BIKES DAYS CHALLENGE CONTINUE #23-26

Rides/photos #23-26

#23 OCTOBER 28, 2020

I took my #4 teaneuring (coffeeneuring for most) ride today and made my stop at that little elementary school amphitheater I have posted earlier. After my tea I continued for just a couple more miles and took the path behind the Junior High School to home. This is where my photo of the day is taken. By comparison to the past few mornings, this 52 degree ride felt warm! 

#24 OCTOBER 29, 2020

Rainy morning and heavy clouds had me at my usual dither about whether I would ride or not. The hint of blue sky at late morning was not what truly got me out there for a ride today. Susan helped that along by suggesting I could stay home and help with washing the RV. That had me scamper around collecting my gear and heading our for a ride in what ended up being a sunny afternoon.

My photo for today is taken at the airport on my way back home. 

But the first photo op came upon me all of a sudden as I rounded a corner not from from my house. Just when I think that most or all the full beautiful fall leaf color is gone, what to my wandering eye should appear! A nice collection of different colors at that.

Wandering through the airport I see that there are plenty of Southwest airplanes back in storage. Air travel is having its problems during this pandemic era.

#25 OCTOBER 30, 2020

I posted this ride under Teaneuring #5 so will simply post this photo from the day rather than repeat everything I already wrote ;’-). It was a delightful day and I so enjoyed Susan joining me for a ride, which doesn’t happen all that often. Though she likes to ride her bike, she needs a “destination” or reason to ride — to the store, to explore somewhere ‘new’, to do any errand; as I will ride for any or no reason 😏😉🚴‍♀️. Since we would pick up her bike today, she was interested in doing the ride along the nearby trail and I was able to show her something new. She had not seen or noticed the windmill on any ride along here that she has done. So — something new.

#26 OCTOBER 31, 2020

Happy Halloween is in order for this day ;’-). And with rain for the extended forecast to start in just another day or two, I must enjoy the sun even if it comes in spurts! I waited until 10:45 to give time to warm up a bit, and was surprised that it was at only 43 when I got out. I was glad I had opted for my heavier jacket and gloves. We had plenty of sun, and lots of blue sky, but the temp never got above 48 for my ride.

This would be another neighborhood jaunt with a few extra loops thrown in to encourage staying outdoors a little longer. The photo is of the simplest, the most understated and, in my opinion, the best Halloween decoration I have found this year.

Onto November, unbelievably!!!!

TEANEURING #5 2020

Teaneuring #5

10/30

Tea Without Walls

Lemon Ginger Herbal tea (I just about never drink herbal tea, and this one reminded me of why).

21 miles

Marymoor Park Redmond, WA 

My One More Good Thing: Susan rode with me today, and a second good thing: getting to ride this trail after a long time not ;’-)

I have not ridden the Sammamish River Trail in months (at least 8!) so was pleased that this would potentially be a ride that Susan and I would do today. Susan had taken her bike for service at the bike shop in Bothell which is located very near the trail. Her bike was ready for pickup today, and fortunately today’s weather would cooperate. As promised by those weather people, the early morning rain dissipated and eventually  we got blue sky and sun for the remainder of the day. Granted that came later in the afternoon, but still. 

We took our time to wander along the river with no hurry to get anywhere. I found a cabin in the woods...

And a rather neat mailbox...

I have passed this bench many times, but did not know there was a ‘story’ of some kind attached to the shoes. I thought the bronzed shoes were to indicate that this is also a running trail. The short story is on what I think is a relatively new plaque. At least I had not seen it in the past. A very sobering moment as we stopped for the photo.

Our lunch/my tea stop was in a part of the park near the windmill, where we found a dry table partly under a picnic shelter, but with the afternoon sun hitting us.

TEANEURING #4

Teaneuring #4

10/28

Tea Without Walls

Scottish Breakfast Blend tea (for a change)

13 miles

“The Nest”, Mukilteo WA

My One More Good Good Thing: A new discovery on an old route ;’-). 

I saw this sign ‘Welcome to The Nest’ and had to explore. This is apparently an outdoor classroom setting for nature and outdoor studies. Once there, I knew this would be one of my teaneuring stops. Today was that day.

