First October Ride

Not much to say here...rather an uneventful bike ride with Karen P. out past the Grand Hotel to the end of the bike path and back. It was nice to be able to get out and not have a typhoon keeping us inside.

On another note, I just sent an email to the Larry King Live show. I started watching it when I got back this morning. There were four participants discussing the VP debate. Well, discussing is a rather loose term. Mostly there were two panelists butting in when the other two were trying to make a point, and I found it very caustic and contentious. I found it to be so annoying that I changed the channel and decided to send a letter. Sheesh, if you have people on the show, let them speak! Each of them has a voice, they should be allowed to use it. And Larry decided to just sit back and let the loudmouths speak out over the other two. But then he does that a lot of the time. I'd love to see him try to control a classroom full of enthusiastic students.

Finally, a September Bike Ride

When I have to set the alarm to wake up for a Saturday morning ride, I wonder if it's worth it. I actually was hoping for rain this morning. But, it turned out to be a very nice morning, and a fantastic ride with Karen P. and Chen Li. We took off from school and decided to go up a hill. Not a big one, mind you!

Did the donut hill, then descended into Neihu, and rode over to the bike paths. After deciding we needed to extend our ride, we headed for parts left, walked up the elevator bridge, crossed the river, then headed home via the other side of the river.

I finally felt good and almost strong. Still coughing from being sick last weekend, but had lots of energy and the heat didn't fry me like it did the Saturday two weeks ago. I'm so happy this was a ride I enjoyed. Now I'm pumped to get back out and push myself.


Ya know, Taiwan does have it's moments, and today was no exception. We ran across a place along the bike path with some great looking flowers, AND the fountain was on at the dog park. Best part of that? No dogs.

The photos below are of Karen and Chen Li. Found some nice flowers along the bike path today, and the fountain at the dog walking park was on. If you look closely, you can see the Grand Hotel in the background.

Saturday Morning Ride

We decided to leave TAS at 6:30 yesterday, instead of our more established 7:00, in order to try and beat the worst of the heat. Since I had gotten overheated last week, I thought I'd try wearing a light cotton shirt instead of my ROC'n jersey. Mistake. I was early, so after I made a quick ride around the block, I ran back up to my apartment and put on proper bike clothes.

The air was so heavy with humidity that we could barely see the buildings across the river. I wasn't hopeful for a relaxing, fun ride. However, I was quite mistaken! Before Gretchen, Karen P., and I started out, two other new members of the TAS family saw us in front of school and came over to chat. After a bit of conversation and introductions, they decided to join us so we could show them how to get to the bike path. They stayed with us just to the "t" where the bike path splits. I'm hoping they will join us again, because one of the most fun things for me to do is to introduce people to the great biking in Taipei. Guess I'd better send out an all-school email and let people know we still explore on Saturday mornings.

Once the three of us got to Dadaocheng Wharf, we decided to stop in at Dante Coffee for a bit of a refueling. I very much enjoyed a wee pastry and a large frozen mango smoothie. Gave all of us enough energy to face the sea of humanity and the grueling sun on the way back home. Nah, it wasn't that bad.

Some days we get lots of waves and smiles. Yesterday was no exception. Seems almost everybody had to give us a morning greeting along with gigantic smiles. It was a lot of fun. Karen set a nice pace...we've decided (at least I have) that when the temp and humidity make the index over 100 degrees, that we need to slow our pace down. I'm looking forward to October when the temp is more humane.

Big OOPS. I've been reorganizing my photos on my computer and inadvertently deleted the photo with Gretchen, Karen, Tina, and Dan. Sorry guys! The one lone photo remaining of Saturday's bike ride is just a shot of colorful barrels from some sort of business near the bike path.

Weekend Rides

Talk about a weekend of contrasts. Saturday's weather was glorious and virtually wind-free. Two brand-new people joined our regular Saturday morning bike path ride, and one old-timer joined us, which gave us six riders for the morning. The bike paths weren't even too crowded, so consequently, we had a completely enjoyable morning. This first photo was taken "on the fly" and I was able to capture the group as they were rounding a corner passing a few other riders.


