win at athleta

I'm ready for Christmas and a getaway to Colorado. Can't way to soak away my stresses at Pagosa Hot Springs and pump up my adrenalin on the slopes of Purgatory. I think I'll snowshoe a little too on the trails around Vallecito Lake.

Working until the last day or so before Christmas is hard so I'm really looking forward to some quiet time away.

I'm also looking forward to seeing who Athleta has chosen for their 2012 athletes. I'm sure they'll all be inspiring - stay tuned to the Athleta Chi over the next few weeks to see our new inspiring ladies. In the meantime, check out the current athletes on the chi. Comment on the blog and be in a drawing for one of four $150 gift cards to spend on cool Athleta gear!

Gotta say - I love Athleta and have loved representing them and wearing all my new, cool clothes this year!

Check 'em out!

athleta chi

I love reading what the Athleta athletes write on the Chi blog. My latest post is up and running; check it out.

Here's to healthy hearts and getting outside and having fun!

Tent Rocks, New Mexcio

the app

I feel like I've been a cave the last few weeks trying to get my Girlfriend Getaway App all polished and finished. It's a love/hate kind of thing, writing that is. I've been trying to find a balance between me, the world, and writing. I'm getting there. Hooray!

I'm happy to say the App is looking good and should be done sooner than later. Until then...
A.

lately

It's a good thing I'm not paid to blog because I'd get fired for my lack of posts lately. The good thing, for me, about not posting is that I've been living it up, having fun, and having summer adventures. Right now I'm in Durango catching up on work and then heading to our book signing at Maria's tonight.

A few highlights of the last few weeks include:
Hiking into the Piedra canyon.
Looking out for bears on the fishing trails.
Chilling and camping in Telluride.
Finding new Girlfriend Getaway spots for my App.
Walking, jogging, hiking around lakes, in canyons, up mountains, beside rivers.
Visiting my sentimental favorite place on earth, Lake City, Colorado.
Entertaining friends and family and taking them fishing.
Exploring the Black Canyon of the Gunnison.
Hanging in Crested Butte.
Taking in the views along Owl Creek Pass.
Listening to the rain.
And the list goes on....

my dad

Dad fishing in Southwestern Colorado in the late thirties.


Happy Fathers Day to one kind-hearted, sweet soul who I love and miss every single day.
XOXO
Amy Lynn

another la fonda sunset to end the day

We wound down the day at La Fonda's Bell Tower sipping cool drinks and watching the sun set in a smoke-free clear sky. I don't know where La Fonda gets those tasty pecans they serve, but I could eat them every day...soft, and coated with a light spice that gives the perfect kick once they go down.


Before kicking back at La Fonda we toured around the historic town of Chimayo along the High Road to Taos. It's a beautiful place in an old country sort of way. I felt more like I was in Spain, the Jaca region, than just 30 or so minutes from Santa Fe, New Mexico. Chimayo is said to be the site of a miracle about 200 years ago and miraculous healings are said to have occurred at the site since. A chapel, the Santuario de Chimayo, was built on the site in 1816. Today thousands of pilgrims make the journey to Chimayo every year.

I hope the man who we helped up the slope in his wheelchair felt comfort and gets the healing he needs. At first he struck me as someone who didn't frequent a church, but I was touched as I watched him humbly sit at the front alter and pray for a long period of time.

More on Chimayo's history and the chapel later, including info about the healing room. That's not what it's really called, but makes sense.

We visited shops, bought red and green chile and decorative tin art of Pasqual, Patron Saint of the Kitchen. We ended our Chimayo day at Rancho de Chimayo for a late lunch. My buddy Melanie recommended the stuffed sopapilla, but I opted for the chili relleno topped off with guacamole, salsa, and Sangria. Delicious.


We walked off our lunch in downtown Santa Fe and walking up to the Cross of the Martyrs (commemorating the 21 Franciscan priests killed during the Pueblo Revolt of 1680). I love the view of the city from the top.


So, after our La Fonda Bell Tower sunset and relaxation we headed back home to get some work done!

It's been another great day. And again, better pics will come later.

examiner article, kokopelli real estate

Check out my latest Examiner article on a cool place to rent in Santa Fe. The property is listed with Kokopelli Real Estate and Property Management.

Click the link over on the right....or go to Examiner.com and search for Santa Fe, New Mexico rental.

I have articles under the Dallas Getaways Examiner title and under the national Getaways Examiner title.

