Cook Family Blog

Where is Pablo?

Each and every photo of the Pablo stickers shared with me brought so much joy. The fact that you thought about where to place or take him, took the photo, and then emailed or texted it to us makes my heart happy. Here are all the places Pablo was stuck or went this past year.

Pablo Hydrating Many of You

The very first photo received – Pablo at work with Edwina

Pablo Decorated Christmas Trees

Pablo Watched Many Meals Eaten from Refrigerators

Pablo Visiting Beaches in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres

Fripp Island beach – one of Pablo’s favorite places to run in his life and the place he had freedom to move in a wide open space in his last year when his eyes failed him

Fun with the Merrell Family

Pablo Working on Clipboards, Notebook, and Computers

Pablo Joining in with Hobbies

Moving Around at Jayne and John’s House

Around the House

Out and About with Pablo

Trader Joe’s parking lot in Lexington, KY

Pablo Sighting in the Wild

At some point this year, I gave Human Bean (a drive thru coffee spot) a Pablo sticker because I saw a variety of stickers on their drive thru window and thought Pablo might be a fun addition. I was told by the employee that she would check with corporate and see if she could put Pablo on the window. Months later I got a text from a friend saying her daughter had spotted Pablo at Human Bean! It felt like a such a “in the wild” Pablo sighting. I went there to confirm and to my great delight, I saw the Pablo sticker in the window.

Pablo and Food

This one takes the prize for the text that made me laugh the loudest and longest. Pablo on a cat food container. The Coffee family had no idea that cat food was a favorite of Pablo’s whenever he got the opportunity to eat it. He regularly emptied cat food bowls at friend’s houses with cats.

Decalibron

In August 2020, we found ourselves in Colorado for a week-long vacation with friends. As with other trips to Colorado, I entertained thoughts about seizing the opportunity to climb a 14er, although I had no idea whether it would be possible.

My husband and I have the responsibility to care for our foster son, at the time, an 18-month-old toddler. Taking him on a hike that big seemed out of the question. But Peter encouraged me to take a day to solo hike, and he would cover the parenting duties. Now, that seemed like a doable plan.

I seriously questioned whether I had the energy. In the past 12 months, my body had been through a lot –last fall, I had miscarried, in the beginning of 2020, I had mono, and then well, we all know that the world was turned upside down in March.

I do not have to explain the extra doses of patience and energy required to any working mama of a toddler/infant when daycare closes and you are fortunate enough to still have a job. The added stresses of full-time parenting, part-time working (in my case), having a spouse working from home, and shouldering the normal responsibilities (whatever they might be for you) is not an easy adjustment to make. It was the most stressful and tiresome spring and summer of my life.

So when Peter told me about a trail within an hour drive of our accommodations in Breckenridge where I could summit four 14ers with one trail it certainly sounded efficient! A 7.5-mile trail where Mt. Democrat, Mt. Cameron, Mt. Lincoln, and Mt. Bross could all be summited. My research indicated that the descent of Mt. Bross was a little tricky – steep with scree (accumulation of loose rocks). I figured I would give the hike a try and just see what happened knowing I could back track at any point.

As I laid in bed the night before my hike, I took stock of my body. I felt depleted – physically, emotionally, and spiritually. The activities I had in my life that were energy giving in the beginning of 2020 were not available the past six months, and the additional demands and responsibilities since March were exceedingly draining. As much as I wished to summit all four 14ers, I told myself I would be happy to reach the summit of one of them.

Come morning, I reached the trailhead to start this adventure about 6:40 a.m. I realized I would not be the only one on the trail, nor would I be the last person on the trail. This was a comfort if I did indeed attempt the entire loop.

After passing Kite Lake, the hike up to Mt. Democrat was steep and tough. At one point, I questioned whether I had it in me to summit one of these 14ers, but I slowed my pace, looked down, and just kept putting one foot in front of the other. The pikas chirped continuously, and I viewed them as my cheerleaders!

At 9:15 a.m., I summitted Mt. Democrat – 14,154 ft. It felt like such an accomplishment and I shed emotional tears for what my tired body had just done. The views were impressive, but this peak yielded more of an internal moment than an external one. The summit quickly got crowded, and I started my descent back to the Democrat-Cameron saddle, which went fast and was fun, and I felt energized and eager to keep going. The ascent to Mt. Cameron was steep, but I had found my snail-like pace, and I still had the pikas chirping/cheering me on.

