Sweet!

Yes, I rode to work today.

And . . .

Another beautiful sunrise greeted me.

It also felt like August in St. Louis, finally. I never thought I would say such a thing, but it just hasn't seemed right without the "Hot". Whether it was or not, it certainly felt like the warmest day of the season.

I adjusted my route again. Tonight I rode out Gravois. As luck would have it a traffic light brought me to a stop near the business Signature Iron Works. I looked over and a man was motioning to me and yelling, "Pull in.Pull in. Pull in." I did. I, also, surprised him by saying, "I hate you!" as my first words to him. The expression on his face changed when I told him I'd heard he'd bought a Kymco People 250S just like mine at an insurance auction for a fraction of what I paid for mine.

He laughed and invited me in to see his beast. It had been wrecked, but ran great. It had been totaled by the insurance company. He has a great ride that runs great, needs just a few cosmetic pieces, and some paint to turn it into a stunner.

You may wonder how I knew about his good fortune. I know he told me he was. The other evening when I stopped in at Mike's he told me the guy from the business down the road had just been in. He told me the story. It amazes me how often serendipity smiles on me. Let's take a moment and look at all the "coincidences" conspiring to bring me to meet a new friend. There is the street construction and that I happen to stop in at Mike's shortly after D had been there. Today was an early dismissal and I was traveling by while he was open. D just happened to be looking out the door when the traffic light caused me to stop. And, of course, the biggest coincidence, I was riding Isabelle. I suspect there are others slipping my mind, but you get the idea. I have only one word for it, "Sweet."

It's a long weekend for those of us in the United States. Here, it promises to be a hot one. Will I ride? I hope so, but I have other projects demanding attention. We'll see.

Whether you are facing a Holiday or simply a weekend, may you be safe.

• 80F/27C with some clouds and a hint of humidity for the ride to work.
• 100F/38C with lots of sun and a heat index of 106F/41C for the home ride.

Not So Hot

Yes, I rode to work today.

And . . .

It didn't get quite as hot as they predicted, nor was it all that humid.

The City Street Department is still tearing up and repaving my usual and favored route to work. With Isabelle I have more options.

Tonight I hooked up with Broadway and took it all the way out River DesPeres Blvd. This took me by another of the Cupples Warehouses. Needless to say it has fared better than Cupples No.7.

• 76F/24C and some clouds for the ride to work.
• 96F/36C with a few more clouds for the ride home.

Still Warm

Yes, I rode to work today.

And it didn't get as warm as they predicted. It was still warm enough. I saw lots of motorcycles and scooters out after work, but very little gear. Standard issue seemed to be jeans and tee-shirts. There were a few people wearing shorts and I saw one scooter rider wearing flip-flops. I've certainly been hotter in my gear. Truthfully, since I had few stops and was moving most of the time, I was pretty comfortable. I'm guessing there were more than a couple of headaches tonight from people allowing themselves to get dehydrated.

The forecasters are saying we could see a little more humidity tomorrow. Hot and humid may be my very least favorite riding conditions.

• 75F/24C with a few clouds for the ride to work.
• 96F/36C and plenty of sunshine for the home ride.

Summer All Day Long

Yes, I rode to work today.

And . . .

It was Summer all day long.

I was on Isabelle, my Kymco People 250S  for the day. I will be for the next couple of days. There is a paving project on one of the streets I normally take on my commute. The other routes mean more aggressive drivers and Isabelle is a better match. I took an unusual route home tonight.

With the heat and humidity for a moment I thought I'd gotten very far a field. Truthfully, as hot goes it wasn't that hot here today. I suspect it was hotter in Key West today than it was here, but I'm too lazy to find out.

As  I was leaving the Courthouse tonight one of the woman deputies said, "Stay cool." I responded, "I don't suspect I'll stay cool, but I promise I won't overheat." And, I didn't.

Tomorrow it may get really hot.

• 77F/25C with a few clouds for the ride to work.
• 94F/34C and cloudy, but far from overcast for the home ride.

Felt Like Summer

Yes, I rode to work today.

And . . .

It finally felt like summer.

0710 CDT

It only got up to 97F/36C, but there was plenty of humidity at lunchtime. It lessened for my ride home.

