Been out of range and battery for a couple of days. The time in Telluride was great and made all that much greater by meeting our neighbors visiting from N Carolina; Cameron and Cheney were super pals for Karina and the time flew by!
Left there and rode over the pass, had rain, wind, and hail, but it was gorgeous. Stopped in Rico for a warm up, and then on to Dolores. Camped by the river there. The ride from there to Utah (devil's canyon, south of Monticello) was not an easy ride. 70 miles, fully half uphill and with a headwind. Got to Monticello about 8 pm only to find that we had another 11 miles to pedal, and guess what, it was uphill! Karina was relentless, though not pleased. We were very happy to get there! Saw lots of deer along the way. Also some big storms which resulted in Karina and I seeking shelter and hanging out with Roy and Larry, wheat farmers from the area of Dove Creek.
Rode just 10 miles today to Blanding, then a schedule change gave us a ride ahead towards Bryce Canyon; we will be there by tomorrow night. Utah is epic and beautiful. How rocks do this stuff is a miracle!
When we left the campground this morning we spotted a mid sized rattlesnake that had been hit by a car, though only recently and was in good shape (for being squished). We investigated thouroughly and clipped the rattle as a token souviner. Visited a pueblo ruin and museum.
Everything is very cool. Need years to do it all justice.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Lizzard Head - 10,222
Saying goodbye to the high mtns until the Sierras. Wind, NPR rain.......
Mobile post sent by petefeitner using Utterli.
Replies.Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Where was I
Oh yeah, Karina and I took another trip around the nature trail and found a great place to sit on a cliff edge overlooking the resevoir, nice and quiet with a great view of everything. A large hawk flew right over Karina's head and flew up and down the cliff edge.
We packed out and rode into Ridgeway for the main meal before the ride to Telluride. Riding out of town and up into the mountains was a good workout. The Dallas Divide is a slow, continuous climb for about 12 miles. We saw lots of hawks and watched a bald eagle for a while (we took a photo, but we were quite far away). Further up the divide we came upon a bear carcus next to the road; that was a first and another new category in the road kill hall of fame.
After 12 up, we got 12 down, which wAs very nice. Along the route we met two others bound for SF, lou and Mallory. They were the age I want to be and are spending a college summer making the trek. We rode with them the rest of the ride to Telluride, super nice.
The climb from Placerville to Telluride was not as long as the Divide, but a steep way to finish the day.
The events of today (tues) I will write about tomorrow AM, Must sleep again.
We packed out and rode into Ridgeway for the main meal before the ride to Telluride. Riding out of town and up into the mountains was a good workout. The Dallas Divide is a slow, continuous climb for about 12 miles. We saw lots of hawks and watched a bald eagle for a while (we took a photo, but we were quite far away). Further up the divide we came upon a bear carcus next to the road; that was a first and another new category in the road kill hall of fame.
After 12 up, we got 12 down, which wAs very nice. Along the route we met two others bound for SF, lou and Mallory. They were the age I want to be and are spending a college summer making the trek. We rode with them the rest of the ride to Telluride, super nice.
The climb from Placerville to Telluride was not as long as the Divide, but a steep way to finish the day.
The events of today (tues) I will write about tomorrow AM, Must sleep again.
Morning in telluride
Let me go back a day or so. We left Montrose late in the morning after visiting black canyon. That's one phenominal place.
We started out for Ridgeway slowly as we could see a major storm heading smack for our destinaltion. RT50 was very busy with traffic, all with their headlights on (never a good sign, unless you are really into heavy rain and lightening; it's ok if you are, I just don't happen to be right at this particular time).
We had been in touch with Karina's Grandma Ruth and Poppy (Bob) and had arranged to meet them in Ridgeway (they live in Grand Junction). As we are riding on the rain and traffic and watching the lightening pound Ridgeway, we came upon their car pulled over and waiting for us! Took all of about ten seconds to determine that riding with them to Ridgeway was an excellent choice.
Ate lunch at the True Grit Cafe. Ridgeway was the film site for the 1969 John Wayne film classic, so we ate lunch across the street from the hanging scene (how great is that?!)
The storm had passed by the time we had got there, but it was the topic of the day for those who were there, several ground strikes right in the town center.
They delivered us to our campsite, about 5 miles out of town and headed back to Grand Junction. The campsite was in a super location (Dutch Charlie's), and we presented with the San Juan mountains all around us. The night was fine, no rain that I recall and a beautiful sky full of stars.
Up before sunrise for a walk about, the nature trail from the visitor center was great.
More later, Karina is up and we are off to breakfast.
We started out for Ridgeway slowly as we could see a major storm heading smack for our destinaltion. RT50 was very busy with traffic, all with their headlights on (never a good sign, unless you are really into heavy rain and lightening; it's ok if you are, I just don't happen to be right at this particular time).
We had been in touch with Karina's Grandma Ruth and Poppy (Bob) and had arranged to meet them in Ridgeway (they live in Grand Junction). As we are riding on the rain and traffic and watching the lightening pound Ridgeway, we came upon their car pulled over and waiting for us! Took all of about ten seconds to determine that riding with them to Ridgeway was an excellent choice.
Ate lunch at the True Grit Cafe. Ridgeway was the film site for the 1969 John Wayne film classic, so we ate lunch across the street from the hanging scene (how great is that?!)
The storm had passed by the time we had got there, but it was the topic of the day for those who were there, several ground strikes right in the town center.
They delivered us to our campsite, about 5 miles out of town and headed back to Grand Junction. The campsite was in a super location (Dutch Charlie's), and we presented with the San Juan mountains all around us. The night was fine, no rain that I recall and a beautiful sky full of stars.
Up before sunrise for a walk about, the nature trail from the visitor center was great.
More later, Karina is up and we are off to breakfast.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Telluride!
We arrived in Telliride about 3 hrs ago; such a beautiful place!
The ride from Ridgeway was not easy; 12 mile hill over Dallas Divide, then another climb to finish the day. We are camping at the town park. Presently we are eating burgers and sitting in comfy seats. Looks like we will take a layover day here tomorrow . I'll write more then (when I have my glasses!)
The ride from Ridgeway was not easy; 12 mile hill over Dallas Divide, then another climb to finish the day. We are camping at the town park. Presently we are eating burgers and sitting in comfy seats. Looks like we will take a layover day here tomorrow . I'll write more then (when I have my glasses!)
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Gunnison to Montrose
67 miles, big headwind as we passed Blue Mesa Resevoir; some big climbs and some great downhills (1.5, 3.5, and 4.5 miles).
The landscape was way too beautiful to do justice. RT 50, drive that stretch sometime!
We stopped at a store in Gunnispn before we left there. I will post photos eventually; it was an antler store with lots of stuffed animals, skins, coyote hats, you won't believe the place!
Too tired to write more; must sleep.
