tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-203586792024-03-06T22:24:59.847-08:00Three Bikes in the DesertAntelope Valley Wind Festival -
Open Daily - January 1st to December 31st!Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03384297725417340746noreply@blogger.comBlogger152125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358679.post-31330500549143598782011-06-22T05:39:00.001-07:002011-06-23T17:11:51.358-07:00Solstice<div><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:donotoptimizeforbrowser/> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtQ-WAS6mAxOIiUt44tJfIN2keez490rkN1k-yT6ncaN9I1PJtRE5CGKX2hfkt1IHtgeSUDhqRjXId7T4IMtxtU8DMFN3ThQmh-n3bXh-fDZ_636xAHmKddNe6JWUs0csKwmId4w/s1600/p80_Oct18+009.jpg"><img style="width: 400px; height: 300px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621024108124931362" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtQ-WAS6mAxOIiUt44tJfIN2keez490rkN1k-yT6ncaN9I1PJtRE5CGKX2hfkt1IHtgeSUDhqRjXId7T4IMtxtU8DMFN3ThQmh-n3bXh-fDZ_636xAHmKddNe6JWUs0csKwmId4w/s400/p80_Oct18+009.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-style: italic;">Sunrise, June 21st, Palmdale, CA<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span>Welcome to summer!<span style=""> </span>Well, at least here in Palmdale it certainly is summer. The past three Junes’ here in Palmdale, the temperatures have stayed mild for a few days, and then rocketed to 100+ almost overnight.<span style=""> </span>It is rarely a slow build up; 80’s for weeks, then suddenly 102.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLCCM4hH-l_OPSOzNTzvlDWAxf3nIEQrKqnm8GH7YcpXG-j6j6mdnyZmoDZD8bGZH9VGS003xhglXrDPjxpLOk1c2XMlx0hWJLiOcAf35n0ZgPb7_oTTsfeis3BXyKj39tlAlf0A/s1600/DSC_7292.JPG"><img style="width: 265px; height: 400px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621024697611178546" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLCCM4hH-l_OPSOzNTzvlDWAxf3nIEQrKqnm8GH7YcpXG-j6j6mdnyZmoDZD8bGZH9VGS003xhglXrDPjxpLOk1c2XMlx0hWJLiOcAf35n0ZgPb7_oTTsfeis3BXyKj39tlAlf0A/s400/DSC_7292.JPG" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-style: italic;">Andy slides into summer!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal">I celebrated the summer solstice by riding the Surly Long haul Trucker to work.<span style=""> </span>The weather forecast prognosticated a high of 93, so I though it wouldn’t be too bad in the afternoon.<span style=""> </span>Suffice to say I am now giving up on the local weather forecast and just expecting 100 degrees every afternoon through the end of August.<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJckFKuRCEcKZLV0ktNvZBKMBMkfIhul0A8Kb_H7msoc6OiYq5mHTB9XsksM4PL-SMUgvEZrk4uZ5F98csVMHjt8Q8DKIvmFbuW96RtZaHZkdWB9ESCozezE65y4EmNKojA3HeYA/s1600/p80_Oct18+008.jpg"><img style="width: 400px; height: 300px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621024103832784690" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJckFKuRCEcKZLV0ktNvZBKMBMkfIhul0A8Kb_H7msoc6OiYq5mHTB9XsksM4PL-SMUgvEZrk4uZ5F98csVMHjt8Q8DKIvmFbuW96RtZaHZkdWB9ESCozezE65y4EmNKojA3HeYA/s400/p80_Oct18+008.jpg" border="0" /></a></p>Commuting in summer heat has its benefits and drawbacks.<span style=""> </span>On the positive side, one enjoys lovely mild mornings, no woolly hats and jackets needed!<span style=""> </span>Peaceful roads, and usually a nice sunrise are the order of the day.<span style=""> </span>It is a wonderful way to start the day.<span style=""></span><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYw_14GSNfGCvIGKqv1whI3otsVvbY_AEtl5rBljGJUdeL9pMV8chrYtFR-wLx3FTwXaLLZIrKR-xLq4ds65bBvpoPnp5zK4s8K6rHIOL9zTkEdq9xMKm_DRRqRfyrDAwgs8HDgQ/s1600/p80_Oct18+010.jpg"><img style="width: 400px; height: 300px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621023521355331698" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYw_14GSNfGCvIGKqv1whI3otsVvbY_AEtl5rBljGJUdeL9pMV8chrYtFR-wLx3FTwXaLLZIrKR-xLq4ds65bBvpoPnp5zK4s8K6rHIOL9zTkEdq9xMKm_DRRqRfyrDAwgs8HDgQ/s400/p80_Oct18+010.jpg" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-style: italic;">The view down Avenue Q...</span><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqXtluPoh1Xot47kPQ9u-795T58AUgXDt2HMoNQCz0nOz-1Ug-X4zQ4Z2LDi6iDQJRF9es4nEqqbaoTVFmbmaY2VGxIdbJ03Nj8BK8DSd7c8XgO3hyphenhyphenHVN2yre7bHfJp4-dQqJtrQ/s1600/p80_Oct18+013.jpg"><img style="width: 400px; height: 300px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621023506509967970" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqXtluPoh1Xot47kPQ9u-795T58AUgXDt2HMoNQCz0nOz-1Ug-X4zQ4Z2LDi6iDQJRF9es4nEqqbaoTVFmbmaY2VGxIdbJ03Nj8BK8DSd7c8XgO3hyphenhyphenHVN2yre7bHfJp4-dQqJtrQ/s400/p80_Oct18+013.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-style: italic;">Preferred parking for the Surly!</span><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyLegYV19GMPNjskfrjnyMYTdW2CWBcIpBShtgTatFM45Oz56IvFouPj6mCqcvRrgnenT9-37BpygO8R4MUtYJLNsEOJkyDUjUD15uQ8A4hJvloLq23sW3zIYegVQ8nkDFvfP8Kw/s1600/p80_Oct18+019.jpg"><img style="width: 400px; height: 300px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621024112348221522" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyLegYV19GMPNjskfrjnyMYTdW2CWBcIpBShtgTatFM45Oz56IvFouPj6mCqcvRrgnenT9-37BpygO8R4MUtYJLNsEOJkyDUjUD15uQ8A4hJvloLq23sW3zIYegVQ8nkDFvfP8Kw/s400/p80_Oct18+019.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-style: italic;">The view by the 'fridge, stowing my water bottle and lunch..</span>.<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOhoQjNSyHBj3KY_OtocBqQI7nYeYgnP3wPzIX9-MEU7y-GjrjvOQT7Cua2WlK8EXiT0kKxgQwqYD4VaQPf8mHDEVaU0t9a3mVJCQ7fkewQjkFjr_UHpxI8dFJyGDk3I3il-6qRQ/s1600/p80_Oct18+015.jpg"><img style="width: 400px; height: 300px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621024116136817746" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOhoQjNSyHBj3KY_OtocBqQI7nYeYgnP3wPzIX9-MEU7y-GjrjvOQT7Cua2WlK8EXiT0kKxgQwqYD4VaQPf8mHDEVaU0t9a3mVJCQ7fkewQjkFjr_UHpxI8dFJyGDk3I3il-6qRQ/s400/p80_Oct18+015.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal">T<span style="font-style: italic;">he helmet has a nice shelf to hide on...<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span>The afternoons however are a different story.<span style=""> </span>The Palmdale bike-commuter is met with a dry heat - around 100 degrees, and a stiff 20-knot breeze out of the southwest.<span style=""> </span>I tell you, it is just too hot to even try hard!<span style=""> </span>Just riding home is enough.<span style=""> </span>As I surmised this past Tuesday, you know it’s hot when a 16-ounce water bottle is not enough water for an 8-mile ride.<span style=""> </span>I just take my time; don’t care about pace or spin rate, and just ride the bike home. </p><p class="MsoNormal"> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSU-SGSIV5EB0zL5FFPeBNbm_qQCemyyu-ZwHL4I0iV1IAVv7BwhsitnQG1XL2iz6lQnji4-IORsZWLjLmlymAwxGOwjsJFzoyksBWu1LOb2t2GoIDr3g0k7643Xk47z3sTRbT8Q/s1600/p80_Oct18+022.jpg"><img style="width: 400px; height: 300px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621024116748627954" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSU-SGSIV5EB0zL5FFPeBNbm_qQCemyyu-ZwHL4I0iV1IAVv7BwhsitnQG1XL2iz6lQnji4-IORsZWLjLmlymAwxGOwjsJFzoyksBWu1LOb2t2GoIDr3g0k7643Xk47z3sTRbT8Q/s400/p80_Oct18+022.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-style: italic;">I wish this photo could convey the 101 degree afternoon...</span><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv7e3Z3GvWt5cbJ_kVN3f_CeBZM3_qFxfeiHyU98yHfa0PewHvGRXn7Q-8deovYi3TU7A6Uf_Y3Flly2wNROzLn-vRfai93_4gHbGV8Vm4MBk0rGl_WUOtVi-Hz-0m6ZF1AyXvhg/s1600/p80_Oct18+024.jpg"><img style="width: 300px; height: 400px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621023510789925346" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv7e3Z3GvWt5cbJ_kVN3f_CeBZM3_qFxfeiHyU98yHfa0PewHvGRXn7Q-8deovYi3TU7A6Uf_Y3Flly2wNROzLn-vRfai93_4gHbGV8Vm4MBk0rGl_WUOtVi-Hz-0m6ZF1AyXvhg/s400/p80_Oct18+024.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-style: italic;">The flag is very descriptive of the wind!<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span>If you have been thinking about bike commuting and feel overwhelmed or hesitant about giving it a try, check out a collection of bike-commuter profiles on a sub page of <a href="http://www.ecovelo.info/">ecovelo.info</a>.<span style=""> </span>Web publisher, Alan Barnard has a wonderful commuting and bike advocacy web page, and along with the main page, created a collection of short commuting profiles from all over the world.<span style=""> </span>All in the same format, they are brief accounts of how people address commuting by bicycle.<span style=""> </span>Enjoy the <a href="http://www.ecovelo.info/category/commuter-profiles/">profiles here</a>.<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB3wxg7Zx42OvpKiEQrNaObSOpRo2EApotAekTKJPss1tY7843h9GP0ekt2xWLAmzNLCzVyhrS6CxyARnSbw6O2jEbMMBorZDmcV1nFmHaY6fwBTfP2Tn3SBZ0cEn2KXffHer1jA/s1600/p80_Oct18+012.jpg"><img style="width: 400px; height: 300px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621023504758593154" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB3wxg7Zx42OvpKiEQrNaObSOpRo2EApotAekTKJPss1tY7843h9GP0ekt2xWLAmzNLCzVyhrS6CxyARnSbw6O2jEbMMBorZDmcV1nFmHaY6fwBTfP2Tn3SBZ0cEn2KXffHer1jA/s400/p80_Oct18+012.jpg" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal">So, maybe give some thought to enjoying some miles commuting to work.<span style=""> </span>Don’t do it for the gas savings, or to make the planet greener, or to lose weight.<span style=""> </span>Just ride to enjoy yourself!<span style=""> </span>All the other ancillary benefits are too numerous to share. (Just enjoy the sunrises)<span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";">Jim</span><br /></p><div id="refHTML"></div></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03384297725417340746noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358679.post-81709979168463746082011-05-14T09:36:00.000-07:002011-05-14T10:26:24.307-07:00As The World (and the clock) Turns......<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM6ssUFcmMVtx_OW1JjShsQzntoxUVCaZ09QSEyJI9Yq1-FARsr8WhuD1_TBhs5-eZzDMs8gzUMDciIwTk1-czjg4lYvW69srKACfiD42nLVDnAqLYJR_iwvEOf7xgfTjUu4KpDA/s1600/p80_Oct18+164bw.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 300px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606612941203847874" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM6ssUFcmMVtx_OW1JjShsQzntoxUVCaZ09QSEyJI9Yq1-FARsr8WhuD1_TBhs5-eZzDMs8gzUMDciIwTk1-czjg4lYvW69srKACfiD42nLVDnAqLYJR_iwvEOf7xgfTjUu4KpDA/s400/p80_Oct18+164bw.jpg" /></a><br /><em>Any guesses where this is?</em><br />Where does the time go? I blink my eye and a month passes. Ok, almost 6 weeks! I get so into the routine, and weeks pass like steps on a treadmill, or like the water rotating on this cool wheel. So, since I am doing housework today, here is a little housecleaning on where I have been. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcRrjpgjMj1juj-cppvz3XJIyCIQSvIF4zbc6pPewiOhBCjFrhRaTPb_h9sYAM8oA0LbtJjitXLnqxG7zKpIyFag-pKazDLhArMkkE7nnx9iifmfUq6ud9EVOKNUraq_5jS-6uTQ/s1600/kiwi_card.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606614150839100322" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcRrjpgjMj1juj-cppvz3XJIyCIQSvIF4zbc6pPewiOhBCjFrhRaTPb_h9sYAM8oA0LbtJjitXLnqxG7zKpIyFag-pKazDLhArMkkE7nnx9iifmfUq6ud9EVOKNUraq_5jS-6uTQ/s400/kiwi_card.jpg" /></a><br /><em>Wait, which way is "up"?<br /></em>First, I want to give belated thanks to Pete Heal for sending the really cool postcard from New Zealand. Have you ever noticed how much one appreciates a postcard? They aren’t bills, not ads, and actually contain a brief but handwritten note from a friend that says they have been thinking of you. We should all send more to our friends! Tons more meaningful than Facebook, and you get a cool picture from a distant place.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ZeItZa84p4Q8bILtSGfc_3M43bEffHNrqt_-HuCWwIF8HaMI0g1rOag10BwzxcDmdkeulrzWjR24WQtuA0cb_0D5EsRcozQINZA1fGyDZlrvZx-k-YXYCtIdPNEu1oHSSgflwQ/s1600/p80_Oct18+148.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 300px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606612951083173922" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ZeItZa84p4Q8bILtSGfc_3M43bEffHNrqt_-HuCWwIF8HaMI0g1rOag10BwzxcDmdkeulrzWjR24WQtuA0cb_0D5EsRcozQINZA1fGyDZlrvZx-k-YXYCtIdPNEu1oHSSgflwQ/s400/p80_Oct18+148.jpg" /></a><br /><em>Brian, up over Dad's head!</em><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdX2Jw2L4OAuTrHoHL8NSXREK455Qml70222UWl5I4-EVLjFHvPHA74uns8B54AKgP2kTayMNrnfZ7JPBvKdIEGz4aSs31JQFlIiMz6MqgRmgRReoNDiLwDCvS-Fs3qax_BV6D1g/s1600/p80_Oct18+053.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606612957247532786" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdX2Jw2L4OAuTrHoHL8NSXREK455Qml70222UWl5I4-EVLjFHvPHA74uns8B54AKgP2kTayMNrnfZ7JPBvKdIEGz4aSs31JQFlIiMz6MqgRmgRReoNDiLwDCvS-Fs3qax_BV6D1g/s400/p80_Oct18+053.jpg" /></a><br /><em>Andy, being Andy...</em><br />Next, here are two other reasons I haven’t been writing. (Brian and Andy!). We spent a week in March with Paul, Christina, and Brian, then in April, Easter at the Wheeler household in Arizona. Family and grandkids are a wonderful invention. They can make you forget to workout, and even make one not want to go to work either!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFjnHO7TKDlwKDEifMxJb0pFf_1y3ASFd2iyNgEEZyCf8krjUkxQ-cLuFTt_0rA-Cqe8iE5AciwYAEXsPRFY8-qO05_H_NxZkL-ubr7mYoLnOnFsD6LOsRD4x-dT00Dbf15jP8xw/s1600/DSC_6738a.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 265px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606623423083586338" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFjnHO7TKDlwKDEifMxJb0pFf_1y3ASFd2iyNgEEZyCf8krjUkxQ-cLuFTt_0rA-Cqe8iE5AciwYAEXsPRFY8-qO05_H_NxZkL-ubr7mYoLnOnFsD6LOsRD4x-dT00Dbf15jP8xw/s400/DSC_6738a.jpg" /></a><br /><em>Ahhhhhhhh, Plumeria...</em><br />So, I will get back on the bike, back in the pool, back on the trail, and back to writing to you!<br />JimJimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03384297725417340746noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358679.post-39291054479941944162011-04-03T16:46:00.001-07:002011-04-04T05:26:06.567-07:00A Different Type of Spinning...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUQZT3mmywM4i3WfvdpQG8FFTAXwjfRZVF4QTw3879P33w-Zdz1xfTjsR-GBZWfTbBRZiNCAQ099_164lNvRqx9yFizabOUaW65LvA5ltiN6j-QTm0r41zG5JgvtNKn1v7v9Vj-A/s1600/p80_Oct18+018.jpg"><img style="width: 400px; height: 300px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591508457403593570" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUQZT3mmywM4i3WfvdpQG8FFTAXwjfRZVF4QTw3879P33w-Zdz1xfTjsR-GBZWfTbBRZiNCAQ099_164lNvRqx9yFizabOUaW65LvA5ltiN6j-QTm0r41zG5JgvtNKn1v7v9Vj-A/s400/p80_Oct18+018.jpg" border="0" /></a><div><em>Private Parking for the Surly...</em><br />Sorry for the lapse in writing. Yes, I am still swimming, riding, and running, except that for the last week and a half, I have been doing a different type of training. Swimming? Well not so much, unless you count swimming below the waves at the office. Riding? Of course! Riding the bike to work, and riding great rides at Disneyland with my grandson, Brian. Running? Yes! Chasing after the aforementioned 3-year old! <br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><em></em></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4dKJcVZrcXdFQ-Ot723lcBn8ZN1xpgZMVwb9NabSHiOlXhJ-7PilfUcRSXebaC8qgYXKJCkT0FINNZ0422z9BSgx4R-dR1cHje2NwB2e5siZIlw8ldJUlZFVAGnbzYgyjkAkc-A/s1600/DSCN7590.JPG"><img style="width: 400px; height: 300px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591510517643919762" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4dKJcVZrcXdFQ-Ot723lcBn8ZN1xpgZMVwb9NabSHiOlXhJ-7PilfUcRSXebaC8qgYXKJCkT0FINNZ0422z9BSgx4R-dR1cHje2NwB2e5siZIlw8ldJUlZFVAGnbzYgyjkAkc-A/s400/DSCN7590.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><em>Mmmmmmm...fresh oranges...</em><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXsP8kg4DroLrJoCZ_F5JlaCMCdCm8XLJIVYctS0FZRw9i6d76sM-pknTvD-51V854Sk22FigRfgz4DdRL_aSMUEfdbu2qcCK43pl-M9bP7djPRQMmmMqL3iNasGs_BcCG5tNyQg/s1600/p80_Oct18+097.jpg"><img style="width: 300px; height: 400px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591510516199354050" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXsP8kg4DroLrJoCZ_F5JlaCMCdCm8XLJIVYctS0FZRw9i6d76sM-pknTvD-51V854Sk22FigRfgz4DdRL_aSMUEfdbu2qcCK43pl-M9bP7djPRQMmmMqL3iNasGs_BcCG5tNyQg/s400/p80_Oct18+097.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><em>Jello, pudding, and Minnie! Priceless... </em><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisuxXVqnPldijZ9jEmQ57Tih68MZsNZh3HWe9LTkfbTnsmmaCeDNvpaxbAyP2dDRhxC-CLrovQJK2PtxgMN_mGP1G4MuZijVLB8AAVaUEMlsi9WnjTkX72MInN_wzBpHCZfeokXA/s1600/DSCN7658.JPG"><img style="width: 400px; height: 300px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591510991631338482" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisuxXVqnPldijZ9jEmQ57Tih68MZsNZh3HWe9LTkfbTnsmmaCeDNvpaxbAyP2dDRhxC-CLrovQJK2PtxgMN_mGP1G4MuZijVLB8AAVaUEMlsi9WnjTkX72MInN_wzBpHCZfeokXA/s400/DSCN7658.JPG" border="0" /></a><em><br />See? I'm spinning!</em><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoz66vv-c2qu4LvvwP7bKfFyAX06GyxXU5wHQAiv4SA5R9ZY8YNQYY2n3V_b-6w0x88ipD97cTa28FnuWUkvHVuTOMQ1eG3RpADa9z8SVqtvB1o5a_CZuomIma8W3mUQmNLECc6Q/s1600/DSCN7752.JPG"><img style="width: 300px; height: 400px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591510997981428674" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoz66vv-c2qu4LvvwP7bKfFyAX06GyxXU5wHQAiv4SA5R9ZY8YNQYY2n3V_b-6w0x88ipD97cTa28FnuWUkvHVuTOMQ1eG3RpADa9z8SVqtvB1o5a_CZuomIma8W3mUQmNLECc6Q/s400/DSCN7752.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><em>Ok, is this Chip? or Dale?</em><br /></div>As you have by now figured out, My son, Paul, his wife Christina, and their son Brian spent a wonderful 9 days with us here in the desert. We enjoyed lots of time with Brian, had an outing to Santa Barbara, and a great couple of days at Disneyland. Paul got a well-deserved break from a heavy workload at his bank, and Christina hopefully just got some rest from chasing after a precocious boy who loves to play.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEI9tMVscJAlpA_zzC3dwNeRDSKE3WrhS3talq7KLu5dTh2aBWg1iS6ENKbDwIpZSSMfDhAHyjMP_HAIAnM6-xZFSvbbLvOas4SY3Wng4_r1_uX3QggWjtxa7hw3313lT_JZAUXg/s1600/p80_Oct18+045.jpg"><img style="width: 400px; height: 300px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591509520513668930" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEI9tMVscJAlpA_zzC3dwNeRDSKE3WrhS3talq7KLu5dTh2aBWg1iS6ENKbDwIpZSSMfDhAHyjMP_HAIAnM6-xZFSvbbLvOas4SY3Wng4_r1_uX3QggWjtxa7hw3313lT_JZAUXg/s400/p80_Oct18+045.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><em>Diggin Goleta Beach...</em><br /><div>In other news, spring planting has been completed in the garden. Grandma and Brian had a great time digging and planting new roses and an assortment of annual flowers. The weather has turned mild and lovely, and hopefully our new plants will thrive and bring lots of color later this summer. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtUx18yTAzk9HYb0hojiU0gScRAnvFANRhylgWUAqbJG3Ohbk0KsTC2mEQ9vfxEYxglunvD235VndJARPfnJqCdiAZlx2BFEq5z0s3UkifrpbL-qgWrEPNGtRUCWgrB-8J3ALsgg/s1600/p80_Oct18+037.jpg"></a>Brian, Grandma and I also completed a massive construction project, creating a small sandstone “path” next to the pergola. Brian did a great job as Foreman and together we had a great time digging and shoveling. </div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisjsUi-lZfq-7qp7qO4wQbaqOvI5dZFO6hGxpwgp1DH6t4CBKaKTDGZ2wAA5d4LMSvHFgt0onAbzMbtbK5m6oKJN-Pkc_RVGY-OI9NRSdMG2axf1BYViGfVZyJndPKuSj_iiqECQ/s1600/p80_Oct18+011.jpg"><img style="width: 300px; height: 400px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591509149679698498" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisjsUi-lZfq-7qp7qO4wQbaqOvI5dZFO6hGxpwgp1DH6t4CBKaKTDGZ2wAA5d4LMSvHFgt0onAbzMbtbK5m6oKJN-Pkc_RVGY-OI9NRSdMG2axf1BYViGfVZyJndPKuSj_iiqECQ/s400/p80_Oct18+011.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz-TNBX_DI5c80zQXJvvwaU9XMGtS-R3iGk6iore9WPmem9h7zS8LkkiD-AgwYethBHpFiqRum6mPrqt6ZRx5-La7XXnWKF1O-M8gjaCsyENwAzRcPTF9vT_08wFEc2-c7bveEQg/s1600/p80_Oct18+011.jpg"></a><em>Brian likes real tools, not "kid" tools...