Belle of the Ball

 That would be our daughter Dakota, Lane's twin sister, all primped up for a Winter Ball. She has a nice mt bike that she used to ride with me but dancing, cell phones &  boys (well, one in particular) have edged out her bike riding days for now, hopefully I can talk her back into it someday.

I'd rather be riding a bike!

 Instead I'm playing "Bob the Builder" with my boys in the basement! Family room, bathroom, storage room & laundry room, FINALLY coming together. Drywall & electrical is mostly done, hanging ceiling now then moving on to bathroom. Painting, carpeting & trimwork will be last, then move in the furniture & buy a flat-screen & let the fun begin! It's been to long getting this done but I'm to damn cheap to hire it done & for the most part don't have a clue as to what I'm doing so I have to learn as I go & I definitely measure twice & cut once.

Tongue & groove pine carsiding for the ceiling is working out pretty good, a bit rustic looking. I'm hoping we're saving enough $$$ by doing most of the work ourselves to help finance another trip to Fruita or SOMEWHERE to ride bikes, or maybe some new bike schwag!

Full moon fever!

 HOOOOWWWWL at the moon! Overcast sky but still bright enough for a night ride around 10:00 pm.  Rode the north canal to the west to the "old country" where we stopped for a New Belgium Abbey, 36 degrees out & a PERFECT night to be riding bikes, only time we had to turn the lights on was on the co. rd. & only met one car in 15 miles.
 Is it an alien or one of those glow in the dark Halloween costumes? Nope, just Kendell in his new Cannondale cycling jacket.

 This 'ol Coyote had to sit & take a break after howling at the moon!

 Our trusty, stealthy steeds patiently waiting to take us back home along the canal check, what a GREAT ride, I envy anyone who doesn't ride a bike! Daytime, night-time, long rides, short rides, fat tires, skinny tires, gravel, blacktop, it's all FINE! Folks, if you can ride a bike, get out there & DO IT, I doubt you'll regret it!

After a careful observation...

I think duck hunters are crazier than people who ride their bikes in the winter! Oldest son Delley convinced me to go out with him to see what it's all about & exactly why he gets up at 5:00 am to do this, not sure I'm ready to take this on every day like he does but it was fun & a learning experience for me as I've never duck hunted in my life so it's kind of neat to have a young pup try to teach an old dog a new trick.

Throwing the decoys out AFTER you break all the ice & float it downstream so you have an opening in the water.

The spread is out, looks good, time to hunt! Tate keeping a sharp eye out on the ice flow & the ducks coming, he actually heard them approaching in the air long before we ever noticed them.

Come on Delley, let's get some ducks coming our way, CRANK on that call!

We didn't get any today in spite of having some fly over our spread, was 20 degrees out as we were wading in the water & playing with the ice, fun time & some good memories made, think I'll go ride a bike now & ponder this duck hunting a little more!

Mixing up the game bag

The boys decided to mix it up a bit this weekend & bring a different variety of fowl home besides duck & goose. Son Delley, his buddy Justin, son Lane & Tate the "pint- sized pointer" with some pheasants & a quail they bagged down by Imperial, NE.

Hardcore or CRAAAZY?

You decide, it was a balmy 15 degrees for the Wine & Gravel ride but the show must go on! A few brave souls decided it was a good idea. From left, Kendell, Patty, Lane, the Paxton Coyote & his better half Jessie

Jessie cresting the big hill north of town, Patty bringing up the rear in the background.

Just a little additive to keep the motor from gelling up, enjoyed in MODERATION of course!

Choose your path carefully kids, it's a long, icy descent at 30 mph!

Back into town & the sign says it best, BRRR!

We may have to talk to the proprietors of 5 Trails Winery about some bicycle parking as I'm pretty sure there will be many more rides in the future that end up there.

Finally arrived & enjoying the warmth of some fine wine & fellowship with friends, mother-in-law Allie on the left was our SAG driver & photographer, was a nice little ride despite the temps & road conditions, any day that a bike can be rode is a good one for me!

Culture in a small town

 It's crazy that a small town like ours can support 3 bars but now they have some culture to compete with in the form of a brand new winery. Welcome 5 Trails Winery! It's amazing what a very old building has been transformed into, VERY NICE & a welcomed change of pace in a small town such as ours!

 To help celebrate this culture coming to town & have an enjoyable afternoon with friends we'll be hosting a Wine & Gravel Ride December 21 at 2 pm MT, meet up to ride 15 miles of gravel despite the weather then go to the winery for a tasting & some fellowship. If you don't want to ride then you can meet up with us there.