DAY 31-32- Bike Ride, Museum, & Family...

DAY 31- A Bike Ride and Logging Museum...


Photo- Bike path in Klamath Falls near where bike paths meet.

It was beautiful blue skies with not a cloud in the sky and the temp had risen to mid-50’s; as I jumped on my bike to explore the Klamath Falls area a second time.  I will say that Oregon in general is a very bike friendly state.  I was finding that the area of Klamath Falls was holding true to that rule too.

Klamath Falls has 2 main paved bike paths; one that goes along the city’s canal for about 6 miles and another that goes through the heart of the city and out to a small town called Olene.  The 2 paths meet at a bridge where they form an “X” and they make quite a bit of the city accessible via these paths.  There are sidewalks from various neighborhoods that meet up to the path and there are even other short paths that go into other parks or neighborhoods.  All of these path ways are reclaimed areas where the railroad used to be.  There are even additional unpaved trails that spread out from these two paths and if you had something other than a road bike, like me, you could go for miles and miles on this system of trails and paths.    

Photo- The Amtrak Station in Klamath Falls.

There are also quite a few street areas that have painted bike lanes in them too.  While trying to find where the second path started, I happened upon the Klamath Falls Amtrak Station.  I thought that was rather interesting that there was a station here.  But I guess there is a fair amount of tourist business that goes to nearby Crater Lake and commuters from the surrounding areas that use the train.

Photo- A big yard with a big garden along bike path.

Photo- A duck in the canal along bike path.

As I rode along both of these paths, I noticed all kinds of things.  There are a mix of big yards with gardens, ducks on the canal, schools, city swimming pools, farms, warehouses, RV resorts, lumber yards, nice neighborhoods and not so nice neighborhoods.  You almost felt like you were in the country in some areas even though you were only a ½ block away.

Later on, I went to the Collier State Park Logging Museum.  It’s about 40 miles north of Klamath Falls on Hwy 97. (Crater Lake’s south entrance is about 65 miles north of Klamath Falls.)  This museum is more of an outdoor display than the typical standard museum.  During the height of the summer they have state park employees that do demonstrations and give more guided tours of the area.  Well, as per my luck, I was two weeks late for all of that.  So I opted to borrow a map from the state park employee who was manning the information/gift shop and do my own self-guided tour.

Photo- Used to be drawn by horses and used to transport logs down the mountainside.

Photo- One of the first Caterpillars.

Photo- AND the $64,000 question is.... What's a RIP SNORTER?

The museum is set up with the history of logging in Oregon which started in the late 1860’s.  Logging in the late 1860’s consisted of hand tools and wagon-like vehicles where horses were used.  There were all kinds of examples of these items outside under pavilions.  Then, near the turn of the century steam came into being and steam-powered engine orientated machinery came into use.  These pieces of machinery were larger and were generally sitting out in the open.  Next, it was the combustible engine and the logging industry progressed on into our current time.  Most of these pieces were out in the open and on display. 

Photo- A restored original cabin of what the first loggers would have lived in.

There was also a cabin village area to show how most of the men would live while they were logging.  Most of these cabins were one room, with dirt floors, and hew from logs.  They were generally about 10’ x 14’ with a slanted roof.  It was a very interesting place to visit and it was just a very pretty day out.  It was nice just to be out enjoying it.

DAY 32—A Day Off and Family…

I know, I know… I had just taken off another day off just a few days ago and come on it can’t be that hard to be on a basically permanent vacation.  What’s up with that??!?  Well, I did need to catch up with some laundry, try to rearrange the inside of my car, and I wanted to do a bit of painting too; plus, I wanted to hang out some more with my Aunt Lindy too.   I managed to get a couple of paintings done and laundry got done too.  I hung out the whole day with Aunt Lindy and that was nice too.  It was a productive day. 

Photo- "Tickled Pink Shoppe"; Watercolor on 9" x 12" paper.
Based on shop I photoed in Portownsend, WA.

