Standing at the Trailhead of Winter

During my walk with Ado this morning I could hear music. The sound reminded me of Don McLean, his "American Pie" album. After I returned home and had Ado all settled in, I decided to set off to find the music. I found it just off the trail to Uptown, behind the Community Cancer Center. I sat in the gazebo and listened. Monarch butterflies flittered among the daisies circling the gazebo. I have since learned the singer is Dan Hubbard, a singer-songwriter who lives right here. The butterflies were released as a symbol of freedom and happiness, especially as these are connected to those who have battled cancer and won. I followed the music. My day was all the more brightened for it. Old Faithful has found a new home. Yesterday, I said goodbye to the blue cruiser. I truly loved that bike, but I was ready to let it go and start a new chapter with a new cruiser. The kind I fell in love with, out in California during the TransAm ride 2012. We were sitting outside a bike sh...

Finally able to get out and ride today. Granted it was a short ride--a mile to the bike shop to buy a rack for my cruiser--but just being able to hop on the bike, mosey along and enjoy the brisk air truly made me feel less stressed. Then, once I got home I pulled out the new Park Tools and put the rack on the bike. Come Monday, if the streets stay clear and dry, I'll be hanging my panniers on the cruiser for my ride to work. If the snow comes, I'll be walking. I'm hoping for clear, dry streets as I love riding my cruiser. So, though I only got two miles in today, I'm going to count today as day 1 of my 200 days of riding this year.