<<<< - Mav&Jen_Europade - >>>>

Welcome to the SLOW FOOD NATION

2008-08-25T10:05:00.002-05:00

...we need to remember that the fresh, unadulterated, minimally processed, locally produced foods that Slow Food Nation is showcasing were our pantry staples, before the military-industrial complex annexed our food chain a half a century or so ago in the name of progress.

Read the entire story ,Welcome to the Food Revolution | Environment | AlterNet

Yesterday, there was the hint of autumn in the air,the morning temperature was 50F = 10C. We headed out on a bicycle ride with gloves and jackets. It was a wonderful trip along one of our favorite rides to a local feature called the Goat Hils. There were fog banks along the road and everything was quiet.

Today we took Nickel (that means lollygagger pace) to Lake Goldsmith and she was feeling the autumn too. Chasing pheasants from there hides and running down the corn and bean rows. It is the first day of school so there were no children on the street when we got back for fresh fruit smoothies. It will be corn and tomatoes and who knows what other garden produce for meals this week. Forestburg melons are in at the local market and all the gardens are keeping the farmer's market a great place to be.

Welcome to the SLOW FOOD NATION

2008-08-25T10:05:00.000-05:00

...we need to remember that the fresh, unadulterated, minimally processed, locally produced foods that Slow Food Nation is showcasing were our pantry staples, before the military-industrial complex annexed our food chain a half a century or so ago in the name of progress.

Read the entire story ,Welcome to the Food Revolution | Environment | AlterNet

Rain in the Morning

2008-08-10T11:13:00.004-05:00

Click the picture for a larger version

There is nothing better than rain in the morning. It has been dry and we have been hoping for a nice shower, it seems like it has rained all around us, finally it was our turn. The tail end of the cold front was just what was needed.

It started about 6am so we got up and went out to enjoy it. Carrying water from our rain barrels to give those plants under the eves a shot of rain water and wading in the gutter along the street. It rained for about an hour and we were soaked and smiling when we came it for a bowl of oatmeal and fruit.

Nothing can beat a summer rain on the plains. We only heard one rumble of thunder during the whole time. What a special treat on my parents 72nd Wedding Anniversary.

Birdwatching back in fashion with Rutland fair - Telegraph

2008-08-10T08:17:00.003-05:00

It's not in the US but they do speak my kind of English (smirk),

While ten per cent of those questioned in th survey said they were birdwatchers, only four per cent went fishing.

This week sees the start of Birdfair, in Rutland, the world's biggest event of its kind, known as "the Glastonbury of birdwatching". Read the story at

Birdwatching back in fashion with Rutland fair - Telegraph

How slow is slow enough?

2008-08-07T13:12:00.004-05:00

I have not posted for about a month. No good answer except that we are taking a break from the busyness to enjoy the great August weather.

We did travel to the Black Hills via Farm Island and La Framboise Pierre and got in some excellent bicycle rides along the Missouri River and a ride up Spearfish Canyon with our cousins in mid July plus a hike up to the top of Bear Butte. Several things we had not done before although it is right in our home state. They were great times but could not match what happened this morning right here on our favorite bicycling route.

After we got back from the family visits on the western part of the state we embarked on a natural foods diet as it is about this time of year that the garden produce starts to roll in. We can hardly wait for the corn, beans, tomatoes, ..., but this year we decided to go totally vegan, no refined sugar (including high fructose corn syrup that is added to nearly everything), no animal products (that eliminates dairy, eggs & meats), no caffeine (no coffee), no alcohol (no beer?), no gluten (breads, pastas & flour products). Surprisingly, it has not been that hard to do.

The diet has set the basis for our vacation from the busyness. We get out every day for an outing on our bicycles, mainly aerobic but sometimes just to be out there in the fresh air and abundance of flowers and wildlife. We had good workouts yesterday so today was one of those special days.

We took our dog, Nickel, out early for an early run about 6:30. She has been limping a bit lately so it was a short one. Carol had met us on the way back and went ahead. There were raggad, beautiful clouds with the rising sun peaking through here and there, fog was drifting out of the river valley from time to time, and the birds were singing every new song they had learned. We spotted an Indigo Bunting in a shelter belt out by the lake. It was the first one that we have ever seen along our route so it was quite a treat. There were curious little marsh wren fledglings in the ditches to inspect us and a new growth of the mid summer wild flowers everywhere. Butterflies and dragonflies above our heads and all around. A doe and her twins in the bean field and geese browsing in the newly harvested oat stubble by the lake.

The entire ride was most relaxing and rewarding. Neither of us had to verbalize that it was a day for going very slow and stopping often. We just knew. Let me explain what going slow really is, 3-5 mph is approximately the speed, but the important measure is to be going at a rate that virtually eliminates the noise of the tires on the gravel. Nothing but the sounds around you meet your ears.

We were out about 3 hours and when we returned, we fixed a blender full of fresh fruit smoothies. Fresh fruit, that is almost as good as it gets and today it was the refreshment that centered that special time together that around here is called "morning coffee." We found we don't really need the coffee.

Nature taught us another lesson this morning.

posted by HL

News about Cody, Wyoming, and Yellowstone Country

2008-07-09T18:37:00.000-05:00

I never thought I would see an news article about bicycles in the Cody Enterprise: Bicycle sales rise in Cody If it can happen here, it can happen anywhere.

Tourism shouldn't be passive

2008-07-09T11:17:00.006-05:00

I have been looking at some rural tourism sites and most of the activities don't expect much out of visitors except eating, sleeping, and looking,or don't forget a pool so kids have something to do, which says something about the typical view of what constitutes a family vacation.

Here is this rural area with miles upon miles of uncrowded vistas disected by grass and gravel roads just waiting for bicyclists, but no mention of active creation of your own entertainment. Put the family on bicycles. Go for a walk.

Come on rural areas sharpen up your hosting skills, put out a country welcome and get people involved, there must be 100s of projects that need doing that teach skills and are fun if you have the right attitude, such as: tree planting, song bird banding, planting wild flowers, bird watching & identification, fence mending, weed pulling, picking sweet corn, gardening, building shelters, ...

Sorry suckers, we are not consumers. We don't want to attend, "festivals throughout the year feature demonstrations that show how things were done down on the farm in the good ol' days" when there is a countryside out there to explore, people to get to know, and lakes to wade.

Shut off the TV, forget the boring professional sports teams with the beer sponsors, get out of air conditioning, get up early and take a ride down a country lane. Believe me it beats the heck out of knocking a ball in a cup. Warning, there's no coming back.

Oh yeah. Don't confuse bicycles with something that needs a motor, petroleum fuel, and noise to make an impression. The only thing a motorcycle shares with a bicycle is that both have 2 wheels, after that the routes diverge. Read Robert Frost.

Sunday ride to Oakwood State Park

2008-07-06T16:03:00.007-05:00

Click here for an interactive map

What I like best about this ride is the gravel roads on the return. The gravel surface reminds me not to hurry or see how fast I can go. The gravel is a subtle reminder of why we bicycle in the first place, it's not about getting there, it's about the here and now and world around us. Motorists may crave the roads and the speed, for us the road is just tool that blends movement with experience and not getting there which just ends the pleasure.

The state Park has cabins and camping so it is a nice place for an overnight or longer. There are several lakes and communities within 10-20 miles so it is a nice place to spend some time and be free of petroleum powered transport.

Go online and make reservations and check out other information.

Happy Independence from Oil Day: Will your weekend be gas-free?

2008-07-04T14:30:00.005-05:00

Sounds like a great idea to me. Go there and find out more

Another site that all bicycle riders should know about

BikePortland.org

Our 4th of July bicycle ride was to one our favorite waterfowl observation sites at a slow and comfortable pace on rural country roads to the intersection 1.4 miles West of Lake Goldsmith shown on the Goat Hills Map.

Bicycle Friendly: Commuting with a Congressman : NPR

2008-06-25T20:55:00.000-05:00

Bicycle Friendly: Commuting with a Congressman : NPR

Back when we were young

2008-06-24T16:46:00.007-05:00

Click for an interactive map of a Ride around Lake Mitchell

Back home for a family reunion. This lake was the center of lots of good times from way back when. There are so many nice houses there now...

Beer Midge EE

2008-06-17T17:11:00.003-05:00

A ride around the lake in Bemidji was a nice ride although I swear it must have been designed by a NASCAR driver on a Snowmobile.

t r u t h o u t | Fury at Soaring Fuel Costs Spreads Around the World

2008-06-12T21:44:00.002-05:00

t r u t h o u t | Fury at Soaring Fuel Costs Spreads Around the World

I don't usually post this kind of thing on this blog but it is the kind of event that exemplifies how important personal choices can be.

We attended an informational meeting about forming a local food coop this evening which is another part of the slow movement. Slow is a 4 letter word to those who still believe in an economic system that depends upon overconsumption.

Since this blog is about slowing down, spending less, and taking back your life, I think a world protest against high oil prices is a coming to Jesus event about the unsustainability of our current culture belongs here. It is part of the philosophical basis for making a choice to do more with less.

Nice Photos Review of Paris

2008-06-12T08:39:00.002-05:00

Paris 2008

I found this on Webshots through a tag search of the pics from our Take a walk in the Latin Quarter, May 28 post. They were there in April.

It reminded me that I need to work on the other walks we took while we were there.

We been road trippin

2008-06-11T16:44:00.002-05:00

Grampa, Gramma and Saela and Martin on a trip to the Fulsaas Farm. Two new friends, Smoke and Makenzie

Careful these pic might be huge.
Click on 'em and find out

Berlin - where proximity fits bicycle culture

2008-06-02T14:27:00.002-05:00

Imagine calling a friend in a city of 5 million people and they say, "I am at work and have bicycle. I will meet you for dinner in your neighborhood."

Everywhere you go bicycle lanes are filled with people of ages and all kinds of bicycles traveling at a broad range of speed, everyone less than 20mph. Shops and gathering spots for food & drink are no more than a few 100 meters apart

That's the capital of Germany. When I ran across this post quoting Paul Krugman (NYT) on the Carfree USA Blog comparing Atlanta and Berlin, I was reminded of the great people friendly qualities of this large German capital. As the Krugman quote says,

Greater Atlanta has roughly the same population as Greater Berlin — but Berlin is a city of trains, buses and bikes, while Atlanta is a city of cars, cars and cars.

Cars are like cancer once they move into the vital arteries of a city, take over and kill its ability to serve the needs of the organisms that it was designed to serve in the first place. The big difference is Berlin is a modern city and Atlanta is well, hooked on phony logic, just like most US cities who were deluded into believing "cheap oil meant community doesn't matter."

Think about that, 5M people, going to work on a bicycle. That implies a great deal about how a city manages its people moving responsibilities. I don't know what Atlanta might be doing but the Twin Cites of Minneapolis and St. Paul Minnesota have made some great strides in the past few years. The Transit for Liveable Communities is the kind of comprehensive set of alternatives to driving that is needed to counteract the diabolical ills of an automobile culture: 3 acre lots, McMansions, SUVs. entertainment news, obesity, strip malls, 2 hour commutes, need we go on?

