Tour Divide

We'll start with the few pictures I did take. Yea, I'm a littleembarrassed by the lack of pictures in general. To undertake such a massively epic and beautiful endeavor and not really document it, is kinda silly. Though any extra bits of effort kinda went out the window. Generalhygiene, picture taking and bikemaintenancekinda slowed to a crawl. Eating and riding took over as the primary functions. Its all still like foie gras in my brain and the regurgitation of brain film to decipherable thought is still taking place. That's 2 of the big 3. Stay riveted to your bar stools, church pews and inflatable furniture, I'll have a semi-legible report together soon.

Echo Reunion Photos

I have been spending rainy days working on the web site pages for the Echo Reunion. Burning the DVD of photos for attendees is on the "To Do" list.
Photos of the reunion functions are now on my web site. I am still writing verbiage for the pages. Also still working on the pages of my "tourist" stops on the way to and from the reunion. Finally, there will be the reports of my bicycle rides and trails during the trip.
Here's the link to the reunion report and photos... http://www.tomwinfield.com/vietnam/echo/echo-10.html

Pancake Cove Sunset

Here's last night's bitter cold sunset right out in front of our house on Grand Portage Bay. This little circular "cove" has been forming in the ice over the past several days. Up until yesterday morning it was just water in the cove, it hadn't yet filled with ice. After 24 hours of temperatures well below zero, the cove was suddenly filled with sheets of ice commonly referred to as "pancake ice". I thought I would name this little temporary ice cove "Pancake Cove". Last night at sunset these were separate sheets of ice, but this morning after another night of temps approaching 20 below zero, these cakes are now almost completely frozen solid. That's one of the things I love most about winter on Lake Superior... things change every day and often look completely different just from one sunset to the following sunrise!

Indulging our inner salmon

Here's something we have in common with salmon: We've been in all kinds of wonderful water, but every year we return to the tiny little pool where our love for paddling hatched.
OK, we stretched that metaphor to death. But how else can you explain our affection for the dinky little pool where the Chicago Whitewater Association (CWA) teaches 10-week classes every winter and spring?
We began as students about seven years ago. That's where we learned to roll and to control our boats. We gradually became assistants, helping set up gates and move gear. Now we're able to teach rolling and strokes to a new cohort of kayak enthusiasts and help on the club's teaching trips every spring on the DuPage, Vermillion and Wolf Rivers.
Last night was the final spring pool class in Oak Park--the night of the slalom, in which students are challenged to run through a series of gates, sometimes forward and sometimes backwards, as a test of their new-found paddling skills.
John Karch explains the slalom rules: Run all the gates once--some forwards, some backwards-- and do a roll or a 360-degree spin at the end before repeating the course once more. Each time you hit a gate, five seconds are added to your time.
People get very nervous, but they're also very supportive of one another. There's a lot of cheering when someone clears a gate, and groaning when they tap one with their boat or paddle.
Bret manages to clear a gate, using his kayak limbo skills.
After the instructors run the course, we take down the gates, haul out the boats and go out for pizza. We'll see one another again in a few weeks, when we embark on the first of the river trips.
Mike gives the slalom race two thumbs up. Next stop: actual moving water!

Recycling (2)

The epic 'redd oot' (clearing out) in our household has coincided with a strike of the city's refuse collectors. It's not cause and effect, I hasten to add. The solution was a visit to one of Edinburgh's recycling centres (known locally and less politically correctly as 'the dump'). We had already taken furniture to the Bethany Christian Trust the previous weekend, so for this trip we were left with the normal household recycling that isn't being collected just now, and rather too many bags for landfill.
I'd never been to the dump before, and it was a revelation. I loved it! There are stations for offloading still-working electrical goods, and furniture. There's a station for chemical disposal, and since the European Union has banned many commonly used UK garden pesticides this should be well used. I'm sure it's not. Then there's a series of bays for different categories of waste: solid wood, laminates, cardboard, garden waste and of course landfill. Containers for different colours of glass are further along, together with bins for paper, plastic, aluminium, clothes and shoes. (You can tell I'm enthralled by all of this). I didn't see anything for battery recycling - we're not very good at this in the UK. It was one of the happiest moments of the summer for me - a guilty pleasure, as I flung black bags into containers destined for landfill. Now that I know the array of possibilities, I'll do more pre-sorting next time, so that less goes into landfill. And there will be a next time - we haven't even started on the loft yet.

Along one edge of the 'facility' is this carefully tended garden. Bright annuals, hanging baskets, tomato plants, various ornaments and statues, topped off by tiki torches. I would love to visit at dusk when the torches are lit. Perhaps the bistro tables will come out then, and a barbecue. I'll have to time my next visit carefully.

Making a Difference in the World

"Anything you do from the soulful self will help lighten the burdens of the world. Anything. You have no idea what the smallest word, the tiniest generosity, can cause to be set in motion....Mend the part of the world that is within your reach." Clarissa Pinkola Estes
I want to take these words to heart. I need to quit looking for the bigger thing to do. I know in my own life that the things that have made the biggest impacts on my life have been the small things; a word said in passing that shook my world, a kind smile that eased my aching heart, a quick touch on the hand that said, "I care about you"....such small things can have a big effect on the heart for good.
Today I want to do small things for my loved ones and strangers alike. I want to live mindfully and deliberately, and by lightening someone else's load, I'll bring more joy into my own life.

