Happy Monday! I hope that everyone in the US had a good long weekend and Happy very belated Canada Day to my Canadian friends! Today, the US plays Croatia in Seattle for the World Cup and although I will not be there, my friend K will be there, cheering on our guys! Go USA! Actually, I have not had a chance to watch many of the recent games, as I have been in the mountains and out of service, and as you are reading this, I will likely be riding again...
 |
| I'll be doing this... |
However, I am making progress!! Currently Cristof and I am in Segment 5 in Utah and we are over halfway done! However, I have been dodging fires, struggling up hills and eating way too much fried food!
I'd love to hear what you're up to! Please copy and paste the questions at the end and add your answers to the mix!
Where was I? Arizona, California, Washington, Utah
What country related books or documentaries did I watch?
Read: The Lacuna by Barbara Kingsolver (Mexico) (5 stars)
Watched: n/a
Did I complete any other items on this year's looking forward list?
✅New food <-- I tried several AZ beers including Tower and Dark Sky Brewery
✅ Book about country <-- The Lacuna (Mexico)
✅ Family time!
✅ World Cup!
✅ Ride my bike in two new states <-- Arizona, Utah - 2/2
✅ New thing <-- Went to the World Cup (live)
--------------------------------------------------------------------
1. What is the name of last month's chapter?
January: Devouring the Sweet Potato
February: Back in the Groove
March: Serenity Before the Storm
April: Feeling Hot, Hot, Hot
May: The Ring of Fire and Ice
June: On The Road Again
June brought several road rides, which are NOT my favorite. Some of them were a bit dicey, aka small shoulder, fast traffic, but I lived!
2. What did I learn last month?
I learned about Piccadilly, a highly popular, sweet-and-sour Arizona treat that pairs shaved ice, cherry or Kool-Aid syrup, chamoy, and diced dill pickles. I did not get a chance to try it but I wanted to! Maybe next time?
3. What was the weather like?
It is all over the place. From about 110 F in Phoenix, it was a lot nicer in the northern part of AZ for the most part, maybe in the 80s at most. A break in CA and WA brought WONDERFUL 50s, 60s and 70s, then the Grand Canyon area was back in the 90s. Utah for the most part has been nice, with highs in the 80s and lows in the high 30s or low 40s at times. I will take lows in the 30s over highs in the 110+ any day.
 |
| It's cold in them thar hills! (~10,200 ft) |
4. What event last month was my favorite?
I can't really pick. There have been so many wonderful views and places I have never seen or been to and have been pleasantly surprised by. There have been so many people asking if I am okay, or need help, or offering me rides or drinks or buying me breakfast, or who are just curious about what I am doing. The World Cup was an experience of a lifetime. I also spent time with family and friends, both old and new (including one HS friend who I have not seen in about 15 years!) And of course, seeing my Dad fit eight days worth of camping food into a bear cannister which really is meant for four or five days worth. Some things never cease to amaze me, nor do they get old. Tetris for the win, Dad.
 |
| Dad helps me get ready for a future hiking trip |
5. What was the best thing read, listened to or watched last month?
Book: The Courage to be Disliked by Ichiro Kishimi. I would not say this is my favorite book of all times, but it really made me think a lot! There are some things I did agree with and some I did not, but all in all it was quite thought provoking. One of the parts that resonated was about the separation of tasks and the premise is that we suffer because we choose to—not consciously, but out of fear of change. By letting go of the need for outside validation and mastering this issue, it offers significant relief from burnout and the pressure to please everyone. If you read it, I'd love to hear your thoughts!
Movie/Show: n/a
Podcast: The Wild Ideas Worth Living podcast is an interview format where the host interviews all sorts of people who have had "wild" ideas, be it entrepreneurship, long sailing trips, or this one about a girl who became a paraplegic at age 17 but then went on to win several Olympic medals (in several different sports!) I am getting lots of inspiration and ideas for future endeavors!
6. Tell us one funny recent story.
I took K's daughter A driving for the first time. She was super cute about it and was very nervous. She did a great job, as I knew she would, as she is very responsible and thoughtful. However, when we went to swap back to drive home, she left a very big butt shaped sweat pool on the driver's seat!
7. What am I looking forward to this month?
Seeing more places that I have don't even know about yet!
 |
| My first glimpse of Mary's Nipple, Skyline Dr. UT (also smoke in the background 😔) |
Your turn! To copy/paste, highlight the text below and click CTRL-C, then put the cursor in the comment box and click CTRL-V.
JUNE:
1. What is the name of your last month's chapter or the theme of your last month if you prefer that?
2. What did you learn last month?
3. What was the weather like where you are?
4. What event last month was your favorite?
5. What was the best thing you read, listened to or watched last month?
6. Tell us one funny recent story.
JULY:
7. What are you looking forward to this month?
Bonus question! Do you remember who took you driving for the first time? How did it go?