It really wasn't so hot scooters needed to run around naked. I don't know the story of this one.  I spied it on the way home. Someone put some work into it.

The cloud cover made it looked later, but I rode home at the usual time. It really was comfortable temperature wise. I didn't have any long stops at lights. Besides I needed to thaw out from my usual post work chill. I sometimes think I'm working in a meat locker. Who knows, perhaps it will keep me well preserved.

• 77F/25C and hazy for the ride to work.
• 95F/35C and lots of clouds for the home ride.

Gratitude

Yes, I rode to work today.

And . . .

It was another gorgeous day in the neighborhood.

On days like this commuting on two wheels is easy. It being Friday with great weather in the forecast for the weekend made it even more sweet.

Having my funny head finally clear up completely by mid-afternoon today was the sweetest thing of all. While in the midst of one of my brain storms I do fine with things. People? Not so much. I suspect my co-workers were relieved as well. I work with a wonderful group of folks who care very much about me and worry over me. Most are baffled by how riding can be wise for me when I'm having one of my "fits". Those who have worked most closely with me have seen it work its magic and no longer question the wisdom. They accept it with the same gratitude I do and with the same awe.

• 74F/23C with quite a few clouds, but some sun for the ride to work.
• 90F/32C and fewer clouds and more sunshine for the home ride.

A Stretch

Yes, I rode to work today.

And . . .

The sunrise promised a warm day.

Some folk were wearing their hot weather gear. It did manage to get a couple of degrees Fahrenheit above our average, but it would be a stretch to call it "Hot" for August.

I didn't mind the warmth on my afternoon walk break. If it were really hot I suspect the heat rising and stirring up the humidity in the air would have been visible to the naked eye. Instead all the angles and texture of this "urbanscape" were clearly defined.

Personally the day started off difficult. There is a men's Bible study group meeting at the cafe on Thursday mornings. They have been slowly encroaching on the space I have occupied nearly daily for the last six years. This morning they had taken the table, "my table", and pulled it into their orbit. I can't say there were more of them today, they just pulled the table from the side I sit on rather than the other side. This simple act on their part threw me off totally and I just couldn't figure out how to sit somewhere else. I just left. I'm grateful I was riding. I know my "breakdown" would have been worse without the elongated ride to work. Still, it upset my whole cognitive map well into the afternoon. Oh well, being "special" is grand.

• 76F/24C and some hazy clouds for the ride to work.
• 89F/32C and a little bit more cloudy, but still lots of sunshine for the home ride.

Full

Yes, I rode to work today.

And . . .

It was such a beautiful day, it seems everyone else rode to work as well.

It has been some time since we had a full parking area. Today we did.

• 73F/23C and sunny for the ride to work.
• 91F/33C with a few clouds for the ride home.

A Different View

Yes, I rode to work today.

And . . .

On the way home I played around with the camera a little.

I think this may be the first shadow photo I've ever taken.

This is probably the second. Sort of makes me look pregnant doesn't it?

Heather really disliked this one.

And, another photo of the world reflected off Billie's chrome headlight casing. This one has Heather's seal of approval. During the winter when I have protective goop sprayed all over the casing to protect from the road chemicals I miss this view terribly. Looking down and seeing the sky is one of my favorite things about the Symba. The future always looks brighter in this chrome ball.

As I neared home I saw a blimp. I only got this shot of it. I tried to change my route to get a different view, but ended up losing sight of it all together. Oh well.

• 70F/21C and sunny for the ride to work.
• 89F/32C with a sky full of hazy clouds for the ride home.

The Second Wave

Yes, I rode to work today.

And . . .

I actually remembered my camera on a Monday.

0710 CDT

Yes, the sun is definitely lower in the sky then it was the last time I pointed my camera in this direction. Too soon I will be riding with it full on in my eyes.

Today was the second wave of school beginnings. There were more kids at the bus stops and there seemed to be less manic drivers. This was the start of the St. Louis Public School Year.  Last week it was a number of the private schools that opened.

There is one very big plus about the school year beginning. I get to see which of the kids will develop a "waving" relationship with me. Every year there are some who do, and there are some parents who do as well.

