Jam Session

I have wanted to do a jam session since we joined Thousand Trails. Austin used to play at them, so he asked us not to come and watch him. This past winter, we kept saying we'd go and one thing after another got in the way. So it was really special to us that we could do it today.



I forgot my camera, but I think I saw Rich and Dee taking some pictures, so if they did then I'll try to get them so I can post a few here.

Almost Wordless Wednesday :: The Three Musketeers

Becky – Babs – MayThank You, ladies, for making last week bearable – and even fun, at times.

Obituary for my friend - Lorene Joslin. She will be missed, big time!

Phend-Fisher Family Reunion Ledger (1932)

[page 1]
23rd Annual Phend and Fisher Reunion held at John Earnest home near Sugar Grove Goshen, Ind. Aug 28, 1932

The presiding officers were
President Claude Poole
Vice Pres Ruben Pletcher
Sec & Treas Cecil Phend

Death & Birth Reporter
Mrs Barton Thornton

Entertainment Committee
Fred Earnest Chairman
Mr Cecil Phend
Mrs Cecil Phend
Mr Russell Phend
Mr Barton Thornton

The day was dark and dreary and so the meal was served in Uncle John Earnest home, every one had all they could hold. Pres. Claude Poole ask that we sing Dixology and then Ruben Pletcher ask blessing before we ate. After a social good time the meeting was called to order at the Sugar Grove Church by Pres Claude Poole. A groupe song was sung.

[page 2]
Report of last Reunino was Read and approved. It was moved and seconed to have 1933 reunion at H. A. Phends - Columbia City Ind.

Entertianments
Short talks were given by Mrs John Earnest on first Phend Reunion
Mrs Barton Thornton reads the Phend & Fisher year newspaper which was rather shocking to many
a piano and vocal duet by Mrs Cecil Phend & Daughter and Mrs Victor Phend
a Piano duet by Richard & Anna May Thornton
a talk by H A Phend on Reunion
a talk by Fred Earnest on Honesty

Presents were given to
Mrs John Earnest oldest lady
Mr James Shaw oldest man
Ruben Pletchers Son youngest boy
Paul Phends daughter youngest girl
John Earnest Bald headest man
Henry Phend Largest family
Letter from Howard Phend

[page 3]
Financial Report 1932
In Treasure 4.35
Payed out for Cards 1.90
Coffee sugar Ect 1.58
Total expence 3.48
Balance on Hand .87
Collection 2.30
[balance on hand] .87
[new total] $3.17

Birth and Death Record By Mrs Bartan Thornton
John Phend. Son of Grandfather
Jacob Phend & Wife
Died Nov 1931 age 83.

[editor's note: John Phend died December 10, 1931. His third wife , Eliza Ann Shorb Sponhauer, died January 14, 1931. Jacob J Phend had died in 1929 and his second wife was still living in 1931 so I don't know what Uncle Cecil meant by listing "Jacob Phend & wife" in the deaths.]

Dela [Della] Phend Senniff [Senff] age 56 Died April 1932. Daughter of uncle John Phend & wife.

Born to
Paul Phend & Wife a girl, June Joan Phend

New Officers Elected for 1933
Pres H. A. Phend
Vice Pres Mrs James Shaw
Sec & Treas. Cecil Phend

Entertainment
Chairman Fred Earnest
Mr Barton Thornton
Cecil Phend
[page 4]
Birth & Death Reporter
Mrs Katherine Pletcher

A congregational Son was sung and the meet was dismissed.
Cecil Phend Sec.

Ballance 3.17
Cost of Cards 1.70
In Treasure 1.47
Collection 1.95
[total] 3.42



The Phend-Fisher families gathered for a reunion in Elkhart County, Indiana almost annually from 1909 until 1943. The events of the day were recorded in an old ledger book. Spelling has been retained as it was in the original though some punctuation and paragraph breaks have been added. To view all articles in this series click on the "Phend-Fisher Reunion Ledger" label at the bottom of this post.

