Good Thing It Hasn't Snowed Yet!

Nobody here in this household really feels that it is a good thing it hasn't snowed yet, but, we have used the last bits of dry weather to finish our outside house projects. Typically, we have snow by the end of October so all outdoor projects have to be completed. This year, we just couldn't seem to finish the yard, so it was handy to have the last couple of weeks to wrap things up.

[K helps daddy with the skid steer tractor.]

The ski area has also been making good use of the extra long fall, installing a brand new chairlift at Hyak, completely last-minute. We have all enjoyed watching the helicopter operations. I can't remember the type of helicopter shown here, but it is similar to a Chinook, just about half the size.

 [Dumping trees and debris at the top of the hill]

[K and B get to tour the inside; it's big enough to fit a small car.]

On one of the last 'fall' days (i.e. not requiring two coats, hat, gloves), K got out on his bicycle. I know, no helmet...I just wanted a pic of him looking cool and 1970s shaggy.

Although we don't have snow yet, winter has arrived. It has been in the teens and 20s with major wind biting to the bone. We got out running yesterday with friends Seth and Holly, but much of the route (from Summit West to Hyak on the ski hill) was covered in ice.

Wherever you are, start doing your snow dance. We are ready. 

Summer Starts...

June has been an uncharacteristically warm and sunny month. I'm sure we are due for a few weeks or perhaps a month of rain before we actually get a consistent summer.

We enjoyed the warm days of June, however.

Kye and Nason wade in stump lake (aka Keechelus)

Kye with his friend 'Dafe' playing ball

He now loves the water park...

I signed up for a trail run somewhat near Mt. St. Helens, my first (maybe only) 25K. The run was pretty great, actually. It began with six miles of roly-poly wooded trail, past a beautiful waterfall and through wildflowers. Then it steeply climbed for four miles, the wildflowers becoming much more alpine, and I enjoyed views of St. Helens, Mt. Rainier, and Mt. Adams as I ran along a ridge line. Back up another ridge line, the views continued, and we even ran through a rock archway. Pretty cool and definitely interesting the whole time. We finished mile 12 at the top of Silver Star peak and then headed down to beer and a nice gathering of interesting folks. 

 After the race...

We camped out that night and then Brandon had a chance to run the trail the next day. Kye and I went for a hike. He yammered on about flowers and rocks and airplanes and birds and then promptly asked to be held and fell asleep in my arms for an early nap. It was sweet.

A budding trail runner.

Then we headed to the Hood Canal area to visit a friend. A short but nice visit, enjoyed a cookout dinner, good conversation, and some banjo/fiddle/tin whistle music.

Kye, trying to catch the rain

At the nearby beach

A ferry ride home from Bainbridge

And tonight, after hanging out with Grandma all day, K got spoiled with some ice cream. I think this picture says we are ready for summer, even though it was 60 and rainy all weekend. We are in the summer mind-set, at least. 

Almost Perfect

This weekend was literally almost perfect. The only thing that would've made it better was if B and I were together a bit more. Well, actually, what would make it perfect is if it wouldn't end...my summer break is soooo close!!!

B concocted a plan at the last minute to do a ski tour on Mt. Baker called the Watson Traverse. We'll do a separate post on that. In his absence, K and I enjoyed a trip to the beach in the sunny & 70 degree weather.

Sunday, we met up with several Betties and Babies (toddlers) at a local climbing crag. We got a bit of climbing in, the kiddos played with trucks in the dirt, and a couple of them bouldered a bit. A good time was had by all and we managed to get the kiddos in the packs by nap time.

While K napped, I went for my long training run of the week. I hit the trail at Summit West, thinking I'd run to Rockdale Lake and then up the nordic trails and home. However, I got a bit turned around at Rockdale. Instead of turning onto the nordic trails, I ended up continuing all the way to Silver Peak. By the time I realized my mistake, I decided it would be harder to retrace my steps (there were several fast stream crossings at Rockdale) than it would be to continue on home down the forest service road. So, what was probably going to be 8-9 miles ended up more like 10-12...not sure. It was a beautiful run in the mountains, sunshine, and not a soul to be seen past the first couple of miles.

Yakima Skyline Rim

A couple weekends ago, we drove to the Yakima River Canyon for an event called the Yakima Skyline Rim, an ultra-running race with a 25 or 50K option. Brandon was running the 25K and Kye and I were the support crew.

Brandon knew a guy that was also running in the race, with several other friends. So we hooked up with this crew on Friday night around a bonfire at the campground. They were great guys with campfire tales both amazing and hilarious.

Just before Brandon and the racers hit the trail, Kye and I headed out to hike a bit. The course was beautiful, with views of the Yakima River, Ellensburg, and the Cascades.

(B is in blue, third person in this pic)

We enjoyed a short hike, then went back to camp where Kye had a great time throwing rocks in the river from the suspension bridge.

Just over a couple hours later, Brandon came across the finish line, placing 5th. Pretty good for no training.

(B coming over the bridge at the finish)

After the race, there was live bluegrass, wood-fire pizza, tons of other grub, and Ellensburg brew on tap. Support crew is not too bad. I got to hike, throw rocks with Kye, eat excellent food, and enjoy bluegrass; Brandon 'got' to run 16 steep miles. Hmmm...

White River 50

For the past few years I have thrown around the idea of getting back into running, specifically ultra distance trail running.  Ultra distances are technically any distance past marathon distance, but in the ultra community the first "real" ultra distance is 50 miles.

Four months ago, I decided to commit and just sign up for the White River 50.  One of the older ultras in the country, the White River 50 is located near Crystal Mtn on the way to Mt. Rainier and offers amazing scenery, great aid stations, and a post race BBQ.

The night before the race I drove down by myself to camp near the race start, and Heather and Kye showed up the next day to watch me finish.  The race itself was painful, and yet a really amazing experience.  Probably the most difficult physical event that I have done.  Unfortunately, I started the race with a knee injury that I received a few weeks previous.  With no running at all in those previous 3 weeks, I felt a little unprepared.  I managed to fight through the discomfort and finish in 8 hrs 46 min, which was a little slower than I had hoped, but faster than I expected.  Now for a 100 miler!

After the race I was so glad to see Heather and Kye, as well as a visit from Ellie and Shane.  A soak in the frigid White River was mandatory, and the whole post race scene was great.

Kye enjoying the camping 

Kye's new ride

Around mile 37, approaching Suntop with very stiff legs

Finally finished!

Legs were a little shaky post race

Enjoying the frigid soak with my little man

Shane & Ellie

The next day, two tired campers