Tongue River Wild Flowers

Various flowers from The Tongue River Valley

The Real Thing

Some people talk about adventure. Some people go on adventures. Pedaling a bicycle across the United States is a real adventure!

Pumpkins: 2011

"I would rather sit on a pumpkin and have it all to myself than be crowded on a velvet cushion" ~ Henrey David Thoreau

"Vegetables are a must on a diet. I suggest carrot cake, zucchini bread, and pumpkin pie." ~ Jim Davis

BIG RED making friends

Crossroads to Market

"Hops, potatoes, hay, wheat, melons, and row crops all were shipped from this area in the early days of Toppenish. Artist Robert Thomas of Kooskia, ID shows the various ways produce was moved at that time."

Today, one can use a bicycle to haul groceries from the market to their home.

Lazy Lake ~ Fall River, WI

Photos taken early October, 2011

Saddle Up Partner!

Saddle Up Partner! Libby, MT.

Spirits of Iron

As I was traveling East of Elbe, WA on my way to Mount Rainier National Park I noticed a bunch of cool looking sculptures in a front yard. Upon stopping I found that the entire property was an outside gallery with over 50 sculptures scattered in the front and back portion of the lot. It was nice to see that the artist did 2 versions of a bicycle (above/below).

above, an old hiawatha

below, an old Sears bicycle




Below, some of the non-bicycle sculptures

When a Permit Wasn't Required

Early Toppenish had a flourishing cattle business. To get the cattle to the stock yards or rail road they were sometimes driven right through the Main Street of town. This mural was painted by artist Gary Kerby in 1995.

Chainsaw Bicycle

A bicycle can haul and carry almost anything...including a chainsaw! Needing to return my friend's chainsaw I decided to find out if I could use BIG RED to make the 7 mile trip into Sun Prairie. Using only 1 bungee cord the chainsaw was easily attached on top of the front rack of BIG RED. It took 2 bungees to secure the container of oil to the side of the rack. Although I got a few strange looks I made the trip with ease. At a stop sign a gentleman mentioned that the bike looked like an apocalyptic jousting bicycle.

Planes, Bicycles, & Automobiles

Photo taken in Ashland, WI

Wenatchee National Forest

Wenatchee National Forest is located in Washington and consists of 1,735,394 acres...or, 2711.55 square miles. Above, Dog Lake.


Dog Lake is drained by Clear Creek. About a half mile down stream is the impressive Clear Creek Falls.



After the falls, Clear Creek flows down this valley.

Clear Creek empties into the artificial but beautiful Rimrock Lake.

A dam forms Rimrock Lake. Below the dam, the Tieton River flows further down the valley where it joins the Naches River. The Tieton River provided some great fly fishing opportunities. In a little under 2 hours I landed over 30 rainbow trout.

Deerfield, WI

Deerfield, WI is in Dane County and is located on the Glacier Drumlin State Trail. Although I'm not a big fan of bike trails the GDST is nice because it's heavily shaded and very flat. Each town that the trail passes through has some great eating establishments. The Glacier Drumlin State Trial is Black Betty's favorite bike path.