Hello virtual buddies,

I was just thinking about stretching boundaries and trying new things and wondered what you guys are trying lately in order to stay healthy and keep moving forward with your goals. Do anything this week that you had to make yourself do, for which you were grateful in the end?

You know I did that race a few weeks ago, and that was the biggest risk I have taken in a long while. Of course since then, I've been playing it safe and coasting a bit. But September (the most wonderful time of the year) is just weeks away, and that is always a time of fresh starts. I'm window-shopping for my next goals.

The thing about trying new things that is hardest for me is feeling like an idiot. And I always do, until I learn the ropes and give myself a break. Let myself be a newbie, and not an expert. Dang, that is hard for me! I went and bought everything I needed yesterday to knit a great sweater, and today I have to go back to the store for better instructions from the pro, because I've already screwed up. But I will go, because I spent the money, and I WILL master this! There's the motivation.

I guess taking risks and trying new things is all about the motivation and the payoff. So what are yours these days?

Lynne

quote:

Originally posted by mountaingirl:
On the hiking thing, I can really see how having to stay dorm style with strangers would be a deterrant to taking an important course. Totally! Um, where is the coffee maker, that would be my first pressing question.

Actually, the question that kept me from going was, "Um, where are my wallet and car keys?" (laughing, but serious)

And, yes, I think I've been bitten. I'm not sure whether to thank you or curse you I'm on my way to either EMS or REI to find U.S.G.S. topographic maps of the Mt. Chocorua area and a compass. I found my compass skills book and my White Mountain Guide book yesterday.

The really good news is that there's hope for hiking partners. I let the cat out of the bag yesterday to DW (mixed reaction btw) who sat me down and forced me to go over a list of possibles. I had completely forgotten about two friends who do this stuff all the time. And I laughed out loud when I remembered that one of them is a cartographer! I can't wait to track them down to ask if they're interested.

Peg, regarding the GPS, I was reading a bit about it last night. Although my book is from 1998 (so I'm sure that this information is not quite accurate any longer), they were talking about the fact that GPS is only accurate to approximately 50 feet. And sometimes (for military purposes having to do with perceived enemies) the government does something to the signals which lessens the accuracy to 300 feet. The basic idea is that although GPS is wonderful, learn how to use a compass and carry maps. (I liken this to using a calculator is nice, but if you can't multiply and divide manually, you're not helping yourself. Of course, I can't think of situations where it's an emergency to perform long division.) And what if the batteries die?

(Oh, I just reread this and your post, Peg. I do not in any way mean my comments here as a chiding remark. I didn't tell you all that my first foray up this trail was with a bottle of water in my hand and the clothes on my back. Dumb, dumb, and did I say dumb?)

Like you, I plan to stay on well-marked trails. I have no desire to play Lewis & Clarke.

Well, I must head off. The treadmill awaits. And then to find maps.

In case I don't check the forum before you leave for vacation, Lynne, have a great one!

Bill

Hey, it's not my thread so take over at will, Bill. I wanted to just start some conversation about what it takes to step out, and I'm seeing it in your conversation It takes some measure of confidence that the thing intriguing you will be worth the effort, and some listing of what the costs are. For me, I need to the path to my goal padded with little comforts so I am reassured consistently. OK, I'm a closet conrol freak. Oh, you're not shocked by that?

On the hiking thing, I can really see how having to stay dorm style with strangers would be a deterrant to taking an important course. Totally! Um, where is the coffee maker, that would be my first pressing question.

Tomorrow my family is going on a little vacation which is giving me mild stress today because lots of factors will be out of my control. Food, costs along the way, differences of opinion, just to name a few. I am preparing for it by looking forward to the fun things we'll be doing, knowing that I do know how to get healthy food and be a pain about it when I have to, and trusting that we have planned for costs and squabbles(between our kids) as best we could. Best of all, I may get to go parasailing, which I did once as a teen - and it was awesome.

I guess risk taking is all about the payoff. I don't particularly get off on the tension, but lots of people do. I'm learning that it is part of the payoff in the end.

Lynne

Oh, for Pete's sake...just typed a long reply and somehow obliterated it. Anyway...

I think joining AMC would be a terrific plan if you aren't surrounded by fellow hikers. I have to admit I don't hike w/a compass or GPS (bad girl) but I also don't go off of well-marked, well-traveled trails either. Not too risky as a rule. I don't know that much about GPS (I'm an embarrasment to my fellow computer geeks) but I figure if it's a toy that gets you out and about, terrific. Certainly not a requirement to get going though. I know CMC offers introduction hikes and again, the guest thing is great if you're not too sure about this.

