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.