Bike Trip 2010- Part Four

Sunday morning started bright and early with a phone call at 7:00 to let me know that Oldest had thrown up. Even more Lovely.



Packed up and cleaned up the house, hugged everybody because even though most of us live in Small Town (or tiny burg down the road) we hardly ever see each other. Hit the road, checked on Oldest, just sleeping it out on the couch. Middle was staying with a friend, so she was doing fine, Youngest went to church with cousin Rach.

Returned home, rounded up girlie patients, provided nursing care for Oldest. Exhausted. Bring on the last week of school.

Bike Trip 2010- Part Three

Saturday was our bike ride, dinner out, and swim in the hot springs. We ate breakfast at the house, and then headed to the same trail we rode last year, only we joined it at the point where we got off of it last year. We again had a pretty strong headwind, which at times made it feel like we were riding stationary bikes. To be honest, this bike ride isn't what most people would consider a "ride", there are a few who can and have ridden more hard core, but for us wimps, we usually pick a downhill trail :) We also end up at yard sales- hysterical- but that is the main reason we have a driver following us- so he can carry our purchases (haha)

We missed the last weekend of soccer games. Since Oldest had messed up his knee, he wasn't playing, but Middle had two games and phoned in the report, won both and scored a goal.

We went to a sort of chuckwagon type dinner. It was an experience none of us will forget, but not for any reason you might expect. We totally provided our own entertainment and the highlight of said entertainment was when Whitey roped and brought Les down to the ground. We laughed so hard and wished soo bad that we had it on tape. It was totally unexpected and you would have thought we were drunk we laughed so hard. Les tried to pay Whitey back, but missed and dropped the rope and ran like a chicken! (it is a little loud- sorry)

Some of us then went to swim at the hot springs pool, followed by the required stop at DQ. We bemoaned the fact that is was indeed Saturday night instead of Friday night, and we had to head home in the morning. While in the changing room, I received a text to let me know the Oldest was not feeling well, mild flu like symptoms, but was fine. Lovely.

Bike Trip 2010- Part Two

Friday Morning, we started our day slow and relaxed. Which, of course, led me to believe that the day would continue in that way. Not exactly, but it was all good. We wanted to hike to Hanging Lake- no such luck. It was closed until August. Hum. Undeterred, the more adventurous amongst us wanted to hike up to a place where there had been a huge fire, and many forest fire fighters had lost their lives. Can't remember the name, and no one to ask right now.


It was steep. And twisty. And I am sooooo not in shape. And, again, not a fan of heights, so after getting pretty near the top, there had been a rest bench area a little way back down, so I told the DR I would wait for him there. I sat for a bit, drinking my water, looking at the view of the Colorado River and the highway, the fire scars, and then I lay down on the bench which was barely long enough for my body, the very base of my head, and I could rest my heals with my knees straight up in the air. It was only as wide as my shoulders, so not too big of a resting spot. I closed my eyes, and was dive bombed by a humming bird :). Scared the dickens out of me. I relaxed and the next thing I knew, I very nearly fell completely asleep. Up there on my perch. Ha!

We headed back down the trail, and headed off to eat and shop. Last year, we had shopped a lot at Aspen, this year we did downtown Glenwood. Another couple joined us at that point. We have a lot of fun, that is for sure.


Friday night, we had too much dinner and snacks, as per usual. We had the dinner assignment along with another couple and we made way too much food, but it was yumm.

If you are wondering, I did pretty good with my points.

Bike Trip 2010- Part One

This is the third bike trip we have been on since I started this here blog. We got the Master Bedroom this trip, after 8 years :) Last year, we were in the same house, but our room assignment was the air mattress in the Movie Room. Both mattresses leaked. We shared a bathroom with another couple (by coincidence, I think we have shared a bathroom with them three times) Thankfully, the door did shut, and lock though. To say that the master bedroom is a step up would be a major understatement. I soaked in the giant tub, there is a really nice steam shower with three heads (rain shower head in the middle)two sinks, a private deck, huge closet, and a king sized bed. Yes, please. I would love this assignment again. But, we take turns and so it will be awhile before we get it again.

Lots of things have been different so far. One of the long-time couples didn't make it. Another later add-on didn't make it. One of the original couples won't be here until tonight. Our biking day is being put off until tomorrow. And for the first time, we came to the same place two years in a row. We have had a rough start, with one couple spending some quality time at the hospital yesterday before being able to travel here, another has an undiagnosed, incredibly severe skin rash. So, all in all, very different than in years past.

Hope you all have a good day. We are heading out soon to hike to a lake, I think they said. It is either that or shopping.

Very Quick update

I have no time- the DR and I are supposed to be leaving at 10:00 in the morning for our annual bike trip. Tell me again why I think I can leave town at this time of year? It is ALWAYS such a headache- and this year is worse than ever, due in large part to last weekend away and last minute patient care changes.

My desktop's virus software expired recently, I was going to update it Friday and ran out of time. Now, it is too late. Hope our friendly IT guys can save it. (NO COMMENTS- OUTPATIENT) Oldest strained his knee again- so he is off it for a couple of weeks, no more soccer for him. Found out about multiple school assignments and tests that will occur tomorrow and Friday- of course! It is nuts. I say every year, not going next time. The DR veto's me. But I really mean it. We are about the only ones with younger kids and it is nuts this time of year.

