text:
Photo version executive summary, although (spoiler alert) it does get dark in Healdsburg so there isn't anything past that. At that point I was pretty much in get back to San Francisco mode anyway, but read on for the rest of the story.
This year is the third time the Adventure Series 400k has been held as a brevet on the SFR calendar, and the word is getting out! The start is at Lincoln and Storey, there's quite a group, someone says it looks like the start of a real brevet. Or maybe it was regular brevet. These Adventure Series rides are definitely for real. As in no joke. Today's installment is *only* 400k. (You might be a rando if you laughed at that.)
I get my bike out, finish up the last-minute prep and go over to sign in. Once again it's a 3-section card. There's no homemade bread and Nutella. Apparently somebody missed a memo. Or maybe I was supposed to BMO. Hopefully I'll still be able to manage the ride. (Note from Max later that OS600 was the first time to have it at the start. Usually it's a finish control item. Pft. Make us ride first.)
We have to wait until 0500 to pay for parking for the day. After a bit of initial confusion we all, well all us car bound folks anyway, get situated and OK let's roll! I'm thinking it'll be west side, but BFK is on the front, and he chooses east. The gate is already open, but there are bike tracks in the dew on the deck. That's a good sign right? This is why I hate being on the front.
Windy. Oof. Well they were saying it's supposed to be cooler today (yay!) but that means the valley will be sucking, as in onshore winds of course (what else?) oh goody. Something to look forward to when we're heading north on the Coast.
Out through a blissfully quiet Sausalito and Tam Junction. No Patrick today, he had some excuse blah blah blah wife's birthday blah blah blah, so he did the workers' ride last week with Mike and Brian K. (But seriously, I don't know how the people with others in their home life do it to make it out on all these long rides.) Anyway, I haven't made an explicit arrangement to ride with anyone, but with the usual suspects on the roster figure I'll fall in with a group. Or not. We'll see how the day goes. Either way it's all good.
For now it's a nice pace, although Vidas is talking about wanting to be back by 0200! Yipes! Have fun with that. He says one thing for doing this is to not spend too long eating blackberries. You stop and sit down and eat and eat, you will not be back by 2. (It sounds much better with a Lithuanian accent.)
The group starts to spread out a bit as we climb out of Tam Junction. Today we're taking Panoramic, and as we approach it looks like the folks in front of us have missed the right turn. We start to yell then realize it's an optical delusion, the road does go straight for a bit but they haven't actually missed the turn.
First faint glimmers of dawn over the bay to our right. Four Corners and up the mountain. Gosh when was the last time I came up this way? It's actually a pretty mellow climb. Or maybe that's because I'm by myself now and going my own pace. OOO! Shiny sparkly plush ball on the side of the road. No, I don't have room for it. Dang.
Huh and there's actually some flat to downhill here for a bit. Don't go the other way here too often either but don't have a recollection of having to climb until after the fire station. Maybe carrying enough speed that it doesn't seem like a climb. Or maybe faulty memory.
Break in the trees gives a quick glimpse of Diablo bathed in sunrise splendor back to my left. And here's Bootjack already. Means Pantoll and downhill are not far away. I'm surprised no one has caught up to me yet.
Vidas and another rider, who I find out later is Thomas from LA, are stopped at the Pantoll sign. I slow long enough to verify the control question then we all take off down the hill. Apparently the locals aren't going fast enough though, as Thomas crosses over into the other lane and passes both of us. Alrighty then.
Super fun descent, although one of the hairpins towards the bottom lets me know I'm maybe carrying a bit more speed than perhaps I should. Yay for working brakes! I hear someone else's brakes yowl behind me. Hmn, wonder who that is. Not going to turn around and look right now.
Onto Highway 1 at Stinson Beach and head north. Turns out it's Jon who'd come up behind me on the descent. I figured he was long gone, but he'd stopped at Bootjack to fill bottles. With Vidas at the front we soon catch Thomas.
The morning light on Bolinas Lagoon is amazing. Looks like low tide. Roll along enjoying the scenery. At this hour we almost have the road to ourselves, which is also quite nice. There are a few motorcycles and a sports car or two also taking advantage of the light traffic, but fortunately no one is too much of a jackass, at least when they are around us.
Oh, Dogtown already. And Olema. Pt. Reyes Station. No one says anything about stopping, so we roll through. Downhill by the Arabian horses and oh road kill road kill road kill vulture vulture VULTURE flies up right in front of us! At several spots further up the coast we also see them perched on poles drying their wings in the sun.
Subaru passes us then gets caught at the construction stoplight north of town. The woman in the first car has gotten out, which I notice when the light turns green and she goes to get back in. I know the single lane isn't too long, so I jackrabbit start and get through first. Woot! What do I win?
The day continues to unfold nicely along Tomales Bay and then we angle inland toward the town of Tomales. Vidas had earlier made a comment about liking rides where you have breakfast then ride somewhere and have lunch. Isn't that what we're doing today? Yes, but many more meals. As if the universe were listening, there's a sign at Tomales for a Country Breakfast. Unfortunately it's not until tomorrow.
Jog off of Highway 1 and over to Middle Road. The lead group had stopped at Pt. Reyes Station and catch up with us here – BFK, Alex from Seattle and Andrea, our token Italian since Max is still in the Motherland. Howdys and chit-chat, a couple of folks get a bit ahead and almost miss the second right turn to stay on Middle Road, but we yell at them and they get back on course. Little bit of a hill, no need to take the fast bait. Downhill and some flat and I catch up again and here we are at Highway 1. A big sign for Home for Sale 1867VictorianLoveNest.com um OK then. Victorian Love Nest? I didn't know they were known for that.
Valley Ford and the word is the store makes their own beef jerky and it's really good. Vidas says if they are still open when he comes by on the way back he's going to get some. Hmn yeah I'm not figuring on getting any, but what time will it be when I see Valley Ford again? Oh not going to think about that too much.
North on 1, BFK rides with me for a bit. Says he read my Orr Springs report and is thinking of having everyone call him Lt. Colonel. Um sure. Although hate to burst your bubble but that was an Apocalypse Now reference. Hmn. Maybe I need to update my references.
First receipt control in Bodega. Find a big water, juice and oh yummy looking cookies! I get up to the counter and they've got tasty looking lemon bars, but no, I've already got the cookies.
I know Joy Road is up ahead, so I'd like to get out ahead of everyone, although what will it really matter they'll end up passing me anyway. We end up rolling out all together, and, as suspected, once the road seriously tips up they are all gone. Have fun storming the castle, boys.
Ok look, a jacket. It's still all nicely rolled up, but not attached to Thomas' bag anymore. I stop and pick it up. A short time later he returns in search of it and I hand it over. He tries to fasten it more securely, I continue on with the climb.
It's a beautiful day, nice in amongst the redwoods and I enjoy the ascent at my own pace. Some classical piece plays in my head. I don't think it's Ode to Joy, I'm not sure what the heck it is, actually, but it helps pass the time pleasantly. Ah, Charles Beck's studio. One of the Grasshopper not-a-races finishes here, I think that means the bulk of the climbing is done.
At least the stout part, although there is a little more up to get to the top top. Then a little dip over to Willow Creek Road. Someone's address sign also says All is peace and love. (with a heart shaped peace symbol, that is.) Indeed. There's a woman on a mountain bike heading onto Willow Creek Road. Yep, some nice dirt back there too.
I don't usually go this direction on this road, so there's a definite novelty factor. Thomas has gotten his jacket resecured and caught up, we ride together and chat a bit. Once we get to the dirt descent I get ahead again. Whee! what? Tree! gah! Road hazard. Wonder when or if it will ever get cleared.
Do see a few other folks out enjoying the forest, including a couple near the gate back to pavement with a small off leash dog that doesn't really want to get out of my way. I let them know that there's going to be other bikes coming down.
Pavement in a loose definition of the word, that would be. In some parts it's bumpier than the dirt. There's one section that is full of puddles in the winter, I'm thinking it won't be an issue today, so am quite surprised by a large deep section of water going all the way across the road in one of the usual damp spots. I don't think I've ever seen it that wet there. Oh guess I'm riding through it oh oh oh wet feet. Yipes! Fortunately not completely soaked, and they do pretty much dry out by Jenner.
It's not a control but I'd like to top off the fluids, so I make a stop. There's a few other riders who've also elected to stop, but they are just on their way out as we pull in. We resupply, and I notice Thomas' jacket is starting to sag a bit, just as I'm about to say something he notices himself and cinches it up. I'm not sure if it's apology or explanation, but he says that in the group he usually rides with, he's one of the more together people. OK. I ask if they have fun. Oh yes! he replies immediately and enthusiastically. Well there you go.
Enjoy a brief respite of relative flatness along the coast and brace for the climb to and then climb of Meyers Grade. Just before the hill starts up I run out of shoulder and drop off the edge of the road briefly but manage to stay upright and get back on. whoo. Like I need my heart rate up any more.
The climb on 1 actually switchbacks and scrolls up the hill quite nicely. There's plenty of cars out, but none are problematic. There's something rather large and super reflective up on the hillside. The mothership?
Another rider just past the Meyers Grade turnoff. Is that one of ours? No, but he comes over and rides with us for a bit. He asks where Brian (Chun) is. Somewhere behind us. Apparently there's a group of them that camps somewhere and rides to the festival at Ft. Ross every year, Brian usually does that but this year ditched it for the 400k. A little more chit chat and he heads back to the highway.
We continue up. UP, that is. There's a fairly steady stream of riders in the opposite (preferred) direction. When I have the breath I WOOHOO them. Well, this does certainly make one appreciate the descent that much more. We get some surprised/are you crazy? looks, and at one point a woman going the opposite direction asks if we're OK. Yep. Fantastic.
Gosh I don't know why Brian's buddy didn't want to ride up this with us. Oh steep. Just keep those pedals turning. one more. one more. over. over. sweaty. sweaty. oh that stings the eyeballs. If only I could take my hands off the bars. Here we go not so steep. Breathe. Don't get too excited that's looking sorta topish no not quite but not so steep and yes whew little bit more and we are up on the ridge line.
Heh, right turn there would take you to Cazadero. Not all down hill, but shorter than our planned route. It all makes sense though. Really. A bit further on a left would take you down to the Coast but no we are going straight.
Traffic cones, a crew out in the field putting in a power pole. Hmn, on a Saturday. More riders headed the opposite direction, Fondo dreams? Most return our greeting, but some are too busy or serious or something. And it's not deer or cattle at the info crossing. So much for expectations.
Eric W. catches us, he says Tom, Metin and Roy are not far behind, but they stopped for a blackberry break. Eric is nursing his knee from an out of bike experience on the double brevet weekend, and worried about it stiffening up if he stopped. Apparently he'd been distracted by turkeys. Birds, not other randos. I ask if he had a turkey sandwich when he'd gotten home after the event. Nope. (But he does have one at the Stewarts Point Store.)
He asks if the turn on to Kruse Ranch Road is pretty obvious, I haven't been onto it from this direction and can't quite remember, but we get there shortly and yes, it would have been hard to miss. There's a sign, and it's dirt. Thomas and Eric are a bit ahead of me, Thomas doesn't notice his jacket ejecting again or hear me yell about it. I stop and pick it up. It's a bit awkward to ride with, hopefully he'll figure out and stop or come back for it.
Oh look, Plantation! There's a school and some folks milling about and a couple other buildings. Must be a story to all this. Something else for the research department.
Metin and Roy go by. I'm just starting to reconsider my decision to pick up the jacket when Thomas reappears. He says something about having to figure out a better way of attaching it. Ha. That may be the understatement of the day (I think I kept that in my thought bubble.) Uh, good luck with that. I get going again, that's the last I saw of him. Tom goes by, says something about not expecting to see me again. That expectations thing again.
Round a corner, Metin and Roy are stopped, not sure if Tom had said something or what, they start rolling again as I catch up. The four of us descend the rest of the way to Highway 1 together. Not too loose but oh kinda bumpy. There's something to be said for climbing on dirt.
Here's the Highway and a right turn, next stop Stewarts Point! Metin pulls us all along at a nice pace. It's a be.a.UUUU.tiful day on the coast.
The lead group is saddling up as we pull in at the store. Tom says (I think jokingly) 5 minutes? but they're off on their mission. We park our bikes and go about our control stop. Potato salad had been sounding good, but the man at the deli is involved with making sandwiches and I don't feel like waiting. Let's see. Fat. Protein. Hmn, how about a yogurt? Oh wait, what am I doing, they have IT'S-IT! And an interesting soda selection. I'll just go with a root beer though.
It rings up to an even dollar amount. I probably couldn't have done that if I'd tried! Hey, what do I win? The woman at the register says she doesn't have anything to give me. Well, except a happy smile and great views. I'll take it!
I eat and top off my bottles. After using the restroom I'm ready to go, I know there's lots more climbing to go and I'm not getting any faster. Everyone else wants to make a longer stop of it, and teases me about heading out. Leaving so soon? and Who annoyed you so much you want to leave?
I cross the highway into the ferntasticness. Going this direction – which I've never done before – it's a climb, so I have that much more time to enjoy it. And here's some construction, and stretch Escalade corner, minus the stretch Escalade today. And a pedestrian. Heading uphill. I haven't seen a car in a while, maybe he's just out for a stroll. I can't imagine he doesn't hear me huffing and puffing, but he seems a bit surprised when I say hello as I pull up to him.
Fun to see this stretch coming the other way. Hey there's a fantastic tree stump face! I've never noticed that when descending. Oh then I'm out in the sun. Yeah it's a little warm. Ugh, even my eyelids are sweating. Ow, salty! Yes, breeze, thank you. Shade again. Thank you trees. I love you. Shade is awesome. Thank you for giving me shade. What can I do for you? Oh, you like carbon dioxide, don't you? Heh, I got plenty of that for ya! More where that came from! This makes me very happy. Further along I realize I've got matchy match red trim on my gloves, jersey and shoes. That also amuses me.
I know it's not all uphill to Rancheria, since it's not all downhill to the Coast, but I just roll along and take it as it comes. Start seeing some driveways, then houses, then there's the school and left turn onto Tin Barn – don't think about the steepy steepy one over x squared coming up before the buddha compound. Oh I need a nature break. Half-expecting the gang from Stewarts Point to roll by just then, but, contrary to Murphy's Law of Nature Breaks they don't.
While I'm stopped I double-check my brevet card, I hadn't really looked at the next control when I was in Stewarts Point, thinking it was somewhere on Tin Barn. *Expletive deleted* it was back at the intersection at Rancheria. No, I'm not going back. Guess I'll just have to throw myself on the mercy of another rider, or guess, or scribble something semi-plausible/not-quite-legible in the box. Heh. Dumbass. Pay attention to what you're doing here.
Right. I'm riding my bike, it's a beautiful day. It's hard to stay cross, even with myself. I grunt myself up the wall and oh hey the golden tower at the buddha place is much more obvious from this direction. OOO! Shiny. And a bit of descending then some rollering along and huh the wheel eating cattle guard sits it a bit of a pocket, at least it seems like it's somewhat downhill going to it from this direction as well.
Almost to the actual Tin Barn and I start hearing voices. No, not in my head. Tom, Metin and Roy catch up to me just after the turn onto King Ridge Road. We all roll along together for a bit, then when it gets a bit climby Metin and Roy forge ahead. Tom putts along with me for a while, providing pleasant conversation, then he heads along as well. I enjoy a bit more solo riding on the final descents and cruise into Cazadero. If I lean over and breathe out just right the air goes down my jersey and under my sports bra. Very refreshing.
They're all at the store, along with Jon, who's been there for a while trying to get some calories into his system. Mmmm… calories. Oh yeah and fluids. Let's see. Yes! They have potato salad. There's two women in line, one is on the phone, and after some conversation they step out for some more shopping. They're preparing for a goose-off. In which one will be smoked and one will be bar-b-qued and a taste test will be done. Apparently one of the women needs room in the freezer for a half cow. When they get back in line the cashier is talking with them about the geese. Apparently they raised them. Doesn't that make you sad? No, it makes me hungry!
It's nice on the porch in the shade. I eat and drink and make some notes about the ride so far. (It's all going in the report.) Metin jokes about me still being coherent enough to write things down. Jon is sitting next to me and says oh no. I can see it. It's just incoherent scribbling. Well it's either do this or I stab someone with the pen… He scoots as far away on the bench as he can.
Eric W. has also rolled in while we're eating, he's decided in the best interests of his knee to abbreviate the route. The rest of us saddle up and head back toward the bridge. Ernesto catches us on the climb, he found a spigot to fill his bottles so didn't have to go in to town.
This is the first time I've done Old Caz in this direction. I'm way out into next week on my new things! There's more water in the creek than I'm expecting, but a way to walk over on rocks that keeps the feet dry. The climb out on dirt ends up being relatively pleasant. With fresher legs I might have ridden it all in one go, but at this point in the day I end up with a few rest breaks and some walking (for a nice change in pace.)
The descent on pavement is quite restorative, as are the cooling temperatures. Since he didn't stop in Cazadero, Ernesto says he's going to get ice cream in Guerneville. It had seemed like the rest of us were pretty set, but as we near town the question of stopping comes up again. It's makes me think of the trip to Abilene, we end up stopping, but at the gas station to be a little quicker. Well I suppose I could have kept rolling, and in retrospect that might have been the thing to do, but whatever.
One more Big Hill. Roll out toward Armstrong Redwoods and turn on to Sweetwater. Gosh, when was the last time I've been over this? One of those where whichever way I go I always think maybe it's better the other way. We're getting on toward magic light now, the old mine looks like a movie set. Get the first bump out of the way, OK this second part goes on longer. Find my pace. The others are out of sight now, which is just as well, I need a nature break. Whew.
Let's see, I know this isn't it (the top) and there's several of these where it seems like you're there but it really isn't. Oh wait. I'm not even close to that part. There's like a whole nother traverse going the other direction and the decreasing radius turn oh I guess it will be increasing going this direction and then the oh I am so much further from the top than I want to be. And what's that sucking sound? Oh that would be my soul draining away. Well, if I had a soul. Sometimes it's not good knowing what lies ahead.
I don't have the energy to throw the bike in the ditch and stomp around. I can't even whimper. I just stop. Empty. Empty. Empty. Not even a WTF?! OK. Maybe eating something. Some quick energy here. Ah, honey Stinger chews. That brightens the mood a bit. Breathe. Virtual kick in the rear. Get back on the bike and start pedalling again.
Yes, it's up. But you're out here, and it may be slower than molasses in January, but you are making it up the hill. And it is beautiful out here, and peaceful, and now it's magic light time of day. The group is waiting at the top. Oh I should have told them to carry on. I do now, we'll meet up in Healdsburg. Those that have done this before are all in favor of sticking together for the leg back to the City, and that sounds good to me. There's some descent now, which is restorative, and I also stop and eat some blackberries. Another climb, and then down to Westside Road. Whew. The sun is sinking to the west, the sky is just amazing. I somewhat arbitrarily decide I should be to Healdsburg by 8:30. Pedal pedal pedal!
I get some food at the Safeway deli. The woman is very friendly and lets me leave it while I go back to the restroom. I don't realize there's seating inside so I sit at one of the tables outside. It's starting to get dark, but it's still warm enough for that, and Ernesto and Roy have gone over and gotten Thai food, so they join me.
A passer-by wants to know if we're doing the Vineman. Nope, just on our way to San Francisco. After they leave I comment about the craziness of doing and Ironman. Ernesto laughs at me. Like this isn't crazy? We all have our own definition of that. A woman has a barky little dog, her son (or friend maybe?) says something about selling it. Or trading it for ice cream. There you go!
In a way it feels like the ride is over, having gotten through all the burly climbs that started way back at Joy Road, but we still have to get back to San Francisco. Everyone's eaten, and we start to collect ourselves to head out. EricM rolls in. He's been solo for a while, and says for us to go ahead, he'll be fine. He wants to eat a burrito. I'm thinking he's going over to the Mexican place there in the shopping center but he got one back in Guerneville. uh, OK. He keeps saying he'll be fine, but it's no problem to wait. It's dark now, and it could be a bit of a slog solo. Ernesto has some Thai food left, Eric scarfs that and we roll out.
Crazy intersection to get headed out of town, there's a woman walking her bike on the sidewalk who apparently has been enjoying some adult beverages. She tells us how she's walking her bike. Um, that's probably not a bad idea. I get to be local knowledge of the route (oh don't think about how close you are to home.) We pace line down Eastside. A few of us take turns on the front then Eric takes what seems like an inordinately long pull. Someone should tell him he doesn't have pull us all the way back to the City. Tom shushes me.
Cross River Road and then there's a turn up Vine Hill. The group had gotten a bit spread out, so some missed the turn then it takes a while to sort out that we are not all there. C'mon people, let's talk here. We're supposed to be riding TOGETHER. We stop and wait for a bit. Hmn, that kinda sounds like fireworks in the distance. Don't see anything though, and not sure what the occasion would be.
Even missing the turn, you could keep going and get back on the route, but that's probably not what they'll do. I go back to the intersection to see if I can see anyone. Yes, that does look like lights headed back this way and yes! Bike lights. OK, let's try this again.
Graton here we come! Someone Tom knows has moved there. No, it's not much of anything, don't blink you'll miss it. The country living experience, I guess. Somehow that gets us on the topic of chickens. Yum, fresh eggs, but they're just creepy. They've got those beady eyes. Well you could gouge their eyes out, they'd still make eggs. Ugh, that would be even creepier.
Climb up to Occidental. Jon got Ensures at Safeway was planning to do one of those an hour to get him back to the City. Wow yeah it's been at least that long, go to ask if he's on schedule and no answer. Word comes back from someone else that he dropped off. Sheesh people! (in my thought bubble?) Well, there's an info control in Occidental, we'll regroup there.
A fellow who is VERY MUCH enjoying his Saturday night in Occidental chats with us a bit in the parking lot. Jon is starting to talk about abandoning in Valley Ford. None of us really believe him. There's a nice descent out of town and then the pull of a staffed rest stop at Valley Ford. Ryan has quite the spread going on. So amazing that someone would spend their Saturday night doing this. I enjoy some freshly made fancy coffee and hot cup noodles. I'm a little cold now that I'm off the bike.
Duh, there's a post office right there. I go inside. It might be a mistake, but it feels good. I have no idea how long we're there, everyone enjoys the offerings. Jon does in fact call it a night there. I'd debated about what other clothes to bring and not quite happy with my choice, but at least I do have other stuff to put on. And I do get warm once we're moving again.
Over the ridge on Gericke. Eric says it's kinda creepy. What do you mean? It's just so DARK. And you were going to be riding this by yourself, someone reminds him. Working our way ever southward, we have some burrito talk on Chileno Valley Road. He's still got the one from Guerneville and is looking forward to enjoying it at the finish.
Oh yeah, remember to eat. It's dark and cold and in some ways feels like we're not far from the finish, but can't stop the caloric intake. And yeah, a caffeine pill. Time for one of those.
Spread out on the climbs, regroup at the bottom of descents. Yep, all here. Roll again. Ernesto wants to stop at the Cheese Factory. Says something about sitting down for a while. Uh, haven't we been sitting down all day? I don't want to be stopped too long, I'm worried about getting cold, just when I'm thinking maybe we should have set a time limit he's ready to roll again.
Nicasio. The golf course. smudge streak big trail of blood ROADKILL DEER DEER DEER. Thankfully we all manage to avoid it. White's Hill. Oh that helps to be getting back to some light now. Fairfax. Here we go on the wiggle. Ready to be done but not there yet.
Everyone gets ahead of me on the climb out of Sausalito. No need for a group now, but Metin gets them to wait and we roll across the bridge and in to the finish together. So. Glad. To. Be. Done. Omigod that was the hardest thing I've ever done on a bicycle.
I don't really feel like talking, and just sit off to the side and enjoy my Cup Noodles. Best. Noodles. EVER. (Even though they were the Shrimp flavor.)
By the time I get back over to my car the sky is getting light. Morning. Oh, it's the San Francisco Marathon day. No runners yet, but there's traffic control. Well I'd better be on my way before I get stuck here. Amazing sky on the way home. I sit in the car in the driveway for a while. Wonder if I'll have the energy to shower. Once I finally do get collected enough to get out I realize just how icky I am and do manage the shower. Hot running water is such a miracle. As is some sleep in a bed!
Even later after some randonesia has set in I'd still have to say that was one of the toughest rides I've done. I wasn't thinking that during the ride, in fact, other than the Moment on Sweetwater I was great mood wise. I wasn't feeling like I wanted to quit or thinking I wouldn't finish or that I'd miss the time cut offs. It was a beautiful day and amazing route. But that middle section starting from Joy Road through Sweetwater was a heck of a lot of stout climbing. And that was the first time I'd ridden that long continuously/completely through the night. The other 400k I've done I finished earlier, and the 600Ks I've done I've always ended up stopping and resting, whether I planned to or not.
Anyway, it was super awesome. Thanks again to Max, all the volunteers and all the other riders!
Ride date: July 26, 2014


