tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5040526550761394422024-03-13T07:19:43.801-07:00Adventures With NancyNancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04300329695049058393noreply@blogger.comBlogger586125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-504052655076139442.post-25533433142672597882023-07-06T07:02:00.001-07:002023-08-05T13:42:41.670-07:00Struggles with Blog<font size="4">This blog is giving me fits! At least from my end it is not showing the photos I posted for the last two months. So this post is a bit of a test to see if photos will show here. </font><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><font size="4">On July 4th 6 of us Rainbows took a ride on the Sammamish River Trail in the gorgeous sunny (kinda hot) day. Lizette was at least aware enough to take some photos. Here are some.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_fff2_673a_c99b_5a5" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81q8UzoUSIiiB2R9Ic-BkFnCleL2hwSKu1Zet_JCxWOVYLXyVyJmhEJTtvaryyi-NypNbDUUUTqapW_qSyEyhxHIyeKGuA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"></div><div><br></div><div><font size="4">I did a show and tell for them about Susan’s latest gadget — our electric pump!</font></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><img id="id_eda0_f3d8_79ab_8651" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81ogC3f5mj-KiErcjpfwDi_PJASyHXF_yzIe9BWmv0p1JqBpE0e57G-qevBy47qTWX3O6d3SG1OOfstvF8kGODlrebEj" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4">They all ended up chatting with this guy about his dog who has hind leg issues. He carries a wheelie on the front of his bike for walking breaks that aid his doggie.</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><img id="id_6db9_78c0_42a7_1fe0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81pD-__W2HLtcaSPc9nSB7fqjf2ADIW3ube7cwOSRuEILvyggIXCWjj6TppETQhhHutUCmcsPBa74oP8oVi5t95eWmP2SA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4"><br></font></span><img id="id_f131_263f_5f27_b415" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81oGgmnnJcVYLn5eQ9a_ECRkZxpv7Md4RIeN2e5SN9jcdEdYzfZLSgk3VNwyv58UvtQGLEGWludZ0OzV7WXT_-nfPddeLA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">As they chat, I wait …</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_a0e1_5e9a_abb4_43a8" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81rCeG8aCoxaXM-6O121MUXT0_zb7LjfawQmsQyl3jyyxR5jscQWhotoi3AolTkI7UzCiE787aeysEDVoDblIww_pWC9eg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">Posting now. Let’s see what happens…</font></div>Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04300329695049058393noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-504052655076139442.post-19016741906264752992023-06-03T17:24:00.001-07:002023-08-05T13:42:41.049-07:00Just For The Hill Of IT<font size="4">This was the day for that ride Susan found for us…We rode from our campsite down to Hammer Creek that we had scouted for yesterday to get registered and collect our t-shirt.</font><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_ea8f_2342_114a_e956" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81qyMBqT8dMYtn0t0gWYnB04YeqRYkK9UquZDUwTZVvFbDgvNocwiQb8oO_GiX-UGFW6_lj_e4RB6CMGjJYhxz0s8MTZ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"></div><div><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4">Even the Sheriff was there to support the 36 of us who rode the course.</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><img id="id_7bfc_4a57_e285_9631" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81qcUAidQVEwmeZOgRNoQfiYchWS-y8PtHpeENJOkbaiyo-4_vc6EzFH3ApJOl47Fp0MzMKB1jNCWa4heiu6PnL37vu2gA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">We were early so we pulled up a rock and got comfy while waiting.</span></font></div><div><font size="4"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></font></div><div><img id="id_339a_9c57_d10f_13e5" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81oX_ytjsKhoJ601m_JgSh3iGySIlWIKtop5nad_2QnELvKz4dNwbl1RL7OtLvXMiAul89XG0xagA5c6ZITPIk2G_PueMQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><img id="id_7cd7_573c_2ee7_c06" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81oMjuGIdzbRXuLFWfoO8EaxdgTLZ6V6mutn9D4VFNPq8AQ9NzWQU-32SEKVkumUyY4UKtYG-JF80_IPhT1pUSxdYYQA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">I was glad to have gotten a photo of the lunch being set up because I forgot to get one at lunch! After the ride we had a fantastic lunch with lots of choices of food and beverages.</span></font></div><div><font size="4"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></font></div><div><img id="id_bd28_afec_53be_7ac0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81oyJUUdqgHo7ROMyfDet1DLanUE1f8CqkHRj2bOftdZf9SDj1tC7TId2CDoytJi3IhiruKBUw_G0hg9sjGc2tefou6bmQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">As we were waiting for the start, our ‘friend’ Marvin arrived with his family. You will recall that we met Marvin at lunch yesterday at Red’s. Of his family, only he is the bike rider. We asked for a photo and when I told him to remove his sunglasses from hanging on his shirt because I wanted to have Major Taylor prominent in the photo, he was surprised that I know who Major Taylor was! In the late 1800s/early 1900s Major Taylor was the first (only?) African American bike racer and was among the top racers and considered the best sprinter. Google for more info if interested for more.</span></font></div><div><font size="4"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></font></div><div><font size="4"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">The three of us…</span></font></div><div><font size="4"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></font></div><div><img id="id_1672_6a71_dc4c_42e7" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81qNI7FMnLQWwkCrdZnXU5ND5sBNswLSEk8tUCK45OZkX4rYVSHQSSiXw1mUCw9KLz56j7BtIiVeRm-g28oTJV9wFBpMdQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">Marvin’s family - son, wife and who he calls his manager (his band I suppose)…</span></font></div><div><font size="4"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></font></div><div><img id="id_11a8_e1e2_2fa7_8b91" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81psqF4Tj13-MiK_9_gU3rysJTY_nvjOSQ42nEsdlhDP3sWcNNRbf1aoF4NuxLGeTcOyi1-H7d_ZQf8k5PNGjxBpGaLo" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">Finally we were ready to get started. Riding back toward where Susan and I are camped, we had a fantastic, heart warming send off by many of our camping sisters. Here Bev takes our photo as we arrive.</span></font></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><img id="id_1425_e832_c00c_66a3" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81ohUzr7NNCAYcnBM18g4cvZQMn2yE-s2QTMjGEndIg5Qgz1gif3gl0BIGl4VLwSVhW7-QPM5hFPpYxz5pRPsAx7Nn9R" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_14b4_55a4_4474_9c0f" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81omoCV23yEHHf9RXyw2SH5zCLItifjPkJYTh4uutA-B5SEsyYadwkKKkbTfrkd-6d5yclbF4_bvLfELPCZTxRAtlmkurA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><font size="4"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">The ride passes through some of the route we had done in the past couple of days and the country side is beautiful. As we rode higher into the hills, the beauty increased and we so appreciated the expanse of green mountains, valleys, and several horse and cattle ranches. I did not stop for many photos as I feared starting again on a hill! This is at least one that Susan took.</span></font></div><div><font size="4"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></font></div><div><img id="id_3a18_4418_4b04_130e" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81oYSXf2_RtwZHHE3CLFl2-I-s3RXewKvbnLLdOC9IEeX_1gKfwr5FbJKVHpgQq5ZGk5MBXoaAWXSc72ZNyFm73Qlqmctw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">We climbed, climbed and climbed some more. It IS a ride up the switchbacks to the top! At the top we had treats of several kinds of cookies, orange wedges, Gatorade and fresh water. And a porta potty ;’-). </span></font></div><div><font size="4"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></font></div><div><img id="id_f648_4f43_5b3_c56d" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81qu6Db_fnHOgrOOcOFDWEjB2SB0fMrNq8HDSPr7dpcU_ReZdITfhVheHL2QgyHs-iqzy0RyWH6owzPH2q3fhCCRQgwniA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><font size="4"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">What goes up will definitely come down, and I was a little anxious about the steep downhill ride. I fretted for only the first few moments and soon found I can easily stay in control with these new disc brakes I have! A LOT better than the rim brakes I had on my old bike. Susan got a photo of me going down some switchbacks.</span></font></div><div><font size="4"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></font></div><div><img id="id_c19e_fb92_8633_ea07" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81qwhOmAMslVgsL88fBqlSEVYT6wRKJ_Womk3mQPlY7NBz2KuBPRuwaAxcKygovx3lM0P99w6f6-_AhI1n1SnpuDWpJ8" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">I got a photo of Susan being approached by a free roaming bull…. They separated happily.</span></font></div><div><font size="4"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></font></div><div><img id="id_dd1d_5ec2_cc9c_d010" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81qvHTAsAl5p3deU5sii3OlQrIYwF4rz92ai93w7JL2aOTvvkVH2LDPYLO2xuBj363QIWkjep9lly1P-nFr4n2e8QJpuRg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><font size="4"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">Our return to camp found us both quite tired so we quickly took showers before we totally ran our of steam. Then I got a chair massage by Pam which really relaxed me. </span></font></div><div><font size="4"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></font></div><div><font size="4"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">New shirts were our reward and Jayne took our photo for posterity. </span></font></div><div><font size="4"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></font></div><div><img id="id_81b9_675e_f3aa_6a36" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81o8uaPgByV4yCHdvaik5Wz4xemBEYRrOXa1evof13Pp7Ag7ixVUrixFd8YE4UaBDyMGwRF0FTTVQCKIKGEKQ5jHEi5dgg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><img id="id_e2e4_f01d_436c_b5df" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81qxh3fHDIDMQetNKLUFkE4sOqW_BcarHkhXhYLmUxMvhcyqUpoLYWuVtz66siBOto4mj20J9w83fFusgTQgG7S6unG0TQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4">The ride was definitely a challenge but we did it well, and now want to come back to do it again! This was the 27th year for this ride and it is always held the first weekend of June. If Deb does another SOTF event here next year, we will come for the event and the ride ;’). </font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4">On the drive toward home we saw what we had climbed - or at least most of the switchbacks. GO US!</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><img id="id_f976_96eb_ffc0_c2bf" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81qtrAmTgAe1jkBJXWUOQGuwKmlmEl1RR25CjnQjALURQOe7r3tU5r6gy880qkJcWYcWx9-ajM9wvl87TmX9uRsZ9o3j" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4"><br></font></span><br><font size="4"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></font></div>Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04300329695049058393noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-504052655076139442.post-80598965769564835122023-06-02T16:24:00.001-07:002023-08-05T13:42:45.321-07:00BACK TO WHITE BIRD FOR BREAKFAST<font size="4">Today, an easy relaxing day with a little bike ride. We had lunch yesterday at Red’s River Cafe, and thought this would make a nice short ride for breakfast this morning. Being one of two cafes in town, with the other one opening on only some of the days of the week, this was a busy breakfast place. Food is good and plentiful and the owners & servers are very friendly. Our event leader had told us of their great breakfast sandwich, but having our tasters set for other selections, we ordered the sandwich to take with us. It looks delicious.</font><div><img id="id_1900_6afb_40e7_66d8" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81rQk8xldtpt1i5ASpjLE3cqHtLIFz3cmsdHwqa7JBbJznlVm9k-7VWDm0uE3hf01TNRlWDNGNSA4HagAu-nZaOAACLidQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">We ate our breakfast at the only outdoor picnic table and enjoyed a conversation with Marvin Dixon who is a drummer for “Joe Rock Show Band” and was here to ride the ride we are doing tomorrow. More about the ride later, but Marvin loved to talk and spent a lot of time chatting away while we waited for our food to come to our table.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><font size="4">Across the road from Red’s is what truly looks like, and I am sure is, a typical western saloon. </font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_f82f_d19f_686_4e03" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81o5Rg7mtCaUf54Rh7Fc0kdU_RVQTXSLkNs7DZTySUPq3XybQ_7MH-FHm6aLCXorJWjkGH9--87FMp2cI_B3d2PN6EvR" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">It has at least two stars ;’-).</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_914e_c569_aa7d_9f18" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81oy7PNcGJtHpOZvJ7Bjzt1zLrW_zKGWV-78nuduO3zWlXpOkaqs5yWZD8lPiVpkWCN33urgTt0CXtKzTcDxCJxGQpzcfQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">After breakfast we headed back the way we came, but took the road that passes camp in the other direction, across the bridge over the Salmon River. We wanted to check out tomorrow’s ride start at Hammer Creek Recreation Park. Oh, about that ride.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><font size="4">Susan found this at the General store yesterday, has called and talked with staff and we will register and (hopefully) get our semi-reserved t-shirts at 8:00 tomorrow morning.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_e858_db14_1449_10d0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81ou5jLzvdvlm-xAtJtYIWEpWSnirfOOw0OScTSV-PPLjdjNb1fvuifLw1QKgsIGQ-47mDrLX90BuffNFd1EfLQdDFanDA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><font size="4">The ride will take us 13 miles uphill on switchbacks (thank you eBikes) to the top, then basically coast all the way back to camp! Having to register early in the morning, we needed to know how far it is and how long it takes to bike to the start (about 1.5 miles/10 minutes) so to know what time to leave camp.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><font size="4">Today’s route had us on the other side of the river from yesterday and gave us some slightly different things to see and enjoy.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><font size="4">This unique “sculpture” is at Hammer Creek Park (where the ride will start).</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><font size="4"><img id="id_9733_7795_2845_cf8a" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81oYtCC6Mxe3aCGwyI70WE30cdm3hq2TSQW1nHY7xZLqscKSUmIzj0TY04Q5k1P2idCWRBHDKgt-3VbjV0mndvvdeLSn7A" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"></font></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><font size="4"><br><br><img id="id_3aca_58fa_d800_c105" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81qZkYX9omnfwT3U5m8t0e5UMFPc7mc4Bt4_2MKRIAnYQaMMrLPtmYM4FpDh3GvRDWFNMS4d8OUgkdaMsXKv_mcOboZJVA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"></font><br><br><font size="4"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">Old farm buildings always catch my eye.</span></font></div><div><font size="4"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></font></div><div><img id="id_248f_4efb_330d_6993" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81oSZqh6a3v-AydFvfbUm8oZM9-8PDgD7E8R1yLcunP9pwgmgR-iX-rgrUcGDVs-Drhg-CdXiWoMwFZr8_n6rsZR5rTkVA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_9915_1cb8_9e53_acab" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81rbHMVBYBDLPv-w-Yt2B9xEezatU0pdf4lf16FhCaSDyLfb2h3VTt1fHUi_tcEiNXk4A5meZda8sErYcqGjZE5DPf3zxQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">An expansive bucolic scene on the last leg of our day’s ride brings a feeling of peace. </span></font></div><div><font size="4"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></font></div><div><img id="id_3a4f_84c3_c59e_dbfd" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81onjN9z7rB8MwIpNbfgiPUa0FEt71943trXvBMq4I4Q9PgrQY3xvCVURSgkFnR8TejYwXxwFKfb1kmS-BTqxGGNCC5MHg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">As we approach camp, there it is across the river, we see the bridge that brought us over the river and will take us back.</span></font></div><div><font size="4"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></font></div><div><img id="id_d2f3_10ee_abbc_1c28" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81olU5o70jmmjcOZXbHpynzVYcGkGKOoBoD6mMVoplUEdgb3Rao-OAck4c0uLTUpIv8kMLf6GxRJ1N9O4OeAKSErRNEPzA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">I will be sure to let you know how tomorrow’s ride goes, and I think it will be fun.</span></font></div>Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04300329695049058393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-504052655076139442.post-71688230857660447792023-06-01T17:44:00.001-07:002023-08-05T13:42:45.113-07:00Swifwater RV Park at White Bird ID<div><br></div><div><font size="4">Fortunately it got better over a little time! But —Gravel. Soft gravel. We got stuck pulling into our assigned site and Susan did a heroic job of rocking us back and forth the SEVERAL times to get us out of there! The photos do not show the real picture but may give just a little idea.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_ca7d_cabb_42af_3723" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81poatPCskq9mYEVO_Aj8HOHVOgr4RxEoeg9LXos2jH1Txbwj5-M-a9Y3M_FH1E1dHVC2l7thYg5hYMF6BUauzUTj--M2A" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_c096_ba11_947d_5199" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81pIfacw6ixgINsdkySirhNl3srq3rheBMy8qLQUR6PRRnVeGY-PBFMHW3jqhO5RqjO-5JdTF34qRQ8NTlqd_qB5qlxgGQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">After successfully freeing us from the gravel ditch, and upon being directed to basically the same spot, Susan said “no, I don’t think I want to go in there again”. So the helpful owner and camp hosts put their heads together and moved us over one and told Susan to drive onto the grass (what little there was) as it provided a bit harder ground.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><font size="4">Here is our van in the second spot. Rather crowded together, and the only reason we have room with no one parked on our right is because of that soft ditch-making gravel.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_11d4_b8ce_5a43_cca3" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81rS_fLyG3eDXdbj-ntTHPP0d0LePSaR3MU6cgQq-R8JH2LEXoaq80j1DmIjMxeM_NhDn0IGt8f7OChm38EFS523Ncu9sQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">The only good thing I came up with at the beginning was that there is good, fast, free WiFi! As I started with … fortunately it got better. We had our first meeting - “meet and greet” - that first afternoon. There are 24 of us camped here and all the women we met are really nice and fun to be around. It was then shaping up to be a good event.</span></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><font size="4">The next morning, and each morning thereafter, we have hot beverages available at the picnic shelter. Always nice to wake up to that, meet a few people we merely had heard names of the day before, and not need to turn on our stove for coffee & tea.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_a5a1_e8f5_83d7_281f" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81qb2jOBHdGkhQp80o6PX6ZRZOcGSgNSuqzcH3UCk8ZGqar2wgqg0TeWj0amnik8ZX88mhBkjTMR7cZ5h-1kvznIt6JCmg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><font size="4">The Swiftwater campground is right on the Salmon River which right now is high and moving fast. That means no fishing on the river, but a few women are planning to research some small streams or rivers nearby. Hopefully that will happen and Susan will get a chance to do some fly fishing.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><font size="4">Bridge near our camp, crossing over the Salmon River.</font></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_3a9e_e8db_6a62_3ce7" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81pXom6HHKvUZJBUdsjJ752UPY4_G2aaKtczhkYPiClcZT4B_BDKExFxyV2TbOHqRyQ28urZ7xNu__OQ8uH4qiTOi8eylg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><font size="4">The second day here we would do a bike ride, and I was sure there would be no bike riding available to me/us. We took a rode suggested by our group leader, Deb (our wrangler), who said there was little traffic and it would bring us to the town of White Bird. So off we went.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_57c9_e4c7_6d_c08f" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81rIaOOO0SSN7wkCHcB_VcaDSYMc2z_mesNzUjeB-g3SSsmtApuynIvqc8rD_DpTiCv2DAIF0qbAgykT1H3QMM8V9XZBTQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><font size="4">Leaving directly from camp we got some glimpses of the river as it narrowed along our way. Here is where we can see it fast moving,</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_f179_ace9_31cd_454f" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81r6vfaCgf66m7DIWTBjKo8nn5-iBs7qCxlBVqsT5i9Iv0eCOLGmvRT2twslUjuBZyvRYaRQHMiOjK2vmHMAyKi_9g1aYw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">More soft mountains as we rode along the quiet country road, and in just a very short time, we arrived in White Bird.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_9108_c21_b441_e7b6" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81oYdvi6DntYZjj1KEpYRt9utbnTQDJbKgeqm2NtGnSCf1HaQ5_9hUbVW1lgBSc9XBcBoTVanh6JjPdoJUkem4TJ37sq1w" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_2790_af18_e397_7f3a" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81qtJC5qvmV3kkbrSlMNG_QrWXZdV2FEsR9nXygMhQZtYx0jVbSfE5CJvFBEd3iqpIckcuZAFyMg_PZEZR_HyF2ESxJ8Tw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">I thought this was an interesting fire escape. On Studebaker Ln. ;’).</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_c0cc_b7b8_ab26_53b5" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81rr4n0hcDpq-74KiXvJ11fDruMgzSQf3ZOASDarN3qnYO2JXTeHflBFlsgT6S8d_ClqZ11V59gZasSTYJQgBjfOBr0HgA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">Cool old gate and fence too.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_800d_afba_c60a_7192" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81rnwEwi_CxhbOlHGrEfyK6apdn8ghomsWjLd2KJVU1CrT4Z0tQ2bsRm19KAo99EK6okKzER8qGCaUImvnPXzCcCDml8EQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">Small town churches are always picturesque. </font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_159d_e96c_7e67_e6ad" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81piLiO4ajeIXnG-8f1YB_gtrHVh9adDSXx_woyjNkJbtSQqrfAWDbw7utDEnGC_lhWgl_67n1QiLauemN2OK1OUxo8l0A" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">We continued our climb onward,</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_39ee_bced_5d3e_dc58" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81pLiHk0MVIZsVur4wVHDmr0p6Z24avw88794kbvmzKwDydnEpnq31C9btmHP-PyYV4RiZae4ZWkExoCqqsR2YQwyKQM7w" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">We came upon the cutest little girl with her horse, and though we both missed the best ‘pose’, it was still charming to see her with her best friend enjoying each other.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_1394_5735_46ef_2fe6" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81p3fFupqYFnWS2tn6cI8_Uos8Q7VQhlvoD1THjwnx8Xjr4hUfWTynX6jlO8qBwBP9IEmMw8lMka66swniDijZ2VHfn0DQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">Our friends at camp told us we would come to the battlefield if we continued on past town. Curious to see that, we continued on.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><font size="4">The first sign assured that we would not be walking any trails.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_1ac1_c889_7e72_68cf" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81raV7bfyFxUL3KynIDAOS1ydUxMr_d8QW35ZiD2YcXIAE47T71D8-98Jw_B88o9TuJxflolf86ry423cAB_sUXEIfAXQQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_9ac1_6627_b45b_21b3" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81oCryYrOryKTkNwneklpDMWejulROu4w1QSVxZdDWyk9G5VP5GNoyEtL53OEoKjiMP9xcq_lhcm4V8dgDrJiAifph9f" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">In 1877 the Nez Perce were victorious in the Battle at White Bird.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_aa59_8276_b81f_eca3" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81qbohS8LEG_tpcXWiSrWa3exU0jfO7a_Xi5bUneCQXdFfb0KgTUjQIexzYw5lrWvXugs2qx8qIEJDXQrfK0K9r3ae7HaA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">The trail we did not take.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_32c0_8812_c081_eccf" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81r9ydnkgls5TbJeObA2UfONw2zXHLKmnSTbJyE-AhQMrtVaiARE-KLPENJmVqwSHKnxbjDZoeZY4U_ErhRLqfKm4R2h" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">A bit more riding uphill to round out some mileage and Susan ends it with a smile.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_2270_2ee8_2fe2_b072" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81pWHrg8SOw2r9tvpuVFzfhbGGhBdzgQo4H1nGgFH_nIEe52gsyRyL2WkxSQu9Qz7HZmVlfM_0Fy_Sqz4YY9mUbJLsvqkg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_78e_e24d_6763_c06d" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81o7lurwGrnES52aVyJi2-0phsxjKoPtL8PXwu3nDaF3WVeA-ABKQ_4kxCcVAyZq0FnvUUZL1R3mSfJrY97khmFNbhIi" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">At the top of our climb we looked down on a rather large ranch.