Day Hike To Hidden Vally

Today while tending chores the kids and Mr Daddy Man had set up a hike with a good friend and the kids are all buddies too.
The wives often stay at home.
This day was different my girl friend was to attend the hike too.
While Daddy Man took a kid (who had slept over ) home I made the lunches and finished my kitchen work.
I did not want to just stay home.
The concern was there would be issue with my ability to make it to the destination.
I got mad! Took a preemptive pain pill and got dressed!
Determined to do it , I did!
This is a rest point on the main trail.
We locked up the bikes, they came along for the way home.
We left them at half way mark.

Secured the bikes with a cable.
The kids and the men went on ahead and she and I walked at our own speed.
It was a hard trail. Very steep and rocky two mile up and in.
On the way in, I thought the kids were doing a coyote call to me and so I replied...
Then came back the call in kind.
We crested the switch back and a man pointed out a coyote! He said that there was another one coming from our direction. I had to laugh IT WAS ME!

The kids came back to meet us once we caught up to them.

We made it!
two miles in.

The prize!

It was beautiful!
The stone was ice cold!
The day was hot low 80's, the slight overcast kept mercy on us as it came and went all day.

It was so cool inside here.
Above my head was this massive stone as the roof.

Is this just so amazing!

We rested here and turned back. It was three in the afternoon with a two mile hike down hill back. I took another pain pill and headed back.
Now down hill may sound easy do not be fooled!
It was very hard to climb down tall stair step stones and slick shale.
Steve gave me his arm

The kids were being kids , and I a mom, get off those boulders!
Hay, get them down off that!

The hike was slow and very very painful but I DID IT!
I cowboy'ed up and just LIVED!
Had to, Just had too.
I am resting a bit sore , but fine.
ALIVE!
Full of vitality and sass.

It was a beautiful day today.

Hike to South Mnt. Hidden Valley

Saturday we all took a Valentine's day Hike

It was a beautiful day. Perfect weather.

This was the "HOUSE" rock as the kids named it.

Then the children and Daddy Man hike a rock out crop.
I think I would of freaked out if I knew what the top of that was like.
Daddy did at one point and called them down.
Several kids were up there unattended.
They are looking down at me sitting on that wall.

The view was spectacular!

Dash was being too careless so Steve got them down.
He was too fearless on the top.
There is a gift of wisdom in fear.

Remember now he was up there with ours.

Tired and the day was getting mid afternoon we hiked out.

I thought this tree was so beautiful.
Laid down dead, yet living.
The old passing away and the living thriving.

baking bread and the unexpected

We all went to the library.
well on the way home our neighbor who is first generation German (her mother suffered the German invasion of troops) witnessing many horrible things. Well her husband was selling a stationary bike. We thought hard on it and prayed over it being the provision I had asked about just the night before.
Two years 1 1/2 years ago or so I was supposed to begin on the bike every day to keep what is left of my joint intact as long as I can to stem off the knee replacement surgery as long as we can.
I tride an old bike of the folks but it had no resistance. I tried my regular bike , but my balence is very shaky getting on and off is hard with a knee that is untrustworthy.
I have been in a fix that I have neglected for far, far too long.
When I saw this, I knew I needed to take advantage, but the experience on top of the tires and auto repairs was taxing my mind.

Well I ground a bunch of Hard winter wheat and made up a 2 pound loaf of whole wheat bread.
The bread machine failed me , it did everything but bake it!
So I put it in the oven and baked it up.

It turned out much like a loaf from a restaurant.
Not a sliced texture but a break bread loaf.
It tasted good but lacked the texture I had hoped for.
I used some gluten but I think that the problem was either the type of yeast or perhaps I did not get the water temp right. Unless I was suppose to pre heat the machine?

All I have need of his hand has provided.
This is in new condition, very little use if any.
Purchased at a very reasonable low price. Our research shows us that it is the best one for the price range. We got it at less than half price of a new one.
We are able to get it and use the rest of the funds for the truck.

It is important now that I make use of this several times a day.
I used it for 20 minutes and my knee feels so much better already!
The synvisk (artificial fluid) in my joint feels more evenly spread around.
I felt so angry to use our means on it, but I am glad that I have done so.
Mr. U . is delighted to hear of the relief of discomfort upon even the first use.
You see I can not walk for exercise. I have no cartilidge in my right knee (or very little left).
I rubs bone on bone. Walking breaks down what I do have left. I have to make it last as long as I can. It is our hopes to put off the knee replacement for another 8 years if possible. Or at least another 3, untill I am 50 years of age. Artificial knees are only good for 20 years or so. We do not want to have to do this twice on the same knee.
My sister and brother both had new knees in the last half of 2008. Another sibling is awaiting a new knee and the other brother is in need of a knee and a spinal surgery.
Some say they think it is congenital, I think you beat a body enough it will have an effect on it.
Most of the surgery I have had to have is from being beaten and tortured as a youth (see other blog). I have the testing for the brain lesions week after next. They too were cause by beatings about the head as a kid. Now the scares of the "shaken head trauma" are calcifying.
Anyway I have a way to love the Lord with my strength now :)
I can exercise.