Another Sunrise - Blazing Orange

 

Song:  I've Been Searching

Group:  Chicago

I had such a great time yesterday triking to a beautiful sunrise...

that I checked the skies just before sunrise this morning 

to see if there were interesting clouds...

of which usually portends a spectacular sunrise.

I saw that the clouds were particularly well laid out in the sky...

and so, I knew it would be a beautiful sunrise once again.

I got dressed in my cold weather gear...

hoped aboard my trike...

and then sped off on the same route I had taken the day before.

I am leaving Sunset Court here.

I arrived in time to see a sky of a blazing orange.

This time there were no pinks or reds...

but the overall color was a blazing orange...

which sometimes gave way to a brilliant amber...

but the predominant color was orange.

I wish I had a much wider angle lens.

The sky was ablaze with color in all directions.

After the colors faded...

I pedaled home once again.

It is always such a treat to sit on the railing in almost complete silence

while experiencing the spectacular colors of a sunrise.

It was strange...

this time I had heard no coyotes.

Sitting under the magnificent sky ablaze with colors so vivid...

and so surreal...

with the chill of the morning air filling your lungs...

your mind cannot help but wander to the most beautiful moments of your life...

as well as allowing it to transport you to places of the future you long to fulfill.

----------

It is suffering in life that brings out the great beauty in it...

the deep appreciation not experienced by those who fill their lives 

with too much comfort.

Even a relatively short period of exercise...

one which causes a burning in the muscles...

and forces the lungs to fill deeply...

greatly magnifies the beautiful moments in life...

especially one of the great simple pleasures...

such as a sunrise or sunset...

and especially music.

Triking to view the sunsets and sunrises

in the mountains above Reno

allows me to arrive breathing like a locomotive...

and arrive primed to view the sky with its emerging colors

in synchronization with the easing of pain...

and with the resulting rush of wellbeing as endorphins flood the system.

This is what magnifies pleasure...

and it makes all the difference between merely viewing a sunset...

or listening to a song...

and that of being a part of it...

 being fully embraced and enchanted by the music of the skies

as the colors and the wind combine in your mind into a grand symphony.

This is when you feel the colors as great symphonies play in your mind...

and all the while...

the wind becomes part of the orchestra as it caresses your skin.

It is something which one never tires of.

Although I am glad to be alone during these times...

I am still amazed at the lack of people taking in these hypnotic sights...

of which happen on a regular basis here in Reno.

Never allow yourself to become numb to the grand beauty of life.

Look for ways to healthfully suffer.

The lower the lows...

the higher the highs.

And the beauty of this is that by exercising enough to 

sound the body's general alarm (He's trying to kill me  :)...

it adapts by becoming stronger.

The exercise lasts but an hour...

but the feeling of being a god...

lasts for days.

Search out ways to healthfully suffer...

for the key to (metaphorically speaking) heaven lies just on the other side of hell.

You will find this to be so true in every aspect of life.

Because your time in "heaven" is far more profound

and longer lasting than your short period in hell...

you will soon begin to even enjoy hell...

for you know how you will feel shortly afterwards.

This is the root concept for deferred gratification.

It applies to everything in life...

and it never fails.

Depression sets in when you had spent all of your time and resources

chasing short term distractions or pleasures at the expense of long term gain.

With deferred gratification

(a properly set up life)...

life becomes sweeter with each passing year.

And you then have serenity...

as you have nothing but better things for which to look forwards.

I love life...

I simply get so much joy from it...

and all without drugs.

The artificial high of any drug is nothing compared to 

living life with a passion and truly appreciating 

life in all of its grand splendor.

I know what makes me most happy...

and I engage in it...

at will.

I've lived my life with deferred gratification...

and I have creative passions.

I have, both, deep serenity...

and deep passions which make me feel so alive.

I have music...

writing...

and now...

re-experiencing the great outdoors on my recumbent trike as well.

I've had health issues...

but I've adapted...

and with the recumbent trike...

I can ride mountain trails with the freedom

of an eagle soaring the skies.

