Fun Travel

So, on December 29, I arrived in North Platte on time for my flight from there to Denver. The plane in Denver apparently had some issues, so they finally swapped out another one and made it to LBF almost two hours late. No trouble for me as I was spending the night in Denver, but the Great Lakes employees worked overtime for several people making new arrangements so all would get to where they were going.

Security in NP was pretty tight due to the "Christmas incident" with the terrorist from Nigeria. All our carry on baggage was hand checked and we were all patted down. Didn't take long, since there were just about 10 passengers.

Flight to Denver was nice, just a little bouncing around. The hotel shuttle arrived just 15 minutes after I got there, and then I enjoyed a nice repast from Ruby Tuesday's. Fantastic ribs and Louisiana shrimp...yummmmm.

I had asked for a 1:30 am wake up call and the 2:30 shuttle, but since I was still fighting jet lag, I awoke at 12:30. Went downstairs early to check out and await my scheduled shuttle departure time, but the driver was there so I went early. Only to have to wait at the airport until 4:30 when United opened their stations. Huh? They open only an hour and a half before their first flight was to leave? Got through quickly, then faced a long line for security. Huh? The line moved about as quickly as I've ever seen it, so it took just 10 minutes.

Got to the gate with plenty of time for my Denver to San Francisco 6:05 flight. Which FINALLY departed about 9:30 due to a brake problem. They scavenged a part from another airplane, which then need to scavenge a part from the next airplane in line. I don't know when the scavenging stopped, I only know that I was happy to take off. I had talked to a gate agent and inquired about the 8:30 flight (which I normally take) to SFO, but it was fully booked.

Interestingly, the guy in the seat next to me was also traveling from Denver to SFO to Tokyo and on to Taipei! ALL on the same flights as me. Our pilot really tried to make up for lost time, and would have gotten us into SFO ten minutes earlier, but some unruly passenger on another plane caused that plane to be moved to the front of all other incoming flights. When we did finally make it to the gate, we didn't know if we would make our flight...so we grabbed our carry ons (I blocked people from getting in front of us...my good Asian elbowing techniques worked well) and we RAN for the international terminal. While on the run, I slowed enough to look at the departure screen and found out departing gate...97...almost at the end of the terminal. I had to slow, but Nick kept on running.

Huffing and puffing I reached the gate where the doors were still open...I was the last person on board. I am still amazed that we made it...I was envisioning another overnight stay in San Francisco.

After that drama, the rest of the trip was completely uneventful and I arrived in Taipei 20 minutes earlier than scheduled. Now the jet lag fight begins anew...

Some More Summer Photos

Not far from Valentine is Smith Falls State Park, complete with the tallest waterfall in Nebraska. Wow, who knew the flat state of Nebraska had such a great waterfall? We were all quite impressed by Smith Falls.


Brent, Rhonda, and Russ at the falls.



Rhonda, Brenda, and Russ



On the way back to Gothenburg, a train was blocking the only way back to the highway we wanted to be on. Did that deter us? Not a chance. Russ pulled a state trooper turn and headed back down the way we had come, and turned off onto a different highway for the trip back. Well done, Russ, we saw parts of Nebraska we didn't know existed. The highway was full of ups and downs and I kept thinking, "This would be a tough little hill on the bike!"

Just prior to rolling into Arnold, we were struck almost dumb by the sight of this canyon. NONE of us had ever seen it. It was a fitting end to a really nice weekend with good friends.

A Few Summer Photos

It's raining cats and dogs here in Taipei, I'm not going to be riding my bike, and I don't feel like starting my resume just yet, so I'll pop on some summer photos. I finally uploaded them from the camera yesterday. Good grief, am I getting lazy or what?!

Russ, Brent, Rhonda, and myself enjoyed a lovely weekend in Valentine, Nebraska. We stayed in some little cabins not too far from town. Sitting outside, looking off into the distance (you could see darn near forever), enjoying good conversation as well as the resident dog, and simply relaxing...this was a really nice respite from the relaxation I was already enjoying.

Taipei "Lovely" Weather

Yeppers, it is a bit hot here. Feels like 109 degrees? No wonder I haven't any energy.

