Pedalling can be a Family Affare

Mother and Son riding together

If you want to get closer to your parents or closer to your kids, there's no better way than to take nice refreshing bicycle cruise down your neighborhood streets. You can even take in outdoor concerts or as this Mother and Son did: Take in some 4th of July Fireworks. There are plenty of things to ride to so don't let 2 wheels stop you. Nothing better than the calming effects of balmy flower scented air to clear your mind and discuss anything now that Mom is in a good mood.  Who knows! Maybe Mom is ready to buy you that used car or that new guitar, all it took was some fresh air and 3 miles of gliding down hills. Even if the convo diverts into small talk, its a memory that can last a lifetime. Our parents wont always be here and neither will we, so lets just make the most of it and enjoy life as it rolls by but please watch for cars and pedestrians. This is Jimio saying: *Ride for Health* *Ride for Fun* *Ride for the Memories* and *Ride with a Camera*

Thumbs-Up for Pedaling!

Guy I met at Cascades Falls Park

This man came out to Cascades Falls to see the fireworks on July 3rd. He used to live in Michigan but lives down south now. I think he was visiting relatives in town. I could tell he was enjoying himself as was I. Nothing like getting exercise and getting around faster than walking. It was a rather hot and humid evening with the temps still hovering in the high 80s by 9 pm. I probably circled the park 20 times looking at all the different people walking around, sitting on picnic tables, sitting on the lawn, walking dogs or carrying tiny dogs in their purses. A few even sat in the back of pickup trucks. A few even played lawn darts [these had no sharp points on the end]. The band near the Falls played all the old hits [Black Magic Woman-Magic Carpet Ride-Taking Care of Business-Radar Love] I almost felt I was transported back to 60s and 70s! It took forever to get dark, I'd say the fireworks didn't go off till 10 pm. The Moon was Full and Love was in the air judging by all the teenagers holding hands. Even a few ancient moldy oldy grownups held hands but I suspect that was more out of nostalgia over the Cascades Falls than over some explosive hormonal thing. This is Jimio saying *Ride for Fun* *Ride for Health* *Ride for the Memories* cause we ain't getting any younger. =B-]

Have a Safe Happy July 4th

A Bicyclist waits for it to get dark and watch the fireworks at Cascades Falls Park

I remember one year back in 1976. My Uncle Jerry was visiting from Maryland and Dadio decided we all should watch the Cascades Waterfalls. Dadio had left his parking lights on so his battery went dead and after the fireworks we all packed into my 1974 Pinto Wagon. It was a tight squeeze and the shocks bottomed out a few times hitting some bumps but we all made it home. Momio called from home to get a towtruck to give Dadio a jump. The first public showing was May 10, 1932. The Falls are 500 feet in length and have 16 falls with hundreds of different colored lights. The many color combinations are spectacular. A new sound system and computerized lighting were installed in 1983. Seating in front of the Cascades can seat 3,000 people. And many times a Band will play on the small stage. The Cascades Falls Park even has its own Ice Cream Paulor and it was packed today! Also there is a 911 Memorial. A piece of the World Trade Center. You can definately tell that piece of steel was in a very hot fire. You can see the Cascades Falls in the upper left of this photo. They aren't in color yet as it is too bright out . This year was very hot, it was prob 86F at 9 pm. In fact as I.m writing this it is 100F out and suppose to be 100F Thursday and Friday. We need rain badly. I'd guess to say at least 60,000 to 80,000 people watched the fireworks this year. Many came on bikes [I got 4 pics] and many even had their dogs with them. I saw a beautiful Husky Puppy and a Greyhound and a few Pugs and Chihuahuas. A guy drove his 1965 Lincoln Continental Convertable. Red-Orange, a wonderful car. As I was riding Betty Lou [my bike] home, I could barely see the thousands of people sitting on the Cascades Park lawn. Every time a firework went off and spread its majestic colors in splender, it cast a golden glow over the crowd. A Full Moon helped to illuminate a certain erieness of wonder and delight to all the children there. Each time I hear the rockets take off, I looked behind me while on my bike and watched each glorious color and shape. One nice thing also- I avoided the mad rush after the fireworks had finished. Let me just say- You don't want to get caught in traffic as thousands of families are scrambling to get home and me on Betty Lou would be like 2 sitting ducks. This is Jimio saying *Ride for Fun* *Ride for Health* *Ride ahead of the Madening Crowds*

Pugging Along

Young Lady with her 2 Pugs enjoying a Balmy Summer Evening

While pedalling at Cascades Park I happened to see a very nice trike carrier for small dogs. The nice thing is when you have more than 1 dog they can tend to go in different directions, so this carrier keeps them together. Another advantage is you can also take the dogs out and walk them for a while. If they get tired they can go relax in the carrier and you can go jogging along with them while they rest!

A Tow for the Ladies

Not your Grandma's Towtruck

As I was pedalling downtown Jackson on Race Weekend, I spotting this Pretty In Pink N Purple Tow Truck that Danica Patrick would be proud to own. On a Ford Ranger body it probably sees only duty towing your compact and subcompact variety. I like La Difference, it's nice seeing colors out there on tow trucks other than black,yellow,red or green. They are having the Quicken Loan 400 at MIS [Michigan International Speedway] on Fathers Day June 17th. On June 15th Greg Biffle topped out at 204 mph on the newly repaved track. A little Googling has rendered me the meaning of "Save the Ta Tas" Its for Breast Cancer Awareness and this Tow Truck is not alone. http://www.eastcoasttowing.net/breastcancertowtruck.html

Lets Get Pedalling!

Nice Commuter Bike in Town

I knew this warm weather would bring out the bikes and this little number caught Betty Lou's attention. No frills, no special gadgets, just plain old common sense. Two fenders to ride through puddles if need be, a horn for Slow pokes, a rear rack to carry garage sale items and a front bag for more important things like bananas, cookies, or a camera. I noticed a cable lock but it's not in use as this pic was taken. No doubt the owner was in view of their transportation treasure. This is Jimio saying *Ride for Fun* *Ride For Health* *Just Get out there and Do-It!*

Pedalling in the Farmlands

Bicycle made from Tractor parts

Farm on Old US12 near Grass Lake Michigan

Well the air is warm and the winds have died down a little so it's time to go long distance pedalling. I felt the urge to take in some peaceful relaxing countryside farm cruising, so I grabbed my camera and jumped on Betty Lou. It was a calm day and not a cloud in the sky. Saw some Sandhill Cranes and got chased by Ginny Hens but other than that I came away unscaythed. This is Jimio saying *Ride in the Country-There's Less Traffic*