Senior Bicycling on Shaklee Stuff

BLOG CHANGE to Wordpress

2009-06-26T07:52:00.003-04:00

Since Google does not seem to care about my lost pictures and those of a lot of other people based on the help requests I have seen, I am moving to WordPress. The new link is
http://teamsboss.wordpress.com/

Saturday Morning Ride Info will remain at the same spot for now until I can get it converted.

I will be reposting the BRAG Ride photos during the next few days but will have to let the other posts just set there. I am not going to spend hours and hours reloading photos.

Just for your information, there does not seem to be any way to get to a real human with Google to get information or immediate assistance.

BRAG 2009 or PEDALIN' WITH KAYLA - Not sure where pictures have gone

2009-06-15T20:46:00.031-04:00

BRAG 2009 started in Hiawassee and this is the way I would like to have ridden.

Here we are ready to go on the morning of June 7th.

Luxury accommodations were available. You had a selection of gyms, classrooms in some stops, tents (bring your own) or tents provided by Bubba's Pampered Pedalers. We go the cheap route - sleep in gyms or class rooms. Picture further down shows those deluxe rooms. There are those who stay in motels but I feel they miss part of the ambiance

Highest point on the ride was about 10 miles into the ride at Unicoi Gap

Unicoi Gap is also one of the AT crossings.

Just north of Lula on Highway 52 you will find Edith Ann's Chair

Kayla made a lot of new friends. The following pictures are just a few of them.

Kayla with one of her Bulldawg friends below. She enjoyed seeing all the different Bulldawgs around town in Athens. Now, I am not sure I understand a flower covered dawg but ???

Special recognition for Maggie and Caroline. They were our inspiration for several years to make us want to bring Kayla when she was old enough. These two young ladies are BRAG vets.

More friends - did not matter - young or old.

Kayla met Hannah and Hannah instantly became Hannah Montana for Kayla

Another of the friends on the ride. Hope to see all of them next year or at the Bike Fest in Tifton

Yes, definitely deluxe sleeping quarters. Place would almost be cleared out by 7 AM and the sounds of BRAG include snoring and starting about 4:30 AM, unzipping of sleeping bags and the whoosh of air mattresses being deflated. Try sleeping past that and you have seen a miracle.

The river at Watson Mill State Park through the covered bridge

Talent night was in Elberton and after the talent show, there was DJ music. Kayla was up on the stage dancing.

Hat day for Kayla. She did not like the idea on Sunday but by Friday, she decided she wanted to wear it. Thanks to duct tape, we were able to hold the thing on.

Of course, you have your choice of deluxe bathing facilities. You could take a bath in the gyms, most of which did have warm water, or you could go to the shower truck. Men on the left, women on the right.

Chicken Crossing - Team Road Kill struck and left beads

Wildlife was found on the ride on the last day. Nice cute black snake. Was a chance to give a bit of education about snakes that have fangs that are dangerous and those that are not.

Almost to the finish as we cross into South Carolina east of Lincolnton.

Riding into the finish

Kayla at the finish line at the Savannah River Resort - Grandpa 323 miles, Kayla 209 miles.

Kayla gets presented her BRAG 2009 medal

Oh, did I forget to say that this ride was all about Kayla? Per her father, she has not quit talking about it and has already said she is going next year.

Riding With Kayla May 31, 2009

2009-06-01T20:32:00.005-04:00

We drove up to Cleveland, TN early Sunday to arrive by 10 AM. Got the bike and a half (aka Trail-a-bike) ready to roll and headed out. Kayla wanted to get a picture in front of her school to show the kids who tell her she is not riding like this. So, we started out with uphills for the first 3 miles or so. Got the picture though and now she can show off. She will have even more pictures after next week on BRAG.

Below is doing what we like to do best on BRAG or any other ride - rest in the shade for a few minutes. This was about mile 7 and 3 miles later we had to make a simulated rest stop so she could sort of get the feel for what we would be doing every 10 or so miles - eating and drinking.

In this case, our "rest stop" was a convenience store just about a mile from her house but we rode another 3.5 miles to get home. We made a 13.5 mile loop from her house and had about 1200 feet of climbing which also calls to mind the Theorem de Elevation. For every uphill, there is an equal and sometimes exciting downhill. Or, for every downhill, there is an equal and sometimes killer uphill.

