Day 203 - Jim’s Trek - 23.0 Miles - Today I Am In Idaho

Good Day,

Wonder if it is gonna be a good day. I began writing this day’s post with the anticipation that it was Day 204. It is actually Day 203. Maybe my anticipation of finishing my Schwinn 150 Trek almost six months earlier than planned. And when I checked my Intellectual Biorhythm cycle I did find that my cycle is at the lowest point as compared to my other cycles. And so I’m now prepared... today is a just to be a dense day.

And today I cycled a new record 23.0 miles, and I burned 704 calories on my Schwinn 150. I crossed the State line, Montana into Idaho on US-2 W Highway. I am located, headed in a westerly direction once again, on Highway US-2 W, in the northernmost County of Idaho, somewhere between the cities of Moyie Springs, population about 720, and Bonners Ferry, population 2,540.

Tomorrow it looks like I will turning south on my Trek towards my next Interlake address goal. Not sure, but I believe that this next Interlake address goal may be one of the last goal points before I reach my ultimate destination in Seattle.

To date I have cycled on my stationary Schwinn 150, since December 3, 2012 3,797.1 miles. I have lost just about about 10 pounds and 10 inches on my waist.


My blood sugar was up a wee bit this morning... definitely a result of last supper night’s accompaniments. Corn chips and a good portion of chocolate brownie with vanilla ice-cream covered in a chocolate shell. Oh well, I needed something sweet and salty. My averaged blood sugar count this morning was 102.1.

Question - Are we truly ready for a Cold War, Part Z? It appears that the so-called turncoat Edward Snowdon is certainly, even if it appears that he was so intent on gaining a personal spotlight, has been capable of pushing the monolithic governments of the United States, China, and Russia in that direction. He certainly has succeeded in securing a center spot on the world stage.

This morning’s Trek viewing pleasure, The Newsroom. Season II begins on July 14 on HBO. I decided that I would watch the first Season, all 10 episodes, on my Trek, in anticipation. In my opinion The Newsroom is one of the best television shows today. And the second time around... I certainly am still intrigued and well entertained.

Work continues on Tampa Kaleidoscope quilt and Sea Foam afghan. Our three quilts: Coral Steps, Colored Windows II, and MEM911 arrived home safely from Galway, Ireland. Follow our progress at Afghans SB and Quilts SB.

Be healthy and enjoy,

Jim

Day 202 - Jim’s Trek - 21.7 Miles - Still In Montana on My Schwinn 150

Good Day,

This morning I cycled 21.7 miles on my Schwinn 150. I decided to increase the resistance of my cycle to 10 of 16, as I am cycling in The Rockies in Montana. I am located on US-2 W headed north following the Kootenai River. I am 8.5 miles from the Montana - Idaho State border. I am closing in on the end of my Tampa to Seattle Schwinn 150 Trek.

My Trek on my Schwinn 150 this morning took one hour and six minutes and I burned 701 calories. I weighed in at 162 pounds and my blood sugar count this morning was 98. I guess this is working...

I read a good and succinct article online yesterday. The Futility of Comparing Yourself to Others was published on ZenHabits.net and written by Leo Babauta.

“One of the biggest reasons we’re not content with ourselves and our lives is that we compare ourselves to other people...”

I am still learning.

Still no Desktop PC in house.  Just found out that one of my three hard drives is bad... and has to be replaced.  No wonder there was some funny noises erupting on occasion when I booted up my system.  Looks like I will be without Desktop for a few more days.

Finished the remainder of the film Pitch Perfect. Theme is definitely similar Sister Act, and Sister Act II and lo and behold there is in the making a Pitch Perfect II... This morning, on my Trek, I decided to tune in the court case happening right now in Seminole County. I’m not truly in the case but I was somewhat interested in watching the opening processes. I was hoping for something intelligent... especially of the organizational constructs of the participants. Enough said and written.

The piecing of the half-hexagon strips of Tampa Kaleidoscope quilt has begun. I am truly amazed at Andy’s construction skills. Another two rows of clusters have been added to our new Sea Foam afghan. And the first scratched-draft of a new quilt, The Bird Cage. Check Quilts SB and Afghans SB for our progress and updates.

