Friday Ramble August 26 2011, 0 Comments
Posting has been a bit sporadic lately due to some fantastic visits from out-of-town family and some other stuff like birthdays etc. that are, well, um, just higher on the list than posting. Things should be getting a bit closer to normal in the coming weeks as I get back into my morning groove. Today I was lucky to have the time to head up the coast and on a whim, extend the ride.
Everything started as a normal cruise up the coast. Then I pushed a little further to La Conchita to grab a couple fresh coconuts, more on at a later date. That required going a mile or two further to Rincon to make the turn around. As I approached the turn around point I decided to make a right instead of a left.
Heading up and back into the hills a bit to make a few more turns up and around, exploring some routes new to me. Time was starting to close in and I made my way back down to the coast. I hit the non-paved route from Carp back down to Rincon.
The rest was the regular ride back down the coast. It was good to be back on the bike. I know we are supposed to be having a heat wave, but it was incredibly nice out. Fall is just around the corner and closing in quick.
Happy friday, and do not forget to play outside this weekend!
While making my morning tea I noticed that the moon and stars were actually visible for the first time in weeks. Then the black sky slowly gave way to blue.
I think it is going to be a nice day, Have fun and play outside!
Made it to the swap meet now that the fair is on its way out,
and managed to pull a near mint Singer 192 in a VERY nice wooden case
A pleasant surprise since most of the stuff a this swap meet is usually pretty beaten down.
Visibility was down to 50 yards or less today. Real thick fog is more fun than the high fog and regular gloomy weather we have been having.
And yes, this turn and tree is one of my favorite places to set up the camera.
Any riding is good riding, and better than not riding outside.
Ghost Town August 15 2011, 0 Comments
At least it feels that way with the fair finally packing up and moving on. It is finally safe to come out of the house. After lunch we went for a quick spin to pick up my entries from the photo exhibit.
The food wagons have almost completely moved out. Quite a different scene than saturday. We stopped at the last hall to pick up my pictures and honorable mention ribbon. I am already plotting and planning for next year's entries. I decided to take a quick peak at the midway:
Not nearly as exciting with trash everywhere and things three-fourths picked up. Then we took the long way home to check the surf.
The low clouds and fog have been relentless this summer, after a while it starts to get really old. I know, it is better than heat waves or ice storms, but after weeks of flat gray light, bright enough to need sun glasses, but never sunny, you start to appreciate the clear blue skies a bit more.
Two Wet Nuts August 11 2011, 0 Comments
And this has nothing to do with my choice of cotton shorts and boxers(capilene). Yesterday's ride was wet, the fog was late in coming this year and has been relentless in moving on. The mist was so thick in the morning that there was puddles most of the way out to Lake Casitas, and the trees were dripping with dew.
Wishing I still had fenders on the Roadeo I made my way out towards the lake to see if I could find some free snacks to take home. The weather out here has been unusually damp all year, and cool, hot for a bit and then cool again. As a result the rivers are still running with water in the summer.
Usually by this time of year they are barely a trickle of a creek left. Likewise the fruit and nuts have been all off schedule, plumping up early during the heat, but not turning ripe now that it is cool and damp again. First stop was the walnut tree, relentless branch shaking did little more than draw a crowd of onlookers wondering what the crazy human was up too.
From there is was just a little further to check on the progress the pomegranates have been making.
Like the walnuts, the trees are loaded with fruit, but none of it near ready to enjoy. I am looking forward to the day it all comes ripe at once. The transition from spring to summer this year has been a mixed bag on our stretch of coast this year, even the wild flowers are a bit mixed up, some still blooming while the rest of the fields have long gone to their summer tan.
While not high yielding in wild foods, the ride was a great chance to get out of the house for a bit, and not think about the things I "should" be getting done, and yes all that tree shaking resulted in just two wet nuts ;-)
Across town and through the fields for about 24 miles total to get the food for the next few days.
Warm and foggy with just a little breeze. A great day to get out, traffic near home was a bit nuts with the fair, but that is to be expected.
Fair Days August 05 2011, 0 Comments
One of the many fringe benefits of where we live is being within a block of the County fairgrounds. It is really not that bad most of the time, but for 10 days every summer the whole county and then some seems to descend upon out neighborhood. It is best to get out early and then home before the "Lot Full" road rage spreads for a 3 mile radius.
Today we made it out for some quick errands we before the crowds,
It looks like the fog is going to pull back out over the ocean too, making for a great Friday.
Enjoy your weekend, and get outside. We will be at the Fair
I had some coverage for the baby today and was able to get out fo ra couple of hours, thank you Opie. I headed up to Casitas for a while before doubling back to head to the farmer's market. It was really nice to get out of the morning fog and into some clear skies.
While out in the hills a bit I saw a deer with actual antlers, not usual around here. I only seem to see one every few years or so, plenty of does, but not really any bucks with head gear.
and then it was back into town where the fog was flirting with the coastline all day. A successful ride, fresh veggies and spin the legs.
You can just make out the fog bank in the distance.
Everything started as a normal cruise up the coast. Then I pushed a little further to La Conchita to grab a couple fresh coconuts, more on at a later date. That required going a mile or two further to Rincon to make the turn around. As I approached the turn around point I decided to make a right instead of a left.
Heading up and back into the hills a bit to make a few more turns up and around, exploring some routes new to me. Time was starting to close in and I made my way back down to the coast. I hit the non-paved route from Carp back down to Rincon.
The rest was the regular ride back down the coast. It was good to be back on the bike. I know we are supposed to be having a heat wave, but it was incredibly nice out. Fall is just around the corner and closing in quick.
Happy friday, and do not forget to play outside this weekend!