The landscape was way too beautiful to do justice. RT 50, drive that stretch sometime!
We stopped at a store in Gunnispn before we left there. I will post photos eventually; it was an antler store with lots of stuffed animals, skins, coyote hats, you won't believe the place!
Too tired to write more; must sleep.
Friday, July 24, 2009
salida, monarch pass
What a couple of days! Yesterday we spent most of the day in Salida. Karina made friends with a girl from Kansas who was also staying at the campground; her name is Hannah. She had recently learned to kayak and so we all went out to breakfast together then down to where the river passes right through the town. There is an area of rapids there called the "play hole";great place to watch and learn about kayaking. The two girls spent the entire afternoon in the river. Karina was learning how to roll up; she must have been tipped over 50 times! They finished that time with a few floats down the rapids just with life jackets- it was great.
Then the three of us went to meet Aunt Betty and her friend Betty who had driven down from Denver to see us. We visited for a few minutes and then the girls and I set off on the bikes to Poncha Springs (about 7 miles to the place we were to spend the night. By 7 PM we were there and checked in. John and Alice came and picked up Hannah and then Karina and I went out to dinner with the two Bettys.
Nice dinner, then back to the B&B where we had care packages sent by Christy and Lilah AND by Tanya, Indta, Zephyr,and Kamal- Thanks!!!
We went in the hot tub, then watched a video (mrs doubtfire). Finally asleep by midnight!
5:30AM I am up and out for a pre-sunrise walk, then woke up Karina so we could get in the hot tub one more time! Karina went back to bed after, I stayed up and ate a great breakfast, got the bikes ready, and eventually got Karina back up in time to eat breakfast and be on the road by 9:15 .
Today was CD Day (continental divide day. 22 miles up to Monarch Pass at 11,213 ft; we climbed almost 3,500 vertical ft! Karina was terrific yet again. We made the summit before 3 PM , which was good time. We then spent the next 2.5 hours eating and playing around at the summit. We rode a gondola up to the very top - that was also great. We saw three elk - very impressive!
We left the summit at 5:30 to ride the remaining 45 miles to Gunnison. 9 miles downhill, 6 percent grade - rocking. The remainder was fine, very, very beautiful. We got to the campsite at 8:30. I am pooped! I am typing ok the iPhone in the bathroom at the KOA while I recharge the battery.
Tomorrow we go on to Black Canyon near Monttrose. We ride past Blue Mesa Resuvoir, so I am hoping for swim time! The ride total for tomorrow is about 45. Total for the trip so far - something over 2,000!
Good night!
Then the three of us went to meet Aunt Betty and her friend Betty who had driven down from Denver to see us. We visited for a few minutes and then the girls and I set off on the bikes to Poncha Springs (about 7 miles to the place we were to spend the night. By 7 PM we were there and checked in. John and Alice came and picked up Hannah and then Karina and I went out to dinner with the two Bettys.
Nice dinner, then back to the B&B where we had care packages sent by Christy and Lilah AND by Tanya, Indta, Zephyr,and Kamal- Thanks!!!
We went in the hot tub, then watched a video (mrs doubtfire). Finally asleep by midnight!
5:30AM I am up and out for a pre-sunrise walk, then woke up Karina so we could get in the hot tub one more time! Karina went back to bed after, I stayed up and ate a great breakfast, got the bikes ready, and eventually got Karina back up in time to eat breakfast and be on the road by 9:15 .
Today was CD Day (continental divide day. 22 miles up to Monarch Pass at 11,213 ft; we climbed almost 3,500 vertical ft! Karina was terrific yet again. We made the summit before 3 PM , which was good time. We then spent the next 2.5 hours eating and playing around at the summit. We rode a gondola up to the very top - that was also great. We saw three elk - very impressive!
We left the summit at 5:30 to ride the remaining 45 miles to Gunnison. 9 miles downhill, 6 percent grade - rocking. The remainder was fine, very, very beautiful. We got to the campsite at 8:30. I am pooped! I am typing ok the iPhone in the bathroom at the KOA while I recharge the battery.
Tomorrow we go on to Black Canyon near Monttrose. We ride past Blue Mesa Resuvoir, so I am hoping for swim time! The ride total for tomorrow is about 45. Total for the trip so far - something over 2,000!
Good night!
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Salida
OK, for any of you looking for the nicest 50 bike ride almost anywhere, then the ride from Westcliffe to Salida via 1-A through Cotopaxi would be hard to beat. I have heard that the off road track from Monarch Pass is considered the best in the world, I can believe it. Beautiful mountains, winding along the Arlansas River, and believe it or not mostly flat to downhill, pretty outstanding to be high enough to go downhill and still stay up inthe midst of peaks from 9-14,000 ft.
(Scotty, I have not been able to find the 81,000 ft pass, though if I do come across it, I will let you know and the two of us can rocket it together!)
The plan for today is to enjoy the town and immeasuate surroundings. My Aunt is driving down from Denver, so we will spend the late afternoon and evening with her. Before dark we will ride just 5 miles up the road to Poncha Springs where we will stay tonight in a B&B with a hot tub. This splurge is in preparation for the ride to the pass and over the Continental Divide! 11,213 ft ( we begin the climb from about 6,800 ft and will elevate over the course of 20 miles (the first ten of which are reported to be flat!). It ought to be quite a morning.
Once over the top we will decemd the remaining 40 plus miles to Gunnison. I figure that portion will take a little over an hour; we'll be screaming.
More later
(Scotty, I have not been able to find the 81,000 ft pass, though if I do come across it, I will let you know and the two of us can rocket it together!)
The plan for today is to enjoy the town and immeasuate surroundings. My Aunt is driving down from Denver, so we will spend the late afternoon and evening with her. Before dark we will ride just 5 miles up the road to Poncha Springs where we will stay tonight in a B&B with a hot tub. This splurge is in preparation for the ride to the pass and over the Continental Divide! 11,213 ft ( we begin the climb from about 6,800 ft and will elevate over the course of 20 miles (the first ten of which are reported to be flat!). It ought to be quite a morning.
Once over the top we will decemd the remaining 40 plus miles to Gunnison. I figure that portion will take a little over an hour; we'll be screaming.
More later
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Westcliffe
I am standing in front of a morning view of the mountains, fabulous!
Got only half a ride in yesterday, but that turnud out to have been a great thing. Repairs kept Karina and I tied up untill after noon. We made fine time on the approach to the Mtns though not fast enough to miss the afternoon storms that cancelled the rest of the ride for Karina and me.
We made it as far as Wetmore, getting to the only store open just as the first drops fell. That was 4:45. The lightening and very heavy rain came down for the next 75 minutes and the math of pedalling to Westcliffe was sunk. I can tell you that the road in that section was narrow and winding, some big traffic and no shoulders, so though it was drop dead gorgeous, it was not a father's dream for his daughter- not at 13.
