Avalon's Trip to the V-E-T - Vegetative Matters...

Avalon had to go to the V-E-T today. After we played at McInnis Park with the grandkids, Avalon sneezed about 100 times and coughed like she was gonna upchuck or something. Momma was quite alarmed and we all packed up and went over to Dr. Bill. He wanted her to stay there until he could really give her the once-over. I told her not to get anxious - that Dr. B. was totally cool in all ways. We went on about our day, but Momma was watchin' the phone.
Finally... around 4:30, we found out that Avalon had "inhaled" some vegetative matters (plants that grow above ground) up her right nostril and it had made her nose interiors very raw and also her tonsils, poor pupper. We piled into the Sammiemobile and raced over to get her. This is the vet tech, Vickie with Ava.
She looked okay - Mom gave her oodles of hugs and loves...
She was all over the cookie that Vickie had for her!
We are supposed to keep her quiet (ha ha ha) for a week or so, but that isn't working out too well. To get the "vegitative matter" out, Dr. Bill used a saline solution. Avalon's poor eyes and right side (of her face) are very tender. We wish she would sleep, but she would really like to get outside and play, making noises to indicate this.
Avalon is very good at making faces that elicit sympathy!

Here's Avalon with a smile that displays her resilience! Hopefully, with her Benadryl-like medicine, she'll be better totally soon! Friends all: CAREFUL of all "vegetative matters" and especially foxtails that are out there in force!!!

CycloCross Tis Upon Us

Ah yes. Fall is in the 105 degree dry air. Leaves are a falling and being crunched upon, birds are a silent and hiding in the cool shade of trees, dust is a flying and tubulars are a churning.
Actually, tubulars were not "a churning". This little first race of the season caught us off guard and snuck up quickly so we both raced on clinchers. Which led to a few skid outs on the fast, flat corners.
My goals? Let's see, my goals... My goals were to race hard and not talk or yell at my kids in the middle of my race. After all, it was the first race of the season and really just a little tune up. I wasn't expecting too much out of myself.
We got there late, having not prepared what-so-ever the night before. We figured we could wing it since it was only a half hour drive from Oakland.
Mom, what kind of snacks did you bring? I was asked by the 8 year old.
Snacks? I said.
Yeah snacks, she said.
Did you even bring us snacks? asked the 10 year old.
Snacks? I said.

May I suggest not winging it and not getting to a race 25 minutes before your start time. And always bring kid snacks to a bike race if you have kids, even if you're winging it.
That's THE number one rule in the "Bike Racing With Kids 101" handbook. Actually it's number one AND number eight.
1) Bring snacks
2) Bring toys
3) Bring kid bikes
4) Bring hats and handiwipes
5) Bring water
6) Bring water guns to 105 degree bike races
7) Bring extra kid clothes
8) Bring more snacks
9) Be ready to bribe with ice cream when you want to stay and watch the later races
and almost as important as bringing the kid snacks...
10) Pack all this stuff into the car the night before, not 10 minutes before you're leaving on the day of the race while the kids are whining and complaining about having to get up so early to go to a stupid bike race.

Once there, in warp speed motion - I pee'd, registered, pee'd, got dressed, pee'd, drank more water, pee'd, got Lulu to put her helmet on, pee'd, put my helmet on, pee'd and then rode back over to the registration line to pick up my number that they hadn't had yet when we registered, got my number pinned, pee'd, ate a few GUs, surveyed & questioned those who had pre-ridden the course, drank some water and then made my way to the start.

Luckily the race seemed to be on the same schedule we were on - a little late. Things changed a bit at the start so as not to delay the rest of the start times throughout the day and all the women were started at once with all the juniors.
The C men started about a minute behind us.

I must say, it worked fine this way. The men were all very courteous and nice as they passed and the juniors were little enough to ride right over.
We started out pretty slow. In fact, it was the slowest start in a race that I'd ever experienced. Or maybe It was me who felt slow - moving in slow motion. Or maybe it was the juniors leading the pack and all the courteous women behind them. Or maybe, it was just because it was 95 degrees out at 9:10 am and it was the first race of the fall season.
Anyway, we split immediately with about 6 or so women right in front of me and then a gap behind me and another 9 or 10 behind me. And that's how it stayed pretty much the entire race. I tried to keep my teammate Jenny in eye sight just ahead of me and slowly but surely made my way past two more women during the course of the race.

