ALL TRAILS LEAD TO ICE CREAM

I managed to get out for a quick ten mile ride today in between a doctor appointment and a marvelous lunch date with my wife at the Accomac Inn .  I'm pretty sure that I'll get out for a ride at some point tomorrow...and, if I do, I don't know where that ride will take me...but I couldn't help thinking that today's short ride could possibly be the last ride of 2015.  All things considered, 2015 has been a pretty good year for me on the bike.   I managed to get in 2,207 miles of road and mountain biking.  I've ridden more miles in other years...but considering some challenges I faced this year...I'm proud of those 2,207 miles.   Swatara Gap:  David Raymond, Tim Sindlinger, Matt Linanne, & Brent Shirk--September 15, 2015 I tend to be one of those people who is very "past" oriented.   I guess, being a history teacher, that is a good quality to have.   But until my wife brought it to my attention, I never realized just how "past...

It's become a tradition for my neighbor, Brent, and I, to head down to Potapsco Valley State Park in Maryland to hit the trails for some post-Christmas mountain biking.  We've been planning this ride for a few weeks and have been watching the weather closely.   It's been very warm on the east coast the past few weeks...but also extremely wet and rainy.   Today was the only day of the week that didn't include raindrops in the forecast. The suspension bridge at Potapsco Valley State Park -- December 28, 2015 Brent and I planned to leave home around 7:30 today...which gave me plenty of time to get up and make breakfast for Robin.   Coffee with my wife is my favorite way to start each day.   Heading down Interstate 83, Brent and I stopped at the South York Diner for breakfast.   As I ordered my typical two eggs (over-medium), bacon, home fries, and toast, I felt very unhealthy next to Brent who ordered his veggie omelet. Brent commented, "How are you ...

Who would have thought that Pennsylvania, on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day ,  would be blanketed, not with snow and ice, but with 70 degree heat.  The calendar says it's winter....but the temperature is saying something else.   So...in between cooking holiday hams and turkeys...and in between visits from family...I was able to steal away and get a couple holiday rides in.    The decorations are up and the calendar says it's Christmas...the weather is saying something else -- December 25, 2015 Because I didn't want to be away from home too long...and because of a seriously dense fog...both rides kept me from venturing too far.  To be honest, considering the deep freeze that we've experienced around here the past few years, it just felt really good to get out in some warm weather and get some exercise.  I'm not sure when the temperatures will finally turn cold this season...and no doubt they will...but I plan on enjoying the ride as long as ...

From 1998 to 2010, I was a PIAA high school football official.  Growing up, I had a passion for football.   Both my mom and my dad ingrained in me a love for the Pittsburgh Steelers.  I couldn't wait until I got to high school and be part of the Bedford Bisons  football team.   I had the privilege to play on the 1989 team...one of the best in the school's history.   I also had the privilege to play on the 1990 team...to this day, statistically the worst team in school history.   I say privilege, because this team truly came together as a team...and as a team, a lot of character was built and many life lessons were learned.   The seniors on the 1990 Bedford High School football team.  I am #51, 5th from the left in the first row -- August 1990 My love and knowledge of the game far surpassed my playing ability.  I guess, that is why I made a pretty good official.   A weird thing began to happen, though.   Around 2006...

.....Delightful!   Yes, the weather outside is absolutely delightful!   With Christmas less than two weeks away, who would ever have thought that I would leave the 70 degree temperatures of West Palm Beach, Florida for the 70 degree December temperatures of south central Pennsylvania?!  With all the decorations out, houses lit up, and Christmas carols on the airways it sure is looking and sounding like Christmas....it just doesn't feel like it...and that's alright with me. No sleigh for Santa this year....He can use my bike -- December 13, 2015 I've been looking forward to today all week.   The weather guys have been saying that we could possibly hit a record high today.  I don't know if we did that....but it sure was a great day for a bike ride .  Twenty five miles of summer time fun in December...flying down Canal Road, a quick tour of Mount Wolf, and a big climb up Hill View Drive, an amazing descent down Jerusalem School Road,  down past C...

My wife, Robin, says that I never sit down.   Actually, just the other day, she asked me to come up with one word that describes me.    After the typical whimsical and sarcastic answers I came up with "RESTLESS."  I think that nails it.   I have a hard time relaxing.   I have a hard time just being.  The view of the Atlantic Ocean from the balcony of my suite in West Palm Beach, Florida -- November 30, 2015 Which may explain why I've never been a "beach" person.    I love the ocean (it mesmerizes me) and I love playing in it...for 15 minutes.    But the idea of just sitting or lying on the beach for an extended period of time has never appealed to me.   This week, however, I've done a pretty good job of just being.  Even Robin was impressed.   We both took this week off....her from her job in the business world...and mine from "teacher world."  We learned a long time ago that we travel well together. ...