 |
| From Drop Box |
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Mountain Man?
The DL Tribune ran a front page article graced with my presence in the paper over the weekend.
They stumbled across me in action working on the new Mountain Bike Singletrack out at Mountain View Rec Area east of town and labeled the photo "Mountain Man". Let's just say I've been getting hassled by others over the deal...All good!
Photo by Brian Basham-DL Online
I'm about a 1/2 mile into it so far, with plans to complete around a mile ride-able loop this fall.
Hoping to round up some other Volunteers this weekend to knock out a good chunk.
I was out there last night and blew out the trail as majority of the leaves have fallen out there.
Photos after last night blow out with my new leaf blower I got for my Birthday!
They stumbled across me in action working on the new Mountain Bike Singletrack out at Mountain View Rec Area east of town and labeled the photo "Mountain Man". Let's just say I've been getting hassled by others over the deal...All good!
Photo by Brian Basham-DL Online
I'm about a 1/2 mile into it so far, with plans to complete around a mile ride-able loop this fall.
Hoping to round up some other Volunteers this weekend to knock out a good chunk.
I was out there last night and blew out the trail as majority of the leaves have fallen out there.
Photos after last night blow out with my new leaf blower I got for my Birthday!
 |
| From Drop Box |
Rock Garden Section
 |
| From Drop Box |
 |
| From Drop Box |
Nicole's Stuffed Green Peppers with Squash-Potatoes & Salad for dinner chased down with an IPA......=Perfect!
 |
| From Drop Box |
Friday, September 17, 2010
Labor Day / Laddies Loppet
One of the most looked forward to Weekends of the Summer came and went too quickly as our Friends Jessie and Scott and their two boys Brodie and Lachlan from Colorado came to visit and to join us up at Maplelag for the weekend for the Annual Laddies Loppet Mountain Bike Stage Race Weekend. For those of you who attended our wedding there know the Food is incredible, toss in 300 Mountain bikers and their families and the outstanding hospitality put forward by the Richards Family it's a fun time that's hard to beat!
The Racing was tough as usual. Saturday morning, Scott and I did the Time Trial which was one fast loop on the Citizen Course. Followed by the Short Track Race in the afternoon which is Awesome to watch but one that buries me to the ground as the full 12 minutes of pure hammer time is not my cup of tea. I prefer chilling with Beer, but gave it a go and felt like I was going to tip over as I gimped myself to the finish line.
Eleni and Marlo had a great time with Brodie and Lachlan on the Pump Track playing with the big kids.
With all the Kids taking part in the Kids Race Sunday afternoon, all with smiles on their faces!
Also a High School Friend and Classmate Lynn Schnathorst (Tews) and her Husband Garrett also stayed and raced the weekend events!
Good to see them and good luck to them Riding at Chequamegon this weekend!
Watching the Lakeside Drops section during the Elite and Pro Races.
Jessie, Nicole, Lynn and Garrett.
 |
| From LADDIES LOPPET / Maplelag |
The Racing was tough as usual. Saturday morning, Scott and I did the Time Trial which was one fast loop on the Citizen Course. Followed by the Short Track Race in the afternoon which is Awesome to watch but one that buries me to the ground as the full 12 minutes of pure hammer time is not my cup of tea. I prefer chilling with Beer, but gave it a go and felt like I was going to tip over as I gimped myself to the finish line.
 |
| From LADDIES LOPPET / Maplelag |
Eleni and Marlo had a great time with Brodie and Lachlan on the Pump Track playing with the big kids.
 |
| From LADDIES LOPPET / Maplelag |
 |
| From LADDIES LOPPET / Maplelag |
With all the Kids taking part in the Kids Race Sunday afternoon, all with smiles on their faces!
 |
| From LADDIES LOPPET / Maplelag |
 |
| From LADDIES LOPPET / Maplelag |
 |
| From LADDIES LOPPET / Maplelag |
 |
| Lachlan and Jessie From LADDIES LOPPET / Maplelag |
Good to see them and good luck to them Riding at Chequamegon this weekend!
 |
| From LADDIES LOPPET / Maplelag |
Jessie, Nicole, Lynn and Garrett.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Montana-Family Reunion-Triathlon
Busy BUSY month of August as the Summer winds down fast....Starting off the month we were off to Montana for the 1st Annual Klingsporn Family Reunion. DL, Bismarck, Missoula...
