Stradbroken

Last weekend (yes, it's taken me that long to getting around to an update) I spent the weekend with friends on North Stradbroke Island, off the coast of Brisbane. There were probably enough photos taken to fill an entire journal over at crazyguyonabike.com, but for now I'll just do the best with what I have here. After getting the ferry across from Cleveland, I was due to meet up with the group for a bushwalk at the Blue Lake. Some of the hills that had to be crossed on the way were horrendous, as the island is surprisingly hilly, but the scenery made it all worthwhile, as it generally does.

After a swim in the refreshingly cold waters, I decided to ride to Point Lookout via the "alternative route", following a dirt track along the east coast of the island. Dirt turned to sand in many places, and at times it became quite a struggle, I had to walk much of it. Fortunately I had a picnic lunch with me, so I could afford to take my time here. The ride/walk was extremely pleasant, passing wildflowers and a couple of lagoons along the way. After finishing with the sandy section, I encountered a couple of suicidal truck drivers. I'm just glad my genes won't now be exiting when theirs invariably leave the human gene pool.



Point Lookout, on the east coast of the island was eventually reached, and there was still time for me to totally screw up the location of the accommodation, and ride an extra 6km or so just for the fun of it. For what it's worth, the 6km or so were very pleasant in and of themselves, which made it a worthwhile exercise. It had seemed like an epic day, but the adventure was really just beginning.

Eventually I caught up with the others in the group for dinner at the local pub, which had a nice location and a relatively low yobbo quotient by Queensland standards. The night that followed, however, did everything exactly by Queensland standards with regard to the temperature -- i.e. hot. It was so hot that nobody in the group got any sleep that evening (despite the almost total lack of any noise). It was so hot that even the islands notorious mosquitoes took the evening off. I might have just slept on the beach had I thought it would have been any better.

* * * * * *

Kayaking was on the agenda for Sunday, but I was a late scratching because of the rib problems I still had from the previous weekend. Instead I opted for a day of exploring the parts of the Island that I hadn't seen on my bike, or on foot. The first step was a walk around The "Gorge" at Point Lookout. This was a stunning display of coastal scenery, reminiscent of the Great Ocean Road some years ago. The blue water on the limestone cliffs was worth celebrating in and of itself.



A few hardy souls were fishing in some really stupid positions, and some of them were drunk quite early. It won't bother me, but we'll all be expected to mourn when they turn up as "people missing from the coast" on the news one night this week. Well, all except me anyway. As it was, I completed the walk feeling rather satisfied, then set off at a leisurely pace, first for Amity Point, then back to Dunwich for the ferry ride home.

It was on the way back that my love of cycle touring really came to the fore, the feeling of simply getting on the bike and exploring without any deadlines is a special one. It's something that I just never tire of. Amity Point was pretty, but ultimately uninspiring. I did take on some fluids as the previous evening had left me with a mild case of heatstroke, that five litres of fluids in one morning hadn't yet cured. Then I set off for Dunwich.

Dunwich doesn't get the acclaim of Point Lookout, but it's an interesting little place. I occupied myself first by detouring out to the Brown Lake, which wasn't as pretty as the Blue Lake but had twice as many tourists, so I left. The next stop was to visit a rather interesting little cemetary which commemorates a ship sailing from Tasmania to Queensland on which there had been an outbreak of Typhus.

Finally, I took in a visit to the local art gallery. The gallery has a lot of traditional aboriginal works presented, some of which are quite beautiful, and all of which hold some special significance to their authors. The woman who operated the gallery told me about quite a few of the local tales, which I'll relate in another post later on. She's also hoping to expand their operations, and told me of a streetscape planned for Dunwich which will give the local painters a chance to show their wares.
By now it was closing in on the end of the day, so I made my way to the ferry terminal, got reacquainted with the group I was supposed to be travelling with (but had seen very little of) for the ferry ride home. More QR incompetence led to the train home taking a whopping four hours -- I should have just ridden home from Cleveland. I did, however, have an interesting chat with a couple of local cycletourists at Robina train station. They had just returned from Rainbow bay near Gympie, and consequently, another potential weekend tour has been "noted".
I finished the weekend tired and a little sunburned, but ultimately fulfilled. The next trip away starts Friday. Bring it on.

