Monday, December 31, 2012

Recap: 2012

I thought a short, well-written (hopefully), summative post of 2012 would be good.  Obviously, the focus will be on Koda and working towards the Triple Crown.  But, hey, why not give this blog a slightly more personal touch and let you know about the entirety of the year?

January: 
J-Term class at Augustana College in Sioux Falls, SD called "The Wire".  It was my final course to take for Civitas Honor's.  Sincerely, I didn't really enjoy the course.  I understand what the professor's motive was in designing it, but think that it should have been a little better thought out. 

January also brought with it the Northlander's Jazz Band Tour.  While we didn't go anywhere exotic or crazy, the trip itself was highly enjoyable.  It afforded me the opportunity to get to know Dr. Schilf (a professor at Augie and also the professor who would be evaluating my Student Teaching) along with a few members of the Jazz Band that I really enjoy, but don't get to talk to outside of class often.

January also brought with it many trip so the Humane Society to look at and play with dogs.

February:

Started Student Teaching at Baltic under the direction/supervision of Linda Wilke. Lovin' it.

Still going to the Humane Society to play with dogs. I think this was the time that I ran into a dog named "Cartmann". Adorable and high energy.  I was instantly attracted to this dog and wanted to adopt him, but was not at a time in my life where that would work out.  I found out later (after talking to the inmate that worked with Koda), that Cartmann was a PitA (Pain in the Ass) and unruly.  

March:
Still Student Teaching.  I also took a trip with the Augustana Trombone Choir to the Eastern Trombone Workshop in Washington DC where we performed alongside other colleges from around the nation.  The thing that set Augie apart at this convention is that we were the only performers to have no graduate students performing with us.  We did well and made ourselves proud.  Similarly to the Northlander's trip, I was able to get to know a few professors and trombone players really well and enjoyed myself immensely. 

Senior trombone players and our fearless leader, Vance Shoemaker.


April:
A flurry. Finishing student teaching. Finishing my "career" with the Augustana Band, Augustana Trombone Choir, and Northlander's Jazz Band.  Planning for graduation. Applying for jobs and travelling for interviews.


I also met another dog (I know, it's like you're hearing about my love-life...only it's with dogs?).  This one's name was Jackson. He was a German Shepherd mix and strangely beautiful. Think: body of Alaskan Husky, coat of an all black husky but the under layer is blonde, so when you pet him against the "flow of fur" he looked blonde.

But, he barked a lot and was super hyper.  I later met him at a dog park in Sioux Falls and the owner was having issues with vocal commands.



May:
Completed Student Teaching. Graduated from Augustana College with a Bachelor of Arts degree, major in K-12 Music Education and Civitas Honors.  

Oh, and, of course:
Adopted Koda
Ready for an onslaught of Koda photos from when I first got him? If not, shield your eyes and scroll down quickly!

  
This was Koda's FAVORITE chair. We ended up not bringing it to Bozeman, as it belonged to Nathan's sister.


When I first adopted Koda, he was pretty sick with an infection and slept a LOT.  
But occasionally I could get him to play and we would run from one room to another chasing each other.

 June-July:
These months were filled with a lot of working with Koda and getting to know each other. I also gave a few private lessons on trombone, worked at Coffea, and worked on finishing my Honor's project.

August:
The application. The interview.  The acceptance. The presentation of the honour's project. The move.  First week of working and meeting staff. Saying "So Long" to family.  This month was stressful.

September - October:
Working and playing. 

November:
Birthday (both mine and Koda's).
Going home for Thanksgiving and leaving Koda in Bozeman.  Nathan watched him for me, and I think that was a good thing.  I missed the pooch quite a bit, but loved spending time with my family.

December:
Putting on the School Christmas Concert.  Learning to live (and, eventually, enjoy) the snow and cold weather. Going home for the Holidays and having to leave Koda at a boarding kennel.

