It's Been a Week of Traveling to Stunning Places and Thinking and Making Major Decisions,

This past week has been busy filled with contemplation, walking/running, decisions, meetings, traveling for both business (and pleasure because I don't travel otherwise:)

This post may look like a little bit of a photo dump. But since I have been traveling, I of course brought my camera along (I wouldn't do it any other way.) So I'll share a few of the gorgeous sights I visited this week.

WEIGHT LOSS UPDATE

First, let me give you a little update. I am down 9 pounds now. I was really hoping to hit the first 10 milestone, but not that its a good excuse but traveling got in the way of a few things.



WALKING/RUNNING UPDATES

I have officially gotten my first month or walking/running done since I have begun what I hope will (finally) be my comeback.

How did I do? Not quit as well this week as in previous weeks. But it was still okay.
17 Total Weekly Miles
Breakdown: Walking ( 12 Miles ) Running ( 5 Miles ).
However, I did also get a few hiking miles in, but I didn't keep track:)


I started out the week running in snowy mornings in 34 degree's and beautiful sunny skies, which let's just say are really the perfect running conditions. (Ignore the muddy shoes, I did a trail run the day before that the ground wasn't as frozen as I had hoped and they got a little muddy.)



Then I headed out of town, and later in the week I was in Southern Utah enjoying walks and runs in sunny skies and 80+ degrees.


I ran along two different southern Utah river trails, one along the river side. Another up above on the cliffs with valley and river overviews.
I actually used to live here, but when I did none of these trails existed. Well not in the paved or rocks and brush cleared up way:)
It's nice they added all these beautiful trail around the city to make it easier to be active.


One morning, I did run through the city, and let me tell ya those palm tree's were really making me feel like spring is really in the air!


I also headed into the older historic district, those buildings and the jail were built back in the late 1800's. I didn't even know they were there, and what's funny is I lived in this city for a couple of years and can't believe this was my first time making it into these little hidden surprises.

Normally, I don't bring a camera on a run, and if I do it'd be a rare instance if I stopped mid run to take a photo. But let's face it right now I am doing far more walking so yeah the photo's were technically taken on my walking portions not the actual running parts.



TRAVEL and ADVENTURE

Naturally because I needed to take a road trip. Of course the oil companies in  Utah raised the gas prices, they are up 30-50 cents higher than they were a few weeks ago.
There is one thing you can count on if you live in Utah. Getting price gouged in gas prices, and the federal government constantly trying to take every inch of land here for their own.  (Okay, rant over, LOL)

Despite the higher gas prices, I still enjoyed my travels.  While technically I headed to Southern Utah for business purposes. I of course made sure to get out and have fun too.
I got out and did a little hiking around Snow Canyon State Park.


Also, got a little more hiking in along the red cliffs in St. George and down the road a little in the Red Canyons.



As you can see in the above pictures. Some of the roads I traveled on took me into the deserts. Others higher up in elevations where snow is still plenty. Others were just beatifully scenic along canyon walls that raise up a 1000 feet road side.


CONTEMPLATION

I mentioned this week was for business and thinking.  That thinking is about some major career changes I am about to make.

Years ago, I when I lived in this area. Whenever I needed a little time to myself to think about things. I would drive up to the top of some beautiful red cliffs and sit out on the red rocks and admire the beauty below and think things out while I watched the sunset over the plateau's in the distance.



Since I was in the area, I drove up to my old favorite spot. I was surprised to find it has changed quite a bit. No longer are the dirt roads, progress I guess has paved them.
My favorite thinking spot is no longer just a red cliff desert. They turned it into a park of sorts.
So instead of sitting on desert red rocks, I was sitting in a swing.
The view is still petty great though! Different, a little more people around now but still very pretty! (It's the picture above.)



ANSWERS

Did I get my answers? Yes I did, and yes thinking in one of my past favorite spots did help.
I have made a decision about what to do with my future, my current career and what new career options I want to take.

The decision hasn't been an easy one, but I feel in my heart it is the right one for me.
I will be happy to announce it to you all, but I need to take a little time to finalize things and get going on it first.

I hope to share some of the details with you in the coming months. Once I can share what it is, it will make sense why I needed to wait a little to announce the news.


If your wondering why that rock above made my picture roll. Well truth is, I thought it was beautiful and frankly if there was any possible way to of lifted it and tossed it into my car to take it with me, it would be sitting in my garden at home! Unfortunately, it weighs to much, ha ha.