Great Grandma and the Twins

My mama came down for a few days to see her new great granddaughters. I wish we lived closer so we could visit more often. We're five and a half hours apart. I am thankful that it's drivable in half a day, but one hour would be so much better; so would ten minutes! That's how close I live to Laurel, the twins' mother and my oldest daughter.
I think Laurel and her whole family will be going to the mountains sometime this fall for a vacation. They'll be going by my parents' house so Daddy can see them, too. He would have come down with Mama this time, but his shoulders hurt too much if he sits for that long.
I hope to get away for a few days myself this fall and have my annual get-away. I love my family but need time alone to plan, regroup, give myself some pep talks, read Scripture, and pray. It does a body good!

The Many Sides of Love

"...no two children, even within the same family, have identically the same parents.
That is because the personality and gender of each child
brings out different things in the same parents." ~ recently quoted by Shari Howerton, author of Breaking the ChainsI was so glad to find the above statement, because it states a truth I've been trying to convey to some of my children. We don't treat our children exactly alike. If someone does, then I want to meet that perfect person!
Just as we respond differently to other people outside the family, so we do within the family also. I act differently around different friends, because they each bring out a different aspect of my personality.
Within the last month of so, two of my children have called me out about favoring my oldest son. After giving it a lot of thought and talking extensively about it with them, I have to admit that they're right. At least I can see why they think that. Of course I don't love him more, but I do treat him differently. He just makes me happy, because he's crazy and funny. He knows no boundaries (which sometimes gets him in trouble). He's a big nut. He also drains me of energy. I can only take him in small doses. But I love him for his craziness and how he makes me feel.
I love the uniqueness of all our children. I love Laurel for so many things I can't even begin to list them. She's my best friend. I just said why I love Garrett. I love Tyler for his sincerity and gentleness. I love Dylan's thoughtfulness and courtly manners. I love Darcie because she's my baby and always will be. And I'm not forgetting my two children-in-law, Matt and Leigh Anne. Our family has been greatly enriched by having added them. I love Leigh Anne's forthrightness, truthfulness, and willingness to work to put Dylan through school and Matt's willingness to talk about anything and everything at any time. Also, he's the best salesman on the planet.
I'll admit that I need to be more sensitive to my children's feelings and watch that I don't act like I love one more than another. I'm very thankful for children who love ME enough to exhort me; painful though it may be.

Rough water rescue practice

North winds at last! The forecast was 3- to 5-foot waves, so we hastened to the lake. This time we wore drysuits, only to find that some of the surface water had returned and the water was relative balmy--somewhere in the mid-60s.

We love practicing rescues, but don't often have an opportunity to try them in the conditions in which we're most likely to need them. (Especially this year, when we've had very few big wave days.) So we took turns putting each other and ourselves back in our boats.

Alec and Hannah complete a t-rescue.



Alec completes a scramble (cowboy) self-rescue.





Every time we do this, we are struck by how well these rescues work in conditions, but how essential it is to move quickly and hold on to everything (boats, paddles, people). We typically teach rescues in calm conditions in which paddlers are unlikely to capsize and try to convince our students that in real conditions, any lapse of attention can lead to serious complications. If the rescuer lets go of the casualty's boat, it can whip away in the wind. If the casualty lets go of his or her boat or the rescuer's deck lines, they can quickly be separated. If anybody lets go of a paddle, they may never see it again. Working on rescues in real conditions is the best test of your technique.

On the Trail

On the Trail, originally uploaded by ParsecTraveller.

Temple Crag looms in the distance, towering above Second Lake.
Big Pine is one of the best hiking areas I've yet seen. There are many trails, lots of lakes, and spectacular mountains.

