Peaking

Besides Michigan State's "prevent the win" defense in the loss to Iowa Saturday night, I have no complaints whatsoever about this weekend. Nancy and her son Jaime (the "J" sounds as an "H") came down for some road construction appreciation. I got my fanny kicked in Xbox against Jaime, we all had lunch at Hooters (good times for a 13 year old, no it was not my idea) and caught a flick at the Emagine theater. To top everything off, the sun came out for a bit today and I dusted off my motorcycle (ashamed of my riding effort this year) for a leisure ride through Hines Park. With fall pretty much at peak around here, the colors were outstanding. A whole bunch of motorcycle-ers, bicycle-ers, joggers, pet walkers, hangers, and picnic-ers out there. We'll take these days when we can get them, eh?

How about Michigan and Michigan State in the Little Caesars' Bowl this year? The ugly versus the ugly. CMU is the best team in the state right now and honestly deserves a better bowl than that. There is my commentary for today (bonus).

Trail Head

Autumn Fishing

Under partly sunny skies on a crisp October Saturday afternoon, we took off to the water in hopes of catching that elusive Dunham Lake whopper. All in all, the weather wasn't too bad as the northerly winds eventually died down as we evolved into evening. I thought I had the biggest catch of the day with a nice smallmouth bass until Greg, possibly inspired by his Toledo Mud Hen glass, took honors for the evening with a 19 inch or so green fish. He was on top of his game throughout the evening with some outstanding "dancing" in Al's garage; using all artifacts within his reach to show off his prowess.

Thanks to the Crouse family for being outstanding hosts in their new digs on the north side of Dunham. A great place you have there.

Trail Head

Molson Bike Tour banquet - 2009

It was good football weather for the banquet ride tonight at Island Lake Recreation Area. It didn't downpour but it misted just enough to cause a nuisance. In celebration of the 10 year anniversary of the bike tour, Mark recreated his fall from '03. It was only seconds when we were talking about that nasty fall that we heard an "ohhh!!!!" There weren't any witnesses but looking at the pictures below, the bike looks like it took a bit of a tumble.

The fall colors are just about 1/2 way there to peak. For you nature freaks out there, we got to witness a Common Juniper tonight on the trails (pictured below). While I thought the Juniper had something to do with the planet alignment, little did I know it is a densely branching shrub or small tree having pungent blue berries used to flavor gin; widespread in the northern hemisphere (looked it up). So there is the educational part of our entry today.

For the year, the anniversary tour was a good one. Our aging bodies can't work it like we once did but it was fun still the same. I am thankful that my friends aren't into the spandex riding outfits. That is just not a good look. I have to say the Spring Mill Pond parking lot at Island Lake will always give me a giggle each time I go by it. The best ride of my life.

A banquet wouldn't be complete without some awards. While he wasn't in attendance tonight, Ed took honors for rider of the year this season. Kudos on the dedication Ed.

Too bad for the Tigers but they didn't deserve it.

Trail Head

3rd Annual Chippewa River Float

It was off to the water this weekend for the 3rd annual Chippewa River float in Mt. Pleasant. Doke and I got our rowing in this weekend for sure. Both of us had Friday off so we floated on the Cedar River near Gladwin before meeting Mike on Saturday. We were expecting a casual, fishing float but the Cedar was an extremely large female dog. There was no let up on that river. It had a decent current, many rocks, many turns, and down trees crossing the entire river (see picture below). We had to do quite a bit of limbo dancing out there. One tree, however, took us down. That is such a crappy feeling of knowing you are going down and can't do a darn thing about it. We did plastic bag the vitals pretty well and didn't lose anything so besides a wet ass the rest of the ride, all was well. By the time the float was done, I was feeling it pretty well. That river doesn't give you much time for lollygagging.

Compared to Friday's float, Saturday on the Chippewa River was a cake walk. We did the kayak angle this year with the odd number in our party. They worked out great with just enough room available for our soda pop coolers. With the Central Michigan football team playing a home game that day, there wasn't a soul out on the river except us. Our 3 1/2 hour float became closer to five when it was all said and done but with the ideal weather, there weren't any complaints. Greg again was top fisherman. Besides one decent one he had though, there wasn't much on size out there.

A great time with some good people.

Trail Head

Ooh Wah, Chip Ooh Wah!

Well, I knew something weird was going to happen when the minute we crossed into Ingham county, the blue skies turned into a gray, thick fog. The fog eventually lifted, however, the Sparties sure seemed to still be in it during the game as the Chips and their faithful following took the victory. It was a classic Spartan loss and I'm sure George Perles was in the press box with a tear in his eye. It was just how he would have blown the game. I thought all Spartan fans were good, honest patrons until what Mark and I witnessed at our seats. I have never heard so much crying about this and that from others around us. This one guy I thought was going to need the defibrillator he had so many brain veins shooting out during one of his rants. Wow.

All was not lost though as it gave us football freaks a chance to get together and enjoy some pre and post game tailgate festivities. The Chips not only won on the field, they took home the prize for most original method to drink jungle juice (see pictures below). Kudos to Greg for keeping the CMU faith, even before the game as he was the lone Chippewa in a pack of Sparties. He had the last laugh I guess. It looks like we are back to hoping for a visit to the Liberty or Little Caesars Bowl here in East Lansing. I'm sure they are still sipping the victory cup on University Drive in Mt. Pleasant this morning as the couch ashes slowly burn down. Congratulations to the Chips. Ooh wah, chip ooh wah!

Trail Head

Happy Labor (Labour for our Canadian friends) Day Weekend

A beautiful sunset and a fierce looking moon was the setting tonight at Brighton Recreation Area. The pictured lake is Bishop Lake within the park. While I would normally take some action shots from the trail, the hobbit-like forest that runs about three miles within the trail was too enjoyable to stop for pictures.

The post ride was spent in the Sandhill Shelter looking off on the lake towards the west and a full moon to the east. Nice. To top it off, local resident Mark cooked us up some enjoyable Italian sausage. VERY SPICY!!!! But quite delicious.

Happy Labor Day weekend!

Trail Head

Indy MotoGP

Our posse of ten in ages ranging from 40-something to 60-something met up in Indianapolis this weekend for the motorcycle races down there. Our group had to have won the cleanest bike award as the prep boys were hard at it during the rain Friday night (see picture below). Other than the Friday downpour though, the weather was dry, crisp, and enjoyable through the weekend. Thankfully Hurricane Ike didn't rear his ugly head like last year's race.

The race itself was like the majority of Super Bowls; a blowout. The two riders that were favored (I would quote names but don't know diddly in this arena) wiped out so the winner, Jorge Lorenzo (the Spaniard!) had a huge lead after they went down about mid way through. The whole scene is fun though, regardless of the race outcome. We got to park our motorcycles on the Indy racetrack again this year; no charge and rock star treatment coming and going. The booths had a little of everything. Yamaha had a band in theirs. They were all playing Yamaha instruments and playing them quite well. The Speed Channel had leather couches in theirs. You could see some serious slugs plopped down on the ten or so they had out. Those folks weren't going anywhere soon. It also seemed a requirement to have a poser at each booth. "So, what do you do for a living?" "I pose." It's a job though, eh? Their cheeks must hurt from putting on the fake smile all day. Lastly, I tried real hard not to add to my 200+ t-shirt collection but succumbed during a weak moment. My support group is going to give me the business tomorrow. "Hi, my name is Tim and I have too many t-shirts." "Hi, Tim."

Trail Head