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Latest posts by Donella Crigger (see all)
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INDIANAPOLIS PHOTOGRAPHY STUDIO | brooke
I have one daughter, Tatum, she is 3 and a half.
Tatum truly lights up a room -- her infectious giggle, smile, energetic voice, sweet disposition, wit, & charm! She is so smart, loves to learn new things, & make us laugh everyday! Lately she's been telling people, "My Mommy can do anything!" Oh, if you could always feel that way!
All I've ever wanted was to be a Mom. I received an an education, had my own career, got married, and lived life, always hoping all of this was leading up to being a mom. It took us a long time to get pregnant. We had to go to some extreme measures. If possible, it all made me all the more thankful for Tatum. Our miracle baby.
We found out we were pregnant with on our 5 year anniversary! We celebrated by going to a fancy dinner at Fleming's. We called my mom immediately, but my husband wanted to wait a little longer to tell his side of the family. Just to make sure everything was going to be okay.
I thought sure I was having a boy. I think it's because I secretly wanted a girl, so I was preparing myself for a boy. However, at the time, I was so excited to be pregnant, I honestly didn't care either way. I truly just wanted a healthy baby.
I loved being pregnant! Almost every minute of it, especially once the morning sickness aka all day sickness wore off around 16 weeks.
I had to be induced because she was a week late. I really wanted to let her come on her own time, but my doctor didn't want to wait any longer. They broke my water at 9am, started pitocin at noon & by 4:30/5, I was at a 10 & started pushing. I pushed for almost 2 hours. I started to get a fever, which means she could get a fever and have to go to the NICU, so I told them to "Get her out!" She was stuck on my pelvic bone so they had to use an instrument to get her out. I cried the minute I heard her cry, Daddy got worried that something was wrong with me, but I was just so happy. Tatum was so alert just looking right into my eyes. I still remember that moment like it was yesterday. The first thing I said was that she looked just like my husband. Michael gave me the strangest look. When I later asked him why, he said it was because he was still counting all her fingers & toes, and I'm already saying she looks like him (and she does!).
My mom (Mamaw) came to stay with us for a few days which helped a lot. Tatum was great at nursing, but since I was a first time mom, my milk didn't come in very quickly. She lost a lot of weight (a full pound), wasn't having many wet diapers, so I had to take her to the doctor for multiple weight checks. It was scary & I was a crying mess. But once the food was there, she started gaining weight like a champ!
I'd like to think being a mom I'm more laid back, but it's also made me more obsessed with researching everything!
The best part about being a mom is Tatum. Waking up to her smile, big hug, & pure joy. Most days :)
The most challenging thing is lack of sleep! It's taken me by surprise how little sleep I can survive on!
My Mom and I were already close, but becoming a Mom made me realize how much more she did for me than I even remember. She's my best source for motherly advice and I call her everyday about something. I'd say we're even closer now.
I wish I could always hold on to how much she wants to be with me. I know someday she isn't going to want me in the middle of the night, so I try to enjoy it when she does. Or when she's upset about something, and Mommy being able to make it all better. I wish I could keep her in my bubble forever. Protect her from any kind of hurt. I just hope & pray by giving her a strong foundation & and letting her know she will always have our support, that she will have the least amount of hardships.
I know it sounds cliche', but I honestly just want her to be happy, healthy, & love life.
My child-rearing philosophy is attachment parenting by force!! She wanted it & now I don't know any other way.
Becoming a mom to my sweet girl is the best thing that has every happened to me. Seriously.
I would like to think nurturing, kind, motivated, strong, self-fulfilled children lead to a better world.
dear tatum,
"To the world, you are one person. But to one person you are the world."
This couldn't be more perfect describing what you are to me.
spaces are limited for motherhood photography sessions, so be sure to get set up today!
Ashlee also provides magical and delightful services for: newborn photography, cake smash photography, baby's first year plans, maternity photography, family photography, and Newborn mentoring for photographers.
If you have a milestone or special moment you want to remember forever, let's chat! Ashlee loves to photograph in the woodlands and around downtown Indianapolis, Fishers, Carmel, Zionsville, and Greenwood. She also has a professional studio space available for sessions.
EMAIL: firstname.lastname@example.com


