I continue to enjoy my free time in Puerto Rico as the Big Project eats me alive during the week.  Last weekend I went back to Paradise Dive Shop in La Parguera and went on two trips to the wall.  

The Wall is about 6-7 miles offshore and runs for over 20 miles.  At the Wall the ocean floor drops precipitously from around 60 feet to over 1500 feet.  The water was extremely clear, no current and very warm...no wet suit needed. 

Over the course of the weekend we did 4 tank dives.  The first two were stunning, and I didn't really think things could get better - until the next 2.  Marine life included Moray Eels (bright green and very cranky) and a huge Stingray.  A hammerhead shark was seen, but we were on the boat.  We dove to tunnels that provided a breathtaking descent into a hole.  It wasn't at all scary - you could see all the way through.  And, I was very comfortable with the Dive leaders who were out with us. 

I'm very comfortable in the water.  I've done well in breathing slowly and not thrashing by body around.  Finding neutral buoyancy has been relatively easy for me, which helps with the entire process.  My ears are also doing great.  No pain as I slowly descend.  I've never been the limiting diver on when we need to ascend due to the oxygen in my tank.  

I'm hopeful that I'll get some more time in the water diving before I leave Puerto Rico.  Maybe even a night dive!


 

Last night I indulged in some body art. 

Tattoos to be more specific.

Dad, please pick Mom up off the floor.    I got Henna tattoos.  

The tattoo artist was amazing.....her work is stunning!   As a result I have some wonderful art (i.e. body art) on me! 

I have a beautiful bracelet style design on my ankle, a delicate sunburst on my arm, and then a design on my back fit for a museum.  Almost a shame these are only temporary.  I hope I can find someone as talented in the Rockies to allow me this indulgence when I return after the Big Project. 

This early morning looks like most in Puerto Rico.  Clouds in the distance, birds chirping, and the gorgeous sea.  The surf looks a bit higher than normal, but nothing like yesterday.  The sun is starting to break through the low clouds and over the mountains.  

Puerto Rico is very fortunate to have been spared the wrath of DEAN.  Yesterday was no where near as "bad" as I imagined it was going to be with a Cat 4 Hurricane off the coast.  Lots of standing water, rain off and on, and the occasional wind burst.   I'm in Ponce on the South side of the island. I spoke with a business associate in San Juan (North side) yesterday afternoon and it sounds like the weather was similar. 

Now would be a good time to pause and say a prayer for the people in Jamaica. 

As I previously reported this morning was pretty calm.  The waves were great - the local surfers were having a good time.  I walked down to the fence after breakfast to watch the fun they were having.  The hotel has not opened the gates to the beach, so Mom, no worries, I didn't get in the water  

A few minutes ago the thunder, wind and rain rolled in...and almost as quickly as it arrived it was gone.  Here is the almost real time picture of the view from my balcony minutes ago.  I cracked the sliding door just enough to get the camera lens a clear shot:

Time to log off, curl up and read! 

I woke up a bit ago and logged in to see where DEAN was....according to NOAA the eye has passed well south of Puerto Rico (yippee!) sometime in the middle of the night while I was sleeping.  The sky is gray with some very low clouds. I was expecting wind and rain, but right now neither.  There is some evidence that it had rained at some point in the night.  The ocean is churning quite a bit more than I've seen.  The surf is high, washing past the fence that keeps unwanted visitors off the hotel grounds.  Below are two pictures, one taken just moments ago, and one taken yesterday morning. First, today:

Yesterday, roughly the same time:

Ok, back to bed for me...

I arrived back in Ponce Puerto Rico last night.  So far, great weather.  However, the wild card is the approaching hurricane.  Hurricane Dean, formerly knows as Tropical Storm Dean.  I've become a big fan of the NOAA website for such issues.  Currently it appears that storm has shifted a bit south, meaning it is not on a direct course for this island paradise.  Should the storm continue on the same path I'll just be in for a very rainy and windy Friday afternoon. 

