getting my whoops....

Because this is all I can think about this morning, it is all I want to do (well one of the many things that I want to do actually)...
What a great weekend filled with friends, kids, bikes, DH, Whistler, Squamish bouldering, family, fireworks, and fun.
I will post some pictures of Birch Bay on the Fourth. Thanks to everyone who made the pilgrimage to the Bay to spend the fourth with us. Good times.
See the rest of you yahoos in Whistler next weekend!
Some reading for ya: State of the Park

Better than a good day at the office: the rest of the story

Where have I been... I know... not giving my lovely little blog enough attention. I guess it must be the combination of summer and increased work load. So to those of you who have not lost complete interest, bless your heart, I am going to focus more on this little baby.

This last week it was, I will honestly admit, a much needed break from sitting in front of a computer.

Our "Staycation" was great, and now back at the office, reflecting on it, I had fun. From BBQs, The Deming Log Show, Mt. Seymore, Whistler Bike Park, Solstice Party, and much needed R&R (after the party, but the whole week felt pretty chill).

Yes, we really spent an afternoon at the Log Show. We took in such events as tree climbing, double bucking, log rolling... you know, all those great logging sports?!?

The other highlight of the vacation (what could be more exciting than a log show you might be wondering...) was Whistler! **Phew** It puts "a grin across my face that you couldn't beat off with a hammer" (an exact quote from a man we met on the chair lift). This is about as close as one can get to biking heaven. Three full days of riding... pure fun! No crashes (well no high speed diggers), a condo to ourselves, good weather, and some weekday riding. I want to go back this weekend, I think my climbing gear is about to gather some dust. **We brought our bouldering pad and shoes, sure we would be dieing to stop in Squamish on the way home and get a good pump, we went to the bike shop and then to the brew pub instead...**

We rounded out the vacation with a bang up Solstice party. Which was a cherry on top of the weekend.

Better than a good day in the office - DAY 1

John and I took the week off (applause!!!). It is great weather here in Bellingham and we are not going anywhere! This hasn't ever happened, we are staying in town this week and playing in the PNW. Sorry to my coworkers, Big sorry to them, thanks for letting me leave in the midst of this crazy project.

John took last Friday off as well, he said he woke up with a smile. There is music to my ears! If felt pretty good to be coming home Sunday night and not have to worry about getting up Monday for work... Now it is 7am and I am up because I want to be! This is going to be a good week!

Reason #1 for not being in the office: We got to eat lunch at Wasbi together. YUM! Instead of going to the office being stuffed we went bouldering at Seahome. Bouldering at Seahome is much better in the afternoon than after work, there is actually sun that can creep through the canopy.

Reason #2 for not being in the office: I will take pushing my downhill bike up trails, washes, rocky gullys... in a full face, with leg guards, sweating profusely and then to for me to pick the wrong trail to ride which leaves us more lost pushing our bikes uphill both ways.... before sitting at my computer any day.

Yes, John took me to the North Shore of Vancouver yesterday to ride. We went to Fromme first, which was a blast! My bike was so much fun! Here, there is a gate across the access road, which leaves us pedaling up a good hour on "the perfect road," it is hard to imagine that there is a road out there that is enjoyable to pedal big bikes up but I just have, there are about seven switchbacks on the road (as John told me this, I was ready for a hanus Cleator Road of sorts) but the grade of this road was so gradual, it was really the perfect climb! Since the climb must detoured a lot of folks, the trails as John pointed out, are still in amazing shape. It was great to ride (even if I pushed probably more than I rode) these amazing trails. This is really what you see in all those crazy bike videos. I really can't wait to get back there. It was a blast!

After that we went for a little exploration to Mt. Seymore and the town of Deep Cove. Mt. Seymore id the same ball of wax, but you can drive 11 kilometers up a nice highway and shuttle the trails. Us not guaranteed another ride back to our car and the thought of pedaling 11 km up a road was completely out of the question. We ended up powering up an easy trail and riding a few other trails (this is the whole part that kind of blew up, pushing way further than we had imagined, riding a poor trail choice by me, sweating really hard...), but at the end of the day I had a smile on my face and was stoked to have ridden these trails (I hope John felt the same way, after waiting on me all day).

The last stop was a little town called Deep Cove, a little community nestled by a bay on the side of Mt. Seymore. If you are in Vancouver, pop down, I think we want to move there!

