Why I Ride

Alsatian Vineyards

2011-12-27T14:46:00.006-05:00

My husband and I had a magnificent time on our tour of vineyards in the Alsatian area of France just outside of Colmar. Breathtaking views, beautiful weather, and a wonderful guide named Jean Claude.

Bartholdi's Hometown

2011-12-19T23:02:00.004-05:00

Colmar is a really old town that was founded in the 9th century. One of its most famous residents was Frederic Bartholdi, the sculptor of the Statute of Liberty. Throughout the town you will find a museum dedicated to his work as well as this statute of him and a tiny statute of liberty on his shoulder. Colmar also claims to be the capital of the Alsatian wine region.

I loved the architecture of the buildings especially the Eglise Saint-Martin, the largest church of Colmar and one of the largest in Haut-Rhin. It has stained glass windows and several Gothic and Renaissance sculptures and altars.

We really enjoyed this town and especially the food. Wonderfully rich, buttery dishes. Fantastic wines.

Our first day in Colmar

2011-12-11T15:11:00.004-05:00

After such a late night of travel, we slept in before exploring Colmar on foot. Our hotel was just a couple of blocks from Petite Venise or "Little Venice". We immediately came upon a little outdoor cafe, Cafe Venezia, which advertised "Crepes". We stopped and ordered coffee, a grand marnier crepe, and an egg/cheese/ham crepe which were UNBELIEVABLE. Afterwards, we strolled through the town. More to come!

Hello Colmar

2011-12-07T20:55:00.003-05:00

Au revoir Paris, Hello Colmar! We jumped on the train to Strasbourg, the Alsace region of France on Wednesday evening. After two trains, we arrived at Colmar station at midnight. No cabs in site. No information booth. No cell service - no GPS. We were on our own. Hmmmm.. Let's call the hotel. Oh. You don't understand what we're saying? Hmmm... It was a looooooooong walk. Finally, we arrived at the Hotel Turenne and promptly crashed. It wasn't nearly as charming as the picture suggests but it was budget friendly.

Chez Casimir and the Church of Saint-Vincent du Paul

2011-12-06T22:11:00.002-05:00

Our hostess recommended that we have late lunch or early dinner at Chez Cashimir, a wonderful restaurant in her neighborhood close to Church of Saint-Vincent du Paul. First we stopped at the Cafe for an early dinner and drinks. No one was there - we had the entire place to ourselves. We ordered the stuffed cabbage and white fish with mashed potatoes off the chalkboard menu that the waiter brought to our table. The food blew us away. Buttery, creamy fish and potatoes. Spicy cabbage. Best meal in Paris so far. After the dinner, we walked across the street to the church. Ghost town. No one was there. We wandered around the church admiring the artistry of the sculptures and the paintings.

"Above the portico (borrowed from those of Greek temples) is a pediment sculpted by Charles-François Lebœuf-Nanteuil on the subject of "The Apotheosis of Saint Vincent-de-Paul": the saint is glorified, surrounded by figures symbolising his saintly actions— a missionary, a galley slave, and some Daughters of Charity devoting themselves to children or to healing the sick. Inside, the painted frieze of 1848-53 around the nave (between the two levels of columns) is by Hippolyte Flandrin, and shows 160 male and female saints advancing towards the sanctuary. The decoration of the Lady Chapel, in the apse added later at the back, is by William-Adolphe Bouguereau (1885-89). The Calvary shown on the main altar is by François Rude."**

I was particularly fascinated by the paintings of the male and female saints - such detail and color. This church was by far my favorite in Paris.

Basilique du Sacré-Cœur

2011-12-05T19:17:00.005-05:00

The Basilica of the Sacred Heart. This cathedral is located in the Montremarte area at the highest point of Paris. It's beautiful at night and during the day. We had a wonderful view of it from our apartment but decided to tour it and were amazed at its beauty inside and out. Its' view of Paris is unsurpassed - you can see the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame. Inside are many beautiful sculptures and niches for each saint. I'm not Catholic so I'm not familiar with the saints but one can certainly appreciate the artistry of each of the niches and sculptures. It's such an inspiration to be able to observe and appreciate such beauty and the reverence that this City has for its' art and divinity.

The City of Light at Night

2011-12-04T18:51:00.004-05:00

After cruising Paris, we decided to head back to Fat Tire Bike Tours and do the night bike tour that very night. We rolled out at sunset and had a fabulous time. The night ride was much more laid back and we met several folks from all over. We saw many of the same sights as the Day Tour but also different things too like Notre Dame, the Pont St Louis, Diana's Flame and more. The City truly is a City of Light at night. The Louvre was amazing. We ended our ride with a boat cruise along the Seine where we got to enjoy the Eiffel Tower all lit up and sparkling. After our cruise, we went to a local bar and had dinner and beers with our fellow cruisers. Great night.

Cruising Paris

2011-11-30T21:41:00.005-05:00

Today we toured Paris by bicycle hosted by Fat Tire Bike Tours, an Austin-based company. We began of course at the The Eiffel Tower then biked over to Napoléon's Tomb. Onward to Musée D'Orsay, the Louvre, a cafe in the Tuileries Gardens for a lunch and beer, then the Champs-Elysées. We also the Ecole Militaire, Rodin Museum, Les Invalides, Alexander III Bridge, Grand and Petit Palais, Place de la Concorde, UNESCO and more! The guides were hilarious (also from Austin) and our fellow cruisers were a fun-loving bunch. It was an amazing time mainly because we were in Paris, the weather was perfect and we were on bikes.

Sorbet au Citron

2011-11-27T12:53:00.004-05:00

One of my favorite things about Paris was the sorbets. Each day we were there I tried a new flavor - citron (lemon), cassis (black current), pineapple, la pistache (pistachio), cerise (cherry) and les framboises (raspberry). I love tart sorbets so it's no surprise that the lemon I purchased in the gardens at the Louvre was my favorite. Bertillion's cassis was a close 2nd. I can't wait to try my hand at making my own sorbet using Bonjour Paris' recipe for sorbet au citron.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-11-24T17:58:00.004-05:00

A week ago today, I finally went under the knife and had the dreadful bunion fixed on my right foot. I had hoped to forego said surgery entirely but the two weeks spent hiking across Europe made it painfully clear that it needed to happen and soon. So for the last week I have been bedridden, cooped up, and have run my poor husband ragged with my poor humor. Although I know it had to be done, I hate that it's this time of year that I'm doing it. I love the fall and I love being active in the fall - hiking, riding my bike, just being outside doing. something. There's only so much reading and TV one can do. Today, we ventured out to Hoover's restaurant for a "soulful" Thanksgiving dinner instead of preparing it at home. And of course there was a hour-long wait on crutches and in an aircast without the comforts of home. Thankfully the food was good. But as a take inventory of my life and the things that I have to be thankful for, it just doesn't make sense for me to have a pity party about being immobile for a few weeks. It could be worse. I could be permanently disabled. Lonely. Without opportunities. So, today I am thankful. Optimistic. Loved.