Staying busy and having fun!

turquoise trail

Not fancy, but tasty lunch at Jezebel Gallery Studio & Soda Fountain (roasted pepper and gouda soup)

I explored a chunk of the Turquoise Trail, a National Scenic Byway, yesterday. The trail links Santa Fe and Albuquerque and is a great historic option instead of driving the Interstate between the two cities. Several mining towns link the two larger cities and are scattered with museums, art galleries, restaurants, and hiking options. The art galleries aren't fancy like Santa Fe's Canyon Road galleries, but they're more quirky and off beat. It wasn't at all what I expected, but I enjoyed seeing what the trail was all about.

See everything from the dusty, tiny town of Cerrillos with an old-time rock shop and petting zoo (just a few animals really), the more bustling town of Madrid with shops, galleries, and soda fountain, to Sandia Crest, the highest point on the trail at 10,678 feet.

The pics I posted are just from my iPhone, but I'll post a few better ones from my camera once I get them downloaded.

santa fe

Three family weddings, a law school graduation, and the end of another school year, that's what I've been doing the last few weeks. Now it's time for a summer of adventure.

Mark and I are exploring Santa Fe right now researching for an upcoming book we working on for the University of New Mexico Press. Research can be so much fun. First of all we're getting to stay for two weeks in an awesome house off Canyon Road. If you know much about Santa Fe, then you know just how cool Canyon Road is - jam packed with art galleries and a few fab places to eat.

We're getting to try new restaurants, shops, galleries, flea markets, farmers markets, history, and historical spots. We've been to Santa Fe plenty of times, but we're really digging deep in to new things this trip.

The Arizona fires are devastating of course, but the smoke sure makes for some glorious sunsets here in Santa Fe. We took pics along Canyon Road last night, but they don't do the scenery and the lighting justice. A local stopped us and said he'd never seen the sun like that in his thirty Santa Fe years. Tonight we got some better shots from the Bell Tower patio of the La Fonda hotel on the Plaza.

We spent some time today along the Plaza watching the filming of an upcoming movie, Odd Thomas. I kept wanting to stay, afraid that I'd miss something (or someone) cool! The movie is based on some of Dean Koontz short stories I understand....I've gotten enough detail about the plot to make me want to read the stories. Anton Yeltin (Chekov from Star Trek - movie) is the main character and Willem Defoe and 50 Cent have roles in the movie as well. 50 Cent should be here tomorrow.

Looking forward to a few days of exploring outside of S Fe tomorrow, hiking, fishing,and discovering new things. Who knows, maybe I'll get back into town in time to see 50 Cent!

flyfishing app

Yea! Mark's flyfishing app, Freshwater Flyfishing Tips from the Pros, is out and ready for download. It's full of tips on just about everything you can think of, including mine specifically for women. Check it out and give it the thumbs up!

southwest fly fishing

Yea! My article is out in the current issue of Southwest Fly Fishing magazine. Sugarite Canyon State Park in New Mexico is a cool little spot to get outdoors. It's got a dinosaur history, is an excellent spot for bird watching, has great hiking opportunities, and of course fly fishing opportunities too!

summer on the horizon

I can hear the mountains calling...Between writing every night after teaching all day, getting in my treasured exercise, seeing my family, grading papers, walking the dogs, doing a little laundry, watching Jimmy Kimmel (a guilty pleasure), I'm exhausted and craving summer fun. I don't want to wish away even one day, but I know that that getting to the end of May will get me closer to summertime freedom. Hooray!!!! I can't wait!!!! In the meantime I hope to s-q-u-e-e-z-e in a little hiking time at Palo Duro Canyon.

alabama bay

Most of the girls I talked to would head to Alabama's coastal waters in a heartbeat for a girlfriend getaway. My family and some friends just returned from Alabama's bay for Sarah's wedding - AND - we can't wait to go back.

Fairhope, Alabama and Point Clear are both on the bay, covered with flowers, and gorgeous. Fairhope has plenty of cool little shops, especially antique stores, and lots of restaurants for a small town. I could have eaten at the casual Andree's every single day for cold strawberry soup, even though they offer up lots of other tasty meals from a burger and sandwiches to salads and fruit plates. One side of Andree's is set up for dining and the other is a store with gourmet edibles, wine, and baked goods.

Fairhope is a walk-about town where everything is easily accessed. Stay in town or drive a few minutes over to Point Clear to stay at the Grand Marriott Resort or the exclusive Dorgan's Inn, both right on the bay. Dorgan's Inn is owned by the Krispy Kreme founders and is high class all the way. It's not really an Inn like you might imagine, but the property (which includes the owner's private home) has three houses available for rent. They all look right out of a Southern Living magazine.

