Dana Edwards' Blog » outdoors

101 F at Crowder’s Mountain

danaedwards — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 22:54:33 +0000

Well, it may have been 101 today in the Charlotte area but at least we decided to go hiking with the kids on Crowder’s Mountain during the afternoon during the hottest time of the day. Getting out of the car at about 2pm, Jill and I agreed that we would hike about 30 minutes and then come back. That seems to be about the magic time when the kids lose interest and need snacks. For our hike along Pinnacle Trail, the benches were spread out just enough to give us time to rest for a few minutes and then start back at it. The hike was rated “strenuous” and I agree. All said and done we hike to the top and back in about 3 hours including the little pit stops along the way as well as a 10 minute break at the top. Our hike back was along Turnback Trail and it was significantly less strenuous.

Afterwards we made a stop at Tony’s in Gastonia for a chili dog, onion rings and homemade ice cream. Jill loves the lemon ice cream as seen in the photo.

- Dana

And Our Composting Begins …

danaedwards — Fri, 13 May 2011 14:28:36 +0000

Many years ago, we tried composting. It was fun at first – we bought a pitchfork to turn the pile, we dumped our scraps in the pile, and we even got some rich dirt once. Then the pile grew. Then the pile grew again. Then we didn’t turn it. Then it grew again. Well, you can probably guess the next 5-10 sentences in the story. Eventually, the compost pile busted out of the metal screen that held it in place and was just a big pile. I am not sure if “pile” is even the right word. Towards the end of our previous composting journey, the pile looked more Snufalufagus from Sesame Street – a big brown hairy, pine straw-ish mess.

This new composter we have is from Sun Cast and it tumbles on an axis. Buddy and Claire love turning it which is great so we might have help. In a few months, I will update on our little adventure into composting – Composting 2.0. I hope you enjoy the before and after pictures …

-Dana

Yee haw!

danaedwards — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 04:01:21 +0000

Our son’s cub scout troop went out to AW Shucks Corn Maze in Monroe, NC. We had a great time and recommend it to anyone. The corn maze was fun and afterwards we enjoyed the turkeys and chickens. They have a nature walk, a slide, a picnic area and a tree fort that come with the price of admission. Jill had a blast with all of the pictures she took. I am pretty sure this one proves I need a pair of cowboy boots …

- Dana

Happy Birthday, Bear!

danaedwards — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 01:06:38 +0000

Happy Birthday!!! And yes, you can do whatever you want on your birthday! Just remember to thank mom for taking such great photos of you!

-Dana

Edwards / Johnson Biggest Loser Showdown – Week 2 of 6 Results

danaedwards — Sat, 24 Apr 2010 17:17:58 +0000

The competition is getting is tough! Everyone is dedicated to making the 12 pound overall loss goal. The toughest part right now is continuing the diet through “tough times” like Jill and her mom going to Atlanta and eating anything in sight. Another tough thing to go through is doing a work site visit where there is a lot of rich food available.

These results are actually from this past Sunday the 18th of April. The next results will be posted tomorrow and will be for the current week.

This week’s biggest loser was me – Dana – and I lost 2.11%. Unfortunately, Deanna and Jill gained small amounts.

Here are the current total competition rankings as a percent of total weight:
1. Dana 95.95%
2. Deanna 96.93%
3. Jill 97.36%

Good luck to everyone following along and to my fellow competitors!

-Dana

Edwards / Johnson Biggest Loser Showdown – Week 1 Results

danaedwards — Sun, 11 Apr 2010 21:36:09 +0000

Our results are in for the Edwards / Johnson Biggest Loser Showdown. We had two folks join who weren’t Edwards’ or Johnsons so if they submit their % weight loss, we’ll have to change the name of the Showdown. Until then, we’ll just keep going with the same name.

I’m really proud of everyone so far. Jill and Deanna did great and completed the physical challenge of working out 4 days this past week. I did not make the challenge so I hope they don’t vote me off the Island!

Here are the results shown in % of original weight on 4/4/2010:

Deanna 95.9%
Jill 96.6%
Dana 98.0%

I guess this week that I will have to lay off the beer and cheesesteaks. Here I come!

-Dana

Super Girl and Her Frog!

danaedwards — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 02:25:17 +0000

I love this picture that Jill took of Super Girl and her frog …

- Dana

Edwards / Johnson Biggest Loser Showdown – Week 1 of 6

danaedwards — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 13:43:30 +0000

So the family and I were driving back from Easter, having eaten probably 25 pieces of cake, when Jill and I decide to drop some weight. Our friend, Paul, told us about his work doing a Biggest Loser Challenge and after some discussion we decided to do the same thing. Jill’s mom was in the back and she signed up too. To start, we each put $10 prize money into the pot. Each week, we’ll have a challenge and a weigh-in. The two that lose the least in % will add $5.00 to prize pool!

So we are all at starting weight so the standings should be obvious:
Dana 100%
Deanna 100%
Jill 100%

Wish us all luck and remember that anyone can join us if you’re interested!

- Dana

Afternoon at the Park

danaedwards — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 21:42:08 +0000

Our bike ride today was pretty fun. Midway through the ride, we stopped at the neighborhood park to play. It was a beautiful day and the park was crowded with people. The kids played while mom and dad enjoyed the sun on the park bench.

Towards the end of the ride, we found sea oats and eventually brought them home after a short “sword fight” with a neighbor kid.

-Dana

Our Snow Family

danaedwards — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 02:38:51 +0000

Our kids experienced their second snow this past weekend. While I can’t recall just how many I have experienced, I know that this one was my favorite and continues to be since the snow hasn’t left us yet.

We spent the first night looking out the window at the snow and the kids just loved watching the flakes come down. The night wasn’t over until we had gone outside for a cul de sac snowball fight. Our youngest was trying her best to throw snowballs but most of them just fell backwards off her hand. Our oldest had more success but grew bored of the snowball fight and began designing something or other in the snow off to the side.

Then, the next morning began with the kids bouncing up and down on our bed very early in the morning and abot 3 hours of sledding in the sleet.

Our snow weekend ended after another day of sledding and ultimately building our snow family. That was a great weekend. Did I mention it was Jill’s Birthday and we had a great little birthday weekend?

- Dana