I would love to chat hiking anytime so post away!

Peg

quote:

Originally posted by mountaingirl:
My novel, which is really just a manuscript until it sells, is about a survivor.
Lynne

Dd loves to write. She has only finished one story but it was her senior thesis so it HAD to get finished. It is about the Magdaline Laundries in Ireland. It is fiction but based on her research of the real tragedies there.

Peg,

Thanks for the vote of confidence! Really. Actually, I am thinking of joining the AMC. I've been to their center at Pinkham Notch, and almost signed up for an orienteering course. (BTW, how do you feel about GPS? Is it just another fancy toy?) I didn't take it because it was a two-day course, and I didn't feel comfortable staying in a dorm-style bunkhouse (four to a room) with strangers. I'll have to get over that or find three friends to join me, and I don't see three of my friends doing that this so...

Okay. I feel like I'm taking over Lynne's thread so I'll stop here. Although I don't have lots of questions--yet--I would like to talk hiking with you after I've done some more research. Should I start another thread when I'm ready?

Thanks!

Bill

Hey Bill,
Don't feel too limited. You are walking 60 min a day regularly so you are probably in better condition for that hike than you think. I started hiking 3 years ago and trust me, I was not in the best of shape. You just have to pace yourself and make sure you have the right stuff like plenty of food, water and good shoes. I didn't run out and buy out REI for new equipment. I hiked in jeans and tennis shoes for a while and then once I discovered how much I enjoyed it, I started buying stuff piece by piece. Good boots will need to be an early purchase if you decide to take up the hobby and they are an investment but well worth it.

Anyway, wanted to encourage you to give it a try. Check in the AMC. The Colorado Mountain Club allows guests for trips w/o membership so you can give it a try. Don't hike alone!

Peg

Lynne,

I'm a walker, not a climber. The answer is no to your questions; and I give a hearty Hear! Hear! to not getting any younger.

Bill

Brenaumom,
First of all, congrats on your wonderful survival of your cancer. Just read about that on the homework thread, and I am so happy for you that the remission is going well! My novel, which is really just a manuscript until it sells, is about a survivor. There were so many survivors who did the Danskin triathlon and we were all juiced by their vigor.

Thanks for the instructions on felting, I would love to try that. I went and got the instructions for my project again yesterday, and was very glad I clarified my questions because it would have been a disaster. Now I have something fun to do on our long drive to our vacation this week. Knitting is so relaxing for me too.

Lynne

Bill, I have done Mt. Mondadnock twice with my family, but that's it for hiking. And both times I remember that I spent the way up thinking this is what I will have to climb back down, and being pretty nervous! Getting back down when you are already fatigued is the challenge for me. What's tough about hiking (and cylcling is like this too) is that once you find a companion, they are usually a high level "serious" climber, because it's one of those things you can't do halfway. Or perhaps that's just my inadequacy fears yelling at me again!
I would go for it, Bill, do you have kids you can drag along? Or a friend who can't say no to a challenge? You could always sweeten the deal by making a bargain - if you come climbing, I'll go - blank - with you next time. Whatever it takes! Gotta do those little nagging dreams, we aren't getting any younger, bud!

Lynne

Lynne,

Actually, I have always wanted to climb Mt. Chocorua in NH for, oh, 30 years. I tried once to go up the Piper Trail, but made a wrong turn and immediately turned back when I realized that something was wrong so that I wouldn't end up as the lead story on the six o'clock news. My friends and family think I'm nuts to want to do this, and I've been looking for hiking partner for this expedition for quite a while. Of course, I've also put this off because I haven't been in the best of shape.

If I remember correctly--and I may not be--according to the AMC Guide book, Piper Trail is not considered difficult. (I'll look for my copy to check their exact description.)

Have I peaked (pun intended) your interest?

Bill

I like to knit. It is calming to me. Of course, I am not doing any challenging projects. I make scarves. It only requires straight rows, back and forth. And actually, I don't like the "knit stich" because it is awkward to me and my stiches get to tight. So, I do the "purl stich" all the time.
I also like to felt my scarves. To felt you have to knit the scarf using 100% wool yarn (very hard to find in stores) and make it much bigger (width and length) than you want the finished product to be. After you have finished, put it in the washer with a couple of towels and some detergent. Wash them on the hottest setting you have. Then throw them in the dryer on the hottest setting you have. It turns your scarf into felt material. For more on felting you can look it up on HGTV.com on the Carol Duval show.
At the moment I am trying to learn to Crochet. So far I much prefer knitting but then again I am just beginning so I must give it more time.