And so I went hiking...

Mt. Rainier Day Trip. We climbed and then we climbed some more.
After all was said and done we hiked about 10 miles with massive elevation gain. The air was thin but pure. The sun kissed our faces. The view was beyond breathtaking, making picture taking seem a trifle silly.
After zigzagging our way through Mt. Rainier National Park we ascended to Sunrise Lodge, parked the car, grabbed the day packs and off we went.
Here are some video because photos just don't do it justice.

Note to self: Next time bring poles. It makes trudging through the snow on the sides of mountains a lot easier.

Forgotten Songs

So I went camping yet again (big surprise there I am sure) and while we were sitting, looking out over the Stillaguamish River, this song came on over our iPod. It was from a mix I made long long ago for a friend and I had forgotten it.

Bon Iver Covered

Ross played this for me at Cannon Beach and it literally blew my mind so I just had to share it. And yes, it is on my next round of mix cd's.

Back in Seattle, STP and Cannon Beach, Missed Opportunities

Another Seattle To Portland Bike ride down. This makes three in a row. After riding for 215 miles for 13 hours and 50 minutes and then spending a few days of recovering time at the beach house down in Cannon Beach I am now back in Seattle, sitting at a Ballard coffee shop with my everything bagel and tall americano listening to CocoRosie while writing this post.

This year I rode solo and it was a great mental challenge because I missed my friends Justin and Jimmy. I wouldn't have them to lean on if I needed to, to help keep me going and focused while also adding a little more fun and humor to the ride. While you are surrounded by other riders from all over the country, it is nice having a friend to ride with, someone with whom you share the experience.

Thoughts on the ride:
1. it sucks waking up at 3:30 am
2. it is important to keep your mouth closed while riding...there are a lot of bugs.
3. I don't want any bananas for a week. 5 in a day is just too many.
4. I love girls in spandex. I think it is oddly sexy. Just saying.
5. I am glad I didn't crash this year.

Anyway. I feel a great sense of accomplishment, like I succeeded and overcame some seemingly insurmountable obstacle. Oddly enough, deep down I knew I could but I didn't want to admit it to people.

While I was waiting for Ross and Sylvie to pick me up post ride, all I could think about was getting a coffee. I really really wanted Stumptown but there wasn't one where I was by the Convention Center so I just went to Starbucks. After ordering and finding a spot on the patio next to two cute girls I sat and thought about what I had just done and it felt good. Really good. More importantly, my americano was heavenly. The best part about it....as I was leaving one of the girls said to me "hey you, I just wanted to tell you that I think you are extremely hot."
Silly me...my response was 'Thanks.' Are you kidding me. 'Thanks'!!! Sheesh.

Cannon Beach was exactly what I needed after the ride. Sipping tequila next to a toasty fire on the beach late a night, listening to the waves crash and singing songs while Jason strummed his guitar, it was perfection. Ian brought a frisbee with a light in it. Wow, that is one of the greatest things! You can't see who you are throwing it to, but they can see the frisbee so it all works out in the end. Dave and Charissa joined us one night and we told ghost stories by the fire.....'And the call came from inside the house!' Oh Charissa. I miss you.
I have so many more stories to tell but I'll save them for another time.

Seattle To Portland 2010

I leave tomorrow morning on yet another adventure. It appears my life is filled with such things and in retrospect, it is completely true because, for me, this is one reason why life is worth living. So tomorrow, at 4:30 am, I will hop on my Schwinn Paramount and ride 215 miles and make my way to Portland, for the third year in a row.

This ride will be different than the last few though. For the first time I will be riding alone, due to Justin's bike being stolen, boo, and Jimmy's moving back to Minneapolis tomorrow, again boo. Because I will not have them to help carry the weight, I do have some nervousness that I may not in fact make it all the way there (but this tends to be the same nervousness I get when I run marathons and yet I have completed all that I have done and I have done well). There is just something to be said about having the support of friends on the road.

My ultimate destination is Cannon Beach, to the family beach house. My friends and family will be there, which thrills me to no end. I will get to see Dave and Charissa, who are doing their annual trip from Minneapolis. I will also get to see Portland Charissa, which is so exciting for me. It is her birthday, today in fact, so I am excited to cook for her and celebrate. Also in attendance will be Rossome, Ian and Sylvie, and in spirit Sarah (who sadly couldn't get the night off of work).

What I am looking forward to most...looking at Haystack Rock while sitting with friends on the beach and sipping tequila.

Airport Bar and Loving It

Yup. That is where I am. My flight doesn't leave for 2 hours so I may as well write and tell you about my wonderful and brief trip to sunny So Cal.
Things I saw/did...
Went to Roy's Hawaiian Fusion with David and Chuck. Loved it.
Watched the new episode of True Blood. Loved it.
Wandered around our acres, seeing the vineyard and fruit trees. Loved it.
Ate plums directly off of our trees. Loved it.
Played Badminton. Loved it.
Played Hockey with my nephew Luciani. Loved it.
Pets our neighbors horses with my niece Eloisa. Loved it.
Early morning coffee with my father. Loved it.
Amazing authentic Mexican food....we just don't get that in Seattle. Loved it.
Spend time with my family. Loved it.
Surprised everyone with my visit. Loved it.

Watched my mother cry with excitement for I was home. Beautiful.

Thank you David and Chuck for the opportunity and the memories.

California Dreamin'

I am in sunny southern California. Shuggie Otis is playing in the background as I sit with my father, who is reading the paper at Starbucks.
I am here as a surprise gift for my mother, whose birthday is today. I am only here for a few more hours, my trip being a quick day and half stint. The trip was a complete shock to everyone and the only people who knew I was coming here was my sister Angie, and Uncles David and Chuck, who purchased the ticket for me.

I wrote about playing badminton with my brother recently and what is funny about this is that I played yesterday. It was great and intense, so intense that I broke three rackets. So far it is tied 1 game to 1. We were playing like we hadn't had a break in all those years...we were slamming the birdie with full force and sliding all over the court for each point as if it were the last. The final match is today and I can't wait.