Blink And It's Gone

I just looked at the clock and noticed is it 10:30.  Where did the weekend go? It may have flew by in a flurry of activity, but it was a good weekend.  Processions of the Species, Capitol Peak Ultra, and dinner with friends.  No wonder it is already so late.

Friday evening was the start of Procession weekend.  Procession of the Species is a collection of art, artist, and most of the city, who come out to celebrate the natural world.  Friday night we went to the luminary parade, Saturday we went to the parade and then met with friends for dinner.

Luminary

Cheep cheep

I was really impressed with this one

His daughter (I assume) was great.  She (frog) ran around with
him (mantis) chasing after her.

Poseidon playing a tune

Saturday was the Capitol Peak 55k/50mi race.  Last year I ran the 50 mile and really enjoyed it.  This year I volunteered and had a great time.  Matt and I, along with a couple other runners, worked the Capitol Peak aid station.  I really enjoyed being able to see everyone come though, it is  inspirational to see folks putting it all out there.  One of my running buddies went on to win first place woman overall, if only some of her talent could rub off on me... 

I'll leave you with this piece of advice - chaffing is evil, don't skimp on lube.  This below picture was taken at the finish, he looked this way when I saw him at mile 15.  All I can say is "OUCH!".  Like I said, impressive people.

Photo credit: Glenn Tachiyama

Oh, the chicks are getting bigger and starting to sprout feathers.

Instant Gratification

Today we stopped by the feed store to put in our order for chicks.  I assumed I would be able to pick them up in a week or so.  As it turns out the poultry rancher (is that what they are called?) was due to come in later today and could add our chicks to his order.  Perfect!

So, a few hours later I wandered back down the street and came home with our newest additions, three, one week old (hopefully) hens.  If any of them turn out to be roosters we can return them to the feed store and receive a hen replacement. 

Aren't they cute!

I set-up the brooder, which consists of a tupperware container and a heat lamp. So far everything is going well.  After a bit of acclimation I had to do some booty cleaning since two of the chicks were "pasted up".  Read: their butts were caked with poo so they were unable to expel any more.  Now I guess I will wait and watch. 

Matt's project is coming along nicely.  The run is done and he has moved on to the coop.  When he made his plans, the intention was to build a chicken tractor, which would allow us to wheel the contraption around the yard.  As things are coming together it is looking like our set-up is going to be a beast.  Instead of easy wheeling it will be a two person job to move it. 

Chicken run.  The glowing orb in the back is the brooder

Hatching a Plan

Today started with a list and a promise.  The list was for the supplies required to build our chicken-coop and the promise was from Matt:

"I'll build the coop, but I'll likely have a fit, swear, or throw things in the process."  

Matt concocted his plans, and as these things go, his supply needs changed as the actual structure started to come together.  This evening we have portions of a coop sitting in our garage and another list for a supply run tomorrow.  One big item on tomorrows list is ordering our chicks (not the mail order bride sort).  Usually you can just stop in and pick-up them up at the feed store down the road, however, due to bad weather and procrastination on our end, we waited a bit too long and the chicks were sold out. 

Thankfully the weather seems to have turned (for the time being) and we are seeing the sun.  It is a much needed reprieve after a rainy winter. 

Salmonberry - pretty flowers lead to tasty fruit

As Good As It Gets

The first week of April Matt and I headed to Aspen, CO to meet-up with friends for a week of skiing.  Something, I should remind, you that I did not have much experience with nor was very good at.  Notice the past tense.  Sure, I still am lacking in experience and am not stellar, but, 5 days of skiing with amazing people that were much better than me went a long way towards my personal improvement.  Instead of looking like a flailing rag doll hurtling downhill, I now look more akin to well...a slightly more controlled rag doll.

Even though the snow pack was less than ideal and a lot of areas were already closed, it was still amazing.  We spent five days skiing, of that 4 were bluebird.  Not too bad.  I had intended to write a witty recap, but, as seems to happen, I waited and will settle for pictures.  All of which were taken by the Uptons.

Some of us were more resourceful than others with
their ski transport.

Lunch - there were just a few of us...

Top of Cirque Headwall - double black ex (I'm pretty proud of
myself)

Me on Cirque Headwall - made it down without incident

Counting the bottles of tequila