Walking to the airport...

...you know you live in a pretty small town when you can walk to the airport. It snowed enough yesterday evening to make the walk in the morning kinda slick. And it stays dark until about 8am so I walked in the morning twilight---avoiding as many icy spots as I could. Once it's not dark, I'll ride my bike---or else I will dig up some lights. I almost slid out on the bridge since it was slicker than I anticipated, but I figure if I walk (it's about 3.5 miles each way), I can get some outdoor time in my day and I don't need to ride the trainer quite so much.

My mind is in a whirlwind trying to learn the back-office requirements of the aviation business---but I probably have one of the coolest jobs in town. (I suppose if you don't feel that way on your first day of work, it's not a good sign.) The pilots have some great travel tales---(like flying in/around thunderstorms), and the mechanics and crew are great. The planes are awesome and my office is in one of the hangars (next to the Red Baron Museum) and near the Schwan's Corporate Hangar. New stuff to learn, and plenty to keep me busy. All good things.

It'll be nice once the weather improves, as I will be far enough out of town to be able to get a nice ride in at lunch. There's more than just the "Wright Brother's" that connects cycling to flying---If you think I comment alot about the weather, try talking to a pilot about it. Especially the wind. Anyway---the guys think I'm pretty nuts to be walking to work. Just wait until I start riding in! I won't be hanging my underwear above my office desk like my husband used to do when he'd be out for a ride. I remember Amanda used to tell me that she always knew when Mike was taking his "lunch"; she'd look up and see his boxer's hanging above his computer. That wouldn't fly in this airport...even if everything and everyone else pretty much does. Fly that is.

I miss the Scrapper-time. But there is nothing like getting a greeting from Sydney when you get home from work. No one has ever been that happy to see me. Except my Mom. Happy Tuesday!

Fly me!

As of today, I am working for Midwest Charter Aviation. I am going to be an office manager for the maintenance, facilities and logistics crew for a small aviation charter flight company (a family business, owned and operated by a guy Mike grew up and graduated from high-school with). How about that? ( http://www.midwestcharter.com ). I'm gonna help set up their back-office systems (or actually implement back-office systems)...and learn a whole bunch about charter flying and the like. Much as I love the bicycle business, there's just not enough "action" to keep me busy (can't get enough hours)...and we gotta eat! So...after a long time of me looking, this one actually found me.

On Friday, I was able to get outside and ride my road-bike. It was around 45 degrees, but no wind. I guess this is supposed to be just amazingly warm weather, but it sure feels cold to me. Still, it was nice to ride my bike outside after such a long hiatus. Saturday it rained...but I had to work at the bikeshop, so it didn't matter too much (although it did thwart any outdoor time since the day was cold and rainy and icy on the roads/trails after work). Then on Sunday we had this snowy/rain kind of mix. As "mild" a winter as this one is being called, it is really the longest one and the most extreme one I've ever known. I'm so "done" with winter. I've never wished for a season to change before.

In any case, we are still plugging away and getting outside as much as we can. Yesterday while I was hiking in the woods with Sydney, I suddenly see a bicyclist heading up the trail towards me. Of course it was Mike---mountain biking in the snow, riding my hiking route in reverse. I followed his tire tracks back around the park until they disappeared (we entered the park at different points).

Oh well---I'm off to the airport...(which is actually located about 1/4 mile further down the road from where Mike works. ) Missing California and all of my family and friends alot these days. And also sending some healing energy to a very special man (who's in his 90's), Royal Hackett, who's in the hospital... Happy Monday!

Where everybody's normal

Last Sunday, while Mike and I were at Camden, Mike ran into an old coach of his from High School (or Junior High?). Not sure which. In any case, this coach is a manic fitness guy; he's got artificial knees/hips/something else, from years of running and such. Mike said "hello" to Mr. Amand (or Dave...not sure how to spell his last name), and Dave said "hello" back. He told Mike that he was so glad to have Mike in town now because folks don't think he's (Dave) so strange anymore. Mike is out there riding in the cold, commuting to work, and always outside doing what he does...and so Dave doesn't seem like the odd man out anymore.

This got me thinking a bit. In California everyone we knew was out riding/racing their bikes, running, doing triathlons, etc., too. Maybe we were die-hards, even then...but there were lots of folks in that boat with us. We didn't "stand out" because we were out riding all the time. Anonymously normal; no one really cared about what we might be doing. Now we live amongst "normal" people and so we're kinda weird I guess.

