Miles to go before we sleep...

Last week was a big week for exercise for me. It was also a continuation of a goal I'd had since 2005. Back then, when I'd become inspired with cycling, I researched many trails around the region within driving distance and discovered the Virginia Creeper and the New River Trail. Then in 2007 when I accompanied Bev to the first quilting retreat there at Camp Cheerio, I brought a ATB tandem that we rode on the Virginia Creeper from Abingdon to just outside of Damascus. She was hooked. It was some of the most beautiful Autumn scenery anyone could wish for. Then we rode again from Galax toward the Fries Junction and back. That day we pledged to return and ride the rest of the trails. Work schedules intruded so it took until this year for us to have the chance to go back. But we made the most of this trip. We rode every day leading up to the retreat. We finished the unridden portion from Damascus toward Abingdon and then rode the portion from Damascus to Whitetop and back. Then we rode the portion from Foster's Falls up to the Dora Junction and back. Then we rode the Galax to Fries Junction portion leaving only the Fries to Foster's Falls to do when we return another year. Total miles on the tandem mountain bike this week for Bev and me, 115.06 miles.

Thursday evening we drove over to Roaring Gap to Camp Cheerio there. Without my cycling partner and with weekend leaf peeping traffic increasing, I elected to add to my trail running totals. I managed 9.3 and 9.4 miles on the next 2 days. So 18.7 miles running in addition to the 115 miles riding. Not a bad week for exercise. Unfortunately I had great food and negated all the calories burned.

Catching up

After my recovery period for Covid, I went to Cullman on Monday the 8th and started catching up on the mowing and farm stuff. Pretty much everything needed mowing. The big tractor made short work on the main north fields and David helped me with the field across from the pond. The grass had grown quite long and with the two week absence, I simply started and mowed all of them. There is always some mowing to do. At least no trees had fallen. There were some indoor projects pending. A couple of shower fixtures had to be replaced. The screen door latch didn't hold and had to be improved. The old JD mower needed a bit of tuning so it would climb better and the mowing deck replaced. And the garden needed to be disked and more corn and okra planted. David should have had a shot on the groundhog at the old house but forgot to check his ammo. The hammer fell on an empty chamber. I got the conibear traps out and caught one of the groundhogs that lived by the spring. David had ...

Spock

Spock is my favorite character in all fiction. A character who bridged the gap between two worlds and faced disdain from each. Who strove for excellence and exemplified strength, character, intelligence, and control. His nearly emotionless demeanor was a perfect foil for those who would attempt to intimidate or insult him. It was a style I would endeavor to imitate to thwart those attempting to insult, demean, or scare me in my own young life. I bought this little figure to remind me to guard against letting my defenses down and allowing emotional hurt to strike me.

Island Walk

I always try to help Rachael with Hubbard/Rockford if asked. They had me down for 3 days but at last minute asked for the other day. Work at Rockford is slow so working isn't hard, but not following my usual routine tired me out a bit. I still had some work I could take care of up in Cullman. Some bushhog work and other little items but the high temps held me back a bit. I did ride my bike a little and got in some of my walking in addition to some chores. Max needed to be delivered to Charlotte, SC for his drum major camp. I volunteered to take him. I was glad to be able to perform this chore for him but the long trip up and back combined with extra heavy traffic in the Atlanta are, which extended to within 30 miles of Alabama, combined to really tire me out. There had been a problem with my left rear wisdom tooth for over a year, so I decided I should get it taken care of before I wound up isolated somewhere in PEI. The extraction didn't appear to be problematic until just be...

diddlee

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