It has been many weeks since my last post so I figured I'd best do a catch up post. Sort of a check-in so everyone knows I am still alive and kicking.
Sadly we've not been on any great adventures. The most adventurous I've been would have post titles such as: "Adventures in housekeeping" "Adventures in grocery shopping." or "How to keep your cool driving in Portland traffic."
Last weekend was the first one out of four where we haven't driven to Portland for some purpose or another. On Halloween Day we ventured the great deluge to attend the International Motorcycle Show. Sadly it was disappointing and it will probably be our last attendance. So sad in fact, that I only took one picture of a custom bike and even then couldn't be bothered to download it off the camera. Read Troubadour's take on the show HERE.
The following weekend we attended the Vendor sale at Beaverton Motorcycles. While not entirely exciting Troubadour did find a great deal on a Fox winter jacket and a belt.
Weekend before last my brother, sister-in-law, and 20 month old nephew came to visit for the weekend. Once again Saturday found us driving to Portland, this time for VegFest. While Troubadour and I have been vegan just over 4 years, my brother and his wife decided to make the change about 8 weeks prior to VegFest. We figured attending was a good way to introduce them to a variety of vegan foods. There were so many people in attendance that it was a little trying at times but I think we enjoyed it over all. Well, except for the $90 parking ticket. Our contribution to Portland's coffers for the day.
Time marches on and so have the seasons.....the bright colors of September and October......
The following weekend we attended the Vendor sale at Beaverton Motorcycles. While not entirely exciting Troubadour did find a great deal on a Fox winter jacket and a belt.
Weekend before last my brother, sister-in-law, and 20 month old nephew came to visit for the weekend. Once again Saturday found us driving to Portland, this time for VegFest. While Troubadour and I have been vegan just over 4 years, my brother and his wife decided to make the change about 8 weeks prior to VegFest. We figured attending was a good way to introduce them to a variety of vegan foods. There were so many people in attendance that it was a little trying at times but I think we enjoyed it over all. Well, except for the $90 parking ticket. Our contribution to Portland's coffers for the day.
Time marches on and so have the seasons.....the bright colors of September and October......
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| (Fall colors in our backyard) |
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| (Finley Wildlife Refuge) |
So far sunshine is forecast for our upcoming four-day weekend. Thanksgiving is this Thursday and the weekend forecast is for nothing but blue sky. Sounds perfect for riding doesn't it? It does until you see that our low temperatures are down to 25˚F (-3.88˚C) Now that is a little chilly. If we are lucky the sun will come out and warm the air and melt the frost off the roads. If not maybe we'll head out for a few hikes instead. The plan is to have no plan, just get outside and do something, anything.
We realized this last weekend that it has been one year since we purchased our Fiat 500. I am happy to report that we are still very pleased with it. We've had no warranty issues and still get between 30-40 mpg depending on whether we are city driving or highway driving. It is a peppy little car and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to others, especially if they are looking for a little fun off the bike.
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| (2015 Fiat 500 Sport - picture taken December 2014) |
I hope to post up again next week with some photos of our activities this weekend. Maybe actually putting that in print will get us out on the bikes or for a hike.
- Au Revoir
" The world is tired, the year is old, the faded leaves are glad to die...." - Sara Teasdale "November"
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Trobairitz, hopefully the weather will indeed permit some motorcycling on both your parts....
ReplyDeleteLet's hope so. As long as the frost comes off the road before dark we'll be good.
DeleteGorgeous photos Brandy. Unfortunately, we don't get such strong colours as the temperature extremes aren't so marked. Great to hear that you're both alive and kicking, even if you've been having a cruisy time. Maybe time to start planning a major trip through several states next summer so we can read all about it in the Southern Hemisphere winter???
ReplyDeleteThanks Geoff. You may not get striking colors, but you get more constant temperatures even in your winter don't you?
DeleteWith a scaredy cat who doesn't like house sitters we don't go away more than 3-4 nights in a row. He'll be 11 next April. We love little Basil but I swear he'll live to be 20 just so we can't have a real vacation.
Isn't it dreadful when 'nothing' gets in the way of blogging. I'm facing a whole season of 'nothing' so I hear you. Love how your bike and the tree in the back yard just happen to match though, that was something!!!
ReplyDeleteSeems like everywhere I look I see Fiat 500s on the streets ... it's the new 'in' car - you are now on the really cool list!
You said it perfectly, 'nothing' has indeed has gotten in the way of blogging. The bare tree the bike is leaning against is actually more orange than the maple that is showing orange. And then it turned really red so I must have captured this just in time.
