The Big Run: Springtime in Seattle

I rode the flattie yesterday, did some freeway time at 55, edged up to about sixty at one point. I know the old baby has more in it but I just choose not to go there. There was a time when I could not even CONCEIVE of going on the freeway. More on that later. What a great ride. Thanks, Bob.

Check it out! Attached below is today's 7 day forecast from the Seattle Times. Dreary dreary. This is typical spring here, every day seems to be like the last. When the sun comes out people seem to get a little bit crazy. When it's "cold" on a spring morning, like 45, it seems to cut to the bone, it's weird. Believe me, I know cold - I've lived in some pretty harsh places like Wisconsin and Upstate NY, where 20 below is not unusual. But the Pacific Northwest cold just has this . . . . edge.

And. AND. Summer in Seattle is scheduled, every year, for July fifth. In 1980, on our very first Fourth of July, we went to Elliott Bay to watch Ivar's fireworks. It was cold and rainy and we wore our parkas because we had to. We watched the rockets disappear into the clouds, the clouds glowed briefly and we'd hear a report BOOM! That was it, glowing clouds and a lotta noise. Then came July 5th like summer in the midwest. 85 degrees and sun sun sun. Yeah baby. Seattle, you are forgiven.

I choose to live here, moved here twice for a total of 21 years. The last time I moved here that voice inside my head said "I'm home" when we crossed the state line. So today I choose to stay. But boy howdy I don't mind telling you New Mexico looks pretty good right now.

A little commentary about the Times forecast. Today is Tuesday, right? Why in heaven's name do they want to give me a forecast for yesterday? And they TEASE ME!! I ride pretty much every day, year round, and the weather forecast is more than just a curiousity for me. I'm a little bit obsessive and sometimes, every now & then, maybe, I'll check the forecast two or three times a day. OK fine. Two or three times an hour. At least once a day, it seems, they promise a sun break tomorrow and I say YAYNORAINGEAR!!!! Then they shut it down to gloom again 20 minutes later. Then sun. Then rain. I understand how Charlie Brown feels when Lucy says "Go ahead Charlie Brown, kick the football. I promise I won't pull it away this time!" Sigh.