A good day for a long walk

I had hoped to bike today, but I allowed the temperature to convince me that walking was a better choice. It was in the low 30's when I ventured out, so I could have pulled off a ride - but in the end I was happy with my decision. A bit chilly...

Ah, the Grinch and his dog! This holiday display definitely brings a smile to my face. I have to admit that I didn't realize until my walk last week that these fabric sculptures use power to keep them inflated (thanks Mom, for clueing me in!) - last Saturday morning was when I saw all the air-filled sculptures flat on the ground. Now how do parents explain that to their kids?

The temperature kept me moving quickly to keep my fingers and toes warm - but in spite of the chill I had to stop a few times to captures photos of the ice. There are a few more photos like this one in my Wandering near home - winter to spring photo gallery.

A season a day - from cold to snow to fog to warm

What season did you say this is?

It's been a crazy week from a temperature standpoint - from Saturday's chill that scared me away from going for a bike ride (yes, I know, it's not normal to expect to ride a bike in December in the Northeast - but who said I was normal?) to snow to freezing cold to a gray day with temperatures in the 50's. If I had any control I would vote for the temperature to be stuck in the 50's, but somehow the weather doesn't seem to be very interested in listening to me.

Saturday was cold and in the 20's, a very reasonable day for a long walk.

Signs of the season - bare branches and a bit of ice...

But there is still some green showing too!

Sunday was cold too, but temperatures in the 30's convinced me that it was a decent biking day. I was moving pretty slowly, but it was good to be out on a bike! Clothing-wise, I almost had it right... I started with cycling shorts and Pearl Izumi AmFib tights, a sleeveless long underwear top, two layers of Patagonia Regulator fleece (an R.5 shirt plus an R1 pullover) and a windbreaker. Heavy gloves, socks, cycling shoes, and shoe covers, and a Pearl Izumi microsensor skull cap under my helmet finished the layers. Almost warm enough - but my hands and feet were a bit cool. I should have worn my Lobster Mitts, and I should have used those stick-on warmers on my shoes. Next time...

Then the snow came, and then it got very cold. Monday morning I somehow convinced myself to walk before work. The temperature was in the high teens, and it got lower as the day progressed. My morning selection of a time to walk outside was probably the only time of the day when I could have pulled that off! I was very glad to have a place to exercise indoors for the first couple of days of the week.

On Wednesday I almost got myself into one of those exercise nightmares. I didn't walk in the morning, and I got tied up in meetings during the day so I didn't walk at lunchtime either. When I left the office I was tired. Too tired to exercise? Well, I decided that I was tired because I hadn't done anything. So to not do anything in the realm of exercise that evening would probably only make things worse. A good brisk hour-long walk (outside of course, who needs a treadmill?!) really did make me feel better.

Friday was destined to be the day I thought should stick around for the winter. It was very foggy in the morning, but the day ended up being a real December treat with a high of 57 degrees. Too bad there probably won't be too many days of that temperature for a long time. And too bad it was a work day as opposed to a play day - it would have been a good day to wander around on a bicycle. I guess I'll have to be satisfied with chilly bike rides for now though.

The disappearing snow as viewed in the morning fog

It's time to get ready...

...for touring (by bike, of course) in 2005!

It's hard to believe that it is mid-December. Winter hasn't officially started yet, and I'm already dreaming of summer. I'm determined that those circumstances beyond my control that canceled my 2004 tours won't happen again, and I'm focused on training now so that I'm in top touring shape come the spring. I've come a long way since that day in May. I started by simply walking short distances. By July when I headed back to work part-time (which admittedly didn't last too long - full-time jumped in there within a couple of weeks) I tried to walk for 20 to 30 minutes 3 times a day, and I rode my bike on the weekends. My bike rides started out as short ones - in the 15 mile range - and I worked up to 28 mile rides by the end of the reasonable riding season. That's a far cry from my normal distances, but all things considered I should probably consider it to be more than a reasonable accomplishment. I kept up the biking and walking pretty consistently through my October trip to Hawaii, but when I got home it was time to deal with both the lack of daylight and relatively cold temperatures.

I have to admit that it's much easier to train when I can play outdoors. I'm trying not to let the cold get to me, but the fact remains that it is pure luck that I get any cycling in during the winter. I'm limited to weekends because of the lack of daylight, and to short rides because of low temperatures. I can happily ride if the temperatures are in the 40s. 30s with sunshine, low wind, and dry roads work too. But that's certainly not enough to get back into the kind of shape I need to be in!

