The Dinghy

I have not had a garage in a year, which is incredibly inconvenient because parking in my townhouse complex is a challenge.  Lance wanted to build a dinghy.  He ordered the plans, and he promised me I would be without a garage for only a short time (few months).  However, a man with his schedule demands does not have the luxury of time.  The idea of building a dinghy, however noble, was just not very realistic.  He did build the frame, but it sat without any progression in my garage for many many months.  Finally, he decided to just buy a dinghy.  He purchased the dinghy and had it customized to fit our needs/wants.  The dinghy arrived on Monday, November 18, and it is just perfect. 

 

Lanced picked up the dingy during lunch so we had to park it in the adjacent mall parking lot until we got off of work.

Picking it up.

Lance took this photo.  B-O-R-I-N-G!!  but I guess it is interesting to a guy.

 

Like a child, Lance was excited to take it out on a ride.  He modified his weekend plans so that he could take the dingy out on its maiden voyage.  Lance was scheduled to spend the entire weekend in San Diego working on Tide the Knott, but instead, he just did a one-day trip to San Diego. 

 

On a very cold and rainy Friday, Lance, Brandon, and Bella took the dingy out in Newport Beach bay.  Unfortunately, I was not there to immortalize the outing in photographs.

The dingy went on its second voyage on Sunday, November 24.  It was intended to be a romantic rendezvous for Lance and I.  Well, that is how he tried to sell me the idea, but what was supposed to be romantic and sweet was stressful.  Why? We had the dogs.  Buddy and Bella were like two little toddlers.  They barked.  They wanted to swim so badly.  The walked up and down the dinghy and would not just sit and enjoy the ride.  They panted incessantly on the trip, and I had to try to hold Buddy with a leash for fear he would just jump in.

 

At Back Bay in Newport Beach about to launch the boat

Bella and Buddy

 

 

 

Because the dogs were basically acting like untrained dogs, Lance got very angry and yelled at the dogs, which in turn made me upset.  Later that night, he felt guilty.  I think he does recognize that he is problem.  He allows these dogs to do whatever they want, whenever they want it, and then he wants them to suddenly behave.  It is not going to happen.  The dogs don’t get  to do these things that often so they are like little children who cannot contain their excitement.  Our dogs may be obnoxious, but we love them and they are OUR dogs.  They both LOVE, and let me say this again…LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE the water.  They can swim endlessly. 

 

During the excursion, I did not quite enjoy myself, but reflecting back on it, I did love seeing our babies so happy.  They deserve to be happy.  And yes, I would do it again WITH the dogs. 

There are so many uncharted areas (to us) in Southern California, and I know it is unrealistic to say we can do this every weekend, but ideally, if we could try to get out on the dinghy monthly and always try for a new spot….I think it would be doable.

Lance complains often about California, and you know, he does have some valid complaints, but on days like yesterday….going through the back bay of Newport Beach, I could not imagine living anywhere else.  I love my state, even with its population, high-cost of living, traffic, and political issues.  You have the ocean, the coastline, the beach, the mountains, the redwoods, Yosemite, the desert, and the beautiful weather!!  Why is it so costly to live in Southern California? Everyone wants to live here, and there has to be reasons why....It's probably the most beautiful state in the nation. 

So what is the name of the new dinghy?  Yeah, I suggested, in my feminine demeanor, something romantic to express his love for me.  Lance, of course, willingly obliged because he simply does everything he can to make me happy, but the truth about love is that each should always be willing to do for the other.  I called my sweet husband up and told him he had my permission and blessing to name the boat, “The Gryphon”.  I could hear the happiness in his voice as he replied, “really?  You don’t mind? I really wanted to name it the Gryphon.”  I answered, “Of course, I don’t mind.  I want you to be happy.  You deserve to be happy.  Plus, unlike others, I actually have an identity.  I don’t need a boat named after me.” 
 

So there you have it…..the dinghy is now “the Gryphon”.

Ragnar Relay Trail Race-Lake Vail 2013

I have done 7 Ragnar Relays, and they have been wonderful experiences that encourage bonding and a special kind of intimacy.  You know that saying, "What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas"...well, the same could apply to Ragnar.  We have done and shared so much with these people.  It is a unique bond and experience that is incomparable to anything I have ever done.  Ragnar Relay series began expanding their race by including a trail race in their series.  This past weekend was the first Ragnar Trail race I have ever done, and let’s just say that I would never do it again.  I am glad I did it; I have no regrets, but one is enough.

