United States of America

July 19, 2015July 20, 2015

So Hard, So Fun: RAGBRAI Day One

The townspeople of Washta are crazy about Minions. There were hay bale minions and these cuties.

Our team packed up by 7 a.m. and bicycled down the road. We were already 3 miles into the ride so we only had to ride 73 miles today–73 rolling miles. It was a personal best: most miles and most elevation. It only took me 10.5 hours with stops. I averaged 6-8 mph on the hills and between 25 and 35 miles on the downhill. It was so hard but people made it fun.

First there was the other riders. Many of them eternal optimists. We would be slogging up another hill and someone would cheerfully say, “At least it is not as hot as last week.” Or “This is the hardest day so the rest of the week will be great.” Everyone is so friendly. And there are a lot of characters: guys in kilts, people with funny stuff on their helmets. My favorite helmet was Team Spam with their Spam cans strapped on their helmets and their SPAM jerseys saying “crazy tasty”.

The host towns then go the extra mile to make us welcome (and for their nonprofits to make money): Church ladies making pies, volunteer fire departments turning the fire station into a beer garden. Farmers along the way (especially at hilltops) offer everything from pork chops to breakfast burritos. Boy Scouts sell water and several high school students sold pickles or gatorade to raise money for their trip to Washington, DC. Plus the towns decorate to make us feel welcome with flags and bicycles hanging from tractor buckets. Its like the Tour de France only the towns and farms are neat as pins in Iowa.

There were so many long hills that I found myself texting Sarah Harriet for coaching. What do you do when you start feeling the lactic acid build up in your legs? Rest every 5 or 6 miles. Keep drinking water. I followed her advice and I made it to Storm Lake! You know you are tired though when you stop at a cemetery because there is lawn and shade. Now my teammates are ready to party so I will sign off.

Louise from Bemidji says hi.

July 18, 2015July 26, 2015

#RAGBRAI or Bust

Today I started in Des Moines, participating in #PieperFamilyPalooza. We went to the Des Moines Farmers Market. I have many pictures so I will post at a later date. (I am determined to post daily during RAGBRAI and if today is any indication I will have to make it short and sweet.) My cousin John Wagner picked me up about 11:00 a.m. and we headed to Barb and Steve’s aka Team Larry Headquarters. After several hours of gathering, loading and eating we hit the road for Sioux City.

Christi was the first team member to collect her wristband and bikeband.

Sometime I’ll have to come back and see the Lewis and Clark Expedition museum and enjoy the downtown. Tonight was about getting acquainted with Team Larry and learning to set up my tent. We did not walk to dinner until around 8 p.m. Our group is about 23 people and on the 20th anniversary ride for Team Larry, the tag-line “herding cats since 1996” is well deserved. Great bunch of people.

Everyone keeps saying tomorrow is the hardest day: the most hills, a long ride and lots of nervous riders. I better try to get some sleep. Wish me luck.

July 16, 2015July 14, 2015

Eating My Way Through Portland Again

Beef rib feast at Clyde Common could easily serve 5-6 people.

Portland is a great city for cycling, for book shopping, but it is probably most famous in the moment for its food culture. Even though the Mark Spencer Hotel offers a free breakfast, we ate out almost every meal. Staying in the Pearl District is great for walking to great restaurants.

About 18 months ago, I decided to give my adult children experiences instead of things. This weekend Sarah Harriet, Marcos and I were in Portland for the World Domination Summit. We kicked off our visit with dinner at Clyde Common with friends Lisa and Meg. We ended the evening at the fabulous Ruby Jewel ice cream shoppe.

The next morning we sought out the highly recommended Barista for coffee and second breakfast. The coffee was good but the baristas were aloof and the everyone there was so hip.

We intended to go to Lardo for Friday lunch but when we looked at the menu we changed our minds. We ended up at Cha!Cha!Cha! for Mexican food. Sarah and I shared some greasy nachos and we both got upset tummies. We drove to dinner at Bamboo and enjoyed a terrific meal with really good service.

On Saturday we were determined to get to the opening session of #WDS2015 early and be at Blue Star Donuts at the 8 a.m. opening time. First we went to Stumptown and got some coffee. Marcos liked the Nitro Cold Brew best. We hung out for a few minutes in the Ace Hotel lobby and Sarah and Marcos used the photo booth.

We were so excited and hungry we almost forgot to take a picture.

There was a line when we got to Blue Star, but not too long by Portland standards and it moved quickly once the shop opened. Lisa said Blue Star would fundamentally change our relationship to donuts–especially the buttermilk donut. They are truly amazing and I loved watching the Blue Star team working together. Skip the line at Voodoo and go to Blue Star! When we got to the Summit many of the Portland based ambassadors gave us thumbs up for the Blue Star box.

Quin is a small store front and features hand made candies and original recipes.

