A Sturdy Umbrella

{Photo from here}

Living in DC, I typically commute by foot. Walking in the rain doesn't ever seem to slow me down. But commuting in the wind and rain each Spring does a number on my umbrellas. Each year, I inevitably go through a few umbrellas. No matter how happy I start the wet weather season, my umbrellas end up, well, a bit like this:

{Photo from here}

So I am on the hunt for a good umbrella. I really have my heart set on a big one with a curved handle. What do you think? Any suggestions?

Oh yeah, and for the days I still really want to bike (even in the rain) I am thinking of trying something new.

{Photo from here}

Would you still be my friend if I rode to work like this?

Bike Riding

Mark got me a bike for my birthday last year (pictured above). My first thought: it is blue and beautiful. Then the cynicism set in and I speculated that he was gearing up for the mountain biking season and wanted to drag me along so he didn't feel guilty going out gallivanting all day. You see, John Backiel was having a busy year, so Mark needed a new biking buddy, so he bought me a bike. What a selfless gift!

In all seriousness, Mark foresaw the fun that we would having biking together. Surely you have read about some of my biking expeditions, namely when Sarah came to visit. Some of our biking highlights in Massachusetts included the Apple Street Loop, a quick ride after work, and riding to Cranes Beach, only 12 miles round trip. However, since we moved to DC, we have been in a riding slump. We made the mistake of storing our bikes on the Eastern Shore and missed opportunities where we may have gone for a ride.

The last few weekends we have gotten out more and I hope in continues. We went for a leisurely ride with Ben on the Eastern Shore and this past weekend we rode to and around Hains Point. We estimated that ride at about 13 miles. None of these rides are very long. We aren't training for any big race/triathlon. We just like to ride our bikes together. Now all we have to do is make the time.

Oh Sarah

Last weekend Sarah came to visit! Much to her surprise, the weekend revolved around basketball. We drove out to Virginia to watch a tournament Brooke was playing in and met up with my family after the tournament to watch the Final Four at Union Pub. The highlight of the evening was when 15 year old Brooke, deciding what she wanted to drink (always a long process), asked the bartender: "So how is your grapefruit juice?" Probably not a question the bartender was expecting. Here is a picture of us at the pub:

Amidst all of the basketball hoopla, we managed to squeeze in some non-basketball related activities for the sake of Sarah's sanity. With the warm weather we were motivated to get out and ride. We rode down the hill, around the mall, past the tidal basin, and back again with a brief stop at the Native American Museum for some delicious food. It was a whirlwind tour of DC fighting crowds on wheels. I almost wiped out - twice. We had a blast! Somehow Sarah and I always manage to get the most unflattering pictures with each other in helmets. Here are a few:



On Sunday we had a delicious brunch at Bread and Chocolate of a breakfast panini and peach German Pancakes. Yum! We spent the afternoon house hunting - checking out the interiors of the gorgeous homes that make up Capitol Hill. After church at GraceDC in the evening, it was sad to see Sarah go. We cannot wait for her to come back and visit again!