Church of Saint-Jean-de-Montmartre

2011-11-21T13:15:00.004-05:00

After wandering around the Louvre, we walked toward the Musee de Orsay and Montmartre where the likes of Dali and Picasso used to live and work. We received a frantic call from my husband's family while we were walking around Montmartre that his sister-in-law was having her baby 2.5 months early. We stopped at Eglise Saint Jean de Montmartre to pray. Moments later, we received wonderful news that mom and baby were doing well. This church was built in the late 1800/early 1900's. It's small but very beautiful and peaceful.

Musee de Louvre

2011-11-20T11:44:00.008-05:00

We began our second day in Paris with breakfast sandwiches of ham and gruyere on fresh crossaints from the bakery just down the street. AMAZING. After breakfast, we walked to the Metro and headed to the Musee du Louvre. We started at the entrance but didn't go in. We decided early on that we were not going to visit any of the museums on this trip since we weren't going to be in Paris very long. So, we walked around the courtyard and grounds admiring the gardens and sculptures and enjoying the ambiance. The architecture and sculptures were simply breathtaking. The weather was perfect. Sunny and warm enough for a "citron" ice cream. We walked to the Place de la Concorde, the Champs-Élysées, the Tuileries Gardens, and the Eiffel Tower and fell in love with the beauty of the City.

Ahhhh Paris

2011-11-19T13:20:00.006-05:00

After a few days in Bath and Brussels, we arrived into Paris by train at 3:00 p.m. and walked to an apartment that we rented through airbnb.com. Yes, we walked. The apartment we rented was only a couple of blocks away from the train station nestled in a quiet neighborhood with a bakery, a wine shop, cafes, a grocery, a pharmacy, and shopping. We met our hostess for a tour of the apartment. The apartment was really nice and the views amazing (see above). Our view included the Sacre Coeur and the Saint Vincent du Paul church. It was even more beautiful at night - indeed the City of Lights. We explored the neighborhood, had tea at a cafe (a coffeehouse), and picked up some items for a light supper from the grocery next door. Baguettes, fromage, wine.

Mannekin Pis

2011-11-18T19:36:00.003-05:00

Ahhhh. One of Brussels' main attractions. Mannekin Pis. A small bronze fountain statute of a naked boy peeing into the fountain's basin. The little boy is about 61 cm tall (or rather short) and is dressed in several costumes per week. He has hundreds! The day we were there, he was dressed in some kind of military outfit. And this was as close as we could get thanks to the crowds.

Grand Place

2011-11-15T20:41:00.003-05:00

We spent one of days strolling around Brussels, shopping at a market, drinking tea at a cafe, and exploring the Grand Place where the Reclining Man and the Mannekin Pis reside. The Grand Place was indeed grand. The architecture is amazing. We were lucky enough to be there on a day when there was some kind of festival happening - live music and festive atmosphere. The Grand Place started as an outdoor market in the 10th century. The City Hall was built in the 1400s. It's difficult to fathom that these buildings are still standing. My visits to Europe have really opened by eyes to art and how much the Europeans value artistry not only in cathedrals but all through their cities, bridges, arches, gates, statutes.

Pierre Marcolini is Divine

2011-11-09T20:23:00.002-05:00

Belgium is of course known for its chocolates. And Pierre Marcolini is the best. The window displays were breathtaking. We stepped inside the shop and were taken with the assortment of truffles and chocolate creations. It's not what you would imagine a chocolate shop to look like. Everything was neat. Minimalist. Delicious. We splurged and purchased a tablet of assorted chocolates and the champagne truffles (which are rare). We fell in love with the truffles and are delighted that you can order them online.

Brussels, Belgium

2011-11-06T22:20:00.007-05:00

After a few days in England, we headed to Brussels by train and arrived at another airbnb.com accommodation, Charlie's B&B located in the Saint Gilles area. Our rooms were beautiful and the apartment was within walking distance of several great restaurants and cafes. On our first night, we walked to Brasserie de la Renaissance and had mussels, fries, and Duvel, a Belgian beer that is divine. The mussels and fries were amazing. Afterwards, we head to Le Bar du Matin for Drinks. We fell in love with Leffe beers. My goodness, there is nothing like a Belgian beer. It's funny though. Most of the bars (cafes) served Budweiser and charged a higher price because it's an "import". Can you imagine?

The BEST B&B

2011-11-02T21:17:00.002-04:00

Yes this is the B&B we stayed at in Bath, England. We discovered it on AirBNB.com. We were a little hesitant at first because it's not the type of B&B that we folks in America are used to. Europeans rent out a room in their homes and you sit down for breakfast with their family. We fell in love with this particular family - a single mom and her two sons. They were so much fun and we really felt at home. And we had this AMAZING view from our room.

Thermal Natural Waters

2011-11-01T20:57:00.003-04:00

Bath is well known for its hot thermal springs that were discovered "by Prince Bladud around 863BC, who was cured from his skin disease after bathing in the waters. The waters were then enjoyed by the Celts, Romans, Saxons and Georgians. The water fell as rain around 10,000 years ago and then sank to a depth of about 2km. Here it is heated by high temperature rocks before rising back up through one of the three hot springs in the centre of the City, the Cross Spring, Hetling or King’s Spring, which supplies the Roman Baths. These thermal waters contain over 42 different minerals, the most concentrated being sulphate, calcium & chloride. Over 1 million litres of this mineral-rich water flow from the springs each day."*

So after learning about its history and healing powers, we of course had to check it out. We showed up at Spa at Thermae Bath and fell in love. We headed to the open air rooftop spa where we could enjoy the view of the city while enjoying the warm waters. Then we went downstairs to the aroma steam rooms, foot baths, and waterfall showers. The steam rooms each had their own aromatherapy scent such as eucalyptus and frankincense. Finally, we ended the evening at the Minerva Bath which was a large pool with massage jets, a whirlpool and a 'lazy river'. LOVE LOVE LOVE.

Bath Abbey

2011-10-30T22:01:00.003-04:00

Bath Abbey was definitely one of the highlights of our trip not only because of its beauty but also the talent that resides there. During our visit to the Abbey, an organist began playing a powerful arrangement. It was incredible. Although we did "record" some of it, my one regret is that I didn't purchase a CD of some of their recordings. Thank goodness for iTunes because I found an album of recordings by Peter King at Bath Abbey.

