A Higher Calling

 I was in Ottawa the other day looking at bicycles at Ottawa Bike & Trail. This little town is at the junction of the Flint Hills Trail and the Prairie Spirit Trail, both rail-to-trails in the care of Kansas Dept.of Wildlife and Parks. This store is fueling a nice movement to trail riding, specializing in gravel bikes. Seems like a more nimble bike is in order for me as compared to my Surly Long Haul Trucker, which is designed as a beast of burden for loaded touring. Time for lunch. Next to the restaurant a local church is having some refurbishing done to a steeple. They are using a telescoping manlift to access it. Striking color and I love big equipment. So I had to set up my little chair and sketch a while. 

Lake Tour with Liz

 About 10 years ago I bought a touring bicycle and some panniers and tried some 'loaded touring'. At first it was 'bike overnight' stuff. I carried the tent, stove, food & water, clothes, etc. Then I tried two nights out. Still enjoyed it, so I planned a lake tour. We have five federal flood control lakes in this part of Kansas so I could create a loop route and hit them all, one day at a time. I could leave from home and return to home. I figured when I retire, I'll do that.

Then Wilma and I had health issues, I retired, she died and life was on hold for a while. Now I'm back in the saddle, literally. Love my bike. When I met Liz, she had similar interests. Her background in loaded touring far exceeded mine, but she was game to do this lake tour. Game on!

Five lakes, five nights in six days. That was the (flexible) plan. After four lakes, though, we just kinda ran out of gas. Our objective from the start was to have fun and see if we travelled well together, not to enter an endurance contest. We could have finished the tour but didn't feel the need to. So we bailed out at Clinton and pedaled home. We still ended up with 193.3 miles, which is almost like pedaling to Hays, Kansas. Looking back, we should have hit two lakes, then taken a rest day, then proceeded. We're both trying to figure out what our 68 year old bodies are capable of while being haunted with the memory of what they used to do.

Our average speed isn't worth noting. We had some rough days. No storms but some headwind. We didn't have extensive pre-trip training. I think we did just fine. We ate at some fine restaurants and the camp food was pretty good, too. And we found that we can travel well together and not kill each other.

Out With The Old

 I've probably had my smart phone for about 10 years. It's rough around the edges, the charge doesn't last as long and I'm running out of storage. AT&T has been sending me reminders that I qualify for an upgrade. So I finally succumb and replace it! I don't need a bigger screen so I opt to replace it with a similar phone. 

The monthly rate only goes up a few buck and I get more storage. The upgrade process only took about an hour yet I pushed it off for months. I donate my old phones to the Topeka YWCA for their women's shelter. I can feel good about that. I'm not real keen, though, on how our daily lives hinge on the availability of cell phone coverage and having this little computer with us at all times, and the need to replace it every few years.

Grandkids Backpacking

 My oldest granddaughter, age 8, asked her parents for an overnight backpack trip this year. Her mom made it happen! Wilma and I raised the granddaughter's mom and uncle in a camping family, which included a backpack trip when they were teenagers. I'm very pleased that it's trickling down to their kids. Her mom explored the Internet and found a respectable youth backpack. Little sis said "Me Too" but, for her, a day pack was big enough. In a millisecond I decided it was worth the drive to be there, too. I scheduled my visit with Liz so I could swing by Colorado on my way home. 

We found a mile+ trail up to a small lake at 10, 480' not far from their northern Colorado home. The trail was an old National Forest Service access road, so navigation was easy. Uphill all the way but it was worth it.

With kids, everything is a crap shoot. However, the odds were with us. The youngest had a melt down on the way up but recovered. From then on they had a blast! Their mom and dad were basically the outfitters that made sure tents were put up and everyone was fed and watered. We introduced them to backcountry camp protocol. After supper we hung a our bear bag with their help. Clean camp. Leave No Trace. Etc.  

I was first up. After a while I hear some giggling, followed by to cheery granddaughters running out to see me. Mom and dad took a while longer, lingering in a short reprieve. The girls and I sat by the lake and watched the sun rise higher in the sky behind the mountain ridge. Then they helped me retrieve the bear bag and start hot water for breakfast. They are completely at home in the woods. Makes a grandpa proud!

To Moab!

 Time to visit Liz in Moab for the first time. I decide to drive (I like to drive) the 900+ miles.

She runs a ceramics studio there and teaches the artform. She has plenty of workspace and equipment but my eyes are drawn to the water dispenser, plants and window. Those with a membership have access to Open Studio time, so I get to meet some of her 'people'. They've created a neat little community there of similar souls that I like.

After seeing some of the sights we go to Back and Beyond bookstore. This is a neat independent bookstore that even delves into collectible books and maps, etc.  They have one of Edward Abbey's working desk with a working draft of Desert Solitaire.

