A Fall Afternoon

This afternoon I sat in the back yard enjoying a cigar and a tasty Clown Shoes Chocolate Sombrero Stout. As the sun went down it cooled off and the squirrels came to visit and scrounge around the bird feeder. They were enjoying seed I had dropped while cleaning and refilling the feeder and leftover homemade focaccia Sharon had put out earlier. I saw one black squirrel which surprised me because while I had seen many of them last winter, I have seen none all through the summer. Do they migrate? Earlier today I had put an old air compressor out at the end of the driveway. When Lee retired it from service I took it on about 10 years ago and it served me well. But it had a slow leak and I had acquired another one to replace it. Someone tracked me down in the back and asked if I was giving it away. I was pleased that someone who would use it found it and it did not end up with as metal scrap. I told them it was old but worked fine but had a slow leak and required 20 amps. They were thrilled.

While I was out enjoying my cigar and stout I finished a book by Don Petterson "Old Man on a Bicycle" - A Ride Across America and How to Realize a More Enjoyable Old Age. A most enjoyable book by a man who has lead a remarkable life. Find it on Kindle!

 

Fall Bike Ride And Veterans Day

A late afternoon ride to a big park in Lombard. They have a nice playground, pool with water slide, disc golfcourse, sledding hill, lots of open space, and a Veterans memorial.

I moved my music related stuff into the newly painted sun room/music room at the front of the house. We have been here for twenty one years and this room has languished as we never decided what to do with it. Last week I pulled everything of the room and called Todd and asked him if his pai ters cou,d strip wallpaper and paint the room. Lee put up crown molding and it was done all for about $1,200. It looks nice and the acoustics are wonderful.

Sunshine and Ukulele Acquisition Syndrome

 

I woke up this morning to sunshine after a few dreary days. It does change and improve my attitude to see sun. This really is one of my issues with Chicago in the winter time - clouds. I can deal with cold better if there is sun to go along with it. I just looked up the stats. On average Chicago gets 189 days a year that are sunny or partly sunny. The numbers are the worst from October through April where Chicago sees sun less than 50% of the time and some months about 30%. Looking at Denver for comparison, it sees the sun 245 days a year. Their worst month is February but even then they have sun over 50% of the month. We are planning two months in Denver in 2016, I'll compare the sun and temperatures and snowfall and report back!

Ukulele Acquisition Syndrome is closely related to Guitar Acquisition Syndrome or Gear Acquisition Syndrome. According to Wikipedia:

Gear Acquisition Syndrome (sometimes Guitar Acquisition Syndrome, both abbreviated to GAS) is a term used to describe an urge to acquire and accumulate lots of gear. This term commonly associated with:

Guitarists (tend to acquire guitars, guitar amplifiers, pedals, effects processors)

Keyboard / synth players (tend to acquire keyboards, synthesizers, samplers, effects units, etc)

Drummers(various drums, percussion, drumsticks)

Audiophiles (amplifiers, headphones, speakers, etc)

Photographers (cameras and its parts - bodies, lens, mounts, filters, flash, etc.)

Bike accessories (racks, lights, fenders, etc.)

The term "GAS" was coined by Walter Becker in 1996 in his article G.A.S. in Guitar Player[1] as "Guitar Acquisition Syndrome". The term started to be frequently used by guitarists and spread out to other musicians who were familiar with similar tendencies. As it no longer concerns guitars only, GAS is now commonly backronym

GAS shouldn't be confused with collection.

I must be serially afflicted because I see in this definition my behavior as it relates to photography, biking, and ukuleles. I also realize I suffer from Information Acquisition Syndrome.

My basement is full of photo equipment dating back to about 1972 and I promise I will wade through it and only keep what I need. My bike has everything it needs, but I can always use new bike shorts or shoes and why not a mountain bike while I am at it? Ukuleles? I've got five and I think I am satisfied. Two sopranos, one koa from Ko'aloha and one plastic from Outdoor Ukulele. Two concerts, a travel Kala and one for home a beautiful Ohana. One tenor from Mainland Ukuleles with a big sound and a low G. Related is the kazoo and the keyboard and a few gadgets and lots of books!

I admit I have a problem. But, the next ukulele is always beautiful or sounds wonderful or.... I can justify all of them, except probably the first one I bought and the last one I bought. My only disappointment is the plastic one from Outdoor Ukulele with a buzzing C string that won't go away.

