I was supposed to meet Chris and Ben at Rocky Ridge yesterday afternoon for a Friday afternoon happy hour ride...but Mother Nature was really not cooperating. Being good stewards of the trials, we all agreed...even before the local park service announced on Twitter that the trails were closed...to postpone until next week. I have to admit that I was a little disappointed (although I satisfied my addiction with a road ride). Honestly, it wasn't the fact that the trails were closed that was the most disappointing to me...more so it was that I was looking forward to getting together with Chris and Ben for some trail time with friends. Nature is awesome...but it is even more so with friends. Once again, I find myself looking back over the past year at those who have shared in my outdoor adventures and I was reminded how blessed I am to be surrounded by so many amazing people. What follows is a compilation of photographs showing group therapy at its best. Smiles are ever present, bonds are strengthened, and spirits are lifted in each snap shot. Some of the same family members and friends show up in multiple pictures...but each photo has a different combination of people. That is so cool. So come and join me for some of the group therapy from the past two years.
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| Probably my largest group ride ever. Last summer I had the honor of leading one of Gung Ho's group rides at Michaux Fest. I had a blast leading this awesome group of rides on a super fun 14 mile-ish ride through Michaux State Forest. -- June 30, 2019 |
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| January 2019 started with a frigid hike to the top of Pole Steeple in Michaux State Forest with Robin, Blythe, Julien, and Brigette. -- January 27, 2019 |
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| Matt Linnane, Chris Keller, and I spending a cool March day riding in Swatara State Park. Chris was in the market for a new mountain bike, so I borrowed new Epic and Stumpjumper from the bike shop for him to demo. In the end, he chose the Stumpy! -- March 16, 2019 |
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| Lots of fun with the gang from Gung Ho at the Marysville Relay last April...BJ, Ben, Dave, Jay, Ryan, and Ed. -- April 7, 2019 |
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| Sunday family hike at Camp Michaux in Michaux State Forest with Robin, Mia, and Kevin. -- February 10, 2019 |
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| Our final Tuesday Michaux Ride of the summer of 2019...Ben Kelly, Josh Coleman, Brent Shirk, Tim Sindlinger, and Dave Raymond. -- August 13, 2019 |
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| One of our many late summer and autumn Friday happy hour rides at Rocky Ridge County Park. Dave Raymond, Chris Keller, Tony Vasura, and Brent Shirk. -- October 4, 2019 |
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| Taking a hike at Gettysburg National Military Park and sharing the outdoors with my nieces and nephew. Shalice, Isaac, Uncle Dave, Sophie, and Jackie -- July 27, 2019 |
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| Devin Seiger, Alex, Jackie, and David Raymond near Jonathan Run in Ohiopyle State Park. -- June 20, 2019 |
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| Hiking behind Cucumber Falls in Ohiopyle with Emma Sadowski, Alex and Robin -- July 5, 2019 |
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| One of my favorite rides last year. Adam, Tim, Ben and I met at the Hershey Trail System for our Ugly Sweater/Winter Solstice Ride. -- December 21, 2019 |
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| Exploring the new trails at Codorus State Park with Brent and Brandon Shirk. -- December 26, 2019 |
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| Possibly my favorite group photo of last summer. Matt, Tim, and I on Abigail Trail in Michaux State Forest. -- July 9, 2019 |
It's the time spent with friends and family that make life worth living. I am so very fortunate to be surrounded by people who love and care about me...and who enjoy the endless and bountiful beauty that surrounds us. With Winter rapidly coming to an end and with the weather incrementally improving each day I have no doubt that their will be much more group therapy in the near future. I encourage everyone...as much as you can...to surround yourself with the people that you love doing the things that you love. That is, ultimately, the best kind of therapy you can find.
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| And how super cool is this! Robin, Blythe, and I taking one month old Freya on her first hike in Richard Nixon Park. -- March 1, 2020 |
Life is a journey...not a destination.
David A. Raymond -- March 7, 2020
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| After a group white water rafting trip in Ohiopyle State Park, the Raymond's (Devin Seiger included) and the Keller's enjoyed a group meal! -- June 18, 2019 |
@mountnbiker73
Here are the GARMIN map and data from the rides and hikes featured in this post. #OptOutside2020
and
"WRITE SOMETHING WORTH READING OR DO SOMETHING WORTH WRITING..." Ben Franklin
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