Photo Shoot Bike Ride

After coffee at Panera Bread, the weather was just too nice (for the end of October) to spend it in the house. Time to get out for a bike ride. Aired up the tires on the hybrid.
Had not been riding that bike in a while (with the road bike getting the work-out). But, with the cloudy sky, it was a day to shoot HDR exposures. The hybrid has the rack and bag to carry the D-SLR.
Was a bit rough heading out - into the wind from the SSW. At least got a break riding up Indian Creek Trail with the wind.
When I turned the corner onto Veteran's Memorial Trail I noticed that the construction barricade was down, The re-paving there was done. They still have to pave the section of Western Historic Trail from S 24th to the Trails Center.
Feeling good at the Trails center, so headed on North the the "Bob Bridge" and across to Omaha. Got some awesome photos on the ride!
Uneventful ride back to the Trails Center and on to the car at the Wabash Trace trail head.
Some of the photos shot today are on the Tom Winfield Photography Facebook page.
27.6 miles today, topped the 1700 mile mark for the year.

Alabama Soap Meeting

Darlene was selling Shea butter fresh from the calabash, so her hands were greasy.

Darlene: Just put it in my pocket.

Jen: What do you mean I have to get change?!

Sadly, I did not win the grand prize on either day. Friday's was a $250 gift certificate from Snowdrift Farm, and Saturday's was a "Tank" cutter donated by the soap meeting itself. DebbieT is demonstrating hers in the picture above.

Debbie also organized a business card swap, and made the cutest little card holders I've ever seen. Isn't she brilliant?

I think I changed a setting on the camera by mistake (I took Hubby's since it's small), so a lot of the photos didn't turn out well. All the ones I accidentally took of my feet were perfect, of course.

Mar crowned (and knighted!) our new President, Sandi, while our outgoing boss, Jen, was giddy with joy. She's been our President, our benevolent dictator, and fearless leader for the past 11 years, and has never steered us wrong.

We were so lucky to have Anne-Marie from Brambleberry as our main speaker. She taught us how to make massage candles, and also spoke on the topics of Goal Setting and Rules to Succeed in Business. She should know, because she had a company grossing over $1 million when she was only 25 years old! I believe that was about six years ago, and her success continues to build. She is smart, smart, smart, but also very personable, kind, and sharing.

Edinburgh's Royal Wedding

It was Edinburgh's turn on Saturday for a royal wedding - that of the Queen's granddaughter Zara Phillips and England rugby player Mike Tindall at the Canongate Kirk on the Royal Mile. They're pictured above leaving the church. All photos are courtesy of my daughter, who had a prime spot nearby.
Amazingly the sun shone, which was fortunate not just for the bride and groom, but for the three people who had camped overnight. Three is a pretty good number - this is Scotland, remember. Two of them were still fast asleep at 7 am when my daughter arrived to join friends who had staked out their position at 5 am.
A long wait then ensued, with ritual cheering of anything official that moved. Things began to warm up when the self-conscious but clearly delighted choir from Gordonstoun, Zara's old school, was escorted up the Royal Mile to the church.
Below, Mrs Queen is welcomed by the minister of the Canongate Kirk, Revd Neil Gardner.

The bride's arrival, below.

A collection of Royals after the ceremony. From left to right as far as the pillar: Princess Anne, the mother of the bride; her husband; Timothy Laurence; the minister, Neil Gardner; unknown - at least to me; Prince William (or the Earl of Strathearn as he is in Scotland); unknown man in suit; Her Royal Highness Catherine, Countess of Strathearn; Prince Harry.

Black Hill Fat Tire Festival begins

For the BHFTF, I will be shooting normal exposures - no HDR exposures.
Friday morning I slept in. Needed the rest! Stopped in at the Firehouse for lunch (they are one of the sponsors if the Festival). Then it was to check in an get registration packet.
Bringing the camera, took a couple shots of the venue during set-up. Mostly spend the afternoon visiting with friends from previous BHFTF.
THOR friends - take a look at the trailer that the Black Hills Mountain Bike Association got this past year! The trailer is a great advertisement for the association and sponsors!
At the festival headquarters i learned that the bicycle trail from my motel to the social venue was clear (no flooding). I was worried about that since some crossing are underwater from the heavy rain Rapid City received Monday.

Nap time before the Welcoming Social.
The Social was hosted at the Chop House - same venue for the 4 years. It felt good to be on the bike. Rode the hardtail. Not that far - just about 3.5 miles. The hot day turned into a comfortable evening. Spend more of the time with friends that have ties to Omaha.
After the Welcome Social there was a viewing of "Woman of Dirt" showing at the Elks Theater. I was too tired, so instead headed back to the motel and crashed.

