Cross Country Cyclists, Oregon to Maine: Huzzah!

You've got to hand it to cross country velo-sters like my Oregon friends, above: 60 years old, 60 miles pedaled per day, bare bones and self-supported, and putting finishing touches on their coast-to-coast trip of a lifetime, Oregon to Maine.  

I met this couple in front of the Safeway in Wickenburg, AZ.  Wish I'd asked for their contact info so we could stay in touch.  Some folks actually get out and do these trans-continental dream rides.  The rest of us cheer from the sidelines, and post words and pics on the blog.

Waitin' for the 7:18 local outta West Northfield, MN.

My friend Dave waits yesterday for the 7:18 local out of West Northfield, MN.

The usually reliable narrow-gauge seemed to be running a little late, though my buddy had a full cuppa Mickey D java and seemed to be enjoying the sunny Minnesota day.

Choo-choo-choo.  I think I hear her now, comin' round the bend.  

Egg Salad Sandwich Delish at D'Lish in North Loop.

Not too long ago there used to be an egg salad sandwich on whole wheat tucked neatly into the bag to your left.

But after ducking into D'Lish Grocery in the North Loop, stomach grumbling w/hunger, then grabbing a bite, and carrying it to the KIA with hopes of getting it and me back home in one piece .... I surrendered.

Before you could say "this is the freshest, tastiest, most pleasing  sandwich I've eaten in years," I'd inhaled every last bite, even the crumbs.

The wax paper-like bag wrap was retained so my eating adventures could be documented on the Poppy Blog.  Go get one of these babies for yourself, see if you don't agree with me.

Body Bliss Tooth + Gum Powder (and Brush).

Gregor Gardens Grows Good Stuff.

Not even a five-mile ride from where I live you can find Gregor Farms and the good folks who put up some of the best home-made jams and jellies on the planet.

Me? I bought a starter jar of Raspberry + Pepper jelly at the Medina Days celebration last weekend.  On my ride the following day I stopped by Gregor to say how much we enjoyed our English muffins topped with Gregor jelly.

Patty the Proprietress was persuaded to pose with her handiwork.  Suggest you go see her at the intersection of Holy Name and Medina Roads in Plymouth, MN.  Shop the stand.  Treat yourselves to something local, made with TLC, and yummy beyond expectations.

Classic Nash Metropolitan: $10,000, O.B.O.

My college classmate Bill Quayle drove one of these out from his home in Ohio freshman year.  Wonder what ever became of the car? Bet it sold for a lot less than one of my neighbors in West Hennepin is asking for his '57 Metropolitan: $10,000.

On my way home from a bike ride through Baker Park last week I spied this sweet classic.  Had to stop, check it out, and snap a foto.  The two-tone color combo appears authentic, though I could tell the body had been repainted.  Couldn't see miles on the odo, and the interior was so-so.   Nonetheless .....

If you want a classic rag-top, with three-on-the-tree, and a fabled history in American auto-mo-bilia, then you could do a lot worse than driving off with this cutie. 

60,254 All-Time Pageviews.

To loyal and curious followers of Poppy's Velo Ventures:  thank you for reading my blog!!

I checked "stats" just now and was astounded to see that the Poppy Blog had registered its 60,254th all-time pageview.

Holy smokes, I said to myself: I'd better post a hearty thank-you to the good and curious folks who read my view of the world.  

PVV is always interested in your feedback. If you'd like to post more Comments, have it.  In the meantime thanks for 60,254 (and counting) check-ins.

Everything AND the Kitchen Sink.

Mom used to have a saying:  "it's got everything but the kitchen sink."  

And I was reminded of that yesterday when our water tech specialist came to the house to stop a leak under the sink and install a classic new faucet.  This guy is an awesome professional,  and only mildly annoyed that I took his picture.

The sink no longer leaks, the faucet performs flawlessly, and I'm just about to sit down and write a check to the water man  :)

Minneapolis Greenway Rush Hour Traffic.

Love this nearly surreal shot of the empty Greenway, with shadows of maple leaves complementing traffic direction icons.  Took it from the bridge along 1st Street in North Loop.  Lucky shot.

Macalester College Public Art, er .., Permit Parking.

Takes a Big Set of Cojones to Wear These Purple Shoes!

Some guy name Sam arrived at our house last weekend wearing these seriously purple mocs.  Of course some of the more traditional guy guests felt obliged to heap all sorts of s**t on Sartorial Sammy.    Our guy stuck to his guns, allowed a foto to be taken for the blog, and pretty much had the rest of us more than a little envious at our prosaic and pedestrian (get it?) choice of party kicks. 

Minneapolis's Foundry Home Goods Celebrates B'day!

Retailer Anna Hillegas celertates 1st Birthday of Foundry Home Goods, her super-successful accessories and furnishings store in the North Loop of Mpls.  Ruby the Chocolate Lab pokes his nose into the party action. Meanwhile bluegrass phenom "Pocahontas County" provided musical inspiration and entertainment to eager well-wishers and shoppers.  Congrats on your first year in business, Anna, and best wishes for many more!  

Veterans for Peace Stage anti-Syria War Rally Today.

"How 'bout a show of hands," the now-tired voice implored into the mic.  "For how many of you is this the first anti-war rally you've attended?"

My right arm went up, cautiously at first, then with confidence and enthusiasm.   Imagine: 70 years old, grew up in the 'sixties and 'seventies, was drafted during Viet Nam, and never attended a peace rally !?

Today was my first.  How glad I am I made the trek to town -- corner of Hiawatha and Lake  -- to be part of history in the making. Organized by Veterans for Peace (I'm a vet), I qualify to attend, express my fears, outrage, hopes for a better world.

Like so many Americans I sure as hell don't have the answer for Syria.... or, Iraq, Iran, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Israel, Yemen, Palestine, Egypt, Libya, Saudi Arabia, for that matter. Which Middle Eastern country have I missed?

What can the U. S.  do?  What are are our limitations:  civically, militarily, economically, morally? You all know the other priorities of our nation as well as I do.  Wouldn't we be better off inviting China, Russia, Japan, France, Germany and the UK into one room, locking the door, and figuring this out diplomatically?

Enough of the sword rattling, please; naval show of force, drones, threats of missiles, boots on the ground.  I know I'm exposed to a tiny part of the reality from that part of the world, but it seems to me that one more "wham, bam, thank you, ma'am," is not the answer.

What do YOU think?

2400 Block of St. Paul's University Avenue.

Velo Vibrations?  You betcha'.  Spotted this baby out front of a Fair Trade java joint the other day.  Took fotos from several angles and appreciated most the humor of the handlebar-headset region. What do YOU think?