Back from Vaca

I'm grudgingly finally back from vacation. BJ and I had an awesome time in Sun Valley* – the last 8 days have me seriously considering a move out West! I bet you’re thinking: “random vaca spot”, right?! Well, BJ’s uncle has a condo in Sun Valley that he lets us use – free accommodations = a pretty good reason to vacation somewhere you normally wouldn’t go. We went last year, had a blast and decided to do it again this year.

This vacation is founded on 3 simple rules:
1) Train like crazy
2) Relax
3) Drink copious amounts of wine

Check, check and check. Who am I to defy the rules??

My friends think we’re crazy: “You workout that much while you’re on … vacation??!!” However, I know you will be more understanding. I can’t leave for 8 days and not workout – now, that’s crazy!

Training:
4.4 mile – run (run uphill home – 2.2 miles)
36 mile – (road) bike ride
5.2 mile – run/hike – Baldy Mountain; elevation: 9150 ft. (roundtrip: 10.4 miles)
5 x .8 mile – (run) hill repeats
2 miles – swim (total for the trip)
2.5 hours – mountain bike ride (this was my 1st time and it was AWESOME - we had such a blast rockin' it on the trails)
5 miles – run
8.4 mile – hike – Pioneer Cabin; elevation: 11,000 ft.
30 mile – (road) bike ride – Galena Summit (last 6 miles are completely uphill and completely kicked my ass)
6 mile – run

Eat/Drink:
I love to cook, so as a budding chef and reason to make BJ want to marry me, I cooked 3 of the 5 nights we were in SV. SV has a great local grocery store with fresh fruits and veggies, great meat, wine (you get my point) – but the culinary highlight of my trip was the Farmer’s Market on Tuesday! This was the farmer’s market of all farmers’ markets – and I pretty much fell in love. I bought fresh rosemary, parsley, zucchini, squash, garlic, heirloom tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, red onion, lemons, cheese, fresh bread… And when we got home that night, I whipped up a delicious little farmers’ market dinner (with wine, of course). The nights we ate out, the food was exceptional, weather was near perfection and the wine was abundant. I love vacation!

Globus:
-Local All Natural "Salmon Creek" Pork Baby Back Ribs Honey Hoisin Bbq Sauce, Asian Cabbage Slaw, Jasmine Rice (YES I WILL!)
-Green Thai Curry with ChickenRoasted Eggplant, Red Peppers, Baby Shitake, Onions, Broccoli, Basil, Jasmine Rice
-Wine: Ridge Three Valleys Zinfandel Blend – Sonoma

CIRO:
-Grilled Artichoke with sun dried tomato aioli (this was insanely delicious!)
-House Salad - organic greens, cherry tomatoes, with lemon & olive oil
-Parma Pizza - plum tomato sauce, basil, mozzarella with fresh sliced prosciutto & organic arugula
-Americano Pizza - plum tomato sauce, garlic, oregano, mozzarella, parmigiano & imported pepperoni
-Wines by glass:
Pinot Noir Siduri - Sonoma, CA
Dolcetto D.Alba Prunotto - Piedmont, Italy

Sun Valley Wine Company:
Light fare - featuring salads, panini, pizza, and a variety of ethnic appetizer plates.
Wine: too many to choose from!

The fun did not stop at night. We went to a wine tasting. We walked around town and looked in art galleries. We went to see Dr. Stuart Brown give a talk on his book: Play: How It Shapes the Brain, Opens the Imagination, and Invigorates the Soul, as part of the SV Writer’s Conference. We went to the outdoor pavilion – one of the best things about SV – to see the Trey McIntyre Project. The venue is super cool and while BJ and I don’t love ballet, it’s definitely worth seeing if TMP comes to your town. We just had so much fun!

I was sad to say goodbye to SV but vaca wasn’t over yet (thank God) – BJ and I headed to Boise for a few days to hang with his awesome family (uncle, aunt and cousins). Saturday was my birthday – so we spent the day on the boat, wakeboarding and hanging out. When we got back to Uncle B’s house, the house was decorated with balloons, a banner and a delicious birthday cake. It was such a fun and unexpected surprise (especially since they aren’t my family)! We had a big BBQ, ate birthday cake and drank great wine. I guess turning 26 wasn’t so bad after all. BJ and I had great time on vaca - I wish it could have lasted for months (or until the really cold Idaho weather starts). It’s nice to be back in DC, though – I think I brought the delicious Sun Valley weather home with me!

*we spent 5 days in Sun Valley and 3 days in Boise (BJ’s uncle lives in Boise – so we did some family time, too)