As 2009 whittles down, is it time to reflect about the past year?
Ok, well, if I have too. It is hard to remember what happened as it is all a blur it seems.
I purchased my new camera (Canon 40D) early this past spring and took a couple camera classes and a workshop. We have had a lot of fun with the camera outings from hitting area parks to traveling around the country side with two other Camera Clicking Cyclist to standing out in the BITTER cold TRYING to take pictures of the meteors at 4 in the morning! My techniques are getting better and of course I have been having fun purchasing camera equipment! I have found that I am LOVING taking nature pictures best.
We hit the bike trail a few times this spring and summer and on one memorable occasion we ran into CycleSD and Irish. We rode with them for a bit and then headed back to our vehicle not really realizing how REALLY dark it gets on the bike path when the sun goes down and how scary lightening is when you are in the elements with no shelter in site! Memorable for sure!
Then of course there was the whole ankle flare up. Not sure how it happened exactly but it made me miss the MS150 this past year. I still raised over $500 for the MS society which is always a bonus. Anyway after a few appointments to the local ankle specialist it was determined that my ankle is bad but not bad enough yet. I am totally missing a ligament on the outer side of my ankle and others are damaged from breaking it once, spraining it at least 8 times and of course there is a bone spur. So I have to live with it for a while before anything is done to it...FUN!
I did a lot of cycle officiating this past year. One of the local bike clubs had a criterium every month. They also sponsored the local state criterium and a road race and time trial in Spearfish. We had great crews for all of the events! I also helped with a 2-day race in Norfolk that ended up being the most crazy race I have seen. It rained and hailed. NASTY! Glad I was under a canopy but we all still were soaked! Our local bike club also has a monthly non sanctioned time trial. I was at the turn around point for the time trial. I did re-knew my officials license for next year so we will see how it all goes. If you get a chance to get out and watch some of the races do so and support local cycling. You meet some awesome people in the cycling community!
In July Kris's mom fell and broke her humorus bone (upper arm) almost up by the shoulder so she was unable to do a lot of the work around the farm like she usually does. Kris and I went out and did chores as needed. I of course mowed. I don't mind mowing. They have 4-5 acres to mow and they have two nice mowers to ride. You think about a lot of thinks as you mow. I really would have loved to been able to meet her dad and grandpa. They had quite the dairy set up for a few years and it would have been fun to see the farm in its hay day, no pun intended! Then again I am sure they would not have liked listening to me belt out whatever song I was listening to at the time on the ipod, while mowing! Her mom is all healed up and starting to do strengthening now. I think next July we will wrap her in bubble wrap. In July of 2008 she broke her wrist.
In December we went to Disney! What a great time as always. We walked 51.01 miles in nine days and the ankle was a little sore but no major issues, go figure! We did a lot of different things we have never done before which was a blast!
I look to 2010 as a year of change. For me, I really want to ride more. I didn't commute as much as I had hoped and ride as much as I had hoped for that matter. Sometimes life gets in the way! I also want to hone more of my camera skills and do a workshop out in the hills in September. Other than that there are will be more changes / goals in my life, I am sure, that will come up as the months fly by in 2010!
We have been blessed in 2009 with many memories! I hope 2010 provides you with awesome goals that you accomplish, wealth and health for you and your family!
December 29, 2009
2009 recap and on to 2010......
December 21, 2009
Merry Christmas.........
For the couple of you that read this blog.
December 20, 2009
Some Disney vacation pics
SUSHI!
Steven Curtis Chapman reading the Christmas story at the 
Segway Tour at EPCOT! We spent two hours on the Segway, what a blast!
The promotional golf cart at the Palms Golf Course.
The three golfers at hole number 18!
December 14, 2009
Short vacation recap..........
Vacation to Disney World in Florida was AWESOME, even though it rained a bit on us it was all good. Pics to be posted at some point in the next week. I am sure some of you followed our travels from watching the posted pictures on Twitter and Facebook.