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I found out about the "FizzBuzz" test for programmers today. It is a test that some companies use to make sure the people they're hiring for programming positions can actually program. Apparently a vast number of applicants can't even pass this simple test! The question is as follows:
Write a program that prints the numbers from 1 to 100. But for multiples of three print "Fizz" instead of the number and for the multiples of five print "Buzz". For numbers which are multiples of both three and five print "FizzBuzz".
Since I've been brushing up on my C++ skills by taking a couple of classes on modern C++11, I decided to have a try and came up with the smart-ass answer below:
#include <iostream>
int main(void) {
for (int i = 1; i < 101; i++)
std::cout << i
<< (i % 3 ? "" : "\b\b\bFizz ")
<< (i % 5 ? "" : "\b\b\bBuzz")
<< std::endl;
return 0;
Since I write more Scheme code than C++, I had another go at it using Scheme, with the even more smart-ass solution below. It looks complicated because I solved it the hard way, by creating a generator that will give you the next FizzBuzz ad infinit. Then I map it over a range of numbers to just get the first 100.
For some reason, in my DrRacket there was no range operation, so I had to write that one as well. (Using a range with a generator kind of defeats the purpose, but this was just an exercise)
(define (fizzbuzz)
(define call/cc call-with-current-continuation)
(define (stream-fizzbuzz return)
(let loop ((n 1))
(set! return (call/cc (lambda (continue-here)
(set! stream-fizzbuzz continue-here)
(return (or (and (= (remainder n 15) 0) 'fizzbuzz)
(and (= (remainder n 3) 0) 'fizz)
(and (= (remainder n 5) 0) 'buzz)
(loop (+ n 1))
(define (generator) (call/cc stream-fizzbuzz))
(define (range start end)
(if (> start end)
(cons start (range (+ start 1) end)))
(map (lambda (x) (generator)) (range 1 100))