But let me say one thing about family; I think that there are more characteristics than just hair color, eye color, and general appearance that get passed on in a family.  What I’m alluding to is that I am now convinced that the genetic makeup for the open-mouth-insert-foot disease definitely runs in my family. Not that that’s bad but I noticed my family has a tendency to speak our minds and sometimes it’s not the most “Politically Correct” way of stating things.  I guess you could say that it’s probably a good thing that no one in the family is into running for political office because they would definitely be up that creek with no paddle and a ten foot wave coming at them.  But I will say that this same “disease” is part of the reason that makes me so dearly love my family too.  Sometimes, I think that it’s the small idiosyncrasies that make people, relationships and families so interesting; and thus, makes life very interesting too.  

DAYs- 10 and 11 on the BIG Adventure...

DAY 10

I took off late about 11AM-ish after yesterday’s La Conner experience I was trying to think more like an “islander”.  I drove north again heading off of Whigby Island and through Fidalgo Island; over the Big Bridge and taking a left to go further north on the “mainland”.  Well, I turned one stop light too early and ended up going by a Bayview State park and a small township also named Bayview.  It all looked over what I guess would a Bay maybe at high tide or when the water was more abundant but looked more like mud flats.  I took a left thinking I would try to keep along the shoreline and that eventually I would see water off to my left as I drove on along.  I ended up on Samish Island.  It was a quaint small place with one memorial chapel, small vacation cottages mixed with large glassed houses, and plenty of deer.   I could see why the speed limit was only 20mph.  Within a half mile I saw 6 deer.  I took a few pictures and enjoyed the views; now that there was water rather than mud flats.

Photo- The view on Samish Island

Photo- A vacation rental cottage on Samish Island.

I drove back out to where I took the left and went straight.  I then discovered the road I should have been on; Farm to Market Road.  An interesting name for the road and I saw why the name as I went through another small town called Edison.  I drove around a corner and almost got taken out by a HUGE red combine. Go figure that a girl who grew up in Iowa might be taken out by a combine.

Photo- The view on Chuckanut Drive.

Photo- Quite a few cyclists along the Chuckanut Drive.

I eventually found my ultimate goal on my drive.  I located the Chuckanut Drive and went further north.  It started to climb out of the flat farm areas and went along the coast.  There were cliffs with rocks on my right and a drop off with trees and beach along the left.  It was just amazing views and rather fun to drive.  There were quite a few cyclists riding in the area.  I could understand with the views, a bit of a climb, and 25mph speed limit.  It was like Bike Nirvana.

Photo- Fairhaven a historic village in Bellingham, WA.

Photo- Of me in front of the Best Fish and Chip place in Fairhaven.  A double decker bus with outdoor sitting.

Chuckanut Drive ended up driving into Bellingham’s historic village of Fairhaven.  I parked the car and walked around taking pictures.  I stopped for lunch in an Italian restaurant called Mambo Italiano Cafe (www.mamboitaliancafe.com ).  It sounded like a fun name and I was in the mood for Italian.  It was good.  I had the special of the day—a penne pasta with garlic infused olive oil, feta cheese, roma tomatoes, and olives.  For dessert, I splurged on a tiramisu and a French coffee; which was a cinnamon coffee with cognac.  It was a wonderful late lunch.  I wandered around some more and did a bit of shopping.  There was a wonderful selection of shops and galleries.  In fact, I was very impressed with the Gallery West that had a wide selection and variety of art.

 

DAY 11

Day 11 was a day off.  I had woke up to a cloud covered and chilly looking day and decided I would take the day off from sightseeing.  I figured I had been going straight 10 days with traveling and sightseeing and needed a bit of down time.  I got out the watercolor paints and did a couple of paintings and then I went to a local brew pub called Flyers.  I did some tastings of beers there.  They had an award winning dark brew that had coffee and chocolate.  But I really like their Heffe’ beer.  What can I say but I’m a Heffe’ kind of girl.  I grabbed a crab cake sandwich with sweet potato fries.  Yummy!  I sat at the bar and ended up having a few brews while I shot the breeze with a local guy that works with a company that cleans up oil spills.  Then I was off to the grocery store for supplies to cook a dinner for my hosts.  I cooked my Saucy New Orleans Chicken.  Overall, it was a wonderful day off from the sightseeing/traveling life.

Photo- "Libbey Beach"; a watercolor on 10" x 15" paper that I painted.

 

Bummer, Upper & Happy Father's Day!