We found some rowers who had finished their practice, and one happily took this group photo of us. From left to right: Adelle, Brenda, Gretchen, Karen W., Karen J., and Karen P. This was under the bridge at the Dragon Boat racing/practice area.


And imagine our surprise when we came to the end of one path, only to find this blockade "preventing" us from crossing the intersection to get onto the path that connected with the one we just got off. Karen P. ran up ahead to see if we could go around three different barriers, and she happily reported that all was clear once we cleared them. Funny part? As we were going through one area, one of the construction crew members came and held the tape for us so we could get through easier.


Sunday is my solo, usually long-distance day. However, I settled for 30 miles today due to the crowds on the roads, the wind along the coast (and everywhere else), and the hills that crushed me. I am happy to say I kept a good attitude and just enjoyed the last of the ride once I decided to pack it in. I've been eying this rice for sometime, and today was the day to capture it with the camera.

Just a bit of riding...

Karen J. and Karen P. and I normally set out each and every Saturday morning for a bike path ride. Sometimes we just stick to the old tried and true areas, but sometimes we are able to find a bit more adventure. We didn't set out to discover new things this morning, but due to thousands of walkers all over our Bali bike path, we were forced to stay on the road. Karen was leading us around the Archaeological Museum when she noticed the throng ahead, and instead followed a small group of bikers who seemed to know where they were going. We found a new bike path, unfinished, but fun anyway. Coming back the other way (because the walkers really were blocking our progress) we went to the end of the unfinished path and found this canal.


This is a photo from last week's ride in softly falling rain. Bikes were a total mess, as was the back of Karen P.'s jersey. Pretty sure mine was too, but I didn't even bother to look.


This last photo shows Karen and Karen at the end of what will be a nice addition to the bike paths in Bali.

A Break from Taipei

The EARCOS teacher conference for 2008 was in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and since one of my very dear friends had moved there, I thought it prudent I go. Karen J. was kind enough to be my partner in crime, and David J. showed us a lot of places around the city. The first picture is of a little known Malaysian delicacy, KFC. Wonder if I can get that in the states this summer?


This photo is of myself, David, and Karen at an outdoor market in Mont Kiara, the suburb of KL in which David lives.


I took this shot so Karen and I would have a point of reference to find our way back to the rapid transit system. It also shows some of KL's nutso traffic.


At the Shrangri-La Hotel, one of the most interesting items for breakfast was fruit dipped in chocolate from this fountain. Nope, neither Karen nor myself had this treat for breakfast.


After the conference, I headed to Hua Hin, Thailand to a quiet hotel to spend some time with friends currently teaching at TAS, and friends who retired last year. The next two shots are of some of the goodies at the wet Thai market where we went for sublime mangoes and sticky rice.



I had a rough time looking out my second floor balcony at the sunrise over the ocean.


The hotel was a sweet little place, right on the beach, laid-back, and inexpensive.


Here are Doug and Judy, looking totally relaxed as they enjoy both their vacation and retirement.


I'm looking pretty relaxed as well, although I have to go back to work on Monday.

I hate it when I do that

It looked to be a decent riding morning when I got up and looked at the road five floors down. No rain. No wind. Excellent. By the time I got moving and out the door, the streets were wet. I figured I'd better show up at school anyway, just in case anybody else came for a ride. I was pretty sure Karen J. would snuggle back into bed, and the only other person who told me she was planning on coming was Karen P. I was a little surprised when she showed up, because by then it was raining a bit more than before. We decided to venture out anyway, and it pretty much dried out for us all the way from Tienmu to Bali.

I took it very easy on my knee, and didn't ride up any inclines. Karen, of course, with her muscles, powered up what few inclines we had. After riding around the Archaeological Museum, and back to the famous donut place, we decided we were still too early for the mango smoothie place. So, taking our fresh donuts, we bought a ticket for the ferry and headed across the river to Tanshui. At a diagonal. Instead of a straight line. Because the water was really choppy and the current was running really fast. Every once in awhile I wonder if the ferry will make it across the river. This was one of those times.