My song for BRAG will be "Don't Think Twice" or at least the last verse with changes. Sorry Bob!

I'm pedalin' down that long, lonesome road, babe

Where I'm bound, I can't tell

But goodbye's too good a word, gal

So I'll just say fare thee well

I ain't sayin' you treated me unkind

You could have pedaled better but I don't mind

You just kinda wasted my precious climb

But don't think twice, it's all right

More on the adventures of Pedalin' Phil and Kayla to follow in the days ahead.

Florida Trip

2009-05-22T07:45:00.007-04:00

Details and descriptions later but no trip or bicycle ride is complete in Florida without a swarm or two of Lovebugs. Based on a rough calculation from ingesting a Lovebug, it would take approximately 1023 Georgia gnats to equal a Lovebug.

One of the start points on the West Orange Bike Trail - Killarney Station

This is about the mid-point on the 39 mile paved trail. Too bad we don't have something like this in NE Georgia. The Silver Comet is about the only paved trail I am aware of. Comments welcome to give more paved bike paths in Georgia - not side of highway with a 2 to 3 foot width.

Phil, Debbie, Anita, Gary with Lake Minneola in the background.

Marian and Debbie - sisters

Athens Twilight Criterium 2009

2009-04-26T19:34:00.008-04:00

Just a few photos from the Crit.

This was my first ever trip to watch the crit. Only place I have been with a bigger crowd was the 4th of July fireworks in Washington, DC or perhaps, a Georgia Bulldog football home game.

Winner of the 9 year old race. I bet I could not keep up with him and at 9 years old, I only had a fat tire, single speed which came from Western Auto.

Part of the crowd

This dog was only 12 weeks old - hope he is there next year for his full grown picture

This is the large and the small of it for the dogs at the event. There were more dogs around but the little one was doing his best to get to the big dog.

Another crowd shot

Not only was it packed but across the street above the Nowhere Bar was this group.

I will be adding some videos if I can get the format right.

BRAG Spring Tune Up - After the Ride Pictures and Thoughts

2009-04-24T21:36:00.010-04:00

BRAG - STU 2009 is over and a good time was had by most everyone as best I can tell. The following pictures are in no particular order. I did keep hearing in my mind the phrase "Eat Mor' Chikn" and finally found the source which you will see as the last photo. Definitely subliminal mind control. I rode 122 miles in 2 days.

A field of yellow flowers - someone identify the type of plant please.

Has anyone ever gotten your goat? There was a large selection here on day 2 57 mile route.

Family on a triple!

Smallest SAG wagon I have ever seen. Limited to one problem at a time.

World's best DOG rider on STU - Marley! He got a lot of attention

Youngest rider - 6 months old a couple of days after STU.

Eat Mor Chikn - Eat Mor Chikn - Eat Mor Chikn

Chestatee Wildlife Preserve Ride

2009-03-24T21:41:00.010-04:00

Today was a ride from Murrayville to the Chestatee Wildlife Preserve. The Preserve is a rescue facility for many animals and the pictures below are some examples of the animals living there. The refuge is seeing decreased funding due to the cutbacks in education with not at many field trips being scheduled. In talking to the staff, they will normally have 5 to 6 field trips a week and this year they have only had about 6 or so. If you feel so led, I am sure a donation to the operations would be appreciated. There web link is:

http://www.chestateewildlife.com/

I have ridden by it may times and it comes as quite a shock the first time to look down the hill from the main highway to see a white tiger watching you go by. You could almost see him lick his chops and thinking what a fine meal that big guy on a bicycle would make.

Kayla did great today and we had some pretty good hills to climb just to get there.
Kayla at the entrance off Old Dahlonega Highway
White Tiger

Buffalo

Peacock in full bloom - he put on quite a show for us

Siberian Tigers - look closely on the left side - that one is snoozing

Grizzly - where is John Wayne when you need him?

Ostrich

Forgot what this one is but he is cute. There are also several monkeys, a lynx, a zebra, burro, and others. Well worth the visit.

