Baby Watch: 2009

Watson Lake

Ax Men.

4th Annual Reno Tahoe Odyssey

Several times during the Odyssey I turned to team captain, Justin, asking why we sign up for the race in the first place. The delirious question was typically prefaced by a mere 20 minutes to a lucky 2 full hours of sleep. Despite the pain of sleeping so little over a 28 hour period, the Reno Tahoe Odyssey is an incredible experience.

RTO 2007 was a different beast. The second half of the race was cancelled due to the Angora Fire, so the team actually had time to sleep for about 4 hours. This year it was nonstop the moment we started 8:30 Friday morning...but this year the team had the opportunity to run through Tahoe.

Mother Nature was a doll and delivered gorgeous weather, perfect for running. Sure, there was a bit of breeze during the first part of the race, but when you're running several miles (and not against the wind) it's a welcomed cool down. Temperatures were in the mid 70's during the day and in the low 30's overnight - nothing a few extra layers couldn't handle.


Unfortunately, I can only recount the adventures of Van 2. Many of us on this team knew each other very little prior to the race, but after 24 hours crammed into one van (and for a small period in one motel room) we developed great friendships.


As a runner in the Reno Tahoe Odyssey you have the opportunity to see the Reno-Tahoe area like you've never seen it before. You start in Wingfield Park, run through Verdi, Truckee, Squaw - through Tahoe, up Geiger and Kingsbury Grades, along Virginia City...and back to where it all started.

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Prior to the Reno Tahoe Odyssey of 2007 I didn't consider myself a runner. In fact, I really disliked running. But the idea of taking part in the event with 11 strangers through one of the most beautiful areas I've ever seen was an opportunity I could not pass up. Having participated in my second Odyssey, I can't imagine running and this team not being a part of my life.


Congratulations to the Buckbean Brew Crew and all of the people who made RTO 2008 an unforgettable experience.

Nostalgic Form of Travel.

The California Zephyr was built in 1948 to serve as the elite way to travel from Chicago to Oakland...and it's still running! The owner of the train car we rode on - The Silver Lariat - has poured more than $1.5 million dollars into restoring it to its original condition.

I never did find out exactly how pricey the trip is, but I'd expect to dish out a few extra dollars seeing as you get treated like royalty. The staff is dressed in their Sunday best and are the friendliest crew I've ever met. They are absolutely delighted to have you on board.

You get a full course meal, prepared entirely on the trains tiny, tiny kitchen. We started our morning with delicious coffee, chocolate covered strawberries and pumpkin coffee cake. For lunch we had crab cakes and beef balls, followed by a salad, warm bread and then our main course - prime rib, potatoes and spinach, topped off with a Kahlua Cheesecake! And yes, I ate everything.



The view is breathtaking. It's about a three hour train ride from Reno, Nevada to Colfax, California - a charming town worth taking a special trip out to explore. Unlike the hurried drive you'd take along I-80 West bound, you're completely relaxed on the Zephyr. So relaxed in fact that you should only do this trip if you are not on a tight schedule. We left two hours late because the Amtrak we were hooking up to was caught behind freight.

This tour of the Zephyr winds you right along the Sierra. We happened to be on board when we were still in the middle of our rainy weather. The Silver Lariat has dome tops that allow you to see all the way around...so we could watch the raindrops hit the top of the rail car and the green, lush forest all around us. It was gorgeous and well worth our time.

Another reason it rocked - you are only allowed to stand between cars on private cars.



You can't get away with this on an Amtrak.

If you want a quick, enjoyable read pick up "Bonk: The Curious Coupling of Science and Sex"

I heard oodles of goodness about author Mary Roach in magazines and on NPR and decided to check her out for myself. In this book she takes a look at the science of sex throughout time. It's both informative and hilarious and I recommend if you have the time and are curious about the origins of sex toys and the many misconceptions folks have about the body - namely the female body and what gets her going. Maybe more men should read this...

I digest.

I'm going on a train ride tomorrow from Reno to Colfax in a report for alternative transportation. I'll have to explore how much you actually save by not driving yourself...
It's sure to be a gorgeous trip and hopefully, equally gorgeous story. We'll be traveling along the Truckee River through the Sierras, following several days of stormy weather, so I'm envisioning a green, lush, breathtaking ride.

I only wish my novio was joining me.

I'll post pictures and a review post-trip.
Eventually I'll get around to writing about the Pac N-Dub.
Happy Travels.

Dream Date.