DeleteWe rarely saw any Fiats when we bought ours and now there are a dozen or so in town. Would be a first time being 'cool' for me.
That is a great picture of the fall colors in your backyard! We just don't get anything that looks that good around here. But then again it could be the incredible landscaping...
ReplyDeleteHopefully you'll be able to get out and enjoy the weekend. Everyone else in town should be stuck in front of their TV or planning their shopping strategy...
Thanks Richard, for the kind landscaping words. The maples are the brightest around here no matter which yard they are in.
DeleteWe are hoping people will be shopping and watching football instead of on the roads. Thanksgiving day itself is usually safe for travel.
Welcome back Brandy! :) I've been wondering about the Fiat, happy to hear your report that all is well. I think about you guys every time I see one.
ReplyDeleteHave a Happy Thanksgiving no matter what you end up spending time with.
Thanks Coop. We've been very happy with the Fiat. 8600 miles on it this first year.
DeleteHappy Thanksgiving to you and your family as well. I bet there is pie in your future tomorrow.
Brandy, so good to hear from you again. Lovely pics, as always. I was recently contemplating about buying a FIAT for myself, but we barely use the car we currently own, so there is no point (or reason) to spend money on another car sitting in the car port. Ah well, the pains of living too close to work (or have access to a company car...)
ReplyDeleteNo use spending the money on another car if you don't have use for it. It is way better than taking city transit like I was doing before.
DeleteNice post. There is more to life than adventure, there is getting the day to day just right too.
ReplyDeleteI admire you guys. We should proably all be vegans. Seems like a huge sacrifice right now.
Oh... if you want to spice up your life with a little more Italian, get yourself a Vespa ;)
Thanks David. Sometimes, when life is busy, it is good to just have a down day and relax and stay in your pjs.
DeleteIf we had a Vespa we'd just have one more bike in the stable when it was too cold to ride. Sometimes one can have too many choices in good weather too.
Enjoying everyday is a pretty beautiful adventure......some are just more exciting than others! We had good weather a couple of days ago, nice enough to ride a few hours, then it snowed 13". Beautiful but different. Hit your town yesterday to pick up Karla's daughter from OSU for Thanksgiving, sandwich at Nearly Normals and back over the mountains. Corvallis was sunny and warm.....very nice. Stay warm :)
ReplyDeleteDon
How was your trip over the pass? I've been watching your snow pictures on facebook.
DeleteI haven't been to Nearly Normals in years. Last time we were there I found most everything had cheese and sour cream on it.
I love your summer pictures and an envious of twisting roads and mountains and trails. And then fog and 25 degrees and I am okay again. I like the idea of a future with summers spent in greenery riding and winter spent ducking south-riding in greenery. My wife is in California living in Ugg boots and I have no desire for that. I hope winter is not too long for you.
ReplyDeleteAs much as I love the change in seasons, I don't really like the cold freezing mornings. I can live with fog and rain, at least when it is raining the weather is warmer.
DeleteOur winter isn't supposed to be too bad this year, we'll see.
Unlike Conchscooter I relish the dramatic changes in temperature and weather. But he's been in the Keys too long which withers the part of the brain that finds wonder in the cold...
ReplyDeleteLove the foggy, misty tree picture. I live for those views. I hope you find some more time to seek out such views on two wheels.
I also have to confess a love of the Fiat 500. When Kim and I purchased our Honda Fit we looked at the Fiat -- Kim's first car was a 70s vintage Fiat -- but the closest dealer was two hours away so that was a deal breaker.
I too like a change in temperature, but I am not a fan of being cold. I don't like numb fingers and toes. Although a hot cup of tea on a cold morning sure is nice.
DeleteA 70's vintage Fiat would be really neat. Although our 2015 is probably more reliable. The Fits are a nice small car too, but the ones we looked at had a few too many bells and whistles for us.
Despite the cold and gray, some very nice photos. Hope your Thanksgiving was enjoyable and that you did indeed get out on two wheels for a bit.
ReplyDeleteThanks Barb. While we didn't get out on two wheels over the holiday we spend a lovely afternoon at the beach watching the sunset over the Pacific Ocean. Post to follow later this week.
DeleteWelcome back! I always enjoy your pics. I especially love the one with the barn. I like those little Fiats. Glad to hear it's peppy. My little
ReplyDeleteRAV-4 SUV is peppy, too, but not small enough to be fun in the twisties.
Thanks Kathy. I admit to using an iPad app on the Fiat picture which isolated the colors of the barn and Fiat. I don't use the apps very often but mess around for fun now and again.
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