 The sun rises above Sabino Canyon. Lots of vehicles already here to start their hikes.  How about this!?!?! There I was, walking in the bean aisle at Bashas and I see this!!! I love Wendy's chili and I can eat it out of a can without the drive thru experience? Yes.  Living in the Foothills means there is climbing routes all over the place. The end of Swan Rd hits 17%, Alvernon the same, Craycroft, etc... Then the climbs from River Road to Ina/Skyline/Sunrise are all worthy too.  A misshapen Texas Ranger needs a trim and the only way to properly do it....  ....cut it way back. These things grow like weeds so it won't be long before it recovers and a better job can be made directing its growth.  I continue with this rambling post. Speedway Road dead ends at a parking area for Saguaro East NP. Unfortunately, in the middle of the night, a driver plows through the end of road signage and dies from his sustained injuries.  And than the sun sets on another beautiful day, with more on the way.... 
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 I brought in my Halloween display and temporarily placed it on the bed in the 2nd bedroom. A friend looked at it and found the presentation to be kinda disgusting....I don't enjoy people who don't have a sense of humor, lol.  Whoa. Descending Christie Rd toward Ina Rd, either an emerging volcano or a fire in downtown Tucson.  Nearby to me is the Hacienda del Sol Guest Ranch. I've been largely oblivious to its existence but while riding by it thought, hey, later I should check it out. So I did. Check the awesome view of the mountains as the sun sets.  My friend Amy had a tree shift and did a pretty good job preventing it from tilting more so.....  ....I hammered these stakes into the ground and brought the tree back to vertical. Not bad if I do say so myself.  I love where I live in Ventana Canyon and there is always decent climbing as soon as I get on the bike. Beautiful too!  I prefer sunsets but the sunrises are also fabulous. The sun lights up Prominent Point and to its right, Finger Rock Guard. Finger Rock still in the shadows. I'm going to hike there in the next couple of weeks. Sitting on top of the Guard and looking directly at the Finger and all the surroundings, is amazing.  An unhealthy looking saguaro frames the moon.
 I got in with the Cactus Club group ride in Oro Valley on a beautiful, fall morning. Here, we enter Catalina State Park with the western edge of the Catalinas looming over us.  The route included the climb up Magee Road. These pics were taken by ride organizer Mark M. I'm always panting too hard to organize my phone and take a pic.  I'm standing in my kitchen and a bobcat strolls by. I grab my phone, go outside and begin trotting toward it. Just before it turns into some bushes, I snag this pic. I thought better of rooting around in there for a better picture.  I was on Redington Road where there is a well known camel but rarely can you get a good pic of it because of the vegetation blocking the view or the time it spends in its covering. Today I was in luck!  A front came in but stayed well north, depositing a few clouds on this morning.  One of my ping pong buddies, Bill, wanted to check out the same canyon I visited a few days ago.  Wow! My first snake sighting in this canyon. Bill grabbed it, a harmless snake.  And then this happened. While bending over, my lone water bottle slipped from my pack and plunged into the water. I climbed down, coaxed it to the shore and retrieved it.  Bill acquitted himself well throughout. A couple of times he pioneered his own route rather than follow mine. Sometimes it worked, sometimes not.  The water level was so low beneath the 80' falls that I was able to climb and explore what turned out to be a very shallow cave. Fun times continue in southern AZ!
 How about that.....4" of snow on Mount Lemmon! Will be gone in a few days as temps push into the 80's down here, upper 50's up there.  One of my favorite "hikes" is Lower Tanque Verde canyon. Just a great, bouldering experience with no trails, simply an enjoyable route finding experience over, around and under giant boulders. It's not without some risk though.  I begin the descent and soon.....  ....see the canyon. Very disappointed to discover.....  ....an idiot or two painted a saguaro. Not sure if that can be undone. Descending to the canyon....  ....why the fu*k would anyone do this???? A group was preparing to power wash the paint off the boulders. They told me an investigation was underway but with scant evidence, I'm not optimistic the idiots will be found.  Recent rain had created many pools of water but not enough rain fell to produce a flow. Too bad as when the water flows, it is even a more spectacular environment.  Blocked by a wall over which water often flows, I find a way around it by climbing the right side of the canyon before....  ....reaching my destination, an 80' dry drop that blocks farther advance. It's a beautiful location even with no water pouring off the cliff. Only a 2 mile, round trip adventure but it's not the distance that makes it so much fun.  Here is a different perspective from above. A new trail has been added that brings one to this vantage point, which I visited a week ago.
 A good group of 15ish cyclists work our way to Redington Rd and climb to the end of the pavement to regroup. That I was not last was a shocking development!  Not too distant is Paul McCartney's ranch. Wonder how frequently he visits or if he even remembers he owns it?  I was wearing a new pair of Ohio State cycling socks! No one noticed:(  I love getting out in the morning and enjoying the sun rises. So beautiful with the mountains!  I headed to Catalina State Park, in Oro Valley, to scout a route. A friend wanted to check it out and I didn't want to embarrass myself by getting lost prior to leading the hike.  The western side of the Catalinas on this cloudy day.  Awesome looking at Leviathan Dome.  Returning from this 3 mile loop hike, I see a patch of saguaros on a nearby hill. Couple of those would be 200+ years old, judging my the size and quantity of arms.
