What do a couple of cyclists' do when it snows and snows and snows? Mike and I woke up December 25th to a very white Christmas that proceeded to get whiter as the morning progressed. We received about 6 inches, while the higher elevations received an upwards of 2 plus feet! Being the King of all shovelers, our driveway and sidewalk were clear before anyone else in the neighborhood---and Mike kept it pretty clear throughout the day.
Both of us are "trainer weary" after 3 years of living in a place with winter and so we've each found ways of getting our fix in the cold. Mike wears warmer (REALLY WARM) clothes and has a bike geared for messy roads, and I have rediscovered running and can run outside as long as I can find a stretch of ice free roads or fluffy crunchy snow. I started training for running in the late fall as I knew if I waited for it to get real cold, I wouldn't go out there once it got cold, and I can get 4 or 5 miles in everyday now. I bought a pair of Newton Running shoes in Hawaii (I know I've mentioned them before) and they have changed my running life and if anyone is interested in hearing about "fore-foot running" in the best shoes I have ever owned, give me a holler!
That said, there were no roads which were ridable or run-able on Christmas or the day after. SO---we went snow hiking with the Scrapper. She just loves the snow! And 2 hour hikes up and down the hills and golf courses and mountain peaks right next to our house give you a different kind of workout in the lovely mountain winter wonderland. We entertained ourselves and watched the 2003 complete Tour de France, and cooked a California-style Christmas dinner of tofu, pot-stickers, brown rice and LOTS of fresh vegies with some good wine, good beer and chocolate chip cookies! Just the two of us.
By yesterday, the roads were good enough to ride and run and so we enjoying the long holiday weekend in sunshine and milder temps with the snowy mountains everywhere we look. Last night we went and had dinner with some friends and celebrated their daughter's (and the Scrapper's new hound sitter) 10th birthday. All in all, one of the nicest holiday weekends I can remember.
My nephews are really enjoying Reno and the snow. All kids love snow. I like looking at it. And I know we need it. And I even love running in it. But I miss my bicycle. I may have to find my way over the hill and get to the Bay Area sometime in the next few weeks.
Happy Everything! Can't believe it is almost 2009! Hope you had a very nice holiday with family and friends.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Gorgeous Today!
Last week was the coldest week we've experienced since we moved to Nevada. Sure, Minnesota and Boston were both colder, but last year was so mild here that it kinda took us by surprise. We had snow and blowing snow and wind and days where we did not get above the freezing mark. (This didn't happen last year). Real mountain weather. Our water supplies need it---or so they keep telling us, but it was an "all-of-a-sudden" thing---as up until last Monday, we were riding outside. It was cold, but doable.
There was so much ice on the ground and it didn't melt, and so Mike and I were indoor trainer bound on Monday-Thursday. Thursday night the wind howled at about 60mph (sustained) until about 2:30pm on Friday. But it was warmer...about 40 degrees. And at 2:31pm, in glorious sunshine and 40 degrees, I strapped on my Newton running shoes and headed out for an hour and I felt human again. Why does outdoor exercise make you feel so good?
According to my esteemed weather reporter, we are "in between" storms. But you would never know it. The wind is non-existent, the sky is a deep blue with no clouds, the sun is brilliant, and the mountains may be snowy white, but the roads are dried up and perfect. It is still chilly in the high 30's though, so while my husband is out pedaling, I went for a longish run again. There were some icy parts where I needed to be careful not to slip, but all I can say is WOW!
One thing I will never get used to (because I never lived where there were real seasons until the last 4 years), is that when there is a break in the weather, you need to get things like holiday shopping, grocery shopping and getting to the post office, done while you have the window. It never occurs to me that you might be snowed/iced in for a while. We don't really have an "all-weather" car, and Mike thinks he is in Minnesota where it is flat. We have a half mile long steep hill to get up and down in the ice, and he gets annoyed with me when I tell him to slow down. Sigh.
I know we took our time in getting this done--but we applied for our Nevada Driver's Licenses at last. Our Minnesota ones were expiring on our birthdays and as much as I wanted to keep my Minnesota one, it was time to get a new one. So now my Minnesota DL has a hole punched in it, like my California one and I will be officially a Nevada citizen as soon as it arrives. Pretty exciting, huh?! Ha!
So I hope you are enjoying a lovely Saturday. This "in between the storm" thing is a good reminder to appreciate the beautiful days when you can go outside and play even more. Time to go take the small hound for a run in the snowy canyons! Enjoy the day!