If you get a chance to ever go to Disney World they have some great food places and well of course some fun rides.
From Dec 2-the evening of Dec 11 I walked 51.01 miles! If you plan to go to Disney make sure you "train" for vacation otherwise you will be sitting in a bottle of advil to help with the aches!
Funniest thing heard on vacation: I was in the bathroom and in the next stall it was a girl talking with her grandma. "Grandma, I like your big underwear!" I was trying not to laugh but I was also amazed that the grandma didn't chuckle or laugh but politely said, "Well, thank you, I like them also!"
Favorite meal: Fulton's Crab House. The king crab legs were simply amazing! If you go there ask for George, he is a super cool waiter!
Favorite ride: Splash Mountain. We rode it two times in a row without getting out of the log!
Favorite drink: Avocado Margarita at the tequila bar in Mexico! YUMMY! It was really refreshing and awesome!
Favorite extra event: Segway tour. Segways are two wheeled people movers that us a gyro-scope to help you keep balance. They are a BLAST! Ours was a two hour tour. One hour instruction inside and then one hour riding them around the World Showcase at EPCOT. Our tour was cut about 15-20 short because of the rain.
Favorite firework show: Wishes at Magic Kingdom-Holiday version! WOW!
We golfed one day and saw a gator sunning himself on the banks along the canal. We golfed the Palms which is a PGA course. WOW.....the front 9 was nice but the back nine was was very beautiful. We saw an otter, gator, deer and an osprey on our golf outing. Oh yes, even though we did ride a cart we could only stay on the cart path so I still walked over 3 miles that day!
We also found that some of the rides had been upgraded and tweaked a bit which was a nice surprise and all for the best!
Remember, Disney it is not just for kids!
November 17, 2009
Leonid
Leonid, Sneeonid! Went looking for the meteors and did see some. Maybe about a half dozen all very SMALL but at least we were not skunked, after all it was early in the morning (2:45am alarm went off) then got the camera ready, we hopped into warm clothes and drove out of town to get a better view.
Yup, to view, bright, little, short, streaks crossing the sky, in a nano-second. All was not lost though. There is something to be said about standing along a country road with a camera on a tripod in warm clothes, yup, that included my Elmer Fudd hat and looking up at the sky or watching Kris jump up and down flapping her arms to keep warm. Then the coldness settled around the hands and feet. We were finished.
November 2, 2009
What? November?
Can this really be true that it is November 2nd? Wow, where has this year gone? Seems time goes faster as we get older. Why is that? Is it because our days are numbered? It is just amazing to me. Seems like it was just yesterday that we were all worried about Y2K!
So, it is November and now to mess with us even more, lets change the time! Not only do we have to wonder where all the days have gone, but now we gain an hour! UGH!
October 26, 2009
Plays, picturizing and the Pit!
Well so what is new in my part of the world....well, lets see....
I actually went to a Shakespeare play a week ago. Yup, Shakespeare, can you believe it? It was called, "As You Like It", it was a COMEDY, ya right, Shakespeare wrote a comedy? Well, yes he did in like the 1599-1600s. The actors were really good but we were up in the nose bleed area so it was hard to hear since the actors didn't have microphones. The famous line from the play is, "All the world's a stage". I was so happy I knew what was going on and I didn't even read the synopsis of the play!
Last weekend we hit Yankton for more theater, semi-winterizing of the Clubhouse and meeting up with friends. Lewis and Clark Theater put on "Play it Again Sam" for their fall play. It was really good and not what I had expected at all. After the play we caught up with my Godparents and had a few beverages. Always good to get caught up but it is busy time of year for them with harvest coming on fast, that is if the fields ever dry out! Saturday while a lot of the biker friends were doing the 50/50 cyclcross in Sioux Falls, I met up with a couple other cycling friends (camera clicking cyclist) for some pho-togging! They picked me up in Yankton and we headed out for a fun afternoon. We hit the Sacred Heart Convent Cemetery, Lewis and Clark Lake, watched people snag for paddlefish, House of Mary Shrine and then on to Utica, SD (little burg north west of Yankton), Marindahl Lake (man made lake just east of Broom Tree Farm) and then country roads back to Wakonda. It is so great to get out and see what nature has in store around every corner but as my mom would say, "We were all over like horse S#$T!" I mean that is a GOOD WAY!
