Lance may be the word of the day as far as the Tour de France is concerned (this is true, by the way – check out the OLN website; I don’t make this stuff up.  You could win a trip to France and be treated like crap, if that’s what you’re in to), but the word of the day here in the greatest country ever on the face of this planet, is this:  dirt.  And who joined me today for the dusty, rutty, steep and challenging climb up the aptly named Bulldog?  Well, there were three Blaus – Dean, Rod and Rod’s son Yoni – Robco Baggins, chatty docs George and Joe who made a wrong turn today while babbling away incessantly, and someone I used to lifeguard with back in the 70s and a new addition to our group, Jeff Walberg.  Reuben and Andy showed up late and met us at the top of Bulldog.  Lance was unable to join us due to a prior commitment.

The group at the top of Bulldog after 2,000 feet of climbing!!

 

Jeff and I turned around at the top of Bulldog and headed on back to our cars and our lives, while the rest of the group headed on over to the Elevator and presumably the Tapia Spur Trail brought to you by CORBA (always looking for a way to fit in a CORBA plug).  Robco took some wonderful pictures of the group, and a couple of those who wore patriotic colors and themes.  I’m sure we are just sitting here on the edge of our seats just waiting for those photos!

Here they are

Jeff and I saw two snakes on the way back.  The first was a gopher snake, and I must say it is true . . . they really do taste like chicken.  I’ve got to remember to carry my own food and not try and live off the land.  The second, less than a half mile from the end of our ride, was an adult rattler just sunning itself across the trail and blocking us from passing.  Jeff approached this guy carefully, and very much like Steve Irwin, the Crocodile Hunter, shooing it off the trail so we could pass.

George, Jeff and Yoni,   WELCOME TO RCY Jeff :)

 

If you aren’t following the tour (I know, lousy transition), you are missing a rather exciting event.  The Prologue was a real nail biter and Stage One had some thrilling moments during a wet and wild race.  If you don’t get OLN, you can go to the OLN website, the official English language sponsor of the tour, to see what is going on, check on the standings and your favorite rider and hear from the likes of Phil Ligget and Bob Roll, among others.  Go Lance!

 

I hope you all enjoy today’s holiday and that you remember what it stands for and what it means to you, other than an extended weekend.

 

Uncle Louie