My Weekend

I went for a little ride this weekend, I call it a "city ride" since we never really left the Valley. My preference would be to ride, ride, ride away from the city, but until I learn to ride my own, I take what I can get. I am grateful for the sunny days and the wind in my hair, it makes me a better me. The weather was perfect, it was a beautiful day. There was a minor mishap during the day and as far as know, each rider is ok.

It breaks my heart to learn that a long time riding friend named John has been in an accident while traveling in Nevada and California. John is the kind of rider who put over 400,000 miles on his current BMW. John has ridden more miles than I could ever hope to ride in my lifetime. He always wore his protective gear, which I imagine helped save his life. John has a broken neck, a broken wrist and a lot bruising. John is a good man, one of the best I have met in my life. Please pray for John's recovery.

2/4/2010 - update on John. Surgery on the neck bones was a success with no neurological damage. The bones were repaired with no fusing, meaning he'll have full movement of his neck when he is healed. He has one wrist in a cast, and another wrist is swollen. His daughters are taking him home to Illinois for a couple months, then he will return to his home in Phoenix. We love you John. You watched our backs for a long time, now it's our turn to watch yours. Blessings to John's friend Burk who was in this same accident.

A few photos from my ride:

30 or so of my friends, I'm the one in black leather =D


A new acquaintance, standing: Jason. I don't recall the woman's name who is sitting on his bike. The bike is a 2009 Royal Enfield. He says the bike is a conversation starter, and that I believe, it worked for me. Jason is a walking, talking miracle, he was hit head-on while riding his motorcycle by a car not too long ago.


My ride for the day, Paul.


Paul and I and Paul's bike. I don't care for this seat configuration... it's a little like um... bird watching on a high perch? But Paul's bike is not lacking for get-up 'n go. I will always prefer my seat on PJ's Road King, that is the most comfy place for me to be.


Paul's very gracious, sweet, kind, insightful wife: Dayle. Dayle was part of that minor mishap I mentioned. She's in my thoughts and prayers for physical and emotional strength. I know the bike can be repaired. She was our ride leader Saturday, everyone simply had to follow the pink hat.


While I'm rambling about love and caring... my friend Karen. This one I love for her smarts and her audacity.


We have a friend from Alaska here for winter... this is Andy. Andy rides the Harley-Davidson Fat Boy behind me.


Andy (right, Marine's jacket) and Phoenix's iconic Shamrock Farms sign.


This is Mira. I think she's adorable and always has the best hair, I don't know how she does it. She's under five feet tall and has done everything in her power to make that bike fit her.


Just a scenery shot riding through West Phoenix.

PS - this was my last ride with Dayle. I will treasure this day always.

Some Dogs Have All The Luck

I want one of these - Harley-Davidson with a side car:

So that my girl can ride with me sporting her doggles:

Hiking Lake Pleasant, Cottonwood Wash

Today Mr. Bosseh-Pants, Cierra and I hiked Cottonwood Wash at Lake Pleasant. We hiked about four miles. It was a beautiful day, it rained very lightly on us at the end of the hike. Cierra had a lot of fun.

Rocks. There were so many neat-o rocks:








The beginning of our hike:

A look at Lake Pleasant.


The trail. The recent rain has green fuzzy grasses growing.








See the red rock? Cierra carried that for a while.


Cierra still has her red rock.


Show-offs.


Petroglyphs.

















Cierra's BAR (big ass rock).


Chilomeniscus Stramineus - Variable Sandsnake.
(The snake had died in a small water puddle).


After the hike, Cierra naps with her stuffie.

Anagnorisis and Peripeteia

Mike Rowe, the host of "Dirty Jobs," tells some compelling (and horrifying) real-life job stories. Listen for his insights and observations about the nature of hard work, and how it’s been unjustifiably degraded in society today.

[Pause the MUSIC, on the right ---> Then play the movie].


"...these are the people that I work with every single day... but I also start to talk about some of the other things I got wrong, some of the other notions of work that I have just been assuming are sacrosanct and they're not. People with dirty jobs are happier than you think... I'm just telling you they're balanced people who do unthinkable work. Road kill picker uppers whistle while they work, I swear to god, I did it with them. They've got this amazing sort of symmetry to their life and I see it over and over again..."

Mud, mud, mud! Glorious mud!

I took the dogs out to play in the mud... we had no trouble finding mud behind the dam... we had so much fun!

Cierra and Charge, fairly clean - for the moment...


A look at the water behind the dam.


I don't know if this dam has a name, I think it's part of the Waddell dam system from Lake Pleasant?


It was a beautiful day, about 63 degrees, the clouds are reflected on the muddy water.


Muddy dogs.


My furry little princess had sooooo much fun in the mud.


Cierra in the mud... I was equally muddy...


Westwing Mountain.


Shark bait swims...


And swims...


And swims back...


And says "Charge, come on in, the water's fine!".


Charge and Cierra. Charge is our foster boy, he is still going through some training and hasn't earned his off-leash freedom yet.


My muddy girl.


Is it muddy enough here? We had way too much fun.


Headed back up the hill, a lot of the road is washed out.


Shark bait see's something.


At the top of the hill, we pause for a picture.


Cierra and Charge.


Oh, seriously, you two look at the camera!


Charge, Me, and Cierra. Cierra is distracted by the shiny thing on the ground. Charge is maintaining his sit nicely though.

[Pause the MUSIC, on the right ---> Then play the movie].


On YouTube: Play In The Mud Day