Hi Everyone,

How many of you ever feel like your personal batteries are low and could use some recharging? You look for a cheap flight to a fun vacation spot and there it is, airfare you can afford. You start planning and find you can do this trip for only a few hundred dollars. You look forward to the relaxation, the fun, no schedules or interruptions. Sounds great doesn't it?! You can almost feel your batteries recharging as you read this.

Question: How long do you think the recharge will last once you enter back into reality? Unfortunatley, maybe a day or two. A week at best. I know, the thought of that is a bummer. So I would like to propose a suggestion. What if you brought that vacation spot to you everyday?

You ask how? Well, go out and buy some music or pictures or something that relates to that place so when you look at it, hear it or taste it, you transport your mind to the vacation spot. In essence I am suggesting that you take time everyday to do something that recharges your batteries. This will allow them to hold a greater charge and to do it more often. Which will lead to greater productivity and happiness in your lives.

Set aside your vacation time everyday and allow no interruptions. This can be done in one chunk "vacation" or several smaller "vacations" throughout the day. The recharging activities are endless. Give it a try and then let us know what you do to bring this vacation to you. Also, what vacation spot do you go to everyday? We'd love to know. Now go and recharge and enjoy!

As for me, I'm going to Hawaii!! Maybe Jamaica!

Happy Vacation,
www.SleepingBagStation.com

Hi Everyone,

So today I thought I would share with you some useless knowledge that you can share with family and friends around the campfire. Not only will you look like a fool, I mean look cool, you will boggle their minds with your massive knowledge of things they would have never thought about.

So as not to overwhelm you I will share only a few today so that they really sink in. Here we go.
1) A buffalo can run 35-40 miles per hour. That is as fast a thoroughbred race horse. How cool is that?
2) Frogs can breath out their bums. Thank-you nature channel! My kids love to share that one with all their friends for a good laugh.
3) More people come and sleep in tents on weekends than they do on weekdays. When we found that out the shock factor was off the scale.
3) If you want to make an amazing fire drill holes in a copper pipe and put rubber hose pieces into it and insert into your fire. Prepare to be amazed!! Really!
4) Rub bounce drier sheets on yourself and insert into pockets to assist in keeping those pesky mosquitoes away. (No, this is not a paid advertisement for Bounce.)

Whatever you have to do today, try to include one thing that makes you happy. If you can't think of anything, go browse www.SleepingBagStation.com and let your "dreams" begin.

Happy Camping,
Jen

Good day Everyone,

I took a quick trip yesterday across the Idaho desert on my way to Hailey, Idaho. It was fun to see snow on the mountains and in some places quite a bit of it. The drive was pleasant and went by quickly.

While there, I went to the sheep dog trials, which were a part of the Idaho Sheep Herders Festival. I didn't know there was such a thing. I had a great time watching those dogs do their thing and maneuver the sheep where the herder directed with an assortment of whistles. If only we could do the same thing with our children. :) Anyway, it was educational to watch and observe the events. I didn't stay too long as it was breezy and cold.

The trees are starting to change and create a beautiful array of colors on the hillsides. Many of the mountains had a dusting of snow to add to the beauty. I was looking forward to taking a run in the hills and going for a long bike ride while there. Unfortunately plans changed and I had to return home on the same day. I was bummed but happy to have been able to see and enjoy the beauty for a few hours.

As the weather cools for some of us, we tend to put off being in the outdoors overnight unless we are in one of those motel things. Nothing against motels or a nice hot tub. However, just a quick reminder that we can enjoy the outdoors even when the temperature is cooler by having the proper equipment. As www.SleepingBagStation.com we have an assortment of colder weather bags that will assist you in enjoying the outdoors even when the temperature takes a dive.

So as you contemplate the next cool weather camp-out or hunting trip remember to check us out at www.SleepingBagStation.com and let us assist you in creating a great sleeping experience.

Until next time enjoy the changing colorful scenery that surrounds you because before you know it the world will white, ready for its winter slumber.

Happy Camping,
Jen

Hi Everyone,

How many times have you been camping or hiking and needed an alarm to wake you for those early morning starts? While I was at Mt. Hood I came upon this scenario again. We needed to wake up at 3:50am so as to get Francie's feet taped and her ready to go by 4:30am so she could hear the instructions at 4:45am and start bell at 5:00am. Wow- that's alot of am's!

