Smitten for Smokey

  

I have 

a fire 

in my heart 

for 

Smokey!

Smokey is confident and persuasive yet unassuming; he's comfortable shirtless in jeans with few accoutrements. 

I'm on the look out for Smokey 

and his fire-forecasting signs.  

Chances of Fire today: 

HIGH. 

Smokey's HOT! 

 "Smokey Bear is America's wildfire prevention icon. He has educated generations of Americans about their role in wildfire prevention. Created in 1944, the Smokey Bear Wildfire Prevention campaign is the longest running public service advertising campaign in U.S. History." — SmokeyBear.com

 Smokey the Bear Song

I've ALSO been curious about Smokey's other side. 

Not specifically his softer, super-cuddly, 

teddy-bear side. 

Nor the harder, stern or ferocious side. 

 BUT

I want to see Smokey's BACK side!

 

_______________________

 Have you ever considered that in most cases when you see a Smokey (sign) he is two fronts?  I'm searching for less-modest, 3D Smokeys. I spotted one in Peterborough, NH.

Forest Fires are no Laughing matter!

 

Cool animations about preventing forest fires:

Things you can create with Matchsticks; and

Line-Drawing Animation for Cartoon Network.

1952 video of Eddy Arnold singing the Smokey the Bear Song.

Be Beary Careful with FIRE!

Promises, Promises

 

This summer, I promised I would rekindle my childlike spirit out in the expansive & inviting outdoors.  Apart from doses of cycling, fitness classes, boot camp, and xc skiing, running has been my fitness fix for the last seven years.

Time to mix it up 
a wheeeee bit.

How?

• increase variety of activities;
• add dollops of play;
• go on more aimless adventures;
• embrace the change, the freedom.

So far my approach is refreshing my fitness outlook as I try new— and rediscover—old sports. I still feel the call of the trail and miss the social camaraderie of my running peeps. Still, I have the great fortune and pleasure of enjoying and learning new things with and from Dave! He knows a lot about a lot and is a great teacher, study and activity partner, too.

We've enjoyed kayaking on Willard Pond, blown bubbles through my first swim lesson in open water, road rides, and explored the rewards of cadence more thoroughly.  Mouse Catching (and freeing) was recently an unofficial sport ...

What about running? I like not feeling trapped within a race series this season. Plus, I abhor hot, humid running. Give me a crisp fall day. Bring on the snow (but not quite yet, please). 

With more gusto this summer I'm limiting the long-distance running (until I start to ramp it up mid-August), adding shortish asphalt and watch- and plan-free trail runs. Hopefully, I can find multisport balance before school starts again! 

Happily keeping another promise, this weekend I'll meet Kevin (and Michelle), and many of my running gnomies from The Ultra Gang for the VT 100! I'm looking forward to pacing Kevin in his first 100 miler.  Of course, where I can be of extra help and good cheer to the other TUGgers, I will avail myself. May the 100-mile-force ALSO be with Streph, Julie, Steve in their first 100s!   

VT 100 2010 is going to be EPIC.