Kayla Day 2 Ride - Peach Orchard Special

2009-03-23T19:21:00.005-04:00

This ride took place on Sunday, March 22. Today, the 23rd was a rest day for Kayla. I think we wore her out on Saturday and Sunday. She slept in until 10 AM this morning and I had to wake her up then to get her moving. We are riding tomorrow from Gillsville on one of the famous Jennie's Cafe Loops. Hope to get in close to 20 miles but who knows. All I can say, she is doing a whole lot better on her first 2 rides of any distance than I did. My first ride back about 5 years ago was 9 miles and I thought I was going to die. Kayla, as of today, has ridden about 46 miles, not counting whatever she has done on her bicycle.

Had some help on this ride. Debbie aka Grandee went. We rode from Lula to Alto and returned. Did a short side trip along County Line Road as we got into Lula and got a shot of Kayla at the edge of one of the peach orchards which are in full bloom.

Will definitely be back at Jaemore Farmers Market when the peaches come in.

Kayla Day 1 Ride - Saturday 03-21-2009

2009-03-21T18:00:00.007-04:00

We picked up Kayla last night in Blairsville - the half way BP station as it is now known among the Loveless family. We have to get up and go outside every morning for the last several days to this view of our Camelia bush. Pink, red, white mix on the bush. This is probably the most blooms we have ever had.

We loaded up the truck this morning and went shopping at Joe's aka Habersham Bicycles. Kayla needed some riding shorts. Since the temperature was in the high 40's, it was a good use of the time and allowed us to wait until the temp got into the mid 50's before we started.

We started the ride about 2:30 pm from Quillian's Corner. It was still a bit cool and windy with the temp about 55 when we started and about 57 when we finished an hour later. Kayla pushed me 12.12 miles. Tomorrow we are planning a 16 mile or so excursion from Lula to Alto. Debbie will be going on this one so Kayla will have more entertainment than the big man up front.

Click on the title and you can check out the route we rode today.

Get The Real Dirt On Clean

2009-03-13T20:59:00.003-04:00

Get the Real Dirt on Clean and Rx for Healthy Living
Saturday, March 28th, 10 am-noon
Georgia Mountains Center Theater, Gainesville
Speaker: Cindy Latham, MBA

Sr. VP of Marketing and New Product Development, Shaklee Corporation

This program kicks off the series of community-wide Earth Day events as we strive to reduce the chemical impact on the earth, reduce landfill waste and reduce carbon gas emissions – lighten our footprint. Shaklee is the ONLY Climate Neutral Company in the U.S. and an EPA World Leader.

Cindy will be talking about Shaklee's commitment to being GREEN – a company that was born GREEN...a dark deep green – way back in 1956 when green was just a name for a color. Shaklee was an Earth Day sponsor in 1990 with Basic H (now Basic H2), the only biodegradable cleaning product ever chosen. With many environmental accomplishments, Shaklee "walks their talk." Come meet Cindy Latham and learn about healthy alternatives to toxins found in common household cleaners which are linked to health problems. Cindy will share other benefits to your family, your home, your community.

You can make a real difference with Get Clean – always safe for the environment and always green plus smart for your wallet. Shaklee has done it right for 53 years!!

Cindy will also speak about the "Shaklee Difference" and "Rx For Healthy Living" – how to live a longer and healthier life. A healthy life starts with you and the choices you make everyday, which leads to a better world. This will be a life-changing experience. So, gather up your friends, family (especially your passionate to care for the environment friends) to come with you. Come "Get the Real Dirt on Clean!" and learn how you can be a part of the solution.

Door Prizes.

Weekend Century Ride(s)

2009-03-09T20:13:00.008-04:00

Will also do a bit of catching up. This was sunrise off the back deck a few weeks ago. Have been on the run a bit with the grandkids coming down for a couple of days in mid February. Got in a 10 miler with Kayla on Sunday afternoon before they headed back home. She will be back in March for about a week to work on riding and getting ready for BRAG.

The Redbird trio or for those of you who are proper, Cardinals. Have more Bluejays and Doves than Redbirds. Will have more pictures coming since I broke out the old 35 mm with the 210 telephone lens and have been working through a 24 picture roll of film. I am doing this from a Rear Window but unlike Jimmy Stewart, I don't have a Grace Kelly although Debbie is a good substitute and I can hardly see the neighbors. Nor, am I wheelchair bound. I do have a picture though would remind you of The Birds with the crows perched in one of my backyard trees.