• 68F/20C, calm and clear for the ride to work.
• 85F/29C with a few clouds for the home ride.

Who Knows?

Yes, I rode to work today.

And . . .

Many of my co-workers were commenting today on how much I really must love riding in this weather. They are right. When I mention to them how sparse the motorcycles and scooters were in the parking area again today they are as surprised as I am. This was the first week of school here. Perhaps some of the riders have found themselves with transportation duties. Who knows? I know I've really enjoyed the temperatures and the skies this week.

The drivers on the other hand have not been so enjoyable. Every year during the first couple of weeks of school things go crazy. I'm guessing new schedules lead to rushing and rushing leads to people doing crazy things. It has always settled down as folks get used to their new routines. I hope it does so sooner rather than later.

For the next while I'm going to "talk" my way through my rides to increase my level of awareness. I trust this chaos will soon pass.

• 59F/15C , clear and calm for the ride to work.
• 76F/24C with wonderful backlit clouds for the ride home.

Wisps

Yes, I rode to work today.

And . . .

Wisps.

Any fog was in my brain. I've had better brain days, but I've had much worse.

The day ended with a late dinner with a dear friend I hadn't seen in over a year. It was a delight.

Beautiful skies to ride into and good friendships remind me my sometime cognitive challenges are but wisps in the wind of a quite happy life. It nearly makes needing to be reminded of this over and over again worth it.

• 60F/15C and sunny for the ride to work.
• 75F/24C with a cloud full of clouds and dancing sunlight for the home ride. 

Two Questions

Yes, I rode to work today.

And . . .

When I checked the weather this morning and saw it was 58F/14C two questions came to mind: What month is it? And, where am I? It is August and I'm in St. Louis, but it sure felt more like Autumn than August.

When I got to work I found only one other bike in the parking area.

Of course, it was Vulcan Rider. I was running a little early this morning and thought maybe this is why there were only two of us.

But, when I went out at morning break it was still just us two. I guess it was too chilly for the other guys.

On the way home I passed a truck farm.

And some tired surprise lilies.

I, also, saw lots of bikes out after work. I guess it warmed up enough.

• 59F/15C and sunny for the ride to work.
• 72F/22C and sunny for the home ride.

A Nice Day

Yes, I rode to work today.

And . . .

It finally managed to put together a nice day all day.

From the luscious sunrise in the morning . . .

. . . to the blue skies in the evening.

It is difficult for me to comprehend it is August. It is like we haven't had any real "summer" weather. Yes, we had a couple of warm days, but mostly we've had cool mornings and moderate, for here, days. St. Louis has been spared the worse of the rains. Ironically, even though it seems we've had very few days in a row without a shower or two, we could use some rain. I wrote that sentence in a very low voice.

I walked over near the demolition site again.

I had to get a photo of these grand old timbers.

I love the times when I'm riding and there are significant changes in temperatures during my journey, little patches of cold or a place where it feels warmer than anywhere else. This evening's ride home was such a time. I'm still smiling.

• 67F/19C and a little cloudy for the ride to work.
• 79F/26C with fewer clouds and lots of sunshine for the home ride.

Missed Me

Yes, I rode to work today.

And . . .

It was clear in the morning.

It rained during the day.

It cleared off for the home ride.

Yes, once again the rain missed me and I rode both ways in sunshine.

• 72F/22C with some clouds for the ride to work.
• 76F/24C with some clouds for the ride home.

It Isn't Skill

Yes, I rode to work today.

And . . .

It was a lovely morning to ride indeed.

Downtown, the early morning sun was reflecting off of the great glass buildings and making patterns on their neighbors.

It seems lately the weather can't put together a nice day all day. By the afternoon it was once again overcast.

It was gray once again, but dry.

Another week where the rain missed me. It isn't skill on my part, it has been the luck of the draw.

Speaking of luck, I hope you all are lucky enough to have a wonderful weekend. May you be safe.

• 70F/21C with a few clouds for the ride to work.
• 79F/26C and overcast for the home ride.

A Lovely Evening

Yes, I rode to work today.

And . . .

The morning began bright.

But by lunch time it was raining.

And by the ride home it was gray.