No one I've talked with on the island is all wound up about the "potential" storm.  It appears that most Puerto Rican's put the same stock in weather forecasts as most other people in the northern 50.  I'll start getting a bit concerned if the hotel starts boarding up the windows and strapping down the beach chairs.  Until then I'll take some precautions and pick up some water, snacks and keep my cell phone fully charged.

I now have the digital images from Michigan Sis's camera - here are just a few shots of the dry forest we hiked through on Saturday.  The photo's don't do justice to the intensity of the heat....but as I stated before it was well worth the trip, and the dip in the Caribbean following hike was that much sweeter.

So delicate a blossom in a harsh environment:

A new species discovered:  Prickly Viagra Erectus Cacti 

And, the general landscape:

Michigan Sis and her Hubby arrived Friday night as planned.  Yesterday the three of us headed out for a full day of fun.  Our first stop was the Guanica Dry Forest, which we decided should be renamed either the Blast Furnace Forest, or the Sauna Forest.  Being sharper than the average tack it didn't take us long to figure out why everything is "dry". 

The forest is a home to a unique blend of cactus, hearty trees that apparently need little to no water to survive and colorful birds.  All the pictures are trapped on T and B's camera, so I'll post some shots when we can free the shots.

Following this sweaty hike, we went to my favorite spot,  to La Parguera.  We met up with a number of other people who are down here working on the Big Project for a snorkel outing and trip to the bioluminescent bay.  (For those of you that are share holders, this type of activity is funded not by Sun, but by our own wallets...) with Paradise Scuba and Snorkel.

A good time was had by all.  The group went on two snorkel reef tours, hosted by Orlando and Christopher, and Cachi was my dive buddy.  We toured the depths of the reef while my family and work associates bobbed on top.  While this was my third trip to the Bioluminscent Bay, last night was by far the most spectacular. The sky was overcast so the emerald and green sparkles were even more intense.  The night was topped of my a few songs at the local Karaoke joint.  I refrained from singing, but couldn't stop my happy feet from dancing. 

(Note:  another reason I love PR is that if there is music, people dance....just in place, with their friends, or while shopping.

Michigan Sis and her Hubby are heading are heading to Puerto Rico on Friday for the weekend.  They found a screaming great deal on airfare from Detroit into San Juan.  We plan on exploring the island, playing in the water and generally laughing way too much.  Laughing till we wet our pants cry is common experience with my family when we get together. 

Last time we traveled together we went to Alaska in August of 2006.  Here is a summary written by Mountain Hubby of our adventures in an e-mail to our family upon returning home:

A surreal adventure that words & photos won't do full justice to.  Currently sifting through the several thousands of shots taken, most of these by Brian & Jim with their high power equipment and some with our small point & shoot.

Sailing 8/24 from Ketchikan, we motored north towards Juneau and Admirality Island on a 42 ft Nordic Tug Charter with Barb's sister/husband and a friend from Boston, who turned out to be a stand-up comedian. 

Stopping first at Anan Bear Observatory outside a small fishing village called Wrangell in the SE corner of the AK Inside Passage, north of the BC Inside Passage.  A viewing deck encased in concrete had us 25 ft away from wild back bears gorging themselves with salmon that were heading upstream to spawn.  Imagine the tenacious salmon having fought their way upstream in white water rapids to end up being eaten alive by Boo Boo and company.

Next up some fishing in foul seas that tossed our boat and every inside around like a dinghy - with Barb catching a 175 lb 70 inch long halibut on 25 lb test line - while I was comatose below in our bunk having the nap of my life - as Brian was puking over the bow - our skipper Wade almost being pulled overboard after having gaffed the fish to land it - and Jim riding the 500 lb fish cooler on the aft deck like a bull - that was fully stocked with Guinness to try and stop it from beiing washed overboard.  (Below shot of Barb, Teresa and halibut after we took shelter in a small cover to escape the wild open seas).

Following day delivered an experience that you have to see to believe.  A pod of 3 to 4 dozen humpback whales feasting on the running herring, where they team up to drive the herring up from below to the surface, then fill their mouths with 1 ton of herring per whale per day.  Punctuated by several full breaches (50 ft whales jumping entirely out of the water) - but upstaged in a way by clowning dolphins who circled the boat with their own acrobatics and took delight in crisscrossing 10 ft off the bow as we motored at 8 knots/hr and the dolphins staging their show for 15 - 20 minutes.  (Whale pic below).