And then, there is the blizzard of 2009. Well, at least 40 miles south of here it sort of looked like a blizzard had gone through. The Athens, GA area got 6 to 9 inches of snow, had a lot of trees down across power lines, and people out of power for almost a week in some locations. As for us 4 miles north of downtown Gainesville, this was about it. Downtown got about an inch and just north of us got absolutely no snow.

Got in 100 miles in the 3 day weekend! I took off early on Friday and rode in the Clermont area. Rode Saturday morning and afternoon with Bernie and Palmer in the morning and then added some more miles in the afternoon solo. Sunday was punishment day with a final 33 miles with much of it against the wind. Reminds me of a Bob Segar song:

Against the wind

I'm still runnin (substitute Ridin) against the wind

Well I'm older now and still

Against the wind

The picture below was taken Sunday, March 8th. This was the windy day of the 3 days of riding. Saw this herd of cows and thought of Texas. Ought to be planning a riding trip for the Tour de Cypress in Mt. Vernon, TX in April but will have to pass this year.

I'm BACK

2009-01-18T16:34:00.009-05:00

Well, I have been out of touch for a while but am getting back into it. Caught some kind of vicious cold/cough after Thanksgiving and have been fighting that since. Did get in 2515 miles for 2008 so am pleased with that. Went out on December 30th after not riding for a month and did 30.6 miles. That seemed to reactivate the cold/cough and am still hacking a little.

The weather has been terrible for most of January so far and since I am more of a fair weather rider (50 degrees and above), I have not been on my road bike although I have set up the hybrid on the fluid trainer inside in front of the TV.

Christmas was interesting. We traveled to Cleveland, TN on Wednesday evening and spent Christmas day with Kyle, Kathy, and the girls. Brooklynn got a new doll among a zillion other things and is pictured below.

Kayla, pictured below, got a new bicycle and, just like Brooklynn, a zillion other things.

The big surprise was the new swing set. Kyle's house had a blackout on the rear windows for several weeks and the girls were not allowed in the backyard. It was not very nice weather so it was not too difficult to keep them in. Each window was covered with gift wrap and the girls thought it was a fun game.

On the Friday after Christmas, we departed and drove to Canton, NC to visit Debbie's sister and her family. Both Ben and Katy. Katy and Matt have two little boys and between Brooklynn, Kayla, and the boys, the afternoon was lively. Left to right below - Brooklynn, Will, J. D., and Kayla.

Here is the whole Loveless family. Front row from the left - Kathy, Kayla, Debbie, Laura. Back row - Kyle, Brooklynn, Phil, Wes, Andra

More to come in 2009 while Phil and his bike travel on many adventures in the quest to hit at least 2009 miles in 2009.

Shaklee's Get Clean Products at the Hemlock Festival

2008-11-27T07:54:00.007-05:00

Debbie and Dodi spent a windy weekend at the Hemlock Festival near Dahlonega. Shaklee's Get Clean products were featured and this was the only booth that was not arts and crafts. Shaklee's commitment to the environment is one of the reasons we were allowed to be there.
http://www.gainesvilletimes.com/news/archive/11035/

There were lots of musical groups performing on Friday evening, all day Saturday and Sunday. Good music for all tastes except heavy classical unless you mean classical rock. The picture below is a fire barrel of which there were many. Temps were in the 50's with nights getting into the high 40's before closing.

A week or two later, Debbie, Donna, and Dodi (Dodi had the 2nd shfit so missed the picture) participated in America Recycles Day at the Farmers Market in Gainesville. Again, Shaklee's Get Clean products were featured. Interesting that a $150 dollar investment in these products will replace about $3,400 of products you would buy in stores. Not to mention the amount of landfill waste that is reduced by not throwing away (where is away) the store bought products.

http://www.gainesvilletimes.com/news/archive/11142/

Six Mile Challenge Ride or Kayla's 6th Birthday

2008-11-04T21:21:00.006-05:00

Debbie and I made it to Tennessee on Sunday afternoon for the celebration of Kayla's 6th Birthday. Part of it involved the Six Mile Challenge which we did in slightly under 36 minutes. Even met and passed, met and passed, and met a horse drawn wagon. We rode back and forth on the road from 64 to Bates Pike about 3 times to get in the 6 miles. Kayla did great and if all goes well, she will be heading out with me several times to get ready for the Bicycle Ride Across Georgia next summer.