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_61a4_df2b_1132_ce7f" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81q6DD27vFfh85VUHgUMPAi9SG4lOEY82NXf2oSFWAYZQgAEt-cfrey2BqSN5wYmv4noBY6bCS0ITCcfJH3pIhyrlu9sUQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">Time to head back and shortly after mounting our bikes, we came upon Simone. She is from Switzerland and is cycling the Trans America route across the US from Astoria Oregon to Washington D.C.. Young, fit, and well equipped with good gear handsomely packed on her bike. It was a highlight for us to meet and chat with Simone, and a highlight for her to meet and chat with us ;’-).</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_e3ce_82d8_6c1a_3f1d" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81r2Nhv0p6QEMPvnhQWW3tq3f-JU3WijEKcoW0OyG-vMdEVtgkBcOGYJcj7fqvjFzH3kbwuXLKWauwpekXCuA-fxjC4wJA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">Lunch at Red’s River Cafe in White Bird and back to camp ended our fine day. The miles were fairly short but we did a lot, saw a lot, experienced a lot, and feel it was a very full and fun day.</font></div>Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04300329695049058393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-504052655076139442.post-76035884496367854232023-05-31T17:12:00.001-07:002023-08-05T13:42:45.217-07:00IDAHO<div><font size="4">Off to Idaho we go for another SOTF outing, driving through lots of land, crops and cattle in Eastern Washington. So much open space. This side of our state is polar opposite from our west side forested and mountainous terrain. It has its own beauty as we appreciate the soft rolling hills and variety of colors of the crop land. While driving, there is little to no opportunity for taking photos, so I grabbed at least one during a stop to stretch our legs.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_88c4_e0c1_54ed_f56f" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81rGV7RgDCJR0j1X4sRHw2wmMHe0n3vHsztHFVEZnCJYq4j6NPEYTCSNpLp2gX2ZnFRCn9p1a5Wgr2DEqhD7-VZHkEmo5w" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4">Our destination for this night was Hell’s Canyon State Park where Susan had reserved a campsite for us. We had no idea what to expect and were so pleased to find a delightful campground on the Snake River. </font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4">An observation about our entry into Idaho: gas is about $1.00 cheaper than at home ($3.74 is the going price here); the trade off could be that it was 89 degrees when we got to Lewiston! Way too hot for us. At least late evening temps dropped to the 50s to make it comfortable enough to sleep.</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><img id="id_1238_6c99_2406_7d2c" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81p1c1OCUHKhHyVJ5qTyD1F4v3E1HmS2qqmvQ4zZXAC5oR_rr1CIUqBOd_XO3aoeYhgHPfvHS-4xxeB6dIK6AmilGm9WrQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4">We arrived early enough to take a short walk this evening to enjoy this piece of the Snake River Trail that runs into the park. It was a simple out and back walk where we got peeks of the river with some little trails leading to it, and several families sharing their camping outing together. The campground is a delight with lots of trees and lots of room between sites, and the river running right next to it.</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><img id="id_aee5_69ec_c843_f8da" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81q6IaKx5TkwXplD28HAVn74cXKXxawzzSGrnIMYRpX45UFXpnhUuH-kd_fSd8ghhgY_oqgtN7uW4UIVh89ANy6wVriy" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4">The following morning Susan agreed to do a shortish bike ride along the trail to Lewiston - we were camped just outside of town. We play the game of “when was the last time you did something for the first time?”. For us that would be today, riding the Snake River Trail along the Snake River in Idaho ;’). This X in the sky must have been telling us we were in the right place - at least for this day. You are here.</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><img id="id_51fe_2c06_6922_4db7" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81oIGemh2SPr3VccdiJh2uzk9LMOHsZ38hVK97EHo5cFFw0nMlwqop3AeeQEFBCciu4NgE7Wcw8UFnBqExGyiA74I7dp3A" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4">We no sooner got on our bikes and started riding from our campsite when we came upon the Canada Goose families. They were so patient that we stopped to be patient as well. Once they realized we were waiting, the parents guided their babes across the trail to leave it clear for us. We didn’t even have to ring our bell ;’-). </font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><img id="id_dae_720a_e9af_4064" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81qrTrY3--vZTdtNQNz3swkCXiAgnsnM3Db-d62HFYT1qF7M9HNvlFDCiyy0_gpHMcdkMUQdz4X9dHcq7MhOJGNOUVlS" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">We thanked the families and continued on our delightful ride. Here are some photos from our adventure on the Snake River Trail.</span></font></div><div><font size="4"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></font></div><div><font size="4"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">Maybe an erratic rock?</span></font></div><div><font size="4"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></font></div><div><img id="id_3a61_ce1c_71f3_3cba" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81oI7N9xROhnsHvjWyiCo80wgJOJc0hMUXnKwttDGgW75HS6hh2Pfak5hbGHrIU86Z9pG6Tk7KKXWk3UpeyutRO2iIH1zg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">A little bay off the river.</span></font></div><div><font size="4"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></font></div><div><img id="id_cdcf_aaba_e12_a23d" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81oTFn_WN9DjmiZcFRWgrsDu7JYZJCWZGcrda3SrUpzEB7aGF2tcujWE21rbx6hEtWuISAfHxfm6DTSTlQkVWbVtwhl2fw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">Soft rolling hills.</font><br><font size="4"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></font><img id="id_22b7_fa5a_7b4b_5714" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81pQ9606HI2BvTsM1ucntn3yLF_cvo0amTGvTMWUiv6Rak1gpIM7No4vPELUSms1kJUf2uEgyNq3mMQe6_usUQD7T_Y1jw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4">As we neared town, Susan spotted the Krunchy Chicken place and wanted to stop here to bring some with us for lunch. It was a great idea and we enjoyed our lunch at another State Park along our way - Lake Winchester State Park. I didn’t get any photos there but it was another delightful State Park. On the road to the park we saw the biggest flag either of us has ever seen. And we thought Camping World had the biggest flag.</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><img id="id_6f08_f43f_617b_24cd" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81p9V0uJuVWF_NXzP4drD4o3mc6_GqA8g2cx6T8-XYl710qidLxP4UlmhVB2nPxp14137OKVozFG0sbJTIbPmMCQt43zqg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4"><br>Our return to camp took us on a couple of surface roads and I got to see these horses. Not a good photo, but a great metal sculpture. </font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><img id="id_c0bf_44e7_c57f_aa9f" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81r-jfb6EuGQi700AW02LJma3-HlQqe99PnDBT0yCDxslv6yFCsz-8d0qiWz3agTayJlrzGUfXy4yDWQcGkI42jhrfKx0g" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">Back at the campground Susan made a stop to watch a couple of fly fishers who she said were fishing with a Spey rod — Spey casting she said.. OK.</span></font><br><br></div><div><img id="id_a2de_fcdb_1510_42ec" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81qNPrAkQorwUQw_CMLCWCDFr6VCnpgpFOFLc5WvCUvFkkDOp6nKcgNKekdC4UZk2JVCaLJfu0-b6bLUWZQgXOWyXciJ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4">We packed up the van, including our chicken lunch and headed on to our eventual destination of White Bird, Idaho. That is about 200ish miles north of Boise. </font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4">From here it has gone a little down hill, but I will reserve more comment until later! We are now in White Bird at the Swiftwater RV Park. More about that will come later.</font></span></div><div><br></div><div><br><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4"><br></font></span></div><div></div><br>Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04300329695049058393noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-504052655076139442.post-67578952283926414242023-05-26T09:50:00.001-07:002023-08-05T13:42:44.904-07:00POST-CELEBRATION CAMPING IN LYNDEN<font size="4">Susan had one more Title IX thing to attend on Sunday, a breakfast and speeches. This left me on my own so you might guess, I took a bike ride. I rode through the outskirts of Bellingham to get to some more country-type environment. On the way out of town I passed a few interesting homes, especially this one that is a true indication that I was indeed in Bellingham…</font><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><img id="id_8275_533a_cc47_81d0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81qaTU8vs_brM02VzgqbSwoWs8h5ho4v4jv74USiJxb4CfBDj2MaQykIOUrVx2RT0C0NJu9Zar1UI2NB-RXR3KIlyBlB2A" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4">My destination for this day was Lummi Nation, the Lummi Tribe community. It was a very windy day and I felt it most while riding along the shore of the Bay. I didn’t get a lot of photos but surely enjoyed the riding. I stopped for the totem poles by the school.</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><img id="id_2dc5_543f_361e_b5c5" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81rpeOUHL_ycZvxdesA5WSnNAXU8OJ5N8K9hG1t26w9k6LV39BaLoYZeqBGNGjVSvwWgpsn_x_QUi2C-29de_HGUz1kv" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><img id="id_d78e_40f_d3fd_74e9" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81oCPE4SRX11bhpBKVCOtTV7WulbCOpwP1OI4_oYNL6N8n4_7yScQBHpbzDSiM9wsoaGbO3mtrdBh5V_U2EQObEy9pOq" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">And of course could not pass by a bike without taking a photo.</span></font></div><div><font size="4"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></font></div><div><img id="id_f5da_3ca1_f5f6_69a8" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81qaz1vt33CJsqFUfbAHqJFiX3YzSC5GCg_mmj8yihjdunjqmI0L6hT851bAbU8n97ZIYk9NGuti1UToMz1M0FMXpHgm2w" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">Though a bit in the distance, maybe this sail boat will give a little feel for the wind.</span></font></div><div><font size="4"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></font></div><div><img id="id_2295_b02e_7aa4_31ad" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81o0K_OHhfzjv5cPAUiOKERM9Vr3eZ1aXO3uXJpCmZhOZiStvvEarWjRes4fAC6FbIzElFyahLIlWeSpipR5NXU0sLvDTQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4">It was a bit of a distant ride and I feared I might be taking too long to get back to town and Susan would be pacing as she waited for me. To top it off, Google had to lead me back from where I had gone to start the ride, and I had a couple of short wrong turns! Then Google put me onto one of Bellingham’s trails that I was glad I had done in the past or I would surely have missed a connection. All my worry was for naught as my timing was about perfect. I arrived in time to get to the coffee shop next door to where Susan was at the ferry terminal building for a tea and crumpet, and before finishing my tea she was texting that she was ready. </font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4">Now we were ready to continue on for our added attraction of camping, relaxing and bike riding around Lynden and Whatcom County. I think you can highlight and open the link that</font></span><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4"> </font></span><font size="4">will tell you more than you ever thought you wanted to know about Lynden. </font><a href="https://www.historylink.org/File/8393">https://www.historylink.org/File/8393</a>. <font size="4">It’s the largest Dutch community in Washington State, Reformed Dutch now, and is an “orderly, conservative, religious community”. Most businesses, including restaurants (and the ice cream store ;’() are closed on Sunday, and you cannot dance and drink alcohol in the same place.</font></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4">We arrived at the campground, were both a little tired, it had rained the night before so it was damp and chilly this morning so we dawdled quite a bit and almost did not ride on this day. So glad we did!</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><img id="id_e57a_1b69_4cd7_73a8" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81q_UP3GHR6qhRKnOx3Zqodh39qIRfiEO_5T3QF4sru8bJDlhpWoSx2RzSAGTMev0lToIH21Idhnf-Lk7RY2WlAnR3HRkg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4">Susan joined me on two of my three rides from the campground into and through the countryside of dairy farms and berry orchards. Very little traffic with some roads having none at all. It was a delightful area to ride in.</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4">Typical farm buildings always of interest to me.</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><img id="id_a267_50ff_784e_396d" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81r4A2Co7Hszj8VPpLf4ZpEws6oiLNku-d2tJwWhzG6CTIh_esOQXZDTQHJpnO7OyOX6tmZGT_mthjvN16SMFyVn9DBjBQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><img id="id_bb9d_50a2_e6bf_d592" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81pfojAryt4026x7IpOCyEHFT5qCwliJDNQHz8o_KhqRu3_7gp6aDkn0Bpwz8NgAsO45NL3r4FOa4mI9oqkVqXOu2csgDA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_b079_c516_3fe4_853c" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81pizs0fAc2fqstzBtlYVQdQ-4sS0L9mtKp-UbL9WGozLoyeWRge8yMonkTmC12yUao5dnYHSm-ZqOefzcKFt-rK7_vapQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><font size="4">Tumble down farm building that has served its day.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_c878_6ffe_907f_295" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81pgJfytMebACdwiB6WVAjWVKd5weijaRjyy3k0GfoRKoYBI1C3qFJMEX7qTndq-T2FjojDW7VamVVcoL3utGCWK2Y-YMw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_6208_b85f_555f_e090" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81pjICfguWnq845Hua9uEVqppBJ572fhb8iBBfgTnvEDMrB7s8ODNtGRGrUeWo_UHKH42c8oz25D4De-mgwDU84bNEbfZw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4">There are some farm houses though that are exquisite. </font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><img id="id_a75e_9b3a_f1db_c8e4" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81ofklo985lSurnH2bt_mZwv2KqTPGKEes-vPF4d8JaW36oYiagUuhYt5zba94FsGIxF_zUT_MwFQK-NgAlAUWPzUQ8ntQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><img id="id_843f_4e2e_e5cf_c42b" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81qiD78f0QTP1Ub1J_QggEXaxvxFI7mcQCPl6fgfOn-wB7CFYBvqo6jpndXT6TKYXLfSrnAB59CM6DXyPZvf-iN19E7edQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">This place with the bright white meandering fences could be in Kentucky or Virginia horse country.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_dde5_673e_56d4_3f1a" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81rrExt0E3Enu-bhceQgwB3XTRp5dOz-sXDQ_NaOgfOIboSDiPryg6SVkBUKYNzo-WJhjJ3tTdiEFAjy55YHtcmjRA_JGw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">Raspberries, blueberries and grapes all along our routes.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_45b5_ecfe_883d_fa36" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81ooTgwW3greEGHhnYMUAlVPaRZvF0xVKUQ6deyPqlmVLCmqoz0Y3710E0BnG1PJkIMGKkHq9dqeinBMfA82hgckjOoS" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><img id="id_64b7_22d2_69e_2225" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81qEUW7WV7JijHFSrxgRPvgnZl5nJAbGICK0yTkqzpZri9tlu4xfw7ugFQN8t98j4JaEHVzpckxtJqxO2b5U0WN1-HxS" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">New plantings in rows that puts one in mind of the Arlington Military Cemetery.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_797f_3a82_21e1_2023" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81qN7btv78p4eqQdrlkeZBVrThxRIybmZtaZPFZOesxHBktw8qZNXQQ8GcEWeZk6JraFsKigjCzbxM7fvkLgCQq2bySvMw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">Curious about what these were planted in … when they grow up, they just outgrow the carton which then becomes compost ;’).</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_1019_c543_8bbb_9fb4" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81rVuKn7wGre05cBWlpAkakeBzO4Wr0rHMTcwldx1sc_Gh0osQPfDjDJ66eGae0uXIebkY7IIOejj3AdBtkzT3bQLg24" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><img id="id_d66b_774d_312d_3404" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81o8Y0kpakbbFQuB_CzvlPFggWs_p4Fv9ioAli6qfof5NMR_gDry0WorF_3zmuyTyYI54lIHZeChT3Ffgg4wmMBA8B8scQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4">This is Dairy Farm country too, but I got only one photo of dairy evidence - a long horn.</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><img id="id_6af4_3354_5496_9fa9" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81rfiistTvySJRwuqTr0Q-NkrzZDQH4vW8wg6HuIFjf5QTxOW_u5pbJ5vF2tbWVNcBlPbt10dU6IJlandOD0lx_iaY1BQQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">Back in town however, we witnessed the fruit of dairy farms.</span></font></div><div><font size="4"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></font></div><div><img id="id_73f1_5e2f_4006_5ba1" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81o1F_2Mz5lA1QVhWqIrhgQDcaTbruPa-gA3Z-QuyrDUt7T2fDPF9uLXJG-GrO8OCdnZffqs_GGMU7-7WM8Yhef8LpEUpA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></div><div><img id="id_6386_17aa_cbe5_c9b0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81qn9cipLBshB6TqZwSfDkG4EW56n6c3Z78WkmL0_R7NNVjnWyHkYV4c25ydaODE5UzNyxTCl1Cii9PKYFw0XBYoEHTQTA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">On my solo ride I found the casino which, being Lynden, surprised me. I know there is that ordinance that you cannot dance and drink alcohol in the same place, so gambling must be in there somewhere! Perhaps this is just outside the city limit and has no jurisdiction.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_ed5e_f541_3e0e_2c4f" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81pPKc4N_fo4uTOCCroIOl4ehwMtGb8HgHkjHqWaVAAajVOOU5OvJy3rCAgzwzSsQioTPVLKBZofC4cG-lsvqyBgw-jMRg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4">Entrance to the Casino has totems.</font><br></span><br><img id="id_b6_806e_108c_e485" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81pMiseoeEptiQChA5uuj7pzWo7KEMw29Cz3yLyZUDMNfEMPJoJUUXxXd0yuk7WG3ziN5mvyyEU-XRAo0T3V0vyNp7Fa" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">Continuing on my solo ride to Sumas, I found more hills to add to those that Susan and I had found the day before. Being in essentially “flat” country, hills were a surprise to us.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_f157_d4ac_43f3_d128" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81oFBiV7-Q7pFpZPJa51OL9b7Itz57ujuBcJdbsxT3oU5D_4BiYfgsvcnjCQV16cGr5EaFUnT62ZCyIKgKSckuqV5OrrDg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">Sumas is a border crossing town into Canada and has more industrial areas to it. Lumber mill, seed and feed mill and grainery.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_ee59_56dc_8059_7691" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81rmIgE9xhdIUgyDrXUoMcjWd3P-6grqSFeJwiR7iMIDsbAJ7VJcroDs0S6vwJeX3gE9DHd97xu-SgV2xEb0pPySx3KiZw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_297f_99ba_b4f5_e0b" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81qw6g_z8NFrgqEMNi2NMDlQL2FxoItQv2n9YK9EyHE_Un2s5DeCuVMqLxjPwP3rLjkMIJB2AC-YMj6bimHvPByGpORi8w" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">I didn’t ride into what there is of a downtown, and was soon back on the quiet country roads.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_d512_1e48_f05b_4bf4" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81pXEa8GwGBLgqettcuQ-0Ryv3EB-x3OjTYAEYv7o29ioU1kmM6Q3EtmktTDniphklFrOoSim_i4fAipDGj9J9cVHdFIDw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">This ended our adventure in and around Lynden and Bellingham. Home to catch up with things before we take off again for another short outing. Stay tuned. ;’)</font></div>Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04300329695049058393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-504052655076139442.post-20236458635215163652023-05-24T17:43:00.001-07:002023-08-05T13:42:41.153-07:00TITLE IX CELEBRATION FOR WOMEN ATHLETES AT WWU<font size="4">I am so very far behind in posting anything here, I am not sure that I will actually “catch up”. But as my supervisor (Diane) told me when I began my job, trying to dig out from under oh so much backlog from previous employees — at some point you must cut your losses and continue from this day forward!! Heeding such sage advice, that is what I will do now, and maybe go back to some of my past stories later - and maybe not.</font><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><font size="4">OK so, I know you will recall that back in the day, women athletes were second class citizens to men athletes and thus, not only did they have to FIGHT for the use of the gym and equipment for practice, they were never awarded any recognition. The men (at least at WWU) got letters, blankets, jackets and any other awards while the women got none. Fast forward to 1972ish when Title IX was enacted and ensured that all athletes would be treated with equality. That meant facilities as well as awards and all other things that had been unattainable for women would now be available to them. THIS WAS A BIG DEAL FOR WOMEN. Initially there was still the need to fight those male coaches for use of the gym and equipment, and the men thought of the women coaches as “the devil”, but eventually that did change. Fortunately.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><font size="4">All this to say that WWU (Western Washington University), along with their campus ‘Back to Home’ weekend celebration, included a celebration of all WWU women athletes who never received their varsity award(s).</font></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_ce82_f2d2_e3fc_cba2" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81p8oq62bikicjiClYetY8la54vEMzsAq7WapbDeOiFfIcn-0DVb4lMmWyEQHljkcg2ZwW9T1mcJ0ZRxsyk_IcErkbuX6g" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><font size="4">Susan, being one of those athletes, was sure to not miss this long overdue recognition so we planned a few days of camping around the weekend. And to start that off, one of her roommates, Marilyn, planned a little reunion time with several of their past roommates at WWU back in the day. Marilyn and her husband Gary were most gracious hosts, providing us a delightful spot for our RV, nestled in the trees and next to the chickens, put out snacks for an afternoon of chatting and giggling together as the roommates relived some of their antics. Top that with each of us being given a homemade by Marilyn roll of pizza dough to make our own pizzas for dinner. What fun.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><img id="id_b0c8_eaa7_2a1_ffe8" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81p_Zdso9ZXvttVB6w4GzZnImKsioAXd3eP1f3efUUlmN2FGAdzYeNtU9-RBjMpzdiGsX469lR8t9Uc_oRtyDg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4">We loved the chickens and they sure did seem to enjoy us being nearby. They always ran to the fence when we came by.</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4"><br></font></span></div><img id="id_e22c_6053_900a_cda9" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81rcTF76PhqWagS7jsGIB4EBnj7DgHg20JuTFWtFiE0d5CQzyacpvsSKDE9RNqmoTbHX_vWEDhHTVzI66k_bp82I2AzOMQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4">The roommates had lots of fun catching up and remembering their antics together.</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4">At the table: Maggie (who brought the basketball balloon), Marilyn, Betty, Sandy, Susan</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><img id="id_d12c_1cb6_8bdc_884" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81pSUawXxmhmjKc66VM1RUJYH2AE9QooQUt-H-IwjRhd57RGvuTev8-Crw3D8yHKn0nSTiGHrIQkMzco3KrT6fvCFBWDwg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4">Marilyn had made pizza dough for each of us to make and enjoy our own pizza. </font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><img id="id_ed32_9809_6860_17d8" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81occTleVV30pc_-jURPE4k5D8DkaPRzOBxMsbYgwxEFrSxPU5wHCUUVBef1OwzNRAthszGhGOtIqTcNh1ci86awSahenw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br></div><div><br><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4">Lots of toppings to load up the pizza. And though I did not get a photo, we enjoyed an early evening dessert of blueberry crisp with blueberry preserves made from Marilyn & Gary’s very own grown blueberries. Yummy.</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><img id="id_cd6e_fa0d_7ed3_c748" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81oVZrakbD_h40HOUtIi0sLG5o9m70ranBahvK8jNepjCrpYzRtc8V4KmyYVzWBEIYfqeCfCfE-0H9xOJLl2wjvUkLuGtw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4"><br></font></span><br><span style="font-size: large; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">The gals included a Basketball balloon to honor Susan, and it followed us on to our camp spot at Lynden KOA. </span></div></div></div><div><span style="font-size: large; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><img id="id_96ab_53ca_b809_b0cd" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81oAEpgVvFkv1yT8m_nAppbv-seef-8ctGb9VdoUbzFyqqXmPhHuHHyKvDmlauiscOwOyGk4PLfovK3lLF0og2B7n45sKw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br></div><div><br><span style="font-size: large; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">Before camping though we had the celebration on Saturday, the athletes’ breakfast on Sunday. So, a few photos from the celebration and awards day. There was a tour of the new athletic facility (Caver Gym) which is truly state of the art, then mingling time where the athletes met and mingled. Then they each got their long overdue Varsity Letter.