It’s that time of year again for the SVEF Mt Charlie Challenge. I’ve been doing this every year since the very start, and last year Gabe did the 50K for the first time. This year he’s definitely doing the 100K ride and he’ll be kicking my ass. Time to get the festivities rolling and get those riders out there in support of our schools! Who are those handsome devils? Gabe will be racing through the course with John Magliato, while I bring up the rear. ...

A tiger is an extraordinary animal. Strong, powerful, graceful, and dangerous. Not to mention beautiful, the tiger is an embodiment of the savagery of nature that man attempts to tame. It is sad to see these majestic animals in a zoo, but I am still glad that I was able to see them. It makes me wonder what it would be like to face these animals in the wild as I have seen wolves, coyotes and foxes. How different would this big cat be? Would I be filled with terror or awe as I stared into the mar of these magnificent creatures? ...

I was trying to describe you to someone But they couldn’t understand They think you’re odd and strange at times But I think you’re as close to perfect as god would allow They don’t understand how I can love you Because the melancholy print you leave behind Is like a bruise a scar that has marred my mind They tell me it is one sided But they could never understand I do not need to hear your words Echoing off the back of my skull I do not need to feel the touch of your fingers when I feel alone There is a name for our love And it is called Poetry ...

The Sea Otter Classic is a major racing event for cyclist from everywhere that just so happens to be in our backyard. This of course means that the competition is going to be crazy, and I can see that Gabe is hoping to just hang in there. It’s a tough, hilly course and the Specialized juniors dish our plenty of pain. I know Gabe enjoyed riding next to Phil for a little while. ...

After a week of driving all over the southwest, Gabe and I are back on the road out to the Modesto area for the Turlock road race. It’s a beautiful day, a great course, and a small field, so Gabe is hoping for a good placing. It’s a 2 lap route for a total of 53 miles, and there are a couple of other fields out at the same time. ...

We spent the night in Sedona again because it was so extraordinary. My mom and I started out the day in Red Rocks State Park with a run. We explored the perimeter of the park that overlooked all these towering red rock pillars like the Catthedral, and many others. After that we left Sedona behind and began our journey tp Phoenix. We made many stops along the way. Pur first stop was in Jerome. ...

Yesterday we stayed in beautiful Sedona Arizona. It was just like Zion except covering more space. The red rocks are beautiful and tower over this quaint little town. My mom and I started out the day with a long hike up on top of a mesa. It was difficult but entirely worth it. We had to climb up the face of the red rock mountain. It was beautiful with the red rocks contrasting against the blue sky painted with delicate clouds. ...

This morning’s plan was to ride up Mingus Mountain through Jerome, after first doing a recon of the route with everyone in the car. We decided to bail once we saw how narrow and busy the road was, and it didn’t help that it was starting to rain as well. We had to make do with some huge views and a very nice lunch in busy downtown Jerome. Then it’s a nice stop at Tuzigoot National Monument to burn off some of that no-ride energy. Gabe is quite the goofball. ...

I had visited the North Rim of the Grand Canyon last summer and now I finally got to see the South Rim. It was pretty impressive and well, grand. It is amazing to stand on the edge of a huge precipice that seems to stretch on forever knowing that I have now been on both sides. I would love to go across the canyon at some point in my life. ...

Gabe and I are off riding this morning down through beautiful Red Rock Canyon, Oak Creek, and Cornville. Meanwhile the girls are off enjoying some fabulous hiking in Sedona over at Jordan Park. Then it’s over to Walnut Canyon to check out the ruins. And because you can never get enough ancient ruins, it’s over to Wupatki National Monument.