Actually, I just picked him up about 2 hours ago.  He is tuckered and shedding like crazy.  I think he was really confused and really afraid of being put back at an Animal Shelter.  Thus, he didn't sleep very much (or eat, or drink) and the stress caused his hair to fall out a bit.  He is sleeping on the chair across from me now and finally looking very contended.  Poor guy.  I realized how much I missed him while I was gone, too.  I've decided that kennels are risky business with him right now because of his history and am planning on driving home and bringing him with for any trips longer than 3-4 days.

Sooo, Koda gets to go home in March!

Now, what will 2013 bring?  Hopefully a bit more stability.  I'm finally adjusting to Bozeman (I'm "reticent to change") and would like to get a better feel for the community.  I'm planning on doing most of my traveling throughout July.  My Dad's side of the family is getting together in Western SD, which is much closer, so I'll go to that and then drive on over to MN for a 3k that I'm doing with a friend later that month.

The goal is also to hike. A lot.

I don't start teaching again until the 3rd, so there will be another update later this week talking about another trail that must be completed to "Triple Crown".

Have a fantastic holiday and see you in the New Year!
Best,
A

Sunday, December 9, 2012

Indian Ridge



A Mental Retreat to warmer times...because right now it's pretty darn cold.   Whether I was living here or in Sufu, I'd be chilled...so I'm not complaining.  I'm merely stating that the colder temperatures and I are on "icy" terms.

Oh, a pun, I'm sorry!

In all honesty, though, I'm very glad we went XC skiing yesterday.  I didn't bring my camera as we were with friends (Yes! Friends!) Annie and Stephen.  Nathan met Stephen through his work and Annie is his wife.  They're swell people and we have fun together. A good thing, in my book.

Anyway, we went out to the same place as the last post with Koda and went about 6-7 miles total on the skis.  When we were done we were tired.

Like, so tired we didn't hardly speak on the ride back.

But, yesterday, it was warmer.  It was probably in the mid-twenties to low thirties.  Perfect XC ski temperature.  

So, today I'm going to focus back on warmer times when I went hiking on a trail called "Indian Ridge".  This trail is also down Gallatin Hwy, like so many of my favorite trails seem to be.  It is shortly after Storm Castle, on your right-hand side.  The parking lot is deceptive compared to the trail.  You think you'll just be walking up a grassy hill, but that would be incorrect.  This is one of the more strenuous hikes I've done.


See? Deceptive.  This is walking back to the parking lot...the point you see on the left is Storm Castle.

Anyway, you start out through a beautiful wooded area with camping locations alongside the stream which runs next to it.
 The trail curves up, crosses over the river and then begins the ascent.  At first, it isn't really to steep.  In fact, you can go past about 3 or 4 of the switchbacks before you start to think, "When the heck is this going to summit?"

But, along the way and during those thoughts, there are some spectacular look-outs.




I never did summit.  
I know.
This is me, admitting defeat.  



I don't know if it was due to the long work week, the trying to keep up with Koda (rather than pulling him back to my pace) the hunger in my belly, or the unease that I felt when I realized I didn't bring bear spray (safety first!) that told me to call it and head back. Whatever it was, I listened to it, and maybe that's okay.  I wrote some solid lesson plans that night and rested up for the week.

Koda was ready to head back too.  He jumped in the car about as fast as I've ever seen him go.

I hope you all have a wonderful week and stay warm, wherever you may be!
I've got a Christmas Concert to prepare for and a flight to the homeland!

Best,
A



Monday, December 3, 2012

Skijoring - Attempt One


There comes a time in every girl's and dog's life when the snow flies and it's just not much fun to trudge waist deep in snow.

It's at these points in time when the girl has to toughen up and say "It's time to try something new."  Luckily, this girl had a boyfriend that was willing to help her and not laugh at her too hard.

That's right, my friends, last Saturday I learned how to cross-country ski.  Simultaneously, Koda continued to learn how to skijor.

"Wait." You may be thinking "What the heck is skijoring and how on Earth do you say it."

