Coffeeneuring 2023 - Learning to Paint with Gouache, Rides 1-4

#1 - This mug was a gift from a brother.

Learning to Paint with Gouache

Leaning into my eleventh year of the Coffeeneuring Challenge, I've come up with a theme that might fuel the flames a little longer - painting! Lately, I've been exploring Gouache's bold, flat colors, a medium that appeals to the beginner. If a mistake is made, let it dry, and repaint areas of concern. Surely, gouache and I will get along fine! A 4" x 4" simple layout, using my mug of choice, is an easy size to practice color mixing and brush techniques without feeling overwhelmed by a large project. I also love that Gouache adapts well to detailed or loose brushwork.

Impromptu tea drinking, joining neighbors that I found resting near a bridge.

Coffeenuering #1 was a family affair. After I finished my tea, my family rolled up and I set off with them. We made up the route as we went, eventually cresting Ethan Allen Park for peak foliage peeping. Oh, the colors!

1. The Place: Pedestrian bridge over the Winooski River

Date: Sunday, October 22

Drink: Tulsi Tea
Observation: I planned to drink my tea in another spot but joined neighbors sitting on a bench near the bridge.
Total Miles: 14

#2 - I acquired this mug from my employer's holiday party.

The second outing was a typical after-work scramble to get outside before sunset. It's relatively easy to fill a thermos with hot beverage, grab a mug, bike lights, and wear layers for an autumn evening ride - insert bike of choice - then stop somewhere interesting before adding more miles. I'm comfortable with riding in the dark, and most days I prefer the solitude of an empty bike path.

Dahon Boardwalk, my trusty small wheeler.

All alone on the beach. I like to stay a while to see how the sunset morphs. Is the color better right at sunset or several minutes later?

2. The Place: North Beach, Burlington

Date: Monday, October 23

Drink: Wild Sweet Orange Tea
Observation: Geese were flying overhead and a small contingent frolicked on the shoreline nearby.
Total Miles: 9

#3 - Our eldest son sent this mug for my birthday, acquired in Mexico on a recent vacation. It's fun because the circular top morphs into a square bottom. It's a Mara design.

For Coffeeneuring #3, I set out to meet up with Adele, both on folding bikes, to attend the Halloween Bike Ride. Adele's costume was too hot and she eventually left as the route swung close to where she lived, where I continued on. Burlington did a great job keeping the riders moving by blocking intersections plus leading and ending with a police escort. Despite 40 F temperatures, I dressed well for the event.

On the way home, I stopped in Lakeview Cemetery near a lovely hydrangea tree for tea.

3. The Place: Lakeview Cemetery, Burlington

Date: Sunday, October 29

Drink: Ginger Tea
Observation: After attending the Halloween Bike Ride, I stopped to admire my favorite umbrella-shaped colorful hydrangeas that are abundant in Lakeview Cemetery.
Total Miles: 14

#4 - I found this beauty at a dollar store.

Coffeeneuring #4 took place during a weekend excursion to the Glens Falls region of New York. I brought my mug with me, stored safely between clothing articles in my front bag. I filled the mug with hotel coffee and hightailed it to Overlook Park, a lovely spot on the Hudson River.

Afterward, I continued exploring many trails before taking Amtrak home.

4. The Place: Overlook Park, Glens Falls, NY

Date: Sunday, November 5

Drink: Holiday Inn Coffee
Observation: Such a peaceful place with a view of the Hudson River. It's the confluence of the Feeder Canal Trail and the Hudson River, and where I began following trails for most of the day.
Total Miles: 38

A Smug Mug

After the last post I began thinking more of my good friend P. and how many thoughtful gifts she has sent my way. For our birthdays we mail each other a stack of books that we've read with little sticky notes inside each one with a brief message about the book. An interesting chocolate bar usually accompanies the package. At Christmas we do the same thing plus P. usually inserts her special candy which I hoard from my family and consume within two weeks.

One time P. sent this wonderful mug.

At first glance I thought, neat, a bike mug, but upon closer inspection the people are toting spears, poised to throw at an...

SUV.

This mug makes me laugh every time I drink my coffee.

Coffeeneuring 2023 - Learning to Paint with Gouache, Rides 5-7

 

#5 - This mug was a hostess gift at wedding shower - the hostess was a potter.

To recap, I'm learning to paint with gouache by completing mini paintings of special mugs used in the challenge. A complete painting usually takes two days; one for sketching and painting a base layer color: the second for completing the mug portion, then adding a complimentary background color. I'm happy with the results - love bold colors - and plan to hang a framed collage in our kitchen.