The funny thing is that 90 percent of the folks on this list would be "weird" here. Maybe even more than that. I am very fortunate to have so many weird, athletic, adventurous and "off the beaten paths" friends. One of the best things about living in NorCal, is "everybody's normal"...and no one really is all that interested about whatever little quirk's you have. It's a bit of a challenge to hide any "odd behavior" here. Mike doesn't care what anybody thinks...he never did. It was one of the things I found so attractive about him when we first met.

I can just hear all 90%+ of you now saying to yourself, "Well, actually Joni, we thought you were pretty weird even here in Northern California!" I suppose that's true. Even my family's probably saying, "yup! a little strange, that little redhead of mine"! Sigh!

Anyway, yesterday was way better than the day prior. Less wind and a little warmer. I'll be happier when the snow melts....my running paths are frozen ice, and while it may be warm for here...it's still pretty chilly to go for a bike ride. It can be done with the right gear...but it's cold (in the 30's). Today is forecasted as warmer still...but the wind gusts will be between 30-40 mph. Enjoy the day!

Crashing Trees!

I surprised even myself yesterday, when I embarked on my run in the woods. Here was the weather report:

"Variable clouds and very windy with light snow flurries possible. High 28F, feels like 12F. Winds NW at 40 to 60 mph."

No snow flurries, but an otherwise accurate weather report. It was awful. Sydney and I took off and headed into the trees...somewhat sheltered from the wind's force. The climb out of the river valley is now solid ice...it's like climbing a frozen waterfall. As I arrived at the tree line, Mother Nature was displaying her power in full force. The really slippery sections in the icy path were treacherous. The wind would actually blow me across the sections. So I was careful to stay as "off the beaten path" as possible; which meant I was ankle deep in snow.

Now that alot of the snow has melted away, Sydney is able to sniff out small rodents and the like and she was occupied in her hunting expedition, and less nervous about the roar of the wind. I kept my head down and headed back towards the tree line as quickly as I could (which wasn't very quick...there's about a mile of very exposed prairie to cross). As I was looking down, I actually saw a spider walking across the snow! Those signs of life are generally a few months away...so it must be warm under the snow or something.

Once I was back on the path and following the trees I was a little more sheltered---but it was amazing to be outside with wind blowing that hard. The "feels like" temperature is so bone-chilling! Anyway, about 4 miles into my circuit is where I head back down to the river at the North end of the park...it's a twisty downhill (with one of those caution signs). Suddenly, I heard this SNAP! then a BAM! Approximately 40 feet from where I was standing and about 10 feet away from the Scrapper, a BIG tree came crashing down with a loud thud! I've never seen anything like it. I put my feet in "riding a surfboard" position, and slid down the hill with a tailwind. Ice is everywhere...even hidden under what looks like snow. There were many trees blown down throughout the park...but that was the first time I'd ever seen one fall.

Anyway---guess today is supposed to be a good one with mild winds and warmer temps. Have a great day!

wacky world weather

Shut up about the weather, Joni. Really--it's enough already! I can't help it. The weather just fascinates me. And the degree of fascination is hardly thwarted by the (lack of) degrees I am currently adjusting to. The wind forever haunts me though...hot, cold, warm, if there is one thing I like the least it is the wind. And so it's rather unfortunate that the place I live is known for not only it's weather-degree extremes, but first and foremost, for it's WIND!

Winter begone! It's enough already. Mike and I were looking at our photo collection and we came across a picture of us where we rented a canoe after we got married and paddled around Brawner Lake after we pedaled around Lyon County for a few hours. I remember how hot it was that day. The Scrapper was seeking some relief from the sun by hiding under Mike's seat (in the shade) in the canoe. I just like it hot. The cold makes me ache it's so bone chilling. And if this is mild it is scary to think about what would be normal.

So the wind is supposed to blow up to 40-50 mph today and then it's gonna warm up into the 30's and maybe even reach 40, before plummeting back down to the 20's. None of those degrees sound very warm to me though. 70's, 80's and 90's cooling down to the 60's and maybe on a rare occasion the 50's---now that's my kind of weather. Throw in 6 weeks of rainy downpours, just to mix things up some, and call it good.