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Spotlight on ... Lisa Lee!/
Today's "Spotlight" is on a wonderful member of our Quick As A Wink community and one of the directors of our last show, Five Women Wearing the Same Dress; it's Lisa Lee!
Lisa has been involved with QAAW for roughly six years now. "Out of a love of theatre, I became involved in Quick As A Wink after moving to Nova Scotia from Alberta in 2010 as a costumer for The Odd Couple," she says. "That is where I first met Brenda Ley. I have since acted, done costumes, make-up, backstage, front of house, and served as a member of the Board and Chair of the Board."
Quick As A Wink is the source of many of Lisa's most cherished theatre-related memories. "[I consider my greatest theatre accomplishment to be] volunteering with such an amazing non-profit organization that provides an artistic outlet for our community," Lisa says. "My entire family is involved in Quick As A Wink; it is a great way to spend time together as a family! Theatre is a great escape into another world. It's magical and entertaining. As an actor, it allowed me to get out of my comfort zone! As a director, it allows my imagination and vision to be interpreted onto the stage."
Lisa last had the chance to bring a theatrical vision to life by co-directing Five Women Wearing the Same Dress along with Brenda Ley. "My favorite thing was the five strong, amazing women acting in this play," she says. "They inspire me. This was a darker comedy with strong subject matter, so I hope audiences found the humor and appreciated the content!"
When she isn't volunteering with Quick As A Wink, Lisa's favorite past times include spending time with her family and traveling.
Thank you for all your contributions to Quick As A Wink, Lisa! We greatly appreciate all the hard work you have put in over the past six years, and we hope we continue to work with you into the future!
Tomorrow we will be posting our last piece in our "Five Women Wearing the Same Dress Spotlight Series." We will be transitioning into "Spotlight on …" pieces on those involved in our upcoming production of The Little Mermaid later this week, so stay tuned!
Do you know someone you believe deserves to be featured in our weekly "Spotlight on …" segment? We are always looking for nominations! Let us know who you'd like to see and we may feature them next. New articles will be posted every Tuesday and Saturday throughout the summer.


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Check into MIAMI HOSTEL once a month to see characters + impressions. Bring only what you can carry. There is a safe. Shower shoes are required. Please leave it cleaner than you found it or the front desk manager will have you packing your bags!
Back to All Events
Earlier Event: July 8Get In The House (July & Arti's Birthday!)
Later Event: July 13Lloyd Night


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Project of the Week: The Texas Trilogy by Emily Elizabeth Thomas
This weeks project we'd like to shine a light on is one by Director Emily Elizabeth Thomas titled The Texas Trilogy.
After I took my first screenwriting course, that was it. I was hooked. I would come to class with 150 page scripts that I had beaten out in a weekend, and my professor would be like "who are you, and what's wrong with you?!"
photo by Nadia Gilbert
The Texas Trilogy is a trilogy of films with the first being Lola: Girl Got a Gun
We caught up with Emily and asked her a few questions about her journey as a filmmaker, her production company: Jane Street Productions that writes, directs, and produces original content that promotes inclusivity, diversity, and dedication to authentic, female-focused storytelling, and what's next for her!
please check out her campaign and support, share, or connect!
What was your journey like into becoming a writer, director, and producer? Have you always wanted to make films?
I've identified as an artist my entire life, but my journey to "filmmaker" was full of turns and edges. I'm from Austin, Texas so I'm lucky to have grown up in a creative city. When I was 13 years old my parents sent me to a summer camp at the University of Texas Radio Television Film School, and I directed an episode of Friends. I was out on that little set working out my blocking and moving around the art. I thought it was the most important thing I had ever done! You could call that a beginning. In highschool I would show prints and drawings at galleries on the East side, and would take lithography and painting courses on the weekends. I knew my path was in the arts, there was no denying it. Fast forward many years later to my formal training at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. I took one thing and one thing only seriously as a kid – and that was to get to SAIC, and train as an artist. When I finally got there for my studies I just lit on fire. That's where I started writing scripts, shooting 16mm films, and studying the craft and history of film. Honing the craft from all angles was incredibly important to me. Film is an art form that I have respected since I was capable of cognitive thought. It's been my life blood for a very long time. I couldn't get enough of it in school. I'd rent out a light kit, a 16mm camera and studio space and I'd stay at school all night shooting little films and then go to class. My crew of friends was always at the school working all night! We'd visit each other's studios and drink tons of coffee and just keep working. I just would not stop the relentless studying practice. After I took my first screenwriting course, that was it. I was hooked. I would come to class with 150 page scripts that I had beaten out in a weekend, and my professor would be like "who are you, and what's wrong with you?!" I just couldn't stop, it mattered too much to me. That's where it all really started, back at SAIC and in Chicago. There was just no denying that I was a filmmaker. It's who I am, and it's been quite a ride since then.
What was your inspiration behind Lola: Girl Got a Gun?
Lola is an incredibly important story to me. She came from many places, but mainly my desire as an artist to tell stories about complicated, difficult and, yes, quite dark female experience. I am tired of seeing women on screen with their shit all the way together. That is not real. The complexities of what we deal with everyday as girls and then as women is just extraordinary. It is difficult to be a woman. We make incredibly difficult choices day to day, and there is no way to fully understand the complexities of womanhood unless you live the female experience. We are living in a society that was not built for us even though we forged it from our own hands, and I am outraged by that fact everyday. But there's also a lot of beauty in the fact that we've persisted in writing our own narrative about our worth. We are so incredibly powerful. Look at what we've done with the little power and agency we've been given historically. Look what we've survived. Look what we've created. Look what we've lived through. Our strength comes from our ability to barrel through walls, and to get back up when we get knocked down. Lola is a story of triumph, courage, and the importance of being your own hero even if your choices are deeply flawed. It's for every woman who's ever felt powerless.
Why did you decide to make a trilogy of short films?
I always thought of Lola as part of a larger narrative arch about the power and fortitude of Texas women. Let me tell you, I come from some hell raising women. My Grandmother was a union leader in the South, and she fought for justice and equality everyday. She was not somebody to be crossed, and I admired her deeply for her compassion and strength. My Mother, well, she's just my hero. There's no way to articulate what she's given me. My Stepmother, Aunts, dear friends and mentors, they've all conquered so much. I've heard "I had it tough, and I just kept going" so many times from women in my life. It's unbelievable the amount of female power and strength I have witnessed. The trilogy is for them - the women I stand on the shoulders of. They showed me the way. And, to be totally honest, I received the absolutely insane opportunity to finish this trilogy very recently. I didn't know if I would get the chance to bring this home, but I did. So here I am, ready to roll.
You have a production company Jane Street Productions. Can you tell me a little about it?
Jane Street Productions is a production banner that I founded in 2016 with the goal of producing interdisciplinary work by and for women. Jane Street has brought me the opportunity to work with incredible talent in front of and behind the camera, and connected me to great producers and filmmakers. My first project under Jane Street was a short documentary in support of the United Nations' HeForShe campaign for gender equality, which brought me great working relationships with producers Devin Tusa and Anna Bjerke, DP Nadia Gilbert and sound designer David Britton, who all stayed on for Lola. It was scary to launch a company at such a young age, but I just jumped off a cliff and hoped there was a net somewhere near the bottom. I have a tendency to do that. I haven't hit the bottom yet, so I guess time will tell. Helming Jane Street has taught me so much about how to be a productive, diligent, detail-oriented artist.
What advice do you have for other young filmmakers?
Advice is something I'm being asked for a lot lately, and my real answer is that I have no answers. I have so much to learn still, and I am humbled by the opportunities I'm receiving to tell stories that matter deeply to me. Something I do know for sure, and that my creative trajectory is cold hard evidence of, is that persistence is incredibly important. Giving up cannot be an option even on the days where you slept 30 minutes the night before, or on the days that you've got a 103-degree fever and you're on a pre-production call. The work is real, it is not glamorous, and it is not for the faint of heart. Especially in indie film, it's up to you to drive your work across the finish line. There's no net out here. You have to do the work, that's it. And last, women beware, daring to have an unapologetic creative voice is like strapping a target to your back. There are going to be people that will try to tear you down. Learn as much as you can from those moments, keep your head up, and take it in stride. History shows us that people that dare to be both different and ruthlessly persistent are often knocked down in the beginning. It's about how you get back up. Just keep going. Shake it off. Stay in your shine. If it's too heavy to carry, let that shit go.
What was your process like in getting Lola made? I feel like this is the question young filmmakers always have since it's hard for them to actualize how things go from concept to reality.
The eternal question! My answer to this question is more simple than I think you might expect – I wrote Lola, and trusted friends and collaborators rallied behind it with incredible speed and strength because I am lucky enough to have a diverse and talented creative community. I called on favors and collaboration from every single stage of my life. I had friends I've known for 10 years working on Lola, friends I came up with in art school, friends I had worked on other projects with or had met more recently. Everyone on Lola was down for the cause! Everyone loved the story, and showed up with the best they had. That's really what you need – people that just love this work and are going to give you their best. But in the end, you've really just got to have the courage to ask. After I wrote the Lola script I literally called up the most talented people I know late at night and was like "Hey, I'm doing this thing, here's what it's about, and do you want to be a part of it?" Most of them said yes before I could even get the sentence out.
What's next for you and your trilogy of films?
I've got some wild tricks up my sleeve! First things first, I'm bringing The Texas Trilogy home with Texas-based renegade producer Anthony Pedone. Anthony heard of Lola through the grapevine, and threw himself, his team and his resources behind the trilogy at the speed of light. It's been so cool. We're rounding out the trilogy with production support from Anthony's Victoria TX-based production banner Film Exchange, and The Victoria TX Independent Film Festival. We're slated to shoot PART II: Untitled Marfa Project, and PART III: Sweet Georgia in Summer 2018. I feel very lucky, and more ready than ever to make films.
Description of Untitled Marfa Project & Sweet Georgia:
UNTITLED MARFA PROJECT is a 20-minute short film which follows Star and Margot's annual road trip from Austin to Marfa, two life long friends who've lost touch, and recently realized that despite a lifetime of believing themselves soul mates, aren't so similar after all. After all this time, Star and Margot discover how truly different their values are, and that their individual visions of happiness, love, marriage, family and struggle are utterly disconnected, and untied. Set against the gorgeously isolated backdrop of the West Texas desert, UNTITLED MARFA PROJECT is a tribute to female friendship, oftentimes the most intense and significant relationship in our lives.
SWEET GEORGIA depicts a week in the life of Georgia-Lynn, an educated woman turned housewife in 1960's-era Victoria, Texas who in order to escape the oppressive grasps of her life receives an abortion without her husband's knowledge.
SWEET GEORGIA explores abortion access in 1960's-era Texas. It draws an eerie through line to contemporary times, where abortion is still riddled with shame, crippling fear, and secrecy. SWEET GEORGIA begs the question: have we made real progress on the social stigmas surrounding abortion, and the women who make the difficult decision to receive them? As abortion clinics continue to close their doors in Texas and surrounding states, and organizations such as Planned Parenthood are threatened everyday, the answer is a resounding no. SWEET GEORGIA tells a human story of the difficult decisions women must make behind closed doors to protect themselves when their communities, families, and the law refuse to do so.


