Giving Thanks

As the summer rolls on and UpaDowna grows my time has been stretched thin. I am balancing a outdoor lifestyle with a family lifestyle.  The outdoor life includes runs and bike rides, hikes and guided trips then throw in a mix of blogging and gear tests and you have a pretty full schedule, that however is not the end not by a long shot!! My family lifestyle includes helping raise my 2y.o. son, maintaining the house and yard as well as working our organic farm and two farmers markets a week. Now that is just my schedule, my better half has four jobs, yeah that’s right four jobs!! Mtn Mama works at a local running company, she is a professional photographer, a volleyball coach for a local high school and also an elementary school teacher.  Sufficed to say we stay busy!

But what I wanted to add is that with out my lovely wife’s support none of this would be possible. For instance this past weekend Mtn Mama watched over our son on our trip. Now Code Man is a great kid, never really cries or pitches fits, he listens and is well behaved, but he is still a 2y.o.. So while I was out on the Monarch Crest ride and summiting Mt. Massive she was busy with the boy hiking and enjoying his first camping trip. To his credit he slept through both nights, once in the tent and once in the rig. We were nervous about his experience but he had a great time and we are eager for the next trip. But I do think this next trip will be family only so Mtn Mama will not have to fly solo!

So in closing I just want to say to my wife thank you so very much! And to all of my readers I want you to think of the sacrifices your loved ones have made if the face of your adventuring lifestyle.