Mountain biking

OK - This isn't me, but this is a picture of a "feature" on the trail I ride on.  It took me a time or two to get the nerve to go over this, but now it's no biggie.  It may be hard to see, but this is a pyramid of logs - probably 4 feet high...I don't go very fast, but I get over.  Some of the other challenging features are the "off-camber curves" (curves that are banked the opposite way you want to lean on your bike),   loose sand and oh yeah, the trees.  

Two times ago I hooked my handle bar as I was going around a tree - not so good, but I survived.  I rarely go an afternoon with out taking at least little tumble, but it's all soft ground and I always wear my helmet.  

But with that said...the MOST challenging part of mountain biking for me is the aerobic aspect.  I'm huffing and puffing the entire time, and really sucking air on the up-hills.  Why is that so dang much fun???

I'm heading out tomorrow night for ride!  Stay vertical cats!

Hedge Apples

Anybody ever see one of these bad boys?? We were at Jim's Foodmart in Houghton (the world's first carpeted grocery store) when we spotted these in a bin near produce.

Of course, we always like to experience a new exotic fruit, but the sign told us differently - "Keeps spiders away". Besides having the worlds first carpeted grocery store, Houghton is also well known for it's man size spiders. Our house in Houghton is no exception. Desperate to try any spider proofing method, we bought 4 of these in the middle of August. We were in the house this weekend. I was doing work in the basement and don't cha know, I did not see any spiders. I think the dang things worked! We mentioned it at the local hardware store (not carpeted) and the cashier told us with great certainty that they work - she puts them in her basement every year!

So if you know of any Osage Orange trees, please let me know where they are!!

AND - Happy thanksgiving you Canadian Cats!

(I don't know why this post wants to be a "Link" but it does not link to anything)