20 Miles in the Sun

on April 22, 2010
in All Posts

The Earth says hello!

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I wanted to do a post on “going green” for Earth Day, but I couldn’t think of anything new or special to say.  So here’s one of my favorite quotes on environmentalism:

 

“A human being is part of the whole, called by us "Universe," a part limited in time and space.  He experiences himself, his thoughts and feelings as something separated from the rest – a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness.  This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us.  Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty.” 

 

Isn’t that an awesome thought?  Love me some Albert Einstein.  He was a very philosophical dude.

 

I celebrated Earth Day by going on a bike ride!  It was a really nice day to be outside.

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I had planned to do 35 miles, but I just wasn’t feeling it.  My legs were quite sore from two days of Power Yoga + 18 miles on Tuesday, so I decided to listen to my body and finished up at 20 miles.  It took me 1:40.

 

Before I left, I had an almond butter sammie and a pear:

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And I snacked on some Sports Beans on the side of the road:

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When I came back, I made a Green Monster (1 cup almond milk, 1/2 a banana, 1 scoop brown rice powder, 2 cups raw spinach):

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I’m off to tackle a few small projects, and then Megan is coming over for dinner.  I’m going to make her a special side dish with our dinner – I hope it turns out delish!

 

Of all the naturally amazing places on our planet, what is your favorite and why?

 

I love the Muir Woods Forest near San Francisco!

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Because giant, ancient trees are breathtaking.  Imagine all that they’ve seen!

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{ 84 comments }

 

  • Heather @ (The Single Dish) April 22, 2010, 3:36 pm

    I love waterfalls, they are so huge and awesome! I saw some in Hawaii!

  • Shawna @ Balancing Me April 22, 2010, 3:36 pm

    My favorite naturally amazing place (that I’ve travelled to) is Race Point in Provincetown, MA. You can drive right on the beach, at the very tip of Cape Cod, and have the ocean on both sides of you, with only 30 ft or less of beach between both sides. Breathtaking!!!

  • Freya @ Brit Chick Runs April 22, 2010, 3:43 pm

    I’ve never really been anywhere amazingly outstanding (at least not in my opinion!) but I really want to visit The Grand Canyon, or Niagra Falls, or just some incredible desert! England is very limited in some respects 😛

    • Laura April 22, 2010, 6:32 pm

      Oh dear, I disagree with Freya- there are so many amazing places in the U.K.- I love, love Snowdonia in Wales- amazing, snow-topped mountains- the Scottish Highlands and Lochs, the Great Lakes- and the Cornish coast- and the Giant’s Causway in Northern Ireland- so many breathtakingly gorgeous places. We had a series on over here called Coast, where the presenters went-yes, you guessed it-around the coast of the U.K.- I never knew how much amazing nature was hidden in Britain! Have a lovely girly evening 😉

      • Freya @ Brit Chick Runs April 23, 2010, 3:33 am

        Haha – I said England, not Wales or Scotland or Ireland :p!! There are pretty places in England, I just haven’t been there! But you’re right, England can be beautiful, I should appreciate it more lol 😀

  • Beth @ Beth's Journey to Thin April 22, 2010, 3:43 pm

    I went to the Biobay in Vieques, Puerto Rico. Basically, it is a bay that has micro-organisms in it that respond to movement, so you glow in the water when you move. It was one of the most incredible experiences I have ever had. We took a pontoon boat tour, and you swim in a circle and you literally glow in the water (you can only do it at night). It was amazing! You can check out the website here: http://www.biobay.com/

    AMAZING!

    • carolyn~ April 22, 2010, 4:39 pm

      I second that! This is unbelievable!

  • Jenny April 22, 2010, 3:44 pm

    Mine is the ocean! It’s our planets second world!

  • Nicole of Raspberry Stethoscope April 22, 2010, 3:47 pm

    Here is my Earth Day quote:
    Oh Beautiful for smoggy skies, insecticided grain,For strip-mined mountain’s majesty above the asphalt plain.America, America, man sheds his waste on thee,And hides the pines with billboard signs, from sea to oily sea.~George Carlin

    hehe.
    I haven’t been a whole lot of places yet, but I love the mountains.
    I also went on a bike ride this lovely Earth Day, too.

  • Annie@stronghealthyfit April 22, 2010, 3:52 pm

    Oh man I love the redwood forests in California too! And also the Puget Sound area in Washington state. And the top of any mountain. I love the outdoors!

  • Sarah April 22, 2010, 3:53 pm

    I grew up on a beautiful lake in upstate ny, so while the oceans have such grandeur, I feel at home by a lake.

  • Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg April 22, 2010, 3:54 pm

    I always feel most connected and in awe of the Earth when I’m standing at the edge of an ocean. Something about all that water just gets me every time!

    Have a fun dinner!