We made it!
Camping out in Nicole's cousin Michelle's yard the first two night in Missoula
before heading up to Bigfork where we had a sweet vacation home for the week with the whole Klingsporn gang.
We spent the week hanging at the Cougar Trail Ranch
with some day trips biking, fly fishing, Glacier National Park,
and a fun day boating on Swan Lake.
The Ranch
Eleni slack lining.
Marlo rocking Glacier
The "Klingsporn" Gang!
All went well until the day we were leaving the ranch to head back to Missoula
for "Adult's Night Out" and Brewery Tour....
Meggan, Tony, Nicole & Michelle @ The Kettle House
Nicole getting some N/A orange drink (remember..she's pregnant)
...and our Transmission goes out on
our Yukon...... After gimping it the 130 miles we hooked up with Transoulutions-Tranny shop in Missoula who worked their magic and getting a full rebuild installed.
Unfortunately, plans had to change and Nicole and Marlo rode home with her sister Kari's Family and Eleni and I stayed a few extra days feeling sorry for ourselves by getting in some extra biking, some white water rafting, an afternoon at Splash Montana, watching Nicole's sister's husband "Weats" who's a smoke-jumper do a practice jump which was super cool and just hanging and having fun!!!!
Silas, Eleni & Weats after Successful Landing
A Great Trip, A Great Time, Great Memories!
I competed in the Young Life Triathlon August 21st with some co-workers doing
the relay. John did the swim, I did the biking and Jeff did the running.
We ended up 1st in the Men's Relay division, finishing the
1.5k Swim, 40k bike and 10k Run in 2:27:13, a great time for sure.
John McDonald, Jeff Staley, Tony Schmitz
Team: Bring Back Detroit Mountain!
Summer Swinging... doing the "Spider"
September's Here! Labor Day- Laddies Loppet and Back to School.
Catching up on the Blog, that info coming soon.
We made it!
Camping out in Nicole's cousin Michelle's yard the first two night in Missoula
before heading up to Bigfork where we had a sweet vacation home for the week with the whole Klingsporn gang.
We spent the week hanging at the Cougar Trail Ranch
with some day trips biking, fly fishing, Glacier National Park,
and a fun day boating on Swan Lake.
The Ranch
Eleni slack lining.
Marlo rocking Glacier
The "Klingsporn" Gang!
All went well until the day we were leaving the ranch to head back to Missoula
for "Adult's Night Out" and Brewery Tour....
Meggan, Tony, Nicole & Michelle @ The Kettle House
Nicole getting some N/A orange drink (remember..she's pregnant)
...and our Transmission goes out on
our Yukon...... After gimping it the 130 miles we hooked up with Transoulutions-Tranny shop in Missoula who worked their magic and getting a full rebuild installed.
Unfortunately, plans had to change and Nicole and Marlo rode home with her sister Kari's Family and Eleni and I stayed a few extra days feeling sorry for ourselves by getting in some extra biking, some white water rafting, an afternoon at Splash Montana, watching Nicole's sister's husband "Weats" who's a smoke-jumper do a practice jump which was super cool and just hanging and having fun!!!!
Silas, Eleni & Weats after Successful Landing
A Great Trip, A Great Time, Great Memories!
I competed in the Young Life Triathlon August 21st with some co-workers doing
the relay. John did the swim, I did the biking and Jeff did the running.
We ended up 1st in the Men's Relay division, finishing the
1.5k Swim, 40k bike and 10k Run in 2:27:13, a great time for sure.
John McDonald, Jeff Staley, Tony Schmitz
Team: Bring Back Detroit Mountain!
Summer Swinging... doing the "Spider"
September's Here! Labor Day- Laddies Loppet and Back to School.
