Cairo!

Cairo!, originally uploaded by Tall Pines Lodge.

MM's little pup, Cairo has been visiting Tall Pines while his daddy's been out of town. Cairo and I were roommates back in San Francisco back when he was a new-born pup, fresh off a non-stop flight from Dallas, nothing more than a few pounds of new dog.

Since then, he's all grown up, and like MM and myself, migrated back east. He's been here for a few weeks and tomorrow he goes back to the city. Of course, he's been great to have and I'll miss having him up here with me at the house.

I'm sorry, what? Yes, that's right -- he's a pure bred Pharaoh Hound. A 2004 model. He's relaxing on the balcony, pictured.

Route 206

Route 206, originally uploaded by Tall Pines Lodge.

Hey there -- so get this. Many of you know I am a motorcyclist. Well, I have been distracted a lot in the past couple of weeks in preparation of an annual week+ long motorcycle trip called "motoTour." My best pal RP and I go on it, and we're gearing up for it right now. The trip starts Friday, July 24.

Last week, I went down to DC via the BoltBus and brought back a whole new touring bike, a Kawasaki Concours (pictured). Its a real dream machine, about the best sports-touring bike you can get dollar-for-dollar, pound-for-pound. Those who appreciate a bargain will be happy to know I got it for a song.

So, even though LP and I spent some time this weekend trying out sample wall colors around the house, for the next week or so, Tall Pines will be turned over to house-sitters DA and KD and their two tots, while I hit the road for the third moroTour, moto3our.

If you want to check it out, RP and I will be joint blogging and tweeting the whole adventure at http://moto3our.blogspot.com. And my pictures from the trip will be getting uploaded here. And of course, on Twitter @moto3our.

Enjoy that! And we'll get back to renovating Tall Pines after this break. Speak to you soon!

In from Cairo

In from Cairo, originally uploaded by Tall Pines Lodge.

Well, MM has got me watching his pooch for the week: Cairo, the Egyptian Pharaoh Hound. He's lots of fun, but he doesn't come when you say 'come,' sit when you say 'sit' or any other commands. He just stares off into space. Kind of aloof, this guy.

And he likes waking me up by coming into my bedroom and looking at me sleeping. At 6 am.

Tall Pines Tea Party

Independence Drinkers, originally uploaded by Tall Pines Lodge.

Had some great friends up from the city this weekend for the 4th. We has some grub in Cold Spring, then popped off to Tall Pines to polish of a half dozen bottles of wine. This was just when we were getting started.

Be sure to check out that new addition (temporarily, at least) to the Tall Pines family, Cairo. More about him later; He'll be here all month!

Happy Independence Day! (And Happy Birthday to Mom!!)

L to R: Angie, Kiki, LP (not pictured), Sarah, EG and Cairo.