Ducks, Limericks & a Rattlesnake named Katie

Some of you may recall how my brain was completely taken over by the need to write limericks about ducks - last year. It was all Knatolee's fault. She began a World Wide Duck Limerick Competition...it ran for years...an exaggeration, but it felt like years. I must have written scores of limericks.

It got so that my brain made a limerick of everything I did, even at the most inappropriate and serious times my brain would suddenly come up with a limerick!

Time passed and I forgot all about the competition, lost my ability to write a limerick. (Thank goodness!) Back to normal. Then a while back I received the wonderful news that I had won the competition and a prize would be winging its way to me!

The other day I found a package awaiting me and this is what was inside - my prizes from Knatolee!

A beautiful hardback book, delightfully illustrated by Knatolee. Young Harry and I have read it twice already. It is set to become a firm favourite. Only one problem, Harry is not at all happy that we don't have rattlesnakes in Owl Wood.

There was also a lovely selection of handmade cards by Knatolee - featuring her ducklings and hens. All wonderful stuff.

Thank you Knatolee. It was fun and your book is stunning!

Check out her wonderful blog here.

Ben Rinnes (4)

My daughter trudges up towards the outcrops of rock at the top of Ben Rinnes. Away to the right the heather fires are still burning. And that eagle is still soaring...
Life has been too busy here lately for much in the way of posting and reading other blogs, and I've just realised that things are about to get even busier over the next week. After that I intend to have a luxurious catch up on all the great photos I've been missing.

Mini-Vacay Amongst the North Coast Redwoods

Hi again! Thought we'd take y'all on a little tour of our roadtrip to Eureka and parts northwest! About an hour into the journey, we spied Mount St. Helena, which is at the north end of the Napa Valley. CHECK OUT that snow on top! (Very rare here, so we get excited about any snow that shows up in the neighborhood-at-large!)

A couple of hours later, we investigated this hollowed-out (giant) redwood tree. In our little slideshow, you'll see our gas-saver little car go through it!

After we left the monster drive-through tree, we took the slow route to Eureka; the "Avenue of the Giants." What a stunning road! After quickly checking into our sleeping quarters, Mom and Dad took us to a really huge, sandy expanse, called Samoa Beach.
It was soooooooooooo great to be able to stretch our legs and bodies out!!!
You can prolly tell that we are having the best time here!
We had lots of bitey/fierce face play!!! The next morning after breakfast, Mom and Pop took us to another, even MORE beautiful (and completely empty) place called Mad River Beach in Arcata. We could see the snow-covered hills from the beach!!!
Hi Ma! Gee this is fun!
And even though we weren't allowed in here, our snooters easily picked up the aromas coming from the Samoa Cookhouse. It's apparently the last place of its kind in Northern Cali, serving a family style meal at tables filled with people you don't know - super friendly and extremely yumzers breakfast (and smells like baking bread and maple syrup when you walk in!) Well... that's what Mom and Dad said, anyway! Then we drove over to the very cool Ferndale - a town loaded with old victorian houses that are beautifully maintained. After gawking at the homes and stores on the main drag, we jetted over to Russ Park, more like a huge redwood forest, and did some hiking.
We sure love the smells and feel of a redwood trail underpaw!!!
Here's a little photoshow to fill in the blanks - please biggify for better viewing!

And we're still having probs. uploading our vids, but you can go here to see the Avenue of the Giants, and here to see us ruffhousing on Samoa Beach and finally, HERE to check out some of Russ Park if you'd like. Although our roadtrip was so short, it was really fun and also incredibly beautiful in a dramatic way; the weather ranged from cooooold, yet sunny on the way there, to rainy with a little sun peeking out on our journey home. We saw some spectacular rainbows!
Have a super weekend!

First Ride of the Year on The Trace

You may wonder what has been happening since not many blog postings. Over the last 2 months, I had a CT scan that showed a mass in my left lung. Eight nights in the hospital for a biopsy - which showed the mass to be lung cancer.

My doctors let me make my trip to the mountain bike festivals - I needed the break. On return, it was more tests (MRI, PET scan, Pulmonary Function) and doctor appointments. We (doctors and I) decided to treat the mass with radiation.

A week of heavy, pin-pointed radiation treatment and all of the trips to the doctors took it toll on me.

