"Did you think before deciding on this?"

(right after crossing the Antioch bridge...the one place I actually feared for my life)

No.

Well, not exactly. Sometimes I don't think things through well enough...mainly the details of something, mainly how difficult something will be, especially if I think it sounds like an adventure of some sort.

It's been a few weeks since I tackled the 68 miles from Antioch to Sacramento with my two amigos Brian and Thomas. At this point I think it sounds exciting and a ride I might do again if the weather forecast promises me it won't produce a head wind for the second half of the trip. It has, however, taken me a little while to grow out of my thinking the trip was a foolish idea. I made it, right? Despite thinking my body might just break into a million pieces those last 15 miles it actually stayed in tact...so in tact I was able to walk the streets of downtown Sacramento later that night to experience a natives perspective. What a place!

I haven't pushed my body that hard since I raced Wildflower...though it was over 4 years ago the exact feeling came right back with my body feeling good and terrible all at the same time.

The views were actually quite beautiful with spectacular green grass and scattered clouds against blue skies, almost making up for the Springtime wind...

And the two boys I went with, they're pretty cool. Actually, they're really cool and I'm positive I wouldn't have been able to do even half of it without them.

Cheers to embarking on unplanned adventures...often!

Pasta in the Mountains

We got into Truckee realllly reallly late Friday night. Stuck in traffic on the 80 was not so much fun. It was a miracle I had these three characters to keep me company. And of course, my trustee ipad.

By the time we got to the cabin, shuffled into the front door and unloaded the car it was far past midnight. Just in time for T to whip up some oh so delicious pasta with tomato sauce to usher us into the snow. So few ingredients- it's almost something magical. I would say it's definitely a recipe to keep in your back pocket for that special night.

The ingredients: pasta, water, salt, canned whole tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, dried peppers, fresh basil, Parmesan Cheese. Bamb! Done!

Brunch at Bar Jules

I love spending time in San Francisco. The cool air, hustle and bustle, lights and high rise buildings. And how about those bridges!? The Golden Gate is quite magical. Cypress trees, parks and museums, appreciation for forward thinking food and ideas...you almost can't go wrong.

Hayes Valley is a nice little neighborhood that I wish I knew more about. I hear people raving about the shops and quaint eateries but when I'm there I always feel a bit lost. Thomas knew of a spot we thought would be open for breakfast called Bar Jules but instead we killed time until it opened for lunch. I was really craving something breakfasty and it turned out their lunch menu completely satisfied my craving! Let's forget the label of lunch, we'll call it brunch. Bar Jules serves up a tasty, well prepared brunch and I recommend you try it out if you're in the area!

Scrambled eggs w/ scallions, parmesan, wild arugula and proscuitto toasts

Fried eggs w/ white bean puree and artichoke-piquillo relish