Return to Snow

As we boarded the plane to come home, we knew the weather forecast for Colorado included snow. We didn't realize how much snow until we landed....in a blizzard!

Akki was scheduled to pick us up, but she got stuck in the snow with a flat tire and had to wait for a tow truck. The buses to the airport were running at least two hours behind and SuperShuttle had stopped for the day. We immediately went to the taxi stand to see if they were running. Thankfully, we were able to get an SUV taxi to take us home. It was a slow ride home and at some points we couldn't see the end of the hood of our vehicle due to the blowing snow. Plus to add to the delay, there was a multi-car accident that closed a section of the highway. It took us close to three hours to get home when the trip normally takes 40 minutes!

Even with the blizzard, we are still happy to be home!

Top of the Rock

Our last day in NY and it is warmer!

I remember watching Matt Lauer doing a segment of the Today show from Top of the Rock and decided to visit Rockefeller Center. I'd been there before, but never took the tour, so after a short visit to Starbuck's and catching up on the news, I strolled up 8th Avenue.

I decided to buy the Sunrise Sunset ticket that allows two entries within 24 hours, plus a regular ticket for Damith who joined me later as the sun was setting. I liked taking the tour on my own during the day as I got to people watch and just enjoy the view. From seventy floors up, it is quite a panoramic view of New York. But perhaps because we visited the Empire State Building on an earlier visit, I wasn't completely awed by the experience.

Afterwards, as it is one of our traditions when we're in New York to enjoy Papaya dogs, we walked down to the Empire State Building to enjoy a few dogs and a drink before meeting Rohit at Vermilion for dinner.

New York's Finest

On the walk back from our Chinese lunch, Damith and I saw two of New York's finest...

The police officers were quite friendly too.

The Nanny

While in New York, I went with some of my co-workers to a pub called "The Spotted Pig" and behind us was Fran Drescher! I wasn't sure it was her until I heard her speak. She was very cool in allowing me take this picture as proof to Sabrina that I really did meet Fran.

Greetings from NYC

We are on a working holiday (Damith is working and I'm on holiday) in NYC and we're staying at the Desmond Tutu Center in Chelsea. It is a very nice hotel - only downside is that they don't have room service. We generally don't order room service, but right about now it sounds like a nice option as the high today is low 40s and I can hear the wind whistling blowing outside. Don't really feel like bundling up to venture outside for food.

I gave into the hunger and walked down to the Chelsea Market. There were so many selections but I finally walked into Ruthy's bakery & cafe and selected the 'vacation' sandwich which has beef, pepper jack cheese, and peppers in the sandwich. It was very tasty!

Fourth Hike - Beaver Brook Trail

Dave had suggested this hike for last weekend, but since we are still playing badminton on Sundays, we thought it would be too much for one day. The entire trail round trip is over 14 miles long and is relatively level. Before starting, we set a time limit of how long we'd be on the trail and thus hiked a little more than three and half miles before turning back. We took advantage of the level trail and practice some trail running. On the way back, Damith and Marie just took off like energizer bunnies.

Once we all reached the parking lot, we drove into Golden and enjoyed lunch at Ali Baba Grill. It was possibly the best Lebanese / Middle Eastern food we've eaten. We all ordered different plates and none of us were disappointed. We were even surprised at the portion sizes. Damith and I shared the traditional Lebanese Meat Combo for two and it could easily have fed four! Seeing the size of our meal, we decided to split a baklawa and we were each able to have two spoonful bites. We will definitely go back to Ali Baba Grill!

Third Hike - Royal Arch

Each week we seem to be expanding our hiking group. Today Mike, Marie, Flavio, Hans and his pup Sully joined us for the Royal Arch Trail. Unfortunately, Sully wasn't feeling up to the hike so he and Hans turned back early into the hike.

We had hiked this trail in 2007 and it about killed my knees. This year, we made it to the arch in a little less than 2 hours! My knee was sore after the hike, but definitely no where as sore as before.

Afterwards, Hans and Sully joined us at Half Fast Subs in Boulder.

Hans cooks again...

When Siew Gin sent out an email stating Hans' was cooking again, we happily accepted the invitation. The suggested menu was Spaghetti alle Vongole, but when we arrived we learned that the chef had changed his mind. Instead, he was creating Indonesian plates - shrimp wonton appetizers, mee soto soup (very yummy), and ayam kicap (soy sauce chicken).

