Pentagenarians & Beyond: W/B 8/23

We started driving for a hike this morning but the smoke layer was too heavy in the mountains. turned around after a little ways, went back home and loaded the mt bikes. did a ride we'd wanted to try for years. it was hard and so-so for us. too steep really, had to push bikes uphill and then coming back down was braking til my hands cramped. some nice parts in the middle but probably not a repeater. took us 4 hours without much resting.

Deb, you should get a birding app for your phone or tablet. simple ones are free, more complex ones cost a few $$. I love to ID birds and make it part of wherever we go. I have NOT reached the point where my whole vacation is focused on seeing new birds although last spring we specifically went to Pinnacles NP in CA to see condors. also to hike. snowy owls are worth a special trip to see. we have killdeer here too, always like to nest in gravel in awkward places (like Lynda said) the driveway, or side of the road. I'll stick in a link to the swifts when I'm done typing. I have a book and a birding app on my phone, the david allen sibley one. I've never seen a woodcock though I saw a snipe once, in Yellowstone. I take a small pair of binoculars when we hike or ride. this morning we heard a pileated woodpecker. they are pretty common here but are big beautiful birds. we had one nesting here last year. we have loads of hummingbirds and I never get tired of watching them.

Dogs are so funny.. you'd think she'd be scared and uneasy but she liked being center of attention! I'm so-so on the stok shots. light, convenient, travel well. not crazy about the taste. I like starbucks double shot light best so far, although I didn't try the gels yet. I may just stock up on several things asn an extra jolt of caffeine helps me.

el nino gets a huge amount of attention here.. this year the farmers almanac is predicting the exact opposite of what el nino usually means. the probability of a strong el nino is 95% + right now. time will tell.

Judy, hope your back is better take whatever rest is needed.
http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Vauxs_Swift/id

https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/pileated-woodpecker

https://secure.defenders.org/site/S...src=snowyowl&gclid=COalzdfYx8cCFUdhfgod18AIvg

these are just for the pics, I'm not promoting any group.
 
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Good evening ladies!

No workout today. Left really early for work and came home late. Heavy package day at work and we were all exhausted and decided we did not need a lunch workout!

Deb...Glad the airport went well. I bet Kylee loved all the attention. We are staying at the Riu Caribe which is all inclusive. This will be our 9th visit to Cancun 4th time at this hotel. We have so much fun at the Riu we decided we do not need to go anywhere else. We are professionals at this point..we bring floats for the pool and ocean. We also bring large cups for the all you can drink mango margaritas and other beverages! We use large solo cups and I asign everyone their own color and we get 4 each for the week. Madeline is suppose to come with her son Christopher but this now depends on how she is feeling. She is done with radiation and just started with the chemo pill. So far she feels great and no side affects. Nicholas has also come with us but will not make it this trip.

Lynda...that is one thing we have not done yet is snorkeling. We have done it other places just not in Cancun. Not sure what our excursion will be this year. We always try and do a different one every year. As far as a bikini I still can wear one but who knows for how long so I do when when in Mexico. It just feels right I guess! Like I said I am very modest and would never in front of people I know. I was always like this though. Hated wearing a bathing suit even when I was in high school when I didn't have an ounce of fat on me. I am weird like that.

Valerie...that ride sounds brutal. So sad the smoke is so thick like it is. So terrible.

Horrible about the 2 news reporters. I have not watched the news yet but have heard people talking. They both were so young. Just terrible.
 
Good morning!

I did a Cardio Coach yesterday at the track with my cousin. These are really nice outside. That shooting yesterday was terrible....this is becoming a really scary world, shooters filming their massacres and posting on social media...

Lynda, I wish we had more of a variety of birds, but being in the city......we do have robins, red winged black birds, the occasional Blue Jay, and some type of finches I think. We used to have a lot of what my Dad used to call "Grackles"....some type of crow I think. They were nasty, nasty birds.

Valerie, thanks for the links....wow, that ride sounds tough. Yes, the STOK is not for taste at all, but I didn't find it horrible to toss down, and it's such a small amount. I like them because they work and are pretty cheap.

