Flora and Fauna

Here are a few photos from the last few days. We're still hanging out at the beach, so the first four photos were taken while walking around the neighborhood here.
I don't have any idea what any of these are called, they just caught my eye. The orange lantern seems to be a popular planting -- I've seen several of them in various yards.
I've been keeping track of the amount of walking that I've been doing. Mostly to see if I'm walking enough to compensate for my lack of riding. My biking activities have declined rather dramatically this month. Did anyone else notice how abruptly summer ended?
Anyway, assuming that I walk at 'Miller Speed' -- that is, about 3 mph, then I walked 14 miles last week, and 13 the week before. If I'd done the math that first week, I'm pretty sure I'd have walked either one more mile, or one less. I didn't crunch the numbers until this morning. I'm feeling reasonably happy with that, though I haven't taken a walk since Sunday night, when I photographed these deer. (I was scheduled to walk with Lynne last night after supper, but she bailed on me, in favor of a hair appointment.)
That is the hill that goes up to the top of the dune behind Lynne's house, and they do blend into the background pretty well. Protective coloring, I guess. Bow hunting season starts next week. Flinch.
I have taken a couple of bike rides since I last reported in, yesterday and today. Cool enough for long fingered gloves and tights, but plenty nice enough. There's not a lot of color yet, as you can see. This was at the corner of Van Buren and Sand -- a couple of miles from the PSPS.

Too Windy

This is the fourth time this month that there have been topical storm force winds here. Gale warnings were posted this afternoon, with reports of 50 mile an hour sustained winds along the lakeshore, and numerous power outages that -- among other things -- sent some kids home early from school today.
Too windy to ride is a different number than too windy to walk, in my opinion. Getting outside every day for a while is still a goal, if it is at all possible. Yesterday I hiked down the mountain and walked in the Tanglewood area to get away from the wind and the incessant crashing of the waves. Today I stayed in the neighborhood -- this photo was taken after supper tonight at the end of our street that dead ends at Tunnel Park. The picnic table is at the top of the dune in Tunnel Park, and while it isn't a bench, I'm putting it in my bench series anyway.
I was back before sunset -- it happened about 7:30 pm, and we're losing daylight fast. Sadly, photos seem to flatten out the waves -- they really were pretty spectacular today.

Today's Ride In Pictures

Chip and seal back road between Lakeshore Drive and the PSPS. Not a lot of color yet.
The bridge over the Pigeon River, just south of the boat launch area on Pigeon Lake.
I only rode a little further than the Environmental Enhancement Park. The red leaves on the bushes caught my attention. I felt good, it was a nice ride.

6 Plates, No Chips!

About 11:30 this morning, a package showed up at the front door at "home." Inside were 6 gently used plates, that -- and really, how could this be? -- match my stoneware at the beach! Kind of a miracle, I think. They are currently in the dishwasher, and the question now is, top or bottom of the pile of plates in the cupboard? Merci beaucoup. JB is also quite pleased, as it cuts down on the likelihood that he'll have to bring his own plate to dinner anytime soon.
Shortly after getting the news I headed out to spend some time on my bike. I turned inland at the PSPS, but not before taking note of the sign on the rail. I'm good with the "Welcome Hunters" part, but not so much that it is Budweiser that is extending the greeting. Beer and guns. Excellent combination.
Maybe it is turkey season. I've seen quite a few of them in the woods surrounding the PSPS. These didn't seem to be afraid of being shot at, though.
My final turn towards home was done here -- we have a bumper crop of ragweed this year.
My legs felt fresh, in spite of all the walks I took over the weekend. It was a gray day, but plenty nice enough to be out and about on a bicycle. JBG.

Weekend

This turned out to be a good week to have added walking to my exercise regimen. The rains weren't heavy yesterday, but enough to discourage bicycling. I took a walk around the neighborhood while I waited for the COTU to arrive, and took the photo below of the north access point. The deck overlook was wet, and the beach empty of visitors.
After supper the COTU took me for another walk around the neighborhood, and shortly after we returned, Lynne stopped by to see if I was available to keep her company, so I took another walk. That made three for the day.
Showers threatened all day today, after a cold start. During a brief bright spell, the COTU took a break from their new Sims games to make the trek to Tunnel Park with me. Water temperatures have slid into the 50's at most places. The swimming season is over, but it's still plenty warm enough to spend some time outside.

