(Another) Day at the Farm

Yesterday we snapped on our overalls and headed to the farm

for Orin's first barnyard experience.

When we arrived we were greeted warmly

by one of the local mules.

He strolled over to introduce himself,

but then decided that Orin looked tasty

and went in for a nibble.

Orin took it pretty well, 

but was glad when we moved on to the more docile sheep

and then to the pig

with piglets

We think the pig barn was his favorite

even though Charlotte had the day off

Next we looked at some rescued birds,

  (here Orin is working on his "wise-as-an-owl" face)

stood inside a flower tee-pee,

got inspired by the community gardens,

and tested out some local hot peppers.

Delicious.

Love and Hugs.

Cycling Apple

End oil addiction Bike for peace!!!!

That's the sticker I am rockin' on my bike.

My journey through NY was one of a kind.

NY is an experience in itself, but NY on a bike with traffic 

through all 5 burrows on a 65 plus mile ride, "EPIC"

The ride started in the heart of Central Park, the time was 5:00 am. 

Dean and I stopped for a bagel, gatorade, and red bull just before. 

Yes, we were on our bikes, we had ridden to the start from our hotel room. 

Through Manhattan there were amazing sights to see 

including Times Square, the Empire State Building, 

and every other tall sky scraper. 

Riding in groups of about 10-15 people you feel rather confident. 

The picture above is of  The Empire State Building at around 6:30 am.

NY is very beautiful at a distance wouldn't you agree?

from the Brooklyn Bridge.

This is Dean on the Brooklyn Bridge, just as excited as I am about the ride!

We are approximately 5 miles into the ride so far 

overwhelmingly incredible!!!

 I am feeling  great. 

The weather was perfect: sunny and about 82 degrees. On to Brooklyn!!

Dean and I across the bay from Manhattan. 

The city is now above our heads in the pic. That is where we came from.

No Problem!!!!!

Dean and I with our future to our backs.

Riding through Coney Island we had to stop for a hot dog at Nathan's. 

After all, this is my first time to the Big Apple.

There was a lot of great biking that went on between here and the finish line 

every corner turned and street crossed was new and exciting. 

I just didn't get photos for some of the ride because

I was riding 60 miles, mind you. 

We went through cities, over bridges, by the ocean, through neighborhoods , 

even carried our bikes up and down stairs.  

I arrived a couple minutes before Dean 

so I had an opportunity to capture him finishing!!!

Back at the start, no sweat.

 Dean and I had conquered the NY Century Bike Ride, and with style. 

Besides a few close calls everything went perfect.

I finished !!!! 

Thank You Dean.

New York, New York

Last weekend, we went to New York City.

My stepfather, Dean, knew that Casey wanted to see the Big Apple

while we were staying on the east coast

and when he heard about the NYC Century Bike Tour,

he signed them both up.

My mother and I decided to tag along, so on 

Saturday we all headed down together.

We arrived in Times Square in a torrential downpour,

and checked into the amazing hotel room 

Dean had gotten for the weekend.

This was the view from the room:

After unpacking (and spot-drying our clothes with a hairdryer)

we all headed out to find some real New York food,

but ended up going to the Olive Garden instead.

Hey, it was raining and the OG was right across the street...

Orin had a little trouble deciding what he was going to order,

but we were all patient while he learned to use the menu

After dinner, Casey and I headed down into the dungeon

a.k.a. the New York City subway system.

It was the first time Casey had ever taken a subway.

I don't think he was too impressed.

Later that night, we went out to Ripley's Believe It or Not Museum

which was really interesting with lots of picture-worthy exhibits

but I unfortunately forgot my camera.

The next morning, bright and early, Dean and Casey biked to the 

start of the ride. 

My mother, Orin, and I spent the early afternoon walking 

around the city seeing the sights

and trying to avoid getting hit by crazy taxi drivers

By the time we got to Central Park, Casey and Dean had finished their tour.

Casey took the other camera with him on the ride

so he could blog all of his adventures.

Check in soon for that post.

After the ride, Casey and Dean were pretty tired,

but there was one last thing we needed to do while in NY.

86 stories later (they make you walk the last 6)

we were there:

The top of the Empire State Building

From the top the city looks like a bunch of little grey legos

on a big concrete slab

The only plants are on the roofs

So after an awesome weekend,

it felt great to get home again

and feel the grass between our toes.

A Quarter Century

"September 3, 1983: the day was just like any other day

until suddenly the sky darkened,

a cold wind swept through the streets...

you could tell something terrible was about to happen..."

This is how my brother describes the day I was born,

but I try not to take it personally because he hadn't even been conceived yet.

 This year the 3rd meant a quarter century for me.

When Casey asked what I wanted for my birthday I told him

a poem and a cupcake.

He said he would write me a poem only if I promised 

never to show it to anyone.

So here is the cupcake:

Not too shabby.

To kick off my birthday week

(I don't feel that people should be limited to just one day)

I first went to visit my father.

Besides the usual good food, good laughs, and good hiking,

Orin and I got to enjoy some shade-bathing 

 while watching Egg do what Egg does best

Orin also got to do a little gardening with his stepmother.

Turns out, he is quite fond of purple beans.

On the morning of the 3rd, 

Colleen and Rowan came over to celebrate with us.

Rowan has just started to crawl and had a great time

showing us his new skills.

Later that afternoon,

my brother Matthew, his wife Robbi, and my niece Alden came up

from Maryland to visit.

It was the first time that I have ever met Alden

and it was probably one of the best birthday presents ever.

Matthew and Robbi were equally as excited to meet their new nephew.

For my birthday, we ordered pizza and Robbi made a cake

I decided to let Orin help me blow out the candles,

but as soon as he saw them, he decided that it should be his birthday instead

and pushed me out of the way.

My brother also brought some of those glittery whistle things

which were a big hit with the babies.

After Colleen and Rowan left,

the cousins got to spend some time getting to know each other.

I think it was love at first sight.

It turns out they have a lot in common,

like politics...

and good taste in college basketball

Orin even helped Alden choose her football picks

But eventually Alden got a little too enthusiastic

about their new-found friendship...

And Orin had to cut her off.

Matthew and Robbi stayed for several days

which only made it that much more difficult when we

finally had to say goodbye.

But we promised that we would get together again soon.

Later that evening,

Casey, my mother, Dean and I headed off 

to see Taj Mahal in concert.

The music was amazing,

and Taj was fun to watch.

Orin woke up at the end of the concert and started

laughing and screaming so much that I think the people behind us

got a bigger kick out of watching him than they did of the concert.

It was hysterical.

To finish up my birthday week,

my mother and Dean treated us to a trip to the Big Apple,

but I have run out of time,

so you will have to check in again soon for the details of that trip