An Evening with Jane Austen

2011-10-19T21:25:00.003-04:00

Destination: The Jane Austen Festival, Bath, England. One very long airplane ride, two trains, and a bus later, we arrived at our B&B in Bath. We freshened up and headed out for a fish and chips at a local pub and then on to ‘Love in the Pleasure Gardens’ which featured musicians playing Lady Georgianna music complete with Regency attire.

A European Honeymoon

2011-10-19T21:22:00.003-04:00

My husband and I just came back from our "honeymoon" which we planned on the spur of the moment and almost two years AFTER our nuptials. We planned a 14 day vacation via Eurail pass and airbnb.com through England (Eurostar), Belgium, France and Switzerland.

Our first challenge was packing light since we would be trainhopping and staying in a lot of B&B's. So we limited ourselves to a backpack. Mine weighed 16 pounds. I carried very little. 3 pairs of pants, 1 dress, 2 pairs socks, hiking shoes, black flats, a swimsuit, 8 tops, 2 scarves, 1 hat and 1 jacket. Storage bags that you roll and pack are the best inventions for travelers.

It was an AMAZING trip. A perfect trip. We planned it just right, fell off the grid, and embraced the European lifestyle with open arms. We can't wait to go back.

Dangerous Drought

2011-07-30T12:53:00.003-04:00

We're experiencing the one of the worst droughts in central Texas history. Everyone is being encourage to conserve water and energy. Our gardens are non-existent. Our yards are brown and the grass it so dry it crunches when you walk on it. Wildlife is desperate for water as all the creeks are dry. I have to fill our bird baths every day because the deer stop by for drink. Worse, our home has well water and we don't have any fire hydrants in our neighborhood. Due to the dangerous drought conditions, the chances of wildfires are high and if one were to start near our home, we could very well lose everything. That fear resonated this past week when a wildfire consumed 600 acres not too far from our home. The drought conditions are so bad that a the sparks from a welding torch caused such mayhem! We need rain. If you have some, send it our way.

Mexican free-tailed bats

2011-07-25T18:44:00.006-04:00

One of the best things to do in Austin this time of year is heading down to the Congress Avenue Bridge at twilight to watch the largest urban bat colony of over a million Mexican free-tailed bats emerge from their roost within the bridge. At dusk they venture out for their nightly hunts and spectators gather to watch the spectacle. It truly is a sight to see. Unfortunately the severe drought is forcing the bats to hunt earlier and further for insects. Thankfully experts report that one year won't break them.

Vacation Destination: Colonial Willamsburg, VA

2011-06-26T12:09:00.003-04:00

Last week we spent the week in Williamburg, VA an area rich in American Revolution history. I would characterize the trip as an educational one. It was an opportunity to relearn all the history I forgot since high school and The Patriot. We toured the Jamestown Settlement and as an adult, you realize just how tough it really was for the first settlers and the attitudes held by those who supported the king or the revolutionaries. We also toured Yorktown in which I discovered how the French and the Americans utilized "earthworks" to defeat the British. It was impressive to see the different types of cannons and their firing ranges and unique tactical advantages. And I learned about Patrick Henry, the "Greatest Lawyer that Ever Lived" who contributed much more than his catchphrase, "give me death or give me liberty".

Flying Around

2011-06-01T21:24:00.004-04:00

I spotted a scissor-tailed flycatcher flying around on one my hikes this week with the pups and also on my ride along Creek Road. Oddly enough, this bird comes by its name honestly as it actually "catches" flies and other insects.

Jester King Brewery

2011-05-30T12:37:00.003-04:00

A local favorite of mine - Jester King Brewery - is just around the corner from our place. Close enough to ride to. We paid homage to the brewery on Saturday afternoon. The brewery is open for tours and tastings on Saturday afternoons. $10 gets you a souvenir pint glass, a tour and 3 tastings. The tastings are not "tastings" but instead full pints! We enjoyed our Wytchmaker Rye India Pale Ales under the live oaks outside and went home to our Black Metal Imperial Stout cooling in our fridge.

On the Trail

2011-05-24T20:09:00.003-04:00

Today my dogs and I hit the trails nearby on two separate hikes and had a blast. This morning was much cooler and the dogs ran to their heart's content. This evening it was super hot, the dogs were dragging, and we spotted a coyote which totally freaked me out. I of course panicked and ran in the opposite direction. The dogs, strangely enough, never even picked up its scent. The rest of the hike was spent looking around frantically. I really must get some pepper spray. Maybe coyotes aren't even a threat but I'm not taking any chances. Same goes for tarantulas and snakes.

At the Birdfeeder

2011-05-23T21:20:00.004-04:00

© ashockenberry

Ah, we have a new visitor, the Brown-headed Cowbird. This bird is really interesting as it is one of the few birds that does not build its own nest but instead uses other bird's nests. And, it leaves its eggs for the other birds to foster. Imagine that! Oftentimes, the "foster" parent doesn't recognize the cowbird's eggs as being different than its own or is unable to "roll" the eggs out of their nest. So, the foster is facing with risking its own eggs to raise the cowbird's. And, the cowbird produces many more eggs than a typical bird with many partners versus having just one mate.

Ride along Creek Road

2011-05-22T16:07:00.002-04:00

We headed out for a road ride this morning on Creek Road in Dripping Springs and rode about 17.5 miles to CR 165 and back to Pioneer Bank. It was a lovely ride - fair weather, some sunshine and a lot of cyclists. I would describe the ride as pretty easy - there are some rollers but the scenery and so few cars is what makes this ride fun. This will definitely be one of our favorites.

At the Birdfeeder

2011-05-21T14:56:00.003-04:00

My favorite bird, the Painted Bunting, has returned to our place. I love watching the male (as shown above) flitting about our new birdfeeder, patiently waiting his turn to feed. The rainbow colors of his feathers are breathtaking. I also love the female's beautiful green feathers.

After the rain

2011-05-19T21:55:00.002-04:00

It poured last week which was really needed. We've had burn bans, wildfires, and the ever pending threat of wildfires due the dry conditions and high winds. I love rain and I have certainly missed its' benefits. It rained again today and now everything is fresh, green, and beautiful. Best of all, these beautiful
white rain lilies (Zephyranthes) keep popping up everywhere.

Bonafide Trail Dogs

2011-05-16T19:21:00.004-04:00

Tried and true, these two have made the cut. They can keep up with the big boys and girls on the trail. This weekend, we tested each one separately while riding our mountain bikes out near our property. Izzy the eldest went first with a group of us on Saturday and did brilliantly. She excels in climbing and scrambling. Big Papi, the youngest and biggest, did great with his Dad on Sunday. Although fast, he doesn't quite have the endurance that his sister has. Still, I'm so proud and impressed by their skills and a little embarrassed. Izzy was faster than me on a couple of climbs. I foresee many more trail rides (and runs) in the near future.

