AWG-SLC Silent Auction and Wine Tasting - 23 years!

A few weeks ago I posted about a great mtb ride during which I "earned" many glasses of wine.  You probably thought I was just a lush, but the reason I was earning my wine was so that I could fully enjoy myself that evening at the Association for Women Geoscientists - Salt Lake Chapter 23rd Annual Silent Auction and Wine Tasting Scholarship Benefit.

This is an event I've been involved with for several years now, and each year it seems to get better and better.  This year we were able to award $3750 in scholarships to bright women geology students.

The event is our one big fundraiser of the year.  We were at the top floor of the Zions Bank Building downtown Salt Lake City for the third year in a row.  There is a great view from up here.

We get donated items like rocks and minerals,


 art, handicraft, and all sorts of random things.

Our attendance was up this year - 147 people, including several of my friends.

And it showed - we took in $4718 dollars! 

 It is a great group of women that puts a lot of work into this fun night.

Cat wars

We have two cats, but until yesterday, had only one Tower Of Power on which the cats could perch.  I saw a good deal on this one at Costco, hoping to alleviate the nighty episode where Max rudely kicks Marley out of the top seat.  Last night, poor Marley was resting peacefully on the new cat furniture when Max once again bullied her out of her spot.  Kids!

No Easter Bunny - but Orchids

Happy Easter.  Drew is on the road again, so I tried to make today special by going to the Utah Orchid Society spring show held at Red Butte Garden.  Here are a few of the exotic blooms.

 This was my favorite.  It has a cool pouch and the wild colors caught my eye.

After I took in the show, I wandered out in the Garden.   Most of the blooms are bulbs and flowering trees. Daffodils cover the hillside.

Because I was feeling all lonesome for Drew, I went back to the Herb Garden, where we got married almost 6 years ago.  I can almost picture Drew standing under the pergola at the far end of the garden, waiting there with all our family and friends for me to join him and tie the knot.  It looked rather bare today.

 But back in July 2006 it was beautiful.

Ah, fond memories...

2012 Science Fair Judging

For a few years now I've been coordinating judging and presentation of special awards at the Salt Lake Valley Science and Engineering Fair for my local Salt Lake Chapter of the Association for Women Geoscientists. I had help from several of my fellow AWG members judging 3 age divisions. This year I actually got to judge two divisions, the 5th and 6th graders and the 11th and 12th graders. 

There were some typical projects and some unique ones.
 

Our chapter president awarded the prizes with me.

It is super rewarding to interact with girls who are getting interested in geosciences.  I encourage everyone to judge a science fair!

Great ride

Stephanie called for an Epic ride on Saturday.  Six of us started at the zoo at 9:20 AM.  Stephanie, Sally, Rachel, Rhonda, Jennie and me.  We rode the BST with every diversion I could think of.  They were good sports about that.


Here we are after the climb out of the roller coaster.  First glass of wine earned!

The wind was picking up but not enough yet to obscure the gorgeous view of the Salt Lake Valley.  This is why I bike!

We continued on past Huntsman, up Dry Creek, and over to the drop in to Bobsled.  This is where crazy Sally suggested, no insisted, on a small cross training session.  She thought it would be a fun to run up to the top of the ridge.  We were game!

It was so crazy, crazy windy we had to lean into the wind to stand up.

Sally showed us if you look at the world from a different view point, it looks all brand new. Crazy Sally.

Then back down to the bikes.  Second glass of wine earned.

From here, the group split up.  Sally, Stephanie, Jennie and I went down on Bobsled (not dry yet) to a trail crossing, then back up the super steep singletrack to BST.  Jennie's pedal came off, so Stephanie and Jennie headed back, but Sally and I persevered all the way down into City Creek and up to the saddle at the radio towers. 

From there it was down the singletrack to City Creek and back to her car/my house via pavement.  Big day of 30 miles and 4700 feet of climbing in 3+ hours of riding.  Lots of glasses of wine earned!