Sunday, December 21, 2008

Mo' Sno', Mo' Belly

The winter solstice has arrived indeed in the Seattle area. It's 9 pm and its still snowing after a full week of true sub-freezing, no rain winter. The forecase is for snow until tomorrow morning, then letting up for about a day and a half before the next storm hits on Christmas Eve. I don't think I'll be riding to work. We have 9 inches in the front yard, measured, not guestimated like the rest of the dumbasses around here claiming a foot-and-a-half at their house (heard at the grocery store an hour ago). The whole area is nearly incapacitated since there just isn't the infrastructure to move the snow. Fortunately, the wind storm predicted for last night didn't turn out as bad as predicted and we didn't loose power.

First order of the day was to get some more pictures of Trina and her ever growing beautiful belly. At 30 weeks, I'd say she's full blown pregnant. :) She's finding the simple little things hard to do, like tie her shoes, pick up a pencil, get out of the chair, and is even getting the waddle. I'm starting to get pretty excited, and we've been discussing names pretty regularly.

The baby's room is pretty much ready. We now just need to compile all the every-day goods such as diapers, bottles, wipes, and that is just for me!


After shoveling the walk and drive way, today we ventured out to the town of Snoqualmie to pick up a crib that Trina found on Craigslist. The roads were quite snowy, even the main freeways. I was surprised that there aren't even enough plows to clear the 3-lane I-405 (pictured below). In the 45-mile, each way drive to Snoqualmie we did not see a single snow plow. It's obvious that most people aren't leaving the house, but enough have been to make for some pretty entertaining attemts - like the guy across the street with the rear-wheel drive Lexus and fancy street tires. I think we've been lucky that it has stayed below freezing, rather than the usual freeze-thaw cycles that turn everything to ice. That will be later this week.



While we were out in Snoqualmie picking up the crib, we stopped by the 270-foot Snoqualmie Falls. The wind storm had hit Snoqualmie, and although it had largely subsided, it was still quite breezy and snow drifts abound. The Falls were spectacular to say the least. The broken icefield in the tail end of the plunge pool was larger than a football field, and the ice around the whole basin formed by the mist was beautiful. Perhaps an iceclimber's paradise, if you could get to it. We didn't linger long since it was about 26 degrees with wind gusts hard enough to blow my hat off my head, and the hat was already turned backwards. The rag wool sweater just wasn't blocking the wind.

Thursday, December 18, 2008

The 5th Day of Winter



It actually feels like winter here in the Seattle area. This is my eighth winter here, and I spend each year feeling as if winter never actually happens since it never actually gets cold and snowy. The same happens in summer – never get those couple weeks of 90+ degree heat to let you know you it really is summer. Temperatures dropped to sub-freezing last Saturday and have remained there since. It snowed about two inches Saturday night and in the morning the roads were quite icy. Nobody was out on the roads, so rather than using this as a clue to what not to do, Trina and I chose to drive to the University Village to finish Christmas shopping. It worked out great. The roads were slick, but nothing I didn't experience in the first month of having my driver's license, and that was with a '72 Land Cruiser rather than an all-wheel drive Saturn with anti-lock brakes and all those bells and whistles. The trip to U-Village was a success. It was empty, which is unimaginable for a pre-Christmas Sunday, all the stores were open, and we were home by 11:30 when all locals finally were getting the courage to give it a go. The last bit of the drive home was rather entertaining, as people were performing some very strange driving tactics.


On Monday, we woke to a low temperature of 18 degrees. That is very cold for the west side of the Cascades, and people were vocal about it. It was calm, clear, and crisp. I thought it was great. Tuesday was a continuation of the cool temperatures. No big deal.


Yesterday (Wednesday), the forecast was for more snow, so I worked from home. Somehow, the central Puget Sound (Seattle area +/- some to the north and south) was spared due to the rain-shadow effect and it didn't start snowing until 4 pm, and we only got an inch more. It appeared that we were in the clear. Not so much. Today, we woke to the complete opposite weather pattern with the Seattle area getting a couple of inches of snow in about an hour. I was scheduled to make the 70 mile drive down to our Electron hydroelectric project to transport juvenile fish, but upon seeing the new snow, I called down to the project at 5:50 and canceled. Had I turned on the TV before making the call I would have known that all the highways around me were at a complete standstill and I couldn't have gotten there if I had wanted. When I turned on the TV, the traffic report popped up, and the newscaster said "STAY HOME!!!" and showed all the roads with bumper to bumper, zero mph traffic. So, working from home it is again today. I am starting to feel like a hermit. Perhaps Trina and I will take a break and walk the dogs to Starbucks, but there is no guarantee that they are open…



Ya'll may scoff at all this fuss over a couple of inches of snow. However, consider that the City of Seattle has a total of 11 snow plows and a couple of sand trucks. Throw that in with the fact that many of the roads weren't designed with snow and ice in mind, such as the 12 percent grade hill to the house, people that have neither the tires nor the skills to drive in snow, and it is a beautiful mess.