Once in Wakonda we had happy hour at Cycling Cathy's house along with other bikers/friends, Mr & Mrs Ride Vermillion, Kris, Charlie or Mr Cycling Cathy (haha), Ed & Pat and Sieversma. We showed the group our pictures from the day on the TV and then it was off to The Pit for supper, laughter and fellowship! It was an awesome day!
More theater in our future?------Heck yes! Church Basement Ladies tickets were purchased for this week so three theater productions in a week and a half.
I have been thoroughly culturized!
October 22, 2009
National award for our city!
October 16, 2009
Week recap.........
Nothing...................
Well, ok some things did happen.
1) Co-work in ICU AGAIN, about the same thing that she had a little over a year ago.
2) State architects show was in Sioux Falls, yesterday and today. Yup, I worked the Friday morning shift at our booth.
3) Insulation installed in the living room area of the basement.
4) It snowed.
5) Started Christmas shopping. (related to the snow?....maybe?)
6) We might as well move to Seattle with all the rain, it is still raining, and the skies are gray.
7) Abe has his new Halloween costume.
8) Travelocity / Delta changed our flight / times for the third time in four weeks.
9) Thought the air compressor, to run the stapler to put up insulation, was on the fritz but then Kris pointed out that I had plugged it into the socket that is controlled by a switch....DUH!
10) Reading a lot about Disney and Photography.
HEY, EVERYONE, HAVE A FUN AND SAFE WEEKEND.
REMEMBER IT IS OPENING PHEASANT HUNTING SEASON THIS WEEKEND SO PUT UP YOUR BREAKABLES!
October 9, 2009
Friday afternoon funny......
A man in Topeka , Kansas decided to write a book about churches around the country. He started by flying to San Francisco and started working east from there.
Going to a very large church, he began taking photographs and making notes. He spotted a golden telephone on the vestibule wall and was intrigued with a sign which read "Calls: $10,000 a minute.." Seeking out the pastor he asked about the phone and the sign. The pastor answered that this golden phone is, in fact, a direct line to heaven and if he pays the price he can talk directly to GOD. The man thanked the pastor and continued on his way.
As he continued to visit churches in Seattle , Dallas , Oklahoma City, Chicago , Milwaukee, and many cities and towns all around the United States , he found more phones, with the same sign, and the same answer from each pastor.
Finally, he arrived in South Dakota , upon entering a church in the beautiful farm land region of SD , behold - he saw the usual golden telephone. But THIS time, the sign read "Calls: 35 cents" Fascinated, he asked to talk to the pastor, "Reverend, I have been in cities all across the country and in each church I have found this golden telephone and have been told it is a direct line to Heaven and that I could talk to GOD, but in the other churches the cost was $10,000 a minute. Your sign reads only 35 cents a call. Why?"
The pastor, smiling broadly, replied, "Son, you're in South Dakota now ... You're in God's Country. It's a local call."
October 4, 2009
FAB, Tripod and a Party............
Fun filled weekend!
Friday night was VERY low key but Saturday was packed with fun.
Hit the Sertoma Butterfly House early. They open early on the first Saturday and first Monday of the month so that people wanting to use tripods to photograph the butterflies can do so without causing problems for other visitors. WOW! Let me just say that if you have never been there is is worth a stop! The butterflies are amazing. Thanks to Harolds Photo and Tamron for sending me a demo lens to use over the weekend until mine comes in this week!
October 2, 2009
Fall FAB ride and meeting
October 1, 2009
Kentucky to Alaska on a tandem built for 5!
WOW, check this out.......
http://www.pedouins.org/index.html
To be able to be that free to do something like this is amazing.
I guess it is all a mater of choices.........
