My New Home
Its hard to believe I have been in Bellingham for five weeks already. Wow! I am beginning to learn my way around town and love exploring. There are endless roads and trails to explore and the scenery is incredible. While I could do without the rain, living in a temperate rainforest has it perks.

Eric came to visit earlier this month and we explored Whatcome Falls Park. Its a mile from downtown and technically still in town; however, you feel completely removed from town when you are there.

And things seem to be super-sized in the rainforest. Like these leaves...and the slugs which are 3-4 inches in length...and the hills are crazy steep.

The great thing about Bellingham is that I can be in the mountains, on a lake, or on the bay within minutes of leaving my house. When the sun is out...or when the clouds are out and its not raining...I love being outside. Fortunately, I have sun lamp to keep me going during endless days of cloud and rain.

End of the Summer
As usual, life has been crazy and my updates are delayed. The end of the summer was particularly crazy and I sorted, donated, sold, packed, stored, cleaned, and moved across the country. It was a long three weeks from shoulder surgery to arriving in Bellingham but I made it and Eric was a huge help! And I even got him wearing IU clothes in the process! :)

During that process, Eric made a surprise discovery in an Altoids can. I thought my parents accidently sent me a can of Altoids with our Hawaii souveniers which I saved for Eric because I don't like them and he does. Fortunately, Eric does like them because he opened the can and found these ear rings inside. Thanks Mom and Dad for our gifts.

Date nights continued every week throughout the summer no matter how busy we got. Our favorite was a picnic dinner at Garden of the Gods. I can't believe I lived there for seven years before I finally had a picnic in GOG. I look forward to more when I move back next summer.

I finished the track season strong and won Female Rider of the Year! :) I wish I could have raced nationals this year. It was definitely my best season on the bike yet. I look forward to getting even stronger and faster in coming seasons. :)

Eric and I went up to Denver to celebrate my birthday. Dinner was good and dessert was ah-mazing! :) We went to dBar and I got the cake and shake...best dessert I have ever had, hands down.

And we spent the most time on our bikes. I miss my partner in crime and look forward to having my training partner back at the end of next summer.