</em> </div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrNjUdZbG0Vh4HukGwEk5CyqeIyzMfqsSOkTxt10CPAv0rYqgrAM0GQXuIfliIHgg-PuoYZpT_5EitZt9SWrM60VUK-qr1LQ2y9ZKDWiIAyExXInhks086w7MjjH3thmKcda8rRw/s1600/p80_Oct18+037.jpg"><img style="width: 400px; height: 300px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591509174008926578" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrNjUdZbG0Vh4HukGwEk5CyqeIyzMfqsSOkTxt10CPAv0rYqgrAM0GQXuIfliIHgg-PuoYZpT_5EitZt9SWrM60VUK-qr1LQ2y9ZKDWiIAyExXInhks086w7MjjH3thmKcda8rRw/s400/p80_Oct18+037.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><em>Even Diggers get tired!</em><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwOKstJWgOQxPBeb34Ke1fVt4UXOqAHvoa568ZA9XyoRIC2BLXNx2J_vWUz167Sx-90kOBZaNzqcIhgDLuY8iQ1-AUL_aFC1VgBTi5HHEeo38pKDvsTm-mvHz-lAPPiCS1fanbRw/s1600/p80_Oct18+034.jpg"><img style="width: 400px; height: 300px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591509167076559250" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwOKstJWgOQxPBeb34Ke1fVt4UXOqAHvoa568ZA9XyoRIC2BLXNx2J_vWUz167Sx-90kOBZaNzqcIhgDLuY8iQ1-AUL_aFC1VgBTi5HHEeo38pKDvsTm-mvHz-lAPPiCS1fanbRw/s400/p80_Oct18+034.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><em>It's good to have helpers!</em></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBEFsOV6fLbrygbYSyvFLbzyhKI44n_yGNIxuh3C2kXuAVK-sY7T-eLBL-X-sXW9NY5QxgYnr46nC_npluq4JcNLpdFm5j327Q-MN3nAWmKa-pcRx-oBC9ojiqORGjCbaIIp4yNw/s1600/p80_Oct18+009.jpg"><img style="width: 400px; height: 300px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591509155944276898" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBEFsOV6fLbrygbYSyvFLbzyhKI44n_yGNIxuh3C2kXuAVK-sY7T-eLBL-X-sXW9NY5QxgYnr46nC_npluq4JcNLpdFm5j327Q-MN3nAWmKa-pcRx-oBC9ojiqORGjCbaIIp4yNw/s400/p80_Oct18+009.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><em>Busy hands, happy hands...</em><br /><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqosfvyyV3UYSDqZAuJRSR0M5ETShLbZ5UnfGhev0jRqTRy4TwZnhoP1ZcLnIoyMXoZVEAxHCtQ3TVfcG7HtyloTBuCbxcmKrYrWQCSmIPBWz-1bg4KIsp_mlzVc8tCC-KNAdDcQ/s1600/p80_Oct18+027.jpg"><img style="width: 300px; height: 400px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591509162759161842" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqosfvyyV3UYSDqZAuJRSR0M5ETShLbZ5UnfGhev0jRqTRy4TwZnhoP1ZcLnIoyMXoZVEAxHCtQ3TVfcG7HtyloTBuCbxcmKrYrWQCSmIPBWz-1bg4KIsp_mlzVc8tCC-KNAdDcQ/s400/p80_Oct18+027.jpg" border="0" /></a></div></div><em>Our completed project... </em><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfSUm6r2-WN-i2-y2WrPwSVlJBAMbaAA7-E0W9RW8FZCPuieEPhUdrINCkcA4VA3jRODhGwW-5eU9RxWweWBnwliQnqZMDCVBvtKka21RSW_OyXRtbXCiMOzaEUjc7YTPQQMGdig/s1600/DSCN7120.JPG"><img style="width: 400px; height: 300px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591508255155726690" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfSUm6r2-WN-i2-y2WrPwSVlJBAMbaAA7-E0W9RW8FZCPuieEPhUdrINCkcA4VA3jRODhGwW-5eU9RxWweWBnwliQnqZMDCVBvtKka21RSW_OyXRtbXCiMOzaEUjc7YTPQQMGdig/s400/DSCN7120.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><em>A nice image from Paul...</em><br /><div>The mild weather also means more triathlon training. There should be no excuse for me to not be riding to work a couple of times a week. I have several weekday graveyard shifts this month, so that means I will get my endurance swimming accomplished at the noontime lap swim at Marie-Kerr Park. Running, however, continues to be a challenge. I just can’t get my legs and brain into running. It is (of course) a necessary segment in triathlon, and it is unavoidable. Any hints from my dear readers on how to get past running 1.5 miles would be greatly appreciated. See you next week.<br /></div>Jim</div></div></div></div></div></div></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03384297725417340746noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358679.post-58024311837383101352011-03-16T21:43:00.001-07:002011-03-16T21:47:15.707-07:00Let There be Light...and Hoops!<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji8yxEOjyCYrwld_2rrg4SjxPuZokdyw_rowCwXCLFoySB-FH-0LM2WCls5vKSnUyR_bN75DQLBUIXscNKTRsRgBZpPQBzj_Zfo6zPW1T6FPGBJtKOuXxI1CvYRI_ewNeszXbKQA/s1600/vo_dynamo_hub.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 285px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584905309754752322" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji8yxEOjyCYrwld_2rrg4SjxPuZokdyw_rowCwXCLFoySB-FH-0LM2WCls5vKSnUyR_bN75DQLBUIXscNKTRsRgBZpPQBzj_Zfo6zPW1T6FPGBJtKOuXxI1CvYRI_ewNeszXbKQA/s400/vo_dynamo_hub.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div>I want one of these, anyone know what it does?</div><br /><div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2DEVJBHO-tJH7sxEy37t12wgajOLvZ_nKt4TcSYE8QJF8TNA7HFvNxxtzlQde0fiCSxJ1IOpwzgWGcDYYqVVUAs7CDFmkFf47ER8AEJ0dVF6Sv_RE40OLQYItGP2vGLSxY5RMZw/s1600/brackets.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 291px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584905724055589250" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2DEVJBHO-tJH7sxEy37t12wgajOLvZ_nKt4TcSYE8QJF8TNA7HFvNxxtzlQde0fiCSxJ1IOpwzgWGcDYYqVVUAs7CDFmkFf47ER8AEJ0dVF6Sv_RE40OLQYItGP2vGLSxY5RMZw/s400/brackets.jpg" /></a><br /><div>And for those you not paying attention to silliness in sports, it's time for the annual prayer and tea leaves experiment. Fill out your brackets, yet?</div></div>Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03384297725417340746noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358679.post-919465612469250902011-03-05T15:37:00.000-08:002011-03-05T15:53:15.585-08:00Friday Night Lights<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJgyc2Qp9bo3Cv-cSwVKIDjVMAWxERTVpKuUUHiLJjqP1SdhykvoUmaN62YDqU9MbabX3rG-G4RdMor8lF-fS3sVhyUMnWeKWNEHcJ-XpLxcDlpW3pPDH9ZwzzSWdOCrpg_APbKQ/s1600/p80_Oct18+012.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580746179138755378" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJgyc2Qp9bo3Cv-cSwVKIDjVMAWxERTVpKuUUHiLJjqP1SdhykvoUmaN62YDqU9MbabX3rG-G4RdMor8lF-fS3sVhyUMnWeKWNEHcJ-XpLxcDlpW3pPDH9ZwzzSWdOCrpg_APbKQ/s400/p80_Oct18+012.jpg" /></a><br /><em>The pool at Marie-Kerr Park in Palmdale. Note the deluxe parking for the Surly on the left...<br /></em><div>The end of this week marked a stretch of 6 straight workout days. How did I get all of this free time? Well, with Kathy still in Utah for the Women’s Walk to Emmaus, things are quiet around here. So, after work, I made time to work on most of the three disciplines of triathlon. This week’s emphasis? Riding and swimming.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS5HIPH4YVdXHnhELOMq9iz9qJC8NQk-dJLozMn8Hgn6g1nG4W400ZZVG_kgcgKDbSwMhNBT9Ou7_U75gZhGEnijW3L7ab9SvXWbCQkz1fODKwZGXNKVKQXBEB_Mj4vBjHaf-fbA/s1600/p80_Oct18+008.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580746203772462450" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS5HIPH4YVdXHnhELOMq9iz9qJC8NQk-dJLozMn8Hgn6g1nG4W400ZZVG_kgcgKDbSwMhNBT9Ou7_U75gZhGEnijW3L7ab9SvXWbCQkz1fODKwZGXNKVKQXBEB_Mj4vBjHaf-fbA/s400/p80_Oct18+008.jpg" /></a></div><div><em>One of Lifeguards rides to work too - riding this classy fixie. Note the purple rim!<br /></em>The pool is open for evening lap swimming on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. That made the plan easy. Monday swim. Tuesday spin-intervals. Wednesday swim (WINDY!). Thursday spin-intervals AND ride. Friday swim. Of course, I did ride the Surly to the pool all three days.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIO2BV6YOs3eZa9DwZGhidQ30OVT81QcAkgdd3s73MJxT5ylCp_bODVm9f9bggUi2jeK2h0FAuH4Se3EkkS5KYqVDbVOLdta5W8hzlxtoG_BOv5qdpPX5uumRyF6al6un9ifTSPg/s1600/p80_Oct18+002.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580746187325691138" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIO2BV6YOs3eZa9DwZGhidQ30OVT81QcAkgdd3s73MJxT5ylCp_bODVm9f9bggUi2jeK2h0FAuH4Se3EkkS5KYqVDbVOLdta5W8hzlxtoG_BOv5qdpPX5uumRyF6al6un9ifTSPg/s400/p80_Oct18+002.jpg" /></a></div><div><em>Quartz Hill Swimmers finishing up...<br /></em>How was the pool? Very productive; I got in 1400-1500 yards each night. I work on freestyle intervals, breaststroke, kick-board work, and pulling sets. My endurance level is improving slowly. I actually swam a couple of 200-yard sets on the last day. On a positive note, I met the head coach of Quartz Hill High School’s Junior Varsity swim team. A nice fellow, he has given me some better sets to work with, and lets me start my workout early in the last lane before their workout is over<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLu-96hCJ3JpqWbu5Yf6GI8PzK69ch5b9Vkzyqqmx2V-tNZjxQuz-DTwaoOtzrwooDYmLfWM-eFZO-idlQFJAYuOGgvJoLeegZ0U6wFlaJq35GKSP28Bq0NRhwFeSWxA6E8mcRAA/s1600/p80_Oct18+015.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580746181985033586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLu-96hCJ3JpqWbu5Yf6GI8PzK69ch5b9Vkzyqqmx2V-tNZjxQuz-DTwaoOtzrwooDYmLfWM-eFZO-idlQFJAYuOGgvJoLeegZ0U6wFlaJq35GKSP28Bq0NRhwFeSWxA6E8mcRAA/s400/p80_Oct18+015.jpg" /></a></div><div><em>No comment necessary...<br /></em>Today? Well, to end the week, 20-miles on the bike. Where did I go? Running errands. At near $4.00/gallon here in CA, one begins to think twice about whether or not the errand at hand can be done by bike! One idea you might try; Checkout this link to the <a href="http://2milechallenge.com/mapyourride/">2-Mile Challenge</a>. You will be amazed at how much of your travel is within 2-miles from your house!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmYogxaZboBKdVDbe8ahrTvl0I0iNNaR6kh3hjLK_r3MsPDtRM1W3I1gLQdvaKxglIfCy7nZRJAghTJd_pFQFDn3PjU91ZrHM5ZTMfKX_Acqia3MBxFKe0U7RSp4_yAtDacEaNzQ/s1600/p80_Oct18+004.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 300px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580746193623644994" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmYogxaZboBKdVDbe8ahrTvl0I0iNNaR6kh3hjLK_r3MsPDtRM1W3I1gLQdvaKxglIfCy7nZRJAghTJd_pFQFDn3PjU91ZrHM5ZTMfKX_Acqia3MBxFKe0U7RSp4_yAtDacEaNzQ/s400/p80_Oct18+004.jpg" /></a></div><div><em>I remember leaping off these a long time ago...<br /></em>I will have to admit quite a bit of weariness in my legs as I wandered home today. I wonder why! Perhaps tomorrow, I will rest. The big jigsaw puzzle on the kitchen table still has about 100 pieces to go!<br />See you later this week.</div><div>Jim</div>Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03384297725417340746noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358679.post-48258530766160876772011-02-28T21:53:00.000-08:002011-02-28T22:12:32.434-08:00The Central Coast<div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO3FJc6O1jTHdY7nIqj6DI7ezcXPhWzkQnJMTx4G0WvpBhBW7xHs4Ffu4UfK4qVDd5HxkkkZQwcV6MQyf6Es5lN_lEGkPf7xwPemxes0h2OPb46lH2n025mZhfD54mnGdY1xcBIQ/s1600/DSC_7179a.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 244px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578987027084837874" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO3FJc6O1jTHdY7nIqj6DI7ezcXPhWzkQnJMTx4G0WvpBhBW7xHs4Ffu4UfK4qVDd5HxkkkZQwcV6MQyf6Es5lN_lEGkPf7xwPemxes0h2OPb46lH2n025mZhfD54mnGdY1xcBIQ/s400/DSC_7179a.jpg" /></a><br /><em>Pismo Beach, January 29th...</em><br /><div><div><div><div><div>Once again, I have fallen behind in posting. Between work schedules; a trip to Pismo Beach; and then this past weekend a trip to Utah for the Walk to Emmaus Retreat, there just hasn’t been much time to do any writing. The picture folder keeps filling up, and eventually I get around to sharing my latest landscapes with you.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm4xKCJLlUnf5N5QAScRondLI2XZU8WgZW0zGFsGC70d5B0SearFr6rFX0eFoqD8UBfYipx5reHlb2Gvkb636tH_MRXhNIFZYI3xtywXFVxz1SM7iPvXMx3sE83iAhJkT4y-IVGA/s1600/DSC_7170a.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 265px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578987005817224018" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm4xKCJLlUnf5N5QAScRondLI2XZU8WgZW0zGFsGC70d5B0SearFr6rFX0eFoqD8UBfYipx5reHlb2Gvkb636tH_MRXhNIFZYI3xtywXFVxz1SM7iPvXMx3sE83iAhJkT4y-IVGA/s400/DSC_7170a.jpg" /></a><br /><em>Pismo Beach, long, flat, and quite shallow for 100 yards out!</em></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQkhlmyWe2n9JSQNiNBeIKB5Gd95BhfX2zgTJUYOCONbwzJqK8q73LQ2nrEHpI0d_NCTbGEt91egydMOhyO4prvwrLDOGRSMGXhAq3DLukS59oloAlvrmf1VoTJbg-NxD1c0a2BQ/s1600/DSC_7221.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 265px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578987623932243058" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQkhlmyWe2n9JSQNiNBeIKB5Gd95BhfX2zgTJUYOCONbwzJqK8q73LQ2nrEHpI0d_NCTbGEt91egydMOhyO4prvwrLDOGRSMGXhAq3DLukS59oloAlvrmf1VoTJbg-NxD1c0a2BQ/s400/DSC_7221.JPG" /></a></div><div><em>A beautiful Cammelia...</em></div><div>Our trip to Pismo Beach was a lovely weekend away to celebrate our 33rd wedding anniversary. We enjoyed touring to Solvang, the central coast of California, and had a nice browse around San Luis Obispo. We enjoyed not having a schedule, a computer, and basically just had a nice relaxing time.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEXe8zupbdPmVs2kv0p_48fHJMUJPn5fq1JE32uZHQyonP6IsCp23pR0EMdk-cOQpVBdBwTF_EeoEjZ6U7PAraNLjsCFOrVrAdd9BT4HbZ_IZRc1yAB7N6bcrWxOlpeuxmmcbpvg/s1600/DSC_7217.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 265px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578987022872083986" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEXe8zupbdPmVs2kv0p_48fHJMUJPn5fq1JE32uZHQyonP6IsCp23pR0EMdk-cOQpVBdBwTF_EeoEjZ6U7PAraNLjsCFOrVrAdd9BT4HbZ_IZRc1yAB7N6bcrWxOlpeuxmmcbpvg/s400/DSC_7217.JPG" /></a></div><div><em>A Callalilly, At the Mission of San Luis Obispo<br /></em>My training schedule has been a bit disjointed, but I have been getting some work done. Three days a week I do spinning intervals on the ‘Tri Bike. The DVD’s that my sister Sue gave me are particularly evil, and it has taken quite a few attempts to complete a 30-minute session without hitting the “pause” button! Later this week I am going to attempt a spinning workout, then switch shoes and head out for a 15-minute run. That’s how triathlons progress, so it will be a good experiment.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDF6k6bkjayjp29DnDZrhINBt3vmbBR16cp82LIgIKAGfx4PL5QzV1_Mwj7tdl7X-pUooNK63zuM6GP4TYk6Uqed8X9h20w69tV2MYp0aWCcJrEC_EEQWxdG25ZF7YsMEuXylzSg/s1600/DSC_7207.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 265px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578987013340092066" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDF6k6bkjayjp29DnDZrhINBt3vmbBR16cp82LIgIKAGfx4PL5QzV1_Mwj7tdl7X-pUooNK63zuM6GP4TYk6Uqed8X9h20w69tV2MYp0aWCcJrEC_EEQWxdG25ZF7YsMEuXylzSg/s400/DSC_7207.JPG" /></a></div><div><em>And a magnificent Magnolia tree that was covered in flowers!<br /></em>I also have been more consistent in riding to work. Here in California, the price of gas has skyrocketed, and the gouging due to the unrest in the Middle East has just been outrageous. So, the higher the price of gas, the more I ride to work!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo4NMHDmEJgxLQjszGGszTP9POU8jZ-AgucObNpHZViBOl3I0_0TdWED8buu7Pkm7lQoddJAfa7Ju_gj9zFg2s7l2r0y4kWMvLy-DFTtRs1w1QiF8Tdm-50pW9NHk0WcuotQixIQ/s1600/p80_Oct18+078a.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578987941937665570" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo4NMHDmEJgxLQjszGGszTP9POU8jZ-AgucObNpHZViBOl3I0_0TdWED8buu7Pkm7lQoddJAfa7Ju_gj9zFg2s7l2r0y4kWMvLy-DFTtRs1w1QiF8Tdm-50pW9NHk0WcuotQixIQ/s400/p80_Oct18+078a.jpg" /></a></div><div><em>A file photo of the pool. I forgot to bring the camera!<br /></em>Speaking of riding the Surly, I swam tonight. I rode the Surly down to the pool and got in around 1100 yards. It was a lovely evening, chilly, around 45 degrees, but no desert wind! It was pleasant to swim in the gently steaming pool, and only 3 lap swimmers too! I am making progress, but the stamina for intervals longer than 200 yards is just not there as yet. I can swim a 30-second 50, but I can only do it once!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhezdEGkHj7z0i8ziavqaxdZ0i3TNMfI3cF2taxXNtJbxFpyVjJdmCK89rwprt2zlfHiRWMQHG-04Tq4XIXr08vSlAMVtbb_e3iPF41hURpP691Tv2SSMMcZptVnGMJxBBA2WkIQ/s1600/DSC_7173a.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 265px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578987011574641618" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhezdEGkHj7z0i8ziavqaxdZ0i3TNMfI3cF2taxXNtJbxFpyVjJdmCK89rwprt2zlfHiRWMQHG-04Tq4XIXr08vSlAMVtbb_e3iPF41hURpP691Tv2SSMMcZptVnGMJxBBA2WkIQ/s400/DSC_7173a.jpg" /></a></div><div><em>And of course, a Curlew...<br /></em>That’s the news for now; enjoy all the nice pictures from the Pismo trip.<br />Jim </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03384297725417340746noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358679.post-53361690663257594972011-02-08T16:56:00.000-08:002011-02-17T06:24:38.445-08:00Tailwinds and Taillights<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXWr-KhICjm_07Jl31XyqY1mDSNORb7L8UyatvZN0q_WIN9hyPvuij_oNg3MFQ90uGvlXscRlrnX4TFjFCSU_-I-wnZfT66m_nL6SYPpudR_NQLVlT_1K8WmzIbAKMCpjOwkRxRQ/s1600/p80_Oct18+010.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571488304290314370" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXWr-KhICjm_07Jl31XyqY1mDSNORb7L8UyatvZN0q_WIN9hyPvuij_oNg3MFQ90uGvlXscRlrnX4TFjFCSU_-I-wnZfT66m_nL6SYPpudR_NQLVlT_1K8WmzIbAKMCpjOwkRxRQ/s400/p80_Oct18+010.jpg" /></a><br /><div><em>Your's Truly...<br /></em><div>Well, I finally got off my lazy butt and got back to the routine of bike commuting. There really hasn’t been any valid excuse for not commuting. We have had barely any rain since the grand snow event on January 3rd and the wind has been almost non-existent. I guess the chilly 25-degree mornings kept me away. No excuse at all as I have ridden in those temperatures for years.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5T89yAg5DKmm2DULkwxOXdadFuNYw-qAYEgt-bHUcWMaYen1pdc5lAYnhOL_xlQ2U8boD3V6G4DpI7jASABcvEjriWhwwGtK71bnKMUlZ9VjLf0XnXVF472RnDxBQwOPKzysO7w/s1600/p80_Oct18+011.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 300px; HEIGHT: 400px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571488310376532178" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5T89yAg5DKmm2DULkwxOXdadFuNYw-qAYEgt-bHUcWMaYen1pdc5lAYnhOL_xlQ2U8boD3V6G4DpI7jASABcvEjriWhwwGtK71bnKMUlZ9VjLf0XnXVF472RnDxBQwOPKzysO7w/s400/p80_Oct18+011.jpg" /></a></div><div><em>The battery mount for the headlight...<br /></em>What got me started back on the road was a photograph on a cycling blog I read. The picture of the rider with the frost building up on his beard was enough for me to get off the snide and get moving. As I was putting on my wool base layer at 5 AM, I could hear the vinyl fence creaking in the wind. The wind? Where did that come from? By the time I made it out to the morning news, the high wind watches were all posted for the Antelope Valley.<br />But it all worked out! On the ride in I enjoyed a marvelous 10-15 mph tailwind. Nothing more fun than spinning easy at 19-20 mph! Of course I worried about the high wind watch and the payback headwinds that the afternoon would bring. But then FROPA happened. For all you non-ATC types, FROPA means frontal passage. FROPA occurred about 8 AM, and by quitting time, the winds had switched 180 degrees out of the east and I had a lovely tailwind to push me home. A double-tailwind commute; Almost unheard of in cycling lore, but I’ll take it!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9MX6XWolQ2aGqT4mvp9puubbvsWil6BlI4cawGiU74vCk_0oJLiC7bQNtNCkotdnAIpvwLdGXl71HgKelg5WZXnOnoTW1_vkojCpc7qN_P8GIKOKz5BxO-mKVVITyl1HJEvBLJQ/s1600/p80_Oct18+008.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 300px; HEIGHT: 400px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571488295144356146" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9MX6XWolQ2aGqT4mvp9puubbvsWil6BlI4cawGiU74vCk_0oJLiC7bQNtNCkotdnAIpvwLdGXl71HgKelg5WZXnOnoTW1_vkojCpc7qN_P8GIKOKz5BxO-mKVVITyl1HJEvBLJQ/s400/p80_Oct18+008.jpg" /></a></div><div><em>My new blinkie. I was told by a co-worker who passed me on the way, that it was so bright, he thought it was the Sheriff!