ENDING JANUARY IN CALIFORNIA

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. 

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.

Along the way we maneuvered around some wandering geese. Nice to see shadows!

We crossed the Sammamish River via the ped-bike bridge which is a treat.

That’s Shelly up there ahead…

Some of my rides were in some light rain but nothing too bad.

Around my neighborhood for the most part.

This traffic circle is relatively new. 

Further along is “That Stump” which now has a new name ;’-).

This was the decor of the Stump for the Christmas Holidsay.

As I do, I rode to see what changes may have been made for January. And sure enough there were some. 

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.

“Mara’s Stump” for January.

It was a highlight of my day to stay and chat some more with Mara before continuing on my way. 

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.

We made a stop to look at the river, the snow covered mountain, the boater and the fly fisher.

And of course there were other views of the sundial on the other side of the bridge.

It was 10:15 a.m. and this is what the dial showed.

After a short walk along the river on the trail we were ready for the remainder of our drive to Sarah’s.

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!!

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 ;’).

I stayed outside to watch bikes as they went in to do the shopping.

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!

CAMPING AT BIRCH BAY

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. 

We arrived at Birch Bay in the late afternoon so the sun was about to set and evening was approaching.

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.

There are black squirrels here and this is the only photo I got of one foraging in the brush.

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. 

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.

I can never pass by any roadside stand without stopping to take a photo. Lots of different honey here that we did not purchase 😏. 

It was a surprise to see snow in a few shaded areas and of course Susan had to “play” in it for the moment.

Along the road I spotted these wild animals that I remember seeing on other rides here at another time.

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.

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 were seated near a special attraction.

Along the Spit Trail we were lucky to see this raptor watching us and everything around. 

Time to head back. In town I could not resist these festive mailboxes which give the flavor of the resort.

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.

ANOTHER NEW YEAR 2023 - ANOTHER FROSTY RIDE 😊

Say Goodbye to 2022 with a ride through the neighborhood. One of the best temperature days we have had for a while.

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.

Gearing up for the ride start, the first few are ready to roll.

Maridee was over there in the corner and I wondered why.

With a sheepish grin she admitted that she had arrived with only one shoe and was getting into one tht Kristin loaned her.

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.

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…

Then I asked them to provide me a smile that I needed for one my challenge lists…

I love them all, always willing to grant me my photo ops and requests ;’-).

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, and on the way I saw these guys who waved at me and said Happy New Year. Such fun guys.

At our turn around point we tried to find some spawning salmon in the creek but this turned out to be the wrong creek 😏

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.

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.