Around the U.S. in a kayak?

Renata Chlumska, the beau of Goran Kropp, an adventurer who died outside Vantage in the fall of 2002, set out last summer (July 4th) to circumvent the U.S. in a kayak, on bicycle, and on in-lines. All on her own. A crazy feat? Well, maybe not for someone that has made it in to a living doing stuff that others only talk (or dream) about. Renata has done more in the few short years she been part of the "adventure circuit", than most do in a life time.

Today, Renata completed the circumvention by making it back to Seattle and docking along Lake Union's eastern shore. She was greated by an eclectic mix of Swedes, news media, supporters, as well as a few of the friends she met during her almost 15 months in the kayak.

For me it was fun since I ran into Urban Wikstrom, a buddie from the University. I had not seen him in over 16 years. He is still in the adventure business, now making a documentary over Renata's "voyage".

You can read more about Renata's adventures here.

CatExchangeZ...

About three weeks ago, Oskar, my furry Christmas gift of 2000, did not come home. We have had no signs of him since that Monday evening, and my guess is that he was taken by a coyote. Hope it was quick!

Oskar was an indoor/outdoor cat that always came in for the night. We tried when he was young to keep him strictly indoors, but it would just not work. He went nuts! Oskar enjoyed the time outside and was always sitting along the driveway, waiting when we came home, or hiding under the Japanese Maple, stalking the birds.
Although I know some will disagree, I strongly feel cats have a better life - albeit sometimes shorter - if they can enjoy themselves in the outdoors as well. Sometime it is not the length of life that counts, but how it is lived. Oskar lived a good life!

I was not ready for a new cat, any new animal, but today; a day after coming home from MI, hours after starting Nursing School, wife came home with a "box" containing a big black cat, Louie. I should have suspected something when it took five hours to drive the 10 miles from Bellevue to Kirkland.

I gave wife the silent treatment since I did not approve of how (yet another) animal was introduced to this house!

Louie is good cat though. Although it's only been a few hours, he seem to feel at home and has no problems with the dog, 10 times his size, or the other cats! Only the yorkie tries to make a point and cannot sit still when Louie walks down the hallway. This for sure will be an interesting time!

Back to the vet...

Wife is about to leave tomorrow for visit to brother in MI. Decided we'd better take big dog in for a check-up at a different clinic, since foot does not seem to heal. The laceration is deep, pad almost sliced off, and the flesh looks like "cow's tongue" (a delicatessen in many countries). It is not infected and looks healthy, it is just not healing.

Woodinville Veterinary Hospital is staffed by two very seasoned and skilled veterinarians (plus the fact that they a just plain very nice). We normally see Dr. Frey, but this time Dr. Marsh is there to look at the foot. Judgement is given, as he also manages rightfully so to look very concerend. "If nothing is done, this can take two-three months to heal. Everytime she puts her foot down, the two pieces of the pad moves and get no chance to "re-connect". New stitches highly recommended, but that also mean we have to put her down for a while".

We decide to have new stitches put in and manage to get an appointment for tomorrow.

RedHookZoo and run...

During what must have been a week moment at Everyday Athlete, I agreed with wife to run the Super Jock'n Jill half-marathon on LaborDay. I think I really only wanted the cool blue shirt, but I agreed to be signed up as well. Some of you remeber me running a half-marathon in July, only to be beaten by the wife. This time it should be different!

Over the next weeks, wife was training hard. She joined a runner's group, did speed work-outs in midweek, and distance on the weekends. Me? I was tied up digging up the yard - and enjoying the weather. I did not get one mile's training in prior to this "event".

The morning of the event, we also had a silent argument of who was to take the dog out for a walk before we left for the early start. I guess I "won" since I decided to stay in bed for another hour. Hence, wife was like a bee when we finally left to drive over to the start.

It was early, way too early for my taste, but it was later than the (stupid) 7AM start for the last race. We got there w/o problems, parked, and walked over to the start area.

I had been over (for hours) the day and evening prior at a neighbor's Labor Day party. It was fun, and a lot of new faces. Sure, a few beers, but nothing excessive. I also remembered to gulp down some serious amounts of water before going to bed. Despite the early morning, I felt sort of great.

The gun went off and the crowds were on their way. Tried to stay with wife but realized that I had a slightly faster pace this morning. Took mark a a pair running together. They seemed to be keeping a pace that I liked and decided to follow them, only to pass them after appr. 3 miles. At four miles, my pace was still just over 7 minute miles - way too fast. But it felt good so I kept it up.

At six, there was a long and devilish uphill into Bothell, it did good to slow down my pace. I knew how long this race was to be (13 and some miles), but I only had a faint idea of the actual course. After looping through Bothell, we did a number of (unnecessary) loops at the U of W, Bothell Campus. More hills! There's nothing that can kill a runner's mood as fast as "running in circles". Once down FINALLY, on the trail again, I had a very good hunch of how much I had left to run. At the ten mile sign, I stopped to walk a little and fight with opening of the two Clif Gel packages I had been using as "dumbells". I almost expected wife to catch up to me here. She had trained and was in very good shape.

A guy (father) with twins in a runner's stroller had passed me earlier. I was duly impressed over how he could drag his kids around - and keep up such good speed (as well as manage the uphills). Well, out on the flats again he was forced to slow down and I passed him easily. In fact, I passed quite a few people that had sort of glided past me earlier. Looking for the eleven mile sign, but it was nowhere to be seen. Darn, I really needed a time mark. Continue running and suddenly there is the twelve mile sign. OK, only a little more than a mile left. This feels good...

To my big surpise - again - the finish line comes earlier than expected. I do not pass any 13 mile mark as I had anticipated. The race is only 12.89 miles (20.74 km) which in my book is no "full" half-marathon. Sort of a few yards short...

