Happy Holidays!!

Well it has been a long time since we've blogged, so I thought that I'd post a short update as to what we've been up to.

I finished my last assignment in Placerville the Friday before Thanksgiving, sold my truck and "hitched" a ride up to Montana from a guy in Nevada. I'll tell you more about it later...

We went on a wonderful, Caribbean cruise with Susan's dad and new wife.

We sold off most all of our worldly possessions and stored the rest.

Then I made a mad dash in the -27 degree temps back to Northern California, where I've settled in Quincy, CA. I don't have a computer, so I'm writing from work. Susan and our pooches will be here in about two weeks, so look for LOTS of posts and pictures after then!

But for now I wanted to wish everyone in our lives a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. It has been good seeing and hearing from many of you these past few months and we hope to get to see even more of you through our travels.

Take care.

Erik

Family and Friends Program

Our work family, partying at Deborah's house!

Our good friends Rod and Kay, celebrating my 40th B-Day!

So this is one of the reasons I became a traveler. I have worked just about every day since I was 15 years old, and though we've traveled, I've felt like I've missed out on a lot of family time. It has been five years since I'd last seen my sister and brother and there are many more years in between my more distant relatives.

I don't know if it had anything to do with turning 40 this year, but I felt like it was now or never. Both of my parents are gone now and none of us are getting any younger, so I'm out to see as many of my family and friends that I can while I have the ability to do so.

So here are some pictures of my friends (both old and new) and family that I've had the opportunity to see while being here in Placerville. It has been so much fun getting to know my crazy coworkers, being by my brother with his wife and new daughter and getting to see my big sis become a grandmother

(and me a great uncle.)

PT School alums, Vicki and John have been good friends of mine for 16 years now. Check out their kids: Melia, Keilani and Kai...

Here are the 3 siblings and Marc's wife Jackie.

The Labor Day BBQ was the best, complete with impromptu jam session. Thanks guys!

Buenas Noches to Jay and Maria at Durango's. Jay and I have had some epic rides and Maria was such a kind and gracious host. Ole!

Halloween Par-tay

Boo!

Last Saturday night's party was lots of fun. Hosts Bella and Howie evidently know how to put on a good time, and from the post-party talk of my coworkers, they didn't disappoint. The whole place was decorated and they cooked up a tasty mix of Filipino and American food. And there was plenty of liquor to wet your whistle! Everyone was in costume and felt free to let their hair down. I went as a "high roller" complete with ten gallon hat (thanks Team Stampede) and gaudy clothes ensemble. I was sportin' the cool shades and was lookin' for the poker table!

There were games, such as bobbing for apples (the sanitary version) and The Mummy wrap (which yours truly participated.) Just check out some of the pictures that I got. As the night went on (and more liquor flowed) the Karaoke came out and the living room was transformed into "Disco Inferno."

I have gotten to know some of my coworkers well and I have really enjoyed working at "the home." They are really a close-knit group and they really seem to care and take care of each other. As Brandi told me, they are all family there, and it showed. I'm going to miss the people after I leave, that's for sure.

The Party was a good mix of folks from all around.

Home Sweet Home

Our House

Well it was good to be back in Missoula this past weekend. I haven't seen my wife in four weeks and my dogs had all but written me off in the two months since I've been gone. Man does it feel like I've been gone a long time. The seasons have changed and I feel like I've missed so much. I didn't realize it until I crossed the state line, climbing Monida Pass. It was still covered in snow from last week's storm and a herd of 150 or more antelope were grazing right off the highway. The Clark Canyon Reservoir and Beaverhead River were so brilliantly blue and I knew at that moment that I was coming home!

Orange Street and Sakajawea Park

I took off from work Friday, and with driving Thursday night too, got to Missoula by 6pm. I was greeted with lots of wet, sloppy kisses from my three big dogs and my baby was just riding home from her half-mile commute. We met Tom and our friend John for dinner at the new, Cafe Dolce and had a wonderful time. Wow is that place nice! I think it will be Susan and my "New Favorite Place."