So what's on the agenda? First, I'm trying to continue to do some walking outside. Then I need to do some focused aerobic exercise, plus weight training. I have some exercise abilities at home - I can ride my bike on a fluid trainer, I have a Concept 2 rowing ergometer, and a Fitball and some weights helps too. I also have memberships in not one, but two gyms - the YMCA a mile up the road from my house, and the gym at the Marriott Hotel across the street from my office. I've been trying to walk for 30 to 45 minutes every afternoon, but if the weather doesn't permit I can pop over to the Marriott for an afternoon workout. If I walk in the afternoon, I've been trying to work out right after work. That seems to work better if I head over to the Marriott than if I try to get to the Y. That's because I have to drive by my house to get to the Y, and at the end of a long day it's really easy to turn into my driveway instead of continuing on to the Y. The Y works for me better on the weekends...

A mix of activities will keep me interested, and I'm planning to work up to higher intensity indoor workouts to add to my outdoors - face to the sky - walking. No, I'm not a runner, but walking fast does work too. It's just not enough.

Focus, Denise! It's time to focus on getting back in shape for two-wheeled travel. I want to be in decent riding shape by mid- to late April, and in excellent shape by June. There's enough time, and I want it enough - definitely a reachable goal.

Brrr... can't let the temp scare me inside

I've been finding it too easy to decide to skip outdoor walks in these cold temperatures, but I really need to get over it!

This morning it was 22 degrees out. Cold, and what a difference from yesterday... I had to convince myself it was still a good thing to get outside. This morning I managed with my normal walking clothes plus a light fleece jacket, a fleece hat, and running shoes with socks that were heavier than normal. That worked!

I'm slowly putting trips to the gym back in my days, but I still want to keep walking. I think that getting some exercise in outdoors helps to keep me sane through this cold season, the season I'd like to see disappear (in less than the normal amount of time)!

What's that I hear?

...that howling sound? I think it's the wind...

Today's ride almost didn't happen. I almost let the sound of the wind scare me off, but luckily I walked outside before I made the decision to skip my ride. Yes, that was the wind howling, but no, it wasn't really cold out. When I left the house the temperature was 49 degrees, so I chose relatively light clothing for this time of year - my biking shorts, leg warmers, toe warmers (not full foot warmers), a long underwear tank top, a Patagonia R1 fleece top, a windbreaker, and of course my helmet. It wasn't cold enough for a hat, but I did wear Earbags to keep my ears warm. Not quite total winter cycling attire, and for the most part it worked for me.

It was very windy out - windy enough that I only got blown off of my bike once. I managed to stay upright though. And the temperature dropped quite a bit in the hour and a half that I was out - from 49 degrees at the start to 42 degrees when I returned home. Unfortunately I think that's a sign of things to come.

Funny...

...driving from California to Hawaii?

One of the travel discussion sites that I often visit is Lonely Planet's
Thorntree. This morning one of the exchanges on the United States branch really made me laugh. A woman from Scotland says "I am planning a road trip from San Francisco to Pearl city in Oahu to visit some friends". Based on a continuation of her trip description I think she is looking for a travel (driving) companion for the part of her trip between San Diego and San Francisco, but the way the entry is worded gives the strong impression that she plans to drive from the West Coast to Oahu. Even the response to direct questions is a bit off!

Here's the part of the discussion that really made me smile:

reader from Washington state: You're driving from California to Hawaii, then?

author of the initial post (who sounds like she is very young): Yeah I know the distances are long but hey that why I want to travel with someone... Do you know of anyone who interested? ...Pics would be nice but would anyone want to see them though?

reader from Washington state: Of your drive from California to Oahu? No question about it, we want to see those pictures... Oh, and in exchange for those pictures I will be more than happy for pay for your petrol.

response from the original author: I am not planning on maps - I am just going west I guess I end up in Pearl city somehow. I don't believe you. My bf says that you can drive any where in the USA on the highways. Hawaii is in the US - Go figure.

Do you think she's kidding? I actually think this was a troll, meant to cause reactions. At least it was a troll that caused laughter; I've seen many that were absolutely biased and rude.

Time for a family visit

There's a reason for Thanksgiving beyond the reason defined by the pilgrims - it's a good time for a family get-together, and for funny pictures...

