Day 333 - Homesick

I'm trying to figure out how to handle being away. I have tried to keep myself busy - almost killing myself to keep my mind off of things. Literally...I went on a hike yesterday that nearly killed me! I hiked up to Lake Blanche, which starts at approximately 6,240 feet in elevation. At the end of the 2.9 mile hike up, you are then at 8,910 feet in elevation. What does that mean? It means in almost 3 miles, you're climbing 2,670 feet - which also translates to STRAIGHT UP! It took me about 4 hours to make that hike up. The sad part is, lots of people passed us - even senior citizens! I'm blaming it on the elevation but I really know that it was me not being in shape. I was literally stopping every 2-3 minutes toward the top! People clapped for me when I made it to the lake! We also did a little fishing once we got there - I caught 5 fish! Fun...but then there was the hike back down. Although not as hard...I soon realized my hiking boots were too small. Fair enough...I bought them back in 2000 when Brad and I went to Toronto. At the end of the hike, I had no skin on my heels and my toenails felt like they were about to pop off. Not to mention the pain throughout my entire body! I had salt all over my face, arms and legs...behind my ears...in my eyelids.

It did take my mind off of missing Allie...but it was painful in a whole 'nuther way!

Look how happy my Allie looks in this photo from her daddy! Today, Pappaw and Nana came down to visit and had a good time with her. They got to watch her play, eat, take a bath and then go down to bed for the night. I miss those things. Miss 'em with all my heart.