Another Sweaty Tuesday

What a difference a week makes! Last Tuesday I was dragging and wondering, "What in the Hell have I gotten myself into?!" And this week, I am noticing that I am walking a little faster between classes (i.e. I am not so stiff and sore that I "waddle" between classes); I have more energy during the classes, and I can push it a little further; when I'm on the hike I am taking fewer rest stops (and keeping close to the middle-front of the group); and that I am sweating a whole lot more! We're talking dripping down my face and hitting the ground kind of sweat! I don't think I've ever sweat like that before. (I just view it as the fat melting off my body!)

Today for Open Gym I finally bit the bullet and rode a bike over to the park for a little tennis with Tina. It was "only" 103 today, so I figured it was a good day to do it. Not to mention the fact that I had a pool class right after Open Gym, so it was perfect! We had a great time. Makes me want to play more tennis!

I took a ton of pictures on the hike today. Today's hike was White Rocks, which is a 6 mile hike up and over several rock formations (only the last little bit are actually white rocks), sand in the beginning and at the end, and overall there is about an 800 ft change in elevation. It is incredibly scenic. Here are just a few of the pics:

Starting out through the sand at the trailhead.

Just in case you didn't believe me!

A little bit of relief from the sand. 

A welcome respite in front of the cave. 

Had to get the moon in at least one shot today.

Of course we are going up there!

Close-up of the terrain. Nearly there!

Some people who were behind us. See them way down there? Yeah, I walked up that rock!

Next we are walking right into the sun! 

This is called Piano Rock. Amazing views from up here.

Our first summit of the day.

Heading over to that "sliver" of red rock in the upper right corner.

We have arrived, and we are going up!

Here are Trista and me at the top. Second summit of the day! You can see our next destination, 

the white rocks just to the left (my right) in the picture.

The white rocks just beyond that sea of green. Don't be fooled! It isn't as soft and friendly as it looks.

What goes up, must come down!

One small leap. . . Good thing I'm not afraid of heights!

A lava tube along the way (there were several).

This sand is very soft, and very difficult to walk in (especially 2 miles of it, going uphill!)

Made it over the White Rocks hump—the last summit! (I guess I was too excited to be so close to the end, 

I forgot to take a pic of the bottom angle.)

More sand!!! At least there were lots of cute little lizard tracks to look at.

A welcome sign. Cool cloths await in the van!

After that hike, I was very hungry! Ready for another day of delicious food.

We get a fruit plate every day at breakfast, which usually consists of a mixture of watermelon, cantaloupe,  and honeydew. Sometimes we get sliced strawberries or grapes. Today we were treated to blackberries, raspberries and sliced banana. A nice change. (And, yes, I actually ate the banana!)

Can you say, "Yum"?! It was served warm, and it was very good! 

Another delicious soup!

I almost didn't get this today (not a tuna fan). But, I'm in a "Go For It" state of mind, so I did get it. Not too bad. I just ate slowly. And I saved those potatoes for last. Yummo!

A very yummy veggie/ground turkey lasagna (and partially cooked carrots)

Just about everyone's favorite dessert. Look at the size of the one on the right! 

Keep those comments rolling as I push through my last few days here! Thank you so much for all of your support. I love reading the comments, and I will definitely be calling those who want to go on hikes when I return. The hikes are my favorite part of the day: I like getting up early and getting in a good hike.

Goodnight!