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">The athletes lined up in order of the year(s) they played, starting with the more recent and going back to 1968-70. Then each was called up individually.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">Susan walks to the podium as her name is called…</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><img id="id_9b3_fd14_6453_192e" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81ps7X80vvQCWC2aTMi95jF0Z6YBhSFpHCFWXEqWvuTOXLf_00SEMpvMq9BP5F48YQUFZSpC0qsNLooKKkb5wmqwe6vlRw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4">The celebration was live streamed and Sarah sent a couple of photos from her TV viewing.</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><img id="id_2c5b_e6b_7e88_25a" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81ra9d3AWygPSBL0DqMtjmBFd-9G7KYVIxWqCjD26M5hAFJR5e4g5IuXKOBkZ4zrKyek2bTLI5wYC97TyoJ9ifskrR5wJw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br></div><div><br></div><div><font size="4">This is what helped for the pronunciation of Susan’s entire name…</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_dbb_52c3_25a8_ed84" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81pDRV1URFNomHOSak_6fjpcFJIqjrKVwRXEuq-1TpNFLPWETdviBYGUn8pjYPazfi4_n-vmlwZycKQ2FexNk_FnI7g32w" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><br><span style="font-size: large; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">Susan and her coach of years past…</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><img id="id_2381_72e_6887_6b7c" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81rw5EbypT0Mdp81rS0McYQJk2MYnZQ7Ij6UJzvKaYZROZj18I4rBcW2PYEQ_VLUmYph4i9dHAR3-QA9p93DNKExEzqxMg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><font size="4">Another photo sent by Sarah with Granddaughter Lucy watching Grama get her award. What a wonderful thing for Lucy to witness and be aware of. All of Sarah’s and Jenny’s family cheered and hurrahed as they watch the live stream of Grama walking to receive her varsity letter.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_e656_ccc5_5469_9955" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81rkj2Yza0I22NPIfbpAbPhIRVuQSXPIGbheNADbPYJOxJoyLw3AGiIxLMn4hPw9_pA2dUXlIz58c1t4oWYDCqWaT8_K7g" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><font size="4">After all awards were given there was time again to mingle and for group photos.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><font size="4">Susan gathered with her Track team.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_6b88_b05a_1010_c1cc" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81qHSnOyUDWcbm_Yjp41eZc6qa4WJYowZUlobyyogrw2dnj-h8MBtAbP1mvF0bR5lFDJnTlurDSiQJUDm9AvUQzgtx6NmQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><font size="4">Though Susan and Elaine did not participate in sports with each other (Elaine lettered in Volleyball, Susan in Basketball, Track & Field, and Cross Country), they developed a life long friendship that has carried over to their children. and even grandchildren, being close friends as well. More family than friends.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_516_c98b_c77e_82f5" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81rAVLrFDO8YBrxFVz9gnVJsWFf0Wsyx6otpenFmxTxcJsI6vwNkUl9W1ClCf5wVhAqon50nB8ySi16mp4NKxy3ewZ1Q_Q" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><font size="4">All attendees gathered together. Susan is four rows up, fifth from the left.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_9345_5dfa_af02_65a8" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81px1UXb10SBRgZpQOIrCZXszPXgGdNuKi6cK1OfL_Y5qMHnlnXV_XT8KtUfKeAg381VAiciGu6m3_FMZ742Msw7wzff" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">Wave to the camera.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><img id="id_d3b3_cc42_7c2d_856d" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81qjUCzSHkz5zn23mj8cALjUWXC2-tLtihYJoGoCE-fTc0Sm1rvjeWK4lBiF-PYkK3OynsE7A3F0HtBmlWGFphi3O4fVZw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><font size="4"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">Susan with her Basketball Team and their beloved coach Lynda Goodrich in front center wearing black & white.</span></font></div><div><font size="4"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></font></div><div><img id="id_dd7d_5146_6c74_e9a3" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81oRxs43YkaCKNiTSQWmWAszsaktAlbhFSL3YqJ8Pg0HZw7PBkoKYoaP6x8DZsZ0m5QeRQwUV7CiBuYhSO3lakd-C5TxGA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">CONGRATULATIONS SUSAN</span></font></div><div><font size="4"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></font></div><img id="id_5275_3e21_24c4_17d9" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81qxH88QNmKoIVIjGH5lw1fd99EBoqDe5iG7R6Ybh6ly4n5qgY-PngAoN40paDwUFHI-L_CdBdldByEc3w8pMkFJCVQD" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><div><font size="4"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"> <br></span><br></font></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span><br><span style="font-size: large; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div>Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04300329695049058393noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-504052655076139442.post-3541098911213208172023-03-10T06:19:00.001-08:002023-08-05T13:42:40.533-07:00I’D LIKE TO RIDE MY BIKE TO CONCRETE<font size="4">Our second day here at Rasar brought full sun and a gorgeous day. We would ride the Cascade Trail to Concrete, as we normally do when we are up here.</font><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><font size="4">Beautiful day. The trail is not as smooth and debris free as this photo makes it look. It is just OK for riding. It takes work and attention to avoid some larger rocks, pot holes, limbs and branches along the way which makes us even more slow. Looking behind us…</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><img id="id_c70_8518_a972_a536" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/3WmlMRL_rohuzoPSZcNl8qSzsCs1WJoJV1qwduS9SlPnn1iio5THi-_-k3zrxxCg2sU" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;">T<div><br></div><div><font size="4">And looking in the direction we are going…</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_49b2_914b_371c_3a65" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/0o4FxMvFHKHb49B3TCLN13V0R6efmZf3xkCyTdhgXERSL4LOt0EatYeALiFezJzL9VQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">You can look back at my June post and see much more and some same about this adventure. We were here on June 29 and my post was amongst the June 30 collection of adventures - near the end. Here we come to a warning but decide to check it out. </font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_f37a_8248_a6a3_2cb" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/Y5iVUTeMfyds7rpRhxAc9ofNp9stXPbx7UyWd8WLQZ731DWHrXS8FhpiBccc_uo_O-c" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">The trail was closed here last June as well, but we were almost sure they must have repaired it. But no, there is still a big washout dividing the trail. Not clear here, but photos from last June show more. </font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_83e0_dac1_1d5e_ed45" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/zzJmCP1FXLr0qDTN7n1A4WDu1lIDc_BVOciOwy8FDE8Ki3owrY6Nc8i3q9JCfRF2aD4" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><font size="4">This time, being much colder, we chose to not walk across the small board and get our feet wet, so this was a turn around point. Of course Susan had spotted a trail just behind us that led down to the highway, and HAD to take me on it. You see here that at am not too happy about walking down this steepish grade of slippery leaves and some muck. But we made it and avoided backtracking on the trail.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_be0d_a3ed_fb89_a1e9" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/doDWw12qfOG3L0kokkb5nleKJfDgaAxRApu3akZr-xItLLj5X3u2nSBqTqluZjm-0X0" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">Once on the highway we each had a photo in mind. Susan focused more on the craggy mountains, I was focusing more on the Concrete sign. So betwixt us both you see, we got ‘em both.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_a160_d78_5abc_6df4" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/QvPLtkWu9Fj9a-TVLmCaYlU3CM5n0nIBEDzOphXcMDwBljnPvWRa_c8B6TGtJpkbPpE" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_ad6a_32da_7782_21f1" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/39n_Vfs8-hN9jasGm8e86ge6PGlXrHdbXvgd7OSRiqeSyOlsSlfsMZqn02o_kcoo8-o" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">The famous Concrete .. furnaces?</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_192_7248_5c6a_d057" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/5iJN-QA6vMdrqVoNr0gLRMoJ0vs01r-ECX6Lztq01-Gy13ShpVwKYLLGd0mxcTtFy7A" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">Last June we happened upon the Senior Center free lunch. Checking it out, the staff person encouraged us to come and eat with them as they needed more “numbers” of people for their rolls. So we did, but were sure to not eat free as we gave a healthy donation. This time she (wish we had gotten her name) remembered us, welcomed us heartily and recalled quite a bit about us. </font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_3a93_640b_bfa0_1fcd" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/iwBeE2hMjx7WEL-GiGcBRT4F4LZs_-5JFXh2ajNZjuJLzLV_TDenBLLs0K50-IA2xHU" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">The Bar B-Q lunch was hardy and good. We left our healthy donation as a thank you and in hopes it would be of some help for this little town with the open heart.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><font size="4">On our return ride to camp we continued more on the highway that has a nice wide shoulder and not too much traffic at this time of year with the pass not yet open, though the traffic is fast! Getting back on the trail for just a short distance reminded us of how slow (esp for me) we advance on such terrain. It had been a full, beautiful day and a nice way to finish up this adventure. We will return home tomorrow after one more night peacefully sleeping in the trees that surround our campsite.<br><br></font></div>Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04300329695049058393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-504052655076139442.post-60148065308232174992023-03-09T08:31:00.001-08:002023-08-05T13:42:44.384-07:00I’D LOVE TO RIDE SOMEWHERE DIFFERENT…<p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><font size="4">The theme for my ride 365 life site challenge for MARCH is <u style="font-weight: bold;">I’D</u> (for IDES of March, get it?). This is my entry for now.</font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><font size="4"><br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><font size="4">I am fortunate to have about 5 different routes from home and can adapt and adjust those for a little more variation. I appreciate this but I have ridden, and continue to ride them all and a change is always welcome, and sought after. I got a change this week ;’-).</font></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; min-height: 13.1px;"><br></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; min-height: 13.1px;"><br></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; min-height: 13.1px;"><font size="4">Susan and I drove up to Rasar State Park which is only about 50 miles north of us in the next county (Skagit) for some overnight camping and some bike riding. On our first day we rode a route that we have done at least 3 other times. We never tire of it because we don’t do it that often, the rural roads have very low traffic, it is somewhat in the “country”, and it is a flat route that begs for taking your time to enjoy the views, the fresh air, and the countryside.</font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; min-height: 13.1px;"><font size="4"><br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; min-height: 13.1px;"><font size="4">Starting from the campground we immediately came upon the remnants of snow fall they have had up here.</font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; min-height: 13.1px;"><font size="4"><br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; min-height: 13.1px;"><img id="id_eff7_32d_7e63_73ed" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/V5zk7hnZfzBcmVE7uLDHNv0x49_HO3jSedI2GRmZ_7bvUnGVO8Ncsr6q4lMD80IQZAw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; min-height: 13.1px;"><font size="4">The route takes us along the Skagit river for a bit and I always love the views.</font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; min-height: 13.1px;"><br></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; min-height: 13.1px;"><img id="id_980_1312_ef2e_bb6" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/9gDIpOjeoW22HKX6pV2gcPs-ZrjqyE-lojNeeG8fDQH-JESQehC9oNPmU3cLaCvo1To" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_80d8_1dd5_1bbf_98b6" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/RPbGKEvxtXA219fe3Vat2pdglOMgPh923dKAbMY9Z5XrMoRxGYxdYBGY0dpVWWec5lM" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">Part of the route is on unpaved trail which, except for one rocky part, is hard packed enough to not feel treacherous (most unpaved trails feel treacherous to me as I am a wimp). Here I stopped for a photo.</font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; min-height: 13.1px;"><font size="4"><br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; min-height: 13.1px;"><img id="id_1dd0_6671_c293_c72e" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/GTJgES7BtIDrdyLLD5XOEi7oANUBejoiOG_zIP2p1LAxRT1razBhhTZMtjjkesmci8E" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">This photo - of the vines and brush swallowing an old vehicle.</font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; min-height: 13.1px;"><font size="4"><br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; min-height: 13.1px;"><img id="id_be2a_779d_6df7_b685" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/9tPfsxKj5HhiJ6l8IdffeGhrw1E8Qkv_8ridhwM1fFFXgYOyGdZNY8KEP18Xm42Cou0" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">I know we have crossed this bridge on the trail each time we have ridden it, but this is the first time I have noticed the bottle cap “design”.</font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; min-height: 13.1px;"><font size="4"><br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; min-height: 13.1px;"><img id="id_a71f_b049_e399_ba4a" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/6R4Rxhn-4GY3Ch-g-DQHBKrALSfcR3bLQCaGkXpxWJ6Esv7EoR3EUNd9R3LPcl3oLZA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; min-height: 13.1px;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; min-height: 13.1px;"><img id="id_3f17_cb77_14ab_c7c" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/gVfDSiBUQxgIFsOBbflo0RKN8STwPbddqycEdIv10gjqIOdMjO7suEmog6rYjQr5yqw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">The mountains were out and, though there is no photo of it, we were being chased home by some very dark, rain laden clouds in the near distance. We were fortunately turning away from that direction and did speed up a bit 🙄 to out run the rain. We were successful except for Susan feeling 2 (two) raindrops.</font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; min-height: 13.1px;"><font size="4"><br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; min-height: 13.1px;"><img id="id_f5_1aa1_88a0_d423" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/jVAq3-W7KByH80W3lQ3-Uonviyk3FfenQPaYSqS_XToiuGnjCro32pJlX0eepr8zVjA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br><font size="4">Neither of our two major highlights for the day lent themselves for a photo as they happened too fast and too unexpectedly:</font><br></span><br><font size="4">-A small gaggle of four trumpeter swans flew overhead showing their elongated necks and honking their song. A sight I would have loved a photo of, but enjoyed and will remember just the same.</font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; min-height: 13.1px;"><font size="4"><br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; min-height: 13.1px;"><font size="4">-A workman stopped us on the return trail while they felled a huge tree in front of us. The tall leafless tree fell with an explosive BOOM of limbs cracking and scattering on the ground. An excavator removed the big limbs from the trail to open the path for us. It was quite amazing.</font></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; min-height: 13.4px;"><br><span style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;"></span></p> Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04300329695049058393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-504052655076139442.post-31981451516756189642023-02-23T15:39:00.001-08:002023-08-05T13:42:42.391-07:00New Bike!!!!<p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><br></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><font size="4">I looked back at some past correspondence with Bike Friday and see that I have had this bike for 20 years. It is my second BF as Susan and I both had traded our 4 year old ones for newer models. We are long time Bike Friday owners/riders. About 5 years ago we had these current Bike Fridays converted to Pedal Assist eBikes at the Bike Friday factory in Eugene Oregon (also where we had bought them).</font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><br></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><font size="4">Here she is, my long time friend. I will not be giving her away or anything because — well, you know we all need at least one back up bike. So this is not a true farewell. </font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><font size="4"><br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><img id="id_f6d2_4d58_be53_e656" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/N3jtVo6JsliUON1Fc70Vff49vaJF1BlYbGGSMH5b9rYlhrbyLxZ627etRg_nfcZZ28c" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><font size="4">My BF has served me well but I have truly ridden into the ground and I have felt the need and desire to get a new bike. I have had my eyes out for something to pop up that I would like, and that is available in the U.S. I know that I do not need to justify buying a new bike after 20 years of riding this one, but …I do have some reasons why I have been longing for one. Though I keep taking my bike in for all the maintenance work, and had a pricey overhaul done at Bike Friday, there are things that are not only not perfect, but a real pain, and never seem to get “fixed” right. My gears slip, my gear shift has become very hard to use, there are rattles and shakes that are annoying, my battery sometimes cuts out briefly and with no warning. I know all these things can be tended to and some changed, but THAT is what I have been doing, and there is now new technology that has been developed over these years (disc brakes to name one). Also, being a front wheel drive (motor in the front wheel), my bike is sluggish on the uphills and I know there will be quite a difference with a mid drive (motor at the crank). Time for a new bike I say!</font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><font size="4"><br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><font size="4">The Tern Vektro S10 makes its appearance. Two of them of course.</font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><font size="4"><br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><img id="id_f190_ca49_6ef_b53d" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/l9egjlOsahMS9Nl5B2X4yKmXjf9DMGtBqPAG1Dbqv13DcJ-mDmVjS-LnLpG6dK_rbOc" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><br></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><font size="4">All along, while moaning, complaining being very vocal that I NEED a new bike, Susan has not shown an interest of needing (wanting) one herself. THEN we found these folding TERN pedal assist bikes that had EVERYTHING we could wish for — Including an easier fold than the BF. That brought Susan right around and we both ordered new bikes.</font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><font size="4">OK, so these are rather (very) high priced bikes. At this stage in my life I can get anything I wish, and even Susan agrees that the amount of riding I do “deserves” a new bike. The day will come when I can no longer ride my bike. Today is NOT that day ;’-).</font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><font size="4"><br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><font size="4">There is no day to compare to a new Bike Day!!!!! We picked them up yesterday evening — while it was snowing — and hoped for our maiden test ride today. We waited out the morning freeze (25 is too cold to ride) and were able to get out together for an early afternoon (in 36 degrees) short spin of the neighborhood.</font><span style="font-size: 11px;"> </span><font size="4">Turns out that not only do we NOT have buyers remorse, but we are in LOVE with our bikes.</font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><font size="4"><br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><font size="4">These sisters will remain in the stable side by side for use at any chosen time.</font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><font size="4"><br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><img id="id_fb51_c37d_344e_a407" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/Xzwkux7F2t6_hRYbub6iBeWYeYUCU__FGZ5hkje4X4bFv9nZ_VQZ3hEbcZ9mtoAsc94" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">Can’t wait for another, longer, ride as soon as weather will alllow. </font></p> Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04300329695049058393noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-504052655076139442.post-46248770535632456142023-02-16T09:50:00.001-08:002023-08-05T13:42:42.908-07:00PHASE 2 CALIFORNIA AND TO HOME<font size="4">Jeremy had some days off from work, and having purchased an annual pass for Universal Studios, he took the girls for some fun there for a couple of days. We stayed at Sarah’s those days before driving on south for a visit wth new friends. Before leaving Elk Grove, I did get in one more ride. </font><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><font size="4">The map and directions said it would be about 37 miles. On flat terrain, that is not at all too much for me on my pedal assist. First through a bit of town, I came to a couple of sculptures of interest on the grounds of the Civic Center.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><font size="4">I have no idea really of what this is representing or depicting, but it is interesting.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_ff1c_97e2_8aaf_e45f" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/Ty9m_dgiLmkqlV_MrxPeG7Z9Ao_AywDrUqnTIgzLoEa6OUzhPyrF8vyNTbfQC4vRz4U" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4">I like this one a lot more.</font><br></span><br><img id="id_f2a9_fbbc_20d9_4d57" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/Pktvf0ISF_jw4ESzG3YuHgW_vCxTPk0R6uIX7mwlxo9Krm9u4eQrtfPcNZmA2m3osFw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">Moving on out into the country side again, I loved being in the orchards and vineyards as I made my way to the halfway point of Walnut Grove. </font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_ddf6_a622_5b80_b3dc" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/1wYOTF2R7awJyP6TM64Q9Hk9o4kUSIN5ipCEJHL69kamATr9gJ7ulBMx4mbUvbZTwEY" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><div><font size="4">Being Valentine’s month, I could not pass up a Heart!</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_1cdc_58c2_c8f9_8b8e" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/vRVMf5oAwuq7l6Jzpr4MNkntPGF9GQGncnvVXNkZWRm1JWCPPVRBGvlxGsu9fd08S10" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">The ride from here became a bit less enjoyable as it took me on at least 10 miles along a busy fast paced road with NO shoulder. The traffic was intermittent and did seem cautious of me, but still when the cars did come, they passed me at high speed. It was bit stressful. Once off that road which seemed endless, I hit some good headwind to battle for the remainder of my 42 (not 37) mile ride. I was bushed by the time I got home.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><font size="4">On the drive south to visit our friends we stopped for a night of camping and dinner in the seaside town of Capitola.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_a951_ead8_faec_b8d2" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/s4nAX6iZ-0qWVG8aV12-DMuOn9qVRsD8XAXj7H2GEroen3grkOxPRVkmSJvKrzLsjrQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"> The recent storms have taken a big toll on this cute surfing town.</span></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_8498_9123_138b_a6ba" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/qC0TxXMnnHyZ9zkYJcJ4YI8NVMHgL06F4b5TtZivBUG2zEyYqwPWCNbLYMS1W7ZaiBg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4">Lots of surfers frequent the town and there is evidence that it is a popular spot for them.