Catfish Crawl 2010 - Race Photos

Finally! Proof that I actually do swim open water events. This was my third event this year and I finally have a decent photo showing my exit from the water. Seeing this photo really brought it home how hard I've worked to lose weight and get back into shape. It's all been worth it!
Here are some photos of the start of the race. I'm in these pictures somewhere. :)

Uvas Canyon, Morgan Hill, CA

To me, the most special place in all of Morgan Hill is Uvas Canyon County Park. This place is a "hidden jewel," which is just a short drive from where I used to live. The park offers hiking and camping, and was often the place I took my girls to cool off during the summer. One of the hiking trails leads you along Swanson Creek, where there are many deep cool pools and lots of waterfalls. Rushing water can be heard no matter where you are, and I love nothing more than to sit next to the creek or one of the waterfalls and totally relax to the sound of the rushing water.

One of the many waterfalls you'll encounter along the Waterfall Loop trail at Uvas Canyon County Park.

Turkeys, in Morgan Hill! Absurd!! No, really, Morgan Hill is home to a large population of wild turkeys. While on my way to Uvas Canyon, I encountered a small flock of them on Croy Road.

While I was taking this next picture, I envisioned the old "There's a hole in the bottom of the sea" song that includes the frog on the bump on the log in the hole in the bottom of the sea, etc, etc. Well, anyway, here was this little alder tree, growing out of a rock that was sitting in the creek, and what did I find, but a little Ladybug crawling around on one of its leaves. I couldn't tell whether she had any warts, complete with hairs and fleas, but I was amused by the sight nonetheless. ;)

I managed to get one decent photo of myself while hiking. I need to take lessons from my girls. They're great at taking what I call "Facebook Photos" of themselves. I absolutely suck at it. It took me three or four tries to get this one, but at least I have something to show I was there.

I also took some really nice videos, but I'll have to post them after I get back home. The Internet upload connection at my hotel is kinda sucky, so stay tuned for the second installment in a couple of days.

Catfish Crawl 2010 - UVAS Reservoir, Morgan Hill, CA

Awesome Open Water event held at UVAS reservoir just outside my old home town of Morgan Hill in northern California. The fun part about being here, is that Morgan Hill is where my two daughters were raised. When they were little, we used to go to UVAS to catch baby toads and splash around in the water.
When I arrived at the event, there was a heavy marine overcast cloud layer. The conditions were really perfect, even though it was a bit cold for an Arizona transplant. The air temperature was 55 degrees, with a water temp of 72, which caused mist to rise off of the water. We don't get conditions very often like these in AZ. :) The mist made sighting a bit more of a challenge, but I quickly adjusted to it.
This was a really large, well-run event -- lots of California triathletes and Masters swimmers. I saw folks from the Olympic Club, Santa Clara Swim Club, and many more. This time I got a nice "Finisher's Medal" to commerate the event. Here's a photo of my "race goodies". :)

Here's a couple of pictures I snapped when I arrived. They had a professional photographer taking photos as we finished, so when that one if available I'll post it.

If you click the image to see it at full-size, you'll see the mist rising off of the water.

Here's an aerial showing the 2-mile course. This is an old Google shot, and the water level is much lower in this picture than it was during the swim. We started much closer to the parking lot area, but I think you get a good feeling for just how far it is to swim 2 miles. This may sound strange, but I would much rather swim 2 miles than run the same distance. :)

SwimFest Critique Video

One of the videos taken of me that I received critique on while at SwimFest '10.

#11 Debbie Duane from Swim Fest '10 on Vimeo.

If this can could talk...

...what a story it could tell. While visiting some friends at the Kit Carson RV Park in Flagstaff over the 4th of July weekend, I stumbled across an ancient oil can in a field behind the park. This particular RV park, which is located on Route 66, was first opened in the 20's, and I'm guessing this can has been hanging around since the 50's.

I was amazed to find that this particular can was marketed by a company in Long Beach, CA -- my home town. I know the can is old, as the zip code is listed as simply "7", instead of the newer code of 90807. The change to the new 5-digit code occurred in 1963, so at the very least, this can is at least 50 to 60 years old and has seen 50 to 60 snowy winters and countless people and critters walking around, and here it sat undisturbed until I came along. I don't know why I am so intrigued by something like an old, rusty, flattened, motor oil can, but I had to take it home and add it to my blog.

I Googled and Googled, but could not find any images or web content on Trailway 100% Pure Paraffin Base Motor Oil. It's hard to read the company name, but from can I make out, it was the Humes Refining Company. Here are pictures of the front and back of the can.

Here's what I was able to glean from the back of the can:

Trailway 100% Pure Paraffin Base Motor Oil

Superior lubrication for ?? motors. This oil contains approved additives.
Detergent for engine cleanliness, oxidation inhibitor for long life and freedom from bearing corrosion.
Marketed by
Humes Refining Company
Long Beach 7, CALIF.