It’s been a mostly mild winter, but I’m still excited for spring!
・・・
YUKON
I hate to start this post off on an awful, awful note, but we lost our beloved Yukon midway through last month.
We have loved our sassy husky so, so hard for the three years we were lucky enough to have him in our lives. Our lives just aren’t the same and we will miss him so, so much for the rest of ever.
But, that brings us to…
OCHI
Ryan and I adopted a new pup named Ochi earlier this month!
He will never replace Yukon, but we’re so glad we were able to bring a husky out of the desert and into our mountain home.
Welcome, baby boy!
WORK
The biggest news: I finally attained my PIO3 qualifications!
After three seasons of wildfire and a dozen-plus fire assignments, my task book was approved by a committee and now I am officially fully qualified as a Type 3 Public Information Officer. (What does that mean?) Up next is my PIOC (Complex) qualification.
Another work update: I had a chance to spend two weeks in sunny Glendale, Ariz. for Southwest Engine Academy.
VISITORS
My college friend Hilary spent a week working remotely in Sedona, and I was lucky enough to hang out with her for a bit. She came up to Flagstaff to take one of my yoga classes at the studio and to join me for a walk around Buffalo Park and then a Meetup with a few of my friends. I also had a chance to head down to Sedona and spend a day hiking around with her, which was a blast.
RYAN
Ryan and I recently marked three years together! I can’t believe I’ve had this wonderful man in my life for three whole years now. Here’s to many, many more.
Ryan is currently off hiking the Arizona Trail — he started his hike last Friday and will probably be hiking for the next month-plus.
DINING + FOOD
Ryan and I celebrated our anniversary at the start of the year with a wonderful dinner at Shift Kitchen & Bar here in Flagstaff. We had wine for me and a mocktail for Ryan’s dry January along with a whole bunch of really incredible food: pickled french fries, a Waldorf salad, a pumpkin sage pasta, panisse with confit parsnips and a sticky toffee banana pudding.
I’ve been wanting to try Shift for forever, and I’m glad we finally found an excuse to make it happen!
I’ve also been cooking a bit at home. I’m a huge fan of grain bowls for lunches (especially on in-office work days) and I recently added this avocado-and-sweet-potato breakfast bowl to my rotation.
I also tried Taylor Swift’s chai sugar cookie recipe! I made these for a craft night that a friend hosted.
HIKING + OUTDOORS!
This season was a pretty decent one for hiking — I’ve already explored a handful of new trails.
The biggest one was Boynton Canyon (and the “Subway Cave”), which has been on my bucket list for forever.
I also made it out for a hike on Brins Mesa with Ryan.
And, Ryan and Yukon came down to visit me during my work trip to Glendale. The three of us went hiking around the Phoenix Mountains Preserve area.
And, finally, Ryan and I made it down to the Sabino Canyon Recreation Area on the Coronado National Forest for a two-day, one-night backpacking trip!
HOME
We have a new shelf!
We’re still decorating them, but so far, it’s a great place for us to display some of our memories with Yukon. We’re hoping to eventually replace the bamboo box urn we got at the creamatory with something a little nicer, but for now, it’s a great way to remember our bub.
BOOKS, MOVIES, MUSIC + TV SHOWS
I’ve done a bit of reading so far this year. Here’s what I read in December, January and February, as well as a list of the best books I read in 2023.
FITNESS + HEALTH
A milestone: I hit my 100th class at YogaSix back in January!
Honestly, it’s not that impressive. That’s an average of one class a week, hah. But, I’ve been making a huge effort to step up my yoga class participation. I took 23 YogaSix classes in January and I’ve been making a huge effort to squeeze in as many CycleBar classes as possible lately, too! I mentioned it a year ago, but I get a free CycleBar membership as a perk of working at YogaSix. I definitely haven’t taken advantage enough over the past two years, so I’m trying to turn it around.
And… another milestone.
I ran a 5k for the first time ever!
It wasn’t an official 5K race, but it’s the first time in my adult life I’ve ever been able to run 3-plus miles without stopping.
My primary care physician diagnosed me with exercise-induced asthma in December and prescribed me an albuterol inhaler, and so far, it’s working wonders.
MISC.
So… how about those Detroit Lions!?
I think most of you all know this, but I grew up in Michigan and am a huge Detroit Lions fan! While I’m a little heartbroken about how this year’s season ended, I’m honestly thrilled to have experienced this much post-season success for the first time since I was literally in diapers.
I cannot wait for next season to see what this team continues to do!
Anyway, that was about it for this past winter. It’s funny — when one area of my life explodes (this winter, it was fitness classes, time with our pups, work, blogging and hiking) other areas (this winter: learning Spanish, reading, knitting, spending time with friends and traveling) just fall by the wayside.
It’s just a constant challenge to seek balance, I suppose.
Anyway, I’m excited for spring activities! And hopefully some more socialization.
・・・
See you next winter!
My views are mine alone and don’t represent those of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Forest Service or the United States government. All photos were taken by me and/or credited photographer unless otherwise noted, and are property of either myself or the USDA Forest Service. You can read more on my disclosure and privacy policy page.