I wish I was sitting out on the dock of Dorgan's Inn right about now, sipping something cool and watching the sun set.

gig 'em

Love my Lady Aggies - 2011 National Basketball Champs!!! Whoop!!! Gig'em!!!

Aggie blood runs deep in my family and most of us bleed maroon. My first relative to attend the "college" was my great-uncle who graduated in 1893 and then served as Texas AMC's secretary for five years.

Way to go Aggies!

busy

My niece, Megan, in my mom's gorgeous 1950s wedding dress!

Lots going on lately...my niece had her first wedding shower today and got lots of great gifts. Everyone loved her pics in the "old" wedding dresses....mine, her mom's, and grandmother's. Sarah (my step-daughter) gets married in Alabama this time next week....wow how time flies. I'm excited for the wedding and excited to get away for a few days. Fairhope, Alabama is a beautiful little town with cobblestone streets, drooping-mossy trees, and yachts in the bay. Looking forward to it.

Just finished a March of Dimes article this week about the organization and our friends Drew and Chandra, who lost their little girl after only 22 short days on this earth. They are one strong couple. Just looking at little Amberly's pictures tore my heart out. As much as I wanted to have my own kids and couldn't...thinking of having such a beautiful gift for such a short time is heart-breaking. I'm all about supporting the March of Dimes and their mission to prevent premature births. My buddies and I will be running the 5K on the 30th of this month. Look for what your community is doing locally.

Mark and I have been busy with new writing projects including a new Santa Fe guide book with University of New Mexico Press and several new apps. I'm so excited to have just signed a contract for an app on America's Best Girlfriend Getaways! Woohoo!!! My friends and I have some new trips planned and I can't wait. More on all this later.

Tomorrow I'm ordering my latest Athleta gear with my summer allotment! Love their stuff!

athleta chi

Check out my latest Athleta Chi blog on climbing 14ers!


If you're willing and able, go for it and hike a 14er. Handies Peak, just outside the tiny hamlet of Lake City, Colorado, is a great one to hike for your first summit. The trailhead itself is gorgeous and the view from the top will take your breath away.

ski purgatory, durango colorado

Success at Purgatory! Skiing right now is perfect with soft, wet snow (but not too wet) and enough sunshine to ski without a coat. I saw a couple of people swishing downhill in shorts and even a couple in tank tops (I didn't think it was that warm, but maybe they were tearing up the slopes more then me). Moderate temperatures are keeping the tracks from icing over and getting slick, so that's always good.

Skiing by myself wasn't all that bad btw. I'm the type of person that likes to be alone sometimes...nothing Garbo like, but from time to time it's relaxing and I like the feeling of independence.

You would think being spring break that all the runs would be packed, but every now and then I was on a run all alone. It's hard to describe the peacefulness of hearing nothing but the swish of my skis and of being surrounded by nothing but nature. Ok, so the thought crossed my mind for a brief moment or two...What if I crash, break a leg, and lay in the snow forever waiting on someone to find me....I mostly missed laughing with who ever I ski with and then reminiscing at the end of the day.

Overall I had a fabulous time on the mountain and I'd do it all over again.

animas and junction creek

Spent a great day flyfishig in Durango today. The Animas and Junction Creek were flowing perfectly and the sun was shining beautifully. I actually worked up a sweat at a sunny 51 degrees. It couldn't have been a better day!

This time last year the banks of the rivers would have been completely covered in snow. There's still plenty of snow on the mountain though so I'll be skiing Purgatory (DMR) tomorrow. It's the first time I'll ever ski alone (after Mark's two major knee surgeries, not from skiing btw, he's out plus all my other ski buddies are somewhere else for spring break) - it will be weird, but the solitude and beauty will make up for being by myself. I'm looking forward to another gorgeous day in Durango!

more athleta chi

There are several new Athleta Chi blog posts up. Check them out.

Read about all of Athleta's Featured Athletes.

Spring Break is almost here btw! Hooray!!!!

Honor Connor Fun Run

Pre-run Warm Up

Finished the Honor Connor 5K Fun Run this morning. Over two hundred people showed up for the first of many runs honoring Connor and the Touch A Life Foundation. Connor's parents and siblings have worked so hard to find and build a legacy for him. I think they've done it!


Connor's Song Shirts: Touch a Life Foundation

today's thoughts

Went to the outdoor show in town the other day. Visited with a young Amarilloan who's now designing custom built flyrods. Austin McWhorter is an outdoorsman and entrepreneur who designs some darn cool rods. If this is your thing check out his website www.amacrods.com. I'll be writing a full article on him for the Outdoors section of the Amarillo Globe in a few weeks. Stay tuned.

