Dec 1, mountain biking again

This weekend was December 1st and for the second year in a row we have had temperatures in the upper 50's and lower 60's. Needless to say a better weekend for biking than skiing. Actually, I do think it snowed up in the mountains this weekend, but it was pretty nice here in the valley so I decided to stay and bike.

Saturday, I got in one more cyclocross race. Felt better this time, with some power in the legs and no searing pain in the back at lap four. Mostly a dirt road race this time, but I'll take it. One more race this coming weekend and then it is time to ski!!

Winter is Here!!

The week before Thanksgiving and it seems as if it is the week after New Years! A cold front rolled through this weekend starting about 6am Friday morning, causing a little bit of snow and ALOT of lake effect snow. After it finally stopped snowing here on Sunday about noon, the total was 23 inches. Pretty impressive storm. Lost power for a few hours on Saturday,  but not on Sunday. Got everything shoveled with a few trips out to the driveway. I think I shoveled more this weekend than I did all of last year!! Here are some pics. Decided not to try and venture out to the cross race this weekend, since saturday am we had over 15" at that time. Amazingly they had the race, hard to believe.

First Weekend

The First Weekend of October, the first weekend of cross racing and the first weekend of four wheeling in the Jeep. Three's a charm!!!

Got some great weather this weekend to have a good time outdoors for a change. In the low 60's and sunny, it seemed like winter, it has been so hot. After the 4-wheeling trip we had some dinner at a picnic area and were wearing our light down coats, and were even chilly!! Feels good.

Got the cobwebs cleaned out this weekend when I raced cross for the first time of the year. Has been 11 months since I raced anything, what a wake up call. Racing in the "old" group this year and feels good not to be so far off the back, I am getting lapped by the leaders. A little training and maybe I will actually feel good for 45 minutes?!

Went to Tribble Fork road up to the backside of Mineral Basin at Snowbird in the Jeep for a little test. I would saw it passed with flying colors.

Tour Mont Blanc

Finally, we made it back and I have managed to get to some pictures. All in all a great trip with some great scenery. The weather was so-so in my opinion, as in chillier than I would have liked, but what can ya do!? We started just south of Chamonix in a town called Les Houches and began our hike around Mont Blanc in the usual counter-clockwise direction. The first two days were the longest with about 20k of hiking each day. Mostly flat on day one, but some climbing on day two up over one of the highest passes, Col du Fours. A little cold here, with some snow and walking over a snowfield, but the bottom part of the valley was one of the more lush green meadows with lots of flowers on the way down. Day 3 we hiked into Italy to Refugio Elizabeta. Overall a short day, but knowing the next day would be 6 hours, decided not to go on. Day 4 brought us into Courmayer, IT and an extended stay for me. Developed a little fever, so I stayed in the hotel for 2 days to sleep and recover. Karen and Libba went on to Rufugio Bonnatti to stay and then hike back to get me the next day. Took the late bus to Chamonix though the tunnel in the Mountain and stayed overnight here. Day 7 we went up to the top of Aiguille du Midi via the cable cars. An amazing engineering feat when you look at the pics. Later that day we took the bus to Argentiere just north of Chamonix to hike to Rufuge Les Grandes in Switzerland. A short hike, with some cable cars, but a good day. Day 9 we went from Les Grandes to Rufuge Lac Blanc to stay for the last night on the trail. Next day a short hike down to the cable car and back to Chamonix to end the trip. Some buses, planes, two countries airports and were back to SLC.

Getting to Italy

July? Brrrr!

Viewing platform at Aiguille du Midi

Antenna on right peak is the cable car stop.

Now the editing begins!!

Escape the heat

Tried to escape the heat today. Was about 100 in the valley today, with some slight breeze. We decided to get up high and beat the heat. Went up Grizzly Gulch at Alta to Twin lake pass and then down to Brighton via the Sol Bright trail from Solitude. Decided against the hike up to Catherine's and then back to the car. Instead, just retraced our steps and went back. Was nice and cool, about 75, with a very stiff breeze. Gusts that were hard to walk against at times. Should be ready to go for the Alps!!

Recent travels

Since the last post we have been fairly busy with some trips. Still getting ready for our trip to France to hike the Tour du Mont Blanc, but needed to get out on the bike. We went to Denver for a couple days to see Brian and Jill. They were there for a week, so Karen and I drove out and stayed with our friends Laura and Rich. We got to do 2 rides with Brian and his friend Kevin from college, who now lives in Golden, CO. Good rides, not too hot, considering city temp was 90 both days!!

The second pics are of Lake Blanche, here in the Wasatch. We did this big hike last week with heavy packs, just to ease our minds that we will survive the Alps!! Our legs were sore for a couple days (6-7 miles with 3000' up, then down). Only about 4 hours, so we should be good to go!! Got ALL DAY in the Alps to do 8-10 miles. That is only about 1-1.5 mph, should be no problem!! We'll let you know.

Hope to get some more hikes in to get the pack all set, but getting close.

baby, baby Moose. Dog size!!

karen at the top of the Rocky Mtn N.P.