We visited many carfree areas in European cities and as we traveled through rural Germany by train, everywhere we looked there were people on bicycles riding down country lanes or stopped at places along the trails and paths to enjoy the outdoors.

What a reminder of how so many of us have lost the capacity to enjoy what we have in our own local areas. In a word, proximity.

Proximity is what makes where you live special. What is it that you don't yet know about your place? When we value where we live, we make it better. The slower we go the better it gets. The better it gets, the more we want to make it a better place to live and discover new ways to enjoy what it has to offer.

That is how we discovered birds. Click here and look at the posts below to see what I mean.

Wild Wales Road in Eastern South Dakota

2008-05-30T13:32:00.012-05:00

I went to a meeting for Safe Routes to School (btw, it's about bicycling and walking). Jen went for a bicycle ride from LaFramboise Island to Farm Island.

What started out with the bird watching ride on a bicycle in the Pierre area turned into a unique view of an area of Eastern South Dakota that is easily missed if you're in a hurry. I started traveling this road many years ago before it was even paved, but I had never done it in the kind of weather we experienced on May 29, 2008. Oh yeah, I wasn't in a hurry either.

I will call this the 216 Steet road as it begins on that county road that about 50 miles East of Pierre on SDHY 34 and heads nearly straight East and after a few jogs you finish up on 214. Most people would not think of a straight road as scenic and maybe the weather did have something to do with it.

But let me say that no road is scenic regardless of how many twists and turns it may have. On the contrary, it is the topography and ecology through which it passes, although many motored vehicle drivers might disagree, in my opinion they are missing the point. They are not alone most map makers make the same mistake. Perhaps it is simply the pervasive influence of cars that go where roads takes them. Maybe that is the point after all.

It was cloudy and the wind easterly,the fog was occasionally dense enough to bring the visibility to less than 1/4 of a mile. The sloughs and pot holes all had water and ducks, the prairie sounds of meadow larks and red wing blackbirds was ever present. Sun peaked through once in a while and the views changed from mile to mile. It was a great experience resulting mostly from PDL (pure dumb luck).

I would encourage anyone heading to the river or returning on a day of "bad weather" to take their time and enjoy this special glimpse at a scenic part of South Dakota that does not appear on the tourist maps. I am guessing sunrise and sunset would be good times to go in even in sunny weather and those scenes could be captured with a camera.

It would take a more talented photographer than me to capture the feeling of this place at this time. The best I can do is an abstract view of a crumbling barn taken a couple of years ago not far from the WWR .

Why do I call the Wild Wales Road? Even though there are cattle instead of sheep and it is in South Dakota instead of Great Britain, there is a remote wildness about it that made me think of the wilderness area of Wales and a trip we made across that area in 2002. Amazing what can be found in our own backyard.

It would make a great 3 day bicycle camping trip with an opportunity to camp out in the Ree Hills, say by the Spring Lake WPA, and another night along the the Missouri River. There are no services for about 100 miles along the 216 route, the towns are along both US14 to the North and SD34 to the South. Ames and Danforth persist as place names but the services are gone. Carry some food and water and enjoy the Wild Wales Road, the remoteness makes it special.

More detail? Check the Pierre to Huron via Wild Wales Road Interactive Map and plan your own trip. Take your time. Go slow. Ride a bicycle. The planet depends on your actions.

Take a walk in the Latin Quarter

2008-05-28T13:20:00.012-05:00

Come along with Mav & Jen as they take a walk in the Latin Quarter of Paris, the 5th arrondissement. on the left bank

We will start at the most famous English Bookstore in Paris. You know you are in the right place because the Notre Dame Cathedral is right across the Pont au Double our first stop.

Click to open an interactive map of
the Paris Latin Quarter May 2008 Walk
in a new window/tab.
It was a nice day for a walk

Stay tuned we will be adding some audio and a script soon to help you find the way. Go to the map now and zoom in just to get a taste of what's to come. Check out the other pictures. Leave a question or comment in the comment section below.

Full size pictures of the Latin Quarter Walk

Will, George and Me--in Paris

2008-05-24T11:05:00.007-05:00

Shakespeare's Bookstore in Paris is one of the most famous English language bookstores in the world. We browse, buy, read and attend presentations there every time we are in Paris. And in 2003, we were part of a writing group that presented some of our work there. And most of the time we just hang out and visit with people from all over the world.

I visited with the founder, George Whitman, and he invited us to stay in one of the apartments above the store--we already had digs and were leaving in a couple of days. That experience will be on the long, long "next time" list.

Click on the title to go to the bookstore webpage. There is a link to a 360 view from the front of the store.

My picture of George Whitman when we visited in May 2008

A Life Worth Living

2008-05-23T10:05:00.004-05:00

My travel goes beyond business & pleasure

Oh sure I do both when I am in Europe. I am a poet and direct experience is the key to authentic expression, but partaking in the street scenes of the European city is a real part my life. I don't go there to get away from the prairie but to compliment the rich experience of this North American rural setting. European cities are much more to my liking than the sprawling megalopolises that US cities have become.

Use a bike to get around Chicago. Great idea if you are already on Lake Shore Drive but the buses, trams and trains hardly offer the kind of mobility that Berlin does, and Chicago is an exception at that. Davis CA? Hardly a large city. Portland? I love it, but most people still find cars essential for everyday life.

Restuarants that have people sitting outside when it's 52 degrees and slowly sipping a 3oz coffee while watching life in the street and chatting with me in their 3rd language (English) after it is obvious my pidgin is not up to the task. At 21:00 (9:00 pm) in downtown USA, wherever, forget it.

One example of the street life is checking people riding Velib bicycles that are found all over the city of Paris, not just Paris they are in many of the cities. They ride for free or a nominal cost and drop off at some other station near their destination. Let's see it took 20 minutes to go from Shakespeare's Bookstore right across from Notre Dame Cathedral to the Eiffel Tower. What a nice complement to watching migrating shore birds in a flooded soybean field in the Big Sioux River Valley that less than 2 miles on a bicycle from my front door.

It makes me want to push harder for Safe Routes to School so my grandchildren can do it here in he USA without the carbon emissions of international air travel.

Today we heard the Brown Thrasher sing

2008-05-21T15:08:00.009-05:00

Full moon, cool dry air, before sunrise.

Took Nickel out with our bicycles to our favorite Birdwatching area to see what happening. We saw the Brown Thrasher the first day. The guide books say "Brown Thrashers are able to vocalize 3000 distinct songs," but we never really have seen them performing, they are always just flying way ahead of us. but today was different. From a perch high in a cottonwood tree he sang and sang, each trill another new sound. On the way back to town about an hour and half later he flew low across the road in front of us showing his brown back then hopped up the tree and began singing once more.

The sedge wrens were and common yellow throats were all along the route and we saw a yellow legs for the first time this year although I am sure they have been around. Meadow larks and bobolinks were in the fields and on the fence wires, plovers and dowitchers in the wet fields plus teal, mallards and geese everywhere we looked.

We are so glad we didn't miss the spring migration. We are on the lookout for a Kingfisher and maybe we will check out the orioles at the lake this afternoon. The weather is jus too nice to stay inside.

No Kingfisher, but the yellow and yellow-rumped warblers, orchard and Baltimore Orioles, and song sparrows were out and putting on a natural vocal performance while the Kingbirds keep us company on the way home.Of course there are always the Yellow head and Red wing blackbirds that I enjoy hearing as I ride, which proves that I am no birder after all.

Vacation never ends

2008-05-17T10:18:00.005-05:00

Paris - May 12

Saturday, May 17, 2008 - Volga - Syttende Mai for you Norwegians

We are still on a trip. This morning befor sunrise we got on our bicycles and took Miss Nickel to our favorite place along 210th street in Volga Twsp. and found the migratory birds were all there to greet us. Last Saturday we were poking around in organic street market, Marche des Batignolles in Paris. Buying expensive roquefort cheese, fresh French bread and smelling fresh caught fish among the fromage (cheese) of every color and texture, vegetables and flowers, not to mention the most incredible apple strudel or whatever the French call it.

The late spring here in the Dakota is almost a miracle for us although I am sure the locals would beg to disagree. The leaves are popping out, the apple tree in our backyard will blossom in a few days, and the grass and flowers are getting a good start. Tulips in May? All the activities between now and mid June before I go to the Northern Plains Wrting Conference is almost more intense than the past month.

Today was special, so special with the cacaphony of sounds and sights in the prairie wetlands here in the Big Sioux River Valley. Goldsmith Lake is full and the outflow goes right along the road so bicycling is like being on kayak. A kickstand is best piece of equipment I ever bought for my moutain bike, actually I didn't buy it I found it along the road. Stopping and looking at the birds, animals and still life through binoculars is so astounding sometiimes we forget to breathe. Two hours of ecstacy then our special breakfast followed by coffee & Irish cream liquer, it can't get better than that!

But don't count on it. Depending on the location there is always so much to indulge the senses and the soul. As I post this blog, Carol shouted,

"The humming birds are here!"

Where we stayed on a budget trip

2008-05-16T09:50:00.029-05:00

This is listing of places and links to the internet booking sites we used for our budget trip to Europe as well as our MyYahoo map for the location.

Please note the summary is incomplete at this time but listing will be added for the RON (remain overnight) location listed in the May 15, 2008 post. Thanks for your patience. Visit us again for a location that interests you.

Click here for interactive map
Zoom out to get the big picture or zoom in and find your favorite spot, Merci

I have added the Yahoo Map for each location so that the area can be explored easily and you anyone can make their own maps to the sites desired.

Hotel Aviatic, 10 rue Brézin 75014 Paris, France
Paris35.com listing
MyYahoo map of location and area

Sudpfanne Hostel, Hauptstr. 223, Heidelberg, Baden-Württemberg, 69117, Germany
Hostelbookers listing
MyYahoo map of location and area

Alcatraz Backpacker Hostel, Schönhauser Allee 133a, Berlin
Hostelz.com
MyYahoo map of location and area

Odense City Hostel, Østre Stationsvej 31, Odense (City Centre), Denmark

Hostelz.com
MyYahoo map of location and area
Note: We didn't actually stay here because it was full but we inspected the facility and would recommend it as a budget alternative to the $250 3-star across the street.

