March - in like a lion?

I forget the saying--even though I never knew about it until I left California three years ago. In any case, we had "high-wind" warnings on the mountain tops which started at right about midnight last night. The Scrapper always reminds us of weather changes by poking her nose beside the bed to let her in. She either gets cold or scared, but usually ends up under the covers before dawn.

Given that we've been having warmer days (and we cover her up on the couch before we hit the hay at night), we haven't seen her until morning, which allows for a better nights sleep on our crowded bed. But as soon as the wind started hammering over the hills, the Scrapper was in our room and running for cover.

Yesterday was the first day that I can remember when I actually got "hot" on a lunch-ride. It was awesome...like 68 degrees or some such nonsense for February. And beautiful, with snow covered pastures and mountains. You can see all the local desert wildlife in the snow (desert birds, deer and such). It's pretty amazing to be riding and warm on clear roads surrounded by snow-pack. And it was nice to see the collegiate "Wolfpack" riders from UNR come rolling by as well. Our office is located on the training route for many of the local riders in town.

The nice thing about the seasons is that you are so ready for the next one by the end of the old one that what would normally feel like a cool day, (ie 68 degrees) seems hot. I am ready for Spring---which also marks a year in the High-Desert. This time last year we were still in New England...and this month last year we were packing and renting a moving truck and looking forward to being West of the Mississippi once again.

Soon the desert sage will be in bloom making allergy-prone folks uncomfortable. I hope that Mike's diligent allergist has done his job and put Mike on a program that keeps him comfortable this year. Lazy Saturday Hello's and Happy March 1st!

I've aged a year...

...since the last time I wrote! Ha! (And, no, it wasn't all the traveling around that aged me---I just passed that year mark...again). I can not remember a nicer birthday. Given all the time constraints for getting in my Fall/Winter orders in at work, I had to work on my birthday. That said, the folks that are dear to my heart---(almost all, missing my Minnesota "heart" folks), live in this work zone. So I spent my working time catching up and visiting with friends, and celebrating my birthday a million times at each shop...

But it gets better. On Valentine's Day (day before my birthday), my San Diego brother was in town doing some training for his work...and my San Francisco brother decided to join in on the fun and we all gathered at my California Mom & Dad's house for dinner. But wait. It gets better. As we all were visiting in the livingroom, Layne shows up. And to make it perfect, Mike and Sydney rolled in just in time for dinner!

I get confused separating the days---but Dad made a feast of Ahi Tuna, Mojito Salmon, mango salad, and a fresh Sour Dough Rye bread...topped off with some carrot cake and a fruity light pie for dessert. Afterwards, my husband brought down a BIG box for an old Apple monitor and said, "Happy Birthday Sweetie!". He added that everyone chipped in---all the way from Minnesota. "Shake it! Can you guess what it is?" I honestly had NO IDEA.

Imagine my surprise when inside the box was a brand new, 8-piece Campy Record Gruppo! In my wildest dreams, I never imagined such a gift. The bigger present is he used his bonus for the purchase. I am speechless still. For you non-bike people, this is the "top of the line, it doesn't get better than this" component group for a bicycle!

Top that off with two good rides up Mount Hamilton on the weekend ( with my husband on Sunday) and this was a very happy time.

So---even though it was another busy 10 days of driving all over the place, it is a birthday I will never forget. And, I actually got to see many of you people on this list.

Sunshine on my face...

...can make me smile! Throw in a little self made breeze from spinning my two wheels, and you've got a full-toothed grin from this girl! It is fantabulous! The big old mountains are snowy and white and I'm out riding my bike in and around them in clear-blue-skied-sunshine! Wow. All my house-jobs were done by noon and I headed out for a long awaited outside ride in the sunshine and no wind. Unbelievably beautiful! Just what I needed to feel rested for the busy travel week ahead.