Saturday morning started with Migas, scrambled eggs, tortillas and cheese, topped with salsa...Yum! I put in the new kitchen faucet (from the honey-do list) and then I had to get ready for Saturday night's race, Rolling Thunder. Rolling Thunder has fast become the fall, cyclocross race to do. It is run at night, under the lights and draws some incredible talent. I was slated to race with the "Big Boys" at 7pm and had to get my bike dialed in. For those interested in checking out some great photos of the event, check out John Seiber's website. Here's the link: http://www.jpsphotos.net/gallery/bicycleracing.cfm?m=3

As for me, I started off the race well and was in the middle of the pack two laps when I hit a pothole and pinched my front tire. I thought I was in the clear afterwards, until the next corner when it blew. And did it blow! I went down hard on the pavement and was out of the race. Bummer, but that's how it goes sometimes. Sam Krieg from Idaho won, Missoula's own Sam Schultz (Pro Mountain Biker) took second and my friend John Weyhrich crushed the competition in the Master's Race. Nice work John.

Sunday morning came too soon! We took the RV to our friends' home to store it for the next few weeks while I finish up this assignment and it was off to the airport back to California. Talk about a whirlwind weekend. But we did manage to have fun and Big Bertha, as my coworkers have affectionately named our RV, drove up there very smoothly. All-in-all it was a fun and successful weekend.

Oktoberfest with Friends

Ya Sure, Ya Betcha!

How better to celebrate the weekend than with my close friends Rod and Kay, a few others that I've met since being here in NorCal and lots more new friends that I met Saturday night for their annual Oktoberfest.

Rod and Kay are great! Our friends married us eight years ago and have been a role model for living and enjoying life. Susan and I have a blast every time we get together with them, and as Kay said, "Susie would've had a great time tonight." And with that said, I did too!



After my Saturday MTB ride with Jay, I put on my tallest, black socks, best T-shirt and shorts and headed into the Sierra's, to Kyburz. Rod and Kay had rented out a log cabin for their 4th Annual Oktoberfest Celebration. There was German musik, beer and bratwurst, Frauleins and lots of fun games.

Dinner was tasty. The German potato salad (cooked/warm), the brats and TWO different kinds of sauerkraut hit the spot and there was the strudel, of course! It was a might fine meal.





The bean-bag toss game was a big hit among the men. The German name for throwing a bean-bag at a target escapes me...

Inside were heated games of Pictionary and Texas Hold'em. I'm not much of a gambler, but I did let my artistic talent shine for my team.



It got late and looked like the festivities were just getting going when I had to get going myself. Sunday morning was to be an early run with a club in Folsom. That was a good reason to limit the alcohol and make sure to rehydrate, but it would've been great to stay a while longer. The guys hadn't even brought out the music instruments yet. But thanks to everyone there for making me feel at home and special thanks to Kay and Rod for inviting this guy to your party.

Cheers!

Notes From Abroad

Howdy.

Last weekend I decided to branch out and experience some of the local scene. It was the weekend, which meant that I would likely be riding, but I was also thinking about checking out what was happening in the gold country.

El Dorado county is in the heart of the mother lode. This is where thousands of pioneers settled in hopes to "strike it rich." They came to Hangtown, to Plymouth, to Coloma and the surrounding foothills. The history of the area reminds me of Montana, with it's "throw caution to the wind" attitude and self-reliant spirit. This is a region that was ruled under marshall law and I could feel some of that personality in its people.

Saturday morning began with a light breakfast and a beautiful drive south on Hwy 49 to Plymouth. I rode the old Sierra Century route with a great group of Bay area cyclists called Diablo. We rode a 65 mile course up into the Sierra's, past vineyards and the mining town of Fiddletown, and up to 5000 feet above the valley floor. It was an epic ride with some great company, that I will remember for a long while. I felt light on my feet and I fantasized that I was Alejandro Valverde climbing in the Pyrenees. At Cook's station we had lunch. I opted for the tuna melt on white with American cheese. Yum. "I'm in the country now," I thought. We hammered on home, down through steep, winding canyons and up over some rolling hills back to Plymouth.

Then for a good contrast, I headed over to Jay and Maria's home for a BBQ, and later, Sprint Car Races! Talk about good ole' fashioned fun. I felt a little out of place 'cause I didn't have my trucker's baseball cap on, but we all immersed ourselves in with the crowd, up in the stands of the county fairgrounds and hooped and hollered with the best of them. We were sprayed by mud and beer and almost got mixed up in a brawl over who's seat was who's. It was great. I heard "Cotton Eyed Joe," " Eye of the Tiger," and "The Final Countdown." Needless to say, the stands were a little RED and it brought a tear to my eye as it reminded me so much of home. I told Jay afterwards that I used to love doing things like this when I was younger, but my wife had been pretty successful in reconditioning me...ha, ha, ha.

