Another unit drive

Far from a burden. If I ONLY got paid for driving vans all over Europe with a co-leader buddy like Lynny I would be a happy woman. The idea that this is only the start of my season is baffling. We joke about "Backroads time" often. Last year I led one trip with Lynny and then saw her on staff ride, but meeting back up to drive our van and equipment from France to Croatia feels like I have been reunited with an old friend. As if we have known each other for years.

This job is so unique and all the people that work for this company are so interesting that it often accelerates the standard friendship timeline. It's a process that is hard to describe. Within days of meeting someone you are often sharing responsibilities, a room in a hotel adn hours and hours and hours of conversation.

This year we drove about 8 hours to Toscana and met up with Lynn and Levi (lots of Ls in my life) then the following day we were onward to Puglia. I have been "through" Italy a number of times, but this is the first time I've been able to really explore beyond driving the autostrada northern route from one border to the other. We went clear down to the boot to hang out with Scotty, Paolo and Jill and it was worth every second of drive time.

I discovered that I love aperitivos, good coffee, pesce crudo, and dancing with friends till the wee hours of the morning. Dancing till I blister my feet type of dancing. This new route to Croatia (capped off by sleeping in the van for an 8 hour overnight ghost ferry to Dubrovnik) has reminded me that I love the job beyond description and it is all attributed to my co-leaders. I could not wipe this smile off my face if I tried.

Hence the beginning of Team Awesome Adriatic and the 2011 Snuggle and Snore Tour.

Instead of photos we took a lot of moderately poor quality but highly entertaining videos. Well, at least we think they are kind of funny. More memories coming soon...

Out with a bang

My last days in Pernes were spent with great friends, incredible rides, breathtaking sunsets, beautiful markets and delicious food.


I rode Gorge de la Nesque with Bronwen and Lynny. Two strong, independent women with an inspriring zest for life. Both have such bright and contagious energy...to say we shared a few laughs is the understatement of a lifetime.


As discussed before, I have a rule about playgrounds. If you have the time and see a good playground, I strongly believe that you should always stop. There isn't a bad day that swings can't cure. And if you can get off the merry-go-round without giggling and stumbling around...well...I'd say you are a bettre woman than I, but that's not really true now is it? Not that I'm better than you either, but I do think I am better off for enjoying the silly things. Enjoy ALL the little things. They literally can make the world a better place and every day a little brighter.

Ps. Irises are ditch weeds in France. Who knew?

Kind of biking

When I went on my first ride back here in France I was so in love. "Oh my gosh! This is IT! This is THE place to be!" Since day one I have been on two worthwhile rides. A few runs too, but only 2 rides.

Yesterday Tomas and I set out to add to that overwhelmingly huge number, but because we brought our cameras and decided it would be more "leisurely" we really only rode a few meters (maybe up to 200) before we would stop and want to take another photo. Nothing stellar. I'm just learning a new camera and that is exciting in and of itself. "How does that work? What does THIS button do?" I learned two things from this "ride":

1. I don't really care if I only make it into Pernes when I set out to do an epic 50k. We only have one life and if, there is one thing I learned by living in the dirty south, it is to take things a little slower at times. If I don't do ANY exercise because I sat on the porch and have a glass of wine over looking the olive groves, listening to the ponies talk to each other across the street...well then so be it. That's ok with me. I don't plan on making it a habit for good (although tempting). But sometimes, taking it easy is just better for the soul.

2. If Tomas is going to be my new riding partner, I better lay off the cheese. "Ok lady, put the cheese down! Well...maybe just another slice." Damn my (very, very tasty) achilles heel. I'm never going to keep up to him at this rate. Oh well.

Horsing around.

Across the street from our villa is a horse track. Literally across the street. We call it the Poney Club (which here is pronounced like Pony Cloob). It is not huge, but large enough to draw the whole village out on a Sunday afternoon. Sometimes they do regular horse racing and sometimes it is harness racing where they sit in these little bucket seats with their feet in stirrups out to the side and they race their chariots(?) around the track. This Sunday they did both.

The track isn't beaten in either. Slightly worn down grass, not dirt like in the states. Which is surprising because sometimes it's not horses, but go-karts. They love going “karTEEN” and for us it sounds like a gigantic swarm of killer bees is about to attack the house.

After contemplating the best way to watch it from the house and climbing on the roof to discover that a big tree blocks our view (Please note that we also could have learned this by looking out the bathroom window, but adventure is always more fun!) we sucked it up and decided we would pay the fee to watch it from "le hippodrome" like everyone else.

Good news! Il est gratuit! (free, free, free!)

