Scone Heaven

Wednesday afternoon I had a friend over for tea. Laurel brought her three older boys over for me to keep. She was planning on getting groceries and doing other errands. But as soon as she walked in the door and smelled the scones baking, she sat down for tea and didn't leave; which was fine by me. All three of us had a good visit while the children played outside.
All except for Thing 4 who helped his mommy lick the bowl. These scones are the best I've had anywhere including England and Scotland. High praise indeed! Here's the recipe in case you want to eat the best scone ever.
CURRANT SCONESMakes 8 sconesPreheat over to 375
Combine in a large bowl: 2 3/4 all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup sugar, 2 t. baking powder, and 1/2 t. salt. Blend in 12 T. unsalted butter, cold, cut into small cubes. I use salted butter. Blend in with your fingers, smashing cubes into flour until it resembles coarse corn meal.
Add 1 cup dried currants. You can also add 1 T. orange or lemon zest. I never have since I'm too lazy to go to all that trouble. I bet it'd be good, though.
Add 1 cup cold, heavy cream. I only had 1/2 a cup, so I added it plus 1/2 cup milk. Whipping cream can be used too. Blend with your hands just until blended.
Knead and pat dough into a circle about 1/2 an inch thick, cut into wedges, and transfer to a baking sheet, spacing 2" apart.
Blend one egg with 1 T. water. Brush with egg and water mixture, then sprinkle with sugar. Don't neglect this part. It makes the scones shiny and crunchy on the outside. Bake 25-30 mins. or until golden brown.
Serve with real, homemade whipped cream. No Redi-Whip please. And forget about Kool-Whip. That would be a sacrilege. Add a little red currant jam on top too. You'll think you'd died and gone to heaven. Really. They're that good. We sure were doing some moaning and groaning!
Note: To make whipped cream. Buy a 8 oz. carton of whipping cream, pour into a mixer with 1-3 T. of sugar, depending on the sweetness you desire, and whip until stiff. This can be stored in the refrigerator for several days. It's yummy in hot tea or coffee too.

Pinehurst

Ozzie's Tale

MEOW! Yeah, I know the rain's pummeling the patio, but I would appreciate it if something would get this door open, because I'm going to get out somehow.
It may take a couple of minutes to break outta here, so I thought I'd give you the short version about my appearance here! About four years ago, when I was a couple of months shy of my first birthday, my original person left town for about a month. She'd been leaving me home alone a lot with only a bowl or two of kibble left outside. Other creatures would steal it natch, so I got hungry. I was totally an outdoors cat then and lived about five blocks away from my current peeps and big sis.
Okay... pretty please let me out. No? Alright. I'll continue. I started wandering the neighborhoods around here to find food. I'm extremely good at catching all things furred or feathered, but I was sick of that. I wanted a warm place to curl up once in a while. I narrowed my choices down to four places which should become my new home. I made this place my new crib, with daily visits to Birgitta, three doors up from mine, where I get dancing lessons and other fun stuff. I have a warm bed here right near the heating, great food (which I only eat part of, of course) and in exchange, I bring lots of pressies to my folks that I leave on their doorstep. Mom and Dad can tell I've been happily busy with creative and difficult endeavors while they've been gone. And they do pick up all my leavings too, so I know they appreciate my gifts.
A promise is a promise.
Rain's letting up.
Here's my excellent but rare smile... Whew... I'm outta here!
Love,Ozzie

Las Trampas Cascade

Cascade, Las Trampas, originally uploaded by ParsecTraveller.

One of the multiple cascades to be found along an unnamed creek in Las Trampas. There are still colorful red leaves on the ground from fall...and spring is here!

Tanasi Trails and Cherohala Skyway

Yesterday was a long day. Unfortunately, a somewhat disappointing day.
SORBA (Southeast Off-Road Bicycle Organization) Chattanooga Chapter rode the Tanasi Trail System. My plan was to ride with them. I met a couple of the members (and President Jeffrey Schaarschmidt. While waiting to drive to the trails, Jeffrey discussed the local trails systems and expansion plans.
When we got to the Ocoee Whitewater Center, we joined up with addition SORBA members. There is a $3 parking fee at the Center, which is in the Cherokee National Forest. The Center was a venue for the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.
Talking with the members and the trails, they advised me its about a mile+ climb until the trail settles out as rollercoasters. I started the climb ahead of the group. Soon the passed me. In the photo here is at the Bear Paw Loop intersection.
On up the trail I went walking my bike. Sometimes the trail leveled out and I was able to pedal a little. Anyway, after almost a half hour. we reached the other trails. At this time, I was beat. it was time to head down to the car and spend the rest of the day on a driving tour.
Thanks Jeffrey and the SORBA members for putting up with me. It was a pleasure meeting with you. Happy Trails.
Stopped around the car to take some photos of whitewater rafting groups. From there, time to drive up to Tellico Plains and the Cherahala Skyway. Stopped at the Visitor's Center and some lunch at the TelliCafe. I are at the cafe as recommended. Food was very good, service could be better. Basically disappeared during eating my meal (when i wanted some more water).