We raced and raced. And it was as hot as hell, skidding around, taking gravel corners too fast on clinchers, running up a million stairs, dry heaving, coughing up hairballs, hippin' and a hoppin' over barriers, riding and running through sand.
On the first lap, one of my kids yelled at me. WHERE'S DAD? I CAN'T FIND HIM. And I NEED him now!
Well shit I thought, there goes my first goal. Please don't ask me questions now, I politely and gently cooed back while smiling and waving sweetly.
But I was wondering the same thing as I started the second lap. I think I'd like some water now please, I was thinking to myself.

At the stairs I saw Tom, husband of teammate Jenny, and he poured some water on me and gave me some to drink.
At the end of second lap, I saw my other kid, who was picking up a bottle from someone else but he saw me too late and the bottle he tried to hand me went flying. Wait mom, here, now I have it I heard from behind me.

Third lap bottle hand off was similar. The smaller child, Lulu was too short for me and our hand-off went a flying.
Finally, 4th lap I got a perfect hand off from Morgan. Perfect! Dear Morgan, my sweet husband. And I drank lots in case it happened to be the last good hand off for a while.
It all went so fast. And it all was so fun. And in the middle of it all after a few dry heaves, I even had a few seconds to think to myself, jeezus, this is SO much FUN and I must have been smiling because as I came to the sand someone yelled out, if you're smiling you're not racing hard enough!

And then it was over.

Make It Stop

I'm having a hard time working today. I'm taking tomorrow off, so today's kind of like Friday for me, so I'm sorta slacking. Working a little and slacking a little. Even middle aged moms slack a little.
I'm bored.
I've already harassed the sales team and I've scootered around hitting things with the golf club and it's only one o'clock. And I ate lunch already. And I went for a walk after I got my lunch.
Today's draaaaging. And to no end, I've tried to get Marie to show me the naked picture of one of our co-workers. She keeps telling me she has it, that it was sent to her mistakenly by someone in our other office. But she won't show me. I think she's lying. But who cares. I don't care.
I feel like I'm in a box.
This morning I didn't ride my bike into work. But, I did get up early enough for a nice 2 hour road ride before work. And I didn't wear knee warmers or arm warmers. It was one of those perfect little morning rides. And I felt great, so I rode hard. And then I cruised down the ridge. And the view was pretty. And I could smell the jasmine.
I woke up at 5:15 am because the bike racks and panniers and vacuum apparently fell out of the rafters in the garage. Morgan jumped out of bed in full boxer short samurai stance and then ran outside to see who was trying to commit crimes against us.
It was bike stuff, crashing all around in the garage.
Now, I'm looking at pictures. Old pictures.


I should do something more constructive like read the news or read blogs or search for garden furniture. But I'm in one of those moods where everything seems boring. Even the pictures are boring now. Even naked pictures are boring right now.
My studio co-worker is downloading songs from the 80's and making me listen. And now it's Willie Nelson.
Yawn.

Going Home Again

I got to go home once more this fall the week before Thanksgiving.  I had to drop off Gayle at the Atlanta Airport Monday night to fly out to Oklahoma and help Garrett drive home from Fort Sill.   Since my parents' house is only two hours north, we spent the weekend with them.  It was very leisurely and restful.  
Sunday afternoon, Gayle, Daddy, and I went around to some of the cemeteries where my ancestors are buried.  They are all in North Carolina.  My Daddy's parents' house is on the Tennessee-North Carolina line. My Aunt Flossie lives in the house now.    Both of these photos of headstones are of the Walker family.  My Daddy's Mama was a  Walker before she married.  Laurel used that name for Landing, Walker Landing.  Someone once said that sounded like a subdivision; a nice one though!
We had such a good time listening to Daddy tell stories about our relatives  as we walked between the tombstones.  We found great-great, great, and grandparents,  aunts and uncles, cousins, and neighbors.
Daddy told me about my Great Aunt Vivian who was so reviled that at her funeral, her own son said awful things about her.  Another Great Aunt, Vivian's sister, died of diphtheria when she was only twelve.  Great Grandpa Collins (my Daddy's grandpa) died of complications from an appendectomy with he was in his thirties.  Great Grandma Collins had to raise four boys and two girls by herself.  I don't know how she did it.  Daddy said she sold eggs and other small things to make ends meet.
The other two photos are of my sweet Daddy.  Gosh, I love that man.  I love his humble, gentle spirit.  He was  and is the best daddy ever!  I savor every minute spent in his company.  The photo of him dipping into his "chew" shows a flat stone next to his feet.  My Uncle Hershel Barnes is buried  there.  I feel a special affinity to him even though he died before I was born.  I'm sad that I never got to know him.  I think we would have been kindred spirits.  He used to traipse through the mountains digging up roots and plants for medicine.   I've always been interested in making my own medicine too.  Must be genetic!
Uncle Hershel never married.  He would rotate between relatives staying with one for a few weeks and then going on to another.  My Daddy used to follow him around as a little boy.  He learned how to repair tin pots and rebottom chairs.  He learned how to use yellowroot and lady slipper to cure simple maladies. 
They would go hunting together in the mountains.  Daddy said that they were supposed to meet one day, so Daddy started out walking on the trail to meet him.  He found Uncle Hershel dead on the mountain.  He had died of a heart attack.  I know that was very hard for Daddy especially since he was a young boy. 

