Here's to you 2011!

"Don’t let the past hold you back; you’re missing the good stuff." -Unknown


While 2011 comes to a close, I would like to take a moment to reflect on one of the craziest, most intense years of my life. When I think back to this past year a few phrases come to mind: "Holy shit, did that just really happen!?", "Holding on by the seat of my pants.", "What am I doing with my life?", and "Holy shit, did that just really happen?!" (and yes, I said that twice. That's how important this phrase has been in my life this past year). I think my year could best be summed up in pictures, so here we go....

New Years 2011

Day hike with Bo at Hanging Rock New Years Day!

My Grease Monkey

Nana at her favorite perch

The Momeyer's lost a few of their family (sorry Snowy, all my pics of you are in NC! :( ). Can't believe it's almost been a year since I had to put Grease Monkey and Snowy down.

 Ice climbing with the REI crew in NH back in Feb.

 MS Bike Ride in Oriental, NC in April. Biked 255 miles that weekend.

 Bought a new car in May! Good ole Subaru :)

 Decided in July to quit my jobs and load all my stuff up. I'm goin west!

"Holy shit, did that just really happen?"

 And this guy decided to tag along for the ride :)

 I made it August 6, 2011!!

 Hit by car August 12, 2011, back in NC by August 13. 

 "Holy shit, did that just really happen?"

 Came back for more Sept. 26 and was told I could walk October 24. And a-walkin' I sure did...

 Experienced some snow. So I walked in that too.

 Found me some nearby hiking trails. So I walked those too.

"Holding on by the seat of my pants."

 Roomie bonding time. Halloween 2011

 Explored some awesome dinosaur tracks!

 Saw some breathtaking views.

 Gorgeous.

 Made sure to belch.

 Spent my first holiday away from home, but found a good one to be with on Thanksgiving :)

 Got myself in the holiday spirit downtown

 Saw my first live bull elk.

 Met an awesome new friend.

 Snowshoed for the first time with good people.

 Having a blast snowshoeing with my new friend

 Got some experience with driving in snow.

 Finally got on a plane to see the ones I care about most in the world :)

 Spent time exactly where I wanted to be: with my family in front of a fire outside for Christmas

 Family time wandering in the woods

On my flight back to CO

Who knows what 2012 will bring. But I hope to live my life as absolutely recklessly and impulsively as I can, because I know full well the Type A in me could use it a little more. Happy New Year everyone! I hope life makes you smile as much as it makes me :)

Colorado Adventures, pt. I

"In the long run, we only hit what we aim at."  -Thoreau


Yesterday I finally got to take a shot at snowshoeing. I was so excited! I got my coworker (who is freakin' awesome) and her friend to come along with me and off we went. We started a little late in the day, which was mistake number uno, but it ended up being a great trip and a sweet little taste for what snowshoeing is all about. I didn't realize it was going to be a two hour trip to Rocky Mountain National Park, but it was totally worth it. It was simply gorgeous. I felt like I was in a Christmas card! Everything was covered in snow and I even got to see my first live elk! Oh the excitement! While I was strenuously trying to snowshoe up the mountain and avoid cardiac arrest, I stopped a moment and took it all in. Sometimes I like to tell myself "You made it, Dana! Here you are in Colorado!" and I can't help but smile. I think some days I really do have to pinch myself. I made it all on my own and that is something I am very proud of. If you told me a year ago I would be snowshoeing in Colorado and hiking on days off, I would have said "Psh, I wish!". This is where good man Thoreau comes in. When we realize that the only person holding us back from achieving our dreams is ourselves, then I feel like we are more willing to go out on a limb or take that leap of faith. When there's a will there's a way. Life certainly is sweet. 

 bull elk. very exciting for me!

 right out of a Christmas card!