Catching up on the Blog, that info coming soon.
Friday, July 16, 2010
Announcement!
Eleni & Marlo
Would Like To Announce....
Yep, a new addition to our family will arrive sometime in February!
Nicole is doing and feeling good. More details to follow!
In other news we had a great time last weekend with our friends Blair and Kelly and their daughters, Evan and Marin up on Cass Lake camping.
We brought our boat and spent all day Saturday on the water.
A good time for sure.
boat snacks!
The birds were up and chirping!
This weekend is the Water Carnival in Detroit Lakes.
so some festivities to take in for that and then I'm off to Elk River early
Sunday morning for MNMBS Race #6.
Yep, a new addition to our family will arrive sometime in February!
Nicole is doing and feeling good. More details to follow!
In other news we had a great time last weekend with our friends Blair and Kelly and their daughters, Evan and Marin up on Cass Lake camping.
We brought our boat and spent all day Saturday on the water.
A good time for sure.
boat snacks!
The birds were up and chirping!
This weekend is the Water Carnival in Detroit Lakes.
so some festivities to take in for that and then I'm off to Elk River early
Sunday morning for MNMBS Race #6.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Dirt Spanker- Duluth
Last weekend we made the trip up to Duluth for the MNMBS stop #3, the Dirt Spanker. We left Saturday morning to arrive in time to meet our Friends Jane, Ryan and Andi for Lunch at the Fitger's BrewHouse. Pretty much our standard stop in Duluth for good eats!
Then we were off to Mont Du Lac to meet Wade, Julie, Gabby & Carter to set up camp and for Wade and I to hopefully get in a pre-ride. When we arrived we found the lot for camping was flooded from the rain all week prior. We then found some high ground and got camp set as the rain started to come down. No pre-riding to be had, we hung out and let the kids play in the mud.
There was a Ultimate Frisbee Tournament in Duluth that weekend and Mont Du Lac hosted a party that evening with live music by the Boomchucks and Charlie Parr along with Beer Sponsor SURLY! So a night of sweet tunes and Surly Furious was on Tap..Pun intended!
Saturday morning was forecast-ed with sun, but with fog and no sun to be found the race course was due to be a mud slinger, with a few riders doing an early morning pre-ride coming out muddy, but then it only got worse.
I was racing Sport and with a 11am start and still a pile of Citizen Racers still on course it was for sure going to be an interesting race. I started in the Second Wave and with the BIG climb to start I went into the single track in 2nd from my wave and in front of a bunch of first wave riders. The first hill found everyone off their bikes and pushing them which continued to be the trend the rest of the race. I tried to be on my bike as much as I could but found it hard with all the lap traffic, but not being much of a runner I found myself running with my bike trying to stay ahead of those in my wave. Towards the end of the lap was the roller coaster section and slightly drier which was nice to ride those sections and running into Jay Richards snapping photos was perfect timing as I was thinking just prior how this is the type of Mudder he always writes about being his favorite kind of race. So with the last climb/walk to the top and a slalom like downhill to the finish I rolled across 1st in my age division and 8th overall out of 91 riders.
There were a lot of angry and frustrated riders on course with bikes locked up with mud and broken derailleurs, it was nice being able to finish and not majorly damaging my bike which is now tore apart in the garage for a serious cleaning top to bottom.
Photo by Dana Schoppe Photagraphy
Eggbeaters doing their job in the mud with no issues clipping in.
Eleni and Marlo both were signed up for the Shimano Kids Race.
5 and Under were called up with Marlo being the youngest racer at age 2.
She put forth a good effort with a smile and stopped mid race to tell me, "Daddy, she has a bike like ME!"
Kids Photos by Grizzly-Adam
Eleni Did her two laps in the 6 and up division. Good times for them which made them feel apart of the festivities.
Making the most out of a fun weekend for Sure!
