Escape Route Report: May 2008

Glen Helen AMA Pro National MX 2008

This weekend marked the kick-off of the Pro National MX series. We have a tradition of riding Saturday morning, then camping out and watching the pros race on Sunday. Good times.

Racetown was in excellent condition on Saturday. Rain the day before and unseasonably cool temps kept the track loamy all day. Here I do my best to look fast for Mick's camera.

This year we got a premium spot for Mick's trailer. "Penthouse" view for the Nationals on Sunday.

HUGE step up jump. They make it look so easy. It is not.

Testing

Monkey Crow

You ask Monkey Crow? An A-frame in the woods, grown men on mini bikes, single track, lunch at Haywards Outback? I'm in!

The trail takes on a whole new perspective from the seat of a bike built for a child.

Grow up boys.

If you look closely you can see Lake Isabella in the background. (Click to enlarge)

We took those little bikes through some pretty tough terrain.

Hayward's Outback.

Here's Hayward himself. Through difficult negotiations with the Forest Service, Hayward built this mountain oasis by tearing down and rebuilding old mining cabins that the Forest Service was going to dispose of. He served up cold beers and then made us burgers and dogs. We were blown away by his hospitality. "When they built you brother they broke the mold."

Great ride, great group of dudes, good times. When will the Monkey Crow again?

Tatiana's Birthday 2008

We celebrated Tati's birthday on two separate nights. Thursday night was family night at Spark in HB. Friday night we met all her friends out for teppan at Daimon followed by cocktails at Sam's Tiki bar.

My love, my life, my pre-wife.

Tati's ladies.

Tati's men.

Even Tati's old high school buddies Jeff and Ryan made it down from Ventura!

Miss Jane and Miss T get their sake on.

Now Miss Kim.

Lil' Bao Wao and Miss Junko join in!

Once a climber, always a climber.

The doorman at Sam's suggested I search her down ... and so I did.

Girls will be girls.

Amber lets loose a cool hair flip.

Uh, Marlon, we need need to talk dude.

Perry(stein) Wedding in Ojai

Doug and Andrea wed at the beautiful Ojai Valley Inn. We're so happy for them, they make a great team. Here's wishing them many years of love and happiness.

We started the day poolside. Me, Dax, & Chris charge the drinks to the "Underhills."

Aidan and Ava Snider. Such cute, great kids!

Tatiana and Whitney, poolside princesses.

Beautiful setting and backdrop for their wedding.

While explaining the personal background of Doug & Andrea, the minister pointed out that Doug is always making Andrea laugh. He didn't disappoint during the ceremony. We all laughed and touchingly, Doug's older brother and best man, cried. A great moment in time.

I now present you Doug and Andrea as husband and wife.

The Potter family: Sheila, Natalie, and Dave ... with another bun in the oven!

Double D.

Ava Snider just had to try on Tatiana's engagement ring.

OMG.

Doug now married. I'm next. Then Keith later this summer.

Tati, Phil, and Wayne get down, literally.

Tati, Andrea, and Amber. Tyler to the right still layin' it down!

Good night.

Shotgun Ranch

Doug arranged for his bachelor party at his family's ranch in central Oregon. The place is called Shotgun Ranch because Shotgun Creek runs through it. So fittingly the Perry boys use the place as a hunting and fishing Nirvana. Over 7000 acres of manmosphere = an atmosphere where a man can shoot a gun, smoke a cigar, fish, spit, cuss, and howl at the moon if need be.