But, checking the time, I pass the line at 1h48m17s. I had not seen wife passing me, could it be that I was really ahead of her all the time. Grab a bottle of water and return quickly to the finish area. As I look for her I see my old colleague Tomas just racing in to the finish line. I beat him? He has trained a lot (at least accoridng to his wife). Just as he passes, I hear my name called out and wife is sitting on the grass, only to point out that my white running shirt is blood stained. I had no idea, but it seems like the synthetic shirt has rubbed my nipples so they started bleeding. Does not hurt, but the bloodspots are more like big splashes. Ok, that was both the first and last time I run in a "non-cotton" shirt.

We moose around in the area, eat some goodies, and look for Tomas and his wife. Meet up with them, chat for a while and enjoy the wonderful weather and setting. Had originally planned to go in to Redhook and have a few beers (rehydrate) but end up heading home for a shower and some rest. All in all a great day (I beat both wife and Tomas...) :-)

Drainage lineZ

For some time, we had blockage in the day water drainage. During a heavy rain, we've seen some water seeping up on the concrete slab outside the basement door. In this wonderful summer, what better than to attack this and clean it out once for all.

What started with a little vaccuming down the downspout (and vaccuming through the wall of the concrete pipe), ended up being a three week project.

Once I realized vaccuming would not do it, spade, shovel and pick came out. Dug up the entire corner where the downsput goes into ground, only to find the pipes glogged by perfect "potting soil". Hence, everything that has gone down there has been broken down into this nice mulch.

But why, why was the water not flowing? Pipes were of a good size, a decent slope, and even debris should have floated away. Worked as good as I could with a small snake, only to realize some heavier artillery was needed. Went down to HomeDepot, rented their biggest and meanest snake. Took it home and attacked. Could not oven go through the first section. Spent the rest of the morning cleaning out the pipes I knew were good but gave them a little maintenance "nudge", likely not a bad idea after 40+ years.

Attacked the soil with the shovel again. After a few "tracker holes", I managed to find the pipe further down the yard, but no luck there either. I could not get through. So I tried going downhil towards the street and the city stormdrain. Got a fair distance but got stuck a few times and did not want to break the concrete pipe by being overly aggressive. And, the day was up and time to bring the snake back. No need rent one of these, just to have it sit idle in the back yard.

Next morning I started digging closer to the street. I really had no idea in what direction the pipe would run. Would it angle and run down under Yurgen's (concrete) drive way? Or, would it go straight towards the street? After three new holes, each about four feet deep, I managed to find the pipe. It went fairly straight. And from here? Straight as well?

Now it was time to attack out by the street. Cleared the area, and started digging. Found a lot of "traces" that led me to what I believed would be the correct spot. But only found the city storm drain, no connection to my house. Continued further up, the site now looking like a major sewer project, and bingo! Found where my pipe "connected" to the city's big 12" concrete pipe. Continued from there to dig up towards my yard. After about three feet, I cleared enough to to be able to get the "connecting" pipe out. Turns out this one is filled with rock hard soil and also blocked by another rock were it is entering the city pipe. No wonder we have not had any water flow! Tried to vaccum the pipe clean from below and into my yard. No luck here. I just get more and more soil. Decided to continue digging.

After about another two feet, the concrete pipe just ends... What the f-ck? After some careful poking around, I also found the powerlines up to ur house (thankfully I did not attack this area with a back-hoe as planned...). Time to call for location service (they come out for free and locate all water, sewage, gas, electrical, telco, and cable lines).

When poking around more, I also find the reason why it looks the way it does. When Puget Sound Energy put our utility lines underground (late 80ies?), they must just happily have cut their way through my storm drain line and never even tried to fix it. So with no water flow, it was not surprising that the lines have clogged further up, closer to the house.

Called Puget Sound Energy for an inspection since they really created this mess. I know they'd be angry if I cut their line w/o repairing it. Now I am angry! Jay from PSE came out later that day and took some photos. He recognized the issue and promised to get back to me.

I continued digging another couple of feet, only to now eventually find the other end of my nice concrete pipe. Another run back to HomeDepot for the same snake. This time I work with the snake from below and water from above. A little bit of hydroblasting, or the fine art of hydrologic engineering. In doing this, I am able to clear out the concrete pipe so now I at least know I have a good flow and functioning pipe down towards the street. Likely managed to get about a wheelbarrow's worth of rock and soil out of that pipe. Can now focus more on the messs up by the house.

After careful evaluation, the only resonable way to go is to put an entire new line down, from back of the house, until where the "fresh" section of the concrete pipe starts. But that entail digging a trench under some concrete walkways, and digging down into the now rock hard clay - while staying away from gas and power lines.

I mark the area, do a tracer ditch in the top soil. Bring oput the pick axe and get at it. It is tough stuff. Not much dent done.

John stops by and asks if I want any help. He brings his little roto-tiller over. I seriously thought that we'd just ruing it, but after about 90 minutes of "tillering", a massive cloud of dust over the neighborhood, it is sstarting to look like a proper trench.

Bring out a few beers and thank John for his hard work. Likely saved med 4 hours of digging!

After adjusting the trench, running around town in seach of the correct neoprene bushings, adjusting the slope, and finally connectiing it all together, it is time for a "water test". Will it run the correct way, or will it backflow towards the foundation?

No, looks like everything is working just as "planned". Only work remaining is sealing the connection out in the street with concrete, backfilling the entire trench and then patch the grass and seed dead areas. While the trench was open I also ran a conduit for the coming fiber as well a new cable line up from the street.