Be healthy and enjoy,

Jim

Day 201 - Jim’s Trek - 20.6 Miles - Libby, Montana on My Schwinn 150

Good Day,

Today’s mileage on my Schwinn 150 totaled 20.6. This morning I cycled to the City of Libby, Montana, population about 2,630. Libby is located in Kootenai National Forest. My total miles to date are 3,754.1.

My final Seattle destination is just around the corner. Thirty-two more miles of Montana, and then Idaho and next Washington. I have begun creating the road-map of my virtual tour back to my home in Tampa...

My blood sugar is still holding down at an average of 101.8. Results are good on Day 5 on my Schwinn 150.

And we are in the midst, and on the edge of the next generation or revolution of the Internet. The Internet of Everything is the new catch phrase. IoE is where we, the human race, this world, and who knows what else, are going. And all will be connected.


“Cisco believes IoE brings together people, process, data, and things to make networked connections more relevant and valuable than ever before — turning information into actions that create new capabilities, richer experiences, and unprecedented economic opportunity for businesses, individuals, and countries.”


In some ways I wish I was a couple of decades younger... Don’t get me wrong. I enjoy being me and I am enjoying being my age, but there is so much more out there that I just would like to learn and see happen. I’m not looking for a bucket list, I just want to experience, as best as I can.

Last night supper of Spicy Shrimp Lettuce Wraps was very good, but one hell of the mess. Needed a lot of napkins. I think I made each wrap just a tad bit too big. But certainly tasted good. And now I want to make Lobster Raviolis.

Finished watching The Full Monty. My next movie for my Trek watching pleasure is Pitch Perfect. A mish-mash of plots from Glee, Animal House, and Weird Science, et al, all about collegial relationships at a local university in the area of acapella singing. I needed something brainless at the moment.

Been reading up on the new techniques of crocheting.  Also I am now creating an original new quilt design, thanks JG, The Bird House.  Oh yes, and we are working on quiet a number of other projects.

Be healthy and enjoy,

Jim

Day 200 - Jim’s Trek - 21.2 Miles - It Is Now Official - 34 Inches!!!

Good Day,

Today on my Trek on my Schwinn 150, on my 200th day of cycling, I Finally... and that is with a capital “F”, have dropped 10-inches on my belly measurement. Another goal after 3,733.5 miles. It works!

And the funny coincidence is that my movie this morning was The Full Monty. I got to thinking that maybe I should pull-out the Saran Wrap and speed up the reduction of my belly size. When I started my Trek the measurement was 44”... and now I can yell, after six-and-a-half months... 34 INCHES. And no plastic wrap needed.

Obviously there is a definite correlation, and yes I know that is the bottom line, between eating well and exercise. My blood sugar count this morning registered at 88 mg/dL, or for you north of the border and overseas, 4.89 mmol/L. This count is well within the normal range. Not bad for Day 4 of no diabetes medication and Day 200 of continuous minus one day of trekking on my Schwinn 150.

And the above are the real facts.

This morning I am still, virtually, in Montana, on Highway US 2-W going in a northerly direction. I am south of Libby, Montana and in about two-plus days I should be entering into Idaho. All-things-being-equal I am about 490 miles from my final destination in Seattle.

The Full Monty, the 1997 comedy-drama certainly is apropos, and with current themes, 16 years later. People dealing with rampant unemployment and surviving, coping with relationships, marriage and divorce, straight and gay, parent and child, and just, not so simple, friendships, and self-acceptance. Not that I would, or could, run off and join the Chippendales, but it certainly makes me think of living day-to-day as me.

Tonight the attempted bill-of-fare will be Spicy Asian Shrimp Lettuce Wraps.

Progress continues on our Tampa Kaleidoscope quilt and our Sea Foam afghan.  Follow our updates on Quilts SB and Afghans SB.

And I need my desktop.

Be healthy and enjoy,

Jim

Day 199 – Jim’s Trek – 21.1 Miles - And Yes I’m Posting My Trek Late At Night

Good Day, or should I say, Good Evening,

Yes I am extremely late writing up my Day 199’s Trek on my Schwinn 150. My destop PC is in the shop... I haven’t got it back, and I am writing on my Laptop. I am not truly a laptop/notebook person. That’s just the way it is.

