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The Boyfriend. Shown here on our first backpacking trip together, over Memorial Day weekend in 2006.

I love him dearly, no matter how crazy he can make me!

I've definately met my match with this one!

Parker: The cutest puppy that was ever possessed by the devil!

Parker turned 4 last Cinco De Mayo, and he's just starting to calm down! His saving grace is that he's SO CUTE! How could I twist off his head when he's so adorable?!

Tyler: Tyler is the BF's dog. We were pretty sure he was just your average mutt from the pound, but an awful lot of people have stopped to comment on our beautiful Rhodesian Ridgeback! Hmmmmm.

Tyler's the best dog, I hope Parker grows up to be like him someday! He's loyal and protective and LOVES kids, and he can SIT STILL when there's nothing to do but still hike for miles when he wants!

DRIPPY!: My beloved 1991 Jeep Cherokee "XJ!"

I bought Drippy in 2003 from Hungarian lesbians. I love this car. The first thing his previous owner told me about him was that he's a "he." Then I found out his name is "Drippy" because he had a nasty oil leek when SHE bought him-- she was quick to assure me that she'd long had that fixed! I feel more like I adopted a pet than bought a car!

I drove Drippy home with 205K miles on him, and now he's almost to 300K. I used to drive a lot more before I got shacked up with the BF. Otherwise we'd be on our way to 400K by now!

Drippy loves going offroading and we have some great memories together. It's going to break my heart if I ever have to give him up.

The "XJ" is the manufacturer's model code for the Jeep Cherokee...all Jeep models have a monogram and you can usually spot us hardcore Jeep-lovers because we tend to refer to our cars by that code. If you see Drippy around town you'll recognize the plates, and now you won't have to wonder what "XJCHICK" means!

The TRAIL: Back in the 1900's I got bit by the Backpacking bug BAD! I love the trail. I don't get to sleep on the ground in the cold nearly as often as I'd like to, but it's one of my favorite things!

I have plans to hike the entire PCT (pacific crest trail) from start (at the California/Mexico border) to finish (just inside the Canadian border) someday. It's a long hike, and it'll take me close to 6 months. You better believe there's a lot of planning that goes into such an endeavor when you're self employed and have no vacation time or option for a leave of absense!

Until I can get together the money and set aside the time for the BIG ONE, I make sure to get out a few times a year. I keep a trial journal online at Trailjournals.com if you want to check out some of my adventures!

AMBER!: Amz and I have been friends for TWENTY YEARS!!! YIKES! does that ever make me feel OLD!

Amber's been my trusy backpacking partner for the last 9 years, as well as one of my BESTEVER friends since we were seniors in high school! (check out this picture of us from our Colorguard days-- that's right, we were both flag-girls, STOP LAUGHING!)