I'm Lonely (but I ain't that Lonely yet!)

I spend a lot of my on-bike time alone. It is convenient and often, easier to just get out and ride by myself. We live in a rural area and there numerous places to ride right from my doorstep. But very few of the folks I know who ride, live near my doorstep. So, I travel solo the majority of the time. And this year, more than ever. But it has been nice, really. The time I spend on the bike is not only beneficial to my health, it is crucial to maintaining my sanity.

And lately, that has been important. Life has been chaotic this summer for both of us. Even though Rene has thankfully been at home, it just seems busier than usual. Our oldest daughter came home from Tampa FL to visit with us (and her old friends) a couple weeks ago and while she was here, we had an impromptu family reunion at the house for Rene's family. Our daughter Heather left for home just this past week and we said goodbye in typical fashion: a final family Mexican dinner! And my son acting like a moron. Wouldn't have it any other way!

Speaking of the boy, he has decided to also fly the coop. He lost his electrical apprentice job in January and has been out of work since then. With a lot of extra time on his hands, he has decided to go back to school. Starting this summer he enrolled at a local junior college and now is becoming a full-time student this fall. Along with that came the desperate need to move out of the house. He and 3 college friends have found a cheap house to rent in the big city and are living the life without parents that they have always craved. Well, except for the occasional trip home to steal food and other items from our house that they need!

And this past weekend, the final child has left the nest. My youngest daughter moved up to college on Saturday and after only 27 trips up and down 4 flights of stairs, she is officially moved into the dorms. And the nice thing is, we get to do it all over again in 8 months when the first school year is over! But now, Rene and I are empty-nesters and as you can see from the photo below, pretty sad about the change!

So, time to get back out there and get some late summer riding in. The roads are still fast and shady.

The local drivers are not well trained in car-bike interaction. It should say "do not pass unless you plan to give me three feet clear!"

The rail trail is well underway but I don't think we will be able to ride it until next summer. The original rail bed is still in place and difficult to navigate. And they might want to consider installing some railings along that old rail bridge too.

Hope everyone is having a great summer. But hurry, its going fast!