Friday, December 17th, 2010.
It was a day that I’d been dreading for a while.
Because I was turning the Big 4-0.
(I actually thought I turned 40 last year by mistake so I had some practice at dreading it.)
But boy was I wrong — 40 isn’t so bad at all! In fact, I had the best birthday ever — all thanks to J! He planned out the perfect day.
We started off by going to Enchanted Rock, one of my favorite places to hike. It’s a huge pink granite dome. Have I ever mentioned that I’m a rock lover? Well yep, I am! Enchanted Rock is a rock lover’s dream. (Or maybe someone dreaming of a new kitchen with pink granite countertops?)
It was really cold — the weather said 29 F — and windy — but that didn’t stop us! Here’s the start to the summit.
The girl in the black jacket was from Madison, WI — and even she was cold! Now that says something.
Here we are about halfway to the summit.
It’s only when you look to the side that you see how steep it is and how up you are.
Not that it’s that steep, really. It does get your heart going, though! But the view from the top sure is worth it.
After we made it to the top we found a little sheltered spot to have some birthday cake. A birthday peanut butter cupcake from Rather Sweet Bakery, that is! I brought some napkins from home to make it more festive.
I love how the cupcake goes with the landscape. Makes you want to eat the whole thing, doesn’t it?
We sang together, and then we shared the cupcake. Yum.
Here I am, in our little spot.
Then we went down the other side to the Little Rock. We took a different way than we usually do and explored a cave I didn’t know about. For a while I wondered if we were going to have to backtrack, but we made it, whew!
We even got to see a porcupine — I’d never seen one before! They’re really cute.
I felt so alive, and so happy.
What a great day.
And that was only part 1! Wait until you see what J had planned for parts 2, 3, and 4!
So happy,
Happy birthday!!!
I’m glad you had such a wonderful b-day experience :)
Your photos are mesmerizing!
good man that j…. glad you had a fun day
It sounds like you had a wonderful birthday. May you have many more happy and healthy birthdays.
Happy, Happy birthday Lisa! 40 is nothing when you’re happy and healthy and enjoying life. Keep up the good work! Merry Christmas to you and J
What an amazing place!! The photos are stunning!!! Happy, Happy Birthday!
Happy belated birthday, LIsa! I think I’ve climbed that rock (are there any others near Austin like that?) Mine was in the heat – think I’d rather do it in the cold! You got some really nice pictures! Looking forward to to more of your special day. (And 40 is NOTHIN’!)
What beautiful pictures. Happy Birthday! 40 is so easy and it really gets better each year after. The older you get, the more you appreciate life. Can’t wait to hear about the rest of your birthday.
Happy Birthday, Lisa! Did you see everyone’s well wishes in the special Flickr thread for you? Sounds like you had a fabulous day! Wonderful photos! I’ll be back for parts 2, 3 and 4 for sure! :)
Hi Lisa,
Happy Belated Birthday! Welcome to the 40s club. The 40s have been my most favorite decade so far. My late aunt was also a Dec 17th baby. Your pictures look fantastic. Beautiful views.
Looks like a great Birthday Lisa. How fun to do something you love so much.
Happy belated birthday! Feeling alive is what birthdays are all about! Celebrate and be happy :) Your pictures are amazing and thank you for sharing them!
sounds like you had a wonderful day! can’t wait to hear the rest of the story! thanks for sharing, Lisa! =)
Happy belated birthday Lisa.. so happy you had the wonderful time with J.. I love all the rock pictures.. so cool that finally you met Mr. Porcupine hee..hee..
i can wait to read the next part.. :) Big hugs, Fika
::happy birthday::
yahoooooo welcome to the 40’s club…it just gets better and better:) Seriously…love it.
Thanks so much for sharing the pictures…can’t wait to see more!
Beautiful photos! And congrats on reaching the big 4-0!
such an awesome way to spend your birthday! your j is quite a guy…cupcake and all!
[…] case you missed it, here’s part 1 and parts 2-3 of my birthday tale. I’ve got a few more photos to share from our return to […]
Belated Happy Birthday, Lisa! What a wonderful way to celebrate your birthday! I loved seeing your photos – it’s so beautiful there – and the peanut butter cupcake sounds and looks yummy! Lol many of us have already hit the big 40 and survived – it’s all about how you feel:)