Fun with numbers

It was 62º at 12:50 pm in Culpeper, Virginia on January 20, 2013. Any way you look at it, that's a nice combination of numbers. Especially since it was 16º at my house three days later.

We the People...

While not as ground-breaking as the first, the second inauguration of President Obama was no less thrilling for so many reasons.

The first, of course, is the fact that we have gone through another transition/continuation of power sans tanks, mobs, and violence. This is so common for us that we all too often take it for granted. But, if you look around the world, you'll find that it is still a model for how a country should behave.

Next was the amazing progressive attitude prevalent in the entire ceremony. From the "Taxation Without Representation" DC license plates on the Presidential limo to the President's incredible speech, it is clear the second term will attempt to move our nation forward more than we've seen in at least a generation.

I was especially struck by the President's mention of "Seneca Falls, Selma, and Stonewall," touchstones to the freedom movements for women, African-Americans, and the LGBT community. While I know he supports those causes, it was heartening to hear him bring them up so boldly in his speech.

The President also mentioned that, throughout history, we have converted former enemies -- think Great Britain, Germany, and Japan -- into best friends. Now imagine you're hearing that in Iran, Venezuela, Cuba, and all across northern Africa and the Middle East. Anyone who travels in those regions knows the citizens of those countries do not hate us or our freedoms, as neo-conservatives would have you believe. The governments of those countries (and, in much of the Middle East, their Islamic religious leaders) are opposed to the United States, but most of the people of the world still see America as a beacon and a leader.

In another nod to the world at large, President Obama pointed out that our security does not require us to exist in a state of perpetual war. After the last ten years, that would be a nice change.

If you missed the address, I urge you to watch it on YouTube or whitehouse.gov, or wherever you can find it. If anyone thought the progressive agenda would fade in light of the other challenges facing our country, you'll find progressive solutions are front and center in facing those challenges. For me, I find that both reassuring and energizing.

To Cape Spear...

For anyone who's ever wondered about the location of the photo to the right -- me at Cape Spear, Newfoundland -- here's a nice little video about the place:



It's truly a breathtaking spot, one of my favorites of all the places I've been. It may be a long way to go, but it's always close to my heart.

My kingdom for a knee...

Of those who believe in intelligent design, who hold that only a god could create such a brilliant creature as man and his surroundings, it might be asked, "But what about the knee?"

If that particular part of the human body were more durable and less susceptible to injury, the Washington Redskins would probably be planning a trip to Atlanta to face the Falcons this coming weekend. When quarterback Robert Griffin III went down with another injury to his already-gimpy right knee, the playoff hopes of my favorite football team took a nosedive.

One man can't really carry an entire team, but Griffin came close this year. He brought physical skills, of course, but he also began every offensive play by forcing the defense to cover a dizzying array of options. Griffin's ability to fake, combined with his skill at running and throwing the ball, meant the opposing team had to try to cover multiple possibilities of plays. That, plus an improving defense of their own and the stellar pay of rookie running back Alfred Morris, were the secrets to Redskin's success the second half of the season.

With Griffin's injury, that threat was gone and the Seattle Seahawks, a very good team in their own right, could use their dominating defense to secure a win last night. Hats off to them, they played well and deserved to win. But, as often happens in sports, we're left to wonder, "What if..."

I was sad the 'Skins lost, but happy and proud of the season they had. Championship football has returned to Washington after a long absence, and the future looks bright. Sweeping the Cowboys was a nice extra. I'm appreciative of the work the players and coaches have done and thrilled at the prospect of more success next season. Let's all hope RG III can rehab his knee in the off-season and return with the same kind of brilliance we saw this season.

Could it be?

Hard as it may be to believe, but we're having a white Christmas in central Virginia!

OK, it was actually Christmas Eve, and it was more like a little white on a mostly green and brown landscape, but I'll take it. We managed to have some heavy flurries that, for an hour or so, stuck to the grassy areas of my property until the rains came and washed it away. Unlike the midwest, we're not getting covered with a cloak of white this holiday season.

That's not all bad, though. With highs in the 40s today, it was another decent opportunity to ride. I headed west along familiar roads through Culpeper and Orange counties.

Historic Orange, Virginia, railroad station on Christmas day 2012.

Spot 2 GPS Messenger

I used the opportunity to conduct a shakedown test of my new Spot 2 GPS Messenger, a tracking device that sends out signals at regular intervals so friends can see where you're going and rescue personnel can locate you in case of an emergency.

Most long distance motorcyclists use a Spot to reassure friends and family while they're on the road, and many competitive endurance rallies require it. I've never used one before, but thought it was time to try it. Besides, there was a rebate program, so the financial risk was pretty small.

The signals sent out by the device are plotted on a Google maps page, so people can see in near-real time where you are. The rider can either share the page openly, share it with select friends, or keep it completely private.

It's not a perfect system, and my results for today's ride were incomplete, perhaps somewhat due to my unfamiliarity with the Spot. I'm planning a multi-day trip that should show off its functions a bit better, once I get the hang of it.

A Spot page showing part of my Christmas day ride.

But I digress. For today was one for enjoying another couple of hours in the saddle, nestled as it was between two days of nasty weather. Yesterday was cold and wet. Tomorrow's forecast calls for ice pellets and freezing rain, perhaps a bit of snow after dark. We must take opportunities as they come and make the best of them. I'm now warm in my house, my GS is parked safely in my garage, and dinner is cooking. Not a bad day so far.