I was a bit down before I stepped on the scale this morning.  I just got home from the mornings Jump Board Pilates class and discovered it would be the last class that sweet Laura would be teaching.  She’s decided to do some changing around in her life and won’t be teaching the early morning pilates classes.  Bummer!  I’m going to miss her sweet encouraging presence on my early Friday mornings.  But I wish her well; especially today and tomorrow during the Ragnar where she’ll be running 17 miles as part of a team.  Good Luck Girl!  She’s just amazing!

Photo: "Basketted Purple Bike"; Watercolor on 5" x 7" Paper
A Painting by me that was recently sold to a fellow cyclist.

But I felt quite a bit better when I got on the scale and found I was down 2 to 3 lbs. compared to last week.  Yep, the scale was tittering between two numbers.  Flashing back and forth with those red lights and trying to decide but I was happy to see the change!  YES!! Now THAT's an Upper!  I'm going in the right direction!  I’m now between 5 to 6 more pounds to lose till my goal weight.  It would be REAL nice if I could be down those 5 to 6 by the time I go back to Iowa for RAGBRAI bike ride (July 22-28); but we shall see or shall I say—time will tell.

I did however improve my stats in working out this last week...

114 miles cycling

5.1 miles running

35 minutes on the elliptical

And  

1 Jump Board Pilates class

I want to wish a Happy Father's Day to all of you Father's out there.  Go enjoy the day and go do something fun! Be it some fishing, cycling, or some other manly pursuits!  Have FUN!

A Quick Friday Check In...



"Tulips Along for the Ride"; A Watercolor
on 11" x 14" Paper
that I painted a couple weeks ago.

I need to get back at it! 

So here goes… I was NOT at all happy with the scale this morning.  Of course, I had no one to blame but myself. 

That Darn scale, it was reading that I was up 2 lbs. from when I weighed in two weeks ago.  I will admit that I was terribly sidetracked with getting everything ready for the Little Red art booth and this last week I was on my bike a little but nothing near what I had been doing.  I got a total of 54 miles on the bike and THAT was it other than one Pilates jump board class.  I didn’t go for any runs and I didn’t log in any time on the elliptical machine.  It was a pretty pathetic week for me overall.  Well, it’s time for me to get back at!  I need to get more exercising in and back to watching what I eat.  I need to be good for a change-- Oh Boy!  Is that possible?  Hmmmm....  So by next Friday’s check in I SHOULD have good news to share.  I hope!

Cinco de Mayo, Merchandise & Checking in

Happy Cinco de Mayo!  
Yep, that’s tomorrow.  I had a co-worker wish it to me as she was leaving the office.  She asked if I had any plans and I said,” Yeah!  Hopefully not slaughtering the Spanish language!”  I’m still struggling with the speaking part of Spanish.  I keep on trying to break that habit of using the French vowels.  Last Saturday afternoon, shortly after running with the bulls (see prior blog entry) I took an hour and half and just practiced speaking.  I got these two different CD with books from the library and went over the first few lessons repeating over and over and over again the words out loud till I actually kind of sounded like the voice speaking the language correctly.  This last Monday, the teacher did comment that I did sound better; like I was starting to catch on.  So this Cinco de Mayo, I may be working on practicing via CD’s on my laptop some more.

Example of "Allgood Amish Triangle" T-shirt
available at Zazzle.

Example of "Cycle of Red, Yellow & Tyedyed"
T-shirt available through Zazzle.

I got into RAGBRAI, this I found out on the first of May.  Between that and getting ready for a bike art booth of my artwork for Little Red Riding Hood, I’ve managed to get more things/ideas lined up for doing a little merchandising of my own art work.  I’ve set up t-shirts, key chains, and a messenger bag on the Zazzle website; at my store called AllgoodArt.  There's a couple of the t-shirts available above but click here to visit and see more.  Only had my store up a couple of days and I've already sold one shirt.  Cool!   I even sent out some emails to friends and people that have purchased my art and suggested some of these items would make a great Mother's Day gifts. 

Example of a Two-Tone Tote Bag I ordered some of.

