Chico Day to Day

Although I am certainly enjoying my exploration of the Northern California area, there is a lot to be said for the day to day activities in Chico. I have continued to develop my fondness for my bike and get on it almost everyday.  I ride my comfy bike way more often than my lightweight LaMond and now have it completely outfitted. Since I tend to go out to the grocery store in the late afternoon, I installed both a very bright headlight and a fancy flashing rear light. Although I have been successfully using my backpack for groceries (up to about $75.00 worth), I finally had a back rack put on my bike and now use David's old but fancy panniers. I have also taken to wearing my helmet again, since I finally read some convincing statistics. Over 70% of bike accidents include head injuries. I still support the points made in my very first blog post, but have modified my behavior, once again.

Like a workhorse!

Leaf piles in the bike lanes:(

Chico is to a great extent bike friendly, which makes it even more difficult for me to understand why the leaves are allowed to be raked into the street...right into the bike lanes. These piles are particularly dangerous at night, even with my new light.  But I am still loving the fact that I can bike everywhere....downtown, the bike store, multiple grocery stores, the post office, through the park, to the fitness center. On a regular day of classes and errands, I will put on at least 10 miles. Here is one of the local kitties that frequently meets me on the final leg back to the house:

Looks a little like Sam!

Even has the same little purple heart...

This is the kitty that lives at the local bike shop....clearly I miss Sam!!

I have also been getting to know the  neighbors more and realize how lucky we are to be a part of this particular community. We went to a neighborhood holiday party last night and we have now met everyone around our cul de sac. Lots of education-related people and very-welcoming, long time California residents. My neighbor Karen invited me to be a part of her book club earlier this month and we just finished reading a great nonfiction book about the water crisis in the United States. Part of my goal for the year is to read more broadly and I have been able to do this. But I just finished a second nonfiction book and need to retreat back for awhile to the safe harbor of murder mysteries. Keep suggestions coming!

Other day to day activities include yoga classes, fitness classes, exercising, researching recipes, experimenting with cooking and baking, and, of course, lots of reading. I also spend a good deal of time planning for little local excursions and enthusiastically planning our next trip home...in just three days! I am so grateful to be establishing a community here, but still very much miss all my Minnesota family and friends. Am looking forward to seeing you all soon!