Birddog Adventures

One night lots of comforts.

2012-01-28T10:12:00.001-08:00

Headed out to bayview state park for a little cabin camping.

Thrilla in Woodinvilla

2011-12-18T22:18:00.000-08:00

Today Joe and I went for a 20 mile bike ride in Woodinville, WA known as the Thrilla ride. We decide to take our cross bikes because there was very little single track and my mountain bike is out of commission currently. It was a great decision and worked out swell.

Biking cell phone videos are the best!

One of the best things about this ride is that it starts and ends at Red Hook Brewery.

29er Fork Inspection

2011-12-14T13:35:00.000-08:00

Just got my new bike part in the mail yesterday, it is for my rigid single speed 29er mountain bike project. This morning Oliver helped me look it over make sure it was the right size and if you look closely in the first photo he is putting the crown race on the fork.

Tearing it up!

2011-12-05T19:30:00.000-08:00

So Oliver and I spent the night together while his mommy was out at a PEPS training for group leaders. I made diner and then as I was cleaning the dishes Oliver decided to organize his kitchen shelves. Unfortunately, he only had enough energy to pull everything out. Pajamas, brushing, 4 books, and 1.2 songs later and he was asleep.

Cyclocross Prep

2011-12-03T22:56:00.000-08:00

This year I have been racing cyclocross and tonight Oliver helped me pin my numbers on, he knew where to find them and where they were suppose to go on the jersey. He impresses my every day with how much he knows.

Of course he had to try it on.

Chilly Hilly 2010

2010-03-08T08:18:00.000-08:00

The last weekend in February was the annual Chilly Hilly Bike ride put on by the cascade bicycle club. For the past three years my younger brother Travis has joined us in Seattle for this ride. This year was packed with cyclist verging on way too many on the roads. I was a gorgeous day and we have not had a chilly Chilly Hilly ride for four years now maybe next year will be cold and wet.

Mount Shuksan Trip Feb.

2010-03-07T11:09:00.000-08:00

On the Weekend of Feb 20 & 21 2010, Joe, Kristy, and Myself went on a winter adventure to attempt to climb Mount Shuksan in the North Cascades. We did not make the summit, I got tired early and stopped about 1000 feet below the summit pyramid and Joe and kristy made it to the base. Pictured is my coffin like accommodation for Saturday night. It was actually quite cozy.

Joe's Photos: http://picasaweb.google.com/joe.pasteris/Shuksan022010#

Snoqualmie Backcountry

2010-02-09T11:09:00.000-08:00

Lundin Peak, Snoqualmie Backcountry 2-6-10
Skiing with Joe and Kristy, mostly sliding and falling, icy day.

New Bike

2009-07-11T20:10:00.000-07:00

So recently I have been biking to work and have so far made it 27 days in a row. My goal was 30 and I was going to buy a new(for me) frame. Well I found one a bit early but it will most certainly get me to my goal.

Street Band India Style!

2009-06-20T09:44:00.000-07:00

Animoto movie of Portland trip!

2008-04-07T18:38:00.001-07:00

Hyak Skiing

2008-03-30T22:02:00.000-07:00

Ben, Joe, Kristy and I all went skiing up at Hyak today. After Joe informed us that the pass got dumped on with snow we could not resist the temptation to get in some turns. The three animals below got in three runs and I got in two plus some quality lodge time. With snow like that it does not seem winter in the mountains is anywhere near ready to be done.

Chilly Hilly 2-24-08

2008-03-06T22:47:00.000-08:00

Waiting for the ferry with COFFEEEEEE and Brother in arm!

The Nervous moments before they released the gates onto Bainbridge Island!

.5 miles in and I am beat!

One of the few pics of "Biker T" actually biking and the only reason there is not more is because he was so far ahead most of the time, finishing one hour before bits and I.

2008-03-06T22:42:00.000-08:00

There is nothing quite like the pain of friction burned nipples except possibly removing bandaids from your nipples!

I think I can, I think I can, I think I can, I know she can because she blew right past me!

