Maybe it’s not beginner’s luck

My Pacrats ski racing team has ended up doing pretty well this season. With three races down and two to go, we’ve now moved into 1st Place in the league!!!

I’m happy to say that as a first timer my contribution has not been inconsequential. I placed 4th in Race #2 and they moved me up to the next faster class for Race #3. I somehow managed to finish 3rd even in the faster class of racers.

With two races to go this season, we’ll see if we can hold onto it.
Go Rut-Riders!
--Brad

Climb On

I applied for the Mazamas Advanced Rock course in January, and just received word this week that I passed the skills test and have been accepted to the program! This is a very comprehensive course intended to develop competency in leading 5th class rock using the traditional form of climbing - placing protection.

The class will involve climbing almost every Saturday in April, and almost every Saturday and Sunday in May and June, plus about 10 weekday evening lectures.

I’m excited to have this opportunity to further develop my climbing skills, but the next couple of months are going to be very busy!
--Brad

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Kim!

My friend, Kim, is celebrating her birthday today. It doesn't happen often, so it's a very special day! YAY!

-Liz :)

All done!

Our taxes were a team effort this year. Brad did the federal, I did the state, he checked both and I filled out the PDF files on the computer. The forms await his signature, then they can go to their respective department of revenue offices. Hopefully our refunds will be direct deposited soon.

Cape Horn

Jacob and Lindsey joined us Saturday for a rare warm, dry, sunny February hike in the Columbia River Gorge. We chose Cape Horn, a trail that I hiked last May with my dad. It was new to the others.

The wind was wicked on the exposed spots, but the sheltered areas were toasty warm.

The trail was much different than on my last trip. The waist-high wildflowers and the snails were absent. Instead, we saw patches of snow in the shade! It was a gorgeous day and a fun hike. We're anxious to return when the plants come to life.

Not a trail for those afraid of heights:
Time for snacks:
This would have felt great on a really hot day:
Lindsey braves the over-hanging rock:
Even in the winter, this trail was beautiful:
Don't you think a chainsaw would have been easier than building a bridge over the fallen tree??
-Liz :)

Evan Almighty

We heard some bad reviews about "Evan Almighty," in which God (Morgan Freeman) tells freshman Rep. Baxter (Steve Carell) to build an ark. But since we have Hollywood Video's MVP rentals ($14.99 a month for all the rentals we want!), we went ahead and picked it up.

With low expectations, we put in the DVD and started to watch. We were laughing within minutes. The Biblical message started good, but we worried that strange Hollywood theology would soon take over. We were surprised all the way around: The movie was fairly funny, and the theology stayed on track.

Certainly, it's no movie-of-the-year candidate, but for a silly, clean, family movie good for a few laughs, it's a winner!

-Liz :)

Progress

Well, I've just completed Week Two in my training for the Tilikum 10K. It's felt pretty good, and the weather has been very cooperative. I hope my legs and lungs continue cooperating, as well :)

Six weeks to go.
-Liz