September 30, 2009
Race across the Sky-Leadville 100
On October 22nd, experience a One Night Event in movie theatres nationwide, yes, even here is Sioux Falls, featuring the debut of "RaceAcross the Sky" a documentary covering the 2009 LeadvilleTrail 100 bike race!
http://www.raceacrossthesky.com/
September 29, 2009
September 20, 2009
Tamron Road Series Workshop!
What a great photography workshop this past weekend. A lot of info to digest and a lot learned!
Below are a couple of my favorite shots that I took messing around with the Tamron 180mm macro demo lens. Pretty fun. I only wish the flowers would have been not past their prime. So, after demo-ing the lens, I now have one on order and it should be here the end of the week! I also tried out a gimbal tripod and a 200-500mm lens. WOW! The tripod was in the $800-something range and the lens was in the $1999 range. Lots of money I was carrying around for a while. They were really nice but I would have to save a LOT to afford that!
If you like photography take a workshop. You do hands on work and learn a lot from the pros! Of course, I go to the zoo and still find flowers and bugs to photograph, go figure!
Cycling Cathy did an AWESOME job with her pics. I hope she will post them on the blog! She also had fun demo-ing her carbon fiber tripod! Yup, not just on bikes but tri-pods also. They were SUPER light!
September 18, 2009
Ankle and aperture
Well, what is new in my world?
Some frustrations and some up coming fun stuff.
First the frustration. As many of you know I have a bum wheel, ankle that is. I think it all started when I was in 6 or 7th grade when I sprained my ankle one of the first of eight times over my life, so far. Then a few years ago, I broke it. I guess, yes, you can call me a klutz, but at least the time I did brake it, I was walking down the stairs at home in December and my shoes were wet. So I slipped and fell. The good thing is that I had just opened my first bottle of beer, yup, Newcastle, and had taken two sips out of it when I did this. I never spilled a drop. Klutz or not, you decide! Anyway, the old wheel has been bothering of late and so I decided to seek out professional help. After a few trips to the Dr, loads of x-rays and an MRI, it was determined that my ankle is bad but not bad enough to do anything to it yet. WHAT? Yup, that is what I said. The last trip to the dr I was to have a cortisone injection but since my ankle was not as tight as it was, he decided against it but they did do more x-rays called stress x-ray where they literally twist your ankle to see how many degrees they can twist it. YUP, LOTS of fun! Anyway the news is that I have no anterior talofiular ligament anymore, the posterior calcaneofibular ligament had some superficial fiber damage, basically a bone spur off the inside of the ankle bone and a possible fusion of some bones. YIPPEE! So after all that, we wait until it gets worse. Then the plan will be surgery and it will be a non-weight bearing (no weight on the surgerized ankle)for 6 weeks! So nothing else, no restrictions only that if it is sore take anti-inflams and wear a brace especially when on uneven ground. So, living with a physical therapist, she has some different ideas. There will be more strengthening of the ankle with exercises! OH YEAH, UGH....life goes on!
(One of the stress x-rays, ignore the neon lines on the x-ray as they were moved out of place so he could show me the bone spur, not suppose to be there, by the cursor arrow)
THE GOOD NEWS! I am excited for another photography class that starts tonight and goes through tomorrow! Cycling Cathy is even coming up to take this class also! Harold's is the host of the event but Tamron is the main sponsor and they call it their Road Series Event. They are bringing in a nature photographer from Florida that will teach a class tonight for three hours and then tomorrow we hit the local zoo for hands on learning! With Tamron being a sponsor, they are going to let us try out their different lenses! I am jazzed about this! There will be a little class work tomorrow plus at the end a photo contest for the "students". Lots to learn!And, yes, I will be wearing my ankle brace!
September 14, 2009
Marg ride Vlll
Had a great weekend in Bridge City (Yankton) and Verm-town (Vermillion)!
It was the 8th annual Lane Hogs Margarita Ride. Let me just say if you never have done this ride you should. It was well organized, well attended (150 riders), a lot of fun and the added bonus is the profits from the event ALL goes to the MS Society!
