91 Days!

Mandy and I met with the CFCA team 8:45am this past Saturday for the Tiger 3 trail. The trail is approximately 5 miles round trip with an elevation gain of 2100 feet. Although working until nearly midnight most Friday nights limits my enthusiasm Saturday mornings, I've found that being so warmly welcomed by the other climbers in the CFCA group changes my attitude quickly. It has been a wonderful way to train, seeing my team members and catching up at these hikes every other week. The solidarity and cohesive nature of our cause has created some unlikely but unique friendships.

As we ascended the trail, we were passed by

many other hikers forewarning us of the

precarious trail conditions ahead. The last mile was supposedly extremely icy. As we approached the snow line, our team stopped to chain-up. Yak Traks... one of the most ingenious ideas, are basically chains bound by an elastic barrier that cling to the bottom of our shoes. They are super easy to slip on and off and something I even used to walk around my iced-over parking lot two winters ago. While getting up a slippery slope can be done, Yak Traks make the almost impossible decent doable. Most of the team members had them, and the ones that didn't certainly looked on with envy as their feet skated on the ice.

The summit was lovely- we had sun, blue sky, and great snacks! Mandy and I have found complete joy in cheese, crackers, and apples at the summit:)

The Thursday before the hike was our monthly CFCA meeting. I wasn't able to go so Mandy represented our team and even got to speak that night about her grandfather's battle with emphysema and why it was so important to her to climb in his behalf.

As we continue on with our training and fundraising, I continually find myself in awe of the faith people have had in our team and this cause. Our family, our friends, and even completely strangers have supported us to an extent that leaves me without words at times. We are so blessed.

I want to thank the following people for making our financial goal closer this past week:

• Grandma Flo, our highest donor yet! But more importantly, an amazing lady in my life.
• Aunty R., one of the coolest women I've ever known ;)
• Grandpa Don, one of my biggest cheerleaders in life! Thank you for supporting me in yet another adventure:)
• Matterhorn Man... yeah, I figured out who you are! My amazing brother Travis.
• Margaret Petrich, a wonderful friend who has always been there for me.
• Marc DuCharm, for being so gracious! He sent out a letter to his interior design clients asking for item donations to my upcoming garage sale. He has continually supported me throughout this. Marc, you are simply fantastic!
• Sarah Kanter
• John Capone
• David Butler

k&m