Shaklee's Get Clean Products at the Hemlock Festival

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.