Keeping Active "Enough"

One interpretation of the doctor's advice to 'get a half hour of exercise most days', is that the 'most days' part is important, not so much the half hour part. So if it is too windy or rainy to bike, then maybe a walk is in order. Anyway, that was my take on it, so after breakfast yesterday I put on my red rain slicker, stuck my camera in an inside pocket and wandered around the neighborhood for a while. It was mostly a light drizzle, and I found a bench I hadn't photographed yet, so it all worked out okay.
My legs felt a little mushy from the prior day's activities -- a 2 hour bike ride to the PSPS in the afternoon followed up by a 45 minute walk with Lynne after supper, some of it on the beach. Apparently walking uses a few different muscles than biking, or something.
Today was dry, and I took a random, exploratory bike ride, looking for the new house of an old neighbor. I took a few wrong turns, mostly because of construction detours, and eventually turned around at this spot. Quincy Park seems to serve as a turn around spot almost as often as the PSPS. It was cool enough for long pants and full fingered gloves. But it was really a nice day to be out floating around on a bicycle.

September Beach Walking

Today I was feeling a little achy from yesterday's flu shot. Around noon I contemplated a bike ride, but the lure of the quiet beach was stronger. I love the fall beach -- the sand no longer burns my feet, and the sun is not high enough in the sky at this point to bake my brains. So I abandoned thoughts of a bike ride and took a solitary walk on the beach instead. Sometimes that happens. Usually when it does, it is September. (It may have something to do with the fact that September is when the big property tax bill on the beach house gets paid. Today, in fact.)
This feather looks like an extension of the beach grass, and it has traced a delicate arc in the sand, with a little help from the wind. And I think that might be a cougar print next to it. Or maybe not.
I walked north through Tunnel Park and beyond. There were two people there. Two. At Tunnel Park. On a beautiful sunny day, with a high around 75. Maybe 65 right on the water.
This may not be a photo of a bench, but I'm including it in my bench series anyway. On my way back home there were 5 people crowding the beach at the park. Two couples and a guy with a metal detector. As many people as I could count on one hand.
I saw one power boat heading north, and a few sailboats. The water changes color this time of year -- it is darker, somehow. And crystal clear.
Summer may be over, but fall has its charms.

Sunday, Monday

I've been trying to shift my bike rides from morning to afternoon -- the air has been pretty crisp in the morning lately. Sunday I was expecting a visit from OSLO and the COTU in the afternoon, so I left the house about... oh, 8:25 a.m. or so. The clock keeps good time.
Extra credit to those of you who can name the country of origin of the four items shown in the above photo. They all have small stories attached to them, and thus special meaning to me.
I took similar rides on both Sunday and Monday, riding past the bench pictured above both times. From the angle of the light, it was morning when I took the photo, so I'm guessing it was taken Sunday. Today I had a doctor's appointment in the A.M. and rode in the P.M.
I got my full quota of exercise both days. The COTU and I mowed the lawn (mostly the girl) and used the leaf blower to clear the driveway (mostly the boy) and walked around with a big plastic bag picking up twigs and branches blown off the trees (again, mostly the boy.) There was also a walk on the beach before we headed out for supper at a new Mexican restaurant. Today I rode for an hour and a half, then later walked around the neighborhood with Lynne for another half hour just before sunset. My doctor gave me instructions to get a half hour of exercise 'most days.' I guess that means I'm going to have to cut back quite a bit, right? A couple of beautiful fall days, and only slightly breezy.

A Week in Review. Wind then Cold then Wind then Rain

Every day is different in September, one of the things I like about fall riding. Except for the wind part. And the cold part. And the rain part.
Tuesday was a ride up to Pigeon Lake and a bit beyond. Nice, but the wind turned to the south and it was a hard slog back. It is after Labor Day and I had all the usual tourist places to myself.
Wednesday I re-learned the rule about dressing for the coldest part of the ride, and adjusting layers as I go along if necessary. I re-learned this by not doing this, naturally. I rode up to Hemlock Crossing Park, where the prairie grasses are turning interesting colors and these trees were beginning to turn yellow.
I stopped in the nature center for a while to warm up before heading home, and checked out their new rock star. I was pretty chilled by the time I got home, but no harm done. Thursday's ride turned into one of those 'take the camera for a ride' days, where all my effort went into finding a way to hide from the wind, so no photos got taken.
Today looks like an all day rain. I did take a walk around the neighborhood in the drizzle a while ago, and took this photo of all the toys that were left behind when the weather took a stark turn towards autumn. It's too soon to give up.