</em></div><div>Along the way, I was able to perform my civic duty and pick up some things off the road as I breezed along. It reminded me of a long ride in 2008 or so, where over the course of a 30-mile ride, I picked up a knife, fork, and spoon!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsOf2D9LkuzPdcJ8YBPCkxTXLpbde-l9EmKlz79qd08sJ93rqHPwZ1nwCx6P-iva0sELJd5s5tkG_xqxYdW11o28K4mo8dNFI0LO35Df10BBvPHNkM4lcbi57WEfcTDkDZnoKyLg/s1600/p80_Oct18+012.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571488315073585362" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsOf2D9LkuzPdcJ8YBPCkxTXLpbde-l9EmKlz79qd08sJ93rqHPwZ1nwCx6P-iva0sELJd5s5tkG_xqxYdW11o28K4mo8dNFI0LO35Df10BBvPHNkM4lcbi57WEfcTDkDZnoKyLg/s400/p80_Oct18+012.jpg" /></a></div><div><em>A nasty nail, a crisp dollar, and some lead for Jon!<br /></em>And, finally, as I was near the house, coming through the neighborhood, I came across two Mormon missionaries riding their Walmart mountain bikes. They were friendly and greeted me, and I returned the favor by greeting them and giving them a quick rendition of the Utah State Aggie fight song. Ranked #17 in the country, we are still loyal here! </div><div>More news later this week.<br />Jim</div></div><br /><br /><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><input id="jsProxy" onclick="jsCall();" type="hidden"> <div id="refHTML"></div>Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03384297725417340746noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358679.post-33314845078146316812011-01-26T05:39:00.000-08:002011-01-26T05:51:02.554-08:00New Links and a few Extras..<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7_SuMkURorBfzgnb2-JYaOGW59WuglVCvEgUYq15Q0_NDFThWe1lGgvcFGwzMWfqA0THJV-ZbWDRD8BuXhEygnArVSddR_2u_K9t98HXmZV5GToU0ZGj_GhIIbVFHTPKKbKGprQ/s1600/DSC_7107.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 265px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566491146196633682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7_SuMkURorBfzgnb2-JYaOGW59WuglVCvEgUYq15Q0_NDFThWe1lGgvcFGwzMWfqA0THJV-ZbWDRD8BuXhEygnArVSddR_2u_K9t98HXmZV5GToU0ZGj_GhIIbVFHTPKKbKGprQ/s400/DSC_7107.JPG" /></a><br /><div> <em>Eucalyptus bloom...<br /></em><div><div><div></div><div></div><div>Just time for a brief note this week. Enjoy a few extra pictures from our trip to Goleta two weeks ago.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD2gPyhnR5-toUb5HaS7WvHABhQv5crve6dfZQE2TXXJzAs3TbDp_SN-1F9809QmJZ-dO8f3tAwe_PRkClBtobZ38nKyXCoCp5qvyNtOQ-zi2mKpeECyvp9oIOb9Myxm7OpJxqUg/s1600/DSC_7152bw.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 265px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566491139517492658" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD2gPyhnR5-toUb5HaS7WvHABhQv5crve6dfZQE2TXXJzAs3TbDp_SN-1F9809QmJZ-dO8f3tAwe_PRkClBtobZ38nKyXCoCp5qvyNtOQ-zi2mKpeECyvp9oIOb9Myxm7OpJxqUg/s400/DSC_7152bw.jpg" /></a><br /><em>I still enjoy black and white...</em></div><div></div><div>Also, you may (or may not) notice the updated link tab. Today, I am adding <a href="http://theargylesweater.com/">The Argyle Sweater</a>, a completely random cartoon that a coworker shared with me. It's pretty funny, and when you need a laugh, the tab is there for you.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHCFHAb7WdHZWE4gMvEPzG2eVjn4vZ9phVym1YY_N47p9Bt2OyAQ4URmtUX8ouklxgUjlVCWTxSezld5uFo4HNYemwqEGhbFgSxWUZdFriESd6HtMSXh1bMVpirMFRr3XWUXvSjQ/s1600/DSC_7159bw.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 265px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566491142899251346" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHCFHAb7WdHZWE4gMvEPzG2eVjn4vZ9phVym1YY_N47p9Bt2OyAQ4URmtUX8ouklxgUjlVCWTxSezld5uFo4HNYemwqEGhbFgSxWUZdFriESd6HtMSXh1bMVpirMFRr3XWUXvSjQ/s400/DSC_7159bw.jpg" /></a><br /><div></div><div>And for you folks that are in need of <a href="http://www.rumtherapy.com/">Rum Therapy</a>, check out my brother and sister in-law's new link. The page is full of excellent travel and relaxation ideas.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja6yO9Db426tqoBhcVC1v6SpSqCmhxI-EZBetexMDDBYdF1OSZwTNPkIIgcN90E7Yu_6r934KwAFYjAM6deLw6eFLovH8w-_2D-aPvJSk9sRExSUxCNhCaQRFuzeRhATa5pgxwAw/s1600/DSC_7134.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 265px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566491135171630690" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja6yO9Db426tqoBhcVC1v6SpSqCmhxI-EZBetexMDDBYdF1OSZwTNPkIIgcN90E7Yu_6r934KwAFYjAM6deLw6eFLovH8w-_2D-aPvJSk9sRExSUxCNhCaQRFuzeRhATa5pgxwAw/s400/DSC_7134.JPG" /></a><br /><div>Three straight weeks of sunshine, minus the blustery wind! Most odd, most enjoyable.</div><div></div><div>See you next week,</div><div>Jim</div></div></div></div>Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03384297725417340746noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358679.post-33131791925944686762011-01-20T16:22:00.001-08:002011-01-21T05:36:46.667-08:00A Mile a Month<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSeIadea29TKWX9CEm4okxaYwzEpdiTVxMmnrX24iO2HUhNy4ZHHAayFZmJgzPA0tFlcT89Vg2Jpr84FPakNl8WU-n12qgALUZXwbQFAjSrtXolSMRdcEGYVlr10FhRPjgBidqHw/s1600/DSC_7136.JPG"><img style="width: 400px; height: 265px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564429699022323682" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSeIadea29TKWX9CEm4okxaYwzEpdiTVxMmnrX24iO2HUhNy4ZHHAayFZmJgzPA0tFlcT89Vg2Jpr84FPakNl8WU-n12qgALUZXwbQFAjSrtXolSMRdcEGYVlr10FhRPjgBidqHw/s400/DSC_7136.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><em>January below the Ellwood Bluff...</em><br />Before I get on with this week’s post, enjoy a set of photographs from the beach near Goleta, CA. We spent a lovely day last Saturday celebrating my sister, Nancy’s birthday. A picnic, RC gliders, and a nice walk on the beach is a perfect way to spend an afternoon.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr941hDopyfK4taSabOAs5SBbE0YXzNekyPMjGwj4nhLe9rh-7rUABPVdZDz3fPRW7IAutZLtEvzbWY0cBmr5ClPDBkboX0TvbGwrf1JMRuv5yttMAFuVGRk20rVRwIVfahtE2bw/s1600/DSC_7165.JPG"><img style="width: 400px; height: 265px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564429718473155106" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr941hDopyfK4taSabOAs5SBbE0YXzNekyPMjGwj4nhLe9rh-7rUABPVdZDz3fPRW7IAutZLtEvzbWY0cBmr5ClPDBkboX0TvbGwrf1JMRuv5yttMAFuVGRk20rVRwIVfahtE2bw/s400/DSC_7165.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />We had cake!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga374Gmi6V0eo1cDyw24vVB2oslVbxdbblSFFR0yjM-dS8nKybr2K9_sJKC_mtJAyE7AAAsh4HJSXDjI6IG2bKMX6dIPflUDYKud8iCZUb82ejz0QXC_DtKsujojDkMI8c51IaIg/s1600/DSC_7137.JPG"><img style="width: 400px; height: 265px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564429702843915250" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga374Gmi6V0eo1cDyw24vVB2oslVbxdbblSFFR0yjM-dS8nKybr2K9_sJKC_mtJAyE7AAAsh4HJSXDjI6IG2bKMX6dIPflUDYKud8iCZUb82ejz0QXC_DtKsujojDkMI8c51IaIg/s400/DSC_7137.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><em>Looking west, at Ellwood...</em><br />Well, the snow sure didn’t last long. In fact, since the snow came (and went), we haven’t had a drop of rain, and none forecast in the near future. So much for rainy season, I guess. With the return of the nice weather, Kathy and I have been spending a lot of time outdoors. Everyday after work, Kathy and I have been power-walking 3-4 miles each day, and I have been going up the hill to towards the aqueduct for some hill work and intervals.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB3q8sIDm_1Alb3qS6oKAqBOS8A9OFz8on8Ws3Tnu8u9j_4oCcqwTA-xAGScXoYaxFcotWS4a_n4gnL8DMyn8rJMPJlUVyMwhFRODlHIhL6Kt8j0Gk3dADDwMPjdQtcayZXFsoLg/s1600/p80_Oct18+093.jpg"><img style="width: 400px; height: 300px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564430323055934610" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB3q8sIDm_1Alb3qS6oKAqBOS8A9OFz8on8Ws3Tnu8u9j_4oCcqwTA-xAGScXoYaxFcotWS4a_n4gnL8DMyn8rJMPJlUVyMwhFRODlHIhL6Kt8j0Gk3dADDwMPjdQtcayZXFsoLg/s400/p80_Oct18+093.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><em>The big 120 Meter long hill above my house. A wonderful place for intervals...<br /></em>Why all of the roadwork? Well, during the Santa Barbara Triathlon last August, and the Palmdale Aquathon Last July, my worst section was the running part. Every week in the Aquathon, I routinely finished in the top 10 in the swim, and the bottom 10 in the run! That has to change. So, with hopes of competing at a higher level while wearing running shoes, I am trying to emphasize running.<br /><em>Here is Sue's friend Kent demonstrating how to fly a remote-controlled glider....<br /></em><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu5riSQVOTnwivy-nIq4_C1mPjAYjucssl9XhYFBatdvaDv61k-pHk_YY9EzGM2NudsdoHMCZ4mI7iqYmoROeE-oIiU6P5rIoW7rFh2DpjCPRyLIiXC5ICt83-2DRmSJvzyRgyoQ/s1600/DSC_7132.JPG"><img style="width: 265px; height: 400px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564429718966754466" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu5riSQVOTnwivy-nIq4_C1mPjAYjucssl9XhYFBatdvaDv61k-pHk_YY9EzGM2NudsdoHMCZ4mI7iqYmoROeE-oIiU6P5rIoW7rFh2DpjCPRyLIiXC5ICt83-2DRmSJvzyRgyoQ/s400/DSC_7132.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><em>It looks easy, doesn't it!</em><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDJlF8-Adb7q5hS73OBBpNHlEBvCoguXBcDXEb8I1v9Oia64ghOHCl6_UMs-6OD6G1J9Zk__WLermdta8TKZIRHWZiBbRbRI6rppWGpxWEHucKy8hb4enen7eHIet-OpaS4C5lZg/s1600/DSC_7110.JPG"><img style="width: 400px; height: 265px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564431564001311458" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDJlF8-Adb7q5hS73OBBpNHlEBvCoguXBcDXEb8I1v9Oia64ghOHCl6_UMs-6OD6G1J9Zk__WLermdta8TKZIRHWZiBbRbRI6rppWGpxWEHucKy8hb4enen7eHIet-OpaS4C5lZg/s400/DSC_7110.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><em>Just launch and fly!</em><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_sQsl5Lg9Z4sHr3lqN1rkslqd5QuhETz2fXc50YLut0ld455XLBypKvIJzTe_bHh2xPWi4s1GCaC0yRdgmpb6ge_6dOO8zReuacOqNE8VOBnUEyfgCTr1D3myh89qKkQ3ZsnhYQ/s1600/DSC_7111.JPG"><img style="width: 400px; height: 265px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564431567865600338" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_sQsl5Lg9Z4sHr3lqN1rkslqd5QuhETz2fXc50YLut0ld455XLBypKvIJzTe_bHh2xPWi4s1GCaC0yRdgmpb6ge_6dOO8zReuacOqNE8VOBnUEyfgCTr1D3myh89qKkQ3ZsnhYQ/s400/DSC_7111.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><em>Looks easy, trust me, it isn't...</em><br />How’s it going so far? Not so good. Really. I never have been a runner, so there is a long, long way to go in this department. My initial goal is to be able to run one-mile by the end of January, two-miles by the end of February, 4-miles by the end of March. This would help me prepare for a possible 5 Km or 8 Km running event in April.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn-_GUNlmshfviVg49BXe-OVb_ogg9j4z2EIKuL2UQHpfNng6xDBxKu3ifbEtoLeHSbzeSF2BqvXObT1cYXvGYDQnXljK62MNaN5FtXdNcDrEHecnfXywzG-iLozWv1r10aCxZMQ/s1600/p80_Oct18+135.jpg"><img style="width: 400px; height: 300px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564430319516875026" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn-_GUNlmshfviVg49BXe-OVb_ogg9j4z2EIKuL2UQHpfNng6xDBxKu3ifbEtoLeHSbzeSF2BqvXObT1cYXvGYDQnXljK62MNaN5FtXdNcDrEHecnfXywzG-iLozWv1r10aCxZMQ/s400/p80_Oct18+135.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Along the way I have been riding the new ‘Tri Bike. Last Sunday I rode the Aqueduct in perfectly calm conditions. All I can say is “WOW.” My friend from RAAM, Denny Voorhees once told me: <span jsid="text">"I never knew I wanted a Carbon Bike, until I got one!</span>" Well, he is right! What a rush. The engine riding the bike is a bit suspect, but the bike is fast as heck.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigoHIPaSfJVG2snwufB3PzxKldL0AzroRqw1J0QGwqsP6ltJ11vRonpnj9QlD-g9EInJAqEBrS-58MPugB-NCFkjn0BRxBbK9GIroJArD7fvZJqqskDi9fmPpeT78r5Hfqx0xUtQ/s1600/DSC_7146.JPG"><img style="width: 400px; height: 255px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564429708796643762" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigoHIPaSfJVG2snwufB3PzxKldL0AzroRqw1J0QGwqsP6ltJ11vRonpnj9QlD-g9EInJAqEBrS-58MPugB-NCFkjn0BRxBbK9GIroJArD7fvZJqqskDi9fmPpeT78r5Hfqx0xUtQ/s400/DSC_7146.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />The Pool. Yes, I have made it to the pool too. I am just as fast as I was at the end of the summer, but my endurance level is kind of lacking. So, I can swim a 31 second 50, but I can only do it once! And finally, I am taking a survey. If you made it this far and are actually reading this blog, drop me a note here, will you? Just a thumbs up (or down for that matter). Just curious to see if I am just broadcasting in the blind.<br />That’s the news for now. More as I run down the road.<br />Jim<input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03384297725417340746noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358679.post-65223805093096597302011-01-05T05:34:00.001-08:002011-01-06T14:28:55.327-08:00Indoor Training...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqwsV83OouyocCcmkmVCNWYNisQLfCDzNzBg71TJHzdGt2EPUSDZ9EnzJppCNBvgEC77IYl_6kRWpqsz_llBHLsoF1950NcE0YD-hlGnDCJprdGsr89BJBq3Zblq9VBAJXqZTSpQ/s1600/DSC_6984.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 265px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558698838159826290" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqwsV83OouyocCcmkmVCNWYNisQLfCDzNzBg71TJHzdGt2EPUSDZ9EnzJppCNBvgEC77IYl_6kRWpqsz_llBHLsoF1950NcE0YD-hlGnDCJprdGsr89BJBq3Zblq9VBAJXqZTSpQ/s400/DSC_6984.JPG" /></a><br /><div><em>My thoughts about snow in Palmdale...<br /></em><div><div><div><div>Hi all,</div><div>"It never rains in southern California." A great lyric from a great old song. Not very accurate, but a nice lyric. We don't get a lot of rain here in Palmdale, we average about 6.5 inches of moisture per year up here in the desert. </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBVAUKWxHP7s7OLY_1pPMZ-IFkeyPSn3MSKwA7BJ69pK5Yuoz9xQV1TrlF6knGVrGv1STL0xIcukcYvyO_LClnOLq46oU_CPVui-gNYiQ94QSkpHMWncYL4eh1oHvXdWZrSymEAg/s1600/DSC_6974.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 265px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558698614896575586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBVAUKWxHP7s7OLY_1pPMZ-IFkeyPSn3MSKwA7BJ69pK5Yuoz9xQV1TrlF6knGVrGv1STL0xIcukcYvyO_LClnOLq46oU_CPVui-gNYiQ94QSkpHMWncYL4eh1oHvXdWZrSymEAg/s400/DSC_6974.JPG" /></a><br /><em>Lovely Flowers!</em><br /></div><div>Except for this year. Three weeks ago, we surpassed our water year average in a mere 4 days! And then, there is the New Year. 2011 started out as a lovely day, so nice that Kathy and I made a quick trip to Pasadena to enjoy viewing the floats from this year's Rose Parade. Temperatures were around 60, and we had a lovely time enjoying the craftsmanship and imagination of these wonderful floats.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj045EzazpOsdzLw6yV4rp8Tuux_XzjLFQLFWlyyOWkwiL-M4lCQTUBdEx8NOt2C8QeRw2MJsWOJR6_lgDS_PLO4CtOI8D2eRdfsheX8wln1xnoxTuXBCIuQ2aVnhS9TUqnKNkykA/s1600/DSC_6978.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 265px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558698624035721090" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj045EzazpOsdzLw6yV4rp8Tuux_XzjLFQLFWlyyOWkwiL-M4lCQTUBdEx8NOt2C8QeRw2MJsWOJR6_lgDS_PLO4CtOI8D2eRdfsheX8wln1xnoxTuXBCIuQ2aVnhS9TUqnKNkykA/s400/DSC_6978.JPG" /></a><br /><em>Mmmmmmmmm Pie!</em></div><div>But, storm clouds were on the horizon. The afternoon of the 2nd the snow started to fall. Snow? We thought, will it really snow? Probably just a flurry, then it will rain, and the sun will return to the desert. Not so. 4-5 inches later, we got to break out our snow shovels that we brought with us from Utah. Turns out we are the only people in the neighborhood that even own snow shovels!</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4BKHZYCcWL0KjmHIVczve03DJRAUz2-AqvKADSCQhIlxRrEvMuaOVGOAVadp3-MsoKosxRaZJbtNV5a1goPEQAdqjyDG9aSDncelQzXZhcx6TJvPm_Mlu6RUhGfmb7qSqxGuEqQ/s1600/DSC_7075.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 265px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558698607929777058" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4BKHZYCcWL0KjmHIVczve03DJRAUz2-AqvKADSCQhIlxRrEvMuaOVGOAVadp3-MsoKosxRaZJbtNV5a1goPEQAdqjyDG9aSDncelQzXZhcx6TJvPm_Mlu6RUhGfmb7qSqxGuEqQ/s400/DSC_7075.JPG" /></a></div><div><em>Not Layton, Palmdale!<br /></em><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggBll0G1sJGicIaxgQbR3kGST5OK1CdLcMXtzVJtcRtjG_fedqduWid-Yc_VpSXFxFuoHSWY6e5XkehlBp2YH8FCDzqC9wFrCm84vg4cBtaIb0VbBoVlZz3Ew4wpjnr1Ki4rXGmg/s1600/DSC_7068.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 265px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558698602903214194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggBll0G1sJGicIaxgQbR3kGST5OK1CdLcMXtzVJtcRtjG_fedqduWid-Yc_VpSXFxFuoHSWY6e5XkehlBp2YH8FCDzqC9wFrCm84vg4cBtaIb0VbBoVlZz3Ew4wpjnr1Ki4rXGmg/s400/DSC_7068.JPG" /></a><br /><em>Actually, kinda fun to see again...</em></div><div>So, with this wonderful start to the week, I will spin on the trainer, and run the treadmill! Indoor interval training is a great way to develop some new skills, and some good base fitness. Until the sun comes back, that is. Then, it's back outside!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtC2uwQCvVsY_ljIJ3AJ9ilBQ6KDKQF8P5zZmRL3ioBWaDaafEukCvIt9RL-Tt5KxhpmCFDWev8_XqxkC8BM-NdFn_Erd1HfhLqWrk4ixiSwl5skzVYhU3c8gl-qc-1Wl6jACHuA/s1600/DSC_7082.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 265px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558698611214744066" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtC2uwQCvVsY_ljIJ3AJ9ilBQ6KDKQF8P5zZmRL3ioBWaDaafEukCvIt9RL-Tt5KxhpmCFDWev8_XqxkC8BM-NdFn_Erd1HfhLqWrk4ixiSwl5skzVYhU3c8gl-qc-1Wl6jACHuA/s400/DSC_7082.JPG" /></a><br /><em>Shoveling before work, I remember this!</em></div><div>Jim </div></div></div></div></div>Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03384297725417340746noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358679.post-70971068379001237342010-12-31T11:28:00.001-08:002010-12-31T11:57:18.515-08:00The End of the Year<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNbTTqVxVxZoEoLq6RN79fPT1wbpCFIf7WOi6ZkPim0mdq3WfwqyBoBVCJ3ziiR6zi6o5ZEBS63CBW0DTSpSRG2wATIsG87XWbHZeBfmT82mT2Oy9sPJX3jmv7B_50sEzDg3GKBw/s1600/p80_Oct18+036.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNbTTqVxVxZoEoLq6RN79fPT1wbpCFIf7WOi6ZkPim0mdq3WfwqyBoBVCJ3ziiR6zi6o5ZEBS63CBW0DTSpSRG2wATIsG87XWbHZeBfmT82mT2Oy9sPJX3jmv7B_50sEzDg3GKBw/s400/p80_Oct18+036.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556934715473646034" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Things are lookin up for the New Year!</span><br />Hi All,<br />Well, welcome to the end of 2010, and a welcome to the new 2011. The new year brings new challenges, new triathlons, new bikes, and a new focus, too.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAM1jp1cAATTyAUavjlJWsRRPtIaDyWbPwZkR6YuEvmiE9SCuJ3xfeITP56aU5BNX-1ih8Nl6VzmoMt3Y0AYrZoqB-duVJCJxRj6xIVUEZAtjbeOkwsS6rd1-zKLL8Tvf5lIdL9g/s1600/p80_Oct18+040.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAM1jp1cAATTyAUavjlJWsRRPtIaDyWbPwZkR6YuEvmiE9SCuJ3xfeITP56aU5BNX-1ih8Nl6VzmoMt3Y0AYrZoqB-duVJCJxRj6xIVUEZAtjbeOkwsS6rd1-zKLL8Tvf5lIdL9g/s400/p80_Oct18+040.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556934843227004002" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Play, Play, Play, Play!</span><br />We ended this year with joy and happiness as Amy, her husband Jon, and our granddaughter, Andy came and spent Christmas with us here in Palmdale. We had a wonderful few days and spent way too much time playin, and not a lot of time sleepin! Sadly Jon and family are safely back in Marana, and we will count the days until we see them again.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKE2sw9kaC_mpg6eX7skkIbI1e4j3kccPf4ZZ48f9Gk0aC_Yy-GTLPXDfukXVoscYkIGFny0Ymc1QO3QpSxNJcqfwEbaW2xIyqxaINMyKLOyZBl3GYMXmmtSzvNcUUJHvVDKCz0Q/s1600/p80_Oct18+136.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKE2sw9kaC_mpg6eX7skkIbI1e4j3kccPf4ZZ48f9Gk0aC_Yy-GTLPXDfukXVoscYkIGFny0Ymc1QO3QpSxNJcqfwEbaW2xIyqxaINMyKLOyZBl3GYMXmmtSzvNcUUJHvVDKCz0Q/s400/p80_Oct18+136.