No birthday is complete with a cake.

No birthday cake is complete without blowing out the candles with sister Brooklynn looking on. Brooklynn gets to do this routine next month so we will be back to Tennessee for that event also.

And, of course, we had to have a princess show up for the party.

And finally, the grand mothers had to help with decorating and setting up the furniture in the new doll house.

Murrayville to Bolding Mill and Back

2008-11-04T21:07:00.007-05:00

Twas a beautifuly Saturday afternoon for Bernie and me to ride about 20 miles. Wandered down to Lake Lanier aka Pond Lanier. Lake is down about 18 feet as I write and the mussels have not yet recovered although they are evidently thriving downstream in Florida. Thanks to another young man I know named Kyle (not my Kyle) we spotted fish holding up signs saying they would work for water.

As we continued our journey, we came upon this nice fixer upper which I may purchase after the presidential election if all my income is going to be redistributed.

Pedaled past the entrance to Big Oak Estates where we used to live. Trees are still there and as beautiful as ever.

Eventually after a couple of steep hills, we made it back to Murrayville and went home. I loaded up the Trail-a-bike and prepared for the Sunday trip to Tennessee for Kayla's 6th Birthday.

Against The Wind Weekend Rides

2008-10-13T07:51:00.008-04:00

Palmer is on the right and this was his first ride of any distance since having hip replacement surgery. Notice the WW II German Tank Commander helmet - actually this is an 80's bicycle helmet. Bernie, on the left, and I took him from Lula to Gillsville and returned via Hwy 52. He did great and I can tell you that I don't think I would have been out on a bicycle if I had had the same work done on me. Also, Palmer was riding a comfort bike with fat tires which made it even harder plus the wind was blowing 10 to 20 mph during much of the ride back up the hill to Lula.

Bernie and I decided that if he did start having problems, we would inject WD 40 into the new joint and that should cure any problem. Actually, Bernie had a different brand in mind that he says works better but I can't remember the name.

Sunday after church, the urge to ride got the best of me. See this months Bicycling Magazine for a more thorough explanation of my addictive behavior. Anyway, left Quillians Corner and rode up to Clermont and beyond. With the wind blowing 20 and gusting upwards to 30, I thought that I might should stop at Goofy's and have a brain checkup but just kept on pedaling. 10 miles into the wind before getting to turn back south. Got in 28 plus miles for a total of 2301 for the year.

Color is starting to set in along Skitts Mountain Road. This is a favorite spot to watch the change in colors. Skitts Mountain is in the background and is still verdant but should start changing within a couple of weeks. I will post progress photos if I ride that way.

The picture below is from our October 5th hike at Chilhowee Campground. As we were hiking to Benton Falls trail, we came to a sandy spot and spotted a footprint that could only have come from a Big Foot. There were only a couple of prints like something had crossed the trail in front of us. Later, we saw other signs that may well have come from this beast. While we never saw it, one just has to believe that it was there watching us.

Chilhowee Campground Adventures

2008-10-07T21:39:00.013-04:00

Well, I am finally back and updating. It has been a hectic month or more with not enough riding but still had a lot of fun. Last weekend, Oct 4-6 was spent at Chilhowee Campground in Tennessee with our son Kyle and grand daughters Kayla and Brooklynn.

I have seen lots of NFS campgrounds and they don't get any better than this one. Paved roads throughout, camping spots that are spreadout if you go to campgrounds C-F, and excellent pads for tents or campers. Fire ring, table, and lantern post are all provided. Cost is $12 per day unless you need electricity. Also had warm showers, toilet paper provided, and the facility was very clean.

The real reason we went was to see Kayla on the left and Brooklynn on the right. Kayla just lost her first tooth.

Brooklynn and her baby doll that goes everywhere with her, usually dragging along.

No camping trip is complete without a hike somewhere. In this case, we hiked to Benton Falls with Kayla and Brooklynn leading the way.

There was more of an adventure on the return hike. We took a shortcut trail and thought we had run into a hornets nest only to discover that it was a swarm of honey bees. The swarm is in the top center of the picture. We retreated at first and then, after discovering it was honey bees, we slowly made our way past since the swarm does not normally attack. Yellowjackets and hornets would have been another story but then, we would not have been "inching" past.

