When the Power goes out and other News

During our rash of storms last week we had a number of power outages.  The longest one was during an afternoon and early evening when the girls had homework and Lucy was feeling bad (Little did we know then that the next day we would spend in the hospital waiting for her to get her appendix out!)
Watching movies on the laptop and doing homework remained possible after the batteries wore down as long as someone was willing to pedal.  It was great fun!  No noisy stinky generator and the effort to make electricity was a very tangible thing.  Here's a link to a short video.  I also got plenty of exercise that day.
Speaking of exercise, this bad weather has forced  me to abandon yet another prejudice about exercise equipment.  I've always felt that taking care of what needs taking care is the best way to get exercise, especially living out in the country where there is always plenty to do.  This weather and the anxiety about not being in very good shape forced me to break down and ask the neighbor if I could use his elaborate exercise set-up to get in shape for the ride.  He was very gracious and invited me anytime,  so now I've broken another of my own unspoken rules.
On the planning front, things are going great.  We're looking for an electric bicycle company to sponsor a third bicycle so that we can offer the people we encounter a real life option that they can go out a get.  Our recumbents are so custom that almost no one will see them as a viable option.
I have been making appointments with people all across the country who we will visit.  You can see some of the stops on our media page .  It is really fun making contact with all of the great people out there who are inspired and energized by the sustainability work they are doing.  Even Town Manager's are getting into the game because they see growing their green credentials as a way to attract good people.  Durango, CO totally gets it and is welcoming our arrival with open arms.  Not only do we add to the attraction of their vibrant biking community but the sustainability angle "greens" up their image.  
Next stop is Boulder where there is so much going on we're going to have a hard time figuring out what to choose.


What a great problem!!!