  • Ali @ Food, Fitness, Fashion April 22, 2010, 3:55 pm

    Great job on the 20 miles. I love the TJ Maxx or Marshalls sale tag on your sports beans! HA!

  • Diana April 22, 2010, 3:56 pm

    I love Sintra in Portugal. Some parts are seriously breathtaking. We do have lots of amazing places here throughout the country.

  • Jessica @ How Sweet April 22, 2010, 3:57 pm

    I really haven’t been anywhere amazingly worthy of that question. Though, I think huge bodies of water are incredible.

  • lauren @ Eater not a runner April 22, 2010, 3:58 pm

    I went to Antarctica and it was so breathtaking and inspirational. Gave me a whole new respect for mother nature!

  • Ingunn April 22, 2010, 4:00 pm

    So many places to choose from! I love the red rock deserts of Utah and Arizona and the mountains in Norway where I’m from…but I am head over heels in love with the Cascades in Washington where I live now! There are so many beautiful mountains and lakes where we go hiking and camping.

    • Cindi April 22, 2010, 6:12 pm

      I’m getting married in Utah with the Red Rocks as my backdrop – so I agree!!!

  • Heather (Heather's Dish) April 22, 2010, 4:02 pm

    i ADORE muir woods too! one of my favorite places…that and the carribbean. nothing more beautiful that a serene ocean 🙂

  • Evan Thomas April 22, 2010, 4:03 pm

    How good for you to listen to your body!

  • Graze With Me April 22, 2010, 4:05 pm

    I have a picture of both my husband and I in that *exact* same spot in Muir Woods. We were there last June for our honeymoon.

  • Laura@FindingAHealthyBalance....after a 100+ Pound weight loss!!! April 22, 2010, 4:09 pm

    I have always wanted to visit that national forest, looks beautiful and I am sure it is amazing! =)

  • Therese April 22, 2010, 4:11 pm

    I went to New Zealand about five years ago and fell in LOVE with it. I left a little piece of my heart there I do believe. I would love to go back to the National Park are in the North Island. The landscape there is AH-mazing. I didn’t get a chance to go to the South Island but I hear it’s even better! Just a good excuse to get back there!

  • Hedda April 22, 2010, 4:15 pm

    I love the Norwegian forest. I remember growing up, my family used to take me walking in the woods. I always refused to go on the “regular” path, I prefered to jump around between the trees and feeling that soft ground.
    And, I still do 😀 It is just as you say : Imagine what those trees have seen! “My” trees have experienced WW2, it is so amazing to think about.

  • Jenna April 22, 2010, 4:25 pm

    Santorini–large groups of people would gather at night waiting for the sun to set and cheer when it happened because it was so stunning. It was incredible to see so many people gathered in that spot just to appreciate a beautiful sunset.

    • Laura April 22, 2010, 6:36 pm

      I love Santorini too (I just mentioned it below). We literally had to fight to find a place to watch it- totally worth it 😉

  • Rachel @ Suburban Yogini April 22, 2010, 4:26 pm

    The west coast of Tasmania is the most beautiful place on earth to me.

  • Jill April 22, 2010, 4:45 pm

    I lived in Barbados when I was a teenager and I loved going to the northern most point of the island. Wind, cliffs, giant waves, the bluest ocean you’ve ever seen. I’ve been back since and being there still takes my breath away.

    http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=jUO&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&q=north%20point%20barbados&cts=1271969020682&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wi

  • Erin (Travel, Eat, Repeat) April 22, 2010, 4:45 pm

    The first time you see the Grand Canyon takes your breath away. You think you’re prepared and then, suddenly, it’s in front of you. Absolutely awe-inspiring and insane.

  • Lisa April 22, 2010, 4:45 pm

    Muir looks beautiful! We have so many beautiful forests and parks in Oregon.

  • kalli@fitandfortysomething April 22, 2010, 4:46 pm

    love how you “celebrated” earth day with a bike ride. it is cold and dreary here 🙁
    love the rocky mountains-they are magical!

  • Rachel April 22, 2010, 4:48 pm

    I don’t have a specific place. But anywhere with grass and trees and pretty nature views makes me feel better than ever.

    (((nature)))

  • Kelly April 22, 2010, 4:49 pm

    I think any ocean is the most beautiful to me, I find the ocean fascinating! I also love the red rocks of Sedona.

  • jen trinque April 22, 2010, 4:59 pm

    I have been lucky enough to see many, many beautiful places on this planet, including Muir Woods, Yosemite, Glacier National Park, Death Valley National Park, The whole dang country of New Zealand, and many, many other treasures!

  • Teri [a foodie stays fit] April 22, 2010, 4:59 pm

    Mine is similar to yours; I LOVE Big Sur. It’s amazing.

