Blog for CD trip

We are getting down to the wire on preparations for the Continental Divide trip. Tonight everything will be packed and weighed to make sure it meets airlines requirements.

The man who invited DH to go along went on a trip from Turkey to China two years ago. He set up a blog about it and plans to do the same for this trip. So to follow DH's adventure look at this site. Right now it just has the last trip on it. But that is interesting in itself.

http://www.dantmoore3.com

I asked DH what my reward would be for helping with all the preparations. A coworker told him, "She gets two weeks away from you."

West Virginia trip

The view from the deck of our host's home.
This is what I saw as I had my morning coffee.

The group is ready to roll.

Unfortunately there was a breakdown. The bike was placed on a "jack" for diagnosis.

Do you think they will figure out what is wrong?

Three supervisors and two workers!
The verdict- the front wheel bearing is gone. It had to be towed.

The rest of the group continued on the ride but the rider of the disabled bike was able to repair the bike and join us the next day.

All riders returned home safely.

A new chapter in my life

Monday I notified the Board of Directors of Faith in Action that I would be resigning from the board at the end of this year. I have been involved for over 10 years so am looking forward to spending my time doing other things. But, I have a hard time quitting everything. I am thinking, that I should at least be on a committee or something. I will need to give that some serious thought. I will be sitting on the back of a motorcycle for the next three days. In addition to looking at the beautiful scenery between here and the Monongahela National Forest in West Virginia I should have time for contemplative thinking about how I want to spend my time. de-I, can you meditate on a motorcycle? I could take a nap on the Goldwing, but we are not riding the Goldwing. This one does not wrap around you as much.

More of the CD trip preparations

I have spend the better part of two days sewing webbing unto plastic clasps that will be used to hold bags on the bike for DH on the Continental Divide trip. He never just buys things- always has to make them. Why? I guess he thinks they are then custom made for his purpose. I was going to say to save money, but with the cost of the supplies and my time we did not save anything. I asked him the question, "Why?" He said, "If I buy things, I modified it anyway to make it better." Always the engineer! :) As an aside, I have always said there should be a support group for spouses of engineers.

For the trip he made a pillow out of foam so it would be really small. I get to make the pillow case. I already made an extra fly to put on top of the tent in case it snows. Yuck, better him than me. It is rather funny because he is such a freeze baby. I am really excited for him. This should be quite an adventure.

Biker decorating

We were invited to a cookout at a friend's house on Sunday. Here are a few pictures of his lawn art and how he has decorated his house. DH really likes the bath room, especially the handle bars above the toilet. And yes, the motorcycle is in the front hall of the house. I may not invite K (whose house it is) over to help with decorating.


I finally was able to plant my darling little tomato plants that I have been babying for weeks. I planted them yesterday and then-- last night we had a frost warning so I had to go out in the dark (actually DH held the flash light) and put a bucket over each one. I am happy to report they survived and the weather forecast looks promising from now on.

Movie fans

For some fun, look at this. How many of these have you seen?

http://www.justpressplay.net/movies/movie-news/4846-todays-short-q100-movies-100-quotes-100-numbersq.html

Enjoy

May 2nd visit from MD family

The reason for the visit. The star of the show. Note the dinosaur coordinated outfit.
He is making a fashion statement already.

We had dinner outside even though it was a bit cool.
Note: no sandals or shorts are being worn.

He is getting his first lecture on quantum physics.
Note the level of interest he is showing.

The Au Pair from France knows babies should be outdoors to toughen them up.

I love my woods

When I walk out in my woods, I do not want to come back to the house. I know, some of these pictures may look like last year's but they are not. In addition to the flowers, I saw a little creature. I was going to move a log so I could get across a muddy spot easier and saw the snail.

My son-in- law loves creatures, large and small. So the picture of the snail is for him. I don't have a picture (hope to soon) of another exciting wild life. DH and I were taking a motorcycle ride on country roads yesterday and came upon several cars stopped at the side of the road. People were looking through binoculars and let us use them. We were able to see a bald eagle which has a nest there. This is within 10 miles of our house. I hope to take the tripod and camp out there to get some pictures.

Continental Divide trip preparations

The Continental Divide trip that DH is planning for June is a primary focus at our house. He is modifying/adding things to his bike and choosing gear for camping and to carry what he needs on the motorcycle. The frame that is pictured will be used to attach bags on the side of the bike. It is specially formed for the bike (which means it took a week to make).


He has a new tent, sleeping bag (mummy shaped) and a pad that goes under the sleeping bag. Of course he had to find out if it is comfortable, thus the living room pictures. Yes, he did sleep in it for a couple nights. My guess is that there will be no TV on the trail.





They will be riding within 50 miles of the actual Continental Divide. There are a lot of rock covered dirt roads, and some highway riding. The trip is from the Mexican border to the Canadian border. Hopefully there will be good pictures for blog material. His bike will be shipped to New Mexico so it must be ready this weekend.

Color all around

Gold Finches feeding on the feeder given to me by my friend from the UK.

Can you smell the lilacs? These have a very faint fragrance.

I know these don't rival the tulips from the Netherlands, but I am happy.