Caversham Park

Yup, when you go somewhere new, sometimes you have to be a tourist and do the tourist-y things:) So I wanted to see kangaroos and such so Davina(my new house mom - she is my age, just took me in:)) took me to the right spot - Caversham Wildlife Park.

First up, I wanted to see the kangaroos and plus they were on the way to everything. These places know how to shuffle people through to the right places at the right times.
"Hey, will you take my picture for me?" These guys were laid back, not a care in the world and so used to kids running around acting a fool. One of the signs going in says: "No running" and of course kids are running around acting nuts, high on sugar and life:) That's what I got a kick out of....

So you can pretty much walk up to any of these and slap em across the head and they wouldn't move, as long as you have food to give them:) I didn't slap any of them I promise but they were happy, chill guys.
And on closer look, a reason I wasn't to keen on the kids playing so rough with them, those claws could do some serious damage.
I liked how they just propped up...
The kangaroo area was pretty big and nice to walk around...
Too much hand fed food for this guy;)
Da babies!!!
DANG! I needed some more grub....I guess no pellets for me....
The walkways were really pretty

Some of the flowers along the way..
Headed to 'Molly's Farm' for a little sheep shearing...
The way they used to do it before the electric shearers were invented....
Doesn't hurt a bit, except for the guy bending over all day like that....
One piece from the sheep, trim the edges and bam = $ in tha bank
The good stuff....
Crackin the whip
This guy was from the states - ha! He was the 'bird' guy but hey, they're cool too...
The wombat....it's a boy!! That's the first thing I noticed but decided that wouldn't be such a proper picture:) hahahahah!!
Different angle..
Koalas.....you could pet them w/ the back of your hand just on their back, they are so cute!
Chillin...
Hangin out.....

So that's pretty much it, they had lots of birds and other wildlife but these were definitely the highlights of the park. I'm glad I went and had the experience. Next on the list is the Fremantle Prison Tours next weekend - hopefully:) Don't worry, they aren't in business anymore;) haahah!

In other news, I've been training a good bit, putting in some quality time and looking forward to getting my bike back soon. I'm starting to learn my way around town a bit more and meeting more people. Next week and the weeks to follow I will be even more tired:) which is good, except that I've been know to go to sleep at 8pm ;) Oh well:) That's what I'm here for!

See you down the road! ONLY 3 more weeks, time flies when you are having fun....

Auzzy

A couple more days and I will have this placed mostly mapped out. Today I rode the ‘river’ route around the Swan River and then we finished with a quick trip through Kings Park, which gave some beautiful views of the city!

It’s always interesting to go to another country and see how you adjust:

Driving on the left side of the road and riding on the left side of the road, means I’m hesitating at every intersection almost but I’m getting the hang of it.

Picking up some of the sayings like, “How ya going” means “How are you doing”.

They shorten words and say things like mozzy instead of mosquito.

Bogans are the equivalent to our rednecks.

And group rides are group rides no matter where you go:) Saturday morning we were riding on one of the group rides and had a small incident - someone ran into the back of me and bam....broken frame. I didn’t go down but the guy that did was pretty banged up but I had plenty of help getting back home and had a borrowed bike by the afternoon(really good people here). I’m hoping to get the bike repaired, I needed that money, so I will try to sell it - obviously letting the buyer know and selling it for a discounted price. So now I’m working on getting set up on a new bike and getting the borrowed bike back, hopefully this week or so - we shall see! Love the adventure...

They have such cool cars here, just zipping around town. I wish we had more options like these or maybe we do and I just don’t pay attention or we just like our bigger cars? I dunno, granted I drive a 4 door truck;) I will take some pictures and post em on the next post.

Other than that, kicking the training up a notch in the coming days and settling in at another place since some other folks are coming. Whoop whoop!

One of the monuments in Kings Park...
The view from Kings Park...
Another angle from Kings Park..
Midway through the river route ride, looking back into the city...
One of the first ads I noticed in the airport! hahahah!!.....

Australia!

So it was decided a couple of months ago that if I was given the opportunity to train in Australia, then I should take advantage of the opportunity and warm weather and go.

After talking with the parents about concerns and questions and getting a game plan for training and my racing schedule, it was time to fly. BUT first I had to get back to the west coast from my Mississippi Christmas trip.

So after (what seemed) a long day of travel, I was in an LAX hotel, riding the stationary bike in the hotel exercise room, getting ready for my big haul to Perth.

The plane took off from LA at 10:15pm and guess who had the lucky middle seat!!!! MEEEEEEE:) hahahah! Oh well, at least I’m going to be so covered on my mileage with United! I was lucky enough to have good seat mates, a Navy Seal to my left and a college student going to visit her boyfriend to my right. We had good conversation and Lindsey (seat mate right) had stayed in Sydney for a while prior to this visit and gave us some pointers. A couple of hours in, they fed us dinner - rubber beef or rubber chicken - chicken please! Choked that down w/ a Crown and Sprite and an Ambien and I was out for about 5hrs. When I woke up and moved around for another hour, they fed us a turkey sandwich. I think this is the point they shift from US time to Auzzy time, cause our last meal before landing was breakfast - apple pancakes or egg omelet.

Once we landed and everyone had their customs cards filled out, it was time for the lines, which I thought was pretty efficient, even though it took an hour to get from immigration, bags, customs, checking in, it wasn’t that bad! So once through and in the Qantas terminal, I got a little snack, did some shopping and laid down for a nap - one more plane ride.