I love reading most anything from magazines to recipes to giant novels. I just finished the funny book I Feel Bad About My Neck by Nora Ephron, what a comic. Love your neck now before it's too late; show it off at every opportunity. According to Ephron, the day will come before you know it that you want to hide your ever wrinkly neck. And when that day comes, you'll be kicking yourself for wearing all those scarves and turtlenecks in your youth. So here's to necks and ditching the turtlenecks and scarves;-)

Now to start the latest of Gabbledon's Outlander series. If you haven't read these and you like adventure and some romance tied into historical fiction and time travel then check these books out. I know, they sound ridiculous when describing them like that. I thought the same thing when I first heard of them, but I'll try reading anything. Needless to say I like them, even though each is nothing short of 1,000 pages and is as big as a doorstop. It's what's on the inside that counts.


While whiling away a few minutes turning through my latest women's HEALTH magazine I saw a product I mentioned on my blog the other day...the Vapur collapsible water bottle! At the back of the magazine it has a second ad telling to go to the magazine's website and get 20% off one online purchase. Sounds like a deal. Go to HEALTH.COM/DEALS (valid until March 17, '11).

Next weekend is another 5K and One Mile Fun Run to honor the short life of a former student from my school and to raise awareness and funds for Connor's Song in partnership with Touch a Life Foundation (to help rescue orphans from around the world and from child trafficking and modern-day slavery). Several of us are planning on attending, having fun, and showing our support to Connor's family and their efforts. For more about Connor and the foundation check out this link: http://www.rondeal.org/view/34

There's plenty more going on, but that's enough for now. More later.

5K

Loving my latest Athleta shirt btw!


Great morning at the Lone Star Runners' Club Valentine 5K today. The snow was beautiful, the air crisp, and the trial slick. No one in our group fell, but plenty took a tumble or two.

More info later on the March 5K.

Happy Valentine Weekend and Happy Trails!

romantic or anytime getaway hotels

Suite #2 from St. Germain

Blue Lake Ranch property

Lodging is key to a great romantic getaway. There are a ton of great hotels, but these five are some of my recent faves.

All of these hotels offer something completely different, so check out the websites and see which one suits your taste. You're not going to get La Quinta rates here, but they're worth doling out some extra dough.

Ask about Valentine specials or romantic extras you can add (like my favorite, chocolate covered strawberries and champagne).

Enchantment Resort, Sedona, Arizona (just listed by Foders as a top 10 romantic hotel)
Blue Lake Ranch, Durango, Colorado (actually in Hesprus just 15 miles from Druango)
La Posada, Santa Fe, New Mexico
Colcord, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
St. Germain, Dallas, Texas

pandora

With wind chills at -25 and winds gusting at 50 mph, hanging out at the gym is a great place for a workout. Thank goodness for a little girl-power Pandora radio to keep me going! My recent Pandora picks...Pink, Fergie, Lily Allen, Kate Nash, and the beat goes on...

thoughts

If you've ever spent time in the Panhandle of Texas then you know that the weather can change on a dime. Today it was sunny and nearly 70 beautiful degrees....by Monday night we're expecting snow and temperatures in the single digits. I'm not sure how to behave, one minute I'm planning a camping trip the other a snowy adventure.

But tonight I keep staring at the vintage painting on my wall while trying to work; I"m not getting much done. I'm daydreaming about camping in the mountains, hearing the water beside me, sipping soul warming drinks, and cooking by the fire.

This painting has an extra draw for me because it was created by my great-grandmother, probably back in the thirties. I have other relatives who paint the outdoors - not me, even though I'd love to have that talent. Instead, I focus on taking photos like my husband, my brother, and my sister-in-law do. It's important for me to capture moments that no one would otherwise ever see, or notice.

I love how Mark captured the viscous slide of the marshmallows in this summer camping photo at Hermosa Creek. BTW - I think I roast a dang good-looking marshmallow.


Tonight I daydream, tomorrow I get outside and have some fun...and maybe take some photos.

addiction

Ok - anybody else addicted to these drinks? I quit drinking cokes or sodas (except for the occasional tiny Coke float at my mom's when we watch Desperate Housewives together every Sunday night).

La Croix - Sparkling Water: they are carbonated so I get that burning fix, but they have no calories, no fat, no sodium, no carbs, no sugars, and even no protein (ha!). I drink them like crazy and can't figure out any reason they could be bad for me. Maybe too much carbonation isn't a good thing, but I feel no ill effects. I still drink lots of good ol' water so I feel pretty safe with my newfound drinking passion.

My favorite La Croix is orange, but the lime runs a close second. Other flavors I've tried and don't dislike are lemon, cranberry, and mixed berry.

