Lytle Creek

I also was able to take pictures at Fontana and Lytle Creek yesterday. The ride makes up most of the way to Big Bear.

Today's Earthquake [Updated]

While phone service is intermittent, the inter-webs seem to be working.

Where were you and did you feel it?

KPCC Radio is saying 5.8 magnitude centered in Chino Hills or Diamond Bar. Talking about "Whittier Fault!" Although our Whittier earthquake was caused by the Puente Hills fault.

[UPDATE] downgraded to 5.4. One picture fell off the wall and another off the bookshelf in my office. Note to self: get some straps to hold up bookcases in office. Those things sway!

Getting out, forest edition

I took the camera on another trip up to Angeles Crest Hwy (turned around at only 4 hours). Some beauty in our own national forests ("Lands of Many Uses") may be experienced here.



Please excuse the unoriginal title.

Getting Out

Sometimes getting out of town, even for a brief period, is a gift to the heart and soul. Glen and I got to make a quick trip to June Lake to visit friends. I am awestruck by the beauty in nature just about five hours away. The Eastern Sierra offers spectacular contrast and natural wonders including Mono Lake and the Tufas, the Alabama Hills, Mt. Whitney, and various jagged peaks, streams, and lakes. We had a great little get-away and relaxing together is always a blessing.

2009 Tour of California annnounces route [UPDATED}

and adds another day! Velonews reports on it here. Nothing on Tour of California website yet.

[UPDATE] More information is now posted Tour of California

G's Cyclery has a blog!

And, they have a sense of humor! Check in out here.

I just saw Ernest yesterday for a new tire and some spare tubes. Now I am all set. And, for a ride with Rob at 6 AM! Oh, My!

Storming the Bastille

Happy Bastille Day to the francophiles amongst us! Celebrate by staging some sort of revolution or riding your bicycle.

Budapest

Beth and Steve at the end of our trip. Don't we look fresh. Seven days of clothes for a sixteen day trip. Thank goodness for soap. We had a wonderful time and are almost over jet lag. The number of UNESCO sites were unexpected and deeply appreciated. What is left of medieval Europe is fascinating. I am thankful that these sites have been restored or survived the distruction of WWII.

Beethoven's Birth Place and Rhine Castles

In Bonn we visited the room where Beetbhoven was born. Here are a few more photos of castles you see as you sail down the Rhine.

Take Back the Tour

From the LA Times:

Versus came up with a striking promotional spot, "A New Stage Begins,'' in which some of the sport's most notorious dopers -- Erik Zabel, Alexander Vinokourov, Michael Rasmussen and Jan Ullrich -- are shown riding backward. The defrocked 2006 champion, Floyd Landis, is stripped of the yellow jersey.

The guys who sings on the ad is Paul Weller:

I'm gonna get myself straight.
I know it's never too late.
to make a brand new start.

I haven't really decided if I like the ad or not. It is emotionally powerful.

Watch the Tour

"I hope people who are interested in bicycle racing forget about me by the end of the week and turn on the television and watch the Tour, and give those guys the respect and attention they deserve,"

--Floyd Landis, July 1, 2008 to ESPN reporter Bonnie Ford

Can't forget Floyd, but we'll have the TV on.

Melk and Durnstein

The top photo is of the Abbey Melk. It is another UNESCO site. Huge rooms and a number of relics of saints. The interior was more impressive than the outside.

The bottom photo is of the "blue" church in Durnstein. It is booked a year in advance for weddings. A one street town with excellent german white wines. They also took credit cards which made it easy to shop for gifts.

We are now cruising down the Danube and will arrive in Vienna at 9:30 to night. It is hot here and the cobblestones are tough on the feet. I know you feel sorry for us.