Watchin' The Rain

What could be better than listening to a hard rain, drinking a cup of Lady Grey tea, reading a good book, and having a sweet kitty on my lap?

Flaming Gorge to Bryce Canyon

We leave Vernal, Utah after having our Master Cylinder replaced. A good thing because it looks like it might be all downhill from here!

Yep, brakes are a good thing

We opt for Scenic Route 12 over I70. It winds through the Grand Escalante Staircase. The Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument contains 1.9 million acres of land in southern Utah.The "Staircase" is created bythe terrace stepsof the various color cliffs in the region: Vermilion, White, Gray, Pink.



Bryce Canyon is just around the corner!

We're here!

What Is True Religion?

A paragraph from Knowing God by J.I. Packer: "Godliness means responding to God's revelation in trust and obedience, faith and worship, prayer and praise, submission and service. Life must be seen and lived in the light of God's Word. This, and nothing else, is true religion."

Is This a Chain Letter?

Tagged by johnny sprocket. 5 things that people may not know about me?
Uhh...
1) Well, I love, love, love Jackass (and I think Johnny Knoxville is hhhhot!).

2) I don't believe in god, nor anything after this. I believe that there was a guy named Jesus and he was a good and generous person, but not a magical being and not a son of god. I grew up a strict Catholic, read the bible many times, went to Catholic schools, studied history in college and then decided I didn't believe in a God. This is it, so have as much fun as you can while you're here. I do believe that life is spiritual and magical.
3) I've seen over 100 (Grateful) Dead shows in my lifetime - and I've sat on the bed in Serenity Knolls (in the rehab joint) where Jerry Garcia died.
4) I can't stand the words, "panties", "morsel" and "mount". They make me feel the same way as fingernails on a chalkboard.
5) I'm politically pretty left. I love conspiracy theories and sometimes I even believe them. I'm a "libertarian socialist" as Noam Chomsky puts it (and he's one of my idols and I love Gore Vidal too).
Morgan once told me (figuratively) to stop wearing my aluminum foil hat when there was lightening out. This was after I told him that I thought the California clouds were being seeded by the Bush administration - when it was raining so much last year.

6) I used to grow the stink weed. I grew it and financed my last few years of college and bought a VW Karmen Ghia.
OK so onto 5 others....
Marscat, VG, Ippoc, Panda, and Flandria

We Almost Had No Christmas Cards

Tuesday, December 27

When we sold our townhouse and moved into the condo in May, we dutifully contacted the post office to change our address and have our mail forwarded.  As requested, we completed the online application and then sat back to wait for envelopes with yellow forwarding stickers to show up.  During the first week, a few envelopes were delivered.  And then … nothing.  Mui stopped by the post office and talked to someone at the counter to verify that our request was on file.  It was and he was assured we’d be getting our mail.

It’s not like we get a lot of snail mail anyway, so when there wasn’t much in our mailbox during the subsequent weeks, we weren’t too concerned.  Until, that is, the woman who bought our townhouse sent us an email to let us know that she was still getting mail for us at our old address.  Another trip to the post office; more assurances that the problem was resolved.

Fast forward through summer, fall, and winter.  There were plenty of envelopes showing up in our mailbox, so we assumed all was well even though the yellow-stickered ones were few and far between.  Which is at it should be, right?  After all, each time we had a piece of forwarded mail, we contacted the sender to change our address.  Well, we were wrong; all wasn’t well.

The day before Christmas Eve, we received an email from the owner of our former townhouse saying that she had a stack of what looked like Christmas cards for us!!!  A trip to pick them up from where she left our mail on her stoop was followed by another visit to the post office.  Apologies, assurances, and whatnot … but it doesn’t matter anymore; we simply don’t believe them.

Almost missed out on having any cards this year.

With service like this, is it any surprise that we have curtailed using snail mail?  Even that description doesn’t apply anymore … it’s more like “disappearing into the black hole of the USPS mail.”  From this point forward, we’ll be using the US Postal Service only if alternative options are not available.

Of course, our problem isn’t nearly as bad as Paul and Marti’s mail-forwarding woes (post here).  Lesson learned … we’ll be switching our mailing address to our South Dakota domicile well before we get on the road.  That way, we’ll still be here to resolve any issues that crop up with getting our mail forwarded to Alternative Resources, the service we plan to use while we’re full-timing.  We’re also going to personally contact any person/company of importance and provide them with our new address ourselves.  Hopefully, we’ll thus avoid any major headaches.  What’s that adage about an ounce of prevention?  Perhaps we can make it work for us.

Is My Name Fred?

Long before I moved from Illinois/Zone 5 to Austin/Zone 8B, authors like Elizabeth Lawrence, Henry Mitchell and Stephen Lacey/The Startling Jungle fed my zone-envy by talking about Crinum and Amarcrinum lilies. Now I have some!