 Rain was forecast but I thought I may get in a good hike prior to the rain's arrival. Within a few steps of my car, it began a steady rain so I put on this plastic cover. Never wore one before but it works well.  I began my hike from the Sendero Esperanza trailhead because it makes the hike a little shorter compared to the other options. I climb until I reach the Hugh Norris trail and my first look to the east....maybe I should have chosen a hike from there, instead.  The trail work is amazing as there are hundreds of granite steps to climb.  I crest a ridge and get a view to the southeast. Beautiful.  For the most part, the trails are not steep but this section, is an exception as I approach a final ridge from where I'll be able to see the peak.  I pause to look to the west and I may have a rain free hike for awhile as the rain has stopped..  And there it is with the trail visible taking me to the top.  I lingered at the peak for about 30 seconds. It was windy and cold and I was not dressed for this weather other than my thin, plastic, non breathing rain piece did act as a decent wind breaker.  I headed back and had a great view of Panther and Sombrero Peaks. Interesting how the white clouds behind almost mirror the ridge line.  Continuing the descent, clouds roll in below me. How cool to be above the clouds....but wait....  ...as I approach, they become thicker and soon....  ....I am socked in. I can see about 20' in front of me which isn't an issue since I was walking. Then, with a mile to go, it began raining, hard! Upon reaching my SUV, I was soaked. I had a dry shirt but the ride home with soaked clothing elsewhere was a tad cold. Finished with 8 miles and 1700' of climbing. My legs felt good throughout which surprised me, given the lack of hiking, previously.
 I depart my new home and look warily at the clouds. Some precipitation up there and a sprinkle or two where I am as I go around the corner to.....  ....Sabino Canyon where my route includes a look at the very dry, Sabino Canyon dam.  I cross the dry stream bed and get on Sabino Canyon Road for the return to the parking lot, finishing my 3 mile loop hike.  Next day, I ride past the many farms on Woodland Rd and than head....  ....to the 49er subdivision. It's famous for the extensive displays for Halloween and once again....  ....did not disappoint!  Where do they store all this?  This is new and creative. The use of 12' skeletons is widespread now including....  ...this one. The homeowner leaves this out all year. For Easter, it's dressed like a bunny, for St. Patricks day like a leprechaun, etc...  This has my vote as the best presentation.
 My first full day back and an invite to reunite with Jack! Missed my buddy the last 6 months and apparently, he has missed me too.  My friend, Amy, asked me to look at some outdoor projects I could do (without family options, my afternoons and evenings now have a void) so while in her front yard....unbelievable....a rattlesnake!!! I grabbed it with a snake stick thingy, put it in a bucket and drove it about a mile away to release. The snake means us no harm so killing it will cause me regret. Just can't have them this close to the house and Jack.  I was aching to go hiking but my hiking legs are, not good so selected a short, 2 mile loop that included....  ....a visit to a shallow mine. Continuing....  ....I could spot the Phoneline trail against a far canyon wall, here in Sabino Canyon.  Ahhh, Thimble Peak! It was great to get out but my deteriorating cycling legs need attention.
 A beautiful day and I decided to spend part of it at the Denison Bio Reserve doing some running/hiking.  I selected one of the longer loops that included passing this teepee. There is no opening for it, just standing sticks.  Evidence of the damage done by the emerald ash borer will be around for a long time but fortunately....  ....there are plenty of other species on this acreage. This red oak is likely one of the largest in the state.  The beech trees are magnificent too. I finished my 4 mile route, went to my woods to finish a project and the following morning....  ...departed Ohio at 4am, followed by a second day with an early start and stopped once more in Las Cruces, NM before a final 4 hour drive. It's great to be back in southern AZ!!!  Oh those wonderful mountain ranges and colors!
 returning from a group ride, I check the water level at one of the feeder streams and it's level is still diminishing, despite the rain last week.  My projects for this season are almost done as I replace a facia board on both sides of a barn I built many years ago.  Another group ride took us along the Scioto river. Beautiful setting.  My 30 something neighbor who lives below me invited me down for a cocktail. She's dog setting this enormous animal.  The Halloween displays certainly get creative as I ride around Central Ohio.  The size of the skeletons are huge on some properties. They would be space eaters when taken down.  And so, I'm heading back to southern AZ. I sold my condos so I would have the freedom to go anywhere if I decided to bug out of Ohio but I miss the....  ....mountains so am headed back. The Ohio visit was awesome but dang, the grey winters, too much for me.