A hike on remote Admiralty Island, with no signs of humans at all, only wildlife, provided 500 year seat for an eery grizzly bear chase, with a 1200 lb monster, chasing a smaller bear that was poaching on his turf for salmon.  We saw first hand how dnagerous these bears can be when they're running at 35 miles per hour in pursuit of something, with the smaller guy running for his life.  Shot below of Annie Oakly with a Colt 44 Magnum, provided by our outfitters as a contingency plan for any close bear encounters.

Upon my arrival I excitedly prepared nectar for the Puerto Rican Hummingbirds.  I was hopeful that I would be able to attract a couple of the little birds to my balcony, where I would sit quietly, taking pictures and learning about what ever species of birds resides on the Island, and of course, share all this with you.   I had already spotted some hummers feeding on the beautifully colored flowers, so I knew they were still in the area.

 Now, 12 days later the little feeder just hangs, neglected on the balcony.  I've changed out the nectar to keep it fresh and sweet, but no takers.  I'm not taking this personally but it makes me want to stick out my bottom lip and pout

I spent my weekend with the team from Paradise Scuba and Snorkel Center (787-899-7611) in La Parguera.  This time wasn't to snorkel, but to become recertified in Scuba.  Close to 20 years ago I obtained certification in Michigan, which encompassed lots of pool time, and open water training in a gravel pit.  We had to wear 1/4' wet suits, full hood, and all the other cold water gear.  While I enjoyed being under water, I found the entire experience a bit less than comfortable.  Very claustrophobic as a result of all that gear and poor visibility.

However, as I discovered diving in the Caribbean might as well be a different sport.  About as different as riding your mountain bike in the Rockies, versus navigating a bike through the New York City streets.

I took a private course from Orlando, a dive instructor with the shop.  I did homework before arriving (4 hours of a DVD - yes, that's what I've been doing at night, no Puerto Rican pah-tay-ing for me), classroom drills, then we hit the water.  Orlando and I then went through a number of underwater exercises, and then dove the reef.  Through this process I got 4 dives in between Saturday and Sunday. 

My ears equalized well, I found neutral buoyancy quickly, and had a wonderful experience.  Diving in a shorty wet suit, 2mm thick, no hood, colorful fishes, corals, plants and other creatures means I will be doing this again, and again, and again....

I was fortunate to be placed on the snorkel boat Sunday with two families, each of whom had a 10 year old;.  Danny, a young Puerto Rican from San Juan, with a sparkle in his eye and mischievous grin;  Victoria, a stunningly beautiful child and intelligent girl who doesn't have a permanent address as she and her parents travel all the time. 

The three of us hit it off, much to their parents pleasure.  I had two little buddies to explore the ocean with, and not shortage of conversation as we moved from site to site.  As I previously stated I have never been so popular in my life. 

We investigated all the marine life together.  We played off the side of the boat - doing cannonballs, belly flops and funny jumps in the crystal clear water, we shared homemade empanadas over dinner.  We giggled joyfully when we lifted our head out of the water and watched the green sparkles drip off our hair.  Somethings are just better shared, and through the eyes of children.

Here's a tally of my day:
Sunset Snorkeling Trip:  $50.00
Tip for the Boat Captain:  $20.00
Benadryl to counteract the Portuguese Man-of-War sting:  $3.50
Boating across the moonlit bay with new friends, and Danny saying to me "You are the nicest person I've ever met":  Priceless 

Good thing it was dark so the kid didn't see me cry.... 

Some nice people from the snorkel trip just e-mailed me a picture from Sunday.  Isn't the water amazing??????

Sunday I headed off for a full day snorkeling at the reef off the La Parguera coast in Puerto Rico.  Parguera is a small fishing town in the SW part of the island just a short easy drive from Ponce.

