Foggy start for the Monday at 5 AM

I’m back up and going at 5 AM, as they say getting up early makes you healthy, wealthy, and wise. Or at least a dairy farmer. But I am trying to get into the office on mountain bike by 8 AM each morning so I have time to cover what needs to get done at campaign committee.

One more week before the traffic and pollution 🚘 🚸 produced by all those motoring student parents as school gets underway next week, this year for the most part before Labor Day Weekend because of the odd way the calendar falls. It looks like this weekend looks like a good one for getting away, I probably will work remote on Friday because there is too much too do but whatever.

Last night went out to see the folks 🧑‍🧒 and it seemed like a thunderstorm was immediate so I waited until after dinner for hiking the Hannacroix Ravine Preserve back to Sliding Rock Falls. 🐸 Still some thunderstorms by the time I left, but I did not get wet but I also did not procrastinate too much when I was in the hollow due to risk of flash flooding, and no good way to except with the deep the hollow walls except walking that mile down stream. Yes, there is one herd path that you can scramble up the ledge a short ways from the falls but I’ve never gone up it, and I avoid going down it to avoid damaging the Preserve further. Rather walk in the creek.

Blog hosting costs are going up again, 🖥️ with that bill due I a month, but yeah, inflation and data centers. I am less annoyed as I look back and over the past three years, ad revenue has brought in $3,200 but that doesn’t include domain registration, taxes, or hosting costs. But it mostly covers all those and gives me back a little on the side. And it’s opportunity to develop maps and come up with new ideas.

Today I got to call or maybe schedule online the first oil change 🧑‍🔧 for Old Smokey, as I’m at 3,000 miles and I wanted to change out the break-in oil before that point. I am going to do dealership service, just because it’s not that much extra, and it’s not like I drive that many miles, and I will be good now through end of March when I need a state inspection. Dealership service, while more expensive, means everything is documented right on their computer should the engine blow up under the warranty period. That said, the truck is super easy to access the filter and oil drain plug, so once I’m beyond warranty, I’ll go back to doing it myself again.