 I was on my way to Saddlebrook for a 45 mile route when I had a flat. Changed out the tube, attached the pump, brought the PSI to an acceptable level, unscrewed from the nozzle and all the air released from the tube...wtf!?!? While unscrewing the pump from the nozzle, an internal pin came out.  The only solution was to repump the tire and then separate the body of the pump from whatever the piece shown above is called. This kept the air in the tire and if I kept my speed under 12mph, the pump piece stayed between the spokes so made it to a bike shop.  Gorgeous sunrise as I tried to digest a forecast, predicting 5-6" of rain over a couple of days. Two tropical systems were headed our way, a very unusual event.  As the day approached for the rain to begin, forecasters backed off the rain amount but it was three days of wonderful rain, totaling 2" for my neck of the woods. Higher elsewhere, lower too.  Making sure my neighbors know I'm a Buckeye fan!  A third day of rain and my emotion from witnessing the event.....  ....this.  Of course, the clouds and rain produced great images.  It appeared rain finally moved through so I visited Sabino Canyon for a hike. Unbeknownst to me, rain had reformed and hit me, resulting in a good soaking. Couldn't remember when last that occurred!
0 Comments
 Got in a good ride on my final day in Ohio while wishing I had scheduled a longer visit. Not nearly enough time spent with family but again, hope next summer is different.  Tired of hotel stays, I thought I'd do the 26 hour drive, straight through with occasional naps.  Wow, what a spectacular sunrise but no exits where I could stop to take a good pic but this from my side view mirror was kind of different.  The drive went well and just like that, back in beautiful southern AZ where fall has arrived and with it, temps in the 80s!!! A friend and I took the Sabino tram up to the final stop with the plan to hike back via Phoneline Trail.  We hike the several switchbacks above the canyon but.....  ....I some how and embarrassingly, miscalculated the distance by quite a lot. Not having enough fluids, we had to turn around and descend.  The departure time of the Cactus Club group rides has become more reasonable so I jumped in for a 40 mile route.  For the second time in a week, I found myself at a putt-putt course, this time in Tucson. Quite different scenery as I narrowly beat a friend. My golf muscles have atrophied of course from virtually no use but now I think my putting skill is deteriorating too, lol.
 I drove to my daughter's house and was then driven to Olive Garden so my grandson could carbo load before a weekend soccer tournament. Fun time as other families were taking their kids for carbo loading too.  Oh gee, as I always do when I visit, I marvel at the hundreds of miles of lonely country roads, stitching communities and farms together. The pavement is amazing too!!!! Cyclists with whom I talk in AZ, understandably, have no idea how good is the quality of cycling here.  The fields of corn and soybeans are being stripped as I ride towards Stone Quarry Road on a 50 mile route.  My ride takes me through historic Granville too and then....  ....I enjoy watching Anthony's team win a game!  The Monday morning, Westerville Cycling Club group ride is a favorite starting in New Albany and pausing in Granville. I'd have to say this group, collectively, is a little stronger than the Cactus Cycling group with whom I ride in AZ.. I was shocked that I hung in with the faster group but departing Granville, I faded.  Anthony and I hit balls that evening. The kid is a good athlete and could be good at golf but soccer is his future, I think. If I spend next summer in OH, I may work in more golf into his routine.  Rain, 3 of 4 days, allowed me to fix the opening I started a few days ago. Glad I had this project and it turned out pretty good. Note the washer and dryer will butt against this wall so the quality of the repair wasn't that important. But, it was fun to do the work and step back, mostly satisfied.