So far, the only bad news is that my new drink of choice isn't found everywhere.

www.lacroixwater.com

in the news

Cool! I got to be on the local news talk show today with Andy Justus and talk about what all is going on with me these days. Everyone at channel 4 made it easy as pie - good thing because I was nervous for some reason. Thanks guys!

The info below is what they have on their website - the link of my segment should be up soon.


Local Athlete Recognized by Athleta Clothing Company
5.0000/5 rating
Print Article
Wednesday, January 19 2011
Amy Becker Williams has had a love affair with the outdoors ever since she can remember, and now that love affair landed her as one of 10-featured athletes for (Gap Company's) Athleta Clothing's 2011 Sponsored Athlete Program.

Born into a family with a legacy of women fly fishers, Amy fostered a love for the male-dominated sport from an early age. She has fly fished everywhere from the Pyrenees in Spain to the water of Anegada in the British Virgin Islands,to her home watering holes in the Big Blue Wilderness of Colorado. In addition to fly fishing, Amy loves skiing, hiking, backpacking, and regularly climbs mountain summits of 14,000-feet to catch the breathtaking views from above - a natural high that lasts for days she says.

When shes not exploring the great outdoors, Amy is a freelance writer, book author, and elementary school teacher. She and her husband recently published two outdoor adventure books, Top 30 Things to Do in Telluride and Top 30 Things to Do in Durango. She is currently working on her next book, Girlfriend Getaways of the Southwest, a travel guide that catalogs all the great places for adventurous women. Amy's love for travel, writing, and adventure are all connected, and each inspires the other. Through sharing her passion for the outdoors, Amy Becker Williams hopes to inspire women to find a place to get outside, get some exercise, and have some fun! Amy's work has also been published in the Amarillo Globe-News, New Mexico Outdoors, Rocky Mountain Game and Fish, GORP.com and Examiner.com (Getaways Examiner).

In the classroom, Amy uses her love of nature and the outdoors as a way to interest her students in schoolwork. With the help of a fellow teacher, she developed a wellness program for the staff to build an active lifestyle by walking after school, hiking in nearby Palo Duro Canyon, and participating in runs/walks. Shes also a member of Trout Unlimited, a conservation group that concentrates on sustaining wild fish populations, and supports Project Healing Waters by getting veterans out fishing on the water.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS & CREDENTIALS:

* Traveled and fished in Colorado, Arizona, Spain, France, British Virgin Islands, Canada and more
* Hiked numerous 14,00 foot summits
* Writer for Rocky Mountain Game and Fish, Amarillo Globe News, and Examiner.com as the Dallas Getaways Examiner
* Member of Trout Unlimited, a conservation group that concentrates on taking care of fish and helping wild trout survive
* Member of the Panhandle Professional Writers Association and Texas Outdoors Writers Association

2011 GOALS:

* Catch the rare Rio Grande Cutthroat in The Valle Vidal in northern New Mexico
* Catch the elusive Gila trout in the Gila Wilderness in southern New Mexico
* Catch the roosterfish off the wild coasts of Mexico
* Summit more 14ers
* Try a new sport like cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. (Besides, these two activities just may lead to a quiet little stream in the backwoods…)
* Continue to support Trout Unlimited, her Wellness group at school, and write about her love of travel and the outdoors

the latest

Things have been busy. I'm writing an article for the local paper (the Faith section),starting another on romantic hotels for Lifestyles, querying magazines, working on the Girlfriend Getaways book, and planning an article for my newest title with Examiner.com as the National Getaways Examiner, plus setting up a June trip to my favorite hotel in Spain. Whew!

I'm not complaining, don't get me wrong. I just wish I could carve out another day in each week - for the weekend of course.

I'm sitting here staring at my new Christmas rod and wondering when I'm going to get to use it. At 7'6" and a 3 weight, it's ideal for the small streams I love to fish.

I got email confirmation today that my Athleta order is on its way!

new gadget

Ok - so I haven't used it yet, but I love it. The anti-bottle by Vapur. It's BPA free, freezable, and when empty can be rolled up and packed just about anywhere.



This one cost only 9.99, but I got it on sale for 5.99!
Find 'em on Facebook.com/vapurtrail or blog.vapur.us

athleta 2011

Hooray! I'm happy to announce that I've been included with nine amazing women as a 2011 sponsored athlete for Athleta clothing. I'm thrilled to be a part of a clothing company that I've loved for a long time. Take a look at all the ladies and their impressive bios. Check back often for the Athleta Chi link of Athleta's website for blog posts by the 2011 athletes.
http://www.athleta.net/chi/featured-athletes/