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Are You Part of the Problem? Or the Solution?
Yesterday, I spent the afternoon with my friend Andrea Costantine watching the movie "I Am" Created by the producer of movies such as Ace Ventura and Bruce Almighty, this documentary was made after his own close brush with death. He took a camera crew and went around the world interviewing scientists and the lovely Desmond Tutu, asking what is wrong with the world, and what can we do about it. What he discovered is more about what is right with the world, and how we can be part of the solution rather than increasing the problem. Our DNA is 99% the same as all living life on the planet, down to little insects. Our human nature isn't to be competitive, but rather cooperative. Our emotions have an action in the world, and since we are connected to everyone, the people who are hurting around the world are affecting our own lives.
If you can take the time to see it, do it now. It isn't going to be in theaters very long. You will be glad you did.


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Mace® Pepper Foam MAGNUM MODELInternational Spy Shop
- Description
- Additional information
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Revolutionary MACE 10% PEPPER FOAM that contains 10% pepper and foam to produce a powerful deterrent against attack. The thick foam covers an assailant's face, making it difficult to see. When the attacker attempts to wipe away the foam, the pepper is ground into the face and eyes. Also includes UV dye.
Available in 2 sizes:
MAGNUM MODEL PEPPER FOAM – The ultimate in home or auto protection. High powered model features flip-top safety cap. 115 gram unit sprays 8-10 feet. Contains 8, one second bursts. This pricing is available ONLINE ONLY. Standard retail or in-store price is much higher.
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|0.52 lbs


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"A Bloody Day in Destiny" is a collection of four short stories from an author new to writing Westerns, Russ Towne. While Russ has written quite a few books over the past few years, this is his first foray into our genre, and it's a good one.
The book's namesake story, "A Bloody Day in Destiny," starts the book off with a bang. Towne enjoys twists in his stories, with a little lesson learned for all of us, and that's what this one brings, along with the fun of a surprising ending.
"I Hate Snakes" is a good story, but I imagine it's a tough read if you really do hate snakes.
"Mail Order Bride" is my personal favorite of Towne's stories, with a satisfying ending that was fun enough that I read it twice.
"Peace," which is a great name for this story, is a bit sentimental and very enjoyable to read.
I've gotten to know Russ because we both write children's books, and Russ helped me navigate through my first one. As he shifted over and added Westerns to his repertoire, I was honored to do some beta reading and make a few minor suggestions. It's great to see his work in this book, and I'm looking forward to him stretching his talents and publishing his first Western novel.
I hope you give it a try, and I'd love to hear your feedback.
Thank you, and enjoy!


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The leaves are starting to fall off the trees, I see them all over my deck. I love Fall!! I'm under the weather right now, so this blog may be a little short this week.
I'm sharing a series of photos of my grandson's riding around their property in their little motorized jeep. Too cute, they are on their own safari collecting all their rubber balls.
I am using the fabulous Scraps of Darkness August kit "Safari" loaded with Graphics 45 "Safari Adventures" and Kaisercraft's "Into the Wild" paper collections.
I started creating the background of the photos using my 2 favorite papers from the kit from Kaisercraft, the green and orange, which came in the Coordinating Paper Add-On. First I stamped down the side of the orange paper, then I tucked in some scrap burlap under the green. I wanted it to look uneven and frayed. I used another honeycomb stamp that came in a previous kit along the edges of the tiger printed G45 paper in the off center.
I created layers of papers to use under the photos and featured one of the G45 giraffe cards. I thought it fit in really well. I tucked under the main mat several strings from the burlap to give it some texture.
I had a piece of barbed wire chipboard from Creative Embellishments, which I embossed with Tim Holtz's Distress Embossing Powder to give it a rusty look.
I fussy cut the cute little giraffe's head to lean over the center photo. I also used several pieces of little chipboard (Elements Add-On) and G45 die cut tags from the Main Kit in the clusters. I had a blast using several buttons from my stash. One of them has Rain Forest etched into it, but you can't see it in the photo.
I created several little flower clusters around the lo using flowers from the Main Kit, Floral Add-On and my stash. And, finally the title is from the selvage edge of one of the Kaisercraft papers.
I hope that you enjoyed your visit today. Wishing you a wonder week and check back soon for my next lo with this wonderful kit. You can purchase our kits at http://www.scrapsofdarkness.com/kits/?sort=alphaasc
Take care!