_______________________

So those are a few bits of my past week. It's been a lot of work, but also a little fun. Which is really the perfect mix in life right! I am happy with the progress I've made the past month as I have been getting active again, and I am even more excited to bump it up a few notches over the next few weeks.
I am also happy and excited about the decisions I have made for my future. In all, it's been a great week!

GIVEAWAY REMINDER

I have a giveaway for a $25 Amazon Gift Card that runs through this week. CLICK HERE and come enter for a chance to win if you haven't already!


I am linking up with HoHo Runs and MissSippiPiddlin today for their Weekly Wrap!



So tell me something fun and fabulous you did last week.
Or tell me about one of your favorite places to go and do your deep thinking.


42 comments :

  1. Glad to hear that you were able to get some clarity regarding your job in the midst of your travels this past week. Its easy to see why you were able to do a lot of thinking. Some of those sights that you saw are absolutely gorgeous!

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  2. Wow, they made such a beautiful walking/running path now. Hopefully you'll get some use out of that. I didn't know there were Palm trees is Utah!

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  3. What a wonderful trip. SO pretty. Can't wait to learn about your new adventures.

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  4. The photos are so beautiful! That's great that you were able to revisit an old thinking place, even if it looks different now, and that it helped you come to some decisions :)

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  5. Wow. Those pics are awesome! Congrats on the weight loss.

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  6. So glad you have a 'spot' even if it has changed a bit.
    9 lbs? YOU GO GIRL!!! You'll hit double digits this week! YAHOO!!

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  7. Ok WOW! You never cease to amazing me with your stunning pictures and thought-provoking posts!!! I can't wait to here what decision you've come to. And I'm SO thrilled for you and all that you've accomplished in your fitness this month - truly, it has been a comeback! You are amazing and always inspriational!!

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  8. Thanks! Yes, I am excited about the future, I have a lot of work to do for it this week to get it all going but it's going to be worth it!
    Yes, Utah is a pretty state, and since I love adventure I know exactly where to go to find the pretty spots, LOL

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  9. Ya, they have them all over the city now, its a really active community down there and they have done a really nice job making the trails.
    Oh, ya in Southern Utah where it stays warmer year round there are lots of Palm tree's, we are a desert after all:)

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  10. Thanks Julie, yes it was a fun and pretty sight seeing trip!

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  11. It was fun re-visiting this place, granted although it's beautiful I still kind of preferred it before less people around then, LOL But it did aid me in my thinking process and that is all that matters.

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  12. Thanks! Ya Southern Utah is some pretty country!

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  13. Yes, its one of my spots, I have a few up closer to where I live now. But it was nice to go back to that spot for these decisions:)
    Thanks! I am hoping if I am super strict I can hit 10 in the next couple of days:) Fingers crossed!

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  14. Oh you are sweet! When nature provides such beautiful places to visit, it makes the picture taking easy:)
    And thank you, I am really hoping this will finally be the year I can come back!

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  15. Looking at all your pictures, I don't know how people would stay inside in Utah. So much to see!

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  16. You are doing so well with the weight loss and adding in more running/walking by the week! Way to go :)

    I love all your travel pics - such gorgeous scenery and unlike anything in the Midwest. Glad you were able to get away for a few days to relax and contemplate your career change. Looking forward to hearing more details about it!

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  17. Your photos of Utah always make me drool. I think this may be moving up on my vacation wish list. :) Nice work on your weight loss...its never easy to workout and eat well when you're on the road. And excited to hear about your new adventures! :)

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  18. There is a lot to see. I've lived in this state my whole life and travel all the time but still have so much to do and see in it. If I could be outside every day I would:) Many of us in Utah have the "We work hard, to play harder" philosophy and playing in the outdoors is why!

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  19. You have to take it slow coming back so you don't re injure yourself. I think that's a great start to your weight loss. Marathon not a sprint. Your photos of the old district look really cool. Have a great week

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  20. Thanks Sun!
    Yeah, Utah is a little different than the Midwest. But one thing you guys get in the midwest are wheat fields that go as far as the eye can see. Whenever I visit Nebraska it's my favorite thing to sit back and relax and watch it's like hypnotising, LOL LOL

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  21. Thanks! Glad you liked the photos! Oh yes, add Utah to your vacation list. It's an absolutely gorgeous state. If you ever plan one, hit me up and I'll tell you exactly where you will really want to go to see the best and most stunning things!