Skee-yor-ing (if you're a Norsky) or Skee-jor-ing (generally how most folks Stateside pronounce it) is when a dog, horse, or snowmobile pulls a human who is wearing cross-country skis.  The biggest trick in skijoring (as far as I can tell) is ensuring that your dog will pull you on the trails and not take off after wildlife.  There are a few common commands that folks like to use when skijoring:

"Hike" - Let's Go
"Easy" - Slow Down
"Gee" - Right
"Haw" - Left
"On By" - Pass without slowing (or a "leave it" command for those who have dogs that may want to stop and smell everything).

The key, as far as I'm learning, in this activity is to maintain patience and consistency.  Really, in this way it's not much different from teaching elementary music.

So, off we went! I wish I could tell you the trail that we went on, but I forgot to look at the name. It's north of Bohart Ranch in the Bridgers (which is north of Bridger Bowl).  There are a lot of off-shoot trails that you can go on, we went to the very top of the road and took the left trail.  Side Note: You'll need 4-wheel drive to get up to the top.

Koda did really well for being scared stiff of the skis and ski poles.  At first, we started with Nathan and Koda in front and my following (I mean, c'mon, it was my first time).  It was entirely uphill and the snow was deep.  Koda was a champ though and kept going, even though the snow was above his chest.  Nathan was a champ for being patient with Koda and his wanderings.

And you know what, the entire way going uphill I didn't fall. I didn't biff even once.

However, the time came to turn around and go home, and that was an entirely different story. Yes, I fell. And, yes, it seemed like a lot to me.  But, that's part of learning. I'm starting to appreciate the struggle and I think that's important.

Besides, if we all didn't struggle with something, how dull would life be?  It's the constant pursuit of something and the struggle that comes with the pursuit that teaches us more about ourselves and our environment.

Best,
 A

PS: Check out Nathan's Blog to read about his summer travel experience! And Happy Holiday Season from both of us.



Monday, November 19, 2012

Storm Castle Trail

My friends, I am pleased...nay, elated...to tell you the tail of Storm Castle Trail.


You head down the highway,
Gallatin by name.
And take a left on a dirt road,
if hiking is your game.

You then take a right,
BUT DON'T YOU STOP.
You go past a helibase,
to make it to the top.

Then you're at the trail,
with three other choices.
Choose one wisely,
(listen to the voices).

You start up the trail,
it's not hard at all.
but then it gets perilous,
careful, don't fall!

Some trail is smooth,
and other is stoney.
Wear good hiking boots,
the trail is no phony!

You go past one lookout,
then two, then three!
Look towards Hyalite,
oh how far you can see!

The exercise is great;
the scenery is charming.
Developing in Gallatin?
NO! How alarming!

The world looks so small,
the higher you go.
You gain a sense of peace,
time seems to slow.

Hiking is more,
than just trying to get fit.
It's about realizing yourself-in this world,
in spite of it.

So when you begin,
please leave no trace.
This place is sacred,
separate the rat race.




Alright, all joking aside...this is truly a beautiful hike.  The only thing I managed to complain about (and honestly, probably too much) was the snow.  Hiking in it was not the most exciting thing in the world as it wasn't "powder soft and Christmas-y". No, no, no. We've had a warm streak in Bozo and the snow was compacted and slick from other hikers.

But otherwise, not a complaint. Nathan and I realized how nice it is to sometimes hike on a trail that has an actual end point.  You feel like you've completed something and can gain a small sense of pride.

And, have I mentioned enough how BEAUTIFUL the scenery is throughout the entire hike?  There wasn't one moment where I wasn't awed by something. Or, perhaps in a more understandable sentence structure...I was wow'd by everything.


                         











You might be wondering why Koda is back on the lead. Well, he had a bit of a falling out with Nathan on a hike last week and completely ran off......twice.  So, to me, that says he isn't ready to be off lead.


(He knows he's in trouble, I think).

