...and the hits just keep on coming!

As Tom Cruise so eloquently stated in the movie A Few Good Men...

 

As I shared yesterday, we arrived in New York safe and sound, excited to about the race.  Everything was going smoothly...right up to the point when I found out the race had been cancelled.  Thinking that maybe, just maybe the race would simply be postponed, or moved to another venue, we set out towards our hotel.  Donna and I arrived in Vernon, New Jersey around 5pm only to find that our hotel had been evacuated due to a lack of water!  Wow!  Could things get any worse?  First the race, now this.  When we had spoken to the hotel staff, prior to leaving Phoenix, we were informed that the broken water main had been repaired, and that they had not lost power.  Today however, we were informed that the water main had never been repaired, and that the power had only recently been restored...huh?

Fortunately however, they had transferred all reservations to a nearby hotel...but it was not as nice as the one we had reserved...oh yeah, and they wanted to charge us more!  Well, after a little attitude was thrown around (on my part) they decided to offer us the same rate.  Shouldn't that have been done automatically?  Oh well, at least we had a room to stay in...but not for long.

The view outside our room in Vernon, NJ

We were originally scheduled to be there for the duration of our trip, but due to the cancelled race there was really no reason for us to stay in Vernon...besides, it was in the sticks...beautiful, but the sticks nonetheless. After a short amount of time on the Internet (thank God that was available) Donna found us a great little place to stay in Manhattan...The Stay Hotel.  Amazingly, the price was not much more than we were paying for the room in New Jersey!  My wife is awesome!

Oh by the way, the room number was 911...how fitting!

As it should be!

This room was nice...small, but nice!

So....first thing in the morning, we packed up and headed for the city, bound to turn disappointment into pleasure, and start our vacation a few days early. 

As we were driving from New Jersey to the Big Apple, I realized that I was actually going to have to drive in the city...New York City!  When I had visited once before, I thought "man, I hope I never have to drive here!". You know me though...I am up for most any challenge, and that is exactly how I embraced this little task...as a challenge and an adventure.  As with many things in life that tend to scare us...often those that we have never experienced...I took to this like a fish to water!  I just kept saying to myself "when in Rome..." 

Driving into Manhattan...what a blast!

Driving in the city was a blast! It was like a race...only slower.  It required a 'spidey-sense' of sorts.  You know, that sense that Spiderman had, where he could feel what was about to happen before it happened.  My spidey-senses were on full alert as I anticipated who would jump out in front of me, or who would quickly merge into my lane.  Well, that last statement is really only partially correct, as I am convinced that there are no lanes on the streets in the city...the lines are merely suggestions!  

This guy was taking the whole 'Spidey Sense' thing a bit too far!

After a great race...I mean drive...we had reached our hotel...and what a nice hotel it was!  Like anything, in the city, it was small...but it was actually very nice.  We unloaded our stuff and grabbed a taxi...bound for the Althletes' Village at the Jacob Javits Center.  Once we arrived, I checked in and received our credentials...even though the race had been cancelled.  We then met up with Paul (my mountain bike team mate) and his wife Michelle, who wanted to take us to a hole-in-the-wall, family style restaurant in Little Italy, where she has been going since she was 16 years old.  She grew up in Brooklyn, and promised us that this place was amazing.  Once we were finished touring the Athletes' Village we jumped on the train and headed to Little Italy. 

The Athletes' Village at the Jacob Javits Center

Paul and I with the infamous Cancellation Notice

I won't bore you with the details, the food was awesome!  No menus...They just start bringing you food...and you devour it...along with a few bottles of wine!  Oh, by the way, they don't bring out the normal sized bottles of wine...nope, they bring out the magnums!  I'm not saying I got drunk (because I didn't) but I am glad I didn't have to drive home!

The next day we got up late...imagine that!  We took the train up to Central Park and walked around for a while, grabbed some lunch, and then hoofed it home to get ready for dinner at Del Frisco's...mmm good!  After dinner we walked across the street to the Radio City Music Hall where Donna had reserved tickets for the Cirque De Soleil show, Zarkana...what an amazing show!  