I’ve also gone on to various other sites and designed/ordered various items such as; totes, bumper stickers, and magnets.  I’m hoping that by doing all of this I’ll be able to recoup some of the fees and other costs involved in RAGBRAI.  But worse, come to worse, I figure I can always see about peddling some of these items during RAGBRAI.  Why not a double opportunity of selling bike artwork to bicyclists?  It sounds like a win-win situation to me.

Checking In…

The Good News is…I was at the same weight this morning as last Friday morning.  I guess I’m okay with that; I would much rather have it the same than showing that it’s gone up.  I think I did pretty well and I logged in some good workout stats during the week- such as; 7.5 miles running, 87 miles cycling, and 13 minutes on the elliptical machine. 

More good news is…I’ve noticed that the usual Friday morning donuts; didn’t look as appealing as they usually do.  This morning, I cut the apple fritter in half and took it with coffee back to my desk.  I nursed the apple fritter along for a couple of hours and was tempted to throw the last bit away.  Sugar is losing its appeal which is always a good thing.  Now if I can just work on those late night munchies I think I would have it made.

Still Recovering & Buy Art From a Pirate?



Photo: "Mannequin on Deck"; Watercolor on 8" x 10" Paper. It and several
others will be at my art show this Saturday.

My body is still trying to recover from last weekend’s list of workouts I did.  Saturday, it was a hip-hop fast paced Zumba class where I’m sure I looked part idiot – part spasmostic.  It was a challenge to keep up and trying not to run into anyone else in the class but I will admit it was fun!  A good cardio workout too! 

Sunday came and I tagged along with Diane to a Boot Camp Work Out.  OMG!  During the warm up period, I found myself already in trouble.  1.5 minutes of “flutter kicks”?!!! (Flutter kick= lying on back, hands under small of back, lift legs off of floor and scissor kick without touching floor.)  The 1.5 minutes felt like 3 minutes of literally wrenching my gut. 

From there we stood up and did what I refer to as a “tsunami” of squats where we would “rest” for 10 seconds in the squat position.  Then as fast as we could go from squat to stand and back to squat in under 30 seconds.  We repeated this a few times and the “rest” was no rest no matter how much the instructor said it was.  My front thighs are still feeling this one today (4 days later.).  The rest of the Boot Camp went thru a series of dead lifting and “burp bees”, swinging kettle balls with push-ups, and arm press with 15 lbs. weight bar with jumping pull-ups.  By the time I got to the jumping pull-ups, my arms were saying NO MORE.  I had to opt out.

It was ¾ thru the day that I realized I was still signed up for reformer pilates early Monday morning and I was still very so sore from the morning.  But Monday morning came and I hated the thought of paying for a class and not showing.  So I went to class, but I’m glad I did because it ended up being a good thing.  The instructor took up some really good stretches at the end of the class that made all the difference to me walking half way decently.

I’ve been terribly stressed this last week getting ready for my 100 Salt Lake City Porches Art Show.  Click here to get the 411 on the art show.  I’m so stressed in fact that I have a sty in my right eye that seems to not be going away.  The last two mornings, I’ve woken up to almost not being able to see out of my right eye.  I’ve had to apply warm compresses on it to make the swelling go down.  I’ve been wearing my sunglasses quite a bit because I can’t wear eye makeup (I feel SO nude!) and my right eye is slightly swollen with red.  I just hope it goes away before my art show this Saturday.  I was teasing a friend that I may have to find a sexy eye patch to wear for the show.  “Want to buy a painting from a pirate? Argh!”    

Looking Back & Thinking...

"Man in the Window"; Watercolor on 9" x 9" Paper done by me as a study in use of light.

The old year is over and the new one is just starting out.  It’s always interesting to look back over the year and see where and what you’ve done.  I’ve managed most of my goals for this last year and I’m still playing with some ideas of the goals for this New Year.  I'm thinking about what I want for my goals for this New Year. But first, here’s the review of the goals for this last year….

1.)    Save More Money! 

I did save more than the previous year but not as much as I had set out to do originally at the beginning of the year.  I think I had set out too unrealistically high of a savings goal and didn’t leave any room for those things that happen in life and the occasional need to splurge every now and then.  But even with all of that and some car repairs, I still managed to save about 70% of my original savings goal for the year which isn’t too shabby at all.  Early in September, I sat down and looked at the savings goal and made some adjustments accordingly.  I’m thinking I’ll keep up that new improved somewhat more feasible pace of savings for the New Year.

