Catching up...

Can't believe how time is flying by. Just got back from a trip to California last week and am heading to Palm Springs on Saturday. Racking up the miles for sure but wrecking havoc with my sleep cycles. On the bright side, after years of deliberation have decided to buy yet another bike...this one a BikeFriday that folds up into a small suitcase. Now I have a set wheels to take with me when I travel. I pick it up next week!

On the family front, school has kicked into high gear and all girls are working hard! We did find time to head out to Annecy, France on Saturday. It's a beautiful resort town in the French alps, aptly called the little Venice of France! It was a full day trip. We drove down with our friend Cheryl. It was a cramped ride with the two dogs sharing the back seat, but I was driving so not such a big deal ...;-)

Here are some pictures!


Note Tigger and Telly hanging out!

Mad Dash

Slept in on Saturday until around 9:00am and next thing I know, Brenna, who was fighting a cold, was asking me if I'd do the bike leg in a triathlon she had signed up for. That would give her time between the swim and the run to dry off and maybe she would not get more sick...funny logic no?

Being the good sport, I said yes, and we rushed down some breakfast and headed to Aubonne to change her entry from individual to relay. We made it in time and next thing I knew Brenna was plunging in the pool for her swim.

It was a nasty site. 24 swimmers of all sizes snaking through a 1 lane maze. Pretty clever but ineffective way to turn a 25 meter pool into a 200 meter long course. As the mob funnelled into the pool, Brenna had the misfortune of getting stuck behind a pretty heavy and big guy doing the breast stroke. She bravely attempted to pass him on one or two occasions but got body slammed into his armpit each time. She finally relented.

After 200 meters of this, it was out of the pool, run and jump back in the other end for another 200 meters of fun. Trying to pass her obstacle on hard albeit slippery ground, Brenna went down on her knees...all scraped up she then made the plunge for round 2. I wasn't sure if Brenna was going to make round 2, but I needed to get down to the bike for the transfer.

To my great relief, Brenna was soon running towards me with skinned knees and Mr. Whale in close pursuit. She handed me her 'meter' and I took off for my 22km ride. Still fighting a bit of jet lag and about 10 pounds of too much German food over the last week, I had no idea how I'd do. There was a strong headwind and lots of climbing.

I stayed focused on my average speed, hoping to hold 28km/hour. I was barely pushing 20 and my stomach wanted to hurl...Seemed slow, but I was still passing many and gaining ground so maybe I wouldn't disappoint Brenna.

Finally got to some downhill and had a long stretch of steep drops with a nice tailwind. My eyes were watering with the wind but I could still see just enough to stay in the right lane and avoid upcoming cars. I hit a top speed of 73.3 m/hour but still kept the rubber between me and the road.

One last climb and I was back for the next hand off. Average speed: 30km/hour!
Brenna was surprised to see me back so soon but quickly took the meter and ran off for her 5km dash. She later confessed, that knowing I worked so hard had motivated her to put in her best. and she did...She absolutely hauled!! Despite the hills, she was back in 26 minutes, bandaged knees and all!

Icing on the cake... we had moved up from 23rd place to 12th! Not bad for a days work.
Actually, not bad at all. And best of all, it was a great shared moment between father and daughter!

;-) Dave

Dresden

Got back from Dresden on Friday after presenting a paper at a conference there. What a great city. It's history is fascinating. It was mostly destroyed in WWII and only recently rebuilt. My hotel was next to the Frauenkirche which was built in the early 1700's. On February 14th, 1945, after heavy bombing, the whole city was destroyed but the church was still standing. Then on the 15th, it imploded and as I was told, people lost hope.

The church was left in ruins for 50 years as a call for peace among the different nations of the world. It was rebuilt in 1995. Walking around the town, I could still sense the pain. It was also interesting talking to people. Most, especially the young and educated, are very happy with the unification, but I did run into some 'older' types (mid 40's ?!) who seemed to miss the days when the government took care them. Not to get into politics....

Anyways, I got back on Friday, worked till 8:00pm and got home just in time for warmed up left overs. I'm not complaining, just emphasizing it was late...

Maria chan

Anyone remember lil' Maria? Our 3 year old neighbor in Japan...?

A lot changes in 10 years!!!!

The Feeeeesches

Wow! And then I got to see Mom and Dad!


Dad styling in his new wheels..

Mom getting hair cut and being watched by a mischievous cat. The cat eventually pounced up and attacked the hair falling near her neck!

Mom, delegated to the back seat, but not complaining .

Nice looking couple, no?
Mamacita linda and me!

Brennen visit

Got lucky and was able to 'room and board' with Don and Andrea. Had a great time. Ate well and two great bike rides. Quite the sight along a vineyard we rode past....

Nice airport

On a recent business trip to the Bay area, I connected through Charles De Gaulle Airport. Not often that I'd want to rave about a nice airport, but this one takes the cake. Nice styling and comfy seating!