DangerouZ Park

This morning wife was to go in for a short meeting at work. She decided to bring the dogs since "Andrea" wanted to meet them. Afterwards a drive over to the park was planned.
Just after 7AM, as I lay half-asleep in bed, my final words to the departing "party" are; "Do NOT take the dogs to the park (King County's Edith Moulton Park).

Around noon, still no wife and no dogs. I thought the meeting was just an hour, but I could be mistaken. As I enjoy a cup of coffee in the kitchen, garage door opens up and wife comes up the stairs, GUILT over her face, followed by a small yorkie and much later, a half-drugged dog that does not even acknowledge me. She (dog) just walks, or stumbles, over to her chair and feels asleep. On her right foot is a colorful bandage. I like the pink color, do not object to dogs having colorful bandages, it even looks good, but dogs rarely carry these bandages because of looks (although wife never stops to surprise me on that point).

Turns out the "party of three" went to "the PARK", dog ran off leash, stepped in some glass and almost sliced her pad off her right foot. Wife takes dog to veterinary clinic. Dog is put to sleep, pad is cleaned and stitches (four) are applied. Dogs is given a "wake me up" shot and is at least able to limp.
Later that night we replace bandage and one can see it is a bad laceration. Close she almost lost her entire pad.

BAD Wife!
Why does wife always have to take dogs/cats, or do to dog/cats, things that husbands tells wife is "no good". I have said for years that this park in particular is "no good", even though the animals love to run and rump there. It is dirty (tons of glass) and only really accessible by trespassing through a defunct apartment complex (wife used to live there before being kicked out).

Poor DOG!
This dog, one of the happier and more active dogs around, is now ordered to be still, sleep, and just not walk too much on her foot for the next two weeks. How the h-ll do you keep a large dog from not walking when you take dog out to do its duty? I guess I am to learn more since I'll be home (alone) with big dog for the next week when wife travels to Michigan.

SteelyDanZoo

I had just turned 19, home for the holidays from the military, when during a New Years Eve dinner with friends, something "Steely Dan" played through the speakers. I was confused, and no it was not the beer. I thought the band was "Steeleye Span", British folk/rock band I heard a number of times over the years but never really liked. What I heard now, I liked!
On some empty tapes I recorded what I managed to find over the following days, before returning north to the "barracks". As spring arrived up in our winter paradise, tracks from Aja and and Gaucho was played troughout our little "dorm".

Little did I know at that time the band "Steely Dan" was just about to break up, or that it would have a profound impact on my musical taste over the next three decades. The tape with Aja and Gaucho followed me to France, returned to Sweden and University and while there, found some brethren that was just as fashinated with this band's music. In the days of vinyl and mail order, we tried to get our hands on as many albums as we could. But, it was already in the mid- to late 80ies, and they were harder to come by (in Sweden). Everyone listed to EuroPop or HardRock.

Somehow, Steely Dan still followed me. Only to be challenged once in a drunken while by the loud music from Rufus & Chaka Khan.

During a layover at Schipol, (Amsterdam) in 1991, I pick up a portable Sony CD-player. I was suddenly on a quest to "replace" all my vinyls with CDs - it was the new medium and you just "gotta have it"!

During trips to Paris, walking the mega stores and some of the smaller 2nd hand outlets (not yet common in Stockholm), I managed to compile a decent collection. I again stumbled over "Steely Dan"; now on CD format it was so "easy" to drag along on long business trips. The CDs became more and more numerous and eventually I traveled "home" and with the help of my dad, built a very tall stylish CD rack in black laquer. It did not take long until it got filled.

About the same time, I left Sweden and moved to Dallas, TX. One day in the late summer of 1994 I saw an ad for "Steely Dan playing at the Coca-Cola Starplex" in the local paper. What? The band that broke up more than 10 years earlier was playing together again? Some quick research and no, it was no (Royal) scam. The band was to play at the Starplex on September 2nd, a Friday. My friends in Texas did not even know what "SD" was and showed little interest for a drive to south of downtown (back then a seedy area) for a concert with some "unknowns". Hence, I decided to go by myself ($25)!

It was a great moment! I finally got to see the band that had shaped my musical life/taste over the past decade and a half - live! I so much liked what I saw, I deciced to drive down for the Saturday night show as well, now buying a ticket cheap from a scalper outside the arena ($15).

During both these show, Walter Becker sort of spent most of the time in the background and let Georg Wadenius, a fellow Swede, lead the guitar work throughout most of the shows. I remember Wadenius from my younger days but was likely too young to appreciate him or his musical style back then. These two night though, he was a star - a guitar guru!

During intermission I walk up to the beer tent at "the top of the hill". Behind me is a kid, likely not old enough to buy beer, since he told me he wasn't even born when SD released their first record, and he had never heard of them before. But, he liked what he saw/heard. And me, never in a million years did I think that'd I be standing here, listening to a band that in my view was dead, only available on CD/vinyl.

These two concerts likely will go to my book as two of the best live performances I've ever seen.

Work came in between and I sort of lost track of Steely Dan's whereabouts (remember, this was really before the era of the internet). I travelled extensively in the US/Canada and simply did not have time to follow a band that just did an "encore".

A move to Seattle, a marriage, and a few years later, Steely Dan plays at the Gorge, in George, WA. Again, an amazing performance by the band. Donald Fagen shows a not little bit of arrogance to the audience, but some excentricity is allowed/expected from someone that makes heavenly music. The show is a great mix of old and new, and some really spiced up live acts.

The Gorge is likely one of the most beautiful settings for ANY outdoor music venue. The backdrop with the majestic Columbia River and the sunset is truly amazing. I do not think an artist has played "outdoors" until he has played "the Gorge". About three hours east of Seattle, it is still a venue that is easy to access thanks in large to the I-90 freeway that essentially goes "door-to-door".