HI hostel Stigbergsliden, Stigbergsliden 10, 414 63 Göteborg, Sweden

Citybreak
MyYahoo map of location and area

Stay in Copenhagen, Slotsherrensvej 19, Vanløse, Copenhagen, 2720, Denmark

Hostelbookers listing
MyYahoo map of location and area

International Youth Hostel, Paracelsusstrasse 9, 5020 Salzburg, Austria

Hostelz.com listing
MyYahoo map of location and area

Miki and Anna Meklin B&B, Palmina 54, 60 Rokova Ulica, Split, Croatia - Tel: 00385(0)21394698 [it takes several tries with the address 60 Rokova to get the Euro map but it does work]
info@citysplit.com City of Split Private Listing email
MyYahoo map of location and area

.
Hotel Boston, via Lepetit, 7 20124 Milano, Italy Tel. 02.66.92.635
I just walked down the street instead of taking the very poor guidance from the booker in the Train Station, instead of 180 Euro it was 80 in a business hotel
MyYahoo map of location and area

Rugenpark B&B, Rugenparkstrasse 19 CH-3800 Interlaken, Switzerland

Hostelbookers listing
MyYahoo map of location and area

Alexandra Hotel, 49 Rue Victor Hugo, 69002 Lyon, France

france - bookings.com listing
MyYahoo map of location and area

Majestic Hotel, 110, rue Pradier - 30000 Nîmes, France

Venere.com listing
MyYahoo map of location and area
Venere.com has very nice search functions, maps, booking with a 'my Reservations' feature that makes it easy to monitor, cancel, and find information. The best we used although Paris35 (See Hotel Aviatic in this section) is developing a similar interface. They don't have all the hotels but the site is a good place to start.

Thumbnail of the 2008 Eurail Adventure

2008-05-15T03:47:00.009-05:00

Click here to open an interactive map of the thumbnail above.

Each point of interest maker highlights the location and dates
Caution: You may have to zoom out to get the thumbnail view before exploring further.

April - May Itinerary

April 16 ______Charles de Gaulle Airport
April 16 - 18 ___ Avignon, France - Nimes (RON)
April 18 - 19___ Lyon, France (RON)
April 19 ______ Golden Pass Train, Swiss Alps from Montreux to Interlaken
April 19 - 21 ___ Interlaken, Switzerland (RON)
April 20 ______ Cog train and cable car to Schilthorn
April 21 -22____Lucerne to Milan (RON)
April 22 ______ Milan to Venice
April 22 - 23 ___Venice night train via Ljubljana, Slovenia
April 23_______Zagreb to Split Croatia
April 23 - 26 ___Split
April 25 ______ Day trip to island Brac
April 26 ______ Bus trip along Adriatic Coast from Split to Rijeka
April 26 -27 ___ Night train Rijeka through Ljubljana, Slovenia
April 27- 29 ___ Salzburg, Austria
April 28 ______ Bertschesgarten day trip
April 29-May 1_ Berlin (RON)
May 1 - 2 ____ Berlin via Hamburg to Copenhagen, Denmark (RON)
May 2 - 3 ____ Copenhagen to Goteberg, Sweden (RON)
May 3 - 4 ____ Odense, Denmark (RON)
May 4 _______Odense - Copenhagen - Hamburg - Berlin
May 4 - 7 _____Berlin (RON)
May 7- 9 _____Berlin via Frankfurt to Heidelberg (RON)
May 9 - 13 ____Paris (RON)
May 12 ______ Day trip to Rouen

It is important to understand that this itinerary evolved from a desire to visit the Dalmatian Coast, Berlin and Paris. Almost all of the details were not planned and except for where we stayed in Nimes and Paris those that were preplanned changed like the weather. Incidentally, we followed the sunny skies with success for 28 out of the 30 days. One serendipitous experience was taking the bus along the Adriatic Coast, it was one of our favorites:

An 8+ hour bus ride from Split to Rijeka? Yes the road along the Adriatic Coast was hard to beat. My only regret is that I wasn't on a bicycle. Btw, one of the people we met intends to take this very trip next month. It was very inexpensive, public transportation and the pace relaxing. It could easily be broken into parts as there are many inviting places along the coast to spend and hour or an overnight.

Back home once removed.

2008-05-14T08:07:00.003-05:00

Hallo from Fargo

Hello Cassi, Martin, Saela, Martin, Mira, Nickel & Tre

13 May 2008 CDG Aeroport with a 2-2 1/2 hour wait to board.

Having passed through security, spent the rest of our Euros in the tax free shop on food???, well the bottles were too big to meet the liquids requirement. Hell we had to drink our water and coke while we got our clothes back on. Go figure--the spread on the sandwich would make a better boom than a bottle of H2O.

Now that you have my rant lets get on with the real story. For starters lets talk about the passport check where the fellow checking Carol's did not look at her papers but he sure did look at me with this look on his face like, "now there is a couple who don't fit together!" Of course, neither of us said a word until we got around the corner then it was good for a hearty laugh. au Revoir. Playing dumb is often the smart way to operate if you know the meaning of gemutlickite.

I think we learned something this morning about getting laughs. It is always good to have a perfectly ridiculous question ask the people in a terminal. Today's doosy was, "Will we be out on the tarmac waiting for the plane if we go past this point?" After the gentleman caught on we all had a great laugh and he assured us it would be a most pleasant place to pass the time.

Yesterday, Monday, was a holiday in France and we decided to go to Rouen. It is the capital of Normandy and the location of the Notre Dame Cathedral that Monet painted over and over again in every kind of light and season. This city has a long history starting in the 3rd century, the cathedral was dedicated by William (the Norman who invaded England in 1066) before he was named "the conqueror." This Notre Dame has stained glass from the 13th century and every century thereafter. It was damaged by allied bombing in 1944 to the point where it was just short of a miracle that it remained standing to be restored.

One of the saddest events in history also occurred here. Joan of Arc was burned at the stake in Rouen and the location of the event is preserved which stikes me strangely as so many war memories have been altered or destroyed by later rulers wishing to cleanse their reputations. The fact that this one has not is a strong testament to the egregious injustice that was committed on this spot. This city is also the site where the hall of justice that declared her innocence about a year after her death is preserved as well as a museum in a radical architectural style to commemorate her place in history.

The trip out to Rouen was on a train that was almost empty. It was exactly the opposite on the way back. It was an experience to be packed in a hot train for the 1hr 15 min ride back to Paris on the Monday holiday. It was not pleasant. It was the kind of exceptional experience that people might use to justify their auto when all it was a short taste of beauty of mass transportation. I would call it a chance to experience the full range of transportation alternatives.

We will be boarding the plane to the USA soon. Time to have lunch. And so it was eating and drinking our complementary wine all the way to MSP. Then Fargo,

. . . gooodbye perfect excuse for poor proof reading, tomorrow. . .

Paris is still magic

2008-05-11T10:53:00.003-05:00

We have not posted for a few days because it took some doing to figure how to make the Internet connection work here at the Hotel Aviatic. Finally got the quirks figured out. The hotel is in the Montparnasse and it as nearly as all French as it gets, which is cool, but it does make it more difficult to work out problems. Merci beaucou only gets you so far.

We did not expect to have this feeling of being back but it will take some time to capture just what we mean although there is a French phrase that I can't recall at this moment that says it all. Riding the buses, those we know and many others, visiting old haunts and discovering new routes and new places has been such a treat for both us. We just look at each other with big loopy grins.

Saturday morning we went to the cathedral atop Montmarte (Sacre Coeur we Santa Croce) which is very impressive. There were lots of visitors there and many friends have told us in the past that it is their favorite tourist feature in Paris. Somehow we had never gotten there before. It is quite the place given the views and the structure of the cathedral. It is large and in a Romanesque architecture as opposed to the more common Gothic style of Notre Dame.

We have all kinds of details to report that we will be working on over the next few days. This post is just a hint on the special relationship we have developed with this city. No, we have not quite slipped over the edge, but we are trying ;-)

Heidelberg, My home town

2008-05-08T12:27:00.003-05:00

My memory of this place has always been very positive. Over the year it has maintained its special place in my heart. Before last year, I was not aware that my father's families, both paternal and maternal ancestry. were from an village very nearby. Is it any wonder that I feel at home here? More detail on Geni (Catherin Bertsch (Lang) if you are a member of the family.

Right click on the title and open an interactive map,
zoom in on the castle for a great detailed view ! #

The Heidelberg castle is without equal anywhere. We spent all morning wandering the grounds and recalling special memories from days past, hehe. Something new, there is flock of sheep that graze the steep area of castle grounds and the bird song is better than best. Our hike on the castle grounds was a bird song serenade from beginning to end. Unbeatable.

As it happens, the hostel is run by a bar/restaurant that serves the best German food in the city. Wow. The kids we visited with, a girl from Dallas and a man from here, were great fun. Such good times and Carol reports the Riesling from Baden Baden is much better than we get at home. Surprise.

Interesting fact: the church once had a wall down the middle to split the Catholics from the Lutherans back in early 18th century.

#Bloggers who want to include interactive maps take heed.
Linking the interactive map from the title avoids a nasty little aspect of blogger that makes it difficult, I haven't figured out a way yet, to edit the contents after the post using the bikely code is included. So I' am avoid it by using the title link and a screen view jpeg in the content area.
Please right click to open in a new tab/window.

Back in Heidelberg after 36 years

2008-05-07T10:28:00.003-05:00

May 7 nach Heidelberg

Bio Taxis in Berlin

Yesterday, we checked out some of the local places in Prenzlauer Berg. The allyoucaneat breakfast place did not open until 10:00 so we went back to another place in the area, found the beer hall and the most well known curry wurst location while on the way to the Pergamon. The curry wurst was excellent as we found out later in the day when we returned to the hostel to take a nap and meet Danny.

By now we are noticing the sublties of mass transport: where on the U-bahn to get on so that you will be close to your exit or to avoid steps, a hassle, grab a tram to skip a busy spot or get to a favorite imbiss (street food/beer) when you get off. For tourists who trade time for trade sightseeing, bus 100 that travels from Alexander Platz to Zoo Garden via Unterden Linden, Reichtag, Tier Garten, Europa Center, was a good afternoon break from the Pergamon to pick up some camera batteries (4AA).

Why do that? Well the rechargable ones failed on about the 2nd shot in the Museum. We search our packs for the backups we always carry. Alas a recent clever packing adjustment turned out to mean the backups were at the hostel. CYA man to the rescue, we enjoy the audio description of the exhibits and make walk a through to spot must have photos athat must wait until after the afternoon break. As it turns out we would recommend this strategy for future museum visits as doing everything at once can be much less effective than breaking the visit into tasks.

The Ishtar Gate reconstructed from Nebcunezer II Babylon, now modern day Iraq, is colored in a blue that leaves one speechless The whole story about its short and flashy history reflects the similar present day arrogance of the USA. One wonders who the next Persia will be and how their side of the story might turn out. I find it curious that these artifacts of history are preserved here in Berlin where the auspicious failures of extreme political approaches to social organization, both left and right, that caused such devastation in the last century.

Later in the day we returned to the hostel for a short nap and recharge. We gobbled the curry wurst with bottle of Berliner Bier. Daniel Torres, Jill Farris' brother-in-law, met us at the hostel about 20:00. He works in a dress shop nearby and he had his bicycle. We walked to a resturant that served Mexican style food and good German Bier. We had a good time visiting and getting to know a bit about each other. He is in the process of sending out his CV for a position as a designer. It might take him away from Berlin and his partner and friends so he is naturally anxious about the uncertainty the future holds after living the past 8 years in Berlin. He was pleased to have us visit him. He had about a 20 minute ride home and when he got there he sent us an email about a place in Heidelberg that we should visit. It was so good to make with the next generation family connections.

