A change in perspective

Wednesday night was my first ever "night ride."
Mountain biking at night poses several questions.... Who rides when it's completely dark outside?
Why ride when it's completely dark outside? And, cold. Dark. And SPOOKY.

I've wondered this myself, as I ride in the warm sunshine, enjoying beautiful scenery.
I now understand.

A few of my cycling friends an I are racing in the 24 hours of Moab on October 10th...this is just part of the training. I assure you, I won't be riding for 24 hours, though a few crazies...er, extreme endurance athletes are. I am a member of a "veteran" team, which is a fancy way of saying "old." I am the oldest of the group by a year, and as of this coming birthday, actually qualify now as "master." In 10 more years I'll be known as a "grand master." It is a lovely way to describe the aged.

My friends Jolene Knosack, Kendra Clark, and Jen Curry, and I form the "Great Dames" team, one of the 7 teams coming from our Mad Dog Cycles team. Wendy Cope (in the middle of the photo) just signed on for all this crazy action, and having just a few races under her belt, it on a "just for fun" team.

Jolene took a little video, though watching this will make you wonder why someone does ride at night...

We all plan to have a lot of fun! Tomorrow is the "12 hours of Sundance" race. Training. Fun.

You know...I've been a little annoyed on the lack of updates...

....I check my family's blogs often, and and often so disappointed when it has been 3 weeks, or even 3 months since there is a post! But, then I realize, it's been even longer for me. So, I just can't complain.

I have excuses. Really, I do. It's something with my computer, not uploading pictures from my camera. How lame is a post without any pictures?

For the 3 people I know who check to see if I write anything... I send my love. You guys are awesome. And, I love reading your blogs!! Keep it up.

Okay!! Spring has sprung and summer is almost here....

....yes. I know, I know. I haven't posted anything lately, but at least I'm not as bad as Mike and Becky or Cheri and Bry. What's up you guys?! My excuse is the fact that my camera no longer uploads photos to my computer. Some people may think "user error," but I really think that doesn't play the biggest part in the problem. Blog posts with photos are so much more interesting!!

You may just be stuck with old photos.

It has been a busy and exciting spring.

March 23...Winter Retuns!

We have had an unseasonal heat wave recently. All last week we shattered "record highs" nearly every day.

I rode the new bike 3 times last week, and on Friday, Deb and I went out in the afternoon and rode the race loop... it was 71 degrees! Shorts and short sleeves! Sweating. It nearly felt like a summer's day.

Today was Dad's birthday.... he would have been 74. He loved winter, the snow, and skiing.
He, too, felt like snowflakes were akin to "kisses from heaven" and truly taught me to appreciate the joy of a powder day, the view from a summit, and thrill of sweet turns, speed, wind in the hair, the adrenaline rush... the gift that IS skiing.

I enjoyed that today... and found it fitting that it snowed... a sparkling, refreshing whitewash over the graying, previously melting cover which was ebbing so quickly over the past few weeks....the brief return of winter this early day of... spring.

"Braces Weekend"

I have no braces, no kids with braces currently, and no need to get braces.... but, I have always wanted to attend "Braces Weekend." If you knew just how fun and awesome Braces Weekend is, you too, would want to attend.

I invited myself long ago, knowing those attending were going on "Emily's Birthday Weekend" (Emily, though, had other plans!). I really wanted to hang out with family we seldom get to see and have fun with my incredible nieces and nephews. It was an added bonus to get to stay at Mark and Cos' beautiful new home! (Thank you so much for your generosity and hospitality! )

Since I have recently met an incredible guy... I also thought it would be a great opportunity for my new friend... boyfriend (yes, I said it out loud)... Greg, to meet a bit more of the family and back out early on, if necessary. He does still call me, I'm happy to report. Even after I ditched him for several hours to go to the St. Patrick's Day parade (of all things) with the nieces, Deb, Cos, Dave and Les and Mom.

A good time was had by all... we loved walking the parade route to cheer on the girls, and get lots of free toothbrushes and tooth paste. I even have a coupon for a free orthodontic consultation with a FABULOUS orthodontist, if anyone is interested!!