Westcliffe is very senic, though they should kill all the lights at night; they have given up a lot to develop. Not sure what the destination is today, somewhere between 24 and 55 miles (Texas Creek to Salida). Not sure there is a bad choice to be made today.
In Kansas one night we had a low temp of 78 with 90 percent humidity. Last night it was 40 degrees and even after the rain the humidity was half of what it was in Kansas. I rode around the town at 5:30 this morning and would have been happy to have had gloves on; it is warming up nicely now.
At the moment there is nothing.but blue skies, hard to imagine that less than 12 hours ago the rain was so hard you couldn't see and the lightening was everywhere and just kept on coming! There is a chance if storms again this afternoon, but the next 8 hrs are top shelf!
Got only half a ride in yesterday, but that turnud out to have been a great thing. Repairs kept Karina and I tied up untill after noon. We made fine time on the approach to the Mtns though not fast enough to miss the afternoon storms that cancelled the rest of the ride for Karina and me.
We made it as far as Wetmore, getting to the only store open just as the first drops fell. That was 4:45. The lightening and very heavy rain came down for the next 75 minutes and the math of pedalling to Westcliffe was sunk. I can tell you that the road in that section was narrow and winding, some big traffic and no shoulders, so though it was drop dead gorgeous, it was not a father's dream for his daughter- not at 13.
Westcliffe is very senic, though they should kill all the lights at night; they have given up a lot to develop. Not sure what the destination is today, somewhere between 24 and 55 miles (Texas Creek to Salida). Not sure there is a bad choice to be made today.
In Kansas one night we had a low temp of 78 with 90 percent humidity. Last night it was 40 degrees and even after the rain the humidity was half of what it was in Kansas. I rode around the town at 5:30 this morning and would have been happy to have had gloves on; it is warming up nicely now.
At the moment there is nothing.but blue skies, hard to imagine that less than 12 hours ago the rain was so hard you couldn't see and the lightening was everywhere and just kept on coming! There is a chance if storms again this afternoon, but the next 8 hrs are top shelf!
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Pueblo,CO
Got in about sunset on an epic day of storms. Wound up having to seek shelter in a highway storm culvert. The storms were isolated, unfortunately they were isolated right above us!
Lake Pueblo State Park is lovely, though the neighbors were much less than to be desired, choosing midnight as the best time to throw an adolesent f-bomb tantrum. Wanted to drop their tents on them this morning, but opted for a ore-dawn hike instead.
Lake Pueblo State Park is lovely, though the neighbors were much less than to be desired, choosing midnight as the best time to throw an adolesent f-bomb tantrum. Wanted to drop their tents on them this morning, but opted for a ore-dawn hike instead.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Tires, tubes, Bents Old Fort
Nice AM at the resevoir, later start than expected but acceptable (totally).
The campsite is a long way from the highway, over gravel, so it was either the long walk or risk a flat. You know me, always up for a bit of a risk, so we rode out. Had the first flat just after hitting the main road (which was far better than deserved). Two failed patches, ripped valve stem, then finally got it right. Had a snack at a little grocery, total mileage for the morning was 2. While we were at the store we met another rider, Rupert Dale, who had begun his ride in Washington, DC headed for SF. He is a Brit, lives in Denmark, works as a teacher. Great to talk with and would have been fun to continue on together for a while, but he was on to a location further than ours for the day.
Made 16 more miles before stopping for lunch at a Best Western in Las Animas. Cool inside and the food was good. Met a couple of really nice folks from the area while there. Each day is filled with that sort of thing, and everyone we have met has been very nice. They confirmed that Bents Old Fort was well worth the visit, so that was the next stop.
We got about 100 yards down the road before Karina got her flat and it was the AM redux. The ride to the fort was very beautiful, taking us higher into the hills. Gorgeous views of the plains. We passed a farm that raised emus, antelope, zebra, be more; had not expected to see any zebra. Spotted our first rattle snake, the car flattened variety.
The fort was really great a d we could have easilly spent many more hours there. It is a reconstruction (a very good reconstruction) of a private fort that was used as a trading post in the mid 1800's. Just no the edge of the Arkansas River, at that time the boarder with Mexico! Very cool place.
Got to our campsite in La Junta, swam, ate, did laundry, watched two episodes of The Nanny. Sleep.
Today it is on to Pueblo, maybe a first sight of the Rocky Mtns!
The campsite is a long way from the highway, over gravel, so it was either the long walk or risk a flat. You know me, always up for a bit of a risk, so we rode out. Had the first flat just after hitting the main road (which was far better than deserved). Two failed patches, ripped valve stem, then finally got it right. Had a snack at a little grocery, total mileage for the morning was 2. While we were at the store we met another rider, Rupert Dale, who had begun his ride in Washington, DC headed for SF. He is a Brit, lives in Denmark, works as a teacher. Great to talk with and would have been fun to continue on together for a while, but he was on to a location further than ours for the day.
Made 16 more miles before stopping for lunch at a Best Western in Las Animas. Cool inside and the food was good. Met a couple of really nice folks from the area while there. Each day is filled with that sort of thing, and everyone we have met has been very nice. They confirmed that Bents Old Fort was well worth the visit, so that was the next stop.
We got about 100 yards down the road before Karina got her flat and it was the AM redux. The ride to the fort was very beautiful, taking us higher into the hills. Gorgeous views of the plains. We passed a farm that raised emus, antelope, zebra, be more; had not expected to see any zebra. Spotted our first rattle snake, the car flattened variety.
The fort was really great a d we could have easilly spent many more hours there. It is a reconstruction (a very good reconstruction) of a private fort that was used as a trading post in the mid 1800's. Just no the edge of the Arkansas River, at that time the boarder with Mexico! Very cool place.
Got to our campsite in La Junta, swam, ate, did laundry, watched two episodes of The Nanny. Sleep.
Today it is on to Pueblo, maybe a first sight of the Rocky Mtns!
Sunday, July 19, 2009
John martin state park
We had an excellent day at the resevoir! The morning was relaxed andby noon we were heading off to spend the afternoon with our neighbors and their kids on their boats. We had cooked pancakes earlier for the kids and they all chased and caught grasshoppers in the surrounding area. They spotted our first scorpion, a nice looking guy about two inches long and sort of greenish.
The area around the resivoir is pretty open land, so the wind could rip on through. There are pelicans, heron, hawks, loons, and a host of other birds here, along with fish, turtles,and the biggest snake that I didn't see, but reported in as silver in color and 5' plus in length.
Got the boats launched and spent the afternoon tubing, touring the resivoir, checking out the sandy beach areas and anchored and just floated and swam. Everyone had a ball and generally, had we all not gotten hungry, we could have stayed out all night! No storms.