Then, this past Friday, I was given tickets to Steely Dan at the "White River Amphitheatre". A gift from the dogs in the family (yes, really).

Wife and I start driving south mid-afternoon, only to get stuck in rush hour traffic south on I-405. It takes almost 90 minutes to travel 20 miles and finally get onto SR-167 heading south towards Auburn. Amy, Eric, and their friends are doing the same route but on the west side of the lake. They stop for Taco del Mar along the way and eventually decide to drive all the way to the venue. We've heard horror stories bout traffic around the venue, so wife and I gamble on the Red Robin shuttle from the SuperMall. Grab a quick pizza before entering the shuttle. It is a fun crowd, with a fun bus driver. A real" big mama" that is a pro at shuttling concert goers by keeping the mood up on the bus despite the horrid traffic situation. Get a call and Amy+friends are just passing the casino when we are to leave the parking lot. She tells me that they are not really moving at all. Hah, maybe we'll beat them in the shuttle!

White River Amphitheatre is a beautiful arena in the middle of the Muckleshoot Indian Reservation. But, one has to ask who the h-ck would consider placing a concert arena in the middle of nowhere with NO significant access roads? We had heard about the traffic situation (and hence the gamble on the shuttle), but it is possibly even worse than what one coould imagine. The drive is not far, possibly 35 miles, but it takes MUCH longer than the 150 mile drive to the Gorge. Just does no make sense!


Upon arriving, Michael McDonald has already opened (on time?) and is hacking away at his piano. He's got a great band. Some good old Doobie Brother's tunes as we enter the arena, just to order Chai Tea.

Any Steely Dan concert will draw an odd crowd. There's everything from old grannies, to punk not even out of high-school. But they all share a fascination for the music from some very skilled - and excentric - guys. Looking over the crowd, one sees both long pony tails - and a few mullets - in the marijuana haze over the seating area on green slope.

The concert is good, not great, but it is mainly due to Donald Fagen deciding on NO encores. When he is done playing, he is done. No matter what the audience wants. It really feels a bit cheap, but on the other hand, if that makes for good song writing, all power to him.

As far as I could tell, there were very few songs (if any) of the new material played this night. Suits me fine, but one would guess they'd push a bit for their new albums. On the other hand, they sell themselves, and in some ways the older music has more of a "bite".

All in all though, it was a great evening and even the ride home was fairly effortless. Shuttle took us to the car and we really could snooze our way through traffic!

Thanks to Dogs (and wife) for getting me such a nice present!

SonicZoo

Sometime last week, Sonic's owners lead by Howard Schultz (CEO Starbucks) announced that the (Seattle Professional BasketBall) team had been sold to a group of investors from Oklahoma. After that announcement the emotions in the Pacific NortnWest have been running high.

First, I applaude the Seattle City Council for taking a hard stance on the KeyArena. In my view - and others - it's a fine arena. No need for some $200M+ infusion of capital and renovation. Seattle area has so many more needy projects; Alaskan Viaduct, SR-520 bridge, bike lanes, transit system ,etc, etc. The list can be made long.

But, as most people don't understand these days, "Professional" sports is just that. It is no longer "sports" but big business. No fault in that, even though a pure "home team", built out of the younger generations training for a "club" feels better. Such a team is more anchored in the community, and cannot just be lifted and "sold" (out). You would have to sell the kids with that as well.
But, that's not how it is done in America. Sport is big business and teams relocate to the market where the teams owners can generate the most profit. Nothing wrong with that. Any business would do that, and the "Staff" is small enough to tag along. Think about relocating Microsoft. It'd be a major brain drain as people would hesitate to follow the company to Oklahoma City. A sports team is easier. Players and coaches are tied by contracts. They follow (the $$$).

In Sonic's case, I feel no "evil" toward Howard Schultz & Co. The loss of Sonics is sad for Seattle but paying what the owners wanted to remain here, it'd be plain stupid - given all other priorities. As for the fans, yes sad for them, but this is business, not sports. If the teams felt they needed a higher profit, raise ticket prices and see if that works. Likely outcome would be that the fans would shun the team all together and go/do somewhere/something else.

And here is the core in this issue. Seattleites has a plethora of activities to choose from. We live in the most amazing part of the United States. In North America only Vancouver B.C. can provide even a challenge. We are not a city that is without options, should we have no professional sports teams. The audience/fans have so much to choose from, be it skiing, sailing, boating, hiking, fishing, "hanging out", traveling, music, movies, golf, local politics, food. The list can be made long.

I used to live in Dallas, TX. The options were (due to natural/geographical and meterological restrictions) limited. Once could play golf/tennis (when it was not too hot outside), go to the movies, restaurants, etc, but that was pretty much it. Hence, the market for professional sports was much bigger because people in general had nothing better to do. Seattle is a VERY different "market". The options are far greater, and hence the "competition" for the audience - and its dollars - is much more pronounced. Possibly not such a great "market" for a sports team.

On top of that we have a topopgraphy that makes traveling harder and more congested (compared to Dallas, Oklahoma City, houston, etc, etc). That shrinks the available market even more. Few people would travel from Chehalis to see the Sonics, since that could be a major undertaking, while a trip from Ardmore, OK, to American Airlines Center in Dallas, would only be a long "swoop" down the same (open) freeway.

In the text above I have assumed (?) that the Sonics are leaving. Only time will tell if that is true or not. Whatever happens, they'll be missed, but Seattle, Starbucks, and Howard Schultz lives on. After all, it's only business...

SummerZoo

Over the past two weekends, Kirkland has again shown why we love this place so much.