The Spring was rainy. When I felt like riding, it was a pavement ride. Today, I decided it was time for this year's first ride on the Wabash Trace. While it was a bit windy (from the North) the temperature was perfect (mid 70s) with filtered sunshine. Parked the car in Silver City.

Mounted the GoPro camera on the handlebars of the mountain bike (my Trek 4300). Since I knew I would be battling the wind on the way back, I rode non-stop from Silver City to 305th Street. Ended up with a little over 40 minutes of video.

My original plan was hoping to make it as far as the Silver Creek Bridge. When I crossed the bridge, I felt pretty good, so continued another mile to 305th. This made the ride 5.5 miles one way. Figured that was plenty for this ride, knowing I will be riding into the wind on the way back.

Shut down the GoPro at 305th and stopped several times on the way back, taking still photos. This gave me time to rest at times on the way back. By the time I got back to Silver City, I was exhausted.

Lots of folks riding their bikes on The Trace today. Don't think I have ever seen so many along this section of the trail. Had to be 20 or more that I met on the trail in my 11 miles ride. Think everyone had the same idea - could not pass up a day like this without spending part of it on a bicycle.

Today's photo was taken about 1/2 mile North of 305th St. The foliage along the trail is very lush, not surprisingly with all of the rain, humidity, and heat over the last couple weeks.

Crank and ... Crank

On Friday, Biker Bob put out a call for a modified Crank and Camp ride. This time, all Crank... no Camp.
The idea was to meet at Blue Line at 7am, then cross the BK Pedestrian Bridge and ride to the Wabash Trace trail head. There we would meet up with some others, where Bob and Phil would ride to Missouri, turn around and head back before calling for a ride. Anyone was welcome to ride as far as they want, but everyone must provide for their own transport home, be it bike or SAG support. Bob and Phil will probably end up doing a 100+ miles before the end of the day.
Roxanne and I rode from home to the Blue Line where we met with Munson and Bob. BLC wasn't open yet, so Munson got some go-juice at Scooter's in the Holiday Inn. We crossed the bridge and headed toward the Wabash Trace. Roxanne and I rode back a ways while Bob and Munson rode on to meet Phil and Rafal.
Fast forward about 14 miles, one mile short of the trailhead. Bob, Munson, Phil and Rafal rode back on the Manawa Trail a ways to meet up with us. After a brief photo shoot, we all rode to the Wabash trailhead, and then about two miles down the gravel. Roxanne and I turned back and Munson joined us. I think Rafal went on to Silver City with Bob and Phil.
After a chatty ride back to downtown (in the rain), Roxanne, Munson and I had lunch at the Blue Line around 10am. Note: BLC isn't really set up for lunch at 10am, so be patient and kind when waiting for your meal that early in the morning.
After a nice lunch filled with more chat, we all headed back home. I think Munson had a full day planned with his fiancée, and Roxanne and I planned to take our daughter and her friend either to the zoo or the Renaissance Faire.
It was a lot of fun to meet up with all of the riders and share some cranks and conversation. I also welcomed the opportunity to introduce Roxanne to everyone. Finally, it was nice to meet Munson in person. We'd corresponded through the blogs mostly, but never talked face to face.
Total mileage for me and Roxanne: 42 miles. Not a bad ride at a time before many had even had lunch.