text: Home > Medical > Addiction > Alcohol 22 March 2017 Muscle relaxant touted as 'miracle cure for alcoholism' Baclofen, a drug that is normally used as a muscle relaxant, may help to reduce alcohol consumption, researchers say. 0 iStock The World Health Organization (WHO) has stated that alcohol use disorders constitute a significant disease burden in most regions of the world – and South Africa is ranked as one of the top 20 biggest drinking nations in the world, according to a WHO study across 194 countries. Good newsGood news is therefore that French researchers have provided fresh evidence to support claims that a drug touted as a miracle cure for alcoholism, actually works.The drug, baclofen, had "a positive effect" at high doses in reducing alcohol consumption over a year of treatment, according to study results released at a conference in Paris.Data show that in 2015, pure alcohol consumption (per litre) in South Africa is at 11.5 litres per capita per year – up from 11.0 litres in 2014.This pushes South Africa up to the third biggest drinking nation in Africa, and the 19th biggest drinking nation in the world, tied with Poland.What is baclofen?Baclofen is a muscle relaxant with a selective action on the central nervous system (CNS). It was originally designed to treat epilepsy, but its effect was disappointing. Today it is used mainly to treat muscular spasms, cramps and rigidity that originate in the spinal cord.Developers reported on a drug trial named Bacloville, conducted among 320 heavy drinkers aged 18 to 65 between May 2012 and June 2013.The trial compared the safety and efficacy of the drug given to some participants at high doses, to a "dummy" placebo pill given to others.Neither the trial participants nor their monitors knew who was getting which pill. The patients were not asked to refrain from alcohol.Contradictory findings57% of those who got the real drug stopped drinking or drank less, compared to 37% of those who got the dummy drug.A second study, dubbed Alpadir, also reported Friday that people who received the medicine made bigger cuts in drinking compared to those given a placebo.French health authorities gave provisional approval for use of baclofen, originally designed and widely used to treat muscle spasms, in 2014 for the treatment of alcoholism.A Health24 article confirms that baclofen is available in South Africa and sometimes used in the treatment of addiction, amongst others cocaine addiction. Addicts say that once they were treated with baclofen their desire for cocaine plummeted significantly.Many people in other countries are thought to use the drug without a prescription to fight alcoholism.Interest was sparked in 2008 by a book, "Le Dernier Verre" (The Last Drink), by French-American cardiologist Olivier Ameisen, who claimed to have self-treated his alcoholism with high doses of baclofen.A subsequent French trial found high doses of the drug caused a significant percentage of heavy drinkers to give up or moderate their intake.Several trials since then have come up with contradictory findings.High doses may be irresponsible Last year, Dutch researchers in a different study found the drug may work no better than counselling.Without proof of its efficacy, prescribing high doses of the drug known as baclofen may be irresponsible, they warned at the time.Ethypharm, the laboratory developing the drug, said it would submit an application by month-end for the commercialisation of baclofen for the treatment of alcoholism in France. According to the UN's World Health Organization (WHO), 3.3 million deaths around the globe every year are the result of harmful alcohol use – almost 6% of all deaths.Read More:The skinny on 'lite' alcoholDagga and alcohol combo recipe for varsity dropoutWhat you don't know about cancer can kill you Related articles Longer treatment more effective for substance addiction A new study indicates that the length of treatment may be the most significant factor in the successful treatment of addiction to alcohol, opioids, amphetamines and benzodiazepines. SEE: Can your liver handle the alcohol? How often do you think about your liver when you drink alcohol? How many alcoholic drinks can you safely drink in a day? We answer these questions and more... Painkillers and alcohol make a potent cocktail Drinking while taking opioids painkillers can interfere with breathing, especially among seniors, a new study finds.


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Drake MTB Coaches
Link to Team Event Sign-ups for Coaches and Ride Leaders
Drake Head Coaches, Assistant Coaches, Ride Leaders and Mechanics
In recent years, Drake has had more than fifty Riders on the team. Keeping such a large and diverse group of kids engaged across a variety of events, team rides, races, and volunteer engagements takes a dedicated team of experienced adults. This team of experienced and qualified adults are selected based on their being good role models, motivators, teachers, organizers, authority figures, risk managers, and perhaps most importantly friends and mentors. And they all have a love of the sport. In addition, all coaches and ride leaders have a responsibility to maintain a safe and harassment- and discrimination-free environment at all team events and rides, and are also expected to:
- Keep safety top of mind in all team rides and events
- Behave professionally
- Use appropriate language
- Model good sporting behavior
- Model being respectful of others and of our environment
- Be energized and upbeat
- Cheer the team
- Give specific feedback and praise
- Celebrate effort and victories
- Respect the land management rules whether with the team or not
Two Co-Head Coaches
The co-head coaches are involved with every aspect of the team, but have primary responsibility for the following:
- Set up the ride calendar for the season
- Select ride leaders and assistant coaches
- Make sure every team ride has adequate coaching staff and ride leaders
- Coordinate guest speakers and team volunteer engagements
- Attend parent committee meetings
- Work with Norcal on race scheduling and race-day logistics
- Organize team workouts at sponsors Pelo and Marin Power Yoga
Eight Assistant Coaches
Like the head coaches, assistant coaches tend to be involved with every aspect of the team. They are most important, however, in helping the head coaches with the following:
- Staffing every team ride and providing on-the-trail leadership for safety and risk management
- Giving individual attention to Riders on team rides, helping them with technique, maintenance, encouragement, and feedback.
- Acting as Pit Zone managers during races, making sure that each group of Riders knows their schedule for the day and follows it. This includes critical things like making sure the kids are at the Pit Zone on time, have the proper equipment for racing, have access to a trainer before races, eat properly, have a race plate, don't fall asleep in a car before a race, have had their bike checked out by the mechanics, eat after a race, cheer for the team, etc etc.
Four Ride Leaders
As the name suggests, Ride Leaders are strong adult mountain bikers who work with the coaches to make sure that team rides are safe, organized, challenging, and fun. Each group of riders that goes on a team ride has at least one Ride Leader at the front and one Ride Leader at the back (aka "Sweep") so that no riders within a specific group are without immediate assistance in the event of injury or confusion as to ride route. All Ride Leaders have been trained in Wilderness First Aid, CPR, and concussion identification. At the end of every team ride, Ride Leaders let the head coaches know that all riders have completed the ride and made it back home (or to Deer Park) safely.
Team Mechanic(s) in the Pit Zone during races
Mountain bikes are complex mechanical devices with many points of failure. Riders put in long hours of training to prepare for races, and mechanical failures can put their personal safety at risk. One of the best ways to minimize this risk is to train your Rider to know his her bike inside and out; as a back-up to that, the Drake team is extremely fortunate to have three team mechanics that check every single Rider's bike in detail just before every race. In the pre-race Pit Zone, the Drake team has seen last-minute drivetrain replacements, wheel swaps, brake change-outs, shock servicing, and a host of other complex issues addressed under great time pressure to keep the Riders ready to race. The Mechanic's Area of the Pit Zone is an amazing place, and staffed by bike mechanics with more than 60 years of wrenching… and more than 100 years of very entertaining bicycling-related stories. Please encourage your Rider to treat them with the highest level of gratitude – they, too, are adult volunteers and do their jobs for altruistic reasons, and a single fussy or impatient rider who does not know his or her bike can wipe the smile off of a Mechanic's face.
NICA requirements for Head Coaches [NICA Level 3 Coach] (see http://www.nationalmtb.org/coaches-license-program/ for details on coaching requirements)
- Background Check
- CDC Heads Up Annual Concussion Certification
- Annual Waiver
- Wilderness First Aid training
- CPR training
- 80 Field Hours: actual hours spent in contact with HS students while engaged in MTB program
- NICA On-the-bike skills training
- NICA Student-Athlete Coaching Philosophy webinar and test
- Annual Risk Management webinar and test 3
Assistant Coach and Ride Leader Requirements [NICA Level 2 Coach]
- Background Check
- CDC Heads Up Annual Concussion Certification
- Annual Waiver
- Basic first aid training instead of Wilderness First Aid training
- 20 field hours with students
- NICA On-the-bike skills training
- NICA Student-Athlete Coaching Philosophy webinar and test
- Annual Risk Management webinars 1 and 2 and tests
General Volunteer Requirements (like parents who occasionally do Sunday rides) [NICA Level 1 Coach]
- Background Check
- CDC Heads Up Annual Concussion Certification
- Annual Waiver
- Annual Risk Management webinar 1 and test
Your Coaches, Ride Leaders, and Team Mechanics for the 2018 Season
Co-Head Coach Laura Childress
I remember the first time I rode my bike and the exact moment my father let go the saddle of my blue Schwinn and I rode off untethered. Fear and excitement would soon turn into a new sense of freedom and self-confidence. Bike riding opened a door to a whole new world of exploration, which would lead me on many secret adventures with my other bike-riding friends. Without a word to our parents, we would pack a lunch and set off on a day long adventure. As long as we were home in one piece before the streetlights came on, we were good. With no helmets, cell phones or GPS navigation we found our way from the suburbs, through the city to the ferry and over to the island. Now, in a world where our children are escorted to and from school and to all their organized events, it's hard to imagine our own children doing the same thing. That's why we wanted to create a program to make accessible the freedom we enjoyed when we were kids. So, not only will your child learn about the possibilities out there, they will also discover the possibilities within themselves. For 11 years, I have been the director, ride leader, adventurer, medic, mechanic and mentor at Bike Adventures for Kids. I am a Registered Nurse, Wilderness Rescue and Remote First Aid certified and a certified CPR/AED Professional Rescuer and Health Care Provider.
Co-Head Coach Rob Reed
Rob Reed has been a Drake Mountain Bike Team parent and ride leader for the last five years, including the last two seasons as co-head Coach. This year Rob is delighted to have Laura Childress as a new co-head coach! He has been an avid biker all of his life, and fell in love with mountain biking in the Bay Area when he moved to San Francisco in 1989 fresh out of college. Rob is a stay-at-home dad and puts more miles on his bike than his car. When asked what kind of biker he is – road or mountain? – Rob is likely to answer "yes". email@example.com
Assistant Coach Chris Kenton
I'm Chris, aka Tommy's dad. I grew up in Sunnyvale, riding BMX bikes in the golden age of anodized alloy. Linda and I moved to Cascade in autumn of 1999, just in time to see the annual Appetite Seminar parade down our street. I was out raking leaves before our Thanksgiving guests arrived, watching hundreds of mountain bikers stream past. The next day I bought my first mountain bike to find out what I was missing and never looked back. I've learned more about myself from mountain biking than almost any other pursuit. The mental, physical and technical challenges never get old—and neither do the rewards of fresh air, adrenaline and alpine views. Unlike a lot of sports that you have to put on a shelf sooner or later, mountain biking is a life-long ride. I couldn't be happier sharing it with such a dedicated and passionate group of people.
Assistant Coach Scott Samet
Growing up in Fairfax, the birthplace of mountain biking, I guess you could say I was destined to be a mountain biker. I lived only a few blocks away from Repack–the famed location of the world's very first mountain bike races–and I will never forget the day as a young boy that I sat on my little BMX bike and watched in awe as the fat-tired founding fathers of mountain biking sped by me, dirty and grinning, on their prototype "clunkers". I was hooked immediately and have been passionately riding bikes on dirt ever since. As an early mountain biking convert, and now the father of two boys, there is nothing I enjoy more than helping young riders catch the mountain bike bug.
Assistant Coach Philip Swett
I'm thrilled to be helping out the team this year as an assistant coach for the Drake MTB team. My son Logan joined the team as a freshman in the 2016 season and is now a Varsity rider for the team. Logan has helped get me out on the trails of Marin since he was 6 years old and we would go out and back on the Shoreline Trail at China Camp, and NOT make it all the way from Deer Park to 5 Corners. Times have certainly changed in that respect! The grit and determination that the kids on the Mountain Bike team display on the training rides and races is incredible and it's endlessly inspiring to watch. I'm thankful for all the work that all the parents and volunteers put into making this organization work so well and I look forward to another great season for the Drake MTB team.
Assistant Coach Nicole Palkovsky
Nicole is a technical rider par excellence, and won her category at Downieville last year. Wanna shred? Come on a team ride with Nicole. She is from Canada, so she is also very nice.
Assistant Coach Ted Fehlhaber
Ted Fehlhaber got his first mountain bike so he could explore Marin in 1999 and has not stopped. Over the years, he has volunteered for Safe Routes to School, MCBC, Access for Bikes and Friends of Tamarancho. "The more young people we can get riding and enjoying the outdoors, the better. Its a great life skill, and fun too."
Assistant Coach Shawn Nelson
Shawn Nelson has been a ride leader and Shwag guy now for 3 years and after countless rides has stepped up to be an assistant coach. He grew up in Marin and has been riding these trails for a lot of years. Shawn is slow but only because he's fat and old. If you are looking for someone to ride next to who will make you feel better about your riding skills he's the guy. Fortunately, his one story always seems fresh, and his purple bike makes him easy to spot when he has accidentally rolled down a hill during a water break. If you see him during a ride say Howdy and possibly help him back up to the trail if needed.
Assistant Coach Bill Melton
I bought my first mountain bike after I moved to San Francisco in 1990 for post-graduate education. I started off biking every dirt path I could find in Golden Gate Park and then eventually ventured across the bridge to explore Marin's incredible terrain. Several years later I moved to New Mexico and my mountain biking world opened up wide as the Southwest became my playground. Eventually I found my way back to the Bay Area and have lived in Fairfax for the last 16 years and never tire of rolling on two wheels. I have coached youth soccer for 9 years and am continually impressed with the ability of youth sports to challenge kids in ways that promote self-esteem and resilience. Mountain bike racing and the Drake MTB team set the standard in this respect. The commitment of the riders, coaches and parents is truly impressive and something I am excited to be a part of. I really enjoyed riding with the team last year as a ride leader and look forward to serving as an assistant coach.
Assistant Coach Mitch Brown
Mitch Brown is in his twelfth year of teaching at Manor School in Fairfax. He has been an elementary school teacher for thirteen years, and is the proud father of a son and daughter. Prior to elementary teaching, Mitch was a collegiate coach and teacher, two-time NCAA All American runner, and a graduate student of kinesiology (emphasis in teaching and coaching), where he completed all of his MA coursework (ABT). He is a two-time inductee into Humboldt State's Athletic Hall of Fame. He has been a lifelong road, mountain and BMX rider, and currently rides with Divine Electric, racing whenever he can. Mitch loves teaching kids and having fun playing Capture the Flag, Kingo, and other games. His earliest biking memory is of riding his yellow Schwinn Stingray up and down his street while singing the Happy Days theme song for hours on end. He is Wilderness First Aid & CPR Certified.
Assistant Coach Matt Willis
Matt Willis is a man of many talents… father, doctor, engaging riding companion, and man who used to race against Soviets on a bicycle during the Cold War years. Quick with a smile and encouragement, Matt is a very welcome addition to the Drake MTB coaching staff.
Ride Leader Charlie Simpson
Charlie grew up in Colorado climbing 14,000' peaks and rock climbing. His passion became alpine ski racing, which he did through college. Charlie has been mountain biking for about 20 years. His Drake coaching career started in 2013 and his primary goal is to have fun. He is also one of the team photographers on race day; so don't forget to smile when you see him.
Ride Leader Karl Vavrek
Karl takes his bike everywhere. But, all too often it just goes for a ride on the roof of his car (see pic). Nonetheless, he rides as much as he can and is excited to be a ride leader for DrakeMTB for the first time this season. He has some experience "Leading from Behind." While living in San Francisco (before he and his family moved to their first home on Porteous near our Deer Park trailhead), he was the Group Rides Coordinator for the Bicycle Trails Council of the East Bay for a couple years leading multi-club rides with Marin's own WOMBATS. He loves trail work and he has raced, but only just to verify he was not meant to race competitively (and to say he went on a group ride with 299 other guys and finished before 150 of them… Ha!). But for an old guy, he does OK. He's Max's dad and does architecture when not on his bike (or under it… inside his car, Moby).
Team Mechanic Walden Reed
Discovering a love of bikes at 8 years of age by way of the Hilly Hundred Century, Walden has pursued his lifelong passion for bikes ever since. Walden started fixing bikes while on the Drake High School Mountain Bike Team, and has worked as a mechanic and bike builder for some of the best bicycle shops in the Bay Area. Walden also enjoys cloud watching and anything that goes fast.


