PHOTOS FROM SEPTEMBER’S END

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.

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. 

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.

Our friend Carol joined on this gorgeous day.

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.

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.

Connie, me, Lucie, Kim…(a passerby took our photo)

I did’t get any photo of the river, but Snohomish is near an airport where many skydivers take off for, well, sky diving.

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.

Me, Gay, Lizette, Shelly, and Carol is taking the photo.

Sighting along the way — all these birds perfectly spaced on the high wires.



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.

My final photo for the month is of the “stump” that I visit on some of my solo rides.

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 🥴).

A BRIEF TRIP TO MONTEREY

My last post was all about Lucy and Kate. Now a little about us ;’-).

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 ;’-).

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.

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 😉.

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.





Even though heavy mist covered far distant views, we enjoyed viewing the closer shoreline and trees as we took our time around the drive.

The famous golf course is there and did have a few golfers enjoying it.



The wind blown and swept Cypress trees are incredible. 

All went extremely well until we finished the 17 miles and were ‘trying’ to get back to town. 

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.

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.

We were on the 12th floor with fine views of the city and of the downstairs as well.

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.

Jelly Fish collection is impressive.

And the cute penguins are always a treat to see.

Then into the streets of Monterey.

The hardworking cannery workers are honored.

This was sardine country.

The walk back to the van gave us a few more things to notice.

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. 

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.

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.

OCTOBER — A BIT OF A STRANGE MONTH

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”.

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.

They arrived safe and sound and happy ;’-).





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.

When Lucy returned from her visit 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.

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.

The girls played a bit of the ‘dice game’ before dinner.

And the next day they took us to the beach for a picnic lunch and some tidepooling.

Greg the patient uncle stands by Lucy.

They find a few things to appreciate. 

We get good views of the ocean and the shore filled with boulders and rocks, and I get a walk.

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.

Our stops along the way — stretch our legs, use the restroom, have a snack — provided fun for the girls at random playgrounds.

Lucy will not forget this putt putt golf course where she made what seemed to be an impossible Hole In One!!

More fun and innovative playgrounds were a hit.

Several walks on several beaches was also enjoyed by all of us.

There was even a beach hut to clean up.

We grouped up for photo inside this tree cave…

…and look how startled we are.

More beach exploring and then a stop for a bit of fly fishing.

You had to climb down to the beach.

Where they ended up. 

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.

They took turns.

Kate thinks there may be better fishing over there (isn’t there always?)

Then she spied something else of interest (don’t they always?)

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). 

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.