I'm off to the park with the hound. The wind is the only weather that the Scrapper and I agree upon. She can take the hot, cold, snow, rain...but the wind makes her nervous and scares her. It sounds like the weather is wacky everywhere though...colder than normal in some parts of Russia (eastern europe), dryer than normal in the Southern Plains...rainy on the coasts. And everytime I hear about "how bad the weather is in California--rain and such", a fellow cyclist sends me a note saying what a nice ride they just went on---epic, long with lots of climbing. So much for the weather realities. Except for here. It really is as cold and windy as it says it is. And the coastal climate(s) still sound way way way nicer than this wind and cold and ice.

(...and if you're in California..."Surf's UP!") Happy Tuesday! Get out there!

Hard Pack

I wish my camera could pick up the bright ski boots better! Neon pinks, oranges and yellows! Think Greg Lemond era cycling gear...remember those black Sidi's with the neon pink and neon green accents? (I remember them since I still have mine!) Anyway, the snow is like ice now. Rock solid and hard pack. Mike has a pair of fast skate ski's on loan from my boss though...and when the snow is right, he can really haul on them. Way faster than the cross-country skiing methods.

But the ice really kills it for being much good. I'm still hiking...but when Mike's skiing, the Scrapper goes with him, she likes action! Even though this is one of the mildest winter's on history for this area, it's the most extreme, coldest and longest winter I've ever had in my life. We both are making the most of the winter---but we've had to dig deep in order to find ways to not go stir crazy. Perhaps if we were used to "activities" beyond fitness it would be easier. But it is what it is and we still like each other despite what's happening outside. It's nice to know we aren't just a "fair weathered" team!

It got really cold on Sunday again. If I didn't have those little hand warmers in my gloves, getting outside for extended periods of time would really be tough---and even though Mike hates Sundays (because Monday's he has to go to work again), I just love them. We're both off on Sundays and we eat breakfast, hit the grocery store while everyone is at church, and then head to Camden with the small hound. When we get home we ride the trainer and just hang out. It may sound (does sound) kinda dull on paper---but I just love the time.

This hard pack snow though is like walking on ice-cubes....Have a lovely day!

Holding my brother's hand

I am blessed to have two younger brother's. We're very (very) close in age (3 kids in 2 and a half years---hats off to my folks who lived through it and are still together 44 years later!) and we're about as different as a summer's day is long from the outside. But inside we are very much alike, in the blood and in our hearts. Even though I act like the youngest, I'm the oldest...and I was probably more like "Lucy" (think Charlie Brown) as a bossy sister than anything else. Sigh.

Regardless of this fact (who'd want a bossy "princess" for a sister?), my brother's loved me, tolerated me, and "obeyed me" (ouch!). (All right, maybe "obeyed me" isn't accurate). It's the "loved me in spite of me" part that prompted my thoughts while I was outside hiking in the woods yesterday. There I was, on a freezing and windy day---where just getting out of the warm car is a challenge (not just due to the fact that I was wearing 20lbs of clothing either!). It's that mental preparation for the blast of cold.

Anyway, Rick (my middle-little brother) sent me a case of biodegradable hand-warmers for a present. Why? Because he knows me. He knows I want to go outside and play. He also knows that I have perpetually cold hands...always. He knows I will whine to my husband about my cold hands---or that I will whine (to my husband) because I am too cold to go outside and play. (He doesn't know that my husband will just ask me if I'd like some cheese with my whine!) Rick has warm hands...always. And if he can't be here to warm my hands....then he'll send the next best thing. Rick also has a warm heart.

I unwrapped my warmers, shook them up and put them in my gloves, then bundled up the small hound and off we went into the wind and crunchy ice. These little warmers are CHAMPS! I walked briskly---the ice making running unsafe in large sections of the trail. I squeezed the little packets and it felt like I was holding a warm hand. My brother's hand. Both of my brother's hands. One on each side of me.

It started snowing and the wind started blowing harder...but it didn't matter. Even though my face was frozen numb and I could barely talk (like when you get a bunch of novicane shot in your mouth!), I had warm hands and a warm hound for company. Perhaps I only acted like a "princess" because I had two "Prince's" for brothers. Ha!

21 F, feels like 7 F ...

...I suppose this is back to the "normal" cold weather that we've been miraculously avoiding thus far. Rats! It's definitely more difficult to get outside when the wind chill is in the single digits. What's tougher? Not getting outside. That's when you go nutty. Today will be a bundle up day for sure if I want to be outside though.

