Dalewhale's Blog

Spring Vacation 2009

We had a fabulous ski vacation this spring. I drove down and spent a few days with my parents. Denise came up to visit.

 

 

 

 

 

Then the dogs and I picked Mark up in Reno. We spent a week in Tahoe visiting, Skiing, Snowshoeing, Hiking, and relaxing. I spent my Birthday skiing at Heavenly with my ski buddy, Jane, and Mark. We had a spring soft bump day and I skied down the face at the end of the day. After a walk with my friend Trudy, Mark and I found the energy to go out for a birthday dinner at our favorite restaurant "Freshies".

The next day we hiked/snowshoed up to Floating Island Lake. We left the main trail when the snow stopped and proceeded to get disoriented. Mark asked Rubicon where the lake was. Sure enough she lead us right to the main trail and up to the lake. On the way back I dediced we should take a "short cut" down the ridge to Baldwin Cove. It was rather steep for snowshoes. Keli didn't like it much. He always wants to go back the same way we came.

 

 

On Thursday we took a walk up Ebbets Pass and then met our friend Chris at Markleeville Hot Springs. She had a campfire roaring in the picnic area. We had a great time chatting, eating and then later soaking.

 

Friday we were back up at Heavenly skiing back in winter conditions. Jane and I had  fresh pow pow in the trees south of Milky Way Bowl. That afternoon I skied one of my best runs ever in Motts Canyon.

Saturday morning we went out to breakfast in Myers with Trudy. The food and coffee were delicious! We spent the day cleaning up the Cabin and also took the dogs to the beach.

 

 

Easter Sunday was another day of skiing up at Sierra-at-Tahoe. Thanks Joanne and James for the tickets! We saw so many long time friends. Spent the morning in West Bowl, Mid-day got the OK to do some "golfing" on the back nine. There was a Calstar Helicopter training out there that day, another added bonus. Mark was hoping to see some of his "bump buddies". Sure enough we met up with one of the original "ragmen" Tom. So we skied the bumps in the afternoon. I tried really hard to keep up. We crashed the Patrol Party and bought an Avalanche dog shirt. It came with a beer for me, went down to the bar, to say goodbye to Tom, then headed out to the ski school party for a snack. On our way back to the cabin we talked about how much we miss having friends with 'history". We do like our new home resort, Stevens Pass, but skiing in Tahoe, especially skiing with friends, is certainly missed.

I remember a song when I was a child,

"Make new friends but keep the old, one is silver and the other gold!" Thank you all you golden oldies for skiing and spending time with us! Sorry we didn't have time to see everyone but we will be back in August for some Beach Swim/BBQS!

Mark flew out Monday morning. I closed up the Cabin, then the dogs and I drove back to Walnut Creek. My sister, Lora, came up from Aromas. We spent a few days helping out the folks. We took my Mom to a gardens that was once owned by Lurline Matson, Filoli.

At the end of the week Rubicon, Keli and I drove "straight" up Interstae 5 to Salem. We spent the night at Lorrine's home, Mark's mom. The next day, along with, Lorrine, we drove home to Port Orchard.

Where did this winter go?

The birds are chirping and the trees are blooming. Where did this winter go? We have been up skiing most weekends. Winter POW POW finally arrived a few weeks ago. We bought snowshoes last month and have added that to our winter activities. We take the dogs out after we ski at Stevens. Mark has settled in to his new position at work. I have been coaching more and more and enjoying every minute! I have taken up an "RPM" class at the gym. I usually don't like gym classes but this class is great! Hopefully all that pedalling will help when I get on a bike next week!

 

 

The First Ascent!

 

Mark and I spent 3 days up at Stevens Pass last week. We had a great time but it was cold! Saturday night we skied at Stevens. The snow was a lot better than we anticipated. The next morning we slept in and I fixed a French Toast Breakfast. Then I took the dogs snowshoeing near Yodelin. This seems to be a sport that even Keli enjoys. After I tired out the dogs, Mark and I took off with our back country skies. We went from 3,200 to about 5,800. It was a hard work out but I really had fun! The snow was nice coming back down.

We took the RV back up to the 'poor mans lot" at Stevens. Mark went skiing again that night while the dogs and I took a nap. We had decided to ski all day Monday so we didn't rush up to the lifts. There certainly wasn't any Pow Pow to find but it had snowed a couple of inches. AND the sun was out! This was deceiving because it was still real cold! It didn't take long to get bored on the groomers, also scared from everyone bombing down the hill out of control, so we headed out towards Polaris Bowl. It was a challenge for me but I did it! .

 

We skied until 4:00 PM, ate a late lunch, and then got ready to go home. When we took the windshield cover off we found thick ice on the inside! Now that is cold! Heading home about 5:00 worked out with little traffic and then we caught the 7:35 ferry home. A fun time for people and dogs!  

A cross-country ski with friends in Banner Forest!

 

 

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It Snowed in Southworth!

 

 

 

 

 

We skied around the neighborhood!

 

 

Another Fall in Southworth

Summer certainly went by to fast! After we returned home from Tahoe we pressed on with the house painting. We still need about 4 more days to get it done. It has been so tedious but the end result is nice. Besides painting I have been canning, coaching and  hiking.

I personaly think it is my responsilblity to pick all these berries and do something. The pantry is full of jams and sryup. I also canned some plums. The garden harvest included carrots, beans, tomatoes, eggplant, bell peppers, beets, lettuce, zuchinni, yellow squash and chilis. The apples are just about ready to pick.