Then we were off to Mont Du Lac to meet Wade, Julie, Gabby & Carter to set up camp and for Wade and I to hopefully get in a pre-ride. When we arrived we found the lot for camping was flooded from the rain all week prior. We then found some high ground and got camp set as the rain started to come down. No pre-riding to be had, we hung out and let the kids play in the mud.
There was a Ultimate Frisbee Tournament in Duluth that weekend and Mont Du Lac hosted a party that evening with live music by the Boomchucks and Charlie Parr along with Beer Sponsor SURLY! So a night of sweet tunes and Surly Furious was on Tap..Pun intended!
Saturday morning was forecast-ed with sun, but with fog and no sun to be found the race course was due to be a mud slinger, with a few riders doing an early morning pre-ride coming out muddy, but then it only got worse.
I was racing Sport and with a 11am start and still a pile of Citizen Racers still on course it was for sure going to be an interesting race. I started in the Second Wave and with the BIG climb to start I went into the single track in 2nd from my wave and in front of a bunch of first wave riders. The first hill found everyone off their bikes and pushing them which continued to be the trend the rest of the race. I tried to be on my bike as much as I could but found it hard with all the lap traffic, but not being much of a runner I found myself running with my bike trying to stay ahead of those in my wave. Towards the end of the lap was the roller coaster section and slightly drier which was nice to ride those sections and running into Jay Richards snapping photos was perfect timing as I was thinking just prior how this is the type of Mudder he always writes about being his favorite kind of race. So with the last climb/walk to the top and a slalom like downhill to the finish I rolled across 1st in my age division and 8th overall out of 91 riders.
There were a lot of angry and frustrated riders on course with bikes locked up with mud and broken derailleurs, it was nice being able to finish and not majorly damaging my bike which is now tore apart in the garage for a serious cleaning top to bottom.
Photo by Dana Schoppe Photagraphy
Eggbeaters doing their job in the mud with no issues clipping in.Eleni and Marlo both were signed up for the Shimano Kids Race.
5 and Under were called up with Marlo being the youngest racer at age 2.
She put forth a good effort with a smile and stopped mid race to tell me, "Daddy, she has a bike like ME!"
Kids Photos by Grizzly-AdamEleni Did her two laps in the 6 and up division. Good times for them which made them feel apart of the festivities.
Making the most out of a fun weekend for Sure!Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Monday, May 17, 2010
Spring Fun!
Looks like we've got a nice looking week ahead of us!
We got a bunch of projects knocked off the to do list this past weekend.
I didn't make it out and wet a line for the MN Fishing Opener instead,
Nicole got the front door painted along with some trim painting around all the doors outside.
I got the garden cleaned out and a load of new top soil added along with a few things planted, more to go on the planting project. Last year was our first year for a garden so it was a learning experience for what worked for us and the amount of sunlight that we get back in the woods, so hopefully we can peg it better this year and yield some produce.
I did take time out though to make it up to Maplelag Early Sunday for a session on the singletrack.
I didn't make it out and wet a line for the MN Fishing Opener instead,
Nicole got the front door painted along with some trim painting around all the doors outside.
I got the garden cleaned out and a load of new top soil added along with a few things planted, more to go on the planting project. Last year was our first year for a garden so it was a learning experience for what worked for us and the amount of sunlight that we get back in the woods, so hopefully we can peg it better this year and yield some produce.I did take time out though to make it up to Maplelag Early Sunday for a session on the singletrack.
Ready for Planting
Cousin Hannah and Marlo Cuisin' at Marlo's Birthday Party back in the beginning of April. These two could be trouble in a vehicle in about 14 years. You can see the front door prior to painting last weekend.
Eleni participated in the Roosevelt Elementary Science Fair. She demonstrated the capillary action of water in plants by putting food coloring in the water and watching the carnations change colors.The one on the far right we split the stem and put half in Blue water and the other in Red. Pretty cool display that drew some attention and she loved showing everyone with paper towel demonstration.