Another funny occurrance, walking there a group of security guards was organizing themselves to take a group photo. The one guy saw I had a camera and gestured that I should take a photo. So I did. I announce obnoxiously, "un, deux, trois..." and they respond with "Cheeeeeese!" In unison. How appropriate. I like the guy on the far left the best. It's like I can read his mind.

Lesson #2 with my NEW camera. My timing isn't very good yet. Practice makes perfect! You'll see what I mean...if you click here.

Well isn't that Nice.

This year heading back to France was different. I was going to an airport that I have travelled through before, then to a train and a house I got to know quite well. I was even going to scoop up an old friend in the baggage claim along the way. While getting on the plane was less exciting this year, a not-so-quick 17 hours later, I was back in a familiar place surrounded by amazing people.

BUT there is one thing I forgot about this year: I am still so new to Europe! I am (for all intents and purposes) still a rookie with this company and I have so much to learn. Not to mention, until last year I had only been to Ireland one time...there is still so much to see! How could I forget something so obvious?

Not to mention, I knew I would be seeing so many friendly faces, but I completely forgot one of my favorite things about the Provence Villa: you will always, always, always meet someone new while you are here.

Enter Paolo (you can call him Paul from Canada if you want to).

Paolo picked us up in Avignon this year (since we missed our first train and therefore our planned ride was out mountain biking). From that moment on I'm pretty sure Paolo rued the day he met me. Devin and I yacked his ear off with jet lagged ramblings for at least an hour, probably more. But he just sat patiently. Smiling and nodding. Maybe he no speaka the english...

The next day was a lazy day around the house, shared by all, and by the time Monday rolled around we figured out pretty quick that we were going to be spending a lot of time together. Not always by choice. We were assigned to an awesome task: unload ALL the trailers, count everything inside, and then reload them. We also hosted a hiring event for new hire candidates which meant we went grocery shopping together, washed vans together, got diesel together, prepped the food together, made the coffee together, cleaned together and picked up baguettes together. Then the next day we drove to Avignon, picked up the candidates, brought them back to the warehouse, wrote on our clipboards in front of all the new candidates to freak them out (which was me last year), fed them, waited, drove them back to Avignon and then came back to clean some more...together. But sandwiches, the sandwiches I made alone...what happened there? Then Friday we were back to trailer un/loading.

With Paolo, comes his best friend Tony and his girlfriend Jill and they were staying at another house with Scotty O'Nair (who are ALL also Backroads leader extraordinaires). We went on bike rides and enjoyed wonderful meals...all together. Sprinkled that combo with a little flavor from the end of season maintenance crew, it was a fantastic week and just the right level of new and old to help me acclimatize to being back in France.

Saturday was the beginning of the end with another first: a mini-road trip to Nice. I've passed by several times, but never had the chance to wander through and actually see the city. Jill and Tony were flying out in the morning, so we loaded up some cruisers and hit the streets for a few hours before driving home. (All these photos are from our excursion with my NEW camera! Whoop whoop!)

So, in conclusion, I would just like to say: Paolo- thank you for all the laughs and sarcasm and good music. If I had to do that work by myself all week, I very well could have gone insane. Keep smiling and go get a hot shave. But don't smile while you get the shave. And Scotty-I'll be seeing YOU in Ireland in two shakes of a lambs tail. Not a bother now.

My apologies...

Clearly I wrote that last post a while ago and then never found the time or energy to just add some pictures and push the publish button.

The truth is I had a fantastic winter. I was able to work one trip and that one trip (Bali) was just enough money so I could relax a little and do the things I really wanted to. I was able to go home for my Dad's 60th birthday. I picked up a job in a bike shop working with some fun folks who somehow thought 3 weeks of work, 2 weeks of road trip with Dylan, and 3 more weeks of work was a fair arrangement.

Speaking of which, 2 weeks on the road with plenty of toys and my love next to me...a perfect break from jobs and life and reality. Free to roam with the roughest of itineraries jotted down only so we could plan how much gas money to bring. California to Utah and back again.

We shared many laughs with good friends all along the way, but I must say the littlest ones pack the biggest punch! I almost cried when I saw my little “fairy-god-daughters”. Emerson is so big and Makenzie is HEALTHY! I was still in Ireland when she first went into the hospital and I just remember talking to Erin trying to hold back the tears. Now it's just hugs all around. Hugs, slumber parties, pillow fights, and pancakes with hot cocoa. It's true that the challenges in life make us appreciate it even more. It is just too fragile and so very precious. I cherished every little chocolate covered, sloppy smooch was that much more...a feat I never though would be possible.