I can get exercise that I love...

and which I will be able to do for the rest of my life.

All senior citizens should simply try a recumbent trike with e-drive.

It will change your life.

Get off the couch...

and truly experience life.

 

A Sunrise Ride

 

Song:  The Way Of Love

(One of the greatest love songs in music)

Artist:  Cher

Although I took a short ride to Sunset Court last night...

I felt like riding again this morning...

to see the sunrise.

I took this just after descending from Sunset Court...

on my way to view the sunrise on the other side of the hill.

The sunrise is beginning...

but I have just a short ways to go.

I am rounding a corner as I am descending.

I stopped briefly to take this shot during my descent.

I am at a crossroads where I could continue my descent...

or go back up the hill to view the Sunrise...

and then continue up the hill to home.

I parked at a good spot...

and just took in the sunrise.

The air was crisp...

but there was little wind.

I was perfectly comfortable in my winter gear.

I heard a pack of 20 - 30 coyotes howling in unison...

 just a little ways from me...as the sun rose.

After the sun broke through...

I pedaled my way home.

I have a routine.

After my ride...

I cool off for about 1/2 an hour...

and I then sit in the sauna for at least 20 minutes

(I am working my way up to longer a little at a time)...

I then will take a hot shower...

and then do some stretching.

Afterwards...

I am far more relaxed...

and in a much more creative mood.

I intend to restart my writing and music soon.

I've had to deal with some things first...

but, soon.

Nothing gets me in the flow (creative mode) more than my exercise routine...

 a good meal...

a good cup of coffee...

and some beautiful music.

Bandi Goes On Her First Trike Ride

 

Song:  Give Me Love

Artist:  George Harrison

Today was Bandi's first ride in her doggie trailer...

 as I towed her with me trike.

She was initially reluctant to get in...

but, I goaded her into it and attached her collar to an inside dog leash

which is attached to a D ring (one of two attached D rings in the carrier).

Bandi was unsure as to how the ride would go.

After a little while...

she felt more comfortable with the carrier.

We just took a short ride to sunset court (my name for it).

I had made the mistake of leaving the front wheel on the carrier (it is used when you wish to roll it around independent of a bike or trike hook up.

I took off the wheel and placed it inside the carrier.

The ride was much smoother without it on.

Bandi looking out at the sunset.

Although it was a mild pastel sunset...

our main goal today was doggie carrier familiarization.

As you can see...

the doggie carrier quick connects to a standard bike or trike connection stud 

which is sturdily connected to a hard point on the axel housing.

The top of the carrier also unzips in the rear (for loading)...

and the top...

so dogs may look out from the top if desired.

Let's go home.

Aren't we going?

Okay...

let's go.

Bandi had a good time on this familiarization excursion.

As she gets more and more used to it...

she will soon look forward to getting inside...

as she will look forward to running alongside until she tires...

and then getting to ride in comfort afterwards.

There is also a thick doggie pad inside so Bandi may lie down.

As you can see...

there is plenty of room inside for her.

Almost every time I go out...

I will take Bandi on a run...

and then inside for a ride...

if she tires.

Training The Dogs To Accompany The Trikes

 

Song:  I'll Be Your Song

Group:  Heart

On this day's ride...

we kept it short, as it was to train the dogs to walk and run 

alongside the trikes.

As my younger sister will be handling the dogs during our rides...

(my elder sister will be hauling her dog...

and I will be towing my mother in her palanquin)...

I wanted her to train the dogs so she will be used to them running alongside.

At first...

the dogs were not used to walking alongside the trike...

but they soon adapted.

After a brief rest...

we went back home.

They at first walked...

but then my younger sister went faster...

and so...

the dogs started to run.

Going back up the hill...

they resumed walking.

Pulling in to home.

This was the first of many more rides in which the dogs will accompany us.

This is all in preparation for spring.

There are so many trails we wish to go on.

We will start out at Lake Tahoe...

and from there...

we will go on mountain trails.

Turn Signals And Extra Rear Lights Installed / Future Gear

 

Song:  Wanted Dead or Alive

Group:  Jon Bon Jovi

Last night...

