New horizon and sides from my eyes The discovery of the unknown Is something to tell the folks back home

Even though it is winter here, I find myself trying to be in nature more than ever. I want to soak everything up. I want to feel the elements and smell the earth. Feeling alive on the mountain or beside the sea. It's been nearly 10 months here and I still revel in these things. Makes me glad that I have friends training for seriously epic trail races so I can tag along for runs. Thursday was a public holiday (Youth Day, in remembrance of the Soweto Riots in 1976) and although rain (ok torrential downpours/ lightning/ thunder/ and hail) prevented a morning run, we were able to get out for the best part of the day and savor the sun when it finally came out.

Friday was a race to get through the weekday so that I could get back on the mountain, but this time at night. Around sunset a group of us headed out to do legs 2 and 3 of the Hout Bay trail, about 5 hours on the legs. The first bit I had done before, but was excited to check another new trail off the list for the second half. Lately it has been incredibly to be able to sit at my desk at work or look out the window of my apartment and see all the mountains that I have now ran/ scrambled/ hiked/ climbed. Had a blast chatting, joking, eating and singing our way around Cape Town's mountains and made some new friends in the process.

The rest of the weekend was full of friends and chilled vibes. Had an awesome braai (well braai turned epic feast) on Saturday and drove around the coast sit by the ocean to sip some coffee from La Vida and journal Sunday afternoon. Even caught a rainbow during one of the million brief but powerful rain showers we had during the weekend. Made me think of my dad, not just because of fathers day, but also remembering pulling him pulling over on our drives to Colorado on family vacation making sure to capture the double rainbows formed by the summer rains.

All of the wonderfully soothing morning showers have thrown off my sleep schedule though, its way too easy to fall back asleep on the weekend when rain is gently pounding your window and before you know it the day is half gone. And while the late nights following were great to catch up to some friends and family online, It is not the ideal way to get ready for the work week. Tuseday... here I come. Ugh.

Leave all your love and your longing behind you, can't carry it with you if you want to survive

Trail run time again! Saturday was the Old Fisherman's Trail Challenge, and another way for me to run/climb a mountain that I see every day! The 22k race started on Hout Bay beach and ran up Blackburn ravine over to Silvermine, then down to finish on Kalk Bay beach. 600m elevation change in about 6ks was tough, but being on the mountain enjoying a fresh 'winter' day is so worth it. The clouds rolled in during the day, so when we were actually on top of the mountain it was hard to see the view, but kind of made it Jurassic Park like and mysterious.

This race was also called a 'challenge' because it included additional worries of 1. not getting lost 2. making sure to punch your race passport at every checkpoint 3. making it over some pretty rough terrain. No joke, they check your kit to make sure you are carrying all the proper equipment, and a good thing too. The guy in front of me during a tough downhill took a pretty big spill and cut open his knee, I literally saw kneecap. Thankfully we were close to a checkpoint and everyone around had proper first aid. Lets just say I was a bit more cautious of the slippery rocks after that one lol.

My favorite part of the run was in the Silvermine trails. I had run there previously and gave them the nickname of Michigan Trails, because they remind me so much of what I am familiar with... trees, lots of ruts, darker brown dirt and some boardwalks. Flew through that section and felt great before heading up another pretty intense uphill, getting almost lost twice, luging down way slick wooden paths, and then down to the beach where I saw a puffer fish. So much excitement, I know. To celebrate (and get a little clean) I jumped in the ocean, much to the dismay of the locals, who think its freezing here now. Silly.

So, another week, and another mountain down.

Now that she's back in the atmosphere, with drops of Jupiter in her hair hey hey

Picture one for this week was taken after work on friday as I decided to take my book down to the beach for the last glimmers of sunlight. Still amazed with the beautiful place that I live, the mountains are constantly changing with the light and the sea is something I can never take for granted. So despite sporadic downpours all weekend, I managed to spend the majority of my time outside enjoying nature.

Saturday's plans, being my indecisive self, were left completely up to my friend. He totally delivered by taking me to the World of Birds here in Hout Bay, a place I had been meaning to go to. Its an amazing bird sanctuary, but has pretty much any kind of animal you can think of. After a funny look from the lady examining my student card (hey, they didn't specify African student card, better believe I'm going to try for a discount) we headed straight for the monkeys. Ok so in Africa, they are pretty lax with the caging of animals. Everyone is free to saunter around with squirrel monkeys climbing all over you until your hearts content. So. Awesome. Later on I didn't appreciate the lack of barriers between us and the wildlife when owls kept sneaking up on me from behind corners/ perching over doors and seagulls pecking my feet. It was pretty cool to see the animals up close though, even if the did put the wallabies in with the tortoises and some of the penguins could use some lessons on taking baths.

Sunday was a long awaited trail run. Ever since I let my legs have a little rest the mountains out my window have been calling my name. Starting out, we ran into a fellow runner who was actually looking for a geo cache! So crazy, these things are everywhere! Helped in the search for a bit before heading up the trail starting at Suikerbossie. Headed up near Llandudno ravine and eventually made it up to the backside of Table Mountain to have lunch near the dams. Really nice to feel the legs working again, and had a beautiful day to be out in nature for a few hours. Another encounter with a hiker left us with some new trails to discover for another day, I swear I could live here for years and never find all the places to run! Thanks to all the rain, the waterfalls and dams have begun to fill and after eating I tested out one of the little brooks for its ice bath qualities. Such stunning views as well, will definitely have to run this one again and take a camera along.

The rest of the weekend was spent listening to the rain pour and drawing with my jumbo, chisel tip colorful sharpies. It was a great weekend.