Pages

Tuesday, December 31, 2013

2013 - A Reflection

Once again, it's the time of year when we look back at all we have done, or not done, in the last year and look forward to those things we hope to do next year.

2013 was not a great year in terms of motorcycling riding and miles travelled or even short overnight moto-trips, but it did seem to go by quite quickly.  Does that mean I'm getting old?

Instead of doing a long review of the year, I decided to do a few photo collages depicting our year.  According to iPhoto we took 3,320 photos this year, so I figured a few collages might be the easy way to highlight some of them.  Out of the many website that you can use for collages, I chose collage.com because it was free, easy to use, and all they needed was an email address and password to sign up.

So without further ado, here is a look back at 2013 in all it's faded glory.  Click on the collage for a larger look.

**  The first collage has two photos taken by Bobskoot: the one of the blogging group in San Francisco and also the picture of RogeyTroubadour, and Me also taken in SF.




That is it, 2013 in a nutshell.  

I hope that all of you have a healthy happy 2014. My wish for you is a year filled with love, laughter, and miles of dry roads and sunny skies.

- Au Revoir

"We will open the book.  Its pages are blank.  We are going to put words on them ourselves.  The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year's Day." ~Edith Lovejoy Pierce
.

42 comments:

  1. Trobairitz:

    That's a neat website for collages. I was wondering how you did it. You're not the only ones whom think that time flies. Perhaps time flies when you're having fun doing what you like, with loved ones around you.

    I am proud to be part of your memories. As I look back upon these photos all I can do is smile and think of the good times we had. As we age I think the years get better and better

    A very Happy and Prosperous New Year to both of you

    bob
    Riding the Wet Coast

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There were a few websites out there. That one is neat because you can actually pick the shape of collage too. They had one in a cat shape I might try but it does cut off some of the pics.

      We are happy to have your pics in our year in review. You were part of our year so you should be there. I didn't have one of your overnight here to put in though.

      Happy Healthy 2014 to you and Yvonne. I am sure we'll see you at some point next year.

      Delete
  2. Good boy, Basil!

    Can't help getting older, but can at least stave off getting old. Excellent collage. And here's to 2014! Best to all 3 of you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We are all getting older but it beats the alternative. With as slow as the morning dragged at work this morning I thought I must be getting younger.

      Happy New Year Martha, to you and your kitties.

      Delete
  3. Happy New Year from the Land of the Long White Cloud! Looking forward to reading more of your Northern Hemisphere adventures!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. For now we'll live vicariously through your warmer weather riding. Although tomorrow is the Polar Bear ride, we'll see how adventurous we are.

      Delete
  4. Wow! These collages are awesome. Thanks so much for putting time and effort into sharing the best of the best pics of 2013 with us. I like the way Basil is sneaking in every so often.
    Best wishes for 2014 and many more miles and smiles for you and Brad. We miss you guys...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I couldn't muster the effort to learn how to do a slideshow so I had to go with collages. Something different at any rate. Glad you liked them. Glad you liked the pics of Basil - that furry monkey is a big part of our lives so I had to include him.

      We miss you two too, Happy New Year.

      Delete
  5. Best wishes for a great new year!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Lucky, to you and your family as well. May the middle coast be good to you next year.

      Delete
  6. Have a great 2014! Lets hope we can all find the time to do the things we love more often.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well said. Less mundane things, more of the things we love.

      Happy New Year to you and your family.

      Delete
  7. Great Collages Brandy....Here's hoping you and Brad have a great New Year! If you two ever wander over to Colorado.....stop by!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Dom. We'd love to come and visit - it is on the list.

      Unfortunately Basil doesn't deal well with house sitters so it will be a few more years before we can leave for any length of time. Our max is about 4 days total. The things we do (or don't do) for our pets, sigh.

      Delete
  8. Very cool collection of photos!

    Happy New Year!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Richard, Happy New Year to you and Bridget too.

