Racing what?

Jumped back into the world of racing last weekend. March TCSD club race was the perfect venue for my return. Low Key.

Kyle and I were dog sitting for the She-Devil who was out racing at Lake Havasu. We woke up early to get the dog out for a walk and we were off to our respective races. He headed up to Camp Pendelton for the Bulldog Bike Race and I went to the shop to load up the mothership for the big race on Fiesta Island. It was new mechanic Christopher's first race.

Fun times with MCS crew! Cory, JT, me, & Christopher

Solid warmup of dog walking and jogging to the porta pottie. Got the wetsuit on and headed out to the water with Erin and did a couple of strokes. Horn went off and I was with the front pack for a while. I really need to remember to get new goggles before races. Sighting in scratched up sweeds ain't easy. Ended up hanging out with new friend Frank for most of the swim and got out feeling like I should have raced harder.

Took forever in transition - again I just didn't feel like going hard. It's a club race, right? Hopped on my bike and had a feeling I'd never had before. One that I'm almost ashamed to share. One that I hope Kermit will never hear about. You see, it was cold, windy and my heart rate was elevated. I was hating life. I turned that first corner and felt like absolute crap. I told myself that this was it, after the race I'm selling my bike and quitting forever. I had approx 4.5 minutes of Negative Nancy thoughts and then a tail wind came around. Okay, this isn't so bad. Each lap got easier and easier. Really? I was averaging what I usually can manage from what I remember back from my days of glory [kidding]. By the end my thoughts drifted dramatically from quitting to I want a disc wheel! Finished the bike with cold feet but a smile on my face.

Slow transition, Frank and I debated not running [slacker] and I was off. My left foot never got warm. I was jogging along. At a slow pace. I got towards the end of the 1st lap and seriously left foot, what's up?! I look down - omg. Blood pooling above my timing chip strap. Immediately I rip it off and my skin is down to my bone. Ouch. Thoughts of quitting, but that wasn't going to happen. FML - passing the food after that 1st lap is just not cool! Get going on the 2nd lap thanks to a very motivated "TriChick" who was starting her first lap. I just tucked in and followed her short leg cadence. How fast Vickie? 8:12 she mumbles. Okay, I can do that, maybe. I follow her for 1/2 the lap and then the leaping gazelle passes us. Seriously? I make the move and try to follow her. Wow, biggest, longest, bounciest stride I've ever seen. I followed for 1/4 mile but I couldn't manage any longer, I slowed up a little, but kept the pressure on myself.

Finished. Flashed the bling bling at the camera. [First race wearing the wedding ring!] I felt like I ran those 2nd two miles 3 min faster - and looking at the splits yesterday - yep. Okay, I really need to work on running, and running off the bike. Really I just need to run. Still can't find that spark or motivation. Racing [and slowly at that] put a little spring into my step but here I am this week with 1 swim and 1 bike in the bank. :)

I've been dealing a little bit with my Crohn's lately. I am not a happy camper when I wake up, or towards the end of my day at work. Stomach/colon hasn't been agreeing with me at all. Deciding what to do diet wise to get it back on track. Nothing has really worked in the past - so I've been researching gluten free - yes I may die since most of what I eat has it - call me the gluten-ator. Instant gratification hasn't been working out in the end, so I may have to suck it up.

So 40 days - tomorrow. And big news - I may not even race. If they cancel the swim due to the ridiculous amounts of crappy weather [rain] we've had lately, and turn the race into a duathlon I'll be the first to not show up in the morning. Come on- 2 runs? Why not bike run bike? I'd like to see a sprint finish at the end with triathletes involved.

Getting ready for my sis' weding next weekend!! Super excited about the bachelorette party and yes even being the matron of honor. yikes. Must start speech writing.

keeping up

I haven't been doing my best to keep up on the training front. Work has been super stressful lately. [I know I work at a bike shop, how bad can it be?]

Cory, Chris and I had to move the entire shop into two different [smaller] locations.  Merchandise stuff on day one, and service/storage/junk/boxes/junk in the next day. We had to get the store up and running to be open the next day and move the rest of the junk [did I mention we have a lot of unnecessary stuff!] the following day, so the contractors could start on the new space. 

Quite a bit of overtime was worked last week.  Did a couple bike fits and sold a sweet Felt B10 with Di2. This week the new Felt DA arrived - what an amazing bike - so if you have 12k to drop, let me know. 