Looking back at Mt. Democrat from the ascent to Mt Cameron

The summit of Mt. Cameron was completely different – it was large and flat, and made me think you could have a huge party on it with no worries about falling off the top. It was about 11:10 a.m. when I reached the top – 14, 223 ft. At this point, I was feeling like I should keep moving as not to be on the mountains too late in the day. I usually like to be heading back down the mountain by noon, but I was not going to make that if I completed the loop. I did not linger long, but started on the portion of the hike where you stroll at 13,500-14,000 ft.

This was a part of the hike I was looking forward to and curious about. What does it feel like to hike on a relatively flat trail at such a high elevation? Well, it is enjoyable, not taxing to the lungs, and kind of exhilarating to think about the elevation you are hiking at.

High elevation hike with Mt. Lincoln in the background

Next, I popped up to Mt. Lincoln – summitted at 11:40 a.m. – 14,272 ft. The short ascent to the top was steep with views straight down on either side of me. I felt exposed. This was NOT my favorite peak. It did not help that I was following a gal that was afraid of heights. I am sure she had me feeling more fear than normal just watching her navigate to the summit with such trepidation and caution. I peered out toward Mt. Bross. It looked so far away, so I keep trucking – one more to go!

At this point I just kept moving as I wanted to make the fourth summit ASAP. I would feel much better once I was on my way down off the mountain. About ¼ mile shy of Mt. Bross, I had to stop to refuel and took the opportunity to look back at how far I had come. I was getting tired and needed some calories. The pause and fuel helped immensely, and the final push to Mt. Bross was done with ease – summitted at 12:45 p.m. – 14,184 ft. This summit was again large and roomy at the top. Bring your friends and have a party!

I was glad to have company on the top of this peak – more to know I would be descending with others in case things got tricky. The hike down was slow going. At one point, every step came with dislodging rocks and basically sliding a couple feet with every footfall. I collected lots of rocks and dust in my shoes. At 2:40 p.m., I found myself back at the parking lot. It is amazing the joy I felt seeing hikers I had conversed with earlier in the day who were safely done with their hike. You don’t catch names, but because of the shared experience, they are in your heart for the day.

On the drive back to Breckenridge, I reflected on the day. It was amazing that a physically demanding feat could energize me. The tackling of a goal, the summitting of FOUR 14ers in one day, the repeated sense of being on top of the world with each summit, the solitude of solo hiking, the immersion in God’s beauty, the responsibility of only myself – it was all so energizing. I learned how in this season of day-to-day challenges where so many things that I gain energy from are not available to me, I can take a day to myself, go enjoy God’s creation, and it will yield a fuller, better self come days end.

Behind the Scenes of the Christmas Card

Christmas Photo 2017 – Spherical Image – RICOH THETA

Every year Peter gets a great idea for our Christmas card. This year is no exception. It is his creative outlet. The level of effort, time spent in front of the camera, amount of post processing, and man power for assembly varies from year to year.

The inspiration for this year’s card was Cornett’s new 360 degree camera, the RICON Theta. Peter brought this camera home from work and the tinkering began.

The set for our first photo shoot was in our house and the results were not the best we could do. We took a few shots outside that day, but it was more playing with the camera than having intentions of a Christmas card worthy shot.

We thought the outside shots had promise, so this beautiful afternoon was our second photo shoot.

I thought some of you might like a look behind the scenes of the Cook Christmas card. As the clouds came and went, photos were taken, settings changed, our furry house guest Murphy stayed out of most of the shots, and Pablo napped when he was not obediently sitting on a crate and looking at the camera.

Full Tractor — The tractor makes transporting props a breeze

Christmas take Pablo and Murphy – Spherical Image – RICOH THETA

I enjoyed the nice day, watching my husband doing what he loves and creating something unique to share with our friends and family.

Behind the scenes 360 – Spherical Image – RICOH THETA

After the photo shoot, Peter put the camera on the tractor as I drove the props back to the house. So I will leave you with a clean-up shot and wishes of a wonderful 2018!

