Old Mill House Inn, Vernonia

Old Mill House Inn

The DH and I recently took a mini vacation to Vernonia, OR. It was great!  We are riding our bikes both Saturday and Sunday these days, training for an event, which leaves little time for much else. The DH (dear hubby) came up with a very clever way to fit in a little pampering.  We worked in our bike training on the way to a B&B. Taking the long way there, our ride was 4 hours including 21 miles on the Banks-Vernonia rails-to-trails path.

We stayed at the Old Mill House Inn, which I recommend. A lovely home and very friendly hosts who lovingly restored this abode to its present beauty, rescuing it from neglect.

Breakfast was delicious and filling!  And we enjoyed learning about the home's history.

That's me, still standing after a long ride here!  The back yard of the Inn is beautiful with a peaceful deck to sit and let your legs rest. ")

Fun, Happy, Pretty

 Worst Day of the Year Bike Ride

I thought I'd share a few things from the past month that have been fun, happy and/or pretty!  

After a rest stop, waiting to cross the street.  What a line of characters!

At another rest stop, Dragonfly Chai served warm and delicious cups of tea

Spied my first blooming tree this past Sunday!

And the camellias are starting to explode with color

Had this delicious rice treat (with pickled tea leaves) at Behind the Museum Cafe

What's fun, happy or pretty in your life right now?

The Year of the Picnic

I've decided that 2012 is going to be the year of the picnic!  I had such a fun time with a few picnics last year, that I want to bring this way of re-creating into my life on a regular interval.  I got an awesome "Tea Time" picnic blanket from my mom for Christmas, and I can hardly wait to put it to use.

I hope to have at least one picnic each month, and share the details with you.  Here's my first picnic report...

Where was that promised sun?!  The sky was one big duvet of grey as I headed out on my bike.  The robins puffed their chests but did not chatter as I made my way past them.  Folks around here may have called it cold, with the slight wind and threat of a drizzle, but I couldn't.  Forty degrees is a fine temperature for a bike ride.  Within a few minutes of pedaling, I was unzipping my coat.  The colors popped against the grey palette.  I smiled wide at the countryside, having forgotten that I wanted sun.  I always smile with this feeling of freedom.

I was riding alone today, which meant I could go as slowly as I wanted, and so I did.  At the turning point of my ride, I hadn't gone far but I had braved a new route, and I was ready to pick up the pace.  Food will do that.  :-)  I was en route to a beautiful little picnic spot I spied on my way out.

My picnic spot

Today's picnic basket, a waterproof bike pannier

In my bike bag, I carried a thermos of vegetarian posole, a seeded whole wheat roll and aged goat cheese, and chocolate-covered hazelnuts.  Having worked up an appetite, I think my taste buds were heightened because this simple meal was extremely satisfying.

This picnic was particularly notable to me, because it was:

• Thrown together (I spent very little time planning)
• Not a "picnic weather" day, but out I went anyway
• Via my bike, always a plus
• The start of something grand

Do you dream of picnics this year?  What are your tips for making the most of them? 

Oregon Bike Ride

My favorite photo (this is the DH)...

Riding into the rising sun on our first morning.  Notice the streamers.  ;-)

The DH and I just finished the Oregon Bike Ride.  We rode ~400 miles in a week.  Camped in a tent each night and I slept surprising well.  By the end, I had also finally made peace with the porta potties.  That takes a certain skill.  ;-)  Seriously, tho - it was an amazing week and a wonderful way to celebrate 15 years with the dear hubby.  Here are just a few of my favorite scenes from the ride.

A historically-significant grist mill, sitting pretty for the photo

The organizers put on the most amazing rest stops I've ever seen, and many of them were in lovely locations like this one. 

The foods included fruits, breads, crackers and cheese and peanut butter, and other fun treats to fuel hungry riders.  Spam with mustard was a particular hit, but I passed on that.  On many days, we rode over 70 miles and so the rest stops occurred about miles 25 and 50.

That's me helping set up the tent on a breezy afternoon.  Sunnyside Park, near Sweet Home.

We climbed this ascent!  We had cumulative elevation gains of about 4,000 feet this day.

The DH and me at Silver Falls State Park

Flower fields, grown for seed

In addition to the fields of flowers, we rode through Christmas tree farms, hazelnut groves, fruit orchards, lots of berries!  (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries), fields of kale, chard, beets, green beans, onions, garlic, leeks, spinach, lettuce, peppers, tomatoes, squash, corn...and on!

Here's how it works on a ride like this:  About 5 am, you begin to hear "zip zip" from the other tents.  At about 5:30, we would add to that - and begin packing up.  Breakfast at 6:30, on the road shortly after 7.  Most days we were back in camp by 2.  Eat, shower, put up tent, eat, have some entertainment, in bed by 9.  (Many days it was 8:30 for me!)  The DH has enjoyed staying up really late since we've been home!

It was a great ride.

It Was a Good Place to be Stranded

We were out for a long training ride on a lovely Saturday morning, when we decided to take a detour.  We'd spied the Lavender Festival signs along the route that morning, and wanted to check it out.  When we arrived, we discovered the "Tea Pavilion" on the back patio of the facility.  YES, really.  I found tea and scones in the middle of rural Oregon while on a bike ride.  Incredible!

