Our last morning on Block Island a niece who had come over the night before, ran in the Block Island Triathlon -- her first ever. Ready to start: and they're off. First a short sprint down the beach around a flag and then into the water for a 1/4 mile swim. Coming out of the water. Next is the bike phase Out. twice around a loop on the west half of the island, and back. 12 miles total. Transition for the run. First down the beach about 1/2 mile and back Then about 1 1/2 miles up the other way, and back. Finish Official time 1:41:16

Today my wife rode in a horse show that was sponsored by a local high-end saddle maker. It was her first show on her younger horse Brooklyn since February when the horse was injured. The show consisted of a round of "Hunters" (where the horse is judged on on how well it moves while jumping the course) and round of "Equitation" (where the rider is judged on how well she rides a more difficult course of jumps) and a written portion that had to be completed by the day before the show. She got second place in the Hunter round, fourth place in the Equitation round and with the points from the written portion, she ended up in first place overall.In addition to the ribbons, the painted tray, and a small amount of prize money (enough to cover her entry fees and have about $120 left to bring home) she also won half off a custom saddle of the new design that the saddle maker has developed.

Those are very unusual photos, caflower. I assume the oranges were frozen. Thanks for sharing the pictures. They often have to run fans (or something) in the Ojai area when it gets frosty. I remember when smudge pots were used; not sure if they do that anymore. I think it snowed as well back in the early 50's or maybe late 40's. (Referring to lower elevations where it "never" snows, not the mountains of course).

The Metropolitan Cathedral of Rio de Janeiro reflected in a neighboring building and from the inside and from a different trip a view from near the Christ the Redeemer statue, showing the Cathedral in the distance Zoomed