Coffeeneuring #5 was a special event, heading out for my first ride on my newly built Specialized Hard Rock. I set up the Jack-the-Bike-Rack for immediate utility so I could carry coffeeneuring supplies. 

Stunning afternoon light at Bayside Park.

5. The Place: Bayside Park, Colchester

Date: Sunday, November 12

Drink: English Breakfast Tea with maple sugar & milk
Observation: The maiden voyage of my Specialized Hard Rock. It's fun!

Total Miles: 12

#6 - a 2019 gift from a dear friend. The petroglyph characters are throwing spears at a SUV (out of view)

This was my only evening ride of the challenge. With high winds, I pedaled around a bit and finally found a well-lit, sheltered spot behind a community center. 

6. The Place: Picnic tables behind the Miller Center, Burlington

Date: Wednesday, November 15

Drink: Green Tea with honey
Observation: I rode around for a while, seeking a well-lit spot sheltered from the strong breeze.

Total Miles: 10

#7 - a pottery mug adorned with three dimensional maple leaf, a gift from my brother.

On the last day of the challenge, I rode to the nearest beach at lunchtime and sat for a moment on a log, sipping tea and admiring the view. It was very peaceful.

7. The Place: Rossetti Park Beach

Date: Monday, November 20

Drink: Tulsi Tea
Observation: Lunchtime scamper to the nearest quiet beach, avoiding a cold, dark evening ride, just making the event deadline.
Total Miles: 3

Moments to Savor

If we could only halt the clock and relish those fleeting moments and hold them close. It happens while I'm with friends, my husband, even when pedaling alone. Some events repeat themselves—thank goodness—which may be the sole reason why many of us ride. I'm thinking of more than obvious health benefits or transportation, but to capture the sublime instance that—though it may not linger—makes riding a bike worthwhile.

Lake Champlain sunset.

1. When the sun kisses the Adirondacks. 
Sunsets are special on Lake Champlain. I make it a point to ride along the waterfront on summer evenings so I can pause, put one foot on a rail or straddle my bike, and watch the ball of gold, orange, or even red if it's an especially hot day, slide down the New York side, glimmering across 10 miles of water. Sunsets the world over hold the power to entrance, but the view from Burlington is poignant. There are very few places in hilly Vermont where uninterrupted views stretch that wide. Lake Champlain, provides a sense of serenity; its sunsets are to-die-for. Lucky me.

2. Late morning in Provence.
After riding in southern France last year, I've come to appreciate the sun-worshipper's' paradise, which is Provence. It's a dry climate, full of luscious fragrance and harvests. I loved pedaling late morning. Muscles are warmed. It's not too hot. Olive trees are sage-colored with distance hills shining in purple pastels. There is always a breeze. It's the moment when I feel like I could pedal a 100 miles. Throw in a row of plane trees and I'm in heaven.

3. Enough nourishment and a camping spot within grasp.
Food has special significance to a touring cyclist. I daydream about food while I'm pedaling and especially strawberry daiquiris when it's humid. And more often than not, by early afternoon I want to know where we will spend the night. Given my normal tent travels with flexible mileage, or—heaven forbid—throw in a major bike problem, locating a campsite and food before dinnertime can be a monumental task. But occasionally things work out without a hitch and it's all the sweeter because I used my two legs to power my adventure. If I'm lucky there might even be a place to buy a beer. I have, however, given up on the idea of a daiquiri.

Sorry, no photo of husband with steaming mug. I made this brew on a solo trip last summer.

4. Waking to hear someone lighting the stove.
I could name many special sights on our worldwide travels (Taj Mahal, Himalayas come to mind), but nothing is as comforting as waking in a foreign land to the sound of  a hissing stove. It means my husband has risen and is heating water for coffee. Sure, he rattles pots. Nor do I mind that it's dawn on a hot day. It's the ceremony that counts, a bonding agent that means "drink the familiar, then let's pedal and see what's around the bend". Most days, even 20 years later, my love thoughtfully hands a steaming mug to the tent door. Or, maybe he's just trying to wake me up. But as a woman, I'll pretend there's more to it than that.

5. Feeling strong and forgetting to turn into my workplace.
I relish that sweet spot every Spring when my legs have acclimated to commuter riding. It means my mind can now wander and ponder all the things I've been meaning to think about that only happen when I ride a bike. Like bike overnights. I wonder where that bird spends the night. Or, what to do about a problem child. Heavy or light subjects—doesn't matter. Is it time to look for another job? Speaking of work, why did I just pass the turn?

What bicycle moments would you savor?

Coffeeneuring - Second Cup

Coffee with a view.