</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><img id="id_2b04_a56d_ba13_19ca" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/Hjw-C06Mtj6vYjsrW7eH5JcF5y_fx0pj8Woa8CUin1-HsYdM32pBkD8qG6DkhOLIIB4" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><img id="id_465c_87bc_2399_c6a6" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/i-SlK_Ed-zcDrZhOXZAo-V8jAMjlSZWhhAIH_eZyE-cUq-jEGWLCk8S17362_kREfdM" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">Lawn Alley is lined with rental cottages.</span></font><br><font size="4"><br></font><img id="id_3ee7_7dbb_dcf0_9099" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/Ektj6g4y_wKRooqL2JUSxM9eAnLjNhk4oh2TACdNBU_JpbMaD8BEI2r8kYLmb_0xWL8" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">The sandbags show evidence of storm preparation.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_66eb_3bf_634c_f053" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/C9A1ntCQw48vpnLGmHkIwiDAPLdt3J_Rq8fvIUtzDnElw7WmLHW7s4Gmtcjo9MoyuH8" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">The beach is beautiful of course, but there is definitely evidence of storm damage.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_cb0f_146b_1463_ba51" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/f7io9ma6e__GoVZ3tWrJV5AZBUvAyDSrrlLlk15Rvw6O9Mou4wYtCgWoh3qGf90iG9s" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><br><img id="id_a5f9_3c49_8067_d484" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/MZGTA2ODp1CeR_0UWXsYZIzcINrPTwN2BW8gEFVNWrnXCt4nYTXed_Z5N1SSrvAxIWM" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">It was now time to continue our drive south.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><font size="4">We had met Barb and Penelope at a Pleasure Way (maker of our RV van) camping event in Oregon last year and struck up a friendship. They live in Central California and we drove down to visit with them for a few days. </font><span style="font-size: large;">Their lovely home is directly across from the ocean.</span></div></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_bdc3_656d_69f4_598a" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/KKRBe5Jp6tpZ52QQeBQfbQWpGfm1VlwpyhAr0bDRoq5bCZ4csqaqf-cWBp6zr0pl_9o" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><img id="id_9f9d_d8d0_52e_9fb6" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/uI8Vsk_2dGELKIOq_wyDHfPoM3e0zo6o_nVfk-BdkGDRcVJl6g5DZXZh0vXZ72eTga0" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br></div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">They welcomed us with our first night’s dinner on their balcony. </span></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_383_2f8b_c064_7c07" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/WN1QPuDX8ZPTavyYDe2oPPz0F4JDiOL6mfzBrRsqg5_hrrhqDd2TP1uuemSyQsFSt_Q" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">We had a lovely time reconnecting and watching the beautiful sunset over the Pacific Ocean.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_d191_5916_d69c_a50f" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/aEUgKGBQnO3weU_RczVpuXs1ywAh4rE1KyA0CQzQ58gqMnBK_wH5tSx9XGmcVPpW8C4" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4">The following morning Barb drove us to Morro Bay where Susan and I got in a little bike ride through town and on a short shoreside trail. But first we would stop for “tea & crumpet’ ;’-) at Barb’s favorite bakery (yummmmm).</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><img id="id_9586_c64f_8546_6dd" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/vNG6o3G53oJ_8pvLwuijh2gC_Z2-sFmGOB5nBIeOim8rc80GQfCxvuEipT3we0fg8GM" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4">Morro Rock is the most prominent item in town, and the beginning of our ride.</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><img id="id_4ae8_e0a3_e80d_36bc" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/VVF2uQh1UplJzRnb2fuOEo371QaTYkkOJrkAMVjxvsaAKbyj-IzhdxLX0abLTJdy190" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">Riding along the Oceanside is always nice.</font> <br><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4"><br></font></span><img id="id_c540_5fc6_fe92_c1f0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/OFG3sh2iszNZzmja9KPxfPDzUvZGlAfViv3Z-lrCpz-nj4vY1y_jU2r-aq2Y6jf3Zyo" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">The next day Barb and Penelope took us on a tour with the destination being to see the Elephant Seals. On the way Harmony, with population of 18, would be our first stop.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_43d5_70f4_ff50_15d" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/Vk_59k1LfBOwIgc3knMDDmvXdDuXGR5smr2WTo59RkfcXFtWvsky0Gzke6OkfUq2Umk" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><img id="id_b7ff_6679_9c6a_3850" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/P_jiWSir5ilflnN7oTT8oUFXG_OQZ5DsUf-BBgthj20OxET9dw3qL-fLPKs4GEI0yE0" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">Mainly it is an historic town that has a creamery (too early for ice cream) as well as a glass and pottery shop that we had to spend some time in! We also liked walking a bit of history in the town.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_7a0c_e810_1ebe_7013" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/C2KL08GscugSfNp9R8EUpzQwvA9cxuIhVom-KYu1Nx6LZtALpyimfHhrkpYO_9fHnoU" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_7204_eac2_2e3d_f49a" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/GFvtnmNpGKMxwfKjkRyHae4Qfv5_MFONufBA1DJT4tvYvak5hlP8pv4edTGcyX_3kbE" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_9bbd_f507_9768_67a5" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/sUakLqSvkhaEngJk-uKEjFB5u3ApPGgd4tJlrY065T3eHybkYG1b1DBdI4HWGt4seD0" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><font size="4">A Town for Rent if you so choose.</font></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><img id="id_d583_980a_b8bb_d8f8" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/NAjXS-IJy057JO0MJYiYngkjNTMqv3GP6OwFdpzlcUaKyUKfHU7Ah6o5aLxe0Zx8J3Q" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4">Old Post office served for weddings too.</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><img id="id_27dd_6b00_7ed6_e8e" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/vjEwuInuC7xS_gf7UXsvTuyQa02n7QwM4DKsb9DCjvqHC6YQnbEPuCeGMcWx_ZHZ8hs" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_d85a_b390_59e2_ef08" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/bl_k115qUdm--QzKByfA5IIrCOqiKLDHmrtPtDx0kZlk7qCnXTzO65_P2BnfwvJu7wI" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><img id="id_4b95_e229_47c8_5aef" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/QKfaDjmotfDSxNqp64aA8u0GWZouWXEcgtn-Wod_K4_Yh5pNvxyUZw4lLs9yzbjylQk" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">Residents have a place to worship as well.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_45d1_10be_1e12_6bfd" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/Xu8qcOx3FFysgEOF-rr-GcF3Sk_5Kf0zxnDAWPu1TpQ_82QTAzqUw88pIx5_gcTND4M" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">Time to go visit the seals now. </font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><font size="4">Once there and stepping our of the car, we learned that the wind was heavy from the north. And we could tell by Missy’s ears.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_ffeb_f060_6293_401b" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/LZ-ZXsAQaXUdLt-bU2T7BEfJjav5WwfPYWMdIY3IOgsxVu13-Wro2h5O-3fAuSaQIeg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><br><img id="id_2e2f_77d4_7c5_642e" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/l74gDmY4HUllEFD7Sx0TKpr6AnWtdBjIJ2qiVfNUfbDQ2J6nnJuYVhhPs_g-HpCMUtI" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_7917_be6b_4c3f_2ac4" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/y70FWdYItuEizMjjwE2mpDta1RelBbvyxJmNHD0h9LiRLxKW0OvpupG2IErAezEAcOo" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><font size="4">Susan and I were mesmerized and found it difficult to take our eyes off of them!! I took tons of photos that, at the time, seemed so different from each other. When I downloaded the photos I saw that they were not so different after all, and chose just a few to post. </font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><font size="4">As far as the eye can see, the beach is lined with the seals that come in every fall, October and November, to have and nurture their babies and do not return to the ocean during the entire time. They stay until early spring - around March - when they return to the sea, get nourished for the following fall and birthing time. </font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_8ee7_e5b9_50d5_d2dd" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/6Qnp29zd_vXLMe_r9MQCyuq55Su64lqo448cYMUxAdIuy8Stxv3okuuJvyUO9G59dgQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"></div><div><br></div><div><font size="4">There are groups or families that stay together with the male guarding and protecting HIS flock.</font></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><img id="id_6f03_9439_c9ea_7919" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/8CAamCidUiJjMDE4eR-zEwG5xjvIpV_h_nRti3O9BQCSaBjV5QkQ9L1UyAQIV87P4CE" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4">AGGRESSIVELY</font> <font size="4">guarding his territory.</font><br><br></span><img id="id_abaf_fe5e_504b_4d51" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/GQEXNFPRXds-p0ZOerq_9syvuEVxjD93E-eDZg5mASNa7hRpAw4WFYi6SB-Lrl8qXK4" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">Mama seal can nurture only one baby as that is all the milk outlet (teat) she has. If she births more than one, the others will die.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_6970_66d1_bda6_1d72" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/cOJMXj0_oZ8I5A-5ts_FOoQcQOt_67Rr27983Lml11h2N950_p3XjAXNTtPSnlSZhxE" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">This was an educational and fascinating trip for us and we had a hard time leaving the beach and the seals.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><font size="4">We relaxed with dinner together and breakfast the following morning before we had to say our sweet goodbyes. We all agreed that there will be a “next time” when we will get together. For now we thank our friends Barb, Penelope and Missy for this grand stay with them.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_ca96_1138_e5af_f4aa" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/AevtjB2meRnHF0qDrR2YvXRuqmUXMJNu-I6mBUQHKGlO-GITd5Wp3ygyHDVfaPs7moc" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><font size="4">We as usual were happy to be home, but not so happy about transitioning back to our weather. Our first morning home brought this.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_d76c_bd22_b31f_4c6e" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/i_nbz1nDrfU6q0BDoh-70v09U1_itB1zcYt5QBk76HSwl0HkjS-7aePbRqz9aWgfJRs" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div>Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04300329695049058393noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-504052655076139442.post-82938882615103074452023-02-05T10:57:00.001-08:002023-08-05T13:42:45.527-07:00STARTING FEBRUARY IN CALIFORNIA.<font size="4">In my last entry we left off with a rainy day bike ride with Sarah and the girls. The next day I had a ride on my own in the sun. Granted, it was cold enough for me to basically be dressed in the same cold weather gear I wear at home, but still — sun and lots of it was delicious. </font><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><font size="4">Just a few photos to show that I am not in Mukilteo! I chose a shorter route from Sarah’s so to be back for any upcoming family stuff. </font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><font size="4">The flora is different…</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_b9eb_4a66_6e6b_7ae3" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/dK3gW0G1k19UGiStAHkmXMpxP2ZLvAup1JXbN-EA1UT4XVA2F0krIL98E2o4gNLaltA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">This curly headed cow was looking directly at me until I pulled out my phone camera and then I could not get his undivided attention. A handsome guy.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_acdb_eaeb_ba48_b1d" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/5GG-dqLSeZdFNLjLjoJlU9KAEDLk-sJExs5qbKsOHG4Yi3KVXDm7IhFvyPminb_xzZM" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">The herd of sheep were all near the fence until I stopped for a photo! They all turned and walked the other way and only the one in the middle kept its eyes on me the entire time I snapped photos. I snapped quite a few and though none were great, I had to include this of the eyes on me sheep.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_7e0c_3dc3_332f_faec" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/W_X33LTee4dKOJMceSp_YuOOe32ijlH8nynxBK7BuDTT7z3RR6W4RtJ8hp1KkjqILm0" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">You know you are in the “country” when you see a sign like this…</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_9234_5186_1059_3c88" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/cRHRsU8-Q5E0LI6UWXi6SY_FpQIGkvmHo83wZz5K16egj6Czwjb2KsjZmq91O2wZQps" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">One more thing caught my eye as I do so like old farm buildings. </font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_d2bb_da96_69fb_3466" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Db1KXNz9vBjNtnzay6g3gicLYmlDKwnKYpIzDKeM3JXRtMWDifWWaXZviAMhMBEnDi0" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4">You see by that deep blue sky and clear day just how perfect a bike ride would seem. It was, except for some very strong headwind for at least half of the ride. That put some extra exercise into the flat terrain 🙄. I got back in time for a bit of resting before going to watch Lucy, and coach mom, at their basketball practice for their upcoming game later this week.</font></span></div><div><br></div><div><font size="4">The next few days were very busy with family and a few solo bike rides. We had a visit to the Zoo, Kate’s karate lesson, and Lucy’s horseback riding session. The only photos from any of those activities were of Lucy at Horse Camp.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><font size="4">Her instructor (Jennifer) was great at teaching her some new skills and Lucy listened intently and followed every cue.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_d399_1445_2e7e_92d3" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/n2mBsjtr9PPgbhxlkTK3mXYAjdUD1-youvcxSCzV3FTU6imhDMtG6QyEfPMXTN3vXUc" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><br><img id="id_80a0_1e18_fa27_3bd6" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/8SrjcRZxUHk-p5HPCVIi-SjLktubqQ2LsSSidHzl0xw-ahVIcg-6_iKzuWh3cIk3JeY" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">She sure looks like a “real” horse back rider, and loves it so very much.</span></font></div><div><font size="4"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></font></div><div><img id="id_d72f_18f8_7112_a257" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/uDcr2jSjxLlVafo_cvlYloICSE-mW5rA8uDQL0Al2qCivAzuhqjAH-lRoEbBsB40jRU" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span>I did fit in a couple of bike rides in the neighborhood that took me into some parks and around the lagoons.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_c668_dba_441a_3ba9" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/TfgLCaLFv5q5geX6KBxI7Xs0kb_RvW2kro_Kp-BF1JZOV3II0i6F7OClg2VmeeUtjq8" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_1cb4_69bf_3d6e_c4eb" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/2AGUTFo_PFE5FpOZrbbNdofkErUSnVd2PgRH_sFLga9BQ-baQARc2KYaXimaid1yWKk" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_8f95_5e35_366b_a258" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-juSi3QAiuAUMVfaQs-lmjTSdjPtaJ5GpP1tNfDWvd_f1lPh0RCu6nzJsliRZ8Vm2NQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_fad_c8e1_700b_4570" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/jlceKJ5hM7s0WDaQCVtL_twgthAoNdUjQxNJwWPc5E5Dnbcktk3wALipOIhahra5zFs" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_1e49_87ba_6564_7a05" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/aQ08NO8KSeiZdVybHfX0Jex6MVjl3MCE3Ej48Mzyz0XLBqn9JtMHoLyp1tf5w36gfxA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">We were happy to find our next adventure of Biking The Rails! </font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_3f4c_ac4e_ff57_602b" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/6jo4yaa8t18bxgvUclyTDYgqaI6hYlpHiUtoHmnS1tsKj_OP_nq1wiUR95hqcZjfciI" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">This would be a first for all of us, so if someone asks “when was the last time you did something for the first time?”, we have the answer ;’): February 2, 2023.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><font size="4">We entered the depot and took a tour of the gift shop.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_9251_20f5_e146_5744" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/ir-P6VHdJDmjAlWXnQK66jfpiKYPDG16lLL7bDsi895EcTNsjPcyetaDtDqcxBxpGLM" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><span style="font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><font size="4">After filling out our paper work and signing for our life, we got our instructions from the leader.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_4f1b_f5fd_ce83_ede6" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/BCryO7z2WjVnv5AXnUOWzT-zmp7s__ryQ5T9VBeDijaJfHIxSpipsBOFLBbU73Q4odc" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><font size="4">They provided helmets, but we had our own and we were soon seated and on our way. There was little opportunity to take photos, but Susan gave a valiant try from her rail car in front of us. Kate was with Susan…</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_fa8d_c37a_b52e_8804" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/rOF34oqfMoAEvaoAKop-xYMLDze2yEKnor8J_ZDtSA7HTd1zvz7UWsDu3l1IvXlfhig" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><font size="4">Lucy was with me…</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_ffa1_2bd7_cf15_bd4d" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/F-fQXHrDUBARzytw7hogcyiLykCW6k90GWoX1f8f4mpJRiDjahQZWzyHVQYmIAqgHPU" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">Snack bags were provided, and when we reached the turnaround point, we ate some of them.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_cd0d_cfe8_5861_bb05" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/qlkLPHff9QneSIHp_A_8KhTiJC3K1FZy1-mtYidKNa7Y9HV2cc-e9PULy44s1veSNKI" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_c5bc_524f_c543_97c1" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/D2AjWXQSc0XlLZp-Gh4wtSOSvnBUwTgjyGsZ-3Vdl8oonpjurHxXxvg9Fnvrx4ec-3M" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">Cars were turned around on a little roundabout, and we were off again for the finish. We had a great adventure and tired out the Grandgirls.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_48e2_cbfa_caf7_67ab" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_5AfzuXT1RrQLyR21kEoBXKfDsads7ks10khLhM6EQZkhvZMF5zH80lL0y9NtvUqSoI" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">A few more photos from riding around the area the following day. The route I found took be through farm land, orchards and vineyards. A nice ride on a rather cloudy day.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_7796_52ec_5fe4_8978" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/CbLw2wpXKVpaAbWb55Zx9xYKHIiUkhXifEBov8BzVuM0BnmuScnNfmHN7ochiZDiy48" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><img id="id_a17_349e_52b5_8ba7" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/81hN3YM7v01pje7xbRap0RYea_U9PEpfmJy842u_9RQM-_cOqwsmKjq0dpJX5uZifJs" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_5563_a3ba_e549_1448" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/W14uZUciXDa50yPUnvvy8skE3jSx_cZ5w3mm2s6BJn2tc6xAJrDpSR6bqfQxurbUQks" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">A glimpse of some recent past flooding in the vineyard across the road.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_159b_8ed8_449d_7585" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/sijbJzXXjr5s2qLCrIhOo4A8gC1ObX9fF0lQKByjIeVnyq8IuFkjZAWNk_TA05nOHvc" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">And finally, on the way home, a nice old brick wall photo.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_ad06_b97f_c26d_b93b" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/vmbzyOg7H21iRWaCO6msLorO5-Imu3f06-ICB2b9z9mHtLypsoowNGIyQX7R8S0NANA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">I will call this the end of “phase 1” of our trip and continue on later as we move along to other parts and places.</font></div>Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04300329695049058393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-504052655076139442.post-27422106339946466172023-01-30T17:51:00.001-08:002023-08-05T13:42:41.979-07:00ENDING JANUARY IN CALIFORNIA <font size="4">We had a rather wet, cold, cloudy, sometimes stormy month of January. Consequently, I am surprised to have gotten in as much riding as I did. </font><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><font size="4">Most of my riding continues to be solo, but I did get in a nice ride on a sunny day with my friend Shelly. We started at her house and rode along the Burke-Gilman trail with a tea & crumpet stop at Bothell Landing.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_3d8b_a42f_9f37_1c2f" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/IUja05rwt7ww-tEtZTGwTHX1anCqqF6UHMPE80lDfFo7k1jqJ5DtsZyLse_tbACEwj0" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">Along the way we maneuvered around some wandering geese. Nice to see shadows!</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_94d_ae6c_8708_2fcb" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/fd_2SkFHotcS1BaOGIg1GCetWcVWVp8ZjeN0JEhpu6cAd7_3JZSO5lAT8JkQLu1kTww" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">We crossed the Sammamish River via the ped-bike bridge which is a treat.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_9f4b_ef29_5d90_32d" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/IraWvzRc_YKAnQlUC3ZSKEZERixuSjNyLMGHCNY3qXXs-cCvgbooYCdvNVf9vXlWK2I" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4">That’s Shelly up there ahead…</font><br></span><br><img id="id_caca_1310_1bf1_6fb8" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/ckOtGx1R1qj08hehxQsHdisSBRVRaBwotrFc-IGCgn3IU_k-B5STP-z2GMW-IEaTMck" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"></div><div><br></div><div><font size="4">Some of my rides were in some light rain but nothing too bad.</font></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_91a3_3f4_dd31_cb2a" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/XE5Eg9WdPtx07mdEv_xIAtuM67-2TZeZ_Zi84nCuk5t0tteNuntwzVlIpQILebPpbdg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">Around my neighborhood for the most part.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_5323_2610_6670_5c4c" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/td4lZgqDZ3P_Qf3q5X2-nMnWWs-ZSiO6ElgQtuBuRJ_JlN3x5FHTZVGcfnE8H7mok_I" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">This traffic circle is relatively new. </font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_1f95_7ee2_4540_9ecf" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/OJ9iHZ5LRTYJWH9KObx4ovI7khPsCp6EXD8WFkl2yMf-1WVndNa3UB2ltsUElcwilBw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><img id="id_d4d3_2e19_485e_b0e3" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/H-d1JWljUjueN6MZFLKZhJuKMWeM5tDqUzKKyzjYBBvONe2jf6AvFRM-27ZkgpgXBOo" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><img id="id_e59_2c30_3d36_114e" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/0LwFVOAK1E9HX_DxeaJdWAB8PX9orBMHB_77jPT7kMMjRH-sRNzkOh4tYAD6f5dKeig" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br>Further along is <font size="4">“That Stump” which now has a new name ;’-).</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4">This was the decor of the Stump for the Christmas Holidsay.</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><img id="id_dbe_4b35_8607_e9f" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/5a6Vz20bzvp-dvmO0HXz4-Z1QGG012IGTC5Ak6jhXT8SXQ5ItZy8PbnV2XePSVPqZ8w" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">As I do, I rode to see what changes may have been made for January. And sure enough there were some. </font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_24f3_29e_139d_f232" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/I4C6MTjc4if7gO8cRn5xholhE7E5zvpJQ5sc9AOhjFrsEHZ34i_u3HhUfBv9T-Znk98" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4">As I rounded the corner, I came across the homeowners that I had met once in the past as they were pushing strollers bearing their Grands. That is when I learned a little of the history of the stump. You may recall that I wrote a bit about it being an old family tree that her kids grew up with, climbing and playing in it all the time, and pleaded for her to not totally destroy it. She was able to save at least the stump. On this dsy I met Mara (rhymes with Laura) here in her driveway and we had a nice little discussion. She told me she had relayed to her daughter that “a lady rides by here and takes a picture of the stump. I hope I am not too late in changing it.” Imagine that — trying to be sure to change it in time for ME!! I assured her that I come by here often enough to see her updates that I would not be missing any.</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4">“Mara’s Stump” for January.