The underwater landscape is spectacular, with a large variety of colorful fish, squid, corals, vegetation and other marine life.  Paradise Scuba and Snorkeling Center took me (and a bunch of other folks) out for a guided tour.  The downside of this type of trip was the other people in my ocean, many who appeared very very very very uncomfortable (how many times can you hear someone talk about drowning with out thinking, puh-lease, you have a float vest on, relax, but was far outweighed by having a guide on the reef. 

Once Jerry and Chris (captains) realized I was totally nuts and excited about this adventure they went out of their way to make my day even better than expected.  I  felt like I was at an aquatic petting zoo.  Many critters they brought up to the surface, and some I needed to dive down to see up close and personal.  Here is a short list of all the life I was able to see and touch, up close and personal:

1. Soft and Hard Sea Cucumbers:  The hard kind feel like a pickle, and the soft are very soft (good adjective!).  Their bellies are luxurious, with thousands of little cozy feelers that feel like silk.  Fun to hold....

2.  Sea Spiders:  I was originally told this was a sea star, but no, it's a spider.  They move on your hand just like a spider does.  Not a good thing to touch if you have a spider phobia.

3. Jelly Fish:  Yes, on purpose.  Jerry found a small one, the size of a quarter around, and gave it to me to hold.  Apparently they cannot sting your palm - so, I didn't pet it....just held it.  It looked like I just had some water in my hand.  Really wild!

4.  Shrimp - cute, little, red and white, looked like a bug

5.  A wide variety of sea urchins - the non-poisonous kind!  Very very pokey.  You can feel them move when you hold them as they try to navigate off your hand

6.  Star fish:  Hard, pokey.

7.  Conch:  Not so exciting, a shell with some kind of mucous-looking critter inside: 

8.  Feather Duster and Christmas Tree Worms:  They look like plants, very flowing, and attach themsleves to rocks.  When you touch them with your finger they retract into a little hard tube faster than you can say Feather Duster.

9.  Upside Down Jelly Fish:  They blend with the sand and sit on the bottom.  Very pretty.

The final trip out Sunday was after dark to the Phosphorescent Bay.  This is a very special, rare and fragile ecosystem.  The water glitters with green and white sparks of light when the permanent population of  microorganisms called dinoflagellates are "disturbed".  I floated in the warm waters feeling like a fairy princess - resting peacefully, gently moving my fingers creating my own personal fireworks show.....or I cupping my hands and slowly bringing it closer to my face creating the experience of emeralds and diamonds shimmering, then slipping through my fingers.   I lifted my arm and watched the sparkles roll off my arms.

 All in all it was a WONDERFUL DAY, even with the Porteguese Man-of War collision....

...I am too tired and in need of sleep!!! 

The BIG PROJECT is keeping me really busy, and requires all my brain cells to fire appropriately.  This does not mean I'm not enjoying my personal time to the fullest extent.  So, here's my teaser list of things I'm going to blog about if I get more than 5 minutes to myself:

1.  Overwhelming Experience:  Snorkeling with more marine life than one can imagine, and better yet, getting to pet a soft sea cucumber and hold a jellyfish (I am not kidding!!!!) in addition to other really cool stuff.

2.  Priceless Experience:  Enjoying the outing like a 10 year old...just like my two best friends Victoria and Danny.  I have NEVER been so popular in my entire life.  Where were these kids when I was 10??

3.  Encounter with a Portuguese Man-of-War.....for the second time (really, not kidding again). As a Mountain Girl I did not recognize the previous stinging incident in June as the proper aquatic invertebrate - I was incorrect...I was not stung by a jellyfish, but the Man-of-War.  This time wasn't as painful, however I need to invest in one of those thin all over body suits for my ocean going experiences....apparently the Man-of-War find my skin delicious.  (And, if not I'm going to make my Mom very nervous).

4.  Shopping Experiences:  Wal-mart, K-mart and the grocery stores, including photos of my investigative findings.

Maybe tomorrow I can breathe....just a bit. And, post.

After errands to get me more comfortably settled  I eyed the Caribbean.  I was overheated and in need of cooling down.  Right out my window was the answer to my dreams...the blue, green and turquoise waters beckoning me.  I glanced apprehensively at the scar from my previous jelly fish experience.  So much for all the "tough talk" about how that wouldn't impede me from entering the waters again.

