September 7, 2009:  Hey everyone, sorry it's been a while but we have a lot to cover so let's get started.  Work finally slowed down a bit after I got back from Houston, just in time for the camping trip to Ross Lake with all of our friends.  I didn't get all the work finished that I had on my to do list but I was able to get another guy on our team to take up the slack for me when I was away.  I took the Thursday before the trip off to finish up some of the last minute details with the trailer and get all the gear packed up.  Lisa dropped Stella off at the kennel for the weekend and then joined me to go to Seattle to pick up the rental boats for Petro, Jamie, and Mike and then swing by to get John, Theresa and Chris's boats on the way back.  We got home late, finished packing the trailer by putting our boats on it and tried to get a couple hours of sleep before we took off at 230am.  The trailer did great on the trip and only had a couple simple issues that were easily fixed.  The weather was amazing, some of the best we've ever had on a trip to Ross Lake, and the hike to Desolation Peak was incredible.  Everyone seemed to have a great time, you can see more pictures under the 'Kayak Log' or by clicking the image on the right.  Just before we left Lisa picked up the replacement pump for the hot tub so I could install it myself and save the over $100 service call it was going to take to have it installed.  My legs were so wrecked from the hike that I really needed the hot tub to help get me back to normal so I spent most of Monday getting it installed and all the plumbing hooked back up.  I replaced the last few parts that needed replacing, gave it a good scrubbing and had it full of water and warming up by bed time.  The soaking each night was exactly what I needed, my legs were just about back to normal by the end of the week.  Friday after work I picked up a bike I've had on lay-away at the shop down the street, a Cannondale 29er single speed.  Mountain bikes with 29 inch wheels are the up and coming thing and a hardtail mountain bike with a Lefty in the front is a great bike to use for Winter training around here, I figured I'd give one a try.  We rode some trails up north in Bellingham, WA this weekend and had a great time, I rode the Prophet there but got to take the new 29er out for a few miles with Lisa and her friend Lori from work tonight.  I have to say that it was amazing and all that I hoped it would be.  The larger wheels roll over anything with ease and at least on the trails near our house the single speed worked out great.  Overall I would say I'm very happy with the purchase.  I'll update the bike section with more pictures when I have a chance.  Stella is out cold on the floor beside me, Lisa is on the couch dozing off and I can hear the hot tub calling my name, talk you again soon!