Poppy Togs + Clogs, as in Poppy's Velo Ventures.

Dear Readers of Poppy's Velo Ventures:  It may interest you to you how I came to be known as "Poppy," and where Velo Ventures blog came from.

The name.

Well, it's a nickname, actually -- given with love by young grands who probably couldn't pronounce "Seth," or didn't cotton to that name in the first place.

So:  I'm Poppy. And pretty much the entire family is cool with that.

As for the Velo Ventures Blog  that title emerged from my love of bikes and riding .... the velo scene, if you will.  I still look at most of my bike rides as "adventures," though the word "ventures" works better -- v, you know -- with velo.

And what's up with the "Poppy Togs + Clogs?" 

I spied this unusual retail store last week on Snelling Avenue in St. Paul.  I was enroute from Garrison Keillor's "Common Books" shop to a lunch date with old buddy Craig Cox, Managing Editor of "Experience Life" magazine.   Coxie and I were yapping so hard that we never found time to discuss Clogs + Togs, or Garrison Keillor, Poppy's Velo Ventures, etc.

Stay tuned.

Sunrise Today, Last Snow of Season, Long Lake, MN.

We hope, hope, hope that the snow you see here is the last of our very long winter season.

No matter how stunning the sunrise we've had it with the white stuff.

Heard on the news tonite that when the mercury finally hits 60 this weekend it will have been five full months since the last day the temps topped the sixty mark. Phew.

Giant Expressway "Foldy" Semi Sure-Footed in Snow.

My Giant Expressway foldy spent the winter in its carrying case in our garage. Last ride was mid-late December 2012.

Pina helped me put all the folding pieces back in place yesterday, though we agreed it took too long to reconnect the Brooks B 17 to the Thompson extended seat post.  

Surprisingly the tires lost very little air over the winter, so into the back of the KIA the foldy went, and off to Baker Park we headed.

I was psyched for my ride, but it never occurred to me to check the condition of the 7-mile track around the Park.  When I noticed a lot of snow still there I asked a young guy with a dog what he thought; got the thumbs up in return.

"A snowmobile has been through," enthused my new pal, "and he's created a clear path.  You shouldn't have any trouble."

But, plenty of trouble I encountered.  

The foldy's 20" wheels picked up plenty of slushy stuff.  You can see the dam-up between wheel and fender in the pic above.  Either the front wheel/fork/headset was wobbly ... or maybe it was me.  And while the machine could pass for sure-footed in the clear part of the path, I ended up walking and pushing for what seemed like miles.

Finally made it to high ground, and rode a couple of miles on the shoulder of a minimal-use county highway.  The saddle never quite got "set," so my butt ached even after a short ride.

Once back home I raved how much I loved being out on the Giant: brisk wind, azure-clear skies, plenty of sunshine, adrenaline rushing, high anticipation.  Sure, the bike was less than sure-footed, but Spring is right around the corner and memories of ice and snow will melt before you know it.

Stay tuned for more.

Me and Duke.

Pina and I have been dog-siting today with "Duke, " a handsome Retriever assigned to our care by young friends Meredith and Fergus.

La Nancita is feeding the Duke Dog as we speak.  I took my turn with this remarkable animal earlier: Duke and I took a walk, threw and chased chew toys, and posed for a bonding self-portrait after all the fun was done.

Message to owners:  take your time getting back home.  Happy to be of help to our BFF, canine variety.

Blue Ribbon Wickenburg Jewelery Winner.

Check out this award-winning pendant work from blue ribbon Wickenburg jeweler.

While La Nancita and I didn't make a purchase at the annual Wickenburg Art Club Gala, measurements were taken, prices noted, telephone and e-mails exchanged.

Next time you check here on the blog, we may well have added a piece or two to the collection  :)

Gallup, New Mexico - Real Deal Gringo.

Pina snaps me behaving very much like a turista  out front of Ortega's in Gallup, NM. We were on our way east on I-40, got off the big road for a tank of gas and a cone from the DQ, and added a trip to Ortega's to check pawn jewelry.  The entire trip was a complete success.