Gotta Be Doing Something

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Not so campy Camp Yuba

Earlier this year I was overcome by the love for a good discount and signed up to do two triathlons (bulk discount). A couple weekends ago was the second of these tris, Camp Yuba organized by RaceTri. I was only slightly better prepared for this race. And I say only slightly because I did start training after the tri in June, but with some recent changes to my life (I got called to be the Relief Society President in my single's ward) I didn't work out for at least the month before the race. It wasn't a pretty race time, but I did at least as well as June. I got exactly the same time as the Salem tri...down to the second. Now that is talent.
I don't have any pictures of me racing at this event, but I do have an awesome story. Brian and I drove down to Gunnison Friday night to stay in a hotel so we wouldn't have to get up too early before the race. What we didn't know was that the side of the lake we were staying near was not the side the tri would be raced on. So after sleeping in longer than we planned we got in the car and drove to the lake where we discovered we were not on the correct side. We hurried to the other side of the lake, grabbed our race packets and got our numbers painted on our legs and arms and immediately after we put our bikes down the race horn was signaling the start of the race. Now that is one way to start a race. Not the most ideal situation, but we did it. And thus completes #6 of THE LIST. I promise I do do things outside this list.

Wake surfing

I love Utah. We can do everything here including surfing. A couple weeks ago my best friend Erika dragged me to Bear Lake with her friends. (I only say dragged because I was having one of those conflicts of too many fun things to do that weekend and only having one body to do them with.) It was a great weekend and I am so glad Erika invited me. I made some great friends.

We know how to relax

I drove up Thursday evening with Erika and her roommate, Abbie. Now I don't usually pack a lot of stuff. For example when I went to New Zealand the only make up I packed was eye-liner and mascara. It was a 2 week trip and I was ready most mornings within 30 minutes. I don't like to be high-maintenance. But if ever I was going to look high-maintenance it was the Bear Lake trip. I took my bike and all my riding gear, stuff for running, 2 swimming suits, 2 hats (I like hats), my camera with extra lenses (but this is really a must), stuff just in case we went hiking and more clothes than I would need. And we were only gone for 2 days. I didn't bike. I didn't run. But I did wear both swimming suits. And I did wear my running shorts, but not while running. Needless to say I over packed a little.

Christy getting up on the wake

Friday was the day for sun. The Matts with the boat were coming up later Friday evening so the rest of us lounged on the "private" beach (yes we are spoiled) and played games. I have to say I think we are genius; to keep ourselves cool we set up a table and chairs in the water to play games. Dinner Friday night consisted of over 75 kabobs we grilled up on the neighbors grill (sweet old man next door let us use his grill after ours almost exploded).

75 kabobs for about 6 of us...lay off me I'm starving

Chef Kody at work

Saturday we got on the water and it was beautiful. We were surprised that the lake wasn't cold which is very typical of Bear Lake and we were happy that there weren't a lot of boats either. We each took a turn trying to wake surf. It was awesome. Kody really showed us all how to do it. Then Christy taught us the ways of wake boarding. She is a mad woman.

Me and my gal pal Erika...love her

Love that eyebrow

Getting situated

And she's up

Hardcore :)

Me, Christy and Rachel

Kody showing us how it is really done

I very much want to buy a boat, learn to drive it (including how to back it up) and get me a wake surf board and hit the lakes next summer. Go out and try it, you will fall in love.

Monday, September 12, 2011

Spiral Jetty...does this count

Trying my hand at a couple HDR images

Proof I was there...photo by Hoopes

I finally went to the Spiral Jetty a few weeks ago. It has been unofficially and officially on my list for the past several years. But I am not sure if I can I really count it as visiting it when the jetty was completely covered with water? I think there were three stones visible above the water. So I'm half counting it, with the hopes that I return, but with the understanding that this busy girl may not have time before the snow falls.

Another HDR image...thoughts?

