Happy Belated Birthday to Gene, August 26!
Every year Gene likes to ride his age in miles on his bicycle on his birthday. He has been doing it for many years, now. He decided back then that by the time he was 80 or so it would be difficult to ride that far, so he tried to get in 100 miles and put some miles in the bank. That way when he could not ride his age, he can deduct from the bank. He had the setback (operation) in February so has not put in nearly as many miles in preparation for his ride this year.
At any rate, we took off yesterday morning about 7:30 for his long ride. He knew he was not in shape but set his goal at his age, 70 miles. He was prepared not to complete it, but wanted to give it his best shot.
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| The road from Angel Fire to Taos. |
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| An interesting cloud as we approached the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge. |
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| Gene, ready to take off. |
We drove from Angel Fire to a spot on Highway 285 in New Mexico where it is 50 miles to Alamosa, Colorado, the same starting point as last year. For those of you that are new, he rode 92.8 or so miles last year. He got all ready and took off at 9:38 a.m.
I go ahead up the road and wait for him. Usually I have an hour or so to wait and have painted, sketched, slept, read and worked crossword puzzles during the day. Yesterday I would only go 15-30 minutes ahead so mostly worked crosswords. I did a few sketches for Scavenger Hunt 235 as well.
I sketched in the regular brown sketchbook with a Prismacolor 03 pen. Number 5, divided into sections - the fence line along side the road. Number 6, lets light in - the window on the car door.
Number 7, under tension - an old warning sign on the road fence warning not to dig because of underground utilities, pipe lines. I might be under tension when digging there. Ha. Number 8, special friend - a big old dump truck stopped where I was sketching and a big guy got out to let his tiny little chihuahua dog run and go potty. It was his special friend. It reminded me of a commercial where two big old guys have tiny dogs to show they are rich or some such. Made me smile.
As Gene came into Colorado where I was waiting for him. Look at the day, so beautiful. About 75 degrees at that time.
These two were during his lunch break. He ate and rested for about 30 minutes. He hasn't had to do that in he past, he would just stop for a snack. He is still pretty tough, don't you think.
Scenery and clouds along the way, near La Jara, Colorado.
Under a shade tree, where I sketched the second two sketches. There aren't many spots to get under a tree, so I used this spot last year, too.
Near Antonito, Colorado.
The end of the ride just south of Alamosa after turning around and heading south again.
**Note: I forgot to say he rode 50.2 miles. Very good!! (Added 8/28/2011)
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| This sign made me laugh, look at the affordable homes there. |
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| Affordable homes. |
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| More affordable homes. |
That development has been there many years. People live in those dilapidated mobile homes and busses and many shacks, too. It is at least 20 or so miles to Taos for shopping. There is not a convenience store or anything near. We did see a hitchhiker or two so some don't even have cars. Wow, very affordable.
They are working on the Rio Grande Bridge since we were last there. They have a Canada style stop light to control the one lane traffic. At least Canada was the first place we saw automatic lights for construction zones. In the States they mostly use flagmen. We had to wait awhile as the speed limit is 25 miles an hour and the bridge is pretty darn long. Look at the rain near Taos.
We had Gene's birthday dinner in Taos at Orlando's. It is my favorite New Mexican restaurant in Taos. The New Mexican restaurants in Taos are more for tourists I think. so the best are in Albuquerque. I painted this pastel of Orlando's. You can see it in person on September 3 at Arts About Town here in Angel fire. I will be on the porch of the Chamber of Commerce and Art Space from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.. See the sidebar for more info.
12 comments:
Happy (belayed) birthday Gene! I find it pretty incredible that you're riding your bike long distance after a recent surgery... GREAT JOB! Your're my champ!
Gene says thank you soooo much. We just looked to see where your town is on the map. Hope you are up high and stay well during the storm. We are thinking of you.
Very impressive, Gene - that you can ride that far and that you have such a patient wife!! Great sketches too, Jo. And aren't those clouds amazing?
Thanks, Regina! Gene did great. I'm not patient, as you know, but am lazy so don't mind sitting and doing nothing. :-) The skies were just gorgeous and such a beautiful day. It rained on the mountain ranges on both sides of us but didn't come down in the valley. Just a slight breeze, too, so made the bike ride pleasant. Wind is a real drag.....
Wow, that is really amazing! 50 miles...that's impressive. Happy belated birthday to Gene. What a great birthday tradition.
I like your sketches and photos very much, Jo! Great job!
thecozyred, thanks so much. I will pass the greeting to Gene. Good to see you. I love the sculpture horse and rider on your blog. Clever and fun.
The truck driver reminded me of the trucker that crashed in front of Kathryn and me in Arizona. He had a yappy little dog with him.
Pretty clouds.
And, finally, I'm so glad Dad was able to ride this year and that he made 50 miles. Fantastic!
Happy Belated Birthday to Gene. He is one tough cookie! Do you ever go through Jarosa, CO, while you are up in that area?
Joanna, thanks. Remember Al used to carry Amy around with him! She was about as big as a beer can.
Your dad did great. He was not so worn out either, just a sore bottom.
Bag Blog, Thanks, Gene doesn't think he was too tough this year, but the rest of us do. Ha.
Hadn't heard of Jarosa, looks to be in an interesting place on the map.
I'm pretty impressed with Gene. Happy Birthday Dude!!
Mary, Gene says, "Thanks a bunch." I can't believe he is still riding so much.
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