The mountains look so much bigger with snow on them. You can see the outlines of each of the lower ranges and then the big steep ones glisten in the deep blue sky. It will be interesting to see how they look from the California side. Just hoping for these clear skies to hold until I get over the pass on Wednesday.

Anyway---today is one of those days when I know for sure there is a G_d, not that there is ever any doubt! Just a blessing to get to enjoy the planet's wonders, right here in my own backyard with the love of my life and our little small hound!! (It sounds too corny ---but I am very happy to be home...and yes the endorphin's are going since I was out for about 3 hours on my bicycle).

Happy Sunday!

Nothing!

What a treat to have absolutely nothing that I have to do today! Well...not nothing really, but nothing to do with work. I just have house jobs to do with my husband (shopping, laundry, house-cleaning, etc.). Hmmm. I guess I do have something to do today. But the schedule is mine---all mine!

And we're in for some sunshine and lovely weather. Mike said it snowed everyday while I was gone and the weather turned nice the day I returned. Not sure he was happy to see me or happy for the weather change. Maybe a little bit of both. You know how when you return back home and you have a mound of "jobs" awaiting you (like groceries, laundry, house-cleaning, etc.)? Not with my husband! He's awesome and I came home to a clean house, food for the rest of the week and no piles of laundry! He's that handsome face in a crowd that lights up just for me!!!

So even though I have housework to do, it isn't close to what it could be. Outside riding weather, the first day off in 2 weeks, and I have a few days to relax before heading back on the road on Wednesday for a week. It'll be a working birthday this year---but I will hopefully catch a few of the stages of the Tour of California live and in person. And working in Northern California is a paradise of sorts. And Mike is going to try and come down and meet me for the weekend.

I can even take a nap today! Anyway---enjoy your Saturday. I know I will!

More "heart-ing" LA

When you have spent the last week in snow-storms (Chicago) and constant cold rain (even if the PacNW is beautiful, and it is indeed, it is very rainy in Jan/Feb), packing up and hanging back up an entire collection of cycling gear (+90 pieces)over and over again, combined with early mornings and later than I am used to evenings and driving around and getting lost in unknown cities albeit, familiar airports--(not complaining---it was a fun adventure, but exhausting), arriving to sunny blue skies, and ocean views and warmer weather was a real big treat. Pretty much we had not seen sunshine (except for maybe 5 minutes here and there in Portland) in over a week.

And my friend who runs the Marriott in Marina Del Rey "styled" us in a big way with lovely suites and VIP service---all unexpected, all very welcome indeed! After we arrived, Paola went and explored Venice Beach by foot and I went for a 4 mile run...in the warm LA sunshine. We treated ourselves to an Ahi Tuna dinner and some local Simi Valley Cabernet and toasted the first week of presentations on the road and in the air.

Sunday, once again we were rained out but not down. Paola wanted to go to the "exotic" Abercrombie & Fitch (only in the UK in Europe), and I went for another 5 mile run in the fitness center downstairs and then walked to the beach and watched the waves and got grounded while the rest of the town was in a super bowl frenzie. Even a relaxing weekend in LA can feel tiring when you are entertaining someone from another country, but Paola is a very independent Italian woman---so it was fine.

Monday and Tuesday were filled with bike shops and traffic and LA sunshine---from Laguna Hills to Santa Monica to Seal Beach and Pasadena and Fullerton and all around the LA bowl. It was a successful but tiring trip. We arrived at LAX for our flight to Reno to meet with a client from Colorado Springs the next day.

Mike and the Scrapper were a sight for sore eyes indeed. Just what this girl needed after a Tour de Force of the last 11 days! Home sweet home for at least a week before I hit the ground again! I am very very tired! If you are heading to Portland for the Handmade Bike Show, enjoy! I love it there even if it rains. Really a lovely place!

Chicago-Seattle-Portland

What a week! First my plane out of Reno was delayed for 4.5 hours leaving Reno, so what I had hoped would be a nice evening in Chicago, turned into a midnight arrival in the windy city. It was the day before the weather change and so it was actually warmer in Chicago (no snow on the ground) than it was in Reno. The airlines tried to blame it on the weather---but it was lovely in Reno AND Chicago, so I have a hard time believing this!

