Heavenly birthday

Last weekend, we went up to Heavenly resort at Lake Tahoe for a ski weekend. I had never beeen here before and must admit that the topography is pretty fascinating. You have a high lake that sits seemingly precariously above the mountains to the west, and desert to the east. Check out the photo; you can see the lake, ridge, and big drop to the plains below.

Heavenly itself is surprisingly flat. Even the long runs that start with 2000ft elevation changes seem pretty level. Glad we weren't on snowboards.

We had sun for our Saturday morning, with snow moving in by lunch time. By Sunday morning, all roads into the town were closed. This had me a little nervous, but hey, to be trapped in a ski town because of snow isn't all bad. Everything reopened eventually, and lucky us, it took 6 hours to drive the 200 miles back home. On bare and wet roads. Argh.

Russian Romantics

Tandem bicycle + Russian River valley = Valentine's Day.

After going to the Russian River valley to ride and wine taste on Sunday, I may never go to Napa again. No crowds, lots of nice wineries, great roads; cannot really ask for much more. Not to mention the temps in the mid-60's. In February. Hmm, maybe this California thing isn't so bad after all...

Cogwheel train

This has been a pretty wet winter by CA standards. Or so I'm told...seems like a pretty standard Seattle January so far as I can tell. But in either case, you don't waste a sunny weekend day if you can help it, so Bionica and I got a nice ride in on Sunday. Bionica is pretty zippy up the hills these days; look how relaxed she is (we started down at the water level and still had climbing to do). I'll have what she's having...

A year to remember

The old shed has been lit up, a tree has been sourced, and we have Xmas in full swing here at chez small adventure. What do you think? Needs a gingerbread house somewhere, I know.

We lived through the great Bay Area cold snap of '09, where snow actually fell and briefly stuck in the hills above us. We now hope to break out the bicycles next week for some holiday riding. I still haven't skied this season, despite having a new set of skis that haven't been used. Again. Still, the season is young.

Its been a bizarro year for sure, but an exciting one too. New travel, new jobs, new addresses, etc. Oh, and that whole married thing. Anyhow, you, our friends, have all been key in making the year imaginable, much less workable. Bionica and I are grateful for the support, friendship, advice, and good times you all have shared with us. And the pie. And the cake. And the delicious steak.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

What? It's November?

Sounds like my friends in the Northwest are in full-on winter mode. If I have to hear Kaj talk about the epic snow at Whistler one more time. I'm kidding. Meanwhile, here's the view a few days ago from the hill above our house:

64 degrees and sunny. Nice place for a walk, especially with snacks.

Good news is that I'll be in Seattle in nearly a week with skis in tow. And I intend to use them; let's get the season underway. By the time I return, it sounds like a few areas at Tahoe will be open. Hello cake, mind if I eat you as well?

Things here are going to plan. Bionica is becoming more 'resident-ish' all the time. Work is working. I am still not used to California, however. The other day, we were at the store and walked down an aisle with the holiday liquor gift packs. Hmm, this is how everyone else does it.

All told, fairly pleasant, and the quickest November of all time. So far...

Yoo hoo

Look what we found at our local hiking spot the other day. Good thing I didn't wear my mouse hat...

Also seen at Yosemite...

Not sure what problem is trying to be solved here...

Under attack

Last weekend, we spent 3 nights at Yosemite, and the first one really could not be topped. We found a site at Bridalveil Creek, about 7200' in elevation. We set up camp, put up the tent, built a fire, and started with food prep. As the night cooled and got dark, I regularly felt bugs on my hand or neck, but didn't really think about it too hard. Later, we were about ready to sleep; crawl into the sealed up tent and I see that there is a spider on Bionica's jacket. "There is a spider on your jacket" I say, and as she turns around, I see there are about 5-6 more on her other side. Then, looking at myself, I see another 5-6 on me. Brown daddy-long-legs looking things, but a bit bigger and fully grown. And great, we've dragged them in. We finally get them all after a 10 minute hunting trip inside the tent. As I look through the mesh door, outside the tent, I see another 12-15 just on the other side, looking to come in. Nasty.

When I woke up the next morning, they were still there, so let the squishing begin. And when we broke down the tent, there were probably two-dozen under the floor. We moved to another campsite for obvious reasons. Since it was in the teens and cold overnight, we can only assume the heat attracted them, but why hang around the outside of the tent instead of the warm fire pit? Quite a mystery.

Rest of the trip was good, with day hikes everyday. See the pics. Keep your tents zipped up tight tonight...