  • Tracey @ I'm Not Superhuman April 22, 2010, 5:15 pm

    New Zealand. I studied there for six months and fell in love with the country. It’s the most amazing place I’ve ever been–and probably ever will go.

  • Jessica @ The Process of Healing April 22, 2010, 5:27 pm

    Wow that is a HUGE tree!!!!!! Amazing! I think my favorite place ever is Ireland. It is truly one of the most gorgeous places that I have ever seen. No, it IS the most gorgeous place that I have ever seen.

  • Cassie @ A Very Busy Mind April 22, 2010, 5:37 pm

    I’d have to say any ocean. I don’t (and never have) lived near one, so when I see it, it’s just so mind boggling to me that something can be that BIG! Plus, I think underwater animals are so fascinating!

  • emptynutjar April 22, 2010, 5:40 pm

    I don’t know the answer to that question…tough one.
    You look beautiful. Have a nice Earth evening.

  • Christina April 22, 2010, 5:48 pm

    I just visited British Columbia and loved the forest there. I agree, giant trees are awesome. They were the biggest I’ve ever seen!

    • Carrie H April 22, 2010, 6:16 pm

      Do you mean near Vancouver? My husband and I got engaged at the Capilano Suspension Bridge park. That place has a special place in my heart too!

      • Christina April 22, 2010, 10:35 pm

        Capilano Suspension Bridge park was exactly where I was talking about! Aww, it must have been so romantic to get engaged there 🙂

  • Carrie H April 22, 2010, 6:12 pm

    The Rocky Mountains of Wyoming, no contest. I was born and raised in them, and they anchor me like no other place else on earth. The memories I have in these mountains (and the ones I look forward to making every year I am lucky to be alive) make me tear up, quite literally.

    Happy Earth Day!

  • Lisa (bakebikeblog) April 22, 2010, 6:12 pm

    Wow it looks like the PERFECT day for a bike ride!!!

  • Cindi April 22, 2010, 6:13 pm

    I had the rare and amazing opportunity to be at Victoria Falls in Zambia on the night of a full moon! Lunar rainbows were everywhere! I almost cried – it was unlike anything I’ve ever seen!

  • Amanda (Amanda "runs") April 22, 2010, 6:21 pm

    The farthest I’ve been is Disney in Florida! I’m going to (hopefully) run today! YAY! 🙂 My teacher (who runs) is excited too!

    • Amanda (Amanda "runs") April 22, 2010, 8:39 pm

      ((EDIT: Rain Stinks. I can’t run today, Friday, and possibly Saturday! I’m very bummed. I sat down with my mom and had a good, devastating, cry. I DO love the earth, but sometimes it’s not in my favor…))

      • Caitlin April 22, 2010, 9:28 pm

        you can run in the rain! its my favorite ways to run! wrap your ipod in a plastic bag!

  • Laura April 22, 2010, 6:30 pm

    My favourite places so far are high up in the Swiss Alps, hiking up the Eiger- or taking a Husky dog ride at Jungfroujoch- its so high up it looks like the moon covered in snow- they still run a marathon there though?! Also, a little Greek Island called Santorini- which is actually just the edges of the caldera of a volcano- and has the 3rd most beautiful sunset in the world- apparently!! My Mum took her school children to Az and CA last Autumn though, and she said the Grand Canyon was absolutely stunning- there was a rainbow arching right over it! I would LOVE to go to Yosemite though!

  • Alexandra April 22, 2010, 6:36 pm

    I love Muir Woods! I have a picture in that same spot too! One of my favorites is Bryce Canyon, I went there for the first time this summer. It makes your jaw drop it is too gorgeous!

    • Alexandra April 22, 2010, 6:36 pm

      Oops! I meant last summer.

  • Lauren April 22, 2010, 6:36 pm

    Love that quote!!! Einstein was such a man with his words! 🙂

  • steph-exercise physiologist and artist! April 22, 2010, 6:43 pm

    I love anything and everything san fran related. I have a work trip there in June and I cant wait. I love the little beach towns right outside of SF too. have you ever been to half moon bay. Beautiful and quaint with the best used bookstores, art, and FOOD! love love love it out there.

  • Katherine April 22, 2010, 7:20 pm

    Einstein was so bizarre. I wonder what he would be like now; I don’t think he would be famous if he was in our century. It’s sad but so many brilliant people are beyond the capacity to function in society. Once someone’s IQ is above a certain point, they have a much lower success rate and function in society. The whole psychology is interesting.

