Some stuff....

Where has the time gone?

I was informed by Jen that I needed to update my blog...and she's right, I do!

I've done a bunch of stuff since I last posted but I've misplaced my memory! OK not really but you have to understand that since I only update this at work I don't have the capability to give my full attention...so here's my best!

I conquered the Hiawatha Trail again this year. Only this time we waited until the very last weekend to do so.

We drove my friend's clunky old Dodge van (with no working heater) to the bottom of the trail. This turned out to be quite an adventure in itself since we had never driven this route before and it took waaaaaay longer to get there than it should have (in my mind). But the drive was gorgeous! Bright yellow and red trees nestled right in the pines lining small creeks and streams.

My company on this adventure consisted of an old friend, Chaser (Allison), who is currently the assistant EWU women's basketball coach which means EVERYTHING is met with excitment and encouragement (ie: this is AWESOME!!!) and Cheryl, my mentor and 60 something year old buddy who sometimes forgets she's 60 something (which is really AWESOME!!!).

Fun notes: *Cheryl fell within the first 10 feet. She wasn't quite familiar with how stirrups work.

*Cheryl also fell in one of the tunnels...apparently her equilibrium goes haywire in dark places. BUT IT WAS THE FUNNIEST THING I EVER HEARD! We couldn't see her but we sure heard her bite it!

*Cheryl decided halfway up that she was done with the incline and she'd take a nap where she was and we'd meet her on the way back.

*While in the mile-long tunnel, a storm decided to roll in. By the time we made it out the other end, it was a straight downpour!

*On the venture back down the trail (in the downpour) Chase and I shouted songs like "Livin' on a Prayer" and "You Can't Touch This"...the rain sucked but the humor of it all made us through.

*Cheryl did not wait for us where we left her (smart lady).

We got back to the van soaked and frozen, only to suffer a 2 hour journey back home soaked and frozen in the van with no heater. WE ARE FREAKIN' ROCK STARS!

So I'll be leaving the office in 20 minutes and I should probably work a few of those...so this is it until next time!

MS 150

Two weekends ago, my co-workers and I took part in the MS 150 on the Trail of the CD'A's (75 miles each day). Since the STP, we decided it would be great to keep up with our riding and challenging ourselves with these longer rides while raising money for good causes. Two gals at our gym (Global) informed us of this ride and we decided to go for it. The problem though was that the $50 registration and a minimum of $250 donation was required to participate. We couldn't come up with the $300 each on our own, nor did we have much time to pick-pocket our buddies for donations. So we turned to our doctors at Oral Surgery Plus. They get to donate, put their names out there (tax-deductible) and we get to have our fun...and some pretty awesome jerseys supplied by the docs as well!

Cheryl, myself, Michelle and Diane.

"Proudly powered by Oral Surgery Plus"

Cheryl and Diane along the trail.

And again at a random bike shop along the way...

Dinner was provided by the CD'A Casino

The story behind this one: Negative Nancy showed up unexpectedly...so we saved her a seat at our table for dinner.

Konni and Jayme joined us for dinner and fun after day 1.

All done with breakfast (again, provided by the casino) and ready to hit the trail with Kelly Niles and Traci Fontaine.

It really was THAT much fun!

As a review, this was an amazing experience. It was very well supported with Wheelsport and Bicycle Butler there for repairs. Stops all along the way for fuel and rest. The organizers and volunteers were the friendliest I've encountered yet and the fun stuff we walked away with far outshined the STP. We were given nice jerseys and a participants medal, Saturday's lunch and dinner were taken care of for us as well as breakfast and lunch AND dinner on Sunday. The only frustration I had all weekend didn't have anything to do with the ride at all but with another 1st Annual ride that had been scheduled for the same weekend...Spokanes' Spokefest. While it is a great way to get folks out enjoying their bikes, I'd like to see the money...or something...go to a good cause instead of outshining one. Just a thought.

Malibu 2008

Another fantastic week at camp!
It rained the entire week…ok, not the entire week. We had one day of sun. Well, sorta sun. But we were blessed with the company of some girls with great attitudes and they took advantage of every moment, stopping only with hopes of finding some dry clothes.


We are the Malibu Army. Yea, tough all-right! (dressed for a volleyball competition that is not about volleyball at all)


Kayloni, Mackenzie and I…showin’ off our biceps…


The aftermath of our obstacle course. The only time you’ll encounter high school girls excited about getting muddy and wet and stinky. I only wish I had a picture of all of them. Intense!

A few of us before the beloved zipline

The lady leaders enjoying respite from the rain before our fancy dinner.

Super sunshine…the day we left.
Toby, Kayloni, Mackenzie, Myself and Tyler (who is a lot taller than he appears here)

As always, it was a great week!

Summer Review

The summer of 2008 was defined by two big events and many small but equally great ones wedged in-between.





I thought I’d revisit my post from July 3rd….
1. 204 miles. Period. …This is still the way that I feel about it. In fact, I didn’t get back on my bike for a good 2 ½ weeks. We’ve since reconciled our differences.

2. The “Blaze of Glory”…I still don’t know what the heck that was?

3. “The Hill” at mile 43. …mostly hype. It was no different than the hill we faced during the Lilac Century…in fact, it was shorter.