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Partnering with operators, Peel Gas & Oil can facilitate and de-risk the complex interactions with all interested parties from land acquisition to completion. We are well placed to support the sector, drawing on the Group's diverse experience and strong track record. We fund and deliver consented well pads and can facilitate the infrastructure required to support the industry.
Our services include:
Developing a thriving supply chain in the North of England
The emerging onshore shale gas sector is a golden opportunity for the UK and the North in particular. Whilst Ernst & Young estimate that the development of the industry could create over 64,000 jobs by 2032, there is, in particular, growing momentum for in the North of England. The region is ideally placed to become a hub for the industry drawing on existing assets such as the Manchester Ship Canal and thriving ports, and the wealth of expertise businesses in the area have to offer.
The development of shale gas could help transform the regional economy, unlocking a projected £10 billion investment and over 3,500 jobs in the development of shale gas resources in the North West region alone (Amion Consulting, 2014). Click here to download the 2014 Amion Report on the potential impact for the North West economy.
Establishing a supply chain hub to service the Bowland Shale area in the North of England and Midlands could transform the regional economy. It will take collaboration and a clear strategy, but the rewards to be reaped are significant. A successful hub could generate over 13,000 jobs* - more than twice the amount that could be created without one.
Advancement of the industry could unlock a projected £30 billion* investment across the Bowland Shale area, but we need to act quickly to get a thriving supply chain in place or we risk losing out to other countries which are already active in the sector.
Click here to download the 2015 Amion Report detailing supply chain opportunities in the Bowland Shale area.
To find out more about the role that Peel Gas and Oil plays in the emerging onshore energy sector and to get in touch with the team, visit the contact page for details.
Tony Smith, Commercial Strategy Manager at Peel Gas and Oil, explains how post-Brexit shale gas could play a pivotal role in providing energy security.
Read more...
Peel Gas & Oil LimitedPeel Domeintu Trafford CentreManchester M17 8PL
0161 629 8200
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Last night the minute I got into the hotel, LJ went down. I was too tired to attempt to stay awake until it came back on.
Happy Birthday, quizzicalsphinx!
Opening of mystery package may commence if it hasn't happened already!
Everyone else: Happy Christmas Eve Eve!
Today I get to see rhikat and Sweeney Todd!
tea berry-blue
i like chickens.
( 2 comments — Leave a comment )
lol--I remember checking it and saying "WHAT? LJ DOWN?!" Then I checked it two minutes later and it was back?
Gosh! I hope the two of you have a fantastic time!


text: Early beach days on the Outer Banks are beautiful, especially, when you are with your grandparents. The crowds have not arrived yet, the air is pleasant and the luminance of the sea is captivating. There is no better time to photograph on the beaches of the Outer Banks, than late spring, when the light is fantastic.


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Tottenham transfer news LIVE: Spurs close to signing Ceballos, Tielemans set for Leicester move, Lo Celso deal '80 per cent done'
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Hike Details
Location: Alberta, Canada
Hike Quality (1-5): 4
Hike Difficulty (1-5): 3
Round Trip Distance: 10.2 km
Elevation Gain: 309 m
Click Here for Current Weather Conditions
Trailhead Directions
To find the trailhead: follow the Smith Dorrien Highway / Spray Lakes Rd 37 kms past the Canmore Nordic Centre, and 2 kilometres past the Mt. Shark Turnoff.
Camera Details
Camera: Canon 5D Mk IV
Lens 1: Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L II USM
Lens 2: Sigma 14mm f/1.8 DG HSM Art
Trip Details
Date: December 30, 2017
Start Time: 9:00pm
Total Time: 3.5 hours
Participants: Paige Sorger, Patrick Latter, Jeff Trudel, Ian Grant, Michelle Wong, Chase Babiuk, Marko Pribilovic
Every year we plan a night of skiing under a full moon in the month December. This was definitely the coldest we had ever attempted but despite the temperatures, Chester Lake ended up being one of the most memorable.


