Dinant Images

Dinant was the closest city to our house, about 9 km away. As with many European cities, Dinant also enjoys a long and colorful history featuring several changes of the flag, and the usual stuff like the conquerors killing all the men in very interesting ways, such as tieing them together two by two and throwing them in the Meuse (this occurred circa 1550). The rocky promentories allowed citadels to be established every 30 km for defensive purposes. These worked well even into World War II, when German and French soldiers fought hand to hand combat at Dinant. Total population is about 14,000.

This particular day was the warmest of our trip. It actually got to about 72 F (24 C). We even sweated a bit and were able to wear short sleeve shirts. Wow, what a concept for July 1st. But, not to worry, it rained some the next day and high temps declined into the 60s. But, really, we all agreed that the cool temps were preferable to the alternative, East Coast summer weather of high humidity and air pollution.

The Owner of Our House Organized A Fiat Show, So We Biked Over to See the Show

the show commemorated the 50th anniversary of the launch of the Fiat 500. Quite the spectacle in this provincial park at Chevetogne. We liked the Jaegermiester mobile and the Fiat "Thing" especially.

Views at and from La Ferme du Pirli

Chateau du Veves began construction in the 13th century


Courtyard view of Chateau du Veves


I believe I see Ruth Buzzi poking her head out (does remind you of the closing minutes of Laugh In doesnt it?)

No Sunscreen Needed in Belgium, but the Lighting was Awesome

The area around Dinant is very rural and agricultural. Reminded me of Iowa, except a lot cooler temps.




Generally, we had high temps between 60-65 each day, making biking in jackets just fine. No sweating either. We're checking out some of the small villages just east and south of Dinant.

Dinant is a Lovely Town on the Meuse River

We thought: "try fitting your Hummer through this" and then watched as a tour bus squeezed through with fractions of an inch to spare. Was fun to ride through anyway.

Welcome to Ferme di Pirli, Celles, Belgium

Our converted and restored farmhouse was delightful, easily accommodating the ten of us, with a wonderful courtyard and great view of Chateau du Veves, just 200 metres away.


Our rental Passat from Germany in the courtyard. We loved it. Even with my relative leadfoot, we "only" went 90 mph, cars routinely sped by us at 150 mph, we got almost 40 mpg.


View of Chateau du Veves from our courtyard

Proof: CJ will drink a Budweiser

Assuming its the original from the Czech Republic and not the rice infected concoction pawned off on us as the "king of beers". The US Budweiser prohibits importing the real version into the US. So, you'll have to enjoy it there, or go to Canada. I guess they don't want people to do the taste comparison.

Beer: for dessert too

Take 2-3 scoops vanilla ice cream, add Maredsous 8 or another suitable Belgian double or triple. Enjoy! A nice stout or porter would also work well.

Hey, This Car Matches My Bike Shirt!

Yes, I've been a slacker here on uploading photos, but here we go. We'll start with a humorous ones first. This is from a Fiat 500 show in Chevetogne, Belgium.

Movie on Biking Puts CU Grad in Line to Win International Film Competition

CU grad could win film contest: Ethan Van Duzer's movie shows biking is good for him, environment

By Brittany Anas (Contact)
Sunday, May 27, 2007


Courtesy Ethan Van Duzer

Boulder teen Ethan Van Duzer is seen here in a still from his video, "Give a Hoot," he produced for the international competition www.filmyourissue.com.

The bumper sticker on Ethan Van Duzer's ride says: "Zero gallons per mile."

At age 16, Van Duzer decided to shun driving, a coveted right of passage for most teenagers. Instead, he's been a passionate cyclist, and his choice transportation, says Van Duzer, 23, is friendly on his health, wallet and the environment.

It's also his "issue."

Van Duzer, a 2006 graduate from the University of Colorado's business school, is among 36 semifinalists in an international, Web-based competition. The contest requires young adults to create one-minute films about controversial cultural and political topics.

Organizers asked the civic-minded youth competitors: "What's your issue?"

