Well, that's my opinion. Donna for some absurd reason actually likes climbing. She's always been a little odd that way.
Monday, May 10, 2010
DESCENDING FROM THE RIDGE LINE IS MUCH MORE FUN THE CLIMBING UP TO IT
WE LAUNCHED A PREEMPTIVE STRIKE ON THE CALORIES WE KNEW WE'D CONSUME DURING OUR WEEKEND GETAWAY
Really, burning calories in advance was Donna's idea. I got out for an unusual Saturday-night ride (unusual because I don't normally ride on Saturdays) then turned around and got out for another ride Sunday morning with my sweetie. If nothing else, it's a great excuse to see Donna in spandex. The helmet of course is no friend to her hair but shhh, don't tell her I said that.
THE SANTA BARBARA WEEKEND TRIP WAS ABSOLUTELY PERFECT. WOW!
The weather was perfect. The company was perfect. The food was perfect. The scenery was perfect. I could not have asked for a SINGLE thing to have gone any better (except for the toll experience on the pier).
LEAVE IT TO ME TO FORGET THE MINI TRIPOD, WHICH IS WHY MOST PHOTOS ARE FROM ARM'S DISTANCE
We found a park bench that worked ok as a tripod and the end result? My discovery that I look much better from a distance.
DONNA, SOAKING UP THE VIEW FROM HOTEL MAR MONTE IN SANTA BARBARA
After checking out I started wondering if we could get a discounted rate if we reserved a room for every Sunday of the summer.
SUMMERLAND BEACH CAFE ROCKS! IF YOU'RE EVER NEAR SANTA BARBARA, I'D RECOMMEND CHECKIN' IT OUT
Our first stop of the weekend getaway was for lunch at the Summerland Beach Cafe. Despite being Mother's Day we got a table in about 15 minutes - tables for two weren't in high demand.
IN HONOR OF MOTHER'S DAY, I HAD ONE OF MY MOM'S FAVORITE FOODS FOR LUNCH
Seriously, it had nothing to do with me actually wanting to eat onion rings... I just love my mom that much! Even the half order was huge - I can't imagine what the full order would have looked like. Maybe twice as much?
THE GUY NEXT TO US AT SUMMERLAND CAFE HAD REALLY BAD TABLE MANNERS
I tried to be polite and all but once you start drinking out of a bowl on the ground... I mean... C'mon! I won't even mention where he starting licking after his drink.
THE FLOWERS WEREN'T THE VISUAL HIGHLIGHT OF THE ROSE GARDEN IN SANTA BARBARA
I mean after all, Donna was there!
THE ROSES ARE IN BLOOM IN SANTA BARBARA. ACTUALLY, I THINK THEY ALWAYS ARE.
Sunday after lunch at Summerland Cafe, we stopped at the rose garden near the Santa Barbara Mission. I wish I could have bottled the aroma!
NO VACATION (OR WEEKEND GETAWAY) IS COMPLETE WITHOUT FROZEN YOGURT
In case you can't read what the back of the spoon says.... "biodegradable." No wonder it's green. The best part though was strawberry yogurt, cheesecake yogurt, cheesecake bites, peanuts, strawberries and blueberries. Thank goodness the yogurt was fat-free. Ridiculous calories, but fat-free.
BREAKFAST WITH A VIEW (AND THE SWEET SMELL OF NEARBY SEA LIONS BURPING UP RAW FISH)
Monday we started with a trip to Starbuck's for coffee, yogurt and a bagel then headed to the pier in Santa Monica to enjoy. The breakfast and scenery was great but we had a problem at the toll booth on the way out - cash only, of which we had none (who still uses cash?). We then returned to the ATM on the pier and paid a $2.50 fee to get enough cash to pay a $5 parking fee. I'm no economist but I don't think that was a very sweet deal.
DONNA WANTED TO GO SKINNY DIPPING IN THE WATERFALL. SHE'D DRAW A CROWD... I'D SCARE 'EM AWAY
Is it skinny dipping if it's not a 'pool' of water but rather a stream of falling water?