At first I thought this guy had his rain gear on.

Then I noticed he wasn't barefoot.

It turned into a lovely evening to sit outside. I had dinner with my friend Will and we did just that. We are often mistaken for brothers of the same mother which we are not. I can't speak for him, but I take it as a compliment.

• 73F/ with a few clouds for the ride to work.
• 79F/ and overcast for the ride home.

Pretty Much Like Yesterday

Yes, I rode to work today.

And . . .

Once again the day started out gray.

It certainly looked like it was going to rain and it did rain south of the City, but all it managed Downtown was a sprinkle or two.

By afternoon it had cleared off.

I walked over to check on the demolition. It proceeds.

 This is one of the other old Cupples Warehouses. And no it isn't leaning like it was in Pisa. It is next door to the one coming down. This is what might have been.

After work I rode over to Mike's. Isabelle is having trouble with her headlights again.

Mike is slowly making over the building he's in.

The red paint is new. This will act as both my before and first during photo. It is a really great space inside.

And here's one of the views from his front door.

St. Francis de Sales Roman Catholic Church

I left with headlights but not with a permanent fix. Oh well, it is always something.

• 76F/24C and overcast for the ride to work.
• 87F/31C with plenty of clouds and lots of sunshine for the home ride.

Bodes Well

Yes, I rode to work today.

And . . .

The day began gray with patches of fog. I even saw evidence of a recent rain shower, but by afternoon it had cleared off.

Outside, Inside

Today bought the news a friend's son bought a motorcycle. He bought a Honda Rebel. He's enrolled in the Basic Rider Course at the local Community College.  He is doing so very many things right. She announced the purchase on Facebook and I wasn't surprised by the comments, still it saddened me the assumption my friend was sprouting gray hairs and in the grips of anxiety. I'm sure she is anxious, just as she is about his going off to college, having a serious steady girlfriend, about him being a "boy", etc. I added my voice to congratulate the young man on making sensible decisions. It bodes well for his future.

• 72F/22C and gray for the ride to work.
• 89F/32C with some clouds, but plenty of sunshine for the home ride.

Below Average Can Be A Good Thing

Yes, I rode to work today.

And . . .

The day started out gray.

And it pretty much stayed that way.

We are still experiencing mild temperatures than normal. The average high temperature for August is 88F/31C. Today the high was only 75F/24C and more importantly the sun remained hidden behind the clouds. The sun here can be brutal.

I remember when I moved to Oklahoma everyone warned this Yankee to be careful of the sun. I learned the wisdom of this. It was definitely more intense than the sun I grew up with in Michigan. Here it is nearly as intense. It is something to be wary of and to protect oneself from.  Today without the sun and with a breeze it was nearly chilly out.

There is lots of chance for rain this week. We'll see what comes.

• 68F/20C and overcast for the ride to work.
• 74F/23C and overcast for the home ride.

Almost

Yes, I rode to work today.

And . . .

I almost made it home without getting rained on.

As I neared home it rained hard but not for long. It had pretty much stopped by the time I pulled into my alley. I had raingear on and didn't get wet.

I've had worse work weeks and I've had better, but this is one Friday I'm very happy to see arrive.

May we all have a safe and wonderful weekend.

• 70F/21C and hazy for the ride to work.
• 80F/27C and overcast with a nice little shower to top off a nice ride home.

The Gray Was Gone

Yes, I rode to work today.

And . . .

There was nothing gray about this morning.

There was plenty of sunshine and hardly a cloud in the sky. This photo was taken from the Tucker Blvd Bridge over the rail yard. Some work is being done on the Bridge and there was one of those portable signs with the arrows pointing for cars to get over. There wasn't any work being done and it was easy to just pull Billie over behind the sign and take a photo I normally wouldn't be able to.

In the afternoon I walked over to get another view of the demise of Cupples No.7. I probably should get some photos of a couple of the other Cupple's Warehouses that have been re-purposed. Yes, that would be a good thing. Perhaps one of these days.

• 70F/21C and a very few clouds for the ride to work.
• 86F/30C and quite a few more clouds for the home ride.

There's a good chance of rain tomorrow. We'll see if my luck holds out.