2.)    Finding More of a Balance Between Cycling and Running-

As I look over the post it notes that I kept track of my monthly stats, I see that I did improve this last year with trying to maintain more of a balance between the two.  Overall, I didn’t do as much mileage on the bike which sometimes I found a bit of a challenge.  Also, I think that a rainy Spring helped out with the balance issue too.  But I tell you I have been loving some of this warmer weather that’s been happening the last two weeks.  I’ve gotten in about 80 miles in, and this is late December & early January.  I went out this last Monday and I felt like I was cycling during the month of October.  Oh, but I bet the local skiers are NOT loving this!

3.)    Do 1 Century on the Bike. 

Never did quite do this one and the two times I attempted it were unplanned failures.  One time I was riding and later discovered I was riding the 45 miles I did do with the brake rubbing hard on the back tire.  The other time, my body broke down at the 75 mile marker and I had to turn around early.  And then, after all of that, I just wasn’t in to doing the whole Century thing.  I sometimes question whether I really want to push myself enough to do another one.  A few years back I did 8 Centuries in a year, and since then I’ve kind of been burned out on them.  I seem to love going anywhere between 60 to 75 miles and having enough energy to do something else in the day.  I don’t think that I’ll put this as a goal for the next year.

4.)    Be More Weight Conscious! 

I think I did very well on this one and I did manage to lose and keep off 22 lbs. total over the year.  I still have about 11 lbs. (as of weigh in this morning) that I would like to lose.  But I feel healthier and have had several comments that I’m looking good.  I would like to get down to my goal weight for this next year.

5.)    Commute more or Walk More to Work.

I didn’t do so well on this one.  Between rainy weather and colder weather, I kind of turned into a whimp.  Perhaps, I’ll toughen up and do more this next year?  We’ll see!

6.)    Finish the 100 Salt Lake City Porches Art Project. 

DONE!  I finished No. 100 the last week of the year.  In fact, #100 will makes its debut at the art

show that I am currently getting ready to do this Jan.14^th.  Click here and you can scroll thru the 99

 porches to see the progression.  I really can see how my painting has improved over the year.  I

 also have been amazed at the response during the project and it’s been fun meeting all these porch owners!

7.) Narrow Down the Clutter in my life. 

I did managed to make a few trips to the good will but there still is a few places in my one bedroom apartment that could use some work but the last couple of months I’ve been rather over ran with the remnants of the 100 Salt Lake City Porches Art Project.  But I will say at least it’s not ALL 100 that were in my small apartment, just mainly the about 76 that I haven’t sold.  BUT I have hope for a couple more at least to be sold during the show.

That how the year went and I want to think about what my goals will be for the next year.  But in the meantime, here are the Stats for the year….

302.50 miles running

  2307 miles cycling

  11.2 miles swimming

  44 hours and 19 minutes on the elliptical

  &

  58 Books Read! 

A Weekend Workshop...

I’m off to Pocatello , Idaho this weekend. Why the big "town" of Pocatello, you might ask? I’m going to be taking a “Pouring Luminous Watercolors” Workshop at the Pocatello Art Center . The workshop is taught by a wonderful watercolorist that I have been admiring on-line for awhile. Her name is Leslie Redhead. I LOVE her poured watercolors of cityscapes and buildings. Pictured here is a Chinatown Statue, a poured watercolor that I stole from her site. (I hope she’ll forgive me.) It is one of my favorites. She also has some amazing flowers; especially irises and poppies. Please click on her name and check out her artwork. It is definitely worth a visit. Leslie is based in Vancouver , BC , Canada ; and I jumped at the chance when I found out she was holding a workshop so close to Salt Lake City . It’s about a 3 hour drive and, of course, I’m taking my bike in tow. I figured I could bike some new territory while I'm there. I’ve really been excited for this weekend for the last month. It’s almost like Christmas! I’ll update you and hopefully share a beautiful piece of watercolor artwork when I get back. I'm also using it as an excuse not to do my weekly weighing in.  I KNOW I haven't been good this week, and don't want to face that scale.