Sharry Miller

Valdez Summit 2 Sound 2012

After standing out it the pouring rain and 40 degree temperatures for four hours yesterday, I managed to learn a bit about taking action photos.  I'd volunteered to help out the Valdez Summit 2 Sound race by taking photos of the cyclists as they came through Keystone Canyon, and then of the runners as the crossed the finish line.  Volunteering to freeze was not on my agenda, but at least I hadn't had to ride down the pass in those conditions!

Valdez Summit 2 Sound is a four sport race.  It starts with either a nordic or alpine ski in Thompson Pass (athletes choice; I don't know the distance, but I think the nordic is 4 miles).  Then there's a 26 (28?) mile ride from the pass to Allison Point.  Next is a 4-5 mile kayak across Port Valdez to the city dock.  Finally comes an 8 km run up Mineral Creek Valley (this year it was shortened by 1/2 mile because there was too much snow on the road).  Athletes can either complete the entire event solo, or can be part of a four person team. 

I parked across from Bridal Veil Falls at Magdalena's (the race director) behest.  I'm sure she wanted photos of the cyclists with the falls behind them, but there was no way to compose a photo that adequately showed both.

Hmm, it looks like I might have had a few water drops on my lens, but this is the falls.

 

Glowing Glass Mosaic

Now that I've finally finished writing about my Bhutan trip, I can get back to sharing other things with you.  First on my agenda is to brag about the wonderful mosaic glass blocks Celeste and Rachelle made this weekend during one of my Sea Turtle Arts classes.  These blocks are designed to have a light inside of them (either a strand of clear twinkle lights or a single nightlight-style bulb) so that the mosaic glows from within.  As soon as it's dark enough again (not that I'm looking forward to to seeing winter any time soon!), these will bring beautiful light and color to a room. 

Celeste - Side 1

Celeste - Side 2

Rachelle - Side 1

Rachelle - Side 2

While I was disappointed that my class of six dwindled to two, the small size did mean that I had time to make a block, too - always fun for me.  Here are the photos of my block. 

Sharry - Side 1

Sharry - Side 2

Leaving Asia

April 28, 2012 (sort of)

Usually, when I come to the end of a trip, even a wonderful mid-winter vacation in Hawaii, when it's time to go home, I'm ready.  I think part of my attitude is that just knowing it's time makes me look ahead to the next step, anticipating the flights and drive home, and in my head I'm ready to be there, even if my body is still craving the sun.  This trip, however, was different.  I wasn't anticipating the return trip and wasn't ready to be home.  On the one hand, I was tired and ready for a break from touring.  On the other, I had thoroughly enjoyed my time in Bhutan and would have happily stayed to see more.  For such a small country, there was lots to explore.  After all, I hadn't gone on a trek into the mountains!

I was especially surprised that I hadn't experienced any homesickness since I hadn't had any contact with Thane or Rowan the entire two weeks.  Although there was wireless in a couple of our hotels, I hadn't brought a computer or iPad.  No Facebook, no e-mail, no phone calls, no texting.  There were moments in Bangkok when I was lonely and wished I were traveling with someone, but it was never Thane I wanted there.  He'd have hated the heat, the garbage and smells, the very foreigness of the place.  (He would have enjoyed Bhutan more.)  My first real twinge of homesickness and of missing my family was in the Paro airport.  

The Tiger's Nest

April 27, 2012 - Bhutan

Today was the absolutely perfect end-of-trip day.  We didn't pedal a stroke, but I worked my butt off nonetheless.  The goal for today was Taktsang Palphug Monastery, the Tiger's Nest.  To reach the monastery, we drove to the end of the road we cycled to yesterday, and then climbed 3,000 feet straight up to 10,200 feet where the Tiger's Nest perches on the cliff face.

Darn that persistent haze hanging on the mountains.  Nonetheless, isn't it amazing?

To the End of the Road

April 26, 2012 - Bhutan

I'm going to quote directly from the beginning of my journal entry for this day, as it not only sums up today's ride, but most days' rides.

Thirty kilometers today, out of Paro as far as you can drive to the west, and back again.  In typical Yeshey/Rinzin fashion, we were assured there were no hills, but the second half was one long climb.  My granny gear and I are well acquainted.  Of course, I'm good friends with my brakes, too, since what goes up must come down.  I'll be grateful to get back to Madeleine and be done with numb, aching hands.

Actually, I had a very nice day riding.  The first half of the ride was flat, easy riding on a dirt road through Paro and then paralleling a river.  My only complaint with this is that we were riding in a bunched up line so that my speed was dictated by those riding directly in front of me.  Now, they're all wonderful women, but I really hate riding in a big group.  I prefer to make my own decisions about how fast I want to ride, how much I'm going to slow for bumps or vehicles, etc., and you just can't do that in a closely-spaced group.  Once we reached the uphill climb, we spread out more and I was able to ride alone, near the back, as always.

Our end goal, besides the end of the road, was the Drukgyal Dzong.  This dzong was built in the mid-1600s, but was destroyed by fire in the 1950s.  It is common for temples and dzongs to have butter lamps continuously burning, I think to represent the light Buddhism spreads to the world.  Before Drukgyal Dzong burned, the lamps were placed on alters in the temples.  Unfortunately, a lamp in this dzong was knocked over during an earthquake and started the fire that destroyed the dzong.  Now, all butter lamps are kept in separate structures outside of temples. 

Support a Friend, Buy a Book!

Just a quick interruption of my Bhutan narrative to let you know about a new book just released by one of my trip mates, Frankie Rinaldi.  She previously completed another trek I want to do, the Camino de Santiago de Compostela, a 500+ mile pilgrimage across Spain to St. John's Cathedral.  After completing this 6-week-long walk, Frankie was inspired to write a novel based in part on the trip.  Published under the pen name F.R. Merrill, The Final Act: From Woodstock to Broadway, is the first release in the Straton trilogy. 

Frankie says about her book:  Everyone who meets Faith Straton assumes she is living a charmed life. She is attractive, smart, and owns a successful dance school. Now at last, her life's dream of bringing her Native American production to Broadway is becoming a reality. What the world doesn't see is the anguish she carries in her heart from a failed marriage and troubles at home with her teenage daughter. As problems escalate between Faith and her daughter, questions arise as to whether she should allow a relationship to rekindle with her first true love. These challenges become entwined in emotional turmoil when her best friend is lost forever, and she discovers she is a target for murder.

I'd like to encourage you to buy this book.  I've read the beginning section, but have put off buying my Kindle copy until today because I'm trying to help Frankie boost her standing in the Amazon lists.  The more copies that are purchased today, the better her standings will be.  If you'd like to read this tale written by a professional storyteller, I'd encourage you to head over to Amazon right away.  I'll see you there!

The Final Act, From Woodstock to Broadway; Paperback $12.95; ISBN: 13-978-1466214941

Also available in Kindle: $9.99; ASIN: B007SNZUXO                  

Thanks for helping me support Frankie!