Uncle Paul

He is actually my Great Uncle Paul, my grandpop’s brother. He lived in Knoxville, TN since 2008. This allowed me to visit him several times when driving past the Knoxville area. He was always welcoming and going out for a meal was always involved in the visit.

I was lucky enough to see Grandpop and Uncle Paul together last fall to celebrate their September birthdays and a combined 186 years! It was humbling to know the amazing lives of those two and to be in their presence.

Grandpop and Uncle Paul - 186 combined years! — Grandpop and Uncle Paul – 186 combined years!

Uncle Paul passed in his sleep March 19, 2017. His step-daughter, Barbara, presided over the grave-side service. Below is a transcript and wonderful summary of Uncle Paul:

Barbara: …Paul was a very, very private person. He had one of the sharpest minds I have ever known and he seemed to enjoy a challenge of any kind that he was involved in. He liked the challenge at work, on the golf course, and even solving the daily crossword puzzle and jumble in the newspaper. He and I did that every morning.

He was definitely a numbers man. He compared his figures out throughout the years for business and we found reams of paperwork where he had compared his figures.

He had a really dry sense of humor, or I thought that he did. He would throw out an unexpected remark that would make you laugh. His niece, Nancy, recalls a fond memory of the occasion, on the birthday while she was at UT, that Paul took her to Gatlinburg to eat, but on the way he had very little to say. Wilma encouraged her to continue talking and said eventually Paul would say something and he did – he asked “Are you ever quiet?”

Paul and I became closer friends after mom’s death and I am going to really miss him, especially our daily morning breakfasts at the Crystal, which was a big thing with us. Everyone we became acquainted with there enjoyed talking to Paul, that is if he had his hearing aide in. He got a big kick out of everybody thinking how much younger he looked than his age. They thought he and I looked the same age.

He enjoyed sports, but his great love was golf, at which he really excelled. He spent many happy hours on the golf course, but I feel he is even happier now being with God, Mom, his parents, and his golfing buddies. No more health problems, or worries for Paul, and his lonely times are gone. We are all really going to miss Paul.

Would anybody else like to say anything in memory for him?

Linda (niece): I am his other niece, Linda, and I remember the summer I was 16, my family had gone down to Oakridge for vacation. I stayed two weeks longer and Uncle Paul taught me how to water ski. My husband, who I had just started dating at the time, his family had a boat and they all water skied and I knew nothing about it, but I was determined that I had to learn to water ski. So I took those two weeks and you know Paul didn’t really say a lot and I also didn’t really say much, so I am sure it was pretty comical, a silent learning how to water ski. By the end of the two weeks, I had managed to accomplish that.

Shannon (step-granddaughter): Within the last few years, I got some bad news, I ended up with breast cancer and Paul came to the hospital and spent the whole time with me. It meant a lot to me. That is my fondest memory and probably the closest me and Paul have ever been. He was there for me when I needed him the most.

Linda (niece): I would also like to say, I was not very close to my uncle because of distance, but in the past 2 ½ years we have seen him more than I have since I was married and we really enjoyed it. I know my dad was really forming a special bond with Paul because my sister was bringing him here to visit when she would go to a UT game. I know they were forming a deep bond and he loved it. That was all dad wanted for his birthday was to come and spend it with Paul. Dad really wanted to be here.

Logan (step-great grandson): The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restores my soul: he leadeth me in the path of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou prepares a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Psalm 23 KJV

To celebrate Uncle Paul, Mom, Dad, Peter, and I had breakfast at Crystal. I had the “Uncle Paul Special.”

Remembering Uncle Paul at his favorite breakfast place - Crystal Burger — Remembering Uncle Paul at his favorite breakfast place – Crystal Burger

The workers at Crystal all knew Uncle Paul. It was heartwarming to see how his daily breakfasts there impacted the workers. I am constantly amazed at how God locates friends and family and orchestrates work and trips as to spend time with those in our lives.

Fun with Renee

Today I celebrate my dear friend, Renee, on one of her milestone birthdays, I want to share some of the fun and adventures we have had over the years. We met at The Space Between, a mid-week, 20-something gathering at Southland Christian Church. As engineers are apt to do, we gravitated to each other, or maybe we were divinely guided, either way, the fun started immediately and has never stopped.