Today we are traveling to Frankfort on a trainoute is on the same right-of-way that used to be the corridor from Braunschweig to Berlin in the days of the GDR. As the train sits out in the middle of nowhere waiting, we recall the barbed wire fences, guard tower and GDR soldier from our travels in 1985.

On a brighter note, this train terminates in Interlaken. The annoucements that always say Interlaken remind us of the good times we had there only 2 weeks ago. A train full of new VW from Wolfsburg that we passed through minutes ago just pasted by on the adjacent track make it obvious that the auto plague is still firmly spreading into a climate threated world that cannot tolerate the carbon emissions these auto will produce.

We can hardly wait to eat a brat mit brochen & beer in the Frankfort Hbf, an old German tradition, especially for SD travelers.

Berlin by Bike

2008-05-06T00:47:00.005-05:00

Gramma on the Diamler-Chrysler Observation Deck on Potsdamer Plazer, Berlin

May 5 - Berlin

Neil Cameron was our guide on a tour of the central city by bicycle. Five hours of riding her and talking about the history and significance of each peice. An artist painting his story as we went. He was from Manchester and graduated from Manchester University and moved to Berlin in 2006 but had spent the last several months living with a girl friend n Akron Ohio.

[when traveling I get a profusion of ideas on many topics and writing brings them back]

we visted with a head master of a Denmark public school on Sunday who was on his way to Iceland for meetings. His school is in a rural area west of Odense that has about 600 students K-12, ,many who live in rural areas and ride buses. They are working on a summer program where students would ride a bicycle or walk to school. The rural roads are not considered safe and I discussed with him the concept of Safe Routes To School where there are walking and bicycle buses. An auto of 4 wheeler with the saftey sign and a one sided trailer would be just the ticket I think for the USA and Denmark.

We started the five hour tour about 11:00 and concluded about 16; with a beer. Highlights included Beber Platz (book burning), Stadt Opera House, Humboldt University, Brandenburger Gate, Postsdamer Platz (Daimler Chrysler Building Observatin Deck) lunch, remaing wall museum, parking lot that covers Hitler Bunker, Reichtag that was burned as a pretext for Hitler's rise to power and is now the German parliment building, Tier Garten.

Later we got on bus 100 at the Opera House/Cathedral and rode the double decker to Zoological Garten for a bit of time on the Europa Center Platz then returned to Alexander Platz for ice cream where we catch the U2 back to the Alcatraz. It was a long and magical day desipte all the dark history of this place that displays the ill feelings between the French and Germans over the centuries.

Two retired Canadian secondary teachers were on the tour with us. Wayne and John and the rest of the information is in the data base, but one thing is that Wayne was a math teacher were a large number of NHL stars went to high school. I remember Eric Lindross was one of his favorite students. I think in was Hamilton High School in Toronto.

Berlin, Berlin

2008-05-05T01:41:00.003-05:00

We got back about 19:30 last night. It looks like great weather here this week.

We will be here until Wed, then to the Heidelberg area for 2nights and 1 day before Paris. We will try to blog if we are not too tired. :)

We need to transfer some new pictures but even though this one is in Salzburg, as you can plainly see, the wurst on the street will be just as sweet here in Berlin although we had doner last night in a Turkish take out that is 50 meters from our hostel.

Hello from Odense via Copenhagen

2008-05-03T08:53:00.004-05:00

May 3

Oh if we knew then what we do now, none-the-less what we know now is reward enough as we take all good fortunate in stride although it is most likely undeserved.

On our train from Copenhagen through Malmo to Goteburg (Gothenburg) we had the good fortune to change around seats in the reservation two step just in time to sit across from Caterina who currently lives in Goteburg. She is a traveler who was a nanny in LA and had lived there for a few years, worked for KLM for 8 years and recently traveled in Thailand with her mother for 5 weeks--a lively single adulthood grown out of a 2 year backpacking beginning in her 20s.

We laughed and shared stories and she keep adding to her page of recommendations that began with a hand drawn map of the western district (harbor) of the city where she lived. She was coming home to a Friday "after work" bar hop to the places with the best food and half priced drinks with a few friends, but she insisted that she help us get our tram tickets and accompany us to the youth hostel near where she lived. It was great conversation and the feeling of openness that only comes with train travel.

We got on the tram at the Goteburg Central Train Station and rode to the area of her map, when we got off the tram, the convenience of having someone else do the thinking lulled me for a moment and I left my bag on the tram. Quick thinking by Caterina put me back on the very next tram and within 2 stops (less than 5 min) we had caught the tram with my bag. I jumped off and recovered the bag, hopped back off and gave the driver who helped me out the thumbs up. I took the tram back the other direction and found Carol at the hostel. The hostel didn't open for another hour (16:00). We left our bags even though there was no assurance there would be rooms.

When the hostel opened we found they did have rooms. Maybe not like we would have desired, but Carol in a mixed room with a pregnant couple and "harmless little tomcat" and me assigned to a 8 bed male dormitory room. The place was full of sport teams but there were the more mature adults too. Carol kept custody of our baggage and slept well. I found the day room couch to be much quieter and comfortable from 2:30 - 6:30 than the dorm room upper bunk where I began the night.

It was a good experience that clarifies what we often take for granted. On the whole though this was a well kept facility, about 1/2 -1/3 of a private hotel accommodation in cost, so we had an expensive fresh sea food dinner at a place Catherina recommended in the Haga district.

However the most amazing thing happened in a pub, VINKROG, Lilla Torget 3, 411 18 Goteborg, just across the street from the fancy seafood restaurant. We popped into this below street level place that was advertising an after work special, the Swedish equivalent of a Friday afternoon happy hour. The food spread was quite good, the pub a gem and the beer reasonable priced--a bit surprising given the high cost of things in Sweden. But the truly unsuspected was when we were explaining to the bar tender that we were from South Dakota, a voice from nowhere said, "Did you say South Dakota?"

It turns out the owner of the bar's girl friend had been an exchange student in Yankton. We had a nice conversation, exchanged email information, and celebrated the small world.

This morning as we were waiting for the train to Odense via Copenhagen we decided to check auto rental prices at the Hertz place in the Goteburg train station. We found that we could have done a 72 hour rental for less thuran $200 full coverage. If we had known it we probably would have traveled to Goteburg on Thursday, rented a car and return on Sunday as we are planning tomorrow from Odense. A great idea that will have to wait until next time, besides just think what we would have missed. That does not even include the great conversation with two youn men on the train this morning that were going to visits parents and grandparents for the weekend. One man was the owner/operater of a ski resort security firm and the other a manager of appliances sailes amd both well informed and interesting conversationalist in fluent English that derives from having lived or spent long vacations in the USA.

The hotel in Odense, Dk is a bit on the expensive side tonight but we have faired well so far on this 3 day weekend that fills the hostels with sports teams so it will be nice to spend to the expectations of the middle class European traveler before we return to our cool little hostel in Berlin. We met the most interesting young people today, the last a fine arts student of Greenlandic ethnic heritage who lives in Denmark now. She is excited about showing her art after graduation next year. Maybe Brookings will have its first Greenlandic artist.

Scandahoovian Adventure ;-)

2008-05-02T14:28:00.003-05:00

April 30, 2008

We arrived in Berlin yesterday at 6:00 p.m. and found our hostel without too much trouble, even though we had to take the S-bahn (regional train) and the U2 red line (metro system). The brief feeling of confusion is a common one at almost every getting-off point. Our place, Alcatraz, is in the Prenzlauen Berg, a section in the former East Berlin. Things a bit seedy looking at first, but the energy level is out of sight, and Bohemian like. So many young people, and actually walked a few blocks before we saw another couple that appeared to be our age. Checked in, dumped the bags and hit the streets.
Good restaurant--potatoe-leek soup for me with brochen and noodles and meat for Alan. Same price as in Brookings, SD. including the beer.
Slept good. Out to Alexander Platz by 10:30 a.m. Took the tram to Hackescher Markt and met up with a dude from New Zealand who will be conducting our biking tour when we return in a few days. We went to Ku-dam to the Europa Center to see if the water clock is still operating--and it is. Saw the huge fountain where Cassi waded around in 1985. Street break dancers, musicians, hawkers still a great show.
We re-visited the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church--the one bombed out on November 22, 1943, within a few days of Lynn's birthday. Found out the glass used in the restoration was produced in the glassworks of Chartres Cathedral south of Paris--our favorite cathedral.
Later we walked to Branderburger Gate, and still marvel that in our lifetime, we can actually casually walk to either of the former "sides." Into Potsdammer Platz, typical of all parts of Berlin--old blackened buildings, fabulous new glass and metal skyscrapers, and construction cranes by the dozens.

May 1. Caught the 7:18 a.m. to Copenhagen. Crowded. Germany has a 3-day weekend.
that has extended all the way to Sweden. Goteburg by namen. btw, this is a clean, beautiful city and far better than Copenhagen which was underwhelming.

Special pictures from Salzburg

2008-04-30T09:58:00.004-05:00

To Mira from Gramma

To Martin from Grampa

To Saela from Gramma

These pictures were taken in Salzburg for the gKids.

Here we are in Berlin and it's Tuesday

2008-04-29T12:39:00.003-05:00

Apr 29 nach Berlin via Munchen and Nuremburg

There were several water colorists selling their paintings along the street in Salzburg. Some of the work was not bad but nothing of captivating quality. We had a nice time visiting the galleries , but Salzburg in April is not a place with many opportunities for finding great art. I am guessing it might pick up as they move into the tourist season.

After a great day in Salzburg we decided to try out the happy hour at the hostel. We met up with two gentlemen, one from Trenberth, Australia and one from Chicago. Neil Wood is a rancher in the Trenberth area 300 miles from the coast. 100 cow/ calf - Angus cows - Charolais Bull x Santa Gratutis. Kind of your odd lot but quite interesting in that he had a 2 year visa for Europe and also planned to go to Canada where he had a friend with a dairy farm near Ottawa.

The other person, was a former science teacher who had moved on to being a Fireman. He apparently had property all over the place and now at the age of 41 expects to retire in 13 years. The common thing about these two guys was that they held women in low regard and did not trust them, but they wanted a queen for a wife. Go figure! Gramma Carol had to bite her tongue all night, but we still had lots of good conversation.

Last night we had planned to travel to Copenhagen but when we started to check accommodations it became apparent that something big was going on for May 1-3. Most rooms were full and the prices were jacked up so we changed our plans and decided that first we would go to Berlin, make our plans for Copenhagen from there and fit that in between Berlin and Paris.

We called and got reservations at a hostel in Berlin for tonight and are scheduled to arrive at 18:00. It turns out the big party for the May Day weekend is happening here too. It might get interesting.

btw, free WiFi here but no party room.

YOHO eats and drinks - last morning

2008-04-28T15:29:00.003-05:00

Apr 28 - caution this is not a blog,it is a blurg ( I have no spell check, arrrg)---

On afternoon nap break at he YoHo, actually I liked my version, YoJo, better but I guess it is the Croatians that use a ' j ' not the Austrians, or maybe it is only the confused American.