    ((I don’t mean this to come across as negativity twoards Einstein- his life was amazing and he offered great gifts to the world through his advances in knowledge))
    Thanks for the thoughts!
    Katherine

    • Caitlin April 22, 2010, 9:28 pm

      yea its interesting where we draw a line between eccentric and intelligent LOL

  • Rebecca @ How the Cookie's Crumble April 22, 2010, 7:23 pm

    Jealous of your beautiful day! It’s freezing cold and raining in Vegas today. Luckily the weather should turn around tomorrow for a good weekend! 🙂

  • Cynthia (It All Changes) April 22, 2010, 7:31 pm

    The Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs Colorado is the most breath taking place I’ve ever been. Just so surreal and I felt closest to God there.

  • Sarah (Running to Slow Things Down) April 22, 2010, 7:33 pm

    One of my very favorite places on earth is the Adirondack Mountains in New York. Absolutely breathtaking! And so wild and untamed. 😀

  • Kelly @ Healthy Living With Kelly April 22, 2010, 7:36 pm

    I love the Muir Woods…so beautiful!!!

  • Kelly April 22, 2010, 8:18 pm

    The beach, hands down.

  • Meghan@traveleatlove April 22, 2010, 8:51 pm

    I love being in the Swiss Alps and in Connemara in the West of Ireland, which is my favorite place. It is quiet, breathtaking, and smells so green! Also loved driving out into the middle of nowhere in Iceland. What an incredible landscape.

  • Lizz @ leadingthegoodlife April 22, 2010, 8:56 pm

    Snow capped mountains!! I live in Nebraska so when we drive to Colorado they just seem to appear out of nowhere. They get me every time…

  • Michelle @ Give Me the Almond Butter April 22, 2010, 9:43 pm

    I would say on this lake my family has had a cabin on for a very long time. It’s surrounded by giant mountains, with a beautiful CLEAN lake in the middle.

  • Charlotte April 22, 2010, 9:44 pm

    Ah, I live right near Muir Woods! So excited to see a shout-out on your blog!

  • Catherine April 22, 2010, 9:45 pm

    I LOVE Muir Woods!! I went there with the fiance and was in heaven… I could actually crawl into the hollowed out trees and felt like I was one of the Berenstein Bears. 🙂

  • Naomi April 22, 2010, 9:52 pm

    I just got the email from OWN TV with your picture on it!! I was so excited! I can’t wait to watch shows on her new network!! I am so glad that I found your blog last year! It is very inspiring! I love running but stopped a few months ago due to back and tailbone pain, now I am into cycling! I have a lot to learn but, I went on my first over 20 mile bike ride today! Anyway, congrats! That is very exciting!! You also want to make me want to try almond butter!

    • Caitlin April 22, 2010, 9:55 pm

      YAY thanks!!!

      • Naomi April 22, 2010, 10:03 pm

        They spelled your name wrong?!

        • Caitlin April 22, 2010, 10:10 pm

          hahah oprah can call me naomi for all i care! LOL

  • Marissa April 22, 2010, 10:01 pm

    I love your nail polish! Happy Earth Day! 🙂

  • Kim B April 22, 2010, 10:32 pm

    I absolutely love the giant redwoods! I think they (along with the grand canyon) are a must see. You can’t describe them to people and have them understand the true scale of those beasts!

  • Jolene (www.everydayfoodie.ca) April 22, 2010, 11:16 pm

    I love the Island of Oahu. There are so many breathtaking sites.

  • Amber K @ sparkpeople April 22, 2010, 11:53 pm

    I absolutely adore the beach. There is nothing better than listening to the waves crashing along the shore. =)

  • Amber K @ sparkpeople April 22, 2010, 11:53 pm

    I absolutely adore the beach. There is nothing better than listening to the waves crashing along the shore. =)

  • kelsey@snackingsquirrel.com April 23, 2010, 12:18 am

    ive followed your blog for a long time now. i love it so much. i only recently started my own. ur such an inspiration. happy earth day xoxo

    • Caitlin April 23, 2010, 9:55 am

      have fun blogging!

  • Foy Update - Cook. Garden. Write. Repeat. April 23, 2010, 7:33 am

    My favorite place so far has been Coiba National Park off the Coast of Panama. We snorkeled off a little island called Granito del Oro (little grain of gold). Amazing. Huge schools of fish, sea turtles, octopus, eels, sharks, rays. I felt like I was in an aquarium. So beautiful.

  • Juli D. April 23, 2010, 9:27 am

    We backcountry hike a lot – so we walk miles from civilization and see some amazing sites. I loved Yosemite’s backcountry, but I think Glacier National Park may have been the most stunning.

  • Bethany Herrington April 23, 2010, 9:48 am

    I love the Grand Canyon. The first time I saw it I just stook in awe and cried. I’ve never seen anything so beautiful before. Haven’t been there in 11 years and we’re going back next month. Can’t wait. Oh, I also love the mountains of Colorado.

  • Jeff April 24, 2010, 8:45 pm

    I absolutely adore the beach. There is nothing better than listening to the waves crashing along the shore. =)

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