My somewhat crazy brother demonstrating a good off-label use of a rubber glove

Suze & Mom in a crazy dance moment

Dad, in one of his crazy but temporary get-ups. I think he said these turquoise polyester pants are at least 30 years old!

The disappearing sun

I find that I'm still amazed at how early the sun disappears on these fall days. And we still have another full month before the winter solstice, another month of ever shorter days. It was still daylight when I headed out on a long walk this afternoon, but by the time I returned home the moon was sneaking out from behind it's cloud cover.

Ah... the moon has shed most of its clouds!

Winter? It can't be!

It is mid-November, but it still seems pretty early for our Friday into Saturday snowfall, and I'm really not (mentally) ready for this. I may be boring everyone to tears with my thoughts on the subject, but each year it becomes harder to face the New England winter. I'd really like to be in a place where I have access to snow but where the ground around me stays free of the white stuff. Temperature? I'd prefer no lower than 50's, but I think 40's would probably work too.

The bad thing is that I didn't want to brave the 34 degree temperature on my bike today. The good thing - I did get a good walk in, and I pretty much guessed the right clothing layers. I could have used a warmer pair of gloves at the start of my walk, but the light ones I chose were perfect at the end. And since it didn't feel like a hat day to me, I headed out wearing my earbags, which look like an earmuff without the connecting band. The bags snap over your ears - very comfortable, and just the right amount of warmth for the day. Hmmm... my earbags are a very conservative black. I think I'll order a second pair in purple!

It's possible that this tree is as surprised as I am by the early season snowfall - after all it is still holding onto some green leaves!

I have a feeling that this seat might be a bit cold.

Just as I was trying to capture this bird sitting high in a tree, it decided to take off. Amazing!

Bruises?

What bruises? Seriously, although my face still has a few bruises left from my crash, they are definitely getting smaller. It's hard for me to notice the changes, but looking at a series of photos together made me realize that my healing is definitely progressing.

June 4th, just over two weeks after my flip over the handlebars. It's funny, but that bruised and swollen area over my right eye is still a little swollen on November 9th, but it's only visible to me!

July 3rd, after my first post-crash bike ride. Isn't it nice of my helmet and sunglasses to (somewhat) hide the red spots?

September 19th, still fading...

October 26th, in Hawaii. Yup, they're still there, but I honestly believe they are getting smaller.

A beautiful morning skyscape

I woke up at 5 o'clock this morning, and for some reason I went straight to the window. What a beautiful sight - against a black morning sky, there was a sliver of the moon with two planets (Jupiter and Venus) clustered beneath it.

What an amazing sight as a start to the day...

A taste of sunshine and blue sky...

...and wind, but a beautiful late fall day. Tomorrow is supposed to be much cooler - or perhaps I should say cold! When I left for Hawaii, the trees still had their leaves, and when I came back I was surprised to see that although the colors had dimmed many of the trees were still wearing their leaves. We had a couple of very windy days, and most of the trees are now bare. There are still some areas where green and yellow leaves are still showing. They are very isolated, but they exist. I wonder how long these colored pockets will remain.

It's been hard adjusting back to the northeast after a week in Hawaii, no surprises there. I'm really not ready for the cold weather, but it's on the way whether I'm ready or not.

It seems that as each winter approaches I think more seriously about moving. The funny thing is, one of the areas I keep thinking about is Colorado east of the Rockies, and they certainly do have winter out there too. The thing that interests me is that the serious winter weather is in the mountains, and while the cities I'm thinking about do get snow, it seems that the snow arrives and then melts quickly. Oregon and Washington both interest me too. Hawaii you ask? Well, if an opportunity arose to live there I don't know how I could turn it down. Do you see the theme here? West...

Some yellow leaves still remaining

And some red-orange beauties too...

And the shoe of the day is...

...the Merrell Jungle Slide / Moc! I was sitting in a meeting with three of my co-workers this afternoon when Michael auddenly glanced at our feet - and we were all wearing Merrell shoes. Black Jungle Mocs for the guys, and the counterpart slides for me. And it turns out that we've all been wearing these shoes for years!

My feet demand comfortable shoes, and they've said they are very happy with my choice of funky, clunky, and comfortable.

Dreaming of Hawaii?

I've uploaded my Hawaii photos - or maybe I should say a selection of my Hawaii photos! If you want to join me in dreaming of another trip to one of my favorite places, you can browse through my Hawaii 2004 - an adventure on two feet photo gallery.

Here's a sample photo to tempt you. This is Pololu Beach.