Kyle and I went to J-Tree 2 weekends ago. He got back from a long-ish [for us] work up at sea, so it was great to be able to have 2 consecutive days off together - a rarity for me. We had a blast camping and climbing. We brought our bikes and tried to go for a ride, but it was a bit windy...and I crashed. Yep - I'll admit it - I crashed going 0mph while clipped in. Couldn't get my leg out and tipped over. Aero drink full of cold water was pouring onto me. Bloody knee. Really Rachel? When did you learn to ride your bike? Way to make spandex wearing nerds look even nerdier. I made up for it by climbing a 10.b jtree slab and showing the boys how it's done.

Last weekend my dad came to town! We went to Five Guys on Saturday when he got here and hung out at Stone all day on Sunday. Delicious beer, yummy food, fun tour and a great time with my dad and hubby. He's here all week, and Kyle is out to sea again. Looking forward to The Fish Market tonight and Old Town mexican on Thursday. Really, I'm looking forward to more dad time.

dad, loving the Stone experience

Our stand up comedian tour guide

don't touch a damn thing!

hubby with his new ruination ipa shirt

Need to find motivation to ride on this beautiful sunny morning. Maybe I'll be thinking of all my MN friends who are still stuck on their trainers. Club race this weekend and Seal Sprint next! Not sure if I'm looking forward to these events or dreading them all together - I haven't been this unprepared since my first triathlon - maybe racing [crappy] will be the much needed kick in the butt.

As if I needed another addition to my plate, Vavi Triathlon starts tonight. I'm the new coach on board, primarily leading the swim sessions but will help out at a couple Sunday bike sessions. Looking forward to it, as it's primarily first time triathletes looking to finish Encinitas Sprint in May. Bay swim clinic tonight!  I've been coaching quite a few private swim lessons each week on top of the usual volunteer TCSD JCC swim sessions. 

In random other news, we bought an iMac with our tax refund!! The screen on Kyle's macbook is about to crack off and mine is pretty old and outdated [read: slow] and I can't even watch youtube videos on it much less a movie. Love the wireless keyboard and trackpad! And the built in camera - I already have iChatted with my college roommate who is getting induced today! Can't wait for the news of baby Schell - we don't know the sex yet!

So best wishes to Missy and Gabe and little gabermiss until he/she has a name. Time to get the wheels rolling.

The Finish Line

like the new mat?

...is only a step away. Or 4 weeks, but I'm not really counting. Looking forward more and more to tri racing again.  I've been thinking a lot about preparation. I've waited until the last minute for everything, with one exception - swimming. Well this time, swimming is getting pushed under the mat. I've always been a procrastinator in life. I now procrastinate getting out the door for my morning run before work. It's so hard to step over that mat, yet so easy to come back to it.

Not including the IM preparation last year, I've never really "trained" for a triathlon. What I mean, is I've never had any standard structure in the way I've had with swimming. My first race? I think I ran twice before it. My first Olympic? I had done one 5 mile run and a couple of 3-4 mile runs. My first Half ironman? I had one 10 mile run, one 6, and about 30 miles a MONTH for 3 months leading up to it. Yeah, things changed a bit during IM training as there was no faking the preparation for a race that long.

The Kermit vs Cookie Monster battle is about even. Rachel vs The Navy? Not even close. This is something I'm still learning to live with and yep, it's tough. I know these mini sessions of leaving port are to prepare the crew, but they are also preparing the families. At least I get to prepare for the "coming home" celebrations a bunch. Those are fun. I am glad to have this man:

to keep me company...for life. :) We got some good quality husband/wife time in before he left. We road together on Monday and Tuesday last week before his ship was sailing on Wednesday. We had some rainy tandem adventures on Saturday night - being the stoker is not advised in the rain. 

afternoon coastal ride with kyle and kermit.

After he left, it was back to business for me. I've been showing up on the running front lately, but just short quick runs. Nothing long or hard, as I don't want to bust onto the scene and bust up the body. And convincing myself to run long is not easy, as it's hard enough to convince myself to run. 

Riding has been awesome. I had my longest week since St. George and it felt great. Three rides on Cookie Monster, two on Kermit, and the miles were about equal. Kermit was brave and road with the she-devil on Fiesta Island during her interval workout. 8 laps later and I'm wondering why I fell for the peer pressure. Ended up being a great workout though. I won't divulge her coach's secrets.

