Walla Walla

The racing in Walla Walla this past weekend was fun, largely in part to our beautiful October weather. I raced in shorts and short sleeves both days, and actually got some color on my arms and face. Unfortunately, the fields were a bit smaller both days since many of the regulars from the Spokane area opted not to make the drive, but it was still good racing.

Both courses were pretty bumpy and my back seems to be complaining because of it. Standing at work for seven hours today sure didn't help at all, but a heating pad and some Aspirin has helped.

We tasted wine at five wineries Saturday afternoon, buying a bottle from each. We both really liked Russell Creek a lot. The nice thing about tasting in Walla Walla is you rarely find the pretentiousness you sometimes encounter in Napa or Sonoma. With over 80 wineries now, Walla Walla is definitely becoming a wine destination. Many of the locals we talked to are happy with the growth, so long as it is done in the "right way." Many cars have bumber stickers saying, "Don't Bend Walla Walla," though a major developer from Bend is apparently already doing some planning. Hopefully it does not lose its charm.

There is a great patisserie in downtown Walla Walla now that is well worth visiting - the Colville Street Patisserie. The desserts are almost too beautiful to eat and taste just as good. Check it out the next time you are there.

One more that I just had to throw in.

An old photo that I love of the cats.

I carved a pumpkin tonight for the first time in years.

Beautiful sunset from a few weeks ago.

Getting caught by a bunch of men at Starcrossed.

Ted's actually smiling while doing 'cross?

Racing at Crosstoberfest.

Fall

Fall seems to officially be here now and I'm having a hard time adjusting to the colder, shorter days. I am so much less motivated to ride my bike in weather like this, yet it always seems more rewarding than being active on a beautiful day. Something about being the only one brave enough (or stupid enough) to go out in miserable weather makes me feel good about doing it.

I'm going to New Mexico in December to take a week-long course on the personal chef industry. I think it will be a really useful and interesting class, which should help me in any facet of the culinary field.

Heading to Walla Walla this weekend for some more 'cross fun. Perhaps we'll get to taste a little wine also.

Stupid Human

I am currently dog and cat sitting for my parents who are enjoying themselves on the Italian Riviera. I sprung Gretel, the miniature Schnauzer, from the vet's yesterday and will be taking her back later today; hopefully it broke up the monotony of cage life a little bit. Blueberry, the 19 year old cat, is also quite glad to have company, though she would surely be happier to have Gretel still in the kennel. Blue was frankly thrilled when all of the other Beall pets died, leaving the house and humans all to her, so she really is not happy when she has to share with the young, wild pup.

I was looking forward to a lazy evening here last night, so I threw on some PJs and headed out in the garage to scope out the wine and food. I selected a couple things and headed back in, only to find that the door was locked. Normally, the door connecting the garage and house is never locked since people are frequently going between the two, so I had not even thought about it when I closed it behind me. And, of course, I had locked the front door and had no shoes on. My car keys and phone were also inside. Great. I tried to open the front door by inserting cardboard between the door and frame, but no luck with that.

I decided that the cat door on the locked door would be my only hope, so I proceeded to lie on my back with my arm through the cat door (and Gretel whining on the other side) and use numerous objects to try to turn the nob on the other side: a hammer, a mallet, a running shoe, a sock, pliers, bungee cords. After numerous failed attempts, I was pretty frustrated, but still found it amusing when I looked up to see a deer just outside the garage, watching me flail about on my back in my apple print pajamas and stocking feet. He was literally fifteen feet from me, just watching me, and probably thinking... "stupid human."

As a last attempt, I removed the cat door (thank goodness I was in a garage with a bunch of tools, not that I know how to use 98% of them), hoping it would give my short arm just enough leverage to turn the nob. My fingertips barely brushed it, but after a few minutes of trying, I was able to get it to turn. Thank God. It would have been so embarassing to have to call someone.

Ted and I are going to Seattle again this weekend for another cyclocross race. Someone told me last weekend that I didn't look like I was having fun while racing; after watching a few other races, I realized that no one looks like they are having fun while doing cyclocross.