MILD DECEMBER BROUGHT THE FREEZE OF JANUARY

Other than when I broke my pelvic bone and needed recuperation time, I do not recall ever being off my bike for so many days as now. Today was my first bike ride in twelve (12) days!

But first, let’s go back to December for a little bit. We had mild weather with many sunny days and an occasional 50 degree day, oh my. It was nice enough to gather a few of my friends for a Wild Goose Chase ride up in the Skagit valley.

Sue, Janet and Maridee were my winter riding buddies for this one.

We started at the Skagit Acres Farm where we would also end for lunch before the drive home.

We know we are in the country when we see this sign.

Farm buildings are another indication ;’-). Note the mud.

Skagit Valley is a wintering stop for Trumpeter Swans and Snow Geese. We saw only a few gaggles of them on this trip, and muddy fields.

Anything bike related – ANYTHING – of course pulls our attention, as did this seasonal stand.

Some scenes of the bay, riverlets, and bird refuge also claim attention.

Several days later, not long before Christmas Day, Shelly, Lizette and I met up for a ride to see a Troll ;;-). Here we are at our tea and crumpet stop.

There are 5 Dambo Trolls in our area, this was my first and along a bike trail in Issaquah.

As you walk past and in front of Jakob, his eyes follow you wherever you go. Quite the illusion that I do not quite understand how the artist did that.

Along the way back I had to stop to visit this person enjoying a read while apparently people watching.

The sunny days seemed to never be ending, and I and others would not let them pass by without being outdoors. Kathy met me for a ride before the end of the month and of the year. We rode from Arlington along the northern end of the Centennial Trail with a snack stop at the Nakashima Barn. We arrived as the only ones there with plenty of room at the lone picnic table for our snack.

A quiet, cold pond in the woods along our way.

Another ride with Kathy was along a very popular part of Centennial Trail to Lake Cassidy. I started at one place and met Kathy at another for the ride so we each got the miles we wanted ;’).

Along my route I can almost never pass by a tumble down barn without taking a photo.

Again, the only ones at the lone picnic table, this time to have our lunch.

Needed a photo of my bike on the dock leading to Lake Cassidy.

Finishing up December, Susan and I spent Christmas Eve and a few days after with Jenny and family, and took the boys, E&A camping for two nights. They have great fun camping at Fey Bainbridge where there is the Pirate ship! They play on that endlessly ;-).

And then — we drove to see my second Troll – their first.

The bird houses lead to the trolls.

Pia the Peacemaker…

I did get a few of my normal solo rides in during the month as well, but this basically ends December and is long enough to end this post! I will do January and the FREEZE in the next post. I am happy to get these photos posted and one more…

E&A each made a Christmas decoration for me and for Susan. Here are mine, they touch my heart and will be on display in the van year ‘round ;’-). Quite the artists I say, as bikes are not easy to draw!