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556934252552596242" border="0" /></a><br />Today, I commenced my spin training regimen on the new 'Tri bike. With the new body position out over aero-bars the bike is a much different animal than I am used to riding. So, with help from my sister, Sue I am now going to spend a few weeks spinning indoors and really getting comfortable on the bike before I launch off on a 20 mile ride. The fact that we are in a very cold and windy time here helps to motivate me to the trainer.<br />I have also assembled my cold weather gear for commuting to work on the Surly. Gas in Palmdale has passed $3.30 a gallon, and that also motivates me to get off my duff and back into the habit of riding to work.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJoTslefP4jJtceEiA43Mqtx-mj94biF3c3mFd2QCB3B2rPc3yRooeB_XNr9eKnrZs94p6FvSCdJh1FqJLirFIlngEG5H1Vwz87QUGdrO0Vu2V9TcDThiEv2u7WWZ-Z3pUcEkh-g/s1600/p80_Oct18+096.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJoTslefP4jJtceEiA43Mqtx-mj94biF3c3mFd2QCB3B2rPc3yRooeB_XNr9eKnrZs94p6FvSCdJh1FqJLirFIlngEG5H1Vwz87QUGdrO0Vu2V9TcDThiEv2u7WWZ-Z3pUcEkh-g/s400/p80_Oct18+096.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556933955678901650" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">My Redline Needs a New Home!</span><br />Lastly, The fleet currently stands at four bikes, which means one has to leave. There is a three-bike limit here, and since I never have time to ride it the Redline Single-Speed has to go.<br />Here are the details...<br />2008 Redline 925 Single-Speed/fixed Gear<br />Size: 54 Cm<br />Wheels: 700 x 23.<br />Price: $250.00<br />A few minor scratches from commuting warfare on the train along with a few scars from the moving truck, but otherwise the bike runs pure and smooth. If you are interested, drop me a comment here. E mail or cell phone always are fine, too.<br />Let's get the New Year started!<br />Jim<br /><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03384297725417340746noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358679.post-34400960360678726852010-12-18T14:57:00.000-08:002010-12-18T15:10:58.147-08:00Like Lafayette, I Have Returned<div><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeR4yU2bpcHC5SYgrCj7TROxYLZGQSqjBhQ8JIMLQWBCKg52O0Oi2kLjq0jxqRue7GWNk8c3r153LTWN2yq5LWUyC4N9d9McAoCr5AfzmC7DQzZkMIGXt6cid0MDU-M5dNQjNMAw/s1600/p80_Oct18+030a.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552162469086824946" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeR4yU2bpcHC5SYgrCj7TROxYLZGQSqjBhQ8JIMLQWBCKg52O0Oi2kLjq0jxqRue7GWNk8c3r153LTWN2yq5LWUyC4N9d9McAoCr5AfzmC7DQzZkMIGXt6cid0MDU-M5dNQjNMAw/s400/p80_Oct18+030a.jpg" /></a><br /><em>Sabaka says: "Thanks for stopping by!"<br /></em><div></div><div></div><div>Hi all,<br />8 months. That’s how long it has been since my last post on this blog. It almost sounds like a confessional, but in this new age of social networking, Twitter, Phone Aps, etc. It is hard to keep up! Add in the fact that I ran out of things to say for a while, and 8 months have passed.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdSIFKJcA4I2QcxF1UhUTaFbKanhdwg96owmURATn5wDlMqrZe2-tfrkqLu09p8_26ppNSeDtczeTwcM35YbiPvrm_hkNoZAuHN2W7nTsW0kRnfUKeA4yllf3YFlYfJShU_7Cekg/s1600/p80_Oct18+134.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552162490647501186" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdSIFKJcA4I2QcxF1UhUTaFbKanhdwg96owmURATn5wDlMqrZe2-tfrkqLu09p8_26ppNSeDtczeTwcM35YbiPvrm_hkNoZAuHN2W7nTsW0kRnfUKeA4yllf3YFlYfJShU_7Cekg/s400/p80_Oct18+134.jpg" /></a></div><div><em>The 2009 Orbea Aletta 'Tri Bike<br /></em>A lot of things have happened in those 8 months. The grandkids are bigger, the bike fleet is bigger, and my dreams of a second triathlon are bigger. There is almost too much news! So, for now, I will spend a few posts getting you up to speed, and moving forward.<br />The bike fleet has changed, and the plans for riding that fleet have changed too. The bike fleet is currently thus:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJpWpjb1UcNn-jSuOlrnTfPi6mXXhAcsMqTw7eOcEO-AIyQd8q_B7E0wVugZnJtbiWXf6Uzjs5o_f9cZqFVLpdRpkPYRrbV36n3BuLwv4h8XwcHiB4pzYMwErG8Op524R-axIQ2A/s1600/p80_Oct18+133.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552162477909214818" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJpWpjb1UcNn-jSuOlrnTfPi6mXXhAcsMqTw7eOcEO-AIyQd8q_B7E0wVugZnJtbiWXf6Uzjs5o_f9cZqFVLpdRpkPYRrbV36n3BuLwv4h8XwcHiB4pzYMwErG8Op524R-axIQ2A/s400/p80_Oct18+133.jpg" /></a><br />Recumbent: Barcroft Virginia GT. For enjoyable comfortable long rides.<br />Commuting: Surly LHT (Long Haul Trucker): Steel is Real, and nice saddlebags too.<br />Racing: Orbea Aletta Triathlon Bike. New to the fleet, a “Black Friday” bargain, composite aluminum/carbon frame. Built for SPEED, and Triathlons<br />Redline 925-Fixed Gear/Single-Speed. A nice moseying around bike; currently for sale. No time to ride, it, it hangs lonesome in the garage, begging for a ride.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQn6gzS-DeDkTfzcOHa944Q4F2nKcE6tBz_TJAAH1R2dK8QtOXEYvIPfgMO1rfh4HDowCjRg7OHu3XO5lVDUhLOQS-4qFXUA0A_-mb0nz1svqSkQwyIgW-7gNX-YM-jti93JbFzQ/s1600/p80_Oct18+026.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552162474123028946" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQn6gzS-DeDkTfzcOHa944Q4F2nKcE6tBz_TJAAH1R2dK8QtOXEYvIPfgMO1rfh4HDowCjRg7OHu3XO5lVDUhLOQS-4qFXUA0A_-mb0nz1svqSkQwyIgW-7gNX-YM-jti93JbFzQ/s400/p80_Oct18+026.jpg" /></a></div><div><em>A November rose. Lovely! (Then it dropped to 19 degrees...)<br /></em>Winter is here in the desert, too. Our gardens from the spring posts have bloomed, grown, and wilted after a heavy freeze here in the Antelope Valley. I now base my workouts on the weather forecast, and the gardening can wait for planting in February.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcZfjP2JEOlg5GzW9Ti4yn4SarQXXDf5YJfFvn54vU7ILzC3mZ1OwJdBdrRcTTPKFMeXz13vN2G2RbbsY0Gt6zkQhPe57iCIYauF2-bLgLc68sSi8QfKf2knq_p7k51_swgRFz7A/s1600/p80_Oct18+002.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552162473373044690" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcZfjP2JEOlg5GzW9Ti4yn4SarQXXDf5YJfFvn54vU7ILzC3mZ1OwJdBdrRcTTPKFMeXz13vN2G2RbbsY0Gt6zkQhPe57iCIYauF2-bLgLc68sSi8QfKf2knq_p7k51_swgRFz7A/s400/p80_Oct18+002.jpg" /></a></div><div><em>The Surly ride to work, bike</em>.<br />So, buckle your seatbelts. A new blog, with a new theme; riding all three bikes, training for triathlons, keeping you up to date on the grandkids, and no politics unless I am desperate to write an opinion. Throw in some of the local flavor of this windy desert place and there you have it. I welcome comments, witty asides, useful training advice, and even just a friendly wave.<br />It’s nice to be back.<br />Jim </div></div></div></div></div>Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03384297725417340746noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358679.post-32727061961785929882010-04-28T10:45:00.000-07:002010-04-28T15:32:47.047-07:00Color in the Desert<div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuRVrD65tO4xuxH3F-7F60PVM_z53_7UmgU1NG04GZf41e-sUDayOcFpXMRkW6YA5XmR4MmNJUStp3Nd_ObkQQI0RzMG7pz-_ODZhiz0bJUBLPMN2C_hmVVfTZBpklHeC26QBD_w/s1600/DSC_5450.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 265px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465249364371001298" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuRVrD65tO4xuxH3F-7F60PVM_z53_7UmgU1NG04GZf41e-sUDayOcFpXMRkW6YA5XmR4MmNJUStp3Nd_ObkQQI0RzMG7pz-_ODZhiz0bJUBLPMN2C_hmVVfTZBpklHeC26QBD_w/s400/DSC_5450.JPG" /></a><br /><em>The California Poppy Reserve...</em></div><div>I am stuck on flowers these days. Flowers blooming in my back yard, flowers that are blooming in the desert. Now, I could write about the horrific ride yesterday; riding the Redline fixed gear bike home from work into a gale force wind, and I can show you a nice picture of the half-flat tire that made the ride so memorable. But, instead, I will show you pictures of Joshua trees in bloom, and pictures from the California Poppy Reserve 20 miles west of here. Once a year, the whole Reserve blooms to life in poppies and all sorts of assorted wildflowers. Kathy and I enjoyed a lovely outing hiking around the Reserve, enjoying the flowers and the hundreds of folks who came out to just walk and sit in the flowers! </div><div><div><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisy6dIY2o-a42zdCQC_W7_O2iV2eamyLqvc5y_Axlw0gaSpjNIHe9U186gpF0xtEGflzMF9nm02_y82yKnj0u3KiDSScsSzS6kqI1VhYyCRYvmXZZY_0bTWiLrNH81qO9qgwEDhw/s1600/DSC_5457.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 265px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465248549399352482" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisy6dIY2o-a42zdCQC_W7_O2iV2eamyLqvc5y_Axlw0gaSpjNIHe9U186gpF0xtEGflzMF9nm02_y82yKnj0u3KiDSScsSzS6kqI1VhYyCRYvmXZZY_0bTWiLrNH81qO9qgwEDhw/s400/DSC_5457.JPG" /></a> </div><div><em>That's it for Joshua Trees.. After this, just scraggly loooking for the rest of the year...</em><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ntIyZ6vruh-ZutHpcbrVAJwIXgRh0Jjwb2NiEwFtEPz0upb5VFZEyeMaZgSPd0vLbP0UWvPUsKXzu6UjJnJ1lL5lTcB-gLANVsRX1_53X7YUypCkI_aL0BsgLluGhXiaVLs-Zg/s1600/DSC_5441.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 265px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465248563018628706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ntIyZ6vruh-ZutHpcbrVAJwIXgRh0Jjwb2NiEwFtEPz0upb5VFZEyeMaZgSPd0vLbP0UWvPUsKXzu6UjJnJ1lL5lTcB-gLANVsRX1_53X7YUypCkI_aL0BsgLluGhXiaVLs-Zg/s400/DSC_5441.JPG" /></a><br /><em>As far as the eye can see...</em></div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhyphenhyphen6YcyzITsYeQ5nh1PThqfxTKwkBq4NIHkW8rBVUw3b96FQhUhXPoy0B6ViKUp9MnXzUNmnqgMfmTthfeJV8J_e0MzxkSIQHFd5yb-xBCyU6-BGlrkWdg8AM0t6oAQsi8u7F0tQ/s1600/DSC_5438.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 265px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465248585579642802" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhyphenhyphen6YcyzITsYeQ5nh1PThqfxTKwkBq4NIHkW8rBVUw3b96FQhUhXPoy0B6ViKUp9MnXzUNmnqgMfmTthfeJV8J_e0MzxkSIQHFd5yb-xBCyU6-BGlrkWdg8AM0t6oAQsi8u7F0tQ/s400/DSC_5438.JPG" /></a><br /><em>I can't remember what these are called...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj99SBriUJ8NWeI1X-gR1onJ4zDvi3HFTvaFCmVuaZIrdY-qxao2UVZE_sS1O1GpMf52dnPIr3KsqyjMByuKuyJCDzqxo8Eq6QcBQoJ5c7gi0Exk8Nu8c27xJR78vVX5vrAoprg7w/s1600/DSC_5436.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 265px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465248574745664658" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj99SBriUJ8NWeI1X-gR1onJ4zDvi3HFTvaFCmVuaZIrdY-qxao2UVZE_sS1O1GpMf52dnPIr3KsqyjMByuKuyJCDzqxo8Eq6QcBQoJ5c7gi0Exk8Nu8c27xJR78vVX5vrAoprg7w/s400/DSC_5436.JPG" /></a></em></div><div>So, once again, skip any pictures of bikes, and enjoy the poppy pictures. Of course, there might be an Andy picture or two here, too.<br /><em><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhawpl29vjAYODGHJ1cgt0WKDsttK2pjg6cDaVowo7rbAuz8nfHvLxjVIpsoRdWcxll8a6_42xkOw3bbB2W60Pey_LK1ofnoGYaOKOXpsQ3m02fyUnzsNaUeuDtRah5Kvt-gKvJgA/s1600/DSC_5636.JPG"><em><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 265px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465248542474636898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhawpl29vjAYODGHJ1cgt0WKDsttK2pjg6cDaVowo7rbAuz8nfHvLxjVIpsoRdWcxll8a6_42xkOw3bbB2W60Pey_LK1ofnoGYaOKOXpsQ3m02fyUnzsNaUeuDtRah5Kvt-gKvJgA/s400/DSC_5636.JPG" /></em></a></em></div><div><em>This cactus flower was in Tucson, where we went to play with...</em><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg46izckmQzSRMtZ3oqK1DQet_Wrl-xJd3yh2ogHxqLkoc7oy2Z_GcPyz3BzwB8ND1nIG6iWZGCOXAHHzXhFk_xgP2M2jng8phyHemnLOwCEcSib6UztldP8wg24MAwFsumtkyGLg/s1600/DSC_5775.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 265px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465317604618068642" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg46izckmQzSRMtZ3oqK1DQet_Wrl-xJd3yh2ogHxqLkoc7oy2Z_GcPyz3BzwB8ND1nIG6iWZGCOXAHHzXhFk_xgP2M2jng8phyHemnLOwCEcSib6UztldP8wg24MAwFsumtkyGLg/s400/DSC_5775.JPG" /></a></div><div><em>Andy! So happy in the morning...</em></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyVsPLnwRgrkVb9UTLbRD7E8j1z6wtKQmnt7rdm0sH6VaSqd0PaJaBoqbhl_oqDn6MmaNDcsgfxkceNJ0PvTRV4AqtsG6bfG6bnhIr2gO1bkpFSzqDnTvJMdssc5DDfl1HGMOiEw/s1600/DSC_5628.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 265px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465317593536926706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyVsPLnwRgrkVb9UTLbRD7E8j1z6wtKQmnt7rdm0sH6VaSqd0PaJaBoqbhl_oqDn6MmaNDcsgfxkceNJ0PvTRV4AqtsG6bfG6bnhIr2gO1bkpFSzqDnTvJMdssc5DDfl1HGMOiEw/s400/DSC_5628.JPG" /></a><br /><em>And playin in the pool...</em><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb95XQjQxKBmTnEi5Z-KPUz58kZBAFW8fx7DFw99PplP5WPeiHWC5mW7Sg46hXmWTJ0CYEPwG0i9LKsJRo-jp5l_eSytN4ExrOOxguKV2cg5ouvFgyuPPdBvNwX_8tvxoaC-_kgQ/s1600/DSC_5562.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 265px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465317612295533410" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb95XQjQxKBmTnEi5Z-KPUz58kZBAFW8fx7DFw99PplP5WPeiHWC5mW7Sg46hXmWTJ0CYEPwG0i9LKsJRo-jp5l_eSytN4ExrOOxguKV2cg5ouvFgyuPPdBvNwX_8tvxoaC-_kgQ/s400/DSC_5562.JPG" /></a><br /></div><div><em>And channel surfing...</em></div></div></div></div></div></div>Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03384297725417340746noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358679.post-43476148067394626132010-03-31T17:02:00.001-07:002010-03-31T19:57:55.996-07:00Before and After...<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiFYjH3DF4KVp-dcO9AcvshLMsOfgaER38Zxg9Eg4y12DsSy3FknBj83HGEVnzWGu7stXAaIIkjKR8s4JUIm8Dim6IlUuD423_sjHZUK3KiDWPysmGSZsAt21Fe2RLNVCRdZi5cA/s1600/p80_Oct18+052.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454953508655007410" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiFYjH3DF4KVp-dcO9AcvshLMsOfgaER38Zxg9Eg4y12DsSy3FknBj83HGEVnzWGu7stXAaIIkjKR8s4JUIm8Dim6IlUuD423_sjHZUK3KiDWPysmGSZsAt21Fe2RLNVCRdZi5cA/s400/p80_Oct18+052.jpg" /></a></div><div><em>My first bloomed Ranunculos!</em></div><div>Hi All,<br />Well, it happened again. A whole month passes without posting. Chalk it up to being busy…again. There is a funny phrase in our house; which is, we’ll get around to something when life settles down. And you blink, and life never settles down!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6jEJFVGdxwzZ5MSpfQVrYo5MF1AyJoglrGdXKslkqnFgCx6K-uLmVb-RObsaPg9-wrkWX6wy560o51uNmKGxYI7G5Gws0oWJVrIWVo1EIZGgbQEPym5nCcbB5xKxi410tDdlYjQ/s1600/p80_Oct18+072.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 300px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454953975884888306" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6jEJFVGdxwzZ5MSpfQVrYo5MF1AyJoglrGdXKslkqnFgCx6K-uLmVb-RObsaPg9-wrkWX6wy560o51uNmKGxYI7G5Gws0oWJVrIWVo1EIZGgbQEPym5nCcbB5xKxi410tDdlYjQ/s400/p80_Oct18+072.jpg" /></a> </div><div><em>Gerbera Daisies...<br /></em>But, today’s post is kind of special. No, it’s not a post about a gripping 50-mile bike race, or a 300 Km Brevet, it’s about how we have been spending our weekends, and the joy of accomplishing something.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHps8UaY_FdxFLkmvQ6d-NBBFhtmpPRLVNZpdBGPpqc6la5L1tr4YtNDIGmRAzk0l-s3OKItj4-4dBYAgXkbhRpD-iEgJI8rgndbFlH7yTw4dZFz9T0oKwQu98NPkpkywoCLHHyg/s1600/p80_Oct18+055.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454953516245092370" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHps8UaY_FdxFLkmvQ6d-NBBFhtmpPRLVNZpdBGPpqc6la5L1tr4YtNDIGmRAzk0l-s3OKItj4-4dBYAgXkbhRpD-iEgJI8rgndbFlH7yTw4dZFz9T0oKwQu98NPkpkywoCLHHyg/s400/p80_Oct18+055.jpg" /></a> </div><div><em>The second set of Ranunculos' Will they last in the summer heat?<br /></em>We have been landscaping on the weekends; propping up the local economy, and keeping Home Depot and Lowe’s in business. The last few weekends we have been very diligent in planting flowers, laying drip line irrigation, raking gravel, and making our back yard pleasant and homey. Here in this post are some pictures of the yard to show you “before”, and “after”. I tell you, it sure made us smile looking at the “before” photos, to see how far we have come. There is a certain sense of joy after 4 weekends of getting filthy, dusty, and sore from working with all the drip lines. Now, there are still jobs to do, creating the walkway, and building the covered patio. So, there are more weekends of work to come. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN_RSr8dGZtW8QLSQiRSytTFWlQ6yUOaS5SskcxUGXXecPFwEBY2Face90G4iwgT2VFHYeYJCW5OY7cxGWpGPsKLHolTrRhid1M7oOx7y7Qol6CY7a5zhiiS_q717rT0Ot8E8tqA/s1600/DSCN2721.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454955937676715122" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN_RSr8dGZtW8QLSQiRSytTFWlQ6yUOaS5SskcxUGXXecPFwEBY2Face90G4iwgT2VFHYeYJCW5OY7cxGWpGPsKLHolTrRhid1M7oOx7y7Qol6CY7a5zhiiS_q717rT0Ot8E8tqA/s400/DSCN2721.JPG" /></a></div><div><em>Before...</em></div><div> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFcwCwmSEBgxzDtnxr1osSB55PSdezyv82h07RkK9aQovzotABSOpyuHLUrNk_VepZcH-tPUmRvYLYDteugzfUWC0aHbDRuGFincBKMbbEWpIkJ3qaI8Af0Jegv4f_wHwh9fQKww/s1600/p80_Oct18+091.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454955949638432210" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFcwCwmSEBgxzDtnxr1osSB55PSdezyv82h07RkK9aQovzotABSOpyuHLUrNk_VepZcH-tPUmRvYLYDteugzfUWC0aHbDRuGFincBKMbbEWpIkJ3qaI8Af0Jegv4f_wHwh9fQKww/s400/p80_Oct18+091.jpg" /></a> </div><div><em>After...</em><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnEgQ3zrce74D2EZ6JymcjlB73uv-azbQ6ms3WzHyTV-q0aTsXICpAqU9QVqodjALEvSfu8_D4BkvWZ-5E_b3KUsQoM1WJXR15hur8RfMeun6BaWoBU-LwPS4GWsQ_Q-IRqH-qgw/s1600/DSCN2718.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454954680337195314" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnEgQ3zrce74D2EZ6JymcjlB73uv-azbQ6ms3WzHyTV-q0aTsXICpAqU9QVqodjALEvSfu8_D4BkvWZ-5E_b3KUsQoM1WJXR15hur8RfMeun6BaWoBU-LwPS4GWsQ_Q-IRqH-qgw/s400/DSCN2718.JPG" /></a></div><div><em>Before...</em></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-chKAPXu0j2kcdPBTxTIiZqKqEsepIIfar00Wu7ajgDVg9cRnxVov4KS0LwQOnXb4NTr0KgQW-8T3vQrfmKHWwJgK0UvwRNdeT28dhdLWnSvi1x5ien-iF6el9yDF1sNiuKxrOA/s1600/p80_Oct18+083.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454954993887777522" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-chKAPXu0j2kcdPBTxTIiZqKqEsepIIfar00Wu7ajgDVg9cRnxVov4KS0LwQOnXb4NTr0KgQW-8T3vQrfmKHWwJgK0UvwRNdeT28dhdLWnSvi1x5ien-iF6el9yDF1sNiuKxrOA/s400/p80_Oct18+083.jpg" /></a></div><div><em>After...</em></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyfldlNtD_EwhYX7LosjR5zdwfDTGD96WruE7Gtx7fSD79MujLvIdUJkeTQMqV6DItoSFTi-KQk6iApY_nOBfH1pRH6PlFkSb6wMkgohBKQERRYOriPqCcNB4fe3di4U7IXeooag/s1600/DSCN2720.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454955158556681986" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyfldlNtD_EwhYX7LosjR5zdwfDTGD96WruE7Gtx7fSD79MujLvIdUJkeTQMqV6DItoSFTi-KQk6iApY_nOBfH1pRH6PlFkSb6wMkgohBKQERRYOriPqCcNB4fe3di4U7IXeooag/s400/DSCN2720.JPG" /></a></div><div><em>Before...</em></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhueT5SAR8CjAYKq7GK1lxMS2TJtX-4UxttLrk1yd96Gf_WXSfUen6959blcdHmlbejg7lemCgWYm3PJjCucmBO2ypAqAGGC4dRaMk_EaCF7FKsivvsAwXn91UbyVkCi1xCSz_mKw/s1600/p80_Oct18+078.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454953984984621202" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhueT5SAR8CjAYKq7GK1lxMS2TJtX-4UxttLrk1yd96Gf_WXSfUen6959blcdHmlbejg7lemCgWYm3PJjCucmBO2ypAqAGGC4dRaMk_EaCF7FKsivvsAwXn91UbyVkCi1xCSz_mKw/s400/p80_Oct18+078.jpg" /></a></div><div><div><div><div><div><div><em>After...</em></div><div>So, please excuse the lack of posts about riding. I am commuting a few days a week, and trying different bikes in hopes of deciding which bike to ride in the Santa Barbara Triathlon this August. This month, at Kathy’s suggestion, I am commuting on the Redline, with the bike configured as a Fixed-Gear bike.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4UvH5yFaG7wbM1BbS2hfqc_bs671JEAUbgC2Kso9SHH6k3oLrDQ9YDn4o6oq0os4Hy4r0lRRDbJkV1KPbQyOb689EOVgOO3CuxU7Yxlp8-t_3iX2PGgRBGH8jOd5KcV8tqAaIPg/s1600/p80_Oct18+087.