This morning I cycled on my Schwinn 150 another 21.1 miles and I burned 611 calories. To date on my Trek, my virtual Trek from Tampa to Seattle, I have now completed 3,712.3 real miles. Yes there is no wind in my face, no bugs in my teeth, but I do have real bruises and real chaffing... in places that I never knew could chafe before. I use a lot of hand lotion.

Today I am located at the Marker on Highway US-2 W just west of Loon Lake in Montana. I’m at the intersection of McKillop Creek Road.

I do not have my SnagIt software on my Laptop. Therefore I am trying to use a couple of Microsoft products to capture images. Hope they work.  Here is an image of my location on the road.

This morning's Trek viewing pleasure was the second-half of The Pirates of The Caribbean - On Stranger Tides. Everyone is looking for the Fountain of Youth. And now I know why there are sink holes and all the retirees in my home State of Florida. Until Number 5 is filmed I will have to now find a new movie or serial to watch on my next Trek days.

Tonight's supper was something completely new, a dish I have never attempted before. It was Dan Dan Noodles, not Figliola, but Dan Dan.  Very simple and easy to make... and just delicious.  I ate a double serving.  Ground pork, garlic, ginger, Thai chilies, corn noodles, and a bunch of Asian condiments and peanuts.

Be healthy and enjoy,

Jim

Day 198 – Jim’s Trek – Only 506 Miles To Go

Good Day,

And Jim's Trek continues on my Schwinn 150. This morning I completed 21.5 miles. I'm located on US-2 W just on the northern shore of McGregor Lake. I am now 185 miles from my next Interlake address goal.

I am now only 506 miles to the end of my Trek from Tampa to Seattle. All-things-being-equal I should pull into my final destination about July 15. Guess I have to decide soon what I will be doing, or should I say where will I be going on my Schwinn 150 next. Any ideas?

Well I’ll be out of connection with my desktop PC for the next couple of days. It is time to take it in for its six-or-so-month checkup. It is having a few issues starting up Microsoft, even though I can operate my Linux operating system. I learned a number of years ago that it is a good idea to have my PC serviced every so often… It is a habit that will have it humming at top functionality in a couple of days.

Day 2 of no diabetes medications. My blood sugar count dropped, positively, by 2 points, and my average dropped to 102.5.

This morning's viewing film was the fourth in the Pirates of the Caribbean series, On Stranger Tides.  Introductions are made to Blackbeard and his daughter, Angelica.  And then there are the mermaids... or are they sirens.  It appears that everyone is looking for the Fountain of Youth.  And I do have a question - What is Uncle Vernon Dursley doing dressed in the gold finery?

Be healthy and enjoy,

Jim

Day 197 – Jim’s Trek – 20.3 Miles – 23rd Interlake Goal Reached on My Schwinn 150

Good Day,

I am a wee bit late writing up my day’s posting to Jim’s Trek. Just got back from lunch celebrating Andy’s birthday. Thank you J&B. Nice quaint place for lunch in Dunedin, Café Alfresco.

And this morning I did completed my cycling regime on my Schwinn 150. I finished 20.3 miles. At 10.7 miles earlier today I reached my 23rd Interlake address goal, Daily Interlake, East Idaho Street, Kalispell, Montana… The Daily Inter Lake is a newspaper.

I then continued on heading south on Highway US-2 W. My 20.3 miles takes me to the intersection of Kila Road. Today I have completed 3,669.7 miles on my Tampa to Seattle Trek on my Schwinn 150.

Today on Day 1 of my no-diabetes-med my blood sugar count showed in at 113. I expected a slight increase… but the next number of days will tell. My blood pressure registered at 110/76 lower than yesterday. There most positively something about this exercise thing… and I’m not getting any younger. But I do live in the State of Florida, the home of the fantastical Fountain of Youth. Who knows?

Pirates of the Caribbean – At World’s End finished… Battle scenes definitely assisted in my speeding up in my cycling. I wonder if there was some significance of filming the marriage of Elizabeth and Will in the middle of a maelstrom and a sea battle. Next film of the Series On Stranger Tides, 2011.