I rode this way for most of the ride!

33 fun happy miles later! We made it!

2008-02-04T00:25:00.000-08:00

I know more skiing pictures, but here are three good reasons...
1. It was Bits's BirthDay
2. It is Whistler
3. It is Winter

2008-02-04T00:22:00.000-08:00

The first one makes me dizzy!

2008-01-15T08:32:00.000-08:00

Last weekend bits, joe, kristy, and myself enjoyed a great day of skiing at the Summit Nordic Center.

Seattle Bus Adventures

2007-10-17T21:10:00.000-07:00

Well two in one day, I am truly proud of myself. I am in the process of trying to be more productive. Although, I bet many may find this not very productive.

For those of you who have gotten to work via something other than driving alone to work at least two times since Oct 8th check out Wheel Options you have a chance to win stuff like vacations to Moab! I know announcing this to you all will ultimately lower my chances of winning albeit not by much. Good thing I am not selfish.

Now for my story of my most recent bus occurrence:
I was coming home tonight from work which is currently over in West Seattle. I was on the #2 and decide to claim my throne at the back of the bus. I was sitting on one side of the back seat and another man was sitting on the other. Shortly after sitting down the other man turned himself in a very obvious and sketchy looking way as if to hide something. He then turned back to the front although hunched forward. Well me being a humane being and all I was a bit curious so I happened to look over at him to see what he was doing(counting about 200 dollars worth of twentys) not a lot of money really. Well to make a long story short, he noticed that I saw him counting his millions and needless to say some words were had.
Strange man on bus says:
"Whatca you in my buisness for man"
I say:
"I am not you were just looking a little sketchy"
SMOBS:
"I wont call my boys, you seem alright"
I say:
"No need to call anyone, were cool"

Yada Yada Yada

SMOBS:
"Ah man you are from Wisconsin, I have got this brewers hat that I thought was a mariners hat but it is really cool, you ride this bus often I will give it to you. It will have to wait till summer, later."

END STORY

It was just weird, although i have seen much more interesting stuff on the 358 that runs on Aurora Ave. Maybe for another time.

INTERESTING SIDE NOTE: My first experience with Seattle was back in 2002 while I was courting the bits. I arrived a day early and was taking a Seattle bus from the airport to west seattle to meet timo bit's brother. the bus had to pull over because a huge fight broke out punches, blood, cops the whole works.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION ROCKS

Friends Adventures

2007-10-17T17:57:00.000-07:00

Hey waz up all,

My friends Mike and Sonja just returned from a 90 some day kayaking trip up the inside passage! It sounds like it was an amazing trip. Check out some dialogue and sweet pics here: www.mikeandsonja.blogspot.com

Two Months have passed Yikes!

2007-07-29T17:41:00.001-07:00

Well it seems like it has gone by too fast or maybe not I am not sure or care to try and figure it out. Here is what I have been up to I hope you enjoy and I also hope that the www will be around long enough so that I may look back some day and enjoy as well.

June 16th 2007 - Cascade bicycle Club Flying Wheels Summer Century (metric century for us) Bits, Joe, and myself. It was a good training ride and a fun day to be out. I recently purchased a new (to me) bike and was testing it out for the upcoming Seattle to Portland bike ride. It worked out well and I should have kept it but instead I sold it which turned out to be a mistake which you can read about it later down the page. More pictures available at the one and only Kintty Bits

June 23rd 2007 - Darrington, Wa Climbing Silent Running 5.9+ This was a fun multi-pitch climb I think about 500 feet. I even almost lost the bottom of my shoe thank your god for athletic tape. The climb pretty much follows the blank wall right up the middle and then a bit left. Another point of interest some of the bolts on this one were well let us just say they were recalled about 20 years ago they seemed bomber to me pause pause pause pause pause NOT.

July 14th and 15th - Seattle to Portland Bike ride!
Well Bits does a most excellent job of describing this event IMHO she left out the best pic. I also owe her for her most outstanding efforts in towing me in the last 8 or so miles. With out her I would probably still be walking to Portland and I am forever grateful.