Nisqually Icecliff

The weather was pretty much perfect on the upper mountain last Thrusday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Clear, cold, and calm. As the attached images will show, the Nisqually Basin routes (Icefall, Cleaver, Icecliff and Chute) all looked pretty good.
Nisqually Icecliff, on Saturday a solo climber successfully climbed the route. This marked the first summit for Mount Rainier in 2006, and a rather significant achievement for the climber, Hannah Carrigan.
Carrigan, headed out towards the Nisqually Basin around dawn, considering both the Icecliff or the Cleaver route. The Cleaver was tempting, but looked thin and icy (particularly near the high traverse up on the Cleaver itself.) The Icecliff also looked hard and thin in places, but doable considering the winter snowload. In the end, she opted for the Icecliff.
Carrigan reported firm snow and ice for much of the route. There were a number of difficult problems to negotiate. One section of the icecliff required commitment to both ice tools while traversing and climbing. Getting across the Bergshrund at the base of the cliff also required technical climbing. One notable comment was that slots, crevasses, and steep sections viewed from below, grew substantially in size once on scene.
After passing the technical secions in the Icecliff, Carrigan then ascended the upper Nisqually Glaciers to the crater rim and Columbia Crest. She reported a number of open crevasses on the upper Nisqually and Ingraham glaciers. Despite the deep snowpack below 10K, there still seems to be some gapping crevasses up high.
Carrigan descended the Gibraltar Ledges back to Camp Muir. An excellent solo journey on a big mountain in the winter, Good Job Hannah!
Gibraltar Ledges, a few climbers have reported STELLAR conditions on this classic Rainier winter route. They stated that the route has more snow and ice than normal. The traverse along the ledge, and chute were particular hard and icy. This makes for excellent climbing, but also increases the difficulty. Climbers should bring pickets AND a few ice screws.
Ingraham Direct, there is some ice going through Cathedral Gap, but nothing too daunting. Once past the Flats, climbers have been ascending the right side of the glacier up to the top the Disappointment Cleaver. Though no teams have summited this route, it looks as though the route does go.

Revival and Survival

Another two-and-one-half inches of rain fell in NW Austin over the weekend, barely budging the lake levels but giving a good drenching to yards and gardens. A few pepper plants make buds in the vegetable plot and a few radish seeds have sprouted, but I didn't plant a fall crop of tomatoes, just left a couple of survivors in the ground. There's enough sun for them in early spring before the leaves come out on the pecan, but it's too shady now. Philo and I are working on a post about lawn equipment we're testing but thunderstorms are in the forecast and we need a dry spell to proceed. Until then we'll enjoy what has revived and rebounded The Passion flower in the Secret Garden revived and traveled 12-feet from the trellis to open blooms where the variegated privet background could make it look even gaudier.
Some plants endured the normal heat and drought of previous years but didn't survive this year- our twisted willow is no more.
The Sweet Lavender died not from lack of water but from girdled roots going round and round in heavy clay soil
A solid band of Lambs Ears is now a solid band of empty dirt. My guess is that they died from baking in afternoon sun rather than lack of water.
Here's the reason I think so - the Lambs Ears survived in open shade near the outer edges of the pecan tree's canopy
The given-up-for-dead clematis by the back door was only resting! This photo could be in better focus, but it's the first time my camera ever captured the variations in color that these flowers display as they open, expand, and fade. Is this clematis dark red, red-violet or purple? Yes.
On the patio a mysterious little plant bought in early June has finally shown what it can do. The smudged and faded name on the pot appeared to say 'Duranta Blue' skullcap. Assuming it was either a variation on our native scutellarias or one of the fancy new hybrids, I nearly killed it by giving it full sun, then luckily figured out it needed a larger container in part shade. Eventually I found the ID online - not 'Duranta Blue', but Scutellaria indica 'Dorota Blue', a groundcover for part shade. Dorota is Dorothy in Polish - I knew a few Dorothys back in Illinois and am quite taken with the name.
Dorota is not showy - but in closeup the blue of her flowers is intense.
Robin/Get Grounded recently showed us her garden and wondered what survived for other Austin gardeners. In the back all the cupheas lived and so did the hummingbird sage. The roses looked crummy but didn't die. The peach tree is on its last legs but the crepe myrtles are fine. The front central garden lost a few salvias, but most of the dreadful-looking salvias endured, along with Rosa mutabilis, Yellow Bulbine, Phlox sublata, Flame Acanthus, a lilac-colored lantana from Robin, Black foot Daisies and gaura. In other beds the Iris look ratty but live on. So far the monarda and Lycoris are no-shows, but the rest of the bed looks wonderful right now - partly from rain and partly because the Divas of the Dirt were here.
I'm totally in love with my Mutabilis rose! If I ever get cute little business cards this photo is going on them.
In the area along the back wall of the house the Meyer's Lemon has grown and held onto a few lemons. Next to the lemon the Brugmansia - Yellow Angel's Trumpet is putting on quite a show. Morning sun rather than afternoon sun makes all the difference.

The same morning sun, reflective white wall and afternoon shade encouraged the dwarf pomegranate to produce 2 fruits! The standard tree in the Secret Garden has yet to make one.

