It Was a Pumpkin Patch Picking Sorta Day!

While Stacy and Mick were busy settling in with the new baby, I grabbed the kids and headed out to the pumpkin patch....one of my favorite things in the world to do!

The feeling of fall is always so overwhelming this time of year (at least on the east coast!). Fun colors and falling leaves....life couldn't be better!! Thank you Emma and Luke for such a wonderful day!!!

Three simple words, "On Your Left!"

I participated in the Sea Gull century this weekend. An event that attracts many folks, as the course is flat and beautiful…therefore if you are looking to achieve your fastest century time or you are a newbie just looking to finish, this is the event for you…..and attract it did! This year it was rumored that 11,000 people registered for the event and over 8,000 participated. Needless to say, that is a shit ton of people. During the day I witnessed three crashes, two of which resulted in an ambulance ride (one ambulance taking ~ 25 min to arrive), several people with bandages and road rash who completed the ride, MANY close-ones, and a lot of time spent fearing for my safety and life as bikers sped my me on my left AND right.

So of course, me being the statistical analytical geek that I am, I was curious how other events of this size are handled…..I found that in Colorado the Colorado State Patrol are trying to cap their cycling events to no more than 2,500 riders, stating safety and the ability of the city to handle such events as issues. However, the lance Armstrong foundation says it is not profitable for holding an event for less than 3,500 riders. A recent event in California that attracted 15,000 riders has announced next year the start will be in a stage format instead of a group start. What else did I find in my Google search? Not much else, except for news article, after news article of individuals that had been injured in some sort of cycling event.

Ultimately, I question where does the safety responsibility lie? With the organization of the event, and making decisions that lead to participants safety or is it within the rider themselves, to be alert and safe rider? Or both? I know capping a sporting event doesn’t sound great…for me included. However, where do we draw the line between participant safety and having a successful injury free event? In the Sea Gull’s defense this was the first year they offered an alternate route to try and cut down on the usual crowded route, and perhaps that did help…..

So what is the point of this post? Well, mostly as a person who has been on all sides of sporting events – a rider, a coordinator, a hurt rider, and now a witness to several accidents – it is a new perspective and one I felt needed to be expressed. For me, I certainly will be a bit more choosy in what events I choose to participate in, or will choose to start early/late to beat the crowds!! And certainly from this day forward, I will always in passing say, "On your left!"

Happy safe cycling to you all!

The Shorebird Metric Century!

The website said, "Come ride the uncrowded flat roads of Maryland's Eastern Shore."

What they forgot to mention was how windy the Eastern Shore can be! As parts of it were pretty darn windy!

Secretly, I like to think of the wind as my hills!

And secretly I don't have a problem drafting off other very strong riders!!

The 65 miles went by quickly, beautiful blue skies, great folks along the way, and friends and burgers at the end! Enjoy the Show!

The Back to Back Blizzard Madness!

Well that was a crazy couple of weeks. I know we get a lot of snow in Alaska, but I haven't seen that much snow at once in a long time. It just kept coming and coming.....! It has certainly been beautiful. The state declared it an emergency, houses without power for several days, and the state ran out of salt! School was closed for 4 days and we were a couple of hours late here and there...so needless to say this last week has been out of control. Today its hitting 50 and the snow is quickly melting! I know the days are getting longer and days are getting warmer, but I'm about ready for daffodils, ocean swims, and long bike rides.......! Any day now!

A moment for pause.....

"Everyone must take time to sit and watch the leaves turn"

Elizabeth Lawrence

The Ferry Ride

This ride has become "my usual" ride. And although we actually don't go over the three car ferry, we go right by it. A 20 mile loop that takes you through beautiful farm land, horses, chickens, and now beautiful falling leaves. A nice way to recenter and collect my thoughts.

A Fall Day of Fun!

First there was some trampoline fun.....

I tried pretty hard to keep up with the kids,

but they had their flips, turns and butt jumps down!

Then there was some Tyrolean fun!

And the canoe commute back to the house....

one of the nice advantages of having all of my family live on the same lake!

I was on my way to Berlin, but I ended up in Snow Hill

My life has changed quit a bit now that I'm living on the Eastern Shore. So, its been a little bit of a struggle to try and figure out what to blog about...as I do still love my blog. I do feel everyday is an adventure here, just different than my life in Alaska.......So as of late, I've been back on a bike, which has just been great! Probably one of the things I missed while living in AK. I have not figured out a way to attach my camera in a position that makes it easier to take photos, so these are not so great - I'll work on it. But I do think it will be a great way to document some of the area. Its pretty easy to escape the 'city' and find yourself on beautiful country roads.....I don't have a good map yet, and I continue to get lost...but I do usually find my way!

AK Friends Come to Salisbury!

It is pretty amazing to me that my Alaska friends would make a stop in Salisbury. It is truly amazing to me that with my move here, Salisbury is on the radar for so many folks....that I am truly grateful for....cause without you all,,,,well it just wouldn't be right.

Resh had an amazing time playing in the pool and playing on the beach....It was one of those days where it actually felt warmer in the water than it did on the beach...We couldn't get Resh to go in the water, but Rick and I took a quick dip....ok his was longer than mine.....A windy warm day......wind, even on the east coast, still continues to be my least favorite element.

We walked on the boardwalk, ate Thrashers (the best french fries ever), it was to late in the season for rides, but we did spend sometime in Playland playing skeet ball, grab machines, raced cars and other games.

So glad you all were able to make the trip and to see what my life is like! Miss you all!

I am now a Gull.

I am now a Gull

And now my new chapter begins....I am scared, nervous, and excited all rolled into one. I ponder how I will feel the first time a patient dies, I wonder what I will feel the first time I see a baby born, and I question whether I will actually be able to stick someone with a needle or stick a tube down someones nose......which they tell me is going to happen this week. Wow, what did I just get myself into? I guess its all to be determined, just like everything else in life....unknown. And as I move into this new direction, amazing reconnection's with my family, looking out over the lake I spent so much time as a child..........well, I can't help but smile and be thankful for who I am! As always, thanks to everyone who has been and continues to be a part of my life.....I truly treasure those unforgettable moments with each of you......!