At the Birdfeeder

2011-05-13T23:25:00.003-04:00

We're getting lots of colorful birds this week. Painted buntings, red cardinals, and a green bird that I finally identified as a red-eyed vireo (above). I have yet to see the wild peacock that I keep hearing but my neighbors assured me that it exists as they spotted it in one their trees yesterday. And finally, I saw the sweetest little fawn yesterday who was probably only hours old. It was so tiny with big spots and could barely walk. Precious.

If only running felt this good

2011-05-10T20:21:00.003-04:00

I love watching my dogs run, especially Big Papi, our 1 year old shepherd mix rescue. He's hilarious and goes all out. I often think to myself I sure wish I could run like that. These days, I prefer walking to running and riding at a leisurely pace. I tend to do it more for the pleasure of it versus a workout. Of course, we all see the problem in that. No pain means GAIN 10 lbs. I WILL I WILL do it. Tomorrow.

True Yard Art

2011-05-06T21:25:00.003-04:00

Cedar is apparently an art form out here in the Hill Country. We have several "pieces" scattered throughout our front and back yard. Such amazing natural sculptures.

What happened to the Wildflowers?

2011-05-05T19:34:00.005-04:00

This has not been a good spring for the wildflowers. Bluebonnets are rare these days. We hoped to get a change of scenery and see if we could find a few on the Willow City Loop outside Fredericksburg where it's rumored to have the best display of Texas wildflowers. We loaded up on bikes on Sunday and arrived just in time for the coldfront and we were sorely disappointed. Harry's was closed (biker bar and BBQ) and there were no wildflowers in sight. We did see a few birds but the only bird that really stood out was the red-tailed hawk we saw flying along the ridgeline.

Photo taken by © Don Holland, Oregon, April 2007

An afternoon at The Barber Shop

2011-05-01T18:42:00.003-04:00

My husband and I stopped at The Barber Shop yesterday afternoon for lunch and a couple of pints. The Barber Shop used to be a barber shop for decades. Now it's a brewpub which serves primarily local beers and wines. There's live music on the weekends, a food trailer out on the patio, and lots of good chatter at the bar. But the best part of course is the beer on tap. I had a Thirsty Goat by Thirsty Planet (a brewery right down the road) and the Bucking Bock by Rahr & Sons (pictured above). My husband enjoyed an Amber by Real Ale and Black Metal Stout by Jester King. How lucky are we to live in area with excellent brews!

At the Birdfeeder

2011-04-30T12:14:00.004-04:00

I spotted a male and female Northern Bobwhite, otherwise known as "quail", this morning at my feeder along with a couple of cardinals and plus our old friend, a golden-fronted woodpecker that loves to peck away on the telephone pole.

The male has a black and white stripe. I still think it's cute that birds stay together as couples and raise a family. Quails tend to live and travel in "coveys" for survival, warmth and well probably just plain ole companionship. Quails are gamebirds which is strange because they really are tiny yet plump. The male I spotted this morning was pretty awkward. He foraged the grass for seeds that fell from the feeder and then flew up to a limb and tried to figure out how to get to the feeder. He couldn't so he plopped back down on the ground. Although quails are prominent in this region of Texas, this morning was the first time I've actually seen one near my place.

Antelope Horns

2011-04-27T21:29:00.004-04:00

This wildflower is Asclepias asperula, with a common name Antelope Horns. A strange yet beautiful plant that is growing wild all over our land. It was by lucky chance that Dripping Springs Babble featured a photo of it as a pic of the week identifying it as a milkweed. I then googled "milkweed" and was surprised to learn that there are many many varieties. This variety is prevalent in the Southwest and it primarily serves as a source of nectar for bees and larval for butterflies.

Photo Taken by Wing-Chi Poon on 23rd April 2005 at Gorman Creek Trail, Colorado Bend State Park, Bend, Texas, USA. Category:Asclepias asperula

Beep Beep!

2011-04-25T19:56:00.003-04:00

Hmmm. This roadrunner doesn't even remotely resemble one of my favorite cartoons of all time. Instead, it looks more like a really skinny chicken. The Greater Roadrunner is an interesting bird that I often spot on walks and also at the Veloway. It coos instead of beeps. It feasts on small insects, lizards, and birds so be wary of these fellas around your birdfeeders. They also can run up to 18 miles an hour so I wonder if it really can "outrun" a coyote.

Juan Pelota Ranch

2011-04-24T18:15:00.004-04:00

Mellow Johnny's hosted a pre-ride of next week's Mellow Classic today at Juan Pelota Ranch, the venue for the Classic and Lance Armstrong's ranch. There's 8+ miles of sweet Hill Country singletrack and it's only open to the public (mostly racers) a few times a year. So, hubby and I headed out to the ranch to check out the trails. We arrived just as the gates opened and immediately noted the line of riders waiting to sign in. There had to be at least 40 riders in line and that's not counting all those suiting up, getting their bikes ready and on the trail already. Excellent turnout of very serious riders who are probably racing this course next week. Hubs and I rolled out on the trail and were shortly greeted by several racers behind us who passed us. I'm glad I could serve as another obstacle. ;-) Each of them displayed excellent technical passing skills. I also noted that my favorite gear started slipping and grinding. Not good for me or for those behind me. I had to veer over a few times to get it sorted.

As time went on, I became more and more distracted by the rider traffic and my slipping gear. I felt like I was rushing rushing rushing and had to get through sections quickly so that I wouldn't slow down the riders behind me. This quickly led to an ugly descent where I was not properly clipped in and consequently lost my balance and took a pretty hard fall that ended my ride for the day. My left leg took the brunt of the impact and I have quite a knot on my knee - no that's not a second knee. GRRR. I'm very disappointed in my lack of performance and confidence today and especially that I didn't even get to finish out the trail. What little I saw of the trail was fun and I'm sure I would have enjoyed the rest of it. But on the upside, I much rather crash and not finish early on in the ride than about 4-5 miles in.

Lesson learned. Ride your own ride. Take your time. Racers are skilled at passing slower persons. You are not skilled when you are distracted or rushing. I also learned that I'm not quite "race-ready" as I had hoped to particiapte in an Xterra triathlon this year. The ride today just goes to show that I have a lot more miles ahead of me before I attempt to do any type of mountain bike race where I'm thrown into a start with everyone else. However, maybe I would be okay in a MTB race since you start in waves with those in your category. By the time the pros hit the trails, you're hopefully done. If my leg is better by next weekend, I just might roll up to the start so I can check out the rest of the trail. :)

Kayaking Lake Travis

2011-04-24T11:54:00.004-04:00

I've kayaked rivers and the ocean but never a lake. Yesterday we rented a tandem kayak from Austin Canoe & Kayak and headed to Pace Bend Park for a full day of kayaking on Lake Travis. That full day turned into about an hour and a half due toe the intense workout. We quickly realized that lake kayaking is all about constant, rhythmic paddling and fighting the current and wakes from ski boats. We had a great time but it was definitely a shoulder and core workout. I must say we're a little addicted now and already planning more floats and "workouts" in the very near future.