July 21st and 2nd - Tieton River Climbing with Joe
Joe and I check out a new area after much debate about where we could find the perfect ratio of good weather and low numbers of people! Well we lucked out and found a pretty good ratio. We got our crack fix in for awhile and again thank your god for athletic tape. No that is not Humpty Dumpty!

June 29th- Bike ride to Marmot with bits
We took a bike ride over to Marmot to pick up a Whiz kid Harness for our upcoming trip to NJ where we plan on taking our little nieces climbing. Below I was trying to get in some reps while bits used the rest room. Check out that bike skirt(hand made by bits).

Tulip Mania!

2007-05-24T10:22:00.000-07:00

Happy Easter!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2007-04-08T15:19:00.000-07:00

Its Easter again and Easter means spring and spring means haircuts! Which you will see shortly also modeling my new messenger bag that I sewed up last night. It is also a griggsaks original. Bits's sister has been in town since Thursday and we have been having a blast going to the beach, the market, and just hanging out.

Hey Mom Do you Believe?

2007-04-02T10:30:00.000-07:00

Hello Cyber world and Friends,
Since my last post much as happened and so little information has gone out. How bout a quick update to say? You Betcha!
The last week of January we spent in Orlando Florida @ Walt Disney World with the whole griggs clan. It was fun, fast, and crazy to try and recap in a few words and we were able to celebrate bits's birthday with Tj in Florida.

Then @ the end of March Bits surprised me with a quick trip up to Canada to get in some skiing at Manning Park which is about 2 hours east of Vancouver and is an extension of the North Cascade Mountains. It was a awesome day and a great Birthday.

Thats Bits rippen it up on her new Telemark Skis. Video's to come soon!

Which brings us up to present day. I am currently working as the assistant coordinator for Ravenna-Eckstein Community Center which means they gave me an entire site to program not just for the teens. It has been a lot of work but I am really enjoying it.

Yesterday I decide to make a Messenger Bag for the lovely Bits. It turned out really nice and it is an original griggsaks design with some designer input from knitty bits. Here are some photo's and hopefully some action photos with soon arrive:

Front Flap embroidery work

The finished embroidery.

The finished product with user.

The inside of the bag I know its hard to see I guess you'll have to come out and visit us for a good look. See Ya Soon!

Crystal Backcountry

2007-01-17T23:27:00.001-08:00


Joe Skiing down Union Valley!

Crystal Backcountry 1-15-06

2007-01-16T13:47:00.000-08:00

Spent the day backcountry skiing at Crystal. I was a little worried that the conditions were not going to be optimal because I was out the day before near snoqualime for the boilerplate crustathon. However, all my worries were put away as soon as the day started. We left from the church at the base of the resort around 9am and were headed for Crown Point. It was a clear crisp day and the snow was already looking and feeling better for skinning and skiing! The first hundred feet off of Crown Point was fairly wind blown and hard but soon the slopes down into Union Valley gave way to boot deep powder and the crusty layer all but disappeared. After two runs we skinned back up to the ridge and skied down through Bullion Basin for more favorable conditions to get back to the bar!

Mt. Catherine - South Side 1-14-06

2007-01-16T11:24:00.000-08:00

For a trip report follow link!

http://www.turns-all-year.com/skiing_snowboarding/trip_reports/index.php?topic=6028.0

Queen Anne Sunset

2007-01-16T11:21:00.000-08:00

Sunset a few blocks from our apartment.

Geocaching!

2007-01-02T11:11:00.000-08:00

Yesterday on the first day of the year me and bits decide to take a rainy day excursion and find some treasure! We found a cache on geocaching.com, logged the coordinates into our GPS unit and went for a walk. It was wet outside and bits could not quite stay on her feet as she took the slide and we all know what that means (soggy butt)! The last picture is of Bits the Brave sticking her hand deep into the hollow of the tree for the bonus treasure! All and all it was an urban adventure and good exercise for us and Sam the dog and a great way to kick off the new year.

