Lavaman Triathlon 2010

Carbo Loading dinner at Waikoloa before the Lavaman Triathlon.

Me and Gerd. Gerd turned 60, and for his birthday is doing 6 Ironman races on 6 continents. This coming weekend will be #6 in South Africa, Good Luck Gerd, way to go!!!

Race morning, Monica and Rick in line for body marking.

The sun starting to come up over the volcano.

Ricci and Micheal excited to race!!!

This is actually after the race. We look like we are ready for more!!

The Lavaman Triathlon has a great after race food table. Lots of great salads, fruit and meat to replenish your body. And I must mention also, yummy Kona Beer!!

Jack ( who knows more about the geography of BC than I do) and Jodi and I .

Tom taking the picture for us in another photo op.

Anthony and Tom in the picture as well this time.

What can I say!! Ricci was 14 seconds ahead of me on the swim, so I was eating her bubbles along with 600 other people she was ahead of :) Ricci was in the Ironman World Championship last year and had an awesome race!!

Bree Wee giving out kisses!! Actually she is accepting her 1st place prize and then gave a very nice speech thanking everyone for their support. Congratulations on another 1st place finish Bree!!

Chris McCormack also on top of the podium and also set a new course record. Nothing new to him :)

Jodi picking up where she left off 10 years ago, an amazing race!! Ricci's coach Andrea hot on her heels in second place.

Bobbi, who I met through Monica and also cant keep up to swimming also on the podium. Her niece Allison took top spot in her age group.

Now this is the way to end an afternoon after a race. Thanks Monica for all of your thoughtfulness and great organization to come up with great ideas like this.

Ok, the day after Lavaman Triathlon, I am ready to go again. The massage must have helped :) Just before I begin my ride up Kaloko, a 3500 ft elevation gain in about 10 km. The last section is a 17-18% grade, way more fun coming down than going up.

Part way up, heart rate at 151 bpm, and I am actually trying to keep it low. One of the reasons they call Kaloko a challenge.

There are so many fun things to do in Kona, that I missed my flight home. haa haa. Well, me being forgetful does not help, but thanks to Ricci, I was able to go whale watching with her and Monica and Rick. You can see the whale breaching just ahead.

And there it is a little closer.

And now the whale even closer!!

Yup. I am pretty lucky!!! So much fun that week in Kona, so many nice people and a great way to spend a day when you miss your plane. After this was a few hours of stand up paddle boarding.

Thanks to everyone that made another trip to Kona so memorable and so much fun!!

Home For Sale

Greeting you as you walk up to this wonderful home in Hualali on the Big Island is a gorgeous courtyard complete with waterfall.

This is just part of one guest area of the main home. It comes complete with two separate attached guest homes. Living area that opens up into both the courtyard or fairway view.

How would you like this for a master en suite!!!!

For your ice baths after your long rides on the Queen K Highway.

And when you would like to entertain your friends there is plenty of room ,,,,

or swim some laps or lounge in the pool as you watch others enjoy golf.

Meet the creator of the wonderful home Ricci, Ironman, Ironchick and Iron Butterfly!! Together with her husband Michael, they have come up with a home designed that everyone will fall in love with.

Vancouver 2101

The old BCHydro building decorated for the the 2010 Olympics, welcoming the world to Vancouver.

My son and my daughter at Robson Square.

My son and daughter with me at the Olympic Cauldron that was lit after the opening ceremony. The flame was carried across Canada in Olympic Torches the starting about November 1st 2009

Well, what can I say?? A pretty gal in hockey gear, before the Canadian women's team went on to win GOLD!!

My son and daughter and Adelle (fixing her hair) watching a street performer. Pantsie Andie?? wearing a pchycodelic outfit and gold shorts,,, trying to do some sort of dance!! Funny as heck to watch. I tried 6 times to download the video but it would not work :(

What can I say again? Another pretty gal in a uniform :) I think I surprised her, but she was a great sport.

The Zipp Line at Robson Square.

Down and Up, instead of Up and Down

Getting ready for the ride on Mana road in Waimea. Starting elevation about 2900 feet before we descend into Waipio Valley at 800 feet elevation. Then we have to ride back up the 2100 feet we descended!!

Brian and Gerd following Monica and Ricci up front.

Some cattle I assume part of Parker Ranch.

Ricci and Monica as we cross highway 19 at Honokaa. Still smiling as we are still going downhill!!

Over all, the total ride was 3950 feet elevation gain. Sounds like Kaloko all over again.

If you ever come to Kona, make sure you come to check out this view, also there is a great hike, but it will take all day.

What a gorgeous view. There is a trail on the other side of the valley if you look close.

Now we are excited to start climbing the 2100 feet gain back to Waimea.

Monica, Ricci's dad and mom ( who are the greatest sag drivers around. Thank you so much for being there for us, and the wonderful muffins!!) Ricci, and Brian who came all the way from Austin.

You just gotta take some pictures of the view!!

Back on the road again!!

These uphill climbs are killing me!!

Ricci's parents come through again!!! Almost back to Waimea we get a break and some bars.

Back to Mana road where we are getting ready for a 30 minute run. Another great day on Kona.

Thanks everyone for the great ride!!