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454996316733612834" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4UvH5yFaG7wbM1BbS2hfqc_bs671JEAUbgC2Kso9SHH6k3oLrDQ9YDn4o6oq0os4Hy4r0lRRDbJkV1KPbQyOb689EOVgOO3CuxU7Yxlp8-t_3iX2PGgRBGH8jOd5KcV8tqAaIPg/s400/p80_Oct18+087.jpg" /></a></div><div></div><div><em>Sabaka supervises the work...</em></div><div>Riding to work has been a blast. The bike is light, fast, and configured as a fixed-gear, a completely different riding experience. The ride home into the 25 mph westerly winds is the total quad workout. A great ride, but then I walk funny for two days!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ku26ntv7Hos1QZqouU-_Rl5QRLOUHPeY0Bto1_NornTLS0maoB8U0I9j3tb3KT-lZg5n-fdVrEXAau-RbNF7FRyyIMZPiqDeJ99zxR_q-YMYTioYnQhZuJTdRu3k6yCfo8AS_w/s1600/p80_Oct18+061.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454953526253931490" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ku26ntv7Hos1QZqouU-_Rl5QRLOUHPeY0Bto1_NornTLS0maoB8U0I9j3tb3KT-lZg5n-fdVrEXAau-RbNF7FRyyIMZPiqDeJ99zxR_q-YMYTioYnQhZuJTdRu3k6yCfo8AS_w/s400/p80_Oct18+061.jpg" /></a> </div><div><em>Meet our next-door neighbors, Leena and Shaffy...</em><br />More news later this week. (No, really!) We are having family visit for Easter, and I hope to have some photographs to share of celebrating Easter with neighbors and family.<br />Jim </div></div></div></div></div></div>Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03384297725417340746noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358679.post-67603828005491343892010-03-02T19:14:00.010-08:002010-03-05T21:10:07.548-08:00Riding to Work in The Desert<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQLpoe4o-1rSyh6QTIvCvv5Fpfolg4BIH8O1i9xajGsxyfm8QH0ZDO-iTLF0VGs2i6FWnkPALEGO7Mch8yIysV6sM1xlgd1Mkj61FR2pkBujAg6OoPIgdDD0875uG2c8oHwNabIA/s1600-h/p80_Oct18+007.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 264px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444241517091328994" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQLpoe4o-1rSyh6QTIvCvv5Fpfolg4BIH8O1i9xajGsxyfm8QH0ZDO-iTLF0VGs2i6FWnkPALEGO7Mch8yIysV6sM1xlgd1Mkj61FR2pkBujAg6OoPIgdDD0875uG2c8oHwNabIA/s400/p80_Oct18+007.jpg" /></a><br /><em>Looking east, Technology Drive...</em> 5:45 AM<br />Hi all,<br />Now that spring is here, and now that the weather is a bit more palatable, I am able to ride to work a few times a week. We have had some consistent rain the last month or two, and although I will ride in heat, wind, and cold, I am pretty much against intentionally riding in the rain. Now, in the past I have gotten caught out on the bike in unexpected rain (or snow), but if it is rainy, I usually park the bike. But for now, as you enjoy this post, at least photographically, come along for the ride! Enjoy a few pictures from Tuesday’s bike commute in lovely Palmdale. <em><br /></em><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh07agDqmfVrIpyyRdT_GPTsOG4rpNXs3tRT38zwX5B5kWeTgkllGsSV1E6I-SeQrJsrqkmftCYtjKb_hserdnIuTOoLrFt9XYUvuLp2FstNa1jZD_aUjtYMskbLKVLnSWEgWD_Ag/s1600-h/p80_Oct18+001.jpg"><em><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444241496468468194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh07agDqmfVrIpyyRdT_GPTsOG4rpNXs3tRT38zwX5B5kWeTgkllGsSV1E6I-SeQrJsrqkmftCYtjKb_hserdnIuTOoLrFt9XYUvuLp2FstNa1jZD_aUjtYMskbLKVLnSWEgWD_Ag/s400/p80_Oct18+001.jpg" /></em></a><br /><em>Gloves and a hat for the chilly morning, and a jersey for the afternoon...</em><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFpxvz8_LcVYCKuPbPOWIs5E-mU3xV7bZnQinGtp1RL5BtZebOeH38cGKRifQ1b0Ap7cQNVdmSxEhOdFI0Eo6wGVCqhXZ41P-AfJ8wI_BIE2ngDqaCXWQjoXAs3p9DvZIZItbpFg/s1600-h/p80_Oct18+004.jpg"><em><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 290px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444242813039133346" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFpxvz8_LcVYCKuPbPOWIs5E-mU3xV7bZnQinGtp1RL5BtZebOeH38cGKRifQ1b0Ap7cQNVdmSxEhOdFI0Eo6wGVCqhXZ41P-AfJ8wI_BIE2ngDqaCXWQjoXAs3p9DvZIZItbpFg/s400/p80_Oct18+004.jpg" /></em></a><br /><em>Other 'sundry items that ride in the handlebar bag...</em><br />Why do I ride to work? Well, to be honest it’s purely for selfish reasons. Riding twice a week to work gets me 35 consistent miles a week; I get a bit of stress relief from muttering at UNIX at the office; some fresh air (those desert winds, actually); I save a few dollar in gasoline; and most importantly, I get some training miles for the <a href="http://www.santabarbaratriathlon.com/noHeader/Index.cfm">Santa Barbara Triathlon.</a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgayeo9BWN2xsV-hJ1Pej9HCfcxrl78PkEPfqDetHORtaEPhYYkXB7AsxFL6GqDANON5D_AMLUitFdPAcaSMB4mED-sNIxpI4x6DTe1iaL8eOww-07OI-zaCK_dX9sUa0p1Byb4WQ/s1600-h/p80_Oct18+008.jpg"><em><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 250px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444241531305047362" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgayeo9BWN2xsV-hJ1Pej9HCfcxrl78PkEPfqDetHORtaEPhYYkXB7AsxFL6GqDANON5D_AMLUitFdPAcaSMB4mED-sNIxpI4x6DTe1iaL8eOww-07OI-zaCK_dX9sUa0p1Byb4WQ/s400/p80_Oct18+008.jpg" /></em></a><br /><em>At 15th East, I can look across the desert, and see the ARTCC (microwave towers in front of the large hangars...</em><br />Wait, did he just say Triathlon? Yes, I did. On August 28th, I hope to enter my first sprint triathlon. My sister, Sue has completed 3 sprint triathlons, and in her own gentle way left the gauntlet at my feet. Of course, I picked it up. It is a great motivator, signing up for an event. Once you put some bucks down, and circle the date, everything changes. And in my case, by purchasing a Synergy Wetsuit, I have committed myself to the event. Also, by purchasing a wetsuit that’s a tad small, I am even more motivated!<br /><em><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZj_O-MBxp_SgzvbHfIVr29i4LL1iC4sAls7j7Jx0XMU_alc0ofNH_U9fvt1lwhHkszh99hYIZ8a27wT9LnSk3cejv23ghXnHV40FwjihEoFqHkLvaa7uUjeMPiAueuhlmws1IWg/s1600-h/p80_Oct18+011.jpg"><em><img style="WIDTH: 300px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444241537296605074" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZj_O-MBxp_SgzvbHfIVr29i4LL1iC4sAls7j7Jx0XMU_alc0ofNH_U9fvt1lwhHkszh99hYIZ8a27wT9LnSk3cejv23ghXnHV40FwjihEoFqHkLvaa7uUjeMPiAueuhlmws1IWg/s400/p80_Oct18+011.jpg" /></em></a></em><br /><div><em>North on 25th East, a mile to go, I always sprint hard on this straightaway. The water sitting atop the hardpan after a recent rain...<br /></em>The <a href="http://www.santabarbaratriathlon.com/noHeader/Index.cfm">Sprint Triathlon</a> will consist of a 500 meter ocean swim, a 6-mile sprint on the bike, and a 2-mile run. With my background in distance freestyle swimming, and 8000 miles in the last 6 years of riding, I feel like I can be successful in at least two of the three disciplines. Oh, but, that running portion… <em><br /></em><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHR0D6LWcvZHdkfC1gMmYKTA74Wf_XYv9IX7vGOm4vYVMlaflvO2IJYUztyTLJXsezIExypjLEFVhtKxgr9ZoeZalmEk3OElPAy9a033zjsFTgJHb60OB2enUL22u5Bp9jT-sx-w/s1600-h/p80_Oct18+012.jpg"><em><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444242388688751570" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHR0D6LWcvZHdkfC1gMmYKTA74Wf_XYv9IX7vGOm4vYVMlaflvO2IJYUztyTLJXsezIExypjLEFVhtKxgr9ZoeZalmEk3OElPAy9a033zjsFTgJHb60OB2enUL22u5Bp9jT-sx-w/s400/p80_Oct18+012.jpg" /></em></a><br /><em>And I am here! Always a relief when I don't "flat" on the way...</em></div><br />Learning how to run again has been an adventure. And I think I’ll save that horror story for another post. For now, I am learning to do two disciplines as I train. When I ride home from work, I park the bike, change shoes, and either hit the road, or hit the treadmill for two miles of “running”. And as the year progresses, I alternate my workouts by riding two miles to the pool, swim my yardage, and ride home.<em><br /></em><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghIQbL3NjSxRuTlyr2MZ9isDuPVwevCFQhFHI7WBxGeaOjirWnKOw70aXgYSttpfFUmMd3gI1nH-Gkmh0_xCuhDbblgRhk76fMDj0x7vpQfRuXhTU1GhBWyqBmzmyNFvjE2o7Yvw/s1600-h/p80_Oct18+021.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444242391003683618" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghIQbL3NjSxRuTlyr2MZ9isDuPVwevCFQhFHI7WBxGeaOjirWnKOw70aXgYSttpfFUmMd3gI1nH-Gkmh0_xCuhDbblgRhk76fMDj0x7vpQfRuXhTU1GhBWyqBmzmyNFvjE2o7Yvw/s400/p80_Oct18+021.jpg" /></a><br /><em>Private parking, too!</em><br />It’s part of my training plan. You have to have a plan! How to train, when to train, and what goals do I set for the event. I’ll keep you posted as the year progresses, the miles ridden, the yards swam, and hopefully, the pounds shed!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ9FIyV1IcWMrEeSWd1dlHmlSZwX-vXhzyhrTSgebctoIWWLfsUgZMEFm1QUkzOGVdyvcg-6_Mo8J4QzuaRn-9lupWHQ1qAQjwRGbOfcG6xeWoBNwZIljeKxaph3z9BNRZy8cZYA/s1600-h/p80_Oct18+024.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444242400686328914" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ9FIyV1IcWMrEeSWd1dlHmlSZwX-vXhzyhrTSgebctoIWWLfsUgZMEFm1QUkzOGVdyvcg-6_Mo8J4QzuaRn-9lupWHQ1qAQjwRGbOfcG6xeWoBNwZIljeKxaph3z9BNRZy8cZYA/s400/p80_Oct18+024.jpg" /></a><br /><em>My fancy bike-commuter digs in a portable trailer...</em><br />See you next week,<br />JimJimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03384297725417340746noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358679.post-67569815552948524082010-02-25T17:59:00.008-08:002010-02-26T05:20:28.933-08:00Spring in the Desert!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPJOsIj-LjETP2xt16oGZc0XH4FpVMKVnBFun52bZdVP__m7keegxImsKvPAKbPG6NIjvjYML05V-_1Hq39Pc8SIOEFfpgVsSAU_KjjQnhX4G-w0tgw8RB01ddvUWI39J0u10HFQ/s1600-h/p80_Oct18+063.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 265px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442367926611823970" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPJOsIj-LjETP2xt16oGZc0XH4FpVMKVnBFun52bZdVP__m7keegxImsKvPAKbPG6NIjvjYML05V-_1Hq39Pc8SIOEFfpgVsSAU_KjjQnhX4G-w0tgw8RB01ddvUWI39J0u10HFQ/s400/p80_Oct18+063.jpg" /></a><br /><div><em>A lovely Alstroemeria...</em><br />Spring. Well, it sure sounds weird to write about spring in February, but here in the desert, it seems like reality. In advance, I apologize to all my winter-bound readers. But, take solace. In July when its 112 degrees and the 40 mph winds are blowing over my trash buckets, you may all write and gloat about the lovely nice summer days where you live.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDqYuzn0MLnH5VXRaekSSKI53z38gm_7a5xjNP_NoPU9H5LVuVnD2XS9c1KDmiCbzZ5cEqQzlRb-OjgrHdCU6cLryZGW0Xp4uPM-YtFhuRkjicpg0PREOkWrVW1c-I42ODIJhu8w/s1600-h/DSC_5427.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 265px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442367321878311362" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDqYuzn0MLnH5VXRaekSSKI53z38gm_7a5xjNP_NoPU9H5LVuVnD2XS9c1KDmiCbzZ5cEqQzlRb-OjgrHdCU6cLryZGW0Xp4uPM-YtFhuRkjicpg0PREOkWrVW1c-I42ODIJhu8w/s400/DSC_5427.JPG" /></a></div><div><em>Yay... Spring in our backyard!</em><br />The buds depicted here, are from our new dwarf peach tree. The apple tree is still pondering whether or not it should bloom, but there is rain forecast for the weekend, and perhaps the water will help spur some growth.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghQEf-a5awPh-WUcTOxyZQ27BFQ78mSNUiUDa438nCR7Iipw0xR_SZRs_-603ICiKyNdCX2pp0Yu7RhKBD6vm2LtKsag03lDrOnTdOuTcgC08Q-rPiRfqSYqhDqJVE_Bly_C_ehQ/s1600-h/DSC_5416.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 265px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442367318729136994" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghQEf-a5awPh-WUcTOxyZQ27BFQ78mSNUiUDa438nCR7Iipw0xR_SZRs_-603ICiKyNdCX2pp0Yu7RhKBD6vm2LtKsag03lDrOnTdOuTcgC08Q-rPiRfqSYqhDqJVE_Bly_C_ehQ/s400/DSC_5416.JPG" /></a></div><div><em>These pictures were harder to take than I thought!</em><br />As you can also see, we made a trip to Tucson. Andy is growing so fast! She is a wonderfully cheerful girl, and we had a great time layin on the floor, and playing. She is doing great at holding her head up, and next, hopefully she will figure out how to get her legs going to crawl around and check out the world.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiS2ifhFyZUtjeESMss_AXCZyuwLpIWiE6L684gvGC5oqSUW1mHJtU3jJ45uJK8yDP7G_AuanY4S8t5rkCU5D69UpcnPXRTVSgZNIDUX-Vz3HbgQNzcDxGlS1blDc4Hw0SVLqwVQ/s1600-h/DSC_5394.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 265px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442367304098689682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiS2ifhFyZUtjeESMss_AXCZyuwLpIWiE6L684gvGC5oqSUW1mHJtU3jJ45uJK8yDP7G_AuanY4S8t5rkCU5D69UpcnPXRTVSgZNIDUX-Vz3HbgQNzcDxGlS1blDc4Hw0SVLqwVQ/s400/DSC_5394.JPG" /></a></div><div><em>Andy K...</em><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWSdFSSnbvPBCtTeOV9d2UOKs1tVrMaYpCN1DA-QoMfHyfjDxoAodZ-Z0sw9nhu3JQxu0jgljMCPD30HiokLT0NG9M4imGtHbRMnBTmsI6C_wEvrUKlLWI36y5YSxSS3t0sJHUhQ/s1600-h/DSC_5413.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 265px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442367296402043426" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWSdFSSnbvPBCtTeOV9d2UOKs1tVrMaYpCN1DA-QoMfHyfjDxoAodZ-Z0sw9nhu3JQxu0jgljMCPD30HiokLT0NG9M4imGtHbRMnBTmsI6C_wEvrUKlLWI36y5YSxSS3t0sJHUhQ/s400/DSC_5413.JPG" /></a></div><div><em>Kathy's Favorite Picture...<br /></em>In cycling news, you will note the change to the countdown timer on the right column. My summer goal is to compete in the Santa Barbara Triathlon on August 28th. To that end, and to spur my commitment to train, I have purchased a new Synergy Wetsuit for the ocean swim portion of the event. Nothing motivates you more, than putting some hard-earned sheckles down to make sure you stay focused!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs48zMB-Td4-voVHzilwxmbuqkjJWuYsIyrqoNe5lUD900DhidLQ3Uv6JKrFPzM73sLxUi9s4W27LbIzHGfka1NwWG6DLRhsHtf8G1uk6oSN_iT4YRkSJYiCBD5oGdJ2MwjJ0P2w/s1600-h/p80_Oct18+064.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 265px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442368219641380562" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs48zMB-Td4-voVHzilwxmbuqkjJWuYsIyrqoNe5lUD900DhidLQ3Uv6JKrFPzM73sLxUi9s4W27LbIzHGfka1NwWG6DLRhsHtf8G1uk6oSN_iT4YRkSJYiCBD5oGdJ2MwjJ0P2w/s400/p80_Oct18+064.jpg" /></a></div><div><em>Cammelias at Nancy's...</em><br />So, I am on my way; riding to work a few days a week, doing some running here in the neighborhood, and soon I will incorporate distance swimming into my week. The only question that keeps me thinking, is which bike do I race with? Suggestions? Ideas? Witty comments?<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAL7xAYtBhnLWXQJVAxHXeGz3xvwqs1xCf4p2NRtpUVsvsYRuN96cDSbjjdjPB0E0RtsRW8dUKrYqGiQrdeXwH70_ZahQc7v2FhN7Fw00COCHcbCUPSHUTs9oT7A7p9guYWMNkZQ/s1600-h/p80_Oct18+062a.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 312px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442367918926945730" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAL7xAYtBhnLWXQJVAxHXeGz3xvwqs1xCf4p2NRtpUVsvsYRuN96cDSbjjdjPB0E0RtsRW8dUKrYqGiQrdeXwH70_ZahQc7v2FhN7Fw00COCHcbCUPSHUTs9oT7A7p9guYWMNkZQ/s400/p80_Oct18+062a.jpg" /></a></div><div><em>For those of you that care, this is NOT a Sandpiper. It's a Curlew!</em><br />See you next week.<br />Jim </div>Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03384297725417340746noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358679.post-90516403081745839242010-02-07T21:38:00.009-08:002010-02-07T22:12:53.207-08:00A Month of Posts, All in One!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiksG0KvdpLKCdzP1pA6EFm0-uHJAmSQotrvHyt45HNBmukUsh-0coclraEqRZ0-FcTCRBKdGCrCba_gbBt7w3cjWIMAZbz5vaUrp-9-p5o4kELK0sONRP9V-WOC1M4aQoHzr2BNA/s1600-h/p80_Oct18+060.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 265px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435744998976682418" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiksG0KvdpLKCdzP1pA6EFm0-uHJAmSQotrvHyt45HNBmukUsh-0coclraEqRZ0-FcTCRBKdGCrCba_gbBt7w3cjWIMAZbz5vaUrp-9-p5o4kELK0sONRP9V-WOC1M4aQoHzr2BNA/s400/p80_Oct18+060.jpg" /></a><br /><em>Ok, more beach trivia: What kind of bird is this?</em><br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>Hi All,<br />Well, I blinked my eyes, and almost a month has past since my last entry. I believe that in the their infancy, blogs were supposed to be daily postings, but now with Twitter, Facebook, and all the other available avenues, technology has moved onward. For me, it’s not about technology; it’s about having the time to write, and perhaps that I just didn’t have much to say.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkE1sS7UfbAoUnxtSqAx1BeawHnQ-IHBOejHGOB6g8YFpcd2QyIrhXm5InCzA1l_HigcSCmplNZyLhsTk811MpwoDeg81fyBlKpitU0IZhIgsM0LFy1ln5as5ySKhdFIWfFjEtLw/s1600-h/p80_Oct18+032.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435744956935554466" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkE1sS7UfbAoUnxtSqAx1BeawHnQ-IHBOejHGOB6g8YFpcd2QyIrhXm5InCzA1l_HigcSCmplNZyLhsTk811MpwoDeg81fyBlKpitU0IZhIgsM0LFy1ln5as5ySKhdFIWfFjEtLw/s400/p80_Oct18+032.jpg" /></a><br /><em>A "Snowstorm" in Palmdale. We had a meeting cancelled for this!</em></div><div>That’s not say a lot of things have happened. I almost don’t know where to start. Here, in the desert, we have had the shoveling of the last of the gravel, citywide flooding after 3 inches of rain, a visit to see Amy, Jon, and Andy, converting the Redline to a fixed-gear configuration, a trip to Santa Barbara for Nancy’s 60th birthday, and all the usual other parts of the day that interfere with writing.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja4qTwQiPnEqvrJTK-Wk4eD3ee9upVDh1nqup-mw6B48pWdZ43w2Ih932lqQW4lMcD6ogrojzYUEZVqfa6P72xXWyqmyEM4E88hvkXVW6HNeRleSEO56bfhuih0IKBp5_dTdigWw/s1600-h/p80_Oct18+045.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 265px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435744976099288706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja4qTwQiPnEqvrJTK-Wk4eD3ee9upVDh1nqup-mw6B48pWdZ43w2Ih932lqQW4lMcD6ogrojzYUEZVqfa6P72xXWyqmyEM4E88hvkXVW6HNeRleSEO56bfhuih0IKBp5_dTdigWw/s400/p80_Oct18+045.jpg" /></a> </div><div><em>We always hit the beach when we are in Santa Barbara...</em></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuPTfMMKRDxBDQ0NdN7ERhdCUDgd_BXT8RTFwDpwWQ7_0CWoathopSCjjV5PkMxsgfh7eXLmfL37gw-JSHpJ9SmGXqO0QNtMupFjiXJE-R99ensE2J0IwJfpIRmwRDveDIhyphenhyphenDGtg/s1600-h/p80_Oct18+040.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 265px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435747456345066690" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuPTfMMKRDxBDQ0NdN7ERhdCUDgd_BXT8RTFwDpwWQ7_0CWoathopSCjjV5PkMxsgfh7eXLmfL37gw-JSHpJ9SmGXqO0QNtMupFjiXJE-R99ensE2J0IwJfpIRmwRDveDIhyphenhyphenDGtg/s400/p80_Oct18+040.jpg" /></a></div><div><em>I could not resist this snapshot. The gentleman wore a pair of very fancy basketball Nike's...<br /></em>As I was composing this edition, I realized that if I wrote everything I should have written in the last month, l than this blog would be longer President Obama’s State of the Union Address! So, in the interest of brevity, I am going to just publish a bunch of pictures with long captions. Enjoy!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjebsm8Q85aKuOsDrjAov83j9wJgwTUV19NGivpPu4txiwjnU4NNEzJJU17MiVpafUtXOQU-cOAWE9Pnr8nvUE3DkAyVEgzuH2o47PP6UqUeWmbGeAKBbGCSYRGe9FO0iMUmdGJMg/s1600-h/p80_Oct18+034.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435744967896935234" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjebsm8Q85aKuOsDrjAov83j9wJgwTUV19NGivpPu4txiwjnU4NNEzJJU17MiVpafUtXOQU-cOAWE9Pnr8nvUE3DkAyVEgzuH2o47PP6UqUeWmbGeAKBbGCSYRGe9FO0iMUmdGJMg/s400/p80_Oct18+034.jpg" /></a> </div><div><em>Soccer Pitch/Catch Basin...three days after this, the water was gone!</em><br />Flooding. Yes, we had plenty of that. The desert terrain here is so firm and hard-packed that water just runs off the top. So, just a few inches of rain and there are streets that become rivers, and soccer fields, that become lakes.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggwbJg7r4hzupsOb-zXRVOdHK8qHuUu9M92ZIERcKwMx3b74MYcsCSgmHUkuPeUCvtyCjgyix291QmczvX5HEuoOtWjC3M505hK2XL2Z4E1KONElxe4pTdrRa265Yn7A2ThWw6tg/s1600-h/p80_Oct18+049.