Water!

We played in the water this summer. Rylie took swimming lessons. She made great progress. Rori loves the water. Rylie got to go down the Froggy Slide in Miles City.

We made the newspaper!!!

Yesterday, We went up to York to see Mark ride or should I say finish the York 38 Special. Rylie caught the attention of the photographer and ended up in the newspaper's City/State section. She had made her very own flag to wave at the riders as they finished. You can just see Rori's stroller on the far right of the photo.

Saturday morning special

By JOHN HARRINGTON, Independent Record - 08/24/08

Lisa Kunkel, IR staff photographer - Four-year-old Rylie Schoenfeld of East Helena cheers on her dad, Mark, as he crosses the finish line of the York 38 Special mountain-bike race Saturday afternoon in York. Also cheering is Christa Schoenfeld, center, who celebrated her birthday at the race. What a difference a cool summer makes.

While last year’s York 38 Special mountain bike ride was threatened for weeks by the Meriwether fire before finally getting the green light from the forest service three days before the event, this year’s 38-mile ride was never in doubt.

Close to 175 riders took to the roads and trails northeast of Helena Saturday morning under a brilliant blue sky in the fifth annual fundraiser for the York Volunteer Fire Department.

Among them was Mark Schoenfeld of East Helena, who completed his second 38 Special in exactly three hours and was greeted at the finish line by his cheering wife, Christa, and daughter, Rylie.

“I was a little more prepared this year as far as where the climbs were and where the

downhills were,” he said. It’s a grueling ride, he said, but knowing what awaits helps keep the pedals turning.

“The end’s the best part — the family and the York burger,” free to every rider at the York Bar, he said.

Rhodetta Sloan of York, who organized the first ride in 2004 and oversees the annual event, said that after last year’s fire season, she’s mindful of the weather.

“We’re always a little bit on eggshells about fire,” she said. “When there was a fire (earlier in the week) in Townsend, we were hoping there wouldn’t be any smoke here.”

But rather than smoke, riders were greeted by cool temperatures and clear skies. Officials said 144 riders took to the course for the 38-mile ride, with four signed up for the Spirit of 76 (twice around the course), and 10 kids with chaperones taking part in the Lucky 13, a 13-mile ride new this year for the younger set.

Those going the 38 miles included several over the age of 70 and five kids under 12, organizers said. Several states were represented in the field, including Idaho, Utah, California and Indiana.

Many local riders use the Special as an end-of-summer event to train for throughout the season.

That was the case for Jamie Lemieux of Clancy, who rode for the third straight year and finished in her best time.

“I was under four hours, and that was my goal,” she said immediately after crossing the line.

The 38 Special has a reputation among riders for strong volunteer support throughout the challenging 38-mile course, which includes some 3,000 feet in elevation gain. This year’s ride lived up its reputation, with a half-dozen aid stations stocked with fruit, baked goods, drinks, medical personnel and help with bike repairs.

“This is my first time, and I can’t thank them enough for all the time they put into this,” said Brice Addison of Great Falls, who rode with several friends. “It seems like the whole town comes together for it. You can’t just go out and do a 40-mile ride in the mountains without support.”

After passing through Nelson, riders followed Beaver Creek Road and climbed steadily to Indian Flats before descending to the head of Trout Creek Canyon. The single-track through the canyon left impressions on several riders, including Paul Ferry of Helena, who recovered from a tumble in the canyon to finish with a smile on his face.

“I took a header,” he said. “It woke me up a little and reminded me I’d better slow down.”

Reporter John Harrington: 447-4080 or john.harrington@helenair.com.

Rylie's Birthday

4th of July-Deweyville Style

Well, I am way behind on my posts for July, so I am trying to catch up. We spent the night in Deweyville with Grandma Schoenie and went to the pancake breakfast at the park. It was good food and Grandma treated us. Thanks! After the breakfast, we had to find our all important vantage point to watch the spectacular Deweyville Independence Day Parade. This has to be one of the best candy throwing parades around, especially if you are the only kid around. Rylie got a huge haul of candy.















Rylie, Mark, Grandma Schoenie, & Rori Waiting for the parade


After the excitement of the parade, we headed down to Highland to see the rest of Mark's family. There was a Johnson cousin reunion that was in Mapleton. Lots of kids and water balloons. I'll let you imagine the rest.

Finally, we went to Sonic for yummy drinks and made our way to Rock Canyon Park (I think that is the name) up behind the Provo temple to watch the fireworks at Cougar Stadium. Miley Cyrus was performing for the Stadium of Fire and Rylie thought she heard her. (We were several miles away.) The fireworks were fun and we made our long arduous journey back to Mark's parents. It only took over an hour. Don't you love the traffic in Utah!

Pretty in Pink?!! Yes, it is Rylie!

A couple of weeks ago, Grandma Denise was visiting while I taught summer school for 2 weeks. We went to Target one afternoon and lo and behold, Rylie decided she would pick pink clothes. Can you believe it? She helped to pick out her pink and black guitar tanktop (You know that guitars are cool, right?) We also found some pink sparkly flip flops. She also got her first at the salon haircut from our friend Jewelie. When we got home from the hair cut, she went immediately to the bathroom and got her spray and comb to work on her hair. It was very funny. Then we decided to go out to eat and she went downstairs to change her clothes from her swimming clothes and came back up in head-to-toe pink. Wow, what a big little girl she is growing into.