back in the states

Hello friends -

I had hoped to post while in Italy, but a few things got in the way: wifi not free; busy schedule (an "organized" trip) and just way too tired to post things.

Some things stood out to me: the first few days were filled with visiting basilicas and other historical, religious sites like the catacombs, the Sistine Chapel, and a day trip to Assisi. The other thing was: those Catholic pilgrims sure do put down the wine! Man, each night in the hotel bar the glasses were emptied and the voices got louder until I had to sneak out back to my room. Oh, yes, and the Father was one of the bunch enjoying the partying.

I'll put a few photos here for you, and will put more on Flikr when i get them together.


The first pic is of cobbles near the Coliseum. The cobbles made up probably half the walking surface while in Rome. After tripping on a few raised cobbles, we learned to better pick up our feet.

The second is pretty self-explanatory...another ladies' frame with a baby seat on.


So, friends, keep checking back; I promise to get things together. But, for now, I'll be in Wisconsin. Back the first week in March.

stay tuned.

to Roma

I'm almost halfway to my destination, spending a night in Chicago in preparation for another travel day to Rome. Yes, the Rome in Italy.

Italy! Pilgrimage site for Catholics, foodies, wine lovers, historians & cyclists. I qualify for at least a few of these. I just need to make sure I can ask where to find a bike shop and the best caffe latte.

I've wanted to go to Italy since at least my early college years - when I fumbled through a semester of Italian. Now, it's just two more flights away.

A little background:
When Jon & I were visiting my parents this time last year, my aunt joined us for dinner. In conversation while doing the dishes she told me she was going on a church trip to Rome and would like a traveling companion. What could I say but "I'd love to go with you!" Aunt Anna Mae and her husband, Hugh, had a dairy farm just up the road from us when I was a kid. Their kitchen table was always open. Many times my mom would phone to tell me it was time to come home for dinner.

But living in Alaska since 1994 doesn't give me much time to visit with my aunt who's now widowed. So a few weeks later I called and told her I'd like to go if the offer was still open. Emails and letters were exchanged and here I am in the Windy City. I'll meet her and the rest of the group at O'Hare tomorrow morning for a long travel day & night.

Italy! Benissimo!

commit to the commute

So, last night after coming home from a concert - wow - if you get a chance to see the Carolina Chocolate Drops, don't miss them, especially if you like old-timey, string with some roots blues... I can't describe it enough...

Oh, yeah, after getting home, with the temps slowly climbing, decided I wanted to bike into work on Monday (today). Guess I missed the forecast. Did anyone else know it was supposed to snow overnight? Not me. As I sat at the table this morning, I asked Jon the question: riding or driving? Riding.

See, even though we had over four inches of snow in the driveway (more in other parts of the route) it was my last chance to ride before I head off on a non-cycling trip later this week. I left on the Pugsley a bit before Jon, pedaling down the street on the way to the trailhead and on to South Anchorage. The temps were single digits, but it was above zero before 11 a.m. for the first time in a couple weeks.

One stretch of the commute was Lake Otis bike path. The snow was pretty deep and I followed the track of a lone cyclist who had biked in the opposite direction. The rider's pedals repeatedly tapped the top of the fresh layer of snow on the uphills and the left pedals scraped a line atop snow all the way down the hill that I was then climbing.

The best sight was about half-way between Abbott and O'Malley roads. Through the spray of snow kicked up by traffic in the road, I saw the path plow - really, more of a path snow-blower. He was coming my direction, heading up the hill, blowing the snow into the trees. "Yeah!" I was so happy to see him!

I stopped to let him pass.


It's the second time this season I've crossed paths the snowblower. I don't know his name, but I sure appreciate that he was out there doing his job so I could get to mine. Thanks!

cabin fever

With temperatures of 20 below and colder, I haven't been very inspired to commute to work lately. But today I was off work. The sun was out and by early afternoon it hit above 6. Errands done, I decided I just didn't want to stay off the bike any longer. I just had to get out there.

I found some chemical footbeds I could put in my shoes, bundled up, put warm water in my bottle and took off for the park. The sunlight reflecting on the snow drew me to the airstrip where the multiuse trail skirts the west side of the airstrip. It seems like months since I pedaled in the sun and actually felt some warmth.