Like 30 degrees isn't bundle up weather? Well, it is. But 30 degrees is just a few layers. Single digits equals many many layers. Who needs to workout with weights when you're wearing like 20 lbs in clothing? The thing is, even the harsh weather days have lessons. I will never ever again wonder how people can survive in these arctic conditions. And not just surviving indoors with heaters and TV. But actually being outside and in it.

I am far from the "I love the winter", (and Minnesota Dad really does!), but I am intrigued by the cold. And I am amazed that a place can stay so cold for so long. 6 weeks of rain is the winter I know. We've been pretty much below freezing since November. I am ready for something else...but on the warmer end of the mercury.

The day before yesterday while I was trail running, there was suddenly blood on the trail. You could see it because the snow was so white and they were obviously tracks. Sydney was smelling the tracks and they went on for at least a mile before disappearing into the woods. Sydney followed them through the trees and then they lead back up on the trail, before they just stopped. I was very happy to never find the source of the bloody tracks. I love the time with Sydney...exploring the woods through her eyes and not having to worry about traffic (of people or cars). The lack of snow has kept the recreation-types (a.k.a. snowmobile traffic) out of the park. Quiet meditation time, outside in the cold and snow. This may not be an experience you'd seek out...but I've discovered something lovely about it all the same.

The sun keeps trying to make it's way through the clouds...it isn't gonna get much warmer today, so the hound and I are off to brave the cold for a couple of hours and then get on with our "jobs" for the day. Enjoy your day!

Runner's High

I know, I know...I'm the biker girl...not a runner! With the temps still too chilly though for me to do much wheeling around, I've been hitting the trail in my snow shoes with my favorite hound running partner. I never used to run on trails when I was running...I'd pound the pavement (and my knees). I was very good at replacing my running shoes every three months or so (because that's what the marketing people and sales people told me I had to do), and would wear those skimpy running shorts, etc.. I'd stretch, warm-up and followed all the rules.

I'm not following those rules anymore (probably the only surprise here is that I actually followed the rules before!) Now, I am wearing snow-boots, lots of layers of clothing, gloves, hat...and am running on the trails, climbing and descending in the river valley and trying not to slide on the ice. My boots don't have the "magic" soles to support your feet, and my clothing isn't what I would call "running clothing---more like skiing clothing. Anyway, you have to ride for a good hour, sometimes two, before you get that "buzz", which begins about a mile in to a run. You know what I am talking about? It's commonly referred to a runner's high. Wow! And once I get that "buzz", I can go and go.

Sigh, I guess I "go-ed and go-ed" a little too much though. I jogged a little over a 10K a day, every day but one last week and I think I over-did it. I was shivering and achy all night last night. (Could be the trip to the YMCA, after my jog, to teach a spinning class put me over the top?) In any case, I am taking a complete day off from exercise today (although a 2 mile walk with my hound isn't really exercise, is it?)

Mike couldn't believe that I woke up this morning feeling fine enough to go to work. Neither could I. Guess I recover well. As much as I want to go run though, I am sticking to my "taking a day off today". My knees are achy...I must be getting old or something. We're getting cold again here (well...it's been cold...colder would be more accurate). I'm ready for spring.

I hope you had a nice weekend....Happy Monday, Martin Luther King Day, and Happy Birthday Raquel!

Global Warming?

A year ago, I'd be sitting here thinking that this was some cold cold weather. It hovers around 32 degrees for the most part, give or take, and for all intents and purposes, it's fair to say, "it's cold out there!" That said, we're anywhere from 20 to 30 (and beyond!) degrees warmer than average. That's alot. (I don't want to hear about how you guys are 30 degrees warmer yet either!)

Now, if what you want to do is ride a bike---global warming or no, you're still pretty hosed with the current temps. Or else you're a die-hard like my husband who's out there riding (anytime he can) for four hours in the frigid air. For almost any other sport though, the weather can be dealt with...and you don't have to be superman to get outside and do stuff. I was a runner before I started cycling...but the pounding of the pavement left my knees aching if I ran too often (which I would---everyday). Trail running (and I am reaching calling what I am doing running...it's more jog-hiking) though has alot less impact. So I am in a routine again...and getting an outdoor fix---even if it isn't on my beloved two wheels.

