Escaping the Fishbowl and meeting a Slender Fungus member

 So the wife and I have devised a plan to escape on Sundays as much as possible. WE have been packing a lunch, bought a small stove for coffee and are taking our folding chairs. Yesterday we targetted Merrit Prairie out in Dekalb. A beautiful little preserve with very few people. Most of the day we were alone except for occasional dog walkers. We had our lunch and coffee and then Slender Fungus member Gumby showed up on his 4 wheeler to visit. It was great to see him. We sat under a tree and chatted for a good while. It sure was great to catch up with him. WE spent the day relaxing, listening to the birds and looking at the many flowers in full bloom. Then we got back on the highway and re-joined the ratrace. Thanks for reading. Today I will check out the Gazateer map and find the next location. Thanks for reading, 

Ari 

August 16th, 2020 Apple River Canyon and Galena, IL.

 In in effort to escape the fishbowl we packed up the car and headed west again. Our target today was to get to Apple River Canyon, a place we have not been to in about 10 years. I have no idea how 10 years transpired but they did. We were pleased to see that not much had changed, save for the masked patrons. 

We found a removed location and had our prepacked picnic. Food always tastes good outside and one much get hungry from driving. We relaxed in our folding chairs then checked out the river which was low. We were able to walk in it for a bit and look at the bluff above. The weather was absolutely perfect. 

We returned from our river excursion and fired up the little stove for a moka pot of espresso. Total luxury I must admit. Once we were done we drove off and headed west exploring some beautiful roads in the NW IL corner. We came out to rte20 and decided to head over to Galena. It was a bit busy there so we just did a quick walk. 

It was a beautiful day and I enjoyed seeing some of the roads I had cycled on a long time ago. I couldn't believe what we had achieved back then and it seemed so long ago that we did that. 

I really liked getting out of my fishbowl. It gives me energy and hope. It gives me a drive to find new places and enjoy the beauty out there. 

thanks for reading. 

A hot day out on the roads

Had this idea of wearing my old school EUSCATEL today. It was already 9 am when I got rolling and I instantly felt warm. I was tired from a looong week at work and my motivation was low. I decided to do the LEMONT LOOP. A hilly course but not advisable on a SAT. BOY was it busy. It took my bright rear flasher, orange jersey, bright green bike , cateye mirror to keep those damn cars off me. I kept thinking they should stay home and save lives. I ended the day with 45 miles and a near heatstroke. Still glad I got out cause in JANUARY I would have regretted it. Ari

Finding new commuter routes

Singlespeeding again.

Hello? Is there anybody out there?

 Hello everyone. I'm still alive out this way if you were wondering. I've had a hard time to type on computer since one of my eyes has been giving me some issues. Made an appointment with doctor but it will be a while. That's why we have two eyes I guess. 

After losing some very importante people I have resumed things to the best of my abilities. I have been working, gardening, and riding a lot. I am fortunate to work 10 miles from home and as far as I am concerned that is the perfect distance. I have many routes posible and that keeps me from getting bored. 

As of late I have been riding my Giant Contend. It's an Aluminum bike I have been tinkering with for a while. It rides pretty fast and keeps my commute under an hour. Now with fall and darkness approaching it will be time to get the lights and fenders ready. It's always an exciting time for me. I love to ride in the dark for some reason. 

This past weekend we were able to pack up a lunch and take a drive to Iowa. we took the highway to route 64 then headed west to Savanna, crossed the new bridge into Sabula and drove north on rte 52, which is freshly paved, to Bellevue. We stopped there for lunch at the park then headed for a quick stop in Dubuque. 

It was great to get out a bit and see that awesome county of Jackson. The rolling hill, the gravel roads, it was just great. No time for a ride but I hope to be out ther on a bike soon. 

I hope everyone is doing well. These are trying times and the best is to stay in touch. I have been very busy at work and coupled with my eye I have stayed away from the keyboard. Soon enough I will be back to writing more often. 

Thanks for reading.