Flying

I've been able to experience many amazing adventures thanks to the help of the so many amazing people in my life. So, when one receives a call from a friend in need you should never hesitate to help them out if you're able to.

I was sitting on my bed, stressing over my bills on this particular weekday night when I received a call from my friend Bret. He & a friend needed a ride to the top of Mt. Sentinel. It seemed like an odd request since a hike to the top of this mountain is not a great feat, but if they needed a ride, I needed no excuse to get away from the unchanging stress that was in front of me. Not twenty minutes later I was picked up by Bret & we headed towards the top of the most famous mountain in Missoula.

After gaining access through the back gate we headed up the steep road that takes you up Patty Canyon & onto the back side of Mt. Sentinel. A short hike later & we were summating Mt. Sentinel. With the beautiful sun setting the boys quickly threw off their packs and got to work.


No more than twenty minutes later we said our goodbyes and they ran off towards the sunset.

I may have some of the coolest friends in the world.

Dirty Dash

The Dirty Dash came into town on an every smoky Saturday morning & my cohorts & I were prepared to get down & dirty.

Now, one rule about the Dirty Dash (other than be prepared to get nasty) is that this is no ordinary race & should never be run as such. So we penguinised ourselves & set off down the trail.

Before:




After:


And yes, I totally did not feel like paying the fee for these photos and just stole them off the website, so sorry for the quality.

Disclaimer: Mom, that is a beer in my hand pre race... The penguin suite made me do it.

Seester's Surprise

Month's before my seester's impeding doom I received an e-mail from her husband, Jose, asking about the chances of my being there for the big day? I pecked back a response that I'd keep it in the back of my head, but that my current financial situation doesn't have much room for expenses like plane tickets across the country anytime in the near future.

Sometimes life works in funny/amazing/unbelievable ways & you find yourself hiding in a garage in central Ohio wearing a pink sequined hat w/ a feather that says, "HAPPY BIRTHDAY." 

With the help of many people I was lucky/grateful to be standing in that garage in Ohio to usher in my big seester's 30th birthday. 

Kristen was met at the door by Jose to inform her that they're kitchen ceiling had sprung another leak and that she needed to help him w/ it. As she entered the kitchen she was greeted w/ a "SURPRISE!" And a surprise it was. After a few moments Kristen caught on to the fact that I was no longer in Montana, but in her very own house. Through a giant bear hug & a sea of tears, I was finally able to manage a "Happy Birthday" to my seester well after everyone else. 

Cake & presents ensued after & a party got under way. My weekend was a whirlwind of visiting w/ my amazing family, an Ohio State football game, a trip to Pittsburgh to see my best friend in the world, and a family trip to the Columbus Zoo, among other things. 

I know living on opposite ends of the country is never easy, but it makes me appreciate every second I have w/ my family when we're together. I'm so blessed to have spent this special time w/ my big seester, even though she's super, mega old now. *wink wink*

I love you seester & HAPPY BIRTHDAY!