Dinner at Del Frisco's

Cirque De Soleil...Zarkana!

Tune in tomorrow...if you are interested...to read about our last day in New York.

...and you thought it was over!

Hello my faithful followers!  It has been quite a while since my last post, and I am sure you have all been sitting on the edge of your seats, awaiting the next installment...well, here it is!

This post was written while on our trip...some while still in New Jersey; some in our hotel in Manhattan; and some on the plane, while returning to Phoenix.  I had intended to post this much earlier, but I had no way of uploading photos from my iPhone to my iPad...check that...Donna's iPad!

So here it is...

Those of you who have read my most recent Facebook post are already aware of my circumstances.  Donna and I arrived in New Jersey, safe and sound...even a little ahead of schedule!  However, there is bad news too...

Those of you who travel know that getting your baggage can sometimes prove to be problematic. How often have you arrived at your assigned carousel, waited for your luggage, only to find that it had come out on another carousel?  Well, I am happy to say that was not the case for us!

Our Welcome at the Newark Airport

Not only did our luggage come out where it was supposed to, it came out pretty quickly...even my bike case came through the "bulky luggage" area just fine...and it was located right next to our baggage carousel! 

Things were going nice and smooth...possibly too smooth.  Next step...rental car.

Let me start by saying that I have had some real bad experiences with rental car agencies in the past.  I should also tell you that we were requiring a specific type of vehicle due to the volume and size of our luggage.  As many of you well know, reserving a specific vehicle is really a crap-shoot, and almost no agency will 'guarantee' you that they will have it on their lot once you arrive. Donna had made arrangements ahead of time, and was even offered an upgrade at no cost...a way of saying thank you to me for being a firefighter. Thank you Dollar Rental Car! 

When we arrived at the rental car desk...oh wait, I haven't even told you about our experience getting all of our bags onto and off of the shuttle.  So, let's back up a bit and talk about that...

Again, if you have traveled, you have no doubt had to take some sort of a shuttle to get to the rental car area.  Isn't it amazing just how many escalators or elevators are involved in this little journey to get to the shuttle or tram?  It seems to me like every one of these requires an 'up and over' of sorts. Well, let me say that we made it through this little challenge with flying colors!

So, back to the rental car desk...

You would think that if you had talked to the director of operations of Dollar Rental Cars in New Jersey, and had been offered some sort of deal, that it would have been noted on your reservation, right?  I don't know, maybe I simply expect too much. Anyway...of course there was no notation made on our reservation, but my wife (being the great organizer that she is) printed out a copy of the email communique...a smart move!  So just like that we were given the deal that we were offered...again, too smooth.

We ended up with a very nice vehicle that easily accommodated all of our luggage, and didn't smell like cigarettes!  Off we headed for our hotel, The Appalachian Resort in Vernon, New Jersey. 

This is just MY luggage...

It all fits...even Donna's luggage!

Shortly after we began our drive, my team mate Paul (whom we had traveled with to New Jersey) called me with some bad news.  He had checked his email, and found out that all mountain bike Events had been cancelled...shortly after we touched down In Newark.  Apparently, the amount of rain that Irene dropped on the area, had caused significant erosion to the ground that supports the gondola at the Mountain Creek Ski Resort.  What does that have to do with mountain biking you ask?  The Mountain Creek Ski Resort was scheduled to host the mountain bike events for the 2011 World Police and Fire Games.  The gondola is required to get both racers and spectators to their respective locations on the mountain.  So...if the gondola can't be used, the races can't be run...it's just that simple.

So, with no race to win...I mean compete in...we are planning on going to the athletes' village so that we can get the bag of goodies we paid for within our registration fees (which by the way, I am not expecting to get refunded...not without a little 'push and shove' anyway.

So that's the story.  It's not how I had dreamed it would turn out...my dreams involved an all out effort to come from behind, passing the first place rider just prior to the finish line...then hoisting the Gold Medal above my head with tears streaming down my cheeks.  Hey, it's my dream...I'll cry if I want to!