So we're back to walking him on the long lead, calling him back, and rewarding him every time he comes.  I've taken him to the dog park a few times and he has done exceptionally well there.  He's returned even when distracted by other dogs.

Oh, and I'm pleased to say that this hike wasn't hard for me (although, it's not a terribly hard hike...just steep).  So, that leads me to believe that I'm getting somewhere in the "get ready for days of hiking" category.

I'm also extremely excited to announce that some friends and I have agreed to do The Color Run in Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN next summer.





Alright, exceptionally long post done.  If you're ever in Bozeman and trying to decide which hike to do...I think this would be my number one suggestion!

Happy Monday and Happy Thanksgiving!

Best,
A

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

The Trails - Appalachian

To further explain what it means to "Triple Crown" in USA hiking, I thought I would discuss the trails involved.

Today, we'll just cover some jargon and the Appalachian Trail.  In a week, we'll discuss another one of the trails, the Pacific Crest. Finally, two weeks from today we'll wrap up with a discussion about the Intercontinental Trail.

There are three trails (hence the "Triple") that hikers must complete and a variety of ways to do so.  Some people argue that you have to do the entirety of one trail in one backpacking excursion (known as thru-hiking).  However, for those of us who have jobs, completing the entirety of a thousand-mile or greater trail in the matter of months simply isn't possible, no matter how much we may want to.  Fun Fact provided by the official website of the AT: Only 1 in 4 hikers who attempt to thru-hike actually complete it.  Ready for a cheesy pop-culture reference? "May the odds be ever in your favor".

Some people like to hike against the general population, so they complete one portion of the trail starting from a mid-point, then go back to the mid-point of the trail at another time and complete the other half (this is known as "flip-flopping).  Sometimes flip-flopping makes a lot of sense.  For example, on the Appalachian Trail, one hikes from the southern most states (Georgia) up through to the northern most state on the east coast (Maine).  To get an early start, a large quantity of people start hiking in April.  It's still rather brisk in Maine at April, so it makes more sense to start in Virginia and work your way up to Maine so that, come the heat of mid-summer, you're in Maine. Then, upon completing Mt. Katahdin, going back to the starting point in Virginia and working south so that you're in the southern states when fall sets in and the temperatures start to drop.

Finally, for those who cannot do either of those options, there is "section hiking", which is exactly what it sounds like. You select a section of the trail to do and do it.

Going back to the three trails, they are:
Appalachian Trail (fondly known at the AT): 2,184 miles long, the AT goes through (from South to North): Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine.

According to the AT's website, there are three main types of blazes.  For those unfamiliar with the vernacular, blazes are trail markers that allow hikers to know that they're on the right path.

One type of trail marker is a white blaze that can be found on trees, posts, rocks...you name it.

Another form of blaze is a double blaze, these are used to "signal an obscure turn, route change, or incoming side trail".

Finally, and perhaps my favourite form of blaze, is a cairn.  They're used above treelines or in any area where a blaze may be obscured.

Dogs and the AT
There are portions of the AT that are dog friendly and others that are not.  The areas of the AT that do not allow dogs are:

  • Baxter State Park, Maine
  • Great Smoky Mountains National Park
  • Bear Mountains State Park (though this one has an alternate road route available....but how safe is it to walk your dog along the road?)

Then, of course, those that are dog friendly can vary from allowing complete off-leash hiking to those that require leashing your dog.


For the parts that do not allow dogs, occasionally there are kennels available to house your dogs while you're hiking. In most cases, you can find a kennel, though it is best to do your research.  I will continue to look this up and post links as I find them under an applicable tab.  However, remember, thousands of people hike the AT yearly, it is best to reserve a kennel as early as possible.

There are hostels and shelters along the way - but most of these expect you to keep your dog outside.  So, if you have a hard time leaving your dog alone in unknown territory, then plan on tenting it most of the way.


To read more about people who have hiked the AT and they're journey, check out any of these online journals.