Here is just a fraction of the fun we have had together over the last 12+ years:

We tap into our creative side at Halloween coming up with no-cost costumes we can wear together. As engineers, we still have to be thrifty! We’ve have been the Nancy Kerrigan and Tonya Harding duo, beach volleyball players, and one year there was a biohazard theme going on at my house.

Beach volleyball players. — Beach Volleyball Players.

We have celebrated birthdays and weddings.

Mike Pelfrey's Wedding — Mike Pelfrey’s Wedding

Steph's 30th Birthday Party — Steph’s 30th Birthday Party

There have been bad recipe parties, progressive dinners, Oreo elections, free root beer float runs all around town, and weekly dinners together where the only rule is a new recipe must be tried and pizza is always the back-up plan.

Renee and I have met up in Huntington, West Virginia; Vasteras, Sweden; and the Noordam cruise boat in Vancouver, BC. I have visited her in Columbia, South Carolina. We have traveled to MI and NY together.

Fun in Sweden — Fun at the Skansen in Sweden.

More fun in Sweden. — More fun in Sweden with amazing views.

Getting my FURminator fix in Columbia, SC.

Renee invited me to Pumpkinfest one year, an annual event I always look forward to assuming Renee still invites me!

My only ice skating lesson came about because of Renee. I had a blast and know why she likes it! We have attempted “vaulting” at the Horse Park during a warm-up event prior to the World Equestrian Games. Attended musical events together. I have watched ice skating shows and routines. We have even made pretzels together. Truly I think we would try just about anything!

Jen's new vaulting moves. — Jen’s new vaulting moves.

Taking in a musical performance with one pair of binoculars, no problem.

We have looked after each other’s houses, collected mail, checked on pets, painted, cleaned, removed wallpaper, worked in the yard, and all sorts of other chores and duties for and with each other. I can only imagine the people we have entertained taking all sorts of crazy items down the street from one house to the other – a vacuum comes to mind as one of the items.

First thing done at my current house was wall paper removal with Renee! — The first thing done at my current house was wall paper removal with Renee!

New cat to watch if only we still lived on the same street.

Renee – you are my best friend and I cherish the silly, the fun, and the crazy that happens when we get together. You have taught me how to snag a good deal, shared the best places to thrift shop, taught me that just about anything can be categorized and analyzed with spreadsheets, inspired me in your adult hobbies, introduced me to a cat with the biggest personality, and I discovered our comfort zone is huge when the two of us are doing it together. I look forward to where in the world we will rendezvous in the next 12 years. I also chuckle thinking about us as old ladies! I send you all my best today from Kentucky and wish hugs and smiles could fit in an envelope to sent through the mail. I love you my friend.

Fifty Bucks

Today, on what would have been Pap’s 92nd birthday, I wanted to share a story about fifty bucks I have supposedly owed him since the day I was born.

I am the oldest grandchild on my father’s side and with that I feel like I have a particularly special relationship with my pap (grandfather). There are a couple reasons for this. To me, Pap made me feel special. His kind words as we said goodbyes after a visit, his compliments when introducing me to friends and extended family members, his instructions to boyfriends/husband to take care of me, or the way I just “fit” in his arms for those awesome Pap hugs made me feel extra special in his eyes. Now, I imagine each one of us grandchildren can say similar things about Pap. But one thing that was just between us was me being teased by my pap, as long as I can remember, that I cost him fifty bucks when I was born and therefore I owed him those fifty bucks,

Pap and I at my high school graduation party. — Pap and I at my High School Graduation Party.

Since I can’t remember the day I was born, from what I have been told, this is how it all went down and why I have owed Pap fifty bucks:

Pap had a hunting camp in Tionesta, PA. The camp was being built the year I was born. As a matter of fact, Pap was up at camp on Friday, September 23, 1977. He had headed up early and my parents were planning to join him after my dad got off work that Friday.

Let me pause here and say that my mom was pregnant and due in November. Mom and Dad had just attended their first lamaze class the night before, Thursday, September 22. My mom had been feeling a bit crampy that afternoon and mentioned this to the instructor after class. The instructor was not concerned and my mom went home to a fitful night’s sleep.