Cycling in a Heatwave... Making Friends with Florals

There are many websites out there with excellent advice on cycling in hot weather. Suggestions include cycling slowly, wearing breathable fabrics, drinking plenty of water, applying sunscreen, and using baby wipes - all of which I do. And there tends to be a consensus that once the heat and humidity get past a certain point (yesterday's 100F weather would probably qualify!), there is just nothing that can be done other than bringing a change of clothes to work, particularly if one works in an environment with a dress code.

While this is good advice for some, changing upon arrival is not an option in my line of work. I have meetings in different parts of the city in the course of the workday, and there is no reasonable opportunity to change upon arrival prior to joining the meetings. Plus, I am on a tight schedule and changing a half a dozen times a day would be ludicrous.

So, what to do? Well, the Boston Globe and Bike Snob have already quoted me on this, but I've never actually written it in a Lovely Bicycle post: I wear fabrics with prints, which helps to disguise the one part of commuting in the heat we cannot control - sweat! "Eww gross!" - I know. But a reality none the less!

The best sort of prints for this purpose are small and detailed with some tonal variation - such as florals. This tricks the eye into not noticing additional tonal variations that happen from sweat stains. Stripes, polka dots, and other busy prints can work as well - but micro-florals and paisleys are particularly effective, because the patterns they form are organic. It may seem too simple of a solution, but this really is an amazing technique at making a sweat-soaked blouse, skirt, or dress look no different from a dry one.

I wore this dress to a meeting after cycling in it for 30 minutes in intense heat and humidity. Can you tell it's wet and disgusting? My colleagues could not, and complimented me on staying so cool in the heat. Yeah, right! Well, at least I can fake it with florals.

Gretton - Deene - Bulwick - Gretton

Just over 10 miles. With Barry, Eddie, Gordon, Maureen. Weather dull, but fine. We did the route from last week in reverse. No garmin track - I hadn't charged it up.



From the village hall, take Southfield Rd and the unsurfaced Fullen Lane track to the gate then down the hill to the four stiles, diagonally uphill to the right to the broken stile above Kirby Hall. Down through the gate next to the shop and entrance to the Hall, then along the road, over the cattle grid, past the car park and up to the entrance gate on Kirby Lane. Cross the road - go through the deer-proof gate, and follow the path downhill until another path crosses at right angles. Turn left along this path and follow the signs a fair way above the brook. There is another deer-proof gate. Go through this and cross a narrow band of trees - the path is visible across the field, no need to go too close to the wood called the Rookery.

The path leads to the corner of an outbuilding of Home Farm.

Join the farm road and walk through the gate, past some metal sheep pens, and out on to the village street. Follow this as far as the old school - now part house, part village hall.









Over a stile and up across the field towards the 'tea-pot' (Aladdin's Lamp?) monument. (I'm told the man to whom this monument is dedicated loved his cups of tea!) After this you cross a couple of fields with stiles, and come to a boggy section with a small building near by. The path leads through trees and over three footbridges to the A43.





Cross the A43 and a very short walk to the right (towards Corby) brings you to the somewhat hidden footpath sign.

Looking back to where the Willow Brook goes under the A43.

The path follows the edge of the field, by the woods, and then over a stile to some pasture with trees. Don't be tempted (as we were last Thursday), by the gate and bridge.

The path continues through the field, where there are a lot of bumps, which are probably the remains of a settlement deserted by the eighteenth century. [DMV = Deserted Medieval Villages. The DMV we passed on the way into Bulwick was called Henwick and is one of the 75 DMV' s in Northampton. Pronounced Henick it is a farm/landwhere hens were kept. Bulwick, (yes you guessed it correctly) was where bulls were kept. Info from Peter Hill, via Barry - many thanks!]

The path emerges into Bulwick over a stile between some houses and the Queens Head pub.

We took a break at the church - the village shop which sells food and coffee is almost opposite.