Back in Taiwan

After a lovely summer spent relaxing and biking in Nebraska, I took the big bird back across the pond. After four uneventful legs, I arrived back in time to find everybody preparing for the first typhoon of the season. Since I had been gone for the summer, there wasn't much food in the cupboards and practically nothing in the fridge, so I hightailed it to the nearest 7'Eleven and picked up a few things.

Yesterday was spent inside the apartment listening to the wind howl and watching the rain come down in occasional torrents. The rain is a very good thing because Taiwan was in the middle of a drought and this will help fill up reservoirs. Not sure where the eye of the typhoon currently is, but I'm hoping it's on the way outta here quickly.

Sublime Solo Saturday

What a beautiful day for a bike ride. The bike took me on Highway 47 south toward Farnam and back. Had some nice gently rolling hills, very little wind, and tons of blue sky. Saw three rabbits, three families of wild turkeys, and one deer. Ended up with a scant 30 miles, which was just fine by me.

7/9/09

The bike took me on the old highway out to the Cozad road and back. I then went home to replace my new saddle with my old one. Back out...and the bike decided to go the south road nearly to Cozad and back. Kind of a hard ride, but not hard enough to deter me from getting 54 miles today.

Weather Conditions: Dark black clouds for a bit, southwest winds while heading east, southwest winds while heading north and east, north winds when heading south. Misted on me a bit, skies remained overcast. Temp was perfect!

Solo Sunday 7/5/09

What a beautiful morning for a 35 mile ride...not much wind, blue sky, white puffy clouds and very friendly folks. Went the old highway to Cozad, then took the south route back to Gothenburg. Stopped for a bit and watched the crop duster. I don't particularly like the chemicals, but it is fun to watch the flying.

I am so lucky to be able to ride here in the summertime...the people really are amazingly friendly and give me plenty of room when they go around me. Add that friendliness to the wide open spaces, the green fields and hills, and we are truly blessed to be here.

Oh yeah, I did have one dog try to give chase on Highway 47, but since I was already cruising at 18 mph, I just bumped up the speed enough to leave him in my dust.

Solo Saturday 7/4/09

Cut my planned 35 mile ride short due to very iffy looking clouds and strong winds. Old highway almost to Cozad road and back. Fought the wind on the way back, but it was a fair fight and I won. Besides a good hard workout, I needed the fight because I'm still perseverating on my friend's email. Gotta stop...gotta put it behind me.

7/2/09

Solo old highway out and back. Had only planned on going 5 miles to Willow Road and back, but my bike had other ideas. I love it when that happens. Had me some good healing tonight from a recent incident. Is there anything that heals better than a bike ride??????

6/14/09

Have I mentioned lately how much I like riding bikes in Nebraska? I finally felt well enough to ride this morning, and although not a long ride, it felt great. As usual, I headed out on the old highway. Most of the time I ride to the Cozad road, turn around and come back. I decided not to go that distance this morning, so I just went to the Willow Island road, up to Highway 30, then on back home from there.

I don't think there was one car on the old highway, and even highway 30 wasn't too busy. And all vehicles that passed me gave me plenty of room, and some drivers even waved. Very nice, indeed.

GB Biking Dude

This is Robert, my former high school wood shop teacher. He is an amazingly strong bike rider, I can never keep up with him. One of these days I'll be stronger than he is, I swear!!!

Taiwan Construction Dude

I love how Taipei lets motorists know of construction zones. What you can't see are the dudes arms waving up and down. From a distance you can't believe how real he looks.

Time to Update?

Just arrived back in the states on Sunday night for the summer. No biking yet, even though yesterday was perfect for it. A cold decided to lodge itself in my system while I was flying home, so I need to get rid of that before I have energy for the bike. I really was hoping to get in some training for the upcoming Tour de Nebraska next week, but I figure I can do it anyway...I'll just ride more slowly and stop more often than normal. The first day is just 57 miles, so it should be doable.

I'll Fly Away

This was one of the songs sung at Sandy's memorial. It was a comfort to me then for Sandy, and is a comfort to me now for Polly. I listened to it a bunch of times on the airplane yesterday while winging my way home.

