Sketches - bike shoes

I sketched for Scavenger Hunt 144 on Tuesday night. In the 7 x 10 inch sketchbook with a Micron 05 pen, freehand as always. I remembered seeing an item called "view through a doorway" and decided to sketch the window view instead. When I went to post it on wetcanvas.com for the Hunt, I saw that there was a window view as well. So this is the window view, even though it is mislabeled. I will try to get one out the doorway here or in Albuquerque.

Number 1, window view at the hotel on the eve of Gene's bike ride in Alamosa, Colorado. Nice of the railroad tracks, highway and storage lot/buildings. We could have the window open, that was nice. I prefer the street noise to the white noise of the air conditioner. Number 2, shoe, Gene's bike shoes and socks. Number 3, bag or purse, two bags, the bike bag and computer back pack.

The birthday ride went well. Started off cool but was a nice day. Gene said he wimped out and only made 81.25 miles of his 100 mile goal. I don't call that wimpy! I ended up doing crosswords and not sketching. There isn't really time to sketch well or do a painting between stops. I can't concentrate watching for Gene and the traffic. I thought there was a lot of traffic. He didn't notice that, he said. It is all two lane with a very wide shoulder and the people don't take care in passing. Oh my. I'll include a couple of photos and post some on my Picasa albums from both days of the trip for when you have time.

Gene at 68 miles, his age on August 26.

Miles on computer on the right and heart rate on the left

And Gene at the 81 mile finish. Whew.

We stopped at the Rio Grande Gorge for some photos.

The bridge.

We drove back to Taos for his birthday dinner at Orlando's. It is a nice place with patio and is very colorful. The food is Mexican, but not really New Mexican or Old Mexican. It is good though and our meals there are very relaxing. Both times we have eaten there it has been early. I understand there is a long wait later in the evening. They put a chimenea on the patio in the winter time and serve hot chocolate while you wait outside. Could be pretty cold, eh? They serve beer and wine and wine maigaritas (or mikearitas or some such) instead of tequila margaritas. Here is a blog entry about Orlando's with some photos of the restaurant.

I drove home from there and we had a quiet evening. Good birthday all in all......with calls, e-mails and cards for Gene.