Dinner, fire, shared food and continued good company. Karina went sound asleep early; I was not too far behind her. Beautiful stars, cool night air, beautiful sunrise this morning. We' pack soon and hit the road (maybe get a quick swim in), then it is on to Ordway, about 60 miles, weather looks clear, cool for the moment. We will be sorry to leave such a wonderful group of new friends behind.
The area around the resivoir is pretty open land, so the wind could rip on through. There are pelicans, heron, hawks, loons, and a host of other birds here, along with fish, turtles,and the biggest snake that I didn't see, but reported in as silver in color and 5' plus in length.
Got the boats launched and spent the afternoon tubing, touring the resivoir, checking out the sandy beach areas and anchored and just floated and swam. Everyone had a ball and generally, had we all not gotten hungry, we could have stayed out all night! No storms.
Dinner, fire, shared food and continued good company. Karina went sound asleep early; I was not too far behind her. Beautiful stars, cool night air, beautiful sunrise this morning. We' pack soon and hit the road (maybe get a quick swim in), then it is on to Ordway, about 60 miles, weather looks clear, cool for the moment. We will be sorry to leave such a wonderful group of new friends behind.
Saturday, July 18, 2009
On the road again
We arrived in Hasty,CO last evening. We missed one epic storm by three hours, which would most certainly deposited us, bikes, tents, and all into the resivoir! This morning I lay in the tent listening to the wind build, finally relented to look outside at the cause, man. The good news is that the storm tracked SE, giving us an excellent view of something we wanted no part of!
We arrived in the dark and went off to visit the neighbors who were the only others in the park. What a fun happy evening ensued under clear, dark, star filled skies! I turned in after 1 AM but they went on until the very wee hours. We hope to go boating with them today on the lake, which if last night was any indication, I should have plenty to write about later,
We arrived in the dark and went off to visit the neighbors who were the only others in the park. What a fun happy evening ensued under clear, dark, star filled skies! I turned in after 1 AM but they went on until the very wee hours. We hope to go boating with them today on the lake, which if last night was any indication, I should have plenty to write about later,
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Camp Kansas - day 3
Mike and Ken went off yesterday to visit Greensburg, ks, this was the town that was wiped out by a huge tornado a year ago. YouTube that if you want a good scare.
Karina and I stayed put. Two nice girls, Both named Jamie, played and swam with Karina all day long. Last night they had a sleepover at their tent, watched a video, etc. Karina got bit by a dog, which was a little bit of a bummer, but she is a trooper and everything is fine.
We had planned to to to the movies last night, but, guess what? Here's a hint: it was 109 degrees during the day. Yep, storm chaser! Tried to get some photos. Anyhow, even though all the conditions were very ripe, we got lucky again. The lightening was like what you see in one of those glass balls at the science museums,only you'd be in the ball!
A little rain this morning, slow start, the folks keep coming in and the event keeps on going!
Karina and I stayed put. Two nice girls, Both named Jamie, played and swam with Karina all day long. Last night they had a sleepover at their tent, watched a video, etc. Karina got bit by a dog, which was a little bit of a bummer, but she is a trooper and everything is fine.
We had planned to to to the movies last night, but, guess what? Here's a hint: it was 109 degrees during the day. Yep, storm chaser! Tried to get some photos. Anyhow, even though all the conditions were very ripe, we got lucky again. The lightening was like what you see in one of those glass balls at the science museums,only you'd be in the ball!
A little rain this morning, slow start, the folks keep coming in and the event keeps on going!
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
A second day off
Another storm just missed us last night, though we were treated to the light show.
Karina has been in the water with the two Jamies, two girls from near Wichita; they are having a blast.
I am reading through the Hitchhikers guide to the galaxy; also having a fine time. It'll be 105 degrees today, so sitting this one out is gererally a requirement. The plan is to ride in for the midnight show of HP. Also, tonight they're calling for severe storms in the area. There is a tornado siren nearby, which makes me feel marginally better.
Around the park they are still setting up for this veterans weekend. The scene is a whole book in itself! We have nice neighbors and it is like one big, informal,family picnic. Including all of the idiosyncratic aunts and uncles. Helping to set up are a group of inmates from a nearby prison, they have been working their tails off, been very nice, and fun enough to talk with.
The park will fill up with vets from Vietnam and Iraq. Plenty of injured folks. I recall a toast my Uncle Bill made one time, very simple: "no more wars."
We leave here on Friday bound for Colorado. That'll be fine timing, as it sounds as though the weekend will be just a little nuts! I'll take a nice quiet campground anyday!
Karina has been in the water with the two Jamies, two girls from near Wichita; they are having a blast.
I am reading through the Hitchhikers guide to the galaxy; also having a fine time. It'll be 105 degrees today, so sitting this one out is gererally a requirement. The plan is to ride in for the midnight show of HP. Also, tonight they're calling for severe storms in the area. There is a tornado siren nearby, which makes me feel marginally better.
Around the park they are still setting up for this veterans weekend. The scene is a whole book in itself! We have nice neighbors and it is like one big, informal,family picnic. Including all of the idiosyncratic aunts and uncles. Helping to set up are a group of inmates from a nearby prison, they have been working their tails off, been very nice, and fun enough to talk with.
The park will fill up with vets from Vietnam and Iraq. Plenty of injured folks. I recall a toast my Uncle Bill made one time, very simple: "no more wars."
We leave here on Friday bound for Colorado. That'll be fine timing, as it sounds as though the weekend will be just a little nuts! I'll take a nice quiet campground anyday!
Monday, July 13, 2009
95 squared
What do you get when you combine 95 degrees with 95 percent humidity, heat from Texas with cooler air down from Canada? Answer: the kind of an electrical storm that'll keep me awake until 4 AM even after pedaling 95 miles in the heat! Fortunately we were just on the south edge of the really serious activity. interesting note, had we not dropped the layover day, we'd have been right in the middle of it. There was so much lightening and so many ground strikes that there was no keeping track.
Karina pedaled 95 miles like the champ she is, slept through the storm, and today is happy still.
We are camping at a park in El Dorado, on a lake. Turns out this week is Kansas vets week here at the park, so we are going to stay put for a few days here and do some fund raising. We'll try to get to Witchita tomorrow for some deferred cycle work. Karina is at Walmart buying water floats and we plan to spend some serious time relaxing, attempting in vain to mitigate the whacky biker tan lines we've backed on. The new Harry Potter film is out, so we'll see that a few times! Maybe go bowling, too.
Met some wonderful folks yesterday. Left Chanute and made it as far as Toronto by lunch, had a great lunch, super break, then by 1:30 thought we were ready to take on the next 25 mile section. We rode only about ten before it was clear that it was not only too hot, but way too hot to go further. Now, given that you know me and my general inclinations to forge ahead regardless of discomfort, this was my limit!
We selected a house, knocked on the door and then spent the next couple of hours talking and drinking cold water and gatorade with a very nice couple. The house was so cold inside, incredible; but when I mentioned how cool, the fellow just shook his head and told me they had the AC set to 80 degrees! That was a stunner.
