Category Archives: Goals

Goals, Running

On Running

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This is the most recent picture I have of myself running. This was taken during the Southern Odyssey Relay which the Old Guns Young Ones WON!

When I consider the last eight years, 2004 to 2012, running is one of the few constants I maintained. During those years, I moved over 700 miles to go to school, I earned two degrees, I had several jobs, and I traveled extensively. Throughout running kept me grounded. It’s what I do when I am happy, upset, frustrated, confused, thoughtful; when I want to celebrate and when I want to escape; rarely is there a time I don’t want to go running.

Just the other day, it amused me to realize that I do not watch where I put every footfall (to be fair, I was not running trails). By rough estimate, I have run over 13,000 miles – enough miles for my brain to understand my stride and to know how to place my feet without being told. By contrast, when I was hiking to Tamassee Knob, I was often looking down, very conscious of the trail ahead, perhaps even more so than I would have been if running. I had to remind myself to look up and observe the beauty around me. By generous estimate, I have hiked about 300 miles. Perhaps if I hiked the AT or Pacific Crest Trail, I would have the same confidence in my hiking stride as I do my running stride.

Mid-fall is the season I love to run in most. Winter and spring running can be hit or miss when layering. Summer running can feel more like swimming in the humid southeast. Fall running takes a comfortable lead: with crisp mornings and warm afternoons; sunsets of yellow, orange, pink, and purple; and wisps of clouds brushed into the sky, there is so much to enjoy. In the fall, I wish I was running now and later and again. I cannot get enough.

There is so much more I have to say about running, but finding the right words is more challenging than a ten miler. I know running will continue to influence the person I become, so do not be surprised if we occasionally run laps around this topic.

Taking it back to High School with my Bff and Spudd Zebbie!
Adventure, Clemson, Discovery, Friends, Goals, Unicorn

Sister Act

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Alicia, one of my best friends, my Big Sister in fact, came to visit me last weekend, and we had a marvelous time!

Sister Sister

It took no small feat to get her here – after having to reschedule around a prior commitment, then a day-of delay at the airport causing her to have to change flights. Thankfully good fortune prevailed and we were reunited after 10 months of being apart!

Our first agenda item: Fall Crawl 2012. The afternoon was filled with friends, laughter, music, and drink, as any good bar crawl should be. I enjoyed introducing Alicia to many of my closest friends while we both pretended to be back in college. It was fun and carefree and ended with a delicious slice of pizza. How could we go wrong?

Crawlin’ with friends = The good life.
Good times

Ever ambitious, we rode the bus home to prepare for a Halloween party with my friends from graduate school. I went in my standby penguin costume while Alicia dawned a sheet to be my iceberg. (Apologies! No pictures were taken.) We enjoyed a brief time at the party, and Alicia met more of the people who shaped my time at Clemson. However, the crawl crawled up on us, and by nine, we were both ready to sleep.

The next day can be described by a single gerund: walking. After a tasty homemade breakfast, we made for campus. While others slept, we went on an extensive walking tour.

Welcome to the Tiger family!

Alicia commented several times on the abundance of Tiger Paws and the Clemson name. I let her know this is the norm, we are a Clemson Family, and we take that commitment seriously. From years of Solid Orange and One Clemson, I have come to assume this is the standard on all college campuses. Having Alicia comment on it allowed me to realize that this is a special quality and not one to take trivially. As I write, I feel my Clemson Pride stir, something I will always cherish. Go Tigers!

Our next stop was Greenville. We thought we had a respectable Sunday lunch at 1 PM only to learn after that my car clock tricked us with the time change! With plenty of time, we took off on foot to explore Greenville. We saw Falls Park, open artist studies, many little shops , all the while chatting and catching up as though we did this every Sunday.

On the bridge in Fall Park!
Kiko!

Eventually, we felt we had seen what was available, but still had some time left, so with spontaneous glee, we took off for the zoo. With childish excitement, we both shouted “Elephant!” as we approached the first exhibit. Then remembering our age, we took on an ever so slightly more restrained demeanor. Cats and primates and reptiles, oh my! My favorite exhibit was the giraffes where we could see baby Kiko, born less than a 14 days ago, on October 22.

We concluded the visit with a delicious treat at Spill the Beans and a short ride to the airport.

I miss you already Sis! Unicorns!

 

Adventure, Discovery, Goals

Biltmore – Built for More!

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America’s largest home!
Beautiful and angular, an external view of the main staircase, which has no internal supports

On Saturday morning, my mom, who was visiting, and I ventured to the epitome of American Opulence: Biltmore Estate. America’s largest private home, Biltmore’s interior covers over four acres and contains 250 rooms. Construction took six years, with the official opening on Christmas Eve 1895. Presently, Biltmore is owned by Vanderbilt’s descendants and operated  and maintained by an impressive staff of over 1800. The home is open 365 days a year – and 366 on leap year! Both my mom and I walked away surprised at how much we enjoyed our visit.

 

We picked up some decorating tips: like Always have Lions at the front entrance!

Plan to spend the day at Biltmore; we were there from 11:30 AM until 7:30 PM. Another tip: if you purchase tickets a week in advance, you receive a discount. Save those dollars for the optional audio tour – two thumbs up recommendation. Our house tour started at noon, and we completed the first two levels (rooms 1-23) of the house before taking a break to refuel on pizza and ice cream. Then we finished the final third of the tour: the basement and recreations areas (rooms 24-44). We both felt this was an excellent flow by incorporating a necessary sitting break and tasty snacks.

After the house, we went to see the gardens, which our shuttle driver said were a “must-see.” The fresh fall air was a welcome treat from the enclosed house.

Again, our enjoyment exceeded our expectations, particularly in the orchid room of the greenhouse where exquisite beauty met intricate design.

Our final stop on the all day tour was the Antler Hill Village and Winery. There is no better way to end a visit than with a sip or three of wine at the free on-site tasting.

Cheers!

So if you are looking for a day-long getaway a reasonable drive from Clemson, look no further than Biltmore.