The warmer it gets, the windier it gets though. Everyone is excited because it's so warm (really...I am not kidding...32 degrees is considered warm in January!)...but the wind really takes the WIND out of you. If I could only use one word to describe it here...I'd have to say, "it's windy". All year long. And to think I used to think 15MPH and 60 degrees was cold and windy. I've come a long way baby in just under a year.

Well, today it's supposed to be near 40 degrees. In January. Pretty wild, huh? I don't know what's more amazing, the fact that it's gonna be 40 degrees, or the fact that I think that's warm? Perspective...it's all perspective. But if this isn't a sign of global warming...I don't know what is. Ice fishing in January is usually a "but of course" in these parts. Minnesota Dad is going...he's pretty careful, but I've yet to find any water that I'd walk on yet. I'm glad it's above freezing---but I still don't think it's warm. Have I mentioned I have too many days off? (And there's another oddity...me not happy about too many days off!)

...gotta run (literally)! Have a great Wednesday (the old get over the hump day!)

...and then there was SUN!

The snow fluttered and flew all Sunday afternoon. I call it "snowing"...but the reality is that, for the most part, it was just flurries. Not much accumulation, just enough to give the ground a nice coating. Then that night the wind blew and blew resulting in a bunch of deep snow drifts all over Camden. There were places in the trail where I sunk up to my thighs even, not for just a few steps...but for several yards at a time. If I didn't know the way by heart, I might have even found myself lost. The trail was completely gone and unless you knew where it was, you'd never know there even was a trail. It was beautiful though. Sort of like being in Death Valley (or some vast wind-swept desert with deep sand dunes.) Only these were wind-swept snow-dunes!

There were wild bunnies all over the place. Nothing like a few "rabbits" to keep the small hound occupied. We had such a nice time. Quiet (snow is very quiet...both when it's falling and once it's fallen), glistening and there is something about a slow jog in the snow that has such a low impact on the body that you don't even know you had a workout until you're through. Must be that whole "it's like running in sand theory" or something.

In any case, I am thoroughly enjoying my winter work-outs outside in the snow. It's been a nice change. I didn't think I needed a change from the bike, but mixing it up a little keeps things fresh. I miss the bike-time (not enough to enjoy riding the rollers or the trainer on a daily basis), but this outdoor time with my hound is great. And Sydney? Well she *really* likes the winter now. She'd get left at home when I would take off for my 35-50 mile daily bike rides...but she's included in the 6-7 mile traverse through the woods.

Best of all? The SUN came out. It makes more of a difference than you can imagine. It was cold, sure, but the sun is like magic. Sydney and I couldn't get enough of the bright light and after we finished up with a bunch of jobs, we went back outside for a little hound-frisbee. Sydney knows all the kids in the school yard and every time she'd run to catch her "disk", someone would shout, "Hey Sydney!" or "Hi, Scrapper!" I don't even know some of them, but they ALL know the small hound.

Here's to a little sunshine for your day today!

Snoopy Scrapper-doodle!

Sydney, Sit!
The small hound crushed me today on our trail-run! Since it's been below 32 degrees the last few days, the snow was more a hard-pack, tacky snow (as opposed to an ice arena) making it great for a hike. (It's when you get that 32+ weather in the day and then freeze and re-freeze at night that it gets sketchy). And the hound was in fine form today. She hunted up pheasant, rabbits, deer, squirrels and even a woodpecker.

Oh yeah...a bald eagle lives in Camden. It's wingspan is easily 5 feet. White head/white tail and magnificent. I'm sure that the Scrapper looked like a fine snack from his eagle's-eye-view. Luckily, the small hound's quite a chameleon ...see how well she blends in to the scenery!
(photo missing..._
The sun even peeked it's way through the clouds for a bit while we were out there. The pitter-patter of Syd's feet on the crusty ice was all I heard for the most part...until the wood-pecker started pecking away. He was way up in a tree (all fluffed-out in brown, blue and white feathers..very pretty), and out of reach though.

(more photo's missing...)

Sniffing out the deer tracks. It's really a kick when she starts digging the snow....just don't stand behind her unless you want a bunch of snow balls thrown your way. A large tree appendage was blown off a tree and had landed mid-trail. Sydney ran up to inspect things and then started barking at it. She did that once in San Francisco when it was really hot one night and so we had a big fan in our room. Syd didn't know what it was and barked at the fan until we let her know that the fan was a "friend". I told her that the tree-branch was a friend, and she quit barking.

