Saturday, May 27, 2006

 

My 62 mile bike day!


Ok, so it's nothing really compared to Matt's crazy bike trip from LA to San Fran or Chris's 150 mile ride from Westminster to Salida the day BEFORE this ride, but it's the longest I've done and I still can't believe it. I set many personal records -- furthest distance on a bike (62 mies), greatest elevation gain (the ride started at roughly 10,000 ft and climbed up to at least 12,000 in the span of 31 miles), and greatest speed (topped off at 31 mph on the ride back down into town).

The Buena Vista Bike Fest is held in Buena Vista (obviously) -- 150 miles southwest of Denver -- every year. They offer four rides... 40 miles, 50 miles, 62 miles, and 100 miles. I went up planning to do the 40 mile ride but when I got to the 20 mile mark where I could turn around to complete the 40 mile course, I felt remarkably good and decided to keep going and skip the 50 mile ride and bite the bullet to do the 62. The weather was beautiful minus some rain and high cross winds between miles 31-35. As soon as we dropped elevation again on the way back, the weather improved and so did my attitude about the sport of cycling in general (I couldn't help but wondering why I was freezing cold, leaned totally into the wind and still getting blown into the middle of the road when I could be inside a nice warm car with the windshield wipers on). It was a great time and I'd highly recommend it for any of you that went to catch the beautiful scenary of Colorado on a bike. Shortish, fun, and great food and beer at the end!




Friend Scott, me, and Chris

Sunday, May 21, 2006

 

Mr. Bob

Over the past years I've road tested quite a few people from India. They are all computer engineers or their spouses who have 6 month to 2 year contracts with a local company who manufacturers automobile interiors. Last year on a test one of them mentioned that he was working at JCI, and I replied that I had tested quite a few Indians that were contracted there. "I know" he said in that English/Indian dialect, "Mr. Bob, you are quite a legend over at JCI."

Usually I enjoy testing these Indian clients because they are always very polite and I learn some interesting stuff about India. One time I was testing a woman and asked her where they could find a good Indian resturant and after she tells me she mentions that "You know, we have Pizza Huts in India, but they only serve vegetarian pizzas." I asked her if she was Hindu and thus a vegetarian and she said that although she was Hindu, her family made an exception and everyone in her family was allowed to eat chicken. "But not cow, you know we think cow is sacred, like a god." So I point to the little statue on the dashboard, which is an elephant sitting down on its rear end with all four legs pointing forward, and say "Then you probably cannot eat elephant either. Which is too bad because I would guess that one elephant could feed a village for a week." She started giggling, thinking, I'm sure, how absurd a thought that was.

This week however I had an Indian guy who was annoying from the first minute he walked into my office. Godfrey kept asking me these off-the-wall questions about driving, most of which I had no clue what the answer was. "Mr. Bob, may I ask you a question," and after a while I started responding "WHAT?" And a typical question would be - "If there are three lanes, should not the trucks be in the first two lanes?" And after I explained what I knew about it he would respond, "But we were in Chicago last weekend and there were trucks in the third lane." "Oh really?" I said. At that point I tried very hard not to have any more conversation with the guy.

We got to the point in the test where we needed to leave the highway. During the week there was construction at the exit, which moved us to the left lane, and we needed to get move right very quickly after the last construction barrel. I would explain how to everybody that week and no one had a problem, but Godfrey kept driving on pass the exit. "Turn right here! Turn right here!" I pleaded, pointing to the exit, but Godfrey, looking a little confused and like he was fighting with the steering wheel, motored on. "You know" I said, realizing that the next exit was in Saugatuck, 13 miles away, "In seven years you are the only person TO MISS THAT EXIT." At this point I'm telling myself that I am a professional and that I need to act calm. After we go a mile we pass a drive thru for authorized vehicles only and I wonder if maybe we don't really have to go an extra 26 miles, so I say to Godfrey "Stay in the left lane and slow down when we approach the next drive thru to the other side." Godfrey is silent for about 20 seconds and then says "Mr Bob, may I ask you a question?" "WHAT?" I respond. "Is not that illegal?" And I'm thinking that of course it is you @#$%! But I remain in control, chuckle to myself, and decide to enjoy the rest of the detour.

At least, as fate would have it, Godfrey didn't stop until 3/4 of the way thru a 4 way stop on the way back, and failed the test. Saturday Jackie ended up with him for his retest. I asked her afterwards how it went and she said that he was very annoying. "He kept saying "Miss Jacqueline, may I ask you a question?"

Monday, May 15, 2006

 

Jim and Jenn's Wedding

Hi everyone! Here are a few pictures from our trip to San Francisco for Jim and Jenn's wedding. I regret that I don't have any pictures of Jenn in her gorgeous dress on my camera, but I got a little preoccupied once that part of the day started. Here are some pictures of Jenn getting her hair ready (she may be a little peeved that I posted these without her prior consent, but she's family now, that's what she gets :)).










Here's a picture of Chris and I before the wedding. I had some big hair!





And finally here are a few pictures from our sight-seeing with mom and dad in the Mustang on Saturday. How many Berry's does it take to line the width of a Coastal Redwood?



Again, sorry for the lack of *actual* wedding pictures. Mom should have some great ones on her camera when they get home from their scenic drive back. The wedding was really fun and they both seemed very happy. It was great to see everyone that was there!