Steven's Pass Ski

2006-12-30T18:37:00.000-08:00

One of the perks of my job is that occasionally I get to go out and do some fun stuff with the teens I work with. The Last two Thursdays we went to Steven's pass! Thanks Joe for the goggles!

Gokyo_RI.avi

2006-12-01T11:07:00.000-08:00


Hey, this is my first video blog so I hope it works! This is Ang Dawa, Bits and myself atop Gokyo Ri in the everest region of Nepal! The day was awesome clear skies and great views of Cho Oyu, Everest, Lhotse, and Makalu all 8000 meter peaks and the Ngozumba Glacier which is one of the largest in the range. Enjoy!

2006-11-01T01:35:00.000-08:00

Typical sights in India poor kids and overstuffed transport! The other pictures are of the street in Majnu-ka-tilla the tibetan colony and the view at night from the wongden house! more info to come my time is up and it is time to hit the streets of Pushkar for some camel fair fun!

Back in time to Paris

2006-11-01T01:26:00.000-08:00

Our time in Paris was short and sweet and so will be this posting we went to the major sites and ate a lot of tasty sandwiches!

2006-11-01T00:34:00.000-08:00

Hello from Pushkar India,

It is 2pm here and very hot and this is winter I cant imagine the summer time. Bits is taking a nap and I am obviously on the computer. Here are some pictures from our two night three day camel safari. The first one on the left is Manreet our hindu speaking camel man wearing bits's sunglasses. He would get very excited and talk in hindu to us but we would not understand and when we tried to talk in hindu to him we could not pronuce anything well enough for him to understand but at least we tried. The second one is of a home in the desert were we stopped for a lassi and Indian tea both were made with fresh cow milk from the back of the house. The huts are constructed using cow dung, sand, and a bit of water. You cant see them but they would also make designs in the walls with their fingers. The last picture is of Manreet getting some milk from a village man because we ran out and Indian tea is just not the same with out it. It is made by boiling black tea, sugar, and milk and then strained into glasses.

Amsterdam

2006-10-26T09:15:00.000-07:00

Hey sorry no pictures at this time the computer I am on does not have a usb port weird I know. Here is a little run down of what we have been up to so far:

We arrived in Amsterdam on the morning of Oct. 20th and proceeded directly to central station by train to downtown Amsterdam. We decided to rent pedal bikes and even saved some cash by going with pedal brakes instead of hand brakes. It was refreshing to say the least after the almost 10 hour flight most of which I spent wide awake due mostly to my friend behind me with is knee or foot or something kept kicking my seat. I know what your thinking it was not a child it was a grown adult and I am still trying to figure that one out. Amsterdam is the perfect city to cruise around on bikes and it turned out to be a great choice. We went to the Van Gogh museum, Anne franks house, the red light district, and ended our night in a coffee shop!

Finally a computer with usb! The last picture is also our first yarn shop that we found not much yarn but tons of buttons!

Leaving on a Jet Plane(a big one)!

2006-10-19T08:46:00.000-07:00

Its has finally arrived Thursday Oct. 19th and we are about a half hour away from leaving for the airport. Bits is frantically throwing her knitting supplies around the house trying to find the perfect set Or sets to the non-knitting aficionado. Thanks to Joe for offering to give us a ride to the airport. That saves us a lot of time not on the bus. Next stop Amsterdam!

2006-10-17T11:26:00.000-07:00

Hello world this is the first post and the first photo taken with our(birddog & Bits L to R) new camera. We bought a canon S3 IS for the upcoming trip to Paris, India, & Nepal. So far it has been a lot of fun to play around with and hopefully it will bring back some great pictures. We leave in two days and I am pretty confident that we are all prepared but you can never plan out everything that is going to happen. Unfortunately, I have come down with a nasty sore throat and sinus infection. What impeccable timing but with enough drugs I think I shall persevere! Myself and bits will be bloging throughout the trip so check back often for updates. You can find bits blog in the links toolbar on the right.