diddlee

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I was searching for something among my CD's to entertain the boys Saturday and found a recording of Nikki and Sara from 1986 and possibly a little earlier. Seeing Nikki dancing around the living room at about 18 months old was sweet. Seeing Sara as she lay there in her cradle on the first day home from the hospital made me want to pick her up. In the next clip, there was my Mom with Sara taking her first steps. 1987 - 1933 gives 54 years old. She was the same age I am now. And I was 31. Now that little one is 26. Life passes by quietly like the flow of a river. We need landmarks to be mindful of how quickly it passes. It can't be changed. We can learn how to enjoy the trip. That's the best we can do.

It seems like a long time coming. After missing last year's Safari, we'll get to attend this one. We are down to the last few days before time to go. There are a few preparations left. It looks like the weather will be cooperative. With the shift lever failing on the tandem like it did, I'll have the chance to get it repaired. Perhaps I should have even replaced the front derailleur hanger so I could put the original one back on. Didn't think of it. I think Bev is ready for it. We did a 24 mile ride this morning on the single bikes. She did fine but I doubt it would be fun beyond 2 days for her. Some family members are mad at us right now. That's something we didn't need. I expect taking this trip won't do much to improve that either. Perhaps I shouldn't worry about it anymore.

After a 10 year hiatus, we got the same group back together to hike in the Smokeys. Gary would not arrive until Wednesday night but Kirk, Alan, and I did two other days of hiking loops back into Elkmont campground. There was a surprising number of people there considering the recent rain and cold temperatures. I think it would have been nice to have had the camper along for the cold nights. But right now I'm glad I didn't take it. On the short trip up to Logan's Landing where we camped the weekend with the boys, the brake calipers failed and I would have certainly been in trouble for driving so far then depending on failed brakes in those mountains there. We arrived to snow on Tuesday. After a short process of tent setting, we launched out on a 6 mile hike. That put us back in camp in time for a supper of Mountain House foods. It took some effort to get a fire made. We didn't exactly have the kind of wood you like for camp fires. Despite the chill, my North Face Cat...

Kirk called. The trip is on. We'll go up Tuesday to camp in Elkmont and day hike around the area of the park. I made a bet with Bev that we'd end up doing day hikes. That's what was suggested. But not all that was suggested. Depending on the weather, we might have to hunt a hotel room. By doing day hikes, I think we might be able to do more hiking. By not carrying a pack, we can do miles in the morning, with a lunch in between, then an afternoon hike with time to prepare supper. What we will do about supper is another thing. Whether or not we will prepare for a group or just prepare for ourselves. We'll need to go out to town for food since we won't have a refrigerator.

Old Blue has been in the shop for a few days. Nothing serious. Just some things that occur with age. She's 16 years old now. Not exactly a youngster anymore. The motor for the electric window failed on the driver's side. We got that replaced. The door latches had a portion broken off that made the doors loose. Got those replaced. New belts. New shocks. New shackles for the rear suspension. She was ready yesterday but I couldn't get there till this morning. Bev's working, so I rode over on my bike. The repairs produced a pleasant surprise. Blue drives like a new truck. I'm just wow! Certainly eases my mind about adding those tracks for the carrier up top. We'll have a great vehicle for adventure.

So many things I've learned repeat on a cycle. The cold weather of February has broken on schedule to give us some respite and riding weather. My allergies have begun and my watery eyes have produced the annual nuisance as always. Our first cycling trip of the year was much more modest than expected. The length of rides could have been better. The hike ended up being only 3.5 miles instead of 5. The scenery, while beautiful, wasn't the extraordinary experience I'd hoped for. But it was travel. We got to use our bikes. We met some great people. Then it was back to work. Crystal will be leaving in another 3 days of work. The switch over hasn't been decided completely, but we will get Ashley. Then Crystal came down with something and missed work. So I've been handling nights without the tech. It has been a while since I've had to do that. It has kept me running so I am more tired than usual. SO finally I am down to the last 5 minutes of my week. It all passes so ...