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 265px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435744988613122786" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggwbJg7r4hzupsOb-zXRVOdHK8qHuUu9M92ZIERcKwMx3b74MYcsCSgmHUkuPeUCvtyCjgyix291QmczvX5HEuoOtWjC3M505hK2XL2Z4E1KONElxe4pTdrRa265Yn7A2ThWw6tg/s400/p80_Oct18+049.jpg" /></a></div><div><em>Children have such fun at the beach...</em></div><div>Traveling. We have made a couple of trips since my last post; first, to see Nancy, Muhsin, Sue, and Dana, to celebrate Nancy’s 60th birthday. We had a great time as we gathered and spent a great time just being together as family. While we were at it, we managed to start planning a long-awaited trip to Zion national Park this spring. </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO-orPsjkLkQ1luAsI0cS_Y972paKiPnLwGEBBHTZAZHJ2vyuYEnefTP8RLeIwdltStbq-Cv3MpMFSB9BBVsIy_WiQdQLOCii3CgVzMRQidCbtWiMslw01XpCEA0wG-v1R3-cGnA/s1600-h/p80_Oct18+072.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 265px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435745704384819074" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO-orPsjkLkQ1luAsI0cS_Y972paKiPnLwGEBBHTZAZHJ2vyuYEnefTP8RLeIwdltStbq-Cv3MpMFSB9BBVsIy_WiQdQLOCii3CgVzMRQidCbtWiMslw01XpCEA0wG-v1R3-cGnA/s400/p80_Oct18+072.jpg" /></a></div><div><em>You're really special if you get TWO birthday cakes!</em></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5fvhIgGBdioaaZY5ZLUmBs40XWwza8KfD1TbPCRSBvMjYHefMr_x8wEHsfuJNNsUJxHwmDVektrQg2tVKwvq0s4tUKdDdQD-35mbs7LRHGjVQipVDMkntQrb9YMHsZI6aJlYHkw/s1600-h/DSC_5348.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 265px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435747082377016882" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5fvhIgGBdioaaZY5ZLUmBs40XWwza8KfD1TbPCRSBvMjYHefMr_x8wEHsfuJNNsUJxHwmDVektrQg2tVKwvq0s4tUKdDdQD-35mbs7LRHGjVQipVDMkntQrb9YMHsZI6aJlYHkw/s400/DSC_5348.JPG" /></a></div><div><em>No caption needed... Happy Andy...</em></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVmYRdEGjYFcjpBjmfGK-a8MpauPD223vp2Sk1HNPOj9KxTEGC5_oP2LHz5a7j1YOMI_ELxOoUvv6Kbb5aZCTubFD7xTAjBe86PlxtGo0sp7KBiTbsBW2KZrBII-EbKLZEcsRNcQ/s1600-h/DSC_5354.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 265px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435746818238531330" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVmYRdEGjYFcjpBjmfGK-a8MpauPD223vp2Sk1HNPOj9KxTEGC5_oP2LHz5a7j1YOMI_ELxOoUvv6Kbb5aZCTubFD7xTAjBe86PlxtGo0sp7KBiTbsBW2KZrBII-EbKLZEcsRNcQ/s400/DSC_5354.JPG" /></a></div><div>Two weeks later, we drove down to Tucson to spend a few days with Amy, Jon, and Andy. Boy! That little girl will steal your heart. I’m not sure what else can be said here, other that we sure enjoyed spending time with Jon, Amy, and Andy.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcQ3M3zC-ARuR748OFMtihdS8rabmt4Kp6_dwCsIWCzgbiWJs_Un6FwSokMi5eS2MlSN8HXnMvjdryBEQwWam5Wuv3OjwuMQqs9_uVSpVeBWIJSnadfcHuGoONLY8iUVLcTkIPaQ/s1600-h/p80_Oct18+100.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435745728477663426" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcQ3M3zC-ARuR748OFMtihdS8rabmt4Kp6_dwCsIWCzgbiWJs_Un6FwSokMi5eS2MlSN8HXnMvjdryBEQwWam5Wuv3OjwuMQqs9_uVSpVeBWIJSnadfcHuGoONLY8iUVLcTkIPaQ/s400/p80_Oct18+100.jpg" /></a></div><div><em>I am told it's not the bike, it's the engine riding it! Well... OK then!</em></div><div>The Redline: I recently converted the Redline 925 from single-speed configuration to fixed-gear. What does this mean? Well, it means the bike still rides like a single-speed bike, but now, there is no freewheel, which also means, NO coasting! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf04ZUl0TPXYsSGlXeFBW5gPQ2679X7ieKzS3pZWoVPCLXkMVEw4rnJpYxiIY19K8lWkV5awrmxoM6ou6-gDOuv5Lfxxbo8pwNge3r5Qj6ZLeK4lYL96m2qMCvvOrN8PA9996tYA/s1600-h/p80_Oct18+096.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435745719733874962" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf04ZUl0TPXYsSGlXeFBW5gPQ2679X7ieKzS3pZWoVPCLXkMVEw4rnJpYxiIY19K8lWkV5awrmxoM6ou6-gDOuv5Lfxxbo8pwNge3r5Qj6ZLeK4lYL96m2qMCvvOrN8PA9996tYA/s400/p80_Oct18+096.jpg" /></a></div><div><em>I took the fenders off to eliminate some pedal strike on the front wheel...</em></div><div>Want to ride fast? Pedal fast. Need to slow down? Pedal slower! It’s a whole new feel, never being able to stop pedaling. I rode the bike 12 miles today, (back and forth to work) and I am still learning all the techniques that are involved in riding “fixed.” Quite a blast, really! It's been quite interesting, learning in some ways, how to ride all over again! </div><div>That's the quick news.. I will try and do a better job of posting..</div><div>Jim</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03384297725417340746noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358679.post-4201717904418597022010-01-10T19:50:00.009-08:002010-01-10T20:08:05.027-08:00A "Rocky" Start to the Year...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxHUl-8vfv5IYQNo4EvAYM6JggOtk-pxKA60cy-cj8vy_b9A3kWYNfsE0JEJV4Yc6nANrGzMGm8LNrpIn-HWJKgjIZHYdNS5xYYr8YHPK_EAZ0f8yd0ozObz6Y1G545BV6I_DX1Q/s1600-h/DSC_4786.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 265px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425325259464931906" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxHUl-8vfv5IYQNo4EvAYM6JggOtk-pxKA60cy-cj8vy_b9A3kWYNfsE0JEJV4Yc6nANrGzMGm8LNrpIn-HWJKgjIZHYdNS5xYYr8YHPK_EAZ0f8yd0ozObz6Y1G545BV6I_DX1Q/s400/DSC_4786.JPG" /></a><br /><div></div><div></div><div><em>One more nice picture from the Elwood Bluffs...</em></div><div>Hi All,<br />Well, it’s the end of a busy weekend here in the desert. There was no bike riding, nor exploration of the local area. Of course, the weekend didn’t go anything like we planned, things just sort of steamrolled. (Or, “dump trucked” for that matter.)<br />How did this all start? Yesterday, Kathy and I had started some planning for what we were going to tackle next in the back yard. As you may recall, the yard was nothing more than bare earth and scorched weeds when we arrived last July. And, over the past few months, we have been slowly creating a desert landscape; pouring concrete pads for patios and a shed, laying some sod, installing sprinklers and a drip line irrigation system for the plants to come, and building a raised garden bed.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpkLeTvUYD-v6-FHfIzETI3GKaV3aDqaoJZ2N96ZP0SNayPd7_escwu5W_GoVfJDJZTLHV-RTRe4qYSTV2YxTc-b4T-kFLTF70aow9PBpvsFiOVeFwScBBvJ8b8cYOJVL-jGLyfg/s1600-h/p80_Oct18+005.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425325467483912450" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpkLeTvUYD-v6-FHfIzETI3GKaV3aDqaoJZ2N96ZP0SNayPd7_escwu5W_GoVfJDJZTLHV-RTRe4qYSTV2YxTc-b4T-kFLTF70aow9PBpvsFiOVeFwScBBvJ8b8cYOJVL-jGLyfg/s400/p80_Oct18+005.jpg" /></a></div><div><em>The pile, after the first 8 barrows had been moved...<br /></em>So, as we progressed in our planning over lunch, we decided to head down to our favorite quarry to see about the timeline for having some gravel delivered for the backyard. We met our friend, Navid, and after discussing which gravel, and how many yards we would need, we asked when it could be delivered? Of course, we were thinking something in a week or so. But, Navid had different plans. “How about 3 PM?” he said ever so nicely. Of course! We were up to the challenge, but we weren’t necessarily prepared for so much gravel on short notice.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy9OUw790n0JPpRjvyrEzrRHSShprtNQE-X59VyHViPUFLWJDPW_kpsgfPgHoRecPvbkTMA26iPRUst-gjGRkMTTDK1YMHma2KfA4_3mXl_mpnlvM3VmFSzLNkykjJEXWmClQpuw/s1600-h/p80_Oct18+006.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425325817042337138" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy9OUw790n0JPpRjvyrEzrRHSShprtNQE-X59VyHViPUFLWJDPW_kpsgfPgHoRecPvbkTMA26iPRUst-gjGRkMTTDK1YMHma2KfA4_3mXl_mpnlvM3VmFSzLNkykjJEXWmClQpuw/s400/p80_Oct18+006.jpg" /></a></div><div><em>Here's the first area!<br /></em>How much gravel? Well, we needed enough gravel to cover 1400 square feet, at a depth of 2-3 inches. Anyone have an idea of the size of the pile 8.75 cubic yards looks like? Let me tell you, when you stand next to it with your shovel, it’s a bit overwhelming. But, one has to remember; It’s a finite amount! It just takes one shovel at a time, one barrow at a time, and the pile slowly shrinks.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMJegshdYx7U1vMCNgHMjhxaIWO14vx7hyphenhyphenSFkRLt_JfWm9-h4PaKOJh4LuGrSr36Mia6Zy1dix4vam0oCOeXGOuwvq_Eryk8koSQ0UuB4JuEcdHK6UsosWLiOEYocgitnulmUjLA/s1600-h/p80_Oct18+009.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425326407054870322" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMJegshdYx7U1vMCNgHMjhxaIWO14vx7hyphenhyphenSFkRLt_JfWm9-h4PaKOJh4LuGrSr36Mia6Zy1dix4vam0oCOeXGOuwvq_Eryk8koSQ0UuB4JuEcdHK6UsosWLiOEYocgitnulmUjLA/s400/p80_Oct18+009.jpg" /></a></div><div><em>Next, we move to the larger area...<br /></em>So, with Kathy’s help, we did it! We didn’t hire anyone; we just got to work. Kathy would lay the protective weed barrier cloth, and I would deliver wheelbarrows of gravel. Then Kathy would rake out the gravel, and lay more cloth. We made a great team! </div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7uPf1lhrrNXz-HkQyx016SmpdafI5YTxKthpYjdzte0lAK7OXaeeqnbyWqpUxoS7RgFuY4vs2GiZBOfbyIlIIeaHUgK-O4gtum70Emji0qmi4jjqCx1p7VDmMgVbuDGoWBL4T5Q/s1600-h/p80_Oct18+014a.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425326633124338322" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7uPf1lhrrNXz-HkQyx016SmpdafI5YTxKthpYjdzte0lAK7OXaeeqnbyWqpUxoS7RgFuY4vs2GiZBOfbyIlIIeaHUgK-O4gtum70Emji0qmi4jjqCx1p7VDmMgVbuDGoWBL4T5Q/s400/p80_Oct18+014a.jpg" /></a></div><div><em>Now you can see both! Plus the area we have designed for a flagstone type pathway...</em></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXyzv22mi6pMJ0vb4utUILOSDRfUf3OlDvDM4k1bdFVdmbzTJP1kVCIDeIjbrEvCNO1SP8AV1jW-TPh5VcADsCVcaP3m9KkMYp9s3WRd7HiP3gZYN2axcwOEY1y_RRpudVEX9a3A/s1600-h/p80_Oct18+016.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 300px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425326885954302722" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXyzv22mi6pMJ0vb4utUILOSDRfUf3OlDvDM4k1bdFVdmbzTJP1kVCIDeIjbrEvCNO1SP8AV1jW-TPh5VcADsCVcaP3m9KkMYp9s3WRd7HiP3gZYN2axcwOEY1y_RRpudVEX9a3A/s400/p80_Oct18+016.jpg" /></a></div><div><em>And, the last area, down the side to the gate...</em></div><div>And also, thanks to our neighbor, Leena, who upon seeing us work hard all day, brought us pizza for dinner! Now, that’s a neighbor! So, 43 wheelbarrows later, about 90% of the gravel is now in the back. We’ll finish the rest tomorrow.<br />How did you spend your weekend?<br />Jim</div>Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03384297725417340746noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358679.post-68657950636803530882010-01-04T19:55:00.008-08:002010-01-05T19:43:16.915-08:00Putting a New Face to a New Year<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4bkMhb_rniSXp7gEiADWOVhfdVaVuwAzhD61cE7FWhGsJI6PpqZmRGGRTVGfdyWlx3G65EYIFlX-PQYCVwC6__L4VeeTNELLsWkzfk95VD1w4MaHGC-nG30UnfSEWucvczcjDOQ/s1600-h/p80_Oct18+001.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 265px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423106313691096978" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4bkMhb_rniSXp7gEiADWOVhfdVaVuwAzhD61cE7FWhGsJI6PpqZmRGGRTVGfdyWlx3G65EYIFlX-PQYCVwC6__L4VeeTNELLsWkzfk95VD1w4MaHGC-nG30UnfSEWucvczcjDOQ/s400/p80_Oct18+001.jpg" /></a><br /><em>Sunrise - Pasadena, New Year's Day, 2010</em><br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div>Welcome to 2010! I am sure by now the “Best of the decade”and “Best of 2009” news stories are (thankfully) fading out of the news cycle. The mailbox and TV commercials are now filled with exercise advertisements; and the media has moved on to the usual mundane issues such as finance, health care, war, drugs, and the latest celebrity scandal. Most of us are already looking ahead to the new year; people are revitalized, energized, and ready to take on new challenges with a fresh start. </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx59xKDR0DPIHzlw9YDOd6k_aqNf26KlSwqWRDzCmgPO8aE3NGOYq3hEXQ__XrOMGYRi7CV-87Ohmr19MPNnX_4lAajU-NIaLSrhb2YhF2knxiwzJlRT56GDd_ZCTSrAa6dvPZmw/s1600-h/p80_Oct18+020a.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 283px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423103962564284674" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx59xKDR0DPIHzlw9YDOd6k_aqNf26KlSwqWRDzCmgPO8aE3NGOYq3hEXQ__XrOMGYRi7CV-87Ohmr19MPNnX_4lAajU-NIaLSrhb2YhF2knxiwzJlRT56GDd_ZCTSrAa6dvPZmw/s400/p80_Oct18+020a.jpg" /></a><br />For me, I am not necessarily making any New Year’s resolutions, but rather, making a commitment to write more letters and connect with friends and family through the year. No, a nudge or poke, or whatever they call it on Facebook doesn’t count. I am just going to try and write everyone that sent us a Christmas letter. Trust me, a daunting task! We’ll see what happens. All I can ask is that if you get a letter or postcard from a friend, write one back!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz4UTaoK5BZuVGlXKoet_HZhL38MtgNTh0QVcnguvRQJr5CnbcUZud2CegZTb2tUUJVnEQW_VhFVrTIhS4PQUBJjmwl20zGrX4hfKMR5Z_qSBXanTQyIJOmi9UrZN7Da4clClTDg/s1600-h/p80_Oct18+330a.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 265px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423105481030739458" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz4UTaoK5BZuVGlXKoet_HZhL38MtgNTh0QVcnguvRQJr5CnbcUZud2CegZTb2tUUJVnEQW_VhFVrTIhS4PQUBJjmwl20zGrX4hfKMR5Z_qSBXanTQyIJOmi9UrZN7Da4clClTDg/s400/p80_Oct18+330a.jpg" /></a> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicnOnPzuno5nyf5CN9j9AV-BV6fv9xnNB8vVd2xzUIl4nV1fIiN0LdfgY8Qcf1BgUJJzI9-Pjw1VWwUH0pUnthlEYBwV3IoD5j74Mee1C4aBZ332e1EuvERniZv8QarvnOfyIhlA/s1600-h/p80_Oct18+242a.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 265px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423105446840148210" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicnOnPzuno5nyf5CN9j9AV-BV6fv9xnNB8vVd2xzUIl4nV1fIiN0LdfgY8Qcf1BgUJJzI9-Pjw1VWwUH0pUnthlEYBwV3IoD5j74Mee1C4aBZ332e1EuvERniZv8QarvnOfyIhlA/s400/p80_Oct18+242a.jpg" /></a></div><div>I have been thinking about the New Year, too. I find that there are many faces to a year, or even a decade for that matter. Joy, apprehensiveness, tension, adventure, excitement, sadness, laughter, and love, all come to mind for starters.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJzngYo5mUNWBUyeZu5a_a6K_-WYC1nxHAfRIthY0ibNcWgq7n-0Z6SLbKXGJ6LjhLBS_t_UuInmtFlMedocoTBl6qJuYR-nzCzH2K097V4lGcT7ghv2Y5hcBACEikSuik2Z1JyA/s1600-h/p80_Oct18+304a.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 265px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423105466100551730" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJzngYo5mUNWBUyeZu5a_a6K_-WYC1nxHAfRIthY0ibNcWgq7n-0Z6SLbKXGJ6LjhLBS_t_UuInmtFlMedocoTBl6qJuYR-nzCzH2K097V4lGcT7ghv2Y5hcBACEikSuik2Z1JyA/s400/p80_Oct18+304a.jpg" /></a></div><div> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQUipEBDC3nJD_fHihYj6X19N_sxVT28KeDr_nEp-wMrjuVsGEPEOpXFyZm4-0PmhQwfTE6WMIeDubxmUKhc8MYu7z5Sz9qru8VaAbVBxFxWzhy-8Pey1PGWiG7mEs2Tb93xMC2Q/s1600-h/p80_Oct18+188a.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 265px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423103970490316770" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQUipEBDC3nJD_fHihYj6X19N_sxVT28KeDr_nEp-wMrjuVsGEPEOpXFyZm4-0PmhQwfTE6WMIeDubxmUKhc8MYu7z5Sz9qru8VaAbVBxFxWzhy-8Pey1PGWiG7mEs2Tb93xMC2Q/s400/p80_Oct18+188a.jpg" /></a></div><div> </div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidSvBGNKo66D2zbdWaIG3sIpxPi7LK4FWHQoBtpJpCB8BdRsw6LktKKgI97n1P7zsIlmEC_U8r3gPT-JsBykYskS0rnm6A9rj8X3dHDE9yreX4eBtenylEuNj359-in_zT-DhZGw/s1600-h/p80_Oct18+288.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 265px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423106300052158690" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidSvBGNKo66D2zbdWaIG3sIpxPi7LK4FWHQoBtpJpCB8BdRsw6LktKKgI97n1P7zsIlmEC_U8r3gPT-JsBykYskS0rnm6A9rj8X3dHDE9yreX4eBtenylEuNj359-in_zT-DhZGw/s400/p80_Oct18+288.jpg" /></a></div><div></div><div>I look at a calendar and ask myself all sorts of questions! Where will I go this year? What adventures will I have? What new places will Kathy and I discover? Who will I meet? Where will I ride? Or run? Or swim? (A hint for a future adventure later this year. What projects will I finish? How much will my grandchildren grow? What unknown challenges are out there? Where did all these weird faces come from?</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqiIo7EjuIWVQQQeUyahYQCNHqfTxDkR8nGEexQURQglshnrj9VPPcGKNP39zB3dE2sH5OVjowrFJePllovQJUfDX4L-DfoeZmpjcxB78mUWlT_eEO3u-j0dKoGazdK0lyso65Jw/s1600-h/p80_Oct18+295a.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 265px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423105461211302642" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqiIo7EjuIWVQQQeUyahYQCNHqfTxDkR8nGEexQURQglshnrj9VPPcGKNP39zB3dE2sH5OVjowrFJePllovQJUfDX4L-DfoeZmpjcxB78mUWlT_eEO3u-j0dKoGazdK0lyso65Jw/s400/p80_Oct18+295a.jpg" /></a></div><div> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNnOF6KGeZOpUjNerYbF85NUsFG_5gS15qXNzlmEB7QM6vR3xvg3JqIWkGua68_g4reTscmy4orx-OYNI4wdzBVxVX02K0tvr0LGph5Bwc18CgTrclShmgFC6Ac9ECs468XeU6Ug/s1600-h/p80_Oct18+324.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 265px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423106306163946722" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNnOF6KGeZOpUjNerYbF85NUsFG_5gS15qXNzlmEB7QM6vR3xvg3JqIWkGua68_g4reTscmy4orx-OYNI4wdzBVxVX02K0tvr0LGph5Bwc18CgTrclShmgFC6Ac9ECs468XeU6Ug/s400/p80_Oct18+324.jpg" /></a></div><div> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJB2oMDskW6lfQ0phWbwxvEwKutEHtLkT7xzHHiiYFMldncvEcU1uSBZ-47KpF_tsp8u8OBO7V6CDagRl2rlEY9kGTBL-gyd2_-3gvkS2JZlnv_e9VpBrBq7WeI1ew9VdWWQ-y1Q/s1600-h/p80_Oct18+234a.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 265px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423103991710864194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJB2oMDskW6lfQ0phWbwxvEwKutEHtLkT7xzHHiiYFMldncvEcU1uSBZ-47KpF_tsp8u8OBO7V6CDagRl2rlEY9kGTBL-gyd2_-3gvkS2JZlnv_e9VpBrBq7WeI1ew9VdWWQ-y1Q/s400/p80_Oct18+234a.jpg" /></a><br />The Rose Parade of course! Kathy, Kitt (Kathy’s mom) and I have already had an adventure this year. We went to the Rose Parade! What a great experience, the floats, the bands, the tens of thousands of classic Americans enjoying a great parade. On January 2nd, we went back down to Pasadena to view the floats up close. It was a great day, as we got to see craftsmanship, artistry, and ingenuity right at arm’s length. I enjoyed taking literally hundreds of pictures of floats, bands, and some of the detail work that make the Rose Parade floats world famous. I was amazed at how all the floats were created and decorated using only organic material. it was a great way to start the year...with an adventure!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt63CxRcljl4Da6qzJEomtIyb0nDAuGnAbRLxrHMAv0yv0zy68e2yO8dAH-nIqA_O6qRoXjYebmog3eaYB_fZhntjUXbC68UDgDGy9nnm6OwosRW6zS2lm_YPN0GwKqmyQG-GhRA/s1600-h/p80_Oct18+001a.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 272px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423106315478809122" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt63CxRcljl4Da6qzJEomtIyb0nDAuGnAbRLxrHMAv0yv0zy68e2yO8dAH-nIqA_O6qRoXjYebmog3eaYB_fZhntjUXbC68UDgDGy9nnm6OwosRW6zS2lm_YPN0GwKqmyQG-GhRA/s400/p80_Oct18+001a.jpg" /></a><br /><em>Riding in another failed neighborhood...</em></div><div>That’s the news for the week. I have already enjoyed some miles on the Surly and the Barcroft Virginia GT. I will be riding to work on Wednesday and Thursday. Lately, I have been having to almost pinch myself and realize that I get to ride in lovely weather in January! I can't get over the fact that I am not having to wear ALL of my winter cycling layers just to get out for a ride! <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNx-Wky0LpN-UbpP3kNf9KBsK0hOk-T_Oo1pwAkpqB4vASgZaPKlCOB10GNUtONVncl3BqquVhfN5_uB0aDSU8uoeEwnK0STmZL-Qaq6xmtX58dIwnuL6o36JeQfkXj6gOGVbg7w/s1600-h/p80_Oct18+255.