Saturday, May 13, 2006

 

Tulip Time

Today is the big Tulip Time parade in Holland. The weather has been cold and rainy, but it hasn't stopped the throngs of tourists. When Carrie posted the picture of the little girls and grandma, it made me think of this picture- taken about 24 or 25 years ago. Plenty of kids in Holland have dutch costumes-- but not many have grandpa's who build windmills!!
Happy Tulip Time!

Friday, May 12, 2006

 

Jerry & Sherri's Trip To Hawaii

My parents are on their 30th Wedding Anniversary trip to Hawaii! Just thought I'd share an email that my dad wrote:

"[picture 1] Thursday morning from the condo in Maui (Kihei HI). The ocean is just beyond the palm trees. The court yard is bent grass as on a putting green. Weather is 65 degrees F at 7:25am.


Second picture is from on the crater at Diamond Head on Oahu. I'm the one on the left. I'm not sure which one mom wanted a picture of."

Tuesday, May 09, 2006

 

Grandma and the Great-GrandGirls

Elliana, Mallory, Grandma, Sydney, and Raleigh

Ceci and I went to visit Grandma last week with the girls in their Dutch Costumes. It was not so easy to have all 4 girls in their costumes and smiling at the same time so this picture is what we ended up with. We wanted to get a picture by Grandpa's windmill with Grandma but it was raining and we were not about to make her go out in the mud!

 

THE WRECK OF THE JIMMY B. sung by Gordon Lightfoot

Twas the seventh of May
we had traveled all day
down the lake they call Pac-if-a-goo-me

Our spirits were high
not a cloud in the sky
we were getting to San Fran so surely

From galley to head
really kicking the lead
but the captain was getting a bit surly

"There's a storm brewing mates
when we get to the gates
of the golden bay near Salsalito

We've traveled this far
not by train, air or car
all on water to here from Toledo

But the oceans turned white
while day changed to night
and our engine is working like jello"

So he went down below
at a break in the blow
when he tasted last nights burrito

No one had the wheel
and a wave hit the keel
and the boat went all kinda curely

The captain it's said
didn't exit the head
when the gales of November came early.

 

THE WRECK OF THE JIMMY B.


Saturday, May 06, 2006

 

Address

Can someone please give me an address for Jim Berry? I would like to send a wedding card for him and Jen and don't have it. Thanks

Tuesday, May 02, 2006

 

South Island Adventure

Hey everyone!
I just spent the last 8 days road tripping around the south island of New Zealand. It was the most incredible trip I have ever taken in my life. I've definitely seen some of God's most awesome creations! I saw beautiful mountains, waterfalls, lakes, ocean, stars, sunsets, grass, and, of course, sheep. I went bungy jumping...TWICE! Once forwards and once backwards. I'm addicted now. I'm going to do it again off the bridge in Auckland soon :) I also hiked the steepest glacier in the world (Franz Josef) and got to jump over crevices. I also went kayaking 18K in Abel Tasmin which was amazing. All around, it was wonderful. I'll let the pics speak for themselves :)
This is what the rest of my time here is like:
2 weeks of classes
My mom and dad come for a week!!!!
2 more weeks of class
exams spread over 3 weeks and maybe a trip to Australia in there
4 days in Tahiti
HOME!

I can't believe I only have 7 more weeks left here! It's going by so fast! Miss everyone so much and I have one small request: CAN SOMEONE PLEASE POST SOME PICTURES OF ALL THE CUTE BABIES WE HAVE IN THIS FAMILY??? I'M GOING THROUGH WITHDRAWLS!!! Thanks :)


Jackie and I laying in the middle of the road on the way to Queenstown. There were a billion stars out so we stopped and stared...and ran out of the way of a semi truck :)


Me watching the sunset in Nelson the night before I left


A beach in Abel Tasmin Park that we stopped at during Kayaking


Me hanging on for dear life on the Franz Josef Glacier. haha not really. It looks steep, but it's not. I was just laying down and someone took a trick photograph, but we can pretend, can't we?


Me, Jackie, and Ashley watching another sunset on our way back from Milford Sound.


Mountains and the mirror lakes on the way to Milford Sound. It was so cool how clear the reflection was!

And that's me jumping off a bridge! It was 43m high and it was the first bridge that they ever did a commerical bungy jump off of.

And that's me before jumping...I was freaked out...not gonna lie.

For the rest of my pictures, I had to create yet another website. Actually 2 websites b/c I took so many :)

http://community.webshots.com/user/Little03Heet3

and

http://community.webshots.com/user/Little03Heet4

ENJOY!

Monday, May 01, 2006

 

We came, We saw, We conquered!


April 29, 2006 will go down in Johnson history as a day of great accomplishment...

Tara and Heidi ran and finished the 5K race with ease, grace, and a heck of a sense of style (all the ladies had on matching orange tanks and white wind breakers; according to Missy, this was to show our Dutch pride!)!

Ben and Matt both finished the 1/2 marathon in great time (well under 2 hours!) and although Matt battled some knee problems, they both looked strong at the finish!

And, Missy, Holli, Kristen and Jayne crossed the finish line of the 1/2 marathon hand in hand, arms raised, singing praises to Jesus for getting them through! (Although a half mile back, Jayne had some choice words for her "encouraging" nieces! :))

We hope to have even more family runners and fans (thanks to Tony, Isaac, David, Levi, Jerry, Sherri, Sherri's mom, and Ben's family for the encouragement at the end) at next year's event. A good time was had by all!

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