From the church we turned downhill past the old school, past the Mill House, and turned left into Red Lodge Road. We followed this across the bridge over the A43, and then turned right along a bridleway. This climbs gradually, then turns left. At a hedge it runs right again, climbing a little more. Laxton church spire comes into view ahead. The path runs left and crosses a couple of fields to meet the road from Deene to Spanhoe. Cross the road and continue bearing very slightly to the right. After crossing two fields you arrive at the lake at Harringworth Lodge. We saw plenty of birdlife today, including two or three herons.

From here the path follows a track alongside woods, past a field of cows. The track turns right, but the path continues along the grass. Just after the end of the woods you turn right to join a track by what appears to be a disused railway cutting.

This turns right, and you go through a gate and across a large field. The path passes through two gates in the corner of the next field, and then across two arable fields, through gates. Finally you cut across the corner of another field, near some agricultural buidlings, before turning right along a track which leads to Gretton's Kirby Road. Turn left here and continue to the village hall.







(in reverse)

Greetings from KenTennMissAla

After leaving Vevay a week ago, I spent the night at Clifty Falls State Park near Madison, Indiana. The next morning I crossed the Ohio River into Kentucky and took a meandering route to Mammoth Cave National Park. I had been there before. Many, many years ago. The weather was fantastic with sunshine, blue skies and temperatures in the 70s – a rather late “Indian Summer” but one I was quite happy to experience! I took one of the cave tours but mostly just spent time walking in the woods and being lazy around the campground, enjoying the gorgeous weather. After three nights there, and with the weather changing, I slowly made my way towards Shiloh National Battlefield in southern Tennessee (near the borders of Mississippi and Alabama).

It rained most of the day at Shiloh. It was the third time I had visited the Battlefield and each time it has rained... I think it adds to the ambiance. Walking along the “Sunken Road” where so many men lost their lives is rather sobering.

The drive through northeast Mississippi on the country roads was beautiful. Lots of hills and trees all the way through southern Indiana to northern Alabama. A surprisingly number of colorful leaves still on the trees. Rain off and on the past three days. But the sun has come out and has burned off the fog... it's time to move on down the road, still going south...

These photos were taken this morning at Lake Lurleen State Park, a few miles northwest of Tuscaloosa, Alabama. It was foggy and a brisk 36 degrees. My hands were freezing after half an hour, but I think it was worth it!

Mount Catherine ..

Scott had the day off and wanted to ski before Thanksgiving. I wanted to burn the calories that I was about to consume, so I happily obliged. The plan if there was good snow was to go yo-yo somewhere and have fun in the powder. However, it looks like we have hit the El Nino segment of our dark months with higher temps. This meant rain at the passes the day previous and a 10000' freezing level on the day of our trip.

Skinning up the slopes of Hyak

So we headed for Mount Catherine with the hopes of a summit. Chad joined us at the Mercer Island Park and Ride and we were on our way. The weather was clear and we saw a beautiful sunrise before arriving at Snoqualmie Pass to low clouds and fog. Instead of taking the Sno Park and forest road in as it seemed tedious. We opted for the skin up Hyak and over the other side. We followed forest roads (Nordic ski trails) down the other side a bit before leaving on a bearing across the North Face. After endless traversing through trees, we got to an open area which we confirmed with the map was the east end of the summit ridge. There were cliffs and no obvious way up, so we traversed more and more which reminded Scott and I about the Ski Patrol Race we had done back in February.

Heading into the trees

We occasionally crossed open slopes and contemplated trying to gain the ridge to the summit but we were having little luck. Our difficulties were exacerbated by the constant fog which made seeing ahead not easy and gave us little incentive to try and head up only to be confronted by cliffs. So we maintained a fairly level traverse and then we started seeing flatter terrain. We finally made it near Windy Pass and eventually saw a sign with an arrow pointing in that direction. There was a weather monitoring station there too, and some blue diamond trail markers. We stopped for lunch. (It was around 1pm.) The sun just barely came out briefly enough for us to see our shadows. Then we deskinned for a short ski down to another road. At this point we had forsaken our summit attempt and were content with a circumnavigation.