 I gotta admit, this was a lot of fun for me as a spectator. Yeah, it rained but it was light and while wearing a waterproof cycling jacket, I was good.  My grandson's team, comprised of half Granville kids and others, played "The" Granville team. All dressed in the Granville blue/white colors. Parents were intense! They and the kids knew what was at stake in this rivalry game which was also the final game of a tournament and....  ...Anthony's team won! It was intense and when the kid scored a goal (the short kid on the right), I had to fight back tears, lol.  Coming back from a group ride, we entered Galena and were greeted with this Halloween scene in front of a bank.  I surprisingly completed my main goal with the woods so now hitting other projects, such as removing the low hanging branches from a row of white pines.  OHIO pose the Skeltons.
 There has been a flurry of soccer games to which I feel the need to attend. For Anthony's games, I sit and watch with everyone else but for Ben's games, little brother Chris insists I chase him around an adjoining field but I can still see most of the action.  We received a couple of days of light rain but not enough, not nearly enough and than Helene roars through....  ....oh, this will be good for us, unfortunately a disaster for areas south.  Boy, do we need the rain. The latest is that it's the worse drought since 1988 but someone else stated they heard since the 1930's????  We received about 2' of rain, around 5-6" around Protsmouth to our south and than the devastating amounts in NC, TN, etc...  The soccer game go on, rain or shine as I head to watch a very spirited game between Anthony's team and the Granville team. The passion among the parents for this one, was amazing. More to come.
 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!
 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.
 I mean...what are the odds???? I brought AZ weather to Ohio. I've noticed on weather radar that most storms enter western Ohio and soon, dissipate or break up, denying us needed rain. The plants are looking very sad and the trees have begun to drop their leaves prematurely. Curious, I typed, "Ohio drought" and....  ....yep, the first drought of its kind since the late 90's! The healthy soybean and corn fields are looking kinda sad too.  I'm making progress splitting wood at my daughter's as I noticed I was being watched by a deer.  Three layers, 6' high and growing in length.  I hopped in with Al Hanes' group ride on a Friday as we went to Granville from Westerville. Good turnout.
 I continue to enjoy the morning, group rides. Most weeks, I get in 120-130 miles, riding 3 days a week.  Upon returning to the parking lot, I found a variety of small cars parked nearby. The morning rides put me home by 12:30pm so plenty of time to be outdoor active but in this case....  ...I met daughters Olivia and Stephanie for a late afternoon wine tasting. I visited the Fesss Parker winery last year and having signed for the wine club, am shipped 2 bottles every 6 months.  The wine tasting was followed by work in Steps's back yard. They had accumulated 3 large piles of branches so Anthony and I fed a fire until all was eliminated...other than Anthony, of course.  At last, I began splitting 4 rows of mostly cherry but with some ash and osage mixed in too.  My two bosses, Stephanie and Anthony came out to check on me. It's rare for Anthony to walk away. Usually he and I play soccer, badminton, golf and other games around the yard. Then, disaster struck! I placed a log in the splitter. As I pulled my right hand away from the back of the log, my glove caught as I activated the wedge. Dang!!! When it stopped hurting, it felt really good, a couple of days later.  Rather than show the ugly side, I'll only show the other, purple side. It became more gruesome looking thereafter. It will heal eventually and will certainly lose a nail but it doesn't impede me much so onwards and upwards!
 I joined the Monday morning group ride out of New Albany, headed to Granville. I bugged out just before entering Granville so I could check out the new roundabout at the end of New Burg. Progress! Were it not for the workers prohibiting entry during their working hours, it is good to go after hours for cyclists.  And so, as we took a too long break, in rode Farmer Mike. He good naturally cursed me because since I bestowed that nickname on him, that's how everybody references him, lol.  I was gifted this pair of Ohio State cycling shoes...GO BUCKS!!!  I picked up grandson Anthony and headed to the Bio Reserve for a hike. The unmoved areas have extraordinary growth. Well above 7' are the weeds.  We headed for a 1.5 mile loop which included a creek where....  ....I convinced him to walk across a log, over the creek.  Beautiful and as I have stated many times, in those woods are some of the most mature oaks, beech and maple trees I have ever seen.  Closing on the end of our hike, we passed this scummy looking pond. Fun time with "The Kid" as I call him.
 See, the problem with only participating in group rides is, I can't pause to take any pics. That's the only downside I can think of. Mike A took this one of our merry band as we proceeded east on Concorde Road. My smile would quickly evaporate as we were soon doing the hills on Stone Quarry.  I was at my son's house when a family of turkeys trotted through his neighbors yard. I rarely see turkeys around here and when I do, they're always single so this was unusual for me.  The drive to many off the group rides takes me over Hoover Reservoir and there is always a lot of activity, especially when the day is windy.  The corn and....  ...soybean fields are certainly healthy looking as we departed Johnstown during a group ride. The route was to be 50 miles but I saw an opportunity to lop off about 4 miles so it gave me the rare opportunity to ride solo and take a couple of pics.  Someone informed me my SUV was kind of dirty so I visited my first "Moo Moo" car wash. Seemed like a good deal!
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