The Urban Pantheist

Self portrait on bike, with fall leaves, and iPhone tucked into hat.

Made my last payment on this sexy new bike. I bought it from a friendly coworker who let me have it pretty cheap. It's light and fast as hell. Maybe I should try for the 50 mile Gilmour Ride in 2015?

There's just enough space to uncomfortably store my bike and trailer in my shed over the weekend.

A new bike shop just opened up in the neighborhood. Haven't been inside yet, but I like the vibe.

Parking my bike next to the Bird's World bike.


Lunchtime basking on the roof of the Tropical Forest.

I am full of gratitude for all the people who donated to my latest charity thing. I worry that it probably seems like that's all I do on here (and my other social media, let's be honest) since it's become a bigger and bigger part of my life. This latest effort, for my 25 mile bike ride to support the Gilmour Fund has been maybe the most successful fundraiser I've been this close to.

My team raised over 2000 dollars, over 600 of which was donated by my friends and family wishing me well. All you get in return is whatever good feelings it brings, the tax deduction, and maybe some pictures of me wearing purple and blue butterfly wings. The ride is tomorrow, and right after I finish it I've got to hurry back home, change and shower and head out to the Bowling for Rhinos event for the zoo in Providence (Roger Williams park).

That's right, two fundraisers, three New England states, biking bowling zookeeping conservation...and in three weeks we're holding our own Bowling for Rhinos. Then it'll calm down and I won't sound so much like someone holding a clipboard outside the grocery store.

Here's the tally: https://www.crowdrise.com/jeftaylor-ZNEGilmour2014

I got to the Urban Nature Walk early this morning and HOLY CRAP this guy rolls up on his homemade summer dogsled.


He and the dogs had done the 4 mile loop around Ponkapoag Pond and the dogs were hot and ready for a dip.


He runs the dogs competitively with that thing. He said it's a unique sled, made of mountain bikes and sheet aluminum, and only weighs 40 lbs.

160 lbs of rumpled khaki on an old mountain bike.


Meanwhile, inside in the tropics, a yellow-billed stork and some scarlet ibises look down upon it all.

Back to the office, back to the office window.


But I got to put a new tool to work!