I told myself "toughen up girl!" 

I waded in...it was refreshing.  I felt my body temperature drop.  I glanced nervously at all the other swimmers to determine if anyone was fleeing the water due to a jellyfish encounter....everyone appeared to be having a good time. So, in I went. 

Bottom line was that the water was even better than I remembered.  I paddled and bobbed, working on a variety of strokes. It felt wonderful to stretch all my upper body muscles...this was my first time to work these areas since the surgery a month ago. 

I'm gonna thank the brainless invertebrate for not floating into my path....if I had an address I'd send them a little note.

Tomorrow, snorkeling off La Paraguera with a tour, and then seeing the Phosphorescent Bay where minature sea creatures glow bright green in the evening.  How cool is that???

As a "parent" to furry 4 legged creatures I relish the time I get to spend with my honorary niece and nephew down in town.  Today was one of those days.  We went to the amazing kids pool at the rec center in town.  It's a perfect place to spend a too hot afternoon.....

The kiddos mom (and my super good friend) has to go out of town next week, including the weekend.  I will head down the hill to give dad some relief by looking after the baby....hmmm, too bad my she isn't old enough for a pedicure....I'll have to figure something else out, more suitable for a 1 year old.  Then, I might take the little guy to the toy shop.....what fun - spoilage plans....and I have an entire week to look forward to this! Woo Hoo for me!

 ps.  I'll welcome some suggestions....!

Kiddie pool that is, with my god-child and her big brother.  I am blessed to be a surrogate auntie for my good friend's children.  This works out well since we are both transplants to Colorado.  I have such fond memories of my aunts and uncles growing up that I hope my little "niece and nephew" have the same kind when I'm old, and they are my age.  I realized today that these two little people are the only people in my life who've known me all their young lives.  That is really pretty neat.  Here's the rock star - and yes, she has way more teeth than hair, but if you read back in my cancer posts you'll know that I think hair is really over-rated.

It's been well over a week since the jellyfish incident.  The swelling subsided quickly after my hospital visit, and since then I just have a few interesting red tentacle marks on my arm, none of which caused me any discomfort, until the middle of last night.  Since then, the area has become inflamed and extremely itchy.  I guess this is God's way of keeping my mind off the surgery Monday morning to replace the deflating expander.  

I that impact of jellyfish stings can last several weeks  in some people.  I think I might be one of them.   

Last year I borrowed a road bike for my triathlons.  While sometimes I think "outdoor gear" might be my middle name, I was reluctant to drop cash for a road bike that I might seldom use if I decided that tri's weren't my thing.  Not much use for a road bike at Mountain House  A generous guy at work responded to my request and loaned me a 25 year old (or shall I say retro?) trek road bike only a tad too large for me.  It served me well, but I knew I needed one that would fit me properly if I were to continue the events.

I was well intentioned - meaning to shop and get one a few weeks ago.  But, as these things happen, I procrastinated, yada yada yada.....  I was really under the wire to get one selected, sized and outfitted so I can ride it a few times before the 5430 Sprint next Sunday.   And, yippee for me, new gear!  I selected a women's fit bike from Fuji a step or two up from entry level.  No where near uber-biker level, but that's not me.  We see so many bikes here in the Boulder area that cost more than many people's cars.  Best part of my new road bike is the color - violet and silver.  I'm sure that will make me even faster!

My first two events this summer are the 5430 Sprint and Olympic distance tri.  Both are sold out.  My wave is 4th, which works for me.  I'd much prefer to be earlier as opposed to later when the sun will be baking the course. 

Look for a full race report next Sunday!



 

I decided I needed to do some activity to further my tri training since I've been missing the mark.  First thing this morning I had some breakfast and headed to the beach for a short run and some swimming.  The water today is gorgeous - just like you'd expect in the Carribean. I was enjoying my laps when I felt like acid had been poured a strong stringing sensation on my arm.  Pretty quickly I deduced "jellyfish".  That's not what I said, something closer to %&#?!!!!!

