After a fall of surgery recovery, an early spring of the “bad ass cold” we were finally ready for our first camping trip of the year. It happened to be on our 42 anniversary, all the better. We have had the Pine Cone for a year and a half now and every time we have gone out it has gotten better. The thing a out having a tear drop is to have everything ready at a moments notice and we have achieved that. Stove, water, utensils and bed all ready to go. A quick stop at the store, hook it up to Oliver and off we were. It is less than an hour to our destination, the Crooked River Canyon below Bowman Dam. We left after work, got to our campground with lots of light left. Set up camp made dinner, read our books then off to bed in our cosy teardrop.
We had done a reconnaissance of the campgrounds last fall so we knew where to go, but this was our first trip with Oliver, our new Mini ( maxi) Cooper. Though he is smaller than the Green Lady, he sits higher and has more low end torque. This means he pulls the Pine Cone better, and with better gas mileage. I was hoping for this and was well chuffed to find it true.
We had perfect weather, our hike to Chimney Rock was perfect. Lots of wild flowers, and only one other human. I hope we have many more of these this year.
Don
http://arabellasgarden.blogspot.com/ if you go to Kathy’s blog you can see photos and read her story.

For five years in early March I and my teammates have made the 4 hour trek to Echo in Eastern Oregon to race our mountain bikes. The first year I had no idea what to expect. It seems flat in the Columbia Gorge just west of Pendelton. But the mountain bike enthusiasts of The Hermiston area convinced a rancher that the gullies and ravines where he couldn’t grow his wheat would be a good area for some mountain bike trails. They were right and all of us who trooped over to Echo were surprised at how fun e trails are. This Echo has race has now become the biggest mountain biker axe in Oregon.
For me it was not only my first race of the year but my first race since my prostate surgery. I Amy not have all of the powere I had last fall but, as the Spanish riders love to say, I had good sensations in my legs. Six weeks of smart training paid off. There is still a ways to go but at least I am on my way.
I had a couple of thoughts after the race. I finished third, which was good, but I won’t say I wouldn’t have liked to do better. I guess that is what makes me a racer, wanting to do better. Us then it occurred to me nobody but me really cares how I do. That doesn’t mean I don’t have friends and family who appreciate what I do, but if I tell them third was awesome they will think third was awesome. If am happy how I do they are happy how I do. I think this is true of most master racers. Our fans and supporters need us to tell them how we did. In fact most of our supporters are content with any result we achieve. What they don’t like is if we are grumpy after a race.
I was very touched with all of my cycling friends who came up to to welcome me back to the races.it was nice to be back, to be competitive and to enjoy those great trails near Echo.
Thanks for reading.
Don

Sunnyside Sports is 40 years old this year and we are having our birthday party this coming Friday from 6 to later. I have been at Sunnyside for 32 years more than half of my life. It has been a great run. I am proud of the things we have done, and I love the sports we sell. I guess I may be the biggest Sunnyside customer. There are not many days when I am not out cycling or skiing. Sunnyside has been my work and my play for 32 years and I am thankful for that. I hope to have many more of these years. The photo of Jake above is what I think of when I think of work. Smiles, bikes, tools it is what we are about.
Thoughts about my Mom. First of all my Mom died last Saturday. Like all Moms she was a huge part of my life. We didn’t always see eye to eye but she always wanted the best for me, and taught me the values I have today. I think those are good values and for that I am ever grateful.
As I sit here I am trying to think of a monumental Mom moment but I can’t, all I think of are thousands of smaller mom moments. Me learning to read, and learning to love books. She wouldn’t accept me not loving books. She made me love books. At the time I wanted to be outdoors but first I had to love books. That seems like an impossible task, but finally she found the book for me Sherlock Holmes. I have been in love ever since.
Music. While other homes had the TV on we had classical music. All the time. I still love classical music and that was from my Mom. Hiking. Ever since I can remember we did family hikes. Not backpacking, but nice long weekend hikes.
I could go on but I have a lot to remember this week. I hope to see you at the party.
Don