Weekend of July 14-16 had the "Kirkland Arts Center SummerFest". A great showing of what this community is like in the summer. The marina was full, boat all over the lake, kids playing and swimming at Marina Park, dogs juimping in and out of the water. All surrounded by a large number of artists, vendors, and people strolling. A great addition to this year - and something I hope can happen on a more regular basis - was the wine tasting in the Marina Park Pavillon. Can a location for a glass of wine be much better...? Do we really need to wait until next July for that?

This weekend, downtown was again filled to the rim. This time with crowds and cars. Antique cars, customs cars, muscle cars, bikes. You name it. Even for those who are not specially fond of automobiles, it is hard not to enjoy and be amazed by the excellent paint and body work displayed on these "summer vehicles". I have soft spot for the small British convertibles, as well as the deLorenas of course. Even though they got a good challenge this year by some modified deThomaso Panteras.

The event was much larger than in past years, and I dearly hope it was a success for the organizers as well, so we can expect it again - next summer!

SummerZissle...

Walking into the kitchen on Friday afternoon, looking at the thermometer in passing. It's displaying 99.9F. And this in an area that's been in shade all day. Walking over to the bedroom (north side) and checking there as well. 99.8F! In Kirkland, along the shores of cool Lake Washington?

Upon entering the kitchen again, the digits decide to move past 100F! 30 minutes later, they settle on 101.7F. A remarkable temperature in this part of the country.

The family has a somewhat mixed relationsship to the temperature. Wife is hot and complains about the weather. She succumbs to the basement and decides to make that her bedroom until the temperatures are back to normal. One dog follows her down as well. A couple of the cats and big dog decide to "stay the course" and follow me around. They are not comfortable, but it is clear that they prefer my company (?) over to giving in to the heat. Just as an option, I leave the door open to the garage so they can sneak in and benefit from the cooler temperature down there, or enjoy the cool concrete.

I have decided not to complain about the heat. Does no good (cannot change it...), this is still nothing compared to the years in Texas, and in a not too long time, we will have forgotten all about this and complain about the rain/cool temperatures. Hence, better enjoy it while we can, even though it IS hot!

KirklandBoat on the Zea

With a day that can only be described as PERFECT, we pulled in to the marina late last night. Friends in town from out of state, first time I've seen them in years. What could be better than "taking on water" and showing them Seattle from the "other side"?

Some minor issues with carburators delays departure, but once out on the lake, engine is running better than ever. Smooth "sailing" along the shores. Does a run past Bill Gates' house (Annie desperately wanted to see it) and then over towards MontLake. No wake, no wind, and the lake is as smooth as a mirror.

Checking out the house boats along Lake Union before heading for the locks. Only two boats ahead of us and less than a 5 minute wait. Wonder what the sound will look like?
Out there, it is just as nice as the lake. No winds, no wake, and just some smooth and tall waves from a passing ship. Fun roller coaster ride!

We hit Bell Harbor Marina and find a guest spot on the "reservation". $10 for 4 hours is not that bad. Meet up with friends and family at Marriott (within a stone's throw) for a sunny and lazy happy hour with snacks and beer.

Before departing, and picking up another crew member, a pass by Marriott's "lounge" to get some freshly baked cookies and fruit. Fear the time is a tad late for a safe passage back, but turns out it could not be better. Wind has picked up a tiny bit, but just to provide more of a salty breeze (so different compared to boating on fresh water) and also to give us a clear view of Mt. Rainier. No wait at the locks and the ride back home across the lake is as good as the ride out. Back "home" around 10PM and it is still HOT, with really no relief stepping in to the water. Can a Kirkland evening really be any better than this?

CraZy Run...

My wife decided some time ago that we should run the half-Marathon of the SeaFair marathon. She has been pretty good in training regularly, I haven't. Probably gotten 10-15 miles totally in over the past few months, but that's it. Exercise have mostly been "walking the dog".

So, low and behold, today was the day. Wake-up at 6 AM(ouch!), chased out of the house at 6.30 AM in order to find a parking spot and be on the line to see the start of the Marathon at 7 AM. We missed that with a few minutes but were on time for our start at 7.15 AM.

Crowded field, quite a few that looked like they should not run, and quite a few that one gladly could run after... In other words, it's a mixed field.

Wife starts out way too fast for my taste, but I keep up and somewhere around the 4 mile mark, wife is no longer to be seen (behind me). I tell myself to run my race, not someone else's (it is easy to spick up speed way too early), but find a group pf people that seem to have a good pace.

I feel good, gaining on people on the up hills, and loosing some going downhill. At 8 miles, time is 01h07m. Wow, With just about three miles to go, I should be crossing the line at about 1h30m. Not bad for a guy who has not trained at all.

Coming down towards Richards road, heading north towards I-405 freeway and Bellevue downtown. I can almost see where the race is to end. But here, lesson one. Remember how long a half-marathon is. It is NOT 11 and some miles, but 13+ miles. In order to match that distance the organizers have sneaked in a "detour" (at least in my mind) and the course heads south, AWAY from the finishing area. I start to loose steam (maybe more mental), and also a bit concerned over cramps. Slows down a bit, not sure it helps but it feels good. Once the course turns north again, I remember how far it is to the finishing area from here. I get really tired. Start walking, streching my calf muscles until someone bumps my back with a "no walking" alert. Wife has caught up, and she is steaming towards the end. I try to keep up but realize that I have nothing left to keep up that pace for another mile or so. I remember to "run my race", and that finishing behind wife (=shame) is much better than not making it at all.
All in all, I cross the line at a respectable 01h52m03s, better than the race I did back in 1999 when I actually trained a lot. Not too far behind wife either, she only beat me with about 30 seconds.

