Impromptu Hike on Livingston Trail

Last week, Cody and I decided that we wanted to head to the Shore Acres Disc Golf Course in Saugatuck, Michigan.  We both totally dig disc golf as a sport (see: excuse to play around outside while potentially drinking a frosty beverage) and this course is relatively close to my parents house.  There must have been a tournament going on or something this particular weekend though because it was PACKED.  Frankly, I don't need a bunch of hardcore frolfers not-so-patiently waiting for me to play through a hole.  I'm slow and not that great at it…meh.

As we walked back to our car, we noticed a trail sign near the entrance to the disc golf course.  Naturally, we followed it and we were not disappointed.

Livingston Trail in Saugatuck Dunes State Park ended up being the perfect short hike.  We hiked about 2 miles total, no biggie.  We did end up spending a fair amount of time at the end of the trail because it opened up onto Lake Michigan.  We were the only people on the beach, which is basically unheard of in SW Michigan at this time of the year.  I suppose the hilly hike was enough to deter most of the families.

I definitely recommend this short hike, especially if you're looking for a semi-secluded beach.  I'd venture a guess that you wouldn't have to fight for a spot on this beach, even on a hot day.  The trail was hilly and ran through some steep dunes.  The trail was a good mix of wooded and beach-y scenery.  Check this out if you are ever hanging in the area!

Your turn…Have you ever been to Saugatuck Dunes State Park?
Currently listening to…Cough Syrup - Young the Giant

Weekly Schedule

Happy Sunday! I am back at it for another week of meal planning and workouts.  Last week was pretty successful.  I managed to stick to my plans really well.  This was especially surprising because we had a snow day this week and I tend to fall off the wagon of healthy-living when I have too much free time. My willpower isn't exactly...strong. 

I did switch up my workouts a few times this week.  Mostly just substituting one thing for something equally challenging.  I was really into Jillian's 30 Day Shred this week so I did that more than I was planning. Overall, I felt really great about it.  It was also super nice to have my blog to guide my meal choices and workouts for the week.  I think I'll make this a regular Sunday tradition for the blog.  It's been so helpful this week that I'd like to see it continue! 

Weekly Meal Plan

Sunday: Stoney's (out to eat)

Monday: Pizza Primavera

Tuesday: Breakfast

Wednesday: Alfredo with Steamed Broccoli

Thursday: Leftovers!

Friday: ??? School chili cook-off and a basketball game!

Saturday: Cheesy Quesadilla with Rice and Beans

Weekly Workouts 

Sunday: Hula Hoop Fitness

Monday: Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred

Tuesday: 3 mile walk

Wednesday: Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred

Thursday: Yoga Class

Friday: Rest Day

Saturday: Hike OR Hula Hoop Fitness (weather depending)

Your turn..Do you meal plan? Any tips or tricks? 

Currently listening to...Late July- Shakey Graves 

Mendenhall Glacier Ice Caves

Sometimes you get to experience something so spectacular that you know it will happen only once in your lifetime.  I experienced something like this while on a hike this week.  I took off hiking across a lake in Juneau and ended up inside of Mendenhall Glacier.

Standing on Mendenhall Lake.  Look closely and you'll notice that we are wearing ice cleats! 

Mendenhall Lake, which the glacier sits on, is completely frozen right now.  This makes getting to the caverns underneath Mendenhall Glacier not only possible, but downright easy! The Glacier is accessible to hike to/in all year by hiking West Glacier Trail.  However, this trail isn't for the faint of heart, especially if you are not the most skilled hiker. The trail includes some steep climbs, slippery rocks, and it requires that you go off-trail to get to the ice caves.  It can also be quite dangerous to go inside the caves under the glacier due to the constantly melting ice.  Enter at your own risk!

View from West Glacier Trail,  August 2013. 

With Mendenhall Lake frozen though, the glacier is accessible by hiking a mile across the lake, up the base of some rather large hills/cliffs, and sliding on your bum (literally) down a slippery slope to the opening of the ice caves. It was a wonderful hike and the views the entire way were spectacular.  Nothing can compare to the feeling of standing INSIDE of a glacier though.

Cliffs near the glacier.

Touching a glacier for the first time!

Inside Mendenhall Glacier, frozen ice columns. 

Inside the largest cavern in Mendenhall Glacier. 

Look up! Massive hole inside of the ice caves that looked skyward. 

The glacier was completely amazing.  Everything emitted a soft, blue glow.  The ice was the smoothest thing that I have ever touched.  It appeared bumpy, but the bumps were actually many inches underneath the actual top layer of ice.  The top layer of ice was so clear that it was almost invisible.  It was cold inside of the caves, but warm enough that I was comfortable without my gloves and hat on.  This was, without a doubt, a once in a lifetime experience because of the melting ice.  I am so thankful that I got to experience this incredible, natural wonder.

Questions:
What is the top item on your bucket list?
What is something that you've done that is "once in a lifetime?" 

