HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Ryan's Birthday Today!
Long time, No post
Typical I know, we just started a blog and already we are tardy on postings. Things have been really busy at work and with family; we haven't had much time to fundraise or do anything fun for training.
Here's a little update:
Ryan has been in Wichita, Kansas for all of November minus Thanksgiving and he is now there until the 17th of December. Kansas is very flat and very cold, so Ryan has not done much more than run on a treadmill for training. He has seen some high altitudes but only as a test director on the 767 tanker. I have not had much luck in getting out either. I have been making it to the gym pretty regularly, but work is taking up most of the short daylight hours.
For Ryan's short trip home we got to celebrate Thanksgiving with my brother and his fiance! Yes I said fiance, Troy is engaged and it happened over Thanksgiving weekend.
The Wednesday before Thanksgiving we headed down to Medford, Oregon. Thansgiving day we showed up at Samanthas' parents home, where Troy rang the doorbell, got on one knee and when Samantha answered the door she was quite surprised but managed to get out a "yes, of course." Troy wasn't supposed to be off the tugboat, let alone in Medford, at Sams' parents house with a ring, so the surprise was huge. It was all quite exciting. We spent the rest of the weekend hanging in Medford relaxing and celebrating the fun changes to the family!
On Friday we did get in a little hike at Table Rock.
Once Ryan returns from Wichita there should be some snowshoeing and other fun winter adventure stories to post.
Here's a little update:
Ryan has been in Wichita, Kansas for all of November minus Thanksgiving and he is now there until the 17th of December. Kansas is very flat and very cold, so Ryan has not done much more than run on a treadmill for training. He has seen some high altitudes but only as a test director on the 767 tanker. I have not had much luck in getting out either. I have been making it to the gym pretty regularly, but work is taking up most of the short daylight hours.
For Ryan's short trip home we got to celebrate Thanksgiving with my brother and his fiance! Yes I said fiance, Troy is engaged and it happened over Thanksgiving weekend.
The Wednesday before Thanksgiving we headed down to Medford, Oregon. Thansgiving day we showed up at Samanthas' parents home, where Troy rang the doorbell, got on one knee and when Samantha answered the door she was quite surprised but managed to get out a "yes, of course." Troy wasn't supposed to be off the tugboat, let alone in Medford, at Sams' parents house with a ring, so the surprise was huge. It was all quite exciting. We spent the rest of the weekend hanging in Medford relaxing and celebrating the fun changes to the family!
On Friday we did get in a little hike at Table Rock.
The hike was short but it was great to get outside and run the pups. The top of the hike was one very large rocky field, with lots of muddy puddles, the pups were in their glory. Troy's camera battery was dead so all we got were two pictures on the top with our cell phones.
Here is the newly engaged couple!
Here is Ry and I
Why Climb Mt. Rainier?
Why Climb?
Ryan and I LOVE the outdoors. We love hiking, backpacking, kayaking, just being outside. We are totally in love with the Pacific Northwest and all it has to offer. Each trip we take results in amazing pictures we get to send to our family, all taken within a short drive from our home. Climbing a mountain is just another way to get higher and get a better view of the area we love so much. Not only are we in it for the views, but for the challenge. We have read several adventure stories like Touching the Void, A Life on the Edge, 3 Cups of Tea, Backpacker Magazine's monthly stories, and many more. Each of these stories aren't just about the climb, but about life. They are about about perservering, taking the challenge head on and succeeding. We know there is a possibilty we may not summit, but we are going to try our hardest and we are going to enjoy every step in preparation to that summit.
Why Mt. Rainier?
Since first seeing Mt. Rainier we each had separate goals to be on top of Mt. Rainier. When we committed to join as a team (in marriage), we put it on our dream to-do list. Living in Seattle and loving the outdoors, equates to climbing Mt. Rainier as a must. People come from all over to climb Mt. Rainier in preparation for other amazing peaks like Everest and Kilamanjaro. Mt. Rainier is just a two and a half hour drive south from our house, we need to take advantage of that luxury.
Why Now?
Why not?! If we keep waiting for free time, an unscheduled summer, a more convenient work schedule for training, etc., we will just never do anything on our dream list. My Dad (living in NJ) is going to do the climb with us and he didn't even think twice about signing up when I told him about the adventure. What an awesome attitude!
We have been inspired...