We finish early enough so see the winner of the full marathon cross the line. He is a very small and thin guy from Kenya, and in about a time that is mine +30 minutes, he has run the double distance. Amazing. Wife goes up to congratulate him, and we figure he should have a pack of "groupies" and staff following him. But no, he just sits on the curb, catching his breath, drinking some water and looking like this is a day like any other day. We later see him leaving the area, still alone, no groupies in sight.

Oh well, another beautiful Sunday in the Pacific Northwest. I might be talked into doing this again, something I most likely will have forgotten, should the opportunity occur...

MarineShop cloZed on a weekend?

Saturday is wife's birthday. Apart from all the "regular" stuff, we also plan for a run into Seattle for some birthday feeding.
On the way to "downtown" I manage to convince the driver to pass by Newport Shores and Mercer Marine. I am in dire need for some gaskets and seals for my newly cleaned carburetors.

Hitting the marina, just to find Mercer Marine CLOSED!
If you are in the recreation/leisure business, boating is still recreation for me, how come you actually dare to have a place closed on weekend day, a day when most boaters are looking for "stuff".
And, Mercer Marine being the only Volvo Penta dealer around, I really have no other choices than to return on Monday.
But, this still bugs me. I guess a call to Volvo Penta of North America is in place. I'd be happy to represent them, but these days, most of the stuff can be found on the internet from more or less scrupulous e-tailers in Florida.

However, I think Volvo Penta could be much better represented in the Seattle area than by these guys. Closed on a Saturday? They must be kidding!

(Note added on Monday 07/10/06:
Biked to Mercer Marine. With only one customer ahead of me, there is still a bit of a wait. The guy who eventually comes to help me out is friendly, but I can almost tell I know as much or more about boat engines and drives as he does. After scanning through their inventory, I leave with only about 10% of what I came for. The most important I got though; the gaskets for the high-pressure fuel line. All the other gaskets are in good shape, and can be replaced when the season's over and boat is undergoing winter maintenance.
Note to self: Next time in need of boat parts, don't even bother to bike/drive to MercerMarine. Better getting on the phone and order stuff from elsewhere. Likely faster, but MUCH cheaper. Sad, since I really like to support the local merchants, but I hope that someone reading this is nice enough to pass the message to Mercer Marine.)

Planning CommiZZion's meeting

Last night's meeting at the Planning Commission was a disaster.
Not for the hard work of the commission members, but for the lack of respect some people in the audience showed others with dissenting views - as well as the rules of the meeting.

The meeting was essentially all about looking at rules/regulations to curb the construction of "monster houses" that are totally out of "wack" in the neighborhood(s). One such regulation that was disucssed was the FAR, Floor Area Ratio. Essentially limiting the amount of square footage one can build on a certain lot. For some people living on smaller lots, it did not sit well. Others, me included, wanted more stringent regulations in order to prevent "over building" on smaller lots.

Kirkland is changing on a daily basis these days. The value of the land is such that most builders/developers do not see any rationale in keeping a smaller, older, house and remodeling it. No, in order to be "marketable", it has to be a new house with 3,000 (new) sqf or more. Realtors at the meeting claimed that "anything esle cannot be sold". Surprises me when I see old ramblers, in all shapes and qualities, selling for anything north of $600K and not staying on the market very long.

I have nothing against these big houses - as long as they are also given big lots - and a design that somewhat blends in with the surrounding neighboorhood. That said, there are some good examples on mega houses, "out-of-neighborhood-style", that have been nicely designed in to the surrounding area. A few of them (Tuscan style) can be found along Waverly Way.
But, squeezing big houses in close together on tiny lots changes an open neighborhood, and the city, in a way that is hard to revert from. Once that change has taken place, and all open space is gone, I dare to challenge those who wanted to "preserve" property values in the first place by building bigger. Once we have changed our beloved city, and allowed for all the trees, the open spaces (I am not saying parks), the sight lines of lakes and mountains, the city is no longer the same. The increased density have created something few of us longer like, less love.

When I hear comments like "I can not build 4 bedrooms on same level as the kitchen", I think immediately that the lot is too small, or the rooms are too big. It is a tough choice, but if you want the lake and city view, very short walk to downtown Kirkland, you will have to buy two smaller lots and combine them for the big house. Or give up one of the "desires", or move, or ...

TulipFeZtival

Just got back from the TulipFestival outside La Conner. Sunny but windy day, skies clear and not a cloud, a bit on the cold side. Perfect day, since the crowds is likely otherwise unmanageable (traffic was bad in spots regardless).

Parents had planned to go to Amsterdam, but that fell through, so they crossed the polar ice cap for their third visit to Washington State - and the tulips here. Not a bad choice, heh?

Colors seem to be predominantly red and yellow, and they make for impressive scenery with the snow capped Mount Baker in the background, all under the watchful eyes of the neverending blue sky. Pretty, and we get a lot of good pictures taken. My guess is that some will show up on a Christmas card...

After flowers it is time for the obligatory visit to "downtown" La Conner. We're all hungry, so how come most (food) places in La Conner closes at 6 PM - on a Saturday - in the middle of their peak tourist season? An architect we know has designed one of the new places, nice deck towards the water, and even a little "doggie watering station" next to the entrance. It looks great, but when we try to pull the door, it is locked. At 6.05 PM? See people inside cleaning up, pay no attention to the "stupid" tourists at the door.
Lesson learned. If you are going to La Conner, eat first, bring a picnic, or realize that they really don't want you to visit at all. After some strolling, we eventually find a little neat wine store where we sample some wine and some cheese. Parents not too eager on the wine thing, we walk down the street to a local diner. It is "regular" American style food. Setting is maybe not the prettiest, but the wait staff is friendly, the prices are really reasonable and the portions huge. I think there will even be enough left over to feed dogs hiding in the car. And, most importantly, I get my micro brew - finally!

