Hikes, Bikes, and More of Beautiful Idaho!

The last week or so has been full of getting to know things...From getting to know how to do my knew job to exploring the town it all feels like it's coming together! My job is going super great. I love the environment I work in. I am surrounded by positive people who are health centered and are passionate about healing and creating wellness! Also, one of the perks of my job is myself and David recieve free chiropractic care. I've just finished my second week of care and I am feeling so amazing. At first I was pretty sore, but that was to be expected. Not only do I feel physically healthy and awesome, I feel emotionally and spiritually balanced and healthy too! I am starting to feel like I know how to do my job  and have enjoyed getting to know the patients! Teaching yoga has been amazing! I have dedicated and strong bunch of people who are there every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 6am! It's neat getting to see their strengths and improvements of a daily basis! 

When I am not at work, we've got out to see some of Northern Idaho. We went on a recommended day hike about an hour north of us here in Coeur d'Alene called Chilco Mountain. After having a little difficulty (and a moderate amount of crankiness from my end) we finally found the trail head with enough daylight to do the closest peak before dark! It was a beautiful hike and I felt a bit more relaxed and had less 'bear-anoia' that unusual since it's a little less common here than in Alaska. From the peak we had a 360 view of mountain peaks in all directions, beautiful valleys, and a huge lake! It was fun to get out and made me excited for spring and summer when the weather is warm enough to spend a few days out there! 

Chilco Mountain 

We've also been having AMAZING weather here in CDA! It's been sunshine and in the 60s allowing us for more chances to get outside and enjoy the scenery! We went on a scenic bike ride along the Centinial Trail along Lake CDA for a couple miles enjoying some stops to enjoy the views and soak up the sun! It's also really been fun just riding our bikes around to get coffee, to the library, etc...since we live to close to everything! 

Bike Trail by Lake CDA

Relaxing by the Lake

I've got out on a lot of runs lately and each time it provides me with little beautiful gems! If I run before work it's usually right at sunrise which is gorgeous! And on my days off I've taken a liking to running at this park called Tubs Hill which gets you up in a little elevation and amazing views! It feels so good that it's so easy to be healthy here! I LOVE IT! Yay! 

"Cotton Candy" Sunrise over CDA lake!

Wake up Run!

View from Tubs Hill

Also, I've been waiting for my friend Gina (who I met in Alaska!) to visit! Without knowing I would be in CDA had planned a visit to Spokane (which is about 20 minutes from me!). I got to spend almost a whole day with her and her boyfriend Chris! We hung out, got food and drinks, and got to say good byes as they are heading to Thailand for over a month! Their excitement made me want to jump in their suitcase and tag along! I'm really excited for them and it made me inspired for me and David to plan a trip for sometime soon! 

Me and "Geenie Baby!"

That's about all the latest in my world...I am feeling like I am going to have to do something a little more exciting since all of my blogs from Alaska were full of risky adventures and extremes...but who knows what lies ahead for me! 

I am getting ready to help lead a 40 day program at the yoga studio though! It's 40 days of yoga, healthy eating, and meditation! Some of you know I've done this 2 times know, but know I actually get to help facilitate others through the journey! I am super excited as we are going to be making some big changes around our club house (oh ya, I don't know if I mentioned, but do our small and fun sized house, David and I decided to call it the club house, it's more fun!). We'll be going gluten free and dairy free! So we will see what shifts and differences we see in our lives! I'm sure you're all dying to hear about it...LOL! 

Anyways, until next time....

Lots of love !!

Jillian

"Falling" into Coeur d'Alene!

After 3,152 miles of driving, finding a place to live, getting jobs, etc...we are FINALLY here settling into Coeur d'Alene Idaho! Our final days of driving through Canada were absolutely gorgeous! The Canadian Rockies are unlike anything I've ever seen! They are huge, magnificent, and sacred! After Jasper, we headed to Banff, stuffed our faces with spaghetti, soaked in a roof top pool, and walked around. I decided out of the 2, I enjoyed Jasper more. It was smaller and less tourist swarmed. But either way, it was beautiful! 

Some of the beauty between Jasper and Banff 

Waterfalls everywhere!

Bow Lake

We found the mountain from 'Who the Grinch Stole Christmas' 

Big Ice Cave by the Athabasca Glacier!

                                          
We finally crossed the Canadian/Idaho boarder (with no troubles!) and we so happy and excited to be back in the lower 48! We jumped for joy and excitedly drove the last hour of our huge road trip! Once we got to Coeur d'Alene, we had arranged to couch surf with a nice lady named Marci. (For those of you who don't know what couch surfing is, it's sort of a place where fellow travelers open there home, or couch, for other travelers to stay for a night or two). She was so nice and made it feel so at home and we couldn't of asked for a more warm welcome to Idaho! She cooked for us, drove us around the town, and we even got to meet a new friend-her son! And the best part of it all, was she had the most adorable kitten!! She even offered to give it to us if we found a place that allowed animals (sadly we are in a "no pet" home now). 

We made it! Yahoooo!

Ash-the cutest kitten!

Our first few days were full of job and housing hunting. We had a bunch of leads and I had a few interviews set up. After a couple applications, viewings, and decisions, we got into the cutest place in the best location! It's a lot smaller than we were wanting/expecting to get into, but it had the right feeling and felt good. Our land lady is so super sweet and I can't wait to get to know her more (I am curious because in conversation it came up that she had lived out of a bus traveling Europe for 2 years!). We unpacked and moved in, which took about 15 minutes since we only had what could fit in my Subaru. 

Home Sweet Home!

Drinking Champagne and Settling in!

Teeny, Tiny, Kitchen!

The following week was SUPER exciting for me! I got a teaching position at an amazing yoga studio here (something I've really wanted to do for a long time!). The studio is gorgeous and after a week of trial classes, the students said they love me and are so excited to come to my classes! Which I am excited about since I am teaching Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 6am! I am even working with the founder of the yoga studio to organize a fall yoga program that involves healthy eating, yoga, and meditation (or the 40 days Journey into a Personal Revolution for those of you who have experienced it before or seen me experience it!).  And I'm officially on the teacher website, check it out!! http://www.theyogaroomcda.com/teachers

The Studio!

On top of LOVING my teaching job and getting to know the students, I got a position at a chiropractic office, who ironically partners with the yoga studio I work with. It is an amazing place and I fit right in! It is centered on holistic health, incorporating all aspects of health (healthy spines, nutrition, emotional wellness, etc.) into care. I will be working in the front, greeting patients, assisting them with care plans, and eventually taking xrays and scans. It is such a positive and happy environment! I remember telling David " I finally found people who are just like me! Maybe even more positive and excited than me!". It's a really amazing place, full of wonderful and healing energy! The patients are so great too! I am just so happy and feel like Idaho has opened a space for me that fits and feels great! So for that, I am really grateful! And one of the best parts of my job is the schedule is Monday-Thursday, so 3 day weekends every week!

Beautiful Sunset on Lake Coeur d'Alene!

Trip to the Pumpkin Patch!


We've been here 2 weeks so far, and it feels super good to be settling in! We've also been cooking a lot! It's been fun, creative, and most importantly delicious! Everyone here we've met has been so nice and welcoming! I'm excited that we're settled a little more and spend our time off exploring and getting to know the area! I even think we're going to get out on a hike today! Thats about all I have going on right now! But I am very excited that in 2 weeks I'll be in Portland to reunite with all my beautiful girlfriends for a girls get away weekend in Portland! Miss them so very much!

Mmmmm....Yummy.....

Til next time,

Lots of love! 

Jillian