Cannot stay away from the water. All those times I was paddling by the bike trail I would watch the bikers looking over and think, bet they wish they were me!
Saturday, I was one of them. I told my biking buds that I was planning my first real ride on the lake Natoma trail. They said, we'll meet you there and ride with you. I said,
"but I will be slow"
"no worries"
"but I may walk up some hills"
"we'll walk with you"
What great buds !
9 miles! I mapped it. They went on to do their 20 mile loop, but I made it from Negro Bar to Hazel and back. A very pregnant lady jogging with a baby carriage passed me on the hill, on the way back I took so many breaks that I passed the same jogger 4 times!
But I had fun. And you know what? When I was biking the trail looking over at the water and all the SUP racers, I kinda wished I was on the water!
But variety is the spice of life, so pedaling and paddling on!
Monday, August 27, 2012
Monday, August 20, 2012
Pedaling and Paddling....NEW BIKE!
August 19, 2012 - In my never ending challenge to find new ways to motivate myself to get up and moving I decided to get a bike. I am a firm believer that when you stop moving you are done. I also have a little panic inside me that something may happen that will sideline me and take me out of the game. I have seen so many friends with knee, hip, shoulder issues where they say…”can’t paddle for 3 months, dealing with knee issues”, or “fell in my own shower, broke my leg!” And, I speak from my own experience. My own fears are realistic as several years ago I was sidelined myself for almost 8 years…yes 8 years, battling the dreaded big C. I was on the couch or in a bed for a good part of that time. So today, I am always aware and grateful for the good health of mind, body and soul that I enjoy. I don’t take as many chances as I once did. I walk more on the trail than off, skip the gorge scrambles some of my friends enjoy, and take a little more cautious approach. I miss a little of the excitement…but not all that much. I am very aware that when I fall, I don’t bounce up like I used to.
So many of my paddling friends are also bikers and we have such great local trails I decided to take the plunge. I can justify almost any new expense in the name of fitness!
So I researched, asked my friends, talked to the sales guys, talked some more to friends, and test drove a couple of bikes. I ended up with a Giant Hybrid. This bike may not be the fastest on the road (like my Yak is not the fastest on the water either) but it is comfortable and functional for what I want to do. I wanted to make sure I had no excuse for not riding. Oh yeah…just as important, it is very good looking, white and black, and I got a cool helmet to match. Yes, those funny winged helmet things I have made fun of all these years…I got one, and will use it!
So here is what I learned my first morning on my bike.
1. My neighborhood streets are not as flat as I thought.
2. It is much more fun to go downhill than uphill.
3. So many gears!!..must figure them out.
4. That horrible screeching noise was not a broken bike, it was my little emergency kit bag that sits behind the seat rubbing on the tire. Yes, I am short and my seat is low…so raised a smidge and all is good.
5. Must learn what all is in that little emergency kit…it’s so small, I can only hope it is emergency chocolate!
6. What a heck of a workout. Once around the neighborhood and I was breathing hard!
So I will keep on Pedaling in addition to Paddling and work up my strength and endurance. (my kids have bets on how often I am going to ride, I am out to prove them wrong!)
Pedaling on…
Saturday, August 18, 2012
Hot Hot HOT
August 18, 2012
6am and I am loving the overcast sky as I take my pup for her morning walk. The cool breeze feels good after a week of 100+ days. There were even a few sprinkles...
Number one son and I hit the lake by 8 am and still the overcast sky was keeping temps in the mid 70's. He started trolling for fish and I headed up the canyon. I could tell that Folsom Lake was real low coming over the damn so no surprise that Natoma was low as well, with absolutely no hint of a current and pure glass. I paddled through a small rain shower, so cooling!
I was surprised how empty it was, pleasantly surprised! I found that peaceful place, no cars, boats, people, dogs..nothing but me and the birds.
The sky was amazing with sun peaking through on occasion and the reflections this morning were amazing, and that is why my pics are all about sky and reflections. And one Great Blue Heron I paddled right up to before seeing him, but he stayed and posed for me.
On the way back I bought a new bike, but that is another story. By the time we came back from lunch it was full on sun and 100 degrees, time for a nap...:o)
6am and I am loving the overcast sky as I take my pup for her morning walk. The cool breeze feels good after a week of 100+ days. There were even a few sprinkles...
Number one son and I hit the lake by 8 am and still the overcast sky was keeping temps in the mid 70's. He started trolling for fish and I headed up the canyon. I could tell that Folsom Lake was real low coming over the damn so no surprise that Natoma was low as well, with absolutely no hint of a current and pure glass. I paddled through a small rain shower, so cooling!
I was surprised how empty it was, pleasantly surprised! I found that peaceful place, no cars, boats, people, dogs..nothing but me and the birds.
The sky was amazing with sun peaking through on occasion and the reflections this morning were amazing, and that is why my pics are all about sky and reflections. And one Great Blue Heron I paddled right up to before seeing him, but he stayed and posed for me.
On the way back I bought a new bike, but that is another story. By the time we came back from lunch it was full on sun and 100 degrees, time for a nap...:o)
Friday, August 17, 2012
Respect for a hero, standing the flag line
I cried when I read the email and for the rest of the afternoon every time I thought about it. A local Marine was killed in Afghanistan last week, SSGT Skylar Mote. He was being transferred from the air force base to a cemetery and a call was sent out to stand a flag line along the route.