La Conner (apart from closing early...) has changed a bit since our last visit. Many buildings seem to have vanished and there is now a nice Lodge straddling the waterfront. I really like its design, and take tons of pictures, hoping to be able to incorporate some of that (design) at home.
In front of said Lodge, an old wooden yacht that has seen better days is moored. Looking closer, I see it has a Swedish flag at the mast. Walk down, but find no one home, apart from a sign telling us the 65' "ship" is for sale. I hope it goes to someone with both funds and a good heart, since it'd be waste to see such a beautiful vessel end up rotting away in the hands of a well meaning owner w/o money for its upkeep.

Ski Zeason have come and gone...

OK, many weeks have passed since anything was written in this space. Time for a short update, and also an attempt at more regular entries. With the great snow we've gotten up in the Cascades, there has been a few wonderful days up at Stevens Pass. Actually, the very first skiing in a few years. First the winters were crabby, then it was too much traveling (for work) and the finally, this winter, SNOW. Plenty of it. Over the past 35 years, I've had many great days skiing. Most memorable and on the "top 10" are probably the three years I spent in the French Alps. Living in Tignes Le Val Claret (http://www.espacekilly.com), never being further away from a slope than 2 minutes, 24/7, was simply the best. I have no idea of how many days of skiing I actually got in during those years, but it was more than I managed since. At the same time, I sometimes wonder how it came to that I did survive. Back in those days, there was little talk about the danger of avalanches, rock falls, getting lost in a white out, etc. Skiing was simply about finding "great lines" down the mountain. You followed the "locals" a few times, and when you felt comfortable, you went on your own - totally disregarding the fact that changes in snow conditions voided what little you learnt over the previous days. But, we did so much "stuff", extreme skiing of the days - with out ANY safety equipment (beacon, probe, shovel) and many times one even went alone - the 3-4 hour lunch break was precious and dragging people around (visiting tourists) had to wait until a you had a full day off. At lunch you wanted to get in maximum vertical!I specifically remember one time in the spring of 1983. I had taken the cable car up to La Grande Motte, did a few warm-up runs on one of my favorite slopes, a long and wide empty dance floor served only by two double chairs. It was exposed on top of the glacier, a bit to the side, and few people bothered with it (probably considered a bore due to its location). It resulted in short lines and A LOT of skiing - a hidden gem in plain view!Anyway, up to the summit again, crossing over the glacier (yes, alone) and then up to the summit of "Dome du Pramecou". It is a mild mountain on its south side, but with a wonderfully steep north face where all wind driven snow was dumped (deep powder as late as May...). In order to get there, you had to traverse the glacier, aptly named "mer de glace" (sea of ice), hike up to the summit and I think all that labor kept many away. The run down was as great as ever, soft snow, but no Utah powder (which I did not know at the time, but you just don't find that in the Alps). From the bottom of Pramecou's north face, one can ski down a couloir, or take another small hike up to the summit of a small peak with a name I no longer recall, but it can end up in a viciously steep and narrow couloir run back to the village. From up there, EVERYONE could see you - if they looked up that is... But, this day I was lazy and took the couloir down towards the valley where the cable was located (cable car is long gone and replaced by an UNDERGROUND tram that ferries skiers up the mountain). The couloir was as good as it could be after having been skied w/o any new snow for a couple of days. It was always in the shade and the snow was cold any nice. This steep and narrow chute, was accessible via a long traverse and hence frequent by quite a few on a daily basis. Even so, it rarely turned to ice until very late spring. Out of the couloir, I cut out to the left (north), and traversed a the shaded wide open East face of the "unnamed mountain" in order not to have to take the slope back down to the cable car. I've done this many times. You keep altitude and get a decent run in the final fall line down towards the village.
Tired after only three great descents in one? You can always rest on the way back up again. I did so, sitting in one of the cable cars going back up, looking to the west to see if I can see my tracks in the dark shadow of the unnamed peak. To my amazement (and later horror), the entire side of the mountain is now a debris field after an avalanche. It must have happened when I was waiting in line to get up again. Had I been 10 minutes or so (=one more run on top of the glacier) , I would not have been sitting here today at all. I'd probably be one of the small "snow boulders" strewn across the mountain side. Next day I did take a look at these small snow boulders, they were about the size of a VW Microbus and just as hard. It would have hurt, really bad, to be there when they came down from above... I'm not religious, but I do believe in fate and the importance of having impeccable timing...
Oh well, just another day of skiing in the wild 80ies. When there really were no rules!

I return to Tignes summer of 1986. I am greeted with the sad news that M. Perinet (my landlord) and "George" (the local butcher) have died in a climbing accident on the same glacier. "Mer de glace" ends just south of Val Claret with the "ice fall", or "le langue du glacier". It is a popular ice climbing spot in the late summers when the real ice actually gets some exposure. What I hear is that the glacier "calved" and they were crushed under the falling ice. Took many days before their bodies could be recovered. Looking back, it could just as well had been me...

Christmas Zoo

Managed to get everyone in front of the camera. Above you can see the resulting card...

Went to pick up "the" ham last night. Traffic was horrible - as expected but that it'd take an hour to get out of Ballard was more than could be anticipated. The drivers are also horrible, mamas in minivans or large SUVs trying to drive them like small souped up Hondas of the 90ies. People, get a grip, relax and we'll all get there safely and in due time!

Took the dog out to a friends house for some running around (dog) and coffee (me). Always nice to meet up and "reflect" before Christmas. And, to see some great decorations. Still have ways to go before we get there.

