It Really IS About the Bike!

May 4, 2015 by LB

Life on the Bike and Other FabThings has been about much more than motorcycles, especially through this very cold, icy winter. Thankfully, photography and travel are a big part of this blog, too. Now that warmer temperatures are finally here, I can once again combine all three.

Photo Credit: Cherie Yost

Seven bikes with ten friends riding, set out yesterday morning for Burnt Chimney, Virginia, a small community in Franklin, VA, near Smith Mountain Lake. Led by Dave, we rode 150 miles on back roads and the Blue Ridge Parkway, where this view was our reward for the ride. You’ve heard me praise the beauty of this part of the world many times, and this photo is just a bit more evidence to support the claim.

The next stop was Sunken City Brewing Company, a small, fairly new craft brewery near Smith Mountain Lake.

We were all so happy to be out of the house, out of the routine, and enjoying time with friends and on the bike.

Next stop: Mangos Bar and Grill at Smith Mountain Lake.

We toasted a return to warm weather riding, live music, good pub food, and friendship.

I wished I’d gotten this guy’s name. He sure entertained the crowd, and gave me the opportunity to play with my camera.

(this is an advanced peek at my Monochromia post for Saturday … shhhhh)

What a great day on the bike!

We’ve built a Sunday ride into the weekend campaign schedule. Saturdays are for knocking doors, and I’ll be on the phone making calls for four hours on Sunday evenings.

Photo Credit: Cherie Yost

But Sunday daytime? It’s all about the ride!

Colorful Moments in Charlottesville

September 25, 2014 by LB

Weekend travel for other than pleasure? Make the most of it!

Whether walking the grounds of The Boars Head Inn,

Or exploring the downtown walking mall,

Be on the lookout for the bright and the beautiful

and enjoy those free moments.

Fenceline in Monochrome

September 21, 2014 by LB

For this week’s post on Monochromia, I wanted to show sunlight … it seems as if we haven’t seen alot of that this summer.

It truly was a beautiful evening.

Have you visited Monochromia yet? Please do so soon and check out the work of photographers from around the world!

Still Summer

September 4, 2014 by LB

The calendar says Sept 4th,

3 days after Labor Day,

the traditional “end of summer”.

In my garden though, summer is still here!

Each morning, I get to enjoy seeing the flowers that still grace the space outside my kitchen door.

And thankfully, my basil is still growing beautifully!

It’s been awhile since I’ve attempted some macro shooting (even though I don’t have a macro lens) and I decided I needed practice. You, my dear blogger friends, are my guinea pigs. As fall approaches, I’ll definitely be practicing more!

In the meantime, I want to thank you for inspiring me with your craft, whatever it may be; for making me laugh; for causing me to sigh with both happiness and in thought, and for being here on WordPress with me!

Pier Love

August 15, 2014 by LB

If you’re like me, and I know many of you are, you come home from your travels with almost too many photos to look through, process, save or delete. How can it be that a simple 4 day trip to the Middle Peninsula of Virginia could yield over 400 photos?

Perhaps I should just PUT THE CAMERA DOWN.

Since that will never happen, it was time to get to work! In reviewing the photos from my time on the Middle Peninsula of Virginia, it was clear that one object garnered much of my attention.

What was it about this pier that kept catching my eye?

Was it the obvious presence of it?

Or it’s ability to stand quietly in the background?

Was it more striking against the colors of a cloudy sunrise?

Or did conversion to black and white bring out the beauty?

Perhaps it’s attraction was stronger after a storm?

Or maybe because it held memories of a lovely evening with friends?

Whatever the reason, I came home with too many pier photos to count. I’ve picked the best of the lot and shared them with you here. And if you’re still with me after viewing the first 12, I’ll hope you can handle just one more.

You may have seen this before. It’s my favorite and as a amateur photographer, one that I am quite proud of.

Thanks for hanging in there with me as I present this photographic study of a Middle Peninsula pier.

Basil

June 11, 2014 by LB

Two years ago, I called it a love affair … but I think it’s time to be honest … I don’t want to go a day without basil. In fact, it makes me happy just to see these plants outside my kitchen door.

The combination of basil, mozzarella, tomato, and olive oil just can not be beat and it serves as my lunch or dinner almost every day during the summer months. Of course, basil elevates almost any food, at least in my opinion.

Unlike many of the garderners whose blogs I follow, I did not raise these plants from seeds. Perhaps I’ll try that next year.

The aroma of fresh basil is heavenly! I’ve even been known to swab a leaf across my pulse points in the same way that another woman might use perfume.

Would you say that I have a problem?

Let me know if you do … you can find me near the basil plants.

Fall Back to Summer

October 16, 2013 by LB

I love that the colors of summer still shine brightly against the beauty of the changing leaves.

As Alys counts down to Halloween, I count down to this weekend’s ride!

Three Days!!

Morning Swim

August 3, 2013 by LB

Nothing like a lovely early morning swim … so refreshing! Osprey feeding their young; crabbers checking their pots; and the laughter of friends in the distance.