Sarah and Marcos grabbed Jimmie Johns sandwiches for a hike in the Columbia Gorge. (They highly recommend the hike to Punchbowl falls although watch the parking markers to avoid tickets and towing.) I went to Tasty n Alder for a wonderful frittata. We met up again for dinner at Cheryl’s because it was close and we were looking for a burger. The place was empty at 6:30 p.m. and while the food was solid, the service was rubbish.

On Sunday we went to Heart for coffee and a muffin. Sarah also ordered the sandwich but then could not eat it because of the relish and the ham was more like uncooked bacon. Sarah and Marcos liked their coffee the best and found the baristas super friendly. Lunch was a challenge because Zeke’s deli had a tremendous line and we were really hungry. We went down the street to Zeus Cafe. The food was good and we felt that good feeling that refueling gives.

Oh yeah, and somewhere in the midst of all of this activity I went a half block to the candy shoppe Quin and bought some caramels. Yum.

It was a dash to the finish of the conference and to the airport. So much good food in a few blocks. We will be back.

July 13, 2015July 13, 2015

Cycling Along the Portland Riverfront

I love Portland. I have visited almost once a year for many years. I returned with Sarah Harriet and Marcos to attend the World Domination Summit and enjoy the city. I drove my Mini and packed my Brompton bike.

The Springwater Park Trail is very busy on weekends. — The Springwater Corridor Trail is very busy on weekends.

I still need to get some miles in before RAGBRAI but I felt under the weather. Finally on Sunday I was able to go across the street to West End Bikes and add some air to my tires and get directions to the Springwater Corridor Trail.

It was a quick downhill glide on Stark Street to the parkway. My plan was to ride across the Steel bridge then east to the Hawthorne bridge and return, then do a time check and see if I had time to do another loop.

I turned right because the Farmers Market on my left blocked my view of the Steel bridge. The weather was in the 80s and there was no breeze so it felt warm. It felt great to be on my bike so I kept meandering down the path looking for a bike-friendly bridge to cross. People and bikes share a wide path so now is not the time to ride fast.

I missed the Hawthorne bridge and rode to a new light rail and bike/ped bridge that is not open yet. I followed a couple of other cyclists to the Hawthorne bridge and crossed to the other side.

There was less congestion and I was able to enjoy my ride. I was so relaxed I missed the jog toward the river on to the ramps and trail right on the river.

The view from the Hawthorne bridge across the Columbia River is refreshing.

This led me directly to the Steel bridge. I enjoyed riding across the river and back toward the Farmer’s Market. I did a time check and decided to head back to the Mark Spencer Hotel in the Pearl District. Portland is often listed as one of the top bicycle cities in the USA. They have dedicated bike lanes in bright green and traffic controls with special bicycle signals.

I am glad I got on my bike in Portland.

July 6, 2015July 4, 2015

Lucky Cafe a American Classic in Midtown Sacramento

Eat at the bar or in a booth. — Eat at the counter or in a booth.

All of my bike riding in the morning has cut into my going out to breakfast time. So it was several months before I was able to walk the two blocks to the Lucky Cafe. I sat at the counter and enjoyed pancakes, an egg and bacon. Delicious.

The service is good and it always good to enjoy the bottomless cup of coffee.

Lucky Cafe is at 1111 21st Street in Sacramento, California. It is open most days from 7 a.m. – 2 p.m.

July 4, 2015June 21, 2015

Celebrate US National Parks on Independence Day!

Ahh Yosemite! The park that I grew up with and adore.

The best travel bargain is the yearly pass to the National Park system. I bought my pass June 2014 for $80. I used it for 3 days in Yosemite ($20 a day per car = $60), then I used it in Zion (+$20) and then Grand Canyon (+$20). So I ended ahead. I ended ahead from day one, because it is a bargain to have access to such beauty in nature for just $20 a day.

Red steep canyon walls are the backdrop pretty much everywhere along the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive.

So get off the couch or pool lounge chair and grab your car keys.

The sunrise illuminates an already gorgeous canyon to new heights of breathtaking.

Go take a hike at one of our National Parks.

June 29, 2015June 28, 2015

Garden of Wonder and Delight

Recently my friend Cameon invited me to join her for a preview of the Museum of Wonder and Delight in Folsom, California. UC Davis Design Professor Dolph Gotelli, an internationally renowned collector of 19th and 20th century toys, folk art and games. The Museum will showcase his collections and opens this fall in old town Folsom (at 905 Leidesdorff Street across from Karen’s Bakery facing the plaza).

A fundraiser sponsored by the UC Davis Design Department followed in a 2 acre garden in Granite Bay to benefit the museum. The garden was fun and beautiful and full of whimsey.

June 27, 2015June 28, 2015

Perfect Day for Rafting the American River

The blimp was over Carmichael to cover the Masters' Golf Tournament. — It was a high of 92 degrees with light cloud cover. Perfect for rafting, cycling, and golfing.