Ragnar Trail races differ from the usual Ragnar Relay.  The teams consist of 8 runners instead of 12.  There are three colored legs  (red – 3.9 miles of steep trail, green – 3.5 miles of steep trail, and yellow 6.1 miles of relatively flat trail) and every team member runs each leg once so all the miles are the same for each runner.  There is one big campsite that serves as the exchange. Every runner and every leg starts and ends at this big campsite.  There is no need for a van.  It all appears to be very appealing, and I think under good weather conditions, it may have not been so bad, but let's just say, weather was not our friend.

Meeting at 6 a.m. to carpool to Vail Lake

 setting up camp
 

We had two teams participate so there was a total of 16 of us.  It was a great idea at first, but by the end of the race, almost everyone vowed to never do it again.  Why?  It was cold, very cold.  The temperatures went into the low 40s.  Secondly, it rained.  Who likes to sleep or run in the cold rain?  Thirdly, it was too dark.  Trail running in the dark is just not fun, and honestly, it can be downright dangerous.  Yes, we run with a headlight and a flashlight, but it is still very dark out in those hills.  You could easily trip over a rock and sprain an ankle.  Moreover, two of the legs were dangerously steep.  You had to run on a very narrow, steep, high ridge.  Imagine doing this in the dark? Crazy.  Had I known how dangerous it was, I would have never allowed Dylan to do it.

  

Trying to stay warm.

the entire two teams--At Ragnar races, teams dress in costumes.  Our costumes were superheros and villians.

The guys (Dylan is the little Spiderman)

The girls

Two Spidermans

Our good little friend GG being squashed by Lance and James

Superheros to the rescue---it was actually not cold or raining yet when we arrived.

 

 We were not allowed individual campsite fires. There was just one big fire for the entire Ragnar teams.  Because it was so cold, social interaction was limited.  I spent most of my time in the tent, in my mummy sleeping bag, trying to get warm.  Ragnar did do their best to make the event fun.  They had a live band, which actually was not bad.  There was a free pasta dinner, Quiznos boxed lunches, and breakfast burritos. There was a massage tent, and Saloman was offering a free demo of their shoes.  Basically, you get fitted with a pair of trail running shoes which you could use to run the entire race in--no commitment to buy.  It was rather amazing.

 

Saturday--most of the teams were done, but we were still running.

GG and Dylan trying to get warm by the main firepit at the campsite.

a campsite full of runners

very cool port-o-potties....eco commode!! I loved these.  You put sawdust on your turd.  It hardly smelled

firepit and the only main exchange

Inside the exhange tent where the three different colored trail legs are shown

Team captain showing us the directional signs that we followed on the trail that would keep us on the course.  These were dimly lit at night.  There were green arrows for the green trail, red for the red trail and yellow arrows for the yellow trail.

 

Regardless of the unpleasant experience I had, I am grateful that I was able to do a Ragnar with 14-year old Dylan.  He was such a stud.  He ran all of his three legs in record time.  He also ran an extra leg (red) with one of our teammates to just keep him company.  While everyone ran a total of 13.5 miles, Dylan ran 17.4.  When it was dark, wet and so cold outside, I would have paid someone to run my leg.  It took a great deal of will power to do it.  Fortunately, two of my legs had sunlight. I only had one night run.  I have very poor night vision.  Lance had to run his long leg in the rain. 

 

So proud of our boy!!

cool Ragnar jackets---since this was the last race of the year, everything was 50 percent off so we went shopping!!!

showing off our wooden medals

Dylan showing off his medal with the hills he ran up and through in the middle of the night in rain (behind him).

the entire team running and finishing the race.  When the last runner finishes their leg, the entire team runs with them and crosses the finish line together.

I think my Ragnar Relays are done.  I have no desire to do anymore.  However, for Dylan, I will run one more so that he can experience the regular Ragnar in a van.  It is much, much better experience.

Lost In Transit Team 1

Lost in Transit Team 2

Both Teams