The Hill Meets C-Span

The Results

For all you anxiously waiting...I did it! I ran the Kaiser Permanente half marathon in 1hour 59 minutes and 9 seconds!

This experience was certainly a lot more pleasant. The weather was perfect, I was hydrated, and well rested. Throughout the course, I stayed focused and my legs seemed to lift themselves. Not having to push myself to continue, I kept running through Golden Gate Park and out to the water. I felt the sunshine on my face as I passed each mile marker. As I eventually crossed the finish line a new sense of accomplishment came over me. I had shaved 12 minutes off my previous time and I actually felt good.

After working our way through the crowds, we headed back into the city to shower up and grab some well deserved grub! Now, I have to tell you that I don't eat red meat but, today I was celebrating. Drum roll please.....I went to Taylor's Refresher and ordered a bacon cheeseburger! The best darn burger I have ever had...it was decadent!

With all that being said, running in San Francisco was a success!

Run Girl Run

Here I go again...this Sunday I will be running the Kaiser Permanente half marathon in San Francisco. I have mixed emotions about running as my first experience wasn't pleasant. However, I do feel that I have had more training this time combining my workout regime with a fair amount of core work and flexibility as a result of yoga. In addition, I will not have the altitude factor to deal with this time as I will be running at sea level.

The forecast looks good and I've got my running shoes packed...stay tuned...for the results.

January 20th

This "spirit of service" was harnessed by the Obama campaign, which energized a population practically into a grassroots movement... and, arguably, led to the election of President Barack Obama.With the new administration in Washington encouraging individual responsibility and social consciousness as a necessary part of working towards sustainable change, it seems like service and social responsibility will be seeping deeper into America (and hopefully the world) over the next 4 (maybe 8) years. For, as our new President reminded us yesterday:

"...as much as government can do and must do, it is ultimately the faith and determination of the American people upon which this nation relies...Our challenges may be new. The instruments with which we meet them may be new... What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility – a recognition, on the part of every American, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation, and the world, duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly, firm in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character, than giving our all to a difficult task.

This is the price and the promise of citizenship."

President Obama... thank you, and good luck.

Happy New Year

Feliz Año Nuevo! This year I spent my New Year celebration in the sun and sand down in Mexico. Unattached from email and internet I was really able to relax and enjoy good food, wine, and companionship.

One of my favorite dinning experiences while in Puerto Vallarta was at the wonderful restaurant Cafe des Artistes.The food was exquisite and the ambiance was certainly the most romantic. We dined on the top most upper level of the terrace where each person has an individual waiter and the chef exclusively cooks for those who dine there. We decided to do wine pairings with our five course menu. If you are in the area it is certainly a "don't miss!"

We also enjoyed less fancy dinning experiences like fresh lobster on the beach! mmmm

In addition to our dinning experiences, the old historic romantic district is a great way to see the city in its authenticity. Streets lined in cobble stones and native farmers markets really made you feel a part of the culture.

Another great stop which is about 45 minutes outside the city is the little surfing town of Sayulita
Virtually untouched, this is a surfers paradise. We saw tons of surfers riding waves while enjoying local authentic Mexican food.

All in all, New Year's in the sand with those you care about away from it all...certainly the way to go!

Turkey Turkey!

Happy Thanksgiving!

The "Boat"

My wet body shivered in the cold night air. I reached for my towel in order to provide some warmth. Franticly searching for my warm layers of clothing, I was experiencing both pain and pleasure. After soaking in the Strawberry Park Hot Springs for about an hour and half, it was time to get out.

This past weekend, I had the luxury of driving a mere 3.5 hours to beautiful Steamboat Springs, Colorado to visit the springs, dine, and enjoying some bluegrass stomping music. While, we intended the basis of the trip to be the springs we also had seen so much more "The Boat" had to offer (including the FM Sons signs that drove with us the last ten miles into town...quite literally I might add).

After soaking in the springs, we wrapped things up and headed for Cafe Diva. Opening in 1998, Cafe Diva manages to offer upscale fine dining yet still maintain that warm and relaxed Steamboat vibe. The decor is sleek and modern but still has a mountain look about it with plenty of wood and earth tones. Cafe Diva's wine selection is way above average, and they have a special wine vault where they keep their ever-expanding roster of vintages. Our meal included, lobster tomato bisque, curried diver scallops with pumpkin spaetzle and whiskey sage cream, stuffed acorn squash with truffle pecornio, and elk tenderloin with veal demi-glace.

After a most enjoyable meal, we decided to hang with the locals at the Tugboat. The oak floors and rough barn-wood walls cloaked with game and fishing trophies, sports memorabilia, and celebrity photographs are the trademark of this foot-of-the-slopes establishment(The hand-carved cherrywood bar, circa 1850, came from the Log Cabin Saloon in Baggs, Wyoming, a Butch Cassidy hangout; look for the bullet hole in one of the columns).


Just shy of ski season, Steamboat without all the skiers was quite nice not to mention the intoxicating hot springs, fine dinning, and music.

Next time you near...make sure to stop!