But it did, and so did we. Rode the short distance to Starbuck's where a hot latte was enjoyed by Karen and I gulped down a hot chocolate. From there, we took to the road for a bit before climbing back onto the bike path for the ride back into Tienmu. We were pummeled by some big raindrops falling sideways because of typhoonish winds. Still, we both enjoyed being outside, I was happy my knee was doing ok, and we were both laughing about the weather and the nutso drivers once we got off the path and onto the streets.

Well, laughing until one 285 bus driver decided we had no business being in front of him and blasted his horn in an annoyingly rude way.

So rude, that as he made his move to pull out alongside us, I waved him on, and then flipped him off.

I hate it when I do that.

Thanksgiving Day

As has been the custom for the past nine years, Thanksgiving lunch was enjoyed at Ralph and Joyce's, with a good circle of friends. It's a potluck, with Joyce providing the turkey, mashed potatoes, and gravy. Carol's standby of sweet potato casserole always hits the spot, and I provided my now famous Snicker-Pineapple dessert.

This year was the first without Doug and Judy, who retired to Kansas, and Russ, who is back in the states this year. Glenn and Patricia were also unable to make this year's festivities because Glenn's 32 year old son had died suddenly of a blood infection. They were back in Colorado with family. Greg and Candace were also missing in action, Greg was home sick with a nasty flu that took his voice away for a week.

Joyce is an avid quilter and this picture showcases her recently completed journal quilt that she started a number of years ago. Each piece of fabric is different, if I remember correctly, there are about 400 different pieces. No...that sounds like way too many. She had written, in beautiful cursive, events that occured each day in one complete year, and included a ton of photographs printed on fabric. I am amazed at the amount of work she has in this quilt. One of these days I may be inspired by Joyce and start hand quilting mine again!

Karen's First Time up the Ramp!

Saturday, November 17, found Karen J., Gretchen, Carol, and me out for a sanguine Saturday ride. While waiting for people to show at TAS, this guy stopped to chat with one of our security guards. Since he had bikes in the back, I had to snap a shot. This is the pose he struck after I gestured to him that I wanted to take his picture.


We decided to head for Bali since Gretchen hadn't been there yet. Karen J. led out in fine fashion, and Gretchen, being still new to the paths, stayed close on Karen's pedals. I took up the rear with Carol. Karen and Gretchen didn't stop until they got to the old Guandu bike shop, and from there we decided to forgo the ride to Tanshui and the normal ferry ride, and instead, head directly to Bali over the Guandu Bridge. Karen J. put her gears low and made it up the ramp for the first time ever. Good going! Of course, on the other side, we had to stop for the ubiquitous celebratory photos. The first is of Carol, Karen, and Gretchen, and I got to be in the second!



While we were congratulating Karen on her climbing success, we noticed a nice young man who appeared to want to visit with us. We didn't take the time then, but after Karen (who once again rabbited ahead of all of us) stopped to wait, he and she exchanged pleasantries. Turns out he (Roger) was just finishing up a tour around the island of Taiwan, and had also recently completed five months of cycling in New Zealand. We really do meet some interesting people out on the bikes here.

Breakfast Ride

Although Saturday was AGAIN a windy day in Taipei, Carol joined Karen and I for a very leisurely ride, ending with breakfast at Wendel's German Backeri. We had originally planned on going to Jake's for pancakes, but Wendel's is easier to get to, plus we could sit outside and keep a close eye on the bikes.

These are my hash browns...look pretty nice decorated with fresh tomato and parsley, don't they? They were pretty tasty, and went quite well with fresh orange juice and a soft-boiled egg.


Karen's breakfast is beautiful and it's even healthy.



Uh, yep, this is my empty plate. Breakfast went down easily.



Wendel's is a nice place, the outdoor area was recently redone, and is filled with lush vegetation and has lots of places to sit and enjoy good food.