Sunday was another crit on the monster. Super early morning and very cold race (33 degrees at the 7:00am start in Ontario, CA). Warmed up a bunch with Lynne and we were off. She was busy working all race (and won a prime) and I settled in trying to block and help as much as I could, but an army of one doesn't really work in road racing. I was in perfect position going into the final turn and super long road to the finish. Lynne took a lead out for me and I broke away to the finish. 3rd place - there were 2 ladies in the break and no one would organize and work to catch them! Anyway, it was a fun race, a learning experience and a pretty high HR effort. (191 average, yikes!)

ridiculous medal - dude without a helmet

I got home, but felt unsatisfied with only 10 miles racing in 28 minutes. Steve, Erin and birthday girl Candace were going on a long ride, so I jumped on Kermit for a fun adventure up north and felt great! I really forgot how much I loved Kermit. I love the ride, I love the position, and I love consistent power effort of tri riding. And the margarita and tacos after were a bonus! (Thanks steve and erin!)

Got peer-pressured into masters swim this am. 3,300 yards. My swim cap broke. My ND Sioux cap. My cap that I used for many fast swimming occasions (Conference champion, nationals, under my neoprene at IM). Seriously distraught.  At least it was sunny. And I'm working on getting another one before they become extinct.

So, onward to the finish line of each day.

40 days

Got an email from TCSD yesterday offering a comp entry to the Seal Sprint. I emailed back and was the first to respond. Entry = mine. Nothing like a free race to put a little jump in your step. I didn't even know the date of the race - checked out the website; 40 days. So here it goes. (No, I don't have plans to visit the desert, and yes I'll be drinking water and eating along the way - I ain't no saint).

new shoes and capris

Today I laced up those new shoes I bought a while ago. And put on those "compression" tights Kyle gave me for my birthday and the bright pink socks from my mom. And finished it with a red tank and pink visor - I look like Valentines Day threw up on me. And I ran. (and I may have just enjoyed it)

I kept myself in check - it has been a while and I really don't want to overdo it. But I had to do it. And so it is - my little 40 day challenge. I'm writing a little training plan for myself - trying to be conservative (because injuries suck) but consistent, and setting some goals along the way.

In other news, I road last week with some ladies who actually trained over the off season. This was promised to be "an easy ride" on the GWL. Right, I'll believe that when I see it. Anyway, in the alone time I had off the back, I put together the bio's of my riding partners.

The Three "Bears"

Not really bears, but they each have "animals" inside. First we have the she-devil. The instigator. The lady who will keep inviting you, and then threaten your life if you don't make it out. Don't be fooled by her appearance; she has a devil inside - and her drive for the sport is amazing.

Second, is the energizer bunny. If you read her blog, you wonder where she's storing all this energy between juggling kids, job and hubby. She and the she-devil are on serious instructions to stay at 190 watts. I'm just barely hanging on and I'll put in my peep "hey ladies, what are you at?" (both respond 215, oops!) - yeah I know who you report to, and I'm telling. Reel in the lines.

Lastly, the Mountain Lion. Haven't seen this lady in months, primarily because she's been on the back country mountain trails or skiing at some exotic resort. Her husband won't let her go alone, and he was out of town. So she traded in her mountain steed for the skinny tire road version. She claims she "doesn't have her street legs" but we all know of what's to come as she's darting ahead on the first hill with the ipod jammin'. We didn't see her the rest of the day.   

I had been on the GWL twice this winter. Once, when I forgot my right shoe, and another time with the MCS racers. I miss it. It was hard, and I went on their "easy" day, but it was a good day of suffering as the ladies in front kept it chatty.

Clockwise it was, not usually my way of choice, but we took the skyline truck trail on the way down, and wow - what a much nicer and easier descent. How have I not done that before?

Tea and conversation with the devil. Always a great time. Look out for these ladies this season.

Random News:

1) MCS Racing is in full stride. Boulevard was tough and last weekend Kyle, Lynne and I raced at the V-Day crit in Brea - rough go on both races - crashes and junior blockers ruined our chances at glory. Pictures and race reports may come later.

took a picture of my scrapbook - bought jack in 2005 before the age of digital cameras

2) Sold Jack the Jeep. Kind of a sad day for me. He was the first car I purchased; he brought me to CA. He's in a good home now, where the owner is going to replace that bad rear end.