Burning up the road

This week the odometer on my commuter (lovingly named 'Orangette') rolled past 3,000 miles! That is 3,000 miles not driven to work, dinner outings, breakfast adventures, cocktails, yoga, and the grocery store.

As the weather just burst into summer, more and more people are out on their bikes which makes riding even more enjoyable knowing that there are others out there commuting on a daily basis. I have the regulars that I see everyday, we wave, some I have even got to know on a first name basis. These experiences never would have occurred in a car (unless we got in a wreck and I had to get out and talk to them...). Yesterday was icing on the cake, as I took my normal route home, I weave through as many residential streets, and trails that keep me out of as much traffic as humanly possible, I ended up at one of my least favorite parts of me commute (the intersection of Orleans and Illinois) with four other commuters. For the first time, during the peak flow hour (5pm) traffic stopped in both directions and let us mass though the intersection. The power of numbers!

Squamish or bust

"I can't wait to see what happens next!"
This was scribbled on a shop chalkboard the other day. I love it, I think it sums up my feelings toward my life right now, or at least the feeling I strive for these days. The possibilities are endless. I think I might be intoxicated from the first glimpse of sun and a bit of warmth that the Pacific Northwest experienced for the first time. I think the city of subdued excitement is coming out of hibernation. People are out on the streets again, I am not the only one on the trails, there is smell of cut grass, there is color to the tress, flowers are popping out of the ground..... We made it through another dark, cold, stormy winter... we made it, now comes the fun part, the part that makes us stay here through those dark months....


This last weekend we packed the van for the first time in months, we gathered Natasha, our bikes, shoes and a crash pad to boulder and drove north to Squamish. We tested the mountain bike trails for the first time, was it ever worth it! The trails (once we found them) were incredible. We only rode in a couple of different places, we ran into snow, ice, confusion, tired legs, all the usual.... but left with smiles on our faces. What a relief, camping, biking, bouldering, friends, Squamish... spring is here (or at least peeking its head in every couple of days) and I am ready to play outside!

I have always threatened to move to Squamish, the climbing is just that good. Being there this weekend confirmed my love for this town, nestled in the mountains, perched near the bay, filled with endless recreation opportunities. We rode great trail and then on the way out stopped at the "Clean Boulders" and bouldered for two hours on some of the best boulders around (really, world class!). I cannot imagine the endless possibilities that would be a stone throw from our house, ** oh** the possibilities! I feel so fortunate to live just an hour and a half drive away. Moving north wouldn't do a single thing for this winter blah that plagues us.....

The view from the living room

The weekend is here... ***AAAHHHHHHH****Sigh****

Some weeks it takes an act of great will to get through the week. This was one of those weeks.

I had a couple code amendments that I presented to Planning Commission on Thursday (mind you a room full of men... all men commissioners and audience, I think it was myself and Becky). I left questioning what the heck I was doing at my job, little, anxious, and glad that I had to pedal home 9 miles to get all this nasty experience out of my system.

I came home to flowers. Oh, did I mention I came home to daffodils...

My appetite finally backed off from the post race recovery. My legs are well, my endurance is there. I got a massage Monday. I went in with sore legs and the next day they were loose and limber. I am going to make a habit of getting massages after any big effort. I felt so much better. I managed not to run all week as well, I think I am recovered now!

Heather and Darrin had their first baby boy. They are the first ones of "my generation" to have a baby. I am so excited for them. I am going to go see him today for the first time! Yeah! What a joyous feeling they must have right now. I can hardly imagine. I wish them only the best.

Friday was a good day. I planted what I could in my garden. Peas, early beets, onions, leeks, and parsley. I have learned from John to not create too much work for myself, I can't help but plant a garden. There is something I love about it. It will take a lot of work, I will have to compromise the valuable time I have, but well worth it. It is going to be the best garden yet.

Saturday..... it is early in the morning still. I want to go ride my bike with John so bad. It is grey and looks like the skies are going to open at any second. The view from the living room is nice. It is going to be hard to get out. Oh the Northwest weather. After 25 years, I would like to just have some sun. I need some blue sky... today!

Happy weekend everyone!

