8/26/17

So next day had me riding the train back most of the way back to the previous camp.  I could not find the iPod in camp.  As I was riding to the main road, and the camp owner drove up and said the man working there had found it on the road and she was going to his place.  The god Loki has not forgotten me but is being generous in the end.  I take the train to Daugavpils. There is a group of guy drinking and partying hard at the other end of the train car.  They keep bring back roses to the ticket taker who is keeping an eye on them.

I must remember not to put the iPod on panniers even though they are convenient flat spot to set stuff.
Love and kisses
Steve

8/25/17

I road 90k to Jekabpils.  I was good all day not trying to check email along the way.  I found in camp my iPod was missing.  Last place I saw the iPod was in the last camp.  Then as I was cooking dinner a group of swans came up into my camp next to the lake.  The male I assume head right for me.  I made myself big and we had a stand off for five minutes.  Then the family group moved off down the lake.  The female did shake herself out leaving dropping a white feather.  I accepted the gift of the white feather.  Just wish it was not white.  I spend the evening checking train schedules for my search for my iPod.  The iPod has to much of my online life in it.

Love and kisses

Steve

8/24/17

With being woken up at dawn and having a dog moving about I did not get much sleep.  At least I was not spooning with a Chihuahua,. I decide to take a rest day as It was a nice quite camp ground.  I did learn a little bit about dog sledding as I met guard dogs 14 buddies who are into sled racing.  So I spent much of the day drying gear and sitting by a fire.  The Ogre river flows by.
Love and Kisses
Steve

8/23/17

 I spend the morning in the Riga market.  It is in the outdoors and in 5 zeppelin hangers.  Fresh food is the main attraction. 

Then off to Ogre as I ride a Surly Ogre and I think it will appreciate going.  I spot a bike shop and top off my front tire from 18 to 40 PSI.  No Boom.  I then cross the river Daugava to take the bike route south of the river Daugava. Only a short bit is a main highway.

Planning is brought to mind as I approach Ogre I and see on the map that there is no bridge.  So plan B is to go around.  I get to Ogre and find a nice square and 1920 building along one road.  Leaving Ogre at 7:30 I could go back 20k to a camp site on the other side of the river from Ogre.  Instead I head 35k to a campground continuing my route.

The sun set at 9 pm and that is when the rain started. I finally get to what might be the entrance to the campground at 11:30.  A German Shepherd comes charging at me barking.  After some ear scratching he is just jumping on me and trying to bounce me and my bike.  At dawn he decide that he was going to push over my tent by leaning on it or come through a new door in the screen, so I let him in. Now I have a wet dog curled up next to me and trying to claim the air mattress and sleeping bag.  At least I am not spooning with a Chihuahua.

Love and Kisses

Steve

8/22/17

Looking out my window and I see Gargoyles across the street.  I spend the day wandering the streets Riga.  The buildings are all embellished.  There are many weather vanes adorning the tops of building.   In the evening I try Uzbekistani food as I chance across this restaurant in .my wanderings.
Love and Kisses
Steve

8/21/17

Late start due to rain and then riding was slow due to hills and rough dirt roads. Begin in the afternoon the pace picks up as dirt road inprove slightly.  Reaching pavement it is easier riding and faster.  Ride into Riga as it turns dark.  The first hostel lost reservations.  The second hostel had a room for one night.
Yes I have a real roof over my head.
Love and kisses
Steve

Bike parking

8/20/17

 It is a long ride on rough roads both dirt and pavement.  Getting to Cesis late the castle is closed but can see the ruin from the outside.  Rain starts as I view the castle and goes throuthe night
Love and kisses
Steve

8/19/17

Morning has me riding dirt road then dirt trails.  There as sand traps on the trail and I go for one, I dive off the bike as one catches my tire.  I did stop to pick and eat some nice blueberries.  Trail turns to paved road. Then at the border I end up in Lavtia.  Evening has me crossing a swing bridge with a lean.  The bike added more to the fun and it did not go through any of the loose boards/  Sign on the other side of the bridge I just translated ‘walk the dangerous life-threatening”.  Live and learn.
Love and kisses
Steve

Yes it is a "biomower"