Sunday, December 30, 2012

Happy New Year 2013

from the Wet Coast of British Columbia.  We have no snow here and sometimes it even stops raining.  The other day I was talking to Karen from Flatistan and she asked me if I had planned to ride my bike today.   During this time of year I have things to do and friends to visit.   I am still a chauffeur as Mrs Skoot broke her right wrist and is still not allowed to drive so I have to pick her up from work so free time is limited and just not worth the bother of digging my bikes out.

Also the Deere digger came back and gravel was delivered to block my rear escape route


It is even a challenge to bring out our garbage container.  It just seems that every time our garbage day rolls around the contractors put another obstacle in my way


Even the front route is a maze of dirt.  The main problem is having to turn my bike around in the carport with all the sandy gravel which makes your footing not very secure


My narrow sidewalk has been removed and a new retaining wall is being constructed.  Eventually there will be a new fence and the gate will be full width to make it easier for me in the future.  Except for the early morning hours when there is frost, it usually burns off by noon with temps around 5°c, so it is possible to ride your bike nearly all year round, but not necessarily for those of us who have to leave early.


My front sidewalk is also a challenge with all the sand being dragged into the house.  Connecting the pipes to the water line meant having to remove the sidewalk and now a new one has to be poured when the weather warms up

This afternoon we drove downtown where I snapped a photo of our skyline as viewed from Crab Park in our inner harbour


It was a bit cool and pleasant without the rain.  That revolving restaurant is Harbour Centre and was previously home to Sears, before they closed their flagship store recently.


During the summer I often come down here on my bike, sit and just admire the surroundings


Just around the corner you will find our fishing fleet at rest, waiting for a new year.   Those orange cranes behind are part of VanTerm where cargo ships are unloaded.  Today they are idle and presumably enjoying a few days of rest during the Holidays

I know, it seems a while ago since I have posted any motorcycle content.   My blog is not always about motorcycles, it is about life, scenery, food and  sometimes a bit of photography which has been my hobby for nearly 50 years.   I know others have more than one blog and I know it is a challenge to keep them all going.   It seems to me like going to a circus and someone is spinning a few plates on a stick trying to keep them all spinning without falling off.  I prefer to just have one place to maintain and mix them all up.

I am looking forward to next year and making plans to GSWIHNBB.   New roads, new friends and new memories.  I am grateful for the chance to meet all of those I have met in the past and also for the opportunity for all of us to be together during our previous iMBC reunions.  There is nothing better than to have friends and thanks to the internet I would like to think that we have friends all over the world.  Yes, friends we have already met, and those "to be met" and even though we are separated by great distances I know that when we meet, it will be like we have never been apart.

Right now Roger has arrived in North America and hiding out in Atlanta, GA.  I have never met anyone from NZ yet but when we spoke on the phone the other day I told him that we needed a translator for I couldn't understand a word he was saying, but when he spoke slower for me and I think I caught the gist eventually.  I know we are going to have a good time in SFO next weekend.


I wish you all a very Happy New Year and I am hoping our paths will cross sometime soon.  I also thank you all for being such faithful readers


26 comments:

  1. Happy New Year to you and Yvonne.

    It was great fun to see you and ride with you at the IMBC again this year and riding home with you too.

    I know we didn't get to visit as much as everyone would have liked but sometimes life just gets in the way.

    See you next weekend.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Trobairitz:

      As you know I will ride 10 hours or more to meet up with all of you. We had a great time in Hell's Canyon, didn't we. I also had my first camping experience in Baker City. I think I liked it there more than the Hotel. I think I am more prepared now with better equipment

      I hope there will be more time for "visiting" in the future, and I am looking forward to it.

      I hope for a better 2013 for both of you. Can't wait to see you next Saturday morning in OAK.

      Delete
  2. Happy New Year to you and yours Bob...

    Dom

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    Replies
    1. Dom & Martha:

      Have a Happy New Year too, and may it snow continuously for you so we can get to see more snow and hack photos

      Delete
  3. Bob - here's to 2013 and what the road brings. Have fun in SFO ... and what, exactly is GSWIHNBB? Meet you somewhere in the east sometime in 2013. Happy New Year!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Karen:

      I was wondering if anyone knew what that meant. I know Troubadour knows . . . as we discussed this last year

      In the past, I have only taken ONE road trip a year and a few long weekends. Mrs Skoot doesn't ride so I have to divide my time between 4 or 2 wheels. All of my previous trips have been to places WIHBB: where I have been before.

      Next year is going to be different: I am "Going Somewhere Where I Have Never Been Before". The lands of Flatistan bekon . . .

      Happy New Year to you too, and get some taller boots

      Delete
  4. Happy New Year to you! And, wishes for a wonderful year of miles and miles and miles.

