Trip Advisor Top Contributor

Trip Advisor Top Contributor
Look what I got from TripAdvisor! In recognition of the diligent effort I put into each of the hotel, restaurant and attraction reviews I have written and posted on their website, TripAdvisor has presented me with this lovely embroidered tote which proclaims that I am a ‘TripAdvisor Top Contributor’. Although I am tempted to use this status to seek free upgrades and complimentary desserts, I vow to continue to write unbiased reviews that comply with the high standards of those in the TripAdvisor Top Contributor community.

Warrior Dash- Ohio II

Warrior Dash- Ohio II
Carrollton, Ohio
September 10, 2011

Okay, so maybe it wasn’t technically a road trip. That doesn’t mean I can’t post about Jo and I completing our second Warrior Dash this year, this one located in Carrollton, Ohio, our old stomping ground. After finishing the Dash in Logan, we were instantly sold on trying another race and were delighted to hear that an event was scheduled in the small town of Carrollton, a rural farm community in eastern Ohio near my hometown.

That had to have been the most traffic Carrollton had seen in a long time! Jo and I were in the 10:am heat and got an early start that morning. We still waited at least 45 minutes in bumper-to-bumper traffic before parking (by the time we left the line of cars stretched for miles) but had plenty of time to check in, stretch out and take some pictures before the race. We again decided to just take our time, have fun and enjoy the experience- this time we brought along a disposable camera to photograph the fun!

The race started with a downhill run and continued to pack in grueling up and down action for the rest of the course. Not to mention the shin-deep mud which made climbing and descending the hills that much more difficult or the obstacles that each presented their own unique challenge from climbing in and out of dumpsters to up and over cargo net barriers. The downhill start was a good indication of the uphill finish to come. It wouldn’t have been that bad except for the giant fire we had to jump over immediately after scaling the long steep incline. After leaping over the flames, we finally crawled through a pit full of thick mud and dashed for the finish line.

When Joanna and I finished Logan we had an amazing feeling of accomplishment and were proud to have finished together. In Carrollton we had a group of cheering fans at the finish line and sharing the experience with our family added to the elated feeling of achievement. To top if all off, after seeing the race in person our little sister decided to compete with us next year! Can’t wait!