So the week I’ve been waiting for finally arrived, and I was so relieved to get out of town and have fun with family and friends. We really haven’t traveled much in a while, so this was a ton of driving and moving around, but I wouldn’t have changed it for the world.
Sunday
- Cardio: 3.76 miles, walking
And finally, finally, finally, we had something fun to do! I got up super early to get in some miles, and then we hit the road for our family vacation to Athens, GA!
I drove the majority of the way, and we made excellent time, arriving mid afternoon. We checked into our hotel, and headed out on foot, immediately for lunch. As we refueled, we decided to walk to the University of Georgia campus, find the stadium, and then get ready for a nice dinner.
It was hot, but pleasant. However, holy hills! It felt like San Francisco (you have to remember that where we live is flatter than flat). I loved the change and the challenge.
Dinner was at a Vietnamese fusion place called Pretty Boy, and it was one of the best meals I’ve had. We capped it off with ice cream, and it was a perfect first day.
Monday
- Cardio: 4.41 miles, walking
Mr PugRunner accompanied me on my first venture out into the city. The Firefly Trail is a 30+ mile trail along the Oconoee River, with bathrooms and offshoots, so that was our first venture. When we finished there, we moved back to the UGA campus. It was warm but a beautiful morning.
While A slept in, we went out for bagels and then returned to the hotel. We visited a little community zoo and some more local parks.
As we were getting lunch, we started texting with my sister-in-law, and it turns out our nephew was actually in the same town for business! We were able to connect and schedule time for dinner and drinks! What a lucky coincidence!
Tuesday
- Cardio: 4.55 miles, walking
Once again, Mr PugRunner joined me for my walk. This time, we went into the heart of downtown, to visit the Athens mural, and then to see The Tree That Owns Itself. Yes, it’s a tree that was granted autonomy over itself and its surrounding eight feet. It was gorgeous, at the top of an incredibly steep hill in a beautiful historical neighborhood. I drooled over all the houses.
That afternoon we headed to the UGA Botanical Gardens. Of course, it was hot, but there were still some lovely blooms to see. I loved that the gardens and other tourist sites are free or donation based, making so many cool things to do that are accessible.
Wednesday
- Cardio: 4.41 miles, walking
Welcome to our last day in Athens! Mr PugRunner opted out of miles, so I visited a few of the same spots on a big loop.
We had breakfast and packed up at the hotel before we embarked on the next part of our adventure: The Groovy Cow Yurt! With Athens in our rearview mirror, we drove to a little town called Thomson, and checked into the property.
OMG.
We took a little farm tour with the owner and one of her staff, and met several of the resident animals, including two baby llamas, a baby donkey, two baby sheep, and a pasture of highland cows. Let’s not forget the farm dog, Schnitzel, who was the sweetest thing. They let us help bottle feed some of the babies, which was adorable. l
We took a little break in the yurt, and then the boys went into town to pick up dinner and s’mores supplies. It was super hot while the a/c got working, so I may have dozed off a little. When they got back, there were four sheep grazing around the tent, quickly joined by a larger sheep and the pasture cow. We had a bin of food so we could let them enjoy some nibbles while we ate.
That night we had s’mores and wine, and by the time we went to bed, it was actually chilly. I had the best night’s sleep I’ve had in ages.
Thursday
- Cardio: 2.56 miles, walking
I wasn’t going to get a great walk, because we were in the middle of farmland, but I took a turn around the pasture, and then out to the main road. I tried running, but it was a little too uneven for me to feel comfortable.
And then we showered in the outdoor shower, packed it up and headed into town for breakfast and to get on the road for home. I was so sad to leave, and the animals did follow us to the gate.
But the pugs were waiting and it was good to be home.
Friday
- Cardio: 6.42 miles, running
Yay for a great run after a night in my own bed!
I’d like to tell you that I was down for a chill weekend at home, but nope! I very quickly turned it around, packed another bag and drove my way to Orlando for our annual Taste! weekend with M! It’s always great time! We checked into our hotel with another friend and enjoyed some wine and appetizers, before turning in for an early night.
Saturday
- Cardio: 3.07 miles, walking
Even when you’re at the resort, you can still get in some miles! I found a running trail around the World Marriott Center, and looped a couple of times before grabbing breakfast with the ladies.
We changed into our bathing suits and headed to the pool, where we met up with two more friends.
An afternoon thunderstorm sent us all inside for a shower and lie-down before the big event. It was perfect. We all got ready and made our way to the convention center for an incredible night of food, drink, music, and raising money for Second Harvest Food Bank.
We had the best time, sampling so many yummy things and dancing the night away!
Thoughts + Goals
Whoo, what a week! It wasn’t my best as far as fitness as my miles were shorter and I didn’t have time for the gym. But what I did have was tons of fun! Our trip was incredible and it started so many ideas for the future.
It’s always great to go on new adventures, and to spend time with amazing friends, especially when it’s for a good cause.
We are back at it next week!
In Case You Missed It
- Making It Through The Holiday Weekend
- Summer Running Leads To Winter PRs
- Our Top Tips To Start Your Running Journey
- Our Favorite Running Movies To Get You Moving
Would you stay in a yurt in a farm pasture? When was your last trip with friends? How was your week in training?
Weekly Rundown
I am linking up with the Weekly Rundown, with Confessions of A Mother Runner and Running on the Fly! Check them out!
What a nice getaway for your family! I’m not envious of all the driving, though (or being the drive, LOL). I’d probably take a pass on the yurt…not sure if I’d be able to relax 😉
It was literally the best night of sleep I’ve had in MONTHS. K said he got up four or five times to use the bathroom, which meant unzipping and rezipping the tent, and I heard NOTHING. Apparently, I just need to set up my tent in the backyard and reset out there when Im having a hard time.
I’v never been to Athens but my mom went to U of GA. Looks like you packed a lot of fun into your trip. I don’t know about that yurt tho! 🙂 Vacations are for enjoying foods and drinks and then getting back on track when you get home. That’s my plan anyway!
The yurt was amazing! And Athens was gorgeous! I wish A had more interest in it, because campus and town were both so cool.
The good news is that it gave us TONS of ideas for our future when he goes off to his own things, and that brings me joy.
What a fun week! I have a special affinity for Athens as it is the home of one of my all-time favorite bands, REM. It seems like such a cool place. And a girls’ weekend? Perfect. I have a big one coming up in a week…
YES! I love REM, too! It’s an incredibly beautiful city. I hope you have fun on your trip! Ours was a blast!
That farm visit must be the perfect vacation activity and overall it looks like a fun and very well-needed break for you! The yurt looks super cool!
It was so wonderful. The yurt was amazing. I want one in my backyard.
What a fun family vacation followed by a girls weekend…
I am in awe that you still manage to run or walk EVERYDAY!!
It waS a blast. And yes. At least a mile.
I’m so glad you had a nice trip! Oh my goodness, that yurt sounds like a fun place to stay and I’m sure I’d love it and all of the farm animals milling about. Did you know that I spent about an hour every morning before school and after school feeding baby calves with a huge bottle? It was one of my chores for the four years between when my brother went off to college and I started college.
That sounds like the best chore you could have had! I love that for you! The young lady who was working that day was clearly a little overwhelmed and probably overheated… Feeding the babies was an add on package, but she really needed the help. I would have mucked stalls if she asked me to LOL. The yurt was amazing – it was brutally hot when we got there, but once the a/c kicked in, it was glorious. Mr PugRunner was a little skeptical of the outdoor shower and the fact that farm animals just go to the bathroom wherever they want (he was also surprised that they didn’t get daily baths), but I loved every second of it.