This is me planting a self-portrait on Gina's camera. The recently betrothed Gina. More on that later. But in the background, you'll notice my mountain bike still racked on my truck. I'm lame. The bike never got off the rack last weekend!
For the last 20 years I've spent Memorial Day Weekend camping with a large group of extended friends. I planned on using some of my time there this weekend mountain biking as I continue my training for my Climb To Fight Breast Cancer. I appreciate your support in trying to reach my lofty fund-raising goal of $10,781 - Mt Baker's elevation in feet.
Usually there's mountain biking and mushroom hunting for the tasty yet elusive morel mushroom. At least I saw my mountain bike this weekend. Not the case with morels. Here's a pic of Phil, dog Benny and I scanning the forest duff in vane.
Our cold spring and late melting snow have delayed the morel season. So really, in light of that, my climb training is right on track. Ahem. Right.
But there was a mountain climbed this weekend at our little backwoods soiree. Having met here two years prior, Phil proposed to Gina (KGWs 5pm news producer)! Here's Phil and Gina discussing the engagement with a gaggle of fellow female campers.
Phil and Gina check out the video I made of them right after the proposal.
The rest of the weekend was spent relaxing with a book and the dogs. Xena enjoyed cruising camp.
Always a highlight of this gathering is the music. The band rocked hard into the wee hours each morning.
Phil and Gina, Chris and Annie, and yours truly celebrating a fun and eventful weekend!
NEXT weekend: back to some serious training!
Happy Trails,
Matt Zaffino
Chief Meteorologist
KGW-TV