Tune in over the next few days to get a glimpse of how are stay in New York turned out...and to see what a wonderful vacation we had following the race...well, the cancelled race!

2 Days...whatever!

 Those of you who have read my most recent Facebook post are already aware of my circumstances.  Donna and I arrived in New Jersey, safe and sound...even a little ahead of schedule!  However, there is bad news too...

Those of you who travel know that getting your baggage can sometimes prove to be problematic. How often have you arrived at your assigned carousel, waited for your luggage, only to find that it had come out on another carousel?  Well, I am happy to say that was not the case for us!

Not only did our luggage come out where it was supposed to, it came out pretty quickly...even my bike case came through the "bulky luggage" area just fine...and it was located right next to our baggage carousel!  
Things were going nice and smooth...possibly too smooth.  Next step...rental car.

Let me start by saying that I have had some real bad experiences with rental car agencies in the past.  I should also tell you that we were requiring a specific type of vehicle due to the volume and size of our luggage.  As many of you well know, reserving a specific vehicle is really a crap-shoot, and almost no agency will 'guarantee' you that they will have it on their lot once you arrive. Donna had made arrangements ahead of time, and was even offered an upgrade at no cost...a way of saying thank you to me for being a firefighter. Thank you Dollar Rental Car!  

When we arrived at the rental car desk...oh wait, I haven't even told you about our experience getting all of our bags onto and off of the shuttle.  So, let's back up a bit and talk about that...

Again, if you have traveled, you have no doubt had to take some sort of a shuttle to get to the rental car area.  Isn't it amazing just how many escalators or elevators are involved in this little journey to get to the shuttle or tram?  It seems to me like every one of these requires an 'up and over' of sorts. Well, let me say that we made it through this little challenge with flying colors!

So, back to the rental car desk...

You would think that if you had talked to the director of operations of Dollar Rental Cars in New Jersey, and had been offered some sort of deal, that it would have been noted on your reservation, right?  I don't know, maybe I simply expect too much. Anyway, of course there was no notation made on our reservation, but my wife (being the great organizer that she is) printed out a copy of the email communiqué...a smart move!  So just like that we were given the deal that we were offered...again, too smooth.

We ended up with a very nice vehicle that easily accommodated all of our luggage, and didn't smell like cigarettes!  Off we headed for our hotel, The Appalachian Resort in Vernon, New Jersey.  

Shortly after we began our drive, my team mate Paul (who we traveled with) called me with some bad news.  He had checked his email, and found out that all mountain bike Events had been cancelled...shortly after we touched down In Newark.  Apparently, the amount of rain that Irene dropped on the area, had caused significant erosion to the ground that supports the gondola at the Mountain Creek Ski Resort.  What does that have to do with mountain biking you ask?  The Mountain Creek Ski Resort was scheduled to host the mountain bike events for the 2011 World Police and Fire Games.  The gondola is required to get both racers and spectators to their respective locations on the mountain.  So...if the gondola can't be used, the races can't be run...it's just that simple.

So, with no race to win...I mean compete in...we are planning on going to the athletes' village so that we can get the bag of goodies we paid for within our registration fees (which by the way, I am not expecting to get refunded...not without a little 'push and shove' anyway.

So that's the story.  It's not how I had dreamed it would turn out...my dreams involved an all out effort to come from behind, passing the first place rider just prior to the finish line...then hoisting the Gold Medal above my head with tears streaming down my cheeks.  Hey, it's my dream...I'll cry if I want to!

5 days...

Hey...the countdown continues...or resumes...whatever.  Things are looking pretty promising for us to head to New Jersey.  As you are all probably aware, Irene didn't amount to as much as expected, even though it did take lives and destroy property.  My heart goes out to those families who have lost loved ones as a result of this storm.

Irene hit the New York area as a Tropical Storm rather than a Hurricane, therefore the damage was less than expected in that area.  The good news is that many of the cancelled sporting events have been rescheduled...and thus far, cross country mountain bike racing is on schedule!  

