Catching up

What a typical title for me lately.  Just seems I haven't had the time (or made it) to jot down thoughts on all of the fun stuff that life brings.  Truthfully, since the new year work has been a focus.  John and I attended the Outdoor Retailer show the end of January.  I have been attending this trade show for about 6 years now and this was by far the busiest I've ever been there.  It was wonderful!  I am very thankful to get to remain in the outdoor industry, and to work in this new capacity.

The Conservation Alliance is in such a time of evolution right now and it is inspirting to be a part of all that is going on.  At our breakfast (big event for our members and thepublic at the show - about 600 people attended) we announced The Legacy Fund, an endowment that will secure 2 staff positions for the Alliance indefinitely allowing 100% of member dues to continue to be granted out to those organizations working to protect the places we love to play.   We also had our biggest giving year to date in 2007 at $800k.  Talk about feeling good about going to work!

Bend is a great town to explore and get a real taste of winter - this time of year anyway.  It has been snowing and snowing.  They say they haven't seen a winter like this since 1994... lucky me.  Seriously!  I am actually enjoying the chilly walk to work (mostly in the sun) and in the process of procuring xc ski gear so I can try to get out with some of the locals and appreciate the snow as I should.  In the meantime I'm running the roads with studs screwed in my shoes.  On Tuesdays and Thursdays I join the Footzone lunch time runs at noon (if you happen to be in town) and am starting to have the urge to get out for the longer runs - maybe Smith on Sunday.  I've enjoyed visits from Dagan and Ma (this last weekend) and dog-sitting for some friends in town.  Life continues to be good.

I just got off the phone with a friend that was on his way to Bend last weekend to check it out as a place to live but was in a serious accident on the pass.  He is lucky to be alive... in talking with him I was reminded of my year of three in 06 as he said he is going through something similar, just having a rough year.  Sometimes we get nailed with so many life challenges (sometimes hit you in three - fortunately this was his third, time for things to start looking up!), it was nice to be able to tell him that I made it through and am on the other side feeling pretty good about life.  Just keep looking for the positives in all that comes your way.