Warm...And Then Windy and Cold!

Running...

And Biking...

 Not much to say these last few days.   Basically,   Cheryl and I continue to ride our bikes and occasionally run.   The End.

But as the days go by,  I feel the need to write Something....    So here it goes:

Snow is melting nicely...

Most of the trails are clear again.

The last few days the snow has steadily melted and we were able to get out there.  T he temps hover just below the uncomfortable, so we are forced to dress up and overheat as we exercise.  Riding bikes is slightly different than running since your hands and feet freeze while your inner core overheats.   Cheryl is beginning to appreciate the pain and anguish I have to go through to accompany her on her runs.

Slight warm front allows shorts.

Cheryl is WAY excited.

But today,  the temps warmed ever so slightly and Cheryl chose to put on her shorts for running.   It worked out and she was able to get an additional two miles in and slowly build up her conditioning.  Yeah!

]Other cyclist enjoy the sunny day.  

Cheryl puts on her biking attire.

But then the wind hit us. (Around 11:00)  Cold wind from the north is blowing the winter chill back down.   Not very much fun.   The worst part of the wind...  is the wind!   The wind drops the otherwise "tolerable" temps to a bone chilling windchill.

Even the dogs were feeling it.

Watching dogs run in the wind is cool. 

Not only that,  the wind is so strong right now that it is blowing over trees and small dogs!   At some points on our ride,  the wind literally stopped us!  Talk about hitting an invisible wall...

Can't wait to plant those tomatoes.

But we are back now and things are warm and cozy inside.  The sun struggles to peek between the clouds and we can hear the wind pound our windows.  Good time to remain inside for the remainder of the day. I really can't wait until I can finally plant my Tomatoes and Cardinal Creeper.   Fingers crossed that the frost stays away.  Thanks for stopping in.

A Fine Day to Visit Cedar Rapids.

Freak Snow Storm in Iowa

 Ever have one of those days where things are looking up but you are still grumpy?   I blame the endocrine system for not getting the "Happy Chemicals" right in my brain.   Some days are just like that...   But what are you going to do?

Heavy Icy snow.  Like Snow cone ice.

Yesterday,   we got one of those freak spring snow storms that really threw everyone for a loop.   The entire town was out of power and the roads were very slippery.   We could not bile nor ride because the sidewalks were covered and impassable.   So we spent the entire day huddled up and frozen in our small apartment.

A good day not to be Amish.  

Cedar Rapids Clear bike trail

But today we decided to go exploring!   The trails were still covered with snow in Coralville,  so why not head to Cedar Rapids and check out the trails there?  Cheryl also had some plans to check out a donut shop...  she loves her donuts.

Along the Cedar River

We check out the floating houses.

All along the road. 

There were several trails that were plowed near the cedar river. We were able to get a few miles in and explore the area.   Cheryl noted the floating village on the rivers edge.   Looks like they prepare for the spring flooding by floating their homes here.  Pretty cool!   Or perhaps these are summer cottages that people check into when the rains and snows are gone.   Either way,  Cheryl thought they looked cute.

The Name makes sense. 

Kinda small,  but so cute!

Time for Donuts.

Cheryl  takes an Instagram.

After our ride,  we headed for donuts.   This small shop is the last of its kind I guess.  It reminded me of one of those old diner Dunkin Donuts we used to have back in Michigan. 

Our first choices

Cherry Chocolate Chip.   Is it good?

The donuts were tasty and Cheryl wanted to try several other varieties... so we bought a dozen.  Looks like we will have to be running these off in the future.

Now to try all the others! 

Jay Leno would approve,

One small note I wanted to mention.   Yesterday,  in the cold and windy snow,  the check engine light came back on.   We have had a knocking sound ( small metallic click when we accelerate and climb hills) for a couple weeks now and have been trying to correct for this.   The check engine light has been off for a couple weeks, but it finally came back on with the same codes.

It's BACK!  But then gone. 

But today!   The knocking sound is GONE!   Cheryl bought some Royal Purple MAX CLEAN fuel system cleaner. and we put it in the tank.   We just put in our second bottle...  and the knocking sound is gone!   Miracle!   And then....  Another Miracle:  The check engine light went off BY ITSELF!   IT is rare when the Subie heals itself.   Cheryl and I remain skeptical that something actually WORKS as claimed.  Most automotive additives claim to do one thing but really you see no improvement what so ever.  But it appears that the Royal Purple has done the job....    I'm impressed.

Royal Purple did the TRICK!  

Hopefully the snow will melt more today and we will be able to get back on the trail tomorrow.  All those donuts have got to go!   And we will have to work later this week.... so there will not be much time to get in any exercise.   Fingers crossed!

Running, Spark Plugs, And Another Fishing Eagle!

Cheryl is able to run today. 

A short run before climbing on the bikes.

 A quick post as I seem to have had a long day today.   Cheryl and I did our typical morning bike ride,  but today she decided to take a short run.  I would like to think that the biking is doing her legs some good... but for now she is keeping he mileage short.