Second Cup - Friday, October 11
What a gorgeous morning—too gorgeous to be indoors for today's coffeeneuring bike ride. I packed a few items in my basket, ready to take advantage of the Coffee Shop Without Walls option.

I chose North Beach as my destination. This time of year the beach is closed to automobiles so visitors are few. Since it's near the lake, I didn't know how ferocious the wind might be and whether I'd huddle behind the pavilion to use my stove. It's providence though. The lake is like glass. I push my bike through deep sand and wedge the kickstand on a stick. I cover the sand with a Malaysian piece of cloth, unpack the coffeeneuring goodies, and prepare to fill the pot with water.

For a 50F morning, it was downright hot on the sand. I removed my coat.

I realize I've forgotten to bring water, let alone a bottle.

I walk to the nearby pavilion. Bathrooms are closed and drinking fountains are turned off. Packing up and leaving, retreating to a less beautiful spot near water is unappealing. But, there is all this open water in front of me, and before I over think the sanitary conditions, I dip my pot into unusually clear lake water and start heating it for coffee. I boil the water for more than five minutes. This is the best I can do to kill germs.

I feel sneaky, yet smug, cooking over a camp stove on the beach. I wonder if it's against the law.

The small pot is also a mug. I spoon coffee into the filter then stir it a bit before resting one end of filter against the spoon. This filter normally fits a regular size mug. I leave the coffee to brew for five minutes then remove the filter and grounds.

I've brought a container of milk to add to my coffee.

I dump in all the milk because the coffee looks pretty strong.

Ahhh! It's very tasty and quite perfect. I like a strong, dark blend of beans. I'm not usually fond of decaf coffee but this Fair Trade DCF Espresso is winning me over.

It's a lovely morning to contemplate the sky, watch sailboats. And enjoy a cuppa. I hope there are more opportunities to explore through this Coffee Shop Without Walls phenomena.

 More clouds roll in and I put on a coat...

...then pack up and go.

Total mileage: 4 miles.

First Cup. Third Cup, Fourth Cup,  Fifth Cup, Sixth Cup, Seventh Cup

For rules or to join this fun event, visit Third Annual Chasing Mailboxes Coffeeneuring Challenge.

Coffeeneuring 2021 - Fifth Cup at Rossetti Natural Area Beach

A heart made with leaves - my son's idea - embracing a Powell's Books mug.

Still autumn color, though waning, from the local lookout. My son and I gravitated to this spot when we mountain bike on local trails then reconvened on the beach for tea.

Oaks and beech trees provide a colorful beach backdrop.

Even a cell phone camera paints me in a new light (ha, had to say that!). Such fun selfies. :)

Love the sand divots.

My mountain bike loving son, always game for a bike ride. It was his idea to visit this spot.

My son's art contribution.

Gazing west - oh, the Adirondacks so clear on the horizon!

Art for art's sake

I'm surprised that November's weekend weather has provided ample opportunity for coffeeneuring! On the heels of solitary sipping and big miles on the Dahon, the next day I grabbed my mountain bike for more local exploration and relaxing on a quiet beach. For the second time I've noticed that the lighting on this north-facing beach lends itself to stellar selfies and an interesting vantage of the Colchester Causeway and New York's Adirondacks. And I always welcome our 19 year old's attendance - twice, so far  - who embraces coffeeneuring, especially when mom brings an extra mug.

The Place: Rosetti Natural Area Beach
Date: Sunday, November 7
Drink: Chai Tea
Observation: Another perfect day!
Total Miles: 10

Coffeeneuring 2021 - Third Cup at Lakeview Cemetery

Collecting gorgeous maple leaves.

Is the maple insignia on the mug appropriate or what!

A beautiful cemetery overlooking Lake Champlain.

The crew investigating my coffee set up.

Art for art's sake

I was thankful for a break in weather to get out with family, enjoy peak foliage along the lakeshore, and eventually complete a loop together before heading home in light rain.

Lakeview Cemetery feels like a park, with its narrow winding roads beneath lovely oaks, maples, and hydrangea trees (among others) currently shaped like umbrellas with maroonish-colored blossoms. The grounds are, in my opinion, the loveliest resting place in Burlington. One end borders the Greenway Path and overlooks the lake. Some people come for the sunsets and/or it's great spot to watch fireworks. I also came here in 2018.

I sat a respectful distance from the gravestones, collected the most colorful maple leaves, then placed my, coincidentally, maple-emblemed mug in the center. Our youngest son joined me to share a thermos of strong ginger tea.

The Place: Lakeview Cemetery
Date: Saturday, October 30
Drink: Ginger Tea
Observation: This is it, peak fall foliage! I made the tea way too strong for my liking. Note to self: one tea bag is plenty.
Total Miles: 13