Hayward, Wisconsin

Was a long day on the road today. Did not getting much sleep last night, so ended up very tired this evening.

Weather was decent most of the drive. Started getting some strong winds from the South in southern Minnesota. Speed really slowed once i got off the Interstate. Picked up tourist booklets/brochures when I crossed into Minnesota and Wisconsin.

Checked in my motel - Riverside Motel - in Hayward. Previous times, i had been staying at the Super 8, but that has cnaged hands. So, figured I might as well check a local motel, specially as its less expensive! (about $20 a night cheaper). Nice, large, old motel room. Has a microwave, mini-fridge, and coffee pot! And, of course, free Wi-Fi.

Napped for a little then headed up to OO Trailhead for registration. Got that business done, visited with Hansi (IMBA region director). Too tired to ride this afternoon - would likely end ho crashing - so left the bikes at the motel. Knew I was too tired to hang around for the meet and greet this evening, so headed back to the motel.

Storm clouds were gathering over Hayward Lake. Today's photo was taken from the patio of the motel. Soone, it was raining. Time for me to get some dinner.

Was looking forward to eating at the Angry Minnow. They support the festival and has had some good food. This evening, I was disappointed. Three years ago, I had a great pork tenderloin and fries. Two years ago, they had good burgers and the tenderloin sandwich was thicker and smaller (not as good).

This evening, I saw that they have very trimmed the menu. Three fancy burger, avacado, or sunny-side egg, or some other concoction. I opted with the plain cheddar burger (1/4 #) with fries. The only offer burgers cooked medium. A order of fries is size of 2-3 normal orders - and cost $3.00! Not impressed and let the server that I was disappointed with the changes. Next time, I will pass on food at the Angry Minnow.

Bed time. I am exhausted and have a little headache.

My Grandma's Quilt

Even though it was in the high 90's last week, I slept with a quilt on top of my sheet, blanket, and bedspread.  I had some kind of stomach bug and couldn't get warm enough.
Now this particular quilt was one made by my maternal Grandma.  I loved that woman like no other; still do even though she's been gone for several years now.
I had never seen this quilt until my Mama called one day and asked Laurel if she wanted something of Grandma's.  Of course she said yes!  That something turned out to be a 1930's feedsack quilt. I was quickly filled with envy. " I loved Grandma best, so I should have it!  She practically raised me, you know. "  I think I startled Laurel by my vehemence.  I REALLY wanted that quilt.
Well, I told her I'd trade her one of my Mama's (her Mee Maw's) quilts for my Grandma's quilt.  I showed her about four different ones, and of course she picked out my favorite; a new quilt made from old feedsacks.  "Well.......I don't know about that one."  
So we're at a standoff.  But they are both still at my house, and doesn't possession count for something?  I told her she'd get them when I died anyway.  She can fight over them with her baby sister.  I'm so mean!  

Mercedes Livestock Show

Decided to head on down to the Livestock Show at the Mercedes Livestock Arena

We start out at the Chainsaw CarvingAt this point Gary guesses a dolphinI was thinking maybe a Goat or RamNow it's becoming more obvious from this angleYep - it's a horse



We wander into one of the Exhibit Halls . . . . and find BBQ'sTexans take their BBQ very seriously!



The thought of BBQ makes us hungry!How about something from a Texas Size Griddle?Texas Size Ice Cream might be good. . .But we opt for a Baked Potato stuffed with Brisket - now what for dessert?It's hard to eat without a knife!

Oh Yeah! The Livestock!











There were some interesting ridesTraveling Shows

and of course the Lumber Jacks!






Next door was the slingshot rideand last but not least the greased pig wrestling


Meanwhile we keep on Trek'n Melissa & Gary

Unsung hero

Fresh from some serious hill climbing on Saturday, there was nothing to do but go looking for more on Sunday. A quick way to get some of that action around here is to line up the old Springbrook/Numinbah/Tomewin circuit. It was, of course, always going to be an interesting exercise coming a day after the Beechmont explorer, but things went surprisingly well, and my legs had surprisingly few complaints after the first 30km.