Of course, true to this part of the Mid-West, the weather was soon to change. Our original flight was canceled at 4pm (even though the snow had yet to fall) and was post-poned until 9pm). And right as the snow was now coming down and blowing all over the place, our plane left around 9PM and headed West for Seattle, and the weather was bad in both places---yet the plane still flew. Paola and I had hoped to spend the evening sightseeing in Seattle, but of course by the time we arrived it was once again near midnight. Sigh.

After a day of appointments in the cold rain, we had some local wine-tasting in Issaqua (Walla Walla Valley!)--and decided to head to the downtown, Pike Street Fish market to celebrate Paola's birthday. We found a lovely quiet little place and ate some wild salmon and then headed back to our room for an early flight to Portland.

Did I mention the rain? OK. So we left a rainy Seattle and arrived in a rainy Portland. At least our first stop was River City Bicycles, one of the most fabulous bikeshops in the USA. If you are ever in Portland, this shop is worth a visit. More rain...more visits and then we headed to our room for a good nights sleep for the first time in days.

We woke up well-rested---and to more rain before heading to Hillsboro and then ended the day with Thai food with A friend and his wife. Another early morning in the rain before heading to some California sunshine and a weekend to rejuvenate in lovely Marina Del Rey, California!

Snow, Snow and more Snow!

Hard to believe that just yesterday, Mike rode his bike up Geiger Pass. Outside. Sigh. We woke up to maybe 6 inches of fresh snow covering everything. Again. We had a couple of weeks of a reprieve from winter's last blast. But here it is again. I bought a new trainer of my own that I really like. Some Italian "Fluid" job that really does make the indoor workout a bit more tolerable.

And just like "life does", the last couple of years of living in season's has prepared me for the "indoor workout" phase. Something I certainly never knew much about growing up in Northern California's paradise weather for cyclists. Now, once the snow flies (sometime in December), I set my mind to the fact that I won't be riding outside. My habit of waking up early to hit the pavement is transformed to sleeping in a little longer and riding the trainer before work. It's really bad when Mike can't ride outside though. Since he quit racing so seriously, he has a harder time suffering for hours inside. I don't suffer inside or outside---

I am traveling for the next couple of weeks setting the stage for next fall's winter riding wear and sales. So I guess the weather is irrelevant, though I notice that everywhere I will be will have crummy-ish weather---'cept maybe So.Cal if the rain would ever stop.

I have been taking some time off from public journal writing. January is my time for introspection, thinking and planning for the year. I can just hear the "why aren't you out toughing it out in the weather on your bike, Joni?" My reputation of riding in even the worst of downpours (thanks for reminding me Amanda), was one thing. But cold and snow and grit----must be getting old or something! Heavy sigh.

Anyone who thinks I am a party-pooper for not "loving" the snow---well, I do love looking at it. I don't love shoveling it, cleaning up after it, driving in it or working in it. But it is beautiful. I just miss my outside time on the bike.

Happy Sunday!!

Time out!

Taking some time away from blogging. Travel and life and snow just have taken up all my time lately. Be back soon!

Downtime pleasures

When I was last in the Bay Area, my Mom was busy giving me stuff (when you grow up in my house, and probably your house too, "Mom" is always making sure you have enough food and toys), and a couple of the new editions to my "collection of stuff" included her old folk guitar, some old movies on tape, and some Kit-Kat bars and M&M's for Mike.

My guitars are all steel string and so my "soft" finger tips made playing quite painful---lack of practice. Nothing like a nylon string, pint sized guitar to help get your fingers in shape. This snow has been good for developing guitar calluses! I grew up listening to my Mom play guitar/ukulele and sing the three of us to sleep (or to laughter!). And now I have (yikes) become my Mom and am singing old Southern folk and "hippee" songs to the small hound. She doesn't laugh. She does sleep.

