Garden Images

I went out this morning to water the Cosmos, and low and behold, there was a garden gnome waving at me. Isn't he cute?
Actually, he's my two-year-old grandson that I've been keeping while his mommy adjusts to feeding and caring for his twin sisters.
We had a small rain before sunrise which shook loose the yellow tea
olive blossoms. Now they're making a carpet on the back steps. The smell is heavenly. Too bad their blooming is of such a short duration.

Surprise Encounter during Practice!

Note from Mama: These past couple of weeks seem to have been closing in and time has taken me away from poor Sam's blog. My apologies for not having visited more often - will try to get to Sam's great pals this weekend.
With that said, it's my turn to tell you that mom made a big boo-boo when she said that I had a real obedience trial next month. Actually, (thanks Ma) it's TOMORROW awwkkkkkwoof! So my friends and I have spent lots of time this week getting ready for this. I got up early yesterday morning and practiced exercises with my Corgi pal, Moritz, and goldie buddy, Shanti. We went through the open (for them) and novice routines for me. Later in the day, I met up with Sierra Rose as I was practicing once again. Here is a picture of our morning long "sits." I have to stay here without moving for one minute.

Here we are practicing our long "downs." I have to stay put without moving for 3 whole minutes.

Later in the day, I went to McInnis to work some more, where I ran into Sierra! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4p_TqwGmzs Here's a little movie of my walk with Sierra that her mom took! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPcWHPYKZwo Later in the day, after that great walk with my girlfriend, I found Ozzie outside. Sheesh! After all this time, she still won't play with me...
...but I've come to like her lots more...

First Light over Hat Point

This was a pleasant surprise from this morning. I was on my way to my pre-planned sunrise location when I looked back across the bay and saw this beautiful softly-glowing light over Hat Point and Pete's Island. You can see a glimpse of Isle Royale National Park in between Hat Point and Pete's Island. This light was so beautiful I had to stop and make a photo of the scene. After this I headed to the spot I was originally going to and found lots of incredible plate ice floating on the lake. Stay tuned later today for another posting of the plate ice at sunrise!

Windy Ride

The weather this week has not been conducive to riding - very windy. But I had not been on a bike since Sunday, I had to get out an ride yesterday (Friday). By noon, the sky was clear, temperature in the low 60s, and a 10-20+ mph wind from the SSW. I settled for a ride on the Wabash Trace. Besides, I wanted to check out paving progress in Malvern.
As I unloaded the hardtail in Silver City, a young man came over to talk with me. There it a new business opening in Silver City - Austins on the Trail. The restaurant and lounge will be in the old Wabash Bar and Grill building at 405 Main St. Austin's is planning to open December 1st.
On down The Trace. Other than for the wind, it was a beautiful day for a bike ride. At lease the trees along the trail offer some shelter. Stopped at the Silver Creek bridge for water and photos.
Just South of the Silver Creek Bridge there is a deadfall down blocking the trail (about 1/3 mile south - 2/3 miles North of 305th St). It took some effort, but worked the bike through the branches and was able to continue riding down the Trace.
There are smaller branches and limbs littered all over the trail. That is not surprising with the wind we have been having the last week.

At Janke Rd the barricade was down. I could see workers a little down the trail. Rode on the new paved trail to where they were working. I was advised that basically, the new surface was available for riding. They were pouring the last footings for railings at a couple culverts.
Most of the shouldering work is done. Next week (first week of December) they should complete leveling the shoulders, seed the shoulder, and sweep the trail surface.
While the trail is not yet officially "open" through Malvern, it is rideable. Just watch for construction.
More paving photos are on the Wabash Trace Facebook page.

Dock Diving In Hollister with Avalon's Furamily!

We're just going to jump right in (love those bad puns heheh) and start by woofing that there's nothing on earth we love more than swimming... well... wait! Nothing, that is... except maybe DOCK DIVING!!! And we had a ball on Saturday afternoon with two of Avalon's brothers and her Mom, Sport (who really is an athlete!) at Doggone Dirty Dock Diving!
You can rent the pool for a couple of hours and practice, although we just "practiced" having a blast, flying off the dock! And we did not want to stop our turns to give the other puppers a chance, either!
C'mon Mom... not fair!!!
MO-o0M! Pleeeeeeeeze can I gooooooo back in???!!!! Enjoy this slideshow below - biggify for funnest enjoyment!

Below is a FABULOUS "sequence" photo of Avalon by Don McKee of Topflight Photography - what a very cool image! Thank you so much Don, for sending this awesome photo sequence!

Back at School

This week I'm at the John  C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown, North Carolina to take a watercolor class with my good friend Katy.  We only have one more day.  I don't want to return to real life!  I'll write more after I get home about our experience.
This is a photo of the red barn at the school that I took on another trip.  I took a weekend course on Medicinal Herbs.  Great stuff!  
More later!

Kurt? You can stop screaming. The AZT has left the building

As a matter of saying I am a huge fan. I'd like to thank anyone and everyone who raised a rake or shovel and/or helped in anyway to create this fantastic trail! I couldn't help but feel sad as my tires left the trail head at the Utah border. There were thoughts of turning right around and heading for Mexico (except that I was still sore and limping). I have now a much deeper appreciation for the state of Arizona. The Sonora desert, Saguaro national park, The Superstition mountains, Coconino national forest, The Kaibab plateau and not to be left out; The Grand Canyon who's beauty runs as deep as the canyon walls.
I was on the AZT for a total of 10 days and enjoyed the pig crap out of it! A great little jagged strip across a fantastic chunk of the earth. What a ride! Joan Wilder What a ride!