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!!

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving has come and gone with a good time here in Salt Lake. John and Carole were here from Michigan for a week. Luckily it was good weather and we had some time off to visit.

Karen and I went to do a 5K run in the morning over in Millcreek canyon. Then we came home to begin cooking. Got the turkey in, had stuffing, sweet potato, green beans, and pecan pie.... lot's of it!!!
Even got a little walk in after dinner (roll really!!).

At 4 am the next day, Karen and Kathy headed out in their pajamas to go to the mall and shop. Home around 7 am, and then out again a little later with Carole to a different mall. Saturday we had a chance to get downtown to see the lights in Temple Square quickly, as it was a little cold. Sunday it was christmas dinner, since we won't see them on Christmas. A great visit with all.




rk

Iceman 2011

For the event of the year, I chose to try and race the Iceman Cometh mountain bike race in Traverse City, MI. It is one of those races that I never got around to doing, in the 2 years that I lived there. Maybe that was for the better, since then it was nowhere near as big a field as it is now. With 4000 some racers leaving the starting line it was a constant flow of racers through the woods. If it were any more single-track it would have been a slow slog through the woods. But luckily the trail is mostly on double track trails, with some dirt roads and single-track mixed in. Since the singletrack was short, I used it as a nice rest, then tried to push the open areas harder.

The start was a little cool, but the sun was out and it promised to warm as the day went on, so I opted for just the thermal skin suit and a wind stopper t-shirt. Perfect!! Though, my hands were numb for the first 7 miles. No worries, I was on a single speed, so didn't have to shift and lead the SS pack into the woods with a clear view so didn't need the brakes either.

Not really sure what happend for the next near 2 hours, as it was all a blur or passing racer, after racer, after racer, after racer, after racer........, Yup, I passed a LOT of people. I new the end was approaching as the hills came quicker together and the back was getting tired. After a trip through the finish area, it went back out to another hill before a final trip to the campground and to the finish.

I ended up finishing exactly as I had hoped, right on 2 hours. Karen had a great day, 9 years after her last time there, with a finish about 5 minutes faster than her prior time!! Also, my cousin John finished very well with a 2:03.

Next year? A long trip, kinda expensive weekend, but a GREAT race. I might need 1 bigger gear?

Star gazing

Not really what you think. This weekend the USA national Xterra off-road triathlon championships were held at Snowbasin ski resort in Ogden. About an hour for us, just to the north. This is where the 2002 Olympic Downhill course was. Still haven't skied there yet in 9 years... but I digress. Anyway we went up because some guy by the name of LANCE was racing. Funny, how that goes, when he shows up so do the crowds. It was estimated and extra 3000 people were there. So, what does a 7x Tour de France winner expect when he races against the top Xterra athletes in the world? Well, I guess he is not really intimidated!!

Lance on the last downhill

Apparently he was out of the swim in the first pack, then finished the bike in 4th overall, and actually ran 10k and only lost one place!! The man can run too!! I would say a pretty impressive finish, considering he is not really known for running anymore. Yeah, I know he used to be a triathlete before the bike thing. But come-on, that was like 20+ years ago. How many of you can say you are as fast now as you were 20 years ago! A good show!! He was beat (soundly) by a Frenchman (ironic huh!) Nico Lebrun, who just flew over the run course, from 3rd to first. Followed by a South African (Dan Hugo), then an American (Josiah Middaugh), then "the Caveman", Conrad Stolz. Too bad Lance is not admitting to racing in the World Chaampionships in Maui, though the rumor is he has scouted the course, from his home in Maui. We'll see.

Not only can he ride uphill.. he runs too!

Nico Lebrun.. The WINNER!!

Be nice to have the tire actually ON the rim!!