Exuberance for Life

I’ve been told by friends, one in particular, that I always say “that was the best ride ever!” when a bike ride has completed. I think this one earned that saying.

Following in that line of thought, Fall is one of my favorites times of the year. It has that feeling that time is urgent and finite, coming to an end too soon. With fall coming to Phx (what, you didn’t think sub-100 highs meant fall?) we knew the comfortable trips to the north land were waning. My sister laughs at me now when we get together anyplace that requires a jacket. Hey, come visit me in August I tell her, then we’ll see who’s laughing. So, back on track, Flagstaff and Fall.

Some of the usual suspects met up for a ride, Acronym Man, The Frenchie, and me Mike D, no wait, cookiedough it is. First time in many years for Mr. AM, so we decided to do the standard loop, involving a climb up Elden road. Yeah, it kinda stinks, but the fun is earned this way. Mr. AM even did a little extra credit climb, he missed the turnoff and went for the towers. Fortunately for the others in this party, cell phones were involved. With cell phones involved, it meant no extra credit for me, which was pleasant. Anyways, after the little grind up the hill, we get to the top, which sometimes includes a little nap [link] but always involves a little re-fueling.

The top has the feel of fall setting in, everything isn’t quite so green. Seeds, getting ready as the plant dies and sets up the cycle of annual propagation.

Aspens, just starting up their fall splendor.

Even with the changing colors, some flowers are still radiating. Coulter Lupines are still fixing nitrogen from the air allowing next year’s crop to blossom. Again, life from life, with a winter in between.

This ride happened in the afternoon, and as such, hero light was coming. A little backlit, and a lot of good trail. Fall is coming as reflected in the ferns as well. 

Another good ride, and we pause. For me, it’s to enjoy the sights, and just pause and reflect. Maybe even laugh a little, enjoying stories and caricatures of each other. Since really, the ride is a conduit for conversation and stories.

We spend some time laughing, and decide that it’s time for some sustenance. You see, as my blood sugar lowers, I get a little giddy, and let my friends know, it you let my blood sugar get too low, you may find us riding for six or eight [hours]. So, some good stuff here, a peppermint pattie. Yeah, no, it’s not an energy bar, it’s really good candy. Don’t care. It’s good. Like super good. And everybody else gets a little jealous and dons this aporetic look - really?

Onward, traveling like speeders on the sinuous trail through the trees. I keep thinking “light” thoughts, just flying over the rocks in the trail. Mr. AM however, is distracted momentarily, and has a quick vision of leaden balloons. At which point I hear a faint shout “Flat! Flat!” and we come to a quick stop. Hmmm...not one pinch flat, but two. It takes a very special person to have two pinch flats at the same time. Or, very heavy thoughts. Always remember, eternity is down the hall, and you sit there bending spoons. Just an ode to Johnny. Pardon me.

Flats (heh, heh, plural) fixed, and back toward the vehicle we go. Ride devolves into “post-ride” and we plan for dinner. Which happened to be planned for Lumberyard Brewery and Taphouse. Most excellent. 

It’s times like this that remind me life is like one big Calvin and Hobbs strip. Exuberance, always hiding behind a tree, just waiting to tackle me.

Chilled Melon Soup?

A few years ago, I was in Chicago for a manufacturing technology show. While there I had dinner at the Park Grill in Millennium Park. Truly excellent food. One of the items I ordered was the watermelon soup, just out of curiousity. It was quite the culinary experience, one I wanted to attempt at home. You know, just to prove those TV announcers wrong - “do not attempt this at home”

The sous chefs (yes, plural) of the house were enlisted. Ok, they were instructed to pick seeds “or else” and place the watermelon in the blender. I had a recipe from epicurious.com and it sounded just weird enough to be good. So, at the behest of the executive chef (me - heh, heh) picking they did.

Besides, someone needed to go outside and cut some mint. The mint has made it’s way into other menu items, and is a hit in the mint tea my daughters make.

This time, it was added to the melon, along with ginger, and some other items I thought might add a little depth to the soup. You know, obvious things like a dash of salt (to perk up the taste buds) and a couple grinds of black pepper, to offset the sweet a bit. Now that is the point when the sous - girls departed in their excitement to try the soup. Although, again, the choice was not theirs, but the executive (I’m kinda getting used to this).

So, blend and plate. Or bowl as the case may be.

You should notice only one with feta sprinkled on it. That’s mine. The wife doesn’t do dairy, and the girls were not getting used to the lack of choice. It was tremendous, even the naysayers thought it good. So much so, we made the remainder into popsicles to be enjoyed later.

Oh, and paired with the slightly sweet white and later grilled ribeye, it was a very good evening.

A week in review

Just a good week. A grilling terror I say. Mushrooms and sausage and peaches and such. Yeah that last one is a little out of the ordinary, but yes, they were spectacular. Started out the week with friends and a ride. Sunrise makes for some great lighting and then follows the colors. Just a ride on the local loop then sit and look at the city from the top of the climb.

