Shirt-Sleeve Weather in February ?

 GPS Tracking via APRS and Ham Radio

Well, the Wonderful Weather Strikes Again.  A few days ago we had sub freezing temperatures day and night, and several hours of heavy sleet.  The sleet piled up like snow and stuck together enough to form a concrete like surface that little - if anything - could penetrate.  At first I could walk on the frozen surface with little danger of slipping, since it was a rock hard granular surface.  Within a few hours, howsomever, it partially thawed and re-froze to a VERY slick surface that was dangerous for an Old Fart like me to walk on.  I had to wear only shoes / boots with decent traction.  This lasted a couple days, with only the heaviest items penetrating the frozen surface.   We just stayed home & safe without going anywhere until the roads thawed sufficiently.  Yesterday, Sunday, the blessed SUN shone all day and melted about half of the paved ice.  Today, Monday, the sun again showed its beautiful face all day and eliminated all the remaining ice except in the deepest shadows.
Jacque, naturally, stayed gainfully busy in her Sewing Emporium...

I had not gotten out on my beloved Catrike during all this time, much to my dismay.
I dragged the machine out of the garage with joyful heart, planning to go to our nearest cemetery to try finding a grave to photograph in response to several requests from Findagrave.com .
Jacque got a notice that we again had prescriptions waiting at our local Big Box Store, so I added that to my itinerary.
It was FABULOUS to get out in the fresh air again.  I only wore a light yellow windbreaker but had to remove it after only a few blocks of pedaling around.
What was NOT so fabulous was the chore of slogging around the ancient worn down Old Mountain Grove Cemetery.  Most of the gravestones and markers were either so worn or too covered with mold and moss to be able to read them.  The ground was also soggy and spongy from all the melted moisture, which made for rough walking.  I was not successful in finding the requested gravestone.  I despair over the lack of maintenance for old sites such as this and wonder if we shouldn't try to organize some volunteer crew or club to maintain this and other sites a few times each year.  Maybe there already IS one I could join ??  Asking for a Friend....

I gave up after only searching one-half of the cemetery, hoping to try again soon for the other half.
Getting back on the trike and pedaling was a great relief from the  slogging around in the graveyard on foot.
Did the shopping and pedaled slowly home with noticeable fatigue.
Tired and sore but THRILLED with BALMY WEATHER. 
Promises to Enjoy it While it Lasts....

Ride Started: 12:40 PM           Ride Ended: 2:53 PM
Beginning Battery Voltage: 12.7   Ending Battery Voltage:  12.6
Lowest Temp: 57 F Highest Temp: 72 F
Beginning Blood Glucose:  120   Ending BG: 110
Stats from the GPS: Total Miles: 5.55 
Overall Average Speed      Moving Avg       Max Speed
 3.1 MPH                              5.9 MPH            21.7 MPH
Total Trip(s) Time                Moving Time      Stopped Time
 1 hour 47  mins                   57 minutes         51 minutes

"Time to Go Home"

Today's Buddy Ride GPS Route 

Jacque's Sewing Emporium had a return student today.  Her bouncy little brother came too, for a short visit.  We embraced and laughed and horsed around, and when his Mom announced it was time to go home, My Buddy got a tad grumpy.  He had decided he needed to take another Trike Ride with "Grandpa Jim".
Well, Grandpa Jim had gotten little or no aerobic exertion today, so Buddy Boy and I both politely inquired of Mom to let him stay while Big Sister was sewing.  Mom agreed, so we and my little bud dragged the Catrike and  BOB Trailer out of the garage and took off.  

You might note the slightly oversize helmet on the lively passenger in the trailer.  He liked trying it out, and I feel less guilty riding around with MY helmet when the passenger has none.
 

The premise was a short trip up the hill next to our old Brown Shoe Factory where our Ina Crandall Memorial Park is located with its pool, swings, and slides.
We made the short trip without incident, and enjoyed horsing around for a while.  We had "planned" to stay and play until close to 6 PM. 
We were having a great time, methought, and was somewhat surprised when my Pal announced "GO HOME !!"