Well I had turned off my phone to save the battery cause I knew I didn't have much left and I had forgotten my car charger. I know, way to go. She informed me about the need for an alarm and I didn't think there would be much sleeping due to the anticipation of the coming morning, kinda like Christmas eve for a child, but volunteered my phone anyway. Not too long after setting the alarm and snuggling in I heard a small chirp and thought, hmm, I wonder what that was. We were on the roadside in the mountains and so it could have been a bird or something. Then, I heard it again. No, not a bird but my phone letting me know it was about to expire. So I turned it off, knowing it wouldn't last til 3:50am hoping to save what battery I might have left and that we would indeed be awake by 3:50am. Dun dun dun! Well, we were awake on time, having not gotten much sleep because of the excitement and knowing we didn't have an alarm.

This morning I found a neat solution to this "alarm-ing" situation. :) A queen size air mattress with an alarm clock built in. How cool is that!! I also found one that will serve the music needs of those who like to fall to sleep to the sounds of Enya, Tim McGraw or whatever else instead of nature. A mattress with a built in mp3 adapter. Amazing!

You can check these cool mattresses out along with other sleeping comfort needs at www.SleepingBagStation.com. I may just have to try one of these out for myself.

Until next time- enjoy that early morning alarm,
Jen

The photo of Mt Hood I put in my last post disappeared. So here it is again along with another photo I took that same morning. Enjoy!

Hello Everyone.

I woke up to a winter wonderland today and it was beautiful. Just enough snow to cover everything with about an inch or so but still warm enough to be melting and dripping from the roof top at the same time.

I did go out on my morning run and enjoyed the cool air as it kissed my face. I looked down on the town below and gave thanks that I could view and be a part of such beauty. I actually was hoping it would snow while I was running but the best I got was a gentle mist. It was refreshing and good enough for me.

I am currently inside making a list of things I need to do and wishing I could be out enjoying things like the picture of "Little Crater Lake" above or hanging out beneath the shadow of Mt. Hood pictured below. I think of how fun and cozy it would be to stand by a warm fire with a cup of hot cocoa or be snuggled in my sleeping bag inside a tent with family or friends. Some may say I'm crazy but the memories I have of such occasions bring warmth to my soul.

Let me tell you about Little Crater Lake. After the Mt Hood 100 mile run we went about 6 miles down the road to this lake to catch some views and some zz's. I wasn't really tired and didn't want to hang out and watch Francie sleep, so I decided to walk the 250 yards to the lake. Well I was expecting to see a large lake with shorelines and the works. As I walked through a wooded area and came into a clearing I could see what I would describe as a puddle. Ok, it was bigger than a puddle, more like a pond. I looked all around me to see if I could find the lake. Well, the bright blue, crystle clear, pristine pond in front of me was indeed the lake I had walked those 250 yards for. I actually laughed out loud and then decided to check it out. It took me all of a couple of minutes to do this. I was in awe of how beautiful the color was and that it was so clear I could see the bottom and the trees that called that bottom home. I took a few pictures so I could remember this beautiful lake. I actually threw a few stones into it to watch them sink and to my surprise they actually flitted and floated to the bottom landing with a little poof of silt. It was fun to watch.

On my way back to the car I met a fellow who had just moved to the area from back east who told me the lake was created by a spring that eroded the ground, eventually causing it to sink. The lake is about 45 feet deep and amazingly clear so as to see every detail from the leaves floating on the top to the twigs that lay on the bottom. Quite as site. I am happy I chose to walk those 250 yards and experience this little piece of heaven.

The photo below was taken in the early morning hours on the shoreline of Lake Timothy. The air was cool and calm creating a mirror on the water that reflected all the beauty around me, including Mt. Hood which can be seen in the background.

As I look out the window and see the snow I long to return to such beautiful and places. However, even with the memories in mind, I look forward to the beauty that winter brings such places and the different kinds of fun that can be had.

So with that in mind I am going to go make a nice hot cup of cocoa and may even put whipped cream on top, snuggle up with my "to do" list and add to it to check out www.SleepingBagStation.com so I will be prepared for all kinds of temperatures and my sleeping needs.

Until next time,
Stay warm with www.SleepingBagStation.com,
Jen

Hello Everyone,

I am back from a splendifferous trip that took me to Spokane, Mt. Hood, back to Spokane and home again. Almost 2000 miles driving and 102 running by the time I returned home. Ok I only ran 27 of that 102 and it was great!

I will hit a few highlights as I could take up your whole day talking about this trip. Francie and I left for Mt. Hood on Friday morning and by Friday night had her checked in, making final preparations of drop bags, meeting some of the runners and sleeping on the side of the road in her truck across from the start/finish area. I couldn't believe we were finally here and she was actually going to run 102 miles. Yikes!

4am came quickly and I had my lesson in how to tape her feet and take care of them if needed. An early morning drink for her and then off to the start for instructions. I found myself surrounded by 118 crazy people, I mean runners, and their crews and lots of excitement in the air. I will contribute the excitement to sleep deprivation. I would learn more about that later. Before I knew it we were having the 10 second countdown and they were off, and so was I, back to the truck for some sleep!