3) Work has been crazy busy. Went to the wind tunnel on my day off today to help with bike positioning and swapping of parts in between trials for this Brazilian dude. Did a Bike Fit clinic last week and our fitting appointments have been booked solid.

40 days though - Kermit vs Cookie Monster - a dual for Rachel's time in these upcoming weeks.

Take a look at me now.

Just a little 80's love ballad about my run fitness:

How can I just let you walk away. Just leave without a trace.
Your the only one who really knew me at all.
So take a look at me now
Cause there's just an empty space
There's nothing left here to remind me
Just the memory of your race.
Take a look at me now
You coming back to me is against the odds and that's what I gotta face.

Yes, a little mellow dramatic.  I'm trying to find that inspiration, but it hasn't come.

2010: I trained. I raced. Then I rested. Next I got engaged. Then I had surgery. I worked. Oops I crashed (again). Then I got married. Followed by honeymooning/thanksgiving/x-mas/birthday. Now I...

am in a middle ground. Trying to find the inspiration.

I started to ride my bike. I started to swim. I continue to enjoy my warm bed over the coldness of the morning. I bought new running shorts. I bought new running shoes. Yet, I haven't run. (actually, once, last Thursday - we are starting a new run from MCS - nothing like a work outing to force you back at it...I had anxiety all day leading up to the run. 6:00pm - join us!)

Looking to find that spark again. Really I just need to sign up for a race and get my butt back in gear.

But maybe I don't need that tri spark anymore. Poor Kermit has been neglected since May, really. Partially because his saddle is DEAD (like ouch, I'm sitting on rails...with no padding - hmm, 5,000 miles may do that to a saddle)...but mostly because Cookie Monster has been stepping it up lately. 

The perks of having 2 perfectly fitting, completely different bikes.  Kermit got a ton of love in early 2010, and I think it's time I show the monster what a little racing is like. Give him some glory at the finish line as well. (Technically speaking, Kermit has never crossed that line).  The monster has had to deal with life as the commuter bike... sharing a rack with those "service bikes" that show up to Moment all beat up and looking for love. It's sad really. He'll get excited about the .6 miles (yes there is a period in front of that 6) to work, and dread that uphill .6 on the way home. 1.2 miles is all he's had to live for.

2011 is a year of changing for the Monster.

Not only will he stay the commuter, he'll toe the line. So I've been on the brink of "in shape" for a while now and I think I'm finally cracking it. Before (off season) I'd be scared to punch it, or use a match, because I'd blow up, HR would explode, and I'd stumble my way back home. Now that I'm seeing gains in fitness, I'm able to stick with my riding buddies (sometimes) and actually put in some effort for the group (if only the moral booster- hey at least my HR is low enough to speak).

It's been fun becoming a roadie. Especially with a sweet support van/team car/mothership!

Loading the mothership. She fits 10 bikes/8 people

So getting ready. First race is a road race in 2 weeks. A hilly road race at "elevation." I haven't been know for my climbing skills...but I'm trying to change that. We previewed the course a week ago, and after getting over how cold it was, I realized that I still have a ways to go. But I'm not so scared to put a little bit more out there every time I get on my bike.

freezing with my friends at boulevard...even after the ride! ninja man is the hubby. :)

Today we had a 5+ hill repeat challenge at the tidepool hill at Cabrillo NM. Free waterbottle to all who complete. Wednesdays are paceline/skills practice, Thursdays are hill repeats, unfortunately I work Saturdays, so I miss the big group rides, but try and make up for it with hard Sunday rides. Friday, I went to pilates. OMG, didn't remember I had hips until then. Wow, talk about needing a lot of work.

So take a look at me now.

Honeymoon!

Alright, so a month later I'm finally getting to it. :) Kyle and I went on a California Adventure for our honeymoon. You can read all about it on our Wedding Blog and check out some of our pictures. We had a great time traveling around CA. Thanks to everyone for the great wedding gifts to help support our trip!

Wedding Bells!

So I got hitched! :) Kyle and I tied the knot on October 16, 2010. To see more pictures visit our wedding blog: Wedding At the Sea, or see my facebook page.

Only to fall back down

Familiar? It just so happens that I haven't written in 3 months. Then I write. And talk about the accident. And what happens? I crash again. Same shoulder. 2 weeks before the wedding.

