Cheryl's Holiday Greetings 2008

Dear Friends and Family,
I hope all is well for you and your loved ones. This was a pretty good year, except for some parts beginning to wear out. I came back from the Spring Grand Canyon trip with electrolyte problems, and then added knee problems to the mix after RAGBRAI. I really didn't go on 'tough' trips the remainder of the year, as I'm trying to save myself for my upcoming trip to Tasmania this winter.

Here are some pictures from various trips and visits this past year. You can also check my blog for updates, I have been adding pictures to that pretty regularly. It's at http://csoshnik.spaces.live.com

(Click the thumbnails for the full size picture)

Cousins, Skiing, Snowshoeing, and Bicycling
2008 started with Sundance Film Festival. I was able to host one of the documentary film makers, a link from last year's bike touring trip to New Zealand.
February, Randy and I tried a month of biking in Southern UT, NV, and CA...it was only a partial success. Weather was just too cold. We did hook up with the WMC Death Valley weekend however. Eventually, I ended up down in Yuma AZ, visiting with cousins Kaaren, Butch and Tom.

Bald Mtn in the Uintas with Julie and Mike from MN

Bald Mountain once again with Andy and Randy

Spent a week hiking in S Utah with Karthy

Backpacking, Hiking, Canyons and Friends
In the Spring, it was off to the Grand Canyon for some backpacking. Good old Rover friends, great route, but I had some medical problems so I didn't go below the rim the 2nd week. Instead I found the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary and did some volunteering in the 'Cat House'.
Early Summer, Julie and Mike showed up from MN and we tried to get to the top of Bald Mtn in the Uintas. Snow turned us back.
During the summer it was a little more hiking, but a lot more biking. That is until my knee acted up on RAGBRAI. Darn body, twice this year now it's failed me. Enjoyed Andy's visit after the OR show in August...this time we made it to the top of Bald Mountain.
Had a great time in August hiking in the Capitol Reef NP area with Karthy.

A Week of Self-Supported biking in Southern Utah

Fall hiking around Park City with Louise

Halloween with Cyndi, Donna, Lori and Barak

Thanksgiving in Portland with Pat and Kandi

Here comes the snow -- the flamingos failed to fly south

Biking, Hiking, Playing, Road Trip
Began the fall with a full week of Self-Supported biking in Southern Utah. PA moved back from DC, Lori came out for a visit from MN.
Halloween being my favorite holiday, Lori, Cyndi, Donnna and I had to go out with Barak. Ended the fall with SirKitten and I traveling with Kandi to Portland for Thanksgiving with Pat G and lots of old old friends.
Now as I write this, we're back to the winter storm cycle. Time to dust off my snowshoes and skis.

I'm looking forward to my December holiday visitors, Sundance Film Festival, and then my first big trip of 2009: Six weeks in Tasmania!

Happy Holidays everyone!
Cheryl
...and SirKitten...