able to get awesome pictures like these!

About to run through the castle!

So awesome!

I don't know what we are smiling at, but we are apparently having a good time!

Finish line!

We did it!

My mother (who runs much faster than me) really pushed me on my pace this race. Not to mention we had just a great time chatting as we ticked off the miles. It was such a great race and we finished in pretty much 2:30 on the dot!

After the race we headed back to Disneyland. We got done so quick (and were able to walk back to our hotel) that we pretty much walked into the part shortly after it opened!

It's tradition...gotta take our pictures with our medals in front of the castle!

We rode our E ticket attractions today! Indiana Jones and Hyperspace Mountain galore! We also made our way to the Launch Bay again and we ran into Boba Fett!

Apparently I look like a spy that he needs to take back to Jabba the Hut.

Our second way through Hyperspace Mountain!

Let me say, Hyperspace Mountain was our favorite ride the whole trip! We loved the Star Wars overlay. Going up the hill and hearing the main title theme gave me goosebumps!

The rest of the evening we relaxed and saw the last things on our list.

Dole Whip while watching the Enchanted Tiki Room? Perfection!

Then we capped off the night with watching the Paint the Night Parade and the Disneyland Forever Fireworks!

We ended up snagging a spot on Main Street right before the parade started!

These shows were my fondest memories. Watching everyone interact together with the floats (which were spectacular in themselves) was hilarious. And then we all moved into the street together to watch the fireworks. Everyone was singing and dancing together as they moved from song to song. It literally feels like you are there with thousands of your best friends! 

The following morning we had to leave, but we didn't leave before hanging out with our favorite characters at Goofy's Kitchen!

Chef Pluto!!!

The character interactions took the "waffle" (get it? It's breakfast so not cake...). Dale recognized my ears to be like Pluto and he refused to take a photo with me until I took them off!

Of course, Pluto loved them!

Did I mention my favorite, gluten-free Mickey Waffles?????

Last goodbye!

Disneyland has such a special place in my heart. It was my first park as a baby and the history behind it strikes a chord in my heart. I actually like it being a smaller park. It does not lack for things to do and it feels more immersive due to the compactness of it. I prefer the Disneyland version of several rides (like Haunted Mansion, Pirates, It's a Small World, etc) as well. 

It was such a fun vacation. A whirlwind for sure...and I'm fairly certain I am still on California time. But we had such a wonderful time and lots of precious memories together. I know I will certainly cherish the fun Mom and I had together for a long, long time.

But the fun doesn't have to stop here! If you want a more in depth look you can check out all the Go Pro video I got from the trip! You can watch us on Radiator Racers, going upside down on California Screamin', hanging out in Tower of Terror, our awesome Jungle Cruise Skipper and more! 

Have a great rest of the day and see you real soon!

Geocaching Trip to Brenham, TX

In case you want to watch our trip and not read...here is the Go Pro footage from the weekend! While these videos were primarily used for scrapbooking purposes, if you would like to see the places we got to go, you can check out the youtube playlist for this trip below!

So as explained last week, Jared and I went on a camping trip to Brenham where we also attended a Geocaching Mega Event. This was our first ever event of this type and we were very excited!

First of, we ended up camping at Nails Creek State Park. It's not my favorite State Park ever, but it does has a very long trail that goes all the way around the west side of the lake. It's almost 30 miles long if I can remember. Jared and I walked four miles of it the last time we were here. It was pretty, but nothing too memorable.

What was interesting is that they had many of the camping spots closed down because of flooding. So all the available spots were equestrian locations. We picked one in the back corner where there was a little bit of privacy. Good thing too. While we were alone on Thursday night, Friday and Saturday we had almost a whole suburb of people join us. They were blasting music and talking really loud. I honestly don't understand why people do that. It's so inconsiderate and personally against everything I believe camping is about.

Anyhow.

The Geocaching event taking place was hosted by the Texas Geocaching Association. It is an Amazing Race style competition where they hide around 100 geocaches in the area. There are regional teams (think North Texas, Central Texas, East Texas, etc) and those team race to see how many geocaches they can find over the course of three or four hours. There's special points awarded for teams that find geocaches first and things like that. It was a very cool concept.

Geocachers celebrate milestones with coins. Here's our coin from the event!

While we understand that Jared and I are abnormalities for work schedules, we were a little surprised at the demographics of the group. There were hardly any 20-somethings there and mostly older, retirees at the festival. Also, there seemed to be a ton of people that were more interested in drinking than doing geocaching. So much for making new friends that we would want to hang out with.

First event of the weekend.

One thing that was very awesome though is that Brenham and Washington County have a geotour, where they have a list of geocaches at interesting or historical places that you should visit. Theirs included the place where the Texas Declaration of Independence was signed, the cute little town of Chappell Hill, the original location of Baylor University up in Independence and the church where Sam Houston was baptized. We also got to see the location of Sam Houston's house. While it put several miles on the Jeep, the tour itself was incredible. The weather was impeccable and we loved driving through the country side with all the bluebonnets starting to bloom. We got a really cool geocoin for completing the tour (you get clues in each geocache that you then have to write on a "passport") and we loved seeing all the cool historical spots and shops in town.