(best snoopy-looking photo missing....I'll get them posted shortly)

Snoopy and the Red Baron meet Siberia! I should have had her jacket on but she was fine without it. I even got hot. We improved our time by almost 10 minutes and so the quicker pace of our trail-run, more than the actual temperature had alot to do with me working up a sweat. It was still just 27 degrees after all.

...and about 7 miles later (creature of habit that I am) we arrived back to where we started and headed home. Mike arrived back from his bike ride about an hour behind us and just in time...the snow just started flying again.

Other-worldly

That's how it looks! Not everywhere. I mean snow is snow, prairie is prairie. But when you get out of town and into the woods (on a weekday especially when there are no snowmobiles to confuse you about being in the wilderness), life around you appears "other-worldly", or even out of this world!

The lack of any sunlight (which has been the case here since December 22nd I believe), has been a bit of a shock to the system....but, hey, I lived in San Francisco during the summer, and you can go for weeks in the fog there too. I've "off-road-hiked-jogged" [ORHJ for short] about 40 miles so far this week...and now that I have a new ORHJ-ing buddy, the small hound, it's become time that I look forward to and enjoy.

Remember all those ice-cocoons I wrote about on the trees that I tried to take pictures of? Well, now they are all blown off the trees from the strong winds. They cover the trail like leaves in the Fall and you either crunch over em' or slip n' slide. But I am telling you---the outside time does so much for your mental fitness.

I've even attempted at getting other people to come with me...but no one wants to go for some reason. It's a bit of a challenge to get the right clothing together. Today it was 23, feels like 14 with the wind chill, but I was fine. Cycling clothing breathes well and I have on several layers. My hands get cold by the end...but they always do. (and thanks to Jamie & Jay and Rick and Jason, I have hand-warmers galore!) People like to "work out" inside though, even on the weekends...so it's just the hound and me. She's good company and likes to go where I go...and she entertains me with all her squirrel, deer and pheasant hunting antics, and she never laughs at me when I almost slip on the ice. [often]

Have a wonderful weekend...this is Joni, reporting live, from her other-worldly world in Marshall, MinneSNOWta.

Watching the West from the Mid-North

Flood, wind, rain! The funny thing is, I know what it's like to be there. But if you watch the news and you don't live there [Bay Area] anymore, it looks pretty bad. I remember how every winter (6 weeks in the SF area, give or take), Mike and I would wait for a break in the down-pour before venturing out for a ride. Inevitably, you'd get rained on, but if you leave the house with fenders and with no rain falling at the time, you can still get a couple of hours in, and once you're out there---you kinda don't care about the rain anymore. Plus you have something to complain about for a change. (Doesn't this rain bite? I can't believe how cold, windy it is! yeah, right!)

Many a winter ride, I'd entertain myself by spotting other known die-hard riders on the rainy roads. You always get your racer die-hards...but perhaps, Queen of the "I ride everyday in this rain for many hours no matter what" was Lenno-Prion herself! I remember days I'd be out there riding and wouldn't see anybody (except my husband), but sure enough, I'd see Kathy---soaked, smiling and pedaling away on her Ritchey Road bike---oblivious to the rain.

And the smell of the green, wet air is just heaven---even if you can't see a thing in your fogged up clear glasses. So, while I can appreciate the inconvenience of the rain out there...I also know first hand, that while it is pretty bad---the "news" is comprised of major drama. And perhaps the fact that today is considered mild here, by Minnesota standards, it's supposed to be "30 degrees feels like 19, cloudy, with northwest winds @ 20-30 MPH", with a bunch of snow and slick, icy roads. Sigh.

And here's the kicker. I was consoling myself by "your crummy west coast storms". Seriously. I'd give a good "Ha!" everytime I saw all the miserable weather. And then a day or so later we'd get the remnants. Serves me right huh? The Pacific storms that come our way are warmer---so it rains and sleets instead of snows and the roads are indeed more treacherous with ice, because the air temps never get much above 30. Anyway, I am stopping my childish behavior and not saying "ha!" to your rain anymore.

I have too many days off... (working on it, but this is not the Silicon Valley/plethora of opportunity of interesting work options)

Hammer Hiking with my Hound!

