Revenge on the Virgin River Rim Trail

We took a quick weekend trip to Brian Head last week. Got to see some family, ate some great food, and had my revenge on the Virgin River Rim Trail. If you look a few posts back you'll read a tale of pain and suffering on this very trail. This weekend was quite different, in fact the ride was super enjoyable. Just a quick disclaimer...we didn't ride the whole trail this time but I'm sure that if we had it wouldn't have sent me permanently to the "Hurt Locker" like last time. Not to be confused with "Davy Jones Locker" but relatively close.

Unfortunately the cold hit a bit early and most of the leaves had already dropped. It would be worth the trip to Cedar Mountain just to see the early fall color change. Team Sabrosa (minus one team member) pushed the pace so hard we didn't have much time to enjoy the scenery anyway. You know it's been a good ride when you're breathing hard and start to taste blood.

LOTOJA 2009

When I woke up in Logan at 5:00 am on Saturday I couldn't stop think about how strange it was that I had actually paid a good amount of money to torture myself in an all day event. Fortunately I had a later start time so I was able to get in a good breakfast and some last minute preparation on the bike. At the starting line there was a lot of anxious and nervous folks. I had to laugh at the guys that couldn't stop sizing up their competition. Everyone has their own way of dealing with stress; if I remember right I was singing primary hymns in my head (I Am a Child of God).

I'll spare you the details of the 11 hour ride and just say that there was a great deal of suffering that occurred in the 206 miles between Logan, UT and Jackson Hole, WY. You learn a lot about yourself in a race like this; the emotions range from the incredible feeling of joy when you finish a long steep climb, to the dark and evil places your mind goes when you're in the flats in a nasty headwind. My goal of breaking 11 hours was missed by 3 minutes. Although there where multiple times through the day that I thought, "What in the HELL am I doing" it wasn't 30 minutes after the race that I was already planning what I could do different next year to do it faster. I can't explain it, but it has to be some kind of mental illness.

I couldn't have made it without some great training partners and an awesome support crew that included Paul Harber, an my imaginary friend that was with me on the Geneva Summit and Salt River Pass. The biggest thanks goes to my sweet wife for supporting me through the last few months and not complaining about the long Saturday rides.

I'm definitely in need of a short break, but I'm sure it won't be long before I'm planning the next event.

Good-bye Hailstones! We'll miss you!!

Lauren, Cole, Jackson, Travis

Ben's sister, Lauren and her family moved to Reading, Pennsylvania this week. We are going to miss them so much! Good luck in your residency Travis!!!

Visit down south

At the beginning of the month, we (Weston and I) flew down to Baton Rouge, Louisiana to spend some time with my family. I was so nervous to fly by myself with a baby, but Weston did great! I had no problems!!

When we fist arrived in Baton Rouge, we made our usual trip to Tiger Mania, where Weston got an LSU t-shirt and bib (I have to start him early!). Then we went to Coffee Call for some beignets (French donut) - a Louisiana favorite. I have to make a least a couple of visits to Coffee Call while I'm home or my trip doesn't feel complete!

My aunt Carolyn and my cousin Diane came in to town to visit. Diane's little boy, Andrew, is only two months younger than Weston, so it was fun for them to finally meet. It was so good to see them - it had been way too long!

Weston, my nephew Patrick and Andrew

Diane, Andrew, Weston, me

A few days after I arrived, we left for Gulf Shores, Alabama for the annual Moody family vacation. I love Gulf Shores and look forward to this trip every year. I call it the "happiest place on Earth". I know most of you think that's Disney World, but one visit down here and you would change your mind.

This trip is the only time each year, that my family gets together.We had a blast hanging out on the beach, playing the Wii, and going to the "Shark Store" (my brothers love this store!) The "Shark Store" is a huge place filled with souvenirs (0r junk). It's just like the souvenir store on Sahara here in Las Vegas, except you can get air brushed t-shirts here. It's great! :)

Ben flew down for a few days to join us at the beach. It was so much fun to have him there - I even played Risk with him (that's true love because I really hate that game!)

Weston loved the beach. He would sit in the sand and laugh when the water would come up. It was so fun!!

Back: Tricia, Dad, Mom, Weston, Laura

Middle: Phil, Will, Chris, John, Ben

Bottom: Phillip and Patrick

Weston - notice all the sand on his face - he really enjoyed eating it

Weston and Daddy

After spending a week at the beach, we traveled back to Baton Rouge and Weston and I spent another 4 days with my parents. We were able to go see my grandmother and great Aunt Merle. It was so good to see them and I know they were so excited to see Weston for the first time.

I was also able to spend some time with my best friends from high school, Jenny, Allison and Kim. I can't believe we have all stayed so close for over 16 years!!

I love Louisiana and spending time with my family. Thank you so much mom and dad for a wonderful trip. I can't wait until next year!! I love you!!

Grandmommy with 4 of her great grandchildren: Patrick, Phillip, Weston, and Will

Weston with Grammy (my mom) and Mick - he loves dogs!!

Weston with Pawpaw (my dad)

Ride Log for July 25, 2009

Start at Brian Head Ski Resort (9,600 ft elevation at base)

Mammoth Creek

Long Valley Junction

Town of Panguitch (lunch stop w/ incredible cherry pie)

Panguitch Lake

Back to Brian Head

105 total miles with 7,800 vertical feet of climbing

Is this ever going to end....

So, it's 3:30 in the morning and I've been up since 2 am listening to Weston cry. I'm trying to get him to sleep through the night, but this is really not fun! I know I should be sleeping in bed tuning out his crying, but I can't.

 He is over 5 months old and still wakes up at least once a night - although we had some good nights this past week where he slept from 9:30 pm until 4 or 5 am. I don't understand why he can't do that every night.

Does it get better???

4 months old and growing...

Our little man turned 4 months old on May 8th and weighed 14 lbs 6 oz and was 25 1/2 inches long. It's amazing how much they change in just a short amount of time. He talks all the time -  I didn't know a little baby had so much to say!! He can roll over from his stomach to his back and can sit up for a short amount of time by himself. Our very serious baby even laughs and smiles a lot. It's so much fun to see his personality.
We decided to take him swimming for the first time a couple of weeks ago and this was his reaction:

I can't really blame him - the water was really cold. I wouldn't even get in!

He has also tried rice cereal. Although I'm not sure how much he has actually tasted. Most of it ended up on his face and chin. 

He is such a fun little boy and I can't believe he'll be 5 months old in just 1 week!