At least you don't have to see the spiral jetty to take some cool photos. My awesome friend and camera buddy Hoopes came with for what we decided would be our photo field trip. We rented a couple extra lenses from Pictureline and set out. Be warned, it does take a long time to get there, so don't be like us and get there a little late. You will want time to plan out photos and set up shots. Another tip is to take a jug of clean water to wash off your feet after wandering around in the water. Trust me you will thank me.
Sorry I got lazy and I only edited the HDR images. I am just learning about HDR and so I am not really sure how to do it best. Hopefully, I will play around with this some more. I hope you enjoy the photos and if I happen to return before winter I will post some more photos.

I like this slight angle, but what do you think?

I think editing would make this awesome

Playing around. Neither one of us had done this before, but had seen it done

My photo buddy being masterful with the camera/car tripod

Friday, August 19, 2011

Checking it off...#7

Pre race

I like my number

Two weeks ago my friend Joni and I rode in the U.L.C.E.R (Utah Lake Century Epic Ride). This was my third time riding in the ULCER. Three years ago I rode my first 100 mile ride at the ULCER and then I did it again two years ago. But last year I skipped the race because I had a lot of injuries and didn't have time to train. But the tradition is back in 2011.

Half way point

Joni and I rode the MS ride in June and during that 40 mile ride we came up with a genius idea that we would ride the ULCER together. This is the best idea we had. If it wasn't for Joni I would probably have given up and never rode in the race. We would get up by 6AM every Saturday to train. Mind you, I am not a morning person and every week I hated us for getting up that early. Until we got home and we had the entire left and we had beat the heat and then I loved us. I also love us, because now I can check off #7 from my yearly list.
The race was really fun and painful. We rode 60 miles. By mile 40 my knee was killing so the last 20 miles was not so fun. But we snacked and chatted which helped a lot. Joni is my favorite riding buddy. We help push each other but understand when one or both of us is having an off day. Love that girl.
Even though I have completed the bike race goal, Joni and I are still planning to ride together and I still have to keep training for my last Tri to complete #6. Wish me luck.

Oreo teeth

Orange teeth (I know we are dorks)

Monday, August 1, 2011

I'm stuffed

As part of my goals this year I wanted to learn some new recipes. Especially ones I could easily memorize and adjust based on what was in my fridge at the time. So this week I decided to stuff a few things. I made these simple stuffed bell peppers for dinner Sunday (FYI the sauce is the best part) and then sort of made these stuffed jalapenos for a BBQ today. I say sort of because as I started making the filling I realized I was only using 2 of the same ingredients and was adding a few of my own. So I can't vouch for this recipe as much as I can for the one I made up, but it was a yummy experiment.

I forgot to take a photo so here is theirs.

Oh and these jalapenos are from my garden.
Didn't get an after photo, but they looked awesome.

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Delayed Seattle Post

Per usual my life has been a crazy mess of running from one thing to another. I like my life busy, but maybe I need to re-think this "do it all" mentality I have going on. But until then, I can't pass up an adventure.
Earlier this month Talena and went to Seattle. Why? Why not? Neither of us had been there and Talena had a cousin who has been begging her to come visit.
It was a great weekend. Seattle even put on a show for us. We had only one day of rain and only in the morning, just long enough for me to have an excuse to buy a jacket at the REI flagship store (I may or may not call it the Mother ship).
I am pretty sure I am in love with Seattle and must find me a job working for REI so I can move up there.

Here are a few highlights from the trip

The jumping and clapping from Robbie when he picked us up from the airport. Everyone should be greeted this way.
Beautiful views from the Space Needle of Mt Rainier. And being treated like a VIP as we got to pass everyone and go to the front of the line...totally worth the extra $.
Being offered rubber overalls by the Pike's Place fisherman.
BIG REI heaven. Need I say more.
Interesting Seattle history and underground tour.
Preforming with "cousin red" (our band name) at the EMP.
Lots of desserts: Cow Chip Cookies, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Specialty Cafe Bakery and lots more
The troll (cause it isn't a Seattle trip without it)
The weekend (oh did I mention it was the 4th of July weekend) wasn't complete without watching fireworks over the water with Mt Rainier in the background.
Learning to play Tripoley with 3 fanatics.