Fly Fishing on the Deschutes

Earlier this week I got the opportunity to go on a fly fishing trip on the Deschutes as part of a photo shoot. I was supposed to look like a hipster - do you think I passed the test? (I kind of think I looked like a hard core poser. looking hip is not my forte!)

I had a great time - and even caught one decent fish. I didn't get many photos though - I am hoping to get one of my trip mates to share pics with me eventually!

3rd Week in June Recap

1. I'm headed out on a float trip of the Deschutes! I'm supposed to look like a hipster. I'm not sure I'm succeeding, but hopefully the trip is fun!
2. Thor eating a late-night ice cream cone at the Salt&Straw cart - yum!
3. Thor banging out an epic 50-miler ride (part in snow) with our buddy Dan.

p.s. my arm is getting better.

Last Two Week Update

Not much to report on since buggering my arm - so I just made this photo collage to share:

1) Ralph's awesome cats come to PDX on extended holiday. they are fun, and both loooove their lovies!
2) pic from my final ride when I realized that something was, in fact, wrong with my arm instead of just being sore.
3) aaaand a picture of how I spend 20 minutes x 5-6 times per day: icing. yep. I'm loving this. right smack in the middle of MTB season. I am a joy to be around, not cranky or feisty at all. Seriously! it might even take 5-6 weeks to heal with no biking in the meantime. better and better! ✨😜✨

Mat Barton: Call to Rally for a Fellow Racer

Thor and I have been a little distracted this week. On Monday night, at the weekly MTB short track race, Mat Barton (an amazing biker, and all around GREAT guy that Thor competes against in the men’s SS category) went over the handlebars right in front of Thor and suffered a horrific crash.  Mat was taken to the hospital in an ambulance and we’ve been anxiously waiting to hear about his condition all week. Yesterday we learned that tragically, Mat is paralyzed from the chest down, and the doctors believe this will likely be permanent. Fortunately Mat made it through his surgeries this week, they have gone well, and he is reportedly in good spirits surrounded by his loving wife and family.

 

I know most of you who read our blog won’t know Mat, but we want to spread the word about the fund that has been set up for Mat any way we can (www.bartonpdx.com).  This accident hit really close to home for us – we both realize this was easily an accident that could happen to either of us in the course of all the mtn biking we do – and our hearts just go out to Mat’s wife and family.

 

Please see below for a well-crafted post by our local cycling organization regarding his scenario.  Spread the word far and wide, these guys need a hand surmounting the immense financial responsibility that lay ahead. 

 

_______________________________________________________________________________

 

Dear Friends,

 

On Monday June 11th Mat Barton suffered an accident during the Portland Short Track single speed race that resulted in a serious spinal cord injury which has left him paralyzed from the chest down. We know many of you have been anxious for an update on his condition, and we apologize for the wait. We're sure you all understand that he and his family needed personal time and space after the accident before information could be shared publicly. It has also taken some time to get clarity on what Mat’s longer-term prognosis looks like. Mat underwent surgery on Wednesday June 13th to stabilize his spinal column, but unfortunately the doctors say the paralysis is likely permanent.

 

Mat is one of us, a fellow bike racer – and many of you know him as a friend, and what a wonderful person he is. But this obviously is about so much more than bike racing. Mat is a passionate and talented young man, and loving husband, whose life and the life of his family has just been changed forever by a freak occurrence. Mat's road to recovery will be long and difficult, and now it is our turn to help support him and his wife Jessica in their time of need.

 

The family, friends and co-workers of Mat have established a fund to help offset to costs of his treatment and recovery. If you would like to join us in contributing to this fund any amount would be greatly appreciated. The link below will take you to Mat's donation page, which also contains information on how to get updates on Mat's progress. Your caring and support means the world to Mat and his family.

 

www.bartonpdx.com

 

Washougal 6 Hr MTB - Photo Set 2

Podium shots!  I ended up getting to share the podium with my friend, Margi – which was a real treat! The woman who won, Suzanne, was super nice – but I only saw her once on the first lap.  I let her ride away thinking I might catch back up to her later, but nope! She was quick!  Overall I had a great day even though I ended up with an injury in the end.  I hate being side-lined though because it is just SO FUN to ride my mtn. bike!!!  Looks like I’m in for a fun couple of days of left-handed weeding this weekend!

Washougal 6 Hr MTB - Photo Set 1

 

This was the hardest race I think I have ever done. Harder than the 100-miler in Bend last year!  This was due to tough, tough conditions. It had been raining all week, and then cleared up just long enough for the mud to dry into this thick, peanut-butter like consistency that made it almost impossible to ride through.  There was quite a bit of time spent pushing the bike along with the wheels not spinning because there was so much mud. Crazy.  Fortunately I like long races – so I had a good time anyways – and ended up taking 2^nd place in the solo women’s 6- hour race!  Also – mom was there working as a race official – so I got to wave hello to her each lap when I came though!  Downside: I strained my forearm pushing my bike – so now it’s a mandatory 7-10 days off the bike while I try to let my tendons cool off and reduce the swelling. Hrmph. I’m not a very good patient!

Alana & Peter's Wedding in Napa - Photo Set 1

I am having technical issues loading pictures to my blog - and I am a bit hobbled with my typing right now (more on that later) - but I really want to get these pictures up so I am going to email them in two sets. You can read a lively, entertaining account of the weekend's festivities on Anna's blog here (http://mylifeonthewater.blogspot.com/2012/06/alana-and-peters-wedding.html). We stayed with our good friends Linda & Garry - and it was quite wonderful to combine a trip for the wedding with a visit with them.

Alana & Peter's Wedding in Napa - Photo Set 2

Sent by iPhoneAnd the second set! We cleaned up really nicely - and I had such a fun time being there with Anna, Mom, William, Thor & Adele!