More pictures of Trina's belly to come soon.






Saturday, December 13, 2008

Thanksgiving Day Deer Hunting


On "The Mountain" on Thanksgiving. No snow, no deer, no fear, we got beer!









Saturday, November 22, 2008

Rocket Ride

Since I've been starting to ride regularly again lately with intentions of getting fit for racing next year after what amounts to nearly a 1.5 year hiatus from race level efforts, I though it would be a good idea to mix in some intensity hop in the Rocket Ride that leaves at 9 am, a couple of minutes from the house every saturday. The ride is lead by Herriott Sports employees(www.herriottsportsperformance.com) Todd Herriott (former Colovita team member), David Richter (formerly of numerous U.S. pro teams), and David Fleischhauer (has raced in 'Cross world championships). Tom Peterson of the Garmin cycling team has been known to drop in as well. Other members include a mix of Cat 1 & 2 riders from the area. Today the ride was "rocketless" since TH and Ricter were in Tucson.


I'm rather out of shape and rather lard-ass-like as far as cycling goes, weighing in at 193 the other morning (WTF!!!); typically weigh 183 this time of year. Obviously have some work to do. Anyway, ride rolls out cassually down the Sammamish Trail and we hang a right up Norway Hill (http://www.bicycleclimbs.com/climbdetail.aspx?ClimbId=37). I hang on untill DF jumps gets out of the saddle and accellerates up the hill. I'm DROPPED. I know I'd get dropped, but thought I'd hang on for the first hill at least. Ooof. Heart rate is a steady 192. I chase over the top, down the hill, and finally latch on as we circle back to the trail. Told DF I was impressed w/ his climbing for a big guy (6'2, 194 lbs and lighting up the climbs). WOW!


We ride a firm, steady pace through the Alcohol District (Woodiville wineries) and to Hollywood Hill, a 10-minute climb (http://www.bicycleclimbs.com/climbdetail.aspx?ClimbId=46). Same story. DF attacks, I'm sh*t out the back and settle into my own pain cave and meet them at the top, I'm ok with that. The're all eating and take a piss. Some fun steady firm riding rolls us around though back roads to Woodinville-Duvall Rd. We opt for Old W-D rd, and there is a little 4% incline. I pop. If this is the Rocket Ride, I'm the Challenger Space Shuttle. They're off, to be seen next week. Knew this would happen, and figured I'd just ride my own pace home after that happened. So I did.


A few minutes later I noticed that I had about 1/2 bottle of H20 remaining. Not enough. Quick thinking and I thought I'd try calling Robert, who lives out there, and ask him to meet me at the intersection of his driveway and High Bridge road in 15 minutes with a bottle of H20. BOOYAH! He's home and delivering. We meet, I refill, and here comes the Grupetto rolling through (Ti Cycles team).


I thank Robert and tell him "There's a wheel to get me home!".


He askes "Do you know them?".


"No, but I will!!!" :)


I latch on and ride a comfy pace back to Woodinville, where I spot the Rocket Ride rolling through!!! I jump up to them and pull up with a big "WAAAAZZZUUUPPP!!!". Rolles with them for a few more miles before turning off and finishing the day with the gentle 3/4 mile, 10% Simonds Road. Home I am, demolished. Ride stats: 3 hrs, 51 miles, 2900 ft elevation gain, 55 minutes zone 4, 25 minutes zone 5. I got my intensity. Should be good for the system before a non-bike week in Idaho.





Sunday, November 16, 2008

15 Weeks and Counting

Nearly 5 weeks since the last post. I guess that reflects on the amount of idle free time I haven't. Keep intending on writing something up about our week in the Puerto Vallerta, Mex area, but haven't. I haven't published a trip report from the Ptarmigan Traverse yet, and that was August.

This week was interesting at work, with buckets or rain causing the rivers to flood, but nothing major. Then plenty of interesting discussions about instream flow management at the Baker Project and fish screening at Electron.

