The last two weeks have been a blur. Not a mile was ridden in the first week but 115 miles over three days are in the books for this last week. Too much other stuff going on to get in the miles.
The high points:
Baseball tourney - we ended the regular season in 6th place and had a tough row to hoe to get to the top. I was hoping to play well, play three games, lose two games, and be done with the tourney by Tuesday. The boys had a different idea. We played Saturday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. We beat the #1 and #3 seeded teams, lost to the #2 and #4 seeded teams by a combined two runs, and ended up in 4th place for the tourney. The highlight of the season for me as the coach was the huge improvement of the boys over the course of the season. We went from having issues hitting, fielding, pitching, and base running to being able to put runs on the board, get 3 outs without allowing runs, and finding many natural pitchers in the process that would shut other teams down. The team showed its heart in the tourney, leaving it all on the field. As a father, I saw Craig go from "please don't make me play" to "let's get the cleats on and throw the ball around." My father's highlight is a combination of things: him being aggresive at the plate, hitting the ball hard; him standing on the mound pitching with velocity, letting it go not aiming; and finally, him fielding his position and understanding the game and the game situation. We will do it again next year.
Moving - Part of my desire to play three and be done was because we closed on our house and wanted to move. Actually, we wanted to be out so the rental company could get the house rented before we had to pay rent for July (the house was rented - no July rent!!). On June 7th, Christine's birthday, we got the keys and the fun started. We moved some items on Thursday and after picking up the U-haul on Friday afternoon, we moved a whole bunch more on Friday night. Remember the baseball tourney, we'd make a few trips, go to the game, and come home each night/day and continue to move household items. Saturday was the heavy day. Without the help of my parents and Scott from work, we'd never had made it. I am extremely grateful for their support and willingness to help out. We'd never had made it without y'all. Thanks. I was disappointed that my brothers did not come down to help out. I will leave that at that and say we got it all done with other's help. By Sunday night, we had the garage done and we able to park our cars in the garage. By Monday night, we were 95% done with the moving in portion. All that is left is to hang up the pictures on the walls. I am sure we'd have been done if not for our vacation that started on Tuesday night. We love our new house and can't wait to get back to it.
Vacation - I left work early on Tuesday and we loaded up the car and headed out to Boise. Seven hours later we stopped in for the night. The next morning, we headed South to St. George, UT for the Putnam Family Reunion. The family had rented a large house with two pools, a hot tub, a ping pong table, an air hockey table, a fusball table, several TVs and DVD players, and lots of space. We have spent the last four days riding through the hills of Southern Utah, BBQing, taking pictures, swimming, tanning, spending money, eating out, eating in, talking, a talent show, paying tribute, and enjoying each others company. To share something about what I have learned this trip is understanding the moment and acting accordingly. This has made all the difference this trip. Sometimes, it is not about "me." Thanks to Christine for all of her hard work and for being so dedicated to the cause. You have made a difference. Thanks to the entire Putnam family for their hospitality and good times.
The Rides - Christine and I aquainted ourselves with the area and the local bike routes. We put in 115 miles of fun through and over the red rocks. Thursday was Snow Canyon and 35 miles of hills. Friday was 26 miles of more hills, shortened by Colin's upheaval. Saturday I rode solo for 50 miles of more hills. The fun about the hills was coming down them, hitting almost 50 MPH in some areas. Over the next few weeks, the C and I will have to get ready for the next big ride, the STP in July. My quest for my June century this week was postponed due to time constraints. Next weekend will be prime time to get it done, right after I get back from Detroit.
Stay tuned for more fun and pictures from our rides in Snow Canyon. Tomorrow, we will get in our last day of riding here in SoUtah - one more trip up the canyon and some hill fun.