A view of the lake from the trail around it. There is also a swimming beach, picnic tables, etc. along the sides. We saw several mountain bikes riding around the lake and elsewhere in the campground. There are several good trails for mountain bikes (not motorized) and I may take mine up there if we go again.

Bee on flower - end of story.

Kayla is getting into taking pictures and she took this one of Grandpa and Grandee.

A view to the west from one of the overlooks on the road up to the campground. This was after sunset so it is not really clear.

After we packed up Sunday afternoon, Debbie an I made another excursion to the Cherohala Skyway. We started in Tellico Plains, TN and ended in Robbinsville, NC before following US 129 back home. Check out this link. My one picture does not do it justice - lets just say that you can see a long way when you are over a mile high.

http://www.cherohala.com/

Dang! If I had been composing the picture, I would have had that cloud in the background more visible.

More to come later on the continuing adventures of a man and his bicycle.

The Battle of Apple Pie Ridge

2008-09-06T17:48:00.005-04:00

Today, I finally did it after several years of thinking about it and being somewhat unsure that I could do it. I climbed Apple Pie Ridge and Battle is correct and I must confess that the ridge won. I had to stop 2 times to huff and puff so I guess I will have to try again in a couple of weeks to see if I can go all the way up without stopping.

The picture below is at the end of Apple Pie Ridge where it connects to Old Cornelia Highway.

This is looking up the hill and one must admit, that don't look steep. Optical illusion at its best. In addition, what you see is just the steep part. There is about 2 to 3 miles of climbing over the entire length of the road.

This is looking back over my shoulder from the top of the steep climb - 17% grade for about 1/4 mile or a bit more. Athens, GA is in the distant background but would not be visible even on a very clear day since there are no high rise type buildings.

The link will take you to a map of the ride and you can bring up the elevation chart which shows how steep some of this was. Ride time was 2:06:54 and I averaged abit over 13 miles per hour even with the climb. Overall climbing today was 2,572 feet. The good side of that is there was also almost 2,572 of downhill runs.

Goat Rescue Ride and New Orleans

2008-08-26T21:57:00.007-04:00

Riverwalk goes along the Mississippi River just off the French Quarter. Lots of shopping and tourist stuff. Had a great view of the oil spill clean up work being done. Was about 3 blocks from our plush accommodations at the Marriott New Orleans.

No clue who these folks are but they had neat costumers at the Masquerade Dinner/Ball on Saturday evening.

Mrs. Loveless as Catwoman.

Practicing for the beaches of Hawaii in 2009.

What you have been waiting for - the goat that I rescued on the bicycle ride on the 15th of August. Beware the ides of August would be my advice to the goat. After a brief wrassling match, I was able to tuck his chin under his neck far enough and get the horns back through the fence.

VIII Deer Ride

2008-08-04T18:27:00.008-04:00

Today was quite a deer day. VIII to be exact. For a fee, I'll share where these were spotted since hunting season is coming up in just a few weeks. For now, let's just say they were scattered out in different locations in north Hall and south White counties. Below is a link to some deer poems for the reading club.
http://www.spirituallyfit.com/volume2/issue1/stories/mcnulty.htm

Today, I was able to visit a historic site that I have been by many times on Cooley Woods Road. I think the name of the site is Johnson Creek Mill. It is not really operational but has been restored. There is also a cabin that was brought in from Tennessee that is well over 100 years old.

My cousins and brother will recognize the old wagon - it might have come right off the Kyser place in Macon. Brought back memories of going to Winfield with a load of corn and coming home with ground up cow feed.

Of course, you remember Gulfpride motor oil. Would that now be BP or ???

And, how did one get through the day without a fresh matter sandwich on Merita bread and maybe washing it down with a NuGrape or Grapette. For those from the Pittsburg, TX area, you might want to replace fresh matter sandwich with Pittsburg Hot Links or from our era, Franklin's Hot Links.

Had 42 miles today to put me at approximately 99 left to hit my goal of 2008 in 2008. I may have that by the first of September so should exceed it by a couple of hundred or more miles if the weather holds. Those who would like to ride the last 8 plus miles with me should start making reservations. I think Labor Day Weekend will be the weekend for that to happen since I am only going to get to ride a couple of times between now and then unless I can work some rides in during the week.

