I can't recall a more oppressively hot and humid summer in my nearly 64 years than what we've been experiencing this summer. But there's hope in sight! We'll only be in the 80ºs by Thursday when we ditch these 90º+ days we've been contending with. Our air conditioner never feels better than when I come home from being out on a ride. I'm also learning to love cool (bordering on cold) showers!
When I had our home built in 1992, my brother installed a state-of-the-art security system that still serves us well today. I don't actually worry all that much about people breaking into our home but we've added another layer of security in the form of wireless Eufy security cameras that are set up to monitor all of the entrances to our home. With the help of a neighbor who works for a tech company, we were able to get them at a very reasonable price. They're also a source of good fun for our neighbors to prank us while we're away, such as this past weekend. 🤣
The night vision wasn't able to pick up on what the signs said so for those who may be curious, here you go! We have the best neighbors!
Tammy drove up to Babbitt last weekend to visit with her sister Cindy. They had planned to attend the Blueberry Festival in Ely but a severe storm came through Friday night and totally trashed the many booths of the participants in the event. The festival had to be canceled due to a loss of power and fallen trees and limbs that made it dangerous to continue with the annual event. Here's a short news article about it.
I was also away from home last weekend, attending a memorial service for my uncle Norm who died of complications from the Covid-19 virus nearly one year ago. This was our first chance to all safely gather and pay tribute to him. It was nice to see family and relatives I'd not seen in years. Michigan's Upper Peninsula has a special place in my heart and in my memories from our many vacations there when I was growing up. (Credit to Tracee for the photo of Bern and me.)
I waited out some passing storms Saturday morning before getting on my bike and riding a 91 mile (146 km) loop I'd plotted out that included Military Hill. Military Hill is a landmark section of highway that always has me in awe whenever I drive it, or in this case, ride it. I included a little of it in the video below but the video can't nearly capture the real beauty of it.
I made it out to Wayandotte Hills (now called Omer's Golf Course, Bar, Restaurant & Cabins — I much prefer the name Wayandotte Hills) Sunday evening for two rounds of the 9-hole golf course that I used to love to play as a boy, and still do as an adult. I have so many good memories from my time spent there, with my favorite memory being the time my dad hooked his tee shot into the woods from the 5th tee. After the penalty stroke, he played his 3rd shot from the fairway a little more than 200 yards away from the pin with his 2W (a rare club these days). We looked and looked for his ball but couldn't find it — until one of us sank our putt and found his ball in the bottom of the cup. I'll never forget that!
I got up from laying down after the all-night shift Thursday morning and figured I'd better get a ride in while I could because the forecast wasn't looking so good. The temp was just above 40 with a northeast wind steady at 15 mph under overcast skies. 40 degrees is very reasonable cycling weather but the key is to be somewhat chilled when you start out. Being warm and toasty at the beginning leads to being sweaty, cold and clammy before the ride is over. While putting air in my tires before leaving I could tell that I needed a lighter top layer. I'm glad I made the switch. I loved the ride ( Strava link ) and would like to have gone further but David Crowder was playing at our church and I didn't want to be late getting in line for some good seats as it was general admission. I considered a quick detour by Hosanna on the way home to get a pic of their tour bus but I figured I should really act my age. The concert was worth every penny and better than any of the o...
I skipped out of work a couple hours early today to take advantage of some mild weather. I took the pups for a walk then headed west on my bike putting my heart, lungs, and quads through some paces. It felt so nice to be out there. I'd have stayed out longer but I had to be back to take Rachel to dance class for 5:00. It's possible that today will be the last time I'll have to take her to class if she passes her road test this Thursday. I'd like to have taken some time to hose down my bike. It's full of road salt and that can't be a good thing. Every large vehicle that went past me had a cloud of salt dust trailing in its wake and settling on me. I'll spend some time cleaning it tomorrow and have it ready for a ride on Wednesday after work. Speaking of work—I've been kicking around the idea of bidding on a staff job. Believe me, it's not something I want to do. It's about self-preservation. I want to work another five years to get Rachel thr...
Wow, what a trip. In planning for this ride, I figured I’d have only two weekends this summer when our schedules could come together to give it a go. The first of those two times came and went two weeks ago when a steady north wind kept me grounded. There’s no way I could have gone the distance into the wind, and what I was really hoping for was a stiff southwesterly breeze, but that wasn’t in the cards either. After looking at the wind forecast on Wednesday, I told Tammy that it looked as though we were looking at another no-go. I’d been watching the forecast the previous 5 days, and they consistently said to expect a light wind from the southeast. It wouldn’t be a headwind but wouldn’t be much help either. I came home from work on Thursday morning and looked at the forecast again, but it hadn’t changed. I got a couple hours of sleep, then woke up to work in the yard. Then, I decided I wouldn’t let the lack of a tailwind keep me from going…just so long as it wasn’t a headwind. I tol...
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