I have just begun reading Manhunt (12 day chase for Lincoln's killer)...riding the rollers, and watching old movies and Tours (de France, de Suisse, de jour)---being that we are somewhat "snowed in" for the weekend. The snow is even too deep for the Scrapper---so we're spending "family time" indoors. We're even expecting more snow showers today/tonight and the temps have cooled down and won't get too much above 32 today.

Enjoy the day!

Because if you were snow (reprise)...

...where would you want to fall? Really a fabulous commercial (that I first saw last year during the Tour of California while I was visiting Specialized last February). We got pummeled, hammered, and drenched in Rain and then Snow. It rained most of yesterday and we received 1.72 inches of rain in Reno (Annual average is 7 inches---month of January average, with January being the wettest month is 1 inch). When the rain shifted to big huge snowflakes in Verdi, Mike and I left work and headed home around 4:30pm. The snow went back to rain while we headed East to our house, but as soon as we headed up the hill to our house it was slippery snow.

We hunkered down in our warm house and watched the snow just fall from the sky. It was piling up outside at about 3-6 inches an hour for a while. Mike went out and shoveled every hour and he got it down to where the intervals only took about 25 minutes for the front and back. I always thank (and think) the world for (and of) my husband---but let me tell you how my Minnesota Guy shines in the winter! It's really remarkable!

The sun came out in the morning and kids were sliding down the street on body boards, and sleds---and Mike and I watched the news about the levee that broke in Fernley, and Sydney went hunting in the winter wonderland for rabbits. The we watched our neighbors (who are not near as efficient as Mike), get out and shovel. No one uses snow-blowers---

At about 1:30 it started to snow again. Another 3-6 inches. After a ride on the trainer, I decided to redeem myself a bit and I went out and shoveled for 45 minutes while Mike rode the rollers. We are expecting even more snow tonight and tomorrow. It is absolutely beautiful. And it just started snowing again!

Happy Saturday!

Flat tire in the snow

So Mike and I drove in together yesterday---when there is snow on the ground I don't love sliding down the hill in my VW; I leave complicated tasks like this to Mike. It was a cold snow this time and the steepest part of our commute down hill can be bypassed, by taking the freeway. So, my bright idea was "let's take the freeway". Mike turned left and we headed down Sharlands and as soon as we were merging onto the "fast road", we hear a funny noise.

"What's that?" we said in harmony. "I think we have a flat!" So we pulled off to the "car trouble lane" and sure enough, the front tire was flat. (thanks to a big screw from construction debris we passed while taking my bright idea route to the "fast road"). Instead of hanging out on the freeway, Mike drove slowly over the icy/snowy "car trouble lane" and we back tracked towards an entrance which we used as our exit. It sounds pretty dangerous, but Mike was careful. We teetered and limped into the parking lot of The River church and called USAA roadside assistance.

I actually like my insurance company. When I called them to sign up for car insurance (after living car-free for 10 years), they renewed me under my old plan. For occupation, they asked me, "so are you still a student?" I was still signed up on the plan my Dad signed me up on when I turned 16! Ha! But I digress.

Our little donut spare had about 10lbs of air, and tow-truck companies are no longer allowed to travel with air-compressors. So instead of getting on the freeway, we rolled on the side roads and into a Big-O franchise and bought 4 new tires, windshield wipers and got the oil changed. Better to have this kind of trouble near home than on one of the passes. Sigh.

A few hundred bones and a couple of hours later, we arrived at Sinclair. Heavier Sigh. It could have been worse.

We woke up to more snow dust, but the roads have already melted and with the wind and rising temps, should be ridable in a couple of hours. I snapped some photo's this morning. The blurry one is the moon setting in the West.

Last day of work - 2007!