Here she is

2011-04-22T16:03:00.002-04:00

I'm proud to introduce you to the Specialized Allez that I purchased from a friend. She has ridden many miles in this state, California, Iowa and others. She has many stories that have yet to be written but I look forward to unraveling them one by one, mile by mile. She's a smoothie and held up well against the wind this morning on our 20+ mile through Circle C and the Veloway. Next ride - Creek Road in Dripping Springs.

On the Road Again

2011-04-21T19:54:00.005-04:00

Since I prefer pub crawls on my single speed and the trails on my MTB, it has been a few years since I've actually ridden a road bike on the *gasp* roads. Now that I'm sort of (supposed to be) training for a triathlon in the distant near future, I decided to finally spruce up the Specialized that I purchased from a friend last summer and get it road-ready. This weekend, we made some adjustments and changed out the tires and tubes with new ones, changed out the flat pedals with my high end Shimano pedals from back in the day, and best of all, a lovely Terry Damselfly saddle as the cherry on top. I had forgotten how awful it is to change road tires. It was definitely a 2-person job this time around.

After completing a "test ride" around my neighborhood, I decided that it was indeed road-ready and headed out with my training group for a short ride out to the Veloway and back. I also forgot how fun it is to go really fast and have a bike that responds so quickly. I'm happy to report that she rode like a dream, there were no mechanical issues, and I had a great time. I'm so looking forward to my next ride. Pics to come!

Texas Spiny Lizard

2011-04-15T19:07:00.002-04:00

I found one of these fellas lounging in my home office. It's pretty creepy looking isn't it? My husband immediately fell in love with it (he also thinks tarantulas are cool). I'd much prefer to admire such creatures from a distance or even a portrait not in such close proximity.

Photographer: LA Dawson
Texas Spiny Lizard, Sceloporus olivaceus from Austin, Texas

Slow Ride Single Speed Style or SRSSS for short

2011-04-14T20:26:00.002-04:00

Wow. Today was gorgeous! I came home to a flat tire on my road bike so instead of fixing it, I decided to take the Single Speed for a ride around Big Country. After about the 3rd climb, I was kicking myself for not fixing the roadie's flat. But then I started looking around and instantly discovered the benefits of a slow ride. The views were amazing and the neighborhood dogs did not consider me a threat. It turned out to be a nice spin and one helluva quad workout.

Kites make me happy

2011-04-05T22:34:00.003-04:00

I love the adage "go fly a kite" probably because it's meant to be an insult but flying kites brings a smile to my face. Perhaps because of all the laughter that my husband and I enjoyed while watching each other trying to fly our fancy schmancy Owl kite. Each of us howled with laughter watching the other run down the street and across our yard trying to get the kite going in the air only to see it float about 25feet up for about 5 seconds before it would come crashing to the ground in a nose dive time and time again. We finally gave up after about 30 attempts but we certainly got some good laughs in. Excellent therapy. Now, we're on the hunt for an "easier" kite to fly and planning a fun kite flying or fighting party. My favorite moment is when my husband doubled over laughing after about 10 nose dives. Such great fun.

Drills Drills and More Drills

2011-04-03T12:46:00.002-04:00

I hit the pool yesterday with my Tri Group after not swimming for about a month. I was surprised that I was able to hang with the group for a solid hour of drills. It's amazing how much awareness I have now of my form or the lack thereof. It was a good day at the pool and now I'm getting more excited about actually doing a triathlon after the adventure race in May. I'm thinking either the Danskin Women's tri or something in the Fall. I really want to the do the Xterra at Muleshoe but I will be on vacation that week and I really don't want to miss my vacation!

An Uncaptured Sunrise

2011-04-01T21:44:00.002-04:00

This sunrise was truly beautiful - glowing a light orange. Unfortunately, my new iPhone 4G doesn't even come closing to capturing the colors, even with the "high-def" setting. I wonder if camera phones will ever come close to really capturing what the eye sees. I hope so else it's back to carrying a phone and a camera!

Soaring above

2011-03-31T15:20:00.003-04:00

The last few days have been windy enough for the turkey vultures to soar about just drifting on the wind. Although, I'm usually repulsed by this ugly bird especially when I see it feasting on road kill, it's really beautiful to watch it soaring overhead. They can soar for hours without even flapping their wings. Amazing. Even my dogs watch the vultures as they dip closer and closer to the ground. I'm sure me and my dogs are a comical sight just standing and watching with eyes to the sky.

Beautiful Foggy Morning

2011-03-29T22:17:00.001-04:00

Lustre Pearl and Highball

2011-03-27T16:24:00.004-04:00

Last night was a great time in Austin. We celebrated my husband's 35th birthday with drinks at Lustre Pearl followed by a Magnifico show at The Highball. Magnifico is a Queen tribute band. The front man wears a purple spandez bodysuit and is quite a performer and singer. We had a great time rocking to Queen's hits. The Highball was also a great venue - bowling lanes, red leather, gold leather, private karoake rooms, stage and dancefloor. Best part - FREE cover.

Coyotes and Woodpeckers

2011-03-26T13:32:00.004-04:00

Last night I awoke to loud barking, yelping and howling sounds of a band of coyotes. Apparently they were running in a pack chasing something. They started in our backyard and ran back and forth. Their vocals were amazing even if I couldn't quite appreciate them at 3am. I guess they were enjoying the clear night. I'm also surprised that our local coyotes travel in packs. I've always heard that coyotes were loners like in Wiley Coyote. Usually you only see one but here we've spotted them in threes. And judging the sound of their howls, it really sounds like they have an entire choir.

Today the sun is shining, the trees have leaves, and birds are flying all around. So far I've spotted a male and female ladderbacked woodpecker, a male and female cardinal, Western scrub jays, mockingbirds, and other birds that I haven't yet identified due to distance and tree cover. Spring is here spring is here!

Bluebonnets and Goldfinches

2011-03-25T20:03:00.003-04:00

Spring is here. I spotted several patches of bluebonnets and also the cutest American goldfinches this week. Soon, we'll have huge fields of wildflowers.

Corn Dogs, Fried Snickers, and yes, Joan Jett

2011-03-23T21:42:00.003-04:00

It's rodeo time in Austin! A couple of my friends and I headed to the Rodeo last night specifically to see Joan Jett & the Blackhearts. Joan brings back such sweet and angry memories of me listening to her records from elementary school on. And, I was not disappointed. She can still rock it out and her vocals still sound like her records. She doesn't scream as much but wow, what a performer!