This one was the kicker....it was the hardest flight to deal with, my legs hurt so bad, so I was fidgeting so much! I felt sorry for the guy beside me cause I was constantly squirming:) hehehe....

And here I am! I was picked up from the airport at 4pm, got my bike put together, unloaded and settled by 8pm, had dinner and went to bed. Of course I made the mistakes of trying to get in on the driver’s side and was confused about all the driving on the opposite sides of the road but after this morning’s ride, I’m slowly getting used to it.

I’m acclimating to the time pretty well. I’ve walked to the store, enjoying the warm air and sunshine, bought the local newspaper and sorting out the difference in the coins versus ours. Their 10 cents look like our nickles and the coins are heavier. The paper money is softer but very similar to the US dollar. The following pictures are from my walk to the store. I will update in a couple of days!!! Happy New Years!

Local birds....

Today's market run....2 blocks from the house...
It's always interesting to see the differences in countries...
The road I walked..
More signage....

The view walking into the apartment complex...

Listening: interesting bird noises

Reading: maps of Perth for cycling

Watching: the road! Keep on the correct side;)

Eating: yummy oranges

Training in Tucson

I've been in Tucson for a while training and enjoying the 'warm' weather, hanging out with friends, filling time with reading, Modern Family marathons, eating good food and of course sleeping;)!!

My good friends, Dave and Alisha, have been so awesome for letting me stay with them and be their third wheel on outings. It's been nice to have a riding partner too, even though we may not have the exact training schedule, we can at least start together and then split off when time calls for it.

It's been interesting weather here, lots of rain on a couple of days but it makes for a beautiful back drop when the mountains are dusted with snow. Things are settling in for 2012 for all the teams and mornings usually bring a new e-mail for things to send back: sizes, favorite flavors of mix, filling out questionnaires. I'm looking forward to training camp, looking forward to meeting the gals and getting into race mode BUT first comes training and preparation. Now is the time to put in the LONG miles, getting the body used to efforts and waking up from winter mode and boy will that make you tired!! But it is such a gratifying feeling.

It's interesting how FB and Twitter has probably made coaches' lives a bit harder because you will see teams at training camp, you hear of women putting in extremely long miles and rides and then you see the questioning in other athletes' training. Am I doing enough? Am I riding long enough? Pushing hard enough? You can always do more...;)

I've started juicing fruits and veggies! I saw a documentary while riding the trainer one day: Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead and I was sold. I started talking to my friend Ally Stacher, cause I know she has veggie juicing experience and she helped a ton - which one I needed, how to travel with it and some other handy tips - thank you Ally:)!! It is easy, tasty and good for you!! I'm trying to talk mom into trying it, so I'm taking my juicer home with me for Christmas to get her started. I have faith.....

I also found a recipe for ribs in a slow cooker! I know, quite the contrast from juicing but my roots are planted and BBQ is my all time favorite food, always will be and when I see a new recipe, I'm up for giving it a try and tasting the goodness! I've never had a slow cooker and once I used Alisha's I was sold that I need one and that everyone needs one! They are such a life saver for a cyclist. Just think, start something yummy in the morning, go for a long ride, come home, smell the goodness in the works, make lunch, shower, rest and BAM supper is ready! hahaha!!!! It's gotta be good if it's been cooking for 8hrs!!! So again, when I go home, I will be juicing fruits and veggies for mom and making ribs for dad! Can't wait....

So here are some pictures from my stay in Tucson, enjoy:

Tucson Botanical Gardens had a Christmas special one night and it was so much fun!! We saw Santa and wanted our picture taken. Who knew that when we sat on his lap he was a DIRTY SANTA!!!! He said we were on the 'naughty' list! YUCK!!! Don't ruin it old man!
Before one of our rides - Alisha and I.....she's tall? or am I short?
Smile for the camera!
I may have been killing time one day dyeing my hair.....maybe.....
The mountains right beside Tucson, so beautiful!
Stucco doesn't really work too well in some places but in the southwest, it is beautiful!!!
From my awesome friend Ally Stacher!!!!
Sunrise in Tucson...
Sunset in Tucson....

Watching: The Help(GREAT movie!!!)

Reading: Confederates in the Attic by Tony Horwitz - very interesting....thanks Janel for the reference!

Listening: Awolnation - Sail (I'm not so sure about this video but the song is good)

Eating: FRUITS AND VEGGIES!!! (and ribs)

Feeling: excited about going home for Christmas.

Merry Christmas y'all!!

Thanksgiving 2011

What a week!! 7 days can go by so fast sometimes but I enjoyed every moment as best I could. We had Thanksgiving lunch at our house with the family, then on Saturday I went to the MSU/Ole Miss game in Starkville with some of the best people in the world-my friends from college.

I got to ride a couple of days as well but now it's time to get back to work. I fly home tomorrow morning and will focus in on next year's season. Things are in the works and I'm really excited. Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday!

Eric and P.J. pre game....
Brandi w/ her baby girl Rivers on the left, Olley(sp?) in the middle and Amy and Emerson on the right.....how cute!!!!
Stevie, Amy, Brandi, myself and Brandon...no one has changed a bit.....
Phil, Amy and myself.....
My best bud - Brandon and myself....

This was a great trip...

Reading: The Time of Our Lives by Tom Brokaw

Listening: Coldplay's - Paradise

Eating: Too much good Thanksgiving food

Watching: FOOTBALL!!!

Until next time....