Odds and ends

The possibility of morning rain proved to be just that, a possibility. It was always threatening but the actual precipitation passed off to our north. Finally around noon the weather radar indicated that there was going to be a least a couple of hours with a very low probability of precipitation. It was, however, windy, the windiest day yet. 20-25mph winds from the south.

But I rode without any urgency. It is Saturday, Saturday midday a person doesn't have to think about getting enough miles and getting home before dark. You can just relax and ride. You don't have to fight the wind, you have to ride into it to be sure, but you don't have to fight it.

Cleaning up yesterday's odds and ends, here is the first flowering shrub. The flowers look almost like daisies. And they aren't very sturdy either. The strong wind was blowing lots of petals off. It was almost like I would get the flower petal shower from the very first flowers of the year. This bush is in Falcon Heights, I later saw another one of this variety near the curling club.And the answer to the quiz? Bueller? That is an ox cart alright, but it absolutely is not a Red River Ox Cart. Note that the wheels are considerably smaller than the 6 feet wheels described on the historical marker. This ox cart is Cambodian, located in front of the Cambodian culture center near the fairgrounds. Has anyone seen Bueller?
And this is my bicycle next to the Saint Paul Cathedral. There recently was a small furor in this town about, if I recall correctly, the passage of the 100th anniversary since the Cathedral was built. This makes this a very old building in this town. For perspective I refer one and all to the April 10 post (No snow yet) and picture of Eglise de Notre Dame in Cunault, a 900 year old church.

In other French business, I am glad everyone finds LaCoquette as amusing as I do. Also, The Guide informs me that the Mauresmo video of climbing Alpe d'Huez includes in the French commentary the information that this is a regular part of her training, that she makes that climb every year. So that makes her a semi-serious bicyclist.