Of course, it was a rodeo so we had a good time watching the bull riding, roping and barrel racing and cruising around eating all the fried food we could find. I highly recommend the fried snickers. Warm and gooey chocolate. They also had fried twinkies, fried oreos and fried milky ways.

Turkey Season

2011-03-21T19:12:00.002-04:00

How weird is it that I had my first sighting of wild turkeys during turkey season? Well, hopefully they're safe here in my neighborhood although with the likes of some of my neighbors, I would'nt bet on it.

Spring Break

2011-03-14T22:15:00.003-04:00

Ahhhh... Day 1 of Spring Break and a much needed staycation. My husband and I are staying close to home getting things done and riding as much as we can. Today, we ventured out to Rocky Hill Ranch in Smithville, Texas. It's been a long time since we've ridden there but today we had a blast. I love the beauty of the tall tall pines.

Fire-breathing Kittens?

2011-03-13T12:37:00.001-04:00

This picture sums up our ride and run perfectly yesterday at Slaughter Creek. A three-mile run does not feel good after a ten-mile mountain bike ride. I've got a long way to go fitness-wise to be somewhat competitive i.e. comfortable at the mid-May adventure race.

Now on to the fun part. My training partner and I are having the worst time trying to come up with a team name. I like funny girly names and she likes tough brutal or monkey names. Any suggestions for us?

On the Trail Again

2011-03-09T20:04:00.003-05:00

I just need some Girltalk

2011-03-09T20:04:00.001-05:00

Another good run Slaughter Creek trail today. Finished in 39 minutes - 1 minute faster than the day the coyotes were chasing me. Perhaps it was the music. I downloaded All Day by Girltalk a while back. It's a sweet mix to run to. It's also a continuous stream so I can't skip a song. Admittedly I tend to shuffle a bit when I'm running which can be a distraction. Today was a perfect run - I had the trail to myself, sunshine, and a cool breeze. I took this shot with my iPhone mid-run. I love the sun's rays. Next, I run a longer run on Friday. Time to step it up a bit.

Maybe I need the coyotes

2011-03-07T21:29:00.005-05:00

I ran the same trail today that I heard the coyote on last week and finished a few minutes slower. I felt better on the run but I've got a long long way to go before I feel good. The trail really is nice - it's so close to my office and home and it's perfect for training. 3-mile loop, 5-mile loop. Run or Ride or Both. There was only one horse/rider and mountain biker on the trail today. So much better than Town Lake!

Wimberley Market Days

2011-03-06T14:52:00.001-05:00

I love trade days and flea markets. Yesterday we headed to Wimberley Market Days to visit a friend of ours who has a booth there. She sells unique minerals and fossils such as amethyst, onyx, crystals, etc. Of course, we can't resist purchasing something. She has such an amazing collection. Yesterday, in addition to picking up a beautiful blue mineral (name to be provided later), we picked up a T-Rex sculpture, roasted peanuts, kettle corn and the above repurposed glass piece. I love how it sparkles in the sunlight.

Slaughter Creek Trail

2011-03-03T21:43:00.007-05:00

Ahhh I got to try out my new kicks today at Slaughter Creek trail. "The City of Austin Water Utility (City) owns and maintains the Water Quality Protection Lands (WQPL’s). This is not a park, but rather a sensitive environmental area that is preserved in order to protect and improve the quality of water entering the aquifer." The trails remind me a lot of Big Country near our house. It was a fun trail to run, great for a quick workout. I'm not sure how many miles the loop is but it's one of those that even though you're allowed to bike it, it really is too short. It is however perfect for introducing people to trail riding.

Anyhow, I ran the entire loop in about 40 minutes. It was a nice run. My shoes felt good. Toward the end, I began reflecting on my run thus far and wondered where the deer were. Usually deer are out and about just before dusk. About a minute later, I heard the howling of a coyote. It got louder and louder and I swear it was about 50 yards away at one point. Since this was my first visit to the trail, I didn't know how much further I had to go. I did my best to hold the panic at bay but those howls were eerie. I've never heard of a coyote attacking a person before but I sure didn't want to be the first! Needless to say, I picked up the pace and made it safely to the car. I don't think I will be out there at dusk again although my heartrate sure did reach anaerobic levels! ;)

New Kicks

2011-03-02T19:57:00.001-05:00

Got my new trail kicks today! New Balance WT101. Beautiful, lightweight and fast. Can't wait to burn up the trails with these.

Homeward Bound

2011-03-01T19:42:00.001-05:00

His and Hers

2011-02-28T19:59:00.003-05:00

My husband surprised me with these wonderful his and her hill country style rocking chairs. Like most front porches, everyone gathers on ours. Whenever family or friends visit, we all hang out on the porch, enjoying the view, drinking our coffee and just chatting. Sometimes, my parents will slip out and just enjoy the view for a few minutes early in the morning waiting for us to get up. So not only is it a gift to us, it's a wonderful gift for those who visit us.

Big Sky Ranch

2011-02-27T15:22:00.005-05:00

How would you like to have this as your backyard? Yesterday, we explored the Hill Country with my parents who are searching for a retirement property. We checked out Big Sky Ranch in Wimberley, Texas. This swimming hole and falls border many of the lots. All you need is a towel and maybe a hammock.

The Best Chicken Fried Steak

2011-02-20T15:43:00.003-05:00

I love chicken fried steak smothered in cream gravy and I just about order it from any menu that features it. It's one of the things that keep me from going vegetarian. I don't know if I can give it up. I mean, I don't eat it all the time but I sure enjoy it when I do, especially if it's served with mashed potatoes. We headed over to Cafe 131 on Friday night and ordered its version called the "country fried ribeye". Laura at Way Out West Austin took the above photo and reviewed it here. I don't know how she had the patience to even take the photo. The steak is handcut, tenderized and cooked while you wait. You can hear the chef pounding the steak way out in the dining room. And the gravy. Oh the gravy is heaven. Creamy, peppery, and full of flavor. My husband had the grilled ribeye which was also amazing.

Another perfect weekend

2011-02-13T20:26:00.003-05:00

Ah, I wrapped up two weeks of "training" with a long ride at Mule Shoe Bend in Spicewood. I love love love this trail system. Fun rollers, climbs and a few technical sections to keep it interesting. The trails were in great condition and the weather was perfect - 70s, sunshine, not a cloud in the sky.

But it was not a good week to train. The temps were freezing and most of my days were spent at work or babysitting our frozen pipes. So, less time on the trails and at the gym. But in the interest of accountability, here is what my week looked like.