The trails were hard-packed and fast & I had them mostly to myself. It was good to finally get back out there on the bike. And, based on the shadow, 6 more weeks of winter.

wouldn't want to overdo it

The optimism at the beginning of the week turned into a quest to not catch the bug that was going around at work. Two people, including Jon, each spent their two days off sleeping. Yes, sleeping! So, with the bug going around (& I usually catch whatever is going around), I decided to be on the safe side and not overdo it.

Maybe I can blame January because I slept extra, ate more and drank lots of fluids. And watched the conditions outdoors freeze and the snow pile up again. I think I missed the worst of that bug so I'm hoping next week will be better with more commuting days.

We're also gaining around 5 minutes of daylight each day. I notice the upswing every day around 4:30 in the afternoon when there's more light outside. Upswing, indeed.

Since I don't have a new picture this week and I've been reminiscing about our trip to New Zealand this time 4 years ago (oh, to return to NZ!), I'll leave with a picture from that trip.

This is in Havelock, on the South Island.

Pugs or studs?

That is the question
Whether it is best to have fat
Or to have grip
to plow through the deep,
Or lean into a corner.

Will it snow today,
Or will the Chinook blow in?

Each day in the winter begins with a question:
Riding or Driving?
This year, the second question is:
Which bike?


For me, the riding or driving question depends on the temperature. Which bike is a little more complex. Now that we have the Pugsleys along with our commuters - rigid Raleigh frames with SnowCat rims & 2.3 studded tires - sometimes it's just not obvious.

I didn't know the Pugs would handle as well as it does on the intermittent ice. Mostly it handles well. So well, in fact, that I've been riding it more than my studded bike. But yesterday, with the thermometer reading 30 degrees by 9am, we figured it was a good day for the studs. You don't always know which direction the weather will take, but safe to expect it to get warmer. And more slick.

The rain made it more than just a wet ride home. The streets and paths were glazed with a hard layer of ice that sounded like popcorn under our tires. After being on the Pugs, the Raleigh rode fast and I had to remind myself that I could lean into the corners a bit. Pushing higher gears on the Raleigh made me think about that first time on the road bike in the spring - how light it feels after pedaling all that extra weight around all winter.

Rain and sleet hit my exposed cheeks and nose, needle-like darts stinging while I pulled up my neck gaitor. One gust nearly stopped me from turning over my pedals as we made our way up Abbott Road. Not so easy now.

Once in the park, we hopped onto Moose Track Trail. The heavy use followed by the rain caused the trail to set up hard and fast - bomber. And, unlike many rides home at the end of the day, I had great energy. While I'm sure others were sad at the first Chinook of the new year, (not to mention mourning the Green Bay loss) it was a fun ride home.

Sometimes my friends (and even strangers) ask me how many bikes I have. I feel a little embarrassed counting them on my fingers. But, in the last week, I rode 3 of them. Granted, one was my road bike on the trainer. But I use bikes the way others use a car and a gym membership. Sure, I even drive a few times a week. But having the right bikes in the stable ups my commuting days, especially this winter. Can't feel too embarrassed about that.

I see polar bears

I see shapes in clouds. In leaning, intertwined twigs. In snow-covered branches. I see a polar bear sniffing her cub.

I don't know what that means, but I wish it meant I was more creative. Maybe it means I'm a dreamer or that I see in people what others don't; in someone's actions; in the world around me. Maybe I'm an optimist who sees the potential in a shifting shape. Its ability to delight as it morphs from one form to the next like a Trickster. What form will it possess next?


Jon and I rang in 2008 on the multi-use trail above the Hillside Trailhead. Watching fireworks sent into the night by area residents, we were half-way into our bike ride when we stopped to watch the skies light up. A snack of chocolate to take us back across the park to home, then a glass of Port to welcome the year. Stood in the kitchen and wondered when we decided 20 degrees was perfect.

Today, while doing chores, I noticed the blue sky out the window so we took off for a hike. Only a few other cars at the Gorge Trailhead (you'll have to ask me where it is). We hiked into the state park on a somewhat trampled route, finishing our loop as the skies once again became dark. Not many days when we can get out during the daylight and explore. Lately, seems I always have a headlamp. But, we're on the upswing. Today, Anchorage gained two minutes of light. I'll count the minutes until I'm once again on a trail at midnight, sans headlamp.