But, I started the morning with some flamingo hunting. I found this gem not far from where I live.
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Then it was time to head for St. Charles, but before heading over the River I stopped to do some banking. My Bank has a branch inside of one of the Walmart Stores and has Sunday hours. As I expected, the parking lot was full.
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| Tis the season for overflowing parking lots |
Then it was across the Page Ave. Extension to St. Charles to see da' kids.
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| First mandatory picture of grandchild |
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| Bonus photo :) |
As I passed the time on Billie it became quite clear that I am much better prepared for cold weather riding now than I was a year ago. Last year I looked like the Michelin Man, felt like Humpty Dumpty, and was often cold. This year I am streamlined and good to go.
This week the forecast is for some days with the temperature in the teens during my morning commute. Let the good times roll!
Having the right gear is a major bonus on a bike, I know personaly it has taken me a few years to build up all the correct stuff. Nice pics and very cute baby!
ReplyDeleteGrandbabies steal the show on blogs! What a little cutie. Definitely worth traveling in the cold to pay a visit. :)
ReplyDeleteI sometimes laugh at what I wore while riding, before I stared having a clue. We have had a few days in the 20's for the morning ride. I am better prepared as well. I love getting strange looks from auto drivers. They just don't know how much fun it is.
ReplyDeleteI haven't tackled a below 20 degree day yet. I've been a bit under the weather recently and the thought of temps that cold did not exactly thrill me, but those days will come again and be mastered.
Jim
Raftnn,
ReplyDeleteMy daughter has a friend who on a challenge from her boyfriend gathered all of her motorcycle gear in one 7'x 7' room. I'm told it filled the floor of the room 2' deep. I don't know if that is true, but I could identify with the trial and error of finding the right gear and ending up with lots of stuff. I couldn't agree with you more, having the right gear is wonderful . . . and it does take time to find the right gear. And, for me that has meant buying way too many things that turned out to be almost right, but not quite.
Thanks for the kind words about the pictures. No surprise, but I think Alma is pretty cute, too.
Kari,
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by. On the grandbaby thing, I figured if Irondad could do it, I could.
Jim,
ReplyDeleteIt was 18F when I rode to work this morning. I stayed warm, but the hands still need work.
I'm sorry to hear you've been a little under the weather. I hope that passes soon. I suspect more stout wouldn't hurt :)
Kudos to you. I'm still working on the warming up the lower half. So decided against climbing on the steed this past weekend and spent it being lazy. :) Alma is absolutely adorable!!
ReplyDeleteLori,
ReplyDeleteBeing from Michigan probably helps my attitude about riding in cold weather. I grew up on a farm before there were heated cabs on tractors and am no stranger to riding in the cold because I "had to." So, riding in the cold because I want to kind of gives me a "warm feeling." And besides the Arctiva snowmobile pants keep me toasty :)
Yeah, I suspect I'm a little biased, but I think Alma is a real cutie.
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ReplyDeleteI like the gnome picture! I had no great love for gnomes but when we moved home, we unearthed one in the garden, I brushed the dirt off and for some reason, it simply didn't feel right to throw it away. No plans to add any more unless I can find one slumped over with a dagger in its back. These were briefly on sale in NZ a decade or more ago!! A gnome with a difference :-)
ReplyDeleteGeoff,
ReplyDeleteI, too, like the gnome picture. It is a little creepy. That said, I would love to find a stabbed gnome in someones yard. If I do, be assured I will post it.
Thanks for stopping by and your comment is appreciated.
~Keith
LOL. Yes, I am sure the snowmobile pants would do the trick. I was looking at some ski pants/outer shell yesterday. :)
ReplyDeleteKeith, totally how I feel this year too. Last year was hard, this year much easier even though it's colder. The right gear makes it much more fun. Did you get your hippo hands yet?
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