Eastern Zone

Since mid-October, I've been working in Boston and living with a friend in Newton. It’s been a great change of scenery-even the crazy drivers who use pedestrians for targets. Here’s a few highlights of the last 6 weeks:

Hanging with the local girls.

Catching up with Ray, Nicole and E-Clair.

Getting a tour of Doug’s amazing garden.

Soaking up some fall sun with Judd and Gayle.

Catching the end of the leaf season.

Taking a long trip to Eureka to visit with friends.

Taking a short trip to Arlington to visit with Alison, Lucy and Joe.



Next stop: Christmas Chaos!

Project America DONE.

It was time to lift off for Rockland, Maine. Not only was I invited to run with Mike Ehredt on his last day of Project America Run, I was invited to inhabit a seat on a private jet, flying from Driggs (KDIJ) to Knox County Regional Airport (KRXD). Yes, please!



Since I live by the airport in Driggs, it took approximately 3.5 minutes to get to the airport. We left on a cloudless morning, threaded the needle through the Tetons and arrived on a chilly, windy evening in Maine.







Rumors that a 'nor'easter' was churning gave us lots to talk about. And worry about. Who would be scared off of running? Would the media come? Is the wind going to be bad? When will it blow through? All was quiet until the middle of the night when the howling winds woke my friend Amy and I up from our precious pre-run slumber.



Yep. Nor'easter all right.

But after those first steps on Route 17, the pelting rain and swirling wind seemed to be gone. We were taking the last few hundred strides of Mike's journey, following him and his jogging stroller 'Wilson'. People cheered from their cars, honked horns, stopped on the side of the road and clapped. Police stopped traffic at intersections, runners joined in along the way, even a sopping, sprite of a lady who ran 5 miles barefoot wearing only biker shorts and t-shirt.



Organized by the city of Rockland, we took a slight detour from the planned route and ran through Rockland High School.



Kids and teachers lined the hallways, clapping and cheering, waving signs, some with tears streaming. It is hard to explain how incredible these 3 minutes were. I thought about the great support of this community, the students enthusiasm and how powerful Mike's simple little plan to plant flags on the side of the road had become.



At the school exit, Special Olympics athletes ran 50 yards with Mike and the cross-country team helped round out the last few miles to the finish line.

Mike ran the last mile solo and the running group headed to the finish along a different path. Right before Mike rounded the corner, there was a dramatic lightning flash immediately followed by a rumble of thunder. Mike placed the last flag- Major Jay Aubin and let out an excited yelp.





More media of the PAR finish:

Herald Gazette- Rockland area paper

AP Story and photos

Bangor Daily News

PAR Photo Gallery

Tomatillo Explosion

This year I discovered tomatillos.



I decided to pick up a few one day at Broulims- the papery wrapper, the lime green skin poking out was so mysterious. I wanted to know what was inside. After some mexican dishes, I found the texture and flavor so versatile, I started throwing tomatillos in some basic dishes with some amazing results!

Some of my favorite ways to use tomatillos:

- As a base for a vegetarian chili
- Tomatillo, Corn and Onion burritos
- Happy Experiment Pasta- Angel Hair with Tomatillos and Broccoli in a wine white, butter and garlic sauce (above)



- Loaded Grilled Cheese feat. Maz's Sourdough Loaf

Maz has been working at a local, organic farm this summer and one day, he brought home a PILE of tomatillos. I was brimming with excitement.



In this same pile was a small, oval squash. One day, this was the only thing in the house to eat for lunch. So I cranked up the oven, cut the squash, scooped some butter and curry paste into the center and went back to work for 45 minutes.



Then I cubed some tomatillos on top, poured on a little coconut milk and cooked for 10 more minutes.

-Currytillo Squash

It's quite gone.



It's time for my annual survey- what crazy food item have you discovered this year? Leave a comment and I'll send you the turn by turn directions for a dish mentioned here.

