Turtles And Spring Cleaning

Today was Billie's day and we'll get to that. But first, yesterday was Heather and my first real land paddle of 2012. I don't know why we haven't been out sooner. The weather certainly hasn't been the problem. I'm guessing we've just been hiking more.

But yesterday the trails in Illinois were calling to us and we answered.

It seems it was turtle day. This is turtle #1.

This is turtle #2.

Turtle #3 was catching some sun on one end of this pond, while.....

Turtle #4 was doing much the same thing on the other edge of the pond.

In addition to turtles we saw deer, wild turkeys, and a white heron, but they all escaped the camera.  We think we may have spotted a bobcat as well, but aren't certain. Heather did get a photo, but it is of Loch Ness monster quality, so not very helpful or conclusive.

And, on the way back across the Mississippi River I took this photo of the Arch just for you (you know who you are).

Today was Billie's day.  Today Billie got her Spring bath. Chris over at Everyday Riding is on a seven week moto adventure which has already taken him to Alaska. He isn't fooling me. I'm thinking the real reason he took this trip was to postpone cleaning off the winter grime from his Ural. The stuff we spray on our bikes to keep them from becoming rust buckets does its job, but the Spring cleaning is no fun.

I'd like to think I've been busy and not practicing avoidance. That said, I will admit the springtime bath is not my favorite job.

This I can't blame on the ACF-50. This is caused by my lazy self not lifting my leg up enough when I mount Billie. Yep, those are boot scuff marks.

This is winter grime....

And, so is this.

It was much worse last spring. This winter was very mild and I had only a handful of "chemical days"--those days the road crews spray "ice melt" on the roads. Still, the grime builds up.

Gone are the smudges.

The chrome is shining

The grime is gone for now.

 

And, notice no rust on the wheels.

And here she is, ready to get dirty again.

Now Where Is That Credit Card?

Coming home from work Friday I saw an astonishing sight. There was a person land paddling along side Lafayette Park. This is only the second person besides Heather and me that I have ever seen land paddling here in St. Louis. I just had to stop and meet her.

I've mentioned before that one of the great things about the Symba is how non-intimidating it is. Well, I may have to rethink that. It seems when I pulled up next to the land paddler, the first things she noticed were my Courts parking sticker and the black and white colors of Billie. Her first thoughts were, "Am I doing something wrong? Am I being pulled over?" So much for being non-intimidating.

Anyway, we had a nice chat. She was impressed that I was wearing all the gear. She called me a "Serious Rider." I was impressed she was wearing a helmet.

Nice helmet and really cool stick.

She didn't know anyone else who land paddled. She hasn't had her Kahuna Big Stick for very long and has been looking for trails and places to play. I told her about the trails over in Madison County and about Grant's Trail. Unlike Heather and me she was a skateboarder before taking up land paddling.

When I got home and told Heather about meeting another land paddler she asked me how this person had heard about land paddling. Isn't that a great question? I wish I'd thought to ask. Oh well, maybe next time. Hopefully the three of us can get together and do some trails.

Heather's question reminded me of how I learned about land paddling. I was on Grant's Trail here in St. Louis and saw this guy on a skateboard pushing himself with this stick. I was curious as to what he was doing, but not curious enough to ask. However, later at home I started to think how cool what he was doing looked and started searching on Google. Eventually, I discovered the Kahuna Creations Website: http://www.kahunacreations.com/
Sadly, I haven't seen him on the trail since.

And now when I went to post the link I discovered they have a new Adjustable Stick. Hmmm, now where is that Credit Card?

Here's a couple of links to videos.
First a good instructional video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XK-y44Gy1No&feature=related

Here's  one that shows why I think a helmet should always be worn.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N10idJVe94E&feature=related

Finally, a nice video of a guy just out doing it. Plus, there is a scooter in it for some two wheel content.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFMV-SQFSM0&feature=related

Images From the Labor Day Weekend

Saturday Heather and I went land paddling in Illinois. This little fellow was sharing the trail with us.

If I hadn't seen him moving I would have thought he was a piece of braided yarn.

Saturday I went for a short ride. On some previous rides I've noticed a sign for Bellerive Park. It is near the intersection of Broadway and Bates and I've been wanting to check it out. Yesterday seemed a most excellent time to do so. What I found was a very nice view from the bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River.

Billie enjoying the view of the Mississippi looking north from Bellerive Park

Looking south

The pavilion

A tug on the River

I could see what appeared to be a park below the bluffs. I decided to explore. I pulled back onto Broadway heading south and took the next left hand turn. And there I discovered Sr. Marie Charles Park.

Here's Billie and notice the the tug boat. That is the same tug I'd seen from the bluff.

A better view of the tug. It was hooking up to some barges that were moored next to the Park.

A couple of workers being about their business

There was a walkway along the River.

Here's a photo of the Pavilion in Bellerive Park taken from the walkway in Sr. Marie Charles Park

Another view of the River

I was eager to get home and see what I could find out about these two Parks and found this article from 2008: http://thevitalvoice.com/node/193

It appears that many of the improvements the article talked about were indeed made to Sr. Marie Charles Park. The article also mentions a darker side to Sr. Marie Charles Park, "The park named after the tireless Sister Marie Charles developed a reputation as a place rife with prostitution and cruising." I shared word of my discovery with a friend. She told me she was aware of the Parks. And, while I experienced no issues as I walked around the Park, I'm saddened to report that she on a recent visit ran into more than she was expecting, but fortunately not more than she could handle. So, it seems a word of caution is in order.

Today I went for a much longer ride. The goal was a small town called Kimswick. I was disappointed. But, on the way to Kimswick, I did take a wrong turn and in the process of getting myself back to Rte. 231, spied a traffic sign I'd not seen before.

I think it meant children at play. But just in case I kept an eye out for wild teeter-totters that might be looking to cross the road.

I, also, came across this house on the edge of the area referred to as the Hill. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hill,_St._Louis

I guess one soul's Roman villa is anothers .....

Hope you had a great and safe weekend.