They responded with short clips that explored a wide-range of topics, including homelessness, domestic abuse, gun control and teenage girls who are forced into prostitution.

The competition is sponsored by several organizations and global-media companies. The public and a VIP jury — which includes legendary newsman Walter Cronkite, actress-singer Mandy Moore and Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson — will select a trio of winners.

Public online voting continues until midnight Thursday. The competition's winners will attend an awards ceremony at the United Nations headquarters in New York City on June 26, and their films will be broadcast on Starz, Starz Cinema and Starz Edge. The grand-prize winner will be awarded an internship this summer at Universal Pictures.

The contest was open to 16- to 25-year-olds, and, organizers say it has been a fun and creative way to get future leaders fired up about social and environmental change.

Van Duzer says riding bikes is one thing he does to help prevent global warming.

On the Web
Watch Ethan Van Duzer's short video called "Give a Hoot" and vote on the films. www.filmyourissue.com

"It's the little things that can make a difference," he said.

Van Duzer's film, titled "Give A Hoot," shows footage of him riding around in Boulder's bike lanes, showing off his Colorado instructor's permit, and another bumper sticker that says "My other bike is a bike." The video was filmed by his older brother Ryan Van Duzer — the Camera's "Out There Guy," who maintains a video blog of the outdoor adventures he tackles in Boulder County.

In Memorium

Burke Breathed hits it right on this morning. Its poignancy hits you after you look at it for several seconds, esp on Opus and his watering can.

Surfing at Lighthouse Point, Santa Cruz

And yes, they are all dudes. To enter the water, you walk out to the very edge of the point, and jump off a 12-15 foot cliff into the water.

California Coast at and south of Point Lobos

Cypress at Point Lobos

Ok, so we have to go backwards chronologically a bit. Between my work schedule and getting home projects going, it's been a wild spring (wait 'til you see my sod couches. That's sod as in grass, not the Brit expletive).

These cypresses were awesome. The orange is a symbiotic fungus among us.

I've Been Busy

Never too early to get your next year's (and maybe some of the year after that) wood supply in. Bob and I cut these down a few months ago and bucked them up. Then our weird winter continued into April, so couldnt get the splitter in until the last few weeks. The nice dry weather we had for a couple weeks really dried this stuff out, you could almost hear the sticks checking in the low humidity.

Cable Car Control Center

A great little museum (the price is right too..free) where the cables for all the lines in the city pass through. A mechanical engineer's dream.

What's For Lunch?

How about some fresh Chinese broccoli? A cross between broccoli rabe and asparagus

Or, maybe you'd like to tuck into some fresh deer ear lobes, deer horn, sparrow's nest or some wild mushrooms. Sparrow's nests were going for $3700 a pound. Too dear? Try some deer ear lobes, only $850 a pound for them.

Classic San Francisco

...and on a rainy morning, you pretty much have the cable car to yourself, or at least you can sit "outside" and experience the wind and occasional rain in your face

Tips on How To Get Rid of Junk Mail

Go to this web site, lots of great tips o reducing the amount of unwanted mail everyone gets. Unfortunately, the direct mail people try to make this as hard as possible to do, so you do have to fill out multiple requests or make more than one phone call. But it's worth it, not getting the stuff to begin is more optimal than recycling the unwanted mail.

http://www.obviously.com/junkmail/

Economist Cartoon on the Supreme Court Decision

Toles Cartoon on Supreme Court Decision

St Mary's Wilderness, British Columbia

For experienced backpackers only, with strong route finding skills. No trails exist. I did Photoshop the first one (no fooling ay).

St Mary's Wilderness, British Columbia

Located ~60 klicks north of Kimberly, visited by ~100 people annually. Doubled from ten years ago. Eat at Snowdrift Cafe coming and going. Enjoy a couple Okanogan drafts and pick up some Grizzly Bear coffee, local roast, while you're at it.

A Bad Day of Skiing is Better Than A Great Day in the Office

Hmmm, which would you rather do? And leave the Crackberry at home please, unless you're planning to try skeet shooting with it.