I suppose this syndrome applies to wine, and cookbooks, and travel, and power tools, and bourbon. I am in trouble.

 

Health

Sharon has been going to Orangetheory fitness for quite some time now, and she is getting more and more fit. I suppose I was jealous and more and more concerned about my fitness and I began looking for ways to up my game. I've been biking regularly for over a year now and know it has helped me but I wanted to step it up. I chose to get a Polar heat rate monitor and focus on heart health. This is one of the keys with Sharon's visits to Orangetheory, they wear heart rate sensors and strive to stay in higher heart rate zone to improve cardiovascular health.

In the month I have been using a heart rate monitor while riding And targeted a maximum heart rate of 152. I can't get there yet because my legs give out too soon! I can however get up to and slightly above 130. I have been able to spend more time at heart rate levels 3 and 4 and I have seen my at rest heart rate fall from about 72 to about 62. My recovery time has improved also. In a short time I have seen visible results for consciously watching my heart rate as I exercise.

I am still enjoying my rides, getting in about three a week. I have been sticking with the Illinois Prairie Path going either east or west from Glen Ellyn. I can get on the path within two blocks of the house and simply have to decide which way to turn onto the Prairie Path. The crushed limestone surface means more rolling resistance than on pavement, dust when it is dry, and wet cement when it is wet, but in general it is good to ride on. There are the occasional asshat riders going too fast and not announcing when they are passing, and those that ignore cross traffic, and those that ride two or three abreast. But, the majority of riders and walkers and runners share the path with courtesy.

Plegable Bicicleta de Ciudad

I've been considering a bicycle for Sitges and finally decided to look at the bargain alternative, Carrefour. They are the Target/Walmart of many countries. I found a bicycle at their website that seemed to not suck. Today I took the Monbus to the big shopping mall on Gran Via in Barcelona to check out their bikes.
First part of the. adventure, I asked the bus driver if she was heading to Gran Via, she replied "Avinguda?" I replied "Si" before I fully understood her, but I did finally figure it out. When we got there I was day dreaming. The driver stopped, opened the door, and when I did not get off, got out of her seat and came back to rouse me! I realized where I was gave her many thanks, and then got off the bus. Thank you Monbus driver!

At Carrerfour they did not have the bike I wanted, but the only folding they had was their €139 20" City bike. I checked it out, folded it, rode it up and down the aisle in the store and decided for the price, it did not suck. I added a lock, a helmet, a couple of tools, and was out the door with tax for under €200. Out of the mall I rode to the bus stop, folded the bike, and put it on the Monbus when it came. Easy. In Sitges I got it off the bus. unfolded it, and rode back to the piso.

While at Carrefour I partially returned the bus driver favor. There were two Chinese guys in line in front of me. Their Spanish was worse than mine and the cashier was trying to explain her need for identification. I understood her and told then in English they needed ID. They told the cashier, in English, that their passports were at the hotel. I said to the cashier "No passport." She pointed them to an ATM all was good.

Katie and Jorge and I had lunch at La Concha, delicious. Then I had a nap and then went for a bike ride. Rough day.

Sitges - Day Nine

Sunday. Sleep late, have some coffee and chocolate croissants at Cafe Roy, then house cleaning! Aliza and Mary took the train this morning heading to Sant Sadurní d'Anoia for a tour at Freixinet. Katie and Jason and I picked up the piso, swept, mopped floors, did laundry, shopped for dinner, and generally kept ourselves busy.

Early this afternoon I headed out to the store for a couple of items and discovered a crowd at the Cap de Ville. They were about to start building a human tower - a castell so I went back to the piso to get Jason and Katie and we all went to watch. This was a first for me, never seen this done in person and it is a wonderful experience. I've got a couple of videos but I can't get them on the blog quite yet but, you can see them on Facebook. They build from base of men, both their regulars and volunteers, to a tower of progressively smaller people down to small girls at the top. They are certainly good at climbing!

This morning I picked up some sole for dinner tonight. The shop lady, peixater, cleaned them for me at the shop. I have never seen a flat fish cleaned and I was transfixed, she made it look so easy. I still had to fillet them myself and I have never done a flat fish before. I'm an expert now. Our dinner was the sole in a lemon sauce, patatas bravas, and salad and bread and a tasty rosé from Raventos. It turned out great. I used the fish carcasses to make fish stock which became the base for my sauce. I sauteed some onion in butter, added stock and white wine reduced, and finished with limon. Tasty. I do enjoy cooking.

