Late Summer Update

Things are moving incredibly quickly around here. A little more than 2 weeks until SSWC08...it's down to the wire on a lot, but we're gonna pull it off. That's been keeping my mind busy and more at ease (amazingly)...

Ummm what's been going on...

Bike Film Festival
Headed down a few weekends ago to SF and caught the Bike Film Festival. Brian Vernor had a short showing from his ride across Africa which was cool to see. So was this amazing 5' tall woman on her fixed gear. The tricks she pulled off on stage had to be seen to be believed. Afterward we wandered around the mission and caught the "Gold Sprints". A totally different bike culture than I am used to, but fun none-the-less. Plus it's always good to hit the city, really opens my eyes to the "non-stop" living style I used to want, but now only enjoy very occasionally. But it is nice to have Indian food at 9Pm and see folks out and about!

Jake and Peter leading me up Westwood Hills

Jake mugging with one of 3 baby "blues" he caught

Westwood Hills Hikes with Jake and Peter
We've been heading out on longer hikes and walks with Peter in Westwood hills and beyond. Lizard hunting and working with Peter to get him more comfy walking with Jake and I. Sure is nice to have hills and open space right out our front door!

Frisky Blue Belly we caught on Reptile Club Hike

Reptile Club Hike
Jake and I have been slated to lead the Reptile Club on a hike in Timberhill over in Brown's Valley for about 4 months. We almost missed our date! Thankfully we didn't and ended up spending almost 3 hours hiking with our crew from the Nature Club. Met a couple new folks and caught more lizards than anyone out there! Many "blues" (blue-bellies), a big ol' Alligator Lizard, a praying Mantis and a crawdad! Jake is a super trooper, pointing out lizards, hiking with no complaints for a long time and truly loving the "hunt". We're gonna get more hikes together to lead it was a blast!



dad's 73rd Birthday
Happy 73 Birthday dad! We headed over to Papa and YaYa's to join in my dad's 73rd birthday celebration. My dad is truly an inspiration. He still cycles 15-20 miles EVERYDAY, takes tremendous care of his family and gardens like you would not believe. If I could be 1/4 the dad he was it would be great.



Backyard Garden
This year I again planted a garden, had the following growing:
Corn, 2 types of tomatoes, red peppers, green peppers, Jalapeño Peppers, Another hot pepper I am forgetting the name of, Yellow Basil, Lemon Balm, Snap Peas, Green Beans, strawberries, pumpkins, cantaloupe, garlic, onions, Japanese cucumber...
Anyway, everything is coming in really well and I recently enjoyed munching on cucumber, some tomatoes and a hot pepper (not all at once). Jake pics the strawberries as soon as they are ready. It is really cool to grow the stuff. Next year I am heading more in earnest to do it right (fully organic, no un-natural pesticides or fertilizers) and increase my crop!

Ventana was stellar. The X0-1 was on the life "wish-list". The trade was perfect.

Bridgestone X0-1
My Ventana has been languishing on Craigslist for 3 weeks. Seriously flaky low-ballers seem attracted to it. My frustration with trying to not sell it for nothing was quelled when Andrew helped broker a deal with another friend of ours Mike Dunn. Mike had a near mint 1992 Bridgestone X0-1, a bike I have always desired, for sale. Andrew let him know about my Ventana frame and next thing I know, Mike is offering to trade me straight across for the X0. Ummmm, ahhhhh, Of course! So now he has my trusty Ventana and I have Bridgestone and everyone is happy as pie.

That's it for now, more to follow as time permits...