Lori, That trip sounds great, I hope Madeline can make it. So funny....we always stayed at a Riu resort when we went to Mexico....about 11 trips, with the work group and a couple on our own. We did both coasts. The association I belonged to that went every February alternated coasts, from East ( Cancun, Playa Del Carmen) to West...Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta). There were a couple years here and there that we tried a different resort, but the Riu was the one we used the most, it was nice because we were all comfortable with the format. I would love to go back. Maybe next year John and I can go again. I am exactly the same about a bathing suit too....only wear one in Mexico. Here, I will wear the top (tankini) with shorts. Yep, Kylee was a little ham at the airport. :).

Hi to Judy and Josie,

We are going for our third, and final formal grooming lesson today, then hopefully we can keep them in a "maintenance" mode. We'll see how it goes.

Take care,
 
Hi everyone--

This morning I did AT (56:00). Nice sleep last night with no coyotes howling, Max barking.

Deb, purple grackles are pretty ubiquitous and kind of boring. Blue jays are the rascals. We have so many types of birds around here. I love cardinals and the goldfinches with their distinct up-and-down flight pattern and flashes of gold. Lots of hummingbirds and I have heard a snipe but never seen one.

Lori, we went to Tulum on our excursion and all I remember was climbing steps. Hope Madeline can join you and she is feeling up to it.

Valerie, that sounds like a very tough workout on the bikes. You must have been flying if you had to keep braking like that.

Feels like just a touch of fall in the air today, but it's supposed to warm up again next week.

I am currently binge reading Sue Grafton's new mystery X and a cat named Ed lives next door with her old friend Henry. Its breed was described as a Japanese bobtail cat and they sound so lovely I had to look them up. Now I would love to see some kittens. They are reputed to be very friendly with dogs and they 'talk'. Any of you know of someone who has one??
 
Tried another hike this morning but got there and turned around. I will not hike with so many damn people. this is an obscure, not especially nice hike and it was smoky so we expected to be alone or close to it. But no..... there were 7 cars in the parking lot with 4 loud mouth people just arriving. we turned around and left. It is too small an area and too short a hike for everyone to be spread out enough. I can't WAIT until school starts. Hiking should be quiet and private, a enjoyment of nature, not a 3 ring circus. sometimes I think we will have to leave this area because it is just getting ridiculous.... trying to hike in august is an exercise in frustration. we are thinking about maybe a trip next week but already I'm worried that we'll drive 1500 miles and end up in a parking lot full of loud people. sometimes I'm fairly anti social and want my vacations to be quiet and lonesome.

I have a 2 piece swim suit, tankini style. I don't want to see myself in a bikini unless I lose 10 lbs. then it might be OK.nothing fabulous but probably would not scare small children. we did one trip to Hawaii and that was the extent of my tropical vacations. too warm, too crowded. Lori enjoy Mexico, hope madeleine can make it.

I saw someone in a TV series the other day and was stumped as to who she was. I didn't catch a name in the credits ... does kay Lenz ring a bell to anyone? Seems like she was in a lot of things maybe early '80's? she has a very strong jawline and has gained a bit of weight. The years have not been kind to her if that is who it was. we had already returned the disk so I can't go back and look. the series is Southland and I recommend it if you like realistic police dramas. It is excellent, a few years old. Regina King is in it, she is a favorite of mine.

The trail we rode yesterday gained 2000 feet. no wonder it was a grunt. last third was mostly flat. wheels go very fast downhill, even if it's not terribly steep. it's loose gravel/rocky/packed dirt so did not want to get out of control. braking constantly is hard on the hands. even DH has to stop numerous times to shake out hands and wrists. if the terrain alternates from flat to hill then flat again, you can let if fly a bit, especially if there's an uphill section, cause you can use momentum to go up. when it's switchback after switchback going down, braking is the only choice.

Never saw a Japanese bobtail cat but will take a look. heard of ragdolls, and a Siamese type that have round heads, called apple head Siamese? Siamese tend to talk a lot , wonder if they are related? they are more dog like in behavior according to some. we had Siamese long ago, they were very vocal kitties.
 