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  22. Gorgeous photos. I love that pic of the cactus. I totally understand about the rock but it makes me think about our hiking and backpacking code - Take only pictures, leave only footprints - it makes sense because if you took the rock home with you, the next person wouldn't be able to enjoy it.
    congrats on your weight loss. I am on a similar journey. I didn't weigh myself when I started but I have an estimate of my starting weight and I can't wait (weight) to get to my first milestone of 10 lbs lost healthily.
    http://runwright.net

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  23. Such beautiful scenery! Utah is one of my favorite places to visit because it's so pretty there.

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  24. Oh ya, I've been taking it slow. The best part about coming back is since this injury wasn't ever running related its making it easier. But also since I was walking 5-10 miles on days I had wedding events I've been doing that for months, so it's just been slow go at adding the running, but it's coming along well.
    Ya, that old district is beautiful, I can't believe I never saw it before. But then when I lived there I rarely ran through that area of town so it makes sense, LOL

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  25. Thanks, I liked the cactus picture too.
    Good luck on your weight loss journey too. I'm finding it really is mostly all about the diet and drop in calories intaked, the working out is just a bonus that speeds it up a little, LOL

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  26. You travel so often, you would know:) But yes it is a pretty state!

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  27. I love your picture "dump". I've never been to Utah, and it looks pretty. Glad to see that you are getting some running in!

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  28. Your pictures are Stunning as always:) I am glad you were able to get out and enjoy the sunshine!

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  29. I love all your pictures! There's just something about being out in beautiful nature that makes it so much easier to think things through. Congrats on the 9 lbs! I'm sure you've hit 10 by now!

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  30. Such stunning pics!! My running trails are where I think best! Congrats on the weight loss, and the decisions! xo

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  31. Yes Utah is a pretty state, glad you liked the pictures:)

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  32. Thanks Lauren, yes it was fun to get outdoors last week!

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  33. Thanks, I agree being in nature does make it easier to think! I wish I could say I've hit 10. But 9.5 so close:) I'll be extra diligent today and maybe tomorrow will be the day!

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  34. Thanks Michelle! Oh yes trail running is great for thinking!

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  35. Looks like you were in a very beautiful area last week! Love all of the pics! Congrats on the 9lbs too! Also glad to hear you got some answers while you were away. Have a great week!

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  36. Tricia MissSippiPiddlinMarch 8, 2017 at 6:28 PM

    You have the most beautiful views I tell ya! I just love seeing all of the pictures, I just don't get to see things like this often! I'm so very glad you have been back on the trails and roads. Progress is progress any way you look at it. I'd say 9lbs is quite a lot too! You should be very proud of yourself. I'm glad to hear you made some decisions with your life and I can't wait to hear what they are! Thanks lady for your continued support!!

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  37. Thanks, Sharon! Ya, Southern Utah is really pretty, I enjoy it when I can visit there!

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  38. Thanks, it is a pretty area to visit so it makes it easy to find beautiful shots to take:)
    Thanks again on the comment about the progress, I am trying and I haven't hit that it's easy yet point, but eventually I will get there!

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  39. Oh thanks, Southern Utah is a really pretty place to visit you have a stunning view almost anywhere you're at:) One of these days you'll have to take that RV and visit Utah, I think you'd enjoy the camping in this state. Camping is like 2nd nature here, so there are campgrounds and RV parks pretty much everywhere:)
    Thanks, I am happy about the weight loss. I have a long way to go but this is progress and that is what matters!

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  40. Ahh! It's so pretty out there! <3 I'm glad you took a camera along! :D

    When I was in the process of figuring out where to rank residency programs and thinking about where I wanted to end up, it definitely helped me to visit the places (and old favorite places if it was a place I'd been to before) too! I'm so glad you got the answers you were looking for!

    I'm sorry you couldn't take that rock with you! :P

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  41. It's very pretty in Southern Utah, glad you enjoyed the pictures!
    Thanks Farrah, ya I think your right sometimes you just have to get away to do a little thinking so things can come in more clear:) I'm just so happy for you that you got the residency you wanted!!

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  42. Aughh! Me too! <3! Thanks so much! I still get all smiley and happy whenever I think about it, hahaha. Another 3 years away from my family/most of my friends though! x_x I guess we're all used to that by now though. ._.

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