LOFALL AND LITTLE LEAGUE

My friend Lynne wrote me an email with the subject line: ITALY. I wrote back to her with my subject line: LOFALL. Our individual trips were happening at the same time, hers in Italy as in the country of Italy, mine in Lofall as in a small berg in western Washington, a ferry ride away from home. BUT we were each having an adventure ;’-).

I had lots of highlights on our adventure to RV camp at Kitsap Memorial State Park to be near the Little League field, where we would go to watch the Grandboys play in their baseball games, First highlight was in the ferry line in which we had to wait two plus hours. These guys were in front of us and filled their time with a game of UNO — Goldfish snacks and all.

The day was heating up and as we got just ahead of them we could see that they had adjusted for the heat.

On her trip to use the restroom Susan (of course) stopped for a chat with them and found they are long time friends who had either gone to high school together or to college together. Two brothers (the ones on the right) are here for a visit and to tour some places with their friend on the left who lives here. They were really nice guys.

We arrived at camp late afternoon on Friday and Susan scouted out a bike ride that I could do to keep myself from being “antsy nancy”. So I saddled up and enjoyed a ride around parts of Lofall. The wagon and mailbox caught my attention right away.

Farther on down the road this geodesic house, which was a thing back in the day or at least of interest to many, came to my view. I don’t know that I have actually seen a real live one before and this was kind of nice to see. Different anyway.

I took this next photo of an Olympic range mountain not knowing that I would get a much better view of the range later in the day.

I ended my ride happy that Susan had discovered it for me, even if it was rather a short ride. What I did not get in miles however, was made up in climbs!! Quite hilly in some places and I would have had a mighty struggle in some places if I did not have my pedal assist bike. There WOULD have been some walking.

Bright and early the next morning we got up and out for 5 year old Andre’s T-ball game that started at 8:30! Here he walks out to the field.

Mom Jenny gives him some coaching tips before going up to bat.

Gets a hit and onto base.

Brother Etienne (8 y.o.) has been assigned to third base coach and the brothers meet for coaching! They are so cute together and get along very well. They are not only brothers, but good friends to each other.

A break between games gave Susan and me time to eat our somewhat latish breakfast before wandering over to the other field for Etienne’s little league game.

Etienne got a great hit each time he was at bat.

He played well at the pitching position and at first base (his two favorite positions) and was able to get a few outs — one a double play.

What fun to see them play and appreciate their skill as well as the fun they were having.

We stayed at the campground another night to be able to see Etienne play another game on Sunday. This game was a make up of one that had been weathered out, and would start at noon. That gave me another window to repeat the ride I had done the day before and find a few more things to take a photo of.

Back at that wagon by the farm — Red Cedar Farm.

This time as I approached there were animals in the field at roadside.

This cute burro kept standing there and looking at me.

After a little while s/he came up closer to me and some of the others followed his lead. I spent a little time chatting with them and they liked the company. No feeding the animals the sign said, so I could give them attention only.

These have all been nightlights for me, but seeing and chatting with these friendly animals was a topper for this day.

I found another photo for the day for Susan…

And some interesting airplane/bird things for my challenge site.

Back at camp Susan wanted to take a walk (yes, she is walking now) to the beach before heading out for the game. This was the photo I did not know I would get when I took the earlier mountain photo. I reminds us all around here just how fortunate we are to live where we do. So much beauty all around us. Today’s weather could not have been better for baseball and for bicycling. Finally!

 

We had a four hour wait for the ferry (Sunday traffic) but nothing as interesting as the UNO boys to entertain us.

A NEW PIECE OF BIKE GEAR + HALF OF MAY

When you have biked for as long as I have, and a new bike is not on your docket, it is not easy to find something new to add for your biking passion. And we all know how exciting it is to get something new. I have often thought of getting a pair of these Rainlegs, but for a variety of reasons, have passed them up. Lately it seems I have ridden in more rain than has been the norm for me and thought I need these!

These are very light weight, easier to carry and to put on than full rain pants, and help keep you warmer as well.

I love them ;’-). They arrived yesterday (I couldn’t wait to share) and we were to have rain today so I was intent on trying them out. There were some dark clouds.

But we did not get much rain until after I was home from my ride. I did get some light rain on my way to home and was glad to have the Rainlegs, and my rain over mitts (worn over my light gloves) that I have had for eons.

Keeping dry is a huge part of keeping warm(ish). Here we are in mid-May and it has been unusually cold (not out of the 40s much) and rainy even by our standards with an inch above normal for the month of May so far.

I have fortunately found at least parts of days that allowed for riding. My challenge for this month has been anything related to birds. I include a few things I have found for that theme as well as random things I see along the way.

The rain did apparently bring some May flowers.

As well, May brought down much of our cherry blossom blooms.

When the sun does show itself, people have a tendency to celebrate.

Here are some of the bird things I loved seeing.

A bird village.

Cute bunny watching over a house.

Could be considered a bird castle.

One of my rides in the rain, evidenced by rain drops in the bird bath.



A few of my other sightings along my routes.

Wishing wells area always of interest to me.

Crooked tree limbs make an artsy form.

I don’t know if this indicates to get on or off your high horse.

I took myself to Everett Marina for a stop at a favorite little cafe “Seas The Day” and had a brief bite to eat and a tea.

Reflecting clouds.

A bird.



A little water fall tucked way back in an apartment complex.

I liked this rustic hand carved squirrel.

And who — really — doesn’t like unexpectedly coming upon a parade?

OK then, with Rainlegs in hand, I am ready to face the rest of this cold, wet month! 

OUT OF APRIL INTO MAY 2022

Spring is slow to come to us this year. The reports say this is the 3rd coldest April in 45 years, and the 13th coldest ever. Average temp for April was 46; usual is 51. And of course we have had a lot of rain and some winds on many days as well.

That’s the weather report for the month. Now, let’s get the broken bones out of the way. I have blogged about Susan’s broken ankle, and our shared cat, Kathmandu, has helped with his healing paws.

Just a few weeks after Susan broke a bone (3 actually), Jeremy took a tumble while playing outdoors with the kids and broke his little finger.

That was not enough for this family as not long after her dad’s mishap, Lucy collided with a classmate while playing kickball and …. broke HER little finger…

Everybody is on the mend, but Susan tried to do too much too soon and has had a bit of a setback. Enough so that we had to cancel our trip to California for time with the Grands and family. Very disappointing indeed, and we learn that the healing process for a broken ankle takes a long time!! Gradual weight bearing is exactly that — gradual, and not so quickly as we may have hoped. Having curtailed our travel adventures, this post will be mainly a ‘photo essay’.

Over this period of time, Susan has gained some of her independence at least, and can do more for herself which allows me to be out longer for some refreshing bike rides. The bike rides have not been only for me — but for Susan as well. ;’-). I think you know what I mean.

I completed the 30 Days of Biking in April this year. I have participated in this challenge for about 7-8 years I think, and have actually completed it more than half the times I tried ;’-). The majority of my rides were solo and close to home and I include a few photos for those.

I really appreciate when I get to ride with others, some individual rides with friends and a few slower paced group rides that take me a bit farther from home and into some different territory.

KIRKLAND LAKE FRONT…

MARTHA LAKE…

SNOHOMISH AND LAKE STEVENS…

A DIFFERENT PART OF KIRKLAND TO DISCOVER EASTRAIL…

This brings us now into May and we will see what that will bring ;’-).