Hi Everyone,

Yesterday I did STS disc 11, Back & Triceps, and a segment of Core Max. I did STS disc 10, Chest, Shoulders & Biceps, this evening. I usually don't like evening workouts but I just wanted to be done with Meso 1.. ...Now I can start the "active rest" week. I'll be doing Spinervals, core work, maybe some barre, and stretching.

Valerie-that's a long ride! I can't remember the last time I was out for over 4 hours. Probably 10 years ago or so.
I like a jolt of caffeine when I'm doing long workouts too.

Lori-I'm the same way. I don't really like bathing suits. I don't even own one anymore. When I was younger, I would run in shorts and a running bra, but I was running with friends and in groups that dressed that way too. I wouldn't even go outside dressed like that now.
I hope Madeline can go on the trip with you.

Deb-that shooting was horrible. Very scary that someone would do that and post it on social media.

Lynda-we had a touch of fall this week too, with temps falling into the 50's.
The Japanese bobtail sounds like an interesting cat. We have a breeder here in Plymouth that breeds Scottish Fold and Cornish Rex cats. I love rescuing, but I also wouldn't mind getting a purebred kitten from a breeder. The Bombay is an interesting breed, also the Norwegian Forest and Maine Coon cats.

Hi to Josie!

Have a great Friday!

Judy
 
Good morning & Happy Friday!

A great grooming session yesterday, now we don't have to do anything except bathe and brush them until October 22. Then we bring them back to get the full maintenance instructions. Crazy I know.

I tried to post a video of the puppies here, but it would not post. :(. Do I have to put it on YouTube first?

Lynda, I didn't realize you had read the Sue Grafton series...My copy of X is waiting for me at the library. I like when Henry is part of the story. Have you read all of them? I never saw a cat like that. I always thought that the Grackles were bothersome to other birds. We don't see many BlueJays, maybe once every 3 years.

Valerie, those trails sound very challenging. Thanks for the recommendation for another series. I will go over to Prime to see if they have that one. I am really enjoying Blue Bloods right now, along with Mad Men.

Judy, good job on Meso 1 :). How is your back feeling?

Hi to Lori & Josie,

Anyone doing anything exciting this weekend?

Take care,
 
Good morning! I put my videos that I post on youtube and copy link. Works like a charm. Have a great day all! I'll pop in later this evening.
 
Judy I'm best at long sessions, as long as I'm outdoors. Can't do anything long indoors like you can. the whole 4 hours weren't hard. we rode /walked alternately uphill. I have trouble getting on while going uphill so need a flat-ish spot to get going. after each switchback, we thought it would level out. we finally got to a long fairly level stretch but then a wet and rocky stretch, so had to almost carry the bike. we got to the lake and it was not very attractive, hard to even get to the shore. walked around for 15 and then started down. all kinds of interconnecting trails in the area mostly for walking although open to bikes. I am stunned at the things some folks can ride a bike on. going back down was tough but fast. braking.... braking, you expect them to smoke. DH is better at downhill. I have to stop at corners and swing the back of the bike around manually. especially when the trail has steep sides, I'm not very brave. I rode almost all of it, stopping for corners but only walking a few difficult spots.

we did a short road ride yesterday. 15 miles. My odometer is not working right, getting a new wireless one. I'm losing half the mileage. tried to hike but drove to the trail and it was busy, smoky, and we didn't do it.
We are finally getting some rain. supposed to be very wet the next several days. hopefully some of it will travel east to where most of the fires are and at least slow them down. it is still terrible with huge fires spreading and fire crews from Australia and new Zealand helping out now. huge areas are closed down due to danger. hard to tell ahead of time how much rain will make it across the mountains.
 
Hi Ladies,

Went spinning on Wednesday and worked out with Karina yesterday. I may go spinning later today but if not I will do it tomorrow along with body pump.

Deb, no plans for the weekend, just working out. Glad that the visit to the airport went well. I can see how it will relax some of the travelers.

Valerie, that was a hard ride. My wrists also get sore when we do a lot of down hill ridding. I'm a slow poke and will feather my brakes all the way down.