After finishing up the final indoor jobs of the day, Mike headed downstairs to do "his thing" (which happened to be inside for a change), and I loaded up the small hound and headed to Camden for a "girl day in the park". Hiking with Sydney is fun---especially here, where she can go freely off the leash. It was very foggy and icy out on the roads out of town. No sunlight anywhere.

I carefully headed down to the Southern entrance parking lot (no fish-tailing for this Taylor)...grabbed a snack for my pocket, and cried "mush", and off we went through the trees and mist. There was NO ONE anywhere. Sydney has a good memory though and at first she headed towards the ski trails...but once she saw I was going someplace else...she lead the way over the bridge and up and out of the river valley.

She trots at a pretty good clip and by the top of the hill, I was warmed up. She could hear the snowmobiles in the distance...and they worried her enough such that she stayed right by me. I'm sure they're fun...but these snowmobiles are like loud smelly cars if you're out hiking, making the lovely woods feel more like a car-road...but I guess to each his own, and I am sure that this lone "walker in the woods" is annoying to them as well since they have to slow down to pass me

After the three machines passed us, Syd relaxed and we both "trotted" in the crunchy snow. She's become quite a hunter though---and she was hunting pheasants! I didn't know it until she nosed a big beautiful rooster in the air...and as it took off for the sky, Syd followed at full speed ahead! From then on she was on a serious "bird" mission...she loves the game (she learned from her grandpa's champ dog Molly)!

Sigh...More snowmobile traffic, but when she hears them coming she gets scared and is right at my heel, before I can even say, "heel!" We covered more ground in less time than I've ever done. She's a hammer-hound, like her Dad! We hiked an extra mile or so to avoid having to walk on the super slick and icy road...I was up to my knees in the deep snow and Sydney was up to her neck. She spied some big white tailed deer and she was hopping through the snow after them...(she's also a hopping hound---just so talented!) We arrived back to the car (maybe 7 miles later) tired and hungry and feeling good about being outside. It's the outside part that I think keeps you sane...

We've been experiencing this eery, icy mist and it makes walking, driving and certainly bike riding a bit treacherous. Thankfully, I have Camden. I just got a horrible email from a friend in California telling me about a fellow cyclist [I knew...a customer and a bike racer] who was out on a rainy/windy ride and a tree fell on him and he was killed. He was riding my familiar routes. Sounds like bad weather all over the place.

In any case---stay safe out there...but stay "out" there! Happy Tuesday!

Happy 2006!

(My resolution will be to figure out a way to get these photo's up on my blog....)

> 2005 < = > 2006 <
(Out with the old and in with the new)

Mike and I spent the last day of 2005 and the first day of 2006 hiking and skiing amongst the wintery panorama in Camden State Park. A very special place for us...in every season. We got married here and I imagine for as long as I live, this park will be a jewel in my heart.

As we drive down into the parking lot, Mike always likes to test the breaking system on the VW Golf on the ice. I hate that sliding, fishtail sensation, but it always makes Mike grin like a mischievous little boy. It's a winter wonderland here. All the trees are flocked with snow. There are also branches that have blocks of frozen ice covering them. I've never seen anything like it. Except on that one Christmas special that has the winter warlock...you know that animated one? I think it's Rudolf. The Winter Warlock was cool.

(missing wintery pictures....)
Doesn't it look like like the Winter Warlock's house?

On the first day of the year, there was nobody at Camden when we got there. Quiet. I've got this great 6 mile hike I've been doing....and it looks different each time I go. Today there was dense fog and low visibility with an Easterly wind (which I didn't know about until I hiked up out of the river valley. Once on top I can get into a jog and it's like running in sand. Crunch crunch crunch. Today was the first time I saw no deer---although yesterday I saw 6 all at once.

When I ride this route on my mountain bike, this "caution" sign has alot more meaning...it's where those railroad ties are and it's a pretty steep descent, followed by a quick climb back up to the top. I love it on foot though.

The trees are amazing close up. It looks like it's not real...like a painting or something. The only way to believe what you see, is to feel it. It's cold. Freezing. Literally. Funny thing is, I wasn't cold. Had on all the right clothes. The only buzz-kill was the snowmobile who came speeding passed me to remind me of civilization. They are very very loud amongst the quiet of this prairie park.

The last turn before I wind my way back down to the river bottom and back to greet my husband and the small hound---A very nice way to begin another year! Happy 2006 everybody!