Hanami flowers

So gorgeous

Finally the extravagance of spring

On my walk to the library to pick up a print job.

Outside Ellensburg

A farmstand with novel spelling.

Roadside architecture

My anti clockwise circuit gave me the opportunity to study Thorp from a new direction. Very strong side winds so I realized my choice of lower route best for today. Looked for somewhere out of the wind to eat a late lunch. This throwback to the 1950s offered a worn shelter with picnic tables so I walked to the counter to get a chocolate milkshake. A good decision as the ride back to Cle Elum was stiff headwinds the whole way. My shoulders will hurt after this stress so I'm taking Tylenol tonight. This ride was 44.5 miles at my new set point of 9.5mph so I'm pleased I could do it. The ridges south of I-90 are always pretty in that sparse vegetation desert climate of Eastern Washington. And the views of the Enchantments were inspirational. It will be nice to return in warmer fully sunny weather next month when the lupin and arrow leaf are blooming. Still held in the grip of winter.

Cle Elum to Ellensburg via Thorp circuit

Hellacious headwinds. A tough ride. Jerk aggressive truck driver out of Cle Elum tailgating. Not clear what you can do with tailgaters like this. Decided not to go up and over via Hwy 97 as I suspected there would be more jerks in a hurry to go nowhere. The windmills were whirling for sure. Plus the Enchantments are deep in snow and storm clouds.

44.5 miles circuit via Thorp and terrible headwinds on return

Hanami birthday party

Mt Vernon loop on Fir Island

23.3 miles at 11 mph. A brisk pace for me. Early blooming plums and a few laggard swans and snow geese. Pleasant flat ride around the Skagit dikes, with a bald eagle and large mallard flock.

33 miles to find that 60 degrees in Alki

Great Tuesday to bike. Winter is losing its grip.

A nice day overall

I tested an alternative ending to this ride but it's not worth it. Terrible roadwork and lack of signs plus a busy gravel ride on a trafficked bridge next to I-5.
Very muddy and standing water and the winter birds are gone, but I kept a good pace and focus on a redo of ridewithgps.

Saturday return to Mt Vernon

Just a few swan stragglers and a bald eagle, but sunny and I managed a good pace of 10.3mph

Sunday night dinner

Polenta with Gorgonzola sauce

March 12 ride

Round trip via Alki Beach to K&B

Started out overcast and cool but turned into lovely weather. A 32.6 mile round trip with substantial and unavoidable hill walking given the location of my destination well above Alki. But it gave me the opportunity to revisit some old favorites in the Ballard Locks and a heady winter blooming Paper bush (China) that put on a big show. Spring is in the air.

Short ribs and vegetables

It's still March, so chilly. Spent a day at home as I'm teaching a heavy schedule in Kirkland. Only a week and a half to go then it settles down. I'm too old for this work schedule.

32 mile round trip to Columbia City

By 1pm I'd given up waiting for the forecasted sun. It took effort to reassure myself that once warmed up I'd enjoy the ride despite the gray. Actually by the time I crossed onto Burke Gilman there was sun and it improved. So much that I rode home instead of doing light rail. I'm beat though. It was chilly and I miss my balaclava lost in the restaurant in Winslow last Sunday. Never let anyone pick up your gear as a favor. Stuff falls under the table and is lost. Oh well. In the big picture it matters little. Here is a cyclist ahead of me waiting for the Montlake Bridge to do its thing.

I need a day off

Dinner for one in Ballard tonight. Strozzapreti with lamb sugo after endive and frisée salad with cashews and an excellent glass of red wine. With mandatory 20% service and tax, it was expensive but I skipped the nice but nothing spectacular desserts as I've started a fast from expensive caloric pastries for the next 40 days I hope. I want to break my carb habit. It's related to boredom, stress and loneliness and it's hurting my health. It will be difficult but I will try. March often is like this. After winter, after covid restrictions after all that going badly in the world. But on today's walk to Ballard and a marine upholstery store I saw first cherry blossoms and daffodils are unwrapping. Be patient. Soon it's spring.

My future pantry

At IKEA

I try to keep out of this place. I don't mind the furniture. It's the endless maze layout that is creepy. I miss the print catalog too. It's Tuesday so not mobbed. Bah humbug. But I did get 2 out of production yellow doors for my future pantry. All the other parts I'll get when I have someone else along to mitigate my claustrophobia. And in this post pandemic (one hope) interlude I found the restaurant open and had the signature dish for lunch.