Garance, the only birds that I see around my house are hummingbirds and crows :(. I just finish reading Dark Places by Gillian Flynn, she also wrote Gone Girl the movie for Dark Places just came on on on Demand it went straight to video not sure if I want to watch it yet. I'm now reading Marina by Carlos Ruiz Zafon in Spanish so that I can refresh my Spanish :). Next on the list is Game of the Ripper by Isabelle Allende also in Spanish.

Lori, I love Cancun, I've been there three times. Hope Madeline can join you too. I like the 21 day fix diet and like the menus that you sent us. I'm enjoying having my carbs again.

Judy, I usually just have my 16oz coffee before I workout and that's all I need. Even when I go on long rides.

Josie
 
Hi everyone--

This morning I did All Out Low Impact Hiit with core 1 (49:22).

Deb, I have read all of the Grafton alphabetical series. Love Kinsey Milhone. I like the way Grafton has kept the series in an earlier period. This one is 1989 and just the beginning of the computer revolution. Off to Jacob's Pillow tomorrow for the final performance. The theater is now closed too, but students return next week, so things will get very busy again.

Josie, I read Dark Places quite awhile ago. I didn't like it as much as Gone Girl. I thought if you were close to the ocean you would see some sea birds. We always saw Ospreys diving for fish when we were at the Jersey Shore, and of course, the ubiquitous sea rats--seagulls.

Judy, congratulations on finishing meso 1! It must feel good. I think Meso 2 is generally regarded as the favorite of the levels--if only because she doesn't have so many pushups.

Valerie, I don't think the hiking trails around here are very crowded. Maybe you just have such extraordinary views people are attracted to them. Hope you get all the rain you need.

Lori, good luck on getting that bikini body ready!
 
Didn't rain much , so DH and I got the mt bikes and rode the tree farm. 1hr 45 min. I'm getting so much better at this I'm feeling good. I was SO AWFUL at first that every bit I improve feels like a big accomplishment. We know this area well now so I can go faster and not worry about braking so much.... I know what's coming. Usually we are the only ones there except for maybe horse riders, but they tend to come later and go slower. the trails close when it gets wet and then we will be stuck with roads again.

Lynda, yes scenery is spectacular so it's a popular activity here. I'm still not used to all the new people showing up in places that used to be lonely. some of it is internet related, also hiking guides, and on line trip reports. more publicity and more people come to places that used to be almost private.

.I should remember STS better since I did it 3 times except for the leg workouts. I do enough other leg stuff, and I didn't like the impact.
 
Good morning & Happy Weekend!

I did some yard clean up yesterday, we have a cabinet that stores hand tools etc, and it was getting pretty nasty, being that it is outside all year. I took it all apart, sorted and tossed stuff and cleaned it with the hose and a scrub brush. Swept the patio etc.

Valerie, good job on the ride. We have wireless odometers on our bikes, they take a while to set up and get used to. Pretty complicated for bike riding! LOL. Glad the state is getting some rain, if not what is actually needed.

Josie, will look up that book in my Reading Log...not sure if I have read it or not. Thanks for the tip.

Lynda, I started "X" yesterday and am liking it a lot. ...it's really strange reading novels where the investigator has no cell phone to use, and no computer to do research on. Like every time they need to make a call in Mad Men, I expect someone to whip out a cell phone. :).

Hi to Judy & Lori,

Agility class this morning, then not sure what we will do the rest of the day,

Take care,
 
Deb we've ridden so long many kinds of odometers! My road bike was the last "wired" one. getting the sensor on the wheel lined up is the worst of it. we have the same size wheels and tires on each bike. need one set of extra tires/tubes... for both road bikes, mountain bikes. If each bike is different, it doubles the load or easy to grab the wrong one.
Our odometers are pretty simple, mainly mph & mileage, total mileage. we like sigma brand better than Cateye, my dying one is the last Cateye. If we each have the same model, then same tools, batteries needed. we take either mountain or road bikes when we travel so it is much simpler to load back up things. so frustrating to have something stop working but you have the wrong battery or allen wrench but slightly wrong size! or you need a different size tire tube for each road bike. bike stores are few and far between and so much variety in components. we purposely keep things as "uniform" as we can.

Oh yes, "Madmen" would have gone nuts for cell phones!. it is funny to see old series and realize how ubiquitous cell phones have become as a prop. think "24". more later
 
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