Kudos to Christi for her longest ride ever, 30 miles! WOO HOO! It was a bummer Kris didn't feel well. Her cold kicked her in the butt so she was only able to ride 15 miles. Next year kiddo! (thank you Mrs Biking Brady for rescuing her at the rest stop!) Had a great time chatting with Pat and Ed along the route also. Pat and I had fun talking to the cows although she was a little distracted as they are expecting the arrival of their first grandchild SOON!
We hit the Eagles club after the ride for Mexican food and of course Margs! It was all good. Glen, one of my fellow USAC officials also made the ride up from Sioux City to Vermillion but since they were fogged in down there they didn't make the Marg ride but enjoyed the food after! Great to see you Glen!
After the Eagles we hit Carey's for a beer and talking cameras with Sieversma's Smattering of Stuff and Cycling Cathy. Well had to go check out Charlie's Torino that was in the car show! Nice car Charlie! Then on to Mr and Mrs Ride Vermillion's house for some "fellowship". Yes, I had the maggots at their house and of course had to find them in Sioux Falls when we got back on Sunday! They are good and now Kris is hooked on them so I have to share...DANG IT! haha
GREAT TIME WAS HAD BY ALL!
Thanks to the Lane Hogs for an awesome event! We all know there are unsung heroes that help make this possible and run smooth! Thank you, to all!
Monday morning humor!
1. A day without sunshine is like night.
2. On the other hand, you have different fingers.
3. 42.7 percent of all statistics are made up on the spot.
4. 90 percent of lawyers give the rest a bad name.
5. Remember, half the people you know are below average.
6. He who laughs last, thinks slowest.
7. Depression is merely anger without enthusiasm.
8. The early bird may get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese in the trap.
9. Support bacteria. They're the only culture most people have.
10. A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory.
11. Change is inevitable, except from vending machines.
12. If you think nobody cares, try missing a couple of payments.
13. How many of you believe in psycho-kinesis? Raise my hand.
14. OK, so what's the speed of dark?
15. When everything is coming your way, you're in the wrong lane.
16. Hard work pays off in the future. Laziness pays off now.
17. How much deeper would the ocean be without sponges?
18. Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines.
19. What happens if you get scared half to death, twice?
20. Why do psychics have to ask you your name?
21. Inside every older person is a younger person wondering, 'What the heck happened?'
22. Just remember -- if the world didn't suck, we would all fall off.
23. Light travels faster than sound. That's why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.
24. Life isn't like a box of chocolates. It's more like a jar of jalapenos. What you do today, might burn your butt tomorrow.
September 6, 2009
August 30, 2009
Weekend recap in a few words
Met cousin at a bar in TeaFarmers Market
Manna Bakery
Dean-o's (breakfast)
Yard work
Beer can chicken
Fresh grilled veggies from the Farmers Market
Slept in
Canned pickles
Trips to the Outdoor Campus and Falls Park for pictures
Please keep Mr and Mrs Hooterville Mayor in your thoughts and prayers as Mrs Mayor recovers from surgery.
August 27, 2009
Bike trail section being repaved!
The Bicycle Trail from Maple Street to Diversion Dam Closed Starting Friday for Repaving.
The bicycle trail from Maple Street north to the Diversion Dam will be repaved beginning on Friday, August 28, 2009.
During construction the east side of the levee will be used as a detour route. The trail is expected to reopen by the end of September.
For a map of the on-street alternate route and more updates on bicycle trail construction projects go to http://www.siouxfallsparks.org/bike
YES! WOO HOO!
THANK YOU, CITY OF SIOUX FALLS!
August 26, 2009
Images at Terrace Park
Coming in for a landing!
Tri-color bumble bee!
This little lady liked to strike a pose!
August 25, 2009
August 24, 2009
Riverboat Days and bicycle races!
