TruF 

I miss her kind and thoughtful posts.

Tom Bombadil

I've been wondering where Yen/Jen went too.

TruF 

OK, Tom. I'm going on vacation from 10/4-10/14. If anyone notices, you can tell them I'm in New Mexico. The bikes are staying home.

Tom Bombadil

I was in New Mexico in 2005 for 5 days. Loved it. Would love to go back.

I will be in the state of Washington for 9 days in October, but will have internet access on several of them. So I won't be "leaving" 50+ for the entire period. I will be "gone" for 4 days in early October on a mini-vacation in central Wisconsin, staying at a motel with no internet and no cell phone coverage. Up in MegaMan's vicinity.

Beginning Saturday, I'll only be at work on 11 of the next 30 days ... Yippee!

TruF 

My mom's family were from New Mexico and can trace their history back a few hundred years. So I'm exploring my roots . Oh, and there's the Taos Wool Festival... Does it sound crazy to feel sad about leaving the bikes behind?

Whatcha doing in Washington? Have fun disconnecting yourself from the phone and internet. I have to bring my laptop and phone so work can contact me if anything urgent with a specific project comes up.

I've sometimes wished that I could leave ME behind on a vacation. You know, all the baggage, the worries, the patterns. Ah well!

Tom Bombadil

That trip is part business, part vacation. I'll be in Seattle for a few days on business, will visit my daughter in Vancouver, BC, and will be spending 3 days out on the Olympic Peninsula. Looking forward to being back in the Pacific NW for the first time in 10 years. Doubtful I will ride any, although I could rent a bike while out on the peninsula. Don't think I will as I love hiking in both the high country and in green, rainy places.

Tom Bombadil

Is that Yen I see back in another thread?

Yen

TruF: Thank you for your kind words.

I'm here! I've just been busy doing other things and testing out my new Specialized Armadillos this week (see other post). I also (finally) got the hang of knitting and now I can't put the needles down -- just what I (didn't) need.... another hobby! I've downloaded some free scarf patterns from the internet, we bought some new yarn tonight, and I'm good to go. I did finish a quick scarf for myself last weekend and I can't wait to wear it on the chilly winter mornings. The knitting is just something to do while watching TV.

I hope you both enjoy your upcoming travels. I miss people here when they aren't around. And it's nice to be missed, too.

JanMM

OK. Now, where's Waldo?

Tom Bombadil

Where's The Grampster?

Haven't seen him around lately. Did we run him off?

cyclinfool

where are my glasses - anybody seen them

TruF 

Yen! Welcome back. I discovered knitting a year and a half ago. Knitting is another addictive and expensive hobby, but I love it. Going to the Taos Wool Festival in NM next weekend, my first wool festival. I know LOTs of knitting forums and other internet resources for learning how to knit. The one that helped me the most is KnittingHelp.com. Great short videos of just about everything. I don't know about you, but books aren't much use. I need so see someone do it and practice while I watch.

Good luck on your knitting adventures!

Yen

Another knitter! I learned some years ago, I made an easy baby blanket, and then stopped. I've yearned to really seriously learn the craft ever since and finally got started again last month. I have watched the videos at KnittingHelp.com and they are a big help. I bought a couple of books I like, one has tons of colored step-by-step photos which are helpful, but mostly I love the collection of stitches of all types and the steps in how to do them with a photo of each. But yes, the videos are the most helpful. I hope to graduate from scarves to something more challenging some day but for now they are a great way to improve the basic skills without too much frustration and finish some quick projects -- and who couldn't use a new scarf? Have a great time at the wool festival -- I bet that's like a candy store for knitters!