Second Guesses

Here I am, two weeks before the Chuckanut 50km race, second guessing my decision. I had great intentions registering for the race, ambitious goals at the time to up my running, be dedicated and train. The time has come, my quads are tooth picks, my body is fatigued with stress (me left eye won't stop twitching), my lower back is tweaked, and my mind is obviously not there. I am questioning my ability to run at this point.
Someone finally had some influence on me, the most unlikely of people. I have heard the argument a thousand times over that it is "unnatural" or "we are not built" for such distances. I had always disagreed. "Polish Bob," a fellow climber and my new massage therapist, of all people didn't make that argument. He put it in different terms. First, it takes my body at least two weeks to recover from such an effort. I usually don't rest for that long and wind up with injuries. Second, why put all one's eggs in a single basket. Really one can only run a couple ultras a year. What you get sick, injured, life just gets in the way. You have trained, basically eat, thought, slept, breathed with the intent of this race and now you can't compete. BLAH! Such is life I know but one is much more likely to suffer from major burn out with this type of training. Third, the likelihood of getting injured in these races is dramatically increased. Not the best...
Maybe I was just open enough today to finally listen to someone. I think that I just don't want to do it so I am open to any excuses I can find. I am not in very good shape nor do I have the confidence that once burned inside of me, pushing me to the limit. What ever the reason, I am admitting it, I just don't want to run that far right now.
***Ahhh*** It is a load off already. Who knows, I might still run it, I have to sleep on the decision because I tend to make hasty decisions.
As of now I am stoked on yoga, my floor bow is my favorite posture, I can do great back bends, I feel strong, and I have a great foundation for the coming climbing season. Distance running is another story. Is it a story of the past? Right now I think it is. I am not shutting the door on it completely, I will still get a couple runs in a week, I just don't want any pressure to run. Oh and biking is way cooler than running!

Sunday....

Sunday....

This is what my house looks like today and it is beautiful. It is quiet, sunny, and perfect. John is wiped from a l...o...n...g... week at the office. I had a trying week that sucked much of my energy. The house smells of sweet banana cake that is about to come out of the oven and a crock-pot full of split pea soup. There is nothing a little home cooking, sunshine, and love can't comfort. Now John is headed out for a ride and I am going to practice yoga. In the morning, it will start all over.

Loving the ride

There is nothing like a vacation for me to rejuvenate my soul and lite the fire in me.
Our mini trip to Tennessee was lovely. We spent quality time with family, enjoyed the outdoors, relaxed, reminisced, and ate lots of food. I disconnected from the Internet for the trip, turned my cell phone off and returned to somewhat of a simpler existence. **deep breath** What a relief. John and I took up walking together which never happens at home, we also went on a couple runs together at Montgomery Bell State Park. What a treat.
My now extended family couldn't be better to me. They have brought me into their lives with open arms and hearts. With Corrie flying in from Colorado, Bill and Betsy driving from Dallas, JR, Teresa, Bailey, Jack all living a ten minute walk from Jonny, we got to spend some quality time with everyone. This trip I felt that I was able to connect with a few more than before, which warms my heart with just the thought. I was able to let go and take everyone in, how ever it happened. With this I must say that I enjoyed everyone and all my time.
Now back home, we came home to a clean house, a lovely dog, crazy cat, longer days, spring bulbs, and the passion that is released here at home. I have got back on my commuter, enjoying the ride before and after work, I have found new drive at work, and most important I feel even more blessed to have John in my life. He is my soul mate.

Have a great afternoon!

Sunday adventures

In prep for an afternoon of football watching, pizza eating, chip munching and some good heckling, John and I went for a grand tour of the Chuckanuts this morning. Whooped that is what I am. I have grown accustomed to Galbi, know the trails well, cruise control. The Chuckanuts are an entire different ball of wax.
We parked in Arroyo Park, pedaled out the Interurban Trail, a lovely grind to the TOP of Cleator Road. From the top, we had a good view even on a cloudy day, and I must not forget the two inches of snow that remained frozen on the ground. We then ducked into the woods, giggling all the way down Double Black Diamond. At the bottom my eyes filled with tears, my hands were so cold, I was pretty sure that I wanted to call it then but we charged back up the hill which got the blood moving again and we were ready to continue on. We pedaled back up the Fragrance Lake connector, zipped down Cleator, rode the lower ridge, and finished it up with the new Hush Hush trail off of the Sala trail. I drug my ass to the car, tired, John was so stoked he was all smiles.
The whole point of this long description was the fact that the ride was perfect. It was a bit too cold for me, yes it was snowing for like the 5Th weekend ride in a row, but the trails.... the trails were perfect! We got back to the car without a drop of mud. For the Chuckanuts in February..... incredible. The trails were dry. Perfect conditions. Dry trail conditions make riding the ridge a lot more fun.
So we went home, I ate about a thousand calories, tried to comfort my tired body and mind, opting out of football for some peace and quiet, yoga and of course The Wire.