Sunday took me through more incredible countryside...on my bike, of course. This area is so geographically and biologically diverse. It's so wonderful and invigorating to ride up and down these remote canyons to destinations such as Georgetown. Georgetown is a mining town out in the "boon docks" as my father would have said. There's only one main road to it and you've got to be going there to get there. I've heard from more than a few people that folks go there to disappear. Can you say Lincoln, MT?

We took the long route from Placerville. We headed up and over Mosquito Rd. down to the the South Fork of the American River, up and down too many times to count and finally arrived in town. My pictures above don't even begin to show how rugged the country is. We climbed and descended 15+ percent grades on a regular basis and our total gain/loss for the day was above 6000 vertical feet. There were only two of us in regular gearing...the rest had either a compact crankset or triple front chainring. Yikes!

Georgetown was bustling with tourists and locals both. The center of the street was lined with Harleys and the whole place had this biker vibe. We stopped for lunch and headed on back home. It was another great day of riding.

By Sunday night I was ready to take it easy, so I grilled and stayed in to watch an old favorite on the TV...The Amazing Race, of course. Nothing like a reality show about traveling around the world to make me feel good. Susan and I have watched this show since its beginnings and I've always fantasized about being one of the teams on the show. Hmmm, maybe someday.

Well I hope my weekend adventures gave you a little taste of the region and it's people. There is so much more I could say about this place, but my post is getting a bit long so I'll sign off for now.

Take care and talk to you next time.

Notes From Home....

Well, it's been pretty quiet on the home front since Erik headed south last month. And, while Erik is roaming the foothills of the Sierras, Riley, Chloe, Daisy and I have been keeping busy exploring the beautiful mountains of Western Montana.

I decided to take the pooches up the Gold Creek drainage a few weeks ago and we actually got more than we bargained for! I have affectionately named the trail we took "Bear Alley" and figured we will leave that trail off the list and stay out of their way for awhile while our hairy neighbors pack on the pounds for the long hibernation. I'm including a picture of one of the many piles of bear scat that we came across and, I can tell you, whoever left this behind outweighed all 4 of us by a couple of hundreds of pounds at least! Needless to say we got out of there as quickly as possible although Chloe was convinced she could take them.

Fall has hit Missoula and, while poor Erik is melting in 90 degree temps, we're all soaking up that liquid gold Fall sunshine. Nights are cool enough for my big comforter (I haven't pulled out the down yet) and the days have that nice little chill. The leaves are beginning to turn as well and the colors are so beautiful! I thought I'd leave you with a few shots of my garden showing off its take on "Fall Colors". Erik, take a look at the pepper and tomatillos! Wish you were here to whip up some of your famous salsa and guacamole. We miss you!

Have RV, Will Travel

Well, it's official. Susan and I are the proud new owners of a motor home. Yep, we've taken the plunge and there's no turning back for shore.


We bought a 2003 Holiday Rambler, Vacationer. This baby is sweet, if I do say so myself. It's a 36 foot A-Class Motor home. It's got one and a half baths, two slide outs, a washer/dryer combo, a powerful engine and it drives like a dream. Just don't ask what kind of gas mileage it gets...
I found this one at DeMartini RV in Grass Valley,
CA after three weekends of checking out Craigslist, RV websites and many different lots.
But let me tell you, it was all worth it.
John DeMartini and his crew took good care of us. They got our RV ready to go and were truly a pleasure to work with. They even drove it up to Reno, NV (a common request from out-of-state buyers) to avoid paying the 7.75% sales tax.


So now we can begin planning our itinerary... where to next? Will it be the California coast? How about New Mexico? You will just have to wait and see!

Cutting My Teeth

Tomorrow marks the end of my fifth week here in Placerville, CA. Wow is it going fast! At least now, that is. Some of you may be wondering why it has taken me so long to blog about work. Well, I guess there are two reasons why, the first is that I have always been focused more on enjoying life than work. So it was just natural to talk about where I am living and what I am doing, rather than work. But the real reason that I haven't written about it is that it has taken me several weeks to get over the shock of my major career shift!