Now for the important stuff:

Trina is 25 weeks along now (that's 15 fridays she points out) and regularly feels the baby doing calisthenics, flips, and judo kicks. It wasn't too long ago that she was wishing that she could just feel it kick. Now she notes when it is inactive. She's also started doing the standard pregnant pose of 'hand on belly' and lots of belly rubbing. She no longer can zip her jackets and took particular note of some pants that helped support her belly. :) We also had the 'big ultrasound' a couple of weeks ago; we did not find out the sex and the dvd that the nurse made came out empty. So I guess we'll have to wait until March to see any more. Potential names: Akbar and Aquinetta. Ha Ha.

Starting to prep for next year's racing season. During the week: strenth training in the gym twice, two runs, and perhaps a bike commute day. Weekends: two short rides (1.5 hours). All just to balance out the body and get the legs ready for regular training on the bike, come January.

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

The Bump Has Popped!



Well, its getting pretty real now. Just passed the mid-way mark of 20 weeks for Trina and she's definitely sporting the baby bump.

We went out last weekend to hike to the Ice Caves underneath Big 4 Mountain near Verlot, Wa last weekend. Didn't get there since the bridge that crosses the S.F. Stillaguamish River blew out in November 2006 and still hasn't been fixed. It was a cool, wet, 42 degree morning. We opted to drive further up the S.F. Stilly road to walk in toward the ghost town of Monte Cristo, nestled below a handfult of majestic N. Cascades peaks, 4 miles in from Barlow Pass where we parked. We walked the road in as far as the river crossing, which again was largely blown out. Perhaps we could cross it at real low-flow with out getting the feet wet.

I hoped to take some photos with the fall colors, but they haven't really come out yet. However, the vine maples have turned beautifully and create highlights of vibrant reds in a sea of evergreen mountains.

Monday, September 22, 2008

Sept Rain Blog

First real post!!!

Nothing really new really. Been uber busy between work and being the bike team treasurer. Stretched a bit too thin at work to feel like I am doing everything well. Ce est la vie. The bike team just put on the largest bike race in washington this weekend, an event known as Star Crossed. It is the first big cyclocross race of the year on the national calendar. Even draws a few from Europe. We set up the course at the local velodrome (bike track), w/ the coarse weaving in and out of the track, beer garden in the middle. Final race is under the lights. Pissed rain all day, making the coarse a mud fest. It was awesome.


Trina and I went up to the San Juans the previous weekend to celebrate our 5th anniversary. Was real nice. The weather was perfect. We wandered around the little town of Eastsound on Orcas Island. Went to the farmers market, checked out all the fresh vegies we wish we could cook, and had some awesome coffee and fresh, pan fried and grilled oysters for "brunch". Stopped into some artsie store and there was this enormoush great dane laying on the floor - 202 lbs and at one time was only 1/4 inch short of the world record for height at the shoulder.












Attended the annual Association of Power Biologists conference in Ellensberg last week. The conference includes a bowling tournament on one night as tradition. We visted Wanapum and Priest Rapids Dams. Incredible amount of generation there. Also incredible that they are getting 98% survival through some new turbines. Terns and NPMinnow are doing way more to F the outmigrants. Never would have believed it. Had a great time meeting some more contacts and eating hog roasted on a spit on the Vernita Bar (a gravel bar on the Columbia River where Chinook salmon spawn; part of the last freeflowing reaches of the Columbia in the US). While I was there I went up to our wind farm, the Wild Horse Wind Project, just out of Ellensberg at sunrise to take a few photos. Turns out one of the guys on the trip is a pro photog, specializing in wind project photography (flies all over the U.S. for power companies to take photos of wind projects) - he tagged along. I'll be curious what he shot.

Haven't any plans for this weekend. Probably ride w/ the team on saturday, then a bit of work around the yard on sunday. Maybe get out for a mellow hike in the fall colors w/ trina and the pups. She's getting big in a hurry. Kind of getting real. I'm stoked. Need to take some pics of the belly!!! We are going to Bucieras Mexico, a small town ~1/2 hour north of Puerta Vallerta, the last week of October. Trina's dad has already reserved a fishing boat for 2 days to go catch marlin and tuna. Will spend some time walking around town taking pics. Also going to get in some snorkeling for sure. Will send out some before and after pics for the backyard soon so everyone can see how I spent my spring and summer.

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

July 16, 2008

Just started to blog here. Figured it would be useful for keeping the familiy up on what Trina and I are up to, since we are always up to something.