ALWAYS ENJOY MY FIRST RIDE OF THE SEASON
Today’s sunny skies & warm 70F temps went a long way in finally picking up my spirits. Kelly brought some of the DEER PARK LODGE bookwork home & having her here all day was a big comfort for me as well. 
As much as I do not like washing windows I hauled out the ladder, bucket & squeegee first thing this morning & focused my mind onto the task at hand. It is important right now to keep my mind on something. Finished the living room & kitchens windows & will tackle the bedroom & sunroom windows a bit later. Don’t want to overdo something I do not like to do.
MAX & THE MOTORMOUSE SHARE A DOGGY BED
Next, with a bit of reluctance, came the Jeep. I say with reluctance because I have a habit of hanging onto memories. While in Borrego Springs this past winter I took myself out for a drive one morning to a favorite place of mine. Each year I like to make the hike up Ghost Mountain to the Marshall South homestead. Ghost Mountain lies at the southern end of Blair Canyon & this year the Canyon had some mud puddles along the rough trail from recent rains. With a Jeep you don’t have to tippy toe around puddles anymore, ya just go right through the darn things. Needless to say I ended up with some good looking Blair Canyon mud on the front of the Jeep & as a true Jeep owner, I wear my Jeep mud with great pride. And I will have you know I carried that California mud all the way back to Canada with us. In fact, the last time I washed the Jeep was in December 2010 when we were in Elfrida Arizona. Would you believe I ended up leaving a little patch of that Blair Canyon mud on the Jeep just behind the passenger side fog light. Told ya I'm a 'memories' guy. I’m just not a shiny car guy anymore:)) 
I SAVED A LITTLE SPLASH OF CALIFORNIA'S BLAIR CANYON MUD JUST BEHIND THE FOG LIGHT LATER
The complete Jeep clean-up took me about 4 hours. We had enough Arizona desert dust inside that Jeep to plant a whole galloping Cactus garden. Even got the engine all cleaned up again too. There was enough dirt in there to grow a banana tree. 
With the Jeep done I turned my attention to getting the Motorcycle fired up for the season. This is the latest Spring start up since 1994. Pulled the battery off the trickle charger, installed it then couldn’t remember where I had left the key last fall or where the ignition switch was. Later, it took me a bit of finagling to remember how to do the strap up on my helmet. I am not impressed with this aging process!! The bike fired up about the 6th crank & we were ready to rumble. Checked the tire pressures, added a bit of air, threw on a jacket & helmet & headed out for my first customary 4 mile ride of the year. Wound er up through the gears, blew some hair off my face & pushed it hard until the wind forced my face into a big goofy smile. I like when that happens.:))
THIS HERE'S MY NEW BIKER BUDDY FOR THE SUMMER
Kelly had a campfire going in the back yard later this afternoon & it was nice to smell the wood smoke. Camp fires always bring pleasant old memories.
I will resume Groaner's Corner in couple days. I hope to get caught up on everyone's blog shortly & Oh how I miss my big Checky girl.
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The only thing better than right now will someday be the memories of right now...... AL.
Good to see you surface, Al. Nothing like a little warm sunshine to help out. Kelly's campfire looked like a great idea, too. Take care.
ReplyDeleteWas a good day for riding, took my first today as well !
ReplyDeleteBeing on the bike helps me to figure out things in life. There's just something about going down a road on two wheels with the wind whipping through your face to put things in perspective.
ReplyDeleteLove the last photo.
hugs.
ooops the last post was mine.
ReplyDeletethe hermit
I like the idea of leaving a little souvenir of the southwest on the jeep. Glad you were able to get some things done, and it sounds like you really kept busy. The hurt will be there for a while, and then it eases a bit.
ReplyDeleteIt's good to have some chores to help you work through things...
ReplyDeleteWe are always willing to trade american soil for canadian friendship.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it strange that we get alot of cleaning done when we are missing someone?
ReplyDeleteGlad you are finding things to help bring a smile to your face.
ReplyDeleteHUGS to you and Kelly....
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Karen and Steve
(Our Blog) RVing: Small House... BIG Backyard
http://kareninthewoods-kareninthewoods.blogspot.com/
I have some Death Valley sand that I could send you. I don't think we're ever going to get all of it cleaned out of either the rig or the truck. And I pray your hurting is just a little less each day.
ReplyDeleteyour day sounded like it was very productive..good for you for keeping some dirt on the jeep..don't want a 'pavement princess'!!
ReplyDeletenice to have a campfire in the backyard..add a few smores and dessert is made!!
have a good one!..and welcome back!
Yeah, you got out for a nice ride. Life is good!
ReplyDeleteWarm sunshine is always good for the soul! Love the campfire too:)
ReplyDeleteGod bless!
Al, you should really plant a cactus garden with that dirt. That would be something to remind you of Arizona. Tell Kelly the campfire was a great idea! Like your new biker buddy.
ReplyDeleteBeing out in the warm sunshine and fresh air doing a little work is always a good way to help you heal. Take Care!
ReplyDeleteYou do windows??? What a guy!! Boy am I going to use that to pummel Russ into submission (just kidding!!). Glad you were able to get out on the bike for a nice ride and blow out the cobwebs.
ReplyDeleteHope your pain lessens a little each day as the happy memories rise to the surface.
We've had quite a few things blow by the windows in the last few, days, thought I saw a cow go by the other night, let me know if you need any tree limbs or stuff that is laying all over here. be safe out there. Sam & Donna..
ReplyDeleteYou are getting in the swing of things now, cleaning away the dirt from the past season, getting on the bike and getting a nice camp fire going in the backyard. Happy Easter blessings to the Bayfield Bunch.
ReplyDeleteGinny
There's nothing like a ride on your bike with the wind pushing your face in freedom on the road to perk the spirits up.
ReplyDeleteIt's also good to have the chores to keep yourself focused on other things.
Memories...oh how great they are and no one can take them away.
Take care Al.
Gee I am dieing for a Bike ride right now,,,but I left my bike in the Black Hills... One more month and I'll be cranking her up for a spin in the HILL's!!
ReplyDeleteYour doing what I been doing for about 3 years now,,,when I get to thinking about my boys, I get busy. It helps get your mind off "things"..
As you say at the bottom of your blog everyday.."The only thing better than right now will someday be the memories of right now"....so true.
ReplyDeleteNice job on the Jeepster..now come down here and do our GMC..