Florida Morning

It is a beautiful Florida morning - about 68 degrees and peaceful. We are at Faver Dykes State Park in Palm Coast Florida, just South of St Augustine. Only about 2 hours of traveling until we get to Disney. So far I'm just loving the travel trailer living. Another trailer had a flag posted at their camp site tat summed it up well - Home Is Where You Park It.

Hauling 5000 lbs

You seen them on the highways - those massive RV Trailers that mainly stay in the right hand lane because the vehicle pulling them is - well - doing the best it can.  Now that person is me.  We are on our first big trip in the North Trail 31 foot trailer.  Headed to Orlando taking our home away from home with us.  So far VanPelt is doing a great job.  I normally travel about 60-65 mph and always in the right hand lane.  I'm getting about 9.5 mile per gallon and I only get nervous when I'm passed by a big truck or a super fast car.  The best part about travel trailering is lunch time - you just pull off the road at rest area and pop out the slide for your ouwn private dinning experience.  We are currently in St. Augustine and will get into Disney fort Wilderness tomorrow.

Ready for the Ball (1/2 Marathon)

To add to the fun of running 13.1 miles in Disney World, we decided to run as Prince Charming and Cinderella.  We both made our own outfits from a little imagination and a lot of hot glue.  Hopefully we won't turn into pumkins at mile marker 11. 

Ellee - Just Plain Cute

Here you have it.  Ellee's two year old photo shoot.  With Bethanee, I went to a photography studio for her milestone pictures.  With Jackson, we went to picture people or JCPenney, but I never missed getting him and Bethanee in for pictures for month milestones and birthday or sometimes just because I had a coupon.  For Jillian, I had pictures taken for her birthdays up until two.  Poor Ellee, she's had one photo shoot in a studio for a family photo when she was 3 months.  No 3,6,9,12 month pictures, no 1 year birthday pictures, and for 2, I took her outside and had her ham it up for about 5 minutes (then I got cold and had to come inside.)  It is hard to capture her personality with a still camera, she more needs to be followed with a movie camera.  She is vibrant, strong willed, in your face, but quick to hug and make a smile come to your lips and your heart.  What a blessing this cute little face is to the Pelt family.

Triathlon Schedule

It is time to start thinking about Triathlons again - yes it will soon be warm enough to start swimming again.  This year I wanted to try out some races that I have not run in the past.  We are also going to coordinate my triathlons with excellent camping locations. The first race of the 2012 season is the Bandits Challenge at the W. Kerr Scott Dam & Reservoir in Wilkesboro, NC on June 16, 2012.  We are hauling the travel trailer down to Bandit's Roast - a small federal campground on the banks of the Kerr Scott Reservoir.  Next is the General Smallwood Tri at Smallwood State Park in Indianhead, Maryland on 7 July 2012.  Finally we have the Luray Triathlon in Luray, Virginia right next to Yogi Bear Campground on 18 August 2012.  I did the Luray two years ago and look forward to going back to Yogi Bear Campground.  I invite any and all to join us for camping or try your luck at the triathlon.  The next bit of news is that I get to compete in a new division - over 40 and over 200 lbs - the Masters Clydesdale.  That is just a fancy title for "old and fat" - but I think I will be able to place in my division.

Marathon Club Week 6

Another Week - Another Marathon Distance.  So far I have ran over 165 miles in 6 weeks.  Just one more week to go to meet my goal of a marathon a week until the Princess Half Marathon.  I really enjoy the running but I need to increase my distances so that my average run is 12-15 miles instead on 5-8 miles.

Upwards Season is Over

It was a long season and it is finally over.  The Hoyas - Jackson's Team - finished the season with a great game against one of the harder teams in the league.  Bethanee finished her game with a 42-28 victory while she scored 12 points in one game.  I'm going to miss it but I'm also glad to be getting Monday and Tuesday evenings back.  Next year I plan on having upwards at Stafford Baptist Church.

Teenager Belle

Little Belle is growing up fast - an excellent addition to our family.  But there are some quirks - she will not come when called.  She first has to show you that she will come but it is her own decision. She will steal food when given the opportunity.  And she likes to be chased - which can be inconvenient when you need to get a hold of her.  But we are working on those issues and soon my dinner plate will once again be safe.  She starts official training for therapy dog soon.  Bethanee and I are also going to school to learn how to be handlers.  Right now she is 46lbs and I expect her to gain another 20 before she is full grown.  We received her family lineage last week.  Her grandfather was named Smiley - When Belle is extra happy she pulls the back of her mouth up and smiles.  I guess it runs in the family.

More Guns Please

Warning Political Blog - read at your own risk.  Okay, so 20 years ago Virginia decided that we should only allow individuals to purchase one gun per month.  Now that the Republicans have taken over they have decided that this issue is the most important issue facing our Commonwealth.  One gun or ten guns does really matter to me but Virginia's unemployment has been steady at 7% and Virginians are continuing to lose their homes to foreclosures at an alarming rate.  I'm just saying is the right to purchase 18 guns in one month realy where our legislators should be focusing all of their time and attention.  I know that might put me outside the Republican fold - but please our public servants should serve the public by doing the Commonwealth's business - how does repealing this bill do anything to halp Virginia families today?  (well it might mean more gun sales - so I guess that might help - alittle). 

Back to Short Hair

After several months of growing our hair out - Jackson and I made the decision to go back to short hair.  It took about 6 months to grown and only about 20 minutes to cut.  We both are happy with the results.