What was different about this, however, was the light rain falling on most of the passes, that made the views difficult to see and virtually impossible to photograph. Of course, rain is nothing new to me, and so it didn't present any difficulty. Instead, it presented an opportunity to appreciate some of the sights in the valleys that I might normally overlook. Things like the fresh streams flowing down from the mist shrouded mountains, and the seemingly eternal greenery surrounding them. Maybe I should try to find a day like this for such a ride in the springtime, when there might be a few flowers around, but for today I was happy to just appreciate what I had.

Petroglyph National Monument

After the ride i had yesterday, I needed a day off the bike. After breakfast (Denny's on San Antonio and I-25 - food was cool, particularly the sausage), and a couple tasks in the room, I headed for Petroglyph National Monument. Sounded like a good day to walk some trails.
Stopped at the Visitor's Center for info. From the Visitor's Center it was a mile drive down to Rinconada Canyon. The hike up the canyon is 1 1/4 miles one way. Take your time and look around, The pamphlet about the canyon highlights some of the petroglyphs. There are many more. If you just look for the highlighted one, you will miss a lot.
There is a easier way back - down almost the center of the canyon. Not as much climbing on that trail.
Still have some time and hiking legs left - so decided to drive up to Piedras Marcadas Canyon. This is the northern most section of the Park. The hiking trail is a little over 1/2 mile.
This canyon has many more petroglyphs. But, they are a bit further away from the trail. Many of the photos I took on this trail were taken using the telephoto zoom. That introduced in some movement while shooting the 3 HDR exposures. It looks that came out pretty good, but I would like to hike that trail again with my tripod.
Anticipating that I may come back to that trail, I turned around, heading back to the car, before I reached the last numbered (highlighted) petroglyph.
Back at the motel - soon to plan this evening's activities. Today's photo is a petroglyph in Rinconada Canyon.

Frustration

Tomorrow it will be two weeks since I was able to get out in the dirt. Last week, it was rainy most of the week. Trails were just about drying out when I headed to Wisconsin.
Here, it was been raining every day. Thursday I was able to get on the County North Shore Trail - Kenosha & Racine. Rode from my Mom's apartment to Racine (about 7 miles). The trail is crushed limestone. Trail surface was soft and standing water in spots. It is still a pretty good trail - once you get out of the cities.
Wanted to ride some singletrack - Petrifying Springs Park was closed for flooding, and threatening weather before I could drive to Bong State Park.
So, I headed on to Belgium Wisc. This morning I made a short rode ride with my hosts - 5.3 miles. That ride just made me want some DIRT!
Planned to ride in the Kettle Moriane State Park - about 30 miles away. Checked the web site. That said the trails are open - but the last update of trail conditions was on May 13th - 3 weeks old! The web site DID say trails in the area should dry out in 4-6 hours after rain.
Called the state park inquiring as to trail conditions at the Greenbush Trail area. When I called at 8:55, they had no idea, nor could they tell me when they could report on the conditions. They said they should be ridable, but was not sure.
When I got to the Long Lake entrance, they had no idea if the trails are open. She did call, and advised me that the trails were not ridable from the rains. Back 30 miles.
What was the problem with the Office at Mauthe Lake (which I had called). They should have been able to call the Ranger (or tell me to wait until after 9am when the Ranger comes on duty), saving the the gas and time to driver over, just to find the trails are closed. I will be sending in a Guest Comment Card to Wisconsin DNR.

Book Challenges

I'm thinking of taking this challenge beginning in January. The reason I'm hesitating is because I tend not to finish challenges of this sort. I'm a 'have-to-be-in-the-right-mood' type of reader, and just because a book is on a TBR list doesn't mean I'll read it. I'm a little rebellious that way. Makes no sense, I know, especially since I'm the one taking the challenge. No one has a gun to my head making me read.
Here's a challenge I began last January. I made a list of books to read for it and then deviated wildly from it. Oh well, at least I read more Irish books than I would have if I hadn't taken the challenge.

So I think I'll take the classics challenge. You only have to list seven books. I'll think about it and get back to you. The challenge may be in only picking seven!
What challenges are you taking right now; book or otherwise?