Monday, November 12, 2012

Middle Cottonwood Trail

This post is brought to you by Middle Cottonwood Trail in the Bridgers near Bozeman, MT.


Here's the stats:
Directions:  Head north on 19th off of Main. Continue to Springhill Rd and take a right (you'll only have the option of taking a right or left turn).  Continue along Springhill Rd until Toohey (gravel), which will also be on your right.  Follow Toohey until you, once again, have to take a Right or a Left onto Walker.  Take a Right.  Walker will curve around and you'll take a gradual left onto Saddle Mt Rd.  This will also take a gradual left and you will see a Mdl Ctnwd Trl Forest Service sign.  Take a right at the sign and take the service road up to the trail entrance (a dead end).

Length: Middle Cottonwood Trail splits about a mile up and you can choose to go to Fairy Lake on a 16 mile trek, or go to the "M" on a 6 mile hike.  Either way, it's advisable to give yourself the majority of the day to complete the hikes.

Allows: Hikers, Dogs and Mountain Bikes (no motorized vehicles)

Here's my personal opinion:
While I haven't completed the hike up to Fairy Lake or to the "M" - I have gone about 3-4 miles in and enjoyed it the entire time.  The hike allows you to ascend to multiple beautiful lookouts and to go into valleys where you feel completely engulfed by the nature around you.

It's also a great hike for the pooch as it follows a stream/creek for the first portion of the hike, which all dogs seem to enjoy.  There is minimal wildlife on the first portion of the hike, so if you dog is the run-away-at-anything-that-might-move sort, you needn't worry too much for a short day hike.

The trail itself goes from being very smooth to very rocky.  I'm told that, later on, the hike turns to a slight scramble, but I cannot vouch for this myself.

This trail is exceptionally popular on weekends, so I might wait until the week to attempt it.  It's also more popular in the afternoon than in the morning (as are most trails around here) - so if you are going to try it on the weekend, get out there by 9am and you'll find a peaceful xanadu awaiting you.

Also, this hike is completely Koda approved.

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Off-Leash Training

Off-Leash Training

Alright, so, I'm going to start this out by completely owning up to the fact that Nathan helped me out with training Koda to be off leash.

He helped me out a lot.

You see, I'm exceptionally protective of Koda (probably due to the fact that I have wanted a dog since I was 8 and have finally achieved that glorious goal).  I'm also exceptionally aware of the fact that, if he does get hurt, so does my bank account.  I'll do whatever is necessary to "fix" him, but a teacher's salary isn't extensive and being cautious doesn't always hurt.

But, as you'll notice in upcoming photos of recent hikes, Koda is completely off leash.  I've only had him 6 months, so how could this happen so quickly?

I'll give you a write down of the process that we went through to get him to the point he is now:

First, it was the re-tractable leash.  This was for the first 4 months of owning him. Koda was previously called "Tex", so I needed to be sure that he knew his name.  I constantly rewarded him by giving him small treats when he came after I whistled or called his name.  I also am consistent with the whistle I use to call him (For any Wes Anderson fans, it's the same whistle as used in "Fantastic Mr. Fox").




On the Lead
Second, my parents purchased a 20'-25' lead.  Originally, we were just going to use it to let him hang out in the backyard while we were doing other things.  Eventually I used it as his leash (connecting it to my day-hiking backpack) when hiking.  It allows him enough room to maneuver and be a good distance away from us, but not outside of a controllable range.  The lead also allowed me to test his listening skills and see if he would come when called.

Snowfill Dog Park
At this point, I had also moved to Bozeman which has a phenomenal dog park called Snowfill Dog Park (see previous post).  This park is large enough that we can really test Koda's listening by having him be half a mile away and calling him.  It also allowed us to see how well he listened while being distracted by other animals/people.

The next step Nathan took the initiative with - I was too nervous about it.  When Koda seemed mostly responsive to his name and coming when called, we stopped holding on to the lead.  We still had it drag behind/under him - so it provided some resistance - but Koda was essentially free to run around where he liked.  This part we did for about a month and a half and continuously rewarded him with praise and treats when he did return.

