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/