October Isn't Over

October ain't over. We haven't even had Halloween yet. I have yet to use my line "trick or treat." My Mom says this weekend was a real treat. You can thank Grandma and Grandpa for that. Just a few more shots of my parents weekend rides. 

Before all the leaves are down.

 and the snow starts to fly.

 My Mama always says to be on your best behavior. You never know who is watching you.

Even where the wild things are.

11 months of....

 

What do you know folks? My brand new home town was just rated as one of America's top mountain biking towns.

 

Gee, I wonder why?

 So my parents are not eccentric, just ahead of the curve. The article says it is a great place to live if you can enjoy/endure 11 months of winter.

Hmm... my math skills aren't that great. I count "one, two, three, four, five, eight, ten." So maybe I'm not one to talk. However, I'm reviewing the stats and it just doesn't add up. Winter includes snowflakes. I have yet to see one fly and we have been here for over 3 months. A year is 12 months. I'm not sure what 12 -3 is, but it ain't 11. O.K? And another thing....the midwest isn't flat!

 

Maybe people just talk. Come to think of it in 1492 Columbus Sailed the Ocean Blue....and people told him the earth was flat.

I've taken sometime to think things over.  After full reflection this is what I know.

It's fall not winter and it is an excellent season for bobbing for apples. Especially when it actually is not an apple on a string but a cookie, shaped like an apple. Apparently, I wasn't supposed to use my hands. No hands, shmands! I have a conspiracy theory. People say these things so that too many people don't overcrowd this gem of a place to live.

Fall is also cyclocross season. Last Sunday my parents both took to the course. It basically all out for 30 minutes of biking with obstacles. I'd say it's kind of like a 5K cross country run, only with a bike. The great thing is that my parents race at different times so I get to come to the event and  cheer lead for both of them. I found out cookies from the Huron Bakery were the prizes so when my Mom was racing I cheered extra hard. I stole one of those orange flags and waved it in the air. My plan worked too well because I think both of my parents will be Cat-ing up a level. I'm certain this will leave them finishing out of the cookie zone. Ahh...you know they are Cat-ing up just because they don't want me to have all that sugar.

Enduring Fall, Fun, and Festivities!

Well folks. I think the fall color is at it's peak.

 

My Mom seems incapable of riding her bike more than 2 minutes before stopping to take a picture.

I, on the other hand, stop for more important things. To mix with the people. I am making friends.

There is a new boy in my life. We have a standing date Wednesday mornings. First it's a 7 mile run with the "Muffin Movers" then it's Baby Cakes for muffins. Our parents may dictate the pace of the run, but we....we dictate the choice of the muffin!Off the record I'm a little mad at my Mom for letting me fall a bit behind my guy on the final climb. How embarrassing!

 Fall is a great time of year for racing. My parents are on the "Think Global Race Local" race circuit for sure. So far since we have arrived to town it has been an off road triathlon, and off road 1/2 marathon, and this time it was an enduro race.

In case you aren't familiar with an enduro race it is a race that requires the fitness of a cross country rider with  the skills of a downhiller . According to my Mom it feels a little like having a psych disorder with ones self talk OK her self talk vacillating from "slow down you are out of control" to "oh my gosh you Granny, pick it up ...it's race day and you are holding up the show" Apparently it is a bit scary, potentially embarrassing since you are mounting your bike on a pile of rocks in front of an audience and exhilarating.  

I was focused and determined just like my Dad! My hard work paid off with another trip to the podium.

 After the awards I tested out the first place spot on the podium. I stood on it and waved my hands in the air then jumped down triumphantly. I told my Mom to try it too, but she indicated that somehow it wasn't appropriate. The joy of being a two year old. If she wants to enjoy the big stump she'll have to practice the trails the race is on and increase her skills exponentially. My Dad says she should  not be racing an enduro on a hard tail. She really needs full suspension. But then again maybe he just likes building up new bikes.

My parents. They sure do like to ride their bikes.

I enjoy biking but I am better at diversifying my interests. I like running and feeding ducks.

 

 

Until my next adventure ! Enjoy some color!

When The Sun Is Not Sunny

All these blogs with pictures of the sun shining and no hint of rain and I know my readers are thinking "this blog is make believe...that girl is a sham". Well I'll admit it. In to my life rain does fall! However that is no excuse to sit around twiddling my thumbs. There is always something to do even when the wind blows.

When the wind blows my Dad gets out his surf board.

 When it is windy, misty, and cold my parents enjoy running trail 1/2 marathons which include tripping on tree roots and climbing up boulders on their hands and knees. To celebrate the event they hang out (wet and sweaty in the cold)  awaiting jars of homemade jam for placing in their age groups. Umm...wouldn't normal people cut the 13.1 mile chase and just head to the Farmer's Market on Saturday morning. Oh yeah, that's right you don't get a free t-shirt for attending the Farmer's Market. There has to be a better way for a 2 year old to spend their time on a rainy day. Let's think about it.....

I know ....The U.P. Children's Museum 

There is plenty to do there. Just use your imagination and try.  Often when I fall down and hurt myself I say "Childrens Musuem. 5 Minutes make it better". Good thing we got the yearly membership.

Trust me. It's good times I swear!