Once Koda proved that he would come when called both at the dog park and on hikes/other walks with the lead still attached, we removed the lead.

BAM. Off-leash dog.
Finally Off-Leash


Now, does Koda respond 100% of the time with alacrity?
I wish.

When on hikes, he likes to get a good distance ahead of me.  I learned this really well today on a hike (post about that next week).  There were points where he would be beyond my sight (something I'm not okay with).  So, when he proved again and again that he wouldn't come when called, I attached the lead to him and made him stay on lead.  I'm blessed with a fairly intelligent dog, so he knew what he did/did not do, and walked very nicely on the lead.

Do I think this method will work with all dogs? No, I honestly don't.  If you have a dog who is high energy and easily distracted, or a dog who is stubborn and likes to test your ability as "Alpha" - this may not work for you.  It also may not work if you don't have the time to devote to it.

It worked for me, and so far so good.
Knock on wood!

Best,
A

Saturday, November 3, 2012

Bozeman

So, as I mentioned in my last post (a long time ago, sorry about that!) - I scored an awesome job teaching K-8 music in the Bozeman, MT area.  This. Is. Wonderful.....

....for so many reasons.  While I could talk extensively about how much I enjoy my job and the area in general, it is specifically wonderful for the purposes of training for a long distance hiking trip.  Bozeman is surrounded by mountain ranges, and all of them have extensive hiking trails throughout.

So, in staying with priorities, one of the first things I did upon arriving in Bozeman was purchasing a day-pack for Koda.  I took a quick trip to Dee-Oh-Gee and started looking at packs. A word about Dee-Oh-Gee - they're product may be on the pricier side, but they have a staff that seems to be knowledgeable and willing to help with any questions one might have.  The woman that was working, and I forget her name, showed me some packs made by RuffWear and one pack made by Kurgo.  While I do believe that, in many instances, it's best just to purchase the pricier option first (in this case, the RuffWear packs) and never look back, I opted for the Kurgo Wander Pack.

So far, I'm very pleased for a day-hike, light usage pack.  The pack comes with two pockets on either side which are secured by zippers.  The pack itself is black and bright orange, which is awesome for visibility purposes.  There is heavy-duty metal ring on the back, which you can use to clip to a leash without having to worry about the dog stumbling over the cord as is often the case with collars and Gentle Leaders.

A Hiking Dog is a Happy Dog
The pack also features three straps, all of which are adjustable.  Two that run around the dogs chest from under the pockets and one that connects up in front of the chest onto the collar that runs around the neck of the dog.

Too much text? Have a look.






I'll work on updating more frequently, now that things are finally (sort of) beginning to settle down.

Also, just to tease you with the hiking possibilities in Bozeman, here's a photo of an easy 6 mile (round trip) hike to a place called Lave Lake in Gallatin Canyon.

Nathan (the boyfriend's) hand holding a Clif Bar (classic) and Koda up at Lava Lake.
Next time, the discussion about which trail of the "Triple Crown" legacy to attack first, when to do it, and what I need to get and be able to do before that (sure to be) fateful summer.

Best,
A


Saturday, August 11, 2012

The Move!

Wow.

So, in the time that has passed, big things have been happening. Big things that will most definitely alter the course of planning for the AT and backpacking with Koda in general.

I have been looking for a job teaching music all summer.
I've had a few offers, but they didn't feel completely "right", so I turned them down.
Then, in a whirlwind of awesome that was 2 weeks ago, I get a call from a small town outside of Bozeman, MT about an interview.

36 hours later and I've been told that I will be put up for recommendation in front of the board of trustees as the new music teacher for that school district.

I don't know how many of you know much about Bozeman, but it's essentially an outdoor lover's paradise.  Hiking, Camping, Backpacking, Kayaking, Canoeing, Snowshoeing, Skiing, Snowboarding, Bicycling........anything-ing.