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 265px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423108497993075522" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNx-Wky0LpN-UbpP3kNf9KBsK0hOk-T_Oo1pwAkpqB4vASgZaPKlCOB10GNUtONVncl3BqquVhfN5_uB0aDSU8uoeEwnK0STmZL-Qaq6xmtX58dIwnuL6o36JeQfkXj6gOGVbg7w/s400/p80_Oct18+255.jpg" /></a></div><div>Enjoy the year, wherever it takes you. Have a ball!<br />Jim </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03384297725417340746noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358679.post-70589946610444896012009-12-19T08:13:00.008-08:002009-12-26T12:11:58.080-08:00Bluffs, Birthdays and Bikes....<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEqoM8qFCQRKxvrZdDutXNbtrn27Q-JPITlyBY48gZtvroWITDxrUM0Lw98_P0znYub6C39DC2ce5tcHN64ZkOT-e2vWf7TorhZs2XHMFVwIbtP9hAvgHqFHTNLNr4Me4e2jVDPw/s1600-h/DSC_4804cl.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 267px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416983280852153106" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEqoM8qFCQRKxvrZdDutXNbtrn27Q-JPITlyBY48gZtvroWITDxrUM0Lw98_P0znYub6C39DC2ce5tcHN64ZkOT-e2vWf7TorhZs2XHMFVwIbtP9hAvgHqFHTNLNr4Me4e2jVDPw/s400/DSC_4804cl.jpg" /></a><br /><em>Looking west along the Ellwood Bluff...</em><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNjNDhXYbvvk3YQpcImU9J0u2BJaP27N6QATwdarbVgvC15xDuuZeK91HR2WWYvfRrGl2GYnZ6DQVkItOChOxwvo3ZD3KhdygYWnPRbgIijETjxBohRv5lfGokh00tItLSXP5USw/s1600-h/DSC_4799bw.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 249px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416982533310709154" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNjNDhXYbvvk3YQpcImU9J0u2BJaP27N6QATwdarbVgvC15xDuuZeK91HR2WWYvfRrGl2GYnZ6DQVkItOChOxwvo3ZD3KhdygYWnPRbgIijETjxBohRv5lfGokh00tItLSXP5USw/s400/DSC_4799bw.jpg" /></a><br /><em>Shades of gray....</em><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKOLAHvwmO5n2XeBwpne3fn7aZ_fdd34k6HmxgIo0XfSuVecVs61KgFacuZHj-D4NbMk3h-I0a-D0L6pGEMYQY2MUp4ESQ32xEmLr0Wh1TK1uVMkolVnef8oESK0I63D2BFCvkTw/s1600-h/DSC_4794a.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 265px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416982523837517122" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKOLAHvwmO5n2XeBwpne3fn7aZ_fdd34k6HmxgIo0XfSuVecVs61KgFacuZHj-D4NbMk3h-I0a-D0L6pGEMYQY2MUp4ESQ32xEmLr0Wh1TK1uVMkolVnef8oESK0I63D2BFCvkTw/s400/DSC_4794a.jpg" /></a><br /><em>Post- rainstorm puddles!</em><br /><div><div><div><div>Hi all,<br />It’s a quiet Saturday morning here; another beautiful day. Last week’s torrential rain is just a memory. Of course, we missed most of the worst weather as we were out in Santa Barbara celebrating Sue’s birthday. </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkk7u0v4Nvy9GCx2gq7JbZ6KAMCHH9dk6QaTZ0csXRfcgQzjoPJn0URFxAgeLjQUI_-n5Vxif6qQtyZsRqwF4_U0srXxS-6fEJzBlpHEsj6FVZ05Q7HsbYrVcuc0ksVbk0Z-TyfQ/s1600-h/DSC_4764a.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 300px; HEIGHT: 400px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416982497188986738" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkk7u0v4Nvy9GCx2gq7JbZ6KAMCHH9dk6QaTZ0csXRfcgQzjoPJn0URFxAgeLjQUI_-n5Vxif6qQtyZsRqwF4_U0srXxS-6fEJzBlpHEsj6FVZ05Q7HsbYrVcuc0ksVbk0Z-TyfQ/s400/DSC_4764a.jpg" /></a></div><div><em>Happy Birthday, Sue!</em></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdialv5-2gNxZsvbuBc9R0OOle-VL1p3Pv3xDmbHcxQlu0ZCnV3PA98VL9LnBjJsfwpxsZFtNCUQMAc2lz4CUvwYdXaAjPS30rWO5aLBXbQdE7Qr5rlPtY4U4mjGtITa4BOTy_7A/s1600-h/DSC_4828a.jpg"></a><div>After I get done blogging this morning, I’ll head outside with my shovel to refill the ditch around the new pipe drains. Last Saturday’s rain washed all of our hard work away!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdialv5-2gNxZsvbuBc9R0OOle-VL1p3Pv3xDmbHcxQlu0ZCnV3PA98VL9LnBjJsfwpxsZFtNCUQMAc2lz4CUvwYdXaAjPS30rWO5aLBXbQdE7Qr5rlPtY4U4mjGtITa4BOTy_7A/s1600-h/DSC_4828a.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 265px; HEIGHT: 400px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416983288570609762" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdialv5-2gNxZsvbuBc9R0OOle-VL1p3Pv3xDmbHcxQlu0ZCnV3PA98VL9LnBjJsfwpxsZFtNCUQMAc2lz4CUvwYdXaAjPS30rWO5aLBXbQdE7Qr5rlPtY4U4mjGtITa4BOTy_7A/s400/DSC_4828a.jpg" /></a></div><div><em>Walking back to Sue's...</em></div><div>Our Santa Barbara trip was great. We enjoyed family time with Sue, Nan, Muhsin, and Dana. Along the way, we had rain, wind, and some nice sunny weather on Sunday morning. We celebrated a birthday, did some shopping, told old family stories, discovered a Monarch Butterfly Preserve, and on the way home captured a few cacti (do you recall the original Cactus Hunter blog 4 years ago?)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggz7nuLkYwIhZgoKdAyPTTrIxFvzFnqCj3C_cZ6Ni152kCLqP1aY2sBebBeEf0nAoq56A7fSVb0o9VU3ZS9JzYvsmo6uhokA6fMLTTAMOUTdXKPBfTLj1DcYm_-ZCBQWg0TwDATg/s1600-h/DSC_4789bw.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 265px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416982515993662450" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggz7nuLkYwIhZgoKdAyPTTrIxFvzFnqCj3C_cZ6Ni152kCLqP1aY2sBebBeEf0nAoq56A7fSVb0o9VU3ZS9JzYvsmo6uhokA6fMLTTAMOUTdXKPBfTLj1DcYm_-ZCBQWg0TwDATg/s400/DSC_4789bw.jpg" /></a><br /><em>An old seawall, slowly being reclaimed by the surf...</em></div><div>And of course, one of the activities we never fail to miss when we are out to S.B. is a walk on the Ellwood Bluffs near Sue and Dana’s house. This wonderful preserve has been protected from development, and is a wonderful place to enjoy the great outdoors in peace and quiet.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSJlSD49i31Id7Vwghr8ec7UDq6huAQYHoM8j8qe_8JO8s0yJcbgwDL8Hbs7kRPbZnE81Kq6W0zf0BdKSp0sdSTkeYCaUrAvwm_Dx5uyZvXyXs4Td4heE5CTpRT7cAbdDOG_g_JQ/s1600-h/DSC_4775a.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 298px; HEIGHT: 400px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416982505630393698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSJlSD49i31Id7Vwghr8ec7UDq6huAQYHoM8j8qe_8JO8s0yJcbgwDL8Hbs7kRPbZnE81Kq6W0zf0BdKSp0sdSTkeYCaUrAvwm_Dx5uyZvXyXs4Td4heE5CTpRT7cAbdDOG_g_JQ/s400/DSC_4775a.jpg" /></a></div><div><em>Bird of Paradise...<br /></em>In riding news, I was able to commute to work twice this past week. It’s still a bit odd, being able to ride to work in December, but, it’s better than ride commuting in July when it’s 110 degrees! I have added a new handlebar bag to the Surly LHT , which has made carrying all my basic stuff for work a lot more efficient. The security guard at the center still gives me quizzical looks when I pull up, but perhaps, he’ll eventually get used to the idea. With over 400 controllers assigned, I have never seen another bicycle on the property since I arrived last August. My workmates seem to think it’s utterly crazy to ride one’s bike to work when it’s 35 degrees! But of course, the lovely 58-degree afternoon ride home is the payoff.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYFQvHKCP7lZ8GykLXFFUfgEqEJwkGe83wPwu8asTVOAedPICeRIG0hGRLuSLnlnDp0J23B244C9qkFJ_quTsoOTKbQbtMTorncG9BJq6aYaDuWozLAgwHHDS2v4ty7PR93oghcg/s1600-h/DSC_4831a.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 254px; HEIGHT: 400px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416983290771965474" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYFQvHKCP7lZ8GykLXFFUfgEqEJwkGe83wPwu8asTVOAedPICeRIG0hGRLuSLnlnDp0J23B244C9qkFJ_quTsoOTKbQbtMTorncG9BJq6aYaDuWozLAgwHHDS2v4ty7PR93oghcg/s400/DSC_4831a.jpg" /></a></div><div><em>I will no longer have to go hunting cactus, I'll just walk out to the backyard</em>!<br />That’s all the riding and traveling news for today. Now, to go shovel some sand!<br />Jim </div></div></div></div></div></div><br /><br /><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><input id="jsProxy" onclick="jsCall();" type="hidden"> <div id="refHTML"></div>Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03384297725417340746noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358679.post-8954900201935792362009-12-05T20:30:00.005-08:002009-12-05T20:47:32.193-08:00500 Miles, 500 Miles...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQVai0mm8NZQQL_aFpfTC2WlIL-09y2hrltIJBp5K4QFsbhpZvMedCk3-7JjugfF7YvwvdKgNZXqblmtQ1bh2CxWXrmn0nA5gTgzOfKyMpcCTqBjVHr0zX_E0z-uW_8pFdrmqR3g/s1600-h/p80_Oct18+099bw.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 254px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411978194498484162" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQVai0mm8NZQQL_aFpfTC2WlIL-09y2hrltIJBp5K4QFsbhpZvMedCk3-7JjugfF7YvwvdKgNZXqblmtQ1bh2CxWXrmn0nA5gTgzOfKyMpcCTqBjVHr0zX_E0z-uW_8pFdrmqR3g/s400/p80_Oct18+099bw.jpg" /></a><br /><div><em>The 2009 Freeze and Wheeze...</em><br /><div><div><div><div><div><div>500 Miles…500 Miles…A quite appropriate old lyric from a Peter, Paul, and Mary CD I have been listening to this week. In reality this morning, it felt like 500 except it was only 9 miles. Of course, when was the last time you walked 9 miles! Kathy, Leena, and I did this morning.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiic8XV_hBQDo0lUU1lAkaeNqAaxOAV__tWAGtUeaxhvYHdkl-wrkaf_Ez-eIYWGafr7Ub36bCwm6bIMeP4irPmpAxSDWFmR3ZPsOVxs2XMCBhz7GrTRsfzAD3INvA_miDGIt0YqQ/s1600-h/p80_Oct18+093.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411977738595937730" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiic8XV_hBQDo0lUU1lAkaeNqAaxOAV__tWAGtUeaxhvYHdkl-wrkaf_Ez-eIYWGafr7Ub36bCwm6bIMeP4irPmpAxSDWFmR3ZPsOVxs2XMCBhz7GrTRsfzAD3INvA_miDGIt0YqQ/s400/p80_Oct18+093.jpg" /></a></div><div><em>On our way to the nasty hill up to the Start Line...</em><br />We had signed up to participate in Palmdale’s 2009 “Wheeze and Freeze;” a 5km or 10km walk/run along the California Aqueduct. We of course, intelligently signed up to do the 5k, then, not so intelligently, walked right past the 5km turnaround, and walked the whole 10k! Add in the fact that we walked from our house to the start line, and we made a tidy 9 miles out of the morning.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9XfLdzq-JXJXs_xBy4FtV4YYVdOUEUCFWD39Bhm6Rvc3wcZ2OsaZqAXmuCN36eCjQ_QbIPSRG1jEvzZ0S0WewMh5-AYwk8z5ocmJrvabTLAPhnGf-InrdMPZhPCJQYbxPD91DEg/s1600-h/p80_Oct18+094.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 300px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411977749921448658" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9XfLdzq-JXJXs_xBy4FtV4YYVdOUEUCFWD39Bhm6Rvc3wcZ2OsaZqAXmuCN36eCjQ_QbIPSRG1jEvzZ0S0WewMh5-AYwk8z5ocmJrvabTLAPhnGf-InrdMPZhPCJQYbxPD91DEg/s400/p80_Oct18+094.jpg" /></a></div><div><em>Note the streamers blowing in the wind!</em></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjah_3OTd3jyJeAKa6QYe7pQ1X0GscKDVDFF8AwvERIb3_aak5sanwk0CIM0QHOECkUfZCyak0VuOyc7CYyPfQRtHTWvf5djtsgW7UH1d-jc2aW-69kx54j_6_Sxq-XkKcA8uLjUA/s1600-h/p80_Oct18+095.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411977752222827794" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjah_3OTd3jyJeAKa6QYe7pQ1X0GscKDVDFF8AwvERIb3_aak5sanwk0CIM0QHOECkUfZCyak0VuOyc7CYyPfQRtHTWvf5djtsgW7UH1d-jc2aW-69kx54j_6_Sxq-XkKcA8uLjUA/s400/p80_Oct18+095.jpg" /></a></div><div><em>A nice turnout of all age groups!</em><br />I would also like to add, that after 10 days of lovely fall weather, Miss Wind made her reappearance in the Antelope Valley. Was it windy? Well, watching the “Portaloos” rolling down the hill was a clear indicator. The wind made it feel quite chilly, and the stronger gust just about knocked me down!</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSjv3kr11BZhgBNWrpnJLkBZ9vExqM1YamPg-WT0jwoqICOfK6H_Kf8GGKt4YLdayIUriiXQ8w8Iekxg-DkwVmLjbMcBYSj7g8q_i-wLFytIhoagdkCnR5jKzExadWJXJoCL6TbA/s1600-h/p80_Oct18+097.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411978188100923266" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSjv3kr11BZhgBNWrpnJLkBZ9vExqM1YamPg-WT0jwoqICOfK6H_Kf8GGKt4YLdayIUriiXQ8w8Iekxg-DkwVmLjbMcBYSj7g8q_i-wLFytIhoagdkCnR5jKzExadWJXJoCL6TbA/s400/p80_Oct18+097.jpg" /></a></div><div><em>The runners have all left, and now the walkers can enjoy some peace...</em></div><div>A check of the local weather site showed temperatures around 45 degrees and wind gusting to 35 kts. So yeah, it was kinda breezy! Did we overdo it? Yes. Did we have fun? Yes. Do we have sore tootsies? Yes. Are we proud of ourselves? Absolutely!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZMMhbMCzTbwQ2cKhKMKUc0Hw8sVhXHr5Z1Z0L_QJ_FJEJoaaBW8a_1MYhdn_mcmFd8Eb5Qj3V_FLwe4IKNB4gjaaBVH8WJ7_BCgjPLkviD6HQaaCo4HxHL9P2k1RgLNkdeEMJWA/s1600-h/p80_Oct18+076.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411977726954788706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZMMhbMCzTbwQ2cKhKMKUc0Hw8sVhXHr5Z1Z0L_QJ_FJEJoaaBW8a_1MYhdn_mcmFd8Eb5Qj3V_FLwe4IKNB4gjaaBVH8WJ7_BCgjPLkviD6HQaaCo4HxHL9P2k1RgLNkdeEMJWA/s400/p80_Oct18+076.jpg" /></a></div><div><em>The Surly parked outside my portable at work...<br /></em>In other news, I have been doing some bike commuting to work the past two weeks. I have to say it’s kind of weird to be able to ride in December. The mornings are a bit on the chilly side; right around freezing, and the afternoon ride home is nice, about 55-60 degrees. The local wind is a bit of a downer, but the riding is phenomenal! It's only 7.5 miles each way, and I am finally getting all the bike stuff together to commute regularly.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiN4ZK6nI4dCeKIq5sOYRdsWzjEl-R6J6XwjiwmhHqWpibhmMenRy3nZpRoOVs6FfAnnTw9aemw83o_RcWdxapPdViaBD1_zI_VP2PN4RMgylYigOUDpk7QPloyEwl0FXpciiwqA/s1600-h/p80_Oct18+078.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411977736391550242" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiN4ZK6nI4dCeKIq5sOYRdsWzjEl-R6J6XwjiwmhHqWpibhmMenRy3nZpRoOVs6FfAnnTw9aemw83o_RcWdxapPdViaBD1_zI_VP2PN4RMgylYigOUDpk7QPloyEwl0FXpciiwqA/s400/p80_Oct18+078.jpg" /></a></div><div><em>A typical Palmdale road; note the bike lane!</em><br />That’s all for today; I need to go soak my blisters some more!<br />See you next week,<br />Jim </div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03384297725417340746noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358679.post-25457896848483780542009-11-24T17:15:00.009-08:002009-11-24T18:31:36.340-08:00The Big Picture...<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV3XXt-lbSSwp_NRMDbmvp9yd347HrG0P4Xf1PaimTW25SY84ndhPQo7UnzRI8eLu8MsLbJnBVKFnoJmwpw1FWiwBHH29Ly_jCSx64vCFB0JREOnFnFQPQtwSpwMSVWn0K3PcUFw/s1600/p80_Oct18+139.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 300px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407862163668893058" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV3XXt-lbSSwp_NRMDbmvp9yd347HrG0P4Xf1PaimTW25SY84ndhPQo7UnzRI8eLu8MsLbJnBVKFnoJmwpw1FWiwBHH29Ly_jCSx64vCFB0JREOnFnFQPQtwSpwMSVWn0K3PcUFw/s400/p80_Oct18+139.jpg" /></a><br /><em>An actual section of the Berlin Wall..</em><br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div>Hi All,<br />As you have probably noticed, most of our weekend routine is spent in the yard, moving dirt, rocks, walls, and creating landscaping. But, when we lose the motivation to work in the yard, we head out in the car, or on foot, and explore our new area. We have enjoyed several lovely hikes and car outings over the past few weeks.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYpy-EwvDRfzEp-u4yd9iQ6aLZB0ImFS6Z3_4tl1rwbKZfjQnYrT1Ig7CD3W4cTypHxFxbU29qrf7SLMeN_-cjTYcpgSwn_f_YmLSjLe5aDzMNjFd6llvP2JULEN3QyQZMhZd7BQ/s1600/p80_Oct18+122.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407846817789677426" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYpy-EwvDRfzEp-u4yd9iQ6aLZB0ImFS6Z3_4tl1rwbKZfjQnYrT1Ig7CD3W4cTypHxFxbU29qrf7SLMeN_-cjTYcpgSwn_f_YmLSjLe5aDzMNjFd6llvP2JULEN3QyQZMhZd7BQ/s400/p80_Oct18+122.jpg" /></a></div><div><em>An exact replica of the Oval Office. Even the 18 ft. ceiling!<br /></em>A Saturday or two ago, we ventured out to Simi Valley. As the locals describe the highways, we took the 14, to the 405, to the 118. When we were in Utah, no one ever described I-15 as “the 15”. But here, it is the norm. Also, up here in Palmdale, the LA Basin is described as: “down below.” It’s interesting how different areas of the country have different vernacular.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPLiyMynxSk_3dzFMJ_njo9xzPGEKqmR3FLGLO0u-YC9XCRVYmp7PIFTF4825tn6fytV7b43wTrDie76-VIgpZ-0oNUjypf7f-Z1jbeIrTANQFwCjYKmNqqjEiq-eN2YlmRB5WLA/s1600/p80_Oct18+118.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 300px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407846807276486114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPLiyMynxSk_3dzFMJ_njo9xzPGEKqmR3FLGLO0u-YC9XCRVYmp7PIFTF4825tn6fytV7b43wTrDie76-VIgpZ-0oNUjypf7f-Z1jbeIrTANQFwCjYKmNqqjEiq-eN2YlmRB5WLA/s400/p80_Oct18+118.jpg" /></a></div><div><em>The Boss's chair; aboard Air Force One.<br /></em>Anyhow, we went to Simi Valley to visit the Ronald Reagan Museum and Library. Kathy and I have a goal of someday checking out all the presidential libraries in the country. It will be a great way to visit new parts of our country, and also we might learn something in our travels!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkUV52sbWfqJ-0cH133HwleOZQjzl6VZFanA0mtOinWBLDis6JCzbyKvID7mPstTwdep_gcQypkY-UCzFgBdvrWOwSgZo4yKxHSU37l5bxNuqjIeghJ6f17nhar-19BwZA9MLLYw/s1600/p80_Oct18+114.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407846023578483906" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkUV52sbWfqJ-0cH133HwleOZQjzl6VZFanA0mtOinWBLDis6JCzbyKvID7mPstTwdep_gcQypkY-UCzFgBdvrWOwSgZo4yKxHSU37l5bxNuqjIeghJ6f17nhar-19BwZA9MLLYw/s400/p80_Oct18+114.jpg" /></a></div><div><em>What a view!<br /></em>The Ronald Reagan Museum and Library is a vast and magnificent structure. The highlight is the VC-137 inside, facing outwards to a magnificent view. You might ask; VC-137? Why yes, otherwise known as Air Force One. Ronald Reagan had the retired ‘137 installed inside the museum. It’s really a sight to see. We think the aircraft came first, and the building was built around it!<br /> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLBt7GaJmP_PAk8EbDY_Tt2g5nXIL83vBZAL_DG3_GXg6Q3sHmfSVTjEpZ3ag5NRigzOMn0zRDlOZv4NzWkqy9sX13b72TjMETBsn9m7hDBQ7DHY91SwrbilflgoC4Y1ABKEe9GA/s1600/p80_Oct18+097.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 296px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407845995801800770" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLBt7GaJmP_PAk8EbDY_Tt2g5nXIL83vBZAL_DG3_GXg6Q3sHmfSVTjEpZ3ag5NRigzOMn0zRDlOZv4NzWkqy9sX13b72TjMETBsn9m7hDBQ7DHY91SwrbilflgoC4Y1ABKEe9GA/s400/p80_Oct18+097.jpg" /></a><br />In other local news, the traveling Vietnam War Memorial just completed an exhibit here in Palmdale. Actually, the exhibit was at the Heritage Airpark, right across from where I work. I took a few moments early one morning to visit, take a few pictures, and reflect on really how thankful I am this Thanksgiving.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtxo5akTFxuUQ5eXi-UiJUC72cSnjLm-YLWl7wSYA-h68lFcG312XHWvhHn3QFrDhLFVM9JiKCvMbpVV0fdqRJgsB7gxu_c9r809BrTTHZhZveHSFCgbclUj3CE7M6SBY4l_CWLA/s1600/p80_Oct18+102.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407846001944477122" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtxo5akTFxuUQ5eXi-UiJUC72cSnjLm-YLWl7wSYA-h68lFcG312XHWvhHn3QFrDhLFVM9JiKCvMbpVV0fdqRJgsB7gxu_c9r809BrTTHZhZveHSFCgbclUj3CE7M6SBY4l_CWLA/s400/p80_Oct18+102.jpg" /></a><br />Visiting both of these sights brought into focus what it must be like to be the one "Who's in Charge". I can't begin to imagine the reponsibility saddled upon any president in our history. Just looking at the replica of the Oval Office made me think about what it must feel like to be in charge of this whole operation.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRDhzqT37VtYNsuYQKbIN8FSzKR_VWWNm_lH3QZtfgoetwUMcQycE2oXOKME38VpI2RNh201IXQ5d356skE_bYdI4ViJw7T-UXzgVfY2HWy2IltmsfQl90GlYqOxUYgli8bUrPcQ/s1600/p80_Oct18+136.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407862172277398498" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRDhzqT37VtYNsuYQKbIN8FSzKR_VWWNm_lH3QZtfgoetwUMcQycE2oXOKME38VpI2RNh201IXQ5d356skE_bYdI4ViJw7T-UXzgVfY2HWy2IltmsfQl90GlYqOxUYgli8bUrPcQ/s400/p80_Oct18+136.jpg" /></a><br /><em>Want your name on the bottom line?