After a couple of morning errands, I had to stop by the house, and I decided that since it was clear and warm out, today would be a good day to start riding the motorcycle.

I was a little saddened yesterday when I checked the lack of melt on the ice blocking the south end of the alley. Most of the alley is clear of snow, but the south end is beside a two-storey parking garage, and is therefore protected from the ice-melting rays of the sun. The alley slopes downhill to the north, and there's normally a giant ice delta built-up, so I didn't bother to wander that way to check.

Today, I left the alley in the Jeep to run the errands, and drove north first. I was surprise to find the end of the alley was clear! A slight puddle rested in the gutter between two giant mounds of snow. Chunks of ice in the snow indicated that someone may have chopped the ice out of the way.

During one of the errands, one of the buttons gave way on the shirt I was wearing. I have a bad habit of bellying-up to the desk or table I'm sitting at, and this particular shirt button had evidently had enough. Since I was driving by the house, I stopped in to change my shirt.

While I was there, I figured that since the alley was clear, the roads were pretty clean, and the temperature was pleasntly in the 50F's and the sun was shining, I should maybe give the Jeep the afternoon off. I changed out of my shoes and into my boots, and hung up the light-weight Twins logo'd jacket, trading for the leather jacket.

It was a brilliant ride! Aren't they always?

The first leg was pretty short, as I had to stop to fill up the tank, but the rest of the way was all freeway. The house, and gas station for that matter, is blocks from the freeway, and the office is essentially at the top of the exit ramp, so all open road between.

I stayed a little late, to make up for the late arrival, but managed to arrive in the neighborhood as the wife was walking home from the bus stop. I picked her up and shared the second first ride of the season for the last few blocks home.

A fine start to a hopefully long riding season. It's certainly been winter long enough! Almost had to wait until the actual start of spring for the start of spring! Beat it by four days...that's close...