Nancy Cycles!

Nancy Cycles!
"You got to be careful if you don't know where you are going, because you might not get there." ... Yogi Berra

Thursday, December 29, 2022

OH DECEMBER!!

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! 

Susan did join me on a few walking outings — on our local Library trail, to the nearby Walgreens store, around our long block.  



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.



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.



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 🙄.

Another thing we have been able to do is harass Katmandu ;’-). 



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.

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.







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 😉.

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.

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.


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.

The Christmas village and train display was festive and beautiful..







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.






We pedaled the short distance through downtown to join the others

Someone who chose to not ride took our photo from their hotel window as we got ourselves organized.



And then we were off for our adventure.



A group selfie shows everyone’s delight at being together and riding bikes ;’-).



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.

At home we had to be satisfied with snuggling in and staying safe and warm. We admired our neighbors’ Christmas lights.



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.



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.



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.





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.

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.











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).

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!)


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.




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. 

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.


Saturday, December 3, 2022

SNOW IN NOVEMBER…

“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. 

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.
The Parks Department had done a fantastic job of clearing up some big downed trees and a lot of debris along the Centennial Trail.

Frost — not snow yet!




Many big trees were blown down in the heavy winds we had experienced.





My friends are always so good about stopping for when I “need” a photo. Here Connie and Kim wait patiently.



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. 

Kim, Connie and Meri — my intrepid bike companions on this cold but glorious sun shiny day.



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.

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!



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. 

Dinner for two…

Accompaniment served on a plate made and given to us by all five Grands.





After dinner we took a chilly walk along our Library Trail and were glad we did that as the weather would soon change 






And just like that … this happened only a only a couple of days later.



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 ;’-).

Monday, November 21, 2022

CALM DAYS AFTER THE STORM = A LITTLE CAMPING 😉

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. Right out from our camp site there was a nice view of Samish Bay and some mountains across the way, as we got geared up for a ride around the Skagit farmlands.


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.




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.


And what to our wandering eyes should appear but a PUB!! Burgers and all.





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!



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.

We think this is Mount Shuksan…



There were several picturesque barns along the way but I really only thought to get a couple of them.





Had to slow down and investigate this little Farm Stand out in nowhere.


Nothing for us to buy, but interesting to look at. The only thing in the little refrigerator was a bag of red potatoes.



The interesting part of this stop was gobbling behind us…



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.

Our other “wild life” included alpaca, horses and cows lolling in the open sun filled fields.





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.



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.


Cute painted rocks at the entry way. 


Empty handed, but fun to peruse some books and enjoy the little hut.



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.