Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden

Cape Town has a beautiful oasis in the form of a botanical garden.  Kirstenbosch is filled with indigenous plants of all kinds.  I couldn't believe how many different plants there were there, this could be because they were plants I wasn't used to seeing, either way, they were all beautiful.  We had a lovely day relaxing in the garden, eating lunch and enjoying the beauty of the area.

A day with Mark and Kathy

On Thursday we had a great day with our hosts Mark and Kathy.  We took a drive out to Cape Point which took us back over Chapman's Peak which we had cycled on Tuesday. 

Near Cape Point we saw some baboons along the side of the road.  From what we hear, these guys can be pretty smart and mean.  People have been attacked by them as they know that backpacks contain food and they will take your pack.  This troup was hanging out right on the side of the road

Love this guy!

Coastal view

Penguins at Boulders Beach

These little African Penguins were fun to watch. 

Elephant's Eye

During our drive, there were so many visitors at Cape Point that we decided not to wait in line for over an hour to get in to the park and to go and take a hike instead.  Mark and Kathy had heard of a hike called Elephant's Eye but weren't quite sure where it was.  We looked it up on the trusty iphone and off we went!  It was a beautiful hike up to the cave where we had a great view of all of Cape Town.

The Eye of the Elephant

Mark and Kathy

Katie in the cave

Our day ended with a great dinner in downtown Cape Town at Primi Piatti.  It was a fabulous day!

South Africa

Chris and I are getting ready to travel to one of his old stomping grounds, South Africa.  He lived there during our Junior year of High School as an exchange student.  Needless to say we are eager to make this trip and anticipate a great adventure.  We are gearing up for our trip by contacting friends who live near Cape Town, making tour reservations, buying the necessary equipment and gathering information for our parents who will be taking care of our kiddos during our excursion.  Besides viewing the Big 5 and some, we have plans for these activities too:

Paragliding, quad bike safari, cycling the coast, hiking the Otter Trail and Table Top Mountain and great white shark cage diving.


I'm sure we'll find other activities to occupy our time...a day (or 2) at the beach, a township tour and spending time with friends.  Anyone been to the Cape Town area and have any suggestions of things we shouldn't miss?

26.2 in San Francisco!

Fundraising is completed! nice. Around $4200 is what I raised all together. Thank you to everyone who participated in making this a success for me. I am so excited to be on my way to San Fran in 9 days! Yes, 9! 26.2 here I come.

Ready. Set. Run! and run and run and run...

Here is what I have planned on this trip so far:

A night tour of this place...


And a slice of this cheesecake, dolloped with cream (fortunately the Cheesecake Factory is right across the street from our hotel!) This is my post race reward, maybe I'll take the whole cake...



A visit to Portland to see Grandma Hari

and Ursula (sorry Ur, I don't have a picture but am excited to come!) both of whom I am running in honor of.

Of course none of this would be possible with out the wonderful support of this person,



who has watched the kids every Saturday morning for more than 3 months now and helped me with fundraisers without complaining I might add! You are amazing and thanks honey (can I get a massage now please?).

Nags Head

Johns family top 10 beach tips:

1. If you pass through a downpour on the way to the beach, don't be dismayed, that doesn't mean it is raining on the beach, even if you see gray clouds surrounding you.
2. A trip to the aquarium on the way is not a necessity, unless your are Chris or Derek.
3. The water is not always warm, but burying yourself in the sand is.
4. Boogie boarding is fun for all ages.
5. Pack lots of sunscreen (which we did, not sure why we are so red!)
6. Sand, sand everywhere! Taking cold showers involves lots of complaining and screaming.
7. A personal role of toilet paper is handy.
8. For passengers who like to vomit in the car after a nice day at the beach, please keep it confined to dirtying one item. (We initiated our leather seats)
9. Kite flying is amazingly relaxing.
10. Wireless DVD headphones on a road trip are a luxury for all parties.

Happy Memorial Day!