In some spare time (Liz needs to be at her shop) I find a small climbing gym. It's mostly for bouldering but they do have a top-rope wall. Since I have nobody to belay me, I use their vertical treadmill (there's a real word for it but I don't know what that is). Ground floor has a couple tables to sit and chill. Vending machines with cool drinks, or they have coffee. 

So many coffee shops! (See later post for a list) I really like Sweet Cravings Bakery & Bistro. Plenty of room for indoor seating and a view to the east with large windows. A mom and pop shop that's personable.

Here's my list of coffee shops (yes, I'm addicted!). The Gonzo Inn has a small café with outdoor seating. I loved the gecko in their sign, so I had to sketch it, until I ran out of fountain pen ink. Switched to fiberpoint pen. The Moab Garage Company is laid out nicely. They even have an espresso drink that uses some ice cream. I try later to return and try it but failed to hit their open hours. Some coffee shops close too early for my yearnings.

Ahhh, on to Arches National Park! We did a driving tour, but when I had some spare time, I came back to sketch. The iconic Balanced Rock. Then on the the Window Arches. I started to sketch the La Sal Mountain profile. It's distinctive and to the southeast of Moab, Arches NP and Canyonland NP. It's functional to get your bearings. However, my sketching of it had spacing problems. The next sketch finally comes close.

On the fourth try I'm happy with my mountain range profile. The scree fall-off is unique on the south end of the range.

The Moab Music Festival happened to be going on for my visit! For over a week, every night is a musical event or music-related event. This particular night would be at this building.

We got up early to hike out to Delicate Arch. This is the iconic arch used in most publicity material. The raven was there, too. They know more than what they speak. I also listed all the activities the Liz put together for me. She would tell me the options to choose from and we kept it flexible. I was here for just over two weeks. I'll be back.

This is my favorite sketch of this trip! We were driving through Canyondland N.P. and I loved this overview of the Green River. All the white land is the same geological layer. Then erosion happens. I fell in love with the sketch potential! So, again, when I had some free time I drove out to be absorbed by it. I caught it just before sundown. These places are always vast and quiet so I have a fond memory of my time there. 

The crack down the middle of my sketchbook is what happens when a 7000 lb SUV drives over my sketchbook. My fault. Could be worse. The artwork is fine, not like it got wet or I lost it. My granddaughters were concerned but I told them it was fine (damage was done on a later visit to see family). Lesson learned: When getting ready for a hike, do NOT put your water bottle and sketchbook on top of the vehicle's tire. 

I was lucky on this trip to have a nice amount of sketch time. Liz is understanding, since she is a creative, too. Some trips just don't allow the time. This trip was top shelf!

Sketch Workshop Sketchout

 I spent a week at a workshop for watercolor sketching. This was at the Madeline Island School of the Arts. We had four instructors from overseas, all specializing in mobile watercolor sketching/painting. This is my third class at MISA. I just love it there! It's a short ferry hop from Bayfield, WI. On the Thursday night of our week-long workshop the instructors suggested a sketchout at a local pub. 

This is my first totally watercolor journal entry. My "standard" is watercolor pencils. I wanted this workshop because it would push me to try watercolors. I've taken a couple on-line classes in watercolor, which got me started. It also required me to buy a lot of tubes of paint. However, can one really own too many art supplies? Not. It felt great to finally start using them. Much to learn but I'm on my way.

Fountain pen, watercolors, enhanced with colored pencils. 

Amtrak to see Beth

 In late April I took an Amtrak train to visit a long time friend in Arizona. About a 24 hour ride. Beth and I were working at the same company 40 years ago. She moved to Arizona for a job and we've stayed in touch. Wilma and I visited four years ago and it was time to visit again. This time its just me.

Wilma and I had traveled in Coach before. This time I paid more to try out a Roomette. Pricey but more creature comforts and the food in the Dining Car comes with it. I found that the ability to lie flat helps sleeping a lot. 

Beth lives in Prescott. We'd start the mornings with coffee on her deck with a view. I love the dry air (as compared to Kansas). She drove me around to see the sights. That included coffee houses and a tap house. They had a bluegrass festival that weekend, too. Then on to Sedona. I wanted to see what everyone seems to know and like about that part of Arizona. 

The train has a stop in Albuquerque, both coming and going. The train refuels and takes care of other logistics. I sketched and almost missed the re-board call on the return trip.

This page shows some trip logistics. This is my fourth overnight Amtrak trip but the first one I shaved on. I wanted to see how hard it was to use a razor on a moving train. It's hard to sketch on the train so I thought it would be tough to shave, but it was fine.

I met a few interesting people, too. Dining room talk is always a good mixer. On my return, my Kansas City stop was scheduled for about 7 a.m.  I went down for breakfast and met Liz. It proved to be my lucky day. We talked until the staff kicked us out to end serving breakfast. We've been staying in touch ever since.