So while the weather has cooled off here, I've been so busy packing and tying up loose ends that it's been hard to go hiking.

Koda and I did do a 4 mile hike the other day.  No pack or anything. And, stupidly, no food or water for either of us.  The hike was only supposed to be a 2 hour one, but the state park didn't have the best blazes for the trails and we got lost for 2 hours, then add the 1 hour hike back.

I was crabby. Koda was crabby.
We were both tired, hot, and hungry.

But we survived.
Most importantly, Koda was able to keep going consistently throughout the 4 hours. No needing to stop and rest or anything.

He's getting healthier every day, and I think this fall and next spring/summer are going to bring a lot of wonderful hiking surprises!

I may not update again until I'm full settled into Montana.
Buuut, photos and stories are to come!

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

The Heat

It's hot.
Like, go out at 7am and then hide inside until 9pm when you can squeeze in a walk without becoming a puddle on the sidewalk, kind of hot.

Triple digits most days. Yesterday it was 105 around 4pm.

You can't do ANYTHING in this kind of heat, and it's exceptionally frustrating.



So, Koda and I just hang out inside. No big deal or anything, just bored out of our skulls.

Friday, July 20, 2012

Diet/Exercise/Research Update

Sorry it's been so long. I've got a few other side projects going on right now that seem to have taken priority.

So, let's get down and dirty and break it up real quick:


Diet


Koda maintains his Eukanuba diet, but I have added a few berries (raspberries or strawberries) to his daily intake.  From what I've read, they're just as good for dogs as they are humans (due to antioxidants), and Koda really enjoys eating them.  I've also cut up a sweet potato and put it in the freezer, after a long hike on a hot day, I'll give him a chunk after he has cooled down a bit.

My diet has become fairly regular, due to budgeting.
Breakfast
1 egg + splash of milk + 1 Tbsp cut up onion + 1/4 c. cut up ham + sprinkle of cheese: all scrambled
1 smoothie (banana, plain Stonyfield yogurt, strawberries/raspberries, milk)
1 slice of homemade bread (toasted)
1 glass of water

Lunch
Ham and cheese sandwich with homemade pepper jelly on home made white/wheat bread.
Fruit of some sort (the current favourite is pineapple)
Kombucha or water to drink

Dinner
Spaghetti (with Organic Pasta Sauce and steamed vegetables (most often carrots, broccoli and green beans)
Slice of toast with olive oil and cut basil on it
Glass of water

Not to enthralling, but it's fairly healthy and it keeps me going.

Exercise
It has been in the triple digits here, much like the rest of the country. In the morning I take Koda for a brief walk and then down to the dog park so that he can run out a lot of his energy before it gets too hot/humid.  I'm often at work from whenever we get home until early evening. When I get home we go for a 3 mile walk (or so), unless it's too hot.  To be honest, it's all just dependent upon the heat. I can tolerate the high temps very well, but Koda cannot.  I ride my bike into work as often as possible (which is about 2 miles, one way) and occasionally for errands if I don't have to go too far or carry too much.

Research
I have added some new links for all of the trails on the "Links" page.  From my understanding, and discussion with a few hikers, the trip can be completely worthwhile to do with your dog, so long as the dog is well trained and as a hiker I am willing to make sacrifices.

I'm currently looking in to gear and reviews of gear, so that's the next big step.  I've put a list up of what I have and what I'm looking at purchasing in the future.  The biggest trick will be finding the best route to take and figuring out where I can and cannot have Koda.

Take it easy,
A

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Diet(s)

It's well known that an important part to staying healthy, especially while training for a physical venture, is in what you eat.

I take great pride and care in making sure that Koda's diet is one with which he can:

1) Gain weight off of (he is about 5-10 lbs to light right now)
2) Grow muscle mass from
3) Gain energy from
4) Maintain healthy skin, joints, etc

Now, is this to say that Koda's diet is stagnant?  No. I'm constantly looking at labels and reading things about what larger dog breeds should be eating.  I also have a pretty awesome vet that is always willing to talk about these things.

