cabin fever

yes, i've been on the go a lot lately. 

from new orleans to arkansas in just a few short weeks. 

but, i STILL have cabin fever. 

i can just smell the plastic from my Chacos. they're calling my name. 

the aroma from the dirt and the trees is intoxicating.

my Leki poles have grabbed my arm every day, 

as they hang in my garage waiting to be used. 

the pack that carries my goods on a lovely hike is feeling lonely and has the desire to be filled.

with Spring literally just days around the corner -

 my cabin fever is tugging at me now, more than ever. 

i can't wait for camping & hiking season! 

the hills are my home and i'm feeling homesick. 

the LeConte Lodge air lift is today.

 each spring - they chopper in all of the goods they need for the season.

 they posted on their blog that they need help - pick me! pick me! too bad i'm so far away - i'd so be there. speaking of too bad - why can't i just be independently wealthy without a bill or care in the world? 

or, have the guts to Just Do It (thanks, nike) 

oh, how jwood and i would love to spend a summer atop that glorious mountain on the crew at the Lodge. how fun would that be!? 

when we hit the lottery, you can forward all mail up there. 

i can't wait to peel off these layers (and winter pounds) and hit the trails. 

i also plan to get in a few trail runs this spring too. i missed the "right of passage" run this past weekend with my running crew from fleet feet. while i was in arkansas, the crew and jdoss tackled the Percy Warner Park 11.2. i'm so proud of her and a tinge bit jealous that she got to shred her legs and mark that run off the list.  

dear spring, 

i welcome your company. 

hurry the heck up. i'm going to burn my cabin down, otherwise.

kthanks. 

3rd Annual Puyear Cousins Weekend

Families are like fudge ~

Mostly Sweet With A Few Nuts!

this past weekend was one that i will forever cherish.

i am very blessed to be among such a fantastic, God loving, hard working, fun, adventurous, courteous, caring, intelligent, loving group of cousins. for the past 3 years, all of my cousins have traveled from near and far to gatlinburg to spend a long weekend together and to spend quality time with our lovely grandparents, Papa Doc & Sherry. we are so blessed to have such phenomenal grandparents that we enjoy going to visit. and, yes - we got reunion tshirts!

a few cousins were unable to attend and they were missed greatly - there's always next year! and, we have a new addition to the crew! welcome to the world, benjamin brock coker! :)

we hiked, ate (i discovered a new love - more about that later), hung out, socialized, fellow shipped, shopped, and visited until we were merry at heart. we all were literally ill when it came time to leave our favorite spot in the smokies and had to say goodbye. it is truly remarkable that a group of family members this large gets along so well and shares the same love for family and God. our cups runneth over.

here are some pics from our fabulous 3rd annual cousins weekend!

Our first hike of the weekend and Gabe's 1st hike ever!

Grotto Falls

Gabe was such a trooper - he wanted to go "play with the mountains!" He walked the whole trip, even in the pouring down rain!

Sherry & Me getting some nice R & R

I love this man with my whole heart - my Papa Doc.

Gabe thought he was at a party the whole weekend - party it was with Cousin Meggan!

6am - getting ready to hike Mt. LeConte

at the Alum Cave Bluffs trailhead - Meg was our drop off driver :)

Alum Cave Bluffs

Katherine & I relaxing after the first leg of the hike at LeConte Lodge

I was reading the Knoxville paper about my VOLS!

at the top of LeConte

we came back down another trail to Rainbow falls - total hiking miles for the day: 13

for my AGD ladies out there - this little guy loved my trail mix!

fun times out and about in G'burg!

i am already looking forward to next year!