I immediately stopped my forward progress, back pedaled a bit and swam a direct line to the beach.  I couldn't see the venomous invertebrate, so I was very concerned I might be paddling into an entire group (pod, school, herd, gaggle?) The front desk advised a trip to a doctor to get some treatment, which I decided was probably the smarter idea than just packing and heading to the airport for my flight back home which was my first reaction.  I typically have a very strong localized reaction to stings from insects, so I did have some concern about how my body would respond to the jellyfish.  I didn't want my arm to swell up like a watermelon and be 32,000 feet over the Atlantic. 

I was treated in a very odd way in the emergency room.  Maybe the staff was all laughing at the Mountain Girl who thinks she needed a doctor because of a silly jellyfish sting.  Or maybe they are deferential to Americanos.  Regardless, it wasn't an unpleasant experience.  The ER process seems very similar to home.  You speak with a triage nurse, who assesses your situation.  Then she gives you a green sticker identifying you as the patient, orange if you are just accompanying the patient.  I wasn't given a sticker.  Why was I being segregated?

 Shortly after triage the admission people go over your insurance, and you sign a jillion forms just like the US to authorize treatment and payment.  At least that's what I hope I signed since I don't know Spanish.

 Then, more waiting like home.  Finally, I am called to go behind the big green doors to a room.  I am seated in the only private exam room in the place.  Everyone else is in beds separated by curtains.  Again, why the special treatment? 

More time, and finally the doctor. He speaks wonderful english, isn't alarmed at the sight of the bright red welts on my arm.  He asks a few perfunctory questions, and advises that I will get some steroids and antihistamine.  This sounds reasonable to me, and then I wait and wait, just like home.

Finally a nurse comes in and before I can say jellyfish she stabs me in the butt gives me my injections. I was happy to see the needles disposed of safely in a sharps container.   More waiting, and then I am finally released with after care instructions in Spanish.  I did have the sense to ask the doctor to review them with me.

So now I work at my desk in the hotel.  Overlooking the magical jellyfish inhabited carribean waters.  Looks inviting, but NOT! 

I have my first sprint triathlon a week from Sunday.  My recent travel schedule has really impacted my training.  I think need to let go of any idea of having a personal best time and just enjoy the outing.  While on Sunday I did bob in the ocean, I really didn't think about swimming laps.  I tried to run in the evening, and early morning, but that challenges me since just being outside causes me to sweat profusely.  This morning I attempted a short run on the beach before work - apparently I was out running during prime nude sunbathing time.  

I'm not a prude or a voyeur, but I'll admit I did find all those exposed pieces parts were a bit of a distraction.  I didn't have my camera, so no pictures.  I'd have to learn how to put those fuzzy spots over certain places so I my blog could continue to have a "G" rating....
 

The 29th annual Memorial Day Bolder Boulder was held today.  I spontaneously signed up to run with one of Sun teams registered in the event, and wondered about that commitment more than a few times, especially when I was on a super fun, yet strenuous mountain biking adventure yesterday.  (Note to self - stay off the bike the day before a 10k!)

It was a gorgeous day for all 50,000 registered participants.  My wave took off promptly at 8 am.  The course was nice, but I could have done with out the sun beating down on me.  The course was lined with cheering spectators, kids with super-soakers (thank you!), belly dancers, rock bands and Elvis.  I opted out of the slip and slides and free beer provided by some spectators.  No regrets.  I finished at about what I expected, somewhere around 67 minutes, a bit longer than my best time, but still ok for me.  I also learned my older knees would be happy if I would stick to 5K events.

The tribute to our veterans at Folsom Field after the citizens race was spectacular.   There was a wave reserved for Military participants, and when they hit the stands they received lots of applause and cheering.  The Marines, being Marines, didn't settle for just a 10K run. Just prior to the crossing the finish line the dropped and demonstrated their superior fitness by doing push ups like it's something they do every day, which it probably true.  Then 6 skydivers approach the stadium, 5 carrying a flag from each branch of the military, and the 6th the US flag.  The approaches were nail bitting, but all was well.  The 6th skydiver with the US flag circled the stadium while Lee Greenwoods song "Proud to be an American" was blasting from the speakers.  After a short program and 21 gun salute, the Star Spangled Banner was sung, accompanied by a fly over from fighter jets from nearby Buckley Air Force base. 