We rwluctantly left there about 4 pm and cycled to Eureka and to the first ice cream place we spotted. Turnned out to be a great choice, as within 5 minutes an old blue car pulled into the lot and we met two of the greatest, fun characters ever! Tom, in his sixty's, wanted to ride Karina's trike, so I set him off and he went tooling around the lot like a happy kid! His friend Charles was 70, he didn't ride the trike, but just visited with us. Tom invited us to his ranch ( which we may regret not having gone that instant). He told Karina that he'd put her on his best horse and feed us tbone steaks. We got his address, took some photos, and have an open invite from the both of them!
We left there at not 6 pm and cycles the remaining 30 miles through the Flint Hills. I'll post photos eventually, but I will say that we were treated to the most beautiful miles yet. There is only 4 percent of the original high grass praire remaining; what a treasure to have that remaining and what a tragedy to have so little left- so gorgeous.
Finally arrived at the park at 8:30.
Right now I am sittlin under some shade, cool(ish) breeze over the lake, noplace to go, and eagerly awaiting the floats!
Karina pedaled 95 miles like the champ she is, slept through the storm, and today is happy still.
We are camping at a park in El Dorado, on a lake. Turns out this week is Kansas vets week here at the park, so we are going to stay put for a few days here and do some fund raising. We'll try to get to Witchita tomorrow for some deferred cycle work. Karina is at Walmart buying water floats and we plan to spend some serious time relaxing, attempting in vain to mitigate the whacky biker tan lines we've backed on. The new Harry Potter film is out, so we'll see that a few times! Maybe go bowling, too.
Met some wonderful folks yesterday. Left Chanute and made it as far as Toronto by lunch, had a great lunch, super break, then by 1:30 thought we were ready to take on the next 25 mile section. We rode only about ten before it was clear that it was not only too hot, but way too hot to go further. Now, given that you know me and my general inclinations to forge ahead regardless of discomfort, this was my limit!
We selected a house, knocked on the door and then spent the next couple of hours talking and drinking cold water and gatorade with a very nice couple. The house was so cold inside, incredible; but when I mentioned how cool, the fellow just shook his head and told me they had the AC set to 80 degrees! That was a stunner.
We rwluctantly left there about 4 pm and cycled to Eureka and to the first ice cream place we spotted. Turnned out to be a great choice, as within 5 minutes an old blue car pulled into the lot and we met two of the greatest, fun characters ever! Tom, in his sixty's, wanted to ride Karina's trike, so I set him off and he went tooling around the lot like a happy kid! His friend Charles was 70, he didn't ride the trike, but just visited with us. Tom invited us to his ranch ( which we may regret not having gone that instant). He told Karina that he'd put her on his best horse and feed us tbone steaks. We got his address, took some photos, and have an open invite from the both of them!
We left there at not 6 pm and cycles the remaining 30 miles through the Flint Hills. I'll post photos eventually, but I will say that we were treated to the most beautiful miles yet. There is only 4 percent of the original high grass praire remaining; what a treasure to have that remaining and what a tragedy to have so little left- so gorgeous.
Finally arrived at the park at 8:30.
Right now I am sittlin under some shade, cool(ish) breeze over the lake, noplace to go, and eagerly awaiting the floats!
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Chanute , KS
Made it to Chanute on a very hot day, heat index was over100 with a warning to drink loads. We did do that. Ate lunch at a place called The Peppermill in Girafd. Really nice people and we drank buckets of water. Me met a couple of bikers also from the east and headed west. Dinner just got here, more later - need massive amounts of food now!
Being lucky with weather
Able to check out the weather channel and things look much better for us than predicted
Some thunderstorms this morning are possible, but it looks like we'll have cloud cover. So we dodge the really hot stuff for another day. Sunday? We'll see!
Karina is still sound asleep. We decided to lose a layover day in order to lower the mileage for the next couple of days. We still have two long rides this week, but are hoping that the shift of days will qork in our favor. Next non-riding day is not till CO, five more days.
Today's ride is in the 60 mile range, so we'll take a little more time getting going so Karina can rest. No kidding this is hard work, but "She goes, she goes, faster than an arrow from the Tartar's bow."
More later
Some thunderstorms this morning are possible, but it looks like we'll have cloud cover. So we dodge the really hot stuff for another day. Sunday? We'll see!
Karina is still sound asleep. We decided to lose a layover day in order to lower the mileage for the next couple of days. We still have two long rides this week, but are hoping that the shift of days will qork in our favor. Next non-riding day is not till CO, five more days.
Today's ride is in the 60 mile range, so we'll take a little more time getting going so Karina can rest. No kidding this is hard work, but "She goes, she goes, faster than an arrow from the Tartar's bow."
More later
Friday, July 10, 2009
A day
This morning I failed to notice that the forecast mentioned thunderstorms. We got on the road by 7:30, great. Then we got delayed by a very long train, then the lightening, rain, flat tire, more rain. Still we had gone 20 miles by 10:15, which was not too bad.
The positive was that the cloud cover kept the heat down. Still hit 90's, but it was a cool 90's.
Later in the day we stopped in at Cooky's Cafe in Golden City for great pie!
We are in a motel tonight, happily cool, and watching bad tv. We'll be up early tomorrow and off to Chanute. Did I mention tar we are now in KANSAS! Looks to be really hot.
I have more to write about Missouri - it is good, I like the state and the route was great. I will say that the hills are sometimes endless, sharp little hills that you cannot see over until you are at the top. Trucks (big trucks, with logs and other big stuff), they hide too. If there were shoulders on the roads, it wouldn't be so bad, but guess what: no shoulders! It's good to not be playing armadillo.
Sleep, now.
The positive was that the cloud cover kept the heat down. Still hit 90's, but it was a cool 90's.
Later in the day we stopped in at Cooky's Cafe in Golden City for great pie!
We are in a motel tonight, happily cool, and watching bad tv. We'll be up early tomorrow and off to Chanute. Did I mention tar we are now in KANSAS! Looks to be really hot.
I have more to write about Missouri - it is good, I like the state and the route was great. I will say that the hills are sometimes endless, sharp little hills that you cannot see over until you are at the top. Trucks (big trucks, with logs and other big stuff), they hide too. If there were shoulders on the roads, it wouldn't be so bad, but guess what: no shoulders! It's good to not be playing armadillo.
Sleep, now.
hot enough for ya?
sorry for the short entries, still on the tiny keyboard. Yesterday was94 with heat index of 102. Today that goes up to 104, but it getsbetter! In Kansas we'll hit 100 (107 with the humidity); how do youspell fun?