I did not want to go, but I was compelled to. He was there for me, whatever our belief about what is going on over there, he was there for me.
So I grabbed my flag from July 4th and drove down to one of the meeting spots.
The turnout was amazing, in 95 degree heat we lined the street with flags and banners. I heard that streets were lined the whole way from the highway. I was close to the cemetery and a fire truck raised its ladder and hung our flag.
Then came the police motorcycle brigade, the main procession, several town cars and limos, 10-12 fire trucks from all over the area, FBI vans, several big trucks and vans from various agencies.
And then the club motorcycles. They came and came, hundreds of bikes. They then parked along the route and provided the final flag line at the cemetery. I did not bring a camera, it just did not feel appropriate.
I know if that was my son, seeing that community respect and honor would have an impact on me. I was honored to be a small part of that.
I did not want to go, but I was compelled to. He was there for me, whatever our belief about what is going on over there, he was there for me.
So I grabbed my flag from July 4th and drove down to one of the meeting spots.
The turnout was amazing, in 95 degree heat we lined the street with flags and banners. I heard that streets were lined the whole way from the highway. I was close to the cemetery and a fire truck raised its ladder and hung our flag.
Then came the police motorcycle brigade, the main procession, several town cars and limos, 10-12 fire trucks from all over the area, FBI vans, several big trucks and vans from various agencies.
And then the club motorcycles. They came and came, hundreds of bikes. They then parked along the route and provided the final flag line at the cemetery. I did not bring a camera, it just did not feel appropriate.
I know if that was my son, seeing that community respect and honor would have an impact on me. I was honored to be a small part of that.
Monday, August 13, 2012
Half Moon Bay in an RV - Hot to Cold, back to Hot
Friday August 10 - Folsom, CA - We left Folsom at 100 degrees and within 2.5 hours made it to the coast and 60 degrees. What a shock to the system! But boy, I am a new fan of RVing. We took my friends brand new 35 foot luxury house on wheels to a primo spot on the coast overlooking the ocean. We lucked out and grabbed the last ocean front RV spot.
We could not figure out an easy way to attach the yaks, so no paddling this weekend unless we decided to rent. As we hiked the shoreline we did see the Half Moon Bay Kayak rental right on the water but decided we could live without paddling for one weekend. We saw a couple of paddlers braving the cool foggy weather..with flat, calm harbor water. Even outside the breakwater the ocean was pretty calm close to shore...several paddlers out there having a nice mellow day.
The sun did come out, a little, early afternoon on Saturday and the local beach filled with families and surfers. We bundled up and sat in our chairs having a picnic.
Pilar Point is a beautiful harbor with several different edge water breaks that kept the large harbor mellow and flat. I look forward to kayaking there in the next couple of months.
We had a great breakfast at Ketch Joanne Restaurant and Bar and then walked around the town checking out some local art stores like "Nasturtium Art of Living" where we bought a few souvenirs.
My favorite time was just spent watching the flocks of Pelicans diving over and over into the ocean to catch their lunch. They put on quite a show.
As I head out into my local 105 heat wave I will be thinking of my cooler weekend at the coast.
We could not figure out an easy way to attach the yaks, so no paddling this weekend unless we decided to rent. As we hiked the shoreline we did see the Half Moon Bay Kayak rental right on the water but decided we could live without paddling for one weekend. We saw a couple of paddlers braving the cool foggy weather..with flat, calm harbor water. Even outside the breakwater the ocean was pretty calm close to shore...several paddlers out there having a nice mellow day.
The sun did come out, a little, early afternoon on Saturday and the local beach filled with families and surfers. We bundled up and sat in our chairs having a picnic.
Pilar Point is a beautiful harbor with several different edge water breaks that kept the large harbor mellow and flat. I look forward to kayaking there in the next couple of months.
We had a great breakfast at Ketch Joanne Restaurant and Bar and then walked around the town checking out some local art stores like "Nasturtium Art of Living" where we bought a few souvenirs.
My favorite time was just spent watching the flocks of Pelicans diving over and over into the ocean to catch their lunch. They put on quite a show.
As I head out into my local 105 heat wave I will be thinking of my cooler weekend at the coast.
Sunday, August 12, 2012
Visiting Marilyn and the Tram in Palm Springs,
We faced 110 degree heat in Palm Springs while visiting my aunt last weekend. Then came home to 105 degrees. We took the tram up
To 8600 feet and enjoyed the cooler weather at the top of the mountain. We had a beautiful hike in he valley and enjoyed crazy high views. We even stopped by the 26 foot tall Marilyn Monroe statue.
On the way we marveled at the thousands of windmills in the Tehachapi Pass, said to be one of the three windiest place on the planet.
To 8600 feet and enjoyed the cooler weather at the top of the mountain. We had a beautiful hike in he valley and enjoyed crazy high views. We even stopped by the 26 foot tall Marilyn Monroe statue.
On the way we marveled at the thousands of windmills in the Tehachapi Pass, said to be one of the three windiest place on the planet.
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