Whereupon he abruptly marched himself down toward his throne in the BOB trailer, so I followed his guidance and we cranked up for home.
We'd only pedaled a short distance when  I realized he must have had a Good Idea:  Clouds were darkly gathering. daylight was fading, and the infernal wind was kicking up.
We got back without undue incident.
Even though it was a short ride, I found myself a bit "breathless" afterward.  Even though the wind had been dropping in temperature, I was also overheated and required a bit of cooling off.

FUN FUN FUN !!   Until Next Time --

Ride Started: 4:13 PM           Ride Ended: 5:02 PM
Beginning Battery Voltage: 12.7   Ending Battery Voltage:  12.6
Lowest Temp: 57 F Highest Temp: 64 F
Beginning Blood Glucose:  180   Ending BG: 110
Stats from the GPS: Total Miles: 2.90 
Overall Average Speed      Moving Avg       Max Speed
 3.8 MPH                              5.8 MPH            16.8 MPH
Total Trip(s) Time                Moving Time      Stopped Time
 46  minutes                         30 minutes         16 minutes

Eating Dirt & Outrunning Dogs

 Wednesday Wanderings GPS Track

 Having an appointment with our favorite local pedicurist, I got going on the Trike much earlier than I usually do:  

Left the house a little after 9 AM for my 9:30 appointment.  Such appointments have proven highly worth the time and money incurred, since the Maestro Wally has taken my brittle and crumbling toenails and somehow trimmed them painlessly and caused them to stop falling apart.

Try these guys if you're anywhere in the vicinity:
https://www.facebook.com/people/California-Nails/100027587996908/

Feeling spunky afterward, methought I'd try a different route home.  Regretted it almost immediately.
My GPS map shows a route around the northwest side of Our Town just adjacent to US 60 and looping around the city dump and wastewater ponds.  The pavement disappeared quickly and the further I went the worser the "road" turned out to be.  I finally encountered a chain link fence blocking further progress and retraced my route back to the much more enjoyable paved streets.
I think I broke my previous self speed record at 27+ MPH, of course going down a long hill with a stiff tailwind.  Which turned into a headwind at times, of course going UP hill, which caused me to rejoice in Grandma Gear.
Coming down First Street, within a few blocks of home, a rather large LOOSE dog noticed me and gave chase, running diagonally across the yard and into the street behind me.  I laughed aloud at him initially, since I was cruising along maybe 15 MPH.  I was quickly motivated when I realized he was gaining on me, so I had to put more old man muscle into the pedals to gain more distance.
Escaping that particular hazard unscathed, I threaded my way through the remaining back streets toward home. 
I did mention the gusty wind, right?  As I turned a sharp corner next to out railroad tracks, a sudden blast of wind popped a nasty dose of sand right into my face - and MOUTH.  Spitting like a 'baccy chewer, I slowed down and slurped a couple mouthfuls from my water bottle, rinsed and SPIT again.
Hurray.  Clean mouth again.

 Ride Started:  9:03 AM           Ride Ended:   2:48 PM
Beginning Battery Voltage: 12.7   Ending Battery Voltage:  12.7
Lowest Temp: 53 F Highest Temp: 60 F
Beginning Blood Glucose:  105   Ending BG: 160
Stats from the GPS: Total Miles:  6.18
Overall Average Speed      Moving Avg          Max Speed
  3.1 (?) MPH                    6.3 MPH             27.6  MPH
Total Trip(s) Time              Moving Time        Stopped Time
 2 hours                            59 minutes          1 hour

Monday Valentine

Short Jaunt GPS Tracking 

 Spent much of the day roaming with my Valentine Jacque.  We had a good time.
Challenged her to a tandem recumbent trike ride on our Terratrike only to find out she had one of her cute young Sewing Students coming over in the next few minutos.
So I dragged out my Catrike and wandered around a bit. 
I regretted wearing a coat, even though it was a tad chilly, since I quickly got warmed up and unzipped it all the way to allow some AIR into my armpits.