It is a beautiful weather day for April in Salzburg---the official weather reporting station has been in the downtown square since the 19th century. So we went virtual on the bicycle tour and wandered the streets at a gawkers pace, wurst at a street cafe followd by fancy chocolat desset at a specialty shop for lunch. Ah these people know how to make fine mustard and gut brot. Schon. There are so many bicycles sitting and waiting for a rider here in Salzburg, many other places too. This calls for a new idea for sharing. I put it in a private note <-:)

I have been making notes for later writing ideas of the following kind,

First came Amadeus

In Franz Josef park,
Bronze pipers in their innocent nakedness
Announce peace for the world.
The smooth curve of the buttocks
Suspended . . .
Time for sweet music
love & harmony

This hostel concept is so much the better than hotels. The breakfast room is filled with energy and mostly fresh faces. One not so young Irishman from London (45orso) joined us to visit and share coffee. John Kingston who works with the tourist board in Rijeka and the nearby resort that the emperor of Austria used to visit during the summer after building the first railroad to Croatia. He said the place he represented was trying to get some of the Dubrovnik action and that it was a bit of a reflection of CRIVENCIA, at least in proximity to Rijeka, that we thought was so clean and nicely appointed for a stay and walk about. Apparently (Oplatia, sp) is about 30 km South of Rijeka but on the other side of the bay. I guess the details will need to wait for a later investigation.

He was quite interested in our story about the bus ride from Split to Rijeka, our ideas about piecing the trip by buying tickets on the bus as you go. We exchanged emails and for once I got a picture to go into the email address book. We asked about cycling on the Green Isle; Mr Kingston said he didn't consider bicycling in Ireland to be safe anymore. Too much fast, impatient traffic. A fact that is not hard to imagine in truth but still not pleasant to hear.

Truism of the day: Money ruins everything

Salzburg? That sounds good

2008-04-27T13:04:00.002-05:00

Grampa on the Ferry to Brac

Apr 27

Almost like an after thought, I added the quote below to the Apr 25 post.

After checking bus connections to Rijeka, Croatia that takes the road up along the coast we decided to go that way. Wecan use our time to explore the Istria peninsula instead of speding time traveling back throuh Zagreb and waiting for a train.

We arose early and took the 7:00 bus along the coastal highway. Eight and one half hours to travel 400 km (250 mi for USA readers) sounds like a long and boring way to get from Split to Rijeka Croatia. It was just the opposite. The road hangs on the cliffs above the Adriatic for about 85% of the distance, winding its way North with the Adriatic Sea and the coastal islands constantly in view and small villages tucked into every cove. Every cove is a docking place for boats and yachts of various sizes and configurations. Sail boats, speed boats, ferries, row boats, fishing vessels, cargo vessels, ocean worthy yachts, just to hit the various categories. This is like Highway 1 along the western coast of NA except that the Adriatic is like a lake because the island protect the coastline. This is a route that makes a cyclist drool. There were roadies and MTB bikes on the road here and there and the season is not really started. Got to come back and do that.

The coach was nothing special but the drivers were very skilled and took a 5 to 15 minute break every hour or 2. Carol almost cried when the trip ended in Rijeka. Three trips back and forth between the bus station and train station, about 500 m one way, led us to our next decision. We were a bit disappointed that only 1 train and no buses lead to Ljubljana per day plus there were no alternatives for other destination.

With the knowledge we had gain working up the coast by bus in about 3 days would be a nice alternative to staying in one place. The train was scheduled to leave at 20:45 and arrive at about 11:30, but it made connection with one from Ljubljana - Salzburg Austria - Munchen. We chose to go to Salzburg as it would give us a safe place to sleep and be about a 4 1/2 hour trip back to the capital of Slovenia, Ljubljana. Or 2 hour to Munchen.

That seemed pretty smart at the time we made the decision, and it wasn't too bad, but when we got off the train a Salzburg it was cold and dark. However there were 3 young travelers freezing their behinds off in the station and one had a reservation at the YoJo hostel. They decided to go there at 6:00 and see if they could check in. They invited us to come along and we needed to walk to warm up anyway. We made a reservation for the night; check in at 11:00.

They had internet so we paid our fee and did some work. There was breakfast at 8:00. It was great. We still had 2 hours before we could get in a room, our new travel friends were comepletely shelled and could not even begin to think clearly, so we decided to go to the train station and check the local schedules. This was Austria and like Switzerland and Germany the local trains are the best transportation alternative and go most everywhere. We had just missed the 9:42 to Bergesgarten, but there was another in an hour, in fact there was one coming and going about every hour. Back to the hostel (600 m walk) and charm the receptionist into an early check in. That was good and at 10:42 we left for Bergesgarten.

The Alps are spectacular in Austria too. The snow covered mountains were all around us. There were bicyclists in profusion. Everywhere we looked there were bicyclists of every type, age and motivation all along the route from Salzburg to Bergesgarten. We spent a leasurely day hiking a circular path around the village and ended the afternoon with a beer and pizza at a local place.

It had been 34 hours since we left Split on Saturday morning and although we weren't wrecked we were looking forward to getting back to the YoJo and get a nap and a shower.

It was better. I think we can still do this. I had to laugh at the young women in awe of Gramma Carol with her back pack walking quickly down the street.

btw, we never made it to Istria and I think were will have to rent bicycles tomorrow if this wonderful weather continues.

Day trip to a Dalamatian Island

2008-04-25T10:52:00.004-05:00

Apr 25

Split to Brec(h) for a day trip.

Brec is a laid back island with some resort activity but is most well known for its Golden Beach which is a point the extends out into the Aridriatic. It was a bright and sunny today and there were a few sun bathers but most concession were not operating.

We traveled on the 9:00 ferry (Jadrolina) for a 45 min ride to the island of Brec. The ferry ride provided nice view of Split and the surrounding area. After the ferry docked in Supetar we took the bus to Bol on the south side of the island were the pebble beaches and Golden Beach are located. It was a great ride though the villages in the middle part of the island. We walked on the beach to Golden Beach, waded and took pictures, then returned to catch the 13:30. We even found a dog beach on Brec that Nickel would have loved. She would have had the whole place to herself!

As it happens, there was a taxi driver there who offered us the same rate as the bus. We accepted. He had talked to Carol the day before and we had a nice visit about the island of Brec on the trip back to Supetar where he lives with his family.We even had a discussion about what it would cost to organize a support vehicle for a bicycle trip in the off season (October-November).

We touched base with Neda as soon as we got back to Split but she has to work 19-22 this evening so we will not be able to make the dinner date but we gave her our email (Caribou.Projects) and she recommended a restaurant for fresh fish. We also made promises to see her when she came to Chicago to visit her cousin.

We are planning a next trip, of course, that expands on our nice introduction tha lasted a whirlwind 4 days and 3 nights. Although the visit was short it has been very relaxing; just the sort of thing one needs as a break from hard travel.

The trip to Ljubljana looks like it might be a bit of a struggle. It will take most of the day as we have to travel back to Zagreb then take a train back West. The connections are not good but so it goes, we may be able to check out a museum in Zagreb tomorrow afternoon before departing to Lubjanna about 18:00 for a 2 hour trip.

After checking bus connections to Rijeka, Croatia that takes the road up along the coast we decided to go that way. Wecan use our time to explore the Istria peninsula instead of speding time traveling back throuh Zagreb and waiting for a train<

Split, Croatia on the Adriatic

2008-04-25T10:50:00.001-05:00

April 24

The market is only about 200 m from our apartment and it is huge. We have not really had an opportunity to quantify the size but the number of fresh produce stands must be 100 daily setup stands, surrounded by 25 fresh flower stands, then 50-60 semi permanent clothing, meat and bread, a few coffee & beer, fast food bars stretching off in every direction.

We spent some time just wandering and taking pictures in the market this morning. Went to an internet cafe and checked email and posted to our blog before coming back to the apartment for a 10:00 breakfast of the local pasteries. The owner, Miki and Frau Mcklin came by to meet us and we paid for another 2 days and told them it might be longer. Ana has the brightest brightest eyes and had this kind prescence of an older German woman who is not one of the gelt crowd. It was kind of cute first the washing machine was kaput, then she changed her mind and pulled a piece out of the cabinet that was essential for operation and proceeded to show Carol the worked.

We met Neda at 11:30 and she took us around the Diocletian Castle and shows us highlights of the city of Split. We talked and laughed while getting to know each other. She is one of those hard working girls who wishes to study more and take a while to have a boy friend and babies which her friends can't understand:

"Maybe our philosophies brought us to a common place for a time here in Croatia!"

She showed us the poet's square and the poetry in the city park. The audio CD from the accapela group Klape that sing the traditional Croat music is superb. I have copied into my music library. We listening to it as we relax in our apartment in Split looking out over the lights in the harbor.

We took a walk up through Marjan Park to get a beautiful view of the city and excape the hub bub of the city although that is not too bad anyway. Neda's parents grew up in a village not far from Split but back off the coast and go there every chance they get. Neda said she used to hate going to the village but the older she gets the more she sees the value. Her mother's parents lived in Muchen for 30 years for work, but have since returned to their home village in Croatia and this is where the family now has established its center.

Neda said she would be having a party in the weekend following this coming one for her graduation, but only one as the big event of the summer is the wedding of her brother (29) to a woman, Tamara, who lives in a big house on the beach not far from her. She said all the craziness of the wedding planning was going to take up most of the time until the wedding on June 7, but she looked forward to St. Duay, the patron saint of Split, celebration on May 7.

It was a blessing to hear about the dreams and aspirations of a young woman who is proud of her city and country yet tolerant of others. Her desire to travel the world yet remain loyal to family and friends. Neda is the kind of person that gives one confidence that the world will find a way to a desireable future that accomodates humans within the limitations of energy, climate change and over consumption. She has never gotten around to buying a bicycle even though she would like to have one and believes walking will pretty well get her where she wants to go in the meantime. She has traveled some in Europe and has a cousin who lives in Chicago that wants her to come there some time.

It was a nice peek into the lives of the successful working people who call this part of Croatia home year around.

Hallo Croatia

2008-04-24T02:30:00.000-05:00

Apr 21

bye, bye Switzerland, "make photo preeze"

Here we are in Italy, Milan. No free internet connection but we are going to make do and keep heading East to Slovenia.

April 23

As it happens, all roads do not lead directly to Slovenia. In this case, a stop in Veniza, Italy to figure out how we should proceed revealed that only a night train was scheduled to go to Lubjanna and it would arrive at about 02:00 and by 4:30 the train would be in Zagreb. The alternative was to go on to Treste and take the bus. We could fnd no further information on the bus. Zareb by night train, a train that cotinues on to Budapest, looked like the best alternative.

btw, we thought we had left the Eurail map in Interlacken as it was not in the bag with the schedule and calendar so Carol asked the lady at the Venice train information if she had an extra. She gave us two. Later the map showed up in the Croatia guide book. Bonjorno! Now we have 3.