Bluebonnets in bloom at Washington on the Brazos

On the porch of a store in Chappell Hill where we had to
walk up and down Main Street to solve a lab cache.

Antique carrousel in Brenham

Location where they signed the Texas Declaration of Independence

Example of a clue in the geocache!

Up in Independence at the site of Sam Houston's house (it's actually across the street from us)

 Speaking of cool shops in town, we of course had to stop at Blue Bell while we were there. There was a cool pottery place as well and of course, the airport!

Blue Bell!

Our crew grabbing a cache at a winery!

The other thing that was very cool at the event was the introduction of Lab Caches. These are geocaches that are only available for a certain amount of time (in this case, the weekend of the event) and were field puzzles you had to complete. They ended up coinciding with many of the geotour spots so we were able to complete them in a reasonable amount of time. However, it was sad to see that on the leaderboard, there was a ton of cheating. Someone completed the puzzle in 0h0m. Hmmmmmm.....

Our congrats message for completing the lab caches!

However disappointing our fellow humans can be sometimes, we loved the lab caches and the tour. These were actually the highlights for us as the event seemed a little disorganized with a lack of information and communication to those wanting to come see what it was all about.

Next on the blog, I really want to share our new obsession, hammocks! So look for that in the next week or so!

Details about our hammock system next week!

Happy Birthday Mom!

Today is a pretty special day...it's my mom's birthday!!!

My mom is a pretty special lady. ;) Not only is she absolutely beautiful, but she is an amazing woman! I am completely blessed to have her as a role model!

Here's what I love about Mom:

1. She introduced me to Disney and chocolate. What else does a girl need???

2. She's a hard worker. She has tirelessly worked her whole life to be the best at what she does and she never gives up. I hope I can be the best at what I do just like her.

3. She is the most loyal person I know. If I'm into something or my brother is into something, she jumps in 100% and learns about that thing with you. From my days working at the winery to our new runDisney obsession, she loves sharing what you love. And to boot? She sticks with you no matter what.

4. She loves to travel! I have had the opportunity to travel to so many places because of her love for travel! I am so blessed to have had all the experiences I have had and I know my love for travel comes from her and Dad. Thank you for schlepping me all over the world so that I could experience so many things!

5. She is the best teacher. Yes, yes she teaches at Rice. But she's also a great teacher for life. If she doesn't know how to do it, she finds someone who does (hello Spanish and music!). But she's taught me so many things. Like how to make a cheesecake (and cook in general). She taught me about history, how to read and write, how to do a resume, how to make friends. She builds fences, can do-it-yourself on many things around the house, and knows how to shop sales!!!! I have the best person to learn alongside with.

6. She is super compassionate. But what's awesome about her compassion is that she doesn't just look at your plight and go "poor baby" and bring you some milk. But she tells you the things you need to hear to give you that extra push to move past it. I think this is super rare. I'm able to talk to her whenever I'm having a meltdown and be able to move on with her encouragement.

7. She's my best friend. We get together and we can just talk! From Disney to running to clothes she and I just can go on for hours! It's a problem when we are on a trip and we need to get up early in the morning, but it's one of the most cherished things about her that I love!

To thank you Mom for being so awesome. Today we celebrate you!

Love always,
Madelyn

Geo-what?

The title of this blog is a question that Jared and I, along with many other geocachers, hear when telling someone about geocaching. We call them muggles. Just that fact alone makes my inner Harry Potter nerd so happy!

But while wizards in Harry Potter want to keep muggles ignorant of the wizarding world, geocachers actually embrace them and try to convert them to love geocaching just as much as we do. So, let me answer the question to "Geo-what?"

Geocaching is basically a worldwide treasure hunt game. When GPS first came out to the public, a guy named Dave Ulmer decided to test it's accuracy by hiding a bucket of trinkets in the middle of the woods with a log book and see who could find it. Much to their amazement, it was found in a day. This sparked many others to hid things in the woods and share the coordinates to see if someone would be able to find it.

Thus geocaching was born. Hide a container somewhere. Put a log in it. Post the coordinates. See who finds it!

Jared and I love geocaching for a few reasons.

1) People often place geocaches in areas they find beautiful. We have been on so many hikes led by geocache coordinates that have been gorgeous. We would have never tried these trails otherwise. For example, we went camping in Austin and found this beautiful spring in the middle of nowhere...because there was a geocache nearby!

The spring trickled down and created a little waterfall.

It was so beautiful!

2) The geocaches also take us through historically significant spots when touring new places! Again, these are places we may have never known otherwise. When we went to Boston, we got to see where the first telephone conversation was made from along with the entire Boston Freedom Trail. It was like our own personal tour guide!

I got to toss "tea" into the Boston Harbor!

3) Some of the geocaches are very creative. Our favorites are where people obviously take the time to make the hunt and find very entertaining. Sure, we will find the pill bottles stuck in trees, but we really love not only a challenge, but a great container. Here's a video of a geocache that Jared gained some inspiration from for the geocache that he hid.


4) Geocaching can literally be done around the world. Check out Europe and all the geocaches there!

So Jared and I highly encourage you to check out geocaching.com and sign up for a free account. You can geocache from your smart phone and they have great tools for beginners to find out how to begin. May your adventures be many!