Ride Started:  4:23 PM           Ride Ended:   4:50 PM
Beginning Battery Voltage: 12.7   Ending Battery Voltage:  12.7
Lowest Temp: 50 F Highest Temp: 57 F
Beginning Blood Glucose:  150   Ending BG: 120
Stats from the GPS: Total Miles:  2.90
Overall Average Speed      Moving Avg          Max Speed
  6.9 MPH                              7.7 MPH             23.5  MPH
Total Trip(s) Time              Moving Time        Stopped Time
 25 minutes                        23 minutes          2 minutes

My Buddy & Me

 Wonderful Wanderings via GPS & Ham Radio

Yesterday, Jacque and Jack's Mom went on an expedition to Licking for an important fabric purchasing spree.  Jack's Mom hadn't planned on leaving Jack here with me for the entire time, but luckily she did, and we had an enjoyable time together.  Again.
Jacque and "Mom" were gone for a few hours, so we first watched a couple of idiotic Disney Woke (?) cartoons.  It polluted MY feeble brain more than it did my young friend.  Then we walked the dogs, much to Jack's delight since he insisted on walking the Wiggliest One.
I needed to go to our nearest high priced Lumber Yard to pick up some sack-crete  for a shelter I've been digging post - holes for, and I supposed Jack would enjoy going with me.
I supposed WRONG, since Jack would not hear anything but TRIKE RIDE.  TRIKE RIDE !!
A young man after my own heart, obviously.
SO I dragged the trike and trailer out of the garage.  I should say more correctly that I dragged out the Catrike while Jack feverishly dragged out the B.O.B. trailer.  He got it hung up on something in the way, so I helped him untangle it and get it hitched up.

      So Sorry for Squinting.  The Sun was in my face-

It was just cool enough for My Buddy to tell me he was cold, but he hadn't brought a jacket and I couldn't find anything that would fit him.  Jack was cold but insisted on a TRIKE ride.  Just before we took off I remembered my yellow and black bike - windbreaker in the trike saddlebag.  It was a few sizes too large, but we got him surrounded with it and buckled in. 
Throughout the short wibble wobble around several blocks, I kept asking him if he was cold. 
He continually denied it;  said he was having fun.  What a Guy.
It was a good thing I didn't wear any jacket.   It quickly got too warm for one.  My Buddy didn't complain at all.

Ride Started:  1:59 PM           Ride Ended:   2:24 PM
Beginning Battery Voltage: 12.8   Ending Battery Voltage:  12.7
Lowest Temp: 57 F Highest Temp: 67 F
Beginning Blood Glucose:  140   Ending BG: 127
Stats from the GPS: Total Miles:  2.46
Overall Average Speed      Moving Avg          Max Speed
  6.0 MPH                              6.5 MPH             24.2  MPH
Total Trip(s) Time              Moving Time        Stopped Time
 25 minutes                        23 minutes          2 minutes

Too Many Days without Sun

 Tuesday Pedaling GPS Breadcrumbs

Yesterday we had to travel to Springfield for a doctor appointment, and our time was limited.
Thankfully the roads were almost entirely dry after several days of icy snowy conditions.
It actually got up into the mid 50's which was wonderful indeed.
By the time we got back home, we were informed "Online" that we had prescriptions ready for us at our favorite and only Big Box Store.  It had been several days without the stretching exercise of pedaling the trike, so of course I used the Big Box excuse again for a trike ride.
I had only ridden a few blocks to deliver some mail to the Post Office during the breaks between snow, so I didn't expect to be in perfect condition for a "lengthy" 4-5 mile ride.  I wasn't.