Be healthy and enjoy,

Jim

Day 196 – Jim’s Trek – 21.2 Miles – Better Results Than Expected on My Schwinn 150

Good Day,


Another 21.2 miles on my Schwinn 150. Total to-date 3,649.4 miles, 531.1 left to go to my final destination at Seattle, Washington. I am located this morning on the Montana Highway 206 heading south, just a shade west of Flathead National Forest.

And this morning it is certainly humid in Tampa at Interlake Drive. Just take a gander out to the pool and patio. One knows that the wet season is upon us here in Central Florida…

Due to the exercise, in consultation with my Cardiologist, I have stopped the use of three of my meds. Two definitely eliminated and the third reduced by one of the paired chemicals. Obviously I’ll be monitoring the effects. My blood pressure this morning, before cycling was 113/78. Not bad. All-things-being-equal it appears that the exercise, my cycling, has had a very positive consequence. My morning blood sugar count is 100, and I burned 617 calories.

Supper last night – Homemade Turkey Lentil Soup and Pasta Salad. Both dishes were created from leftovers and food-items found in the refrigerators. Great big pot of Turkey Lentil Soup resulted in six extra jars in storage… I was definitely thinking of the Three Crones in MacBeth as I was double, double toiling and troubling. The magic worked, the refrigerators are cleared.

This morning’s viewing pleasure was the second part of Pirates of the Caribbean – At World’s End, the third film. The Brethren Court assembled… of Pirate Captains of undetermined ages. It reminded me of our current day House and Senate filibustering, and a number of elected and appointed persons. It is all in the posing for the class photos.

Work continues on the piecing of the half-hexagons to create the strips for our Tampa Kaleidoscope. (I wonder why I can never spell the word Kaleidoscope correctly each time.) Work is now in process to determine quilting designs for a number of our completed tops. Check out our progress at Quilts SB. Sea Foam, our new afghan, is under construction. The third set of clusters is being created. Status updates provided at Afghans SB. Oh and by the way, only one more “Like” required to make Afghans SB an official Facebook Page.

Be healthy and enjoy,

Jim

Day 195 – Jim’s Trek – 21.0 Miles – Yes Virginia, This Is A Real Virtual Trek On My Schwinn 150

Good Day,

Another 21.0 miles on my Schwinn 150 Trek. Today I am located in Montana at the Town of West Glacier. I am at the intersection of the Glacier Route Road and Highway 2. I will be taking a right on Highway 2 as I head in a southwesterly direction towards my next Interlake address goal point.

It has been brought to my attention that a number of readers of Jim’s Trek actually believe that I am on a bicycle trip, from Tampa to Seattle, on a Schwinn bicycle. The notion is that I am literally and physically trekking across North America. Well my response is “Thank you.” Thank you but I have to inform you that my Trek, Jim’s Trek is and has been a virtual trip with real, actual physical results. I have been cycling on a stationary Schwinn 150 cycle.

On my first real posting of my trip I wrote about my Trek and my intended goal “on a stationary bike, across the North American Continent.” (Check out Day 1 – My Trek Begins – Only 3,301 Miles To Go. Also check out the five Pre-Day postings written just before.) The virtual part of my Trek is in actual fact an imaginary bicycle trip where I am really cycling an equivalent distance. I have cycled physically and recorded, to date, 3,628.2 miles.

As I have mentioned a number of times throughout the writings of my Trek I have created a trip, albeit fictional, to provide me with a number of goals. I am the type of individual who needs to achieve by the setting of goals. I can say that I am also one who creates many goals, and sub-goals. Hence Jim’s Trek major goal is a goal to commit to a regime of exercise.

On this 195th day I believe I can say that I have achieved and continue to accomplish this goal. To help me to commit myself to this goal I added some superfluous sub-goals. These sub-goals have helped and continue to assist me to fulfill my overall objective – to commit to exercise.