I installed my front and rear turn signals...

and the remote switch to operate them...

as well as moving around the rear camera and accessory post...

and adding some more rear lights.

I had forgotten to turn on the underside red lights...

but it doesn't matter.

I wanted to show the much improved rear laser pattern...

(after I had taken this picture...I realigned the laser...

as it was slightly off center).

As I had moved the laser and led light higher...

the pattern is now much more full.

You can see the extra two led rear lights below the laser emitter.

I had moved the camera post to the center and had placed it vertically...

as it made for a much more full laser pattern...

as well as giving me a mounting post for the rear turn signals.

The center post may easily be extend upwards...

and upon which I may mount my Insta 360 x3 camera.

You may see the two extra led rear lights as well.

I had mounted the front turn signals on the main cross bar...

and just inside of the wheels.

Although they may not be easily seen in this picture...

I also installed greatly improved pedals.

They are not only wider...

but each side has metal studs to grip the bottom of shoes.

I had mounted the turn signal remote control atop

 the right side vertical steering grip.  

With just a flip of my thumb...

I may easily and intuitively use my turn signals.

The centered top switch is to operate the emergency flashers...

whereupon all the lights flash off and on.

My next step will be to install my water proof side bags.

This way I may always carry extra food and water...

tire and chain repair kits...

and for some longer rides...

an emergency medical kit...

water purifier...

my cold / wet weather gear...

the tow rope...

all my charging equipment...

my Bass Flute...

a tent and -50 F (-45 C) sleeping bag...

and anything else I deem necessary for my particular trip

(Later, I will also add a top rear rack and a trailer...

for extended multi-day trips to hold my extra gear).

As with anyone truly knowing, we men...

we all have the little boy we once were...

always living inside of us...

and so...

just like a child...

I am having a blast just accessorizing my trike...

and dreaming of coming adventures.

I already have a neck worn blue tooth equipped speaker system

which directly connects to my phone in its holder to play my music playlist...

of which I may listen to for longer than I will be pedaling on any one day.

-----------------------

The following applies only to my dreamed of....

but not solidly planned for...and which may never even happen...

solo multi-day long distance Nevada desert / forest / mountain rides...

or even through adjoining states with similar gun laws:

After the bags...

I will be adding a chest gun holster...

and perhaps a shotgun holder to one side of my seat...

as we may open carry a loaded side arm in my state 

(Our State Motto: All For Our Country, Battle Born)...

and although my pistol may be loaded...

and the open carry shotgun may also be loaded....but in the magazine only...

without a shell in the chamber...

I can quickly and easily rack a shell

 in case the first rounds of my .357 don't stop

whatever creature attempts to prey upon me...

and my shotgun will be loaded with penetrator slugs...

with which I could even take down a grizzly or a bison in one shot

(again...just for my Nevada or similar gun law state...

long distance day and night solo desert / forest / mountain rides).

By the way...

that is one of the reasons I put on two extra large convex side view mirrors.

Mountain lions usually attack from the side or rear...

and bears will charge from any direction...

but if I see either...

you can bet I will be pedaling furiously in an attempt to put him behind me  :)

I will also be carrying plenty extra ammo in my bags as well.

Why so many shells and rounds?

Wolves and coyotes travel and attack in packs...

and they can run down their prey for days at a time...

and so...

even on my trike...

they could outlast me.

Anyway...

my first defense will be to always monitor my surroundings...

and my backup weapon will be my slingshot...

okay...yes...

I am joking.  :)

And now...

my new motto:

"I'm a cowboy...

on a steel horse I ride."

(Jon Bon Jovi - Wanted Dead or Alive)

Ah...yes...

the little boy inside is still alive and well.

And...

if he is ever allowed to die within you...

you might as well be dead yourself...

for it is through him that we dare conquer

all of our fears to achieve our hopes and dreams...

so we may always see life anew with open and honest eyes...

with a sense of wonderment and deep appreciation...

and see each day as the beginning of a new adventure.