Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Ron is up the creek with a paddle!

Today Linda, Peter and I spent in low-key hanging out, just what the doctor called for. Peter and I worked on the bike, getting the headlight adjuster to work so that the light pattern actually shines on the road in front of the bike instead of looking for stars. This continues our long ago adventures with torturing mechanical components. In high school we worked on cars we had - long gone brands that I doubt any of you are familiar with. Peter had a Goliath Hansa 1100 stationwagon that required an engine rebuild and later a Sunbeam Alpine into which we installed a Hillman engine. I, in turn, got a Hillman sedan (Minx was the model I think) and our friend Pat had a Hillman Minx convertible. Ah, the good old days. Anyway we avoided hurting ourselves compressing a spring that is key to adjusting that headlight, assembled it and had to wait until tonight to go for a test ride. It worked well.

Then we went to eat at a great little place I know my family would enjoy. I had a Brie omelet and marbled Rye, pictured here, and Peter had Eggs Benedict. Linda had grilled cheese with tomatoes and avocado. It is one of those places that require another visit to try more stuff.

We headed from breakfast to Chatfield Dam reservoir for some paddling and swimming. Don't worry motherly types, it took over 30 minutes after eating before we went swimming. We all agitated the water for a short time just enough to get all parts wet and cool (it was 95 degrees here today) and then Peter and I headed out to explore the charted territory by kayak. Peter knows a lot about birds and such. We saw seagulls, pelicans and ducks and lots of smaller birds doing their thing. We paddled up Plum Creek into an area that is usually too shallow to navigate. It was cool, still water with tree seed pods and the like just floating on the surface.

Kind of reminded me of nature's own fly-fishing technique, lacy and lofty pieces spread out on the surface of the water.

The day concluded with a fun dinner of soft tacos unlike anything I have experienced and back home for some computer play and looking over items that Linda brought back from her mother's home - old photos of family members and the like.

Tomorrow I am headed for Mesa Verde but decided to spend some time at the hot springs that Ann and Peter and I visited some 30 years ago. It is now a resort kind of place, and I might camp there depending on how the day goes and continue on to Mesa Verde on Wednesday.

Keep the comments coming, I am enjoying reading them. Didn't take the time to try the podcast, too much fun sharing time with Peter and Linda. These two days reinforce how important relationships are and remind me to never forget that this is the fun stuff of life. Thanks to Peter and Linda for sharing their place and lives with me.


Lessons learned today include that it takes two people to compress that spring not only because it takes four hands, but more important, that it take two heads. Second lesson is that radishes cool the mouth after eating a good portion of green chili sauce on spicy meat and jalapeƱo pepper salad.

4 comments:

erica said...

I love that you photographed your food and posted the photo. Makes me feel like not such a dork. =)

The lake sounds wonderful-- now I'm even more excited to go to Bill's family's house and spend some time on the lake in NH next month!

anilia said...

mmmm, I want avocado for lunch....

VOF Johnson said...

Just checked your blog again today. As I was sitting at the laptop in the dinning room a BMW went by the house. That's unusual around here being there are only 2 BMW owners in town!
I had to check your blog to make sure it wasn't you arriving a little early ;-)

Dodge awaits your visit next week. Ride safe till then..

Cheers!!
Jimindodgecity

Theotherjew said...

Well Jim, not yet there. I am sitting in a tent in very rural Colorado using Verizon Broadband wireless to keep up with the world. I will write an entry tomorrow and then leave for Mesa Verde. Two days there and one day to Dodge and I'll give you a call or email. Thanks for keeping up with me and keeping an ear to the world. BTW, my R100 is running very strong at 10K feet, much better than I expected, pulling 65 mph in fifth up pretty good hills (they call them mountains out here) with lots of throttle response left. See you soon!