The Splash Program with the PSSC continues to grow. Coach Frank and I attended two clinics recently. The first was in Tacoma at UOP. Richard Quick and Jon Urbanchek gave a great presentation with Olympic Highlights. This past weekend the team joined OAC in a clinic by Milt Nelms. This guy definitely thinks out of the box and really is motivating. My mind is spinning with new concepts and ideas!

A group of us hiked Mt. Elinor. We had hoped to see the fantastic view from the top but it was too cloudy. The hike was fun anyway with good company and beautiful wildflowers.

 

 One raining Saturday morning we took a day off from painting and headed up to Stevens Pass. Mark had wanted to hike up into Mill Valley to retrieve his ski pole. He had lost it in a tree well in Polaris Bowl last December. The fall colors were so vivid! We hiked up part of the Pacific Crest Trail. Success Mark found his pole next to a big tree.

 

 

 

 

 

AHHHH!  TAHOE

I arrived in Tahoe last week with my parents, sister and her dog Mylie.  We had a great time! Once we got to the cabin a couple of neighbors yelled over, "Welcome Home!" Feels good to be back! Jumping in for a swim at Pope Beach was so refreshing. I love this Lake!

 

Mark and I will be back next week. We are having a potluck BBQ/Swim at Pope Beach, Aug. 19th, 4:30 ish. We would enjoy seeing all our Tahoe friends. Hope to see you there!

 

STP 5

We started off, “the traveling tea party and Bob“. What fun to be all together! The scenery was green and rural, the air was brisk and fresh, the road windy going up and down gentle hills. I pushed on with Bob to Vader.

Another “photo” guy jumped out into the road. Those guys keep scarring me. I needed to stop to put my vest back on. I wasn’t warming up yet. Bob called right when I stopped to tell me he was a Castle Rock I stopped we waited for the girls. They waved and rode on by! Next stop Lexington Food Stop. We all joined up together, ate, drank and packed some food. I kept trying to take a picture of us. By the time I took it everyone had a disgusted look on their faces.

The “Traveling Tea Party and Bob” rode out together on our way to Oregon! I had been apprehensive about the “grated” bridge. The big white one over the Columbia River.

 

 

We rode through Kelso. It was getting hot but not to bad yet. We were first in line for the next wave of bikes to cross the bridge. Traffic was stopped periodically to let about 500 or so bikes go across. While we were waiting I was interviewed by an Evening News Channel. Sally was getting to know this cute guy from Ireland. We were off! I didn’t get to look out much but did see the river below and a tanker. Up and over and into Oregon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In Oregon we followed Hwy 30 all the way into Portland. There was a shoulder next to the double lane Hwy. It was hot! We met up with Bob at the Goble Mini-stop. The water line was so long that we all bought bottled water. On the road again! I started out drafting behind Bob.

We were on the last stretch to Portland and it was very hot. I was going through a lot of water. We planned on stopping at the last free food stop in St. Helens, OR. Bob and I stopped in the shade before a gradual hot climb.

The “traveling tea party” went by waving. After cool rest, we started out again. I was in the lead for awhile, then Bob flew by me. He was drafting in a long train. He yelled to me to hop on at the end. I did for awhile until we had to pass a tri-recumbent. I was too afraid to stay in the “train” and pass the wide bike into the lane of traffic.

For awhile I was behind a man is a yellow jersey. This was great, he was pulling me along. Then he turned off to stop. Bummer! About 3 blocks later I looked in my mirror and realized that he was behind me! Pay back, I was pulling him along.

I rode along with the “tea party” for awhile. We went through a cute historic town, Columbia City. Like so many little towns in the PNW it was shut down on a Sunday. We saw a T-shirt store with a sponge bob square pants shirt in the window. To bad it was closed, it would of matched Bob’s Pjs.

Back behind Bob we were riding towards the last food stop, finally we got there. It was soooo hot and there were misters! And cold ice! We laid down in the shade and relaxed waiting for the girls. I soaked my head and most of my body before we set out again. Riding all together we in a line we only had 30 miles to go! There was a steady stream of riders heading to the finish line. We had planned on riding straight through to Portland but needed to stop twice for water. The first stop was at the Scappose mini-stop. We kept looking for Dave who was riding out from Portland to meet us. Scappose had water and drinks for sale but they also had a hose at a neighbors house. I donated to their daughter’s college fund just to get a cool spray. Back out again soaking wet and refreshed. Tea party in pecking order to finish together, 16.8 miles left.

I was completely dry within 15 minutes. I made a couple of quick stops to take pictures of Mt. Hood and Mt. St. Helens.

 

After falling behind I would push hard to catch up. After about 10 miles we met up with Dave. He was near another water stop. We stopped to fill up and get soaked again. As soon as we started out Dave got a flat. He waved for us to go on ahead of him.

We were in order, ready to finish, when we had to make a sharp right turn up a hill. I pushed up and over and got ahead. How far to the finish? Riders were saying, “a couple of blocks?” “two more miles?”. I knew we were in Portland already but didn’t realize we were going to ride all over the place. I decided to pull over and wait for them. Bob called as soon as I stopped. He was waiting up the road for us. We had to finish together in line!

The “tea party” back in order, we picked up Bob and rode on, over a bridge, around in a circle? Then we saw people waving and yelling. There was Richard smiling, The finish line was a few yards in front. After 203 miles, almost 20 hours of riding, 4 months and over 1,000 miles of training, fun rides, hot rides, cold rainy rides, destination rides, and the long talks, the laughing and the camaraderie, it was over! I felt like crying! Some nice person put a finish patch around my neck. I looked up and saw Mark and his Mom waving! I wasn’t actually that tired more excited that I had finished!