And now? We pull airplanes

Just when you think that you've exhausted all the ways to get teams together to raise money for a cause, a new one comes along.

We do a lot of team events for good causes at work.   In June it was Bike MS.   In July it was Relay for Life.   In September it will be Light the Night.     And this doesn't include the endless array of "fun runs" in the Denver area that are primarily about fun, rather than fundraising, but still benefit a local cause.   Like Color Me Rad, the Color Run, the Electric Run, the Ugly Sweater Run, or the hilarious gem of an event that some of my friends did yesterday, the Tap 'n' Run.  

In early August we were recruited to do something new as a fundraiser.

Pull a plane.

A 757.

Here's our plane!

The concept is pretty simple.   Your team raises at least $1250 for Special Olympics.  You can have up to 25 people on your team and the goal is to see which team can pull the plane 12 feet in the fastest amount of time.    And you get to play out at the airport.

Airport humor on the snow plows

Plane pull in action

When you first start pulling you feel like time is flying by while your airplane is standing still.   And then it starts to move.   That whole science thing "a thing in motion stays in motion"?   It's true.   Once it starts to move you move 12 feet quickly.    Most teams, including ours, were done in under 10 seconds.   

Learn more about the Special Olympics Plane Pull here.  

What's the wackiest fundraising event you've done?

Peter and the Starcatcher

There is a long standing love of Broadway shows in our family. 

I blame my mom.

Living in southern Wisconsin and then in western Illinois, Chicago was our destination for theater.   And we had homework.   We read the story.   Saw the movie.   Got the album from the library.   Played the music on the piano.     

And now, if called upon in a national crisis, we can sing along with Les Mis from start to finish.

One of the many awesome things in Denver is our Center for the Performing Arts.   Every year they have a full slate of nationally touring Broadway shows.   Over the past few years, I've seen everything from the Lion King to Wicked to West Side Story.    And if you plan ahead, they have great "limited view" seats in the orchestra level that are usually $25-35.   Score.   

My sister and I were given tickets to see a new show.  From friends who have swanky season tickets.   With center orchestra seats. Denver is the first stop of the national tour for Peter and the Starcatcher.      

The plot in six words:  it's the prequel to Peter Pan.   

And damn funny.   With mustaches.   

Last night they were having special activities for kids.    We are just big kids.  

As exhibited by this picture. 

Peter and the Starcatcher is here in Denver until September 1.    

See everything the DCPA has to offer here.

Do you have a favorite Broadway show? 

Something New: First Time as a Guest Blogger

Happy Wednesday Everyone!

For the first time, I wrote a guest post on another site.   As a part of Guest Bloggers Week on Fit Bottomed Girls, you can read my contribution:  How to be a Workplace Wellness Heroine.      I discovered FBG about 6 months ago - I like the fun factor as well as the commitment to living the best life possible.  

I've been the coordinator for our weight loss / fitness challenge at work for the past five years.   If you have suggestions of fun things that you have done at your workplace, let me know!

Gem Lake Hike - Estes Park, CO

Oftentimes my visits to Estes Park, CO look something like this.    My hands full of Grandma's Mountain Cookies.    And this story is no exception.    Except that we got some fitness first.

Did you know that there are sites where people review trails and hikes?    They give them ratings, just like you would a restaurant on Yelp or a book on Amazon.    In my brief research, I read about Gem Lake.  It was 1.8 miles each way and rated as moderate.   You don't have to enter Rocky Mountain National Park to get to the trail head - there's free parking in the lot just a few miles outside of Estes. 

It's a people only trail.   No dogs.  No horses.   Although it is a lot of uphill climbing - the trail was full of families making their way up to the lake - a small, shallow, clear lake, perfect for splashing around after a picnic lunch.  If little kids can do it, so can I.

Here's the hike in photos.    If I haven't mentioned it recently, I love Colorado.   Because this can happen on a random Saturday morning.             

Baby pine cones!

Hi Gem Lake!

Very bold you are, Mr. Chipmunk

Have you been on a good hike recently?    Where did you go?

Australia Week: Cute Animals

No trip to Australia is complete without seeing the animals.    Kangaroos and Koalas have always been "exotic" here in the States.   All these pictures were taken at Koala Park in Sydney, hence the closeups (and me feeding a kangaroo), but we did see 'roos hopping around in the wild when we went on a 4x4 trip into the Blue Ridge Mountains.

What's the exotic animal that you most want to see in their natural habitat / home country?

Other Posts Down Under:

Barrier Reefin'

Australia Week

Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb