Christmas is officially started!

The Bata's, Ray's and Jones's took in Timothy P and the Stocking Stuffers at the Lakewood Cultural Center on Saturday. We joined the folks our age at the matinee for a 2 1/2 hours and had a great time. This is our second year to start the holidays with country, blue grass Christmas music.

Then on to The Oven for pizza and refreshments. And then on to Rhythms night club, we were the first ones there, had drinks almost by ourselves, paid $2.50 for a chocolate martini (lots cheaper than a beer) and we were all safe at home by 8:30.

We are gonna be GRANDPARENTS!

AND it is gonna be twins!!! A girl and a boy. Paul is prepping the bedroom before the real paint job takes place.

Did I mention that Jan and I are excited!!!

You gotta love Colorado weather!

Low 50's with lots of sun!!!!!

I got the bike down and took Sadie on a bike/run, she loved it! Me too!

Oh, I should make sure that somewhere this is recorded--Kevin is 3 for 3. Is it 3-3 for 2 for 2?
Each time he visits he takes the dogs out as he runs or bikes and brings them back injured.

I need help remembering!! He took Maddy out for a bike ride and came back limping. He took Sadie out for a run and stepped on her paw--he carried her home. Both are well, though and they love him. What was the third?

I thought I was exercising hard, BUT.......

I thought I needed a picture so this is one of my favorite roads--heading north into Loveland from Hygiene. I noticed that around Loveland the paintings on the path, the rider does not have a helmet.

Well, anyway, I thought I was riding hard this summer, I think I posted some of the season end totals. The bike is hanging up, Sadie is sad because I usually took her for a 3 mile run along side before I took off on my own. So she hasn't had a good run for about a month.

Since it is a little chilly for this far weather rider, I have gone back to the cycling classes at the rec center. My summer averaged 5 days a week, 80-100 miles a week, average heart rate of around 120 and 600-800 calories burned. I took 3 classes this week, almost 50 miles, average heart rate of 130+ and 1000+ calories burned. Thanks to Jill, Ann and Collette for the ride!!

Got her DONE!

The last deck screw! With some help from my always present companion-Sadie, it is DONE! All that is left is some brick/mortar work but that can wait. I replaced the entire deck except the stairs and the spindles. I suppose it would pass city inspection, but I forgot to get a permit--hummmmmmmmmmm.

Now it is time for some painting on the twin's room and some house hunting for a Loveland rental place for us--Feb through May.

NOT a good day!!

OH! the deck is gone, no need to sweep. How did I get out here?

Gettin' close to being done. My plan did not include redoing the railings. But as things happen--the far pillar shifted, don't know why but that made at least two of the railing short. Then I dropped the one that's not up, it was spliced by the builder so it split into. Another trip to Home Depot and more wood. The board that is laying there was to the left some and hanging over the stairs. I hit my head on it, but I didn't move it until I hit my head a second time when I flinched I hit my head on a tool I was carrying and cut my eyebrow. Dumb--but not the dumbest move.

I had the material delivered by Home Depot which included some 2x10x16's--long dudes. I needed to return them, my neighbor and I were going to use his trailer but I thought I would take them back on the way to pick up some more wood. I laid them across the seat backs and through the back window, tied them down but not good enough. I was going slow but a dip caused the wood to bounce and cracked the windshield--VERY DUMB!!!!

My deck helpers!

Since I started the deck project Sadie has been outside with me the whole time. Sometimes she is this close other times she is looking for rabbits or just laying near by. She goes to the front yard every time I go up. About the only time she is not on my heels is when I walk across the deck and it is not totally covered so that she can't see to the ground. This has really interfered with her nap time--usually most of the afternoon.
Paul was a day early with the orange for the Bronco Sunday. He was a big help on Saturday while mom and the mom to be made a maternity and baby clothes shopping run. His processing skills were very helpful, not to mention that he carried and cut several 2x10's while I pretended to be busy.

Deck Repair

The deck has lasted 12 years, we bought our home in 1998. I have always wanted a larger deck. Now that I am taking this one apart I have changed my mind. WOW! I should have paid to have it done. Rotted 28 2x10 joists, very heavy long pieces of composition decking, and over 2000 screws to remove makes my hands and arm really tired. I realize that biking is great for legs and heart but does very little for hands and arms.

I had to chisel the wood out of the pillars, the builder did not skimp on the nails and screws. Lots of wood rot and carpenter ants (large black dudes). My neighbor has some great labor saving tools. He helped on Saturday afternoon, the stairs caused us some delay, too rainy to do anything on Sunday, so I am back to being by myself.

A milestone--1650

I got a late start on the cycling season due to cold weather, but made up for it! Over 800 miles since mid May. This equates to a bunch of trips since my longest ride has been 41 miles, most of them around 20. It is almost time for a new rear tire--I have never had to buy a new bike tire before, my first time to wear the tread off. 1650+ since I bought my bike Feb 2009. Actually, the bike has traveled about 5000 miles on top of the car--Grand Junction, Cedaredge, Telluride, Seattle, Sun Valley and Glenwood Springs. So, a good share of the riding miles have been out of town.

This is not a lot of miles by some standards but for me it feel like an accomplishment.

Telluride mushrooms

Kevin and some friends picked this one! It was one of three about the same size, they gave the others away. Puff Ball is a generic word, referring to three different types of fungi: Calbovista, Calvatia, and Lycoperdon. This one was cooked in olive oil and Parmesan cheese--tasty and very filling.

While hiking near Lizard Head, just above Telluride we found all kinds of mushrooms. Amanita muscaria, commonly known as the fly agaric (pronounced /ˈæɡərɪk/) or fly Amanita (pronounced /ˌæməˈnaɪtə/), is a poisonous.

I thought I was faster!

Since riding with Kevin last week I have increased my cycle cruising speed by about 5 mph. I was crusing today and was scrapped by two F-16's. I think they were using the road a a target run. It definitely ruined the peace and quiet.

I thought I was faster!

Sun Valley, Seattle road trip stats, thoughts.

16 days, 3373 miles, ~55 hours of driving, not counting the around town driving, hiked 22 miles, cycled 52 miles, 24 on the round trip Sun Valley to Hailey, Sadie ran 4 times those numbers, 5 states, some new places--Gig Harbor,WA, Widby Islands, Leavenworth, WA, Wenatchee river and lake, Kennewick, Richmond, WA. 3 flats, our car right out of the garage, Amanda's on trip back to Seattle from Leavenworth and my bike near Elkhorn Village condo. Best wines--Clonk de Plonk, Red, Tagaris Winery, Kennewick, WA, (Kevin was house/dog sitting for the daughter of the winery owner) and Acrobat, Pinot Gris, Oregon. Best beer--Tangerine Ale, Iceberg Brewery, Kennewick, WA, Hefe, Widmer Brewery, Portland, Org. Worst beer--Blonde something, Sun Valley Brewery.

An unexpected fun thing--watched the World Cup finals in the "viewing room" at the Wrigley (gum) Mansion--Sun Valley. Underground parking for 20 cars--that's all we got to see. Kevin knows the couple that are the care takers and dog sitters. They are trying to get him to watch the place and the 2 dogs when they leave town.

Best part of the entire trip--visiting with Amanda, Ben, Kevin & his friends, Larry and Darrell.

Garage sales and cycling--BEWARE

Our neighborhood is having garage sales this weekend! I passed at least 20 on my way out today. In that time I almost ran over a woman who crossed the street without looking, I was watching her stare at the "stuff". A couple of cars made u-turns right in front of me. Numerous pulled out in front of me and last but not least those that drove across traffic so they could slowly drive along the driveway in their car and look at the "stuff".

Oh, and a truck was so full of "stuff" it started falling out of the back--I tried to help but no habla English, senior!

Officer, I confess!

I confess and I am proud of my speeding--32 in a 30. Downhill of course. I went faster down the lower part of Grand Mesa into Cedaredge drafting Kevin-36, but I was scared to death. Never again!

Oh, officer, I did not stop at the stop signs on the way up the hill. But I did hand signal my turns.

First night on the deck!

First meal on the deck this year with Bob, Jan, Rochelle and Sharon. Sharon is Jan's sister, Rochelle is her daughter and Bob is my bourbon sipping brother in law buddy.

Jan's Birthday.

Jan's birthday was May 31! We celebrated with her brother, Larry, sister, Sharon and brother in law Bob. Can you guess how old she is?? And to think we have been married almost 43 of those years.

Read this quick--I may have to take the picture off or cover up their hands!!

An early Father's Day!

This is a picture of the man, Tom Cooper and his taster. Tom has been distilling Colorado Gold vodka,gin and corn whisky for a couple of years in Cedaredge. He has some moonshine background from his upbringing in Tennessee, so he is qualified. His motto is "When you sip it straight the taste should not cause you to shutter or make a face." His vodka is the best!!

Last year he bought a couple of oak barrels and decided to make some smooth 1 year old bourbon. He was selling shares of it--I suggested to Jan that it was a good investment and it could be my Father's Day gift, so she made a down payment. This year, we had to go over to make the last payment and pick up our bottle which came from barrel # 1 and bottle #83. Wow, was it good----no shutter, just a quiet hmmmmmmmmmm this is smooth.
With the help of my brother in law, Bob, we managed to do some tasting on a pretty regular basis while staying with them on the western slope near Grand Mesa. Because this stuff was already a year old and there is no telling how it would taste if we saved it. Thanks, Bob for your help!! Great Father's Day, early. I would offer you some but it is too late!

Riding down Glenwood Canyon May 2010

This picture of the Colorado River does not do justice to the volume and power. I may attach a video of the river in another posting. I reminded me of a soupy chocolate milk shake. I was thinking about the milk shake all the way, but decided since I burned a few calories, I should not add any back on. I had a beer at the end of the day, instead.
At times the trail takes you under the road. Fun ride, except I waited to too late in the day, the wind was blowing up the canyon. I thought it would be easier riding down the canyon. Oh well, just under 16 miles along the river.




This video will give you an idea of what it looked like riding along side all the "ribs" in the concrete that is the base of the road. I had a longer one but it makes me dizzy.

Good beer, not so good golf course.

The best part of the day was this new beer from Coors. They set aside a small micro brew within Coors to make micro brews ie Blue Moon (which had to move to the main brewery due to popularity, Herman Joseph and Winterfest.

I would compare Colorado Native to Sam Adam's lager. The Native is more flavorful, stronger taste but not as strong as Fat Tire. All Colorado ingredients. To all my out of state beer drinking friends and my son--I'm sorry, it is only available in Colorado. Kevin, I'll bring some in July. Good Beer!!


We played Heather Ridge Country Club golf course yesterday. I didn't know it was there, west of I-225 on Iliff. It is tucked in with lots of condos, townhomes. The course was in pretty good shape, not any room for a stray shots and it was only $20 bucks for 18 holes and electric cart. So what's the comment about "not so good?"

You would think that being a semi private club they would understand customer satisfaction. Or maybe because they are semi private that don't care. The front desk choose to argue with us about a reservation rather than being glad we were there to pay and play. There was no one around, they had just finished a celebrity Red Cross benefit tournament. Finally after arguing with us and them among themselves, a young golf pro told us off to the side that he will work it out and someone came in off the course and offered to let us hit some range balls while we waited, BUT, the front desk vetoed that--saying it was going to be busy at 3:00, it was 1:30--I can't hit that many range balls. At last customer service prevailed--they let us off the back. Would I go back? $20 for golf is a really good deal!

A couple of questions and requests.

First day out for the old bike!!
1. Where did my cycling legs go?
2. Why does the top of my knee hurt?
3. Is it possible to sweep or vacuum the small rocks in the bike lanes?
4. Did the hills get steeper because of the earthquakes, volcano eruptions or floods?
5. Did the ride affect my golf? Must have! Heather Ridge--course too tight for this BAD golfer.

It felt good to get out--Sadie enjoyed her run with the bike, too.

A Perfect Landning.

A GOOD time at happy hour at the Perfect Landing. Fair prices on happy hour drinks but we were disappointed on the 1/2 price appetizers. Small!! Mostly fish--good for ya, but not at happy hour. We were sooooooooo happy that Kortney joined the old folks. Steve and I talked to a couple of people that we know--Good time with the Rays, as always.

Too short of arms, underarm wash.

I wasn't gonna share this pic! But, it was supposed to be a picture of Sadie and me after our run, she is wet and so am I. However, my arm was too short to get both of us. So it is a REAL close up of me. I hope it doesn't scare small children.
Some of you may have wondered--"What is a underarm dog wash!" Well, here is a picture. When she runs in water/snow she gets very wet on her underside, therefore, an underarm dog wash.

From Goldfinch to SNOW!!!

This snow was wet and heavy. And it had frozen to the pine needles and the blossoms on the tree.
Typical spring snow, 2-4 inches in the grass but just wet on the pavement. I think it will be a good day for a run with Sadie, no one on the golf course and she will get wet enough to count it as a under the arm bath. More rain this afternoon and snow forecasted tonight.
I took this yesterday morning. While I was having breakfast this goldfinch stopped to by to show off his beautiful colors. He was not shy, when I moved around he stayed put--I didn't see a female though. Last year I saw the first one 4/8.

Gettin" old--I need a donut!

I have said to myself "Don't get old like dad!" Well, I am getting there. The ways of 20, 30 and some 40 somethings these days are really buggin' me.

I was on time at OUR Starbucks to meet my Saturday morning guy that is struggling with marriage, work, beliefs etc. He was late as usual--most of the time he calls. This morning he didn't so I left at 15 after. Well, he called had the usual excuses. Buggin' me #1, the attitude that "It is all about me, thanks for taking your time to meet with me--but, I don't respect your time to be on time attitude!"