Upon our return, Dylan got a chance to use his newly acquired ministry certificate. Kirstie and Jason eloped in their home and I was truly honored to be their witness. Preparations involved a week of emotional ups and downs. Kirstie's recent diagnosis was yet another reminder that as I get older, life just gets that much more intense. Problems are bigger and we can no longer be sheltered from them. But as the lows get lower the highs also get higher. The reality is, Kirstie is the warmest, kindest person. She met me on a doorstep (literally) my very first day in Portland and in one afternoon made me feel like I was home. She defines beauty. Their wedding was the embodiment of love. It was palpable. Like I said, I was honored to participate and a better person for having witnessed such a beautiful exchange. There is no doubt in my mind that they will live a long and happy life together. (Check out photos by the VERY talented Jessica Hill)

My best friend also scared the tar out of me for a hot second. Beth is still in Japan, fortunately living on the southwest side of the island chain in the Nagasaki Prefecture. When I first heard of the earthquake I was initially just panicked. All I wanted to know was that she was ok and after I learned she was I was struck by relief and corresponding sadness for everyone else involved. My heart is heavy for all those affected by this tragedy. There are people just like her, teaching for the same program, a program I applied to nearly 3 years ago, that are still missing. And there are best friends and family at home waiting desperately, hoping for some answers.

This spring I just feel so fortunate for this life. I have an amazing job and incredible people supporting me while I do it. I am always sad to leave...it was sad when I had to leave my parents, it was sad to leave California friends, it was sad to leave Utah and know our travels were coming to an end and most of all it was sad to leave Portland. I miss everything about Portland when I am gone. But it is the people who led me there, convinced me to stay, and make me come back every time that I miss the most. I can't put into words how appreciative I am of the love that surrounds me. I can feel it...even in France. Knowing that you all are the home I come back to gives me the courage to take this opportunity and run with it.

So please, forgive the lack of blogging, but understand that I was busy loving, feeling and experiencing life. I am more grateful now than ever before and ready to tackle this busy season.

This one's for you mom...

I have done a little travel since I last posted. I'm sorry that I have neglected to fill you in, but I have been enjoying my time. The less time on the computer the better. These days are filled up with part time work, bike rides, and sitting around with my friends. What feels most important right now is the time I spend with my family and Dylan.

So let's play catch up: In December I was sent to Bali for work. I got to go 2 weeks early so I could research the area and learn the culture and routes. It was incredible.

It was my first time to asia and I had no idea what to expect. I was in complete shock when I first learned I was going and then the reading began. Cultural readings, leader's notes, language basics, you name it, I read it. Fortunately I had about a day and a half of flight time alone to help me with that (Portland to Seattle to Tokyo to Bangkok to Denpasar).

My first impressions were a little clouded by jet lag. Out local guide, Wayan Narta, picked me up at the airport with his beautiful wife and daughter. As we were driving to Ubud, I was almost overwhelmed by how much was going on around me. It's chaos. There are people and motor bikes and push bikes and cows.

I went to get a bike the next day so I could ride around and get used to the traffic. I soon realized it's not actually chaotic. There is a flow and order to it. It is systematic, organized chaos. They care about one another: strangers and neighbors and friends alike. It is not a selfish, me-first attitude and by looking out for others there is a natural order to it.

I woke up early in the mornings for weeks. This was my favorite time of the day. It was peaceful and still. The streets were empty and the only people out were the drivers who were washing their cars meticulously preparing for the day. Complete with blessings.

Bali is a very spiritual place. A hindu-based religion with buddhist and animist influences. They do daily rituals for everything. At least 3 a day to bless the food they are eating and because it was during holiday there were even more. I got there on Galungan (a holiday where they believe the spirits of their ancestors and all the gods return to earth to live among them for 10 days). The town was so ornate with all the holiday decorations too. Pingons are these large flag like banners that are hand woven by people in the community. Symbolic of the volcano they represent strength with bamboo shoots. The day before our trip started was Kunningan: the day these spirits return to the after life by noon (when the sun has moved into the western sky).

The unyielding dedication was impressive. So much of their daily life is determined by their spirituality. Not to mention a lot of the arts which are highly regarded and appreciated there and throughout the world.

Looking back, the thing I remember the best about Bali is the color! It is such a vibrant place and with all the "noise" (both literal and figurative) it is important to focus on the beauty that surrounds you. Instead of trying to see everything at once, zoom in and see all the beautiful little things that are taking place all around you. Soon your realize that everything, from the flowers to the rice paddies and the fabrics to the paintings, everything is bright and full of life. It makes me wonder when in the western world we got so dull. Khakis and blue collared shirts going to our grey buildings and working the same 9 to 5 routine. That is the desired plan in life, right? A good steady job to return to our white picket house in the suburbs.

I took one bazillion pictures in the time before my trip and then we had a guest who was (thankfully) the documentarian so if you would like to see more, please check it out here.