We had a light dusting of snow in the Reno foothills---a less than light dusting over the passes---and rain in the Bay Area. So our plans for heading home this evening with our bicycles have been tabled until perhaps tomorrow. It will be near 50 degrees here on Saturday---but just a few miles up it'll be cold enough for more snow. And our little car is not weather-equipped for big snowy passes. Top that off with a cold, wet and damp SF Bay area and we might ring in the New Year in Nevada.

Which is really fine. It is beautiful. But Mike and I both like looking at the snow when it first falls and then are ready for it to "be gone!" On Christmas eve we discovered a new sushi place---a little pricier than we are used to paying, but it was such a treat! High class sushi---about 2 miles from where we live! When we came home the moon was full and while it was chilly for sure, it was also such a crisp and clear evening that we went for a moonlight walk with Sydney and enjoyed the fabulously lit white mountains while walking through the canyons. (By the light of the silvery moon!)

I spent Christmas day with an old SGI friend, Mason Woo. It's a long, small world story about how we reconnected, but our neighbor turns out to be a mutual friend and so we spent time catching up. Another treat!

January and February are already turning into BIG travel months. Initially I was heading East---but now I am heading to Chicago, Seattle, Portland, LA and Denver. Sigh. Mike and I will head to Seattle (the first time---I go twice) together. So staying home for New Year's Eve is sounding relaxing, if it turns out this way. But if the weather G-d's are shining, we will be home for New Year's Eve, and if it turns out this way---then a New Year's bike ride up King's or Mt. Hamilton is on MY list!

Happy New Year! Drive safe, stay warm, be healthy and much light and love for 2008!

Northern Nevada Holiday Greetings - 2007

From Boston, Massachusetts to Reno, Nevada----we traveled the Highway 80 corridor once again heading from East to West at the end of March. We stopped at the Sierra Nevada range...just a few miles shy of the California border and have been enjoying living and riding our bikes in the high-desert climate of Northern Nevada all year.

I guess that kind of sums things up for the "Mike and Joni" Taylor's this year---We're really enjoying Reno. Far more than we ever could have imagined. I spent most of the summer months traveling to visit retailer's far and wide, including a trip to Italy to the Campagnolo Factory. Mike has been enjoying success with the Ridley Team Bike Program, and we both had a successful Interbike/Las Vegas trip. While much of this is work related---the gist is that we like what we do, which is a blessing.

Sydney joined us on our trip to Marshall, MN in November. We had a fabulous time with Minnesota Mom & Dad as well as all of our Minnesota "homies". Then we arrived back in Reno just before Thanksgiving and we spent the holiday with California Mom & Dad (and all the Mehler's) in Truckee, California. It was a blast, highlighted by a special bike ride with my nephew Daniel.

As I write this, we have just dug out of a wonderful snow-storm. Yes---the word wonderful and snow storm in the same sentence from this "Sun-girl". This is the snow I know. The roads are clean, the snow
is fluffy snow and I am outside enjoying it without gloves even---crisp but not bone chilling. That might come later.

As I reflect on the year, 2007, I am drawn to what makes it special, and here's what I come up with: Every morning, about 6:18am, the small hound shakes herself awake and climbs over all the pillows and blankets to wake us up to greet the day. I look over at my husband and my dog and I realize I am a very "rich" girl; incredibly optimistic and unbelievably in love! Of course the other thing that makes every year special are my family and friends (i.e YOU!)

The Taylor's wish you a warm and safe holiday season and lots of love for 2008!

Bay Area and Back

If I didn't stop to see you---well it was a business trip, but I just returned from a few days in the lovely San Francisco Bay Area. Even in Paradise, there is a flaw---too many people. Top that off with the gas-guzzler I was renting for the trip (room for bikes and other soft-goods) and I felt like all the folks I criticize regularly. My carbon foot-print is doomed for a while---and yet it was a successful trip. (That doesn't make it OK. I am harder on myself than I am on other people---who I can't do anything about anyway---when it comes to being a custodian of the planet---and successful trip or not, I am not going to travel like a glutton again!) I choose a 4x4 as I didn't want to deal with chains on the passes if need be.

