August 15, 2008
August 12, 2008
rainier 2008 - bike ride 3
back on the trail this afternoon with vickie. managed to go 5 miles today with no superhuman efforts -- actually was able to hold a conversation throughout the entire ride. i'm definitely getting to be more relaxed.
rainier 2008 - chopstick flurry
mom prepared "cook your own food" for dinner a couple of nights ago. dad, dave, noah and his friends roberto and kashan had their chopsticks flying:
August 11, 2008
rainier 2008 - bike ride 2
we went on another bike ride yesterday -- this time, going towards tenino on the same trail we took last time. we rode just a little ways past the deschutes river and then turned around. it was about the same distance (4 miles) but a little harder because the trail going back was a slight incline all the way.
rainier 2008 - birthdays
on saturday, we celebrated our birthdays with skirt steak, salad and rice (our longstanding birthday meal) and ice cream cake from dairy queen:
mika and dad:
noah and deb:
dave (taking pictures) and noah (ducking as usual):
mom and dad:
vickie and klaus:
August 09, 2008
rainier 2008 - bike trail
this past thursday, i borrowed my sister's new bike and went for a ride with my sister-in-law, vickie. she rides nearly every day on the local trails between tenino, rainier, yelm and beyond.
i haven't been very diligent about practicing on my new strida at home so i was a little worried that she might be taking a very "short" ride with me because i wouldn't be able to keep up.
but, i surprised myself and was able to ride 4 miles (2 miles from rainier towards yelm and then back again). the weather was beautiful in the early morning and the trail was practically empty. i was tense and nervous but managed to relax a bit after the first mile. good thing we turned back when we did though because i was pretty tired towards the end of the ride back.
did a lot of stretching when we got back and the next morning i was surprised that i didn't really have any aches and pains to speak of... it was a great ride!!!! i have got to figure out how to take my bike with me on the plane next year.
here i am exhausted and draped over the handlebars of my sister's giant sedona:
rainier 2008 - kinja, olympia, wa
i'm here in rainier, washington for my annual birthday party vacation. debbie, mom and i went to eat at a new japanese restaurant in yelm:
chicken yakisoba:
chirashi sushi:
grilled salmon:
all the dishes were very good with generous portions and the ambiance is very pleasant. lunch specials are available on weekdays. kids menu offers a nice selection at a good price.
their official grand opening is aug 22 and 23 and there will be a live band on hand for entertainment. go visit them, eat up and enjoy!
kinja
1304 e. yelm ave. #a-102
yelm, wa 98597
open: m-f 11:30 am-10:00pm, s & s noon-10pm
360-400-4300