It's just so stupid. Life and random chance. So here it is:

Thursday night I was following Kyle on the pacific hwy as we were going up to Hillcrest to meet some of his friends. I looked away for a second, hit a bump, look back and I'm heading straight towards a giant curb. I scream. Slam on my brakes (I tend to over use my front break). Fly over my handlebars. Almost land on my feet, and then I look up. A fricken telephone pole. Right there. Right shoulder straight into it. Tears.

So that's it. Bethany and Chris come to pick us up. They put the bikes on the top and what happens next? They run over my front wheel. So my bike survives the crash, but not the car ride.

Frustrated? Yes. It's not nearly as bad as last time, and last time wasn't nearly as bad as Erin's. I think I'll be fine for the wedding (for dancing at least)...and hopefully for the honeymoon. Climbing! Tandem riding (although I can make kyle do all the work there).

Planning is coming along. Missing Kyle already. He's out to sea until the Tuesday night before the wedding, which is also the same night my mom gets in.

Don't crash your bike.

It's just so stupid. Life and random chance.

Almost Married!

So the last post was my engagement. :) That was almost 3 months ago. What have I been up to you may ask? Nothing. Well nothing on the triathlon front.

It's weird for me to write this, but here it goes. I got burned out. Ironman took away any triathlon life I had left. I trained so hard and with so much focus for one race and one date. For nine months. I have postpartum.I did a few races, (Carlsbad...which I didn't even report about! -won my AG) and SDIT, but with very limited training in between. After Carlsbad I found out I needed to have surgery for my Crohn's Disease, so after that, and the recovery (with no activity allowed) I got complacent at doing nothing.

2 Surgeries in the last year hasn't made my life any easier (both issues have come back) and it makes me wonder why I pay so much for healthcare when modern techniques don't seem to be working. Getting myself healthy and happy should be priorities, but instead have been pushed under the rug because of work and life.

So what have I been up to? Work. Ready? - Within a day we were told we were going to move the shop. And we had to be out in 5 days. An entire bike shop. With 3 years of (forgive my vulgarness) *shit piled into every nook and cranny. Oh, and the last day happens to be less than 2 weeks before the race that we happen to put on. Oh, and the owner and his fiance who also happens to work here are then getting married 2 weeks later. Oh, and yeah, then I'm getting married 2 weeks after that.

Great Planning.

Suffice to say I didn't get much ME time during that time (now). Much less sleep, Kyle, exercise, good food, family, friends, relaxing or anything else time. It was work.
One of those work related events was the San Diego Triathlon Classic. One of my favorite and least favorite times of the year, somehow we pulled off another great race. It was another year, another successful event that went and out-did itself again. Thanks to our hard work. It's great to see so many people out there racing and having fun. Enjoying the fruits our our labor. Unfortunately one of my best friends got hit by a car during the race. After beating Macca out of the water. I have never felt so sorry for someone and so helpless. She is strong and is a fighter. She's having shoulder surgery soon and has a long road to recovery. She is in my thoughts always. Best of luck with your recovery, Erin.
As a race director, you love to see happy volunteers, like this young lady above who handed out finishers medals all day! (Thanks to all my awesome volunteers!)

And you hate to see what happen to Erin, happen. You feel bad for the guy who cuts their foot on a rock in the water. You rush to get an ice pack for a lady who slipped on the sidewalk. When I heard that it was Erin who was hit, I couldn't stop crying. I somehow had to pull myself together to make sure the rest of the race was holding together. Get more cups to that far aid station! Who's getting the awards to the stage? Where's the pizza? Make sure there are volunteers at bike out! All while she is the only person I'm really thinking about. Watching Steve ride back to transition was heart breaking.

For all who care; it was the driver's fault (obviously). He did a u-turn through cones onto the bike course. She hit the driver's side rear door and broke the glass. She has a grade 3 shoulder separation. She's been a swimmer her entire life and this will be the longest time she has been out of the water.

Obviously I have a little personal experience with a similar injury. (although mine was way less severe, and I was at fault). But I'm back.

