From the Pacific to the Pirate Coast.

“Now and then we had a hope that if we lived and were good, God would permit us to be pirates.”

― Mark Twain, Life on the Mississippi

Ash and I had just returned from Costa Rica with a renewed sense of adventure that we wanted to keep stoked. So keeping in step with the idea of "just going" Ash secured a last minute reservation on the Portsmouth Island Ferry, and we were off once again. 

For me, this trip was born from the idea that I could potentially surf both oceans in the same year. 

For me "surfing" is a relative term, it is certainly the hardest thing I have tired to do, and while I have been "surfing" for years I pretty much suck.

So the concept of surfing for me has always been about surrounding myself in the elements more so than the act of surfing itself. I feel that I have a personal relationship with the sea because of those experiences (both good & bad)  

  

Another aspect of the trip was that it was our second beach camping excursion with our son, who was now 18 months old. 

On that note,don't let anyone every try and convince you that this idea is impossible. In a time where kids are inundated with electronic gadgets we as parents are the driving force in building their foundation and love for the outdoors. Kids respond to nature, they embrace it, so feed off of their wonder. It will make you a better person and parent.  

This trip came with a special kind of souvenir, in the first hour of setting up camp I managed to slice my wrist open cutting off a zip tie. Being tired, and not paying attention has its consequences. If you plan on going remote, be it beach camping, backpacking or mountain biking, carry a first aid kit. This would have been a "trip-killer" without it.  

"There will be blood" 

"recovering" from the injury 

   

Consistently amazed by this woman

Coast to coast in 3 weeks.

Loving life, a new generation of pirates

After countless trips to the island, we remain awe struck by its effect. Turning the adventure into a family experience only adds to the story. This place, with all of it's bugs, sudden storms, and endless sunrises & sunsets has captivated us for going on 6 years. 

Stars, Christmas lights & craft beer

Sunset at the camp

follow their sense of wonder

Trust me when I say that I wasn't completely convinced on the idea of children,and the trade off has been having them at a much later age. But know this, I wouldn't trade it for the world, and what we give them is what they get. 

Realize and embrace the profound affect  of wonder in both you and your kids, it doesn't go away, we just turn our backs on it over time, my son has reinvigorated me, and restored my sense of wonder and adventure.

So here is to living the "Peter Pan" lifestyle, whenever it may be.   

These things that matter most...

Passages

“May you grow up to be righteous, may you grow up to be true. May you always know the truth and see the lights surrounding you. May you always be courageous, stand upright and be strong. May you stay forever young.”

 

~Bob Dylan

 

Keep on Keeping on...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Why We Run

I was flat out unmotivated today, that’s a fact, it was my first day back at work after vacation and I was not enthused…I had picked up 2 more reports in my absence and I could forecast the specter of a landslide of work coming my way as a result of the “do more with less” philosophy permeating my organization.

I wrestled with these thoughts all day.

In the mist of these thoughts a close friend stopped in to tell me that he was done, done with the job, the schedule, politics…He was done, and he was washing his hands and moving on.

He apologized for leaving…

No apology necessary.

My wife graciously packed my gear this morning to help steer me in the right direction, yesterday we ran, played, and stomped our way through a 5 mile trail run.

But that was yesterday, and today is today.

Unmotivated to the last…

My indecision followed me out to the parking deck at the end of the day, and then a strange thing occurred. The slightest ray of sunshine found its way through the depressed concrete to kiss me on the cheek as I loaded up to leave.

A subtle hint I surmised as I returned to the bathroom and fumbled through changing out of my suit, I pointed my car north, & six songs later, I was moving down the trail with stinging sweat in my face, my legs burning to adjust to the hills and grades that have been so neglected out of the necessity of recovery.

Work be dammed, and indecision put aside, I run because I can, because it makes me feel alive.

Walnut Creek

The idea was born early on in the week; we would go somewhere different, unique, a departure from the normal “Tri-Cities area” ebb and flow.

After the slug fest that was to be a Monday through Friday knockdown, drag out, kick in the ....well you get the idea, we stuck to our guns.

After dinner Friday night we loaded the 4-Runner with the bikes and come Saturday morning, we were pointed down 64 towards Charlottesville.

We rolled into Walnut Creek in Albemarle County about 50 minutes later...


View from one of the numerous "Frisbee" Golf holes


Map of the ride


Ash on the tilt


Short rock garden at the end of a fun down hill section


Bridge over murky water


Right after I took this photo a troll chased us up the hill throwing mushrooms and shouting obscenities


Back to your roots; I only have one wisdom tooth and it's trying to come in,(true story)


Single track flow


Echos of our Ancestors...

The river “James”

The current moved us steadily away from the bridge where we had first put in, and the dull drone of commuter traffic slowly faded into the back ground as it was replaced by the sounds of the river as it bid us good morning.