There is a delightful little trail behind this amphitheater setting that strolls by the forest growth with identifying markers.

This is one of the routes I regularly ride from home (always solo) that takes me to an elementary school that has a path that goes to the back end of the school. I don’t take the path very often, but in the past when I have is how I first discovered the art work that the 1st & 2nd grade class had done of the caterpillar evolving into a butterfly.

There is also a garden near this outdoor classroom that is normally tended when in season (and no pandemic). The garden offers opportunity for more than gardening as there have been pieces of artwork, scarecrows, and innovative shelves for starter plants.

Tool of the trade...

Art work. These, and other painted rocks are usually placed throughout the garden.

A place for starter plants using recycled pallet.

I will add — it is surprising how warm 52 degrees feels after riding in low 30-40 the past few mornings!

TEANEURING #3 AND CYCLE DAYS CHALLANGE #18-22

Rides/photos #18-22

#18 OCTOBER 22, 2020

I’m not sure I would have gotten out for a ride in the bone cold of this morning, so I am happy to have had a goal to in mind. After my early 7:00 dental appointment I rode to Cindy’s house to deliver some treats for her. We sat on her front porch for a brief chat, and then both continued with our individual plans for the day. 

I often ride to Cindy’s, and this time I took a little different route toward home. There has been a fantastic “short cut” added to the Centennial Trail which keeps us off the main highway, so I took the road from Cindy’s that would lead me to it. I took the photo for the day at the pedestrian/bike bridge that crosses over I-5. 

A little further on the trail was this sign of young love ;’-). Graffiti, but oh well. The sentiment is nice. 

Riding through the airport I saw what I think is a brand new sign. At least I had not seen it before, and I ride that route a lot. PAE must be airline speak for airport destination.

Got home just as some blue sky was battling for space and it warmed to a balmy 48 degrees. Colder weather is on the way.

#19 OCTOBER 24, 2020

Lake Cassidy WA

Along the trail at Lake Stevens, there was a bit of Halloween to greet us.

A highlight for this ride was meeting the horses having a day out with their riders along the trail.

It was cold today, and stayed fairly cold until near the end of our ride. We were dressed for it. Mostly. But it is becoming the season the dig out even heavier gear for hands and feet! We had a few sun breaks while riding the Centennial Trail, and had a nice time interacting with the horses (rode with the Big Guys), enjoyed a fine lunch stop, got to know Charm and Jazz a little better (they are BIG)...

and I had my third teaneuring for the challenge. 

Teaneuring #3

10/24

Tea Without Walls

China Chun Mee Moon Palace tea (free sample, not great)

33 miles

Lake Cassidy WA

My One Mor Good Thing: Meeting the horses having a day out with their riders along the trail.

It was cold today, and stayed fairly cold until near the end of our ride. We were dressed for it. Mostly. But it is becoming the season the dig out even heavier gear for hands and feet! We had a few sun breaks while riding the Centennial Trail, and had a nice time interacting with the horses, enjoyed a fine lunch stop and got to know Charm and Jazz a little better (they are BIG), and I had my third teaneuring for the challenge. The flower stop topped off an overall great day, and the masked rider collected her goods.

The flower stop topped off an overall great day...

and the masked rider collected her goods.

#20 OCTOBER 25, 2020

I took one of my usual routes around my neighborhood for a short one in the cold! Early morning temp of 31 gradually ‘climbed’ to 37 by late morning, but I was not totally sure that I could find the oom-pah-pah to get out in the surprising 37 degree cold. I pushed myself, layered more heavily than I have been since last winter, and braved the element. 

Rode by “The Stump” where I was sure there would be a change of display for the month — maybe even something Halloween. Not Halloween, but a change anyway. It is not nearly as creative and interesting as it has been on some other months, but I do enjoy keeping my eye out for it. I could not take my bike up close to it in someone’s yard, so I took two photos for display.

That was my destination for today, and nothing else much happened as I made my way home. Not many people out doing anything today even though it got quite sunny and eventually warmed up to 43 I think.

I stopped at the elementary school for a drink and small snack, and the dugout and bike rack looked so lonely to me. Just like many of us may get at times while sheltered from our friends and families. I know that these two photos would not have struck a chord with me at any other time.