The place I'm working is a skilled nursing facility, or SNF (pronounced sniff), as we say in the medical world. Okay, a SNF is no hospital and it's certainly no outpatient orthopedic clinic like the one's I've spent the better part of the last 10 years, but this SNF is one of a kind. It has a character of its own. If Stephen King could personify a SNF, it might be just like this.


From the outside it looks like any other 1970's nursing home, complete with it's stone facade and ranch-style appearance, but after you enter the front door...it's an entirely different world! It is dated to say the least. Picture aging linoleum tiles and dusty corners, heavy curtains on the windows, an ancient sounding intercom and noises that reverberate like Jimmy Hendrix's guitar solo's at the Fillmore. And that's only the beginning.


I walked in on Monday morning, August 11th with a positive outlook and a smile. I arrived a few minutes early for my "orientation" and was immediately engulfed by the chaotic nature of the place. There were room lights going off, people screaming over the intercom, residents screaming in the halls from their wheelchairs, and I thought to myself, "what have I just gotten myself into?" I'm still not quite sure I can answer that question.


But I was pointed immediately to my supervisor, and she whisked me out of the hallway and into the PT office, closing the door behind us. "Whew, safe at last" I thought. And on to orientation, complete with a tour of the facility, meet and greet with the facility administrators and charge nurses, detailed explanations of the medicare-dictated paperwork and maybe even an offer of a cup of coffee. Nope!


My supervisor was a bit frazzled, putting together the week's rehab schedule for not one, but two facilities, while also preparing for the day's medicare meeting. So what I got was the worst orientation I have EVER had, in any of the jobs that I've ever held, including temp positions, working as a registry therapist in Seattle or L.A. I was completely shocked that after 20 minutes of mostly useless crap that she said she had to head off to the meeting at that my schedule was here. She handed me a list of patients and their corresponding minutes, totalling 450 minutes of treatment, or something like that. To put this in perspective, there are a total of 480 minutes in an 8 hour day. So here I am, I don't even know where the restroom is (honestly) and I'm off to begin treating patients in a facility where I haven't been introduced to anyone yet, except our OT Debra, PTA Ambre and PT Aide Becky, and that was only coincidental as they all made their way through the office while I was there.


So needless to say, I freaked out! But I jumped in and began introducing myself to anyone (and everyone) I could. I knew that these folks were going to be the ones saving my bacon and I'd better get to know them. The goal: just get through the day.


Debra and Becky could smell my fear and stepped in to calm me down. For the next several days they did ask me if I was coming back the next day. I told them yes, mostly because I didn't want to be unemployed, but with each passing day and week it got easier. I really like the staff that I work with and things have settled in nicely now. I found the restroom. I know all of the staff by name (no easy feat) and also all of the residents. And we have some kooky residents, too! It's a crazy place that has a life of its own and now I'm part of that life. Good thing I'm a little kooky too. It's almost beginning to feel like a real job, not just a struggle for survival. And for the first time today, I thought that I might even miss some of the staff or residents when it's finally time for me to move on. Wow.


So this is the facility that initiated me as a traveler and it's a place that I will not soon forget. I'm sure its noise will echo in my mind for a long while.

I Live In The Mecca Of Cycling!

Yes folks, it's true.

I knew that the Gold Country was rich in history and the topography lends itself to cycling, but when I arrived at Coffee Republic at ten 'til 9 this morning, you would've thought that I had come to a race venue or cycling convention. The entire parking lot was full of cyclists and their cars and riders were riding in from all directions. "Whoa," I thought, "this must be a popular ride."

I heard about this ride from locals Wyatt and Jay, both Placerville-based, former racers, and the two guys I've been riding with. Funny, but neither of them have expressed much interest in doing this ride...hmm.

So it turns out that the "Coffee Republic Ride" as it is known, is described by bikecal.com as a moderately paced ride with "some rollers and Indian Hill for a total of 30 to 40 miles." Sounded perfect to me! Well after we rolled out and I started chatting with some of the guys, seems this ride has morphed into more of a "race-training ride" complete with fast pace lines, even faster attacks and a couple of bigger climbs. And there were teams of guys (and gals) present. I saw Webcor/Alto Velo, Rio Strada, Team City (City Bicycle Works-Sacramento), Victory Velo (Auburn) and Ophir Milan (Women's). You know that I was representing Montana with my Team Stampede/Five Valley Velo kit!