A more open area

Unfortunately due to the poor sloppy snow conditions and the ungroomed state of the road, going downhill on the road took almost as much effort as going uphill. We worked hard to make our way out and after it seemed like there would be no more downhill, I gave up on the skinless skis and stopped to put my skins back on as it seemed they would offer me better propulsion. They did, but Scott and Chad were out of site, and I did not catch up with them until the final downhill to the parking lot in the Hyak ski area. (Which was in more disappointing slop.)

Boulder field

Overall, I was happy to get out. The weather wasn't great, but that wasn't really a big deal. We knew going into it that the snow wasn't going to be so good for skiing, but it was more about the journey. Even though the road out was tiring and tedious, it was still better than being on snowshoes. Plus I think this is the first time I have circumnavigated a peak. Cool.

The road out

Nate Wallace?

California Newt Up Close

Cascade Creature, originally uploaded by ParsecTraveller.

This little guy was basking in the sun next to a wonderful mossy waterfall in Las Trampas. Newts are so cool, and seeing them move about means that spring can't be far away...

Lady's Bicycle? Colour vs Form

Still obsessively browsing the new NAHBS pictures, I am seeing some bicycles in pastel colour schemes that suggest they are meant for women.
[image by Geekhouse Bikes via flickr]

Here is one from Geekhouse that I must say is spectacular. Personally, I consider this colour scheme "feminine", in the sense that the colours are traditionally seen on women's clothing and accessories. However, it is a diamond frame.

[image by sleepyneko via flickr]

On the other hand, here is a mixte by Velo Orange. The frame is typically viewed as a "women's frame" (at least in the US), yet the colour scheme is traditionally "masculine": a solid, conservative blue.

In a controlled study, I wonder which bicycle would be more appealing to women. (Research grant?)

Hawaii - The Big Island - Luau

We decided a trip to Hawaii wasn't complete without a Luau so we went to the Royal Kona Resort, Lava and Legends Luau for our last night.It was a beautiful evening - the skies were threatening for awhile and the couple who sat next to us came through a downpour but it went around us.

We had up front and center seats

The dancers were amazing.

They cooked a pig wrapped in leaves in a pit with hot rocks.

Loaded it up

and hauled it over to the buffet

The food was delicious!

and the entertainment - entertaining!











Especially the fire dance








A great night and a great ending to our Hawaiian vacation!





Till Later,

Meanwhile, we keep on Trek'n

Melissa & Gary

Cabin Creek ..

Jennifer woke up with a sore throat so we cancelled our plan to ski at Lake Wenatchee and camp in Leavenworth. She was still interested in doing something so we went to Cabin Creek once again. We have found it smart that if you are not going to get there first thing in the morning that it is a good idea to wait until Noon to get there. That way the morning people are leaving and there are less people out on the trails. We also managed to get the best weather (no rain) that we have had at Cabin Creek all year. We did one loop and called it a day so Jennifer wouldn't get too run down. The groom was a bit tracked out but the snow was soft and forgiving. I fell once going uphill when I didn't spread my skis enough. Other than that it was a good time.

Not quite blue skies, but no precip

!French Doors!

From the time we moved in 8 years ago we haven't cared for the sliding glass doors that led to the back yard. So on Friday we went to Lowes Home Building Store to get a new light to put in the yard as ours had quite. We did get the light but found French Doors on sale at a price we could almost afford. So we splurged and bought them. The first photo is of the old door after we pulled it out as I forgot to take a photo before it was removed. Next are photos of the opening for the door from inside and outside. Then come the photos of the new french doors as we got them in place and then got the lock on the door. We really like our new door but it has really confused the dogs and cats. The sliding glass door opened on in the left corner for them to go in and out. The new door opens in the middle. They keep going to the corner to get in or out. I hope they learn soon. I am sure they will.