#21 OCTOBER 26, 2020

Though it was a few degrees warmer than yesterday morning, it felt colder. No sun all day can do that I suppose. Photo is of the tree in front of our house, where I begin all my rides these days. I know these are the final days of the beautiful fall color for this year.

Not much different happened on my solo ride today except that I was happy to get in more miles by riding to South Everett. It would have been more pandemic friendly if these pumpkins ALL were wearing masks, but cute anyway. The kids in the family must have had fun carving them.

I am very pleased to have such good cold (or wet, or warm and sunny) riding gear! I have it all and need only to replace one or two items when I can get to it. No hurry as everything worked quite well in my second cold weather riding day.

#22 OCTOBER 27, 2020

For some reasons I felt sluggish on today’s ride and cut it short by several miles. I did get into Mukilteo proper for this first photo. I love this old out building with weathering wood and a few decorations.

Steps to nowhere.

Moving on UP hill, I glimpsed this row of pumpkins. It is pumpkin season after all. 

I ended my route by riding through the Boeing Plant which is a pleasant perimeter road that brings me to the highway for a short connection back to my road home. It wasn’t nearly as cold today and, even though I lightened up a bit on my layers, I was borderline overdressed. There are a number of hills on this route that gets one heated up as well.

BIKES DAYS CONTINUE #16-17

Rides/photos 16-17

#16 OCTOBER 19, 2020

Damp and cold would name this day. No precipitation until I was within three miles of home, and then the heavy mist stayed with me for the remainder of my ride. I have been gradually needing to add more cold weather gear to my layers, and today was the first for my convertible winter mittens. It was damp enough to grow mushrooms. Even a little family.

I did what I call my “Shawna Route” and had very little traffic on mostly back roads. I had hoped that this Halloween display would be up this year. I have not seen it in a couple of years, and wished that the homeowner had not quit putting it up. They hadn’t. ;’-).

Along the main road of my return trip this bicycle has been up high on display and I have always neglected to get a photo. Got it today ;’-).

And I learned something today. I made a stop at the drive up window at our bank to make a touchless deposit. There is a sign in the window telling us that there is a ‘national shortage of coins’. I had no idea that could be the case. I chatted with the teller and sure enough — people are not using much cash these days so there is a coin shortage. 

#17 OCTOBER 20, 202O

(Much of this is a repeat of the Teaneuring #2 post, but different people read this one)

As I have been away for more than a week, Cindy and I missed last week’s ride. And then we had weather to work around. Our forecasts around here change daily, and sometimes hourly, so we went back and forth between the two days that both of us had available. Finally we decided on Tuesday as that had the best potential for no rain ;’-). I rode from home to meet Cindy at our regular starting place for this ride and we headed into Everett.

Our plan to ride through a little of Forest Park and over the foot bridge was thwarted by police vehicles and taped off area. We first asked if we could get through by bike. NO was the resounding reply from the many neighbors standing in their yards watching the “action”. “There is a Stand Off” they told us. Oh my — change direction and reroute some of our plans. Neither of us felt quite right about taking a photo of this ‘event’, so it is not documented here. After stopping at the nearby Bike shop for Cindy to purchase a set of toe warmers, we tried again. Within half a mile Cindy stopped to say her rear cable had snapped!!!! Oh no. We could stop at the next bike stop which was on our way, but once there we learned that Eric closes on Tuesday now. Cindy was not concerned as her gear was in the easy range and she knew she could finish the ride with no problem.

Onward to the park for our tea and lunch stop. Entering into town we found the the Main Street is closed to all traffic, including bicycles. Being familiar enough with town, we skirted around a few blocks and got back on course. Cindy picked up a sandwich at the cafe and we made the decision to not go to the waterfront park as it was quite cold. We opted for Legion park, had a nice time chatting and eating and then headed home. 

Outside Petite Sweets, where Cindy picked up a lunch, was this pear sculpture.

Our lunch stop was at Legion Park.

Social distancing for lunch..

Quite a lot off unexpected “adventure” on this trip, and the weather was perfect for our ride and for how we had layered up for it ;’-). No rain, no wind, sun breaks and just cold enough. On the way home we came upon a wedding celebration.