Daytrip to Dillon Beach

As Ma was snapping this picture, she tripped over something and...

...well aren't these gorgeous? So here's where the peeps kinda had breakfast!

Dillon Beach is located in Sonoma County, just north of where we live. It's a great doggeh beach, cause we can go unleashed! It's about a mile long and ends at a lookout across a channel that divides the Pacific Ocean from Tomales Bay - right on the San Andreas Fault Line hehehe!
Instead of parking at Dillon Beach today, we decided to drive on through to Lawson's Landing.
The Landing is a campground at the very end of Dillon Beach; there's a wonderful view of one arm "end" of the Point Reyes National Seashore where you can see Tule Elk. Here's a little movie of Avalon and me having some Zoomies which we needed badly after the long car ride!

And here are some more pictures of us having a cool time on Dillon Beach as the tide let out.
Yuuuummmmmzers! Something smells absolutely splendid!
My sis needs to learn sand management.

Mo' zoomers!
A pelican hunting for dinner - never saw what he caught, but his dive was impressive!
And a million gulls...
Smellin' them... on your mark...
Gotta get me one!
Then we checked out the boardwalk/fishermans' area at Lawsons'. What do you think these kids were lookin' at?
Ewwwwwwwwww! Neither me or Av were even slightly interested in those.
But we got lots of attention from this guy! Look at all the doggehs!
And here's another, if you look closely! He did not appreciate our coming too close.
It was too cool to witness the boat launch here. $20.00 gets you tractor service; boat to truck or the reverse!
Then you won't believe what we saw on the way home. Turkeys! And a baby turkey!
And then Mom finally looked to her left and saw that! What a great day! Hope you had a wonderful weekend. Sending golden vibes to our pals who are in need.

Bike Bash

Last night was the Psycowpath Mountain Bike Racing Series awards banquet, also know as "Bike Bash". The party was held at Platte River State Park. Many rode the trails before the banquet.

Thanks to the cooks and promoters for putting on the feed. Thanks to the race sponsors (a couple which were in attendance (and racers).

Turn-out was a little smaller than previous years. Of course, we had races out of the area at other races this weekend in Bend, OR, Cable, WI, and Iowa City, IA. Some of the podiums were missing winners. A couple were empty.

MCs for the evening were Roxy & Ryan. Psycow-Spirit award(s) went to "Em" Kenoyer and Dave Packard. Karl "Crash" put together the video presentation highlighting the season.

All-in-all. it was a fun evening. Photos I took during the bash are posted on my race and events photo web site: http://win-photo.photoreflect.com

The Scottish countryside

Red deer stalking. Stags, 1 July to 20 October. Hinds, 21 October to 15 February.
Oh yes, and grouse shooting: 12 August to 10 December. The hills are alive...

Doggy Nightmares? Two Memorable Dreams

Since we had to have Pip put to sleep I have noticed that Toby seems to have bad dreams. Like most dogs, when he sleeps he often makes woofling sounds, and twitches his paws as though running. Those dreams are fine, perfectly normal.





However, these days he has some dreams where he whimpers piteously and sounds deeply distressed.

Both dogs came from a rescue centre. We got Pip when she was about a year old - she came in with buckets of self confidence and tried to dominate the household immediately. She was very successful. A proper terrier. A proper terror.





Toby joined us six months later, when he was about 10 months old. He had an unknown history but was showing many signs of having been abused. He was afraid to eat, afraid of his own shadow. Pip took him in hand and taught him who was boss while giving him frequent washes and affection when she felt in the mood.





They were together day and night for about 11 years. Through thick and thin, good times and bad times. She didn't do much in final months - but she always managed to give him a wash if she felt he needed it.





Now she has gone and I am sure he misses her. I know I am placing a human interpretation onto a canine dream, but I think he misses her a great deal. We all do our best, even the cats do their best and cuddle up to him

which is amazing when you think they were rescue cats and semi-feral themselves just six months ago!





Thinking about Toby and his bad dreams got me thinking about dreams in general. I know that I dream, but I rarely remember them in the morning. I know there have been periods in my life when I have had bad dreams, recurrent ones and I do remember those.





There are two wonderful dreams which were so special that I have never forgotten them. Well - I remember the sense of them and the way they made me feel.





After my mother died, about 15 years ago, I really missed her and would sometimes think that I had caught sight of her in supermarkets and other odd places. I think most people go through that process. I wished that I had told her how much I loved her, I am sure she knew - but I wish I had actually said it out loud to her.





One night I dreamt that she came and sat on my bed and talked with me, she told me things and I told her the things I wished I had said when I had the opportunity. It was an amazing dream, a healing dream, a comforting dream. It made me feel better. It still makes me feel better when I think of it. It didn't feel like a dream at the time.





The other one I remember so well was of a similar thing happening, but the visitor was, for the sake of argument, a higher being. I could suddenly see why we are here, what happens, and why things happen, how time is such a funny thing - and why it seems to go fast sometimes and is lumpy and slow at others. It was an amazing dream, very powerful and came out of the blue. Unfortunately that knowledge faded when I awoke!





I would say that I wish Toby could have a comforting visit from Pip - but Pip's personality being what it was, he could be having dreams of her - his nightmares. I wouldn't be at all surprised if she wasn't tormenting him!

The Best of the Trip

Some of my friends have asked me what I liked best on the trip. Here's the high points from the trip.
The reason I made the trip was to attend my Army Reunion. Well, the unit I lived with in 'Nam. It was great to see the guys again; See you next year in Myrtle Beach. And, of course, great to see my cousin Don and fraternity brother Craig and his wife Janie.
Now most of my time was out playing tourist. I wanted to see the sights, capture some beautiful scenery photos, and visit the SouthWest. The most spectacular spot was (of course) The Grand Canyon.