2/05 (Saturday) Light workout (pushups, crunches, etc.) and spin around the neighborhood
2/06 - 1 hour mountain bike ride (Big Country)
2/07 - 2/10 - walking the dogs/stretching
2/11 - 30 minute swim
2/12 - OFF (Winery tour with my sweetie)
2/13 - 1.5 hour mountain bike ride (Mule Shoe)

Texas Wine Trail

2011-02-12T20:56:00.006-05:00

My hubby and I have tickets to the Wine Lovers Trail for the next two weekends. Today, we set out for the wineries that are further North. We first traveled to Texas Hills Vineyard in Johnson City. Our favorites were the 2008 Pinot Grigio and the 2009 Cabernet Franc. This particular winery was quaint, the wines were good however we were disappointed in the service we received. It was a simple pour. No anecdotes, no information.

Next, we traveled to McReynolds Winery in Cypress Mill. This was absolutely one of the best stops we had in terms of good reparte. We also enjoyed many of the wines, particularly the 2006 Merlot and the Sauvignon Blanc. The Texas Le Noir made with Black Spanish grapes had a very unique and surprising taste. A bit much for my palate.

Then, we headed further north and stopped at the Bluebonnet Cafe in Marble Falls for a late lunch. The chicken fried steak was divine. The lemon meringue pie was not, perhaps because I am quite spoiled by my husband's made from scratch recipe.

After, we traveled even further to Perissos Vineyards in Burnet near Inks Lake. It is a fairly new, family friendly vineyard. We enjoyed most of the wines, including their Viognier, Petite Sirah, Cabernet, and Vintner's Blend. I especially enjoyed meeting their dogs.

Finally, our last stop today was at Fall Creek Vineyards in Tow, Texas. Although we are very familiar with and enjoy their wines (thanks to HEB), this was our first trip to the winery. The grounds and tasting room are beautiful. It is quite a drive though - all the way up and past Lake Buchanan but if you're a fan of Fall Creek, it's worth it. Their walls are covered with well-deserved awards. The wines are reasonable, good, and readily available at HEB. We recommend the Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Muscat Canelli, and Granite Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon.

Big Country

2011-02-07T14:49:00.003-05:00

Yesterday we decided to do a "pre-game" ride on our mountain bikes. The weather was perfect - sunny and in the 70s. It was in the 20s on Saturday, the day before. Central Texas weather. One day your pipes are frozen and you have no water, the next day, you're riding your bike in short sleeves and shorts.

We explored another section of the trails that we haven't ventured before and ran into one of our neighbors who allegedly built many of the trails. We're so glad we "ran" into him because he showed us a few more trails - all technical singletrack. It was a great day on the bike.

Artic Blast is over!

2011-02-05T16:32:00.003-05:00

It was 20 degrees yesterday and now it's 60 degrees. Only in Texas. So, we had a light spin on our mountain bikes around the neighborhood followed by some good ole calisthenics.

Hubby/Me
Pushups - 30/12
Crunches - 75/50
Leg lifts - 20/10
Supermans - 20/10

It's not a stellar performance but it's a starting point. We can only improve, right? Tomorrow we're hitting the trails.

Let's keep moving

2011-02-04T14:26:00.004-05:00

So, a week ago I committed to training for an adventure race which meant it was time to pull away from my desk and get moving. I'm easing into it so as not to inflame old injuries and I want to mix it up. I'm not one to train on the treadmill. Instead, I prefer to use the nearby trails, the pool, and of course do whatever I can to spend quality time with my husband and pups.

01/29- 30 min hike with Hubby and pups
01/30- 1 hour mountain bike ride
01/31 - REST
02/01 - 20 min trail run with pups
02/02 - 30 min swim at the Y followed by 1 hour massage
02/03 - 1 hour workout with PT (warmup, stretching, recovery)
02/04 - Snow Day :-)

I feel good and I'm looking forward to doing what I can to "move every day".

Day 4 - It's a Snow Day

2011-02-04T10:14:00.004-05:00

We only got an inch last night but it's enough to shut down the schools and courts. My hearing was cancelled and now I'm enjoying a hot coffee and watching the dogs play in the snow. Of course, watching the dogs was short-lived as they jetted out to the trails and disappeared. They'll be back for breakfast.

Photo courtesy of Dripping Springs Babble. I couldn't get a picture of my pups - they're fast!

Day 3 - Frozen pipes, freezing temps

2011-02-03T20:33:00.001-05:00

Yeah. Life without running water is really starting to suck.

Freezing temps

2011-02-02T18:13:00.004-05:00

BRRRRRRR. The temperatures have reached their lowest lows in over 20 years. We woke up this morning to frozen pipes. An early morning with no shower, no coffee. Thank goodness for that gym membership. It certainly came in handy today. I tried to make myself feel better by working in a swim workout so that the only reason I went to the gym was not for the delicious hot shower. The swim was good. Even now, I'm barely able to keep my eyes open. Does anyone else get super sleepy after a swim?

Artic Blast

2011-02-01T20:34:00.003-05:00

The wind howled and the sleet beat against the windows all night last night. Needless to say, I was hard pressed to get up and run. But I did. I ran the trails for about 20 minutes with my pups. I had forgotten how much I enjoy running in the cold and they were especially enjoying it. Now that my runners are caked with mud, I'm motivated even more to find trail runners that shed mud more easily. Any suggestions?

A New ADVenture

2011-01-31T11:44:00.004-05:00

In an effort to lose a few pounds and have a little fun along the way, my husband and I have decided to start training for a sprint adventure race here in Texas. Due our busy schedules, we have to do as much as we can at home. Luckily, we have a sweet trail system just steps from our front door. Seriously, we can ride our bikes across our yard and we're in a top secret location that only the "locals" know about. The terrain is varied with singletrack, doubletrack, climbs, and bushwhacking. Perfect for easing us into "training" without killing us technically or with elevation. It was a perfect weekend - sunny skies, 78 degrees and tacky trails. We hiked with our dogs on Saturday and then grabbed our mountain bikes on Sunday and hit the trails. It was rough going at first but once our legs (and lungs) warmed up, we had a blast. We came across only two folks on horseback and scouted all the trails for which would be best for running, riding and "orienteering". This trail system is going to be perfect for our busy lifestyle. I love life in the Hill Country.

Holiday Spirit

2010-12-06T21:53:00.002-05:00

Ah, this Saturday we had our own holiday tour of local wineries. It's wonderful to have so many within a 15-mile radius especially when family and friends come to visit.

The Driftwood Estate Winery - best views of the day, gifts, and wines. My favorite "holiday" wine was a wine they were featuring from Wimberley Valley. A very spice Sangria that tasted more like a mulled wine than sangria.

Bell Springs Winery is a small boutique winery. Our favorite wines of the day especially the Pinot Grigio and the Dripping Sweet. They also had live music and great gifts.