But back to "paradise", when I called my Mom & Dad to invite myself over, my Dad mentioned that my Mom's CA19 numbers were up (don't ask---I don't know what it is exactly, but when it goes up everyone is worried). They had a doctor's appointment that afternoon and so by the time I arrived they would have some news.

I was a little worried initially---but as I began the climb over Donner Pass I was distracted by how beautiful it was. Snow covered peaks and baby blue clear skies. It is breath-taking. I put in the Cowboy Junkies and sang loudly. On the descent, the snow disappeared and it was green and lush and fabulous. How could my Mom be sick? I prayed a little---if nothing else, praying makes me feel like whatever "it" is, I will be able to handle it.

When I arrived home, everyone was all smiles. The challenge is that the medical community doesn't know exactly what's up. Not many people with the kind of cancer my mom has, have survived "going on 4 years". She is going in for a CATSCAN---but the doctor's say she needs a break from chemo to let her body heal. And 4 months off of chemo has my Mom grinning from ear to ear. So we shall see. She looks great---she even came out to the track with me while I ran and she walked.

And I got to be a spoiled only child (Daddy's little girl and Mommy's little girl all at once!) for a few days. Top that off with some end of the year successful retailer visits and it was a nice trip to Paradise.

When I got back to Reno, Mike was out riding in the much cooler air. I didn't want to get charged for another day, and when Mike wasn't going to be able to get me for awhile, I walked home. Mike picked me up about 3 miles from home (we're about 11 miles from the airport.) Reno rules!

Happy Sunday!

Before and After

Let it snow! Well there is no "letting" when it comes to things like Mother Nature. But if I think back to my childhood (when I never did anything but visit the snow), this is how I remember snow. Mountain snow is special. Even when it is considered wet, it is light and airy. And in the mountains they measure feet not inches--although we maybe got 5 or 6 inches in our area....but right up the hill they got 2 feet.

I snapped a photo the night before and it was a warm and lovely 50+ degree, riding my bike outside kind of day. Mike even went out a won a local cross-race in the morning before work! Low and behold, we woke up to lots of white icing all over everything. Big snowflakes (the first snow picture shows a big flake!) and white as far as the eye can see. Mike woke up and took the Scrapper out for her morning jaunt---then pulled out our "wedding snow shovel", and put it to good use once again. I never imagined how important a gift this shovel would be.

Mike likes to show-off his Minnesota shoveling skills and shovel cleaner and faster than all the other guys. He brags about how hot he is while doing it, trying to get me to help. I smile and sip my hot cup of Peet's and and tell him when he misses a spot. I mentioned how the older guy across the street was a champ for still being out there shoveling every covered place where a path should be, and he reminds me that he has already finished and that his looks better. He's far more efficient than "our neighbor"!

We live on top of a BIG steep hill and so I called a friend from work and asked him if he could come and get us since he has a BIG 4 wheel drive truck that is far better equipped than our little 4-banger VW. Mike said it would be "no problem" for him to drive---but I wasn't having any of it. Since I am a girl, I can do things like ask for help. Ha!

Believe it or not the roads (which are not salted and made messy by salt and crud like they were in Boston) are clean enough to ride your bike on---even though it's 25 degrees. So Mike is heading out to ride---I will ride my trainer and make chocolate chip cookies today.

I thought the before and after photo's were kind of fun and was glad I took a picture the night before the terrain changed so drastically, Happy Saturday!

Happy December!

Can you believe it is already December, 2007? Amazing. It has really cooled down here in the Sierra's. But we are dry and still riding (easily) outside. I don't ride in the mornings anymore---I wait until the sun warms things up a bit in the afternoon. Mike is enjoying this weather though. He thinks 25 degrees in the morning is a piece of cake. My Minnesota Man.

