Hiking in Saguaro East

This blue matches the sky today. The hike was long -- 9.4 miles -- but it was good. There was too much desert-tromping for my tastes, but there were good views, water crossings, waterfalls, and a couple of small hills.

I've been busy as a paper hanger with hives. Yesterday, Jack and I worked alllllll day long on my deck, making some good progress. We now have the beams all done and most of the joists in. I still have some nailing to do on some of the joists. We have to do rerouting of a water and electric hookup, building of an openable countertop bar to cover the utility boxes, nailing on the decking, doing the benches, and building the two steps.

Jack taught me how to do the toenailing of the joists, which wasn't as easy as it looks. And he had me making cuts with the table saw. I hauled wood from the front, piece by piece, and helped with planning and measuring. Jack's really meticulous and perfectionist, and this deck is going to be really sweet!

I was too tired by the end of the day to even go to the dance class. Jack likes to work from dawn to dusk, without even taking breaks for lunch.

I didn't yet mention the Computer Club dinner. It went swimmingly and I think the club ended up making a bit of money. The important thing is that we did it.

I've been finding that the only time I have to get online these days is... 10pm! And by the time I get done with my email, it's after midnight. I'm wondering how I ever had time to do any work!

Jim, you asked about making a safe left turn on a bike, from the right side of a 5-lane road. You need to make the turn from the left lane, just as cars do. So you have to maneuver your way over there. The preferred way to do this, because it's more expedient, if it's safe, is to check your mirror, do an over-the-shoulder look, and, if you deem it an appropriate time, you signal your move. Move then to the right side of the passing lane.

You still have one more move to make, and you do that the same way, bringing yourself to the right side or center of the left turning lane. If it is a left-straight lane, you want to be in the center of the lane. If it's a left lane, you can either take the lane, or you can be on the right side of the lane, if it's wide enough.

If there is lots of fast-moving traffic, you may want to make what is called a "box-turn." You do this by riding across the road and stopping in front of the lane that will be crossing the road, and crossing with the light, or proceed all the way to the crosswalk and walk your bike across when it's time. There are pictures and comments on this at this link.

A third option (in Tucson) is to make a RIGHT turn. Then make your way to the left and make a U-turn. Then proceed across the intersection. This works in Tucson, because U-turns are an expected thing here. As a cyclist, you don't want to behave in an unpredictable fashion.

Ok... bedtime for Bonzo!