Trying to get on the road by 7, two hours later than my preference, butalso two hours earlier than the norm; they'll be thanking me later andI'll make early risers yet!
provided all goes well, we' be in Kansas tonight!
we found a cool hat on the road and Karina looks outrageous in it, I'lltry to get more photos up soon. another interesting item- in the URkdepartment the raccoons still rule, but no kidding, as soon as wecrossed the Mississippi we saw our first armidillo ( in flattenedform); it looked like they might male a run at the title.
Ken missed a turn yesterday AM, added some extra heat to his day. I hada little nap on the pavement of a Baptist church that had the greatdesign sence to have a covered entry (88 in the shade felt wonderful!)
we passed through "Booger Country", I don't know,
alright, gotta get out of here!
Trying to get on the road by 7, two hours later than my preference, butalso two hours earlier than the norm; they'll be thanking me later andI'll make early risers yet!
provided all goes well, we' be in Kansas tonight!
we found a cool hat on the road and Karina looks outrageous in it, I'lltry to get more photos up soon. another interesting item- in the URkdepartment the raccoons still rule, but no kidding, as soon as wecrossed the Mississippi we saw our first armidillo ( in flattenedform); it looked like they might male a run at the title.
Ken missed a turn yesterday AM, added some extra heat to his day. I hada little nap on the pavement of a Baptist church that had the greatdesign sence to have a covered entry (88 in the shade felt wonderful!)
we passed through "Booger Country", I don't know,
alright, gotta get out of here!
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Replies.Thursday, July 9, 2009
Missouri- hot & hills
tryiing for an early start today. high90's, humid. I'll fill in withmore of the details(like there is really more to say about that)tonight.
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Replies.Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Some days are better than others, but the are all good days!
Backing up a little. On the 4th of July in New Harmony we were treated to another visit from cousins; this time it was Brian (Christy's brother), Carolyn, and Karina's 16 year old cousin Cubby. They arrived in a big Winnebago sort of vehicle and it was great!! A place to get in out of the rain, a place to visit, eat, drink and watch some video (wii). They were terrific!
Karina got to spend the night sleeping under the cover of a hard roof, I slept in the tent in the rain, got a little wet, was glad that Karina didn't.
The morning of the 5th we had a great breakfast (pancakes and ice cream), then I was tied up with some mechanical work while Karina and Cubby and Carolyn went off to the swimming area to check out the water slide and all that fun stuff. They had a ball. Everyone stayed and the day stretched on until finally it was time for dinner. That is when we went to the place in town, The Red Geranium, and had the big dinner, got to meet Jane Owen. She hosted us for dinner, madea donationand was generally the nicest person you'd ever want to meet.
Karina got to spend the night sleeping under the cover of a hard roof, I slept in the tent in the rain, got a little wet, was glad that Karina didn't.
The morning of the 5th we had a great breakfast (pancakes and ice cream), then I was tied up with some mechanical work while Karina and Cubby and Carolyn went off to the swimming area to check out the water slide and all that fun stuff. They had a ball. Everyone stayed and the day stretched on until finally it was time for dinner. That is when we went to the place in town, The Red Geranium, and had the big dinner, got to meet Jane Owen. She hosted us for dinner, madea donationand was generally the nicest person you'd ever want to meet.
Crossing another river
today we cross into MO and over the Mississippi River! The last time Idid that via a bridge (I.e. not over in in a plane, or swimming) wasstill the 1970's! Nice day to do it!
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Replies.Monday, July 6, 2009
New Harmony
We have been settled In New Harmony, IN for a few days. We met a woman named Jane Owen, she was in her 90's and she was very nice, and she gave us a tour of the town. She showed us the roofless church, the grainery, a garden dedicaded to her husbends mother, And the second geological laboratory, all beautiful. Saturday had been the Fourth celebraton. We listened to the Declaration of Independance be read, choir song, and a great presentation by the current President of Southern Indiana University. After, we ventured out into a heavy rain for our ride in the golf cart parade through the town (we In our cycles). Next was a BBQ at the town park, a small but super nice crowd in the rain listening to a brass trio play festive music, ate burgers, fresh cobblers and ice cream.
I'll write some more ( of which there is lots), tonight.
Today is sunny, we camped In The town park, the birds are singing and we are back on the road a d into Illinois as soon as we eat, take down and pack up, and cross the Wabash River! 60 miles on the docket for today, and after two days essentially off cycles, we're ready!
I'll write some more ( of which there is lots), tonight.
Today is sunny, we camped In The town park, the birds are singing and we are back on the road a d into Illinois as soon as we eat, take down and pack up, and cross the Wabash River! 60 miles on the docket for today, and after two days essentially off cycles, we're ready!
Friday, July 3, 2009
some photos
In no particular order: Karina pointing at a windmill in Ontario, sunset and storm in Erieau, Ontario, Fruit Stand in Ontario, me on the iphone "where are we?", Cedar Point Amusement Park from the ferry, Anny, Cassidy, Tesslin, Karina and me at Wildcat Woods; Karina riding down the road in Ohio someplace (twice), Karina on Red Neck Blvd. near Gnaw Bone, IN., Karina in Republic, OH
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Bloomington,evening
No pictures yet, but I'll get some up soon - promise.
OK, so picking up where I left off, we stop next at a place called Wildcat Woods Camping near Greenville, OH. Anny, Cassidy and Tesslin were waiting for us when we got there, and that was really great, meeting us on there way from Las Vegas, NM to MA. The fellow who runs the campground was super nice (and super nuts, I mean that in a good way), Todd, he let us stay for free, and, then he let Anny and the kids stay in a trailer on the grounds for free also, so we could all stay together for the evening.
The trailer had a screen porch, so we set up for dinner on the porch. The campground had a rec room, the kind we all wish we had in HS! Black lights, pin pall machines, pool table, juke box with classic rock and glow in the dark images on the walls of Pink Floyd DSotM, Led Zep, etc. He had a "wall of shame, where Mike was later able to sign his beer bottle and place it in in the que. Too much.
Anyhow, we had a great dinner, the kids all swam and played around and got to bunk together. We all went out to breakfast together in Greenville the next morning. Anny and the kids set off for the Cape and we were on to the next spot.
We made it to St. Paul, IN. stayed at a place called hidden paradise. It was a huge camping area tucked back in the woods surrounding a former quarry. Good showers. Karina and I didn't get there until after dark, as we had stopped earlier to eat at the Dutch Mill Buffet (or, to over-eat there). By the time we left it was beginning to get dark, so it was well dark by the time we reached the campground. The plus side was that we were out to see the fireflies come out by the gazillions over fields of growing corn and, even better, over fields of wheat that had been recently cut. We tried to videotape, though I am sure that it won't do the scene justice. The show rivaled the rec room (minus the classic rock). It was fun riding in the dark, little to no traffic, and blinkers on.
The next day was the ride where we are now. We rode about 65 miles and our total to date is somewhere in the 900's; pretty good! Now we just have to wrap up the other several thousand miles and that'll be that!