Yesterday was cold, but today it got up to about 52 degrees. A little windy, but beautiful. I spent the afternoon doing something that I learned with my Minnesota Mom in Marshall---making almond bark pretzels and other holiday goodies! Mine never come out as good as hers do---but it sure was fun. And I also cooked up a crock-pot full of vegan 4-5 bean chili for dinner. YUM!

I haven't really written much since Thanksgiving. The time just flies and I don't know where it goes. Truth is, I'm thankful everyday---and this was a special thanksgiving with all my Mehler's. I got to thinking about some "other" things which may sound kind of strange:

Mike and I grocery shop together every weekend. We each have our own "weekly jobs", but this is one job we both do. In the checkout line, I always read the headlines of the fan magazines. "Angelina, Brad, Britney,etc." How awful it must be to have to worry about who is watching you every minute of every day. I used to think it would be so wonderful to be beautiful and rich and famous. Oh to not have to worry about having enough money to pay for all the things I think I need.

But as we stood around the Thanksgiving table in lovely Truckee, California, I was thankful for many blessings, but also to not have to worry about always being in the limelight. Can you imagine? "Joni just put on 5 lbs..rumor has it there's a baby on the way" or "Joni must be partying too much---she looked like H3LL shopping at Safeway this morning" What a nightmare! Ha!

Perhaps these thoughts are better kept to myself...

Happy December! Happy Birthday Zachary! Happy Birthday Jeff! (Did I miss anyone?)

A ride with Daniel

It is hard to believe that 30 years and 6 months separates us. At least for me. But it is true; my eldest nephew is 14 years old (going on 24). When he was a baby, I used to ride my bike to my folks for Thanksgiving and as soon as I would arrive (about 65 miles later), he would greet me at the door and put on my bike shoes and my helmet and toddle around.

Fast forward ahead and my bike shoes wouldn't fit on his big toe. He is now 6'1", 170lbs and wears a size 15 shoe! Anyway, when he sent me an email asking me about going for a bike ride while he was visiting, you can imagined how happy I was. I was able to find a friend about his height (I always imagined that if and when he wanted to ride a bike, that mine would work for him (ha!) ---soon, Mike's will work for him!)

I picked out a super cool Taylor-racing kit and headed over the hill to Truckee. Mike was going to ride over dirt Henness Pass road and meet us at Boca Reservoir. When we got to the pretty-dried up watering hole, Daniel got familiar with the shifting and off we rode. It was beautiful and cold. Clear and traffic free---and cold. Did I mention it was cold?

The roads were virtually traffic free---nothing but cyclists and a random car heading out to cut down a Christmas Tree. When we came to our first "hill", I instructed Daniel to downshift and he did----then he got out of the saddle and the effort combined with the altitude had him seated and out of breath pretty quickly. (His bike weighed twice as much as mine----rigid fork mountain bike with ultegra drivetrain). By this time, Mike had joined us, and we both vividly remember our introduction to riding at altitude, even with thousands of miles in our legs! Sigh!

Daniel didn't give up though and when the hills got too big he pushed his way up the hill. I was very proud! The cold air and altitude and new type of effort created a bit of asthma but he was fine and by the time we headed back he was rolling along and smiling. He was tired and when he said, "I can't believe how easy this is for you Joni", I said..."You get used to it! do you think you'll ever try this again D?" He smiled and said "Yup!" And like most 14 year olds--he's a man of few words. I won't write what we talked about---because it's just between us---but the time together made my Thanksgiving Day!

Happy Tuesday! (Thanks to my brother Rick for the picture!)

Small hound, big travels, family time

When I think of the all the places Sydney has gone with us, it makes me smile. I don't think I have ever known such an adaptable dog.

We really had a lovely time in Marshall. It was too short. It was one of the nicest trips I've had all year, and when I think of all the places I've been this year, (Italy, Colorado, Washington, Oregon and Southern California, Vegas, etc. ), that's really saying something! Granted, most of the other trips were for work and this one was pure vacation---but I really cherish my time with the Taylor's in the little town of Marshall, MN.

