Falls into winter

I had an enjoyable Thanksgiving at my Aunts house in Norfolk, VA with a small group of family. The turkey was great and the veggies, root like and yummy. The dogs ran and ran and ran themselves ragged. I played disc golf Friday at the local course. Most courses seem short after playing Bryan park all the time and Seneca occasionally.  But it was nice to get out and walk around. Especially with the gorgeous weather we've been having. I hope everyone else had a good holiday as well.

I came home Sat. and unpacked and did laundry and relaxed some more. Sunday I went for a bike ride early in the morning. My old co-worker and his roommate rode with me and it was a good ride, like usual. With temps in the high 60's and the sun out, it was as good as it gets. At any time of the year. Really. It was great. I also took Maddog to the dog park in the afternoon so he didn't get too depressed not having his cousin to run around with.

I went to Walnut Creek last weekend with my old-coworker and met another guy there. Another crazy good weather day, and it was lots of fun. It almost seemed sorter than I remember. I don't think we went more than 12 miles, which is what the Richmond trails are. The hills are much more significant, but I felt good. Tired, but not exhausted.

I haven't been climbing in quite a long time now, and sometimes I get this strong urge to go back to the gym. Most of the time it subsides and I don't go and don't worry about it. I've been riding quite a bit and enjoying it now that the smallest hill doesn't wipe me out. My lungs and legs can push farther for longer and with practice comes a small skill set. I'm getting farther in the rock gardens and getting through turns with less braking. Kirk once asked me if I'd ever be more of a rider than a climber. If you go by how much someone does something, then I'd have to say I am more rider than climber now by a lot, and mentally I'm probably as close as I'll get.

Given the opportunity to go climbing, or go riding, at any point, I'd probably still say climbing though. That may be because I haven't been in so long and just want something different, but part of me really does like the problem solving aspect of bouldering, and the cold hard rock under my fingers. My crash pad and climbing shoes still live in the trunk of my car, "just in case."

Another part of me thinks I could actually be stronger now for a couple reasons. First, my legs are stronger from biking which would help no doubt. I've also lost a few pounds since the last time I climbed, and got a new personal best in pull ups the other week. Both the weight and pull ups I'd like to attribute to my food choices. Eating better and more sleep, I think have upped my potential. One of these days I'll get back out onto a rock and we'll see how it plays out. Hopefully this winter I'll spread my time a little more evenly on hobbies.

Deadskins vs 49ers

Oops, I mean Redskins. I guess it's all the same. My college roommates had some extra tickets for the 49er game and invited me to come along. I went to one game last year with them, where it was raining and cold. While still fun, this years weather was much more conducive to tailgating.

And the game, well it went just like the past 3 redskins games.

Winter is (t)here

Vernon, NJ was even more rude than expected. We drove north Saturday morning with an early rainy start. The closer we got the colder it became, while still raining. We called about an hour ahead of our ETA to make sure they were still open. As it started to snow where we were at that point in time, we asked if it was precipitating. They said no. We hoped they knew what "precipitating" meant because there was slush falling from the sky.

 

I believe the snow was following us, because as we pulled into the parking lot, the slush turned to snow and we geared up as best we could. We were prepared for some "precipitation" but after about 2 hrs of riding, we couldn't see the trail anymore and had to finish early. The roads became treacherous at best and impassable at some points. Luckily, the impassible parts were headed in the other direction. Multi-car pile ups of people with 2 wheel drive cars getting stuck going up or coming down hills. It was a mess!

Thankfully, the Subaru Outback with all wheel drive was awesome! and got us safely to my old college friend Liz's place, just in time for the power to go out. All the leaves still on the trees made it impossible for the limbs to stay in place with all that snow. We cooked by gas stove, and ate by candle light and just hung out. It was a great time. All said and done, there was about a foot of snow where we stayed, and ~16 inches at the bike trails.

It did stop snowing and the sun came out on Sunday, so the roads were much better, but the biking was still canceled. Thinking we might be able to ride in northern VA by my friend Scott's house, we headed out in the morning. Unfortunately, all the trails were closed do to more precipitation, of the watery kind, that fell all day Saturday in NOVA too. We were just not meant to ride on Sunday.

It made for a good road trip and I got to use the all wheel drive, but it was a lot of driving for way too little riding. Next year, we won't wait until the last weekend of the season to go to Vernon, NJ.