So Fri-Sat of the race I had a 41 hour day. It was crazy. I went out to wine steals with Erin M after the race and had a blast. Sunday morning I woke up early and swam under Erin H's name at the Sharkfest. It was fun to get back into the ocean. Without a wetsuit! I some how managed to swim the one.whatever miles across the San Diego Bay in a decent time. I actually exited the water with the lead swimmers...and I walked across the finish line. Little did I know that if I had ran, I would've won. It didn't matter anyway, I disqualified myself for racing under another person's name. (as a race director, you'd think I'd know - well I did, but it meant a lot to me to race for her).

What else? Planning a wedding. It's going to be a small ceremony on Sunset Cliffs and reception in our back yard. Basically a celebration with our family and friends and a big party. It's hard planning a wedding on a budget and with a 3 month time period, but I've somehow made it work. Hopefully it comes together on our big day. Kyle is out to sea until right before, so that'll be interesting as well. Such is the life of a soon to be navy wife. :)

So it's been a crazy month...only to get more crazy once the guest start to arrive in less than 2 weeks! Bachelorette party is 2 weeks from today. Contact my sister for more info. Sure to be good times.

Here's a look back at this summer.Kyle singing the marriage license. Kyle cooking his finest (oatmeal) on a (very hot) trip to J-Tree. Mission Gorge climbing.

We also went to Big Bear/Holcom Valley/Lake Perris over Labor Day weekend. I had 2 days off in a row, so we took a vacation up there. Beautiful country. We climbed, bowled, went down an alpine slide (awesome!!), swam in a warm lake (finally!), climbed, and got closer.

So it's not all bad. :) I have a great fiance helping me along the journey of life. I've learned that running, biking and swimming didn't define who I was and it's okay to take a break. Even if it's half a season. I will be back. Don't get me wrong, I miss Kermit dearly. He's currently at the shop waiting his turn patiently.

I've learned that work cannot dominate your life or it will become your life. I am back on track and moving forward. Very much looking forward to some "me" and "us" time on our Honeymoon!

Looking forward to being beautiful inside and out on our day. I LOVE my dress. :) Looking forward to the craziness that is to come...because it's all good! Looking forward to celebrating with my family. Most of all, I'm looking forward to spending the rest of my life with my best friend Kyle.

Engaged!

Kyle John Wills, (baby beluga, my sherpa, my best friend, my favwit) proposed to me on Sunday afternoon, July 4th, 2010 at the lighthouse on Cabrillo National Monument.

Kyle had 4 days off for the holiday weekend and no duty days. This NEVER happens. And of course, I had to work the entire weekend, besides Sunday, when the shop was closed. Kyle gave up his weekend for me...and the lack of a capable climbing partner. Friday I left work a little early since I worked Thursday on my day off. We went to Mission Beach for one of his co-workers birthday. We road our bikes down and had our own fun and even jumped in the ocean. Saturday I sherpa'd him to a bike race in Mira Mesa, then I worked and went out for girls night.Sunday morning we slept in and had a lazy morning for once. Again, this NEVER happens. We managed to get our butts out of bed around 11 to accomplish something. We had no firm plans but to get out on our bikes. We headed to the end of Point Loma for some hill repeats on the tidepool hill. I've done this ride a thousand times (MCS shop ride), and he's gone a couple times by himself...but we've NEVER gone together!

He'd never been to the lighthouse so we rode up there and got off our bikes to check out the view. Apparently Coronado was the only town that could afford to pay the sun to shine. It's been a pretty gloomy summer in San Diego, but today it was different.Then he was down on one knee and asked;

"rachel anne gordon, will you marry me? I will love you forever, but you have to promise me you'll never slow down."

Of course I said yes (and I promise) and he slid the ring on my fat finger (we just got done with a sprint finish to the guard shack) and looked for someone to take a picture.I was glowing. It was a gloomy day, but we were both smiling brightly. To "seal the deal" we went down the tidepool hill and climbed back up. No slowing down. :) I professed, "I just got engaged!" to a couple of random cyclists along the way.
I had invited our friends over for a BBQ so it became an impromptu engagement party for us. :) As always, good conversation and great food. Jake, Erin, and I (and kyle and katie this year) stayed late and again watched the fireworks from the rooftop.
I called work and asked to switch days, so Kyle and I could celebrate our engagement. We drove out to Idylwild on Sunday night to climb on Monday. We had a blast enjoying each others company, out in the forest, hiking, climbing, camping, eating, and swimming.I am so excited to spend the rest of my life with my best friend.
P.S. The ring is GORGEOUS! I can't stop looking at it. (He ain't bad, either!)