Perseverance Trail

This weekend we went hiking! Ok, so that may not be very surprising since we go hiking EVERY weekend.  But, we have been meaning to make it out to Perseverance Trail in Juneau for weeks and keep getting distracted by other activities.  Check out the links here and here if you are interested in hiking this trail/ learning more about it.  The trail is well maintained, although fairly rocky at places and moderately steep (especially the first 1/4mile).  It is three miles long (or six miles roundtrip), so if you hike the whole thing you can really make an afternoon out of it.  The trail also branches off into a ton of other trails.  So, halfway through you can choose to head out farther into the wilderness on Granite Creek Trail or head up Mt. Juneau for some breathtaking views.  It really is a great trail! 

The trail started and we were immediately greeted by two signs.  One of them was simply warning us of the steep cliffs on the trail (it is in the mountains) but the other one was letting us know that a mama Black Bear and her cubs had taken up residence on the trail.  Thankfully, we saw maybe 10-15 other hikers so the trail was fairly well traveled.  We didn't see any bears! 

Bear! Eek! 

The scenery was amazing from all viewpoints on the trail.  It was a toasty day (upper 60's) and the sun was shining bright. We got hot pretty quickly and ended up cooling off in a teeny waterfall.  But, we did get some cool breezes when walking by the old mining buildings! 

View of the old mines, river, and bridges. 

Funny trees near Mt. Juneau. 

Cody and I had a great time and are hoping to try and climb Mt. Juneau sometime in the near future.  All in all, a successful day of wilderness exploration.  Perfection :)

Feeling pretty tired at the end of our hike! 

Questions: 

What is your favorite outdoor activity?

If you hike, what is your favorite brand of hiker-friendly clothing? 

Would you ever off-trail hike? 

Rainy Day Yoga

We are finally getting back our "typical" SE Alaskan weather….

In other words,  it is in the 60's and raining.  The super awesome summer weather lasted for almost a month though so the rain is a nice little break.  The views from my house are back to normal.

Since it has been raining so much the last few days I have been re-discovering my love for Jillian Michaels.  I love all of her workout DVD's. But, her yoga DVD is my current favorite.  I highly recommend trying it out, especially if you are interested in body-weight strength training (using your body weight to build up muscle).  I really enjoy body weight training so I am digging the workouts.  And, clearly Specks is enjoying her workouts too ;)

As far as a workout schedule goes, my days are ruled a little bit by the weather.  I am feeling a pretty lazy about running in the rain lately.  But, if I actually manage to stick to my weekly workout routine (and I am going to REALLY try) it will look like this…

Monday: Rest Day
Tuesday: Jillian Michaels Yoga
Wednesday: Running (30minutes)
Thursday: Jillian Michaels Yoga
Friday: Running (30minutes)
Saturday: Hiking (this week we are doing a 3.5mile hike on Perseverance/Granite Trail)
Sunday: Hiking (shorter hike with Specks, probably on the beaches near my house)

Questions: 
Do you schedule your weekly workouts? 
Do you leave room for flexibility/ weather changes?
How do you handle running in extreme weather? Snow? Rain? Wind?  

Couples Jogging

Sunday was a lazy morning….followed by a moderately lazy afternoon.

Our running path. 

In the afternoon we headed out for couples jogging.  Cody and I headed down to the beach to enjoy some early afternoon jogging fun.  We ran around for about 30minutes, played with the puppy (who ran with us), and enjoyed each others company.  It was a much needed break from the stressful week we both endured.

Take One: At the beach, impossible to take a nice picture. 

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Take Two: Back at the house,  a little bit better. 

  One thing I have noticed is that I need a new pair of running shoes.  Somehow, my nice Nike's got lost in the move and I have been running in my hiking tennis shoes.  Not the best footwear for running excursions but they don't totally suck.  Until I can buy a good pair though this old pair is going to be getting ALOT more use.  More bang for my buck with the hiking shoes I suppose.

Specks knows that when the shoes go on,  he is going on an adventure! 

I need some suggestions for new good running shoes! Any ideas? 

Weekday Hiking

One way to stay in shape during the chilly winter months: HIKING!

Yes, it is cold.  Yes, it is wet.  But, bundle up and get yourself some durable gear.  There is nothing better than hiking to get a little exercise.  It burns calories, builds muscle, develops stamina, and you are doing some serious sight seeing.

I decided to do a little weekday hiking this week.  I don't get to do this very often because I am a slave to the man M-F from 9am to 5pm.  Usually, I save the hiking for the weekends, I like to think of myself as a Weekend Warrior.  Monday was MLK's Birthday though so I enjoyed a weekday out and about in the wilderness.

Lemon Creek Trail starts right behind Cody's work so I took him some lunch and the hiked on up.  I didn't hike very far (approx. 30 minutes one way) because I am still recovering from an illness.  It was also a difficult day to hike alone because the fog in Juneau was so heavy and the ice was so thick on the trail.  I did manage to slip and slide around for awhile though. Specks had a particularly wonderful time pulling me along on the ice.  Enjoy some pictures from our trek!

Entering Lemon Creek Trail. 

Fallen trees in the icy woods. 

Icy pathways. 

Waterfalls and dangerous crossings. 

View exiting the trail. 

What are your favorite winter activities??