And of course there have been a number of fantastic results… all due to my exercising on my Schwinn 150. I have thus far reduced my waist measurement from 44” to 34 ½”. I have dropped eight pounds. I have maintained my blood sugar levels at a daily average of 101.9 mg/dL. I have reduced my diabetes medication by 75%.  (After today, I try to reduce it by 100%.)  I have eliminated any acid-reflux medication. I know my cholesterol and blood-pressure levels have reduced positively, and today I meet with my Cardiologist.

Another positive outcome is my writing. I am writing every single day of my Trek. Life could be boring, but it certainly isn’t as I also let my fictional and creative processes, at times, run wild… and right now I am somewhere in The Rockies, in Montana… or on the Black Pearl with Capt’n Jack Sparrow.

Film number three of the Pirates of the Caribbean – At World’s End began this morning… Capt’n Jack Sparrow is rescued from Davy Jones locker, I think. Lot of noise and shooting and the tremendous make-up, as also in the previous films of the series. Not sure who is the good versus the evil versus the evil, and if there is/are any good, but the films are a definite enjoyable accompaniment to my Trek.


And last night’s meal included Montreal Dry Garlic Spareribs… This is definitely one dish that I will continue to repeat. I am so, so very glad that I located the recipe and it is ever so simple to do on the top of my stove. It is also one of those dishes that I always ask and wonder why had not made any more.

Progress continues on Sea Foam afghan and our quilts Astro-Physics and Tampa Kaleidoscope. New images will be up shortly. Check our progress at Quilts SB and Afghans SB.

Thank you to all who do read Jim’s Trek. Thank you for your positive feedback and thank you for truly believing that there is a thin line between fact and fiction. Or should I say fiction and fact?

Be healthy and enjoy,

Jim

Day 194 – Jim’s Trek – 21.0 Miles – 3,600 Mile Goal Reached on My Schwinn 150

Good Day,

Today I cycled an additional 21.0 miles. I have now reached another goal in Montana, in The Rockies. I clocked 3,607.2 miles on this Father’s Day, my 194th day on my Schwinn 150.

Today I am located somewhere on the road between Going To The Sun Mountain to my east and Heaven’s Peak to my west. I am on a road, the Glacier Route 1, at exactly the right time of the year. This road is closed at times in the winter. The views are amazing.

This morning I am located at the “B” marker on the Glacier Route 1. I spent the night at marker “A”. I should be pulling in to my 23rd Interlake address goal in a couple of days.

Last night’s supper – Grilled chicken wings, baked potatoes, and celery salami salad. I used a dry rub, Tajin – chili peppers, lime, and salt – on the wings. I actually sprinkled the wings, in a zip lock bag, with the Tajin and left them to season in the refrigerator for about two hours. The wings were excellent and definitely not too spicy hot. Might add some more cayenne the next time around. Oh yeah, I found the Tajin at the grocery store. Blood sugar average this morning is at 101.9. One more day and no more meds.

My viewing pleasure this morning on my Trek was a continuation of the film Pirates of the Caribbean – Dead Man’s Chest. A short uncredited conversation in the movie definitely caught my ears. Maybe a double entendre. Two pirates talking -

“The Bible says…”

“You know you can’t read.”

“It’s the Bible. You get credit for trying to read.”

Enough said…

Completed the first crocheted afghan, Double Entendre yesterday. All loose ends woven into the body of the afghan. The top to our Astro-Physics quilt has been completed. Work has now begun on the piecing of the pieced half hexagons of our Tampa Kaliedoscope. Check up the new images of Double Entendre and Astro-Physics at Afghans SB and Quilts SB, respectively.

Be healthy and enjoy,

Jim

Day 193 – Jim’s Trek – 21.1 Miles – I Am In The Rockies

Good Day,

Today’s is definitely one of those days that I did not feel like getting on my Schwinn 150. I wanted to disappear.  You know the feeling… Both my Intellectual and Physical biorhythm cycles are on their way downward. But I got on my Schwinn 150 anyway, and this morning I cycled another 21.1 miles.

And this morning I am in The Rockies. I am located on Glacier Route 1 Road just north west of The Narrows of Saint Mary Lake. The view, albeit virtual, is breath-taking. I am just a wee bit east of Going-to-the-Sun Mountain, elevation 9,642 feet, located in Glacier National Park. The road is also known as Going-to-the-Sun Road.

