Friday, February 28, 2014

Mussels in the Kettles

Last year I signed up and rode in a mountain bike poker run called Mussels in the Kettles.  I've signed up again and this year opted for the Black Run.  And, to digress just a bit, if I don't get my rear hub rebuilt on the fully boinged, geared Ellsworth, I'll be going single-speed on the Surly Karate Monkey.

Now, back to unpacking boxes and maybe (certainly) having a beer.  Or two.

But, before I go, and speaking of Karate Monkey.....

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Unwelcome Neighbour

There's a dude, who works in the same building as me, that lives in my neighbourhood.  The straight line distance between his place and mine is about 1/4 mile.  The drive distance is about one mile.  Anyway, our paths crossed in the hallway at work yesterday.

After pleasantries he'd asked me if I'd seen the bear.

What bear?

Evidently there's a bear in the neighborhood.  According to the dude he tore down part of another person's (guy in the hallway's immediate neighbour) fence.  The next day this person built the fence back only to have it tore down that night.  The day after that the person built the fence back much stronger.  The bear showed its appreciation by physically assaulting the garbage can.

I've yet to see this bear.  In fact, I've yet to see any bear since I moved here just over a year ago.  However, this could change soon.  When I leave in the morning it's quite dark.  I may turn on a few outside lights before I depart the house in the mornings.  Bears get cranky when surprised.

This weekend I might look into a motion detector game camera.  It would be pretty cool to get a picture of the not-so-welcome neighbourhood bear.  It would be even more cool to see the bear live and in person in a non surprised and non cranky mode.

I need to find my camera.

Monday, February 24, 2014

Chilly Hilly Recap

I rode the Chilly Hilly bike ride yesterday.  However, I don't have any photographic evidence.  You see, I'm moving.  I have a vague idea of where my camera is, but I can't pin down specifics.

I left the place for Bainbridge Island for a 9 AM rendezvous with a co-worker and one of his off-spring.  The ride was the annual Chilly Hilly.  Roughly 3000 riders show up for this 32 mile, 2800 feet of climbing jaunt around Bainbridge Island.

It was sprinkling when I departed and the rain increased as I got closer.  But, when I pulled into the parking area, the rain stopped - sweet!  The co-worker and off-spring showed up shortly after I did and away we went.

I've not rode every 30-ish mile ride in the universe.  But, I've got to think this is one of the more scenic.  Bainbridge Island is where the hoity-toity crowd live.  The houses are swanky and the scenery is pristine Pacific Northwest.  At certain places there's a great view of the Seattle skyline.

Though temperatures were only about 40 degrees, the ride was outstanding.  There was little, if any, wind and the traffic was very light.  At the half way point there was, yes, chili.  And baked goods.

We left the cars at about 9:30 AM and were back about 1 PM.  No land speed records, but, that was not the intent.  It was a nice ride on a weather cooperative day.  This was my second Chilly Hilly and I'll be sure to be back again.

Thursday, February 20, 2014

Good News/Bad News

First, the bad news - it only has two acres.  That's not enough to put much, if any, singletrack on.  The good news - I now have a house.

Back yard with deck in the foreground left, garage in the middle-ground, and fancy shed in the background.



"Plain" shed.

Breakfast nook (never thought I'd have one of these).

"Bubble" tub.

"Fancy" shed.

Fire pit.

Front/side.

Kitchen

Kitchen again.

Laundry room.

Living room (not my furniture).

Other end of the living room (not my furniture or grand piano).

Master bedroom (not my bed, etc.).

Side yard/raised flower beds.

The road which the house is on.  On a non cloudy day there's a GREAT view of the Olympic Mountains.

Friday, February 14, 2014

Nothin'

This is a post about nothing.  Nothing is going on much.  I've been biking to work.  I've been planning some plans.  But nothing much to report just yet.

Oh, Happy Fricking Valentine's Day.  Hope you get some.

I've Monday off work (President's Day) and I've taken Tuesday off to boot.  Wednesday I should have something interesting and big to post about.  Really.

Monday, February 10, 2014

Snow?!?

Sunday I woke up to about an inch of snow on the ground.  I was told it snowed here once in a while.  I moved here from a heavy snow state in the Midwest.  But still, it seemed odd.

The temperatures are supposed to to head toward normal this next week with highs in the mid to upper 40's.  And, per the typical around here, it is predicted to rain every day next week.  No worries.  It's just being "seasonal."  When I say "rain," that usual means "mist."  And sometimes it means "sprinkles."  It hardly ever rains hard - at least that's been my experience so far.

This coming weekend will be my three-day weekend.  And, Monday is President's Day so it is a holiday for me.  AND, I took Tuesday off work adding up to five days off in a row.  So, there you go!

My plans are somewhat set and somewhat uncertain.  No matter what, having five days off will be nice.