Half Crazy

I checked the 10-day forecast for Pinedale, WY last Tuesday. Clear and 70's as far as the eye could see. Hrrumph. I was secretly hoping for 50's and rain or even snow so that I would have an excuse not to register for the Pinedale Half Marathon.

A friend mentioned a month or so ago that a fall half marathon or 10k would be fun (fun?), so we started looking for events nearby. Since I was also invited to run the last day of Project America Run with my my friend Mike, in Rockland, ME, it would also be a good prep and motivation. Pinedale seemed to have a good course, wasn't too big of an event and fairly close by.

I armed myself with all the vittles and gear that work for me on a long run and we headed down Friday night to camp near Fremont Lake. Race day was a dark, chilly 35 at 6 am, but after coffee, breakfast and a "Good Morning!" from some local antelope, I was as ready as I could be to run 13 miles.




Pronghorn Antelope aka Speed Goats.

As I gathered with these other cuckoo people running 13 miles at the starting line, the butterflies were having a party-I was officially nervous. After a couple miles, the party cleared out and I got into the running groove. I felt pretty strong most of the course, but at Mile 10, I was getting ready to be done.

My Support Crew -Mazzy- was waiting for me at the finish line, 2 1/2 hours after the gun went off. He was ready with flip-flops, water and a wooden nickel redeemable for a free beer! Oh, the bennies of run registration!



Thanks to my on-course supplies Tram Bar, Sport Beans and my sister's secret weapon, Jolly Ranchers, I kept my energy and spirits up. My friend who originally wanted to run a halfer was unable to, so I ran solo and scouted the course for anyone who wants to punish themselves next year. 2 thumbs up for a well-organized race and an interesting, clear route.






For full race results: http://www.milliseconds.com/participants/detail/806146647

Keep on Truckin'

On Saturday, I ran my first 10k - The Horseshoe Challenge. It's a local fund-raising trail run for Teton Valley Trails and Pathways.



The Tuesday before, my friend Anna (foreground below with blond pony) invited me to run the course in prep for the event. I was armed with fancy new shoes and fresh legs. Running on flat asphalt in town didn't really help me on the elevation gain and loss on this trail. 2 1/2 hours later I was curled up in an exhausted, grumpy ball, sinking deeper into my queen-size pillow top.



Saturday arrived and I worked on the morning prep of eating the right things, waking up, hydrating, stretching and getting the gear and snacks together for the day. I was a little nervous for this little running project of mine and hoped to finish in 2 hours.



The course was surprisingly bearable the second time around. I was thankful for Anna's patience and encouragement on the prep run. I crossed the finish line at 1:37 excited and much less grumpy than the first time.



The best part of the day (besides the running being over) was the raffle, where I won a pair or funky Vibram 5- Finger Shoes! I had been curious about these after reading some articles and seeing people wear them. Ironically, the day before, I was in a local gear store asking the staff questions and wondering if I should splurge on a pair. Exciting new gear!

Race Results

GWM on 813

In July, Jay's mom, Gayle, came for an action packed 6-days. She was very excited to see our new home and meet Lefty.

We threw her right into it with a Sunday ticket to Targhee Fest. Lots of sun and socializing!





On our bike ride home,


we had a special treat on a the ride home-neighborhood owls!



More bikes and wildlife:



A trip out to a re-constructed railroad trestle that is now a pathway:



On the way, we stopped by to see Baby Eagle:







Time for some culture. A Grand Teton Music Festival classical concert preceded by a gondola ride at Jackson Hole and a cocktail at Couloir.



(Check out the Jackson airport in the background.)



My friend Anna came along for the ride!



Excellent view on a clear evening.



Excellent company.

Jay and Gayle took her father's wood-canvas canoe on it's maiden voyage west of the Mississippi.



Happy that it floats!



Of course, a walk after taco night is crucial.






Vacation capped by a beautiful Driggs sky. We can't wait for Gayle's next visit.