And, in case you were wondering, Greg and the boys survived the parade abandonment, too.

Happy New Bike Day!!

Yes!! It is finally here!! Picked up on Thursday! The only difference between my bike and this pic (from the website), is I have a little bit more carbon fiber in the handle bars, seatpost, brake levers, etc., and it says "XTR" on my crank and derailers instead of SLX.

I was impressed to see the similarities between my bike, and Liza's. Way to celebrate the 3rd birthday! The Marin Trail Mini. The girl has good taste. What can I say?!I, on the other hand, am celebrating my 42, 43, and 44th birthday with my bike!

It Just Keeps Getting Better....

Winter seems to have sped by... I started this post a few weeks ago, but seem to find the time to get it going, let alone finished.

Feb 21 brought a new found level of excitement and exercise in the outdoors.

I've skied for too many years to count, but my skiing has always been limited to where the lifts could take me.

I'm a lover of fitness, and though I'm slow, truly believe in "earning the downhill." I've now experienced that in earning a few turns... backcountry skiing!!

My friend Greg took me out backcountry skiing on the backside of Timp a few weeks ago. He bought skins for my skis (like velcro on the snow!) and we climbed about 1400 vertical feet above Aspen Grove from the Timp trailhead. It was truly amazing, and an incredible experience!


Ian and Tyler have also found a new wholesome physical activity... one that took me somewhat by surprise (pictures to follow)... they are both avid BOWLERS! No, I'm not making this up! They have both gone out and bought bowling shoes, bags, and their own bowling balls (special order, I might add!). They go about 2-3 times per week with a few of their friends.

Who'd have thought that all my work of motherhood, helping them experience the variety of activities and experiences life has to offer would one day pay off... years later? If I went bowling with them now, I wonder if they'd still let me use the bumpers?

One Good Thing About the Inversion, I Suppose....

January often brings the dreaded "inversion" to the Wasatch Front. High pressure hovers over the valleys, trapping in smog, fog, pollution, as well as cold temperatures.

In the mountains, however, it is a completely different story!
Crystal clear, cloudless, blue skies, and pleasant temperatures. 49 even!!

Monday morning dawned with the thermometer reading 1 degree, but moving up to higher elevations, came higher temps. And, if I failed to mention previously, an incredible day of snow-cat skiing in the Uintahs. (check out Thousand Peaks Ranch)
The weather was SO nice, and warm... that I actually skied "old school"-- no helmet, with the hair blowing in the wind. Quite liberating, actually!

"Cat-skiing?" you are wondering... yes, you should be envious.... the comfy snow cat takes you up to a new, untracked run, each and every time (with the exception of the one run that was so nice we asked to do it twice). No liftlines, a nice warm ride up (not that we needed it...it was warm enough to ride up "commando" style--the back door wide open), with snacks, dark chocolate, and bottled water to enjoy between runs. What a dream. Really.I was lucky enough to be invited for an incredible day of skiing with my friend Greg, and a few of his friends and their families. It was an awesome day!!We could see Timp way in the distance. The views were spectacular!

A few new skiers!! ... and a few more shots of the Holidays

It's been over a month since I have updated the blog, and the last entry really wasn't much of an update, at that.

The Holidays, 2008 were a bit tough for me, as I was sick with a nasty cold and sinus infection for almost 3 weeks. It sapped my energy, and kept me home from a few days of skiing.

I'm happy to report that the health has much improved, and, I have a new found appreciation for HEALTH.

It was great to have family in town for much of the holidays... it was get-togethers aplenty. It was so nice to see everyone we don't get much time with. Ian and Tyler even made a few cameo appearances. Ty is a master with the blow torch on the Creme Brulees. It's always a plus when he can use his pyrotechnic skills for practical purposes! Cosi and Kristi braved Grizzly Ridge, and Bandlands... gutsy skiers. Black Diamond runs. Awesome. Way to go girls! I'll ski with them anytime!

Lindsey, Katie and Ellie ventured out on skis for the first time. We now have 3 more skiers in the family!! Grandpa would be so proud. They learned where their dad learned, about 25 years ago. They did great!