Fall in Central Texas

2010-11-14T16:37:00.005-05:00

I love the contrast of the green cedars against the brown, yellow and red grasses with just a splash of orange. Can you name that "orange" tree?

Fall in New England

2010-11-09T19:58:00.003-05:00

Sigh. I miss New England in the Fall. I dream of taking a walk through Central Park in NYC, apple picking in New England, the unbelievable saturation of colors at the Arboretum in JP, hot coffee warming your gloved hands, and the crispness in the air.

A visit to the Pumpkin Patch

2010-10-24T15:47:00.003-04:00

I love this time of year. Pumpkins, sangria, seasonal ales.

Sunrise or Sunset?

2010-10-21T21:29:00.000-04:00

I love my view

2010-10-12T23:27:00.000-04:00

I heart rainbows

2010-09-26T22:19:00.001-04:00

scattered showers, cool breezes, and wet grass.

Name that tree, name that plant

2010-09-19T12:34:00.002-04:00

Last week we consulted with an arborist and landscape designer to help us identity plants that are in and would work within our landscape as well as identity and prioritize issues. Since we're both from other areas (East Texas, Boston, MA), we have had a lot of difficulty identifying the plants, trees, shrubs and flowers on our land. Within a few minutes, the designer rattled off everything he could see. Sure beats referring to a book! Stay tuned.

Olives in the Hill Country

2010-09-12T18:39:00.011-04:00

Today we headed out to Bella Vista Ranch in Wimberley to tour the grove of Olive trees and taste the oils and also wines from the proprietor's vineyard. The proprietor, Jack Dougherty, is actually the first in Texas to successfully grow olives! He was there today to present his creations and was a real pleasure to chat with, even if he hates the Red Sox. I really do enjoy talking with artisans about their creations and the inspiration behind them. So we spent the next half hour talking about his olives, the olive oils, wines, jams, and vinegarsThe olive oils were very light and flavorful. The blood orange infused oil was amazing. We also tasted a Fig & Vanilla balsamic vinegar which was inspired by a dessert at a restaurant in Austin. Delicious. The wines were also quite good. We came home with a bag of goodies - the Fig & Vanilla Balsamic, wine-filled chocolates, Sweet Almond olive oil soap, a Blackberry Wine, and the Lyte White wine. The wines are refreshing and perfect for sipping on the porch on these hot days.

Just a short ride away

2010-09-12T12:51:00.004-04:00

Ahh, the joys of living in the Hill Country. Solaro Estate Winery and Vineyards are just a short ride away (less than 6 miles) from our home. Yesterday, my husband and I celebrated the day with lunch and a tasting. The Syrah was wonderful.

Washed Away

2010-09-09T17:28:00.003-04:00

Wow. All of central Texas is flooded thanks to Hurricane Hermine. It's amazing how much rain we've received over the last few days and now we're at a record for the YEAR!

The Beautiful Purple Martin

2010-09-02T06:54:00.003-04:00

I finally spotted the much anticipated Purple Martin at my feeder. It's so weird how obsessed I am with birds, vegetation and wildlife. I think it's because I always knew what things were in my part of the world but now that I'm in Central Texas, I don't recognize anything. Soon I'll be able to call this part of the world home. :)

Just another day in the Hill Country

2010-08-29T16:58:00.006-04:00

You know you're in Texas when one of your neighbors knocks upon your door and tells you that he's going down in the woods near your home armed with .22 and a beer to defend himself (and his dogs) against the coyotes that charged at him last night. This particular neighbor is rarely seen without a beer in his hand. In fact, I have NEVER seen him without one. The first thought that ran through my mind when he told me of his plan was ha! I gotta see this! Then I thought better of it and locked myself and my pups in my house and away from the windows. I don't want an errant bullet to strike one of us instead of the coyotes. Well, the excitement quickly waned when I saw the old guy return, get in his truck and meander back to where he came from. No shots, no dead coyotes. Recently, I have been hearing coyote yells late in the night but I have no desire to go looking for em. We have a lot of deer that come onto our land and yard as well as quail, dove, and rabbits. They're probably just trackin that big buck my dogs chased after just the other day. Or so I hope. I guess it's about time I started packing more than a baseball bat and mace.

Photo compliments of TPWD and copyrighted by Bill Reaves

Rainbow Sunrise

2010-08-28T11:18:00.001-04:00

This morning's sunrise was a rainbow of colors ranging from red to yellow to blue. Gorgeous!

The Jack-Rabbit of Texas

2010-08-26T20:42:00.005-04:00

I see a lot of black-tailed jackrabbits around our house here in the Hill Country. They remind me of Alice in Wonderland or the story about the Tortoise and the Hare. After googling about them, I found this article written in 1881 and published in the NY Times. How cool is that??

Flying Around

2010-08-25T19:07:00.003-04:00

Ah, the Western Scrub-Jay, the Blue-Jay's beautiful yet noisy cousin. Despite his beautiful color, he's not a nice bird. He eats insects, lizards, nestling birds, steals from other birds, and chases them away from my feeder. And he has the most annoying voice. Fly away scrub jay!

Trade Days

2010-08-22T10:07:00.002-04:00

I have been a long time fan of flea markets, antique shops and Trade Days and have very fond memories of traveling with my mom to First Monday Trade Days in Canton, the largest flea market on the planet. However, Austin doesn't really have a flea market, at least one that I am completely unaware of. So, when I saw a sign advertising Trade Days in Fredericksburg, I made a mental note to visit the next one. That next one is happening right now! We made a special trip there yesterday and was pleasantly surprised. It's nowhere near the size of Canton but there are a lot of good finds. Shabby chic furniture, antiques, hats, food, jewelry, everything Texas, and my favorite rocking chairs. I can't wait to go back with a truck.

Donkeys make me smile

2010-08-11T16:28:00.002-04:00

I just can't help it. I mean look at this guy - isn't he adorable??

At the Birdfeeder

2010-08-09T22:17:00.002-04:00

I saw a Painted Bunting hanging out with a couple of cardinals. Yay! The birdfeeder is working its magic.

Sunset Cruise

2010-08-06T01:10:00.000-04:00

Should I tri it?

2010-07-31T20:48:00.004-04:00

The days have been pretty crazy around here. Business is good so it's difficult to complain but I'm going to anyway! A friend of mine really wants me to do a triathlon with her in October but I have had zero training hours in months. These days, I hike more than I ride, I walk more than I run. Still, it would be nice to work toward a goal again and to get in shape. Has anyone out there gone from couch (or desk in my case) to triathlon in a couple of months? I think it's doable if I CAN BE okay with just FINISHING versus unleashing that old competitive spirit and having a breakdown because I didn't do my "personal best". I guess, finishing at this point in my career and fitness would be a personal best right?