</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><img id="id_5358_dbfd_8a32_e7d8" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/sOKNk17HnF9Hk04ZO59df_9cb7T9oJvkzcYDRWQqvz-n4Hi9aedBKgPiLT4fyUKZrpU" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><font size="4"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">It was a highlight of my day to stay and chat some more with Mara before continuing on my way. </span></font></div><div><font size="4"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></font></div><div><font size="4"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">Then came time to head to California for “baby sitting” the girls who are off from school for the month while their mom will be teaching at her school, and brother is now on ‘traditional time’ rather than year round school. We did a long drive the first day and had time to stop in Redding to enjoy the Sundial Bridge. We had discovered the bridge on a precious trip and not only rode bikes across, but continued on for a good distance of the Sacramento River Trail.</span></font></div><div><font size="4"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></font></div><div><img id="id_d0bb_96f_1b4b_9a60" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/SPbTzObINjXxpcSMzFkZNDO9KNADElPPHQamYQRUkaAuLfQ1FPeaMHt7vpkv3Z7OKxU" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_b3d8_77b5_70c6_1807" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/MW02xwsZ7alMl6tjhaQGX6jHpVkf2phGGlM2dHP-9UfgJ4jYlxQb4molhXZmOgcjbCg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">We made a stop to look at the river, the snow covered mountain, the boater and the fly fisher.</span></font></div><div><font size="4"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></font></div><div><img id="id_3ada_1189_ceb5_df32" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/MKCui3KcPe8hye1oJXE3w9BvP6aSCIpZQvp7vi14TrY4VZDHkHAGT35PURr2azJU2Ec" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">And of course there were other views of the sundial on the other side of the bridge.</span></font></div><div><font size="4"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></font></div><div><img id="id_cfbb_8a7a_973_b5e8" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/tE5a34f92Ufg6cTKlAlhwD58SG9RCGeus_ZlQLR4I4lDz9WSnzKhOQ9hPWFoxs5rZgM" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_6303_b6bf_7dcf_d92e" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/Xhf2-kiTTeWw-uNG09vhtYxRcOoNQK3WqaM8BGiZIxGj0gekQZfdy8wYGzCCcXX2Lgg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">It was 10:15 a.m. and this is what the dial showed.</span></font></div><div><font size="4"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></font></div><div><img id="id_69a7_ad3e_4d67_998b" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/NhYGrjWf4X9VCGW1_xKTZsxlrMp3icFEEC3LHZAWaYPklJcpPZhrRpOQ8pQq3fexHHE" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_3021_5e30_b795_f9c2" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/uK6ifyz-5nrrQzkGysZvrNbWVScxumTudAEPNSr9cOoSJ1Ru4XSp9_mHGO1KRmFE44k" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">After a short walk along the river on the trail we were ready for the remainder of our drive to Sarah’s.</span></font></div><div><font size="4"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></font></div><div><font size="4"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">Northern California is having a bit similar weather to what we have been having at home but with less cloudy days. It’s cold at 36ish degrees in the morning warming to maybe 50 or so by the end of the day. The redeeming factor is the gorgeous sun and blue sky. That said, it rained for our bike ride with Sarah and the girls, and there were no complaints about it!!</span></font></div><div><font size="4"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></font></div><div><font size="4"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">Errand by bike — one of my favorite reasons to ride — took us to Walgreens to pick up a few needed items. And here they all are, wet and happy ;’).</span></font></div><div><font size="4"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></font></div><div><img id="id_3647_ff02_f519_17d1" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/HsplAizxiI6fN22o2IaBo1DqGG1isWGYFDDXR5O33EuoQQ_x51EL0H7Hb9inuGAOhz4" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">I stayed outside to watch bikes as they went in to do the shopping.</span></font></div><div><font size="4"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></font></div><div><img id="id_1a7f_d300_49fb_1fb9" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/Ugxf6LPhh13ASGrt3S_vYQQzGpPEqgL0bXFXn9Ezz2RhP3f0UdFvdJwen3Uh91ZlXOE" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">We will be here with the family for a week, then drive south to visit friends for a few days before returning here and then home. I will say this about catches us up through January. It’s been a month!</span></font></div>Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04300329695049058393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-504052655076139442.post-6323540700061019542023-01-04T15:31:00.001-08:002023-08-05T13:42:40.739-07:00CAMPING AT BIRCH BAY<font size="4">With the promise of dry weather with temps in the 40s and some sun breaks, we chose to do a couple of nights camping. I had hopes of maybe getting to ride my bike on two of the days, but our initial day was taken up with driving, exploring Bellingham, and having a La Fiamma wood stove pizza lunch. We chose take-out (shocking I know) and had our lunch in the van but we do really enjoy pizza from here. </font><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><font size="4">We arrived at Birch Bay in the late afternoon so the sun was about to set and evening was approaching.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_3c7d_dcb6_96df_f3ef" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/exKGSzHQrCd1a5jNsEmvBuJihUDsNPNSAY6M9cX-3m7qlRy-YHERhvivsTAq6tImVwc" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><font size="4">Birch Bay is a small summer resort town on … Birch Bay just northwest of Bellingham. Though it is a resort town it is not particularly touristy and at this time of year there are year round residents only. We had the usually packed state park mostly to ourselves with only a few scattered campers about.</font></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_6cba_6e6b_e88_1685" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/Vt02VWsKzdfARCHA-Pu8za0diImDp-embBYRhifnGR8Tngf4fvyZ9qIG7JZ-k92tR_c" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_bd84_8d2d_3b75_7d3b" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/4P9BEYFXLNSQO1hSUa6NX9HT4ITBUo7fm5ReQ7hz5WpkKuRi_pyjGK0pFSyPaFie3n8" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"></div><div><br></div><div><font size="4">There</font> <font size="4">are black squirrels here and this is the only photo I got of one foraging in the brush.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_7062_abd4_338b_d1b3" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/zsFPe62gdxDje8w47vch1LXv7habPbiu3bS8nEbAPQ2Bhrgoi1X0xgDjrX6ETFGbu10" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">My bike ride happened on our second day. At the very start we each and both initially thought of abandoning this idea as the cold wind and air was not very enjoyable! We started from camp and picked up at the green arrow in the photo below. </span></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_7e1_b8f6_6a1_6b25" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/vFKNJ-AuB3zg6q35FRiCosZcyTvB-EOyXOvttCyQYoP4b5KyOFfGF6nr2Kl9EaZqDB8" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><font size="4"><br>Stopping to layer on some more clothing items (balaclava, heavier gloves, neck gaiter) we felt better and continued on toward Semiahoo. There are delightful views along the shoreline.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><img id="id_acaa_7089_650c_5332" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/S2PCBsCGRtGCNH5KlAJBIdXho9u82LpPI5F6svNaNVoAug9T-8ByMuBYQO9WDdvuOac" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><div><img id="id_b7e2_6aec_2db9_db20" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/JTxZqnn7wuXHPl8XqET-tLEawvNr3wETLzb8Jp7OjkQOeBhSKrUIJxZterA1ygLmI4w" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">I can never pass by any roadside stand without stopping to take a photo. Lots of different honey here that we did not purchase 😏. </font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_f5ae_de1f_d4d4_3f53" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/C2O14SxsdLC9ChmER8ojfpLV3zZCbYGGXjAxOVBKxx0GJclQ3iA9pqFE8BY7gkycprE" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_48f5_1fc9_6b59_3fa0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/EiTQQ7F07hmL9Noc-k2DTcZAoWBN2SvGFp0iiumPD299NIf_lDoNupdRz3xBFKwyhrQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_13b2_c0ec_4ba0_b9ac" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/wMOzFX1tkAcd7YM_honXJBZEHIuDia2ujNM9_ZgL09e6zKDyelydxB7WZ2dTC9Z8Dug" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">It was a surprise to see snow in a few shaded areas and of course Susan had to “play” in it for the moment.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_5981_35a3_fcdf_fb98" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/gycDsz4xySw9npkmrfmj0CSwREGQuES0_2jXMQiWZi-UutHRTa0xZnuQIMS1ZH59kUY" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">Along the road I spotted these wild animals that I remember seeing on other rides here at another time.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_797b_8b13_caa2_37be" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/o-I06Rkugu3X2BLfiSNYzaz8pGqOt-tY8qo_6LciuUXUw7YOfZk56U5OlZkyeJmKbcs" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">As we near our half way point and our destination, there is a bike trail along appropriately named Semiahmoo Spit. I am not quite sure why it has the name on the post.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_3c_338e_e258_1547" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/ztUSsjyYk0vPAX7wsGyelRmmmXkvYuObeEOkH_KfyIkQKr--XS-fWzTzPugPrRUIfuQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">Getting to the Marina I wondered if they would be open for a bite and hot drink this time (they weren’t the last time we were here), and that we might be able to get a hot chocolate. Yes! They were. We had our delicious and rich hot chocolate and shared sandwich at the outdoor table that would have made a boring photo! But we <i>were</i> seated near a special attraction.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_d9ab_4619_b02c_ca17" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/X9KynbsVuKrYkndVAJugvfQPr2nZhskKnonJRWpSnwjw_iczDFa33yACrHTnf-VNm2c" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><font size="4">Along the Spit Trail we were lucky to see this raptor watching us and everything around. </font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_9260_b101_ccea_78c" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/7rkPBwRTl8dJkQlIjWZmZphAnFgLIi-_J5pQghRNBIKjW91TTJVYhdha4aIDz5KXVIY" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">Time to head back. In town I could not resist these festive mailboxes which give the flavor of the resort.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_b840_39d3_1ab5_6d3f" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/s-Eu4oMnr1LVP1wA_EFAWo52HDANhXkhBHuLXN8ia1U29VAVli0-yKzPsPVqNzmifPM" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">There were a few photos that I left for another trip up here — just as I had done with the “wild metal geese”. I love it here and enjoy coming for a ride and the ‘seaside’ atmosphere, so I know this is not our last trip here, and maybe we can even bring the Grandboys as we have done in the past with their cousins who now live in California.</font></div>Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04300329695049058393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-504052655076139442.post-24279233758196409872023-01-02T08:31:00.001-08:002023-08-05T13:42:41.567-07:00ANOTHER NEW YEAR 2023 - ANOTHER FROSTY RIDE 😊<font size="4">Say Goodbye to 2022 with a ride through the neighborhood. One of the best temperature days we have had for a while.</font><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_59c_2e5d_6045_4dc4" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9HOipfxit21kxPVoo3KFgpdFdgnNutgFEmrDw6_AUh3kP1zBF5oIdqHNMHOH1qdHds" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">And the very next day meet up with our Rainbow Rider group for our annual FROSTY (First Ride Out Starting The Year) ride. It is always a delight to begin the year with these wonderful women, and though Susan and I did not stay for food, fun, and games afterward, we so enjoyed everyone on the ride.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><font size="4">Gearing up for the ride start, the first few are ready to roll.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_ceba_12de_488d_821e" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/EKO0t8BqkJR6j9ejhlGWnUG_liCTaZIZCXAq2O98_lk9O5fMDufMFSvKX6gz3Zttogc" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><font size="4">Maridee was over there in the corner and I wondered why.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_6847_dbf0_f299_3fd0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/1bGXhTp9lYeWLSfNHgQBA-EYc0CG5LQTbLyOIsn9iX8JzuLfmfi0Gl3xauukEmj3faM" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">With a sheepish grin she admitted that she had arrived with only one shoe and was getting into one tht Kristin loaned her.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_2bea_8675_89c8_d2de" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/ipMdrQgiA8hUDQ9Y5Ij-3z0vH0NYr7He5sE5MMok4EqaukqLfj-8DPx4Jl9VkF19IEQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">Finally we left the driveway. Beginning the ride meant a LOOOOOONG two mile uphill grind!! Very long and quite enervating. We were so relieved to reach the top where we would hook up with Kim & Meri who wisely chose to begin the ride there. Kim chose to take the walk with a few others that arrived, and Meri’s plan to ride the tandem with Kristin did not go well, so she did the walk with them. Something for everyone.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><font size="4">At the hill top we did our usual stopping, chatting, peeling or adding layers, and trouble shooting if there is any trouble to shoot. The before photo where everyone seems busy and focused on something…</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_c28d_3343_43e7_a4fe" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/XVPcAiSnUfiCZp2ocH3BmCF0dH5Vj8oSv9NrpXEGowgM3wp-xAJA8JuT6ltjDKo2ggQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">Then I asked them to provide me a smile that I needed for one my challenge lists…</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_9ff8_db63_8174_b242" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/hRhUhrg2QHl02W8Z-BKQynA0uXF1-0x2BkX9o2k6hBPLmr4zrAO3gucVnUGSB82S6eY" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><font size="4">I love them all, always willing to grant me my photo ops and requests ;’-).</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><font size="4">The Bayview Trail is a relatively new connector from the Centennial Trail to Marysville and we entered that shortly after the hilltop stop. Once at the CT we were more or less on our own to go slower, faster, longer or shorter. Most of us continued on a trailhead,</font><span style="font-size: large;"> and on the way I saw these guys who waved at me and said Happy New Year. Such fun guys.</span></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_9751_6e4a_9344_86d8" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/fuGxv7I38k0sB5mdOf64lWT9pqXFowqc3L75VagrA-0xtVxpjT0AriWLWmyOdGqUe5Q" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">At our turn around point we tried to find some spawning salmon in the creek but this turned out to be the wrong creek 😏</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_bce3_44b1_a920_e9cc" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Kfwy33raeeUXkhyu2XkYhtENGJ6pl-iLQ86C6HYavXhpVK2NHRdMay-A33s_S4X0DIc" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">We got ourselves turned around to head home. On the trip back Kristin brought us to the correct creek where some of us searched for the salmon.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_17da_99ed_ace0_8211" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Ns7WWSQrGV9BKPtKg23TgiwOmLXD5e-k7XKEvQKoW1DUNZ6wiDOmrIPU0ZQQjTpgpgo" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">There were a couple of salmon spotted (one already shedding its skin and on the demise) but no photos were taken by anyone. From here it was a short distance DOOOOOWN that 2 mile hill to home. A wonderful day with possibly the best weather (45 degrees and partially sunny) we have ever had on this annual ride. Many did the indoor gathering for good food and special camaraderie and Susan and I said our good byes, good wishes for the new year, and thanks to Kristin and Kristi for hosting as usual.</font></div><div><div><br></div></div>Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04300329695049058393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-504052655076139442.post-33945480601718951082022-12-29T10:47:00.001-08:002023-08-05T13:42:42.598-07:00OH DECEMBER!!<font size="4">Little did I know that my bike ride on November 28th would be my last one for days and days and days. SNOW came — not a lot each of the three days, but FREEZING TEMPS brought ICY roads and walkways and did not allow the snow to melt for way too long. I was doomed to being housebound! </font><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><font size="4">Susan did join me on a few walking outings — on our local Library trail, to the nearby Walgreens store, around our long block. </font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_fdc_6690_de21_44e1" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Z0dTr4A3I4yoBxbDX3LdVeiPbj6ZVkExMMPldU7gmDAX4UfpCkf8Ai9XkLvLW7f0Kw8" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><img id="id_c546_a02c_dcbe_bc53" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/fhaYUYq30X0_GgSuExuYG6MNWVHPjXwgtSgQRQrDjA7m4G-mvaiJwKAV4DXamryIcWM" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4">The doggie at this house did not like me too close to the penguins. He barked a lot at me as I continued to pass by.</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><img id="id_2f91_4645_5936_7f57" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/wWq1HEw3_ZFxr3W7gg86ckZ9-m1gzOumNp3R-MkoxvT_auOrGwHdi8mCzVL1PMvm8PQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span><br></div><div><font size="4">And we found something to buy from Amazon ;’-). Last year we had purchased very pricey electric gloves which have not lived up to our expectations — or their hype! Those gloves keep my fingers from freezing, but not from getting quite cold. I saw these ‘pogies’ that are especially for flat handlebars which are what we have.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_d139_c44e_af24_903b" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/afFPbBTLqfxJ-yH9fd1zurjiIe0OqO5_vHGKcxhSfsYD2P8YfvaQfceuyQY8Poz-YhI" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">Neither of us have an affinity for, or much interest in Ohio State, but the pogies came in black or these red. We like the red, and thought also that they will show up better when riding. I am writing this on December 6th, and I have not yet had any opportunity to get on my bike because of that weather I just wrote about. We shall see how the pogies will work in real life. Mainly I wonder how changing my gears will work under these mitts. I will write my review when a ride can happen 🙄.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><font size="4">Another thing we have been able to do is harass Katmandu ;’-). </font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_d674_84ec_f15a_3012" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/SH_H7pe1rmryltF-_8s_LTEuN3EdCbS13UccIUmo80UehCi-NjJsIJ7FjID0Dha7urM" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">We have had and used this cat carrying backpack for other cats we have had in our life. We put Kat into it and walked him around the house, upstairs and down and all around and he purred the entire time. This was ‘practice’ jaunt to see if we can take him for a short outdoor walk sometime. He has not been outdoors with us yet and may not like it as much when the top is zipped closed.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><font size="4">It had been 11 days (ELEVEN DAYS!!) since I had ridden my bike. Snow, ice, frosty fog, freezing rain each and all kept me ride-less. Yesterday — Friday 12/9) was the day 🤗. As sweet as the ride was, it was short — and cold at 36 degrees. I did get a couple more Christmas things. Snow is all gone due to the rain we have had, but the freezing temps have not climbed much.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_8f98_3201_ff1e_1ee4" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/NVznWW7XezrksJpjOSxNt_fPWetXU5x5tM7GuZv33turX0vX0UaKRAHOhqEcKOut3lw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_5f6b_d2e2_83eb_4249" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/HUBYN3yHnmFv3ZiR9CwCwHTJrmRn5TOICyUBUm-O3oqW5BMUbKvvqqvkYwcdrSDqUTs" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_9560_9453_9814_8a92" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/dfSH9A8R-hfQZAV6dNoCDuyp8lDcW-4LvMHv55XOWdYOv8zNQCCHDXRyQdUptVGpNO0" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">You will note the pogies on their maiden trip this day. It was another reason for me to ride short today. I had some trepidation about using my fingers for manipulating the gears and brakes, so stayed on flat terrain and short miles. They work to keep my hands warm with thin gloves that either pull back for fingers, or gloves with those ‘tech’ tips for touch use of phone, and easy to pull out and put in your hands. Little by little I became comfortable guiding my fingers to the right place to shift gears. Next time I will try adding some climbs with the goal of becoming adept with the “other” hand shifting those gears 😉.</font><br><br><font size="4">That was ONE day of a ride and the next morning brought cold consistent rain for the entire day. Sigh, and mornings may now bring frosty fog so I will have to keep my eye out for a safe window for riding.</font><br></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><font size="4">I did get out for a ride the day after that rain and had to cut that short ride shorter. I didn’t mind the mist, except for having to dry my glasses constantly, but the fog drove me back sooner than I wanted. In the best visibility cyclists are often invisible to motorists — add fog and I do not feel safe on the road. This fog was thick enough for me to be satisfied with the amount of time I had already gotten to ride on this day.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_9d9_1c5f_588_e812" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/R-PXm147JpFAiPJhzkKsvej0OVYRkQakSZ8ISc_YIyG2UG1cADgGuRvZ3IOXpU5TcDg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"></div><div><br></div><div><font size="4">Rainbow Riders had the annual Christmas Holiday gathering in the sea town of Port Townsend. Susan and I, being ever so Covid diligent (and scared), opted to not join in for the carol singing and gift exchanging in one of their hotel rooms during the last evening. We did however join the few first arrivals for a brief time on the first day at Pacific Hotel lobby for some chatting and catching up.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><font size="4">The Christmas village and train display was festive and beautiful..</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_ab3b_9cc9_83b2_f61f" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/950ezQiMITG6BQS76wRiNFnvJUA2GVemkw7qtISNtuqcqJu19qso-Pe4l71iWfbprrg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><img id="id_e896_2669_7e20_581e" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/s3YpTDtbSIJi9oLb6H-4Eh6kL0xyl2zDtssbgGn25szGadFsYBVjLBakI-PapfzKl28" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span><img id="id_bbbc_5ae0_2b5b_e947" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/mqxLdENmuaiaX0bHGJExDCNDGqj_vGhQKf8MFQWa-3nCDbNEDszgcviinQdalNkULLY" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><span style="font-size: large;">The following morning we joined the group bike ride along the Scott trail. Weather was ok but seemed threatening as we drove from our campsite to park in town.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><img id="id_a714_4557_840f_f464" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/Vp2kuao96Zos4WbVUKXX1zrpQ9Tn4z-FRw9ETsePljj9aLptm7Do1d6pba4xZZdkgLA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><span style="font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><img id="id_5d2a_65f9_b211_e23e" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/428ETVtkOQOUQq7pEFOZUJWPZ2cwIbds-CHp-TzxH83-4Cgypzy3CP3kl9swVfrG8Ek" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><font size="4">We pedaled the short distance through downtown to join the others</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><font size="4">Someone who chose to not ride took our photo from their hotel window as we got ourselves organized.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_33ca_5f20_b14c_dda7" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/oljxe5zfZUzcX1ej1tdpMZ2-OqK4PQD4yGTJaMSPigVWJ6qmQrnoeelME6JvqDF1uZo" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">And then we were off for our adventure.