Minnesota State HS Nordic Ski Race

little boy looks good racing classic!

Central came in 8th, which wasn't as high as they'd hoped, but they had a great day of skiing. Big Boy went along as a wax slave and got to be on skis for the first time this winter (there wasn't much snow in Malibu). Including graduating seniors, little boy is one of the top 100 HS skiers in Minnesota. We can be optimistic about a snowy winter next year and more fast skiing for Central's Arctic Commandos.

I'm not optimistic about much, but I do try when it comes to snow. I haven't been able to use my snowshoes in three years... We had snow over the weekend and it was the second heaviest this season - 4 inches. That's completely pathetic.


This photo cuts off his awesome orange skate ski boots, but little boy looks like he's going fast in this one! Yeah, double pole!

Going to State! (this time with pictures)

Boys Nordic skiing

SECTION 3 at Battle Creek Park, St. Paul

Team (first place team to state)

St. Paul Central 373 (Kelin D. 32:32, Thomas K., 34:53, Freddy W., 35:00, Michael V., 36:26, Ben S-H, 37:32, Jon G., 41:59, Aaron D., 42:06), Minneapolis South 367, St. Paul Academy 338, St. Thomas Academy 315, Minnehaha Academy 315, Highland Park 300, Como Park 291, Sibley 277, Bloomington Kennedy 236, Richfield 226, Burnsville 165, Minneapolis Washburn 112

A few (train) minutes west of Glasgow, Montana.

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Somewhere east of Havre, Montana.

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East of Glacier Nat'l Park.

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West of Glacier National Park.

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Sunset - north of Seattle.
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Sasha and Papa Lenin in Fremont.
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"We won, we won, we won!! We're going to State!!!"

That is a direct quote from little boy, who called yesterday afternoon with the news about the Sections ski race. Big Boy thinks the team hasn't gone to State in something like 8 years.

1. St. Paul Central
2. Mpls. South
3. St. Paul Academy
4. St. Thomas Acad.
5. Minnehaha Acad.
6. St. Paul Highland Park
7. St. Paul Como Park
8. Henry Sibley
9. Blm. Kennedy
10. Richfield
11. Burnsville
12. Mpls. Washburn

little boy was 17th overall. 19:27 for the classic race, 16:57 for the skate race. He came in 4th for his team, so he'll be skiing both races up at Giant's Ridge next week. Yeah, little boy!! We are so proud of you and your team!

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Looking east away from the bay.
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View from the hotel

We didn't realize that our room had this tiny balcony until we got back from our crazy walking expedition to all the outdoor stores in town - Outdoor Research, North Face, Patagonia and REI (the big one!).
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Just before the salmon-pink horrors, this cool house jumped out at us as we pulled into the station in Eugene.
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Willamette River. We're out of the switchbacks in the Cascades and headed to Eugene. Big Boy and I were driven from car 1412 by the terror and his two older sisters. Their parents, seemingly having abdicated all responsibility, let them run wild in the car. Potato chips and orange peels are everywhere. The terror really likes to throw things. The woman behind us said, "Maybe if we leave, they will too." She took off with her two preteen boys with us in hot pursuit. Now in the lounge car watching the scenery.
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Chemult, Oregon. We seem to have rediscovered winter!
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First stop

Klamath Falls, Oregon. It smells like wood here, and it's only 21 degrees, which is a big change! This is my first time off the train since boarding in LA. We arrived early, so we get to linger for half an hour before heading off again. There are 12 cars total on the train. There was an announcement at Oakland saying that they were disconnecting a private car. Wonder who was on it?
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The waves were wow.
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Somewhere north of Naples. The railroad runs parallel to the 101 here. View from the train door, downstairs.

Right along the edge of the Pacific in Ventura. Those railroad barons really bought some good real estate back in the day!

Home of the annual Cali Strawberry Festival and founded by a sugar beet company, according to the Coast Starlight route guide.

The terror of car 1412

This guy is all over the place. At least he isn't crying anymore. He's currently throwing a 20 oz Lipton iced tea at the guy ahead of us, which is worse than the white crayon. I wonder how long he's going to stay on the train?