It’s doing a lot better and we were going to bicycle this morning before driving back from Astoria but it was chilly and misty and too hot when we got back to Portland. I’m definitely getting out early for a ride tomorrow.

It’s doing a lot better. I take my last dose of antibiotics tonight.

Bush tits are incredibly social, always moving in groups of at least 15 chittering to each other about everything. It's especially fun that there are almost always two or three chickadees in accompaniment. I think the idea the bush tits have come up with is that if a whole bunch of them quickly descend on a small tree the insects that had been lounging around in that tree suddenly get disturbed and fly. When the insects rise up, the bush tits nab them. If I'm watering my garden at the time the bush tits arrive I give all the vegetation a quick spray which disturbs many insects and the bush tits thank me profusely.

Rachael, so sorry that your injured knee didn't heal the way it was supposed to. Hope all is under control now and that you will soon be hiking and biking again!

I’ve been close enough to sweat a few times, but it’s been at least 40 years since I actually ran out and walked for gas. I don’t remember it at all clearly, and can’t even say for sure there was just the one time. There are a few things I’ve gotten better at as I age, at least.

Al has run out of gas exactly once in his life, so he's doing pretty well (but I'm doing better). We were on our way home from cycling in to Victoria to visit relatives (we prefer not to take the car on the ferry) so our older son just took his bike off the rack and rode home. Chip off the old block.

Our newest bikes both have through-axles and another advantage is that the wheel is always in the right position as there's only one place for it to be.

Glad you were able to report Rachael’s knee is on the improve! Hopefully back on the bike soon!

I think the main thing is the wider tires we ride on them, but the smaller wheels are more maneuverable and don’t dig in as much.

Huh. That surprises me, but you'll know your bikes better than I do so I believe you. :)

Actually it’s the other way around. The NWT is better off pavement than the Rodriguez is.

I’ve made many resolutions to become such a person, but it just doesn’t seem to be in my genes. It doesn’t take me long to revert to type.

Thanks for the reminder. That really is a great spot, but I haven’t been there for years. I’ll have to try to stitch it into an outing.

On pro about being back in PDX is that your location is probably within a reasonable walk to St Honore. Fantastic patisserie/boulangerie.

Much easier going on your Rodriguez than your NWT, I bet.