Cat puzzle

A purrfect fit? (Sorry, can't seem to stop myself when it comes to bad puns.) In a change from the normal procedure, George has crawled on top of Ginger in this picture.

Council Bluffs Riverfront

This week work started on the Council Bluffs Riverfront - Phase 1. This section is just South of the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge. Click HERE to see the plan.
Trees being cleared between the Iowa Riverfront Trail and river. for the new green space. On the other side of the trail construction is continuing.
My ride started from the Western Historic Trails Center. Rode to the pedestrian and over to the middle of the bridge. Took a few photos there. Then road on up to N. 25th St.
Stopped at the construction area again to take more photos. While just about ready to head back to the trail center, was hailed by Mike - a guy met on the trail Sunday. He was on his bike (thinking its his first bike ride of the year). Nice chat there.
On the way back home stopped again at Xtreme Wheels. Became a busy day at the shop. Almost like "old home day". Randy (and tribe) and Andrew were there. Few others I don't know remember (I hate it when that happens).

Lessons For A Good Life

1.  Do not complain about your life.2.  Do not blame others for things that you have brought upon yourself.3.  Be content with who you are and where you are.4.  Do whatever you can to bring to others such contentment, joy, and understanding that you have managed to find yourself.

Golf course wildlife

Fast - and I don't blame it, given the notices posted on fence posts round about.

And slow. The revenge of the mole.
This is the 9 hole golf course at Rothes. Lovingly tended, once a field. And uphill, like many of the courses on Speyside.

Vallecito, CO Tour of Carvings

We had been to Durango back in 2003 and not much had changed so we decided to drive out to Lake Vallecito to check out the Tour of Carvings. The Mission Ridge Fire from June 9 to July 28, 2002 burned over 70,000 acres. 4,000 firefighters and support staff helped extinguish the fire. One life was lost when an experienced tree cutter was cutting down one tree when another one close by fell on him. As a tribute to the firefighters and to help restore tourism to Vallecito, a local woodcarver was hired to carve images from actual photos.
We tried to see all 14, but a few were in closed areas and others listed on the map by a business name we could not find as the business had probably changed it's name.
This is #1 - Fireman with Shovel
Carving #2 - Black Bear and Cubs.

Carving #4 - Sheriff with Radio
Carving #5 - Alan Wyatt Memorial. In Memory of Alan Wyatt who died fighting the fire. This carving was done on a Tree trunk rooted in the ground. It was snapped off by a thermal vortex.
Carving #6 - EMT and Eagle.
Carving 7A - Rebirth of Vallecito. It was the last one carved and represents the sun instead of flames and animals returning to the forest.
Carving #8 - Oregon Firefighter with Chainsaw.
Carving #11 - Doe and Fawn. A 6 week old Fawn was found under a log and taken to safety.
Carving #12 - Lynx and Eagle. Vallecito Lake is home to over 25 Bald Eagles at certain times of the year.
Carving #13 - Fireman with Hose
Carving #14 - Colorado Mounted Ranger. They helped rescue People and Animals and delivered supplies.
It was located about 22 miles northeast of Durango and was a beautiful drive. Note the deer on the porch of this house next to the Bear carving.
When we got back we found it hard to find a place for the night. The 2 places in town were $40/night and the US Forest Service campground was $24 and 2 miles down a washboard dirt road. We tried another Forest Service campground 23 miles west of town but it was not open yet. We finally ended up at a Passport America park - Echo Basin Resort for $20 for a full hook up site.
Next we tackle the Million Dollar Highway up to Ouray!
Till Later!
Meanwhile, we keep on Trek'n
Melissa, Gary & Tucson


Visiting Amish Country

My new header photo was taken in Lancaster, PA when we were there two weeks ago visiting our youngest son and his wife. He's in seminary at Westminster Theological Seminary. We visited between semesters so were able to spend a good deal of time with him. Sweet DIL was able to take off some time from her job as a nanny. We took our youngest daughter and our oldest grandchild. They're only four years difference in age. Weren't we smart to plan things that way? Yeah, right!
I've always wanted to see Amish country and finally got the chance. I know they don't like to have their pictures taken, so I was very sneaky. 99 percent of the photos I took were from a moving vehicle. It's a wonder any of them turned out, but amazingly they did.
I love the incongruity of the man dressed in colonial clothes talking on a cell phone!
Here are a few of my favorites.

Epic Ride Day

After 2 days out of the saddle, I needed a ride. The place to ride (on pavement) is the River Trail. Anyway, I had to see and ride over the "Big Dam Bridge". Climbing the approach got my heart rate going.
After that, it was a relaxing ride on the N. Little Rock trails.

Stopped at some bike shops - finally found on that could tell me about mountain bike rides. Luckily, there was a C.A.R.P. ride on the Camp Robinson trails. The ride was lightly attended (It was a funeral to one of their riders). The trails area not well marked, and I was left to ride by myself. Otherwise, I had a good ride. The trails are rocky - I was able to adapt and build some rock riding ability and lots of climbing. Think I rode very well under the circumstances. After I get home there will be some helmet cam clips on my web site.
Today gonna scope out some other riding places.