We found out earlier today, that our hotel suffered a water main break, thus causing a total loss of water to the property.  Additionally, the roads leading to the property were closed due to flooding.  This evening however, we were informed that the water main had been repaired!  The roads however, are still impassable, so how we are going to get there remains to be seen...oh well, its an adventure right?

I'll post from New Jersey in the next day or so.  Stay tuned for the adventure!

6 Days...

Well...the news is not getting any better as Hurricane Irene approaches the New York and New Jersey coastlines.  Over the past two days the WPFG Organizing Committee has been forced to suspend, and or cancel, a number of sporting events...or is it all events?  Hmmm....

That is the problem...everything that comes out is just a little more vague than the information that was released previously.  This morning they even stated that events on Saturday the 28th and Sunday the 29th have been cancelled.  What?  Is that different than the previous announcement that was made, stating that events occurring on Saturday and Sunday were cancelled?  Or the other one that stated that ALL events had been suspended?  And what does ALL really mean anyway?  Are we talking ALL as in a complete cancellation of the Games?  Or are we just talking about ALL events occurring on Saturday and Sunday...which by the way are the 27th  and 28th...respectively.

As you can see, things are really somewhat chaotic...and I can understand (to some degree) why there is so much confusion on the WPFG's part.  However, this is an event for people who, like me, are in professions that require us to perform at our very best during times of utter chaos...so you can see why I am a little frustrated with the lack of this organization's ability to adapt and overcome in the face of adversity and chaos...better known as Irene.

I'll keep you all posted as learn more throughout the day.  Keep smiling...I am!

A Wake-up Call

Just when you begin to think that your own life is chaotic, God gives you a little wake-up call. Today I just found out that a friend of mine, whom I have not had the opporutnity to see for quite some time, has created a blog, to chronicle the heart wrenching story of his newborn baby girl Ryan.  My friend, Jared Clifford, is a firefighter for the city of Goodyear, Arizona.  I was fortunate enough to have met Jared when he worked with the Sun City Fire Department, and have considered him a friend ever since.

Jared and his wife Michelle learned that their baby girl was to be born with spina-bifida and a congenital heart defect, when they received an ultrasound to reveal the sex of the baby.  Since then, it has been a whirlwind of emotions for the Cliffords, but they have held strong to their faith in Christ throughout this challenge.

I have added their blog to my favorites list, and I ask that you take a few moments to read their story.  I guarantee it will touch your heart...deeply.  Please keep my friend and his family in your prayers!

7 Days...Well, maybe.

Ok everyone, as of today, I am officially one week away from race day.  I am in great riding shape, I have shed roughly 15 pounds of fat from my body...there is no question that I am ready to race.  The question that remains however, is will there even be a race now?

As I am sure you are all aware, there's this little storm off the east coast...I think they're calling it a hurricane..Irene, I believe.  Well, that little storm is projected to pack quite punch!  So much so, that New York Mayor Bloomberg cancelled all events for Sunday the 28th...which obviously includes a number of World Police and Fire Games events.

A direct path into the New York, New Jersey area!

 I really have nothing at all to complain about...I am truly blessed!

Two of my team mates who were scheduled to compete in the triathlon, found there flights to be cancelled early yesterday morning.  As the day went on, they also learned that the triathlon had been cancelled, effectively ending their plans to compete in the Games.

One of my other team mates, who I have been training for the past seven months, is scheduled to compete in an event known as The Toughest Competitor Alive competition.  He actually made it out yesterday, albeit, nearly eight hours later than scheduled!  My concern is that he is now in New York, when everyone is being asked to leave...hmmm.

I will be very disappointed if my race gets cancelled...I was really looking forward to testing myself against an international field of competitors.  I will not however, be angry.  Whether I race or not, I cannot deny that I have benefited from this journey thus far.  I am in the best shape I have been in for years, I have learned that

I can push my body beyond what I thought I was capable of, and I ended up with a beautiful new bike! 

If I do race, this is most likely what it will be like!

What I (and everyone else) should be concerned about is the safety and welfare of those 65 million Americans who are being threatened by Irene.  Let's pray for their safety...and maybe throw in a little prayer that I might get to race after all!