From Big Sky Fishing.com website -

"While the Going to the Sun Road is paved and is generally in good condition, twelve miles of the road was literally carved out of the mountainside. In this section, the Going to the Sun Road is a true mountain road as it clings to the side of the mountains. The road is very narrow, twisty, has overhanging rocks, passes through two tunnels and generally lacks guardrails beyond the occasional low-rock wall. The twenty-mile per hour speed limit along this section of the drive is a limit that drivers should most definitely heed!"

The images of are from 1932 and 2005.

Thus far, I have made it from Tampa, Florida to The Rockies in Montana.  My total mileage today is now 3,586.2 and my daily average calorie burn is around 607.5. I have been able to keep my blood sugar counts at an average of 101.8 mg/dL. In two more days I will attempt to go off of all diabetes medication. We’ll see what happens then.

Something to think about from an article by Ann Brenoff in The Huffington Post – What I Know About Friends Now That I’m 60 -

  1. Takers don’t make great friends, but they do serve a purpose,
  2. Over-givers don’t make great friends either,
  3. The best friends are neither takers or over-givers; they are power sharers,
  4. You can have more than one best friend, and
  5. Odd numbers are still awkward.

Something to think about.

On a positive note I got the Pirates of the Caribbean - Dead Man’s Chest, 2006, the second film of the series, DVD working this morning. There appears to be a switch in the allegiances of the East India Company personnel, especially Lord Cutler Beckett. A new bevy of horrific creatures, including The Kraken, are introduced. And I just read that a fifth Pirates of the Caribbean may be in the works.

The top of Astro-Physics has been completed. Work continues on Double Entendre, Sea Foam, and Tampa Kaleidoscope. Follow our updates at Afghans SB and Quilts SB.

Be healthy and enjoy.

Jim

Day 192 – Jim’s Trek – 20.5 Miles – Crossing The Canada/US Border – Alberta to Montana on My Schwinn 150

Good Day,

Today I crossed over the Canadian – American Border. Good-bye Alberta and hello Montana. I am located on US Highway 89 South at just about the Chief Mountain Highway. I cycled 20.5 miles this morning on my Schwinn 150. Mileage to date – 3,565.1.

I am now headed in a southerly direction on my way to complete the next part of my journey, to my next Interlake address goal. It is about 95 miles towards the southwest.

I am just wondering about the advertisements on the television pushing exercise equipment and the benefits of a “positive” and rather “short” length of time necessary for one to lose some drastic weight size. Not saying, since I am not an expert, that their claims are correct or incorrect, but I can probably say that there may be some flimflammery presented, especially about the possible weight loss as compared to the amount of time spent.

Today I have finished my 192nd day on my Schwinn 150. In 193 days I have only not used my cycle for one day. I am cycling an average of 18.8 miles a day for about 1 hour and 5 minutes. I am burning about 613.6 calories a day. And not that I had intended to lose weight to any great degree, but, in 193 days I have dropped from 170.8 to 162.8 lbs. That’s about 1.3 pounds each month for 6+ months.

Yes that is a positive result. But I am doing this every single day, every blasted day for the past 6.34 months. It definitely is not a formula that has had me having to provide the fine writing on the bottom of each of my daily posts. I am watching what I am eating… even though it appears to be that I am eating much more than I had been. I am keeping everything in check… And I am being successful, as far as I am concerned.

For me I I have learned the lack of high expenditures for the fancy equipment and club memberships. I guess it took me to commit myself to a daily and constant regime that does produce results. This regime includes real and virtual goals. For me it has included multiple successes. But it is a routine that I have borrowed from others’ experiences and techniques that has definitely worked for me.

Here are my stats –

Total Direct Miles to Seattle	To Date	TD Miles Remaining	% TD Miles Completed	Interlake Miles to Seattle	Weight (lbs)
3,301.0	3,565.1	600.8	85.6%	4,165.9	162.8

Oh and by the way, I couldn’t get the next film of the Pirates of the Caribbean series working in my DVD player…But I did find an episode of MasterChef UK.

Be healthy and enjoy,

Jim