Above is the crinum that’s in bloom now, showing its colors, lovely and even fragrant, but I sure didn’t pay one hundred dollars for it, as Pam/Digging has read. I found the Plant Delights receipt from February .., for one bulb of Amarcrinum x ‘Fred Howard’ at $12. A journal notation mentions that in Fall 1999, I bought a potted bulb from the Austin Men’s Garden Club. The cost was $5; the donor wasn’t sure of the name, but wrote “Jersey Lily” on the pot.
Both bulbs grew and were repotted several times before we moved here. In October .., I was amazed to realize that the two original bulbs had become eight, but they were mixed up when they were planted in a holding bed. In Spring .., the 8 bulbs found permanent homes in 4 locations, varied as to sun/shade and moisture, so I could see what worked best.

For comparison, here’s a photo of Amarcrinum x ‘Fred Howard’ at Plant Delights. My flower looks just like their ‘Fred Howard’, don’t you think?

In June, another of the bulbs, planted in a hotter & sunnier space, bloomed with Evolvolus ‘Blue Daze’ around it.

This one looks like a ‘Fred Howard’, too. So my investment has doubled already!
What about the other six? Was “Jersey Lily” a possibility? A search for ‘Jersey Lily’ pulled up many sites on Lillie Langtry, the beautiful actress and mistress of King Edward VII, named for the flower growing on her home Isle of Jersey. [Did anyone else watch Francesca Annis as ”Lillie” in the old Masterpiece Theater Series?]

Google found a few botanical choices for Jersey Lily, including Nerine bowdenii, and Nerine sarniensis. In photos these Nerines seem fluffier, with long stamens hovering above pink flower petals splayed outward. Hortus Third says Nerines are tender below Zone 9, with “lvs. strap-shaped, basal, usually absent at flowering time”, and both species are described as rose-red. Other authorities insisted that Jersey Lily is Amaryllis belladonna, a kind of Naked Lady, with reddish stems and leaves that disappear in April.

The disappearing, strap-shaped leaves seem to rule out both Nerines and the Amaryllis belladonna. I may have mixed up the bulbs when they were separated and replanted, but every one of the eight bulbs produces semi-evergreen leaves. The foliage never disappears, although some of it turns brown if the temperature dips below 20º F, then regrows when the freeze is over.

So I’ll wait and see if the six remaining bulbs ever bloom. A couple may also be ‘Freds’, but the others? My guess is that the guy from the Austin Men’s Garden Club was growing some kind of Crinum without knowing what he had; I hope it is another variety of these lovely flowers.

Spring has Sprung - I Think...

Woke up this morning for near record cold over night. Not surprised since it was Full Moon. Frost on the windshield and 28 degrees as I headed to town for coffee and computer work. When the sun came up, the temperature started rising. About 40 when I drove home 9am.

Forecast was for high in the mid 60s, so I rested and kitted up for a bike ride. The winds was starting to pick up and the temperature was a 62 sunny degrees when I got to the Wabash Trace Trailhead. Was thinking of riding the Trace down South (with the wind) but I had not yet purchased my annual pass for the Trace.

Brought the hybrid for a pavement ride. Wanted to check out the GoPro camera, but had a problem. The mount was ending up aiming the camera side-wise. Left a piece at hope that changes the orientation.

Rode over to the Indian Creek Bridge and back. Had not been on the bike for almost 4 weeks, so the 9 mile ride was enough. Winds was blowing 12-15 from the South, so enjoyed the ride with the wind back to the car. At the car, there was a couple just loading their bikes. I inquired on where they rode and the trail condition. Seems that the trail surface is pretty solid except for mud in the tunnel.

Finally hit the 100 mile mark for the year. Way too late start of the riding season!

While in town, ran some errands. Late lunch at Freddie's. Sam's Club, Best Buy (verify I had parts needed for mounting my GoPro), and Xtreme Wheels.By the time I was driving home (had to stop in Treynir at Pickle Barrel for bags of popcorn) the thermometer in the car was ready 67!

Weather forecast is for bike riding weather. Lows in the 40s and highs up to 70s and near 80. Sunday is Lake Manawa Clean-up Day. See if I will attend that or ride my bike. The walking the trails could be rough in my knee.

Morning Dance

As the sun rises each morning over the Platte River in Central Nebraska, it is a regular activity for the cranes, as they are waking up, to stretch their wings and sometimes do a little dance for their partners or potential partners. After they stretch they will often jump up and down in the air, flapping their wings and exhibiting a number of other "dance" moves for any partner that might be interested :-)

Missing Mail Boxes

Sometime yesterday or this morning my mail box and the neighbor's mail box disappeared. Both were hit which ripped them off of their posts. The mail boxes are nowhere to be found.
I am thinking that they were hit with the wing of the snow plow. I have not seen any other missing/damaged mail boxes on the road. The plow (or someone with a blade) came through twice over the last 2 days.
When I found the missing mail boxes, I saw no indication of where they went. They were either threw clear form the area or covered with snow.
This is NOT what I need with my problems. The is no way I can replace the mail box and mount with the snow, frozen ground, and my surgery.
It would be nice that who did this confessed and replaced the mail boxes. But that is wishful thinking.

