I walked around a bit, letting the wind cut into my wool peacoat. Let it remind me I was alive, even if only through discomfort. Had there been waves no doubt I'd be out in the cold water. I thought about that for a few minutes and thought about how most people don't like to spend any time in discomfort yet they seem so unhappy. I have a theory that if you don't experience pain on some level every day, you'll lose sight of life's simple pleasures and you'll grow more and more unhappy. Our lives are so easy compared to say a Swan in late November, facing another 5 months of bitter, freezing cold. Most people can't even put themselves in that mindset. The more the wind blew into me the more thankful I was to be there feeling it, knowing I'd soon be eating warm food and sharing good times with warm family. Keep life basic, allow a bit of pain, struggle or discomfort and happiness comes more easily. Just think like a Swan.
Bikes have a way of following me even when I leave mine behind. A text message had arrived as I drove the 7 hours from DC to Rochester. "Meet us at BP tonight" from Scott Likely, long-time friend and owner of the local bike shop in Pittsford. BP? "What the hell" I thought, are we scoring 40's at the gas station and reliving our high school years? I didn't realize he meant the "Basin Pub" - a new-to-me watering hole located about 300 yards from the place I grew up. When I arrived neither Scott nor Mike Norton were there. I ordered a Bourbon and made my way through the packed crowd towards a place to stand and people watch. About 10 steps in Vince Press, friend from high school stopped me and the good times began.
Vince was there with friends who were there with family. Before long we had new recruits for our Thanksgiving morning mountain bike ride. Scott hooked a couple of us travelers up with demo bikes from Towpath and we were off to the trails. Unfortunately for Ms. J'amie the day started with a face plant then 4 hours in the ER with stitches and lacerations. Seems triathlons and fitness comps are no prep for mountain biking however I'm very thankful she is still talking to us and not holding a grudge but I'm not sure she is thankful for having met us. This is her knee before the 10 stitches.
While a bit delayed we eventually got our ride on. This is Scott & Mike
Mike brings his dog who knows the trails better than I did and had better trail ediquite than most riders - if I was coming up fast behind her she would pull to the side, then stop, let me by and keep running with us. Mountain biking with a cool dog kicks ass. This is Laney.
We also ran into another high school friend, Carl Hopfinger. He was leading a group of kids so we jumped in. This is Carl - the guy is always brewing with positive energy.
Here's Carl and his posse mixed with ours.
I had seen the Rochester forecast before leaving DC - rain and snow. I left all my gear home but forgot one thing - people in Rochester don't stop for the weather. Scott hooked me up with a sweet 29'r but we didn't have time to get me proper shoes that clip into the pedals so there I was, bouncing down the trail in my running shoes. When you're used to being locked into your pedals like ski boots in bindings, riding flats is a whole new challenge.
Luckily I didn't add to the hospital tally (Mike would a day later) ... BUT FIRST there was Turkey to be eaten so we kept it to 2 laps of Drier Rd Park then headed home as the freezing rain turned to snow. I was stoked to be out riding.
I made my way to my sister's place with my Mother. Lynn has a 3 year old son who is adorable. This is my exceptionally cute nephew Eli.
This is Lynn busy in her new kitchen. She used to work in Manhattan as a pastry chef. I love her new kitchen and the food she makes in it.
Making amazing food makes Lynn happy
which made everyone who came for Thanksgiving dinner happy. But no, no group photo.
The next day I considered leaving town a day early, I had a storm to face back in DC and figured I'd best get headed into it. But first I called to see if Scott was interested in changing Black Friday into White Mountain Biking. The snow was starting and he yelled back into the phone, "First snow ride of the season - I'm closing the shop, let's go!" and so we did.
It felt the season
This is Scott, happy to not be making himself any money.
This is Mike.
Mike also felt bad about the ER visit J'amie endured the day before and kept saying things like, "It sure does suck when you get hurt" followed by "Boy these trails sure are slippery" - as you can imagine it wasn't long before Mike hit the deck after a fast and steep descent. There was a loud POP then a lot of loud swearing. Mike suffered a 2nd degree shoulder separation. This is Mike about 5 minutes before ...
and after ...
That night a good friend threw a party and I got a chance to meet new people and see my lifelong buddy Dave who was just in from his first big day of selling Christmas Trees, wood carvings, hand tied wreathes and hand made ornaments at the Pittsford Dairy.
Dave and I caught up, saw more old friends and made some new ones. Good thing I didn't have my camera since we were knocking back the bourbon quite steadily, then made our way to the local bar Thirstys where Dave is greeted much like Norm in Cheers. Luckily they closed soon after.
Next day began slow for this camper. I made my way to the Dairy, said hi to Chuck, son of Charles. Saw my old friend Tom Newell who stopped by quick then left as did I. This is Dave's dog Tommy keeping watch over the stand.
This is the new dairy - hopefully set to open in 2011. And some of Dave's wood-deer.
Turns out the Dairy has 2 new calves amidst the Christmas trees.
Kinda cute.
Ok little stubby horns made it really cute.
But the storm in the South was growing so I left the comforts of home and my 41st Thanksgiving to face it.
Luckily I have a new copilot who keeps an eye on me as I drive.
And into the cannonade I went, thinking like a Swan in November.