Another Eagle sighting!   I can't believe my luck capturing him with the camera. 

A close up still of the grab.

Fish secure!

As I blogged a few days ago about the eagle...  what would be the odds that I would see another eagle fishing again?   Well that is just what happened.   Only this time I captured multiple shots and put forth an animation!   I am, once again,   very excited!

Let's eat it!

New Spark Plugs and Wires!

I'll let the pictures do most of the talking.   I still find it fascinating to watch and be able to witness first hand.  I guess there is a part of me that will never grow up.  (And that likes watching Eagles in Nature!)

Old Wires and spark plugs removed.

Check out the NEW NGK Plugs.

The BIG project today was to swap out the spark plugs and wires for the Subaru.   By now you may be wondering why we don't sell the Subie and get a new car?   The problems posed on this blog are usually ones that are exaggerated for dramatic effect ( or comedy.); Or intermittent problems that only obsessive or anxious people notice.   Either way,  I enjoy getting my hands dirty and trying to solve problems myself (even if those problems are imaginary)  And so it goes with the spark plugs.

Add a little Anti- Seize. 

Time to thread them into the Engine. 

We have had a small knocking sound whenever we climb hills or accelerate really fast.   The book gave us several places to look and try out.  Changing the spark plugs and wires are on this list for helping your engine burn off fuel completely.   Apparently,  what we have is "detonation!"  Where the spark does not burn off all of the fuel... or something like that.   You are supposed to change out the spark plugs every 30,000 miles.  We have not changed out ours since the great Head Gasket Disaster!   What ever the reason,  I get to put in new sparks and wires!

Wires labeled for Idiots like me...

All Finished! So colorful!

Fairly simple.   I have done this several times on my Jeep.  But never on a Subaru...  So I was extra careful.   The last thing I want to do is break off a spark plug deep inside the engine!    I used anti-seize and torqued things down to 15 LBS.  ( My new Torque wrench!)   I buttoned things up and stared him up.    Vroom!

Everything works!   Which is always a good thing.  My greatest challenge is to not break things further.  The Wires were nice enough to be labeled so I could not screw them up... On Purpose anyway.   The small ticking sound is still there on the hills and acceleration,  so we did not solve that problem,  but we did get some new parts in there and I'm sure they needed to be changed out.

Old spark plugs ready for Inspection.

Upon closer inspection,  We noticed that the Mechanics put two different spark plugs in our engine.  I'm not sure how they effected the performance overall....  but that  probably was not the best.     They were not even the NGK spark plugs that Subaru recommends.  But they are all good now!

Two of these plugs are not like the others!

So, on to the next possible problem for "Combustion Engine Knock".  Perhaps an EGR valve or fuel treatment.  Maybe this is all really nothing and Subie can live with it for a very long time.  Some people turn up their radio just so  they can avoid hearing the sound.   We don't listen to the radio much, but I like to sing and whistle.   Neither one of those ideas work for Cheryl though... so hopefully we will get that sound taken care of soon.   Thanks for stopping in.

An Evening Ride And An Eagle ATTACK!

Right out of Wild America Video!

Bald Eagle on the Iowa River

No! The Eagle did not attack us.   Rather,  I captured something I have never seen before  outside of a wilderness program on TV:    An Eagle catching a fish!

I don't work for National Geographic...  so my camera equipment is limited.  (Still better than the 1990's though!  Amazing what crap we had back then!)  Still, I was able to capture an almost focused series of pictures of the eagle as he pulled a fish out of the river.  I was very excited!

SPLOOSH!   He got one! 

Taking home the prize.

He swooped right over the top of me and headed down for the water's surface.  I missed the close and awesome shot, but still pulled out the camera in case he circled back. 

  He didn't.   

Off he goes!

Bald Eagle enjoying Lunch!

Instead,  he swooped down and grabbed a small fish.   He flew up in front of us and started eating his "lunch."   Pretty cool seeing an Eagle in action.  Most of the time you are lucky just to see them on a deer kill.   

Nothing tastes better than fresh Sashimi!

Sunset Bike Ride!

Cheryl and I went out for a rather lengthy bike ride the other night.   Cheryl seems to be enjoying the evening bike rides.  I don't mind as long as we do not go over 20 miles total for the day.  Call me wimpy.   Normally we ride 13 miles in the morning and then about 8 miles in the evening.   But yesterday, we chose to ride about 15 miles up and down the hills and gravel roads  around here.  Those hills really smoke your legs!

Cheryl's new favorite pastime.

Setting sun brightens the horizon.

We were, however, able to capture some nice pictures of the setting sun.   Most of the snow is gone now.   A few piles are all that remain.  I'll be happy if the snow is gone for the remainder of the spring.

Let's get that Cardinal Creeper planted!

  I have tomato and Cardinal Creeper vines growing in the shop currently and I'm ready to get them outside and in the ground.   Let the summer of Heirloom Tomatoes  and Hummingbird Heaven Begin!