Dog Festival

This woman is a regular on the MUP. She puts her cane in the rear basket and ride to whereever...

There were a half dozen options for riding on Saturday and none of them worked out. But there were plenty of people doing outside things all weekend.



Today (Sunday) was a really nice day for being outside. No one was available to ride and the two group rides available had a long drive to get to the start. I chose an old favorite that brought me into Dartmouth and New Bedford, both are located on the South Coast of Massachusetts.


In Dartmouth I stopped to watch some kids playing soccer. This time of year is the travel teams and other high level leagues. The game I was watching was difficult. It was very young boys, 9 or 10 year olds. It was obviously a 6v6 league, but one team, wearing blue, had only four players. The Yellow team, fielding a full compliment of six, were relentless. Goal after goal after goal, with the coach of the yellow team egging them on for more. The Blue coach was very good at complimenting his players telling them to hang tough and play fair.

There were a few options the coaches could have chosen, including playing like they did. I don't know the circumstances, so I'll hold my judgment and opinion.

I cut short the ride in Dartmouth to get to Buttonwood Park in New Bedford because to the Dog festival going on. Wifey was working with our town's Animal Shelter and I got to parade a couple of dogs around the grounds that were wearing coats which said, "Adopt Me". Both dogs behaved wonderfully, and one had some training.

"This one is the son of this one and this one, who is this one's cousin".... The guy said while pointing his fingers at each dog.



Fun, Fun, Fun


Big dogs and small dogs, and very big dogs.


Manfred the wonder bird.


There were a couple of carnival type things like face painting for the kids, a hokey DJ and an Ice cream truck. Mostly though it was animal related. A few small town shelters and a some state and local animal organizations.

This kid picked a serpent to have painted on his face.



On the way out, I caught up to a city bike cop. We rode together the two miles to the station taking bikes. We both agreed that he had one of the better jobs on the force.

Pedaling to headquarters.


When I got home, midnight was really excited to see me.

Two in...Two out

That's the breathing technique on the training and fitness rides. Everyday at lunch it's a 10 mile spin around the industrial park complex. The tour is in less than three weeks and I also want to lose 30 lbs by Friday.

These are "head down, hammer into the wind" rides and I try to keep the spining high. Tomorrow may see a slower pace on the road to Wheaton again, and maybe some photos.

The evening walks have been long but slow. My dog walking partner is still recovering from a collapsed lung. I find myself walking at half pace and he next thing I hear, "can we slow down please".


Tonight we'll be looking at an almost 1/2 moon with Jupiter as bright as ever. Last night things were so clear and bright, I was knocking on neighbors doors to come out and take a look.

Before the star gazing dog walk, we will be hosting a send of dinner for #2 brother. Richard and Rochelle will continue thier east coast holiday with a visit to Maine before driving home to Florida.

The Hounds of Fairhaven

Saturday and Sunday mornings I head over to the animal shelter and help wife clean up and take care of the dogs. There are other volunteers but none work on the weekends. She is the official volunteer and does most of the kennel cleaning and feeding the dogs. My duties are cleaning the yard, (picking up shit) and playing with the dogs.

I always bike to the pound, usually stopping for breakfast on the way over. The photos tell the story better.