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Mini LED Flashlights
Home > Mini LED Flashlights > Focusing and Zoom CR...Focusing and Zoom CR...
Focusing and Zoom CREE XM-L T6 LED Mini Flashlight
|Model No.:
|L4.56*Ø1.16 inches
|Walk lighting, camp lighting
|Mini design with clip, easy to carry LED flashlight. Focus by stretching out and zoom by drawing back. High, middle, low beam and strobe, SOS light, five different beams. Luminous flux is up to 800-1,200lm and within 1000 feet lighting distance.
Product in Detail
Canwelum mini LED flashlight is made of CREE XM-L T6 LED and T6061 aircraft aluminum alloy housing with convex lens and 5-modes button switch on back. And it is also designed to be waterproof, working normally in the rain. Mini LED flashlights are essential supplies at home or outdoor.
● Materials: Made of T6061 aircraft aluminum alloy, treated by anodizing to be anti-corrosion.
● LED Type: CREE XM-L T6 LED, super-bright and low light attenuation.
● Dimensions: Length 4.56 inches, Diameter 1.16 inches.
● Housing Color: Black.
● Switch: Tail button switch (Five different modes).
● Five Modes: High, middle and low beam, strobe and SOS light.
● Focusing and Zoom: Head stretching out for focusing and drawing back for zoom.
● Reflector Lens: Convex lens, good spot lighting and uniform light.
● Matched Battery: A piece of 18650 Li-lion battery.
● Luminous Flux: Up to 800-1,200 lm at different modes.
● Lighting Distance: Within 1,000 feet on high beam.
● Waterproof Design: Anti-rain, working normally in the rain.
Canwelum mini CREE LED torch light is widely utilized for walk lighting, camp lighting, night ride lighting. Mini LED flashlights are easy to carry and are the essential supplies for home use or outdoor activities, such as lighting in garage, camping or travelling.
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- Focusing and Zoom CREE XCAN-MN-T6-01L4.56*Ø1.16 inchesWalk lighting, camp lightingMORE >>
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From May 30 to June 2, the SMX Convention Center at the Mall of Asia will be transformed into a huge garage filled with nothing but the sexiest of cars (and carshow girls) as the 22nd Trans Sport Show opens!
The Trans Sport Show is the country's longest running automotive event and, since its inaugural season in 1992, has been a destination for anyone who has ever hung a poster of a Ferrari in their room or those who spend their weekend pimping their trusty Corollas and Lancers. It's a showcase for car owners who want to show off their sweet rides and for restoration companies to exhibit their handiwork. The weekend-long hub is also where gearheads look for the latest car accessories, parts, and services to add extra growl to their machines.
This year, two seminal sports cars are set to be the stars: the forever-cool Porsche 911 and the bull-headed Chevrolet Corvette—the former, celebrating its 50th anniversary, the latter, its 60th.
That much was apparent during our visit to the show earlier today, where significant portions of the floor area had been devoted to those two cars and its most iconic variants.
To start off, there was an area outside the main room where stacks of die-cast models were displayed in glass casings.
The glass-bottom "parking lot" above was made possible by the Diecast Car Collectors of the Philippines (DCPH). The sea of mini Porsches—a 911 showcase that runs from the first-gen 1963 models to the seventh generation launched in 2011—is from DCPH member "Kasper."
The highlight of the Corvette collection was this Stingray placed on a rotating disc—its innards exposed for all the world to see. The model is part of DCPH member Andy Adan's extensive collection of Corvette replicas.
This realistic-looking shot had us going, "Mukhang totoo!"
The obsessive toy display was just a taste of what's beyond those huge SMX doors. The real things were waiting inside, and we would've gone straight towards them…if only these ladies hadn't distracted us with their carshow cuteness. Time now for your favorite part of the story! (Hint: it's on the next page!)
NEXT: The girls of the 22nd Tran Sport Show
From May 30 to June 2, the SMX Convention Center at the Mall of Asia will be transformed into a huge garage filled with nothing but the sexiest of cars (and carshow girls) as the 22nd Trans Sport Show opens!


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Dom Perignon 2005 75cl 13% ABV
In stock: Available
Brand: Dom Perignon
Category: Champagne / Dom Perignon
£200Order Now
Prices subject to significant prices changes from amazon, prices updated weekly.
Prices subject to significant prices changes from amazon, prices updated weekly.
Alcohol is not for sale to people under the age of 18. For the facts about alcohol visit drinkaware.co.uk. A signature may be required on delivery.
Other Dom Perignon Products
This Champagne has really rich aromas, that come at you in successive waves: firstly, intense fruit - more black than red - followed by a silvery minerality. Look out for scents of praline and coriander, too.
When it comes to flavour, this very special wine has a strong character and a powerful presence. Overall, it is structured, focused, firm and dense, with an interesting and appealing spicy, flowery finish.


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FOREST, Va. – Jayla Harris of the Virginia Wesleyan University women's basketball team has earned the Marjorie Berkley Scholar-Athlete Award which is given by the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) to the most Outstanding Female Student-Athlete in the conference.
Inaugurated in 1984, the Marjorie Berkley Scholar-Athlete Award is given each spring to member institution seniors and conference sport participants who exhibit the highest athletic, academic, and extracurricular achievements. Ms. Berkley began her collegiate teaching career at then Lynchburg College. Several years later, she moved to Hollins University where she coached tennis, field hockey, and soccer, and served as the athletic director for 30 years.
Harris was a terrific display of what it means to "be a Marlin" both on and off the court. The Fredericksburg, Va. native will go down as one of the top players in program history, finishing her career with a VWU-record 1,931 points which eclipsed the previous mark of 1,910 set by Amy Simpson 33 years ago. This season, Harris was her most dominant, averaging a conference-leading 21.1 points a game which also ranked ninth among Division III players. She hit the 20-point mark in 16 of her 26 games played this season and the 30-point bar three times. Although a dominant scorer, Harris also hit the record books for career assists as her 238 rank seventh all-time.
At the year's conclusion, the senior was showered with numerous awards. Most notable was her Third Team All-America status presented by D3hoops.com, making her just the third player in program history to earn that honor. She was also tabbed the All-South Region and ODAC Player of the Year.
In the classroom, Harris graduated Magna Cum Laude with a 3.71 grade point average as a business major with a focus in accounting. She plans to start the CPA exam process shortly following graduation and assume a position as a tax accountant with Cherry Bekaert, LLC, in January 2020. Soon to be a four-time All-ODAC Academic Team honoree, Harris is a member of Sigma Beta Delta (business), Omicron Delta Kappa (leadership) and Chi Alpha Sigma (collegiate athlete) national honor societies. The eight-semester Dean's List honoree earned the Norfolk Sports Club Award as the most outstanding senior student-athlete at VWU.
Harris' contributions to her communities have been numerous. She has mentored students at all levels of school including girls high school basketball, elementary students, and attendees at Virginia Wesleyan's basketball camps. She volunteered at Norfolk Play Days and helped support LifeNet Health for organ donation and procurement (among other services relating to transplant solutions). Harris volunteered at the Boys and Girls Club in San Juan, Puerto Rico, in 2018, which is the same year she helped organize services and resources for domestic violence victims at Genieve Shelter in Suffolk, Va. She also partnered with Virginia Wesleyan's Black Student Union to create "Munchy Booth," an on-campus food option in an effort to prevent travelling off campus after alcohol consumption.
Harris is just the second Virginia Wesleyan University student-athlete to receive this distinction with Rebecca Bradford of the volleyball team earning the honor in 2010.


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What are our guests are saying and doing
Check out more reviews on WeTravel here
Still Waters is absolutely magical. Tao & Amy are both rays of sunshine that wlecome you with open arms. Everything from the physical land, the food, the accomoations to the smallest touches, you will find it extremely difficult not to fall in love with the entire experience.
Everything was wonderful! I don't want to go home! Or leave! The atmostphere and "vibe" are calming. And I love BeeBe and Maggie!
A Gift. A gem in the woods of CT by the Still Waters, both for a solo retreat and a gropu workshop and ceremony or celebration.
A wonderful retreat!
Your loving kindness to go above and beyond in taking care of us from element-oriented food (rainbow quinoa) to providing fresh ginger/cayenne pepper, etcetera. Working with you both to faciliated a healing Five Elements Harmony Yoga Retreat has been effortless, stress-free, fun, creative and fantastic! Harmony Yoga Studio will surely be back at Still Waters Retreat Center. Leaving here with Still Waters inside.
A wonderful place to relax your mind and enhance your spirit !!!!
I liked the ambiance of the entire space: everything was so beautiful and thoughtfully done.
Still Waters is the perfect environment for a retreat. The atmosphere, art, poperty andfood are a perfect healing setting. Tao and Amy are so welcoming, creative and kind. Go here, you will be so glad you did.
The perfect place for a retreat of any kind- you are welcomed by love- the beauty of nature and professional yet very warm personable hosts Amy and Tao who make you feel like this place is your own. Maggie and BeeBe (the family dogs) add to the joy of being there! We will be back!
I loved everything! Tao & Amy are amazing hosts. The house is beautiful and each meal was more amazing than the last. They are truly wonderful, talented couple. I can't wait to return in the future.
Still Waters hosted our Chakra Yoga Retreat weekend. We were surrounded by nature, art and each of the elements we were empowering within ourselves. Amy & Tao nutured our souls and our appetites with delicious, scrumptious meals, fires, warm conversation. They were an integral part of the entire weekend. I am forever grateful for the heart and love they bestowed upon us.
Tao and Amy have created beauty, peace, and comfort in this nature wonderland... A retreat locale at its finest!!
Wedding banner image ©Artimage by Sam ChinigoOther banner images taken by Amy LaBossiere, Tao LaBossiere, Jenn Fitts, Breck McNab, Todd Honeycutt, Zoë Shwidock, and other friends and family. Powered by Squarespace all other content ©2019 Still Waters Pond LLC


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The Pavement Group(518) 218-7676
PavementGroup.com is an international supplier of machinery, equipment and materials used for maintaining, repairing and constructing roadways and other paved surfaces. Our products are sold both directly and through our US and Internationally based distributors. We also provide a variety of other machinery such as roofing kettles, water trucks, and street flusher trucks.
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