After our dinner we all pretty much crashed. Around 6:30 I went for a walk and ended up at the church and found a concert inside - an organist and a soprano. A very pleasant surprise.

Got the video thing figured out. Have to upload to YouTube then link via Blogsy.

 

Sitges - Day Three

We are establishing a routine. Get up have coffee. Go to Cafe Roy. Walk, shop, talk, veg, have lunch, walk, shop, veg, read, drink, talk, sleep. This morning I introduced Jason to the AeroPress and he took to it immediately. Jason Soler is now our morning barrista. I walked down to the beach and watched the world go by and photogrphed what appealed to me. One of the best experiences of the morning was the violinist at the end of the pier. I enjoyed listening to him practice and enjoyed grabbing a few images. I was beautiful out there this morning. I wandered through town on the way back to the piso and as I was coming in the door two smiling ladies were going out. Aliza and Mary were going to the Barcelona Airport to pick up their bags. They were very happy knowing where they were and were taking no chances on delivery.

Katie and Jason and I went to the store for a few items and of course more wine. We picked up a couple of Dueros and a bottle of Cava. Then Jason headed for the beach. At about 2:30 Aliza and Mary showed up dragging their bags very happily. We then went down to San Sebastian for a lovely lunch. We all did a little afternoon shopping and met at the piso. It is now 8:49 and we are reading and sipping wine - except for Jason and Mary who have both given up for the day and me typing away on this blog. In a bit we will have olives and jamon and bread and perhaps a little salad followed by a bite of turron.

No plans for tomorrow, but Wednesday will be a trip to Sagrada Familia and lunch at Osmosis. Thursday is Saint Jordi day and we will celebrate that in Sitges. Until tomorrow! Buenos noches.

 

 

Places and Things I Dislike...and Like

The entire corridor from Provo to Salt Lake City. Omaha at rush hour. Boulder/Denver at rush hour.

The Interstate Highway system is really awesome. Thanks Ike. We couldn't do it today. Eastern Oregon along Route 20 is beautiful. Southwestern Idaho and Southwestern Wyoming are great to drive through and take in.

Being on the way home is nice, but as the traffic picks up the number of rude drivers does too.

Biking in Boulder is wonderful. And, my new bike is too.

 

2610

Since my last blog post I've driven 2610 miles and I am now sitting at John and Kristie's house in Redmond Oregon. I've been to and stayed in Lincoln Nebraska and Estes Park Colorado Boulder Colorado and Moab Utah and Ontario Oregon and Redmond Oregon. Along the way I have hiked in Rocky Mountain National Park and biked in Boulder Colorado and driven through and hiked Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park. Details to follow!

The photos below were all taken in Canyonlands and Arches. Wow.

 

What No Pictures?

The blog has been lacking in photographs lately. Here are some from my ride today.

 

Adjustments

Tomorrow willl mark one week since my final cataract surgery. I am still adjusting to life without glasses and contacts. Most evening I have an urge to remove my contact lenses and then realize I don't have contacts.in my eyes. When I wake during the middle of the night before I get up I reach for the night table for my glasses and then realize they are no longer there.

I am seeing better and more confidently each day post surgery. An example, I am writing this on my iPad on my portable keyboard. I can clearly read the text on the iPad screen and clearly see the keys on the keyboard without reading glasses. Oh, I do find myself putting on reading glasses when I do not need to. A habit I will need to break. I don't want my eyes to get lazy.

Tomorrow I see Dr. Sarkos and hopefully she will tell me I do not need to wear the eye shield at night and I can cut back on the three eye drops I am using. I also will ask for a recommentation on a eye drop for lubrication. My left eye sometimes feels as if I have something in it, though Dr. Lindenmuth says there is nothing there. Perhaps just a lubricating drop from time to time will make that feeling go away.

Yesterday I was back on my bike on both the Illinois Prairie Path and the Great Western Trail. Glen Ellyn to Elmhurst on the Prairie Path then up to the Great Western Trail from Villa Park to Lombard, then back to the Prairie Path to Glen Ellyn. Just under 14 miles. Next step 20. I did create bicycle problems for myself yesterday. I decided to "Slime" my tubes to prevent flats. The front tire went well but not the back. The tire valve remover tool that came with the Slime broke in the valve of the back tube and I could not get it out. I finally had to pay a visit to the downtown Glen Ellyn bike shop for a replacment tube. I now have a Slimed tube in the front tire and a new tube in the back tire and half a bottle of leftover Slime. I suppose the experience was good for me in several ways. It is possible that the stubborn valve was defective and would have failed wile I was riding and I would have been walking. I found my old tire levers in one of my tool boxes and got to use them to replace a tube. And, I got practice in repairing bicycle tires!