There was so much ice on the ground and it didn't melt, and so Mike and I were indoor trainer bound on Monday-Thursday. Thursday night the wind howled at about 60mph (sustained) until about 2:30pm on Friday. But it was warmer...about 40 degrees. And at 2:31pm, in glorious sunshine and 40 degrees, I strapped on my Newton running shoes and headed out for an hour and I felt human again. Why does outdoor exercise make you feel so good?
According to my esteemed weather reporter, we are "in between" storms. But you would never know it. The wind is non-existent, the sky is a deep blue with no clouds, the sun is brilliant, and the mountains may be snowy white, but the roads are dried up and perfect. It is still chilly in the high 30's though, so while my husband is out pedaling, I went for a longish run again. There were some icy parts where I needed to be careful not to slip, but all I can say is WOW!
One thing I will never get used to (because I never lived where there were real seasons until the last 4 years), is that when there is a break in the weather, you need to get things like holiday shopping, grocery shopping and getting to the post office, done while you have the window. It never occurs to me that you might be snowed/iced in for a while. We don't really have an "all-weather" car, and Mike thinks he is in Minnesota where it is flat. We have a half mile long steep hill to get up and down in the ice, and he gets annoyed with me when I tell him to slow down. Sigh.
I know we took our time in getting this done--but we applied for our Nevada Driver's Licenses at last. Our Minnesota ones were expiring on our birthdays and as much as I wanted to keep my Minnesota one, it was time to get a new one. So now my Minnesota DL has a hole punched in it, like my California one and I will be officially a Nevada citizen as soon as it arrives. Pretty exciting, huh?! Ha!
So I hope you are enjoying a lovely Saturday. This "in between the storm" thing is a good reminder to appreciate the beautiful days when you can go outside and play even more. Time to go take the small hound for a run in the snowy canyons! Enjoy the day!
Saturday, December 13, 2008
16 random notes...
My friend Mary Ann started this thought with her random 16 notes. Here are mine!
1. I am blessed to feel so happily married to the right guy, even though I got a late start!
2. I love to ride my bike!
3. I have re-discovered the joy of running in the high desert.
4. I am my Mother's daughter, even though everyone says I look and act like my Daddy!
5. I love having my nephews living so close by now.
6. I want to learn to speak Italian.
7. I love to wake up right before the sun comes up and love the quiet of morning.
8. I am happy to have such a great friendship with my little brothers, who are both bigger than me now!
9. I am blessed not only with my Mom & Dad, but also my Mom & Dad-in laws.
10. I have met some amazing people in the cycling industry and am honored to get to work and play with my "collegues".
11. The best job I ever had was working at Silicon Graphics in the 80's & 90's.
12. ...And yet I am so happy to be out of high-tech-high dollars and into high tech bicycles and not so much money!
13. I love coffee and fresh baked bread.
14. I sometimes wish I had done things different in school (and finished what I started with as much energy as I had in the beginnning).
15. Running with my dog after work in the canyons behind my house is one of the best jobs I have.
16. I hope I always live in the mountains or by the Ocean or better yet, both! Cycling/Surfing keep me whole, but I haven't surfed regularly since I left San Francisco.
1. I am blessed to feel so happily married to the right guy, even though I got a late start!
2. I love to ride my bike!
3. I have re-discovered the joy of running in the high desert.
4. I am my Mother's daughter, even though everyone says I look and act like my Daddy!
5. I love having my nephews living so close by now.
6. I want to learn to speak Italian.
7. I love to wake up right before the sun comes up and love the quiet of morning.
8. I am happy to have such a great friendship with my little brothers, who are both bigger than me now!
9. I am blessed not only with my Mom & Dad, but also my Mom & Dad-in laws.
10. I have met some amazing people in the cycling industry and am honored to get to work and play with my "collegues".
11. The best job I ever had was working at Silicon Graphics in the 80's & 90's.
12. ...And yet I am so happy to be out of high-tech-high dollars and into high tech bicycles and not so much money!
13. I love coffee and fresh baked bread.
14. I sometimes wish I had done things different in school (and finished what I started with as much energy as I had in the beginnning).
15. Running with my dog after work in the canyons behind my house is one of the best jobs I have.
16. I hope I always live in the mountains or by the Ocean or better yet, both! Cycling/Surfing keep me whole, but I haven't surfed regularly since I left San Francisco.
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