Butterflies Are Free - Apologies to Goldie, et al

2008-08-03T20:30:00.010-04:00

Thought you might like to see some of the butterflies and one bee in my front yard bed. While not a Butterfly Bush, it certainly attracts the butterflies.

And, to keep the classical reading group happy, here is a bit of history about the phrase, Butterflies Are Free. Thank you Charles Dickens.

Butterflies Are Free is a play by Leonard Gershe.
Loosely based on the life of attorney Harold Krents, the plot revolves around a Manhattan blind man whose controlling mother disapproves of his relationship with a free-spirited hippie. The title was inspired by a passage in Charles Dickens' Bleak House: "I only ask to be free. The butterflies are free. Mankind will surely not deny to Harold Skimpole what it concedes to the butterflies."
After twelve previews, the Broadway production, directed by Milton Katselas, opened on October 21, 1969 at the Booth Theatre, where it ran for 1128 performances. The cast included Keir Dullea, Blythe Danner, and Eileen Heckart, who later in the run was replaced by Gloria Swanson. Stephen Schwartz composed the title song.
Gershe, Katselas, and Heckart reunited for the 1972 screen adaptation (set in San Francisco) with Edward Albert and Goldie Hawn.

Now for the important stuff. Bernie and I rode Saturday from Gillsville. I spotted a surviving relic from the distant past (1960's and early 70's) still exists in Gillsville, GA. This old gas price sign is leaning beside a shed on Bryant Quarter Road just after turning off Highway 52. A bit of math - the price today is 1200% higher than it was way back then. Thanks to our politicos who have helped to make it so.

Another interesting event in Gillsville at high noon on Saturday. The Midway United Methodist Church has bells that play. At noon, there was a beautiful rendition of The Star Spangled Banner - 2 verses were played. Highly recommend being there at noon on Saturday if this is a repeat performance each week.

This reminds me of someone but I just could not place the name. If anyone knows who it is, please let me know. Found this on Unity Church Road outside Gillsville a few miles.

Rode on Sunday from Lula up past Alto and back. Circled the prison and found this Smokey Drive street sign on one of the streets. The prison is just to the right of where I was stopped so I think the street is named in honor of our Georgia State Patrol folks.

Now, I know my memory is failing me sometimes but today, I had on my head cover which is pretty tight. I had laid my helmet on the hood of my pickup to make a detour to commune with nature. Came back, got on the bicycle, and headed out. Kept wondering why the cops that passed looked at me sort of funny and then went on. Got past Alto and went to adjust my helmet and discovered that it was still on the hood of the truck 13 miles back. And, it was still there when I got back. I can no longer bug John Carroll about forgetting a helmet when he comes to ride.

I must admit that the red head cover is stylish and goes well with my bicycle.

Kayla's Graduation and other Ramblings

2008-07-23T19:12:00.008-04:00

The Pre-K Class of 2008 has graduated from La Petite of Cleveland, TN. Our grand daughter, Kayla was one of the 20 or so graduates and goes off the "big" school next year.

They even get a diploma and wear the cap and gown. What will be left for high school?

Of course, she is the one waving to the crowd!

Before the ceremony, we took the girls to the park. This is Brooklyn going down the slide. She wore herself out running back to the steps to go again.

This is a deer outside Debbie's friend's home who lives near Ellijay. The deer would run off when I went out the door but did not go too far. This is just a sample of the wildlife in her subdivision.

Was out riding bicycles on Friday after doing the graduation thing on Thursday and bringing the grand dog home to doggy sit while Kyle and the family went to the beach. Nice field of sunflowers on Highway 52 between Quillian's Corner and Lula.

Rode again Saturday morning and finished up by going through a canopied street at the edge of Gillsville. Who says Tallahassee, FL is the only place with canopy covered streets?

Finally, why I like my yellow jacket trap from Lowe's. It has been a bad yellow jacket season so far with the little rascals all over my front and back yard. Have not spotted the nest but with the helo of raw chicken, I have attraced several hundred into the trap. This is not to cast any dispersion on those who may support a certain college team of the same name. I bet some schools wished they knew how to trap those Yellow Jackets!