Grilling this week has been a whole lot of fun, and several new items have been placed into the rotation. This time around was nectarines (my family doesn't like the "fuzziness" of peaches). I was at work and my wife emails me - "we have 10 lbs of nectarines". Wow. I needed to make a stop at Trader Joe's on the way home, and ran into this:

Oh, thinks me, I remember a pastry at {Lux} which had mascapone cheese and nectarines. I had a latte with it at that time. Hmmm...I think that would be good with grilled nectarines and mint. Especially since my mint plant is just plain going ape.

Once I arrive home, I announce my plans to a very skeptical family. Oh Dad. Do we have to? You know the reaction. But, since I'm the head of the house (something about that reminds me of some LP lyrics...not a poor leader, I'm a tough act to follow..) Slice 'em up and place them on the hot grill. I cut some mint while they were cooking and Ms. M decided she was going to make up a creation as well. It had a, well, decidedly chocolate presence to it.

With the nectarines complete, I add a dollop of sweet cream cheese to those babies, top with the mint sprig and enjoy. Yeah, they are that good.

Labor Day Weekend Show

Something along the lines of “I got my hushpuppies on...” We had a good little bike ride in the Dells, and now on to the main event, besides celebrating the fact that we have a jobs and all. The grilling. In most places, LDW signifies the end of summer. Here is signifies the beginning of bearable summer *wink and a nod*. We started off the afternoon with some time in the pool, riding the slides and just plain having a great time.

After a good while at the pool, we headed back to the house and started the main event.

The grill was the main event, but by no means the only event. Things like berry salad, carrot souffle, sweet potato pie, spinach salad, Brussels sprouts fried with bacon, all vying for attention. Each worthy of that attention. As each of the dishes were completed, numbers increased in the kitchen. In my mind, a good party is when all the folks are in the kitchen - the heart of the home.

One impromptu item was fried bananas. You see, the berry salad was to have bananas in it, but they seemed to be a little too ripe. When you having foodies around, nothing good ever goes to waste, it just gets “re-purposed”. Bacon and sprouts were complete, and some bacon drippings were leftover. Hmmm....Eric put the hammer down so to speak, sliced the bananas, added sugar and amaretto to the cast iron and POW! made a fantastic desert. The best comment to come out of it was “this is like Thanksgiving, I want to try them all”. 

Yes, I agree, those bananas are the stuff. 

Dells, again.

It has been a little more than a year since the last trip here. [link] Time was due for another ride, plans were made and executed.

We met up at 600, homebrew coffee in hand and an extra thermos “just in case”. Two of us have ridden before and desired the repeat, the third, it was all new to him. Coffee was consumed, music was heard, and thoughts shared. Rusted Root, Linkin Park, Ben Howard. A few more miles went by. Arrived at the trailhead, stepped out and oh, 72 degrees feels good. We suit up and hit the trail, which starts out down the old SFP&P Railroad right of way. Santa Fe Prescott & Phoenix nicknamed the Peavine. The ROW was put in to transport ore from mines near Yarnell to the mills. But, that’s a history lesson and this is about bike riding.

So, on to the riding. Rocky stuff, slow pick and place type riding.

We ride on, stopping and playing every now and then, which really is one of the main distinctions between road and mtn biking - on the road, you never look back and say “wow, let’s do that again!”

Break for a snack, almost Christmas, what with vanilla Hammer gel and a peppermint patty that’s serious ride fuel. And super d’lish. Although, it didn’t look that great, being about 80 now in the sun and sitting in my pack, cushioning the dslr. 

Recharged, so on we go. 

The Dells encompasses Willow and Watson Lakes, which, as you are riding, are treated to a glimpse every now and then.

Great ride, although short, my fork loosing spring ability, turns out it was just that, a broken spring. Fortunately, there are good places to eat in Prescott, so eat we did. Glorious things like egg cheese chorizo burro, spinach cheese omlet with hash browns, and one of the specials, a prime rib steak burro. Crazy lots of food, kind of obscene really, but wow it was good.

Eppur si muove

Summertime riding, out before the sun, before that thermonuclear ball in the sky makes its journey westward. I know, it’s us that rotates, Copernicus started it, Galileo paid for it.

The standard summer rides have been Tuesday and Thursday morning, just now beginning to need lights. Parking lot at Deem Hills, exchange good mornings and hit the trail. A good hour to hour and fifteen workout. Before work, what better way to start the day.

Anyway, off to the photos. Three directions on the compass, three sky tones, all in the course of a few minutes.

This August has been one of the hottest on record, as evidenced by the gloves. I guess some fries would be good for lunch…

Decent ride in, time for heading to the shower and a little second breakfast.

Oh, the title, translation - "and yet it moves"