 I walk the woods, looking for ash trees that are dead from the Emerald Ash Borer, a pest that arrived on pallets in MI from China. Locating several, I make plans to put the chainsaw to good use.  The neighborhoods around Tucson do a fabulous job of decorating for Halloween but this house did a nice job too. Over time, I've noticed southern AZ puts more effort into Halloween decorating than does OH but OH does a much better job at Christmas.  And so, on my first full day, I get busy, cutting two trees and stacking the pieces so family members can use this winter. For all the hundreds of hours I've used a saw, never really have come close to an accident....well, there was a time the saw sliced through my pant leg but at the time, my leg was shifted to the side and the saw encountered only fabric. Lucky was I!  This afternoon, after grandsons Ben and Chris got out of school, I visited. They love it when I visit, partly I suppose because I chase them around the yard, making monster roars while pretending I can't catch them. Unfortunately, as we both grow older, it's no longer pretending.  The next day, the stack grows. It's one of several placed strategically around the property.  The weather forecast I viewed prior to coming to OH looked great but once arrived, three days of rain arrived soon thereafter. It's as if I brought monsoon weather with me but the area needed the rain. So, I took on an indoor project, replacing the drywall that had been removed as part of a plumbing project.  Grandson Anthony, the soccer star, daughter Stephanie and I played 18 holes of putt-putt golf. I plan to spend most of next summer in Ohio, as I did last year. I'm simply far more active here, in the summer, than I am in AZ and more importantly, my 3 grandsons would benefit from having me around.  It's not just about cutting trees of course, it's also clearing brush and burning it. I was pleased to see last year's project of removing all briars and honeysuckle bushes from within the confines of the area where I planted 400 oaks, was a success. Now to address other areas.
 An early morning departure with my bike, chainsaw and stuff. 27 hours of driving...yeehaw:). My bike, I'm thinking of leaving it in Ohio and buying a new one for AZ. I've had two Treks, a Lamond, a Bianchi and this one. It's been the best by far and I hate to leave it in OH but maybe.  AZ was forecast to receive an above normal amount of monsoon rain but the rain consistently stayed east, plenty of evidence as I drove through NM.  Pausing at a rest stop outside Las Cruces.  The morning of my second day of driving provided one of the best.....  ....sunrises I've witnessed and the beauty lasted a long time. I stopped just west of St. Louis.  I find the drive through St. Louis rather onerous with so many exits, traffic, circuitous routing through the city and really hard to get a good pic of the arch.  At last, arriving in Ohio with my first stop....  ...the woods where I planted 400 red oaks. Definitely one of my happy places. The weather forecast had been good but then it wasn't, lol.
 Casa Grande, kind of a mid point between Tucson and Phoenix appears to have little going for it but within the city is DeBillons Cactus Garden & Restaurant and gosh, is it good! The owner is a former drug dealer from Phoenix, forced out by the gangs many years ago...or so he claims.  The area round Elgin is AZ's wine country and it's a nice bunch of low key tasting rooms but what's this....what's this???? Wow! what a revelation for the area.  I'm curious how the other vineyards and wineries will respond to this very upscale, unusually so for Elgin. Los Milics Vineyard is the name of the place and I highly recommend.  The lower end places are still in abundance and also fun to visit.  An enjoyable drive home with a magnificent sunset.  The next day, riding through my favorite neighborhood, I stopped for a gopher snake. The markings made some mistake it for a rattlesnake but this is harmless.   Cloudy days, although not rare, are also not common so mixing the mountain views with....  ....clouds creates stunning images.  Returning from a ride, I encountered this scene. A woman turned in front of an oncoming truck. The small car didn't stand a chance but the driver did as they effected to remove her.  I'm noticing the appearance of halloween decorations and I enjoy seeing them pop up, especially.....  ....this one within the 49er development. He's famous and cyclists have their pics taken in front of him.  Another visit to Sabino Canyon but with the approach of fall temps, I'll be hard pressed to get into and out of the canyon by 9am, the deadline for cyclists.  As always the clouds lend themselves to wonderful sunrises and sunsets.  During a ride, had to stop for this pic of a lone, lighted hill surrounded by cloudy ones.
 I took a quick hike through Sabino Canyon and there is still a trickle of water keeping some pools filled. For much of the creek, the water is now underground but maybe it will rain soon.  The early morning starts, obviously, continue although not for long.  My patio view one evening as things began getting interesting with the clouds.  The wind picked up and the setting sun made the sky a beautiful sight and then....  ....it rained. Some areas received an inch of rain and proof of that occurred the next morning....  ....when I got out for a quality ride and kept running into.....  .....this. In a few places, had to get off the bike and navigate around the mud.