That gave us the whole day for Venice. In our previous visits we followed the crowd and crossed the Grand Canal at the first bridge you see right out of the Venezia St. Lucia train station (Pont degli Scalia) and follow the signs to San Marco square. We did the same thing this time looking for the bus information. When we came up without success, we had returned from the bus station to train station. We made the Zagred decision and chose to take a left at the first bridge and take that street. That street (Lista de Spagna) took us past the hotel we had stayed in 2002 in about 150 m. We went in again recalling how the air conditioning had lured us in to escape the incredible June heat. I suppose we took it despite the high cost, I don't recall, but the Eur 90 they quoted was quite competitive this year. It was interesting information but we had booked the night train East already. We continued north on the street and found the crowds to be considerable reduced from the most popular route. Actually it was more direct to San Marco even though it starts out in the oppisite direction and Realto bridge is but a side trip. It was raining off and on but this time we were able to get into the church which had been closed the last time and time did not allow in earlier visits.

There is more to tell about Venice but the story now is how we ended up passing through Lubjana to Zagred to end up in Split Croatian on the Adriatic by noon on Wednesday. On a shopping trip to a grocery store efore the night train, we met a young man from Boston who was celebrating his end of studies with the final semester at Cambridge after 4 years at Tulane that started in civil engineering until Katrina closed that department and sent him off in the political economy direction. In short he was also headed to Zagreb and somehow he would make Split. There was a 6:51 to Split from Zagreb. We made a reservation for that onet. A short walk around the downtown square in Zagreb made it clear it was a place where one could spend quality time, but the Adriatic Coast was beckoning and we had the reservation.

Train arrives at 12:17 and Mr. Miki Mcklin (McClean) was waiting with an offer for an apartment. Carol had her list of requirements, :) to scare off the scammers. It came pretty close. Here we are in an apartment with a view from the balcony of the Split Bay, 200 meters from the Docletian castle and the open market. The place has 3 bedrooms but so far at 19:00 there is only Carol and I.

We walked down and hung around the market for a while, got kroners, walked the water front and returned through the market to get a beer. We stopped in this place where Nadia, the boss' daughter who is 2 days from graduation from college, greeted us in English. We made plans to meet her at the burger place at 11:00 tomorrow to show us around, practice English and share good times. We look forward to a good time.

Later on an evening walk we came upon an artist at his shop. Wonderful color. Our only objective was to get the feel of Split and find out about water taxia and ferry service, maybe an internet cafe. We achieved that, but this was so much more. It will difficult to not buy some of his brightly colored and playful works.

An April Sunday in the Alps

2008-04-20T09:28:00.007-05:00

Click on image to make larger, bitte.

The weather was beautiful all day and the skiers and snowboarders were out to enjoy what might be the last of the spring season.

The views set a new standard for spectacular. We left the Rugenpark B&B at 8:00 after a great breakfast and with a couple sandwiches packed for the trip. From there it was all uphill until we reached the top at 11:00. The cable car rides are a very special way to climb into the rugged heights, but the cog train from Winteregg-Mürren is pretty special too. Everywhere we went the view of Jungfrau was the dominant feature on the landscape and it is now wonder it gets the center of attention. We were glad we choose Schilthorn though because it is the highest in the area and one can see all the other peaks in every direction. Watching the snow recreation was pretty cool too.

I will not go into the details of the trip until I get to the map making stage, but I will say the walks in and around Murren and Gimmelwald on the way back were especially pleasing. After we had taken the bus from Stechelberg to Lauterbrunnen we took an extra hour to have picnic of of sandwiches and a can of beer from the kiosk at the RR station. As we ate, the parasailors were framed by a veil of a water fall on the right, the white snow of the high Alps in the back ground and the afternoon light on the canyon wall on the left. What a treat.

We were back to Interlaken by 16:00 and pleasantly tired and glowing with the energy of the alpine environment flowing through us and pushing out knowing smiles. Knowing that we know nothing but we feel a special euphoria.

Hotel Alexander - Lyon, France

2008-04-18T13:02:00.003-05:00

Sometimes things just work out. We had not planned on coming to Lyon but decided at the last moment maybe it was the best way to get to the scenic railway to Interlaken. We thought we would be getting in late so we went online and made a reservation at the downtown hotel in the pedestrian district.

What actually happened is we decided that it was just not going to be possible to get to the Pont du Guard.

It was one of those things where we tried very hard but it did not happen. There was the bicycle rental shop closure on Thursday, the raining weather, the bus schedule that means a whole day or a big pile of money to go 15 miles. It is too bad but France has been converted to an automobile culture with all its attendant flaws that make it necessary to do anything. The bike deal would have been great but we happen to choose the one day in the week, and only this week, when the place was closed. We looked into the window and saw all those bicycles and read the ad about the maps and retrieval service and shook our heads. Better luck next time.

In any case we decided after spending many hours on the internet planning to go to the railway station and get a TGV to Lyon. Two hours later we were in Lyon (12:00).

We got to the hotel and found that we had made the reservation for Saturday night but it was okay. This is a great pedestrian city with all kinds of malls and streets without car traffic.
The map shows the general location on the peninsula and clicking on it will enlarge the snapshot, but for real detail it is best to google the map and take a closer look.

We had a great afternoon meal and the feel of the place points to a great place that says "you should be staying longer." It is a large French city that is not Paris, but a wonderful ethnic mix of people who call this place home. The city has its own charm and the streets are filled with people living their daily lives.

Hello from Nimes

2008-04-17T11:20:00.004-05:00

NOTE: This was from this morning when we just thought we had the internet fixed. Maybe pictures next.

April 17

We were fortunate to change our afternoon reservation on the TGV to an 8:21am departure to Avignon. We had about 30 minutes to find the train an get on so it was quite nice. That made for an arrival in Nimes by 14:00 instead of 17:00 which was really nice. We were shelled :).

The Hotel Majestic may not quite be majestic but it is a large room by 2 star standards and has a balcony. We went about town this morning and found some places we had on our list. If the weather holds we plan to bicycle to Pont du Guard tomorrow. We are going to catch the 13:15 train to Avignon and spend some time there and maybe a lunch.

I was having trouble getting the WiFi to work in the hotel so I went down and reset the router which solved the problem and saved us from having to eat at Mac and Dons grease center to use there free internet ;->

Dear Saela and Martin and Mira,
Grandma and Grandpa miss you very much. I just talked to a French couple out on the street walking their dog. They were very happy to visit with me. The woman understood English very well so it was easy to visit.
On the plane, we had Karen as our flight attendant. We weren't in first class but she brought first class to us. Brought fancy dessert and a comfort kit with a toothbrush and airplane sox. So comfortable and cozy. I had my first kabob last night. It tasted sooooooo good.
The French countryside was lovely enough to keep us awake on the trip from CDG to Avignon. Cattle and horse both white.

First Step Success

2008-04-15T11:31:00.003-05:00

Security check was uneventful and everything seems to be in order for the flight from Minneapolis (MSP) to Paris - Charles DeGaulle (CDG)

Our schedule is to leave Minneapolis at 3:30 this afternoon and arrive at 7:20am (Paris local time) tomorrow morning. We have a bit of a wait for the TGV (fast train) to Avignon in southern France. We are going to see if we can go earlier but if not maybe take the local regional train, RER (see map), and go to Paris for a few hours before catching the train south to Avignon. We know the TGV goes to Gare De Lyon and that is pretty close to where we go anyway. The RER from CDG goes to Paris Nord and from there it is just a hop to downtown (St Michel-Notre Dame).

Mapping with RunningMap

2008-04-06T12:56:00.002-05:00

This mashup uses Yahoo Maps which is superior for rural apps where high resolution satellite images are necessary for identification of land features.

SD Bennnett http://www.runningmap.com/?id=42948

Click to enlarge image

As I was playing with the Map I moused over the point near the gate of the cemetery and low and behold the Lat Lon showed up on the left and I found by holding down the left button I could move the point and read off the exact Lat Lon location to about 5 decimal places which is about 1 meter resolution.

Caribou Projects Blogs (click here)

2008-03-25T11:16:00.000-05:00

FEATURE: Cornfedtrouble - VisPo and Experimental Poetry

South Dakota Safe Routes to School Program

2008-03-11T10:05:00.000-05:00

Program Goals

To enable and encourage children, including those with disabilities, to walk and bicycle to school; to make bicycling and walking to school a safer and more appealing transportation alternative, thereby encouraging a healthy and active lifestyle from an early age; and to facilitate the planning, development, and implementation of projects and activities that will improve safety and reduce traffic, fuel consumption, and air pollution in the vicinity of schools.

South Dakota Safe Routes to School Program Home Page.

2008 Handmade bicycle show - Portland

2008-02-09T10:57:00.000-06:00

NAHBS 2008 - Home

Bike Collective Network - Something Everyone Nees to Know About

2008-02-01T15:11:00.000-06:00

Bike Collective Network - Home

The mission of the Bike Collective Network is to strengthen and encourage communication and resource sharing between existing and future community bike shops. Collectively we can improve a bigger wheel as opposed to re-inventing smaller ones.

Portfolio - Crossbreed folding bicycle wheel

2008-01-23T15:05:00.000-06:00

Portfolio - Crossbreed folding bicycle wheel:

"The crossbreed folding wheel enables a full sized adult bicycle to be folded into a compact and convenient package for transportation and storage."

Eco-Economy Indicators: BICYCLES and TRANSPORTATION - Resources from Earth Policy Institute

2008-01-22T14:04:00.000-06:00

During the 1950s and 1960s, bicycle and automobile production were nearly equal. In the decades following, however, bike output soared, reaching 91 million in 1990, when car production totaled 36 million. Since then, with the exception of 1997 and 1998 (when output dropped to 90 million and then 87 million), about 100 million bikes have been produced each year.

Bicycles provide affordable transportation for billions of people. The infrastructure for bicycles—such as roads and parking facilities—is less expensive to build and less land-intensive than that for cars. Moreover, bicycles do not contribute to air or noise pollution, and they reduce traffic congestion. They also offer a chance for people to improve their physical fitness at a time when obesity is at record levels.

Investigate the issue thoroughly at Eco-Economy Indicators: BICYCLES and TRANSPORTATION - Resources from Earth Policy Institute

Minneapolis Ranks High AmongTwin Citiesg | MyFoxBike Commuters

2008-01-16T19:19:00.000-06:00

MyFox Twin Cities | Minneapolis Ranks High Among Bike Commuters:

"Portland, Ore. is only U.S. city with more bike commuters

MINNEAPOLIS -- Minneapolis is full of green commuters, according to new U.S. Census numbers. The city is a national leader in the percentage of people who walk, bike and take public transit to work."

Minneapolis city leaders hope to maintain the city’s status as a bikeable and walkablecity by expanding the number of new bikeways and walking trails each year.

The cold weather is not a deterrent if the traffic management and safety are sufficient! Smaller cities of less than 50K could have half of trips by bicycle if they made it part of their plan. Much less expensive than more roads. Cuts sprawl. Makes cities more nice places to live and work and cheaper because cars and fuel needs are reduced accordingly. It's not rocket science, it's better.