One of my close friends and I had made a pact earlier in the month to play “hooky” from work and replace the normal grind with a float down the James river.
A modest trip filled with long stretches of flat water was what we had envisioned, and the 13.5 mile stretch of river between Maiden’s and Watkins Landing fit the bill perfectly.



Surveying the glint that was already filtering onto the surface of the water I advised my friend that “the temperature was supposed to reach 99 degrees today”...

He responded with, “true, but it’s always a bit cooler on the water”, it’s the city that gets too hot, and it’s because there aren't enough trees”.

As I tried to wrap my mind around my friend’s assertion, I was only able to develop a single conclusion...

It’s true; the City doesn’t have enough trees...



That was the extent of our joint pontifications, as we were both comfortable with the idea that the river float was more about being quiet and drinking in the surroundings than ruining the trip with needless banter.


Great Blue Heron


Butterfly conference call

It took us about 8 hours to lazily paddle down river and explore some of the small islands that dot the James as it winds towards Richmond.





A few fish here and there, and as a thunderstorm rumbled in the distance, we loaded up our gear and headed down the road...

Weekends past...

Last weekend started with a great deal of anticipation and excitement because a three day break was just what I needed to get re-centered.

The theme was to be festive, grilling out and enjoying the company.

The first order of business was to decide what ales would best suit a warm sun kissed holiday.



The selection was a combination of Pale Ales from American Pales to India Pales & I was not left disappointed.

Pictured from left to right;
Dogfish Head 60 minute IPA (Delaware)
Left Hand "JuJu" (Colorado)
Legend's Pale Ale (Virginia)
New Holland India Pale Ale (Michigan)
Check out their reviews and descritpions at ratebeer.com (link to the side)-->

Ash always has ideas for recipes swirling around in her head, and what she creates rivals restaurants that have three $$$ hanging out behind their name.



Saturday night we did calamari three different ways; grilled, pan seared,and lightly breaded and fried.(the typical order at your local eatery is usually battered fried with a heavy dipping sauce) my suggestion, buy some..take it home...cook it up for a healthy alternative.The squid was complimented by grilled jumbo shrimp,making a phenomenal dinner.

Sunday morning I took the helm and knocked out some mushroom, red pepper, and onion omelets topped with jalapeno salsa and goat feta cheese. The eggs were accompanied by a side of thick cut pepper bacon.



Sunday evening Ash whipped up grilled chicken with a homemade cranberry barbecue sauce, homemade bourbon baked beans, with a side of grilled squash and zucchini.



Ridiculous...

We ended the weekend with a quick jaunt out at Poor Farm Park.
The temps were toasty, but the flora and fauna gave us a reprieve from the heat and we had a good time taking in the single track.



Reflective Ash pondering the yin & yang of the universe...or just looking for snakes.





Good weekends fuel good weeks...

Morning Glory

After a week full of Alpha personalities be it good or bad, I made it a point to hit the reset button on Saturday morning.

I was on the lake by 7:30 and a combination of overcast skies and heavy fog made for an obscured backdrop as the canoe sliced silently through the copper water.

On my first cast I landed this guy,which hit the bait almost instantaneously as it broke the surface of the water.


You have to respect the fight that even a small bass will put up with light tackle,and after he mugged for his picture he was on his way.

I couldn't help but think, "Oh, it's going to be an epic day for fishing", but as time passed from one hole to another, I realized that the fish did not share my enthusiasm.

I threw the canoe back onto the 4-Runner and made it home by 11:00am to find a fresh pot of coffee and veggies from the Goochland Farmer's market.



Ash had picked up some local sweet potatoes, golden squash, and zucchini, not to mention goat feta cheese.

Ash is the kind of person who can look at a seemingly random hodgepodge of ingredients and make something delicious out of it every time.

For those of you keeping score...
Local Farmer's: One
Micky D's: Zero

Of Pirates & Prestige

This blog seeks to pursue the idea that the journey is certainly more important than the destination.
My bike is my “way out”, it’s how I express myself, how I cope, and how I bleed off excessive amounts of angst & energy that are my constant companions.
That being said, a bike is just a simple tool, a device that gets me to where I’m going, both physically & mentally.
I don’t ride as much as I would like, and the balancing act of wants & needs is ever present.
While I understand complete devotion to a single ideal, this blog is not one dimensional in that respect, the bike might be the center piece, but going on a trail run, backpacking, or even dropping a line can also cure what ails you.

If you’re looking for the intricacies of truing a wheel you won’t find it here.

What you will find is a guy who is trying to simplify his life through great craft beer, delicious home cooked eats, and the pursuit of those precious few seconds where you find yourself in the perfect groove on a piece of flowing single track.