Second Place goes to Monument Valley

Now for the bicycle trails I rode.
For outstanding scenery while riding, the honor goes to Bell Rock Pathway, Sedona, AZ.

Boggy Draw, outside of Dolores, CO was the trail that made me most at home.

The most tense time on the trail had to be when I encountered the rattlesnake on the trail at McDowell Mountain Park.

The most difficult trail I rode/walked -- its a tie. The Long Loop at McDowell Mountain Park, Scottsdale, AZ and Mike's Trail, Horse Gulch, Durango, CO.


Where I learned about riding rocks and honed my skills most was Big Park Loop, Sedona, AZ.

Best trail signage goes to Trails2000 (Telegraph Trail System - Durango, CO). At each intersection there is a sign showing the trail names, a map, directions, and compass direction.

The best weather during the trip - Albuquerque, NM. The most disappointing ride - Foothills trails, Albuquerque (thanks to the %$#@ goatheads). The city I would least think of living in: Scottsdale, AZ. The city I would most think of moving to: Albuquerque, NM

Asceticism

There's a movement at this time to simplify, get rid of, live with less, etc.  I'm always decluttering myself.  When I typed that last statement, I meant in my household; as in getting rid of stuff.  But rereading it, it sounds like I'm decluttering me.  And I am.  I'm always trying to be calmer. I'm always trying to go fewer places and stay home more.  That helps me stay calm.  Frantic activity doesn't agree with me anymore.  Maybe it never did, but I just know myself better now and know what gets me frazzled.
I'm reading Walking with Kathleen Norris-A Contemplative Journey by Robert Waldron.  A friend recommended her book, The Cloister Walk, years ago, and I immediately fell in love with her writing.  It's one of those books that I read every year or so.  I love it that much.
Asceticism has often been linked with self-flagellation; a misunderstanding of God's Word about the self and sin.  Therefore, the very word asceticism conjures up negativity.  But this is what Norris says about asceticism:  "It is a way of surrendering to reduced circumstances in a manner that enhances the whole person.  Modern asceticism should be a matter of simplification or a reduction of matters interfering with developing a deeper relationship with God."
Waldron says, "How much food, alcohol, sleep, work, TV, radio, and talk do we need? "  I don't think it's sinful to have more than we need.  Things are gifts from God, but the line has to be drawn somewhere.  And everyone has to draw their own line.  We need to pray for wisdom to know where that point is in our own lives.  
I am extremely visual, so I like looking at 'things'.  I think that's why I have more stuff in my house than some people.  I like going into other people's homes and looking at their books.  I like seeing sewing or art projects laid out and ready to be worked on again.  I find that interesting.
Laurel is on the opposite end of the spectrum.  She likes the Spartan approach to decorating.  She's always showing me pictures of almost white rooms with a few wooden pieces added for warmth.  Some I find too cold but others are very restful.  I think I could get a lot of thinking done in a room like that.  But when it comes to my own home, I can't do it.  I don't know why.  I like a warm, cozy home that's visually restful and stimulating at the same time.  Does that make sense?
So we both keep trying to get to the place where we say, "That's it!  I've found the perfect blend of interest and restfulness."  Thing is, I keep getting there, and six months later I'm dissastified again.  Maybe it'll always be a journey.  I'm always changing, so it makes sense that my house will always keep changing too.  So Laurel, maybe we should just enjoy the journey and quit longing for the destination?

Images of the flood

According to the data over at Statcounter.com, a few people have visited this page looking for some pictures from the flood damage of last weekend. I've been hampered in uploading these, first by a camera failure, followed by the purchase and set up of a new computer. Memory cards, on the other hand, seem to be remarkably resilient. Consequently, I've been able to save the images from last Saturday's ride.
In other news, Mark from Epic Cycles got in touch with me via email regarding the Zefal pump I purchased there that didn't work, and offered to replace it. We're all quick to complain when we think customer service has been poor, so I'd like to take the opportunity to give some credit where it's due on this occasion. We can only wish this sort of thing happened more often.

River Dropping, Lake Rising

The Missouri River level continues dropping. I hear that some sections of the Interstate north of CB are being inspected for damage. It's not pretty. Three months of the river flowing over the highway has taking its toll.
We got word that the CB end og the Bob Kerry Pedestrian Bridge will reopen on Saturday. Plans are to open the bicycle trails on the levees very soon (maybe the weekend?). Sure looking forward to that. There are sections still under water (highway underpasses. Behind the Trails Center, under Harrahs).
Not to mention the clean-up that will be required. I am sure the trail will be covered with muck and silt. Word is that its still Mid October before the river is back to "normal".
Low spot of the Veteran's Memorial trail just east of S 24th St is now dry (though the barricade is still up). Lake Manawa Trail east of the nature trail parking lot is still underwater.
Meanwhile, with all of the rains, the level of Lake Manawa has risen. The entrance and part of Boy Scout Island is underwater (see photo).

Two Weeks until BHFTF

Its just 2 weeks until the Black Hills Fat Tire Festival!
If you have not registered, head over to www.bhfattirefestival.com. A fun, activity packed, long weekend is planned. I have attended the 2 previous festivals. You will not be disappointed. Rides, races, food, films, camaraderie, for all. I will be doing the 2 day Mickelson Ride.
Hope to see you there!
Oh, by the way, yesterday I hit the 900 mile mark for the year. Ride on...