 Grandson Anthony, daughters Olivia & Stephanie and Steph's husband, Nathan gathered at the Broadway Pub in Granville. Olivia is gone quite a lot with a very interesting job so when she is home, we always get together at least once.  Then, having sated our appetites, we moved to a relatively new wine bar. Really good selection of wine, which we enjoyed and than....  ....went to Stephanies. We sat on the 2nd floor and I could see the largest Burning Bush I have ever seen. Anthony was standing below and I'd toss a soccer ball to him, he'd corral it and blast it into a net. Than...  ....he kicked the ball to me but it was too high. Realizing my daughters and drinks were behind I reached to deflect it and crashed. I was good though and leapt to my feet!  Morning drive and what's this??? Clouds????  Driving to a soccer game, I passed the Intel development where hundreds of trees have been planted. They're doing what they can to provide water but many appear to be dead. What a summer!
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 Returning from a group ride, I pause at my favorite viewing spot to check the Hoover Reservoir. A lot of waterfowl seem to have adapted quite well to the receding water.  Amazing to see the change, over time.  All that plain is usually under water.  The distant pier ends on dry ground now.  Drafting a garbage truck is a smelly affair. I paused to allow it to put some space between us.  The updated drought monitor but at last, things have changed!
 Got in with an excellent group comprised of Mike A, Noel and Manual. As long as I can survive Noel's pulls, I could recover a bit when the other two took over. We reached the break point but they wanted to keep going but I really needed a break so I spit the bit. Our average to that point, mile 25 was over 18 which doesn't seem like much but our first 2 miles is relaxed on a bike path than 2 towns to transit, which really skews the average speed, down.  While waiting for the others to arrive, I noted a farmer was clearing his fields of soybeans. I've heard mixed reports about the quality of the harvest. The rain, such that it is, has been so spotty for months, it's a matter of luck if you have a decent harvest.  Wow. Discovered Moo-Moo car wash locations. I like it! $7 for the wash and unlimited time with very powerful vacs.  I left a group ride and so was able to take some pics.  The machinery is out and ready to go.  Red sky at night, sailors delight, red sky at morn, sailors be warned (or something like that). Got in a good week of 130 miles.
 The Westerville Bike Club began a route along the Scioto River. As usual, I saw many great views of a very low river level while riding but was unable to catch one during the ride so had to settle for this one, after I returned.  The Hoover Reservoir continues to drop. I've asked locals if they have seen it this low previously and they all say they have.  The snapping turtle seems to accommodate the conditions ok.  And, lots of birds floating, flying or sitting.  The reservoir, about 45 days ago, reached back to the trees on the left side. Maybe we have rain coming....  ....nope. The rain on that Friday did not happen. This is the summer that never ends. Of course, everyone thinks there will be a comeuppance with a very wet winter.
 My summer project almost complete. I reached the final row of trees, ready to clear out the honeysuckle bushes and briars. Back in May, I did not think I'd make it but I have so that's great.  Hmmm, the corn around here does not look good as I drive to Delaware to attend....  ....the Parade of Horses. Never heard of the event but something new to do so I accepted the invite from a friend. I wish I had a better pic of this dog but it is huge. I went into the back yard to play with it and it's very friendly.  Later, we moved to chairs in front of the host's home and watched the parade, which lasted about an hour. The parade has something to do with the race, "Little Brown Jug".  In addition to 300 horses parading by, there were several bands attending too.  Beautiful horses of many types.  And then there were some funny displays too. Fun time!
 Friends joke with me all the time that I brought AZ weather to OH but in reality, AZ has received much more rain than OH, this summer. A healthy monsoon season dropped several inches of rain there, but not here.  This was all part of the Hoover Reservoir but now grass is growing but it will soon be brown.  We are in the severe to moderate drought area. Meantime, I was on a good group ride when I popped a spoke. Damn it!!!! Had to turn around and ride 8 miles with my rear brake rubbing. I justified it as climbing a moderately steep mountain for the resistance I experienced.  Fortunately, Rick Miller was home, having just returned from hosting a bike tour for "Lizard Head Bike Tours". Above, he bought a trailer and is setting it up to hold 20 bikes.  My daughter poses next to the split wood piles I have created. I'd love to know how much weight I have lifted during this project. That piece on the ground in front of her is typical of the size I have split. Easily 60+ pounds. I try to quit working juuussst before it becomes painful.  Headed to yet another soccer game, this time grandson Ben's first. I pass the Intel plant and all its cranes.  After the game, I'm struck by this scene so take a pic. Beautiful.  ...gawd I miss the mountains of southern AZ.  I'm just an outdoor active, adventure seeking guy and in those mountains, adventure can certainly be found. Hopefully I survive those adventures and continue to post here but if not, just know, it's been fun!
 Riding past Hoover Reservoir, wow.  The bed of the reservoir is now growing grass.  Now it looks like a river.  Back to work! I'm almost finished splitting the cherry and no more accidents. Waiting for my fingernail to fall off from my "incident".  I was sitting by the splitter when I saw this deer, staring at me and stomping its hoof. I yelled and it ran.  Morning traffic on 161. I'm glad I don't, and never did, have to put up with traffic like this to get to work.  The only thing I don't like about riding with the WBC is they tend to take really long breaks. After awhile, I try to induce movement among them by putting my things back on and looking like I'm ready to go, lol.
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