Dinner over at neighbors. Food wonderful as ever. So glad they are neighbors, but even more, the best friends you can ask for. Truly unique!

Weekend away in Znow...

Spent last weekend at a lovely place on the south slopes of Mt Rainier. Apart from being secluded, we were given the best wrap/massage one can imagine. Supposedly the mud in the wrap was "Moroccan Silk Mud", direct from the Atlas Mountains! The weekend was also the tail end of the very cold weather we've had for a while. Well, now all you up north, everything is relative, we rarely dipped below 25F, -4C, but is was cold for this part of the world where we normally have very mild and wet winters. The "wet" part came straight back after the weekend. We are now soaked and it is unseasonably warm. I really like white and cold winters (what I experienced in northern Sweden), but I also have to admit that this is not too bad. If it gets much colder, heating bills skyrocket due to the shoddy building standard/insulation levels here. Well, that part (insulation levels) will hopefully be fixed by next winter.

Zaturday

Day turned out much nicer than anticipated. Walked the dog to downtown for a cup of java and a chat. Nice to kill a few hours in the company of good friends and having a dog is always a good reason to actually walk - instead of taking the car. No major distance today, but probably 5-6 miles. On the way home, someone on the leash held me back. She must have been tired.

Sun came out. Lake was flat as a piece of glass. Boat should have been out, but man, it was cold. Have to wait until the "real" Christmas light cruise in a few weeks before thinking more about "being out there". Still have some work to do on the dash, and new wiring for the running lights. All in due time.

Back home, downed a late breakfast of oatmeal, student grub that never goes out of fashion. And, most important; it is pretty good for you as well.

And, when all this was said and done, it was now time to put up those (darn) lights. Went to the basement to pull out the two boxes that were nicely organized last year. Had four strings of "icicle lights" up last year on the highest roof line and it looked good. Guess we'll do the same procedure this year in that area.
Pull each string out of their respective bags, only to find out that several bulbs are out, gone, poof. Darn, why can't anyone making lights that last more than one season? But, on the other hand, they were probably only $2/piece, so one does not really have a legitimate reason to complain. Most would just have tossed them in the garbage, run down to the corner store and buy new sets. Not me, not time for the city dump yet! Replaced the burned bulbs with stuff salvaged from last year's "corpses", and once that was done, up on the roof. Sun's out, but it is freeeeeeezing cold.
Pull out, or rather try to, the strings that I so nicely rolled up and organized last season. Icicle lights look good once they are up, but are they a mess to "get out" and then also hang up nicely? Curse and promise myself that for next year, regular strings, w/o tentacles, will be the way to go. Just not worth it. Still cold up here. Better finish up and get down inside where it's warm and toasty.
Move the ladder to the front, pull an extension cord, and, voila, all lights are working and it does look good! Nothing compared to the effort of our across-the-street-neighbor/friend, but he cheated and had the entire family/army over to help hang his lights. Wonder how far he'd gotten by himself?
Anyway, will continue tomorrow. Still pull some strings around the deck, the trellises, and then also the boat (both because it looks nice, but also because it'll be parked in the street for a while and having lights on it will hopefully deter anyone that otherwise accidentally might run into it.

After coming back from a quick shopping spree over to "Freddie's" (nothing interesting, just staples) had to cross the street to let out/let in, count, and feed the zoo there. Out of town in Florida and it is fun to care for their monsters when they're gone. House looked like a train wreck, torn doggie toys all over, but no turds today. But, are those guys happy to see me! Finally found all four cats. Not sure how the last one got in, because I could have sworn that he was outside - staying there - when I walked in. He literally must have crossed my back. Good though that everyone's inside. They are all listening to "Delilah" tonight - as all the nights. Not my choice, but the master left that on when he left. Maybe it keeps them quiet.

Oh, one last thing. Our hated ISP (because of their high price), Comcast, have finally opened up the pipe and you can now have streaming music - both good selection and good quality (likely 192 kps or better) - flowing out in the house. Needless to say, my favorite channel is the Smooth Jazz channel. Never can go wrong with that. You just get used to it and get happy/good mood when you hear it. Pretty different from the Clash and Sex Pistols that ruled my days back in 1979...

Dinner at home, cleaned up the kitchen. Looked at tired animals at home (+tired wife). Looked through the window. Lights still on, no bulbs out - good. Time to hit the sack!

It's Znowing

Yesterday we actually saw the first snow of the season. It was not what we really would like to call snow, too warm for that, but it did for a while actually cast a shade of white on the green lawns and bushes. The weatherman tells us we might still see more of it over the weekend, so maybe, maybe...
And, of course the wet snow (it was really wet, walked the dog while it was coming down, got soaked) prevented ANY efforts in putting up those darn lights. Wife also wanted a "special" design, something along these lines - see here. Not sure if I'd survive that design for more than a few minutes. A bit too loud for my taste - albeit pretty lively - and Christmas is still far away...

Have also now formally after a wonderful hiatus and vacation gotten into the serious job searching mode. Polished resume, talked to head-hunters, and the like. Will soon start pester my local contacts once I've scanned the open postings and determined which ones are worth while pursuing. Should be good get back into "it" again.

If all bodes well, we will also take the boat out once more this season. A trip around Lake Washington to check out the Christmas decorations is always a worth while effort this time of the year. Even though it can be COLD out there. But, seeing everything from the sea(lake) side gives it a different flair. Argosy Cruises are also in December running “cruises” around the lake and they come around a few times singing Christmas carols. It is quite pretty seeing these decorated and lit ships, blasting traditional Christmas carols ashore. If you want to know more when and where these ships are to be found, check here.