six hoopes: July 2014

Thursday, July 31, 2014

blog mush

A rare moment on the drive to California--both boys asleep in the car!

A little rest stop workout.

Officially in California at the Redding In 'n Out!!

Drew sleeping with another tire, this time one from his wagon.

Drew got some royal treatment when cousins were here!

Emmy with her first missing tooth on top, in her new bathrobe (Ali got one too!)

Friday, July 25, 2014

We went to Snoqualmie Falls 3 times in the past week and completed all course levels with visiting California and Colorado cousins.

I. Beginner
Arrives at Falls. Successfully completes trek to main observation deck. Single group photo. Observes other guests below. Has desires to hike down but must refrain (dictated by airline schedule).

completed: Monday, 21 of July

California participants: Aunt Carolynn, Uncle Mike, and goalie Kelsey

II. Intermediate
Visit includes purpose such as Family Home Evening. Multiple photos. Hikes down to lower observation deck. Encounters barricade blocking path down to the Falls. Experiences disappointment. Returns to path leading upward.

completed: Monday, 21 of July

participants: Hoopes family and Aunt Jenny

III. Advanced
Questions other hikers on the descent. Gains insight on barricade. Observes other guests going around barricade. Supports rationalization "everybody's doing it." Even more photos. Maximum joy experienced while rock climbing and seeing Falls at ground level. Often adds refreshing treats and sweets upon completing the Advancement*.

*encouraged, but not required.

completed: Friday, 25 of July

Colorado participants: Luke and Cate

Well done, participants. Well done.

Sunday, July 20, 2014

Ragnar

July 18-19, 2014

Blaine to Langley, WA

197 miles

The Runbelievables

We were excited to be together again for Ragnar, this time with Christina (who was running during this shot!) because Julie headed up van 2 this year. (It takes a lot of tries to get a jumping shot just right).

We decorated Wendy's van,

had fun during our down time...

waiting for our runners and cheering them on,

enjoyed the lights during our night runs and drive,

and we ran, ran, and then ran some more!

Here we are (practically in Canada! ) right before 7:00 a.m. Friday morning. After we all completed our first legs, we ordered lunch at Bob's in Bellingham. Not that any of us actually had an appetite, but we gave it a go.

The highlight this year was having Steve at Ragnar, too. He ran the same leg as I did (van 1, leg 1) which was pretty cool. I didn't see him at all until Saturday morning, right before our last leg. Then I watched him finish his part of the race since I was already done! To be fair, I did start before him. And to be really fair, our team started 4.5 hours before theirs did on Friday morning, and our vans finished at the exact same time Saturday afternoon. Holy smokes they're fast.

Here is his van before the race and after.

And here is our entire (2 vans worth) Runbelievables team, minus Julie who was, of course, running.

We didn't know anyone in van 2, except Julie, but we were united in a cause!

So to sum it up, Ragnar is a bunch of girls (people) who take turns running for 2 days, share a van, ring a cowbell, don't really sleep, but are super excited about it!