Today is hike day.  Then back to the rodeo.  Sigh.  I don't even like rodeos.  But they claim to be the oldest rodeo in the country (although there is a long standing fight with another town that claims the same).  So it is a pretty big deal in Payson.

I just registered for a 5k trail race in Payson.  For some reason I find this funny.  Tina encouraged me to sign up for it.  I guess cause it is local and won't require training...

Went out for Mexican with Tina last night.  Not a good restaurant.  Cross that one off the list.  Not many restaurants in Payson, we can't afford to have bad ones.  Then we went to the rodeo.  Yeah, that's right, I went to the rodeo.  Sigh.  This is what there is to do in Payson.  And we are going on Sat again.  No, really, I am going to the rodeo again.  Temporary, just keep thinking temporary...

Windy here today.  I am about ready to no longer have the smoke over Payson.  Messing with my allergies. 

So yesterday I am just sitting in the house and it gets totally dark.  The smoke from the Sunflower fire totally covered Payson, turning the sun orange and casting an eery glow over the town.  I went outside and it was actually raining ash out there.  But the smoke was high enough that I didn't really smell it, nor was my breathing affected.  Glad I found the inhaler though just in case.  I hear the winds are not suppose to be as strong today so shouldn't be a repeat today.

I have taken all races off my calendar.  I may or may not do another race in 2012 but I am not specifically going to train for a race.  As I was running on Sunday for no other reason then to just run I realized I missed just doing stuff because.  I don't need a race to motivate me to work out, I enjoy working out.  When I told Tina she was quite happy that I will not be training for anything for a while.  It is time to just enjoy getting back into the routine of the whole family together.  Lots of hiking and enjoying living in a national forest.

That being said, time to go run.  For fun.

Last night we went for a walk.  The goal was to walk the trail at the end of our street, but we had to turn and go in a different direction when we got there due to the massive herd of elk there.  They were looking like they really didn't want us there and they were not going to leave so we let them win...this time.  Quite impressive though.

There are a couple of forest fires burning near us (not in danger).  Reminds me I need to call about renters insurance and to ensure it has fire protection.  I wouldn't be surprised if the normally low cost renters insurance is a bit more here in the middle of the national forest.

Tina and I took a drive to Pine yesterday for super.  Sat out on the deck in perfect temps and ate and had a beer with live music playing.  Tina is going to have to adapt to country music living out here though.  lol  But, that road was the one road I thought I could safely road bike and it turns out I can't.  So I live in an area where I simply cannot put distance on the bike.  I am not going to get on the trainer for all my training.  Can you say XTERRA?  Looks like it might be my only option if I want to do tri's while living here.  Or short sprints but I doubt I will travel for those.