Anyway, on to the Skyway. At the visitors center, I found out that Hwy 129 is closed in one section. So, there was not chance i would be able drive to Robbinsville and then up the Tails of the Dragon and then north to I-75. just ride the Skyway and return or down to Chattanooga past the Whitewater Center.
While contemplating this, I drove. Saw that Bald River Falls is only 6 miles off the Skyway. Glad I did because the falls was the highlight of the drive.
There were a LOT of bicycles on the Skyway. Even saw a "caution - bicycle" sign. At one of the rest stops, I asked about it. Its the Ride the Sky tour. A century ride - ALL hills. Lots of 9% grades.
The rest of the drive along the Skyway was uneventful. The scenery, I called "underwhelming".
Never even made it into Robbinsville. Turned around a little after the Skyway ended. Headed back the same way. From Tellico Plains, found the most direct, fastest way back to Chattanooga. Back at the motel a little after 7pm.

Race Season is Off and Running

The Psycowpath mountain bike racing season kicked off this morning with the Maskenthine XC Classic. Tired of winter, shaking off cabin fever, over 100 riders took to the trails.
The weather was windy, cool in the morning, and with hazy sunshine (but compared to last year season opener - who could complain). The trail was in good Spring riding condition. There were a couple of soft, damp spots.
The race was hosted by the Elkhorn Valley Cycling Club. One racers won a KHS singlespeed bike (compliments of Cleveland Bike & Sports of Norfolk).
As usual, yours truly was busy photographing the races. Once the nearly 400 shots are processed, they will be on my web site (or a link will be on my web site).
On the way home, I was able to do some PR work. At the West Point McD, a guy stopped to chat. He is a mountain biker but had not raced in some years. He directed me to Wilderness Park in West Point - it now has hiking trails. They could be upgraded to mountain bike trails.
In Bennington, at a convenience store, the Manager talked with me. A friend had showed him Tranquility Park - he had had no idea idea we had such trails. Gave him my card, suggesting that he check out the T.H.O.R. web site. Guess it was the Bike Masters jersey and Iowa ball cap!
A busy, enjoyable, productive day.

Spring on the Beaver River

I took a drive to Duluth today and along the way saw a lot of incredible fog-filled views which were a result of overnight and morning rainfall. The best view by far was this one of the Beaver River. As we drove across the Highway 61 bridge that spans the river I made a quick glance upstream and my jaw dropped when I saw all the fog over the river. After we crossed the bridge I couldn't resist pulling over and parking the truck so I could walk back out on the bridge and make a few photos of this beautiful scene.

How to make it rain

Install drip irrigation.

Lehigh Trail

The Lehigh Trail is in Flagler County, Florida. A Rails-2-Trails corridor. I rode the trail this morning because there was a local bike shop (PC Bike) ride. Turn-out was a little space - likely because of the holidays.
Three of us rode the trail end-s-end. My riding companions had ridden from other parts of the area for the ride. I had driven to the Graham Swamp trailhead and rode the 1/2 mile to the Lehigh Trail trailhead.
We stated at Colbert Road and rode the 7 miles to US 1. With just 3 of us riding, the pace was a little faster than "leisurely". Most of the ride was at 13-14 mph. Got my heart rate up and worked up a sweat.
Of course it was not hard to work up a sweat this morning. It was in the 70s when we were on the trail - on December 21st!
When we turned around to return, I told the guys to not wait for me - I likely would be stopping to take photos. Got a couple that could be considered for a future calendar.
After the ride, I stopped in at the bike shop. Picked up a new helment 9mine has been getting pretty bad) and a Trails Guide for the area.
Thanks for the ride, Sam & Patrick. Watch for more info on trails in the aea.

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!!!