jessd

Vashon Island

The running log has not been all that impressive as of late but the shiny red "Allez" (the new bike) has seen some serious miles in the short month since its purchase. Yesterday we did a 50 mile loop to Vashon Island and back. This is no big feat for the tall man-friend who has ridden his bike across the country but it was by far the furthest I have ever pedaled in one day. And, although this route looks all mellow and innocent drawn on this map, let me assure you it was not flat!

For anyone trying to keep track of training distances or determining the mileage of a bike ride this site I stumbled upon is fabulous -  mapmyrun.com. I know the map below says the route was 31 miles (one way), we took a ferry across to and from the island so that accounts for about 7 miles that we didn't actually pedal.  In total we were on our bikes for about 8 hours yesterday (except for the ferry ride, some water breaks, lunch, an ice cream cone and a walk through the Vashon Strawberry Festival)

Today I'm taking it easy but surprisingly I'm not very sore and am even considering getting back on that bike seat to head to the grocery store to buy some picnic foods for Shakespeare in Volunteer Park tonight. Not only is this three blocks from my house on a sunny, warm Sunday evening but I have a friend in the play. Summer is treating me pretty well I must say!

I'll try to snap a few pics tonight!

Working Girl

~ Argh... I've spent about an hour trying to put together a simple entry about my weekend itinerary - places I want to check out, projects I want to devote a little time to, people I hope to see but I'm experiencing some technical issues that have halted me in my tracks. I just can't deal anymore so I'm just posting my favorite pic from Idaho and saving the entry I started for another attempt tomorrow.

~ After using Photoshop for over a decade now I finally took the 22 seconds it required to do a search on "rounded corners" on the World Wide Web to learn how to create the nifty corners easily on photos. I'm sure I've probably wasted about 18 hours of my life doing this simple task the hard way all of these years. Duh. I'll try to control myself with this new power.

~ At 9:30pm last night I realized that yesterday the TMF and I spent almost an entire work day sitting outside drinking and dining establishments along 15th Avenue in our neighborhood. We enjoyed a leisurely morning outside Victrola for about 2 hours drinking hot beverages and unknowingly getting slightly sunburned. Then we scored a sidewalk table at the Hopvine to enjoy a beer while the TMF waited for a friend. My evening date with a friend fell through and I remained with the boys for more beer and food. The barista that saw us at the coffee shop in the morning walked by at about 7pm wondering aloud "Is this what you guys do all day?" Admittedly, two self-employed people dating can be incrementally dangerous! But knowing that my days of this lifestyle are very likely numbered I'm not feeling remotely guilty.

~ And to answer the question posted in comments regarding the image of me reading the NY Times in the canoe while seemingly ignoring the natural beauty surrounding us...   its the deal we've struck - I get out of paddling and can read the paper instead if I read the articles aloud. It's a mutually enjoyed trade-off!

Clark Forked

The Setting: Driving into Clark Fork, Idaho. Population 530.

The Tall-man-friend: Oooh, I like this place. It's sooo beautiful. Look at that valley! Look at that river! Don't you like this little town? Whadya think...can you imagine living here?

Me: I DID LIVE HERE! It was called Cranberry Lake, New York. Population 100.

Fireworks

I'm sad to be missing what had become an annual tradition on July 4th since I've been in Seattle - walking down to the Eastlake neighborhood to lounge in the grass and watch the fabulous fireworks over Gasworks Park. The gang has changed each year but it has always been a good time and each year the fireworks display gets better and better. I'm sure my friends will have a lovely time without me but I'll be missing them!

Hope you all have a wonderful holiday weekend. Be back soon.

{photo credit - www.jeffgarberphoto.com}

This Week

Said to me this week:
"People only think you're organized because you stew all day about things and have good penmanship."

Started this week:
I'm tracking my sporty activities in an attempt to motivate myself and my workouts as I ramp up my  training for the triathlon. Last week I ran 7 miles and biked 50 miles. Not too shabby as a start.

Planned this week:
I will be heading to Northern Idaho next weekend to spend some time breathing lots of fresh mountain air, paddling around Lake Pend Oreille and celebrating our nation's birthday with the tall manfriend's family. Oh, and crowding our highways when gas is nearly $5 per gallon like every other proud consumeristic American.

Request of the week:
I know that many of you are excited to hear the above plan because it means "things are getting serious" but I beg you, PLEASE do not ask me when the wedding is. I've heard this about three times this week and I've already had enough. Let's all pretend that it's 2008 rather than 1954 and a 32 year old can be in a relationship without wanting to get married. Thank you.

Trophy Wives Age Too

More celebrating...
Happy 32nd year!

I think it is safe to say
that this will be the most
exciting one yet.

I hope it will also be
safe,
relaxing,
fulfilling,
adventurous,
transforming
and
marvelous.

 

Celebrating Birth & Summer

The tall manfriend and I are heading over the mountains to escape the impending rain in Seattle this weekend, hoping to find some drier, tent-friendly weather. Cameras will be brought and adventures will be uncovered so enjoy the summer solstice and I'll return on Sunday evening just in time for a week full of birthday celebrations and tons of summer sunshine, finally!!!