We started things off with trips to our dentist...and the next stop? You guessed it. The Bike Shop and Camden State Park. Mike went mountain biking with the "boys" and I went trail running throughout the park! The Bike Shop has expanded and really gone "upscale". We had dinner with the Olson's and saw their new home and now family of "five"---spent time with Pete and Dave and the whole gang.

Minnesota Mom and Dad treated us to an evening out at the MAFAC center and we saw a Russian Cello Quartet (fabulous!). We ate (or tried) bits of (fresh caught) pheasant, venison, and fish. We even went to a movie (which was a treat since we never do stuff like that). Just me, Mike and Diane---we saw American Gangster!

And of course, we celebrated Uncle Jim's birthday and spent time with friends. I topped the week off with a special walk though Camden with Celeste.

Throughout the week, Sydney enjoyed time with her Grandpa and Grandma and cousin Molly-dog. She really travels well. I took a few pictures (before and after hunting pictures) of her (I know this is shocking!) We arrived home late but amazingly well-rested. Once a year is not enough.

Happy Sunday!

Pheasant Hunting

For a girl who has avoided eating anything with eye's until I met my husband, hunting may seem a strange topic. I remember the first time Minnesota Dad let me shoot a can with Mike's gun (from when he was twelve). It was fun, even though I was terrible at it. Now, I go with the guys---mostly just to walk the cornfields and watch.

We headed towards Ivanhoe (not in Poland---but in Minnesota---although I believe it is a Polish settlement) late in the afternoon in search of some birds! With Merle (Haggard) on the radio, expert Dave finds an interesting spot with no other hunters in sight. When you look out at the field, it looks pretty simple to walk through. It is not. Dave is always in his best shape late fall, early winter, because he walks for miles through the thick prairie grass. This is grass that is as tall as me sometimes.

I try to keep up with long legged Taylor Men and dogs until they lose me and I head back to the warm truck to wait. The only sound was a busy farmer, plowing down a field, preparing it for winter and next year's harvest, and of course the prairie wind. It was warm by Minnesota standards...about 40 degrees. Soon I hear a shot, and in the distance I see two orange guys running after a black spot (Molly) and an even smaller white spot (Sydney). I can't even see the white spot without the binoculars'---I just know she's there!

The "hunter's" and hounds arrive back to the truck with smiles on their faces ---they got a bird! Then it is off to the next spot---until the sun goes down---before heading back home to a homemade vegetarian lasagna prepared with love by Minnesota Mom!

It sure felt good to be home in my second home!

Road to Rose

I kept meaning to bring the camera with me over the last couple of weeks so I could capture some of the amazing desert colors, but I forgot until this morning and the reds are all blown off and only the yellows show up. It is time for me to upgrade this camera. It's big (by today's standards); we bought it before we went to Belgium the second time---like 4 years ago, and these new cameras require no "photo-skills" which is key for a gal who has "no photo skills!"

Today was the first time I saw the baby donkeys that were born early this summer. They are soooo cute. In fact I saw lots of farm babies---ponies, calves and even a baby osterich! Wild Nevada. There is even a series called Wild Nevada that explores the diverse and unknown places around the state. One time, I was watching and they were featuring the town (town is generous---with a population of 25) of Baker, Nevada. Low and behold, my former neighbor from San Francisco was featured on the series, as he has a small hotel there. Baker looks neat. It's the last stop on Highway 50 before you hit Utah.

Speaking of that neighbor, this world is so darn small. One of the guys Mike rides with is an attorney and they were chatting about Baker and Mike said he lived across the street from a guy that moved to Baker. His friend said, "Is his name Terry?" Mike said "Indeed". It turns out this lawyer did some work for him.

On my ride home, my handsome husband pedaled up to me on the grinder climb home. We're all grins with major miles in our legs over the weekend!

And, we are leaving for Minnesota on Tuesday. Looking forward to some R&R with Minnesota Mom and Dad! Have a great week!