AlterNet: Environment: Are U.S. Cities Ready For Bike-Sharing?

2008-01-10T08:23:00.000-06:00

AlterNet: Environment: Are U.S. Cities Ready For Bike-Sharing?

Copenhagen's then-new bike-sharing service. One glimpse and DeMaio was hooked. "The idea just blew me away," he says. "This was it."

DeMaio arranged to study in Denmark, where he absorbed as much about bike-sharing culture as possible. Convinced that the idea would appeal to Americans, he created MetroBike LLC, a bicycle planning and bike-sharing consulting company based in Washington D.C

Local adventurers to show slides from their trek � RapidCityJournal.com

2008-01-02T10:15:00.000-06:00

Local adventurers to show slides from their trek � RapidCityJournal.com

cycling friendly cities

2007-12-22T19:11:00.000-06:00

Ciclovía: A Moving Experience in Bogotá, Colombia from the New York City Streetsblog.

...skating, recreating, picnicking, and talking with family, neighbors and strangers. Ciclovía was simply one of the most moving experiences I have had in my entire life (no pun intended).

I shot with no plan, not knowing much of what was coming up next while we rode our bikes, just trying to capture the event in the moment.

promoting bicycle and pedestrian transportation

2007-12-15T21:06:00.000-06:00

IBPI | Home:

"IBPI’s aim is to advance bicycling and walking as integral elements of the transportation system in Oregon’s communities. Our location in Portland – a national leader in these modes of travel – provides the ideal setting and a living laboratory for interactive study, practice, and educatjavascript:void(0)
Publish Postion."

Encouraging Bicycling - Transportation

2007-12-15T20:59:00.000-06:00

Sierra Club

Encouraging Bicycling - Transportation - Sierra Club: "Stop Sprawl En espa�ol
Encouraging Bicycling

John Pucher, Charles Komanoff, and Paul Schimek, in their article, 'Bicycling Renaissance in North America: Recent Trends and Alternative Policies to Promote Bicycling,' (Transportation Research A, Vol. 33, Nos. 7/8, September/November 1999, pp. 625-654) provide a great review of bicycle use, safety, roadway design, the influence of ISTEA and TEA21, and through case studies of six U.S. and one Canadian city, factors affecting cycling and provide steps to encourage cycling."

Active Transportation

This section is designed to provide tips, link to resources and recommend helpful gear for enjoying your active trip, no matter what the conditions. Many of these "barriers" are really easy to accommodate and just require a little planning ahead.

Federal Highway Administration University Course
on Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation

NDTV.com: Worldwide call to stop climate change

2007-12-08T20:34:00.000-06:00

NDTV.com: Worldwide call to stop climate change: "Associated Press Saturday, December 8, 2007 (London) Environmental campaigners called for demonstrations worldwide on Saturday from costume parades in Manila to bicycle protests in London to draw attention to climate change and push leaders to take robust action."

The creative actions need to go zero carbon

2007-12-05T17:00:00.000-06:00

Give up your car and get £100

Drivers are being encouraged to give up their cars - with an offer of £100 to put towards a bicycle.

The scheme has been launched by Islington council, which wants to slash carbon emissions in the borough.

It will give a voucher for £100 - enough to buy a basic bike - to any resident who does not renew their annual parking permit, which cost up to £200 for vehicles with large engines, so-called "gas-guzzlers".

SLOW - Not just for food anymore

Amateur Radio News

2007-12-03T17:02:00.000-06:00

ARRLWeb: British Hams Mark Longest-Ever Bicycle-to-Backpack Transmission

The heck with cell phones--cut big brother out of the deal and DIU by cooperating with a Ham!

AKI - Adnkronos international Indonesia: 'Green' cycling tour arrives in Bali ahead of climate change summit

2007-11-29T19:38:00.000-06:00

AKI - Adnkronos international Indonesia: 'Green' cycling tour arrives in Bali ahead of climate change summit:

"The cycling tour, called 'Bicycle for Earth Goes to Bali' has been held to promote biking as an alternative means of transport that does not add to climate change. Along the 1447 kilometer long route from Jakarta to Bali, events have been held to inform the public about climate change and promote alternative solutions, and the team has attended political debates and other public events"

New bikes target mini riders � RapidCityJournal.com

2007-11-29T19:36:00.000-06:00

New bikes target mini riders � RapidCityJournal.com:

"McFarland, of Rapid City, is a mountain biker, motorcyclist and self-confessed tinkerer. Over the years, he has invented and marketed a number of devices, mostly notably the Thudbuster, a shock-absorber for bicycle seats. "

Climate change: "Carbon footprint" enters everyday vocabulary - Yahoo! News

2007-11-29T16:53:00.000-06:00

Climate change: "Carbon footprint" enters everyday vocabulary - Yahoo! News: "PARIS (AFP) -

Buying locally-produced fruit and veg, riding bikes or taking the train instead of using private cars, buying carbon offsets and staging carbon-neutral weddings: all are part of the climate-change awareness taking root in many countries."

Taking a bicycle on vacation without a support vehicle wasn't mentioned in this article but it is a big deal on this blog.

A bus emits between 10 and 20 times less CO2 than a car, and both are of course beaten for greenness by walking and cycling if distances permit.

El Paso Times - Professor explores 'Latino-ization' on bicycle

2007-11-27T17:16:00.000-06:00

El Paso Times - Professor explores 'Latino-ization' on bicycle:

"Louis Mendoza, the chair of the department of Chicano studies at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, set out for a bicycle tour of the country in July, starting out of Santa Cruz, Calif., and going clockwise. He arrived in El Paso on Thanksgiving and left this morning. His goal is to gauge people's perspectives on what he calls the 'Latino-ization' of the United States. Just a month short of the end of his trip, Mendoza said that what struck him was th"

No motor, no noise, no respect

2007-11-25T10:35:00.000-06:00

Beer after sport 'is good for the body' - Telegraph

2007-11-18T00:14:00.000-06:00

Beer after sport 'is good for the body' - Telegraph

"In a rare piece of good news for those who like a pint, Spanish researchers say beer can help someone who is dehydrated retain liquid better than water.

Prof Manuel Garzon, of Granada University, also claimed the bubbles in beer help to quench the thirst and that its carbohydrate content can help to replace lost calories. "

November Carfree Newsletter Issue # 49

2007-11-17T13:14:00.000-06:00

QUOTATION OF THE MONTH >>
__________________________

"Unlike the vacuum cleaner, the radio, or the bicycle, which retain
their use value when everyone has one, the car, like a villa by the
sea, is only desirable and useful insofar as the masses don't have
one. That is how in both conception and original purpose the car is a
luxury good. And the essence of luxury is that it cannot be
democratised. If everyone can have luxury, no one gets any advantages
from it. On the contrary, everyone diddles, cheats, and frustrates
everyone else, and is diddled, cheated, and frustrated in return."

-Andre Gorz, an Austrian and French philosopher, who recently passed
away. Read more about him in the special news section.
___________________________________

SPECIAL NEWS SECTION: OBITUARY >>
________________________________________

In Memory of Andre Gorz

Once called the "sharpest brain in Europe" by Jean-Paul Sartre, André
Gorz was an Austrian and French philosopher, journalist and political
theorist. He is primarily known for his writings on the themes of work
and political ecology, and for being a co-founder of the Nouvel
Observateur weekly. In the carfree movement, however, he is best known
for his essay "The Social Ideology of the Motorcar."

Gorz himself responded positively to a letter from Carbusters several
years ago, requesting permission to make the paper available on our
website, where it can now be found in several languages:
www.worldcarfree.net/resources/free.php. Gorz was also one of the few
socialist thinkers to embrace Ivan Illich's central argument in
"Energy and Equity", that the human and natural environments are both
degraded by increases in energy use and speed.(my emphasis added)

more

be a Brit different :: destinations

2007-11-16T19:41:00.000-06:00

be different Brit destinations

There are many bicycle tourist opportunities just waiting to be discovered! Go for it on the slow ride!

THE WORLD BY BICYCLE

2007-11-10T17:44:00.000-06:00

First Thai couple to ride around the globe

Bangkok Post : General news:

''Cycling around the world has always been my dream since I was a teen and won an AFS scholarship to the US. Scholarship recipients from different countries whom I met have inspired me to really want to see the world,'' said Wan."

Biking: become intimate with a city

2007-11-09T20:28:00.000-06:00

"Biking is a great way to become intimate with a city and get excercise at the same time. There are many amazing cities for biking throughout the world - these gems allow you to explore the city at ease and safely. The 11 most accessible and bike friendly cities are listed below, but these are merely a sampling of the bike friendly paradises that exist throughout the world. (Please scroll to the end of the article for a look at the factors that went into determining this list.)"

South Korea Looks to the Bicycle

2007-11-05T18:44:00.000-06:00

Company News Story:

"'An important role of the bicycle, serving as a commuting means to students and workers, has disappeared since the late 1970s due to a sharp growth in domestic economy, national income and automobile use,' the Ministry of Government Administration and Home Affairs said in a statement released Monday. In order to get more people to ride bicycles on busy roads, the government said it would revise traffic laws to protect the rights of cyclists and increase bicycle roads."

It is time to look to someplace besides the US to figure out where the world is heading.

Driving the Portland economy with pedals and two wheels - International Herald Tribune

2007-11-05T18:41:00.000-06:00

Driving the Portland economy with pedals and two wheels - International Herald Tribune:

"Yet in a city often uncomfortable with corporate gloss, what is most distinctive about the emerging cycling industry here is the growing number of smaller businesses, whether bike frame builders or clothing makers, that often extol recycling as much as cycling, sustainability as much as success.

, Birk said, the city is nurturing the cycling industry, and there are about 125 bike-related businesses in Portland, including companies that make bike racks, high-end components for racing bikes and aluminum for bikes mass-produced elsewhere. There are small operations that make cycling hats out of recycled fabric.

Lewis and Clark bike trail maps available- Columbian.com, Clark County, Washington, Vancouver, Breaking News, U.S., World, Entertainment, Video, Weath

2007-11-03T18:54:00.000-05:00

Lewis and Clark bike trail maps available- Columbian.com, Clark County, Washington

: "Backed by a National Park Service grant, a bicycling association is making available to bike shops, bike clubs and public libraries free copies of maps of the 4,675-mile Lewis and Clark Bicycle Trail from Hartford, Ill., to Astoria, Ore."

NPR : Vibrations Shown to Build Bone, Reduce Fat

2007-11-03T10:34:00.000-05:00

NPR : Vibrations Shown to Build Bone, Reduce Fat:

"'In my scientific heritage, I'm more of a bone head,' Rubin said. 'I study a bone disease called osteoporosis, or bone-wasting.'"

It looks like in addition to riding slowly, look for the bumpy parts,"Enjoy a slow and rejuvenating bicycle road.

Oh, when you ride and see some road grader or farm tractor tracks, don't avoid them, enjoy the gentle rumble in your hands and feet."

