Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Getting Back on the Horse

It's been almost 5 weeks since the big crash and I continue to slowly improve. I started getting itchy to get back on my bike, mainly because riding the bus was getting tedious. Biking to work takes 25-30 minutes each way. Riding the bus takes an hour including the walking on each end.

Seattle is enjoying its typical Indian Summer. We often have beautiful weather for at least the first three weeks of the month before the rainy season (which lasts until July) begins. Sometimes the nice weather lasts into October.

Anyway, today is a gorgeous day and I felt pretty decent so I got out my bike and rode to work. It worked out great. Not much pain, just lots of paranoia. My friend and neighbor Jason gave me an escort.

Unfortunately, my good bike was terminally damaged in the crash. So it's back to my steel Lemond until I can afford to buy a new frame. May the Kestrel rest in peace - it was a great bike.

It's nice to be back in the saddle. Don't worry, I'm taking it easy.

Saturday, September 6, 2008

'End of Summer' Vacation


Carol and the girls spent the week before Labor Day in Richland with Carol's parents. As usual, the girls had a fantastic time.

There is a small playground within walking distance of Dennis and Mary's house and a large playground a short drive away. Both are on the river bank. The smaller playground has a small sand beach as well and the girls spent a fair bit of time in the water. Carol was so relaxed she didn't even bring a camera with her but she used her camera phone to get one good shot of Audrey lounging on the boat.

Speaking of the boat, the girls went out on it for the first time. They've always been afraid of the noise. But Carol worked on them psychologically for a few days and eventually they both agreed to go. Carol had purchased life jackets that had cartoon characters on them - that was part of the attraction of the boat was they got to wear their cool new life jackets.

They ended up crossing the Columbia from the launch near home, to a beach that is usually empty. The girls got to swim more there. Audrey got to play with the boat controls a little too, with Grandpa's supervision.

The girls never want to leave Grandma and Grandpa's "river house". Audrey kept asking if they were going to still be there the next day.

Our friends and neighbors Jason and Pam had invited us to spend Labor Day weekend with them at Pam's family cabin at Loon Lake near Spokane. On Saturday I rode over with them while Carol drove up from Richland to meet us at the cabin. I was really missing my family and looking forward to seeing them after being home alone all week.

The Allen family cabin was built right after World War II so it's more than 60 years old. It's a classic lake cabin. It has three bedrooms and two comfy living rooms, plus a decent kitchen. It has a great beach and dock. They are currently building a shed/bunkhouse. Jason roofed it while we were there.

Jason and Pam's son Alexander just turned six and he and Audrey get along well. They had fun playing together all three days, and Charlotte joined in some of the time. There are bunk beds in the kids' bedroom. Our girls both love bunk beds.

The weather was cooler than normal - around 70 for a high each day. The water temperature was probably in the 60s or low 70s. Audrey really wanted to go swimming regardless and showed us all what a fish she is. She swam twice every day. She'd stay in until she was mildly hypothermic. Then she'd get out and I'd wrap her up in a big towel and hold her on my lap and rub her limbs until she stopped shivering. She liked the sound of her teeth chattering. Alexander joined her a few times. So did Jason a couple of times while he was practicing swimming in his triathlon wetsuit. He said he was cold even with the suit.

I was happy to indulge Audrey's desire to swim even though everyone thought she was crazy. I hated cold water when I was a kid (well, I still do!) and I love the fact that she doesn't seem to even notice it. When entering the water she wasn't at all ginger - she just plowed right in every time.

We stayed until Tuesday morning and then hit the road about 9:30 am. Carol and I decided to return to Seattle via Highway 2 over Stevens Pass instead of the faster route via Interstate 90. Stevens Pass is a lot more scenic. We stopped in Leavenworth for lunch and had a good break from the car. Plus ice cream. Then the final 2 1/2 hour push for home.

We all had a fantastic time, but it was nice to get back home. It was a wonderful way to spend the symbolic end of Summer. Thanks to Jason, Pam and Alexander for their hospitality.