Ocean Grove, NJ

Quick weekend trip to visit family in NJ. Snuck away to see the ocean early Sunday morning, windy and cold. It was fun watching a few hearty surfers.

Biking the New River Trail

My triathlete masochist friend and I finally got to ride the New River Trail in the western part of Virginia. Originally a branch line of the Norfolk & Western Railroad serving several mines in the area, this is now a beautiful but bumpy rail trail. We biked 50 miles starting in Pulaski VA, with a riverside lunch at Foster Falls. Leaf colors were wonderful. The weather was overcast and threating, and this probably kept most tourists away. We only had a few drops of rain at lunchtime. It was a great ride. And a pancake breakfast at Cracker Barrel and dinner at a Golden Corral buffet trough ensured we were properly nourished.

One-way photos, from Pulaski to Foster Falls: http://picasaweb.google.com/sagittandy/NewRiverTrail#

Moon over Macy's

Did I mention this week that I enjoy bicycle-commuting in the early morning darkness? A beautiful almost-full moon cast an eerie glow over everything this morning. It was so bright, my headlights did not seem so effective. But I could see darkwad joggers well in advance.

I also caught up to two darkwad bicyclists, one pulling a baby trailer. I dread to think there was a helpless child inside, being pulled on the streets by unlit bicyclists.

Cellphone photos don't do it justice: http://picasaweb.google.com/sagittandy/MoonOverMacyS#

Fairmont M-19

I uncovered my Fairmont M-19 railroad motorcar this afternoon, a full-sized historic railroad maintenance vehicle, ca 1949. Cleaned the connections on the spark coil and timer points, mixed some fresh gas and oil, and after a good bit of hand-cranking, it started and ran well. Rode it back and forth a few times on the flatbed trailer, woo hoo.

It's time to sell it all: the railcar, the flatbed trailer, the Suburban to pull it, even the two sections of railroad track on the ground. A complete package for the budding hobbyist.

Photos: http://picasaweb.google.com/sagittandy/FairmontM19#

Go Karts!

So how does Corporate America reward geeks after a long successful project? Commemorative plaques? A formal gourmet dinner? Cash? No way. Geeks want Go Karts!

Frankie's Fun Park, Raleigh.

Photos: http://picasaweb.google.com/sagittandy/FrankieS#

CCLS October 2008

I visited the Central Carolina Live Steamers fall run today. It is a 1/8 scale miniature railroad. I was an active member of the club for probably 15 years, building, expanding, and maintaining the railroad. It was fun to see the guys and to ride around the track again.

Photos: http://picasaweb.google.com/sagittandy/CCLSOctober2008#

Playalicious Playwear

Now THIS shirt has possibilities! Cut off the sleeves, add lights, add sparkly trim. Yesss.

Thanks, TJMaxx.