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_58a0_1a27_88de_5bdc" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/e48wBA_CRSPACEqhBRr9otJBbKVaEcUPMUiAGOMuMvFqUVTaipCEde9gumBHM9V0FFo" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">A group selfie shows everyone’s delight at being together and riding bikes ;’-).</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_d507_69d4_b0b5_52b2" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/OYG83BYpAP6dXVpqV3HVqjVGXGdNKBQTbgWNwC83D6XrrVzjG_z9fNjkqWk6N-1OcyA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><font size="4">As we ended our ride on this chilly Saturday late afternoon, the rain showed up for the last couple of miles. Susan and I went home as the others stayed another night for their singing and gifts. The following day — SNOW and ice for an entire week had hit us. Fortunately those who stayed were able to miss the worst of the snow storm and all got home safely.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><font size="4">At home we had to be satisfied with snuggling in and staying safe and warm. We admired our neighbors’ Christmas lights.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_7ef_3bae_b850_111a" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/3m-gBlBTIMT5NwemOWSVJ4WoH1qMt5wRnox8HcK1hFgfLOL4OxIHTQOP14HRkIjrJ94" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">And admired new fallen snow. And Kat was able to make his way from his main home to his secondary home (ours) through the snow. See those little paw prints.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_4e61_43c2_bbb9_8e7a" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/V_RuHrdUMvCvx3SRK0tGvoLuht9SzZDejXhQu0g88zN9K3R73rLf28Fdfuthh0-aY5M" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">Once inside and patted dry, he was happy to curl up in his favored spot atop arranged pillows under the incadescent lamp turned on high mode.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_8e41_4fd4_aff2_46c8" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/vNF92JwOi4thcKON1WkKfUMiApAQ2cCyEerg-BQZiXqbBrajrpe0ve6iJ2Nz-CciCwg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">Then we had a week of below freezing temps (in the 20s quite often) and icy (as in sheets of ice) on roads and walkways (again). Forced indoors, I was not happy about having to skip riding for many days to come. Of course I did not forget about bike riding.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_34b7_a279_5dd1_50e5" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/70ZfkcPOO9GZTJ2pzkaMsSZCJZL4QqOhEJUg-3JspPx7pZutGkFwGk58F9zjxd3T9U0" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><font size="4">The news media was all about frigid Western Washington with ice that disrupted traffic and public transportation. Finally as time passed and temp started to rise ever so slightly, the problem then became re-freezing in 23 degree temps. Well, we complained of course, but well equipped Buffalo NY had it a lot worse with their snowstorm which ended up taking near 30 lives.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><font size="4">Ok —- Now came Christmas. Jenny and family would arrive at our house after some festivity time with some family in Leavenworth. Once here, they would stay for a week with us. Leavenworth had lots of snow which afforded the boys (E & A) lots of ski and snow play time. We had retained enough snow here for Susan to take them on a couple of outings from our house.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_3f8e_173_d6c9_66eb" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/8ANCiGlDuAErBHG_iAFsxXkhnxL6OposI2T3Mi9Oq4YAdCqwmFEpiPMOxDnGpyV0KeI" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_32a7_891c_3c12_9de1" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/Nlsve65QjPsSDmMdvH8HvX2_6TWZAkDAvy2gfm-Y7ljhN1vU1mR-y14X-xi4_YLtRY0" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_6323_3e05_fb28_cf75" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/fyUBzFhbOr6Ve7o2tPyDCUnJyPpBKlSJ7Bphkh8sDHrOZbCYnMkB1Mo2wI8GBen-gg4" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_5568_a2c1_6479_42eb" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/JbSVKyMvpXr_j8kV4xxkdGPfhvFJkB1RNhuXeocrYND9SmCCOsy0o3wWyVKk5dIE7p4" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><font size="4">Unfortunately, their dad had gotten Covid while in Leavenworth and felt a few symptoms as he dropped them all here and headed directly home. He had to stay away for the entire Christmas time and we face-timed with him as well as Sarah’s family for gift opening. Here at home we all tested for Covid and came up negative. (Score again).</font></div><div><br></div><div><font size="4">Susan and I gave E a new bike as he has outgrown his current one. He took a short ride with his mom up to Walgreens and said it feels great and he loves it. (Score!)</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_1cfa_b07b_d87f_4ae2" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/WiOqQaY6XF89pxTt2Yg3tYlZBVtLpVC_hZz0XVbmLY7v3IdyV7XzOwP3tCc3oVp9YSk" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4">Both boys are very into books, reading and stories. Before any other gifts got opened they both spent some time (on their own) with the ones they had opened.</font><br></span><br><img id="id_325d_be16_1678_52b5" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/cNIGWHqwbGGzPfGKHFPEkTo_YBqM6NAMF6AEgwonouvYAT6yBHplFqKB9fpUs_XydGk" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_8b46_d6bc_e34_6edc" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/aaM2rV80Gf8dEe9SJhqwjaAMFN-1Zs28508hpqA7sBmkLrwH3SrdgrvvAI43jvFxYyo" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4">They had a few more adventures including Susan and Jenny taking them ice skating at a local outdoor rink and out for lunch. Games and reading filled the remainder of their stay before their dad, now clear of Covid, came to pick them up and load their “takes” for the drive home. </font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4">It is now just a few short days before this year ends and we will mostly have rain for the remainder. Though we have had a few wrinkles for the holidays, we feel joy and thankfulness for all that we have and for family and friends. I wish everyone the same. See you next year.<br></font></span><br><font size="4"><br></font></div>Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04300329695049058393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-504052655076139442.post-25543546362553058352022-12-03T10:23:00.001-08:002023-08-05T13:42:41.773-07:00SNOW IN NOVEMBER…<font size="4">“They” had told us we would be having a cold winter this year. And sure enough, before the end of November we had our first snowstorm for the season. </font><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><font size="4">Fortunately I was smart enough to take advantage of some unseasonably warm and sunny days before the snowstorm. We did have some frosty days and big windstorms and once that mostly settled down, bicycling was in the works and I was able to rope three of my friends in for a ride.</font></div><div><font size="4">The Parks Department had done a fantastic job of clearing up some big downed trees and a lot of debris along the Centennial Trail.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><font size="4">Frost — not snow yet!</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_80e4_2a21_eaf6_a401" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/MFaq4Hdgbpu8oNGQBeDoXzqY0CRt98InpCW3EsT6QkfST9u2G5MBfZRRA6RChgUk8w8" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span><br></div><div><font size="4">Many big trees were blown down in the heavy winds we had experienced.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_f94a_791_4aac_6aff" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/QH6ZM8FhTxHMB4TBsODGiXyfxZ1-FCAqNqZISLBNFzWHz3BpaWK31IPIkoVXroD12fw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_e7d3_e7d6_571f_11e6" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/2FgBHb77VisbVODPMg5Pk7XTSiMknnC5JYTLBHBywM-JoR2Sbzh3RzFMmLP8H90C1b4" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><font size="4">My friends are always so good about stopping for when I “need” a photo. Here Connie and Kim wait patiently.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_978f_91ff_987d_de8e" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/ImBByNM6n32E8QcNX_FW53tEXJWZEy6BqWLIpcXUcs9AJIKqywIrVVpIyjKAWh79CIE" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">The weather was beautiful enough on this day that we ate our purchased picnic lunch at the beach at Lake Stevens before riding on to finish our delightful day. </font></div><div><br></div><div><font size="4">Kim, Connie and Meri — my intrepid bike companions on this cold but glorious sun shiny day.</font></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_8c2d_9abe_55fd_52bf" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/J6xitS7JqY6SrqOirhslLs5ieajUcQoIMG8aIwXBFUej-Wn81iYTzIhXayPvsT35Zxk" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">As the month progressed the weather was good for another couple of days and I was able to at least get out for a few more rides before being sidelined by the snow.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><font size="4">The one photo that stood out for me this week is one that I think most or all of us can relate to. Good for you Mr. Tom Turkey!</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_8122_e924_c4f7_6177" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/ixNTyYcVlO1fvaIgG4VnCwigzy4mD_zh_fkZ92Bu4XBpGu0-5g48bKDh4KE2ePckCOY" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><font size="4">Though we had been invited to Jenny & Laurent’s for Thanksgiving, Susan and I opted to have a quiet dinner for just the two of us. We would be having quality time with Jenny and family during Christmas week. </font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><font size="4">Dinner for two…</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><font size="4">Accompaniment served on a plate made and given to us by all five Grands.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_5d41_8948_ef2_36f7" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/RWlQAncXn9xzmOZT3c_g6_UJQovXGRlZI3VR9xcetV3hbA0lJ1CuwbAJZt2UW3M3uZA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_442d_b054_5f86_b9b6" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/b02-oNbLRfodWUDDEAhVuCbKxvGrZMHE5LN22w6OqE12gw3zY9KKuqtH-2hF8qAIZhc" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><font size="4">After dinner we took a chilly walk along our Library Trail and were glad we did that as the weather would soon change </font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_1370_36d0_1160_3ef8" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/qX-UOujhFAUeoGAENZLEIG4y0YEnFa78N39Rnlxvbbh0wwJaJQ1tKNtxjMPOuQb9UK4" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><br><img id="id_37fa_2453_64ff_f08d" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/psC7n6is5xVRHtAgdKpCK6lUWLjJpAqE9Y4OvXgAHvH-SjTKx1CMgBjpaBQoNt3hbtE" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">And just like that … this happened only a only a couple of days later.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_fea9_8895_beed_1e9d" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/dZd5-Gmihn5z604VI1vUCl3I8uYvpPXre6N7uX-RHCwwssgJaQo0tbXheeEK3w0FGNk" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">Since then — we have basically been grounded and have taken only a few walks as the ice and black ice covers much of the roads and walkways. Hopefully December will lighten up a bit and let me get on my bike! I am happy to have ridden for my teaneuring challenge during the early part of November, but need more riding days now ;’-).</font></div>Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04300329695049058393noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-504052655076139442.post-68013814981189521592022-11-21T05:54:00.001-08:002023-08-05T13:42:45.009-07:00CALM DAYS AFTER THE STORM = A LITTLE CAMPING 😉<font size="4">It would be cold in the high 30s and low 40s, but the sun and blue sky would make up the difference. It was such a delight to ride bikes in the sun, bundled up for the cold crisp days. We drove about an hour from home to camp at Bayview State Park for three nights. R</font><span style="font-size: large;">ight out from our camp site t</span><span style="font-size: large;">here was a nice view of Samish Bay and some mountains across the way, </span><span style="font-size: large;">as we got geared up for a ride around the Skagit farmlands.</span><div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_30e9_d1ad_8198_51f3" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/ge799zfBteiSMDpBmb8nUWBFQqwf11Vx0z1L6WVni_GZWeXgWOZlu-39cm62Bflnndw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"></div><div><br></div><div><font size="4">This beauty of a Palamino entertained me by doing a little dance — around in circles, back and forth across across his yard and looking at me waiting for a wave or maybe a smile. I was totally taken with this young beauty.</font></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><img id="id_9976_e77f_506_bd14" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/ycO2ZzQjGRhsJw2JS_Zihcu04XHH-W_2YTsKUl18HwDlwFmjw5tIWxpj-Q6d6OuX1LM" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><img id="id_160_5572_638b_1c81" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/MnyjWLS6Q0zKQDYn_HQMbjWbdHkWmpszKxCc3fwJgWYMmJHWCWBfWY8DfqZrXBWS4mo" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4">Continuing along our way we were getting hungry and Susan especially had a hankerin’ for burger. A burger out here in nowhere land I thought. I doubt we will find anything before getting back to camp where we can have our hotdogs as a substitute.</font></span><br><font size="4"><br></font></div><img id="id_1b24_2169_1d54_9ac0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/CC2AOf-QU11n5XALGdcQWJarBIv7St-iaeeXTM7ku3gNvVXE6b0obi_mbtOVYQpvn7A" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4">And what to our wandering eyes should appear but a PUB!! Burgers and all.</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><img id="id_1d14_f3d1_5992_dd26" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/kRuRZAJgQrn0UJFaYNvneynJWnSqYCDzsTmtoLp_4iUDGeoriZzBJqKJXtGPS6CjF7I" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_21ad_2d8e_4e91_5832" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/pO73EJZo9Owu401HiS5vEExCEWrVJQMhdO2fUq3GSF-U1MCw-id0JmdiQv5AYw0TqRU" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">Not wanting to go inside to eat, we had no place to sit and have our midday lunch. On we went until the church appeared with open steps for a nice place to sit and eat. Susan takes me to the best places!</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_216e_8636_9675_2d" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/TReX-eJGxo4I4bUD0LNLT9ZShIc8jANY5Ykey6lOqCrHwuyFOA70oVw1uUOj-SpTa9I" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">We had two good days of riding and enjoyed two similar but different routes. The photos are a compilation from both days as we were so happy to have that sun and blue sky to give us fresh crisp and dry weather.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><font size="4">We think this is Mount Shuksan…</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_ccd8_c88b_1a14_1725" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/lHvt_Ez-I1IH4LttsUvnAW969yoaOHDAOoEEL18HGlHijRxSmeRdKxtPhsS7BO-dGRE" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">There were several picturesque barns along the way but I really only thought to get a couple of them.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_3144_18f7_716d_5e0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/e7fEZSJ5OH5uBOtrn8AQjb9Lpmaa0qs9TOf8ZmS5YaJxyuVMZFWlYHAAEv-E8GBZ9T0" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_4512_53a3_7d40_3151" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/NHnmPTaaOo_49ytUvg_jpVJPk-tc-LCiSNhwsM057rSPQnY-in3G3wRUeqy9j6DzdJM" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">Had to slow down and investigate this little Farm Stand out in nowhere.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_da68_7bb4_6664_49a2" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/wBDSkfmdSbEo9OJBn-jFMw26VexXPb93nHm0RnUZ1-uXH2pMxEXB_D3TnIjPprjiua8" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4">Nothing for us to buy, but interesting to look at</font>. <font size="4">The only thing in the little refrigerator was a bag of red potatoes.</font><br></span><br><img id="id_f17_d48a_ac84_798c" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/OlVstaE8oKycMl9ZP9PalIKoUjqCQqbX_XXGowAeq9sOC1TiMQpysZYEHQzZrDgRwQA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">The interesting part of this stop was gobbling behind us…</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_2989_eca6_7b19_7dfb" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/b0BvynsV08lHcYOZhwfFTZEUBsm4uwXQH-yE-JGK23VAu8GaOFqY6mbE-NvH8JFhw1w" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">Tom Turkey was struttin’ and gobblin’ his way toward us inch by inch. there was a deep water filled culvert between us, so we were safe. I think he was determined to NOT make it to the TDay dinner table and was shooing us away.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br>Our other “wild life” included alpaca, horses and cows lolling in the open sun filled fields.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_1408_e1cb_a3c1_9adb" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/scec6kAB69BDZQS0LIHqf4BVwbyOBcD2nSmOd4bZwTnEblh9mQ_7VVt-rr4K2nW9p7k" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_79da_a3b5_5856_ac37" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/YAE7XH3nad3GnA7M4WbB_5w3uDxJAYyLitwRdCd9leLOtYdK-xZOy4ig5aSfTUOb3VI" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">The Cheese Curd place was open this time — recall that I did a similar ride with four friends and we found this place closed at the time, but took advantage of the little picnic table available on their grounds. We purchased some curds as well as a hunk of cheese to have back at camp.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_c9b6_c5c6_bba2_70c0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/TfZeahOfYgjXSI-JtXa8dKGC8Cac9GflexoRoCQ9w4cZSEHxJFye-HoTeSdCmb6qZeo" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">Closing out our ride and thus ending the two glorious days of riding through the countryside, we came across one of Susan’s favorites — a Little Free Library, The cutest one I have seen.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_3654_a17_127d_4ac7" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/Je3a3Y2DEvoN3xdPBGwgVxTeqE_NHeO-TxgTJaq6PgFPYS9UN4talg6P57QJu_uT_HE" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4">Cute painted rocks at the entry way.</font> <br></span><br><img id="id_38d2_ab7c_aa9c_f88f" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/mgyOuOji986Askg4uH5WOoIzfNH0surlpOc7jQdyomKO5zYtV9cubQJLV31Qq-KF8lQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4">Empty handed, but fun to peruse some books and enjoy the little hut.<br></font></span><br><img id="id_6d82_7905_a7c4_e1fc" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/skPE4FCho16xSm_fidTG-vH51t8YQ85SNaPJnX1tb8C0HTAeqwcMVxttMsRINzED51U" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">Our four day camping outing seemed to fly by, and soon it was time to pack up and head home. We had a most enjoyable, and well needed time away and in the outdoors.</font></div>Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04300329695049058393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-504052655076139442.post-34424239382946931462022-11-16T13:46:00.001-08:002023-08-05T13:42:42.702-07:00STORMY WEATHER TO BEGIN NOVEMBER<h2 style="font-family: Georgia, Times, serif;"><font size="4"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Our morning newspaper brought this headline….</span></font></h2><h2 style="font-family: Georgia, Times, serif;"><u><font size="4">Thrashing winds leave more than 200,000 customers without power in Western Washington</font></u></h2><div><br></div><div><font size="4">And we were part of that 200.000!</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_1131_a9cf_82cd_282" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/SaWoODULxA3OoL73zrNEgIDMWtBNpOFDBn25_6yM0ddJXiidZ1N9wSMMvGCOXicNX9A" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><font size="4">Most, usually all, of our SOTF outings come with trinkets of some kind. At one in Montana we made lamp lights; at one in Washington we “won” a set of battery operated candles. We used both for this full night and early morning without electrical power.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><font size="4">Our vast winds and rain lasted for a few days before I could finally feel safe on a bike ride. On my first ride I meandered around my neighborhood and there was a “Road Closed” sign at one of my regular roads. Surely that could not mean closed to me! So I rode on and found the reason for the closure.</font></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><img id="id_1285_6bb7_5208_a188" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/561yuGgZDewXbwE-ZLDXRFNWAk4LxX7_ijHqPleSKEikKLoUycDzAbAvbp_SWcFSyJA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_a48f_1f16_27f1_d7e4" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/hLQT6hkZy4vT4tJVA77LNM6WuRkp0oJRPnlHoQDl99Qd6lHrAHg5fO0JhlSKblQwaz8" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"></div><div><br></div><div><font size="4">After a couple more days I could ride a little farther afield and took a trip into Everett. The first downed tree I saw I was sure was the ‘big one’ that had made it into the newspapers.</font></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><img id="id_f757_cca5_c23b_e9c7" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/Sv4AWTRyfP3z5EkDnUa79tdHY1kURwpBV29wNRfwkKfhCAkmNv8jU1b5MwW7D7KKyh0" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4">But no — that one came later. Fortunately this tree missed the nearby house, but it did pull up the sidewalk and berm. </font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><img id="id_9456_52c9_4aaa_57a7" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/CwMqlaGl42biZIwXT5PCcKFyhTBUVvuuSeo0FRWV-mfAhpSl2OHJTQKbBI6lI_e-fBg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><br><img id="id_fe73_4f6a_5021_c1fe" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/QfvOWTxVGjHM9dgwGukqtpslxisEXJA_pHeesc3ZL9jU97D6dhbiay7twGrOdmQyH5E" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4">The root width is big, but the roots do not go far into the ground, so no wonder the trees can be blown over!</font><br></span><br><img id="id_51c4_aec3_20d6_11e3" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/0kD5GfqQBWnE6VCTtHC6EG4Wg7Q0chVjr3EieNhqQ4y408oiPh88-A2k0V9Upae2IJI" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"></div><div><br></div><div><font size="4"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">It seems, except for the vibrant autumn color in the trees, that skipped fall and went directly from summer to winter! Temps that had been in the 70s and sometimes low 80s went to the 30s and low 40s like THAT! Lucky for me, the right after our storm the weather turned dry even if cold. Good enough for me to bundle in my warm gear for some bike riding ;’-). I have posted my teaneuring riding which had taken me on most of my rides so far for the month. </span></font></div><div><font size="4"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></font></div><div><font size="4"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">I will add my monthly “Stump” photo that got a new look for the holiday ;’-).</span></font></div><div><font size="4"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></font></div><div><img id="id_5ff6_a25f_a5cc_f92b" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/xHZaLDAwtNzritR2V8j2gEHpSRC29JTRA3np79RtdemgOa9SYSLdqpBoebP4XIodi0k" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></font></div><div><br><font size="4"><br></font></div> Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04300329695049058393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-504052655076139442.post-49622417649665152962022-11-09T15:12:00.001-08:002023-08-05T13:42:43.320-07:00COFFEE/TEANEURING 2022<p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><br></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><font size="4"><br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><font size="4">Read all about it here: <a href="https://chasingmailboxes.com/2022/09/24/coffeeneuring-challenge-year-12/">https://chasingmailboxes.com/2022/09/24/coffeeneuring-challenge-year-12/</a>. This is my 9th season to participate. </font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><font size="4"><br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><font size="4">OCTOBER 2022 TEANEURING #1: 10/8/2022</font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><font size="4"><br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><font size="4">PEET’S coffee in Elk Grove CA. During our visit with Sarah and family there were several sport games to attend for the Grands. Soccer and Flag Football throughout the day with breaks in between. I found some time in between games to find my first tea entry for this season. No other photos for this one — just the actual tea & “crumpet”.</font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><font size="4"><br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><img id="id_e23b_4111_2bbf_ecfc" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/r9zSfGzT2yAt9hDRrUCt_HJ7OPgps4XWdZ4MZdCa_tdu2DKBbxm7t0wJtCwCF4gRJqs" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4">OCTOBER 2022 TEANEURING #2: 10/15/2022</font><br></span><br></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><font size="4">I have been bike-ride deprived with only two rides in the past two weeks due to our traveling. And though I had hoped for another tea ride in California, I had no opportunity for that because of family time, too hot (100), or much driving!