WE FOUND A LIZARD WHO SAID HE WOULD MAKE A BETTER GEICO REP
His accent was lousy but I didn't have the heart to tell him. Plus, I think the gecko is cuter, but again, I didn't have the heart to tell him.
MONDAY WAS HIKE DAY
Monday we slept in a bit, awoke to the sounds of the ocean just across the street, then headed to Tangerine Falls. The trail is only about 1.75 miles long but a lot of it looks like this... steep and gnarly. I think Donna prefers going up it to coming down it, but she managed to do both just fine. Last time we hiked the route the creek crossings were much deeper so this time around at least that part of it was easier. The steep sections however were just as I remembered them and Donna's vertigo got the best of her on a few occasions.
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Friday, May 7, 2010
YOU ONLY NEED ONE BABY! (ONE GEAR THAT IS)
Perhaps the reason I was so stoked after Thursday's ride was because I managed to clear a rather strenuous loop on my singlespeed - a bike I haven't had out in ages. I really didn't go into the ride with the intention of being able to clear all the climbs but the pistons were feeling good and my determination would always kick in about 1/2 way up every climb of the ride. I was amazed at what I was able to pull off and I just might have to break out this bad boy more often! There's just something about a fully rigid bike with only one gear. You really feel 'connected' to the trail, which, um, occasionally isn't such a good thing.
YES, THIS IS THE SMILE OF A VERY HAPPY MOUNTAIN BIKER
Thursday's ride was one of the best I've had in a long time... well, the best solo ride that is. A ride with Donna tops a solo ride any day! Nevertheless, a great ride from which I returned feeling stoked with what I had accomplished - up and over the ridge from Newbury Park to Westlake Village and back in 1:49, plus I even took the time to stop for a few photo (obviously).
ENJOY THE GREEN HILLSIDES OF SO-CAL WHILE THEY LAST
These words echoed in my head during Thursday's ride after work. I know it won't be much longer before everything is brown so I'm soaking up the green while I can. Actually, it doesn't matter so much late in the day - golden sunlight makes even the brown stuff look really pretty, but the mid-day sun of the weekend rides will really take the charm off the hillsides.
LATE-DAY SUNLIGHT IS SUCH A MAJESTIC THING
Thursday's ride was so wonderful I want to get out again tomorrow night. The singlespeed fried my legs (and whole body for that matter) so I need at least one rest day here. Riding into the sun near the end of the ride was wonderful, with golden light bouncing off the tall grasses and dirt trail.
Monday, May 3, 2010
Video from Sunday's ride... with a new camera
I picked up a new Lumix point & shoot camera a few days ago, thrilled to see that it shoots HD (720p) video. The quality will be degraded here because I compressed it, but still it was fun to shoot (and I've got the HD video for myself). Hey, I don't have to share EVERYTHING, right?
This is what you would call NOT the decisive moment
Donna has simply gotten too fast. I couldn't even get a decent picture of her today!
This was the reward for a 4-hour Sunday ride (& for skipping lunch)
Nope, nothing beats Famous Dave's BBQ after a long afternoon in the saddle. The ride was great, the food was great, the company was fantastic!
I only got out today thanks to my personal trainer
While the motivation was there this morning, my lower back was less than thrilled about the idea of getting back on the mtn bike today. Not only did Donna get me out the door but I ended up having a blast and getting in a good 2.5-hour ride. The scenery, as always, was wonderful.
Harmonious harmony
I picked up a new app for the iPad, Harmonious, and I'm thrilled with the sketching and drawing capabilities. It's been ages since I was a fine arts major in Harrisburg PA! My, how much I've forgotten.
Saturday, May 1, 2010
The shoulder of the Conejo grade on HWY 101 at 10:15pm at night is NOT a fun place to be!
Donna called around 10pm to let me know she was on her way home, so I was a bit surprised to hear my phone ring again at 10:15pm and notice that it was her again. Turns out the Galant crapped out on her half way up the Conejo grade. NOT a fun thing to do!
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