Right now, Koda's main source of food is Eukanuba Large Breed.  After a long day of hiking/outdoor activity, I may treat him to some soft food, but still staying within the Eukanuba brand.   So far, the favourite has been this one.

Similarly, at dinner, if I am browning some lean hamburger/bison meat, I will give Koda  few chunks in order to keep him interested.  I found out that he likes peppers and carrots, so I may occasionally give him one of those as a snack.

Speaking of snacks.

When I adopted Koda, he had a comfort food (which I what I used as a vehicle to get him comfortable to me and to train him).  For the good or the bad of it, Milkbones are to him what mashed potatoes and gravy are to me.  He gets about one of those a day. (1/2 in the morning and 1/2 at night)

I also use Pet Botanic's "Training Rewards" for any other training adventure we might be engaging in.  He didn't take to these right away, but enjoys them now.

My diet, thank goodness, is a little more varied than his.  I do try and make sure to eat more protein than carbohydrates.  I also try to balance out every protein dish with a vegetable/dark leafy greens/fruit dish. I don't drink a ton of milk (about one glass every 3 days), mostly due to the fact that I just prefer to drink water).

There are a few other guidelines I try to follow:

- None of my meals are fried.
- I don't eat hamburger meat more than once a week (I mostly indulge in chicken, fish, bison (a lean red), turkey, and pork).  THIS IS A MAJESTIC FEAT WHEN LIVING IN THE GREAT PLAINS.
- Spinach is the only leafy green I purchase
- I rarely eat out
- I do drink alcohol (generally found in the form of a beer) about once a week. Never to excess.
- I don't own a microwave and only use them when I have to (they "suck the soul out of food" as a friend once said).

I'll post more on my diet later (I'll track it for a week and let you know what it is).  It's late here and I have to work in the morning.

Best,
A

Thursday, June 7, 2012

An Assessment

I've begun watching Koda and assessing him to see how "fit" he is.  While we're not doing the bigger hikes for at least a year, I feel like getting a dog "comfortable" with 10-12 mile days could take a while.

As mentioned in the "About Us" portion - Koda hasn't ever really been exercised regularly.  He was kept on a lead at his former home and in the kennels at the Humane Society.  Thus, he doesn't have much muscle mass.  In just this past two weeks of exercising him, I've noticed a dramatic increase in the tone of his muscles.

When we did the hike on Monday at GB, Koda was tired after about 1 1/2 hours and 3-5 miles.  I might mention, though, that it was during the warmer part of the day and the high for that day was about 85 degrees Fahrenheit.  My goal, ultimately, is to be able to push 15 mile days and high humidity and a fair amount of heat, too.  Koda will also, eventually, be carrying his own pack.  While I don't think it will get nearly as hot there as it does here, I like to live by a "better safe than sorry" motto when it comes to hiking.

However, I did notice this about Koda....he is FAST.  The past two days at the dog park he has run up against a husky mix and a lab/pitbull mix and smoked them each time.  His speed is perfectly okay (which is what he is built for), it's his endurance that needs work.

Me?
Oh, you mean I need to be in shape for this too?
Yea, we'll talk about that.......another day.

Monday, June 4, 2012

Greetings!

I'll keep it brief.  Visit the "About Us" page to learn about who I am and who Koda is.  Both are pretty key characters in this blog.

The goal of this blog is to help me (and, eventually, hopefully you) to prepare to Triple Crown in hiking the United States.  I have only done small hikes and small camping trips, so there is a lot to prepare:

-Exercise
-Gear
-Planning
-Timeline

I don't anticipate doing any of the hikes this summer, but I'm hoping that next summer I could at least attempt a leg of the Appalachian Trail with Koda by my side.  Please feel free to subscribe and keep up with my progress...it will be slow going at first, but I think within a month things are going to get pretty interesting!

Best,
A