...all that junk, in your trunk...

Seriously, it fits. And there's room for another bike behind the driver, a third passenger, and bags.

Time flies...

Hard to believe that we were in the Pyrenees 3 weeks ago...

We heart Spain

La Rioja, and the neighboring Basque wine country in Arabako were sublime. Great weather, country, and people. We spent our mornings in the town of Haro, doing the shopping and errands before the heat. Midday was time to ride and explore the country via bicycle...the hottest part of the day. This is siesta time, and in most towns, the locals are either in their homes not moving, or more likely, in the local bar keeping cool. Think of the Spanish bar as a British pub; its the social hub of the town, and if you are lucky, the only place with air conditioning. We would try to stop at everyone we could find as we'd enter a town...its a nice rest, and a great way to practice the ol' Spanish. In the evenings, it was back to Haro, for drink and tapas around 9-10pm, then back to our farmhouse/B&B outside of town. Next day: repeat.

Seen somewhere over Iberia

Forget Barcelona; too crowded and way too touristy. Get a day from the coast, however, and you may never come back. More photos to come...

Sangria acheived...

Bionica and I are in Spain for the next week, living it up because we can. Although we are in Barcelona at present, most of our time in the coming days will be spent in wine country (La Rioja), the Basque region and the Pyrenees. And we've got bikes. Que bueno...

Let's hear it for summer

Last night's sunset as seen from Chez Small Adventure...

Homeward bound

Another tradeshow is in the bag; click here to see what we have been up to...

Muggy

Heading to Salt Lake City tomorrow for a week-long tradeshow. Forecast says Sunday will be 99 degrees and raining. How is that possible??

Getting loopy

These days, Bionica is lucky if she only has a 12 hour work day, much less a day off. So weekend adventures are of the solo variety for a bit, but it gives me the opportunity to explore our new home, and via moto no less. Saturday was a nice loop; a little bit country, and a little bit...oh, forget it. Coast, pasture and vineyards. Small roads. Lots of loops, and a lot of pockmarked pavement. Upscale bistros and old school burger shacks. Say what you will about California having too many people, but it makes for a lot of interesting little towns. I never know what is going to pop up around the next corner.

View St Helena Loop in a larger map
205 miles door to door, with a 1/3 tank left. Might have to use that gas tomorrow...

Do the twist

Today's moto adventure took me to Mt. Hamilton, outside of San Jose. This thing is over 4000ft, which is pretty impressive when you consider that you can see the sea atop it. No wonder they put an observatory there. As you might imagine, a road that starts from an elevation of 400ft and crosses here is bound to be squiggly, and this one does not disappoint:

View Larger Map
Zoom in and check out the squiggles. Once you pass the observatory, it gets remote. Temps in the low-90's, which made me realize that I am not in Seattle anymore. As did the snakes sunning themselves in the middle of the road (missed) and large turkey families feeding on the road's shoulders. 150 miles door to door, and back in time for a late lunch. Wahoo.

Bicycle built for two

Well, there's no fooling Giro Dave, so here it is-

We are now tandem people, or as Bionica puts it, "old people." It's a Cannondale, it is kitted out nicely, and we now have a lot to learn. Just starting takes a little technique; starting on a steep hill takes major faith.

Anyhow, Sunday, we rode it up into the hills above Oakland, starting at about 200 ft and rising to 1400 ft in six miles before finally getting to cruise. This is surprisingly tough, and harder on the tandem than on a 'half bike.' Lucky for me, Bionica is the best engine one could hope for. So, we put the bar end shifters to use on the way up, and had plenty of opportunity to test those super brakes on the way down. Very stiff frame, which is confidence-inspiring on these twisty roads.

We like it. Who wants to tour?

A new project begins...

More to come...

Weekend funnies

Click to enlarge.

We have an announcement...

:)

Climb time

We've now been here for nearly a week. In that week, we have unpacked, worked, gone to every store you can imagine for groceries, cleaning supplies, some furniture, etc. But as fun as this has been, sometimes you have to mix it up. Which is why we went for our first bike ride since getting here Friday night, on skyline drive in the oakland hills. Turns out they are aptly named as even the flat parts are hilly. Nice roads, trees, sun, views; you can't ask for much more. (Yes Giro, Kaj and Dell...that is directed towards you...bring your bikes.)

Calm before the storm

Here are a few quick shots of the new digs, including part of our view. Taken before the tidal wave of boxes hit...but we are slowly digging our way out.