Chickens love watermelon

Chickens love watermelon, with a passion. These were just our leftover rinds, with only a bit of red. Last year we bought an over-mushy melon by mistake, and they ate the whole thing: chicken heaven.
I had figured that the black and white chickens were Dominiques, but now I'm not so sure. Dominiques (or Domineckers, as they are called here) have a rose comb, and these don't appear to be headed in that direction. The female on the right as a lot of whitish feathers on her front, but the others don't. The feathers on the back of their necks seem to be changing from black-and-white to brown-and-white.
My husband says they're probably all just mutt chickens. The three remaining excess cockerels haven't made it to the stew pot yet. They're not fighting, or even crowing, so far, but it's just a matter of time. For now though, they are helping decrease the insect population in the yard. This little flock roams further afield than others we've had.
I hate the fact that after the cockerels are culled, we'll have one tiny flock of two chickens and another tiny flock of three. "Can't we all just get along" is not a sentiment that's shared by chickens, apparently. The older birds just won't have anything to do with the younger ones. They treat them as if they were another species entirely. I wonder, if one of the older ones dies... will the remaining one prefer to spend her time alone, or will she try to join the younger flock? I'm guessing the latter.
The one on the right is lowest in the pecking order. The other chickens chase her from the food at times. But I've taken a tip from some people and started offering bugs that I find in the garden to the chickens. This gal is the one who comes running the fastest, for her caterpillar treat. Now she runs to me, expecting bugs, every time she sees me. I'm tempted to buy mealworms to keep in my pocket, so I won't be such a continual disappointment to her.

Canyons

Was planning to write this posting last evening, but had big issues with the wi-fi here in my motel. I hope it stays connected enough that I can get it done this morning.

Sunday was the time to start heading towards home. Early up and mostly packed in the room in Jackson, Since I had not eaten any solid food Saturday, I started with a full breakfast at the Virginian. Good food, so=so service. The server could not understand that I wanted my "go-cup" filled with ice and then topped with water - NOT filled with water with some ice in it. Oh, well, there was some king of "local resident" discount. I looked like an tourist, but was there when the restaurant opened. Many she thought only locals would be in at 6:30.

Checking out of the motel, I stopped in downtown Jackson - scoped out goods for sale and stopped in at the visitors center. Mostly had to use the rest room! Headed North for Moran Junction. Did my final "Good-bye" to Grand Teton, heading for Buffalo.

My route took me (on purpose) through Wind River Canyon (upper photo), Had discovered this canyon during a trip to Yellowstone in the early 80s, The canyon ends near Thermopolis, WY. Did not remember the large hot spring at a state park there.

Up to Worland then East to Ten Sleep. This was my second scenic drive of the day. US 16 through Ten Sleep Canyon was called the "Cloud Peak Skyway" (see lower photo).

Found my motel in Buffalo (stopped in a convenience store for directions - they said they did not have a Days Inn in Buffalo!) The motel had changed name in May. Anyway - the frustrating evening started.

Could not get a reliable wi-fi connection from the room, The staff at the motel was mostly worthless. One person came to the room and verified the problem and rebooted the router. Never saw him later.



Waiting the router to re-boot, I was going to head to dinner at Winchesters (recommended by the desk clerk). Winchester's Steakhouse was closed for 5 days - over Labor Day weekend! Saw Bozeman Trail Steakhouse. Like breakfast, the food was good but the service was lacking.

After dinner, the internet was in the same condition. Keep telling me there was not problem - even though I was having the same problem on my tablet and laptop. Finally I gave up the internet and just processed my photos.

Calmed down and got some sleep. Should get ready for the day, soon. Devils' Tower and Black Hills today.

Winter's Day on Mt. Rose

Went for a snowshoe hike up Mt. Rose today. Man, it was beautiful out there! What a delight tromping through the woods with a foot of fresh, light and fluffy snow! Today we had beautiful blue skies and a warm 30 degree temp with no wind... TERRIFIC day to be outside!