PTI August Blog Hop: Oh The Places I'll Go!

 Today is the PTI Blog Hop, and what better day to show you one of my favorite pastimes here in my new town. Can you guess what it is?

I like to make long cards on occasion. They fit so perfectly into a business size envelope, leaving ample room inside to tuck a small gift or maybe write a nice letter.

{Today's Brew: PTI Pedal Power stamps and dies, PTI Twig Wreath stamps and dies, PTI card stock and Autumn chicken scratch gingham papers, PTI inks and button twine, copper nailhead brads}

And here is the inspiration for today's card:

My new, slightly used Electra Townie bike! Isn't she sweet? I think it looks just like the bike in today's card, don't you? I don't have my basket on yet, but I will be adding that soon.

With all of the amazing trails here in my town, I knew I wanted to get a bike to replace the old mountain bike I had sold in the last garage sale. After doing a little research, I was pretty sure that I wanted an Electra Townie. Part cruiser, part city bike, it makes bicycling comfortable and easy. And for someone of shorter stature like myself, I loved the flat foot step through design for stability. I also loved that it has just seven gears. Easy to operate, and pretty low-tech.

But the price. Oy vey. I really didn't want to spend a big chunk of change. So I waited, and searched, and waited some more. And then one day, this lovely bike popped up on Craigslist. The exact color I wanted, and a fair price I was willing to pay. Sold!

We spend a lot of evenings on our bikes as a family, just exploring and enjoying the lovely weather. Here are some photos that Sam took on our last bike ride through the trails of Fermilab. Yes, it is a lab, part of the U.S. Department of Energy. It houses the National Particle Accelerator. How cool is that? It sits on the prettiest section of prairie, with trails for biking and walking.

Oh give me a home where the buffalo roam...

...yes, the buffalo really do roam here at this farm! There are also crops of corn and soybean, along with fields of wildflowers, ponds, and groves of trees.

A special thank you to my photographer, Sam, for supplying today's photos!

Thanks for visiting the cafe today!