California is the mass of humanity, but it is also diversity, and surprisingly, tolerance. We have literally hundreds of deserted miles here in the Sierra foothills. So the 60+ riders today headed out for an always the same, 50 miler that rivaled the Tuesday night Hell Ride in Missoula that I'd come to love over the past several years. I finally felt a little of home out on the road today. We raced, we climbed and at times I thought I wasn't going to make it! But I survived and hung with the lead group. Oh, and for the other cyclists out there in webland, We climbed about 3000 feet and our average pace was 21.3 mph over the distance. The last 18 miles were at just under 25 mph. And my HR was maxed several times. Whew!

Okay, some casual (or not so casual) observations of the racing scene:
1) The groups are HUGE compared to Montana.

2) Everyone is good! Even the wimpy looking guys are strong.

3) Everyone in DARK tan. It's unreal.

4) There is a race (or three) every weekend.

So there you have it. As you can tell, I'm pleased to say the least. I do miss riding with my teammates in good 'ol Missoula, but I couldn't ask for a much better place to spend my time away from home.

~E~

I Think I'll Go For A Ride

Downtown Colfax

I told myself that coming down here alone would give me more time to ride.

So I've been riding quite a bit since I've been here in California.

It has been a good pastime for me.

It has given me time to think.

Today's ride took us a 100 miles, from Folsom up to Colfax and back.

It was a beautiful and clear summer day.

It was a scorcher, too!

I'm still not used to this California heat.

I've ridden a few times now with the Sacramento Wheelmen and with our group that rides from Placerville on Wednesday nights.

I'm riding with a former track rider from the 80's.

I've met some great people.

Riding is my chance to let go of all my troubles.
It gives me time to think.

It makes me feel thankful for all I have.

My wife, my family, my health and good fortune.

Ken leading the way home.

On top of Baxter grade.

It's all about getting out there and enjoying the open road.

Some of our group today.

HANGTOWN

Welcome to Placerville, or Hangtown as the locals prefer. It is the county seat of El Dorado, in the heart of the Gold Country. This was once the place where bandits were tried, convicted and hanged in the large oak tree in the center of town. Now it is a quaint, tourist town in the Sierra foothills, just 8 miles from Sutter's Mill, where the gold rush began.

I arrived here two weeks ago, knowing a little about the area. I've been here before, but not for many years. Our friends Rod and Kay married us in their front yard 8 years ago and Susan and I traveled through the gold country about 10 years before that with our puppy, Durango. These were the reasons why I accepted the position here in Placerville...great memories!

Downtown is lively with outdoor markets twice per week, lots of cool shops and restaurants, and my new favorite bakery, Sweetie Pies. Bicycle Bob from The Placerville Bike Shop is already hooking me up with some local riders and things are starting to settle in for me.

So I'm off for breakfast and then a ride around the country side. I'll post more pictures soon!

The Adventure Begins

On August 9, 2008 I got into my truck and took off. My first destination: Placerville, California. I've had the itch for a while now, to get away. And it boiled up inside of me until I couldn't ignore it anymore. We've always loved the sense of going off into the unknown and although we really love where we live, that longing for change began to get the best of us...



So there I was on a beautiful Saturday morning kissing my tearing wife goodbye and heading south to begin my adventure, our adventure.



Millions of thoughts were racing through my mind: What would my new life be like? Could I live without my wife for a time? Would I meet any nice people? Would I enjoy my work?



Susan is my rock. She is the ground that I stand on and just writing this blog brings tears to my eyes. She is the one thing I miss the most. Next would have to be our three dogs, Riley, Chloe and Daisy. They are a motley crew of mixed breeds that were all rescues, but they are ours and they love us so! And lastly, as those of you who know me, I am a very social creature. How will I fare so far from the place I've called home for the past nine years?



But on the road I use the familiar sounds from my Ipod to settle my nerves and pass the time. At night I study the road map and sleep under the stars and on Sunday I finally arrive at my first destination, a thousand miles from "home."



THIS is the beginning of our travels. Will you come along?