Katie's Pictures and Stories

Thursday, July 9, 2009

An Out of This World 4th of July!!!

4 July 2009

I have to say that this year's 4th of July celebration was more interesting and different than the last few years.

Since we have been in Baku, the celebration of America's independence usually goes by without much thought. Typically, there is some kind of bar-b-que or get together but it never compares to the usual American celebration of going to the nearest body of water to play and soak up rays followed up by a picnic and bonfire.

This year stands out, it actually measures up to the 4th weekends at the cottage in Michigan or in Seward, AK.

Clotho and Brant's parents were visiting from the US. So Clotho had the brilliant idea to go to the mud volcanoes late in the evening for a picnic dinner in the surreal (other world) scenery of the MVs. (see mountain biking trip blog below... this was the reconnaissance trip to check it out and do some prelim planning!)

Good Times, Good Food, Good Friends, Good Location...

Scott, Patsy and Erich

Clotho's Dad and Brant mixing up Martinis!!!! No one is roughing it on this picnic!

Group lounging near the MVs ... look more like we are lounging on the moon.

Check out this spread, a yummy dinner with all the Azerbaijani summertime vegetable and fruit. I bet they don't have nice produce like this on the moon.

I've got my plates ready, bring on the food!

View of the Caspian

Ernie and Tad entertained us with their stories all evening long. I woke up on Sunday morning still laughing at the stories and 'Tad-gents'

Sun setting over the volcanoes

The crew ... me, Tad, Brant, Clotho, Clotho's Mom, Ernie, Patsy & Erich -- Scott was the photographer of this great photo.

Below is video of Brant and Scott lighting a mud volcanoe on fire... couldn't quite figure out how to rotate the view... so you have to tilt your head to the right to get the full picture...

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

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.

Monday, June 8, 2009

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!!!

Sunday, May 31, 2009

Germany - Half Marathon and Hilary's Wedding

May 23-26 2009

Following on our successful 10k in Dubai last January, our Baku running group has been busy training for a half marathon. Our schedule is 4.5 miles at 6am Tuesdays and Thursdays with a long run on Saturday. No matter how cold, icy or windy it has been in Baku... we have been out there running!!!

To make the training more exciting, we decided to set a goal to participate in an organized half in a cleaner, greener city and enjoy a long weekend away. We decided on Germany as our destination (Frankfurt is a non-stop flight from Baku). The event we participated in was the iWelt Marathon held in Wuerzburg, Germany - a small town 1.5 hr drive from FFT.

Not only was the marathon planned for Sunday, but with some amazing luck it was also the weekend of our friend Hilary's wedding in Passau, Germany!!! We know Hilary from Alaska and our time in Houston... what a great coincidence and honor to celebrate with her on this special day!!!

Clotho driving the Autobahn

Gorgeous Wuerzburg

Church and Maypole in the center of Wuerzburg

Biers at the Expo

Pre-Race Entertainment

Brant and I before the race. It was a gorgeous morning, sunny and warm (ok, maybe a little too warm for me!)

Post race celebration with Alcohol-free beer!

We (Brant and I) ran the half in 2.19, a pretty good result considering the heat. The course was gorgeous, along the river valley, through residential areas and ended in the center of town. Along the way we had a lot of fans, music and support.

Post Race lunch!

On Monday morning we left Wuerzburg early to drive to Passau where Hilary and Michael were getting married. We also got to catch up with some Alaska friends, Angela and Barb. What an amazing treat to be able to see reunite with everyone in Bavaria!

Church where the wedding was held.

Tourist Wedding Crashers!!! How funny is that!

The bride and groom

The wedding reception was held at a nearby castle

Clotho and I in the garden at the castle

View from the castle

Goofing off in the yard, trying to pose for a nice photo

Ahh, thats more like it!

Dinner / Reception ... a wonderful end to a wonderful day!

Early on Tuesday we rented a car and drove the Autobahn from Passau to Frankfurt. I was so excited to get to drive the German Highway... unfort only in a Peugut ... no guts, but fun anyway!