There are 107 yellow jackets in this pile plus one red wasp who failed to mind his own business.

Watermelon Shortage Imminent - Viagra Sales Down

2008-07-06T15:37:00.004-04:00

For those of us who love watermelon, I am predicting a watermelon shortage that will make the supply problems with gasoline look like a minor issue. After you read the link, I am sure you will agree. This is a major crisis.

I am predicting that the price of watermelons will be somewhere in the $20 to $40 each range within a year. I am also predicting that the major pharmaceutical companies will take over corporate watermelon farms as a way to further drive up the price and limit availability which means that within 2 to 3 years, a good watermelon may well cost you as much as $100. I do not think that you will be able to have generic watermelons developed. Will Medicare pay for the watermelons? Will they be covered by Blue Cross/Blue Shield?

The commodities markets are seeing an increase in the buying and selling of watermelon futures which means the market is now being cornered by speculators which is much like what has happened in oil futures, soybean futures, etc. I am calling for a congressional investigation into watermelon speculation!!

It is time to start growing watermelons in undeveloped areas of the country. At least, a watermelon is somewhat environmentally correct and provides food to animals if just a few are left unharvested.

I fear that a black market will develop in watermelons. Before you know it, it will be illegal to sell watermelons without a prescription. This will lead to the creation of Watermelon Awareness and Resistance programs (WAR). You will have to pry my watermelon from my cold dead fingers one older American has been quoted as saying.

I am already hearing that elder adult retirement communities are seeing a large increase in the disposal of watermelon rinds which is causing a juicy problem for the collectors of refuse or for the sewage treatment system for those with disposalls. This is also leading to the using up of landfills much quicker than anticipated by the local governments which means a large tax increase will be needed to develop more landfill capacity.

I will keep you posted on this growing problem as more information becomes available.

John's New Bike

2008-07-02T22:58:00.006-04:00

John Carroll, a recent transplant from Alabama via Baton Rouge, got his new bike yesterday. It is a Zurich Madone (subject to correction). We rode from Chestatee Middle School for a quick 16 miles. Then, it was off to a Mexican meal up by Kroger where John got the pleasure of meeting Debbie, my bride of 33 years.

John is shameless. He left me on the hills but then, everyone leaves me on the hills. Well, maybe not everybody but I have not met them yet.

We broke up the ride by going into Bolding Mill Park just off Cool Springs Road. Well, there ain't much activity at the park and the Corp of Engineers has closed the campground there. As you can see by the next couple of pictures, the oysters and mussels on the Appalachicola River must be continuing to live well since the water is so low up here in the headwaters area on Lake Lanier.

Just a question that no one has yet answered - what did the folks along the Apalachicola do before the dams were built? Obviously, the oysters did not all die off and the mussels did not either since they are still there. If the dams were not here, there would be no water to release and the rivers would be mostly running dry.

Jeannie's Cafe Loop Ride - Gillsville, GA

2008-06-28T17:17:00.008-04:00

Could have titled this ride "Against the Wind"

Downtown Gillsville, GA - 9 AM Saturday morning. All activity is at the end of the buildings in the little white building that was the post office when I moved here in 1979 and served as a bank before that. The old vault door is still there. More about Jeannie's Cafe at the end.

Someone's old home place on Curtis Segars Road. House is behind the tree and almost overgrown.

Part of that long winding highway, where I'm bound, I don't know. And that was the truth at this point. I altered my route on one of the Wonder Where This Road Comes Out routines. Actually came out somewhere that I recognized unlike last Thursday's ride.

The one lane bridge on Dixon Road. There is enough room for a car and a bicycle if the bicycle is stopped over on the far side of the bridge.

Chicken Condo Development just up the road from the one lane bridge.

Jeannie's Cafe in downtown Gillsville, GA. Open 6 AM to 8 PM during the week and untill 2 PM on Saturday. Good victuals (vittles, grub for you cowboys). Definitely get your money's worth and more. Lunch conversation revolved around gardens and crops in the area. We are taking bets on one gentleman's tomato trees which have only reached about 3 feet tall at this point. No one is betting that it will grow to be a tree as shown in the advertisements.

A parting shot. Sorry for my GA Tech friends but the bottom sentiment was just too much to pass up, what being a Florida State Seminole and all. Also reminded me of my renewal process at work.