4. No stopping on the Lewis and Clark bridge…It looked and felt more like a herd of cattle. We were corralled on a side street until we were about a ¼ mile long modge-podge of cyclists. Once we were let loose, we inched (and I mean inched) our way up one side of the bridge; spaced out a little at the top and roared down the other side. This is where heeding the advice regarding the expansions should have come in handy…but I forgot it. I was a lucky one though and made it through just fine.

5. No new va-jay-jays. Dammit.

6. Optimism…I did greet the second day with the same optimism. Mostly because I knew we were half done and it was my understanding that the second day is easier…more on this thought later.

7. No rain. ‘nuf said.

8. expansion joints…see #4

9. Shy bladder…I am a freakin’ camel. Seriously.

10. “By this time tomorrow, I’ll be done”. Yes, this was expressed many, many times.

11. Great company, a great deal of giggles and MILES OF MEMORIES….I hit this one right on the nose. What a great group of gals to complete such a crazy goal with!

There were many great highlights. Kathy Best was my riding buddy both days. We laughed, I cried. She led many pace lines, I mustered up 1 ½. At times, we’d blow past groups of guys at a time and we didn’t mind a bit that it bothered them. There were a few times however, where I lost Kathi because she set her sites on showing up the fellas. “Oh hell, there she goes again…” But we made a few friends and encountered some weird people, too. I loved coming across those with radios strapped to their bikes, those with costumes, and of course the tandems were always a hoot. And about the idea that the 2nd day was easier? I call BS on that one. I told Kathi that if I saw another hill, I was going to plant myself right where I was and she'd have to come back for me with the van...we conqured about 6 more hills after that.

I won’t lie though. It did get frustrating at times when we encountered the rude and/or uneducated, both motorists and cyclists. I know 10,000 cyclists can be a teeny-weeny bit overwhelming but that doesn’t mean they can act like they didn’t see me.

Overall, the race was well supported, the food they offered for lunch was fantastic. We received a finishers patch that they placed on a rope so it could double as a medal? I think? And don’t forget the Tyvek STP jackets! Now, every time I pass a house with Tyvek on the side I proclaim, “I have a jacket made outta the same thing that house is wearing!” Nice.

If the STP is anything like childbirth, I’ll forget the pain and look forward to the next one. What a blast!

MALIBU

My appologies to those (Matt) who are waiting to hear about this fantastic 204 mile bike trip 2 weekends ago. Well, You'll have to wait at least another week. I'm going to the most beautiful place! It's a place close to my heart and I get to hang out with hundreds of overly dramatic and crazy-fun high schoolers. I couldn't be luckier...and I sincerely mean that!

A glimpse from last year's trip....

Peace in the morning.

Ziplining with the mountains...

Our cabin of Medical Lake girls

I don't like to brag...but we leaders are pretty awesome!

Who can argue with 80's night?

LOVE THIS PLACE!

Softball

PYTWLFS
(Means: Pretty Young Things Something Something Something...?)

A few weeks ago, I joined a women’s slow-pitch softball league through Spokane Parks and Rec, thanks to some friends from my high school softball team seeking me out. I hadn’t thrown a ball since my senior year and the adjustment from fast-pitch to slow-pitch was amusing.

As we approach league tournament starting Tuesday the 8th, I thought I’d post the fun things I’ve witnessed thus far!

1. Spokane P&R has no problem making your team drive to a random Middle school field just outside Stateline, ID.

2. The Turnbull Truckers really aren’t the bunch of scary butch-like women you might think they are…well not ALL of them, anyway.

3. Team Spitfire has a player named Bob…and she drives her Harley wanna-be to the field.

4. Striking out in slow-pitch is humiliating.

5. Women are catty and they’ll bark at you any chance they get.

6. If you play softball, don’t tell people you live in Browne’s Addition and drive a Subaru. Nothing good will come of it!

7. Don’t let anyone discover you “do” triathlons…they automatically think you’re fast.

8. Pre game and post game food must be greasy and carbonated.

9. Being in a 3-way tie for 3rd in a league of 7 teams is not something to brag about.

10. One word: MULLETS.

Seattle to Portland 2008

11 Things on my mind about the 2008 STP

1. 204 miles. Period.

2. Something called the infamous “Blaze of Glory” within the first ‘few’ miles. What the crap does that mean?

3. Another thing lovingly called “THE HILL” at mile 43. They say it’s a rite of passage… I’m sure we’ll have a different name for it by the time we’re through.

4. “No voluntary stopping on the Lewis & Clark bridge permitted”. Um, voluntary stopping??

5. Predicting no new va-jay-jays are sold on the route.

6. Will I greet the 2nd day with the same optimism as the first? (Tiff, Trish and Jen, I’ll need you to ride on my shoulders for this one!)

7. I hope it doesn't rain!

8. “Go SLOW over the expansion joints”. “You may encounter crosswinds and heavy traffic”. (I thought this was family friendly? Sounds more like a bad carnival ride)

9. Shy bladder + porta potties = no fun for Sheena!

10. At the end of day one, I can officially say “By this time tomorrow, I’ll be done!” (Something I gratefully learned from Tiff)

11. I will have great company for this trip! There will be many stories, many giggles and MILES OF MEMORIES!!