      Delete
  9. Superb summary Brandy ... Hope 2014 brings you all you dream of.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Karen, I hope that your 2014 is a healthy happy one as well.

      Delete
  10. Great idea Brandy. I love the collages. May all your riding in 2014 be blessed.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Steve. Happy New Year to you and your family. Here's to a great 2014.

      Delete
  11. Nice recap Brandy - pleased that so many of these look familiar. Happy New Year!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Doug. I think when I do my post throughout the year I pick my favorite photos and it seems that is what I've done here too.

      Happy New Year to you and your misses.

      Delete
  12. From the collages, it looks like you had a great year in riding. Mine stunk... my back ughghg. I'm looking forward to reading more and yes, for me anyway, I think age is catching up... too soon.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We didn't have as many rides as we would have liked but we enjoyed the ones we were on.

      I hope you have a healthier new year with no back problems. I good wish.... I can dream right?

      Delete
  13. Happy New Year! May there be 1,000s of photos to take in 2014.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, let's hope there are abundant photo opportunities for us all in 2014. Happy New Year to you too!!

      Delete
  14. Love the walk down memory lane.....:-). I was too lazy to do something like that, but I enjoyed taking the walk with you....:-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Pat. All the best to you and Chris in 2014.

      Delete
  15. Thanks for the pics.
    May 2014 be your best year ever!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Great photos! Who is that riding in the SNOW?? Completely crazy! (Said the girl from So Cal.)

    I love your photos so much and I'm hoping we can ride up to see you this summer. We'll have to try to plan something so some other riders can join us, huh?

    Smooches,
    Sash
    www.SashMouth.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That crazy man in the snow is hubby, Troubadour, aka Brad. We got 9 inches of snow in a freak storm at the beginning of December and he went and played in the front yard (and neighborhood) on the XT250.

      Would be cool to do a meet up this year. We can ride south into Cali and you guys can ride north. Unless of course you want to check out the Oregon coast, then come on up anytime.

      Delete
  17. I love those collages! Such a great way to encapsulate the year at a glance. happy new year to you and Troubadour!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you. I actually picked the collages because it was the quickest and easiest way to do a review.

      Happy New Year to you too!!

      Delete
  18. Great work with the collages Brandy. I don't get to read every post but I saw so many pictures that I recognized that in the end I realize that I have really gotten to know you and Brad through your blogs, and through our shared friendships. All the best for the new year to you and Brad.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks David. Isn't it funny how well we know people just from reading their blogs? I think the internet can really make the world feel a little smaller. All the best to you and your family in 2014 as well.

      Delete
  19. Happy New Year! Lots of lovely pictures of bikes!

    Thank you for checking up, hope you are well too, you are one kind lady. I will catch up with all of your new posts and do a little of my own. Stay warm!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you - Happy New Year to you too.

      Good to know you are still alive and kicking. I start to worry when people haven't posted for a while and figured if I commented on an old post you'd get a notification.

      Delete
  20. Nice collage programme. I'll give that the once over.
    O/T have you guys tried the new Triumph Tiger Sport? I will be taking one for a try-out before too long - so many bikes, so little time...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. New Tiger Sport? I wonder if that is a model we'll see here? For now we have the Tiger 800 and Tiger 1200 Explorer. I don't think they even sell the Tiger 1050s anymore.

      I've hear rumors they might be coming out with a smaller cc motor, but didn't think they were doing a Tiger model. We need details on this Tiger Sport.........to google.......

      Delete
  21. Happy New Year Brandy & Brad 2014.
    Love your pictures, I've not blogged for months, been busy cycling and getting fit etc.
    As you said in your post you didn't get too much riding in, I was saying the same to Jill my also the same for this year, since we came back from Scotland in May 2013 we have not been that far on the GT.
    I hope that will change this year.
    All the best Happy Biking.... TT

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tony, Happy New Year to you and Jill. May you have many sunny miles of riding in 2014.

      And hope that back heals soon too. Cheers.

      Delete