Calendar

The Bicycle Trails calendar is currently at the printer. I would have them for sale next week. You can reserve your copy by writing to: photos (at) TomWinfield (dot) com. Calendars are $15.00 plus $3.00 shipping (US Only). Iowa residents add 7% ($1.05) sales tax. PayPal accepted.
A PDF version of the calendar is available for viewing at my photography site: http://www.tomwinfieldphotography.com/sale/BicyclesTrails12.pdf
My photos are not the wide, sweeping views typical of calendars. They provide an intimate view of the trail I was riding at the time. All photos on the calendar were taken while riding one of my bicycles.

18 Below and Beautiful!

Sunrise and Sea Smoke over the Susie Islands on January 19, . This morning when I saw that the temperature was well below zero (a rarity this winter!), I knew that there was going to be plenty of sea smoke (steam) rising off the waters of Lake Superior. So, I headed to my favorite place to make photographs of the steam. It's difficult heading outside on such a cold morning, but the spectacular photos make it worth the effort!

A Surprise Landing

I was standing on the porch the other day and looked down to admire my Simple shoes. There was this pretty butterfly on my jeans. It stayed there while I went into the house, got my camera, and snapped the pic.
I don't just randomly walk around looking at my cute shoes. I'm usually in flip flops. I was headed to town to look for some boyfriend jeans. I know you've seen them. They're kind of baggy with rolled up cuffs. I looked in several stores to no avail. I went to Goodwill and what did I find? This pair of Ralph Lauren jeans for $5.00. They are exactly what I was looking for. Can't beat that with a stick!

Crank and ... Crank

On Friday, Biker Bob put out a call for a modified Crank and Camp ride. This time, all Crank... no Camp.
The idea was to meet at Blue Line at 7am, then cross the BK Pedestrian Bridge and ride to the Wabash Trace trail head. There we would meet up with some others, where Bob and Phil would ride to Missouri, turn around and head back before calling for a ride. Anyone was welcome to ride as far as they want, but everyone must provide for their own transport home, be it bike or SAG support. Bob and Phil will probably end up doing a 100+ miles before the end of the day.
Roxanne and I rode from home to the Blue Line where we met with Munson and Bob. BLC wasn't open yet, so Munson got some go-juice at Scooter's in the Holiday Inn. We crossed the bridge and headed toward the Wabash Trace. Roxanne and I rode back a ways while Bob and Munson rode on to meet Phil and Rafal.
Fast forward about 14 miles, one mile short of the trailhead. Bob, Munson, Phil and Rafal rode back on the Manawa Trail a ways to meet up with us. After a brief photo shoot, we all rode to the Wabash trailhead, and then about two miles down the gravel. Roxanne and I turned back and Munson joined us. I think Rafal went on to Silver City with Bob and Phil.
After a chatty ride back to downtown (in the rain), Roxanne, Munson and I had lunch at the Blue Line around 10am. Note: BLC isn't really set up for lunch at 10am, so be patient and kind when waiting for your meal that early in the morning.
After a nice lunch filled with more chat, we all headed back home. I think Munson had a full day planned with his fiancée, and Roxanne and I planned to take our daughter and her friend either to the zoo or the Renaissance Faire.
It was a lot of fun to meet up with all of the riders and share some cranks and conversation. I also welcomed the opportunity to introduce Roxanne to everyone. Finally, it was nice to meet Munson in person. We'd corresponded through the blogs mostly, but never talked face to face.
Total mileage for me and Roxanne: 42 miles. Not a bad ride at a time before many had even had lunch.

Moab to Torrey

Breakfast at the Moab Diner. Wanted pancakes and sausage. The diner only has the breakfast which includes eggs. I said I did not want the eggs. I was asked what kind of pancakes - opted to try the buckwheat cakes. While easting, there was a strange tast in some parts of the pancakes. A member of the staff said it was bananas - the special of buckwheat banana cakes. That's not what I ordered. He offered a new pancake(s). No, I had enough. On the bill, I paid the full price - nothing fpr no eggs or screwing up my order.

Loaded the last things in the car and racked the bikes. Waited for the motel office opening. Had to discuss rate - availability check said $69 for senior but was being changed full rate of $79. Got that settled (got the discounted rate - thanks because had the e-mails,

Things are not started very well today. Good to be on the road. Boring drive up to I-70, and down Utah 24. Took the time to make a side trip to check out Goblin Valley State Park. This park is out in the middle of nowhere! Interesting rock formations (the "goblins).

When Rt 24 turned West at Hanksville, the scenery got better. Stopped in at the Capitol Reef Visitor Center. the Ranger described the scenic road in the park. I think the visitor center and scenic drive were new since I was there some 15+ years ago.

The drive was worth it. The main scenic drive is paved. There are 2 side roads (gravel) that take you down a canyon. Great scenery!. Today's photo was taken on the Scenic Drive.

Checked into the motel - Rim Rock Inn. It was a couple miles to the town of Torrey so headed into town. Stopped at the town Visitors Information office. talked a bit with the gal un the office. She suggested the Red Cliff for food. The prices in the menu at the place i was staying was just a bit too expensice - $15 for a 1/2 pounder burger.

Cloudspotting

I've got a crick in my neck from cloudspotting all week, trying to tell my nimbostratus from my cumulonimbus, and my stratocumulus undulatus from my stratocumulus radiatus.