State of Bellingham's Trails

John has been hitting up Galbraith several times this week, coming back and raving about it. I have been hunkered down in the yoga studio, getting too hot rather than too cold. This morning I ventured out to the trails on my bike with John and Bryan in hopes to squeeze in a ride before the precipitation comes. Woa! I know what he was raving about now. The trails are perfect! perfect! PERFECT! There for 1. no foliage, as in nasty blackberries vines exploding, devil's club, nettles, and other "pesky" shrubbery 2. it is too cold for most people to venture outside 3. the ground is frozen, the trails are frozen solid. They just don't move, it is spectacular. It is like riding on pavement. 4. I haven't ventured out in the evening but John says that with lights the ground just twinkles.
For the love of bikes!
I didn't even freeze this morning! It was "ear to ear" as John describes it.
Yes John, this is what it is all about.

saving grace

Friday....
*sigh*
Another work week behind me, and I for this I can count my blessings. I am employed and as this world spins, this is a very fortunate situation to be in. I know that if John or myself were to find ourselves unemployed (pretend that we don't own a house and have numerous other financial obligations) we would once again go chase our bliss and live out those fantasies that we both are constantly day dreaming about. Some day, one day. I know that we will find our groove one day. Until then, weekend warriors and a promise of a wonderful future. I have a wonderfully purposeful life.

Friday....
*sigh*
Three day weekend and a forecast of SUN SUN SUN!
I am going to dust off the bike and pedal my toosh around on some trail, maybe even run, spend lots of time outside, with friends, and practicing yoga. I am officially going to tune up the commuter and........ start riding to work again! I have been toying around the idea the last couple of days as there is more daylight hours and the weather is becoming a bit more stable. I have been seeing more commuters on my commute, there is power in numbers, once the drivers get used to seeing bikes again I feel a bit safer. I have actually been a tad bit envious of those pedal pushers, it is time for me to start at least a couple days per week.

Friday....
*sigh*
This afternoon, I head to the doctor. I am going to have a more removed on my shoulder. Years of unprotected exposure to the sun has caught up to me. Yikes, they are serious about the need to cover up from the sun, 25 and my skin is already mutating.
Love the skin you are in. Cover up!

Friday....
*sigh*
One last thought... a positive one....
I have been adamantly trying to be ME. I feel wonderful, all things considered. After a wake up call at the end of December I decided to take the reigns back. I have cut back significantly, almost completely, on alcohol consumption, stopped drinking coffee laid off the meat, really focused on yoga and improving my practice. I feel incredible. This time of year, January and February have been trying times in years past. I don't want to have to go through that ever year. It just takes too big of a toll on myself, John, Natasha and my family who have to help me through it. So I am helping myself through it. I feel incredible! I have gotten over the hard part of cravings for those fantastic beverages, found substitutes, and practiced a bit of self control. Yoga has done wonders as well, I really believe that is as good if not better than what the teachers say. It is the healthiest thing I have ever done for myself.
Yes, to be back in control, or should I say to surrender control and just be....

Have a wonderful weekend.

Creativity at its peak

BLOG: Art Car

Here is a treat foir the Monday morning blahs.

Way too much fun!

Night Rider (not to be confused with Knight Rider!)

Never in my right mind would I ever imagine that I would add riding bikes at night to the list of my favorite activities. Here I am telling everyone the absolute fun and thrill of riding trail at night. It is a totally different playing field at night, depth perception changes, field of vision changes and as I have yet to understand why trails change. The trails seem as if I have never ridden them before, and I have never ridden them at night. John has taken me out twice this week and it has been incredible. I bundle up, layer upon layer, still worrying about how cold I might get ( last night, halfway up Cleator Road I had to stop and she two layers....it is not that cold pedaling up hill!). The views are totally different, instead if the view of the foothills, Baker or Lake Whatcom, I was treated with the city scape at night, twinkling and glowing. The nights have been clear so the stars were pristine to see. What a treat!

Susan B. Anthony

"Let me tell you what I think of bicycling. I think it has done more to emancipate women than anything else in the world. It gives women a feeling of freedom and self-reliance. I stand and rejoice every time I see a woman ride by on a wheel...the picture of free, untrammeled womanhood."
—Susan B. Anthony, Women's Suffragist