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pics of biking in Vegas

Looking north into Red Rock canyon, this is the start of the trail labelled "3 miles of smiles". It's a long downhill run to the parking lot and it is fun, fun, fun.


These Joshua Trees are really cool. Sort of a desert Xmas tree.


Red Rock Canyon


Gratuitous bike shot:


I went back to this area a few days ago and the smoke from CA has settled into the valley. You can hardly see any of these features from these vantage points now. It makes for some cool sunrise/sunsets though.

I got it!

My license was issued by the state on the 25th, for those of you keeping score at home. How stoked am I?

SUPER

New updates

Just wanted to get an update in since it's been so long.

I still have not received my license from the Nevada State Board of Massage Therapy. My application was filed in early August. But, I do know that things are moving along; I have received some correspondence from them this week and one of my listed references has noted that he got something from them as well. It shouldn't be long now. At least they have not forgotten about me. It's been a frustrating process and had I known then what I know now, I would have done things much, much differently.

The weather here has turned incredibly beautiful lately. The high temps broke about mid Sept and it's been pleasant ever since. Fall is in the air, even though it still hits about 80* during the day. There has been snow in the surrounding mountains already, up above 11,000'. Too bad for you suckers in CO - it's gonna be winter soon! :)

Finally...biking!

Met up with a guy from MTBR and got a ride in at Bootleg Canyon (http://www.bootlegcanyon.org/). What a cool place. You'll be seeing more of me out there as the weather takes it's turn to "cooler"...you know, like the 90s and, dare I say it, 80s?!!!

las vegas update

It's been a hectic month with the move and all, but we're finally settling in and getting on with life. Probably one of the most harrowing things about moving to a new state is all the change of address and I.D.s that is required. We've had to jump through a variety of hoops in order to acheive any sense of progress. It is frustrating to say the least and living in a city with 2 million people makes offices busier and lines much longer. In order to be a massage therapist, I've had to apply for a state license, which while being $300, takes 4-8 months to receive. They do allow people to work for 90 days on a temp license, but hold that application for 30 days after receiving it (to fill the gap on the 4 month wait). In the meantime, I was offered a job at the Oleans Casino Spa. Currently, I'm waiting for that damned license to come back to start working. On top of that, the state of North Carolina has put a hold on driver's license for tickets I received (and cleared!!!!) over 10 years ago (they want $50 - hey, isn't extortion illegal? Oh yeah, not if a gov't does it!). On top of that, I needed to get a health card to be a CMT (shots for TB and Hep A- $50) and a new Social Security card (haven't needed that in YEARS). All in all, we've spent hours upon hours at various NV gov't offices (and we're not done yet!).

In the meantime, we've been going out to the local hotspots a lot and have learned how to work the system, getting in free just about everywhere and often drinking with discounts, coupons or other such charity (bartenders love to share!). We went to one show, La Reve at Wynn. It was FABULOUS! Highly recommend it. It's been too hot to really get out into the mtns and trails yet, but it's starting to slowly cool off. It makes the pool a popular destination. So far, we've gone to Studio 54 at MGM (2X), Light at Bellagio (2X), Caramel at Bellagio (2X) and House of Blues at Mandalay Bay (2X). This really only scratches the surface of what's here, but it's a good start, IMO. Here's some random pics from those evenings:







Recently, we took a trip up to Rachel, NV, the famed home of Area 51. It's a remote place and the entire town is populated by only 98 people. There's not much to do there, but it's a novelty, kinda like Leadville in Colorado. Here's some pics - sorry, no UFOs on this trip!



Check out the City of Loveland sticker on this sign! How funny! We didn't do it, though :)



Any kind of alien souvenier you can think of is sold at this place. It's the town hotel/bar/casino/restaurant/camping site. They do it all!



Nothing but blue sky in Nevada.

All packed up!

Well...mostly anyway. It was a busy day of packing and spending one last day with friends and neighbors. We'll be off for Las Vegas tomorrow, with a night stop in UT, just to minimize over travelling and being too tired to function once we get there...

:)

Recent weather pics

Recently...Hiking!

A trip from the Poudre Canyon

Birthdays!

Last month we celebrated our birthdays. Crystal got some flowers from my Mom. I got some sweet bike shorts by Oakley...and we went out and partied.

July Updates

So, in June, we were going to announce our moving to Las Vegas, but I'm behind (as usual) and we really just told everyone in April at my sister's wedding in Ohio. So, the cat was out of the bag a long time ago (sorry, Jen, I know you were hoping for some "other" news!).

So we're well on our way and with only a week left before we move, the house is full of boxes and there's hardly any food left to eat or clothes to wear! The best news is that I passed my National Certified Massage exam, so now I'm ready to work in Vegas as a therapist. Jobs there are plentiful (maybe because it's 111 degrees! Who can say?).

Next update will be from Sin City where we'll be frantically trying to find an apartment. Don't forget to make plans to visit!

On the agenda:

March 11th - Daylight Savings Time begins! We're getting about a month extra in 2007 which bodes well for "after work" riding.

In April, we're heading home for Lynde's wedding (hopin' to get a ride in!). Crystal has not been back since we went for Thanksgiving, the year we moved to CO (five years ago).

Also, in April, Me and Ivan and some of his friends are going to Fruita for some riding - maybe this will happen in May, nothing is set in stone yet. Ivan, if you read this, we need to nail down some details! :)

Something big is coming in June, but I'll leave it as a suprise for now...

Wings over Denver

We did catch a Wings game in Denver in January. More photos linked in the title:

They've changed the Blogs now so that you can click on a photo for a larger version. Very cool...the photos always were a bit disappointing.

It was a good game...scoring was back and forth, we had excellent seats, right on the glass near the penalty box. The Wings won in a shootout. It's amazing how many Detroit fans live in and around Denver. You'd think Detroit and Dever were in the same state! I lament for my hockey days and miss it a bunch.

Back from the Wilderness

Man, winter is the pits, huh? We all that snow in the beginning and now it's just been cold. I have not been able to ride in at least two months (I think it's more like three). The good news is that a new Gold's Gym went in in town and Crystal and I have been working out there 5-6 days a week since late Dec. It keeps me sane...luckily, too, I've been able to attend Spinning (though that's proprietary, so it's just "cycling") class to keep up the bike muscles!

Some recent pix for your perusal...