It's a song of sadness and comfort. Sadness in knowing I won't see Polly again in this lifetime, but comfort in knowing Polly is in a land where joys will never end.

I'll Fly Away

Some bright morning when this life is over
I'll fly away
To that home on God's celestial shore
I'll fly away

I'll fly away oh glory
I'll fly away (in the morning)
When I die hallelujah by and by
I'll fly away

When the shadows of this life have gone
I'll fly away
Like a bird from these prison walls I'll fly
I'll fly away

Oh how glad and happy when we meet
I'll fly away
No more cold iron shackles on my feet
I'll fly away

Just a few more weary days and then
I'll fly away
To a land where joys will never end
I'll fly away

Good-bye Polly

Godspeed, my friend and most excellent mother-in-law...

Pauline Ellen "Polly" Kibler
1925-2009
Pauline Ellen 'Polly' Kibler, 83, of North Platte died Thursday, April 30, 2009, at her home in North Platte.

Polly was born June 30, 1925, to William Steen and Celinda 'Grace' Curtis Porter at LaJunta, Colo., where she grew up. She graduated from LaJunta High School in 1943 and later worked for the Air Force in the PX. She lived in California before returning to LaJunta. On Sept. 6, 1958, Polly married Sidney Jefferson 'Bud' Kibler, Sr. in Raton, N.M. They made their home in LaJunta before moving to North Platte in 1962. She worked for 24 years at J.M. McDonald Colo., and Herbergers.

She is survived by her daughter, Paula (Tom) Richardson of Hershey; five sons, Russell (Brenda) Huff of Gothenburg, Jim Huff of Nashville Tenn.,
Jay Huff of North Platte, Sid (Brenda) Kibler, Jr.of Council Bluffs, I.A., and Sam Kibler of North Platte; five grandchildren, Randy, Brian, Annie, Sabrina and Kacie; eight great-grandchildren; and other family.

Polly was preceded in death by her husband, Bud; her parents; four sisters, Violet Hamilton, Hannah Madsen, Jeanne Watters, and Leorah Thomas; and two brothers, Harlan and Raymond Porter.

Healing Ride

This was a gentle, healing ride today. A day to remember my friend Sandy Puckett. A day to heal with each turn of the pedal. May God's blessings be upon you Sandy...you have touched the lives of so many people around the world. You lived your life fully, graciously, and with joy. I'm honored to have had you for a friend.

2/8/09

Wow, what a short ride! I had planned on three hill repeats to Psycho Squirrel, but could only muster one climb halfway! Does the gearing on my Giant OCR 3 make that much difference compared to the gearing on my Fuji hybrid? Or maybe it was the 40 miles plus two hour walk I did yesterday that left me gasless today. Perhaps it was the Alley Cat calzone and Hagaan-Daz mango/passion fruit ice cream/Sprite float I made for dinner last night. Whatever it was, I did what I felt like, and then came on home. Still good to be out on the bike. The bus that nearly turned into me today missed me by more than the one two weeks ago. At least three inches!

What is it about Bicyclists?

Today I had a Chinese road biker pass me as I came off the bike path onto the road at the Guandu Temple. I was moseying along, he was cruising! I stepped on it, it took awhile, but I caught up to him and passed him as we were nearing the next bike path approach. He tucked in behind me and I led him up to where they had closed the path for a few feet to put in new plants. I didn't know what he was going to do, so I slowed up and pulled to the right. He slingshotted past me toward where I was headed in the first place.

Of course I sped up and caught him again. Right behind him up a small ramp. He stopped at the road he was going to cross, and as I went by on the road I was not going to cross, waves, smiles, and thank-yous sang out from both of us. That was FUN to "semi-race" a dude on a tricked out road bike...me on my Fuji hybrid.

2/1/09

Had me a good funk on, so I shook myself off, grabbed the bike and headed up. Up past the National Palace to Psycho Squirrel. Rested two minutes, then back down. (Max speed going down was 32.1 mph before I started hitting the brakes) And then back up one more time. I should have gone for three, but the bus and bike traffic had increased exponentially and I thought it prudent to take myself home. The one bus that semi-turned into me wasn't really THAT close. It missed me by at least two inches.