What is a Blog

So I just finished reading my husbands blog "Bike Rides and Meanderings" He has such a way with words, a way of describing things so that the reader is actually there and can join his bike ride. My blog, well if you can even call it blogging, turns out to be a list of facts. A list of facts that my kind sister reads, right now she is my faithful audience, lol.

It is a warm night tonight, our windows are open and a number of small gnats have managed to find their way in. As I slap at another I muse out loud, "why are bugs drawn to light anyway?" Without missing a beat my husband responds, "because they are descendants of Icarus." See how does he come up with these things! I lists facts and wonder at the mundane. He looks around and easily reflects a picture of words, overlooks the ordinary and makes it interesting.

It seems I can think of so many things to say while riding my two wheels, maybe its just too late and I should call it a night. Tomorrow I shall try again!

Wyoming, Grand Tetons

The Grand Tetons!

The first night we took a short easy ride through Antelope flats. A heard of Bison were grazing next to the road, one was rolling around in the dirt. They lazily watched as we road next to them. After they were out of site Trin and I dared each other to sprint back to the car at the speed of a Bison. LOL, we barely reached the 35mph, but didn't keep it up for long.

We spent the next day on the RKO trail. It is an old gravel road that cuts between the Tetons and Snake River - breathtaking views! We didn't see another soul the entire ride!


Grassy Lake Road:
The following day we headed out onto Grassy Lake Road, an old Indian trail between the Tetons and Yellowstone Natl Park. We saw a number of bear tracks, but no bear sightings. We met two other riders who were ridding the Great Divide. The started at the Mexican border and were headed to Canada.

The further we progressed the more snow we were encountering. We ended up turning around due to the amount of snow still remaining. We felt like wimps until we saw that the Great Divide riders turned around as well. We felt much better. If they couldn't make it! Of course we later saw them doing an elevation climb in Yellowstone, OK, we are still wimps. Riders like that keep the bar high, always more to achieve.

SD Black Hills

Mickelson Trail
We loved the Mickelson Trail through the black hills of South Dakota. We only rode about 50 miles of the Mickelson trail, but thoroughly enjoyed it!











Wind Cave
At Wind cave we got in line and purchased tickets for one of the three main tour options through the cave. Then we noticed a "wild cave tour" An option of following a guide through a "unmaintained" portion of the cave. It warned that participants should be under a certain size, be in good physical condition, be ready to climb and get filthy. This sounded like fun! Luck for us there were two spots left that day. We returned our tickets then went back to the car to put old shirts long sleeved shirts on. No cameras, phones, keys etc allowed. We geared up with the required knee pads, gloves, flashlights, and helmets! It was a fun interesting way to see the cave.

Mammoth Site in Hot Springs:

Elephants are one of my favorites so a stop at the Mammoth archaeological dig was a must!






Scenic Drives

Two scenic corkscrew roads not to miss!

Iron Mountain: Each tunnel on this road had a nice view of the carvings on Mt. Rushmore

Needles Road: This road wound through some excellent rock formations.















Hells Canyon
Driving out of South Dakota in the evening we stopped by a scenic turnout. There we noticed a small single track. The sign said it was only 5mi. Why not, we quickly changed unloaded the bikes and headed out. Unfortunately we didn't complete the entire trail as darkness fell very quickly. By the time we got back to the car we were following the trail with flashlights. We also found our clothes covered with ticks!!! We took them off as quick as possible shook them out and tied them tight in a plastic bag to be washed later. After scanning for ticks on each other we got dressed and headed down the road. Thankfully this was a very remote trail and no one else was around! It was a fun pit stop.

South Dakota

We traveled miles and miles across the flats of South Dakota. Billboards continually reminded us that we would soon be at Wall Drug where they offer free ice water, or that we would soon be near the world’s only corn palace! Then in the middle of this never ending plain we seen an announcement for a scenic overlook, we both looked at each other and laughed – its flat land as far as the eye could see – or so we thought! The landscape suddenly dropped before us revealing a beautiful valley – it was gorgeous!

In this valley we stopped at Casey’s noted as having the “Perfect burger” - according to Readers Digest. The burger was good, but the service was great. A lot of restaurants will charge you extra to split a meal, and only if you ask will they bring a separate plate. Here they cut the burger for us and brought the meal out on two plates without us even asking. It’s the little things that count. The waitress was very friendly! I enjoy good service and am at the point in my life where I will pay extra for it. I’m not rich, but I’m no longer so poor that I scrape ice off the bedroom wall in the winter either. When that was the case, I sometimes had to put up with poor service as the best price was an absolute must. Now that I’m comfortable, I won’t do business with business rude people. Life is too short to throw dollars at mean people. If possible I’m a customer to those who hire employees with people skills and pleasant personalities. They deserve a little extra and a good tip.

The best part of this road trip so far is just being free and enjoying this life with my husband. South Dakota, flat open country, big sky, green grass, open space, grazing cattle (which for some reason my husband and I have taken to the habit of making mooooing sounds each time we pass a heard). A comfortable car, long flat roads, and a thoughtful, kind, selfless man in the seat next to me, contentment and freedom!

Chicago Biking

First Stop, Chicago

We spent the afternoon riding along the Lakefront trail in Chicago. This was a beautiful way to see the city.

The route is an easy ride through parks along the Lake Michigan. We ended the day with a great meal from Isla Pilipina - EXCELLENT food!

Lancaster County Tour

Lancaster a beautiful place to ride!

Lancaster has a great bike club web site with directions for numerous scenic rides for all experience types.

May 24, 2008
We took a "Short Ride to Intercourse" . Yes, that is the name of the ride - and the local town!

May 25th, 2008
We took the "Covered Bridge Metric Century" With a few scenic wrong turns we ended up with a 68 mile ride.

May 26th, 2008
"Mount Joy Jaunt" offers hill top views and flowing wheat fields.

Pine Creek Rail Trail

Getting in a few miles!!
Day 1
Yesterday Trin and I biked from Jersey Shore, PA to Wellsboro, PA on the Pine Creek Rail Trail. It was a beautiful day and the trail is gorgeous.

There is a nice parking area in Jersey Shore. Since the bike bridge over the highway is complete it’s a great place to start.

We began the day with a flat tire, but Trin's new Co2 inflator was excellent!!

This trail is tranquil, lush, and teaming with wildlife. The miles go by easily.

There is a convenience store in Waterville where we stopped for lunch. Further down the trail we filled up our water bottles between Camel and Slate Run. The taste of an under ground spring just can't be found at the store.

Day 2

The rain began before we left this morning. It was a bit cold so we stopped in Blackwell to put yesterdays clothes on as well. We stayed warm as long as we kept riding, but the drizzle continued for 50 miles. My rain coat ripped but yesterdays blown tire made for a very functional belt, if you don't mind a spare tire around the waist!

We stopped in Slate Run at Wolfes General Store. The food was excellent - best turkey on multi-grain I've had. They invited us in to drip on the floor and track in mud so that we could warm up. Really nice people!

I would definitely recommend this trail!!!