The next morning she told dad she was ok and didn’t feel any worse and he went off to work. Mom planned on canning bread and butter pickles with a friend, Barb, that day. Barb was to cut up and deliver the cucumbers and mom was going to can them. She wasn’t feeling great at this point, worse than the night before actually, when the cucumbers were delivered by Mike, Barb’s husband. So Barb ended up canning the pickles while mom watched and with the encouragement of Barb ended up going to the hospital. It became apparent that I was not waiting until November to enter the world and mom had been experiencing labor.

To continue the story: due to the events transpiring back home in Butler, there was need to talk with Pap. No cell phones back then kids, so Grandma called the state police and asked them to get a message to Pap. A policeman drove up to the cabin and found that Pap was not there, so he tacked a note to the door with a message saying “call home immediately.”

Pap had been in Tionesta, probably for dinner, and when he returned to the cabin he saw the note and accurately thought something happened at home. His mind thought his wife or one of his children had been hurt, in an accident, or had an emergency. His first grandchild about to enter the world did not even cross his mind.

So Pap jumped back into the vehicle and drove quickly back to Tionesta to make a call home. In his haste, he blew through a stop sign and was seen and promptly pulled over by a policeman. As the policeman wrote out a ticket, Pap explained that his reason for failing to stop at the stop sign was due to a note he found on the cabin door instructing him to call home immediately and he was concerned something had happened at home. At this point the policeman realized he was already familiar with this situation because he was the very same policeman who had delivered the note.

You would think Pap would be off the hook right? But the policeman had already started writing out the ticket and apologized to Pap saying he could not tear it up. So Pap got a fifty dollar ticket for failing to stop at a stop sign while driving to town to call home to find out his first grandchild was born.

And with this, Pap thought it quite appropriate to remind me as often as he thought of it that I owed him fifty bucks for being born because that is what I cost him.

God’s Gift of Time

I am writing this about a year after Pap died. I have spent periods of time looking back at Pap’s last several years of life and marveling at the time I had with him. You see, ever since I graduated from college, I have lived 6.5 hours from Pap.

Growing up, Grandma and Pap literally lived over the creek and through the woods and a wee bit more from us. It was just part of life to see them often. When I graduated college and moved to Kentucky for my first job, it took more effort and planning to see my grandparents.

woods-road

After changing jobs in 2009, travels for work often took me to the Pittsburgh area starting in 2010. This gave me many opportunities to visit Pap. Between 2010 and March 2015, I traveled to western PA about two dozen times. That probably equated to at least 15 extra visits with my pap! What a blessing.

For the last couple years of Pap’s life, each time I said goodbye to him after a visit I would wonder if I would see him again. Peter and I spent Christmas 2014 in PA with my family and of course visits with Pap. He was noticeably frailer, a bit more unsteady, and had been having some health issues. I was grateful for a long trip to PA over Christmas and New Year and the family time that afforded.

Come March 2015, I found myself in PA for work. This was two weeks after buying a house in the country. I had made a plan to take Dad back to KY with me after the work trip. Dad was going to help with some work on the new house for which I was incredibly thankful.

While in PA, I recall visiting Pap and Eleanor. I remember seeing the joy my parent’s dog, Marley, brought to Pap’s face as he ran around the living room and played and was an energetic, entertaining puppy. I remember telling Pap about the new house and what all Dad and I planned to work on. I remember leaning over to kiss Pap goodbye and seeing a twinkle in his eye and a smile on his face as he told me how good it was to see me, to be a good girl, and to take care of myself.

That next week as Dad and I were working on the new house, Pap went into the hospital. All week we kept in close contact with my mom and aunts in Butler, getting updates on Pap. My mom was to drive down to KY at the end of the week and we were to spend Easter together. My parents returned home Easter day and went straight to see Pap. I spoke with Dad that night as he was showing Pap pictures of the new house. I heard Pap in the background sending a greeting. Dad said he was doing well and thought he would go home in a few days. I had no thoughts to driving home to PA. That was on Sunday night.

Monday had a completely different tune. Pap had declined, he was medicated to be made comfortable. My Aunt Chris was en route from Seattle to Pittsburgh to get home to see Pap. I spoke with Dad and contemplated heading home too and Dad wisely stated “What do you want your last memory of Pap to be?” If I felt I needed to see him again get in the car and drive up. If I was content with my last memory of Pap, just stay put. At that moment I cried tears of thankfulness to God as I remembered the twinkling eyes and little smile I had so recently seen on Pap’s face just over a week before.