I got up at 10am and met Francie at the mile 28 aid station. She looked a little rough and discovered her medicine was making her dizzy and unsteady. Not good when you have to watch for rocks and roots with every step. She had fallen once but wasn't too worse for the wear. We refilled drinks and sent her back on the trail. It would be another 5 hrs before I saw her again.

In the meantime I assisted the Race Director with a few things like cleaning up and delivering water to obscure aid stations in the middle of nowhere. This was great cause I drove Francie's nicely washed and waxed truck on extremely rough and dusty roads and I knew she would be loving it. Not! I had fun though, except when I looked over and noticed a pool of water in the passengers seat. Yikes!! I'm talking LOTS of water spilling from the container. I was praying the two large containers in the back sloshing around with every bump on my bed were not doing the same thing as this one. In the rear view mirror they looked like children playing in one of those jump house toys and having a grand time.

The next aid station was at mile 55 and also 75. this is where I would spend the remainder of my day and night until I would head on the trail to pace Francie the last 27 miles. I had met several really nice people and so the time went quickly. Helping with the aid station as runners came in helped time pass also. Francie came into this aid station at mile 55 looking as fresh as a Daisy. After fixing a blister, re-taping her feet and providing some nourishment I sent her back on the trail and told her I would see her in another 5 or so. At this point I went to the truck and got my clothes changed, pack ready and took a little snoozer so I would be able to be rested and stay awake the remainder of the night.

Night fell and so did the temperature. I stood around a small propane heater for about 3 hours with several people waiting for their runners. Most runners were about an hour behind schedule as the 20 miles they had just come from were a challenge they weren't expecting. Finally Francie came in, not looking so good this time. Her feet were painful as she had developed a new blister or two that were really hurting her. Popping them was not one of my favorite things but had to be done. I took care of her feet while another guy helped with food and bottles. After a small rest and making sure she was dressed for cooler weather, feet re-taped, and some food we set off together into the dark night on the last stretch of this adventure.

We walked for a while as she tried to shake the nausea that had overcome her. Mostly caused by the pain of her feet. Not to mention all the gels she had eaten for nutrition. We had six hours to finish within the 24hr mark and so I pushed for that goal. Before too long though as we traveled in the total darkness of the night it became clear that I needed to just assist her in finishing in her original 26 hr goal. We were moving so slowly and at times she would pick up her feet and run. I wondered if she thought she was moving quickly because I had my choice to either jog with her or to just walk quickly. I did both. I felt her pain as she would kick a stick or rock and holler out, but my job was to keep her moving, so I did. Each aid station was a blessing because I could eat, drink a little and get warm. I had dressed to run and because we weren't I was cold. We left mile 75 at 11:15pm with the temperature being 38 degrees. I could feel the night get colder and welcomed the occasional pockets of warm air which soon became pockets of cooler and colder air. By the time we finished I was frozen. My hands were cold, face numb and nose raw from running all night. Funny, because it was the only thing running during the night!

Just as dawn was arriving my headlamp went out. It was dark but light enough to make out the trail and I was glad it lasted the night. Francie still had her light to help us along. It was amazing how the dimension of the forest around us changed and took shape as the morning light appeared and the stars and darkness began to fade. What a beautiful place we were in and so peaceful, but where was that finish line?! Time and miles seemed to move slowly as did my frozen body.

Well, 81/2 hrs later I saw the finish line and took her by the hand and started jogging so she could run across. As we approached I let go and let her cross as I took her picture. She had done it! Run 102 miles in 26hrs and 39 mins!!! I too had accomplished my goal of getting her to the finish line and that felt great, as did the fire, warm blanket that was put around me and the two cups of hot cocoa!

I could go on more but have taken much of your time at this point. Thanks for sharing some of this great adventure with me. The pictures I posted were of Mt. Hood as it over looks Lake Timothy, a shot from the aid station at 55 & 75, Francie and I in front of Mt. hood on our way home, Francie at the start and me goofing off as we drove. As I look through the photos I will post a few more of the great ones soon.

Until then, happy camping and remember to check us out at http://www.sleepingbagstaion.com
Jen





Francie just before she started her 102 miles.



Waiting for runners at aid station 55/75.




Having fun while driving!

Mt. Hood as seen across Lake timothy. Our campsite after the race was right on the shore of this beautiful lake. I look forward to going back.

Did I mention the crazy thing that happened? I decided that I am going to train and run this same course next year. I am wondering if I fell and hit my head sometime in the night and knocked myself crazy. I am actually way excited and look forward to training, not to mention what I could write about if the whole 102 mile experience were my own. :)