Made it - 2000 Miles

The last 2 1/2 weeks has been rough for me --- no bike rides. Yesterday, I finally broke the streak.
Sunny day, temperature in the low 40s, but a bit windy from the North. Forecast is that the weather will be going down the tubes over the next week. Had to ride.
Headed out from Xtreme Wheels North to Big Lake. The photo above is my road bike on the marshland observation bridge at Big Lake. Continued riding Iowa Riverfront Trail to the Western Historic Trails Center.
Being it Thursday, Jam and Bread was in full swing. I stopped for a granola bar and bottle of G2.
The new paving on the Western Historic Trail is completed. When I got to Indian Creek Trail, I had a decision - South to Lake Manawa or North back into town. Since I needed 22 miles to make my 2000 miles for the year, I opted for the ride down to Manawa.
The Missouri River level has continued to drop - great to see that.
By now, the wind seemed to pick up. Just in time for my ride into the wind. I grabbed a shot block to suck on, and headed North. Since I had forgot to bring the heart monitor, I took it easy. The climb up the bridge on Harry Langdon was brutal. Once I dropped down to South Ave, I know I had it without bonking, with some legs left (but not much).
Relaxed a little at the bike shop and headed home. Mission Accomplished - 2002 miles for the year! Nothing like the 3355 miles I ended up last year, but a good effort with the weather, floods, and treatments.

Australia's Greatest Export

In my life, there aren't too many regrets. However, one that lingered was that in 2001, I had the chance to see Midnight Oil play live, and didn't take it. I guess I figured that the opportunity would come again some time soon. History shows, of course, that it didn't. However, thanks to Wave-Aid (the Tsunami Relief gig) and Triple J, I was able to relieve some of that regret by listening to their reunion performance. Musically, they absolutely creamed every other act there, including some that were quite good -- and this from a band that hadn't played together in three years! However, there is so much more to Midnight Oil than this.

There have been a number of singers, musicians and bands who have made their living on the old "singing about Australia" line -- many of them have been country singers (John Williamson, Slim Dusty and Rolf Harris come to mind), and some short-lived rock bands back in the 1980's. However, none of them managed to do it in the way Midnight Oil did. The key difference being that the Oils covered all the bases, and believe me, not all of them were pretty.

Growing up in the 1980's and early 1990's as I did, I was able to witness quite a few changes in both lifestyle and the landscape; I had witnessed The rich get richer, The poor get the Picture, doing so in a country town, I had realised that The old world is not as safe with the new world closing in. However, our elected representatives didn't seem to care: everything's set, everything's fine, you've just gotta stand in line. Other times, I've seen beautiful landscapes threatened by reckless development: your dreamworld is just about to end.

Indeed, it's surprising how late I came to Midnight Oil, it was 1990 and Blue Sky Mine before I really discovered them -- although upon hearing their earlier records, I realised they had already been entrenched in my psychology for a long time. However, it was the video clip to Blue Sky Mine that really stuck with me -- coming from the working class background that I did. Here was someone prepared to stand up for the workers risking their lives in a mine while the suits raked in the fruits of their labour, not caring about those making it happen, or indeed the surrounding landscape; the company takes what the company wants, and nothing's as precious as a hole in the ground.

In time, of course, they would open my eyes to other issues; we've seen US Forces give the nod when market movements call the shots. We've seen the genocide committed against the aborignal people of Australia, how white man came, took everything. I found it quite ironic from the country that refuses to offer so much as an apology for this, to "celebrate" the aboriginal culture at the Sydney Olympics back in 2000. Of course, it was the Oils, during the closing ceremony, who sent out the message that so many of us wanted to convey, but didn't have the means.