I was not feeling particularly Up To Snuff when I started out, but usually a goo aerobic ride clears that sort of thing out for me.  I got to Big Box and picked up our pills.  Still felt a bit punk so I kept checking my Blood Sugar (BG).  It didn't seem unusually high or low, but the sagging butt syndrome continued.  I waddled home just in time to climb back in the car with Jacque to drive 10 miles to pick up raw milk from our favorite local dairy farmer.
We finally got home and our two angel-doggies were happy to lick my poor sore feets, which eventually cleared up my "punk" feelings.  HOORAY

Ride Started:  3:06 PM           Ride Ended:   4:07 PM
Beginning Battery Voltage: 12.9   Ending Battery Voltage:  12.7
Lowest Temp: 53 F Highest Temp: 67 F
Beginning Blood Glucose:  125   Ending BG: 120
Stats from the GPS: Total Miles:  5.33
Overall Average Speed      Moving Avg          Max Speed
  5.3 MPH                              6.4 MPH             24.2  MPH
Total Trip(s) Time              Moving Time        Stopped Time
 1 Hour                            50 minutes            10 minutes

The DAY of the Storm ??

Today's Random GPS Transversings 

 Ignoring our latest Severe Winter Weather Warning, today dawned ever so slightly overcast which soon burned off into bright sunshine, hitting a high temp of 62 official degrees.
Fairly early on this lovely morning, Jacque phoned in an order to the Vets for more Doggie Pills.  They're not cheap, so it's a good thing they don't have to take handfuls of them like WE do.
Since the Veterinarian is on the north end of town and close upon a paved roadway, I volunteered to take the Catrike for a ride to pick them up and pay for them.
'Twas indeed a balmy day for a ride, with only occasional breezy puffs to slow me down somewhat.
I pulled off to the side of the road about halfway there to check my blood glucose (BG).
An old duffer (probably a few years younger than Yours Truly) pulled up in a pickup, rolled down his window and asked "Did the VA give you that?"  I told him no, I had bought  it via Ebay with my own money.  He told me about his exercise machine that evidently the VA had provided for him, and about his bicycle he rode around the bike park trail in nearby Cabool.
We enjoyed our short visit and then resumed our respective ways.
I arrived at the vet's office in fine fashion, only to find they were actually OUT of Stock for one of the doggy medications they said we could come get.  They must have sold the last ones just before I got there, since Jacque had talked to them only an hour or so earlier.
I took the slow route home, noticing again that my BG was dropping dramatically.  I ate a couple Emergency Cookies to prop up the Blood Sugar and slowly made my way home.
On the way I took a small detour over to my favorite barber shop on the town square, hoping the busy young man might be able to give me a trim today.  He was clipping a customer when I arrived but told me to come back at 2:45 and he'd do me.  I got home with the nice sunshine still in abundance.   At 2:30 - something I stepped outside to mount up the trike again.  It was still nice weather, warm, etc, but the clouds had gathered and looked like it might rain soon.  I thought I could probably make the trike trip OK but wondered if the rain would hold off long enough to get home without a good soaking.  I decided to (ACK) Drive the Ford instead.  Sure enough, about halfway through my haircut, it suddenly got black outside and rain began to POUR down in great sheets.  Glad indeed that I hadn't exposed my trike with all its electronics to such weather.
Well, the worrisome forecast has drifted somewhat..... It's 8:30 PM as I write this and it's 52 degrees.  Spring like weather..... Still supposed to turn to sleet, ice, and deeeep snow.  We'll see.

Ride Started:  11:12 AM           Ride Ended:   12:47 PM
Beginning Battery Voltage: 13.8   Ending Battery Voltage:  12.9
Lowest Temp: 53 F Highest Temp: 64 F
Beginning Blood Glucose:  200   Ending BG: 46
Stats from the GPS: Total Miles:  7.49
Overall Average Speed      Moving Avg          Max Speed
  4.9 MPH                              6.7 MPH             24.3  MPH
Total Trip(s) Time              Moving Time        Stopped Time
 1 Hour 31 mins                1 hour 7 mins        24 minutes