Travel sparks – everydaysparks

My friend Doug is an Ironman

Posted on October 23, 2022October 23, 2022 by Cate

My friend Doug is an Ironman. Not the superhero, but an actual triathlete who is competing in the California Ironman event this weekend in Sacramento. California is Doug’s home state, but I’m betting that he has never experienced it like this before. For those of you who are more armchair athletes than superheroes in lycra, let me recap what is involved in the Ironman triathlon.

I guess at least it’s flat for cycling and running, and a nice temperature?
https://www.ironman.com/im-california

Firstly, Doug will swim 3.9km. Yes, really. Starting in the American River, which then joins the Sacramento River – I imagine it would be lovely in a boat or even a kayak, but am not sure that Doug and his 3,000 mates racing down the river will be in the mood for sightseeing.

After that refreshing dip, the Ironmen find their bikes (imagine the logistics of 3,000 bikes parked ready for the tired swimmers to locate), with an outfit change to carry them from the water to the pedals. Then it’s just your average Sunday bike ride, guys. 180.2km that sounds delightful on the official website: “two-loop tour of the beautiful farm and wine country” of the Sacramento River delta region. Apparently “athletes will tour what makes Sacramento the farm to fork city, which will showcase the great agricultural region of the Central Valley”. Almost sounds like competitors should bring a baguette and wheel of brie to pop in the wicker baskets they must surely have on their road bikes as they savour the journey!

Here is Doug with his bike in the parking lot for bikes that all appear to be black and look very similar. Like identical luggage on the carousel at the airport, with a tiny tag to avoid confusion. I very much hope that Doug is smiling like this when he next sees his bike – after his 3.9km River swim!

And then, as you leave your bike somewhere in yet another logistical feat of event management, you head off for a run. I should say, A MARATHON. Yep, 42.2km along the Sacramento River, old town, some “tree-lined paved trail” and then ending with a couple of laps around the California State Capitol building.

An easier way to kinda be an Ironman is to follow the course video on the website. I’ve done it now and you’ll be fine, Doug.
https://www.ironman.com/im-california-course

I will be tracking my friend Doug like a stalker via the very cool “Ironman Tracker” app. Given the time difference between California and Sydney, Doug will be starting at around 1am our time and suggests that he will “hopefully be done with the swim and bike” by the time his supporters in Sydney wake up. Perfect timing for me to track his marathon run over a coffee and cheer Doug on with one of his favourite cinnamon scrolls from the amazing bakery near where we both live on Sydney’s northern beaches.

Now that I think of it, baked goods are a cornerstone of our friendship. When I messaged Doug during the week to see if he was carb loading in preparation for the race, he mentioned that his Mom was helping with his prep. With these amazing looking Halloween sugar cookies, of course. Seasonally appropriate and full of energy and colourful goodness that every Iron-man, woman and child needs.

Good luck, my friend! Stay safe and may the sugar cookies you trained with fuel you with the wisdom of owls, the wingspan of bats, and the ability to roll like a pumpkin to the finish line. Go Doug, go!

Sparks Book Club, Travel sparks

New York books and things

Posted on March 22, 2017 by Cate

I love New York. I don’t have the t-shirt or mug or hat with that message plastered on it, but I really do heart New York. So many amazing things to see and do and watch and eat and drink, but today I wanted to tell you about a book shop (book store, if you prefer). It’s called Book Culture, and it’s brilliant.

But first, here’s Central Park under snow this week…

Anyway, my favourite link in the Book Culture chain is the store on Columbus. If you’re in town, it’s a great place to look around and spent some quality time with books and gifts and trinkets and cool things. Even if you’re the fussiest fuss-pot, or if you’re looking for a gift for said fussiest fuss-pot, I’m pretty sure you’ll find something (or things) here.

I was lucky enough to visit again this week, and wanted to share a couple of examples of their awesomeness with you: a blind date with a book; and a beautiful desk with stationery and encouragement to sit down, relax, and write a letter.

The “Blind Date with a book” table is full of different novels wrapped in brown paper. On each mysterious package is a note that helps you choose the best match for your date: with a list of three other novels (if you liked them, you’ll like this book too). Like an old-fashioned book match making service / lucky dip. Love it.

And then there’s this desk, with a note encouraging letter writers to sit, write, and have their letter posted by the good people of Book Culture. With nearly 2,000 letters sent from this very spot, it’s clearly helping to rekindle the art of letter writing. And they have included some political addresses, but you could also write to your granny, kindergarten teacher, or boy next door. (Or anyone else.) Such a great idea.