We hungry cyclists tucked in and made short work of the scones and fresh berries with cream!  I was also pleasantly surprised that the tea served was loose leaf.  I had the lavender herbal, and the DH had a black earl grey.

Our seats in in the Tea Pavilion
The picture doesn't do justice for the view

After tea and scones, I had plenty of time to check out the gardens and the festival because I'd had a mechanical issue with my bike on the way up the big hill to the place.  (A broken chain.)  My gallant DH rode all the way home and back -- including the big hill again -- to rescue me.

A fairy garden

At the lavender festival, we were invited to pick bunches of the flowers to bring home for arrangements or for drying.  For $5, I brought home more than I know what to do with!  I have a lovely mix of four different varieties, including a soft white.  It smells so lovely -- to most of us, that is. (Sorry, Mom!)

Rows of lavender

Baby alpaca and parent

On the way up, we passed an alpaca farm that had a number of babies lounging in the pasture!

My knight and his steed Iggy (the yellow one); Mine (silver) is the duchess

The day wasn't as I had planned, but who can complain about being stranded at a lavender festival where they serve scones and tea?  I mean, one could almost think this was by design!

Tweed Ride

Tweed Ride, San Luis Obispo

I was walking down the street in San Luis Obispo, CA a few weeks ago.  I looked behind me for a moment, and caught these dapper folks coming towards me.  It was the "Tweed Ride" and was great fun to watch!

Happy Belated Bicycle Month (May)!  I'll be spending large parts of my weekends over the summer on my bike, in prep for a week-long touring ride in August.  These photos capture the spirit of how I feel when I'm on a ride.  Freedom. 

If you like to cycle, how does it make you feel?

My Favorite Bike Ride

DH pedals along a country road

Happy Bike Month!  I've been on a mission to enjoy my favorite things about my hometown/area before I depart.  Last weekend, we did one of my most favorite - we took a long bike ride through the countryside.  Indulge me - here are the photos.

DH climbs "Buddhist hill."  The hill is quite steep, tho it doesn't look it here.

Wild water iris and mustard in the background

What you're not seeing is the loose sow (mama pig) who decided to follow us.

The DH kindly stopped a car, so she wouldn't get hit.

That's me, in case you can't tell. 

DH at the wildlife refuge

Lunch stop - the trays are empty!  (Mom's Day AND Graduation Weekend)

My favorite ice cream place!

An after-ride treat

Happy me!

Photos by DH and me

Penny Farthings and Such

I spent last weekend in the company of 12 other women at a writing retreat. It was wonderful for my writing and for me personally, too. We shared the grounds of St. Mary of the Woods with the Wheelmen, a group that collects and rides vintage bicycles. Being a fan of cycling, this was a delight for me!

This was the earliest bike represented. It doesn't have pedals. You lean forward and push with your feet.

An ordinary as they were called in the day. The name penny farthing didn't come into use until after the height of this bike's popularity.

Getting on and off is a daring feat!

One of the first pneumatics - air in the tires.
I loved her outfit, tho I'd hate to have to wear it on a muggy July day (like it was!).

A very interesting tricycle

I ride a leather saddle, not too different from this one

Brewing Tea on the Bike

I made a wonderful discovery on the Katy Trail bike ride. I can cold-brew a thermos of tea while I'm riding, and it's a wonderfully refreshing treat. Plus, caffeine provides a boost to my athletic performance. :-) I chose Mighty Leaf sachets because they are biodegradable. When I'm ready to depart, I pop in a tea sachet, screw on the lid, and take off. A few hours later, I have a wonderful drink. And the water stays cool, compliments of the thermos.

Thanks to a fellow bicycling family, I am set up with stainless steel bike water bottles. (I prefer them over plastic.) The front one is from Greenfeet and has a bike-friendly top. The second is a Lance Armstrong-branded thermos. (I don't care about the branding, but it is designed for use on the bike.) I use it as a holder for extra water. And, in this case, to brew my tea!

To my cycling friends, note the photo below. We've discovered that plastic water bottle cages work much better with the metal water bottles. They slide in and out without metal-on-metal resistance. The Girl Power sock helps keep the thermos from rattling. Plus, I think it's cute.

Bicycle Adventure: Around Rocheport

Happy Independence Day! I frequently had thoughts, while on the bike, about how simple life can be. To me, that means less dependence on the trappings of our modern world and more time for simple things. It means more time for long bike rides on quiet lanes. More time for sitting on the porch with friends. More time for making crafts. More simplicity. That's independence to me.

Most of the Katy Trail is surrounded with lovely scenery. Farmlands, swamplands, tree-tunnels, and river/bluff views. Many of the striking river and bluff views are around Rocheport.

Limestone bluffs near Rocheport

MKT (Missouri-Kansas-Texas, aka the Katy railroad) carved into the limestone bluff.


A bend in the Missouri River

For those of you longing for a post about tea, one is up next...along with a few more bike adventure posts. Thanks for your indulgence!

It's raining here today. (It rained last year, too! I remember well, because I was marching in the parade. Somehow, it was even more fun with the rain.) We're off to an afternoon wedding (with swing dancing!), and then home. Since it's wet, the fireworks will probably be postponed. I think I'll make a blueberry pie. I went picking on Thursday and came home with 11 pounds of the good stuff. I've eaten my share and then some, made a batch of jam, frozen a bunch, and now on to the pie. Yumm!