</font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><br></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><font size="4">Arriving home earlier than we had thought, I was hung-ho for my regular riding time. Now there is the wildfire smoke 😩 with air quality in the “moderate” range at 89 in our area — meaning not too good for outdoor activities. Susan had purchased these masks over a year ago and they arrived just a couple of months ago. Never in a thousand years did I think I would wear one of these, but missing one more day on the saddle was not acceptable. I guess I will do most anything that will help me not miss a ride.</font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><br></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><font size="4">I was happy to not have missed the Autumn color (there is none in California!) around our neighborhood and I took full advantage of it as I cycled to the local high school for my tea stop. What better reason could there be to take an unscheduled bike ride but to have my tea. Knowing I would not want to be maskless for too long, I brought only tea with no “crumpet”.😏</font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><font size="4"><br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><img id="id_6116_3503_9d07_801f" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/B9aTS3KHrR1WDKbsGw_5yZchyuaTHNCCjuC_U_23CJnPfi77AI6GZWR5MWSGHeWp3a4" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4">OCTOBER 2022 TEANEURING #3: 10/22/2022</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4">In addition to the rain, our unseasonably warm temps dropped and I had to search out my colder weather riding gear. I took time to figure that out while the morning temp climbed to 49, and saddled up for Tea #3. A few days ago it was 80+ degrees — of course that enhanced the smoke hanging low over us.</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4">Imagine my surprise to end with some patches of blue and a few sun breaks 🤗. One would think with a title like “Village Center” we would have a little coffee shop or tea house for our enjoyment. But no, only a Thai restaurant, and Asian Grill, a barber and some business offices in the quaint setting. I rode to the nearby Whidbey Coffee stand which has no place to sit. I purchased a hot chocolate (for a change) and a raspberry scone (being the scone fanatic that I am) and brought those back to the Village to sit in the courtyard to enjoy my treat and the sun and blue sky. </font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4">Though the hot chocolate and scone were not much to my liking, it turned out to be a much better day than I had expected. </font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><img id="id_e0fb_2a27_d45a_f7af" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/8cqYJdnUcMcAdHVMRphqZOV1dxX2w5XF4L0aOY-4HnmdnD2mjPTZckOeOrw2jZVtbHI" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">OCTOBER 2022 TEANEURING #4: 10/23</font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><font size="4"><br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><font size="4">Just like everyone else here, I am thrilled to have the rain! It will be a lot better riding in the (much needed) rain than in the wildfire smoke. That said</font><span style="font-size: large;">, I am not totally sure if I will get out on another tea ride this week, so am going for #4 on this second day of “my” week.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><span style="font-size: large;"><br></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><span style="font-size: large;">Sunday is the best day for a bike ride. People are in church, lounging at home reading the Sunday paper, or preparing to watch a football game. That leaves light traffic for most of the day. I went a little further on this dry and cloudy day to visit a place I have not been to. It was in the first third of my ride as I did add more riding in the face of a week of rain upon us (and to ogle a few more Halloween things).</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><span style="font-size: large;"><br></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><span style="font-size: large;">The good and the bad about the bakery:</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><span style="font-size: large;"><br></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><span style="font-size: large;">Good things: they did not blink an eye when I brought my bike in next to my table; there was nice art on wall, the tea was a reasonable $1.50 compared to many places that charge mostly more than $3.00.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><font size="4"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">“Bad” thinks (or not so good things): The tea, even though made with water from the espresso maker, was tepid at best — I really really do not like tepid tea; I chose an apple filled something expecting at least a couple of pieces of apple (French Bakery and all), but it had only apple sauce as the filling — and the pastry was very dry, maybe if they had heated it slightly it would have been better; They served EVERYTHING in paper (note the oversized paper box my pastry came in) — no actual plates, a plastic spoon as they apparently do not carry forks, and paper coffee cups. I had fortunately brought my “ecoffee cup” and used that, then set up my own place setting for my pastry; the place has no real ambiance as it is like an open space “hall” with only three small tables against the wall. I suppose they rather be a take out bakery.</span></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><br></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><font size="4"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">This is a place I have had on my list to try for a while now and thanks to Teaneuring I am glad to have finally done that. I will most likely not be returning here (see above), so will continue my hunt for a cozy tea cafe with warm ambiance. ;’-). I had a great ride today. 😊</span></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; min-height: 13.1px;"><font size="4"><br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><img id="id_59c9_d68e_7a8d_12ca" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/3qpc_cbvPGcsBC3XOr3Ivaiu7xq3t77OeIJgtf5G46yJTGq0Y33YXS0mbHRaFOiRuFI" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4">OCTOBER 2022 TEANEURING #5: 10/29</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><br></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><font size="4"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">For the challenge we can choose what makes up our week, and can do up to two rides in that week. My week starts on Saturday and since I had gotten my allowed second ride for last week, I would hope that my new week would bring better riding weather than the rain and wind we have been having.</span></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><font size="4"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><font size="4"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">My wishes came true. Weeks ago Kim & Meri and I had put this weekend on our calendars as a possible riding day. Such a gorgeous day greeted us that friends Lucie and Terri joined us as we met up to take advantage of this dry and potentially sunny day for our ride. This is a ‘favorite’ trail ride as we also get in some riding on quiet roads as we make our way to the lunch stop in Lake Stevens. </span></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><font size="4"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><font size="4"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">Yes, we’ve had wind and we’ve had rain, and we thought that sunny days would never come again (“we are impatient). But lo! A good ride day, a great day all around with friends in some country side lifted our spirits for the remainder of the month (2 more days). I was able to rope in a few friends to ride with me along the Centennial Trail to tea time at the beach park in Lake Stevens. We made our stop at Biscuit & Bean to purchase our fare (I brought my own tea so not to be disappointed) and took it over to the beach. The Egg & Cheese biscuit was scrumptious. Our route took us off of the trail a few time for some quiet country roads and a stop at the old cemetery (Happy Halloween). The Mother and Father gravesite is interesting in that they were each born in 1828 and each died in 1928.</span></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><br><img id="id_588f_4be0_65a8_2320" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/VC3KiY1lJsz77Sj3WK6y_5Pk65yrskTbdcaRvC6FLQkse9iSZF6iCTF5KuOYJ0lDhvs" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><img id="id_3cb_ac99_3246_4158" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/GyVPmza9B9J8mMvG9SYlgb475ISViZH_6njifl4zgxfCHznwW76SSbse4Wwz_e6ViQc" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4">NOVEMBER 2022 TEANEURING #6: RED CUP CAFE, MUKILTEO</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4">After that gorgeous riding day on Saturday, though I knew better, I was hoping for a good Sunday ride. Not meant to be though as the rain and gusty winds took over the day. I am just not ready to tackle those conditions yet. I will work at raising my tolerance level about weather, and try hard to get out in the less than ideal times ;’-). Tuesday turned out to be sunny and perfect for riding.</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4">It has been a very long time since my friend Vickie and I had any time together. Red Cup was a regular stop for us when be biked together in the past. Vickie’s health has forced her to stop riding, so we don’t see each other nearly as much. This day she agreed to take the ferry over (she lives on Whidbey Island) to meet me for lunch and tea. It was such a nice time, nice day and nice ride for this teaneuring outing.</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><img id="id_bdd6_c3f_2614_f31c" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/6L5To7Ih39DKEQnluo9ccKcBx7OtqE3swVm0C-ogERsRNOVRSjqnqqeBl-mVQjyJd88" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span><font size="4">NOVEMBER 2022 TEANEURING #7: 11/9 Ann’s house, Everett WA</font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><font size="4"><br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><font size="4">Seems like yesterday that I was just beginning the challenge and stopping for tea #1! Time, as they say, does fly when you are having fun ;’-). Now they tell us that snow is upon us as early as this week! Seems like yesterday that I was cycling in shorts and light jacket 🤨. <br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><font size="4"><br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><font size="4">This past week!! The biggest storm here in recent history (say the newspapers) came with hight winds and knocked out power for 200,000 residents and caused damage with fallen tree limbs and downed electrical wires. We didn’t know we were among the fortunate to get our power restored in 18 hours as some homes would not get power returned for days.</font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><font size="4"><br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><font size="4">I had ridden and posted one of my challenges early for just such a happening with our weather. Though I had hoped to join a friend for challenge #7, that was not to be and I now hope to meet for C+1 or ABC cuppa later on. This week has us in sunshine and no rain!! Cold but no rain for at least an entire week ;’-). I took advantage of today for a bit of tea time at my friend Ann’s. I think this is the third time I have included this in my 7 stops for the challenge. It is a delightful visit with Ann whom I do not see very often. This time she apologized for having mugs and not ‘tea cups’ for us!!!! Not a problem Ann, I drink my tea from a mug all the time. 😊.</font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><font size="4"><br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><font size="4">On my ride to home I came through our small airport and took that photo to show how blue the sky is today.</font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><font size="4"><br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><font size="4"><img id="id_731a_609b_48ab_2399" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/jmicKqthCjZf08aXPVLcTTc7rt6kLO029M3MRSymXKor8HFjSDpiGdGUAB4olVWZ4kY" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"></font><br><br></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><br></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><font size="4"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">Rule of the challenge is to get 7 rides over the allotted time of 6+ weeks. The dates for this 2022 challenge are October 7th to November 20th. Once many people meet this criteria, they often continue on for some ABC rides (Always Be Coffeeneuring) and some post those on the fb site throughout the year. I do so appreciate this challenge as it helps get me motivated to ride in not so great weather and I find myself out there more often. That and the camaraderie that builds on the fb site add some smiles and interesting stories/photos at this time of year. It is open to all, so maybe some of you who are reading this may want to join in ;’-) next year. It has been a time, as our leader Mary writes, “… a time to mellow out and make the most of a delicious time of year lingering over a cup of your favorite fall beverage.” I have done that and enjoyed each one.<br></span><br><br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; min-height: 13.1px;"><br></p> Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04300329695049058393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-504052655076139442.post-53915398359538870942022-11-01T15:38:00.001-07:002023-08-05T13:42:44.247-07:00ENDING OCTOBER<font size="4">Historically November is our wettest month of the year. This year it began near the end of October and we welcomed it. It helped clear out the wild fire smoke that had our air quality at not a good level. </font><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_c872_d43a_ba5d_a7bc" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/3e00j2YVuYnQU6PISkpcMO7Zj_lNYMG1HqIPZhz2pup2qsKgDTHkeui044klfVqVDEE" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">That is not fog nor mist, it is heavy smoke that had kept most of us indoors for nearly a full week! I did however venture out for a bike ride when AQI was considered ‘moderate’. But I had that mask that Susan had purchased for us over a year ago and would get its first use.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_d8a7_b68e_8810_6740" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/3o1xExYE6ZZQnyjAEMH5asDKtv679lOBRWg2iMcwLofHZd2JQjXB38EvPrki8XpExZk" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">Never in a million years did I think I would EVER wear this thing! But it helped me get in a ride.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_2aa_eadc_9067_78b3" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/DNxwl9iCOx2LY_PokZEMFt7A1asisaguau9Cncz1l-CGItUw-Y1XjFM_pqFTtQLoR98" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">After that, the air quality continually deteriorated and there was no healthy way to get riding. So — we were all so happy to have the rain. Though there are challenges to riding in the rain, it is much more doable than in unhealthy smoke filled air.</font></div><div><br></div><div><font size="4">Rain and wind filled many days following the week of smoke filled air. Most of my riding for the second half of October through the first half of November was done in conjunction with Coffee/teaneuring challenge. I have made a separate post for a summary of those rides and tea stops, so will not include those here.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><font size="4">I got out for at least some rides to enjoy some of the season’s decorations.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><font size="4">My stump never disappoints …</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_859e_7d72_2d06_ecab" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/flfoaUZrUINZEjoq_nNs6nsLp3_3najolVP5ZyBYer9oQiE32bdr6YtJzRr3LQQIXY4" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><font size="4"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">The “train station” had a nice display for Fall.</span></font></div><div><font size="4"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></font></div><div><img id="id_827f_2cfa_e69e_186" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/YDauCNY83vVwkoAIcr1GaSOLQRhmQmuJzUoT7ZCxWkBiz9SxgEyL13TdRx12bKhHAcE" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><img id="id_79db_735a_af5a_b3b2" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Tlt-TrIabwA3b7UnSzvMhAspmPhR_purW435Ls6UzaGeDBDss7_MGf016trWsjoH2vs" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">Random neighborhoods have gone all out with Halloween displays.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><img id="id_ea8a_a83e_5bb3_7906" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/W4bNQioxEEhTkzcpANNnmQLmjB36IsDTRurCvAWsY2xqunbbGemf5Enb0SoPf213Gj0" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><div><font size="4"><br></font><img id="id_5b29_fcbd_18f1_2d6c" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/DXSP6NKC1zmig1S2tHZoAGJ-LPgmavYnCd1AVZFai3FJ223EZhs7uisugqIeX2RqTYc" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">I found this band especially interesting — so creative and detailed! Dancing couple and all.</span></font></div><div><font size="4"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></font></div><div><img id="id_f924_d5ef_c337_8f2f" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/rzQiP92bjGJ3zCWWRrw84t4uE5CzCpvX_t9A4w83M5BVVOHyllp8UeFvKYMxiR90Rh0" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_f661_db79_14cd_1159" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/5k8pSMjv2K-zt7lwAKuhKEAGdLLYSfS9exzep6wXnmJhnhMyyTnCg_-wS8Qo7FmhWw4" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><font size="4">The rain and wind have brought our beautiful autumn color towards its end. Many trees have relinquished their leaves to fall, but some have gripped tenaciously to retain those until the bitter end. On the last day of October (Halloween!) I rode in some rain, and possibly the last 50 degree day of this year, and was rewarded with some of those holding on.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><font size="4">There was still a nice one in our own front yard.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_5dae_2e30_df24_4eea" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/bu8v1DHqwGJtAkGQOCke377do6dvzIG2qzSixfHd3EDINUz22I6OLUyNQFft-yJLq38" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">Further along on my ride…</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_965b_eddd_733a_a7a8" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/gqc5m5ETHO12xOjd1F3zsJ_6ZWzj6pMj7gFHGVLhfH4kEFeVzEwkNDO6ThY8ezywil0" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><img id="id_5efc_23f7_d374_a16d" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/ETv1kzR4Op41ax4fQuPKOIOvuFufQvbkFlPDRloXoMN6bWgz1aVSrMwA3MH-6oVH940" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_9f30_3ddb_781a_2df0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/xV2k54Tsm-CNvuw2xrmSiOw7qINt8oZzSKJeKS6outw84r3VozF02UHx3Vvqe83vhHI" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4">I could have kept taking leaf photos, but this is repetitive enough for the blog. I drank in as much of all of them as I could and know they will soon be all gone with our impending rain and wind days upon us.<br></font></span><br><font size="4">HAPPY HALLOWEEN! Now — bring on November ;’-).<br><br></font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div>Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04300329695049058393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-504052655076139442.post-27513605528301223472022-10-19T14:47:00.001-07:002023-08-05T13:42:42.082-07:00PHOTOS FROM SEPTEMBER’S END<font size="4">I got very behind in posting things in my blog and missed some photos I wanted to post. So this will basically be just that — photos of some of the ending of September.</font><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><font size="4">Return to school was happening, and I really liked this sign at the pre-school that showed a welcome with letters indicating the different school supplies. <br></font><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_cf77_37d3_c43d_7626" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d8sJnHk19TyhIci683c3qkc5BfiAM5FSGe_aWUbfY1GwPCial1WNGiXmmxhM7giFGlQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"></div><div><br></div><div><font size="4">Lizette (photo) and Shelly joined us on Whidbey Island for some bike rides and to give Vickie’s cat, Thomas, some cuddles while she was out of town.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_d0ef_4112_2611_3c38" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/DBoP-iNt4qQSXdWNeqcg_ryX8-RSdwddUc04YQsZDBKUVutS9WtSB0-89CTrwPl0n5M" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><img id="id_1206_d382_5db9_8c9b" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/AjHSEG0uU0rM3OwBZqxOYFw_Lu7wKPd-n1h5_jEx52yMTXnU1j65WvEk1YWUCkfsThM" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_d72_c1b5_65d6_d299" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/eJ76mBZEnrBn3OVG0JMLVHB7-E8EbK_PdrXkkrw4tEY6HQR_hnGYt1CCczdQOkS2cXQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_4afa_5842_4961_daee" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/RpQ61XQug9LdJVVI8jfDWQCFTYpg395tntLwioU-wK3_aECqxkY3ZYMfNfQDszWPY8Q" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_e36b_3a43_9c73_48a9" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/ZJbh_RLTIw85CSqT4e5CcdhF-zIWE5gir75XA_gpfVZoIKOILRVnxzK6ASzPUcaynRo" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">Our friend Carol joined on this gorgeous day.</font></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_1817_8ea5_843f_372d" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/13-b5V1D8kgmmnRo8uL-R0yrOBo8qyYsm84yzNd3z2fpBhhjrFl2tFrznczeEzmvqcI" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></div><div><img id="id_9551_b21d_8d5f_8b47" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/bZO5QNlNr3EvFqQJAdXEqEMYCXQUHiPfakFUhjFOF6C28juTH-9RvlBE_c1amEqC6S0" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">With no idea of where we would find a place to have our lunch, we came upon a perfect place. The sign said ‘cheese and cheese curds’, so we pulled in. They were closed, but had a little table we could crowd around for our lunch break.</font></div></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_dd6b_4ece_d88c_5bc0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/cbSus82SQXrg8aOG60WssxK5hj36a0U6Hr3nubsqh5wQx7Kp7G2lGLNd4yLBettW7YY" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">On a different day I was able to rope in a few other friends to join me for a regular route along the river and into Snohomish for lunch.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><font size="4">Connie, me, Lucie, Kim…(a passerby took our photo)</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_941c_c38b_d615_b20b" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/LN4h0Ff6L9CR5LOVwU2c0OCMrOjlfTJCR9hKw0QuXU93raJygnyaGAAUv-7xG_Q9P3E" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4">I did’t get any photo of the river, but Snohomish is near an airport where many skydivers take off for, well, sky diving.</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><img id="id_fc28_9a78_897c_c83d" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/IvK3ILbLcHpt_AOWIdlE16E8XKTepvE3BkRwqrxthwqoH43X9XYywZITIfiax_xCyDI" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4">One more time I gathered up a few and we did a delightful ride in the Skagit flats to the wildlife refuge to have our picnic lunch.</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4">Me, Gay, Lizette, Shelly, and Carol is taking the photo.</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><img id="id_bb93_2c7a_cb8d_252b" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/OoqcooQ2qUi9VnU0DCVH97oTs1cpC-E-9TQNfRFfAMPh0blF4bXxyfCtnYQX3wlFwCw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4">Sighting along the way — all these birds perfectly spaced on the high wires.<br></font></span><br><img id="id_6cca_7c23_c090_4eef" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/uGHc2l-n-NtTb64NM7KT9HeXH8uVK23_Q7heOZThIOJJmfVT2I_oHjpNYHBYK1eudBo" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">I know I have missed a few photos, and I think I mistakenly deleted a few, but this gives the idea of what September was like. Gorgeous, summer like weather hung around for most of that month.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><font size="4">My final photo for the month is of the “stump” that I visit on some of my solo rides.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_c89f_d3cb_b85d_1771" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/rKIqXB1hwh60vErYSvjf96UsHrcz43o9eZIDPLhkIlX1e1-bO3iIgIz9TusnzaVcpYw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4">You will see that these last few posts are a bit “out of order” as I was very lax in writing, and we are now in wildfire season with virtually no riding to happen for the remainder of October. Let’s hope for better in November (our wettest month of the year 🥴).