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.