It wasn't the first time they sent out such a message, who could forget their hit and run concert in front of the Exxon building in New York back in 1990? Indeed, last night they mentioned "our friends in Timor", then sung the following:

Now we don't live with an absent master; we don't live on an island divided, don't want my kids to grow up in shame; in a country with a different name

However, it wasn't always doom and gloom. Songs such as In the Valley, Capricornia and Surf's up Tonight (just to name a few), showcase some of the beauty that this country has to offer. Sometimes it's the sense of escapism (and much of their earlier work seemed to be themed on this), sometimes it's just the feeling that comes from the place without a postcard. Either way, often after listening to some of these songs, I have the temptation to jump on the bike and just go, accompanied only by the Stars of Warburton.

Ultimately, it was the combination of these messages that identifies them, sets them apart from pretty much every other musical act ever produced by this country, or indeed the world. It also tells us that if we do things right, there is a future, and a positive one: In the end the rain comes down, and washes clean the streets of a blue-sky town.

However, there is one thing that cannot be denied, whatever that future holds: Forget about your cheap "souvenirs" at those stupid Duty-Free stores in Surfers, if you want a real taste of Australia, of my country, right or wrong, just pick up a Midnight Oil CD, and turn the volume up to 11.

Sun dog

When I was researching heiligenschein recently, I also read about Sun dogs a.k.a. parhelia or false suns. I'd heard the term but had never seen the phenomenon, although it's apparently not rare.
OK, so if sundogs are fairly common, I should start seeing them once I started looking for them, right?
Yep.

Sun dog!

Cool.
It looked much brighter in person. There are usually two, spaced evenly on either side, about 22º away and at the same altitude as the sun. I couldn't see the twin on the other side, even when I moved to a vantage point without trees. The clouds on that side looked different. Thicker.
When I first saw it, I thought it was a rainbow, or rather cloudbow. It looked like the lower arc in this picture, with the addition of a bright white spot just to the left. We were almost home from the grocery store, but by the time I rushed in to grab the camera, the long "bow" portion of the parhelic arc had vanished, and never returned. The sun dog got brighter and dimmer as the clouds shifted.
I was a happy camper.
-----
Parhelia are formed by light passing through horizontal hexagonal plate ice crystals in the clouds. Certain types of clouds produce them more often, and they are most often seen when the sun is low. (See here.)
Another good site for atmospheric optics:
http://www.meteoros.de/indexe.htm

I Was Out Walking Toby When..

..I looked down and saw a four-leaf clover.



Then I spotted another..

and another..



I didn't have my glasses with me and I hadn't gone out looking for them - they just seemed to jump into my sight and eventually I ended up with...



twelve four-leaf clovers.

click to enlarge!

This is the clump of clover, if you look there are lots in there.

Toby stood still for all of two minutes and was anxious to be on his way - so I muttered a "Thank you" to the four-leaf clover fairy and followed him.

I hadn't gone looking for them, they just waved at me.

My family will tell you that this is not an unusual occurrence for me. I can be walking along, head in the clouds, glance down and hey presto! It probably just means that my brain is very good at picking out that particular pattern amongst all the regular clover leaves.

Traditionally four-leaf clovers are supposed to symbolise good luck, especially if found accidentally... The first leaf is said to represent faith, the second hope, the third is for love, and the fourth for luck.

I have yet to win the lottery, but I do consider myself to have been lucky in so many ways.

I would love to share these clovers amongst you, but I have read that it is unlucky to do so... I suppose the next best thing would be to offer to show you where this clump of clover is, then you can see for yourself.

Starting on the Way Home

Sunday was the day to start towards home. Packed up the room and loaded the car (no small task). Took a break of loading the car for breakfast.

The hurricane on the East coast is causing problems for some of our group. Lost of airports on the East Coast are closed. Anyway, said my "Good-Bye"s and hit the road. First stop - Hoover Dam.

Had not been at Hoover Dam in over 15 years. New Visitor's Center, parking structure, and of course the new bridge. All kinds of security check-points. Did not want to go through the scanners with the camera, I just walked a part of the dam - enough for some photos.

Lake Meade is VERY low!. I had heard from someone in the reunion was that it was down 22", but it looks like 22 FEET low. Part of the drought in the country.

Was a little leery of driving over the new bridge - open heights and all. I was actually disappointed. The concrete guardrails were so high, you don't even know you are high in the air. Word is that you can wlk over onto the bridge, but what I saw, it means a BiG climb up steps to the observation area. My legs would never handle it.

Back on the road about 2/3 of the way from, the dam to Kingman, there was a sign for Visitor's Information. Not right on the highway, had to drive 4 miles into the town of Chloride. An old mining town, it is said to be the oldest continually functioning post office (and town) in Arizona.

