Autumn Weekend

We started off the weekend with an early morning hike at Priest Point Park and then headed to Lattin's Cider Mill for an autumn tradition - fresh, warm Apple Fritters. On Sunday we raced at Fort Steilacoom. Brandee insanely or bravely raced in her Wonder Woman Halloween costume. We say that because at start time the temperature was just about 38 degrees! Unfortunately neither Brandee nor Eric finished their races (we both started at the same time, just different categories) because with a lap to go our teammate and friend, Jason, crashed and both broke and dislocated his ankle. Eric who was right behind him was first to assist, but at that point there's no reason to keep racing...he's doing better now, but it definitely saddened our day.

Water Dog at the park

Lattin's Pumpkin Patch


Wonder Woman

Sunshine - finally

After weeks of gray skies and bone chilling rain, we're finally getting some beautiful fall weather... Eric and Carmen took advantage of the sunshine with another morning hike exploring the trails and beach at Priest Point Park. The forecast is predicting enjoyable weather for more than a week!

Carmen at the water's edge

A view of West Olympia from across the Sound

Fresh snow on the Olympics

Seattle Cyclocross Race #3 - Kelly Creek

After a week that saw windstorms, more bike crashes, and adventures with Carmen, we arrived at Kelly Creek Farm for a great day of racing. Probably the best course at Kelly Creek to date: fast, wide, with the right amount of mud. Brandee rode another great race and Eric used the day as a fun 'training race' as he is still recovering from last week's crash. Below are pictures of some of the course...

The center of the course, with a natural barrier from the windstorm, leading to the run-up (Note the pumpkin patch in the distance)

A fast, fun, and slippery downhill section - "Don't use brakes!"

Seattle Cyclocross Race #2 - Evergreen

We went to the second race in the Seattle cyclocross series on Sunday... With early morning fog that gave way to clear skies, it was a great day for racing at a very popular venue near Seattle. Brandee rallied to complete an epic TWO races in one day, a feat few are ever able to accomplish! First with her singlespeed bike and then two hours later in the women's Category 3 race on a borrowed geared bike. After winning the women's SS Cat, she placed a very respectable 12th in her second race. Eric raced later, but didn't fare as well. After a strong start, he crashed on the second lap - slamming his left thigh into a root or rock that disappointingly forced him to abandon the race. Carmen did really well at her first cyclocross race, especially considering all of the bikes, people, dogs, and sounds all around her, and we all had lot of fun.

Brandee receiving some last minute race advice from Carmen

It must have worked...Brandee, having fun while racing her singlespeed, passing someone on a geared bike, on her way to victory!

Eric looking strong on an off-camber turn just minutes before 'the crash'

In Carmen's World Now

Eric and I are having so much fun getting to know Carmen. She is such a great dog! We are truly grateful. The picture below is a self portrait of Eric and Carmen on a hike they did at Priest Point Park.

Carmen's New Friends...

Carmen and Bailey

Carmen and Kirby

Carmen and Canyon

Carmen and Joachim Parbo, Danish National Cyclocross Champion

Joachim was in town (traveling the States doing clinics and races) conducting a local cyclocross clinic for the junior Rad Racing Team and we were invited. He's a really down to earth guy that we will be cheering for this coming Euro Cross season. It poured buckets during our clinic!

Carmen has come to live with us!

We are so lucky to have Carmen in our life now. Because she is so sweet and confident we can tell that she came from a loving family. We hope we can provide the same loving home for her. We spent our first weekend with Carmen doing a lot of fun things.

We walked downtown to the Olympia Art Walk.

We walked to the neighborhood bakery for coffee.

We made our annual trip to Shelton's Oyster Fest (Eric and Dad enjoying a microbrew after having just eaten oyster fritters; Carmen not pictured).

Pumpkin carver at Oyster Fest.

2007 Cyclocross season begins!

Last Sunday was our first cyclocross race of the 2007 Seattle Series. It was cold, rainy, and muddy - perfect for a season opener. The muddier the better...really.

Brandee with Valley teammate Jason after their race.

Brandee (on right) clearing the barriers.

Eric during his race! We are both racing on single speed bikes this season.

Close up of some of the mud on the course. Gotta love that mud!

In Memorium of loved ones...

It's been a roller coaster of emotions this week. My Grandma Josephine Era passed away on October 1st after a lengthy and painful battle with cancer. She was such a strong woman, even up to the very end. I will miss her humor, love, politcal views, opinions on Seattle sports teams, and her amazing pies, even though she always thought her pies didn't turn out very well. She raised a great family and always put others first. I will miss her dearly...

Grandma, me, and Maggie

The puppies that we saved ended up having a coccidia parasite and the little runt girl who we named "Little Girl" and the shelter named "Mildred or Millie" wasn't strong enough to fight the infection and passed away (the other pups are doing pretty good). Millie was so sweet and we were going to adopt her if she got better. We fell in love with her during our short time with her.

Eric holding Little Girl Millie


It comforts me to think of Grandma holding Millie on her lap in heaven.