-My Dad is awesome and has been truly inspirational this last year and half. He is my hero, and with his refreshed outlook on life its going to be awesome doing this next adventure with him.
-We are big fans of the Ron and Don Show-KIRO FM 97.3. Don climbed Mt. Rainier July '09 for the American Lung Association. We heard all about his preparations, Ron kept the listeners up to date while Don was climbing, and then we heard all about the climb afterwards. We hung onto every word mentioned about the experience. Overall it sounded life changing and we want to be a part of that.
-Lou Whittaker is a legend along with his brother Jim; they are a huge part of what Mountaineering is today. They are from the Pacific Northwest and are advocates for being outside and enjoying what nature has to offer. Lou has been supporting Climb for Clean Air since its start 23 years ago. He and his brother had asthma as children and they found being outside in fresh air cured a lot of their ailments. The outdoors for them means the same to us - Freedom and endless possibilities for fun.
So Ryan, Dad and I are going to fundraise and train for the next 8 months together(via long distance in some cases), and then put forth our best effort plus some to summit Mt. Rainier together.
So cool!
-Katie
Ryan and I LOVE the outdoors. We love hiking, backpacking, kayaking, just being outside. We are totally in love with the Pacific Northwest and all it has to offer. Each trip we take results in amazing pictures we get to send to our family, all taken within a short drive from our home. Climbing a mountain is just another way to get higher and get a better view of the area we love so much. Not only are we in it for the views, but for the challenge. We have read several adventure stories like Touching the Void, A Life on the Edge, 3 Cups of Tea, Backpacker Magazine's monthly stories, and many more. Each of these stories aren't just about the climb, but about life. They are about about perservering, taking the challenge head on and succeeding. We know there is a possibilty we may not summit, but we are going to try our hardest and we are going to enjoy every step in preparation to that summit.
Why Mt. Rainier?
Since first seeing Mt. Rainier we each had separate goals to be on top of Mt. Rainier. When we committed to join as a team (in marriage), we put it on our dream to-do list. Living in Seattle and loving the outdoors, equates to climbing Mt. Rainier as a must. People come from all over to climb Mt. Rainier in preparation for other amazing peaks like Everest and Kilamanjaro. Mt. Rainier is just a two and a half hour drive south from our house, we need to take advantage of that luxury.
Why Now?
Why not?! If we keep waiting for free time, an unscheduled summer, a more convenient work schedule for training, etc., we will just never do anything on our dream list. My Dad (living in NJ) is going to do the climb with us and he didn't even think twice about signing up when I told him about the adventure. What an awesome attitude!
We have been inspired...
-My Dad is awesome and has been truly inspirational this last year and half. He is my hero, and with his refreshed outlook on life its going to be awesome doing this next adventure with him.
-We are big fans of the Ron and Don Show-KIRO FM 97.3. Don climbed Mt. Rainier July '09 for the American Lung Association. We heard all about his preparations, Ron kept the listeners up to date while Don was climbing, and then we heard all about the climb afterwards. We hung onto every word mentioned about the experience. Overall it sounded life changing and we want to be a part of that.
-Lou Whittaker is a legend along with his brother Jim; they are a huge part of what Mountaineering is today. They are from the Pacific Northwest and are advocates for being outside and enjoying what nature has to offer. Lou has been supporting Climb for Clean Air since its start 23 years ago. He and his brother had asthma as children and they found being outside in fresh air cured a lot of their ailments. The outdoors for them means the same to us - Freedom and endless possibilities for fun.
So Ryan, Dad and I are going to fundraise and train for the next 8 months together(via long distance in some cases), and then put forth our best effort plus some to summit Mt. Rainier together.
So cool!
-Katie
Why Fundraise for American Lung Association (ALA) Climb for Clean Air?
The American Lung Association fights lung disease in all its forms, with special emphasis on asthma, tobacco control and air quality. They can only continue their amazing work if the public continues to donate.
2. Not only is asthma a disease that makes it tough for people to breathe but air pollution can make it worse. Supporting the American Lung Association takes action against air pollution. We love the outdoors and we want fresh air and clear skies to be around for our kids, our kids's kids, and their kids.
3. American Lung Association is the number one reason I do not smoke. The day I saw the picture of a smoker's black lung in 4th grade health class, I vowed to never get involved with that. The picture was provided by the American Lung Association. It was in our generation that the ALA really started pushing the education in schools of lung diseases and asthma, as well as the health risks of second hand smoke. The tools they use to educate kids are effective and we are going to have healthier generations to come if we continue this education.