We hit Dunton locks last weekend for a hike with the dog and the girls biked and did really well with Eleni challenging herself with the hills. Marlo has got her new Strider dialed and loves the down hills and lately she's been finding the small drop in our yard and hitting it fast lifting her feet. Her balance has really improved in a short 3 weeks time!Back on April 24th and 25th I went to the team camp for the Maplelag/Paramount Mountain Bike Team and Sunday was the Maplelag hosted Spring Opener Race. It rained Saturday making for muddy fun conditions but the fun ended early for me as I snapped my chain on the fun ride with Jay, Steve & Matt, Jeremy and Matt Horner, so it was early out for me and got the bike ready to go for Sunday's Race Day. (Thanks Matt for the new chain!)
Sunday race day was a fun lung cleaning day, good to work the kinks out and ride with a good group of people. A great weekend and always a treat staying up at Maplelag and the great homemade food that goes with it!
Photos by Jay Richards
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARLO!
Happy 2nd Birthday Marlo!
(April 5th, 2010)
We just got back from a weekend trip down to St. Louis, MO to visit Nicole's Grandma, Aunt, Uncle and Cousins. We had a great trip spending Easter with them and the weather was beautiful, 80 degrees and sunny. Marlo got to go on an "AIRPLANE FOR MY BIRTHDAY!" as she's been talking about it for the last month.
Crazy 2 years has gone by and our little girl is now two!
More update and photos later....
Marlo Rose April 5th, 2008
(April 5th, 2010)
We just got back from a weekend trip down to St. Louis, MO to visit Nicole's Grandma, Aunt, Uncle and Cousins. We had a great trip spending Easter with them and the weather was beautiful, 80 degrees and sunny. Marlo got to go on an "AIRPLANE FOR MY BIRTHDAY!" as she's been talking about it for the last month.
Crazy 2 years has gone by and our little girl is now two!
More update and photos later....
Marlo Rose April 5th, 2008
Marlo April 5th, 2010
"Push Me Fast Daddy!" 4/5/10Tuesday, December 22, 2009
MERRY CHRISTMAS
Lack of updates I know, but it's been a busy fall....
Now it's December and three days before Christmas! As I sit here with Marlo on my lap as always with ants in her pants, Miss jabber jaw, miss independent, stuborn, with her "Me Help", "Narno do it" attitude. (She calls herself Narno)
We went through some photos and video to post for the holidays.
Now it's December and three days before Christmas! As I sit here with Marlo on my lap as always with ants in her pants, Miss jabber jaw, miss independent, stuborn, with her "Me Help", "Narno do it" attitude. (She calls herself Narno)
We went through some photos and video to post for the holidays.
Eleni is doing great in Kindergarten and loving it. She's a smart cookie, but too many cookies and she's bouncing off the walls.
We dusted some snow off the pond for a little skating action in the backyard. Eleni's first time on skates and she did very well.
Showing off her new skills
Marlo getting in on the action.
The tree decorating committee, doing what they do best!
We are slow on getting out our Christmas Cards, so maybe we'll do
New Year cards instead?
Until then... Here's some Christmas Cheer
from the girls.
Have a Merry Christmas!
We dusted some snow off the pond for a little skating action in the backyard. Eleni's first time on skates and she did very well.
Showing off her new skills
Marlo getting in on the action.
The tree decorating committee, doing what they do best!
We are slow on getting out our Christmas Cards, so maybe we'll do
New Year cards instead?
Until then... Here's some Christmas Cheer
from the girls.
Have a Merry Christmas!
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Recap of some Fall Events-Eleni starts School!
8/9/09 Friends Jason & Kristin got married up on the North Shore of Lake Superior. Beautiful ceremony right on the beach, good times for sure.
Nicole and I camped out at Split Rock light house the night prior and had a pretty sweet site with a large "split rock" of all things right in our site.
Had time for a short ride the morning prior to the wedding, Rode to the top of day hill which had a great view.
The next weekend was the Border Battle bike race in River Falls, WI. MN vs. WI series.
MN Put up a good battle, but WI took the cup again this year. Made it a solo trip and camped out nice relaxing getaway with lots of time to think.