Tomorrow it's on to New Harmony to get ready for the 4th and the parade and all that. I'll get lots of photos of that. I actually saw a costume today, red and white stripes, blue with white stars, top hat, Karina would have looked outrageous in that for the parade, but I passed on the additional expense and we'll go with our CAMP shirts (which if you are in the east and look west towards Indiana this evening, you may be able to pick up the glow in the western sky).
We miss you all; thank you all for comments and encouragements, and we will persist and get there in just seven more weeks! SEVEN MORE! So strange, and great.
OK, so picking up where I left off, we stop next at a place called Wildcat Woods Camping near Greenville, OH. Anny, Cassidy and Tesslin were waiting for us when we got there, and that was really great, meeting us on there way from Las Vegas, NM to MA. The fellow who runs the campground was super nice (and super nuts, I mean that in a good way), Todd, he let us stay for free, and, then he let Anny and the kids stay in a trailer on the grounds for free also, so we could all stay together for the evening.
The trailer had a screen porch, so we set up for dinner on the porch. The campground had a rec room, the kind we all wish we had in HS! Black lights, pin pall machines, pool table, juke box with classic rock and glow in the dark images on the walls of Pink Floyd DSotM, Led Zep, etc. He had a "wall of shame, where Mike was later able to sign his beer bottle and place it in in the que. Too much.
Anyhow, we had a great dinner, the kids all swam and played around and got to bunk together. We all went out to breakfast together in Greenville the next morning. Anny and the kids set off for the Cape and we were on to the next spot.
We made it to St. Paul, IN. stayed at a place called hidden paradise. It was a huge camping area tucked back in the woods surrounding a former quarry. Good showers. Karina and I didn't get there until after dark, as we had stopped earlier to eat at the Dutch Mill Buffet (or, to over-eat there). By the time we left it was beginning to get dark, so it was well dark by the time we reached the campground. The plus side was that we were out to see the fireflies come out by the gazillions over fields of growing corn and, even better, over fields of wheat that had been recently cut. We tried to videotape, though I am sure that it won't do the scene justice. The show rivaled the rec room (minus the classic rock). It was fun riding in the dark, little to no traffic, and blinkers on.
The next day was the ride where we are now. We rode about 65 miles and our total to date is somewhere in the 900's; pretty good! Now we just have to wrap up the other several thousand miles and that'll be that!
Tomorrow it's on to New Harmony to get ready for the 4th and the parade and all that. I'll get lots of photos of that. I actually saw a costume today, red and white stripes, blue with white stars, top hat, Karina would have looked outrageous in that for the parade, but I passed on the additional expense and we'll go with our CAMP shirts (which if you are in the east and look west towards Indiana this evening, you may be able to pick up the glow in the western sky).
We miss you all; thank you all for comments and encouragements, and we will persist and get there in just seven more weeks! SEVEN MORE! So strange, and great.
Bloomington, afternoon
Hi, Karina and I went off with Eric, Rita, Alex and Carissa for a great lunch at a neat little place near the university today. After we all went to Griffy Lake, rented canoes and kayaks and spent an hour or so paddling around the lake. Really pretty and it could have been in upstate NY for the landscape. We spotted a Rough Green Snake hanging out in a tree overhanging the water, probably 3' long, skinney, very green, and way cool.
Speaking of long and skinney, Alex is officially taller than me (though to keep him in his place I reminded him that I was still older and needed glasses to see anything - that changed nothing regarding size, but it was all I had to go with).
Got back to the house and I sacked out for an hour or so and now things are heading towards dinnertime! Days off with friends - love em!
Republic, we pedalled on to a capmground called Clinton Lake. We are riding through just beautiful farmland and it is not looking like anything is out there besides barns and corn, soybeans and wheat, then sure enough, a little campground with a whole pile of folks (several hundres), lots of RV's, lots of golf carts, a nice little lake, pavillion, volley ball tournement in process, kids, the works.
Got to swim and had a good dinner. Met a little felow named Bryce. I hear him say to a little girl he's playing with "my birthday was yesterday". Later I tell mim happy birthday and ask how old he is and he says he's five. I sang hin the very short birthday song ("this is your birthday song, it isn't very lo........"). After he tells me he's four and his birthday is in November!! He was a riot. SO I tell him that there is a place in Utah called "Bryce Canyon" and that it was named after him and that he was the King of it. He liiked that and I am pretty sure he spent the rest of the day telling folks in the campground that he was the King of Bryce Canyon!
The next night deserves a ful post of it's own, so I will try to get back to the keyboard at least one more time tonight.
Speaking of long and skinney, Alex is officially taller than me (though to keep him in his place I reminded him that I was still older and needed glasses to see anything - that changed nothing regarding size, but it was all I had to go with).
Got back to the house and I sacked out for an hour or so and now things are heading towards dinnertime! Days off with friends - love em!
Republic, we pedalled on to a capmground called Clinton Lake. We are riding through just beautiful farmland and it is not looking like anything is out there besides barns and corn, soybeans and wheat, then sure enough, a little campground with a whole pile of folks (several hundres), lots of RV's, lots of golf carts, a nice little lake, pavillion, volley ball tournement in process, kids, the works.
Got to swim and had a good dinner. Met a little felow named Bryce. I hear him say to a little girl he's playing with "my birthday was yesterday". Later I tell mim happy birthday and ask how old he is and he says he's five. I sang hin the very short birthday song ("this is your birthday song, it isn't very lo........"). After he tells me he's four and his birthday is in November!! He was a riot. SO I tell him that there is a place in Utah called "Bryce Canyon" and that it was named after him and that he was the King of it. He liiked that and I am pretty sure he spent the rest of the day telling folks in the campground that he was the King of Bryce Canyon!
The next night deserves a ful post of it's own, so I will try to get back to the keyboard at least one more time tonight.
Sleep, pancakes, no cycling today!
Ahh, a day off again; very nice.
OK, so going back a bit, we spent several days riding along the northern side of Lake Erie. The terrain is generally flat and is pretty with much reduced traffic overall.
First night was spent in a place called Selkirk at a provincial park. Funny story here was that upon arrival I did my usual routines in terms of setting up the tent, arranging gear, etc. My habit is to put my essential stuff (wallet, passports, etc.) next to the tent while setting up and then once the tent is up I move it all inside. Part way through the routine we had dinner, or something, and so that transfer part was interrupted. Towards the end of dinner Karina and Mike reported that some huge animal had come into the campsite and they chased it off. Turns out that the huge animal was a large raccoon and though it was not truly interested in my wallet, it was very interested in the energy bar that shared the same pouch. Being dark-ish at this point in the evening, all we knew was that the animal was gone and that all else was fine. Next morning however, as I looked through everything for my wallet, I came to the conclusion that the thing had been dragged off into the woods by the raccoon. After several minutes of colorful language and searching I did find the pouch (minus the energy bar) about 50 yards down a hillside ravine. The raccoon was kind enough to have unzipped the pouch rather than just tear it to shreds to get at the food.