And now here’s the city lit with a few touches of green on St Patrick’s Day. (The beautiful view is from the fab Top of the Rock experience.) Just because.

‘Til next time, NYC. Love ya.

Travel sparks

Meanwhile, in the Bunbury Herald

Posted on June 15, 2016June 15, 2016 by Cate

Some interesting snaps from the local paper I found on my travels this week…It’s so Australian it almost hurts.

I think poor Dianne is reconsidering how much she loves her job. Not Rosemary, though – living the dream.

And a warning that the next clipping is from the ‘adult services’ section (which is in the Sport section of the paper, strangely enough)…

Good parking is important. (Really hope it’s not a euphemism for an adult service that I don’t understand.)

Travel sparks

Capitol A for Amazing

Posted on September 3, 2015September 3, 2015 by Cate

I feel like I have seen a lot in my two days in Washington DC. Equally, I feel like I have seen hardly any of what’s possible to see in Washington DC. Suffice it to say, I hope to come back for more visits as I had a fantastic time. Even if it was super hot and humid weather!

Capitol building — The Capitol. Adding to my collection of pics of landmarks under scaffolding when I visit.

Given my short trip, I knew I’d be happy if I got to spend time at Newseum (which I have been wanting to see for years), see some of the city, and maybe get to geek out at some other museums and historical places. Yesterday was a great day, but I’ll tell you more about that another time.

Today was very interesting, with a case of (accidental) great timing leading to a pretty special experience. I was on the hop on-hop off city bus, and, given the furnace that awaited outside the air-conditioned bus, I definitely had to psych myself up to hop off at all. But of course I did, with less than a day left before I hopped on the train back to NYC.

View from Lincoln Memorial to Washington Monument.

Great views, sure. But mostly, I wanted to see this big guy. And he was just as awesome as I’d hoped he’d be…

And, for scale, here’s a normal-sized man next to President Lincoln…

I shall name the other man Honest Gabe. Little pixie man that he is.

So that was all very interesting and in a stunning location. Then I headed down to the Korean War Memorial, and that’s where the magic happened. The memorial itself is incredible – 19 life-sized statues of men dressed in the heavy cold weather gear they would’ve worn during the war. Their faces are modeled on 19 actual US soldiers from that war, apparently. And they are set in a beautiful green garden. Very moving stuff – and proof that traditional art still works: you don’t always need a clever hologram or techno trickery to make your point.

And then, I noticed a group of Korean gentlemen (mostly old timers, all in uniform) and one young Korean lady (in uniform) gathering, along with a couple of old American gentlemen with service medals and partly dressed in uniform.

I had happened across the beginning of a service of some sort. Some words were said (in Korean), a large wreath was laid, and they all saluted as the anthems of both countries were played. Then a bugler played (bugler, not burglar, to be clear) and everyone that was lurking and watching the scene like me was as quiet as a mouse. It was very moving.

And a reminder that sometimes when you’re traveling, the unplanned experiences are the best.

And after that, I went to the Museum of American History – yet another interesting museum, and so well designed and presented. These guys know how to do a good museum, that’s for sure. Too many cool things to mention, so I’ll just share this: Al Capone’s mug shot. Doesn’t he look like a nice young man, who would maybe serve you in a bookstore, or sit next to you on the bus to work?

Travel sparks

Greetings from here

Posted on September 1, 2015 by Cate

Ah, the glamour of travel. Greetings from this place, which is not quite in Baltimore, but somewhere close, apparently. The train has been stopped for more than 30 minutes, which could be seen as an annoying thing, delaying our arrival at our destination.

But I bet very few international (or domestic, for that matter) travelers have had such a close look at this exact place. As the sun sets on the last day of summer (that’s official, as it’s 31 August, that’s not me being romantic), it’s catching the yellowing leaves on the big trees here.

The announcements from the poor lady running this train service are sounding increasingly desperate as the wait time for our unscheduled stop spirals out of control, with no end in sight. I suspect the passengers on this busy service aren’t as content with the delights of the ‘cafeteria car’ as she thinks they should be.

Calm yourselves and look out the windows, people! There are things to be seen, I tell you. For example, I can see a caravan under covers and a car under covers in the backyard over the wire fence here. And a Jeep and a van. Who are these people? Doomsday preppers, maybe?

Guess I shouldn’t mock, as we may need to call on them soon to ask for dinner or a shower or a bed if this delay continues…