The Mud Volcanoes Never Get Old!!!!

Sunday June 14

One of the most popular attractions in Azerbaijan is a visit to the mud volcanoes. Now, after being in Azerbaijan for 3.5 years I have been out many times both by car for a short trip and as a stop on a mountain biking trip in Gobustan.

This time I had the opportunity to go out with some good friends, Brant and Clotho. It was a great break for me to get away from work and school. Also a chance to get on my mountain bike. I had been too long!!!

The mud volcanoes are awesome -- they are sputtering, gurlgling mounds of mud. They are constantly blowing bubbles and popping. The best part of it that the fart jokes (because of the sounds the volcanoes make) never get old!!!!

I was actually quick enough to get this one spitting out chunks of mud

We ran into some friends from work... their family was having fun slipping and sliding in the mud.

5th Annual Baku Triathlon, June 6-7

This past weekend marked the 5th Annual Baku Triathlon.

This was my third year participating and it was the best yet. Our good friends Clotho and Brant were key event coordinators and it went off without a hitch!

The distances were a 500m swim, 20k bike and 5k run. The swim was on Saturday at the Hyatt Pool and the bike and run were Sunday morning around a local neighborhood. The loop we do is very hilly and it is just not the Baku Triathlon without terribly windy conditions - and this year was no exception. For the 2nd year in a row we have been especially lucky to have a major headwind on the long uphill :) makes for a long bike ride!

Collage is courtesy of our friend Akemi... they are photos of Scott and I during the swim. In the picture on the lower right I am accepting my 4th place trophy for the womens group... and no there weren't only 4 women participating!!!