Pap held on until Aunt Chris made it in to see him and he passed on Tuesday afternoon. I like to think it was about the time I was having lunch with my boss and coworker and telling them of the opportunity my recent trip to PA had given me to see my pap and how thankful I was for that opportunity.

The events in the first quarter of 2015 were wonderfully orchestrated. The buying of the a house, my work trip to PA, visiting with Pap, Dad’s work trip to KY, Pap going into the hospital, Mom joining us for Easter, Mom and Dad getting back to see Pap, Aunt Chris making it in town to see Pap. So many things going on and from my perspective they seemed to fit together perfectly.

When I was in the midst of this time, I didn’t realize the extent of God’s gift. Only that I had gotten to see Pap so close to his passing. But on further reflection, I see God’s gift started when I was hired at Donan. The work travel to western PA so often, the number of visits with Pap over the last five years of his life.

I know God gave me the gift of time with my pap and the opportunity for my last memory to be observing the joy Marley brought him, sharing my excitement about a new house, kissing a soft cheek goodbye, seeing twinkling eyes and a cute little smile, and hearing those familiar words of gratitude for the visit, request to take care of myself, and “be a good girl.”

Thank you God, for the gift of time.

Half Iron

The beginning of 2014, Peter and I talked about doing a half iron triathlon. Peter searched races for the 2014 season and found one in Kentucky, only about 1.5 hrs from our house in Laurel Lake. When the early registration date approached, I decided to go for it and sign up. The race date was July 12, certainly not the coolest month in Kentucky, but the close proximity to Lexington and small race since it was the first year for the race won me over. Peter still had thoughts of signing up, but was working through a knee injury and held off.

So swimming at the Y became a weekly workout, I ran with Run This Town (a mentoring running program that gets kids running and working toward a 10K race) a couple times a week in the spring and biked now and again. I did not follow a prescribed workout plan. I mentally had an idea of how I wanted to workout and I pretty much stuck to it. Each week adding a mile to a long run or hike from the 10K race in May, biking to the Y to swim or run or yoga each week and participating in local supported bike rides (Red Bud Ride and Preservation Pedal).

Many journeys have a crisis of faith moment and mine occurred on June 29. Peter and I drove to Laurel Lake to participate in a group ride of the bike course. The group was small and at a fitness level much higher than mine, so needless to say I worked really hard to keep up with the group for the first 7 miles or so after which the routine then became to ride at ones own pace and regroup at turning points. The bike route was challenging with three decent-sized hills and by the end I was hurting – both mentally and physically. The plan was to run a couple miles after the bike. Peter and I switched our bike shoes for running shoes and off we went, well kinda. My calves seized up immediately and then I had to pee real bad and I was mentally beat down from the bike ride and it was all I could do to hold myself together. We muddled through 2.5 miles and I was having some serious doubts about this tri in two weeks. I spent the afternoon at the pool, swam 1.25 miles and relaxed with some friends. The next day I did a night run of about 11 miles. Covering the distance in two days that I would on race day helped give me some confidence back. Also some great advice from a friend and reminding myself that my goal was always to finish grounded me and subdued my mental doubts.

Race weekend came and I was surrounded by the best cheering section I could have ever imagined. Friday evening dinner and s’mores were enjoyed before a night’s sleep listening to whip-poor-wills sing all night. I am sad I do not have a group photo of my cheering crew, but Peter, Pablo, Steph, Garrett, Pogo, Royden, Dorothy, Summer, Ryan, Anna and a quick stop by Mr. and Mrs. Church made me feel like a rock star during this race. Thank you to these awesome folks for braving the sun and heat to support me. It meant so much and was so encouraging throughout!

The morning of the race, I headed to the transition area to ready my items, take some before photos and get a bit nervious. As 7:30 approached, fog rolled in over the lake, to the point the buoys disappeared. But off we went at 7:32. I simply followed the swimmers in front of me praying they were going the right direction. Once I rounded the fourth buoy and headed back in the direction of the shore, visibility was much better. Turns out the first few swimmers missed the last buoy and well, there was no changing the masses, so the swim was a skosh shorter. The temperature of the lake was perfect. Probably 80. It felt great.

Ready as I am going to get. — Ready as I am going to get and decked out in my Donan apparel.

