Washed Ashore

Here's Henry . . .


He was washed ashore - actually in the form of millions of pieces of plastic. He is going to be on display June 25- October 15, 2011 at the Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito, CA with 14 other "trashy" marine life sculptures. The exhibit is called "Washed Ashore: Plastics, Sea Life, and Art."

Again - a calling for us to rethink our use of plastics. And a good excuse to visit the Marine Mammal Center.

Plastics

Have you ever thought about how much plastic we use?




And where it ends up?

Plastic seems to have become a necessity in our lives. Many of us have discontinued using single use plastic bottles and carry cloth bags to the grocery store. Unfortunately, this is only a start. As I write this, I look at all the plastic shtuff around my desk and all the plastic kayaks on our kayak rack.

Plastic seems to have become a necessary evil in our lives today, but I think that we need to start decreasing our dependence of it and be more conscientious of recycling and proper disposal.

Any thoughts or ideas? Please share, discuss, ect.
Let's work together to increase awareness and start working toward solutions!!!

When the South gets Blown South

Excitement over the south swell this weekend was pretty well nixed by strong northwest winds. What's a girl to do? Rather than fight the wind and get bounced around at sea - I ran for the hills.

Actually I didn't run - I pedaled.

Over the past 4 years, small business ownership and lots of time on the water has greatly decreased my time in the saddle. It is hard to maintain a balance between my water and land passions - especially since I make a living on the water. This spring, I started to get into a regular riding groove and think that I may be on track to finding balance.

This weekend, I connected with a local group of the Mendocino Coast Cyclists to ride the trails in the Caspar watershed area of Jackson State Forest. It was fun to ride and catch up on goings on - NEW Trails, Mendocino Coast Fat Tire Festival, trail work parties, bike lust and component envy.


The local riders are putting on a Mendocino Coast Fat Tire Festival this fall. In preparation for the festival, Jack and Roo are working on mapping the mountain bike trails. They hope to have a guide book out in the fall for the festival.


As we are riding, we come across one our local riders/trail builders doing some trail maintenance. He was building a bypass around a section of trail to decrease erosion. Cheers Jesse and all the other trail builders and maintainers for all of your hard work!!!


Traction was perfect. The couple of inches of rain that we had during the week soaked in and settled the dust. A couple of spots were a little sticky like the bottom of our ride-thru tree (which I guess by the new sign is called Drive-Thru).


Spring is a great time of year to ride. The birds are singing, the creeks are babbling, and the wildflowers are blooming.


I had to get some photos of the carpet of blue forget me nots lining the trail by Jughandle Creek.


And of Amy sporting an North Coast Brewing Company - a reminder that not only do we have great mt biking but fresh, tasty local beer. I wonder if they have an Old Rasputin Jersey?

It isn't hard to get motivated about riding on the Mendocino Coast with an AWESOME network of single track trails in a coniferous rain forest and a great bunch of riders to share it with.

What does the Laundry Say?

Wash me!!! Duh!!!

But what does it really say?

On those weeks when the pile is high it says - "You've been playing hard and neglecting your dirty wash."

Salty polypro tops attest to some quality time upside down in the ocean - perhaps a surf or rock gardening session.

Mud splattered bike tights say - "Those mud puddles on the trail sure were fun!" While dusty socks say, "Gee it hasn't rained in a while."

Trunks and uv tops that are spattered with sunscreen attest to some warm sunny days of flat water paddling.

Carhardts always tell a tale of the latest project - "painting the bedroom green, eh?" or "need to add a little more compost to your soil."

Wool socks - "We will keep your tootsie's warm just remember to line dry."

And those dirty sheets - no comment from them - just a grin.

So from now on - don't curse the pile of dirty clothes in the hamper. Admire the fine adventures from the week.