 Touring my favorite neighborhood where the pavement is new and rolling terrain I spot mule dear. Within this neighborhood I've seen a bobcat, javelina, deer, lots of snakes, coyote...I think a mountain lion would complete the list but that's unlikely.  Interesting view of the Rincons with clouds.  Riding up Sabino Canyon Road has become part of my cycling routine, 2-3 times a week. It's gorgeous in here. The tram is not currently running but probably soon as the afternoon highs have dropped into the mid 90's.  Speaking of javelina, here's a family, causing me to stop. Nasty disposition, especially when the kids are in their midst.  And like that, the scenery changes as I met Shannon and we exit the state for a brief visit to Julian, CA. I'd never heard of the town but supposedly there is ample wine tasting locations.  First, we burned a few calories with a short hike. I wasn't much impressed with this area for hiking. Way too few trees or interesting landscape.  Alas, the two tasting rooms in Julian had closed, choosing to expand instead at their vineyards. Undeterred, we found the vineyards and enjoyed our time there. Kind of rustic was the setting at each but that's fine with me.  The obligatory awesome sunrise pic.
 Sorry for the delay in posting content. Drove to Ohio for a visit with the fam. Meantime, waiting to check out at Bashas, I was startled to see in the middle of all the candy selections, something healthy. I bought a pack and it was quite good!  And yes, the sunrises continue to amaze me.  Wow, while riding out Reddington Road, I caught the best view of the famous camel I've never witnessed. Usually he is blocked by his barn or trees. I'm having a hard time doing more than 30 mile rides. The group rides are still departing at 5:30-6:00am so between driving to the start and getting ready, too early. I'm worried my easier paced solo rides, coupled with low distances is less than ideal, lol. Planning to visit OH and get in some group rides so will find out.  So many mornings, clouds roll in, looks promising for rain and then they dissipate. Liked the color combination between the mountains and sky this morning.  Quite an impressive fence comprised I think, mesquite branches!  Another morning and another great sunrise.
 I escorted a friend to the top of the mountain for her first experience, hiking around the top of Mount Lemmon. So a nice change of scenery and plant life.  We start on the Meadow Trail, walking through some trees and then.....  ....this. I enjoy showing people these jaw dropping scenes.  The trail descends for awhile before...  ....reemerging to expansive views!  We joined a family on a rock outcropping.  Then back on the trail to complete the loop. My friend does not have an annoying, yapping dog and after a few dates, all the boxes have been checked so maybe a keeper, lol.  We enjoyed lunch at the Iron Door restaurant, across from Ski Valley where the ski lifts were working with a full crowd albeit, without the snow.
 Yet another early morning ride. The forecast looks rather good with highs in the 90s but....  ...so little rain. After a forecast of above normal precipitation, it was a very dry monsoon season and it's about over.  Riding on Woodland Road again, the most interesting 3 miles in the area, I pass this weed patch. The yard is watered daily and plants now are at least 6' tall. Will be interesting to see what eventually happens.  Interesting new, looking east into a rising sun obscured by clouds, on Speedway.  Eventually I get on Reddington Road and how about that? A decent view of the camel who is usually in his barn.  And another gorgeous sunrise.  Hiking in Sabino Canyon where I thought, perhaps, some mountain rain would cause water flow but no.  The early morning rides create long shadows. I'm looking at the Ohio forecast and it's looking about right for a visit as I contemplate driving and bringing items I can't get on a plane.
 Forty minutes from my home is the top of Mount Lemmon. I have no idea why this is my first visit of the summer, given the beauty and temps 20-25 degrees cooler. I pause at Windy Point Vista then.....  ...pass this iconic rock formation known as the "Old Man". Actually, I have no idea if it has a name but seemed appropriate.  I begin my hike at 57 degrees...brrrr! Lots of Aspen trees, pines, etc...  They're a lot more careful with forest management after the disastrous fires of the last 22 years.  I get on the "Meadow Trail" and emerging from the trees, I am greet with this view!  Oh....  ....wow!!!!!  At this elevation, above 10,000', clouds gather and rain can fall at any time. So, I hang a left on "Mount Lemmon Trail", knowing a right would take me to the hidden pools or Wilderness of Rocks loop, etc...  I was also motivated to hike this day because I'm bringing a friend in a few days and it'd be embarrassing to become lost, lol.  Center left, is a fire watch tower that I think is still in use. Maybe the ranger also uses drones now to monitor the forest.  It's only about 2 miles so then I began the drive home, pausing to take pics of long dead trees, caught in a fire.  I stopped at "7 Cataracts" and wow, a vehicle had recently run into this wall, collapsing it. Peering over the side, I saw no evidence the vehicle had gone any farther.