Local mowing crew.

Old damn at lower lake blanche, Wasatch

Blue Bell against the Red Rock, Lake Blanche

Weekly wrap-up

Another 2 weeks have gone by without a post. I seem to fall into a familiar pattern. Anyway, we have been busy around here getting things done in the yard. Got the dumpster delivered this week so we could throw the bushes in it. Finally it is done. We got the ugly bushes from under the apple tree torn out. Now it looks like the yard is so much bigger. We have even been getting out for some exercise. Might even be ready to walk around Mt Blanc this summer!!

Menu from Forage

Grandma's hand-me-down necklace on Karen!!

Fat Tire Fest- Fruita, CO

Our bed in the van!!

Colorado river overlook. 

We got the first van trip of the year in this weekend. Took a weekend jaunt to Fruita, CO to meet some friends this weekend. Got a little riding in on both days. Lots of folks on the trail with the Fruita Fat Tire Festival going on. Nevertheless, it was a good time. Perfect temps in the upper 60's and low 70's.

Also got to see our friends at the horse show in Grand Junction, CO. Unfortunately we didn't get a chance to use the awning we just hooked up to give some shade. Maybe well have to go on another trip!!

U.P. RR outside of Green River, UT

April Flowers....

Maybe I got it a bit backwards, but seems as if the Flowers are here before the Showers this year. Starting to warm up here in LSC, but rain still continues on and off. Nice to have the warm days and even the rain.  It was starting to get very dry on the trails.

Hopefully the snow will hold off and we can think about getting the garden planted in a couple weeks. Maybe even get the bushes trimmed? We'll see. Of course we need to get some bike rides and trail runs in as well...

Farmington Bay Birds

 Made a trip to Farmington Bay wildlife area this morning to see if we could see some Bald Eagles. No eagles this year, but a blue heron, a hawk and some good views of the northern Wasatch mountains.

A real nice day, which I think explains the lack of eagles this year. Only a thin layer of ice on the bay, with temps in the 40's today. Maybe we'll have better luck if it gets colder and snows some??

Party, Party, Party

Another year, another wine and dessert party. A little different theme this year, with mostly finger food desserts. A few different cake balls, covered in chocolate, some truffles, a cheese cake and the fruit flan. Of course some wine and good friends and all is good.

Creme Brulee cheesecake

Karen worked hard to get the cake balls all done a couple days earlier, and the cheese cake the week before, so party day was pretty laid back actually. Enjoy some event highlights.

Invest in Silver...... get GOLD!!!

Magic Maker!!!!

For Christmas Karen got books on how to make Whoopie pies and Cake Pops. She told me to make them she needed a Kitchen Aid Stand mixer. So, I got a Silver Kitchen Aid...... now I get the GOLD!!!!! So far, 2 batches of Whoopie pies, and today 1 cheesecake (though I am forbidden from eating until next weeks party!). Not sure I like it. If we had Saunders Hot fudge, I bet it wouldn't be in the freezer!!

Seems to be working pretty well, so I have high hopes for this weekend, with the Wine & Dessert party. Stay tuned for pics of the party and all the yummies!!

January rain

 

This seems to be the craziest year of the past century, as far as the weather goes. Driest December on record, then no snow in January and warm weather, with a weekend of rain this week. Well, rain in the valley, SNOW up in the HIGH country!! Only 2 days on the skis so far this year, though will ski some on Saturday this week, given the 18+" so far and the prediction of SNOW FOR THE NEXT 4 DAYS in the mountains. 

Should be about 3-4 feet of new. Nice heavy, wet snow to create a good packed base at the resorts. Hopefully the pattern will continue and build the base. In the meantime, this was some guided hiking in the enchanted forest of Devil's Hopyard, S.P. in CT. Interesting place. Hope to get back there for some runs in the summer. 

New Light

We got the new light for the hall. Finally got it up this week. Took a little figuring, but it seems to be hanging well, and REALLY lights the hallway!! I like it!!

Got some snow here finally. Only 2 inches here on the benches, but about 4" in the mtns. Went to ski today. Not Utah quality, that's for sure. Felt like a day back on the East Coast! Lots of ice and crust. Will keep doing the snow dance every day. Might even shave the beard, then it is sure to get cold.

New Year, New Post

Well, here we are in 2012. Not quite the same easy role off the tongue as 2011, but we'll adjust. I had hoped to get the new year off on a better start than last year, as far as getting the posts a little more regular. I guess two days in is better than 2 weeks in? Maybe I'll have to make that a resolution- more frequent posts. I think I have said that before however... and not done too well. But then again, they weren't resolutions, so I didn't have to follow them!!

Seems too early to say what other resolutions we have this year, as it is time to look at things that we have coming up. Definitely going to CT for my parents 50th Anniversary this summer. Also hoping to get to France and do the Tour de Mt Blanc. Looking for some biking goals and running goals as well. As holidays fade and reality kicks in we will get back to some planning.



Here's to a happy new year!!! Got bike miles in already!!