The water felt so great, I was sad for the swim to end. Out of the water in 52 minutes and to the transition area. Steph and Garrett definitely recorded the transition for me! The day was sunny with no clouds. The high ended up being 95 maybe. Although those temps would wait for my run leg. At the top of the hill out of the transition I spotted the Kern family who sent me off on the killer bike course I rode two weeks earlier. I had a slower mph pace the first 10 miles compared to a couple weeks ago. It showed me how hard I worked the first time I rode this course. Going down the first big hill, a biker in front of me sprung a leak in his back tire. I immediately started praying protection over my bike. I really do not know what I would have done if I had mechanical issues with my bike. That same biker passed me numerous miles later with a new tire. I was glad to see him back on the road.

Peter worked the bike aid station and I stopped on the way out to top off my water bottle and remove an insert from my right shoe. I wore two inserts in my bike shoes hoping to avoid pain on the outside ball of my left foot that I have experienced on bike rides that are more than 40 miles. I found my right foot was getting tingly and since the pain was mostly on my left foot, the right insert had to go.

Then off for a nice out and back bike ride and it was nice. I felt good and had conversation with some other athletes and cheered on bikers that were headed back. The leader passed me when I was only at mile 17 – those pros are impressive! On the way back I came up to the aid station and saw a huge cheering crew – Peter, Pablo, Steph, Garrett, Mr. and Mrs. Chruch – it was awesome! Thanks guys. I stopped for a water bottle refill and to eat a snack.

I tackled the last big hill and it was not nearly as painful as the first time. With about 6 miles to go, my left foot started hurting and I started praying over and over and over again for God to cushion my foot and dull the pain. The pain never increased to the level I felt two weeks ago when I rode the course. I made sure to stretch my calves out at the end of the bike before entering the transition area after the 4 hour ride. I didn’t want my calves seizing up again. I took my time at transition. I knew this next leg would be the toughest for me. I drank and ate, changed shoes, reloaded with snacks and stretched. Then off for what Dorothy said was “just a little run.”

Steph accompanied me on the bike until the woods. It was hard to get in a groove and I walked some to continue to stretch out my legs. I was happy to get to the woods and into the shade. The run was two loops and the first loop is a bit disappointing when you see the mile markers and you know the 3 mile sign is for you rather than the 7 mile sign, but I keep plugging away, jogging the downhills and level stretches and walking the uphills. An aid station was a great surprise in the woods as I was getting pretty thirsty and on exiting the woods I was greeted by Steph!

Then up a long hill where I saw Peter and Pablo at the top. Next back onto a trail and the next aid station had a port-a-john, which I took advantage of, as well as the cold rags in a bin. I am telling you those aid stations were fantastic! As I ran on the road toward the woods for the second lap, I realized how grateful I was for the trail run and the shade it brought. The second time through the woods the higher mile signs were for me! About mile 9 my body was starting to tell me I was crazy. My hips and knees started hurting, but I was almost done. I pushed through the woods telling myself I would walk up the long hill of the marina road. I caught up to a Corbin woman at the exist of the woods and we walked up the hill together chatting about our race thus far. At the top of the hill I saw Peter, Pablo and Garrett. It was a nice pick-me-up and back into the woods. I saw Peter, Pablo, Garrett and Pogo two more times before the home stretch.

Got to run a few steps with Pablo the first time up the marina hill.

Ahhh, water at the top of the marina hill the second time.

Steph accompanied me the last mile, distracted me and helped the time pass. She also got to hear my complaining about the last 0.1 miles being long and tough! Jogging down the hill to the finish line I was so grateful – grateful to finish, grateful to have so many friends with me, grateful for the encouragement both in physical presence and notes and words of encouragement in the weeks and months previous, grateful to conquer this feat both physically and mentally and very grateful to have a lake to sink into to cool off after working hard for the last 8 hours and 15 minutes.

I have been asked “what about an ironman?” My answer is not a “no”, not a “yes”, but rather a “not yet.” I am not ruling it out, but I want to enjoy finishing a half iron for quite some time before considering my next tri challenge. I am certain numerous other goals will be set and conquered before I seriously consider an ironman distance. Until then, I will enjoy the fact I finished a half iron on a hot, sunny day on what other seasoned triathletes say was a very tough course!

