What the...SNOW?!

So, I totally jinxed myself with my last post as it's been snowing, and I mean FEET not inches, for a few days now. Sigh..... Well, at least 3 of us are excited about it!

Citrus and Sunshine

Ahhhh, citrus and....

sunshine!

Two things that California is known for and both of which I am completely enamoured.

Let's start with sunshine, oh that glorious Vitamin D-packed shimmery substance that warms your pale, winter skin and just makes you want to get up and dance...ummm, or nap like a cat depending on how the day is going. What could be better than slipping into your Surf Baby flip flops and basking in those golden rays in THE MIDDLE OF WINTER?! Come on, folks! There are many things I love and MISS about my adopted home of Missoula but that winter inversion ain't one of 'em! So, any day that the temp is above zero and I can frolic in the sun is, quite frankly, a great day to be alive!

Now, you add fresh citrus fruit to the mix (and I mean fresh-off-the-tree-and-straight-to-my table and not those frozen, mealy, orangish lumps they try to pass off as citrus in those northern regions that shall remain nameless) and, as far as I'm concerned, you've got yourself a little slice of heaven. Having grown up picking oranges straight off the tree, I never could get in to those orange imposters so I have been on an orange and tangelo high since my first week here. Yummmm!

So, as I'm sitting here typing in the sun, I realize that the only thing that would make this absolute paradise would be a nice warm ocean breeze...hmmm, and a BEACH! You paying attention, baby? I'm still not sure how my request for a beach assignment got translated into pine trees and polar fleece but, hey, I've got the sunshine and a big, juicy orange in hand so I guess I'll just slip on my flip flops and do a little California dreamin'.....

RV Life

We live in a "36-footer" as the fulltime RV'ers would say. It's not a diesel pusher, but it does have two slides. We're camping at a local RV park and I've got her plugged in: power, water, sewer and cable. Yee-Haw. Now all we have to do is pop a top on a nice cold one and sit back to watch our favorite TV shows, yep.

Nope! Seems our three dogs are keeping us pretty occupied. Susan and I have to monitor their behavior much more closely than in good ol' Montana. You know? We don't want anyone complaining about our rowdy dogs. But I do have to say that our three kids have been very well behaved, considering how traumatic the move down here was on them. They were sure they were going to die when we crammed them in the already overstuffed van and shipped them a thousand miles from the only home they've ever known. But they survived and they are now settling in to camping life!

So now we can kick back and relax...nope! Seems that extreme cold weather, both in Montana and now the Sierra Nevada mountains, isn't very good for motorhomes. You know, with freezing pipes, frozen water pumps, and the more than occasionally blown fuse, it seems that there is always something that we've had to work on. I thought that when I traded the house in for the RV that I would have less "house projects" to do.

But we are starting to get a handle on our rig, complete with all it's quirks. The things we can't fix will have to be done by a shop, but for now things are going alright, and with beer in hand, I think I'll settle in for some primetime TV. Cheers.

Erik

QUINCY

Whew, we're finally getting settled in.

Susan, the dogs and I are all in Quincy, California and we are getting used to life in an RV. Up 'til now it was just me in the 36 footer, but now with the five of us, it's a completely different experience. The dogs were traumatized, Susan couldn't handle the clutter and I had just lost my penthouse suite. But a week later and things are starting to feel like home.

Quincy is a cute little town in the Northern Sierra Nevada mountains. It's the county seat for Plumas Co. Plumas is the Spanish word for feather, and the Feather River canyon and scenic Feather River byway (HWY 70) serpentines its way up from the American Valley and Chico, CA to Quincy.

I settled here, solo, on December 16th and began my assignment at the local nursing home. My crew gave me a warm welcome and took me to the local diner for lunch. I was instantly infatuated with this town and it has only grown on me. It's like stepping back in time with it's greasy spoon diners, local bars and requisite Main Street. Plus it was Christmas and the whole town was decorated. There was a foot of snow on the ground too, which made me feel right at home!

We had hoped for a beach assignment to keep us warm this winter, but it's hard to complain when you live in the mountains. Quincy is a large alpine meadow or valley that is surrounded by mountains. Spanish Creek runs along side of town and there are several other, small communities nearby just waiting to be explored.

Susan is just as excited and now that we're getting settled in, I hope she'll start posting pictures and blog some more about our latest adventures.

Take care and we'll talk to you soon.

Erik

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.