These spiked plants in Aspen are called "fireweed." They are in bloom later in the summer season.

We have a herd of these cows in the Aspen area--they are affectionately called the "oreo cookie" cows. I love them!

Carnegie built libraries in Canada too, 125 of them according to Wikipedia. Some are still operating as libraries.

“Why we tour” fits very aptly into the description of your restaurant excursion! It’s all about the adventure, and you both have this nailed :)

As your shirt says, Dave, the glasses are the “icebreaker” for any conversation. 😂

Cookie cutter housing..;)

Yup, this Canadian (having done both canoe and kayak trips) says those are canoes!

Very nice!

Just catching up on your journal.

I read this entire page with interest. Thank you for sharing. We also have T-Mobile - the senior plan. We paid for international calling on our recent trip. Jacinto is in charge of phones. I couldn't remember if we paid $25. or $35. per month each. I asked google right now, and it says $50. per month. Do you have any secrets to receiving the free international calling?

When the cycle touring community reached a critical mass, about 25 years ago, blogs tended to go into detail about matters like what underwear was being used, and how many. This was sometimes detailed in very complex spreadsheets. I'm about to say that this early enthusiasm faded in blogs, and I think it's true, but I do admit that we, anyway, still have such spreadsheets in a silent support mode. Anyway, I enjoyed reading this page, because it recalls some of that old enthusiasm that after 30+ trips might be dulled for us, a bit.

Some random comments triggered by your text:
You confused me a bit by referring to 5g and 4g, by which it turned out you meant gigabytes (5gB). 5g and 4g otherwise refer to communications protocols. But I caught on fast.

Lycamobile UK permits us to roam in EU, but like in your TMobile example, not forever. However we were last in UK five years ago and they have yet to catch on. And they think we live in a hotel near Horley. On the other hand, Lycamobile France required us to show within 6 months that we have a provable address in France, and indeed after some time (maybe a year) they threw us off.

Yes, Merino is great, but then it develops holes. To Dodie's dismay I then patch these with "Tenacious Tape", until she refuses to be seen with me.

The plate of food with the grey knight was very depressing!

I too opted for a bigger, faster computer despite the chore of carrying it. I congratulate myself on this choice with every evening of pure joy blog writing, compared to the weak, compromise devices I was using before.

But a more controversial choice is filling my handlebar bag entirely with a big and heavy Nikon zoom camera. The advantage is really only in bird photos. Are bird photos all that important in a blog?

Again, your information is very invaluable and sincerely appreciated. You’re both an inspiration and testimony for smart decisions that involve cycling and life!

Accompanied by a knight with grey armor.. :)

Agreed! And, Bever is the store lifesaver in the Netherlands, fyi. They have things for all seasons, always! Essential travel and sporting goods companies that know best.
I think your experience with an Irish store clerk naysaying your request for wool is akin to my experience always in the Santa Cruz REI. They never have what I want THEN and I do not want to order online first. This is defeating the purpose of trying to “shop local”, despite the fact it is a chain vendor.

Thank you for your invaluable information ! We use T-Mobile but have Apple I-phones..

At least it’s not raining…