 I rode around a corner and encountered this healthy king snake. Alas, my presence caused it to perform a U-turn and it didn't actually cross the road.  It seems I'm fixated on our sunrises and sunsets but why not? Gorgeous as they are.  Ohhh, monsoon activity but it was a feint and we did not receive rain.  Always something to see on Woodland Road including....  ....the horses getting showered while they eat.  The mountain sides are noticeably greener now. OK, now up to the mountain.
 Monsoon activity died down but there were some very isolated showers that did not hit in my vicinity.  A road runner paid me a visit!  I shoved off for yet another early morning ride and headed to Sabino Canyon where I....  ....encountered park rangers stopping cyclists and giving friendly warnings about mainly speed but also being overly aggressive with walkers, especially on the numerous bridges which are rather narrow. I'd like to think this will remedy the problem but it won't. The following day I talked to the ranger again and he said the next step was to bring in law enforcement and start issuing tickets and eventually, if necessary, denying the road to cyclists. I stated that I've witnessed plenty of odd behavior from walkers and he said, "Oh I know. I drive the road several times a day."  The evening view from my patio. I love it!  SC creek has been reduced to a trickle of water flow but on this day, I did see 3 rabbits. With all the rattlesnakes, I wonder how the rabbits survive but they do. OK, enough of the heat which returned after a few day hiatus so time to head higher.
 I've really gotten hooked on riding Sabino Canyon Road. It's 3 miles of rolling terrain with an additional, good 1 mile climb to the top. Currently, if I enter by 6:30am, I can ride all the way in the shade.  Of course, the scenery is magnificent.  Finally, after two days of showers, the water reached the canyon bottom again.  Families came out and were having a good time in the creek's pools.  Such an unusual sight, people walking upstream.  My patio has a nice view.  Clouds lingered producing awesome sunrises.  Alas, more rain has been forecast but failed to materialize around me.
 I visited Sabino Canyon to check on the creek. During my 3 mile hike I observed many pools but no running water. Given the 1"+ of rain, certainly it was a matter of time.  Low clouds.  Every time I pass this rock wall, I do so quickly cause there is a bee hive in one of the openings. All the AZ hives have been colonized by the African bee so gotta be careful.  Very nice!  Descending the road, I noticed this pool, in which there were many frogs, croaking.  More rain and I rode to the top of Sabino Canyon Road and the creek was flowing at all the crossings.  More interesting clouds arrived but alas, no rain this day.
 And so, I began the drive, intent to drive straight through other than brief rest stops and gas stations. Crater Lake, beautiful!  I forget where I was at this point but if I had to guess, that's the fire north of the Grand Canyon, which destroyed the lodge and still, mostly out of control.  I spent a couple of hours in northern CA, sleeping in my car but got an early start when dawn arrived.  Oh boy, then freaking Nevada.  And again, the Crescent Dunes Energy Project which fries thousands of birds.  And the Clown Motel once again where I had no desire to visit and after 30 hours of driving/sleeping.....  ....wow! What luck to arrive in southern AZ where large storms were to my east and west but a narrow opening straight down I10 so I didn't get much rain. Above, I had to take an off ramp to take this pic of the setting sun and Picacho Peak.  It rained again the following morning and we had two nice days of showers, totaling over 1.5" which is a bunch.
