This map is our running route that we did last Saturday for Team in Training. It was 4.15 miles.

And here’s the running route for this Saturday 6.04 miles (OMG):

If you’re interested in donating to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and supporting me as I train for the Mayor’s Marathon check out my Team in Training donations page. I would love to have your support!

When I was 14 years old, a freshman in high school, my grampa would drive me to school in the mornings and I always really enjoyed our time spent together. One Friday he dropped me off at school and I remember telling him that I would see him on Saturday.  He had asked me to come visit him for some reason that I can’t remember.  It was actually strange, looking back, because he never used to ask me specifically to come visit him. That was the last I saw of my grandfather.  That same day as he was working in his workshop, his most favorite place to be, he died suddenly.  It was such a shock and I refused to believe it at first. I thought that he was getting better. Looking back, I think he just hid from me how sick he really was very well.

My grandfather was one of the most amazing people I have ever known and many of his friends and family would agree how incredible he was.  He graduated from the University of Texas with a degree in Aeronautical Engineering and then joined the Air Force.  In the Air Force, he became a fighter pilot, flying the F-4 Phantom in Vietnam and eventually retiring as a flight instructor and Lieutenant Colonel. He loved adventure and excitement and I like to think that’s where I got it from.  In his retirement, he and my gramma moved to a 200 acre ranch on the outskirts of Abilene and raised longhorns and collected WWII Jeeps and Model T Ford pickups.  My favorite memories of my grampa were Sunday afternoons when we would hop in the truck with our lab, Polly, go feed the cows and then go hop in the row boat and seek adventure by rowing around on one of the tanks (little lakes). Grampa taught me how to watch out for rattlesnakes hidden in the grass, how to shoot a gun, and how to catch grasshoppers as bait for fishing.  He was the best friend a little girl could have. Well, probably even a better friend for little boys. But that’s OK, I told everyone I was a tomboy back then.

I’ve always tried to live my life so that my grampa would be proud.  I’ve done some cool things in my life probably all because he inspired me to live life to the fullest. He really believed in me and I know that he would love that I am running a marathon in Alaska.  But then he would tell me a story about he ran two marathons in one day across the Sahara. But that’s OK, because I still have time to do that, too.

If you’re interested in donating to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and supporting me as I train for the Mayor’s Marathon check out my Team in Training donations page. I would love to have your support!

I’ve been running for the fun of it since I was in the 2nd grade but never felt really confident enough to race. I’ve always loved running and have done a few 5ks although never anything serious.  So while other people say they are afraid of the running because they were never really all that athletic, I’m not going to lie, I was athletic.  I’m not afraid of the running part!  I’m afraid of the raising money part! What if I can’t raise $5500? That’s a lot of money!  What if people don’t want to help me because they’ve helped other people in the past? I’m scared!

My goal is to raise $5500 in order to make it to Alaska and luckily have already received my first donation (thanks Dan!).  Check out my donations website to see my progress!

Caribbean beach on Isla Margarita Venezuela

I had 35k American Airline frequent flyer miles burning a hole in my pocket (really, they were going to expire December 31) so I started looking around for a way to use them.  I knew I wanted to go somewhere out of the country, but that few of miles won’t get you too far; they’re mainly good for upgrading to business class.  Being a frugal travel (ha! I mean being someone that doesn’t have any money to spare) I researched on aa.com how far 35k miles would take me and it looks they go about as far as Venezuela.

I’ve never really had much interest in Venezuala, but I have known a few good people from there so I decided that Venezuela would be my vacation destination in May of 2009.  Now I’m only going to be gone for a week so it’s not typical Jerri style escape where I go for a month at a time.  These days I have to pay rent so I can’t really jet off like I used to in the good ole days. I’m a little worried about how safe it is in Venezuala and I speak enough Spanish to get me into trouble – remind me to tell you about the gypsy cab I took in Buenos Aires.

No itinerary yet. Wait. I’ll probably never have an itinerary. I don’t roll like that! I have a round trip ticket, credit cards, a passport and that’s enough to get me by.  Am I back in the saddle again?

I’m worried that I’ll become one of those people who tells stories of how I traveled around the world when I was in my twenties when I am in my 60s. The feeling that I’m out of touch with the world is beginning. I don’t really dream about going places like I used to.
Antigua, CaribbeanWhen I see pictures of travelers on beautiful water, islands, boats, adventure I say to myself, “Hmm, that looks nice. Lucky them.” Then I rationlize it and say, “Well, I’ve already done that. Let them have their turn.” Then I freak out thinking to myself, “Wait! What if they catch up to how many countries I’ve been to! What if they have more fun than I did!” Lastly, I think to myself, “Well, Jerri, this is the life you’ve chosen for yourself. It’s time to be stable and begin saving up for your retirement.” Really! Who am I?

* Beijing
* Great Wall
* Forbidden City
* Xian
* Terracotta Warriors
* Shanghai

I haven’t been out of the country in over a year (gasp!) so I’m incredibly excited. This is also the first time I’ve ever planned a trip more than a month away. Spontaneous? Just a little bit. Other planned trips include:

LA for the weekend this fall to visit an old friend and hopefully San Jose/San Fran and Boston. My favorite cities! Not including NYC of course. I’m afraid the days of never being in the same place for more than a month have almost come to an end. Maybe that’s a good thing. I haven’t decided yet or given up hope to live in all place at all times. Still waiting on some physicists to work that one out for me. Maybe 2008?

The Seattle Times recently had an interview with the couple about their new book, Unlikely Destinations: The Lonely Planet Story. In the interview they discuss mixing work and marriage and joke that going on a book tour is a good way to break up a marriage. If they can spend 35 years together traveling around the world, I think it’s a safe bet to say that their marriage is solid enough to survive a book tour!

My favorite magazine, National Geographic Adventure Magazine, also has an interview with the couple along with their recommended travel tips in this month’s issue.

If you are a big fan of The Wheelers or Lonely Planet you will find this book super interesting. It’s an autobiography of the couple detailing their travels and journey into the world of publishing.

If Belgium and the Netherlands aren’t your thing, easyCruise also has cruises planned for this Summer in the Greek Islands from $38 a night or in Classical Greece for around $42 in the Fall.