Field trip was good. Sunny and very warm. Spent a lot of time yesterday working on my inlaws' yard. Tons of laundry still to do. Taking Oldest to see a physical therapist after school, then his homework, youngest's soccer game and multiplication final test review. Pack. More yard work if at all possible because we are way behind.

I will repent and post more detail on our adventures but it might be a while.

The Funky Bunch rides again

This year's rental house

For the last 12 years- a group of people who have now become friends have gone on a long weekend trip together. We didn't join until 7 years ago, would have been 8 but the Youngest had come to live in the Looney Bin- and they said "No Kids- even beautiful baby girls". Anyway, we haven't made every trip since then either, due to surgery one year, and going on a cruise another. The group dynamic has ebbed and flowed, until 2 years ago, they decided that these 8 couples are it- no adding or exchanges. If someone can't make it- then it is just a smaller group that year.

There are quite a few strong personalities in the group, but for all that, we get along, share the work of feeding the group, and even have a group "Mom". I think most of the group would say that Vicki is Group Mom. She handles all the organization part and does a great job. Her Hubby, Whitey, is the unofficial Dad. He drives and picks up, and follows along should anyone feel the need to abandon the ride early. This year was the first real casualty. Vicki was riding along about 6 miles into what turned into a 33 mile ride (about 13 miles too long according to my posterior). As one of the other riders was passing her, the handle bars caught on the arm and Vicki went down, hard. She was face down on the gravel for several seconds- felt like minutes. As she tried to get up, she and we realized her fingers - middle and ring on her right hand- were broken- like really- they were dislocated, but the bones had come out of her skin. Yes, it was gross, but we didn't think about that- we started trying to get her up, down the path, calling Whitey on the phone- but turns out that he was actually parked just about 20 yards down the trail, he had decided to wait there instead of meeting us at the designated lunch stop. Tender Mercy indeed. Within just a few minutes, they were at the hospital in Aspen, where the doctors happen to deal with a lot of broken bones :)-

Vicki had surgery, the rest of us continued down the trail, and as I mentioned, went a lot further than we had thought it would be, with a strong headwind for almost the entire trip. So- other than those two things, the rest was great! We hit the hot springs pool in Glenwood Springs that night (my muscles thanked me), we had awesomely delicious food (as per usual), and this year we came home a tiny bit early to make a trip out to our Nephew's mission talk.

Things I liked this year, I was less tense and stressed- once I actually got there, and no one in our familes had a medical trial this year. We (DR and I) had Saturday breakfast- favorite food assignment, plus we were alone on the assignment so not too many cooks in the kitchen ;). The trail was beautifully surrounded by river, mountains, and other gorgeous scenery. Vicki and I spent Saturday afternoon shopping, just the two of us, while the rest of them were at an Adventure Park- we have never had the chance to spend time just one on one- so that was fun. I was careful with the eating and didn't over indulge- yeah me! AND I didn't drink a single pop the whole time!

Things I didn't like- we had the lousy room assignment this year- bummer that- but we haven't had it yet- so I guess it was our turn. However- both of the air mattresses leaked. And the couch was a bit narrow, and the loveseat- well, it was a love seat- so it was short- but we did have the theater room with a screen and projector, the door shut and locked so I didn't have to rely on the bathroom to dress ( which was good, because it was a tad small, and we were sharing with another couple. Obviously- the wreck we could have done without. But as Vicki said again and again- she was so blessed and protected and grateful she had on her helmut and biking gloves because they protected her a lot.

Some of the group coming down from the adventure park.

Good Food Friday (Not on Friday - sorry I am late) BLK CHK ALF

This recipe belongs to my sister- the real nurse in her big girl job. And make sure to make it when you are not counting calories or anything-



Blackened Chicken Fettuccine



Garlic Cream Sauce:

3/4 CUBE Butter

3 cloves of garlic- minced

1 1/2 QT of whipping cream

kosher salt/ pepper to taste

8 oz grated REAL Parmesan cheese- divided



Melt Butter in heavy pan over medium low heat, saute garlic. Stir in cream and bring to a simmer. Reduce by about 10 % or so. Add 1/3 of the cheese.



Meanwhile:

1 lb of boneless, skinless Chicken Breast

Cajun seasoning blend.



dredge one side of the chicken and cook in a frying pan while the sauce is cooking. When cooked, either slice or cube the meat (sliced is fancier for company :) )



Prepare desired pasta- fresh fettuccine, or dried works fine too- you can use other pasta that you may like better.



When the cream sauce is ready, and the noodles have been cooked and drained, place in a serving bowl (large) and toss with the cream sauce (it will thicken some) then layer with the Chicken, sliced olives, chopped tomatoes, cooked and chopped Bacon, remaining Parmesan cheese- and - if you like- mushrooms, peas, whatever suits your fancy.

This received rave reviews on our bike trip- and note to self- doubling the recipe would have been plenty for 18 adults- just so you know-

But- the leftovers were well worth it :)