I smile thinking of you trying my shoes on that day! I’m glad you found some you like.

I’m sorry we will miss you! We really enjoyed getting together for lunch! I don’t know if I told you this, but I ended up getting some bike shoes similar to yours and they have been great!

What a find! Look how camouflaged it is!

I can well identify with your waning senses. My tinnitus has been a life long hereditary problem... I only know as far back as my great grandmother, but it deteriorated enough by the time I was 21 to keep me from being drafted... and from being a pilot, which I'd have wanted. Eyes were once far better than 20/20. Even with advancing cataracts, I am still near that level. Hearing though is shot. About 3 years ago, with my most recent hearing aids, they said I had 85% loss and they have nothing to help further loss, which I definitely notice. Birding by ear is completely out. If only I could find a way to make those thousands of cicadas and crickets shut up!

Good to see that you are not letting it stop you! I will keep on until unable to walk or ride, and maybe by then use a fancy mobility hotrod.

Nice owl shot, even if assisted.

I think I saw a bobcat this morning. I got a good look at his head, broad, with wide, black tipped ears. I didn't see much of the body, as he disappeared right back into the wash as soon as he sighted me. I rode through the middle of some coyotes talking. If I'd stopped, I think I could have seen them on both sides of me. As it was, I saw one.

There's a big hawk (Coopers?) that hangs out right on the fence next to the path in front of Far Horizons RV Park on Broadway. He was in attendance today.

The phone said 20-30 minutes of light rain this morning. That was a lie! I got just far enough from the house to be committed, and it rained for five hours straight. I wasn't smart enough to come home. It took a half hour to clean the bike up, and I'm sure I missed spots.

Scott and Rachael,
I have been enjoying the lovely weather in Tucson for the month of November. I wondered if our paths might cross again as they did last year, but I see you won’t be arriving until mid-December. Perhaps next year. I will continue to follow and enjoy your travels as you head south.

Thanks for the heads up. It’s partially reopened, but many of the roads are still closed. The main access roads (190 and Badwater Road) are open though, so we’ll be able to get into and out of the park. It could be a pretty special time to be there, since the roads listed as closed are closed to all motor vehicles, including motorcycles - but are open to hikers and bicycles.

Are you planning to drive through Death Valley? We weren't able to drive through the park at the end of September. The road was closed due to flooding causing damage.

Very cool. Thanks for the information.

We escaped the gravitational pull of the huge city of Saigon today. It was insane but also quite interesting riding through alleys in tiny neighborhoods to avoid the largest roads. All the drivers were very considerate. Fascinating city for sure but we are now more in the quiet countryside of the Mekong River Delta.

Amazing! What a shot.

This is one of their winter homes alright. They winter in several places down both coasts and along the central flyway, but we’re one of the northernmost ones on the west coast. Lucky us!

Odds are though that yours were going further. We see them in the tens of thousands, but the Sacramento valley sees them in the millions.

I was watching these guys weeks ago along our coast at Iona Regional Park near Vancouver. They've all moved on now, though. Now I know where too.

Yup. Pretty fine day, alright. I may need to stretch the calendar this year. When we were working we had more latitude - had a work calendar, Rachael did too, and we had a third one at home - so we could squeeze in a few extras.

Another strong contender for shot of the month