away for the weekend: random 5 friday - random vacation thoughts

Friday, February 28, 2014

random 5 friday - random vacation thoughts

Happy Friday -
and a very happy birthday to my sister!
 it's time to join Nancy over at A Rural Journal for a little randomness


1) We were fortunate to begin our winter vacation with our daughters, Maggie and Laura.
Hiking the Overlook Trail  in a couple feet of snow was probably not one of my brighter ideas,
but we were pretty happy to have made it to the top.


2) Warming up between runs with a cup of hot chocolate,
Greg and I noticed a group of snowboarders taking photos of this snowboard hanging in the tavern at Bromley Mountain. Apparently an underdog - Alex, who grew up in Vermont, won Bronze in Sochi.

3) Turns out there were 16 Vermonters participating in the Sochi Olympics. 
This little state sure is proud of all their olympians!

4) Normally at this time I'd be feeling a little bummed out that vacation is coming to an end.
But not so fast - we are so lucky to have one of our very favorite couples joining us for the weekend!
:-)

5) Earlier this week, we got a call from our oldest daughter, Maggie -
letting us know she is headed to Georgia (today) a week earlier than planned to begin a through hike
of the Appalachian Trail.
This worried mom surely would appreciate all your prayers and well-wishes for her safety and well-being as she spends the next few months in the woods (eeek!!)

That's it for me - I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

32 comments:

  1. Maggie's and Laura's smiles are contagious.

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  2. aww, you daughters are too cute. i wonder how many VA's went to the Olympics ... i will look into that? i am curious. ( :

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  3. Wow -- that's the hike your daughter is undertaking. I wish her well.

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  4. Wow! What an adventure that will be for your daughter, and hope that she does have a fellow hiker with her. Have read several books about people doing this, and think it woud be an amazing adventure, but definitely not for the weak of heart or determination. Glad that you have had a lovely vacation, and enjoy the days with your friends. Hope you will keep us posted on your daughters adventure, and think I woulld have to invest in a sattelite phone for her to carry.... of course a very light one. Best to you!

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  5. Beautiful smiles and loved seeing the penguin one of your daughters was holding. The end of a vacation can be bittersweet, but the memories are wonderful. Bravo to your daughter's upcoming hiking adventure. Hope the weather cooperates too.

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  6. Such an adventure! I will add her to my prayer list. Have a wonderful weekend and happy birthday to your sister!

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  7. Hiking in two feet of snow sounds like absolute heaven to me to be honest! I would love that. And congrats to your state's showing in the Olympics :)

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  8. Yay, congrat's for your Vermont Olympians . . . what fun to capture a photo of the bronze winner's snowboard.
    I have your daughter in my heart and caring . . . and mom too!

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  9. What a wonderful adventure is ahead for Maggie!

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  10. Glad you got to spend time with your girls. I am willing to bet there were smiles and laughter that does the soul good.
    Have a great weekend, Karen.

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  11. your daughter is an adventurous soul. i hope all goes well for her. enjoy your weekend!

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  12. May she be safe and keep her wits about her. It is always scary to send our children out on their life adventures - whether city or country woods or foreign country.

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  13. What beautiful girls! One of Mallory's friends from High School is headed to Georgia for the trail as well. So maybe Maggie will run into a boy named Austin Homkes, wouldn't that be a hoot! I know just how you feel about your girl hiking that, prayers being said! Mallory is driving home from the U.P. today for the start of Spring Break. I worry too!

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  14. Is the AT like the Compostelle (france/spain) I wonder, or is there a worry on the AT, more a physical challenge than a spiritual and endurance one, good luck to her, what a fantastic adventure I am sure. We loved the SB'ing at Sochi so must have seen V's own Alex :-)...beautiful girls!

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  15. Your girls look very elated to have made it to the top!

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  16. Happy Birthday Sis:) Your idea sounds great to me but I do the same thing. Oh your photos are beautiful and Maggie is going to be OK but I am sending good thought. Hug B

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  17. Your daughters are so beautiful! One of my favorite books is A Walk in the Woods about hiking the Appalachian trail. I wish your daughter a wonderful walk and a safe return.

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  18. What adventures you've had! And what an adventure for your daughter to embark upon! Wishing her well, indeed. And you, too, Mom.

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  19. Your daughter's are gorgeous! Sending good wishes for your daughter's safety as she travels the Appilactian trail.
    Have a great weekend with that special couple!

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  20. Sounds like Maggie is embarking on quite the adventure! I hope you will tell us how it went once you hear back from her. Maggie and Laura look so much alike! Hope you have a fun weekend hanging out with your favorite couple :)

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  21. Happy Birthday to your sis! Lovely daughters and sounds like you are having fun in the snow. The perfect place for Olympians to train. Your daughter is very brave to hike the trail - a wonderful experience. Enjoy your weekend. xo

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  22. Karen, I would be very worried too...that's our job...glad you are enjoying VT!...:)JP

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  23. Your daughters are gorgeous! My sons have the original wooden snowboards made by Burton - also, I skied with my kids at Bromley when they were still in elementary/high school - and I was still young (good memories). Maggie is my hero - I hope you get updates from her that you can pass along to us! Enjoy your weekend.

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  24. Your vacation together sounds great - your daughters are so pretty, standing in the snow ans smiling! Sending you warm thoughts and prayers to keep your heart calm and trusting, as your daughter is on the adventure - Once a mom, always a mom ... and the job of a mom is to worry, among other things ... Wishing you a lovely weekend, Karen!

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  25. oh i am sooo excited about your daughter's hike. i know how scary this must be for you as a mom. we are located at a stopping point from the trail. i'd love to get her lunch or let her take a shower or anything when she comes through (and take a picture of her for you!). please keep me posted! i also posted about a couple who we met last year that were hiking the trail. our county takes care of the hikers! go on my blog and search for appalachian trail and you should find the couple, plus the annual event our county hosts for hikers!

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  26. Hello Karen- another blogger (Dorothy from The Frog and Penguinn) mentioned you to me. Our second daughter steps onto the AT tomorrow morning to begin her through hike. I admire these young women and I have a great respect for anyone who takes on such a task! But as a mother, I will be just a bit anxious over the coming months. Please know that your daughter is most welcome to contact us should she need anything as she passes through Virginia. You may get in touch with me through my blog. All the best!

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  27. Well it looks and sounds as if your family enjoys hiking very much. I don't think I'd take it on during the winter myself. Wow hiking for a few months, what kind of a hike is your daughter taking? Sounds like a major undertaking.

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  28. Beautiful girls!
    I watched most of the olympics and saw Alex' win. Very cool for Vermont.
    Happy Birthday to your sister and many good wishes and prayers for Maggie!

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  29. Beautiful girls.
    Appalachian Trail , now there's an adventure to remember !

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  30. Oh my, the Appalachian Trail for that long, yes a Mother does worry. Maggie will be in my prayers for a safe journey. And you have beautiful daughters, just like their Mom.

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  31. The girls are beautiful!! Prayers are being said and I wish you daughter a fun adventure.

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