Spring on the Wabash Trace

Almost perfect weekend for biking. Yesterday I rode the road bike from Wabash Trace trailhead to Western Historic Trails Center (and back). Wanted to get a couple miles to top over 14,000 miles since I started cycling in July 2005. Mission Accomplished.
Today was a beautiful Spring day for a ride on the Wabash Trace. It was the first ride on the Trace this year. Sunny, slight breeze from the South, and pushing 80 degrees. Yes, 80 degrees in late March!
Was good to get off the pavement and ride the hardtail (Trek 4300). Been a while since I rode that bike. It was outfitted with platform pedals and studded tires for the winter. That was not needed with my winter trips and the mild winter.
Headed south from Silver City. Rode as far as Silver Creek Bridge. By the time I was there, I could feel that my legs might rebel because of the fat, knobby tires and softer trail surface. Add to that this was the third ride in a row. Think they need a day off.
First think I noticed that there has been horses down the trail. They are not supposed to be on that section of the Trace. (Only allowed on the dirt trail that parallels the old railroad bed and then between CB and Mineola). Another rider I met said the horses cam down the trail about 3 weeks ago.
The trail is mostly clear except for branches partially out into the trail surface. The rider I talked with also mentioned to me that the mile marked 393 had been pulled out and dropped on the other side of the trail. Others had reset the sign (including concrete) into the hole left there. Can't understand why folks would such vandalism.

Gatlinburg

Nice relaxing day today. Has vacation finally kicked in? Slept until 9:30 am. Beautiful day again, about 59 degrees, cloudy. No rain.

Bob got up and ran nine miles through Gatlinburg and part way on the Sugarlands Visitors Center Trail. I went online, read magazines, ate breakfast.

After Bob got back and got ready to go out, he told me he had planned the day. We drove through Gatlinburg on a side street next to a creek, then parked at the Gatlinburg end of the Gatlinburg to Sugarlands Trail. We walked 2 miles on the riverside trail to the Visitors Center.

Idyllic trail along the river.

I got to go through the museum at my leisure. So interesting to learn all about the local flora and fauna.

Salamanders win for being the most diverse fauna species in the park. The hellbender salamander can grow to 2 feet long! Wow. There are also pygmy salamanders which are about 1" to 1-1/2" long. Tree-climbing foxes, mink, elk, bobcatsand flying squirrels also live in the park, but are not frequently seen.

In the flora department, I was surprisedto learn thata few types of orchids grow in the park. Another surprising fact is that deer, birds andsome other animals eat the berries off poison oak. I then overheard a mother telling her family it's okto eat poison oak berries because the animals eat them. I don't think I'd be eating poison oakberries.

For a long time I've been wanting to buy a National Park (NP) Passport, a book in which you get stamps and stickers from each National Park, National Recreation Area, NationalBattlefield, etc. Today I bought a NP Passport in the gift store. Then I went to theranger and got my first stamp in the bookat Great Smoky Mountains National Park Sugarlands Visitor Center.The beginning of a new hobby starts now--visiting all the national parks, monuments,etc.,to collect stamps and see all that our country has to offer.

From the Visitor Center, we walked back to Gatlinburg on the trail, then had supper at Bennett's BBQ restaurant. I had BBQ beef brisket, corn muffin, coleslaw (outstanding) and green beans (way overcooked). Bob ate hickory-smoked BBQ chicken, BBQ beans (yummy), and potato salad.

After dinner we walked downtown Gatlinburg to look at all the tourist attractions. Notice I said "look," not "do." The crowds had left after the weekend, so we had the place pretty much to ourselves. We bought some postcards, a souvenir, and then went back to the timeshare.

Gatlinburg, TN at dusk.

Touristy Gatlinburg--evening lights coming on.

We are now eating Great Smoky Mountains National Park Extra Rich Milk Chocolate and drinking Biltmore Limited Release Chenin Blanc...a great combination. We both highly recommend it. LOL.

Tomorrow and Friday are supposed to be VERY rainy. Time to do museums and car tours.

Tomorrow, our plan is set. Up at 6:00 am, eat oranges, buckwheat pancakes and fried eggs, then drive to Oak Ridge, TN, the home of the "World War II Manhattan Project." First will be a tour of the museum to learn about the production of the first atomic bomb and invention of the nuclear reactor. We will go the Convention and Visitor Center to pick up a copy of a 38-mile Oak Ridge Self-Guided Motor Tour, then drive the tour.

After we finish at Oak Ridge, we plan a drive to Cumberland Gap National Historic Park to see the visitor center and learn some more history. Then we will drive back to Gatlinburg.A long day of history is the plan!

Travel Bug out.

R&R at BRRP

Saturday, April 7

Back to the BRRP Saturday post, which was pre-empted by the Easter bunny :-) … and also the fact that I had yet to process photos.