 This view pretty much gives one the impression of this park. I know, I know, there are other areas that maybe impress but I didn't see that.  OK, this was interesting. All those skeletal remains of trees, spread as far as I could see on this beach.  We tried to get into one of several entrances to the park but the wait was 2 hours so we found a pull out and walked a short distance into the woods. Yeah, not too far cause if you got turned around, you'd be lucky to get out.  Another pull out presented this nice view!  Setting aside some drama, lol, I headed back to southern AZ.  It's a moist climate to produce these moss laden branches.  I stopped for the night in southern WA and visited a winery. Simply incredible as I walked the grounds which included.....  ....a 9 hole golf course. Clubs were given to use freely and now, I wish I had taken advantage.  One amazing scene after another as I covered the grounds. Frankly, I was tired of hotels and thought I'd try to drive straight through and so......  ....I began my journey.
 This is a cute, seaside, small town.  You can drive all the way....  ....to the shore. We walked along the shore and observed hundreds of crabs and.....  ....other marine life or in this case, death.  One of life's mysteries solved, this is what happened to the Scooby Doo van. For dinner, we found a golf course with outdoor seating, lol.  The following morning, we headed north as the tide had receded significantly. Beautiful views during the drive and....  ....arrived at Olympic NP. The national parks I've visited have mostly been amazing. Certainly the GC, Zion, Glacier, Grand Tetons but was disappointed with Yellowstone and this. I can't say I saw all of Olympic but what I saw of it was mile after mile of forest except....  ....where maybe there had been a fire and they were managing the area or perhaps, as a fire containment strategy, were creating fire breaks.
 I departed Portland and will make a point to never drive through there again, lol. Beautiful, morning drive to Seaside where I had a route loaded on my Garmin for a good bike ride. Alas....  ....WTF!!! A local said this was not forecast and it could be hours before it lifted.  The birds were grounded. I searched for an alternative route which took some time but finally....  ...got on the Lewis & Clark Road. Could only do 20 miles because I was to meet Claudia, who was in her RV, in .......  ....Astoria at the mouth of the Columbia River. She picked out a nice restaurant where we sat outside with a nice view of the river and bridge.  Thought this was interesting as we prepared to leave.  Onto the 101 and crossing the river, following her as we headed to Olympic NP. She was going to travel western Canada and eventually loop down to MT, while I returned to AZ before heading to MT. That was not going to happen.
 We cruised down the Columbia River. Quite impressive with a distance of 4 miles at its mouth and pretty wide here too.  A cool falls but you an no longer walk in and look. Now a time must be scheduled so we had to leave.  I think this is Wilsonville. Pretty town.  We hooked up with friends and began a day of wine tasting. Again, the quality of the wine is very good and so too are the tasting rooms.  Another pleasant view.  We visited a second winery and...  ...a third although the final one was quite different from the others. Rather low key.
 We heard about a boardwalk around a lake and with a little research, discovered Trillium Lake. Beautiful with lots of people enjoying the water.  Departing from my normal story telling....if you wonder why I keep this silly blog going, it's because probably, some day, I'll be living in an assisted living place, having a poor memory and I'll enjoy looking back on these posts. OK, it's also an outlet for my writing interest. I don't see me authoring another book so I have this and occasionally, revealing things outside of outdoor activity. I know, this is confusing but....  ....the dog has become an existential threat to the relationship. Every prior vacation the dog stayed with family but not this time and it was a problem too large, for me. The dog can never be left alone. The implications being, dining to always on a pet friendly patio, hiking only dog friendly trails which usually are lame and no alternative. Trust me, I explored. We were scheduled to meet in MT to spend time in Glacier but viewing Glacier solely from the inside of a vehicle, unacceptable. I was thinking of a way out and a day or two later, it was presented to me. It sucks as she is a super nice person and I really should have realized that a yappy dog, never to be left alone is a huge problem.  The walk continued and f course....  ...the views....wow.  We passed through a small village and hey! Mt Hood Winery, gotta check it out.  Probably the best view I've seen from a tasting room's patio. The wines in OR are really good too. So as not to leave you hanging on the issue I raised, it's over, I returned to AZ. I found a new partner in crime who has a dog but I made damned sure, it can be left alone for extended periods. See, you're never too old to learn things, lol.
|