Eleni broke her collar bone on August 17th. She was running with her cousins and got tripped up and fell just right. 2.5 hr wait in the "waiting room" in the ER for x-rays told us what we already knew.. Yep -Broken!
Friends Zach & Susie got married August 29th the girls had a great time dancing. Nicole & Eleni rocked the Hokey-Pokey sticking the RIGHT arm in, but Eleni stuck her left since the right one was on the injured reserve list.
Beach time at the reception.
The first year of our garden was a learning experience. Tomatoes, beans, peas, peppers, lettuce, herbs and a few cucumbers. Lots of tomatoes waiting to turn red.
Labor Day, Maplelag weekend of bike racing. Time trial Saturday morning and Short Track in the afternoon. Two new events for me, need to be in better shape for those sprint type races. Sunday was the XC event, paced myself and rode well..always good times.
Short Track Race -Photo courtesy of www.skinnyski.com
ELENI STARTS KINDERGARTEN!
First day of school with her pile of school supplies to stock up her share of the class. Missing a freshly lost front tooth with a nervous look on her face and don't forget the big box of tissues.
Sept 12th, Happy Birthday to me, along with the Dick Beardsley 1/2 marathon which Nicole and her sister Katie did the relay in. I pulled the girls in the Burley and leap frogged the event cheering for all the runners. Record turn out this year and Nicole and Katie did great, Congrats Ladies and well done!
Nicole looking strong at the end of her leg.
A few friends came over for a bonfire that night with a lot of kids running through the woods in the dark with flashlights screaming looking for big foot. Unfortunately forgot to take the camera out of my pocket that night to capture the chaos.
A nice day on the water today. Wish we would have had some days like this earlier in the summer! Lake like glass, kids got to go tubing again FINALLY.
Marlo and Cousin Ella getting a lesson for next year (maybe?)
Nicole and I camped out at Split Rock light house the night prior and had a pretty sweet site with a large "split rock" of all things right in our site.
Had time for a short ride the morning prior to the wedding, Rode to the top of day hill which had a great view.
The next weekend was the Border Battle bike race in River Falls, WI. MN vs. WI series.
MN Put up a good battle, but WI took the cup again this year. Made it a solo trip and camped out nice relaxing getaway with lots of time to think.
Eleni broke her collar bone on August 17th. She was running with her cousins and got tripped up and fell just right. 2.5 hr wait in the "waiting room" in the ER for x-rays told us what we already knew.. Yep -Broken!
Friends Zach & Susie got married August 29th the girls had a great time dancing. Nicole & Eleni rocked the Hokey-Pokey sticking the RIGHT arm in, but Eleni stuck her left since the right one was on the injured reserve list.
Beach time at the reception.
The first year of our garden was a learning experience. Tomatoes, beans, peas, peppers, lettuce, herbs and a few cucumbers. Lots of tomatoes waiting to turn red.
Labor Day, Maplelag weekend of bike racing. Time trial Saturday morning and Short Track in the afternoon. Two new events for me, need to be in better shape for those sprint type races. Sunday was the XC event, paced myself and rode well..always good times.
Short Track Race -Photo courtesy of www.skinnyski.com
ELENI STARTS KINDERGARTEN!
First day of school with her pile of school supplies to stock up her share of the class. Missing a freshly lost front tooth with a nervous look on her face and don't forget the big box of tissues.
Sept 12th, Happy Birthday to me, along with the Dick Beardsley 1/2 marathon which Nicole and her sister Katie did the relay in. I pulled the girls in the Burley and leap frogged the event cheering for all the runners. Record turn out this year and Nicole and Katie did great, Congrats Ladies and well done!
Nicole looking strong at the end of her leg.
A few friends came over for a bonfire that night with a lot of kids running through the woods in the dark with flashlights screaming looking for big foot. Unfortunately forgot to take the camera out of my pocket that night to capture the chaos.
A nice day on the water today. Wish we would have had some days like this earlier in the summer! Lake like glass, kids got to go tubing again FINALLY.
Marlo and Cousin Ella getting a lesson for next year (maybe?)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)