A dog’s view

Ever wonder about a dog’s view. Peter and I have and thought what better way to get a dog’s view than to put a GoPro on a dog’s neck. So we seized the opportunity on a spring hike with my parents, Pablo and Scooby in The Pinnacles near Berea. Enjoy Pablo and Scooby views as well as some fun extras from this day of hiking.

Pablo get's the GoPro first. — Pablo gets the GoPro first.

A downed tree looks bigger when closer to the ground.

Pablo and Scooby hiking close to each other.

Dog's really only see our feet. — Dogs really only see our feet.

We encountered a hiker with two dogs, a mud puddle and took a rest break while Scooby wore the GoPro.

On Pablo's right flank. — On Pablo’s right flank following Mom.

Have a good hike. — Watching new friends continue on.

Dirty camera lens. — Dirty the camera lens.

Pablo knows something is in this downed tree trunk.

These two had a great time hiking and wrestling.

The GoPro allowed us a glimpse into a dog’s view during the hike. Quite entertaining and educational. Probably not the only time we will strap a camera onto pets in our house!

Scooby

Future service dog number three came into our home in February 2014. A black male aussie doodle about four months old. The extra month in age was super helpful in the house training department when thinking back to Sophie who was only three months when we got her. This little guy came with the name Dexter, but the future owners wanted to name him Scooby, so we changed what we called him and I had the theme song from the cartoon Scooby Doo in my head for the next two months.

Scooby bonded strongly with Pablo and always wanted to play with him, follow him around, be with him. Pablo has been great with these pups – correcting, teaching boundaries, and playing with them. Pablo got to show his incredible tolerance with Scooby, whether is was being pulled around the backyard or smothered in the passenger seat in a vehicle.

When Pablo and Scooby were the same size.

We had a real winter here in Kentucky and Scooby enjoyed each snow fall and chance to get out in the snow. He would run in the snow and eat mouths full and just be a puppy.

Scooby also seemed to sleep in awkward and crazy positions. Since it was basically the only time he was still enough to get a decent picture due to his dark color fur, I have plenty of photos of him in his crazy sleeping positions. With all this crazy sleeping, he was not a snuggler. Relax was one of the hardest things for Scooby.

I will crash anywhere. — Scooby will crash anywhere.

Scooby often slept in the kitchen while I worked.

Seriously this dog would sleep anywhere.

One day while I was working at my computer at the kitchen table, Scooby pulled a chair cushion off a chair and curled up on it. He continued to do this through the duration he was with us. I thought it was cute and smart and never stopped him.

Even as Scooby grew, he still liked the chair cushions.

Sometimes repositioning the pillow was necessary.

Scooby was a bit more challenging than Sophie. He would test me more, check out everything in the house, was more about finding limits than pleasing me, but all in all was a joy and highly entertaining to have in the house. He fought sleep in the evening and we found he would get crazy and loud and just be a handful – he just needed put in his crate and would fall asleep immediately – like a toddler.

Looking for a good place to bury his rawhide.

He was a shoe mover, but thankfully, not a shoe chewer. He would often move a shoe and then sleep on it. He also knew the box of toys that was all his and he would take toy after toy after toy out of the box to play with.

Enjoyed his toy box. — Enjoying his toy box.

He was a boy – always wanting to wrestle Pablo, check things out, and ran around the house using the furniture as a launching pad to jump onto Pablo. He even would run around and jump over Pablo on some occasions. It is always fun when pups get to the teeth loosing stage. Combine that with all the wrestling, I have found teeth all over the house. With all the play, Scooby wore Pablo out and I think Pablo slept for a week straight after Scooby went to his new home.

We did go through a bought of worms with Scooby. Never fun with the random throwing up.

Scooby, just like Sophie, loved to search out his food. I would hide his kibble around the house or throw it on the garage floor or out in the yard and he would spend so much time smelling out all those kibble. Great way to occupy him!

As Scooby grew, his fur around his face and on his legs turned gray. He went from a 99% black puppy to a black and gray dog by the time he left us in May 2014.

Scooby’s home originally picked out for him changed and he ended up going to an Iraqi veteran to be his service dog and to volunteer at the VA. With Scooby’s draw toward males, he preferred Peter, and his fun spirit, he will do well at his job. I am always amazed with these dogs and the jobs they fill.