Tour of California Bicycle Race

My latest adventure was to volunteer to be a course marshall for Stage 4 of the Tour of California bike race; . This stage was 115 miles from Merced to Clovis via Oakhurt and Bass Lake. http://www.amgentourofcalifornia.com/

After three days of cold, wind and rain, the central valley was glad to have a sunny and clear day for the riders. The mountains could be seen full of snow and the riders were reported saying how beautiful this area was.

This stage had 3 king of the mountains and 3 sprints which made it the hardest day in the entire 9 days of racing.

As the race progressed, there was live feed being shown on the Jumboron near the finish line in Clovis. Loval TV stations were broadcasting how to watch it on the web as it wasn't available otherwise.

Clovis' old town was where nearly 40,000 people were screaming as the sprinter David Cavenaugh crossed the finish line. Levi Lipenheimer is the leader so far with Lance Armstrong in 4th place; both are on the Asana team.

I was stationed nearly 12 miles out from the finish but helped cheer the riders when they flashed by. The excited mounted as the helicopter could be seen approaching with the TV crew on board. It's amasing how fast they were going after having turned a corner just hundred yards away.

The three breakaway riders were only seconds ahead of the peleton as this point. Everyone was yelling, "Here they come" as they turned the corner.

I was greatful my camera could rapid fire as they were so fast I was happy to get any pictures at all. The Peleton is shown here with Levi in the yellow jersey.

Could it be...Lance Armstrong!!!

What a day it was! I got to talk to lots of fellow bike people and saw some friends I used to work with who were just down at the corner. WOW!

Cooking Tour of the United States

Finally, I have begun to satisfy one of my retirement goals; I wanted to take cooking classes. I'm into my second week of classes at a local high school's home ec. classroom. Each week we "tour" a different part of the country.

The first week was "The South" and my kitchen group made biscuits and a bourbon glazed pecan pound cake. I wanted to take pictures of it but the class ate it so fast I couldn't get my camera out.

The second week is "Napa Valley/Bay Area". I made poached pears in a red wine sauce.

I decided to avoid the mad house chaos of the class and try it at home first. It takes an hour and a half to poach the pears so the 2 hour class is a real rush job. I invited Dori and another friend, Vicki over to try them out.

I tried to work on presentation and think it came out pretty good for the first time.

Next week we'll be in Cajun country, New Orleans and Marti Gras. I'll let you know in two weeks what else is going on. I think I'll make an entre and have some friend over or maybe invite them to cook with me. If it's nice we'll eat out on the patio. This really makes me happy!

When I'm 64...

"Will you still love me; will you still need me; when I'm 64?!" Paul McCartney wanted to know that years ago and now he's 66 and I am 64! My birthday sparked Sam to gather the clan and friends to celebrate. We even had Mom out until 9 p.m. which was so LATE she was locked out of her care facility!

We had a good weekend with Sam and Marge coming up from San Diego on Friday afternoon. It was spring like weather and we had breakfast on the patio. Mom came over for an at home IHOP breakfast which she loves.

Clara, Dori and Linda joined us for dinner at the Elbow Room where we had a good time taking pictures. Mary Lou is our cake monster taking the leftovers home for breakfast? Here's a few...

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Newest Adventure

Everyone that knows me, knows I love to explore new things, new places and meet new people. 2009 started off with a bang by making a new discovery. On the last sunny day we had here in Fresno, ML and I had a picnic lunch on the bluffs overlooking the river bottom when a couple walked by with a little white poodle. Of course we told them about our 3 poodles and a long and happy conversation ensued. We talked about dogs, the river, fishing and floating down the river. That's when I told them I wanted to get a kayak and explore the river. Well surprise, surprise the man said he had one he sell me for $100!!! That evening I went over looked at it and bought it; he delievered it the next morning. I've hung it up in the garage until it's warm enought to get into the water and I get a life vest. It's an Ocean Kayak so I may take it over to Moss Landing and paddle up the slough to see the otters, birds and deer.

.

The next discovery was Sycamore Island which is by land only12 miles from home. We've already taken the fifth wheel out there and spent the night parked by a pond and watching the ducks. The dogs and I flushed two deer that leapt away throught the water onto an island in the pond. It was hazy so I didn't get any pictures while we were there but here are maps and one picture from their website.

Ho Ho Ho! Hurray!

The patio is finally finished just in time for Christmas. The greenish stain was applied the last day the sun was out.

The Christmas cactus is blooming and the weather is a warm 68 which doesn't much seem like winter.

We put up our decorations today including the tree inside. Mom was here for lunch and dinner plus a egg nog with a "stick." It's supposed to be very cold next week but we're prepared.

Happy Thanksgving

What a beautiful day! We've had some unusually warm weather and the sunshine was spectacular.

Marylou and I cooked all morning and ate all afternoon or so it seemed to me. I took desserts and cranberry relish out to Larry's for the big dinner there. Mom came out to enjoy all the crowd of boyfriends, in laws and friends of the family.


I finished the ramp for Mom's wheelchair so she can get into my house easier. I've ordered a transport chair for her that's narrower than the one she's given by her facility. She hasn't been able to enter interior doors as they are more narrow than the exterior ones.


My next project is to stain the patio concrete Stone Moss. I want to have it all ready for Christmas so I can have everyone especially Mom over.

Patio Progress

I've continued to work on the patio. I just finished expanding the back door landing and added 2 steps. The idea is to make it wheelchair accessible. The last time Mom was able to visit I couldn't get her into the house in her electric chair. Next time I should be able to.

The weather here has been exceptional warm making everyone want to be outside as much as possible. I took Mom for a Sunday afternoon drive to see the fall colors in all their glory and over to the house to see the patio's progress. She was glad to get out but stay "it takes the starch out of me for several days."