Sunday, July 30, 2006

1/10th of the Way There!

Both sets of my grandparents have now made it 50 years in their marriages. I've always hoped for the same. Maybe it is my compulsiveness that requires me to make all these goals, but that's a biggie.

It was Brady's year to come up with our anniversary plans. While we wanted to do a weekend trip, there were no available weekends. I started school, he started the busy time at work, and that's life. So he planned a day trip.

We took the BART early, and got to the city in time for a tasty breakfast at Sears Fine Foods (where we ate last year...YUM!). Then we hopped on our bikes and headed across the Golden Gate. As evidenced below, it was quite foggy. In fact, they call it a drizzle when it is like this.


I've been begging Brady to consider getting road bikes now that we have our mountain bikes (and I want to get more involved in triathlons). In fact, I spent the first few miles in the city complaining that we didn't have skinny, non-traction tires to cruise around on. Then, I discovered the glory of mountain bikes. You can bike off-road.

I know, what a mystery, huh? Well, I have never been off-road. It was breathtaking!!

We biked a LONG time uphill. It was challenging, but there were a few flatter areas, and plenty of drink breaks. The first few miles I couldn't get over the thrill and uncertaintly of gravel.

In this picture, Brady says I'm ready to join Harley. (Check out the gloves.)

Finally, we started in on some downhill. That simply took the workout from the legs to the arms for me. I think I was just so tense and nervous that my arms were constantly flexed.

Brady made sure to find some wildflowers along the way. (He also made sure to get some flowers for me on Friday...)

We found a different trail to go back to the city, and ended up seeing the bridge without all the "drizzle."

All said, we went about 27 miles. (We know that due to Brady's Google Earth hobby.) It was a new adventure, and one we plan to repeat with different trails. We discovered areas to park so we can skip the city next time around. Not that we mind the view...

11 comments:

Eric and Jill said...

Looks like an awesome time! :) Happy anniversary! Five years, already?! WOWZA! Doesn't feel like it. I'm sure you'll make it to 50, what with only 9 more sets of 5 years, you'll be there before you know it. haha.

Eric loves Google Earth too.

cory said...

I think you should still buy a road bike Karen. Don't let Brady convince you that he knows best.

Love,
The father of contention

Natalie and Steve said...

27 miles! That seriously sounds like a workout!

Elder Bryson Ritchie said...

How fun! My muscles hurt just thinking about it. I have no idea what Google Earth is, I'll have to talk to guys about that. Congrats on 5 years!

NW Varneys said...

I'm just wondering why Brady is wearing sunglasses in one of the pictures (or more pictures. One just stood out to me. Overlooking a cloudy valley with sunglasses. Must've been bright clouds:)) Go for the road bike if you can. They make such a huge difference on the road. I borrowed a neighbors road bike when I did my triathlon, and it was amazing the difference. Now imagine what a quality road bike could do. He found his road bike in the dumpster. It road true, and shifted fine, but was still a dumpster bike. If a dumpster bike can make a huge difference, just imagine what a quality road bike could do. You can do it. Two incomes. No kids yet. Go for it while you can!

Aaron

NW Varneys said...

Ignore the typos in that little comment there. I hate proofreading as evidenced by the "road" and not "rode" as well as other punctuation errors. Oops.

Brady said...

I kept asking Brady why he needed his shades. I did find myself constantly squinting, though, so maybe my eyebrow lines will be the last ones laughing about this.

Anonymous said...

Looks like a fun trip. Congradulations! (Just adding a comment so Karen won't accuse me of never reading her blogs =)
By the way, Brady, I think your glasses are cool.

Scott and Natalie said...

Dang, send some of that cool scenery to Idaho!!! You guys take good pictures!

Brady said...

Ahh, the blog comments are back. Good times.

I was afraid we were going to have to dress up the neighbor's dog in a parka to get some feedback!

Natalie and Steve said...

That would have been fun...