2018: The Rundown

Okay, I posted this a couple of days ago, but the final version is no longer saved...Making another attempt.

It's been awhile since I've posted anything - more about why later - so in order to get back in the swing of things, I decided to say goodbye to the truly landmark year of 2018 by summarizing a few of my experiences. This list is fairly self-indulgent, but I hope you enjoy!

States visited: 13 (Virginia, Arkansas, Illinois, Michigan, Montana, Idaho, Colorado, Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, Iowa, Nebraska, and, of course, Missouri)

States traveled through but not really visited: 5 (Indiana, West Virginia, Wyoming, Kansas, Mississippi)

Foreign Countries: 1 (Canada)

Provinces: 4 (Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta)

National Parks/Lands: at least 18 - it's hard to keep track of the forests and grasslands! (the Gateway Arch, Mark Twain Ntl Forest, Hot Springs, George Washington Carver's Birthplace, Sleeping Bear Dunes, Pictured Rocks, Riding Mountain in Canada, Glacier, Bitterroot Mountains, Sawtooth Wilderness, Craters of the Moon, Rocky Mtn, Land Between the Lakes, Mammoth Cave, Sipsey Wilderness, Agate Fossil Beds, Scott's Bluffs, Chimney Rock)

Favorite city: Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan

Most unexpectedly interesting city: Pella, Iowa

Favorite state: Idaho!

Most steps in a day (as counted by the not-so-accurate app on my phone): 67,025 (July 25, Pictured Rocks Ntl Lakeshore)

Least steps in a day: 68 (Nov 26; I didn't feel well)

Longest drive in a day: 1,170 km/727 miles (Sault Ste. Marie, ON to Kenora, ON)

Times I got lost: Never!!!

Times I got misplaced for a bit: Numerous

Longest stretch between showers: 12 days. Probably...

In a hotel in Salina, KS after a week in Colorado,
and only 8 days without showering.

Races ran: 6 (a 9 mile, 20k, two 10ks, a 6 hour timed race, and the Girls on the Run 5k with the swift-footed Elena H)

Most consecutive miles ran in a day: 29

Annoyance level at failing to break 30: high

Most terrifying animal encounter: the female grouse protecting her nest

Most infuriating critter encounter: chiggers...

Most hilarious animal encounter: Shark attack! 

Blatant attacks by the St. Louis Hydra*: 4

Subtle attacks by the St. Louis Hydra*: too many to count!

*There's a saying that the Arch is really a giant magnet, pulling people who try to leave right back. I'm finding it works like a hydra with lots of tentacles. Once I get one tentacle under control, 3 more grow to take its place.

Last summer, I drew this picture of me slaying an arch-shaped hydra
 for the friend who originally made the hydra joke.
Little did I know how prophetic his words would be!

Books read: No telling! At least 28...

Number of Audiobooks: 39

Author most read/listened to: Neil Gaiman

Most Listened to Podcast: Radiolab

Movies seen in theaters: 2 (Heredity and Crazy Rich Asians)
Favorite inside joke: Space Pants

Favorite new-to-me beverage: Poor Farmer Hopped Cider

Favorite original pun: it's a tie between "seismic activi-tea" and "a bridged dictionary"

If you put the kettle on to boil near an earthquake fault,
 does that make it a seismic activi-tea?

"A Bridged Dictionary"
Pun credit goes to Deb Rice
Bridge credit goes to Aria

Most important lesson being learned: how to be more mindful and present in the moment. This is an ongoing lesson. (c:

Confidence level I'm on my right path: very high

Gratefulness for all the people who've supported me during all this: through the roof!


That's all I've got. If you're curious about anything else, just ask me in the comments!