History

After a late night Saturday night I was chasing a shorter ride yesterday, just 117km. Since Springbrook road is still closed after a landslide, I decided to do the old Numinbah Valley ride the old way, via Advancetown lake. There was another detour required, through Latimers Crossing Road, because the road over Hinze Dam is also closed (as it has been since 2006). Still, it was pleasant, but the real attraction started on the old Nerang-Murwillumbah Road near the lake.

The road twists and turns, climbs and descents sharply by the lakeside in the shadow of the Beechmont Range. I should take this route more often, or perhaps I shouldn't. A causeway has been named Shingles Creek since I was last here, I was wondering if Swine Flu was going to be next. Still, the headwind slowed me down much more than any illness would have done. Numinbah Valley is like a funnel when the southerly wind blows, intensifying the wind speed to three times what it is anywhere else in the area.

At the southern end, the valley flattens out, then climbs gradually, revealing spectacular views of Springbrook to the East, and Lamington National Park to the west, while climbing through rolling greenery. When the southerly blows, it's virtually impossible to feel the climb, but the scenery compensates. Just a few kilometres before the NSW border, the Natural Arch can be visited, or at least it could be if it were not also closed. It seems "closure" is the order of the day, but not in a legal sense. It gave me something to ponder as I crested the Macpherson range, and descended into the Tweed Valley.

Change of plans I

The plan on Christmas Eve was to clock up another 180km through Mebbin National Park, to the south of Uki. Things all started straight forward enough, as I headed south through Urliup and Murwillumbah, noting as I went that the streams around Urliup hadn't yet reached the heights that the rain suggested they might (this came two days later from what I've been told), and navigating a rather pleasant southerly wind that blew in my face and kept temperatures down to something pleasant. It was after food and sunscreen at Uki that things became more interesting.

The Tweed Shire Council have just spent an inordinate amount of money (and well over six months of time) 'upgrading' a stretch of road just south of Clarrie Hall Dam. I wouldn't normally note this, but it seems to have upset some of the locals. First a rather aggressive dog decided to chase me when probably 99% of them don't bother. I threw an imaginary "rock" at him, and he hesitated for long enough for me to make an escape. Shortly after this, I had another confrontation with the infamous Uki Bomber. Just why a magpie would have a go at someone at this time of year is beyond me, but for some reason it happened here. It was then that I decided I would do the old Tweed Valley Circuit, taking in the dirt roads out to the Pinnacle and through to Tyalgum, rather than deal with this crap all over again on the way home.


This ride turned out to be extremely pleasant in and of itself. Today I had good reason to make the most of it, after recently hearing of the council's plans to build a large dam in the area, which, I understand will see most of the route I now take flooded. The council it seems have already started removing some of the old hippie cottages that gave this area it's unique character, and it really seems to be a waste of time. Instead of trying to build more dams to cope with overpopulation (something that people strangely see as a virtue), they should be requiring water tanks to be build with new dwellings. It would most likely be a lot cheaper, and a lot more effective in the long term. Despite this rather annoying thought, I did manage to enjoy the ride, and commenced the descent to the area around Tyalgum, and The Pinnacle.



The detour out to the Pinnacle has replaced the side trip to Stokers Siding I used to do on this route for extra kilometres, and in my view, it's quite a bit more pleasant. On days like this, of course, any route that travels near the mountains will throw up all sorts of shapes that might not be seen on less cloudy days. The ride into and out of Tyalgum is quite hilly, with two note-worthy climbs to be navigated between Tyalgum and Chillingham. I was still feeling quite good at this stage, so I just ground them out at a steady rhythm, and headed back toward Murwillumbah, for the final stretch over Tomewin, and home.
The easterly wind picked up here, and I expected this to slow me down on the stretch toward Murwillumbah, but for some reason I got though this faster than I expected, maybe the numbers on the road signs overstate the distance here. The climb up Tomewin was made easier than I had planned because of the drenching, cooling and fresh rain that fell here. Although the height of this pass is a modest 355 metres, the clouds totally obscured any views of the surrounding coast and lowlands that might have been visible up here. Still, rainforest at the top here is particularly pleasant on days like this one.
All that was left now was the final stretch home along the coast after the descent. This was made easier by a tailwind that helped me get through suburbia a little quicker. All up, it was a very fulfilling 175km, and just what I needed as a diversion from the madness and insanity that generally represents this time of year. Bring on the next one.