fireworks and average velocities

Today I learned that somewhere nearby they have fireworks at midnight to ring in the new year. Our only evidence is that the really, really sick lady could hear them last night, which was apparently entertainment enough.

In other news, if you go mountain biking in the national park and pass some hikers on the one trail where bikes are allowed, you can beat the hikers (in their car) to the local Starbucks. Not to belabor the obvious, but walking is slow. I was really surprised to be recognized, though.