Warm Weather Adventures!

Good day, readers! This post is long overdue. I've been out adventuring for quite some time, and have finally returned so that I may share my recent travels with you. The beginning of June started off with some adventures with the Janes. I can not believe it is June already as that means I've been in State College now for half of a year. I didn't want to sacrifice safety trying to take ride pictures, but here we are getting suited up for Abbey's first guided ride.

Bikes and Janes a plenty.

While it may have been a longer ride than what I'm used to, I felt very accomplished afterwards. I got to face the dreaded never-ending incline of Blue Course Drive, and it wasn't nearly as bad as last time. It almost felt like a completely different route. I also got the chance to talk to Carla more, and I am even more positive now that the Janes are where I should be, and that they will help me get to where I want to go.

 I had been craving rivers, and Tom and I took Vali over to Spring Creek Park to run around and explore. 

He's a natural swimmer.

Tom and Vali at the Mike Lynch Overlook.

The Janes had attempted a hike the last week in May but there were tornadoes(?!) that day, so it was cancelled. Tom and I, wanting to explore, decided to set out to the same destination of the cancelled hike on a later day and see where it took us. Mt Nittany kicked my butt that day, as I hadn't realized that there was a 600 foot elevation change all within less than half a mile. The next week the Janes went there and it was much more leisurely. Maybe because I didn't have an empty stomach this time. Everything seems easier with the Janes.

This picture is a must, as everyone has to see Carla(R) and her growly face even though we're shadows.

After some adventuring in State College, I set my sights to the motherland, and headed home to the Lehigh Valley. I had a couple amazing destinations on my list, such as Bake Oven Knob, the Rittenhouse Gap Mines, and the ZOO. My only sad report, is that I was having so much fun adventuring, that I took little time to document those adventures. I guess that makes me a good adventurer, and a terrible blogger.

I love you goats.

I went to the Lehigh Valley Zoo and saw all the animals. I arrived with less than an hour before the park closed, but managed to do my favorite thing, and that was feeding the goats. <3

Good yawn! or he's cheering for the Iron Pigs.

I also took Vali to Bark in the Park at CocaCola Park to see the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs. It was way too crowded, and on dog days the last thing you end up seeing is the actual baseball game.

Vali making friends.

Now I'm back in State College and I start a new job soon so I will have a little less time for adventures. In this kind of world, I need the money so I can't complain. I do have a lot I'm mulling over on the personal front, so I will report back shortly. Thanks for reading!

Dogs and Bicycles

Consider this a lighthearted post, as I haven't made great strides in riding lately. I've had some progress but thought I'd spend the time to fill you in on some more fun biking-related stuff.

I think bicycles and dogs go together like french fries and ketchup. Sure you don't need ketchup to enjoy your french fries, but it can make them so much more fun. If you're ever down at Freeze Thaw Cycles you might run into their customer service representatives, Salsa and Bosco.

Salsa getting some water, by A. E. Landes Photography

Bosco - sportin the HAWK

What I love about these dogs, is that they're not just shop dogs that sit around. These are also dogs that you'll run into if you're out on the trail. They love biking just as much as people do.

Bosco out with Harry and Chris

When we moved to State College, Tom and I decided that we were ready to get a puppy. When we were thinking of breeds and qualities we were looking for we definitely wanted a dog that we could train to be a bike dog. We would need a pup that liked to be around people, perhaps a herding dog that could handle a bunch of bicycles, and a dog that would have plenty of energy and endurance.

brace yourselves... for cuteness

ready?

ready??

ready???

I don't think you've prepared yourself yet, for how cute this is.

I warned you.

This is our Australian Shepherd, Vali. He is now 4 months old and when we first brought him into the house, one of his favorite things to do was go over to the bikes and chew on them. We took this as a sign that he happily accepted his future role as bike dog and would love it(or that he was teething). We've read that it is best to not over-exercise a dog or do any strenuous activity until they are at least a year old. We probably won't take him on a ride until then. There's always time now, however, to get him socialized, and used to bikes as well as other dogs. He is pretty smart and learns things really quickly. As a shepherd, he already loves herding and today we took him out with the bike for the first time to see how he would react.

Chasing Tom around. Bite his tires!

It was very successful. Once he wakes up from his nap, I'll try to ride around this time. He really is an amazing dog, and I'll be sure to update here and there about his progress. He still has yet to meet Salsa, Bosco, and also Sebastian, another shepherd that rides with us.

Sitting pretty.

Do you know any awesome bike dogs? Some breeds aren't cut out for it, but I've read that it's never one particular breed that's great at it. It's all about how you train them. Let me know if you see any bike dogs out there!

(not mine). from flickr