Another busy weekend! WOW! Friday found us heading to Bridge City for Riverboat Days. Always a fun time. A stop was needed at Charlie's for PIZZA, then off to the river for fireworks.
The fireworks were awesome. It was my first time using a remote switch with my camera for shooting at night. It was hard since they shot fireworks off from two different areas. I think I got some ok ones. I will try and post some later. We did go back to the Clubhouse and look at a few since I finally figured out how to hook the camera up to the TV to view the pictures!--DUH!
Saturday we had quite the lucky day. We hit the Belgian waffle feed for breakfast. As we headed into the venue, there was a lady that asked us if we needed tickets. Of course, we said yes and she gave us two free tickets to the feed. SWEET! Savings of $12 for two tickets! Next we were off to Gundy's farmers market for some veggies. We picked up fresh potatoes, cucumbers, zucchini, onions, loaf of bread and squash for $17. Good fresh organic bargain! After a stop at the Clubhouse to drop off the produce we hit Riverside Park to go through the arts and crafts areas. Purchased a few things but nothing really wild. Headed to the food tent area and ordered lunch. Should have received $9 back from our change but got $11 back! We didn't really realize it until we were far away from the tent. Savings of $2! We made it back to Sioux Falls around 8pm.
Sunday was the Avera Downtown Sioux Falls Criterium. What a great day for bike racing! We had a great crew officiating which made it a lot of fun! Central Plains Cycling puts a lot of work into this race and it paid off. Everything ran supper smooth which makes the officials jobs a LOT easier! If you helped out with any part of the race this past Sunday - THANKS A BUNCH!
A great weekend was had but I am tired! I sure hope you all enjoyed the weather out there this past weekend!
August 20, 2009
Weekend images
Me being the "whip" at the start of the time trials in WY.
Dave getting ready to be the moto-ref for the time trials in WY.
Dustin Bakker (L) and Glen Houts (R) gettingGregg Gleason (on the bike) ready for his time trial.
Following wave #2 of the road race down Spearfish Canyon.
Queens lace along the canyon road. 
Bridal Veil falls in Spearfish Canyon.
This is located along the interstate at the 1880 town. Very funny!State Criterium race!
If you like to watch bicycle racing, if you have never seen bicycle racing or if you have an itch to race your bicycle, then come on down to downtown Sioux Falls and catch the Avera Downtown Criterium, this Sunday!
Races start at 8:45 am with the last race scheduled to start at 1:30 pm which l run for 60 min.
All the particulars can be found here.
Spearfish Canyon!
Hello, to the three people that read this blog. Sorry it has been a bit between entries. Blogs seem to suffer a bit during the summer, as it is a busy time for most!
Kris and I had a great time in Spearfish this past weekend. I was there on "official" business with the state road race and time trial events, dubbed the Tour de Fish. It was a great race and great scenery driving through the canyon! Seems this year the canyon is the best I have seen it in a while. Nice and green with lots of wild flowers and even Bridal Veil falls was flowing! We even ventured over to WY for the TT race! That was a first for me, traveling to WY that is, and not sure I would like to live in Beulah, but the site works great for a TT! Lots of windshield time, over 900 miles, but well worth it. Even though I did officiate, it was a relaxing weekend.
I guess, going down the canyon at 15-20mph, following bikers for 72 miles was not enough. We had to drive it again so we could stop and snap some pics. Of course I haven't had time to even download them yet! We also met up with some friends in Deadwood for supper before heading back up, you you guessed it, the canyon again on Saturday night. The top of Aztec was in the clouds and the temp was 48º! It was cool that was for sure but still nice.
I will try and get some pics uploaded this weekend. Have a great weekend everyone!
August 10, 2009
Weekend update
We had a good weekend in Yankton, Grease-the musical, Ben's, Charlie's, The Ice House, 7, Murdo's, Dakota Territorial Museum, drive out to the lake and around many small communities in NE. Our plans had changed a bit when Kris's mom fell and broke her arm but we still had a good time. Here are a few flower pics form Kris's moms flower garden.
