I must say that Michael and I had a perfectly lovely day. (More pictures in the coming days.)

Some pretty sights yesterday.

I did pretty good this week. I was worried about procrastination, until I pulled into the driveway.

Perfect.

I very much enjoyed the search this week. But then I like finding shapes in things. I find it comforting.

Square(s)

Round (and a secret triangle)

Triangle

Round AND a square (and some triangles)

An square AND a triangle AND some fog

Sticky

Faith

Procrastination

OK, y’all keep saying that you enjoy this, but I’m beginning to wonder…

Here are this week’s items. If anyone wants to come up with any future lists or host the hunt, let me know!

Round
Square
Triangle
Sticky
Procrastination
Faith

So, for last week’s trip, this week’s word is: desert

(it’s not like I’m planning on having a lot of opportunity to use that word again any time soon.)

4) Mountaineer Week beard growing contest begins

West Virginia University’s annual beard growing competition begins with a group shave at noon on Oct. 12 in the Mountainlair.

Mountaineer Mascot Brock Burwell asks participating students to challenge his legendary beard for a $100 prize and year-long bragging rights.

Contest organizers hope to see 75-100 participants in the event, which marks the beginning of Mountaineer Week scheduled for Oct. 28 through Nov. 6.

More online: http://wvutoday.wvu.edu/n/2011/10/04/mountaineer-week-beard-growing-contest-begins

Note: I will not be participating.

Michael had a conference in Phoenix, and as usual, I went along to take a mini vacation while he did work-like things.

I was less thrilled about things when I discovered temperatures were going to be 96-106 during the time we were there.

The conference was (as most of his conference have been) in a resort. The resorts tend to be nice enough, however, with the exception of San Antonio, they’re usually self-contained and NOT within walking distance of anything. The Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort wasn’t out in the middle of nowhere, but with temperatures in the upper 90s every day, I wasn’t going to be walking anywhere.

However, it was set in a Mountain preserve. So I got up at 5am local time every morning, and walked around the preserve as the sun came up, which was really quite lovely. Being me, I didn’t walk far by myself, but did manage to force Michael up early one morning so I could feel safer hiking further than I did by myself. (Michael: I’m not going to carry you out of here if you break something. Michelle: You don’t have to carry me, just keep me company.)

I’m glad I was able to do so, because the area was so very different from any other place I’ve gone before. The hills were quite alien looking, when compared to my rolling green Appalachians.

Sunrise:

Find the Gambel’s Quail (Callipepla gambelii)

Michelle: My ankle hurts. Can I blame you?
Michael: Can I stop you?
Michelle: You could try logic?
Michael: Like that ever works with you.