Vive la V�lorution: Paris Rental Bike Scheme Goes Global - International - SPIEGEL ONLINE - News

2007-11-02T17:10:00.000-05:00

Vive la V�lorution: Paris Rental Bike Scheme Goes Global - International - SPIEGEL ONLINE - News:

"Chicago is interested, and so is Moscow. Geneva and Sydney are in negotiations, and the mayor of London has called by twice. All eyes are on Paris. But what is the big attraction? It's a brand new model of bicycle, one that can be seen teeming through the streets by the thousands, all the same chic silver-gray, with a dolphin-like design. And they are all rented.

Paris has suddenly become the world capital of bike rentals."

Responsible Travel, Tourism, Cultural Programs, Improving International Understanding

2007-11-02T15:57:00.000-05:00

Responsible Travel, Tourism, Cultural Programs, Improving International Understanding:

"'The triple bottom line of responsible tourism is 3 E’s: environmental sustainability, engaging in the local economic, and enriching your life from the culture. Actually, it is about the same for all life.' David Mozer"

From Tourism, Eco-Tourism And Bicycle Tourism

"Activists who are interesting in changing tourism must first work to reshape the values -- from quantitative to qualitative -- that people use to measure their holidays.

Check out the "Racks"

2007-10-31T22:04:00.000-05:00

at One-on-One Bicycles + Coffee + Stuff

Oh watch the slide show: Click on a pic to go to the album

Urban Bicycle Tourist

Sustainable Urban Transport Project - Home

2007-10-31T21:31:00.000-05:00

Sustainable Urban Transport Project :

"GTZ-SUTP announces the release of a new module titled “Transport and Climate Change'. The module summarises the challenges that climate change mitigation has to face in the transport sector and presents the major options and instruments to deal with them."

For more links and information on "environmentally conscious, social and economic growth around the globe through the advancement of affordable bicycle transportation," go to YUBA.

Bicyclists vs. the IMF and World Bank - Caravan/Prague - Working Life

2007-10-29T13:48:00.000-05:00

Bicyclists vs. the IMF and World Bank :

"The film is a first-hand account of a bicycle caravan -- with the theme, 'Money or Life' -- traveling 500 miles across Europe to join the historic Prague protests against the International Monetary Fund and World Bank. The intent is to create a mobile utopian community which will be a living counter-example to the values of these powerful financial institutions. The landscape is beautiful, and bicycles possess their own poetry. "

........_o
......_\ \>,
....(_)/(_)

Bike Hackers Get Whimsical With Two-Wheelers

2007-10-27T15:46:00.000-05:00

Bike Hackers Get Whimsical With Two-Wheelers: "Left: Builtby starving poet Billy Jones of Greensboro, North Carolina, this hybrid ride is powered by both pedal and gasoline."

Escape from High-impact Travel

2007-10-27T13:23:00.000-05:00

Carbusters Magazine - Magazine Issue 30:

"You are a traveler; those other schmucks are tourists. You and I know the difference. But guess what, all that travel has its costs. How do we reconcile our higher ideals with the reality that one airline trip equals a year of driving? It's a tough question and one which we address in this issue."

Minneapolis Videos on Trip advisor

2007-10-22T11:46:00.000-05:00

Minneapolis Minneapolis Bicycling
Gives a bit of an idea of the isolation from traffic.

Uptown Minneapolis
Pretty good videography. I got a kick at how the young people are so full of themselves. Oh to be young and naive again!

Minneapolis Parks and Falls - great spots to visit on a bicycle any time of year.

Bicycle to the Guthrie Theater

2007-10-20T20:26:00.000-05:00

blue is the new black, the album.

Twins Cities Arts and Books

2007-10-15T18:47:00.001-05:00

More Urban Bicycle Tourist in the Twin Cities, MN

More Details and an Interactive Map with Photos

This route follows parts of the TC Marathon route and links up some spots we visited over 2 days. The Guthrie Theater is and incredible place to visit. Everything but the stage is open during the day even if there is not a performance. Monday is a good day to tour the facility on your own.

Links:

Midtown Greenway

The Loft - Open Book

The Official Guthrie website
Click on image to see My Slide Show of the Guthrie

One on One Bikes Coffee & Stuff

Common Good Books

Nina's Cafeapolis

Twin Cities Book Festival

Joe's Garage

Minneapolis Sculpture Garden

Mississippi River Parkways

Meanwhile back in MN

2007-10-11T15:36:00.000-05:00

Minneapolis Urban Bicycle Tourist Loop.

Minneapolis Urban Bicycle Tourist loop details.

Midtown Greenway
Matt's Bar
Dunn Bros. Coffee by Lake Calhoun
Nokomis Beach Coffee
Lyndale Park Rose Garden
Lyndale Park Peace Garden and Bird Sanctuary
Walker Art Center
Sebastian Joe's on Franklin & Hennepin
Muddy Paws Cheesecake
Falafel King + all sorts of Lyn-Lake Spots

Top pick was tough, but it goes to the Tao Natural Foods Organic Cafe at 2200 Hennepin Ave S.

50F and loving it.

Click pic to see full size

Slow Cities: Taking Life Easy in Urban Italy - International - SPIEGEL ONLINE - News

2007-10-05T21:22:00.000-05:00

Slow Cities: Taking Life Easy in Urban Italy - International - SPIEGEL ONLINE - News:

"Supporters of Italy's 'Slow City' movement are trying to develop liveable cities, banning cars from city centers and blocking McDonald's branches and supermarkets. The movement is spreading across Europe and is now taking off in Asia."

Belted Kingfisher on the Big Sioux

2007-10-02T16:06:00.000-05:00

Location: 210 Bird Circle on the far east point.

I love the way they announce their presence. For a real treat check out the birds of Sarah Rogers. She may not have the Kingfisher online just now but when you see her work, you will recognize her wonderful style that depicts birds as creatures that cannot be captured in s photo.

Math Trek: Prime-Time Cicadas, Science News Online, June 21, 2003

2007-09-12T08:15:00.000-05:00

Math Trek: Prime-Time Cicadas, Science News Online, June 21, 2003:

Something to consider when you hear them on your next bike ride.

Hummers Playground

2007-09-11T13:32:00.000-05:00

From our front yard 11 Sep 2007

71 year old Brother still riding like an Athlete

2007-09-09T12:44:00.000-05:00

Honey Farm Circle

Share your bike routes @ Bikely.com

Took my city dwelling brother on a one of our county routes. I don't really know how a person his age should be riding, but from behind I would guess he had to be younger than my 62 years.

It was a nice way to warm up for the Cycle to Stop the Cycle Ride the next day which had an excellent turnout, good fun, good food. Thanks to all who put together a nice ride for an honorable cause.

<-->

Let Me Walk in Beauty

2007-09-04T16:12:00.000-05:00

Let Me Walk in Beauty by Chief Yellow Lark

Poetry for the earth

War is not the Answer
Ride a Bicycle

U.S. Climate Emergency Council - Home

2007-09-04T11:45:00.000-05:00

U.S. Climate Emergency Council - Home

War is not the Answer
Ride a Bicycle

For more info on the fast

Fall Migrations - Monarchs

2007-08-25T15:27:00.000-05:00

Butterflies of South Dakota

Begin watching the migration sites now
Journey South Interactive Map of Monarch Roost Sites, hummingbirds, etc

Monarch Watch : Dedicated to Education, Conservation and Research

Fall Color in Ohio 2006

2007-08-25T13:50:00.000-05:00

Fall Bicyclingjavascript:void(0)
in Ohio 2006

First hummingbird this season

2007-08-24T10:14:00.000-05:00

On our backyard deck in town. Click on the pic to enlarge.

2:30 pm.
There are at least 2 juveniles, one has the beginning of the ruby spot. They have been in and out all day.

September 8 Preliminary Draft Route

2007-07-31T21:26:00.000-05:00

Cycle to Stop the Cycle Ride

Add comments and significant points to be included in final draft in comments.
Thanks

Cycle to Stop the Cycle ride

Share your bike routes @ Bikely.com

Click on the title of this post to go to the Bikely.com site and explore in greater detail.

Ride starts in Brookings at Sioux River Bicycles & Fitness and ends at Schade Vineyard one mile west of Volga on HY14.

Why use Yahoo Maps for Rural Areas

2007-07-31T10:36:00.001-05:00

First the Yahoo Map at the greatest zoom.

Next, the best that Google can do. You can see the answer yourself!

One word, Resolution.

Saturday Morning SLOW_Bicycle route

2007-07-29T11:14:00.000-05:00

War is not the Answer

Slow - - -
not just for food anymore

The rides begin at the bike shop in Brookings, Sioux River Bicycles & Fitness Saturday morning at 7:30am. Several groups head out for different routes and distances. The SLOW group appreciates the enchantment of gravel byways. Click to see the dynamic map with the great satellite detail available on Yahoo Maps.

Gravel byway to Native Grass Plots

The highlight of the July 28th SLOW route was lying in the grass reminiscent of My Antonia at the USDA Research Farm plots. You will have to ask Mrs.B about the "intimate" details.

http://www.runningmap.com?id=19681

Yahoo Map App - Running Map

2007-07-28T17:45:00.000-05:00

I prefer Yahoo Maps because the detail in rural areas far surpasses Google. I am trying to find an app that works like Bikely.com.

Running Map is one candidate. I have to play with it some. The mapping seems better but I haven't found how to insert into a blog. I have found in other Yahoo apps that it must first be inserted into 360 then take the code and use it in Blogger.

Stay tuned
Click to see the

in town cycling loop.

http://www.runningmap.com?id=19626

>>>>>>>

Making the connection to place through slow travel

2007-07-26T18:18:00.000-05:00

Making the connection to place through slow travel:

This slow exploration is in direct contrast to conventional travel that seeks to ‘hit’ the major tourist features in a 20 km radius. Slow travelers are freed from these tedious pressures of standard tourism. By exploring on foot and by bike there are Enjoy traditional ways of doing things
Traditional ways of doing things opportunities to talk to people and find out the points of interest from their perspective.

Slow - not just for food anymore

<<<

Why ride fast?

2007-07-26T10:25:00.000-05:00

Who cares about drugs? Society with its,that's all of us, hypocritical need to blame someone for something? Everyone is addicted. Society wants to believe its sports heroes are as clean as we delude ourselves into thinking we are. Rubbish!

RAGBRAI was just another venue where riders were trying to beat somebody. If not that they were talking numbers, how fast, how far, how long, wtf is that about?

It is not about speed or numbers, folks. It is a world wide mania teetering on "more."

Complete and unadulterated consumption horseshit.

The alternative: a slow, really slow, ride on a quiet gravel back road. Listen to the birds, stop and count the pebbles in a square decimeter and how long it took you rounded to the nearest hour if you need numbers to talk about, spot a new wild flower, listen to your heart beat when you see something new.

Bicycling is about a tee-totaling different world view.

Don't let speed and flash steal this from you. The criminal capitalistic incarnation of greed is winning now but it will not last. Wake up and sl-o--o---w down. Think subversion! Beat them with their own clubs. It will take some time but the world will thank you even if humans self-destruct!

War is not the Answer

Slow- - -
not just for food anymore