Ketchup

Jake and the Bearded Dragon at Reptile Club...we're stoked to be leading a snake hike in August!

Jake rocking Alston in the field of dreams...

Took some pics of Curtis Brazing a frame...

Super combo post...Little text. Go to my Flickr for pics.

Thanks M. Welby for the Hula song, totally reminded me of my old boss at Tesser who was always playing the ukelele joints. 

In my own music flash back, I spent last night scooping up some old Steady B and MC Ant, followed it up by blasting PE "Yo Bum Rush the Show" today...ahhh yes, my roots are in hip-hop, but now there is so much more...

Jake time

Quick post...

This past weekend was pretty cool, Saturday I got back into my Saturday Morning group ride. Really fun to see the gang and do some extra miles in beautiful weather. Ended up hitting Dry Creek with a small group and then peeling off to do Veeder with Patrick. Crazy how much difference the higher temps make, still go in about 45 miles on a beautiful day. 

Funny thing, Dry Creek to Veeder is my favorite local ride. So much so, that my identified "happy place" (as recognized with my therapist), the place where I have the most clear thoughts is out there. Anyway, I've been hitting the route up on Wednesday's with Curtis and some of the crew from Bicycle Works—usually end up descending in the dark (also fun)—to the tune of 25-35 additional miles in the middle of the week. Does a lot for my thinking and future. One benefit; it seems like I am getting a little stronger (or maybe it is more used to) the climbing out there. Whatever it is, I like it and will keep moving forward...as I have always believed, it's nice to ride with stronger people (almost everyone is over me)—helps elevate my game and keeps me breathing!

Sunday was big plans—Jake and I where gonna combine two things-a trip to Angwin to watch some of my friends race and to look for skinks. We were successful in both. Walking around the course, we were able to see everyone as they finished the race; Andrew, Curtis, Tom from Content Works, George Hope, Leslie, even Jiro from the old King days. While out on the course we were flipping rocks and logs and finally found it—the blue tailed skink! They're fast little guys and drop their tale (as this one did) in the blink of an eye. Jake was hooked and soon we had a sweet blue belly. We hiked up the super steep drop in and on the way up Jake showed his skills by catching a nice sized blue belly by himself on a fence post. Rock on! His enthusiasm and skills make me so proud!

From there we hung around the finish line chatting and watching the festivities. Jake was stoked to get a free ice cream sandwich from some real pro's from the Kona team—it paid off as we ended up waiting longer than expected before heading to lunch. Jake was just "one of the guys" at the Azteca market in St. Helena as we munched on burritos, orange rice and Boing! Peach drinks. He cracked us all up as he announced half-way through lunch that there weren't any girls! Just a simple observation of our all male-group, but funny as it also pertained to bike racing in general (although there are getting to be more ladies). 

After lunch Jake and I headed to Dry Creek road to look for some more newts and skinks. We parked and hiked along the creek where we caught a bullfrog. Jake again surprised me when he caught another blue belly all by himself. His skills are incredible and he's very responsible (gentle and careful) with the animals.

Our last stop was for a Keva Juice smoothie as it was still really hot at 6PM. We headed home for a bath and dinner before hitting the couch to read a Choose Your Own Adventure. Awesome day.

As I have said before, our family situation is going to change sooner than (I) ever hoped, but it only gives me more energy and enthusiasm to channel toward this wonderful little person.

* Sorry no Angwin pics, I had the camera on the wrong setting accidentally and they're all jacked up...

Me and My Boy...

In the flurry to post the ride from yesterday, I totally spaced some pics of Jake and I doing what we know best...hikin' and lizard & snake huntin'. Jake is really awesome when it comes to his love of the outdoors, reminds me of myself so many moons ago...always flippin' over rocks and searching for the next reptile.

We've had a busy couple of weekends on the hikin' tip recently. One weekend found us heading up Partrick Road in search of salamander and newts. Jake was a real trooper and did the whole hike solo (not carried). We found several scorpions, some skinny salamanders and the pretty orange/brown Ensatina.

Last weekend was jam packed with adventure. Saturday Jake joined me on the tag a long for my Saturday morning group ride. I was a little concerned he wouldn't be able to hang in there for the 16+ miles (wait, my bad-I was more concerned I wouldn't be able to make it towing him!), but he pedalled the entire distance. We had a blast flying down hills and joining my "buds" for coffee and juice at Stanley Lane. I gotta say towing the 50+ pounds around sure was a work out!

Jake zonked out hard after the ride, but woke up full of energy to go on our promised lizard huntin' trip that afternoon. He and I headed over to Browns Valley and began the hike up hill. It didn't take much log turnin' to find our first scorpion, but soon after that it was newt time. As we made our way uphill there were plenty of blue-bellies to chase, but I knew there had to be snakes out there, and we were gonna find them!

We didn't have to wait long. One nice rock flip yielded a baby garter snake, which Jake was kind enough to let poop on me before he held it. Next up we were chasing some blue bellies on the old road when I noticed a baby gopher snake. I snatched it right up and Jake proudly posed with it before we let it go.

We took a banana, apple and water break and just took in the beauty of the area before heading back downhill. Of course our adventure wasn't over yet.

While watching some blue bellies do "push ups", I heard a rustling in the grass and found a huge toad. Once again, Jake was kind enough to let it pee on me before posing. Minutes after letting Mr. Toad go, we were walking down and again, off the road I saw a huge gopher snake just poking out of the grass. Jake waited while I snuck up on it and caught it. The big snake was a little mad and hissed a bunch and struck at my shoe before calming down. I'd say it was about 4 feet long and almost 2" thick! Jake wasn't too into holding it, until AFTER I let it go. So I snatched it back up for him-unfortunately ol' Mr. Gopher was back to hissing and really wanted to go, so we just watched him slither away.

I can't describe how cool it is to spend time outdoors with Jake. To see him loving nature and respecting it, just makes me proud!