While Steffen assisted with the shrimp wontons and Hans cooked, Damith and Dave tried to create an optical illusion.

What will he cook next?

Riding a zamboni

Enrique invited us to the Rage vs Eagle hockey game tonight. We invited others from the MLC gang, but they all gave excuses (cleaning, working, etc). Seriously, on a Friday night, you are cleaning?!

We'd watched hockey games on TV before and I even attended a game in Austin, but Damith had never attended a live game! It was amazing to see how quickly the players moved on the ice. Our seats were near one of the goals and it was exciting to see goals being scored, along with a few fights breaking out right in front of us. Even though we could tell two of the fights were staged, it was still exciting to see them flop around on the ice!

In between the second and third periods, Enrique asked if I wanted to ride the zamboni. Really how could I say no! It felt a bit weird to be riding with the crowd looking on, but how many chances in life do you get to ride a zamboni?!

Thanks Enrique!

Even though the Rage lost (3-7), it was still an exciting game. I think we'll be attending more hockey games in the future. Maybe next time Damith can ride the zamboni!

Alan's Surprise Party!

Alan thought Siew Gin had planned a 'Tyler free' evening for his birthday. Damith and I were to watch Tyler while they enjoyed a night out. He was quite shocked when we opened our front door and confetti and screams of surprise greeted him!

Once inside, we enjoyed some of Alan's favorite foods - ribs and hot links, french fries, jalepeno pepper poppers, plus home made strawberry malts. Afterwards, Alan opened presents while we ate birthday cake. Tyler especially liked the malts and cake!

Alan...

Second Hike - Meyer's Homestead

We planned to hike yesterday, but the weather forecast showed snow in the area and highs in the 40s. So of course, we pushed the hike to today and due to daylight savings, we started a bit later on the hike than we'd planned.

As it is still early in the hiking season, we wanted something a bit more strenuous than last week, but nothing that would scare newbies. Alan suggested Meyer's Homestead, which is near the Walker Ranch trail we hiked last year. This was a new trail for all of us as Alan had never hiked it before either.

The trail was a five-mile loop that ends at a scenic overlook with views into the depths of Boulder Canyon and to the Continental Divide. As if we couldn't tell we'd reached the top, there was a sign letting us know!

Dinner with Mike & Marie

Mike and Marie invited us to their place for dinner. As they had just gotten back from a fishing trip in Cabo San Lucas, we enjoyed fish tacos with all the works! Although Damith and Marie work together and see one another daily, it was nice to catch up with both Mike and Marie. Afterwards, we exchanged Christmas gifts. It may be months later, but the joy of open gifts was still ooh and awe worthy!

Oceanaire Disappointment

Hans made reservations for us all to dine at Oceanaire in Denver during the fifty-two eighty restaurant extended week. The restaurant is voted as one of the best places to dine in Denver and we had heard great things about their menu especially since the seafood is flown in fresh each day.

We walked in and the wait staff was very friendly, checked our coats, and explained the menu while we waited for a few stragglers to arrive (Dave and Addy). Hans and Dave raved about the bacon steak and so of course we had to order it. Sadly, out of all the food, I think the bacon steak might have been the best thing on the table.

None of us were terribly impressed with the food:

• Damith's BLT salad was wilted and the bacon was charred
• Both Damith's marlin and my salmon were dry
• Hans' marlin was sent back twice - first because it was extremely dry (had to use a knife to cut it) then the next piece they brought him was almost raw
  

Perhaps the chef was having a bad day, but I don't think we'll be eating there again. Even at a reduced price, it wasn't worth the trip; any one of us at the table could make a better meal!

First Hike of 2009

We've been waiting for the weather to warm a bit to start hiking again. We decided to kick this year off with an easy one, Eldorado Springs trail. It was nice to be outside enjoying the fresh air and scenery. Damith was a bit disappointed that it was so short of a hike, but we kept reminding him this was the first of the season - start slow. But have to agree with him in that after doing 14ers you kind of enjoy the slogging. Hopefully we ramp up quickly. After the hike we went to have breakfast at the South Side Walnut Cafe.