And Then There Were Three (and Kona)

I know it is has been a very long time since I have posted to this blog, I decided it would take something monumental for me to begin posting again, I think Zoe meets that requirement. So here are a few assorted photos of the days leading up to the day the Z-Bomb dropped and then the ensuing chaos that followed.

Hope you enjoy!

Little did I know it was my last day of sanity

 Kona says there is something different going on

 Enduring pre-labor contractions

 She is ready

 Preferred parking at the hospital

 The patient is ready

 The new Grandparents to-be

 Excited

Some nice decoration touches to the delivery room and a beautiful sunset

 A new day a, a new baby...Zoe is here!

 Zoe and her foot prints, Jen knows how to rock an ink pad

Alicia is about as excited for Zoe as humanly possible

R-Nurse and Doula extraordinaire, Jen, say hello to Zoe

Papa Lee says hello

 Sleepy Baby still likes to curl up

 Baby Rose'

Grammy says hello

The new Family

Big yawn!

 Time to go home

Excited to head home

Hospital bands all match up, no baby swap.

Pop Dan says hello

The experienced Grandparents

Tutu and Pop Dan meeting their sixth bundle of joy

 Little Miss Zoe Rose!

First Step

There are 138,435 feet in a marathon, today I took the first step.

I have begun my official Marathon training for the 2012 Portland Marathon. As you most likely know, I have no experience in distance running and my only background is the training runs I used to take (5-6 miles) for rowing when I was in college. As of late my focus was on bike racing, so I have some experience in what it takes to have extended training sessions, I hope that will extend into running, how could it not.

My motivation for running a Marathon is simple, I think it is a remarkable accomplishment and an sign of dedication to hard work. So I have always wanted to do one and I figure it only gets harder the longer I wait. My training program like many things comes from online

http://halhigdon.com/training/51137/Marathon-Novice-1-Training-Program

I hope that I find the experience enjoyable and that I am able to complete this Marathon injury free. My goal is to first of all just finish, but my sub goal would be to come in just under 4 hours on course (9 minute miles). I don't know how reasonable that is, time will tell. Right now I consider myself 25-30 pounds over my ideal marathon weight and I have 18 weeks of training to get there.

What will come after the marathon I don't know, but I am thinking maybe a Triathlon in 2013, even though I am a terrible swimmer and definitely a return to competitive cycling.

(Not me, nor my photo, www.theheatlhypush.com)

Photos from Zion, Arches, and air travel

Sorry no words, just photos from my trip to Utah (for work, he he).

Mt Hood and the Cascades from 15k feet

Delicate Arch, Arches NP

Delicate Arch up close

Arches NP

Arches NP

"Park Avenue", Arches NP

More of "Park Avenue"

"The Windows", Arches NP

More of "The Windows"

Castle Valley, UT

Zion Canyon, Zion NP

Angel's Landing

First set of switch backs to Angel's Landing

Ontop of Angel's Landing ridge line

The first section of chains

Safety chains

  

More chains

The final approach to Angel's Landing

The "Big Bend" from above

Zion Canyon looking South

Angel's Landing approach ridge

Zion Canyon

Salt wash valley

The Black Dragon

Antelope Island and The Great Salt Lake at sunset

Plan B!

I usually force my readers (you) to wade through some poorly written story before I provide you with any images, but today we are going to change that.


In case you haven't heard, Oregon is on-fire and we most definitely are not talking about college football (Ducks and Beavs). After a stretch of heat and dry weather there are multiple wildfires in Central Oregon and now Western Oregon (little did I know). Ky and I had planned to do a backpacking trip over the holiday weekend, but were both feeling a little worn thin, so I suggested a challenging hike up Cooper Spur (to Tie-in Rock not the Summit). As we made the turn South out of Hood River, it became clear to me that we needed a new Plan B. So we headed to Elk Meadow.


Elk Meadow was a tougher easy hike than I anticipated (about 6.5 miles RT and 3500' of climbing). Either way it felt good to stretch the legs and let Kona run loose on a safe trail (no precipices), he is still sleeping a day later.


The views of Mt Hood and the accompanying high alpine meadows were stupendous and since we were Southwest of the Mt Hood Fire, we even had blue skies.


After we finished hiking we headed back to Hood River (one of three places I would love to move to) and had a delicious lunch at Double Mountain Brewhouse and a Cupcake at a very unique street cart vendor. Checked out some shops and hit the wineries.


We were too busy enjoying ourselves in Hood River to take any photos, if you were wondering why you are still looking at photos from our hike. We visited the Phelps Creek and Marchesi wineries Ky enjoyed some good wine and I enjoyed some good snacks. I didn't feel like falling asleep on the drive back to Portland since I would be doing the driving.


Back in Portland we suffered through a lousy football game (see links above), but all in all had an excellent Saturday. Sunday has been a day of rest.

By The Way...Do you remember what I was up to a year ago?