Woke up to 34F (1C) and a raging headache, which could have been the after effect of yesterday’s debacle with the levelers.  More likely, though, it was a light migraine, which I’m plagued with occasionally.  Once the meds kicked in, I was raring to go, but by then we were settled into our routine at BRRP, so we decided to spend the day at home instead.

Our mid-morning walk around the campground was surprisingly quiet.  In fact, I’m amazed at how many sites are still unoccupied this Easter weekend.  The FHU loop is reasonably well occupied, but the sites on the other loops are all but empty.  The cabins are all booked, though.  Perhaps it’s the cool temps that are keeping people away.  We reached 61F (16C) in the late afternoon.  However, the warmth of the sunshine was heavily tempered by the light, but near-constant breeze.

After our walk, we handled a few simple chores that took just minutes each to accomplish.  The replacement water pump Mui ordered arrived last week.  Since our existing pump has decided to come back to life, we’re going to keep the new one as a back up for now.  In the meantime, a lo-tech solution should keep the worst of any accidental spray/seepage from the water hose off the pump’s persnickety electrical connections.

A snip here and a snip there to fit it over the pipes, and we have an inexpensive pump cover.

A few weeks ago, we bought a table-top ironing board.  After looking around for a good place to store it, we decided the best solution would be to install a hook on the back wall of the closet where we have some dead space.

Now you see it; now you don’t!
When it’s not needed, the canvas shelves in the closet will hide the ironing board.

And finally, Mui installed one of those magnetic knife holders on the side wall next to the kitchen sink.  I’m not comfortable using the holder for its intended purpose — there’s just something about having knives on that thing while the motorhome is bouncing along the freeway that doesn’t sit well with me.  However, it will come in handy to hold less-lethal utensils.  We’ll bring the butcher block knife set we have at home when we move into the coach permanently.  It can be placed in the sink when we’re on the move.

Not for knives, but it will be good for ladles and serving spoons and whatnot.

With the chores for this week completed, we grabbed a bite to eat at the picnic table on our site.  The temps were a bit on the cool side, but we put on an extra layer for comfort and enjoyed eating under a blue canopy filled with sunshine.  Afterwards, we threw down the rug we bought to use under our tent shelter, unfurled the awning, and set out our comfy chairs.  Time for R&R.  The immediate area around the coach is covered by our CradlePoint wi-fi signal, so we soon had our laptops out to catch up on our web browsing.  In fact, it was a perfect set up for me to finish yesterday’s blog post and get a head start on today’s post.

Sorry, no photos of us sitting outside this afternoon — I was too deep into my R&R to even think about the camera, but here’s a scene from earlier in the day when I was contemplating retirement and what it has in store for us.

This was the scene overhead as I sat contemplating retirement.

Following an early evening ramble around the campground loops, we returned to the Phaeton and set about preparing dinner.  We had hoped to eat our grilled halibut dinner at the picnic table, but it was just too chilly to sit outside once the sun withdrew the warmth of its rays from our site.  That’s OK; we’ll see if we can find somewhere fun to have a picnic lunch Sunday to make up for having to eat inside this evening.  Speaking of which, I’d better scout out some trail/park suggestions to discuss with Mui at breakfast.

24 Hours of Smack N Cheese

One, two, three and to the fo.
Mac and cheese are at the do.
Ready to make an entrance, so back on up.
Cause you know we bout to rip shit up.

Gimme the bike first, so I can bust like a bubble.
Macs and cheeses together, now you know you in trouble.
Ain't nothin but a mom & dad thang, baaaaabay.
Four loced out p's and we're craaaaazay.
24 hours is the thang that paaaaays me.

Unfadable, so please don't try to fade this [hell yeah].
Its like this and like that and like this and uhhuh.

Its like this and like that and like this and uhhuh.

Its like this and like that and like this and uhhuh.

Its like this and like that and like this and uhhuh.

Its like this and like that and like this and uhhuh.

Well I'm peepin, and I'm creepin, and I'm creep-in.

Now its time for me to make my impression felt.
So sit back, relax, and strap on your seat belt.


You never been on a ride like this befo.

And I'm a continue to put the rap down, put the mack down.
And if your racers talk shit, I have ta put the smack down.
Yeah, and ya don't stop.
When I'm on the bike, its like a cookie, they all crumble.
Try to get close, and your butt'll get smacked.
My mac-n-cheese homie doggy dogg has my back.

I told you I'm just like a clock when I tick and I tock.
But I'm never off, always on, til the break dawn.

So jus chill, til the next episode.
... I'm too tired write anything of substance. Maybe tomorrow I'll post more about the tequilla shots and the broken chain and Jenny having to run 2 miles and the anxious sandy single track dreams and all the ugly ruts in the trail and the beer and seeing Marian and Gianni and Sweet Cheeks and the 30 mile an hour winds that flicked me off the bike and Morgan dozing off while driving home and thank god for bot dots and blah, blah, blah.


some lyrics by Dr. Dre & Snoop Dogg
some pics by mr. le Mans (mr. Feix)
some pics by me and some by morgan