Windmill 40

Ryan's first organized ride-The Windmill 40. It started at Los Alamos Park. A little town about 14 miles north of Buellton in northern Santa Barbara County. It was an out-and-back along Hwy 135. After leaving the house at 5 AM and a three hour drive, they're ready to go. The forty mile "Windmill Ride" is mostly flat passing farm land but not one windmill was seen. The pace line going at 17 MPH.Taking a quick break. It was getting near 100 degrees. Check out Laurel's new Creamsicle rig with matching water bottle.
Passing through the little town of Orcutt-an old stage coach stop. Twenty mile rest stop for the bikes while the riders get some food. Final hill climb. The race is on. Looks like Laurel has a slight edge. King Of the Mountain winner!Still smiling after that long hill climb.

Millerton Metric 2008

I just happened to be in Fresno during the Climb to Kaiser so I did the shorter 70 mile Millerton Metric. I wasn't training for it so I struggled, but had a good time. Only 3,399 feet of climbing. I used my Garmin Edge 705 for the first time with its turn-by-turn capability. I only made one wrong turn the entire ride. Fires have been burning out of control. That's the sun glowing through a smoke-filled sky. The smoke, plus the elevation (up to 2000 ft), plus the 100 degree temperature, plus my lack of training made this a survival ride. Imagine the riders doing the Climb to Kaiser: 155 miles with a 13,500 total vertical climb. I wonder where he got this mailbox idea? This is farming country as is much of the Central Valley of California. Gotta have the windmill picture. Orange Trees? Almond Trees?

A huge farmhouse with acres of farmland. The sun burning through the smokey haze. The start of the ride was all uphill. The steepest part of the ride with more hills to come. Over the hill with rewards of picturesque Oaks.

Heading home - After a nice series of downhills you hit a long straight flat-Copper Avenue-Fresno's drag strip. Why did I come to Fresno? . . . to Party! 'Till 2 am.

Brook Lee Catastrophe At The House Of Blues

The Brook Lee Catastrophe landed a gig at the House of Blues Sunset Strip on March 1, 2008. Security was strict and no recording or photos were allowed, but someone bootlegged this video of Brook's new song "Hey Joe". For this song The Catastrophe "frisbeed" out tambourines to the crowd. Even Ryan caught one.

Merry Christmas '07

2007 surely came to a rapid end, like a 40 MPH downhill! Hence the lack of recent posts. I'll catch up with photos and news soon.

Donna and I would like to wish all a very

Merry Christmas

and a

Happy New Year!

Fluffy The Samba King

Recorded at the Univerity of Nevada Reno Jazz festival, April 28, 2007. The Long Beach Poly Jazz Band playing "Fluffy The Samba King". That's Laurel on the Alto Sax.

Happy Birthday, Donna

The La Quinta Resort was built in 1926 by Walter Morgan as a secluded retreat for the Hollywood rich and famous. He constructed six cottages, an office, and a dining facility in the middle of the desert.
Look's like a movie star.
Our room was one of the original cottages built in the 1920's. They even thought of a high speed internet connection.Birthday Sundae at Sammy's Woodfired Pizza. Guess who ate most of it?Moon rising over La Quinta.We'll be back-I'm sure.

Merry Christmas

Christmas in ArizonaClick for a Merry Christmas to you and your families song

Red Rock Canyon, Las Vegas

The Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area is located just a few miles west of Las Vegas and encompasses 197,00 acres within the Mojave Desert. There are many scenic vistas and hiking trails, but . . .
. . . watch out for biting burros? Does the burro get a $25 fine for biting you?





Donna at the Red Rock Casino

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving . . . Food, Football, Family, and Friends (Not in that order, of course.) Happy Thanksgiving to all. We have MUCH to be thankful for.