Anyway, I went back, the Starbucks was full so we went to Target's Starbucks. It depressed me to watch all the 20, 30 and 40 somethings coming in with their children. At least 90% of them were FAT and so were the kids. Buggin' me #2, parents feeding themselves and their poor innocent children junk food, most kids were drinking some sort of large pop, popcorn (not too bad, but at 9:30 am), candy, donuts etc. A child about 1 or so was chewing gu. his brother had a sucker. Every adult ordered a bazillion calorie drink and pastry. This could be buggin' me #3--all were wearing frumpy sweats, most looked like pajamas-- a couple of kids WERE wearing pajamas. Guess how they will dress when they grow up and go to the store.

AND buggin' me #4, not one parent was talking/interacting with their children!!!! Too busy on their cell phone or texting. Which leads to #5, talking or texting while the clerk is ready to take their order. Of course, most of the others in line don't care because they are too busy to notice the delay.

A friend of mine was fired from Starbucks, recently--he was feed up with waiting for people to get off their cells to order. So as the next one that walked up with a cell in their ear--he picked up his and pretended to be on his, when the person hung up, he motioned--just a minute he is on the phone. We thought it was appropriate and very funny the Starbucks manager--did not!

Well, I got that off my chest--I am getting old and after seeing all those FAT people I don't need a donut.

Don't get me started on buggin' me #6--the illegals in OUR country!!

Spring time in Colorado

It started out like this! Earlier in the morning the green was frozen over too. At least this time of year a little patience is all that is needed. Because a few hours later the snow is gone.
The golf course people put on the fertilizer. The grass is way ahead of the trees. At least it is a nice view out the window. I love Colorado!!!!

The Beach Tree and Hangin' on!

The Jester, our sail boat, restaurant, bar, lounging area and all the other comforts of home.
They were sad to see us leave--no one else around. Mike became really good friends with the as....! They were left on the island by sugar plantation owners many years ago.
This was fun! We took a day sail out of St Thomas to an uninhabited island Hans Lollick. Did some snorkeling, visited with the wild donkeys, relaxed and did I say we drank some rum!! Ate a very tasty lunch and did I mention we drank some rum!
Of all the pictures we took, I like this one! I don't think the locals do this. Everything we own is hanging in this tree. This is on St John, Trunk Bay National Park--great burgers and fries and did I say we drank some rum--good beer--Carib and Virgin Island-mango ale both brewed in Portland, Maine. Everything is imported.

Keepin' the sun tan on!

Jan is trying to maintain her sun tan for Phoenix. 60+ here today, no breeze in the garage. It is not in the picture but the sandy beach is out in front of her--That is why she has her Chaco's at the "ready!" Sadie sees the sand and water!

The Kayser's without dad and Grace!

From the front Griffin(12), Grady(5), Jan, Jen, Grant(5), Garrett(3) and Grace (10) was visiting a friend.

Shad was speaking at church about sponsoring a child from the Ukraine this spring. If you maybe interested visit their web site The Kayser They can provide info on adopting a child from there since they have the experience.

Our visit with the Kayser's rewarded us with being around a very loving, caring and blessed family.

Tapas in Charlotte!

On our way back from St Thomas we stayed over in Charlotte to visit Shad and Jen. We really enjoyed catching up with them and their kids-more family pics later.

We had dinner during the Canada/US hockey game at a really fun restaurant--T 1 Tapas. In the middle of the table was a touch screen to order food, drinks. Also, pull up TV, music with video that match the music, message other people in the restaurant and play your ipod. Good thing Shad/Jen were with us--our touch screen skills are lacking. I really enjoyed my scallops.

New, fun experience--we had a question though--how much do you tip when the computer takes your order?

Should have!!!!

Taken a bike ride! 50's, sunny BUT too much sand on the roadside and I am a wimp--50 not warm enough.

Oh, I am so proud of Sadie--she retrieves the morning paper. Pictures to follow.

Got the scanner to work--yea!!

Who is this ball player in 1986, kitchen in Flemington, NJ
Do you recognize these cowboys at Disney? October 1989

Fleming's Happy Hour--a deal!

Thanks to Steve and Cindy they found a great deal at Fleming's Steak House for happy hour. Drinks--quality wine, martinis, cosmos and a great Angus burger for 6 bucks each. Booths are kinda small when you try to get 6 people in them--Bill and Nikki (Cindy's sister and husband) joined us as we were closing down the happy hour--7pm. Time for the old folks to go home!!

Grand Junction & Arches NP

We took some good long hikes with the dogs--Sadie and Larry/Darrell's dog Jager. There is some really great open space between Larry's house and the Colorado National Monument. Snow, cold 25 but nobody out on the trail.
We drove over to Arches National Park, less than 2 hours from Uncle Larry's house. Snow, cold 25 but no crowds. Landscape Arch--the longest arch and a piece fell off in 1991--not this day.