4. American Lung Association of Washington is a huge reason we have smoke free workplaces, bars, and restaurants in Washington State. Through their presence on Capitol Hill and the Lung Action Network, they have been instrumental in creating laws that meet the ALA's Smokefree Air Challenge. Stopping second hand smoke is a mission we can get behind.
5. Supporting the American Lung Association is supporting our own community. 60% of the money raised for this event stays in Washington state and helps people in our own backyard.
-Katie
5 awesome reasons we are fundraising for the American Lung Association
1. Ryan has asthma. As an adult the disease is not as severe as it was during childhood, although he does still have occasional flair ups. Currently he is using a mild inhaler before any extended physical activity. As a child he remembers the panic feeling of not being able to breathe and hopes that a cure can be found to prevent more children from feeling this fear. The American Lung Association provides an education and support system of how to treat asthma, how to live with asthma, they advocate for people with asthma and they are searching for a cure. 2. Not only is asthma a disease that makes it tough for people to breathe but air pollution can make it worse. Supporting the American Lung Association takes action against air pollution. We love the outdoors and we want fresh air and clear skies to be around for our kids, our kids's kids, and their kids.
3. American Lung Association is the number one reason I do not smoke. The day I saw the picture of a smoker's black lung in 4th grade health class, I vowed to never get involved with that. The picture was provided by the American Lung Association. It was in our generation that the ALA really started pushing the education in schools of lung diseases and asthma, as well as the health risks of second hand smoke. The tools they use to educate kids are effective and we are going to have healthier generations to come if we continue this education.
4. American Lung Association of Washington is a huge reason we have smoke free workplaces, bars, and restaurants in Washington State. Through their presence on Capitol Hill and the Lung Action Network, they have been instrumental in creating laws that meet the ALA's Smokefree Air Challenge. Stopping second hand smoke is a mission we can get behind.
5. Supporting the American Lung Association is supporting our own community. 60% of the money raised for this event stays in Washington state and helps people in our own backyard.
-Katie
What Are We Doing?
Welcome to our blog! We have never had a blog before, but with our friends and family all over the country this seems like the best way to keep our supporters involved.
You may ask what supporters, why do you need supporters?
Well....
Ryan and I are going to climb Mt. Rainier, and while training and climbing the mountain is a big adventure we have also decided to do it for a great cause by raising $7000 for American Lung Association. My Dad is also going to be raising money and training on the east coast to join us this July. While this sounds like a huge undertaking, we are very excited and know that with the love of our friends and family we can do this!
If you have had the chance to visit us or already live here you know about "The Mountain". People here refer to Mt. Rainier as "The Mountain". People gauge the day being a good day if you can see "Her". By the way, today was a great day because it is November and you could see Her. Mt. Rainier is an icon of the northwest and a beauty that still continues to awe us after 5 years of living here. We consider it to be a treat everytime you come around a turn on the highway or on the hiking trail and you get to see Mt. Rainier. The mountain is so amazing we have it on our state quarter, we have it on our license plate, there is a national park surrounding it, we even have a local beer with its namesake.
So visit this blog often for fundraising updates, the trials of training, and doing all of this as a team.
-Katie
You may ask what supporters, why do you need supporters?
Well....
Ryan and I are going to climb Mt. Rainier, and while training and climbing the mountain is a big adventure we have also decided to do it for a great cause by raising $7000 for American Lung Association. My Dad is also going to be raising money and training on the east coast to join us this July. While this sounds like a huge undertaking, we are very excited and know that with the love of our friends and family we can do this!
If you have had the chance to visit us or already live here you know about "The Mountain". People here refer to Mt. Rainier as "The Mountain". People gauge the day being a good day if you can see "Her". By the way, today was a great day because it is November and you could see Her. Mt. Rainier is an icon of the northwest and a beauty that still continues to awe us after 5 years of living here. We consider it to be a treat everytime you come around a turn on the highway or on the hiking trail and you get to see Mt. Rainier. The mountain is so amazing we have it on our state quarter, we have it on our license plate, there is a national park surrounding it, we even have a local beer with its namesake.
So visit this blog often for fundraising updates, the trials of training, and doing all of this as a team.
-Katie
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