I stopped my bike along the American River Parkway to watch the hundreds of river rafters floating downstream. It brings back so many good memories of rafting as a teenager. My son and his friends also have spent many a day on the river. It is a lot of fun and best when hot but not too hot. You can rent a raft around the Sunrise Boulevard bridge or launch your own craft from one of the parks on either side of the river. It takes a couple of hours to float down to Ancil Hoffman park or to Arden Park. A small part of me worried that none of the boaters has their life jacket on and I know they are drinking alcohol. (Boating and alcohol should not mix!) I did not wear a life jacket as a teenager either as tan lines were more important to me than safety. In spite of the drought Lake Natoma and the American River from Orangevale to where it meets the Sacramento River in downtown Sacramento are at normal summer levels because it is regulated by releases from the Folsom Lake reservoir.

Looking across to Negro Bar on Lake Natoma. The Aquatic Center has hosted the NCAA Pacific Region rowing championships.

Lots of people were also boating on Lake Natoma. This manmade lake stretches from the Aquatic Center at Hazel Avenue to the Rainbow Bridge in Folsom (about 5 miles). The bike/horse trail makes a ring around it. I cycled 56 miles round trip from 9-2:30 today. I was still recovering from 30 miles yesterday in the 104 degree heat. This is all about preparing for RAGBRAI so it is miles + time in the saddle. Speed is less important. I am finding that it is a mental challenge as much as a physical challenge. I shared with my cousin John that I am worried I will not be able to ride the full length, and he chuckled and said he gives himself permission to take a day off and go play golf. I felt better and decided I will do my best. Keep my eye on the prize: have fun. On the ride home I noticed the blimp in the sky. At first I thought it must be passing through on its way to or fro an event in the Bay Area. Then I remembered the US Senior Open Golf Tournament in Carmichael. I hope none of the old duffers playing yesterday expired in the triple digit temperatures. I imagine today’s high of 92 with breeze was a relief. I hope the television gives the audience some views of the river.

June 25, 2015June 21, 2015

Funky Flagstaff is Fun Stop

Hotel Monte Vista in downtown Flagstaff.

We only planned to stay in Flagstaff to make it easier to catch our flight to Phoenix with a connection to LAX. Originally I had a reservation at the Hampton Inn outside of town. Then a colleague with a love of Flagstaff gave me some great travel advice.

1. Stay at Hotel Monte V

This hotel has seen a lot of famous guests and after parties. It is clean but worn. The art deco lobby and most of the rooms have not been remodeled since opening. Cool except for the swamp coolers in the window. Our room was an unusual layout: 2 rooms with a double bed each separated by a jack and jill bathroom. The rooms are named after famous guests who have stayed at the hotel over the years. Ours was named after a whiskey.

The Hotel Monte V is lit up in neon at night.

2. Enjoy the night life.

We strolled across Route 66 and then the railroad tracks to our restaurant, The Tinderbox Kitchen. We enjoyed a relaxing, delicious meal and then strolled around town stopping to listen to a rooftop band and enjoying the variety of people on the street.

3. Appreciate the unique architecture of downtown Flagstaff.

The Grand Canyon Cafe is a blast from the past like so much of Flagstaff.

Flagstaff must have built its downtown during a timber or other resource boom. The architecture is remarkable cohesive and attractive. We loved being right near the famous Route 66.

We ate breakfast at the Grand Canyon Cafe the next morning. The food was not anything special, but the ambiance was fun. Like Flagstaff.

June 22, 2015June 21, 2015

Get Up, Get Up for Sunrise at the Grand Canyon!

Waiting for the sun to peak over the horizon, the crowds grew at Mather Point.

We watched the sunset and so it seemed logical that we would get up at 4:30 a.m., throw on clothes and dash to Mather Point to watch the sunrise over the Grand Canyon.

We hoped our photos of the canyon would be lit in a way that allowed our phones to catch more accurately the canyon colors that we were seeing with our naked eye.

We drove the short distance from Market Plaza to the Visitor Center parking lot at Mather Point. We joined the crowds walking to the cement deck and rails to stake out spots and watch the sun rise.

There were groups of boisterous young people and contemplative adults. Families kidded one another and couples took turns taking photos of each other and the sunrise.

We enjoyed chatting with Jane from the UK.

After about an hour our craving for coffee and our hunger got the best of us and we turned for the car.

As we walked towards the parking lot we saw a herd of female elk. It was exciting and yet we remained cautious.

The National Park doesn’t pull punches. There are signs that are blunt: “Do not feed the squirrels. They have fleas that carry bubonic plague.” Or stay 75 feet from elk and other wild animals. They also warn you of the perils of going to close to the canyon edge. We witnessed people ignoring all of this advice. Sigh. I guess people feel they are special and nothing bad will happen to them.

Do not be the fool who gets injured by the wild elk.

So enjoy the beauty of the park. Appreciate our forefather and mothers who set aside these special places. Thank the people who dedicate themselves to protecting them today and making our experience possible. And respect the wildness of the place.