Appalachian Trail - Week 8

I'm still lagging way behind Michele on the virtual Appalachian Trail hike.

I'm so far behind the map doesn't even print the rest area names. Now that Michele's back from her Utah hike, I hope the humid temperatures of Missouri will keep her indoors for awhile giving me a chance to catch up a bit.

I did earn another patch.

And Fitbit told me I earned the Monarch Migration badge. I believe they use these patches and badges as carrots to dangle in front of you to keep you walking. I sure hope there's a compass in these shopping bags or the trail is marked appropriately or I could be spending the winter lost on the Appalachian Trail.

New Lincoln MKZ

I've had the same car for 11 years so after 4 months of browsing, shopping, researching, considering, contemplating and negotiating, I finally bought a new 2018 Lincoln MKZ.

It's an ivory pearl metallic color with cappuccino leather interior. This car has so many features that it will take me another 11 years just to figure out how to use them all. One of my favorites is the panoramic sunroof. Almost like having a convertible.

The seats (front and back) are heated and cooled as well as the steering wheel. Right now I have the interior ambient light set on a purple color. See the purple light. There are 5 or 6 colors to choose from. I really need to look at this more at night.

Instead of a gear shifter on the console, there are buttons you push to put the car in drive, reverse, park, etc. The top button starts the car which has been extremely hard to get used to. You don't need a key to start the car. I sat in the garage for 5 minutes trying to get the car started before I realized you need to put your foot on the brake, then push the button for the car to start. Another of my favorites is the "memory" seat setting. So many times Michael would drive my car and adjust the seat. It would take me forever to get the seat to the setting I had before he got in it. Now the car remembers my setting.

There's also a feature where the car will practically drive itself. The steering wheel vibrates when you veer outside the white lines on a road and slows down when the car in front of you stops.  And don't get me started on letting the car parallel park itself. I've turned this feature off until I get used to the car.

There's even an app on my phone where I can remotely start the car, check for gas stations close by and check gas levels. What I really need is an app to tell me where I parked my car. Oh, wait, a minute! This app does tell you where your car is located. What will they think of next? Needless to say, I love this car. I've put a total of 20 miles on the car since I bought it and that includes the 15 miles it took to get home from the dealership. I've spent more time just sitting in it than driving it. Hopefully I'll get more comfortable with it before I have to make my first payment.

Appalachian Trail - Week 7

What happens when you take your Fitbit off for 5 days to go to Vegas? Your sister speeds up and leaves you miles behind on the Appalachian Trail.

I did earn another badge for walking 187.8 miles.

I'm so far behind Michele I don't think I'll ever catch up. But don't count me out. Michele may be in Utah right now hiking through the mountains, but I'm bound and determined to catch up. Maybe I should lose the shopping bags. 

Adventure Oasis River Walk

I wanted to take an outdoor water aerobics class this summer but the only aerobics class offered by the City of Independence didn't start until 8:00 at night (that's almost my bedtime). But they did offer a River Walk class at Adventure Oasis - Independence's version of Ocean's of Fun.

I really didn't know what to expect on my first class. This nice lady explained you just walk with the current from this bridge, then you turn around and walk against the current to this bridge. So I got in and started walking with the current. When I got to the bridge, I turned around to walk against the current. Let me tell you, we're not talking about a raging river but I had a bit of difficulty trying to push my way up the river. River walking is open for an hour and a half each morning but after an hour I had to drag myself out. It's not a bad workout but I think I'd still prefer the aerobics class. I need more structure. Maybe I'll slip over there one night and check it out.

Father's Day

I couldn't have asked for a better man for the father of my grandchildren than Jamie.

Words cannot even begin to express all he does for his family. This guy never rests. If he's not at the fire station, then he's at the new house, entertaining his kids or numerous "honey-do" lists from family. Happy Father's Day Jamie!

Las Vegas Trip

I took advantage of my Harrah's Seven Star trip and went to Las Vegas to see Rod Stewart.

The seats were fantastic and his concert was great. He sang all my favorite oldies and a few new songs. I can't believe he's putting out another album.

I do think he's losing his voice a bit or it could be that the instruments were drowning out his voice on the microphone. I hope when I'm 73, I still have that much energy even though he had to take several breaks and sit down to rest. The rest of the Vegas trip was the same for me - sit down at a slot machine and let it take all my money. Better luck next time.

He's Just a Boy

Poor Lincoln. He had such a hard day on Monday.

After an exciting morning at the zoo, he stumbled getting out the stroller (at the car) and face planted into the parking lot concrete. People walking by were rather sympathetic watching Melissa try to fold up the stroller and get it in the car, all while holding a screaming baby.

He recovered after a short nap and decided he wanted to go outside and play. Just his luck. A wasp stung him on the same cheek with the massive bruise. Last night we went to dinner for Michael's birthday. Lincoln happens to be the same height as the backs of the chairs. You guessed it. His head hit the chair. A few more tears and we were out of there. But once again he was running through the yard and around the car at my house. I think Melissa needs to wrap him in bubble wrap for a while or at least until he grows into his massive feet!