Speeding Killer Bears

As the weather turns cooler, Chris decided we needed to enjoy one last weekend outdoors and we headed to Yosemite this weekend for an end of season hike.

On our way into the park, there was a sign that said "Speeding Kills Bears." I constantly harass Chris for not wearing his glasses and as we passed the sign he said:

"Speeding Killer Bears?"

I burst out laughing. I thought of speeding killer bears multiple times throughout the day, and burst into laughter each time I thought of it. I had visions of black and white bears, colored like Orca whales, chasing tourists around Yosemite at speeds of 80 miles per hour.

We survived the speeding killer bears, and enjoyed two hikes, the first around the Wawona Meadow and the second to Chilnualna Falls and back.

Chilnaulna Falls was beautiful. While there was little water, the falls were still stunning.

I always enjoy our adventures, and our beast of a day trip to Yosemite and back was no exception.

Levi Leipheimer's King Ridge GranFondo

A few months ago, my friend Rangsiwan sent out an email soliciting company for a new century ride in Santa Rosa hosted by none other than Levi Leipheimer. I've been looking forward to it, not only for high caliber event, but because we had all decided to make a weekend out of it and had rented a house in Monte Rio, just outside of Guerneville on the Russian River.

What a great way to spend a weekend - a challenging long ride, friends and lots and lots of delicious food. We even got to meet Levi Leipheimer.

While we were standing in the registration line waiting to turn in our release forms, the man behind us challenged us to game of count the Levi look-alikes and I immediately spotted a great candidate. Ha! It was Levi himself.

Levi is incredibly tiny, and incredibly kind. He was kind to us, even as Chris chided him into completing registration forms.

As we traveled the GranFondo course, we heard many additional stories of Levi's kindness.... visits to school children, donations to local schools, organizations and emergency services.

While the GrandFondo was a challenging ride, it was the most organized century I have ever had the pleasure of participating in. There were emergency medics everywhere, the volunteers were plentiful and the rest stops were well stocked. It was also a lot of fun, particularly for the first 20 or so miles when you had to opportunity to ride in a true peloton, before the masses spread out.

The best part of the event - time with Chris and a weekend with friends.

And, as an added bonus, on the way home, we discovered a fabulous pumpkin patch in Petaluma with a corn maze! FUN.

Drunken Figs

My mother sent me a recipe a few days ago for a 'runners breakfast pudding' that I knew I just had to try. I'm always looking for new foods on which to carbo load before a long workout, as I have long grown tired of oatmeal.

My mom found this recipe for Soy Milk Arborio Rice Pudding with Poached Figs in Food and Wine. It is quite good.

I used regular non-fat milk, as I didn't have any soy milk in the house and it worked just fine. As someone with a bit (OK, not a bit, a HUGE) sweet tooth, I recommend adding a tablespoon or two of sugar to the rice pudding right at the end to sweeten it up a bit. (Note that this may not be necessary if using soy milk, or if you are not a sugar fiend like me.)

SOY MILK ARBORIO RICE PUDDING WITH POACHED FIGS (Serves 4)

Ingredients

FIGS
1/4 cup ruby port
2 tablespoons sugar
Four 3-inch-long strips of orange zest
5 cloves
1 bay leaf
8 fresh figs, stemmed

PUDDING
Pinch of salt
1 cup water
1/2 cup arborio rice
2 cups plain soy milk
2 tablespoons honey
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Directions:

1. Poach the figs: In a medium nonstick skillet, combine the port with the sugar, orange zest, cloves, bay leaf and 1 cup of water and bring to a boil. When the sugar dissolves, add the figs, stem ends up, and simmer over low heat until the figs are almost completely tender, about 20 minutes. Add 1/4 cup more water as needed if the liquid gets too syrupy. Discard the orange zest, cloves and bay leaf.

2. Meanwhile, make the pudding: In a medium saucepan, bring the water to a boil with the salt. Add the rice and cook over low heat, stirring often, until most of the water has been absorbed, about 12 minutes. Stir in 1/3 cup of the soy milk and cook, stirring, until it is absorbed, about 3 minutes. Continue adding the soy milk 1/3 cup at a time and stirring constantly until it is absorbed between additions; after the soy milk is absorbed, the rice should be creamy and tender. Stir in the honey and vanilla.

3. Spoon the rice pudding into bowls. Top with the figs and some of the poaching syrup and serve right away.

Make Ahead: The poached figs can be refrigerated in their syrup overnight. Reheat gently, adding a bit more water as needed. The rice pudding can be refrigerated for up to 2 days. Reheat gently, adding more soy milk as needed.

Notes: One Serving 337 cal, 3 gm fat, 0.6 gm sat fat, 69 gm carb, 5 gm fiber.

A Perfect Surprise

I spent a long week on the East Coast this past week at a conference. To make it even more difficult, I was not able to return home until Sunday, which meant that I was not going to see Chris, which of course made me very sad.

When I opened the mail box when I returned home, it was empty. How on earth could I not have received any mail over the course of an entire week? I thought maybe I had so much mail spewing out of the box that the mailman had deposited on my doorstep.

When I reached my doorstep, I discovered there was nothing there. Now, I had been expecting a package, so this too was odd.

Then, the deadbolt on my door was unlocked, and I always lock it when I leave.

He must be here! Yet, when I went in the house and called out his name, there was pure silence. I was so confused!

I was not confused for long, as suddenly the person I longed to see most was standing in front of me. The perfect surprise.

While Chris had to spend a portion of the day studying (the life of a graduate student), we did find time to make our way out to Marshall for our new favorite barbecued oysters. We had both been dreaming of them since we discovered them a few weeks ago, and we were not disappointed.

After downing 26 oysters, we made our way home to enjoy the premiere of one of our favorite television shows - the Amazing Race.

As many of you know, Chris and I applied to be on the Amazing Race last spring and were saddened when we weren't chosen. We think we are perfect for the race, and that we would win!

While I was excited the new season had begun, it was also a bit hard to watch. As we watched the teams race around the world, we couldn't help but compare ourselves to some of the teams and claim that we would have been better. Alas, it was not meant to be.

Regardless, I was thankful to have spent the day with Chris, even though we were not racing around the world. Besides, we always create our own adventures.

Cheers!

I love celebrity spotting, so you can imagine my joy when I spotted John Ratzenberger in my Washington DC hotel lobby this morning.

Hubert Keller yesterday and Cliff Clavin today. What a treat.

Hubert Keller

A few years ago on the way to a conference I spotted Thomas Keller in the Oakland Airport.

Today, headed to the very same conference, I spotted Hubert Keller at the San Francisco Airport. I semi-freaked out and missed Chris, and I knew he would have enjoyed seeing him as well, as we have spotted many a famous chef together.

Now if I would only cross paths with Anthony Bourdain. That would really make my day.

The Hamptons

I had never been to the Hampton's until last weekend, when I found myself in Southampton with Chris and his family for his brother's wedding.

It was an eventful weekend, full of celebration and joy. I met multiple members of Chris' family that I had not previously met, which was a lot of fun. I also met many lifelong friends of the family, which was also an honor.

I even found a bit of time to go for a run, which was a great opportunity to view the beautiful homes and beaches of Southampton. I understand why New Yorkers and others summer there - it was beautiful.

I was sure I would spot some celebrity while out and about, but sadly I saw none.

All and all, it was a wonderful weekend of celebration. Congratulations Drew and Kim.