Ok, ok, I’ll make a new post. Moving to Bend, Oregon and home making.

I liked the previous post so much I though I’d leave it on forever, but after a few dozen hints I’ll move on.

Amber and I have been absolutely overwhelmed by congratulations and good wishes for far and wide. Thank you very, very much. And a special note to those poor ones who “were left in the dark” and had to “find out about our engagement on the internet.” Well, we were so swept up on the clouds of love, even Amber’s dad had to find out on the internet! – It took us a few days to get within Skype distance, and the Mars Bar wrapper engagement ring was already a faded tatter before I skyped my parents from France. Amber reasoned she’ll call her dad “later” and he “never goes online.” Apparently he does!

Sorry if we hurt anyones feelings, but unless I call you “Pa” or “Ma”, or in Ambers case “Mom”, you didnt get a call. But count yourselves as dear friends none the less.

The past month has been an absolute whirlwind. With a honeymoon flavour. After our week vacation/ practice honeymoon in France, (no training for a week!) we flew back to Reno, packed all our belongings in a truck and moved to Bend, Oregon. Packing has hectic, (esp on top of just starting training) but once we hit the road it was a great adventure.

“If I push hard enough, I CAN fit another bike in there!”

We did the 7 hr drive from Reno to Bend 4 times last year. Mostly to scope out the town and the housing market. I lived in Bend for the summers of 2004 -2006. In 2006 I met Amber at some of the XTERRA events across the country, (Alabama, Richmond & Milwaukee) and so it happened that mid summer she came to Bend “to ride the trails”. I guess it is code for “to see about a boy”.

Well, “the trails” in Bend must have really impressed her, because here she is, lock stock and barrel. And the boy…

This is truly training Utopia, and we are really happy to be back in a place of our own since Dec. Our own flat, our own kitchen, our own couch, (took us 2 weeks to buy a bed) and our own cardboard boxes stacked to the ceiling.

Have been really busy though. We are training so hard there is hardly time for a hair cut. But back to the rest of the moving story…

Moving truck Driver & Navigator. I was relegated to driving the pace car. ie Honda Civic camouflaged with 4 bikes. (Had something to do with my “sense of responsibility”)

We slept out in the Oregon High desert. I think Kona had the softest bed.

Kona loving Bend. Dechutes river, Drake park downtown Bend

Amber loving my home cooked ribs…