Home on the Range 7/24-7/31

In one month's time, we moved Dad from his home in Madras to His new apartment in Spokane. Everything went famously well. We have administrative things to do: Docs, bank, bills, etc., but for the most part, we're finished. He seems happy and at ease and a little amazed. He said, "You're sure doing a lot for a guy you don't like that much." Like I say, "You only get one sperm donor." No miles yet this week. In fact, I'm quite unsettled. I've missed two straight days of doing the form. Needless to say, the emotions are pinging like beer pong balls.

I decided to take the Eagle down to Harrison for a couple nights. I spent the night  Tuesday at. PYC. In the morning I headed down lake. I sailed for about two hours. It was bliss, but the wind died near Black Rock. I got to Harrison around eleven-thirty. I ate lunch and then I rode to Plummer and back (32 miles). I took a swim and now I'm lounging like a lake lizard. Woke up rested, ate breakfast, did the form, and rode to the Snake Pit and back (68 mi.) now I'm enjoying the good life as the warm sun sets in the West. I motored back Friday morning, got home around noon, and the week was topped off with Dad's 85th birthday. It was the first time I've ever celebrated his birthday with him. Quite fun and an end to a pretty good week.

Last breakfast in Madras.

First breakfast at Harvard Park.

Greg and Tom with the trailer loaded.

Moussaka: Taste bud training.

Edwardo, my GASBBT partner.

Sun down at the lake.

Good morning, lake.

Sail on selfie.

Set the sails; sit back and relax.

Harrison, Idaho.

The Warrior statue at the Plummer trailhead.

A future water color; if only I could paint like God.

The Snake Pit, once house of ill repute, now a nice halfway stop on a 70 miler

Great grampa hugging the princesses.

Life seems ablaze for George.

Fatherhood Training 7/15-7/23

We're moving my 85 year old father into an independent living apartment in Spokane. I'm here now, and life is good. However, my training so far has amounted to less than stellar eating habits (Back to the future), and my first ride will be tomorrow morning. The garage sale was wildly successful. We made nearly two hundred dollars, and most of all, we got rid of several items which means less schlepping to the Thrift Center. On Sunday we tried for a day of rest. We visited Margaret's (Dad's wife of fifty two years, and then we tried to watch golf. Soon, however, we were packing and sorting. I got on the bike Monday morning for 20 miles. A string of spectacular mountains (Mt. Hood, Mt. Jefferson, The Sisters) were shimmering under a bright blue sky. Excellent! Dad's move progresses. By the time my brother arrives with his trailer, the workload will be easy to handle. We're praying for a favorable assessment on the house today because that will insure the sale of his house. Rode another twenty on Tuesday morning. I also arranged for some of Dad's furniture to be picked up. We're also waiting for the asessor's report so we can proceed in the house sale. Pray for a willing heart. Good news! The buyer agrees to take care of the FHA punchlist, which takes us another step toward selling. On a training note, I got in another 20 making 60 for the week. Last night, ( Thurs.) we went to dinner at the Sullivans who have a farm nearby. They are friends of my sister, Judy. Their home is stunning. They have a clear view of all three of the prominent mountains. Dinner was absolutely fabulous and we jibber jabbered until about nine. Today, my wife, brother, and nephew will arrive. Let the chaos begin. The chaos began immediately because Tom didn't bring his trailer. We drove to Redmond and rented a U-Haul. No worries. The packing went well, as did the cleaning. We'll leave as a caravan tomorrow morning after a final bacon and egg breakfast. Still no final word on the house, and there is no sense trying to find solutions to problems you don't yet have. So as training goes, i return to my home grounds tomorrow.

Dad walking the halls as we pack his stuff.

We made $114 today. Five buck Chuck.

Tea?

Dad at Margo's grave.

A couple of working fools.

Christine posing under Mt. Jefferson.

Mt. Hood in the distance.

The Three Sisters in the distance.

I may not be good looking, but I'm looking good.

Art shot from a local farmhouse.

One view from the Sullivan's living room.

Sullivan's view North.

Just spectacular food.

 

Dad, Greg, and Tom resting.

Greg living large.

Tom, making his master packing plan.

Judy ready for action.

Lake Training Week Two 7/14-7/16

Started week two off with 60 miles in 3:51:49 for an average of 15.6. Good ride. Our friends, the Ulmen's, joined us for a couple days of lake training. Wednesday morning we rode the 24 mile loop to the end of the road and back. We spent the rest if the day dock training with an occasional interruption to graze. Just lakin'. Rode 30 miles with Dave and Liz. Judy had gone to get Rod and Karen. Shortly after, my training site changed to Madras where I'll spend the week in famiky training.

On the way back from Nordman.

My favorite view. I beat the squall back to the cabin.

My training lunch. A bit of pork loin, some pickled red onion, and sweet pickle wrapped in a lettuce leaf.

Liz and Dave Ulmen thoroughly engulfed in dock training.

Lake Training 7/6-7/15

In keeping with my pledge to train in only the best places, I've moved the training site to Priest Lake, Noraville to be precise. So far, I've walked eight miles, scampering like a billy goat on the fire roads behind the cabin. I've also done a little dock training. Lakin' requires a certain pace, after all. Back at fire road walking with my best training partner. We trekked 3.5 miles Wed. Early Thurs. morning, I rode north to the end of the paved road and back (24 miles). Friday's training was a little light, just three dirt road miles. Saturday was an early morning run to the end of the pavement and back (24 miles). Good ride, about two hours. This morning, after Wimbleton, we rode 12 miles on the tandem. I cut the training short because Sunday midmorning is the busiest time on the road. It's silly to ride then. Our final day this week, we hiked the hillsides looking for Huckleberries. Found a few; always fun. Training totals this week: 60 bike. 15 miles of woods stomping. LIGET

Hoisington cabin: top spot.

Dock training.

Billy Goat Training.

Miles to go before I sleep.

My buddy on the move.

Half way.

Turn around just short of Lion Head. 

Friday's sunset, the sun ablaze in fire smoke.

Not even Superman could ride safely today.

Huckleberries were scarce, but I found a fair amount if these Mountain Blueberries.

Topped off the week with a Huckleberry Smoothie. Yum!

GASBBT TRAINING 7/1-7/5

In keeping with my pledge to train in only the best places, I did a 20 mile ride this morning that included a relaxing respite at the Rockwood Bakery. The next morning I rode a three mile shakedown fully loaded. It was beneficial because I learned that I don't want to use Judy's panniers. Mechanically, Miss Kitty is smooth and solid. Happy 4th. It feels good to be free. Rode 33 miles down river and back. I'm constantly amazed at the beauty of my training zones. Lucky and Free. What a combo! Rode the Fish Lake Trail from Spokane to Cheney. 47 miles total and even in the wind in the heat of the day, the ride was excellent. Tomorrow, my training site changes to Priest Lake, a place hard to match. I feel good about 102 miles on this section.

A very fine little coffee break.

Christine must step aside today (18 lbs.)

Miss Kitty (60 lbs.)

Aubrey White Parkway. No cars mostly. Very nice.

Part of the Centennial Trail, this parkway offers many whoop de doos.

Deep Creek bridge.

Shadow selfie.

Spokane trail head of the Fish Lake Trail.

One of three exquisite rail trails in our area.

Fish Lake.

The kids loaded and ready to start lakin'.