</font></span><br><font size="4"><br></font></div>Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04300329695049058393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-504052655076139442.post-22336099415647585762022-10-19T13:59:00.001-07:002023-08-05T13:42:41.360-07:00A BRIEF TRIP TO MONTEREY<font size="4">My last post was all about Lucy and Kate. Now a little about us ;’-).</font><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><font size="4">Jeremy’s mom would be arriving and spending a week at their house and time with the girls (Jaydon is in year round school) during more of their time off from school. To give more room and time for Angie, Susan and I took a delightful trip to Monterey where I would FINALLY get in a decent bike ride ;’-).</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><font size="4">Our first night was spent at a nice campground not far from the ride we would be taking. The playground not far from our site made us miss having the girls with us. 😞 as we knew how much they would love playing.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_93ad_1e0d_21a5_c542" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/m7EJU4n8yU2hS44ZwwU42XWotstut2l1tjFFW74ak8X9A9P7EmvXDm9EcdUlgkgYtFI" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">Decades ago I had driven by and around the 17 mile drive in Monterey. Needless to say, parts that I recalled were only dim thoughts, and this time I was thrilled that we would be riding our bikes along the drive. Added bonus was that there is no charge for bike riders 😉.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_b944_15bb_54c1_822" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Wuo9vbetuY5t0M31_iQhRhuPyAoS59BcQ_3clu9iIbfFtU3IshAdzR9O32V90OAYQas" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4">It is not a trail that follows the drive, but the actual car roads of the drive. There was little traffic, and what was there was courteous and somewhat slow.</font><br></span><br><img id="id_e807_946c_b420_2d95" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/YAoiu1pnZrRbL_-eG74GPoNobPSVSK0OTwP_zXbHhVXlWU4SuExTESMG2BEBXxf22B4" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_17ce_e042_eec0_a98e" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/qhS4JrVaKdBCW1KsBLbKRahsjfROSc8YI-h4mbXXKYGy2w5hyG44yOs4AHvBNa9ClCA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">Even though heavy mist covered far distant views, we enjoyed viewing the closer shoreline and trees as we took our time around the drive.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_3bef_73a7_897_48a9" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/b6xJAgJkBlViMft50N45nlMi-BxYgYno6YBqZ-LbP2E4nGEoEf-YKZQhOWvieJA27hw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><img id="id_e4af_4437_9e49_2404" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/ZMEkGeJBxIdNU3TsUbNVSTegVreFwhQg4AxlcUSuSsMTEr1lYJHJ1t0xmiTWi6ZBKMQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span><br><img id="id_1f0c_9e2a_a922_3254" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/6Aof7mdVyr99vnoq0v8bfJP_8-UU2ZO2bsH0osWhCTpeJsAmxO_Scdit3q2BpMH-O80" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4">The famous golf course is there and did have a few golfers enjoying it.</font><br></span><br><img id="id_fd45_c9c_87c0_9392" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/fVhkmYsUxsO6oG-gvxNLddlAZDfmj8clyxhPD7JlwX3YTgAwhDpj-wiLe5Z0khHe9TU" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">The wind blown and swept Cypress trees are incredible. </font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_b1c9_638b_c30_96ff" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/gVsB0VaHOJN2YyCAOUR4Rk_BGLAvZ_1upOSRYT1c2jHkKt9AIKX41Dgk7haDf1STTy0" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">All went extremely well until we finished the 17 miles and were ‘trying’ to get back to town. </font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_e184_c07d_c290_9bc4" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/BckenjKDkgldkPptpaJLPHerRa1p2sepYU4iorLHJ1Uw1kXZJO6x_hX3ngnGxMuk4dU" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">At this point the map and directions on RWGPS (ride with GPS) that had been so good, so detailed and so smooth, let us down. After climbing some big climbs to the top of the hill (at the exit above) the directions deteriorated. Seemed it wanted us to enter a fast paced, busy Hwy 101! We are not foolish! So by asking a few (very nice people) for assistance, aborting RWGPS and choosing a different mapping site, we finally made it back to Pacific City where we had parked. A little weary, a little tired, but successful and happy.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><font size="4">On this, our second night, we stayed at the Hilton Inn Embassy Suites. What a treat from Jeremy to gift us some of his bonus points he earns at his work. We did feel decadent as we lounged in what we consider luxury.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><font size="4">We were on the 12th floor with fine views of the city and of the downstairs as well.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_d6b0_a2d4_3022_75" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/PrYzlMFMZ9QSEcdxjEpbvOrPMo9CpMHoesv6Kyd7OxWQot-WKfVSgUWIURRbmUO1h0g" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><img id="id_c88f_ffba_2078_8be5" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/fpL-cCvC5gWi6cPBzd7RejwLazzVC6gCJMpZ7l8akVxXu2IjGbTuT4kXcQCfbnKZblw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">We used our final day to stroll around Monterey and Cannery Row to enjoy sights, shops and cookies ;’-). And to walk through the aquarium that both Angie and Jeremy had strongly suggested visit.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><font size="4">Jelly Fish collection is impressive.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_f86f_d122_2fa3_c69b" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/0mbAEUQlSEVvNe3AET4iUt3Xz9aZFgv8OaUfi0eOFIylHh3QdAcvKyA56R9eF_dkA9Y" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">And the cute penguins are always a treat to see.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_cb69_69cc_fa91_b85a" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/X4f4oVFgM8XSCz2uDrqE9fxDODFaZ5Qs9nbFS6XwiPtWeqOUBm6kzUNAKg_3ov9sqyA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">Then into the streets of Monterey.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_86c7_6e31_8ff5_1161" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/sFliVhaKLSdvTFSTnwBEHFDZzfaAlhi8F7Lt2-44g-bIJ0VRs4gy4j9JIE_tzfyoQl8" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4">The hardworking cannery workers are honored.</font></span></div><div><br><img id="id_4c7c_f234_e6ed_f6a3" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/gUixgC7CZdOaDb7umJ4U-YmI8_BP-iJV84OXHVn6a0Y6OVttUThQT6sPh5fy0uCCg5M" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><img id="id_e138_ac47_2172_eeb3" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/Z7fbhSHuGNFoY0w6N-r8BY_7pzeAeB2k_fFq-eiGGAddqlhOiHdcgWC8uJUrgWjd2RU" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">This was sardine country.</span></font></div><div><font size="4"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></font></div><div><img id="id_b6ce_3b9f_fc69_ce48" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/exxI5RNre5sU49C5hGUPYmKR_1UsewuBfPlTPHv9RTGrzSoBivK4-luTPcG8gmKoiPk" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></font><img id="id_1e8_88b9_838f_4fc7" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/FeVcit3lJMDFMRxuoCax35h1SpvAgZSviYX2sAMkK7Uz-Xp4HL5dVNvOO5AnP3Ob_qE" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><font size="4">The walk back to the van gave us a few more things to notice.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_168b_63c0_f5a3_d2a6" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/wJIn2x_1kbo64f5uvDb_O2qBqEK5ub1Y_zYGdiQgDhgAgkF5PySzAgL-5n2aCkBWLhw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><img id="id_15a7_549d_60ed_cdac" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/vMZ3ow4rwLQHBY92X2KqggKvkP0iEFbqFITG84WSdh9DJSUXFW8ctM8LQI9HtURtUas" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">Back to our original campsite for one more night before heading back to Sarah & Jeremy’s. Peaceful sleep in cool air was a nice break from the high temps in Elk Grove. </span></font></div><div><br></div><div><font size="4"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">As we were about to drive off, I caught this woodpecker (maybe a Downy Woodpecker?). This was our goodbye to this part of our trip and would actually be heading home soon after.</span></font></div><div><font size="4"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></font></div><div><img id="id_5407_4d61_4aa6_5e4" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/OzIGBXVOBkixXHNmagFaQz0mowD-zyd66FYX75l1flcAVlmOGcIi4vWm8Vze-q7p6e0" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">As I mentioned in my earlier post, we had some stressful moments but all in all it turned out to be a fine time for enjoying the Grands and being with them for the time we had.</span></font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div>Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04300329695049058393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-504052655076139442.post-88969092238478565032022-10-19T10:49:00.001-07:002023-08-05T13:42:45.940-07:00OCTOBER — A BIT OF A STRANGE MONTH<font size="4">The weather for the first part of October was superb. Time in California had some family kerfuffle to work through, which I hope now has been worked through; we had a lot of driving time and family time and HEAT in CA; we returned home to what has become “smoke season” or fire season with Air Quality of issue. All of these things, though many were fun and loving, had me biking very little. Now in the smoky air, I am “grounded”.</font><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><font size="4">At the very beginning of the month, Lucy and Kate flew up here on their own and we took the light rail to pick them up at the airport.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_a65e_566e_7f1c_9ce3" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/ALJnqMz3oM5icnXyPGwaSrFyFfTWJHXaiqU763N6-PCSYXJSmazxdlU5qqx4K9NDDwY" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4">They arrived safe and sound and happy ;’-).</font><br></span><br><img id="id_2df6_143e_f9ff_64d2" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/4AXeeSQkPxb1JX47kNYeHFZ2gFfDMQuRHMRMFMBlaF7xnptN3dm6bFo1hfP8Xajpx9U" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_8a0b_b85b_fd30_6fca" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/8O39wLyUzyAGRryxle_8lKGFUAQofMyChz_-vqI9xVARFZgCzD80zs_928MnlhTRFP8" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">Lucy would have a few days with here lifelong family friend in Bellingham. We would have individual time with Kate which included a ferry trip to visit and have play time with her cousins Andre and Etienne.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_446a_504e_c367_6bc9" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/MWhHy4OQy1hs9MiJNv1f6s-1NUzTWOXgoPTXH0Wi0C98thPDV__-omW2L-HRUsPPSz4" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><font size="4">When Lucy returned from her visit </font><span style="font-size: large;">we drove them home to California with stops along the way camping, hiking, a little fly fishing, a visit with family, and some tide-pooling on the beaches. Susan had gotten a kit for ballon animal making and they both had fun with that as we drove.</span></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_b54d_a397_4fc4_3c76" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/z_nYioBMv_5WmVIYmv9gsk3QvP6CjMAUqF1KqOaalT7p1UKNh3R3pIERXArwbCwvZNI" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">Our first stop along the way was to visit and spend the night with their Great Uncle Greg and Great Aunt Rebecca who live on the Oregon Coast. They were great hosts and tour guides for us.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><font size="4">The girls played a bit of the ‘dice game’ before dinner.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_8083_4c96_c3d9_b191" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/kR64xzPImyngjN9jtURXmnDCnp5dcH94EbE5tN0VSj-Cn2EgAVWzjzTCIG7G-J47e4c" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><font size="4">And the next day they took us to the beach for a picnic lunch and some tidepooling.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><font size="4">Greg the patient uncle stands by Lucy.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_9acb_da31_27b7_f1b7" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/hGTmplJUDbWfrMuAHbQSKBCAK6jXUg7PV_J7iIZ_-OhscxLSXFw1HQcQ4PVs4U7sFQg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><font size="4">They find a few things to appreciate. </font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_6324_1571_78c1_b9c" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/9XU96ZG-XuC17xKbeDSJzdXHqrfiaa-ARLX_SQF0UuI8iNcwuDxntb4lXNJ1-sCDO44" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">We get good views of the ocean and the shore filled with boulders and rocks, and I get a walk.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_1292_180e_bae1_ba38" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/tlgW5TqJRlrSBviZJiR_G2WR36F-mTNCRXRicCvv1kXzEguAzdETSqZDwXEiBvvy9M4" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_111b_8a6c_785_7cf3" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/V1QpvYojOn6ZV36M7lU9RnJVoLc1c-YFZH3Tyk5usDLCL70xPtU_Nc5IWgUrO2q6B6o" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">We had enjoyed our time with Greg & Rebecca, and all the fun of the beach and it was now time to continue on. We tried to take the girls to see the Sea Lions but the lions were out in the Ocean! Next time girls.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_8617_a29a_cad8_219e" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/3v667OeRM-mccX1m7Q8blo0kJ1yQ9P7UGSGxxhzSpTZ9n7egT0AWlwhKu6SDkEJtvCQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4">Our stops along the way — stretch our legs, use the restroom, have a snack — provided fun for the girls at random playgrounds.</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4">Lucy will not forget this putt putt golf course where she made what seemed to be an impossible Hole In One!!</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><img id="id_4a96_a629_bd0a_36c9" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/kRtx3dvsvaXYKow8AnTj7ihWUAgVLc_Nsycl2AKFtm2R1nFYFOz2FyEeFvUWK6p8DOM" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4">More fun and innovative playgrounds were a hit.</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><img id="id_830a_17de_f290_c366" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/qieuGmol5bjMhQGhnm9qQc9hvP0gnuOksb62UCCAyyCvmgL7DkVYulDGkYrWOfY4o8c" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><img id="id_b24d_3757_fcd0_b8ed" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/sHUZc9CH8rNMbU_eY6qJlIyX_3GT8KXKP-bgm37iHVUhMC26n-C22927UNkGpPYO7wo" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">Several walks on several beaches was also enjoyed by all of us.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_1b95_c8ce_d788_6235" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/GcvichEzW_yVmZkuklO9zGuLZ8MPM0RIlauPYDwqw031FP_PHDG_3kPQXmc5mTflA18" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">There was even a beach hut to clean up.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_148f_4275_d3d3_5ce8" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/JSk9XUTQlqhDN1hMfMSaos3SIvbDzbIsnrnTvg0Y-W2_xVqQirtoZGXB5jDhNeyO5k0" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><font size="4">We grouped up for photo inside this tree cave…</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_388e_928b_b563_2fe" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/jYBk2DgMHWKuAUVSXG9Xj9nBZDj-TVGntqpus5OlqVc26B5p1WEKQA01Sm0xsPbqJtE" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">…and look how startled we are.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_847_393c_5481_5ffd" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/dsXePPcODclDDMr4QwHtYCwp9Df0qyVKe8kGp28ZltGlkF2lfHrNRDLnjl-LghEdUao" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">More beach exploring and then a stop for a bit of fly fishing.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><font size="4">You had to climb down to the beach.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_ac02_6628_a7ba_154" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/dfKkbyVBOLBtg-VkFjw_PVAsCsJ32Nur5lLKiiE_5ZwaEohQySPKs-9DypM1SiKnRo4" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">Where they ended up. </font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_9539_ff42_59ae_30e0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/Qs4xV8wnp-AP6CKGFzMU8U-pzT-A2nzpQgF6jAavqbXmJAuR84y89zGdbELoffB43Ik" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">Some time to fly fish for at least a little. Susan was pleased to see that Lucy remembers her casting lessons, and casts quite well.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_2e5a_eaa7_e0_7777" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/16RiO6yVOozIgR9QZI1nOpz97wVC5tWv5oocobxasZ0Ua7XqeLEK0ckTCTUKNlzOgkU" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"></div><div><br></div><div><font size="4"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">They took turns.</span></font></div><div><br><img id="id_21b9_4165_ce95_bbcb" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/pgQOV83Qll1iVmi4JbEGeZ-bSii9tQtjATqqFs2c18jAcBcqu7zpZGwmOvjpEqBp3Lc" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">Kate thinks there may be better fishing over there (isn’t there always?)</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_43d3_34a2_7522_c3ea" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/mkTvdVD57_pQXARvRq9Dguf8T_EPkqEE5X9WMulhIMaSOLndiWE4obMd38EUrINoH-M" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"></div><div><br><font size="4">Then she spied something else of interest (don’t they always?)</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_ed4a_2dc3_66c9_ab17" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/GUcSv7V8DIaccvyjvQFHov-jlYA5THQ-2clIID56Cs-iOurLz0-EJ-TBMp9WbbwmFPU" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_7f1c_8c24_917b_3882" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/cGTdg1MJWTQTy4VWmO_cEsoFgqRx2DNq1LWzwplJlIYdKJGfvc3mmV5bZpHIuiUQ0DY" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">We ended our trip along the Oregon Coast and entered California driving along the Trinity Scenic Byway (Hwy 299) which wanders along the Trinity River that is classified as a wild and scenic river. It was gorgeous drive with not only views of the river, but trees and forests all around and slow winding roads. This Northern California back road takes us on an “amazing” adventure (said the brochure and was right). </font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><font size="4">By this time the girls were ready to be home. We stayed at their house a couple of nights and were able to attend the soccer games that the girls played and the flag football game that Jaydon played. Then we moved on to another phase of our adventure. That will come in my next post very soon.<br><br></font></div>Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04300329695049058393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-504052655076139442.post-29907264559099292752022-09-18T14:15:00.001-07:002023-08-05T13:42:42.288-07:00FLAMINGOES IN THE FALL SOTF EVENT<font size="4">It was a 5 hour drive from Nehalem to Kanasket-Palmer State Park near Auburn WA. Making a couple of stops along the way added some time, as did a few traffic snarls along the route. We arrived at camp toward dusk and said our hellos before setting up our camp site.</font><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_9003_78e3_c6bd_53b1" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/ia__-OBwH4CoDtNhChC2oTlTA05YS1NLVOanoJ0yBEa6CJBWHvcHzMED_gNr3HtRVwY" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_29e_f18c_e2d2_4fbf" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/iOqxPEh09kWwigphXhXNqcQTPwZcdOUhAdXhS-kK6-9dEsQZTod4LD1yLuiNUEN5I84" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">The leader of this event purposely made it a low key time for relaxing. Our only gathering times were for afternoon board games, then cocktail hour before the potluck dinners. This made for time to enjoy time on our own or with one or two other sisters at a time ;’-).</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><font size="4">On Friday we took the trail from our campsite to the river. That is — Green River which is quite rapid in some parts. We are aat the southern part of the river .</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_5bbf_1341_eced_887e" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/wIlrasI8ixKYb7erfVT_4zOS-4-DPdfCUlLi8504-3rhRCxWz4tvh-LhkZZPI7eqs28" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">Rapid enough to post a warning…</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_c4d1_88cb_c17a_d376" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/8sDxgLkqsgNrsB_6bUNwxozcJ7ytPhFx7OUDSreEESHClYL9y9bYIpNowZ5GW98PtsA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">Carrie had joined us for the mini hike.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_a320_f436_5343_49b6" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/ksmn0z1ercM_jl6wagwPdIO-16tEHLMfiOAQM9TzlW02MfnIqBGrMEwirlz4vCO_J-0" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4">One needs good boat handling skills to avoid the rocks too.</font><br></span><br><img id="id_209_ed08_c35b_24f9" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/ME9-ypkOMlOOks67yEshBh2uec8oO6-HOTo8wKFB6O6p8DfwxIFCQL_7nPILNjDfx8A" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">It was then time for some games if you chose, or for some chatting around the early campfire before dinner.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><font size="4">Did I mention that the theme of this event is everything flamingo??</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_a7b3_1fa1_5b97_412c" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/78hd_POpt9QUpL4FXIQeWw43ph2xGkkWrXdnUM3WDekr2t7RX1U8tcSa6MNd5EuIel8" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">The following morning Susan and Mame hiked down to the river with fly fishing gear. Though they had a good time fishing, neither caught any</font><span style="font-size: large;"> fish but did see salmon running ;’-).</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><img id="id_8344_ca00_f0b4_e608" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/SUlZfB0Zl98lVuSMHuwjOLlWwj_aeftz3nkJ_gnIWN5SedR4r_Fk22AgyPwh_KWDRmo" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_ae5f_901a_4f56_29f4" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/Ja1BnQaDgl6HdS4dQX8ZCb19EM7bsne5-KHHCs338YacknM84m62KP8_0uHtY5Kgho0" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br></div><div><br></div><div><font size="4">The following morning Susan agreed to a bike ride with me. I had found what looked like a decent 15 mile loop from the campground. It turned out to be a very enjoyable ride, I added more to the end of it to get to the grocery store for a purchase of milk for Susan’s morning coffee ;’-).</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><font size="4">There are a few things that Susan is not able to pass by without a stop. One is any porta potty on the route, another is any Little Library. We did not come across any porta potties.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_477b_cf12_c8c1_890c" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/6R6pjeJL5GCWWevS0oL0BeYbjAqbiiTMEMk_dLJSx4plAwkToVEZaB09ZK4gZdpq1qE" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">This dog house could have been constructed by the CCC workers from back in the day.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_4c20_6c38_d974_c051" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/LO1aVa_q0-qNimN6wvW5litz8xQupnDeKhclSpmpHdLePyd_LojrhGAY4ouU9RoLnXc" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">In addition to a very large, long spree of discarded beer cans and whiskey bottles along the roadside, we passed several old vehicles by some old homes.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_96d9_683f_6e6d_6672" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/2mvaV9qIkgyRj5H3G3R1szOsqZlrJumlhZvBcwc5vxVuxPViIg3_kcjgjT2a5k3n3BA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"></div><div><br></div><div><font size="4"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">Back at camp for a stroll around the campground and more evidence of the theme, decorating various sites…</span></font></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_4dbc_4026_1202_417b" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/07L2KiTv2N6V6iXddCrb6w-QrMcE7v7g9xBtptV9AlGKKU-xM6umG6pDeSFcyBmivo8" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">Our final gathering brought out a few more pinks.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_c811_6427_ab51_6fd0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/l--g42c2uIzP6fGPD_Kx60v7RO4P08nSdoIt2kVPKH3ODH-UHVqXEGZAPzqikhob1Ng" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_8a4d_3bbc_5bc5_e13d" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/fYfztmt-i0M5YmpifWQk_BOKz_-wccjIQ1-3rqGA3-h9YCXYZ53FA07IDn_jHIyehxA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4">We enjoyed our last potluck, with oh so many dishes of wonderful food — and desserts — before our farewells to each other. The next morning Susan and I would be going to Jenny’s for an overnight to spend time with the family. Home is on the near horizon for some R&R before taking off for California. See you there ;’-))).</font></div>Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04300329695049058393noreply@blogger.com0