A good day

You can wake up grumpy, you can be out of sorts, you can be grumbling about the state of the world or less than satisfied with your current state of affairs - but if you're out trotting down a country road and see the full moon setting behind the Continental Divide, well, life is pretty darned good.

A quarter century - my first born is a quarter century old. Wow!

Devon with his Grandpa Vaughan (left) and Opa Miller (right)

Yep, Devon Andrew VaughanMiller has been roaming the earth for 25 years today. Amazing!
The adventure of parenthood is second only to the adventure of life itself and it has been a real treat to see how Devon's life has unfolded. This year, with his move back to Colorado, we have the pleasure of actually celebrating his birthday with him. And, because the boy does like an adventure, we will be going to the Big City to take in an Avalanche game...something Devon has wanted to do ever since the Avalanche moved to town. Always trying something new, that's our boy. We are lucky parents!



Pictures, from left:
Devon greeting his mom upon her arrival in Petoskey, summer run 2007; Devon in Japan, 2006; Devon's Knox graduation, 2007

New trail - Yay!

What with all the long-lingering ice and snow, my collection of running routes has been somewhat restricted of late and, frankly, has become rather boring. So! Today I tried something new!

First, I ran from home to the Boulder bus station (along an oft' frequented route, but to start a new adventure so it had some thrill associated with it). There I caught a bus to the neighboring town of Longmont (arriving at the bus station with an entire 60 seconds to spare before the hourly bus left ... adding to the thrill of the day).

Once in Longmont, I ran north from the bus stop wandering through unfamiliar neighborhoods until I found the marker for the St. Vrain Greenway trail - a trail I had read about but had never run on. What a delight! It's a concrete bike path (beautifully plowed) with a dirt path alongside (still snow-covered) that runs right along the banks of the St. Vrain River for 7+ miles. I saw no other humans once I set out along the trail - just water birds, raptors, chattering prairie dogs, river water running over and through ice formations, ice-covered ponds - one pond with a fox carrying his breakfast across the frosty surface (look closely at the photo below).


I tell ya', there's nothing quite like a new trail to brighten up the psyche!

Wintry winter

Little Traverse Bay, first day of winter 2009

While we were in Petoskey there was no doubt it was winter. Snow, ice, cold, wind, long winter shadows. No sense in complaining about it...it is winter in northern Michigan after all! Bundle up, lace up the shoes, and enjoy a brisk run in a winter wonderland!

Upon our return to Boulder, I must confess I was a tad disappointed to discover that the snow we left behind when we headed east was still here - plus some. Rather unusual for Boulder where the sun typically works its magic quickly and melts away the white stuff. Since our return, the weather gods have continued to pile on the frosty flakes and wrap us in a deep freeze. Running routes have been modified, warmest clothes have been worn and washed repeatedly, yaktrax came out of their box for the first time. Again, though, no point in complaining...it's still winter just being winter. The big difference between Colorado and Michigan winters? The Colorado sky! Even when the temperatures are in the teens and snow covers every surface, Colorado's blue sky and sunshine warms the cockles and brings out the grins.

Frosty flatirons from CU cross-country property, Boulder, January 8, 2010

A fine wrap-up to 2009; ready for 2010

We took the plunge and trundled everybody to Denver International Airport during the height of the holiday rush, winged our way to Detroit, hopped in a rental car, drove 5 hours north, and entered the holiday wonderland of Elena Vaughan's Petoskey abode at Christmas time. Mom was delighted to see us and we were delighted to be there. 'Twas the best present we could have given eachother.

Mom, her new sweatsuit, and giggling grandsons

Nine days later we headed "down below" and had a delightful visit with Murphey cousins in Ann Arbor. After that, it was back to the airport (and a much longer security line), a return to home-sweet-home where we then had a whirlwind of festivities including Miller Christmas with bunches of Kendall's family and extended family, New Years Eve with friends Mort & Lysa, and New Years Day lunch with Devon's girlfriend's family who were heading back to Kansas City after a ski vacation.

Life has settled down a bit since New Years. Boulder is deep in winter weather, Kendall is back to teaching, Paul has returned to his studies at Knox, Devon is enjoying the tail-end of his winter break, the CU Women's Basketball team is off to an exciting start to the season, my volunteer hours and running miles are piling up, and the VaughanMillers still love a good laugh together. Here's to 2010!