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.