Another weekend in Seattle! On Sunday, Rita and I finished our third Danskin together. It was a blast!
This year the registration period for the triathlon lasted only 11 hours! That meant that between Midnight and 11am, 5000 women registered to participate in this years event. I had talked up the danskin to several friends and I felt terrible when they had gone to the registration page on opening day only to find that the race had already closed! I will plan this better next year. One friend that did get registered was my friend Laurie. I met her through my research project and she really helped me get things going. She is an administrator at one of the research sites and she is also one of the funniest people I know. When we get together, Laughter is guaranteed. In the following pic, we are both looking a bit more serious. We were in route to the Swim/Race Start. It is weird how even after doing this race two times before I still get butterflies.
The swim portion and bike portion were great, but Laurie and I decided to spice up our run by wearing rockstar mullet wigs purchased from the party store the night before the race. I had no idea how much attention this would bring us! We were getting high fives and cheers from everybody. and at the finish line.... Let's just say we did a little dance and were so busy celebrating we stopped before the finish line. It was hilarious!
Megan rocked the wig. With poses like this, she really will continue to resemble her Auntie Beth.
Christian also came along to support the racers. As always, my Mom was there for moral support and this year she was joined by my friend Bree. Bree is the next unsuspecting participant of next years race, hehehe....
Below... Christian put on Megan's pink jacket. He's just too buff for his own good. What a stud!
We had a wonderful meal at the Pyramid Ale House downtown. I'm so predictable. The closest plate in this picture shows my favorite turkey burger. YUM YUM YUM. Also worth noting, Megan's plate. She ordered flank steak. She doesn't mess around.
This weekend started out rocky. On Friday I left my keys at work, which meant that I spent two and a half hours on the road on my motorcycle. Not sure how many of you are aware, but on Friday it was over 100 degrees in Portland. Motorcycles and 100 plus temperatures do not mix. So after getting to Laurie's very late, we were held up again for an hour because I-5 was closed due to a grass fire. Then on Saturday, we got a little lost on our way to the packet pick-up (props to Beth J. for her help on the cell!!) and then managed to get a $68 dollar parking ticket (along with a lot of other angry racers). I won't get into details because the parking lot was very poorly designed. What is important is that despite not really training for this event, there was no drowning and we actually did pretty well! So well I'm looking forward to next years race already. If you are interested, please email me so I can get you on my Danskin email list this spring. I will make sure interested friends and family do not miss the registration day.
Enough for now. I'm starving and about to make some Thai peanut crusted chicken. Delish!
Betty took a fabulous panoramic shot!
This was the trail to the top. Not much longer to go!
From the top of the trail you could see THREE Mountains! I love the Northwest! Below looking North at Mt. Adams.
Betty and Mt. Hood to the South.
Lastly is Mt. St. Helens to the Northwest.
The view was spectacular and we took our time enjoying the scenery before heading back down.
A huge highlight on the way back down was watching four of the cutest baby squirrels playing in a tree stump. They were so small and cute I wanted to take one home!
So this is where my dehydration story begins. Shortly after observing the baby squirrels I started to feel not so good. I tried to plan appropriately for this hike, but my beer drinking and popcorn eating at the concert the night before proved to be costly. I drank a 32 oz. of vitamin water before the hike and had a few protein bars. We also snacked on some Bing cherries I picked up at a farmers market in Goldendale. I don't usually eat Bing Cherries all because I saw The Witches of Eastwick when I was about 10 years old. Not sure how many of you have seen this movie, but there is an unfortunate scene involving cherries and projectile vomiting. That was enough for me. I haven't eaten many bing cherries since! Despite my PTSD, I decided to face my fears and enjoy cherries before they are no longer in season. The vitamin water, protein bars and cherries were not enough! My headache turned into a pounding brainache that resulted in nausea. Was I really getting that sick? I couldn't believe it as I scurried down the trail. After picking up some cold water and driving with my AC on icy cold high, I felt well enough to make the 60 min drive back to Portland to pick up my pumpkin from Heather's house (Thanks for Babysitting H!). The drive from Heather's to my apartment was brutal and I worried as I drove on roads with no shoulders. What would I do if I HAD to pull over? Well, luckily my Madre taught me breathing exercises to slow the process. I ended up making it home just in time to loose my cherries!!! I Could not believe that I lost my cherries just like in the Witches of Eastwick!!! Could have been worse though. I made it home in time, where my bed was waiting for me and I had great pics from high atop Dog Mt. You can bet that I will not do future hikes unprepared!
Just a bit of information about my man Jack:
If you haven't been to the Gorge for a concert, put it on your 'bucket list'. The amphitheater is the perfect place to watch the sunset, relax on the cool grass, watch the night stars glow, all while listening to great music. I do recommend eating and drinking before the show though. A domestic beer is $11.50 (yikes!).
Jadee in one of the many lines.....
I can remember exactly when I started doodling/sketching/drawing. Eleventh grade, sitting behind Gretchen Leary in Japanese class, trying not to be annoyed by Davis Sensei's piercing voice. The first drawing that had real meaning to me had a heart and a cross in the center and the rest of the lined notebook page was filled with MC Escher type three dimensional designs. At the time this art meant so much to me since religion and relationships dominated this period of my adolescent development. I continued to find peace in drawing and took a drawing class in college to get some background. Since then, it has been therapeutic and even spiritual for me when I have time to do it, or I need it. 
While we were travelling, I kept picking up postcards from museums of art that I had to take home with me. I started sketching them on our trip and have been slowly adding to the empty pages of my beloved sketchbook. Below are a few recreations....
This was just what I needed today. I need to make more time for my artistic side. It makes me feel warm and fuzzy.
TOO CUTE FOR ME!
On another note, my dear friend Heather(Peru Heather) is adopting a border collie mix puppy and I'm elated! Yes!!! my friends with dogs count keeps rising and I couldn't be happier. Because this pup is only 6 weeks old, I will absolutely post pics of her cuteness when I take them. Yay Heather!!!
Bree and Steph came down from Ballard and I'm so glad they did. I have known these girls for over 8 years and they are the best. and I'm not even saying that because they gave me a gift card for REI. Thank you Ladies!
Mathew and I with the yummy Congratulations cake. I didn't know this, but I was sharing my cake and ice cream with him and it was his first big people food. He loved it!
Jadee and My niece Megan in the kitchen.
After we were all sufficiently full, we headed out front for some ATV fun. With my skirt on, I gave my brother's ATV a test ride up the street..... it rocked! Will also showed the entire crew how he can spin out on his little guy ATV. He knows he is badass. You can see it in his face. My brother gleams with pride when this kid rides around.
I have to post a picture of my ever maturing Nephew Christian. He is now WAY taller than I am and I'm adjusting. He was the first little one in the family and was born when I was in the 9th grade. Now he is close to driving legally.... I love this guy.....
Jadee brought her friend Zack who fit right in with the Fam. This cute, outdoorsy guy has great international travel stories and works as an interpreter. He picked up Russian during travels. Holy Cow!
Bree looking good with the baby!!! Good practice I say!
This particular Saturday was wonderful and I owe it to my family and friends for being so supportive. Thank you for all that you have done (including those of you who weren't present on Sat) to help me get to where I am today. Couldn't have done it without you.