 I'm so glad I decided to stay for the program after the run.  I was reminded again how Proud I am to be an American on this fine day. 

Yes, it's late May.  And, yes, at Mountain House we had a spring snow last night.   As I opened my eyes this morning the mountain was a vision in white.  With the sun up the snow on the giant pines melted quickly, resulting what I refer to as snow bombs - huge gobs of very wet snow randomly falling off the tree.  If you venture onto the deck at the wrong time you end up very wet.  The sound of the snow bombs hitting on the roof always makes me think we have a large animal on the roof. 

    Ok, I'm gonna burst into song  - 

Snow bombs keep fallin' on my head,
But that doesn't mean my eyes will soon be turnin' red,
Crying's not for me,
Cause I'm never gonna stop the snow by complainin',
Because I'm free,
Nothing's worrying me. 

As I was out on my mountain bike today I passed an area about 1/2 mile from Mountain House where I had an amazing encounter with a Mountain Lion.  While this story is a bit embarrassing to me as I claim to be Mountain Girl, I can't help but reflect on the honor I had chatting with a young lion fall of 2005. 

I was out for a lunch time spin on a warm sunny day.  As I rounded a curve, I spotted what I thought was a bobcat running along side the road.  We've seen a number of bobcats around the area, so its not a big surprise.  It struck me as "odd" that the bobcat had a long tail, as their name implies they have naturally bobbed-tails.  The cat stayed on the road for a good distance, and then darted about 30 ft off the road to sit on some rocks under a tree.

I stopped by bike to chat and have a closer look.  The conversation went something like this:

Me:  "Hello little snutty cat"

Cat: stare

Me:  "Is'ms kitty kat having a good day?"

Cat:  stare

Me:  " Osm's kitty dosen's needs to be afraids of me"

Cat:  stare

Finally the cat, with it's pointed ears and spotted chest decided I was a few bricks short of a full load and darted off into the meadow.  I resumed my ride - smiling at my wonderful encounter with nature - knowing how fortunate it is to see wildlife so close up.

I got home and told Mountain Guy about the very odd bobcat I encountered -  that there must have been some fluke as he had a tail.  Mountain Guy gave me one of those looks.  You know those looks.....like when you do something really silly and have no idea you were being silly?  Turns out I was having a chat with a young mountain lion.  Yup, I got on line, looked at pictures to confirm, and yes, the little snutzy was a young, fierce carnivore.  And, mom was likely near by as the young hang with mom for two years. 

 So, now every time I zip past that spot in the meadow I smile and relive my experience with the mountain lion.  I like to think that on this Mother's Day I provided the Mommy Lion an opportunity to teach her cub some things.  Such as, don't run on the road, avoid people because they are obviously nuts, and to practice your camouflage so you can be almost invisible.

Today's ride was just plain good.  No wild creatures, just good rocks and mud.

And, Happy Mothers Day to my Mom, who spent many many years (still counting) teaching me very good lessons about life.  Love you Michigan Mom!

A gorgeous weekend in the Colorado Rockies reminds me (not that I need much reminding) why I love living in Colorado!  Crystal blue skies, the birds and butterflies enjoying the calm mild temperatures, and me on my mountain bike.   I'm a bit rusty (me, not the bike). I haven't been in the saddle since last fall.  Good news is you really don't forget how to ride a bike, but the bad news is you do forget how to shift.  We have miles and miles of trails just our the front door of Mountain House.  Today, given my challenges remembering when to shift and the snow we've had they were tough miles.  The mud was like quick sand, but some very fun puddles and stream like features added some excitement.

While we still have snow on the ground in some shady places, the first early season wildflowers have emerged.

The Pasque Flower seems strangely out of place in the pine needle and dead leaf covered landscape.  However, each spring they burst out to say "me first!!"  They have soft lavender petals, and a bright yellow middle, and are observed frequently in clusters of 2 or 3 flowers.  They more common name for this early beauty is the Windflower.

Taking this picture gave me a very good reason to get off the mountain bike and catch my breath.  Thank you Windflower!