After pedestrian education after school today, I went directly to the bicycle club. I wasn’t sure anyone would attend today, so I didn’t even bring my bike. But surprise! quite a few kids were there. And the biggest kid was there too, Lindsay’s dad Brian – he’s such a great supporter of the bike club.
After one good picture, students in invited to make a goofy face for the second picture:
This can be a tricky intersection for about a half hour after Auburn Elementary School lets out at 3 pm. Lots of cars, parents, kids walking, bicycle riding, a crossing guard who’s periodically ignored or almost run over. Safe Kids California asked me to spend two afternoons at the crosswalk, reminding students how to safely cross the street even when a crossing guard is present.
It’s hard to tell if my presence, my words, or the goodies I passed out had an impact or not. But we continue to teach, don’t we?
I checked in with Mike Wade this morning. His CBET class at Smythe Academy ended today. All participants received a certificate of completion. Mike is greatly loved at this school, by students, staff members, and principal Ken Dandurand.
And then I drove to Auburn. There are lots of bicycle education activities this week (which might explain why I get so far behind on this blog sometimes. Bear with me, Faithful Followers.)
You can see a lot more pictures at the
Here’s my very short version. Last Thursday I began preparing for the Throwdown by boiling 2 dozen eggs, all donated by Farmer Deno (except for that white one).
On Sunday I won Round 1: Eggs with Scotch Eggs – a boiled egg wrapped in a sausage mixture, dipped in flour, beaten egg/mustard, and toasted panko crumbs, then baked just until the sausage is cooked.
I also entered Round 2: Walnuts.
Here we are, ready to ride to Natomas Marketplace, have a hamburger at In N Out Burger, and stop at Tanzanite Skate Park. Except NO one showed up except for staff advisor Megan McManus and me. So Megan and I visited for a half-hour or so and then went on with the rest of our day. I call this receiving a “gift of time”.
Another great bike club day in Placerville. I set up the day’s course during the hour before the end of school. When classes go out for PE or recess, I keep my fingers crossed the cones remain undisturbed.
I love this sandy beach in one corner of the playground.
For those of you who don’t know (or haven’t noticed), I’ve been going to Weight Watchers for a while. This week, because of my bike rodeo or bike club schedule, I had to go to a different meeting. And who do I run into? One of the nicest teachers I ever worked with – Nancy Orr. What a happy surprise!
Today I created a very simple skills course at Ella Elementary in Olivehurst which lasted about 2 hours.
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
This boy was very excited to show me how he could sit backwards and ride his bike. He did pretty good, although Coach couldn’t really endorse this style of riding.
I rode my bike to the E Nicolaus post office. This yard along the way was in full bloom and gorgeous.
The owner came out to talk for a while.
One year he left a HUGE pumpkin at the roadway and let it rot completely because he thought the kids on the school bus that went by every day would enjoy the decay process.
Excellent bunches of California Golden Poppies which he divides each year and replants somewhere else in the yard.
arletelouise 