Road Trip

OSLO, her BFF and the COTU took a road trip to southern Indiana this past weekend. The girl COTU took some photos, and I'm taking the liberty of posting a few of them here.
She was texting me as they were driving by the wind farm. "They're everywhere!" she exclaimed.
A trip to Indy isn't complete without a trip to the Brickyard.
She took this photo of a billboard featuring bicycles because she thought I'd like it. Sweet girl. I do not know what the connection is between bicycles and race cars.
She thought that this might make a good first car for her. I didn't think so.
It's been over 40 years since I visited this museum at the race track -- OSLO was a babe in arms at the time. She doesn't remember it.

Three Rides

On Thursday I rode in the rain -- not exactly on purpose, but I was (sort of) prepared for it. The weather men had said the rain should be mainly SE of here. I was near the Anchorage Party Store when it began to sprinkle, so I headed towards Pine Creek Bay. I had had a plan to ride to DeBoer Bakerij, but bailed out when the rain turned steady while I was in the woods. I took the long way through the woods anyway, past Lynne's old house -- it was a warmish rain and I was already wet. I put all my wet gear in the dryer at Pine Creek Bay, and tried for a better mix of outerwear for the return trip. It sort of stopped raining so I pushed my luck and rode out to the State Park. I wanted at least 15 miles. The sky was dark over Big Red, and sure enough, the clouds opened up while I was in Tanglewood, about 1.5 miles from home. The 2nd round of gear was no better than the first, really. The silk long sleeve shirt was good -- not cold when wet, but it was like 72, so hypothermia wasn't a big risk. The orange helmet cover worked great, though. As did the fat knobby tires on the Bianchi Boardwalk. No slipping at all! I did eke out 15.5 miles -- OK for a day when it rained and rained and rained. Gale force winds (32 to 63 mph) were forecast for Friday, and the winds were already kicking up waves by the time I went to bed Thursday night. The challenges of fall riding ... at least it's a change from the heat and high dew points that I struggled with in August.
Friday was 'adventure cycling' part two. A storm did blow through Thursday night, waking me up with its bluster just before midnight. I didn't see any of our trees down when I got up, so I deemed it to be OK to ride. It wasn't too wet to ride (see description of Thursday). The temperature was in the high 60's when I headed out about 8:30, and it was quite windy. It felt like a gale on top of the bluff. Lynne and Bob and Marty were outside inspecting Lynne's wind damaged patio furniture and grill, and Bob told me that we had a piece of siding on the front of our house torn loose by the winds. Lynne called me insane for riding -- incentive enough to ride. The wind dropped off before I'd even dropped off the hill -- as soon as I put a block or so between me and the lake. Officially (my bike log) the wind was W 14, gusts 26. I saw lots of small branches and twigs on Lakeshore as I headed north towards the PSPS, then inland at James for a bit more wind barrier between me and the lake. I counted a total of 14 other bikers on my round trip to the PSPS, so at least I share my 'insanity' with lots of others. It was a fairly mellow (read "slow") ride, picking my way through wind debris, and I didn't do any of the loops needed to make it a 20 mile ride. Just shy of 17, in fact.

Returning home on 168th there were at least three trees down at its intersection with Lakewood, in Keppel Woods. (It made the evening news.) With the wind it felt like plenty of exercise in spite of low miles -- a fact of fall riding I'd forgotten. I counted a total of 5 downed trees along my route, so we got some big wind. Spyglass was reporting 30 mph winds when I returned, and later it was near 40. It remained between 30 and 40 through Saturday -- conditions I'm calling too windy to ride.

Ride three was this morning. TV was reporting temps around 50 for Holland, though it said 60 in my kitchen window. Warmer near the lake. I'm thinking that I am nearly done with early morning rides, but not quite. Winds were light this morning, and projected to pick up later today, so I rode about 8:30 this morning. Finally a full 2 hour ride, Pigeon Lake and return.

Apples and Peaches and Veggies, Oh My

It rained. No bike ride today. I took the theme day topic seriously, and trucked on over to the 8th Street Farmer's Market this morning. I ended up buying more produce than we are likely going to be able to eat before some of it goes bad, as usual.
I was somewhat surprised to see locally grown apples for sale this early. I bought some honey crisp ($4.00 for a quart basket) and some ginger gold -- an early season apple ($2.50 per quart) with a crisp bite to it, that is supposed to be a good eating apple that doesn't store well, so it is only available right now. I also ended up with some flamin' fury peaches. In news you can relate to, there are still Elliot blueberries available, and I heard one vendor explain to a customer that they are much less tart now than they were earlier in the season. Maybe. I'm past blueberries, and on to fall fruit. I also purchased some corn, tomatoes, green and yellow beans, zucchini and summer squash. I believe I'll use the honey crisp apples to make some of Opal's apple crisp this labor day if OSLO's group and the COTU visit. Harvest season is here.