Speaking of raccoons, they are the winner by far in the URK competition (that being the "unidentifiable road kill" competition). The great part of biking is that you get to hear the birds sing, the streams run and all the stuff you miss in the cars, the downside is that you get animal anatomy 101 as dissected by motorized vehicles; this can be quite a show.
In Canada, we stayed a night with Joe and Michelle at their small campground in Erieau. Beautiful area, super nice people and a really fun stop. Joe is a Captain for ships delivering goods all over including 300 miles off the coast of Greenland. As a career sailor, you can imagine the depth and breadth of the stories. Michelle took Karina off on a several hour excursion in kayaks where they visited a nearby island and got to see a variety of wildlife. The lake can get very rough and there was an impressive storm that came through. Wind, lightening, pelting rain. We set up for dinner in their boathouse BARn, where we were dry and quite content. Later the strom blew past and we sat around the campfire until late in the evening.
Next day we were off to catch the Ferry in Kingsville. The lake was calm, the day sunny and delightful. We stopped over at Peele Island for a few hours where we took time to replace a spoke on Kens rear wheel and Karina got to go swimming several times. The crossing resumed and we got into sandusky about 7:30 PM. You come into the port by sailing up to and past Cedar Point, which is a roller coaster park on steroids! There is one ride we could see where the cars shoot essentially strait up several hundred feet (fast as you can imagine in order to get that mass and weight up that high), then a slight pause (maybe 2 seconds) then the cars tip downward past 90 degrees and plummet towards the ground in freefall. You can hear the screams probably in Canada, we went nowhere near that one. Oh, did I mention that as the cars are doing the death dive that they also spin around two revolutions, nice touch, kind of a bonus.
We spent the night at a KOA in Sandusky. Our neighbor was in the most tweaked out RV ever! I can't even really begin to describe the machine to do it justice, but it was pulling a trailer that contained a Lexus as the scooting around vehicle (which may give some indication of the rest of the rig). The inside of the bus itself had sort of stone covered walls. The cargo holds underneath opened to display a full flat screen TV. Anyhow, top shelf.
The next morning we rode onto Republic, OH (about 40 miles), got there early enough that we could hop back in the car and go back to Cedar Point for the evening. If you do ever go to Cedar Point, take at least a day or two and start with the "death plunge", after that everything else will be within your limits. They do have a variety of rides for the more vomit adverse, which Karina and enjoyed some of those. Had a great ride on "Wildcat", sort of a classic smaller rollercoaster; that was great and was a first for Karina!
I'll write some more tonight. I'll see if I can put on some photos, too.
OK, so going back a bit, we spent several days riding along the northern side of Lake Erie. The terrain is generally flat and is pretty with much reduced traffic overall.
First night was spent in a place called Selkirk at a provincial park. Funny story here was that upon arrival I did my usual routines in terms of setting up the tent, arranging gear, etc. My habit is to put my essential stuff (wallet, passports, etc.) next to the tent while setting up and then once the tent is up I move it all inside. Part way through the routine we had dinner, or something, and so that transfer part was interrupted. Towards the end of dinner Karina and Mike reported that some huge animal had come into the campsite and they chased it off. Turns out that the huge animal was a large raccoon and though it was not truly interested in my wallet, it was very interested in the energy bar that shared the same pouch. Being dark-ish at this point in the evening, all we knew was that the animal was gone and that all else was fine. Next morning however, as I looked through everything for my wallet, I came to the conclusion that the thing had been dragged off into the woods by the raccoon. After several minutes of colorful language and searching I did find the pouch (minus the energy bar) about 50 yards down a hillside ravine. The raccoon was kind enough to have unzipped the pouch rather than just tear it to shreds to get at the food.
Speaking of raccoons, they are the winner by far in the URK competition (that being the "unidentifiable road kill" competition). The great part of biking is that you get to hear the birds sing, the streams run and all the stuff you miss in the cars, the downside is that you get animal anatomy 101 as dissected by motorized vehicles; this can be quite a show.
In Canada, we stayed a night with Joe and Michelle at their small campground in Erieau. Beautiful area, super nice people and a really fun stop. Joe is a Captain for ships delivering goods all over including 300 miles off the coast of Greenland. As a career sailor, you can imagine the depth and breadth of the stories. Michelle took Karina off on a several hour excursion in kayaks where they visited a nearby island and got to see a variety of wildlife. The lake can get very rough and there was an impressive storm that came through. Wind, lightening, pelting rain. We set up for dinner in their boathouse BARn, where we were dry and quite content. Later the strom blew past and we sat around the campfire until late in the evening.
Next day we were off to catch the Ferry in Kingsville. The lake was calm, the day sunny and delightful. We stopped over at Peele Island for a few hours where we took time to replace a spoke on Kens rear wheel and Karina got to go swimming several times. The crossing resumed and we got into sandusky about 7:30 PM. You come into the port by sailing up to and past Cedar Point, which is a roller coaster park on steroids! There is one ride we could see where the cars shoot essentially strait up several hundred feet (fast as you can imagine in order to get that mass and weight up that high), then a slight pause (maybe 2 seconds) then the cars tip downward past 90 degrees and plummet towards the ground in freefall. You can hear the screams probably in Canada, we went nowhere near that one. Oh, did I mention that as the cars are doing the death dive that they also spin around two revolutions, nice touch, kind of a bonus.
We spent the night at a KOA in Sandusky. Our neighbor was in the most tweaked out RV ever! I can't even really begin to describe the machine to do it justice, but it was pulling a trailer that contained a Lexus as the scooting around vehicle (which may give some indication of the rest of the rig). The inside of the bus itself had sort of stone covered walls. The cargo holds underneath opened to display a full flat screen TV. Anyhow, top shelf.
The next morning we rode onto Republic, OH (about 40 miles), got there early enough that we could hop back in the car and go back to Cedar Point for the evening. If you do ever go to Cedar Point, take at least a day or two and start with the "death plunge", after that everything else will be within your limits. They do have a variety of rides for the more vomit adverse, which Karina and enjoyed some of those. Had a great ride on "Wildcat", sort of a classic smaller rollercoaster; that was great and was a first for Karina!
I'll write some more tonight. I'll see if I can put on some photos, too.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Bloomington!
And,you know what that means A) a computer with a keyboard and internet access and B) COUSINS! We are all tired, but happy to have arrived. I will recount the past several days in the morning, I am too tired to do much right now. Today was about 65 miles, overcast and low 60's - no rain, great day to ride. Went through a town named Gnaw Bone! Karina did great, which has become standard. Rita and Carissa cooked a great dinner so we are all full and happy as can be. Eric looked over the itinerary and found the missing day, something that I probably would not have found until I was actually in the middle of missing it!
More in the morning...
More in the morning...
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