Winter Break Pictures

Updates coming soon on my training and possible races coming up..

For now here are a few photos from my winter break and first week back home in Oregon...

Celebrated New Years Eve in Times Square & Central Park

Tiny Remy (a highlight of my break) sleeping for once

Kula & Remy become best friends

Hiking in Charlottesville, VA

Snowy days in Charlottesville, VA

Trips to New York means visiting family (Set the timer too fast in this one ;)

Visiting Grandma in Massappequa, shes almost 90 and is young as ever.

Christmas in downtown Massappequa Park 

First week back in Oregon and I went to Florence and Heceta Beach for some whale watching

No whales this time, but it was still a beautiful day! And the surf was popping!

A lot of sea lions playing around along the coast line

Hiked through thick forest and dunes to get to the beach here. The clouds roll in fast out here.

Adventures in Oregon

I wanted to highlight some of the areas I have visited and explored my first two months living here in Oregon.    I'm not sure were to even start as just about every weekend has been spent exploring the beauty of Oregon. But here are some of the highlights so far in no order..

Mushroom hunting deep deep in the woods. Mostly picked the tasty Chanterelles.

These are wild apples from a very top secrete local spot in Eugene.   Close to a hundred apple and pear trees growing together however to get the apples you must brave through deadly thorn bushes.  It was a blood bath.  But we all took home a few dozen apples.

Can you say Dub Step. There was a point when I went to 3 electronic/dubstep concert "rave" party's in the span of 9 days.   

Party crew.  Concert over and wondering what just happened in there.  That is a straw in my mouth, by the way.

A random hike deep in the Willamette Forest.  Berries were everywhere and leaves were just now changing.  After this we all went to the Natural Hot Springs.

Enjoying every last bit of real sunshine and warm weather in Oregon

When I went to Crater Lake I biked around the rim twice then jumped into the lake and swam for a few minutes.  It just might be the most beautiful place I have ever seen.

We spent all day at the beach in Florence, once again enjoying the awesome weather. We all jumped into the freezing ocean on arrival.  I want to go back next time with surf board in hand.

Love

Sand dune jumping.  Easily 15 feet ;)

West coast sunsets.  I could get used to this!

 10 Waterfalls within a 10 mile hike.  A view behind the curtain.

Words cannot describe.  Waterfalls are the best.

We all picked a good day to go, nobody on the trails, though it was super cold and rained hard on us.  That makes it memorable though.. if the huge waterfalls weren't enough.

200 foot drop.  I can't wait to go back when it is warmer out and jump into the water.

The tree limbs were covered with bright green moss.  It looked like a green nerve system running through the woods.  Insert metaphor here "".

That is Portland, greenest city in the country.  Mostly due to its transportation plan.  I had a two day EcoDistricts conference here.  Sustainability is the future!!!!

Quick Update

Not much news in the racing world for me.  My foot injury is still in full affect and it has now almost been 2 months since I've really ran.  I'm going to a specialist next week to see what needs to be done.  On the bright side my swimming and cycling speed and endurance has never been higher.  But I miss running. 

My official last day of work is July 27th!!!!!!!!!!! Though it wont be too fun having zero income now. Hopefully I get a handle on my grocery bill.  Summer school has made my life incredibly hectic while working, training, and preparing for my move to Oregon.  Still can't believe I'm moving to Oregon! But it really is the perfect place for me to be.. check this out http://livability.com/eugene/or/activities/go-kayaking-rock-climbing-and-more-eugene 

Last weekend my sister visited down from New York for a week and we pretty much spent everyday relaxing at the beach.  The chilling time was great! FYI - I don't always train! There weren't any waves to surf, but I did fit in some ocean swims around 3-4km every day.   I managed to lose a pair of sunglasses in the ocean one of those days then a couple days later lost another pair jumping off a kayak into the river.  Hopefully someone found them and it made their day. Christi & Mom helped me get my house in order to get ready to sell. I still have a lot to do though.

Hopefully things calm down for me a bit once August hits as I won't have work (for the first time in seven years!!!!) or classes...

Farrell Fam!

Me and Christi

again.

Christi

Kula