Last night I considered my route on this year's road trip. After spending the weekend with Lee and Peg and Sharon in Estes Park and then two more nights with Sharon in Boulder I head to Redmond. I decided to visit Moab, Utah and Arches National Park on the way. I will have one day to beautiful scenery and mountain driving from Boulder to Moab on Interstate 70. That will give me an afternoon and evening at Arches. Then the next day will be all driving with a target of Ontario, Oregon. I'll to a little sight seeing on the way as I will pass by the Great Salt Lake. From Ontario to Redmond will be an easy half day of driving.

Random Observations

Today as I was sitting in a doctor's office waiting for an exam it occurred to me that never have I avoided seeing a doctor because I was concerned about the cost. I do know that some people do not see doctors because of the cost of care and that has never been a concern of mine. Now, most of my life I have been covered by health insurance but even in those few times when I had a lapse of coverage, health needs have come first. I suppose I am luck or blessed in this regard because many people have not had this luxury.
Tomorrow I have my second cataract surgery. This time on my right eye. I am apprehensive but I don't believe that I am as nervous as I was the first time. I do have high hopes for the results of the surgery and hope I can read and use my phone and iPad soon without any corrective lenses.
Colorado and beyond. I am planning another road trip this year. First stop Estes Park, Colorado. Lee and I will be driving to Estes Park on August 6 where we will meet Sharon and Peg. Sharon has been spending lots of time in Boulder at the Boulder School District and she and Peg planned a few days of hiking around Rocky Mountain National Park. Peg is flying in on a Thursday evening and Lee and I are scheduled to get there the same day. After a few days in Estes Park, Lee and Peg will fly home to Chicago and Sharon and I will spend a couple of days in Boulder together. While she is working I can get a few loads of laundry done for both of us and explore Boulder.Then, I will head to Redmond to spend a couple of weeks with my grand kids, and son and daughter-in-law and ex daughter-in-law. I will head towards Glen Ellyn on September 2 after Avery starts school. Sharon will fly to Boulder and spend Labor Day weekend with us. I plan on stopping to see Mt. Rushmore on the return trip. I have managed to ignore Mt. Rushmore during a number of trips past it. This time I will stop for a visit as I did Devil's Tower a couple of years ago. I hope to find a few other attractions/distractions on my way to and from Oregon.
Kids on bicycles are to be feared on the Prairie Path. It matters not whether they are four or fourteen, watch out for them as they are unpredictable. Adults are much better - as long as they on on the street or on the bike path. Let them get on a sidewalk and be very afraid as they seem to forget that they cannot simply ride acros the intersection without stopping or looking. I did find the official Illinois "Bicycle Rules of the Road." Of course they are like rules for motor vehicles - most people simply ignore them.

Biking

Almost a month ago I decided to get back on my bicycle and get some exercise. I've worked up from once a week to twice a week. From about five miles to about twelve. In fact, my time to do twelve miles this week was about the same as doing five my first week. I am feeling stronger and I have dropped a few pounds. Now to see if I can keep it up. I need to lose 40 pounds before our next trip to Spain so that Sharon will let me wear a Speedo.

I've been going east and west from Glen Ellyn on the Prairie Path. Going west I go to and beyond Wheaton. Going east I have gone past Hwy 83 and Salt Creek to Elmhurst. They are both interesting rides and each very different. West is mostly along the Union Pacific tracks with lots of train action. East is mostly through residential areas. The people I see on the Prairie Path are much the same, but downtown Glen Ellyn seems to have more unsupervised children. Of course there are also unsupervised adults who need to be curbed. It seems a big portion of the bicycling population, both adults and children, were never properly taught the basics of riding. They ride on the wrong side of the road or path. They ride on sidewalks. They ignore traffic rules. They assume that if they are on a sidewalk they have the same rights as pedestrians. As someone who is largely a rules follower, I find this behaviour aggravating.

My next adventures will extend past the Prairie Path. North along the Great Western Trail and south to some of the Forest Preserve sites along Butterfield Road and beyond.