Bonticou Agro Crag

March has been a whirl-wind of crazy weather. One week, it is super cold and I am in a puffy jacket. The next week, it is 74 degrees and I am in a tank top. On this really warm day, I left work early and went on a hike. I decided to head to Spring Farm and scramble up Bonticou Crag. I love this hike. It was one of my first hikes I did on the Preserve when I visited the Toman's in 2012. The hike and scramble never get old! Here are some pics from the hike - a great way to get outside and enjoy the warmth!

TheChristyBel

On Top of Bonticou "Agro" Crag

This View Never Gets Old

A Happy and Warm Christybel

Brain Breaks at Lunch

Right now, my work load is at a low peak. School programs and Pond Keepers have ceased until March, so most of my work has been stationed to a desk. It is pretty different from many other outdoor institutions I have worked for where we are in the field all year long no matter the season. But today, my co-worker, Erica, convinced me to go on a lunch walk with her. Sometimes you need a brain break and some time to stretch your legs. It was totally worth it! We hiked up from the Visitor Center, up the stair-master, along Undercliff Rd onto Overcliff Rd. Once we got onto Overcliff, we totally scrambled up this uplifted slab of conglomerate. It was hard and slippery, but the views were worth it!

The Top of the Slab and Overlooking Lost City!

Thank You Erica for Getting Me Outside!

A Doodle A Day: Days 1 & 2

Trying to do at least a Doodle A Day...

Brain Breaks!

Enjoy some art from CBel!

TheChristyBel

Brain Breaks = Art Breaks

Sometimes, you cannot just do work all the time. 

Sometimes, you just need to let your hands go free.

Let them take over a piece of paper.

Listen to some music. 

Add color. 

Don't think, just draw.

You'll like the outcome. I promise.

Go DRAW.

 TheChristyBel

Jack O'Lanterns Time

So when Marc and I went to Boulder (the first time) our friends, Meg and Matt, carved some really awesome pumpkins. So feeling the Halloween Spirit, we bought some carving pumpkins at Whole Foods. It took us, what, two weeks later to actually sit down and carve them. I was studying and doing homework all morning today, and for our 'Brain Break' we decided to sit down and plan out what to carve, and actually carve our pumpkins! Made a pit stop at Safeway to buy a pumpkin carving kit and got back to plan what we were going to do.

It was so nice out, that we carved our pumpkins outside my apartment! Marc decided to carve out a scary Jack O'Lantern face, named Fred, while I wanted to draw out an owl. Marc found a really cool idea online and so I just free-hand drew it from the screen. Check out our process and photos! And!!!! Our FINISHED Products! We were totally excited to light them this evening when it got super dark out! Enjoy!

The Blue Prints for Our Pumpkins

Taking Out the Seeds...the Gross Part!

Carving Time!

The Finished Products?!
We Have a Potential Career in Pumpkin Carving, Right?

My Owl!

Fred, the Scary Jack O'Lantern

The Night Glowing-Finale!

Happy Early Halloween!
TheChristyBel

Finally Hiking in Laramie!

Now that I have been given the OK to try hiking again, I am getting as much outdoorsy time as possible before that snow comes. So, exploring Happy Jack and Vedauwoo are pretty much a priority! I was told about the Summit Trail at Happy Jack starting at the Headquarters Trailhead. It's a pretty steady incline up to the top and not that bad on my knees! Takes about 45-minutes to get to the top. It continues on over and down the other side, but I only had a 2-3 hour time period before meeting Brady for dinner and then going to the Mountain Film Festival on campus. So, I got a good hike in! Got to see the fall colors, collect some leaves for an art project, and stretch out/test out my new and improved knees! Want to know the best part: my knees were not hurting! 

Physical Therapy is Paying Off...Yea, $1,500+ of PT! Worth Every Penny! haha.

TheChristyBel

Summit at the Top of Summit Trail at Happy Jack

Happy Jack - Embracing the Fall Colors

Embracing Fall at Happy Jack
Photo Credit to Marc Sweet

Just Hanging in a Tree
Photo Credit to Marc Sweet

 I most enjoy fall walks because of the colors, weather, and crisp air!

Go Outside!

TheChristyBel