Turned East on I-40. Was thinking of making Winslow, AZ. But i was just too tired. Lucky to make Flagstaff. Got a room and crashed. On to Albuquerque for a couple days.

Lake City and the Alpine Loop

Today we tackle the Alpine Loop which runs out of Lake City - it is a 65 mile scenic 4 wheel drive Loop that connects Lake City, Silverton and Ouray.I have posted quite a few pictures. Hope you enjoy them!
We take the scenic route out of Blue Mesa.
Lake San Cristobal sits just outside Lake City. Over 700 years ago, heavy rains, caused weak volcanic tuff and breccia to slide down Mesa Seco mountainside. TheSlumgullion earthflowblocked the Lake Fork of the Gunnison River and created Lake San Cristobal. This lake is the second largest natural lake in Colorado.
We passed by Cannibal Ridge and then came across this site commemorating the Alferd Packer Cannibal Alferd and 21 men set out from Utah to Colorado in search of gold. In January they met Chief Ouray who recommended they wait till spring due to the cold and snow in the mountains. He ignored Ouray's advice and convinced 5 others to continue on with him. The party became hopelessly lost and ran out of provisions. On April 16, 1874, Packer arrived alone at Los Pinos Indian Agency near Gunnison. Evidence convinced everyone that he had killed andeaten the others in his party to survive
We arrive at Lake City to commence our journey. We stop at the Visitors Center to get a map of what to see along the loop. The guy looks out at our Tracker and says "you can't drive that on the Alpine Loop - you need a 4WD vehicle. I tell him it is 4WD and he says that he has a Jeep Liberty and he has trouble getting through the passes. I don't mention that it's probably because he doesn't know how to drive.
Here's the start - hopefully our Jeep wanabee is up to the task.


Which way do we go?
A short detour to the Sherman townsite
Sherman prospered into the 1880's with mining of various ores. The prosperity lasted about 20 years and then the ore bodies all petered out. Today, all that's left of Sherman is a few broken down log cabins, on private property
The road is starting to look a little more 4 wheel drive
and maybe home to some Big Horn sheep
We stop to try and do the Grizzly Gulch Trail which leads to the top of Handies Peak one of Colorado's 53 Fourtenners. It starts at 10,425 and ends at 14,048. It is said to be the easiest one and we're all about that !
The trailhead starts at the bridge
Meanders through tall pines
Offers some great views
We start to wonder - which peak is ours?
We get a mile or two and we hear some big kaboomers and dark clouds are rolling in - we think that maybe being at the top of a 14er isn't such a great idea during a thunderstorm and head back.
We get back to the car just as it lets go.Fortunately it passes and we come to the American Basin.
This isone of the most scenic basins in the San Juan Mountains. In late July it is filled with wildflowers.
A few are starting to pop out
The road is getting rougher
and it's getting pretty winding.
When the marmots aren't falling into toilets they are sleeping in the middle of the road.


Tucson loves Marmots. "Marmots Mommy - Marmots!"



We arrive at Cinnamon Pass 12, 640 feet


Tucson enjoys the views
We see the remnants of an old mining town in the distance.
We wind our way down
It is Animas Forks. The first cabin was constructed in 1873. By 1876 it was a booming mining town. Again when mining profits declined it eventually became a ghost town by 1920
Hey I'm thirsty and this thing is empty!

It has fallen into ruins but there are still quite a few buildings remaining. We think about detouring to Silverton but we are only 1/2 way around the loop and it is getting late.
Next stop Engineer Pass
It's an uphill climb!


Looks like we're getting close
Made it! Engineer Pass, at 12,800 feet, is situated on the rim of two extinct volcanic
calderas.


The views are amazing
On our way back down Gary spots this house in the distance. What's so interesting about it?

The entry bridge of course
Next we come tothis cute oldCabin. The water is running to deep and swift to cross over for a better view.
Nearing the end of our drive we find Whitmore Falls.

At one time,Capitol Citywas predicted to be the capitol of Colorado, but today only a few structures remain from its heyday
We made it through the entire loop! On the way home I mentioned the odd noise the car was making on the road - Gary said it was just the road. I didn't remember it sounding that way on the way down and was just going to mention that it sounded more like a flat tire to me - when - Yep I was right. The Loop did in the tread on one of the original tires - good thing we had a spare!


Till Later!
Meanwhile, we keep on Trek'n
Melissa, Gary & Tucson