<br /></em><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg35MPC8AL6Ck1tRmpabPNFldtBM96xJ-7rRVv3H1rmTImdpjokREsPukjB6wd2CUH0y5Uvkw4Sv34MHVTCR0xqpdIGKfsxHjCnMfEeDm4zcI1qRfJ5T1ZhyNMEUeAt5u0j_Au2_g/s1600/p80_Oct18+105bw.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407846016672764898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg35MPC8AL6Ck1tRmpabPNFldtBM96xJ-7rRVv3H1rmTImdpjokREsPukjB6wd2CUH0y5Uvkw4Sv34MHVTCR0xqpdIGKfsxHjCnMfEeDm4zcI1qRfJ5T1ZhyNMEUeAt5u0j_Au2_g/s400/p80_Oct18+105bw.jpg" /></a></div><em>Even more telling in black and white...<br /></em><div>Visiting the exhibit sort of re-aligned my view of the world. I would go on from here, writing an editorial about Afghanistan, or Iraq, or the pointless loss of life in Vietnam, but this blog is normally not the venue for that. Instead; perhaps you can take a few moments and reflect on your own; no stern editorial will be necessary.<br />See you next week.<br />Jim</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03384297725417340746noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358679.post-69058513670434157462009-11-11T14:56:00.009-08:002009-11-12T16:44:25.840-08:00Dirt and Bikes...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0mXOf24glrBG2_0G7-iw7k2s4a8VkLwqQlC0Vj7eD9SIqX3v1uKLwOL8mTzYL2uRmtKt9WtUUiW6ldYap2lVInaWhtXiSB6FDHcAAPFIqhi_peQeZm7rKjmK3nb1VuWiXNvp8yw/s1600-h/_-10.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 274px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402985502286681266" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0mXOf24glrBG2_0G7-iw7k2s4a8VkLwqQlC0Vj7eD9SIqX3v1uKLwOL8mTzYL2uRmtKt9WtUUiW6ldYap2lVInaWhtXiSB6FDHcAAPFIqhi_peQeZm7rKjmK3nb1VuWiXNvp8yw/s400/_-10.jpg" /></a><br /><div><em>Sunset on the Aqueduct, My contest entry (see the last paragraph)<br /></em><div><div><div><div><div><div><div>Hi All,<br />It has been a busy few weeks since my last post, and it is time to bring you up to date on the on-going adventures here in our new home. I have been working on several projects that relate well to conditioning and physical fitness; working on the back yard landscaping project, and actually spending some time repairing and riding my bikes.<br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKXnn3W-t7uwalw7wOjIfJe5FtlI5m-hok3t8OP3-hVqIOL6iRki_7Zq0l7_jH53-pE7-U3w2NUTPJhb7w0d-o8sI3Wt3yYydWOJemyOHrWIAGXTml1frkz6ggHUDyuCXHy27gww/s1600-h/p80_Oct18+042a.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402985109105754258" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKXnn3W-t7uwalw7wOjIfJe5FtlI5m-hok3t8OP3-hVqIOL6iRki_7Zq0l7_jH53-pE7-U3w2NUTPJhb7w0d-o8sI3Wt3yYydWOJemyOHrWIAGXTml1frkz6ggHUDyuCXHy27gww/s400/p80_Oct18+042a.jpg" /></a></div><div><em>Shovels anyone? Kathy, our neighbor Leena, and I moved this 6 cubic yards to the backyard in a little more than 4 hours!</em></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-UPKGi1aunpUB6vWvSXkO-k_g7M4PG5iidCTf_GGOLRTFgvLxkk2rx04dLv3vFyd4MVq0hyphenhyphenGNLYaPb6xLOR058s-Z7krGp2249ma0GbFL3sziFOE4VLH4dvTejaoRhkJhPaihfg/s1600-h/p80_Oct18+050.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402985128822752034" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-UPKGi1aunpUB6vWvSXkO-k_g7M4PG5iidCTf_GGOLRTFgvLxkk2rx04dLv3vFyd4MVq0hyphenhyphenGNLYaPb6xLOR058s-Z7krGp2249ma0GbFL3sziFOE4VLH4dvTejaoRhkJhPaihfg/s400/p80_Oct18+050.jpg" /></a> </div><div><em>Mmmmmmmm, Sprinklers, topsoil, and fresh sod!</em><br />The main thing I have learned is that I am getting much stronger from all the physical labor of landscaping our yard! Kathy and I have spent many Saturdays looking at the world from the working end of a shovel and wheelbarrow. And I have to admit a great sense of satisfaction every time we finish another part of the project. We work on the project together, enjoy the fruits of our labors, and get wonderfully dusty and dirty in the process!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMyOv5uats31UuCy-K1OWIdh8QI3ZoyYvihGExNvB70VcWBlMBBIF3lxVR_F2Mp6JrwVvm3Hfv91kcQbsgozxbRhPksYVmOL2liQLvke0vwtV41VTPWtqsjdkU_Ohy5OwbjKksRw/s1600-h/DSCN2721.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402986489625846594" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMyOv5uats31UuCy-K1OWIdh8QI3ZoyYvihGExNvB70VcWBlMBBIF3lxVR_F2Mp6JrwVvm3Hfv91kcQbsgozxbRhPksYVmOL2liQLvke0vwtV41VTPWtqsjdkU_Ohy5OwbjKksRw/s400/DSCN2721.JPG" /></a></div><div>Before...</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd9_1EYizuMOZel8hxxp0WkDW-jxrRtoP2DgT2HQeEjxMqFoJyMAj8Bl-PPXLBr6pJ64GtxtUQUMztCaQYKO84T7ovgPltbf3IZB1Ss3MtmftgzFiAzDXZUFPzz6t-OypcYVhg4g/s1600-h/p80_Oct18+049.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402985492561557570" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd9_1EYizuMOZel8hxxp0WkDW-jxrRtoP2DgT2HQeEjxMqFoJyMAj8Bl-PPXLBr6pJ64GtxtUQUMztCaQYKO84T7ovgPltbf3IZB1Ss3MtmftgzFiAzDXZUFPzz6t-OypcYVhg4g/s400/p80_Oct18+049.jpg" /></a></div><div><em>After.... Come visit and sit on the patio!</em></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDvMelCXNzoNibVI-xYWkCNLIffO5LWDjwkVx9ub17HwtWd3nCEeDbOHOHLOZNIrNBaLc0LNX6fzt6gpSlYQkLeDl_jvd0Kzx7O6NtmF93TjHQcYoTmQT8w1r23kUjQTwt2AUXPQ/s1600-h/p80_Oct18+046.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402985133212586002" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDvMelCXNzoNibVI-xYWkCNLIffO5LWDjwkVx9ub17HwtWd3nCEeDbOHOHLOZNIrNBaLc0LNX6fzt6gpSlYQkLeDl_jvd0Kzx7O6NtmF93TjHQcYoTmQT8w1r23kUjQTwt2AUXPQ/s400/p80_Oct18+046.jpg" /></a> </div><div><em>I worked on all 3 bikes!<br /></em>And, speaking of bike maintenance let me mention right here that adding a cycle-computer to the Surly LHT was a bad idea. Yes, it tracks the miles I have ridden, however it also shamelessly indicates the woeful average speed I am riding these days. This is the penalty I pay for basically being off the bike since last spring.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqyvlU0586Jj1dwV1KB9Z0x5z_7d4q3BD5u4waD9mEdoYCnPCRNh3oQv22sKIb3lNPSCcXSjAkABftIzdVyWzpOHlVIwjwHSv7djKBy2MuoC46G4vVS0HjlsArFGji7wkRDHJ4Tw/s1600-h/p80_Oct18+043.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402985114914885618" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqyvlU0586Jj1dwV1KB9Z0x5z_7d4q3BD5u4waD9mEdoYCnPCRNh3oQv22sKIb3lNPSCcXSjAkABftIzdVyWzpOHlVIwjwHSv7djKBy2MuoC46G4vVS0HjlsArFGji7wkRDHJ4Tw/s400/p80_Oct18+043.jpg" /></a> </div><div><em>Brian's very own dump truck....<br /></em>The fact that I am in poor cycling shape needs to stay in perspective; yes, I am not riding a lot of miles, but in the great scheme of things it has been a great few months. Amy and Jon keep us smiling from their adventures with Andy K, and Paul and Christina’s son, Brian calls often to tell of his view of the world. Just ask him about dump trucks and he will tell you all about it! So, my miles will come eventually. One day at a time. I just keep plugging along.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGW1HuOAe2nj29C0u8k3u3Z8Zpf5SgzJDhKCrGj9y-v8rt4G2Q5rCp3aOoYwwYeu3YPpcXTM4xpQYyB4teEf4ZOH2jzE3ZJV94LYv36ZnoOF3HRP2kRDRRTdRcEVCdVpkJYiEpBw/s1600-h/p80_Oct18+048.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 300px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402985123203693010" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGW1HuOAe2nj29C0u8k3u3Z8Zpf5SgzJDhKCrGj9y-v8rt4G2Q5rCp3aOoYwwYeu3YPpcXTM4xpQYyB4teEf4ZOH2jzE3ZJV94LYv36ZnoOF3HRP2kRDRRTdRcEVCdVpkJYiEpBw/s400/p80_Oct18+048.jpg" /></a> </div><div><em>The naughty hill I climb to get to the Aqueduct...</em><br />Speaking of riding; tonight I am heading out on a group ride sponsored by a local bike shop. I happened across this shop in search of new tubes for the Surly. <a href="http://www.teamblock.com/Contact.html">Block Bikes</a> of Lancaster; from the outside not the fanciest shop around. But, once I went inside I found a vast inventory of all classes of bikes, and friendly knowledgeable folks who RIDE. Their emphasis is getting people on bikes! A nice place. I found out that Block sponsors a group ride every Wednesday evening. It’s a local fun ride, not a race, and not a “Critical Mass” type of ride. More a family outing geared (pun?) towards people spending time on their bikes. We’ll see how things shake out. I am taking the Virginia GT for the ride – 20-25 miles at a leisurely pace. Look for a report in a few days.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmza39awnsDGfZuG1FP__CrmVH0Poa0pnnedWOOQNp2p9svB4FoSLG_UNj9tpPu9K6qLyUt3kJkwyKq4S04IxGdRdoOYejAEMmHywyPzc_-EmuGSEg16dNNtgCkKsBUdmw9wI7kg/s1600-h/p80_Oct18+034a.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402985499705421698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmza39awnsDGfZuG1FP__CrmVH0Poa0pnnedWOOQNp2p9svB4FoSLG_UNj9tpPu9K6qLyUt3kJkwyKq4S04IxGdRdoOYejAEMmHywyPzc_-EmuGSEg16dNNtgCkKsBUdmw9wI7kg/s400/p80_Oct18+034a.jpg" /></a><br /><em>Moonrise over the desert...</em></div><div>And lastly, my friend Alan Barnard, web genius of <a href="http://www.ecovelo.info/category/photo-contest-2/">EcoVelo.info</a>, is sponsoring an Endless Summer photo contest. Check out this link; <a href="http://www.ecovelo.info/category/photo-contest-2/">Here,</a> and enjoy some wonderful cycling photography. I will be submitting my entry today. Who knows, maybe I’ll win a doorprize!<br />See down the road…<br />Jim</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03384297725417340746noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358679.post-30397531329263149562009-10-22T19:33:00.007-07:002009-10-22T19:56:58.318-07:00An Unexpected Surprise...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPexBIIrkJ6gmSpf5dXDyCE79e7LZyR8OHNStpo_Pq98gbe6Jjq_ZZLG_e6whvVlbxZG4GcIPdaZC4GMu8j9lSMF5KSnvcWTQaK7SYwiOc5ib_QCuPLKzLib4nr6yfwWc-TMzmGw/s1600-h/p80_Oct18+010.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395618699972697346" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPexBIIrkJ6gmSpf5dXDyCE79e7LZyR8OHNStpo_Pq98gbe6Jjq_ZZLG_e6whvVlbxZG4GcIPdaZC4GMu8j9lSMF5KSnvcWTQaK7SYwiOc5ib_QCuPLKzLib4nr6yfwWc-TMzmGw/s400/p80_Oct18+010.jpg" /></a><br /><em>Sunset along the aqueduct...<br /></em>Hi all,<br />Once again, a planned route turns into an unexpected pleasure. This evening, as Kathy was headed off shopping with a neighbor, I was inspired to take a quick evening spin. It was a lovely outside, not too warm, not chilly, and the usually ever-present Antelope Valley wind machine was taking a break. So, off I went for what was supposedly a quick neighborhood spin.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhskC3pWQ4AzGuPKJmZ2UiNk_u13Bg8fzpaDroLTEDZg23o6Z03c3eANIDbU04MBC0WHmWtWCn7l9o_ukw-e1vAZtD1ck3lkUBD0KXarZjT9RKdiL-fhA-0ITS14wL8ScaqrVJsHA/s1600-h/p80_Oct18+004a.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 309px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395618695737453810" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhskC3pWQ4AzGuPKJmZ2UiNk_u13Bg8fzpaDroLTEDZg23o6Z03c3eANIDbU04MBC0WHmWtWCn7l9o_ukw-e1vAZtD1ck3lkUBD0KXarZjT9RKdiL-fhA-0ITS14wL8ScaqrVJsHA/s400/p80_Oct18+004a.jpg" /></a><br /><em>My Surly Long Haul Trucker...</em><br />The Barcroft Virginia GT is non-op, awaiting a new rear tire, so I took the Surly LHT. I have the bike configured with lights, so if it got past twilight I would be reasonably safe riding home. I headed west towards Highland High School to revisit some of the roads we had walked last Sunday up towards the Joshua Ranch Trailhead. While we had been hiking last Sunday, I noticed a short, VERY steep little hill off to the north. As I rode near this hill, I was inspired to try and ride up it, and see what was up there.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj19ywcH3F2jApMVFxKLg31xNxdf_naf0zQAI9t7fmcmlRjTrhGxq_EzFCd8NitejZlM86HbmvBMVz8AVW5vg7poo5R3zwJNTajFa1TP_2D3qzarzQiHV_syOKm80Q8uiYJE2jSOQ/s1600-h/aqueduct.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 328px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395618686639530578" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj19ywcH3F2jApMVFxKLg31xNxdf_naf0zQAI9t7fmcmlRjTrhGxq_EzFCd8NitejZlM86HbmvBMVz8AVW5vg7poo5R3zwJNTajFa1TP_2D3qzarzQiHV_syOKm80Q8uiYJE2jSOQ/s400/aqueduct.jpg" /></a><br /><em>The road follows the aqueduct for miles! I started my ride in the lower-right corner, near the High School...<br /></em>Well, after 200 yards of gasping, wheezing, down- shifting, and minor swearing, I discovered a lovely surprise; The California Aqueduct. Now, I am sure that some of you are pondering why I would be so overjoyed at a man-made river, lined with concrete. It wasn’t the Aqueduct, it was the beautiful smooth road that followed it, disappearing into the distance! So, for 200 yards of gasping, I was rewarded with miles upon miles of perfectly smooth, unpopulated, quiet, peaceful riding.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDVrjQ8_rAmkMv_vrs8p4eybFzcrD76y24yg0ASGf8GYJe6Ty2VkJ5wNE1AJ_HRXbPWpJYryTSz39Bdb7_3ffb13AA75T0o4a3aNLeMAfh2U3j6xRUS2PGOkOZ5dx-4tc59KKnuA/s1600-h/p80_Oct18+007.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395619703921445650" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDVrjQ8_rAmkMv_vrs8p4eybFzcrD76y24yg0ASGf8GYJe6Ty2VkJ5wNE1AJ_HRXbPWpJYryTSz39Bdb7_3ffb13AA75T0o4a3aNLeMAfh2U3j6xRUS2PGOkOZ5dx-4tc59KKnuA/s400/p80_Oct18+007.jpg" /></a><br /><em>Just look at that beautiful road to ride...<br /></em>Suffice to say, I rode home in the dark! What a pleasant surprise, going out for a routine spin, and discovering new road, and a safe place to ride. One never knows what to expect from the seat of one’s bike!<br />More news later this weekend,<br />JimJimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03384297725417340746noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358679.post-21930476131020167612009-10-18T15:29:00.016-07:002009-10-18T16:06:34.472-07:00A Hike and Bike Weekend<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizWbohGdYBAEOzWkDPAUij8Nq7gwt5FXHvE1VYKA2WT8BGHBdZDaXrBFsxqfFFWHHhgcvuB4kKlCW3tinHdiNG1wuN_KvI8671d-RKZqyXOYtWBmBHd1ZF3j-OEnJvp0IbfasQUQ/s1600-h/p80_Oct18+180a.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 321px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394075845963591122" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizWbohGdYBAEOzWkDPAUij8Nq7gwt5FXHvE1VYKA2WT8BGHBdZDaXrBFsxqfFFWHHhgcvuB4kKlCW3tinHdiNG1wuN_KvI8671d-RKZqyXOYtWBmBHd1ZF3j-OEnJvp0IbfasQUQ/s400/p80_Oct18+180a.jpg" /></a><br /><div><em>Looking north, towards Lancaster with Mojave in the distance...</em></div><div>Hi all,</div><div>Yesterday, I took the Surly LHT out for a spin.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>I had intended to test ride my route to work, double-checking the shoulders and other assorted safety issues.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>But, as I got to Palmdale Blvd, I stopped to take a picture, looking west towards Leona Valley.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>As I got back on the bike, I had to wait for another cyclist who was coming up the bridge.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>As he passed, we chatted briefly, and after a short discussion about not having any particular direction to go, we decided to head west together, towards Leona Valley, not east as I had planned. </div><div><div><div><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq2WD4UnaKRzFbHiLCWSQM6_AZNaegiz963qaxB0LiRUoSzVWgFQlNNYX4bjMVR4PqrS_VT3ismqOn9qvHyoCh8vGj5vo70sC6lzk3yJjZ8iIk1v26ALVKC_V6NKHNbaX7qfiucA/s1600-h/p80_Oct18+170.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394074781610833874" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq2WD4UnaKRzFbHiLCWSQM6_AZNaegiz963qaxB0LiRUoSzVWgFQlNNYX4bjMVR4PqrS_VT3ismqOn9qvHyoCh8vGj5vo70sC6lzk3yJjZ8iIk1v26ALVKC_V6NKHNbaX7qfiucA/s400/p80_Oct18+170.jpg" /></a><br /><em>Looking west, and Elizabeth Lake Road and miles of gentle climbing...</em></div><div>This turned out to be one of those good news/bad news situations.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>The good news was that the ride towards Leona Valley was lovely; a nice sunny day, not too much traffic, and nice country cruising.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>The bad news was that I am woefully out of shape and as I climbed west up Elizabeth Lake road, I was wheezing and shifting to easier gears.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>I guess due to moving, and all the work travel, there hasn’t been a riding season for me, and it feels like I have wiped the slate clean, and am starting over again.</div><div><em><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS_bsYneBEg-IUTWYHii0zdIZSfJhivKcYf97V8MSfD7VxTjHBGMaiXnm54RyItlng_KGqSl40xDWyr2v1Uji1FWMwU-3nSYZeL8AnxMlAKQZYYKm905p9ku5llTqz0Bkf3D0klQ/s1600-h/p80_Oct18+176a.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 298px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394074807771243138" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS_bsYneBEg-IUTWYHii0zdIZSfJhivKcYf97V8MSfD7VxTjHBGMaiXnm54RyItlng_KGqSl40xDWyr2v1Uji1FWMwU-3nSYZeL8AnxMlAKQZYYKm905p9ku5llTqz0Bkf3D0klQ/s400/p80_Oct18+176a.jpg" /></a></em></div><div><em>Joshua trees and Juniper trees, just west of our house...</em></div><div>In the long run, it was a lovely ride.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>I met a new friend; Dave, a contractor/engineer who lives close and works up north in Mojave. He likes to ride brevets and enjoyed not being in a particular hurry as we rode.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>The scenery was lovely; the company pleasant, and that’s all you can ask for on a bike. I will test ride the commute to work route later this week.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>Who knows, I might just ride in and see how it works!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFSBETLVn59SI1ezvv5qrF4uPLweQ2tBAgn-CZnHLj584PkA6wVqARCV2tRVDYebTVA36ON1Oxtg1YSVUzyWcmbYtX8zc9mgcZzR8OAF5P4Ld1Ybp-d1kPhYn47zq3Qvjy6PFoKA/s1600-h/p80_Oct18+183.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394075562655503858" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFSBETLVn59SI1ezvv5qrF4uPLweQ2tBAgn-CZnHLj584PkA6wVqARCV2tRVDYebTVA36ON1Oxtg1YSVUzyWcmbYtX8zc9mgcZzR8OAF5P4Ld1Ybp-d1kPhYn47zq3Qvjy6PFoKA/s400/p80_Oct18+183.jpg" /></a><br />Today, Kathy, our neighbor, Leena, the pup-dogs, and I went for an early morning hike into the foothills near the house.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>We hiked the Joshua Ranch trail, and climbed about 400 ft. above the valley.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcfRV1HIM3JjVggEliNujnNR2g9Jbydo3dq6XjTKK1U3gqoju4NJuxUlFZ1Yl43mMuJ2N-ji9BMwylIBhBTPAkTmtWrl0l9BqJrNdcFNUeUMDYJdqXQjAFDvumX85PK5BaLIfG6A/s1600-h/p80_Oct18+185a.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394078822416860898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcfRV1HIM3JjVggEliNujnNR2g9Jbydo3dq6XjTKK1U3gqoju4NJuxUlFZ1Yl43mMuJ2N-ji9BMwylIBhBTPAkTmtWrl0l9BqJrNdcFNUeUMDYJdqXQjAFDvumX85PK5BaLIfG6A/s400/p80_Oct18+185a.jpg" /></a></div><div><em>Looking east, towards Palmdale Airport and Plant 42. Our house is down in the lower right corner...</em></div><div>A nice hike! great views of the valley, and a nice mix of Joshua trees, Yucca trees, California Junipers, and pleasant friendship. <span style="font-size:0;"></span>Now that the weather is tolerable outside, it was great to get out and enjoy some more of the local area. Nice to be outside when it's not 110 degrees!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI-4-Z5jLWjqtZ1f4jaZZbQeEoN_lEPj4r6LYXWn9EfBS6ZOX-D46kDr3s3st1DZRAcZN593AQ27s2ZTx1OzYIogG2uk2WagjLzaF0VssM_QaYLaIYtxrMt_f57hrNrgFInutx7g/s1600-h/p80_Oct18+193.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 300px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394075580158344690" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI-4-Z5jLWjqtZ1f4jaZZbQeEoN_lEPj4r6LYXWn9EfBS6ZOX-D46kDr3s3st1DZRAcZN593AQ27s2ZTx1OzYIogG2uk2WagjLzaF0VssM_QaYLaIYtxrMt_f57hrNrgFInutx7g/s400/p80_Oct18+193.jpg" /></a><br /><em>A hot husky!</em></div><div>More news and pictures next week.</div><div>Jim</div></div></div></div></div></div>Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03384297725417340746noreply@blogger.com0