5 more gone

pounds that is.

Good little greenbelt hike and Adonis!

Went on a short hike yesterday along the Barton Creek Greenbelt with a friend named Nikki. We hiked close to 4 miles and it felt great, which was a good little precursor to the hike I'm going on today.

I also managed a good swim at the gym. Nikki came with me and she and I marveled at all the hot guys out at poolside. But alas she and I are heartbroken today after seeing this one guy yesterday who we thought was absolutely the most gorgeous guy we've ever seen in our lives. He was an Adonis and in one sweeping moment he took our breaths away and stole both our hearts instantly, and then in that same instant crushed them both to dust because we knew we would never lays eyes on such perfection again. Dramatic I know, but it's the truth.

So Nikki now wants a gym membership to lifetime fitness and she and I think we need to become regulars in some hope that we will be fortunate enough to lay eyes once again on the perfect man and who knows Nikki might even strike up the nerve to say hi. Me? I just want to gawk. :)

*note to self...bring camera to gym*

Learning guitar

Actually I'm re-learning. I dabbled in guitar many years ago and loved playing but at some point my interests changed and I moved on to other things. I can't believe I have forgotten just about everything I used to know and how I'm having to re-learn it all. I guess that's not such a bad thing in reality. It's challenging me and I love to be challenged.

I haven't been getting professional lessons, but several of my friends play and they are teaching me things here and there. I am thinking about hiring a professional teacher though and really learn it all. Then one day I'll surprise all my friends with an amazing solo. I hear one has to practice about 10,000 hours to be an expert at something. I don't think I'll have that kind of time, but we'll see. ;)

Southeast Metropolitan Park

Great little hike today(Sunday). In attendance were Thomas, Mykel, myself, and Elliott.

I don't think we got very many miles out of this one because it felt over so quick, but what it lacked in mileage it more than made up for in a beautiful trail with nice little ups and downs the whole way...oh and it has lots of shade! We did take the group camp site side trail and it was a nice little extra that made for a good uphill pull when coming back out of it.

There were some great views of downtown Austin in a couple of places and plenty of peaceful places to chill out and relax. This is a trail I'll be frequenting on my own from now on. There don't seem to be many people using it, which is surprising considering how well marked and maintained it is. SE Metro Park gets two thumbs up from me.

Dana Peak

Last Sunday I went hiking with my usual partners, but also brought along my friend Elliott (first pic below). I hope Elliott will accompany us again as he proved to be a worthy hiking partner.

It was one of the more taxing hikes due to the heat and there being almost zero shade. I am guessing we hiked between 5 and 6 miles, considering the trail map was almost worthless and we did get off track somewhat. In any case, it felt like we hiked 10 miles that day because of the heat. Amazing how 96 degrees can feel more like 110! Summer is definitely not my favorite time of year to be out hiking. I can't wait for the fall!
Thomas and Mykel resting on summit.
Beautiful view from my perch at the top. The breeze coming off of the lake was most welcomed by us all.

10 pounds lighter since my last weight news

This makes my weight loss total so far a little over 60lbs. I still have another 60-70lbs to lose, but I'm not worried about it. The weight has come off so easily I'm amazed. At this point it's all a matter of time and patience to finally be thin again.

I am getting closer and closer to my goal of treating myself to a wild cave tour. I could probably squeeze through the cave I have in mind now, but that would be cheating. I have to meet my goal first.