    Be well and stay safe,
    ~Keith

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    Replies
    1. Keith & Heather:

      enjoy your time together and Have a Happy New Year too. Take care and be safe. May 2013 be the best it can be

      Delete
  5. Happy New Year! I've never seen your feet with BOOTS on! LOL

    Beautiful area that you live in too!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Deb:

      you noticed ! It's killing me but I have to remember to put on the shoes before I snap the photo.

      Martha (from Baraboo) is making me post these everyday photos. We see these scenes everyday and we take them for granted but sometimes we forget that others, whom have not been here before, would like to see parts of our City so that's what I'm planning to do. open my eyes and see things from your perspective rather than dismissing them as boring everyday scenes

      Happy New Year to you too

      Delete
  6. Happy New Riding Year for you, too. Say hi to my mate Roger and have fun. I hope you guys will have a blast.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sonja:

      So sorry that work keeps you away, but you have met Roger before. I am sure before long you will be in NZ again. Our weekend plan is to do whatever Roger wants to do. The one who travels the farthest gets to decide.

      Happy New Year to you and Roland too

      Delete
  7. Happy New Year to the Skoots!! I very much enjoy seeing (and hearing about) the world in which you live everyday and glad that you're willing to share it. Though I've been to your corner of the world, the trips have been few and were in the distant past.

    When you get out here to the Flat lands I'll make every effort to intercept your path on your trip east and very much looking forward to it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Coop:

      Happy New Year to both Coops. I know, things we see everyday we dismiss as being boring. It's like the water, the ocean and the rivers. Yes we drive by and pretend it's not there as it's always been there but since you are landlocked we forget you have to ride hours to see water. We also have mountains which tower over the city. You are able to ski and see the city below. I'll try to remember to snap a few more photos for you to see what we see everyday

      Can't wait to ride to Flatistan, but the high winds of Hwy 2 on the prairies worries me, plus the road construction that Erik mentioned

      Delete
  8. Bob,

    Happy New Year to your family. I see Karen beat me to it, I was going to ask what GSWIHNBB was. Enjoy your trip to San Francisco. I'm lucky enough to have been there twice. It's a beautiful city.
    I hope to see you again next year.

    Erik

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Erik:

      All I can think of are those delicious pies that Nancy bakes. Just put one outside and I will use the smells to guide myself in . . . We were just in SFO last year but we only spent a day there as we were in Lake Tahoe and were driving back to where we were staying in Saratoga, CA. You don't know it yet but your MegaBarn may be our gathering spot in July

      HINT: start planning for 2014 and I'll meet you in SFO but on our bikes this time. The plan is to ride 101 south down to Salinas, then East to Atlanta. I have an urge to see the "Lost Coast".

      A very Happy New Year to you and Nancy

      Delete
  9. That's a really nice shot of the fishing fleet. What interesting boats. Perfect color scale with that gray-blue-orange, too!

    Happy New Year, Bob. Hope it brings you and the Mrs. good health and happiness.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Martha:

      Those boats are part of Ocean Fisheries who can Tuna and other stuff, I forget their Trademark. I am sure your supermarket carries their products, mainly salmon and tuna. We have a lot of aluminum fishing boats here and lots more in Steveston. There is lots of security on our docks and many roads are blocked for limited access.

      Happy New Year, a new adventure begins for you soon. I hope your move to Baraboo is all you imagine it to be

      Delete
  10. A very Happy New Year to you and yours from my direction. It has turned really cold here, with a bit of snow today. Riding will have to wait a bit, (but just a bit).

    Jimbo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jimbo/cpa3485:

      I hope you are feeling better. We consider it cold when it gets down to freezing, which it is right now. Had to scrape the window this morning. Don't take chances, ride when the weather gets warmer

      Happy New Year to you both

      Delete
  11. Happy New Year to you and Mrs Skoot! It was great seeing you again last summer. Too bad I can't join you on your adventure across Canada.

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    Replies
    1. Richard:

      always good to see you too and Happy New Year to your family. One day I may make it up your way. Planning and dreaming of trips, that's what Winters are for

      Delete
  12. Happy new year to you and Yvonne! Here's my wish that 2013 is the best year ever!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. David:

      Happy New Year to you and Susan. Too bad you couldn't have spared just ONE more day last year, but I know next year will be different. You are finally making time for yourself. Hope to see you on the road

      Delete
  13. Happy New Year to you both and here's to meeting you this coming year.
    It should be one great time…. The world will never be the same thereafter.
    Ciao.
    Mike.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Happy New Year, Bob and Yvonne. Let's hope that 2013 brings hope and happiness and many wonderful adventures to everyone.

    What do your neighbors think of the construction? So much of that dirt in their yard. I hope you are supplying them with some good baked goods.

    Steel Cupcake and Oilburner

    ReplyDelete