Daddy Daughter Date: A Vet Visit

Before I get to the daddy daughter date of today, I want to catch everyone up on a few experiences. I posted a Friday Comparison yesterday that showed us having driven 4 miles. I picked up the children and two friends after school in the van yesterday. Six children, one adult is a driving situation. 98 degrees at 3pm, could also reinforce the desire to drive. Three things happened during this short trip, the fuel light came on, there was construction traffic two blocks from school (5 minute wait), and the children had left their bikes at school in the morning and I had to get them home.

The fuel light coming on didn't phase me as it was such a short trip, but I also needed to drive the van today, so I was going to need to fix that issue. Having to sit idol had me moderately concerned, with the fuel light on, but things cleared up quickly. The parking director at school laughed that I was driving and knew about the construction. He commented that I would have made better time on my bike. He's probably right. Bringing the bikes home in the trunk worked well, until I drove the van this morning and forgot they were in there.

Today's To Dos
We were invited to a birthday party today. It was in Lavalette, which is in our neighboring Wayne County (Out Wayne, aka OW, if you are local). I had called the Wayne Express transportation company earlier this week to find out exactly which of their buses went down that road and what times, as their website was very poorly constructed and the information was sparse, but there was a map with a bus line highlighted showing the street I needed. I spoke with a lady in transportation who informed me there is now only one bus that runs five times a day, weekdays only and it would be a $1 for every rider. This bus did not go where I needed. I called our TTA and asked if they provided service to Lavalette, nope. It's not a bikeable road. So minivan it was. This was not a social engagement we wanted to miss, these were good family friends and having an able vehicle in the drive way, was our means.

Coinciding with the party we had a scheduled veterinarian check up for our two cats. This was a divide and conquer situation. Brent and London were going to go to the vet and I was going to take the boys to the party. Seeing that I was driving, Brent took the camera at my request, to document "taking cats to the vet by bike." What I didn't expect was them to turn it into a sight-seeing daddy daughter date.

I mentioned forgetting about the two bikes in the trunk of our van. We left before Brent and London and it never occurred to me they wouldn't have their bikes in the garage. When they arrived home from the vet, Brent said London rode my bike better than she normally rides her Junior Viper. There were no complaints and they had a jolly good time. Glad that worked out well. The worst that could have happened is they missed the appointment, and that's not a terrible thing.

The Date
In my mind's eye, they were going to take the cats in the trailer. Brent decided on his own they would get more fresh air on the rack. He rigged up this cat transport with some ratcheting belts. He was very careful to get them tight and check them for shifting and falling.

Stopping in Ritter Park. Coco and Kit.

 They turned the whole adventure into an opportunity to be a tourist. They stopped often for breaks and actually arrived late to the appointment. Our home thermometer read 104 degrees today, but I doubt it didn't just say that because it was melting.

London and her cats at the Memorial Arch.

They arrived at the vet without issue.

 London has been trying to learn to use the camera. She says she wants to have her photos in the newspaper some day. These next few are from her perspective.

Kit

Coco.

 Everyone made it home, safe and hot. I looked up their route on Google maps and discovered they went about 10 miles round trip. I asked Brent what the vet had to say about his mode of transporting the cats and he reports she had no issues with it what so ever. She seemed to give the impression people usually bike their cats to appointments, but somehow we both doubt this.

Yeah, my garage is on my to-do list for the week. I have been collecting things from around the house all summer for a yard sale. Soon, I keep promising myself, soon.

 I was laughing so hard when he rolled up I was sure PETA would be right behind him. It was something out of a comic book. I chuckled more when we looked up the route he took and compared it to the more direct route suggested by Google. He rode 3.6 extra miles because he couldn't remember how far down 3rd Avenue the office was.

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London had quality time with her dad today. She seem to smile a lot more after they arrived home, I know I was. The boys and I had a great time too. It's always refreshing to laugh with friends and family.

Miles Walked: 6	Biked: 82.9	Bused: 0	Drove: 22.3	This week
43.7	195.8	12.6	422.2	Since August 14, 2011

Breakfasty bike date: Recycling, CSA & River and Rail Bakery

When we set out to reduce our driving I made a chart of the places we go and the alternate ways we could get there. One of our driving issues was the recycling drop off. We typically would take our items to the stream recycling bins in South Point, OH, which we would have to drive to. We then discovered a recycling bin on 6th Avenue downtown that was located in the parking lot were we pick up our CSA. During my reduced driving phase, I would take out recycling on Tuesdays and pick up my produce at the same time. When we decided to park the cars I signed up for curbside pick up but discovered the service did not accept glass or cardboard.

Running up to a porch requires someone to hold the bike steady with Oliver in it, or take him out.

Dropping off our cardboard and glass.

During the month of August we have been asking a friend and our share partner to pick up the CSA and we have been holding our glass and cardboard in the basement till I could muster the organization to get it to the bin on 6th. Today was the day. With the three older children in school I knew Oliver and I could take out recycling and pick up CSA using the iBert for Oliver and the trailer for all our cargo. Brent came along for company on his way to work so we turned the whole affair into a date.

Locking up at First Presbyterian for CSA pick up.

Lewis, the farmer who provides all the CSA produce, was bagging and unloading when we arrived. He said the heat shriveled his entire fall crop of cabbage (5000 plants) and cauliflower (2500)! We certainly thanked our farmers!

Heritage Station

Brent hauled his gear and the trailer and I took Oliver in the front seat carrier. This was a good use of our physical strengths and bike abilities. His bike is better suited to haul. Something I need desperately to fix, as I am the one who has more time for errands.

This morning was very chill and foggy. Fleece for Oliver and jeans for me. I think some of that fog seeped into my brain because a mile or so after we left home I realized I forgot my helmet.  I used Brent's and left his head unprotected (we joked it was because the life insurance was higher for him). Later we discovered I forgot to put the flag on the trailer when I converted it from stroller to trailer this morning. Some days are like that.

Recycling dropped off and the CSA picked up, we took advantage of our downtown location, reduced child accompaniment and smidgen of extra time Brent could spare, and headed to River and Rail Bakery at Heritage Station. Perfect breakfast date for us. Cinnamon roll for the boys, mocha for the parents, both shared unequally on the outdoor patio. Tonight River and Rail is hosting the CAFE dinner, something we won't attend this time, but wanted to let you all know about.

Inside River and Rail Bakery

A lending library

Brent got a hold of my camera.

More shops at Heritage Station

Riding home we came across the PATH mural project on 10th Street at the via-duct. A dozen volunteers were busy painting a scene to reflect the people of PATH in Huntington. I don't know how long folks will be painting, but they need more volunteers.

10th Street via-duct heading south. It was blocked to traffic, but we meandered through on our bikes to thank everyone and snap a few pictures.

Brent did accompany us home as well. He lugged Oliver and the produce back just so he could get his helmet and see us safely in. I am very happy he did. I love his company and that's what makes every time we spend together a great date.

Miles Walked: 2	Biked: 23.9	Bused: 0	Drove: 0	This week
39.7	136.8	12.6	399.9	Since August 14, 2011