1-30-18

Awesome Sunday at HOPE Church!!!!!

We didn't get my brother-in-law, Pastor Paul in the photo though. :-(

Enjoyed an inspiring message from Tom Eggum; friend and a missionary to Uganda. After service there was food, carnival games, a magic show (it was great) and music by Swen & Dean.

Photo: Mathew, April, David, Nathan, Carol & me.

Front: Dean & Swen.

I've know Swen & Dean since my college days. During the summer I was a bible camp counselor at Lake Okoboji in Iowa. Swen was the camp program director; in charge of all the counselors, music & weekly programing. He and his brother traveled then (& still today) performing at churches & conventions. They are talented singers & all around good guys. Both are married & live in the Minneapolis, MN area. Each work in the church ministry there. Dean has 4 children and Swen has 1 son who is in his 1st year at Naval Academy. It was really great catching up with both of them!

Sunday night Bob was able to join us (after his 10 hour bike ride - hahaha). :-/ More fun and visiting with Dean & Swen while we had a gorgeous view of the city.

Patio at Another Pointe of View, Tapatillo Cliffs Resort.

1-29-18

Sunday was a big biking day for Bob, Bill, Bill, and Chuck.

They left the house at 6am and got home at 6pm. :-0

None of them had done this route before. They biked across streams!

They waded through rivers! YIKES... waste deep in a cold Verde River.

It was hilly! They gained 8,000 ft elevation on this ride.

It was a pretty day! I like this cool bridge they found.

Checking the map. Thankful for their navigation skills that brought them safely home after 10 hours on their bikes. They all ran out of water but luckily flagged down a truck that was able to replenish their H20. Geez. :-/

Bob was exhausted but really glad he did this cycling adventure with friends. Today Bob is having back pain from a pinched nerve. He's taking Advil, using a heating pad & been lying on the floor all day to get relief. Hope it feels better soon!! Might need to get him in for a physical therapist treatment tomorrow.

1-28-18

Elaine & I are all smiles after yesterday's race. She & I battled it out on the course for 3rd overall Expert. The 1st 10 mile lap Elaine was ahead of me by nearly 2 minutes. On the 2nd 10 mile loop I caught her 1/2 way around the loop. We then went back & forth for the lead. She is a better technical rider but I had just enough to pass her on the last hill and hold the lead on the downhill to the finish. She crossed the line 6 seconds after me. We both laughed about the race. :-) 

PS: Since I placed 1st in my age group she earned the podium spot for 3rd in Open Expert. PPS: Last week at Prickly Pedal Elaine passed me on a hillclimb at mile 38 (3 miles before the finish). She beat me by 1 minute. :-) Great fun when it's tough but friendly competition.

1-27-18

It was a full day of racing at Estrella Mountains.

I took 1st in Expert Women 45 + age div. and placed 3rd among all Expert age groups. I was very happy with how I felt & raced. :-)

David placed 15th in the Marathon bike division. Mike fought hard and placed 3rd in his division. Jason (not in pic) was 5th in his category. Congratulations to our Team Vitesse guys! 

I got home just in time to walk Harley and see this beautiful sunset! Bob was flying all day but arrived home at 9:30pm. Yay! 'Twas a fun day!

1-26-18

Our son, Johnson is currently on a 2 week training. It's the 2nd safari camp in his 1st semester at Mweka College of Wildlife Management and Conservation.

They study the reptiles at Meserani Snake Park. Yikes...I am not a fan of snakes. :-/ But Johnson says, "They are our friends in the bush." True...but I'll admire them from a distance. Lol.

Johnson's selfie with Simba in the background.

I like this one. :-)

Majestic King of the Jungle.

We love Johnson's updates from his camp & college. He is really enjoying his studies. The lion photos are from Ngorongoro Crater. So fun that Bob and I were just there in November. It was an amazing experience seeing the beautiful animals of Tanzania.

1-25-18

2 pics of our tent on wheels. I love our tiny house!

Bob & Harley do too!

8 years we've had our camper...it's perfect for us.

2 pics from last Saturday's 40 mile race.

Bob @ The Prickly Pedal.

Me @ The Prickly Pedal.

Thanks to Action Media for the shots!

1-24-18

Last night we parked our tent on wheels next to Joan & Dean's rig.

One spot over the gang was hanging out at Phil & Vicki's campsite.

First it was appetizers & drinks with a view.

Then a delicious supper followed by a fire. The fun continued with a sunset view.

L: Phil, Sue (Phil's sister), Joan, Dean, John (Sue's husband), & Vicki.

Harley front & center; our camp hostess with the mostest!

Campfires are the best!

So are birthday cakes!

Celebrating James birthday (today) and Phil's birthday (tomorrow)!

Happy birthday, James!!!!!!

Getting cozy by the fire. So nice!

Cake by the Desert! :-)

More celebrating this morning (1/24). Happy Birthday, Phil!

Thank you, Phil for making up some bacon. Soo yummy!

It was a great 2 days in the McDowell Mountains.

1-23-18

Midweek McDowell Mountain biking with Bob & friends.

Kata, Bob, Bill, me (James was biking with us too but he missed the photo).

It was James' birthday today...Happy Birthday to our great friend James!

Kata, Bob & I biked to Tom's Thumb. This is a hike we've done before but we've never biked it. Now I know why...it's really steep!! LOL...2 miles straight up hill. Kata crushed it...she's a great hill climber & technical rider! Bob & I did ok too. ;-)

The 3 us were happy campers... all smiles on this blue sky day!

Bill & James met us after Tom's Thumb & we finished off more miles on dirt trail.

Mountain biker happy hour between twin campers. Bill just purchased his Chalet (L)... it's just like ours (R)! This was his 1st camper outing & he already loves it. After HH Bob & I pulled our camper  to a different area of the park to set up our site for the night. We were gonna meet my sister, Joan, brother-in-law, Dean & their friends for a night of grilling, chill'n, & campfire.

1-22-18

Some of our lovely Vitesse ladies.

Our team 2017 holiday party: January 20th, 2018. :-)

Saturday night was fun with friends!

Celebrating a great year for our team!

Awards for running, biking and triathlon successes.

Sharing stories from the past & planning events for the future. 

Great people who love adventure, racing, friends, family & travel. 

Good food, drinks and yummy desserts.

And an occasion to be goofy & wear my zebra coat.

:-)

1-21-18

I feel like we have this aura about us. ;-)

OR

Bob & I create vortexes. :-0

OR

I just like our foto flop.  :-)

Team Vitesse party last night. More pics tomorrow...