ALL TRAILS LEAD TO ICE CREAM

It's impossible to drive in Pennsylvania and not see the blue signs along the side of the road:  KEEP PENNSYLVANIA BEAUTIFUL.  Well...I guess it is possible that...for those of us who have lived here all of our lives...those blue signs just kind of blend into the landscape.   The signs have been around as long as I can remember.  As a young  boy I remember participating with my Cub Scout troop spending time cleaning up local parks as part of the KEEP PENNSYLVANIA BEAUTIFUL Trash Clan program.  Nothing like that exists anymore (at least not that I'm aware of)...but I did find that there is a group, KEEP PENNSYLVANIA BEAUTIFUL , which is affiliated with KEEP AMERICA BEAUTIFUL , that is dedicated to empowering Pennsylvanians to "make our communities clean and beautiful."   This KEEP PENNSYLVANIA BEAUTIFUL sign is located near the corner of North Sherman Street Ext and Blossom Drive just east of Mount Wolf, Pennsylvania -- September 2, 2016 Sun...

I'm at my worst when I'm inactive.  It's not just that I feel sluggish or out of shape...I feel about as close as I get to depressed.  I just don't do well when when either my mind or my body isn't stimulated.  My wife often says that I get more done in a day than anyone she knows.  I don't know how true that is...but I do belief that for me, at least, it's a survival technique.  It's one of the reasons I love mountain biking so much.  Nothing else can make both my body and my mind work so much at the same time.  It's impossible to daydream while mountain biking...and I sure as hell can't slouch off a whole heck of a lot. Taking a break with Kristian on Gargamel's Trail near Mountain Creek in Michaux State Forest -- August 28, 2016 It's proven that exercise will increase the levels of serotonin and dopamine in the brain and helps with the production of endorphins.   That's a pretty fancy way of saying what I've always kn...

My favorite way to celebrate the end of the work week is to take a bike ride.  Not a long one...just a ride.  It's my "happy hour."  I often tell people I have an addictive personality.  I'm pretty much "all in" when I decide to do something.  It's a great quality to have when it comes to things like relationships, teaching , and cycling.  Not so great when it comes to other things like drinking....so I just stay away from the stuff.  Instead, my drug of choice, is my bike.  It's really weird.  No matter how tired I am at the end of a school day...strapping on my helmet and turning those pedals rejuvenates me and gets me ready for a great evening out with my wife.   So, with the kiddos gone for the weekend and date night planned for later this evening, I rode off for thirteen miles of relaxation, exercise, stress relief, and a clear head.  That's my kind of happy hour.   I took a break to admire the view from behind...

Ten years ago, when I first started riding in Michaux State Forest , Mark, Glenn, Tim, and the rest of the group were kind enough to accommodate me by riding extremely early in the morning so I wouldn't take too much time away from my son who, at the time, was only seven years old.  I'm beyond that stage in life now...but now it's Timmy's turn.  With his hectic work and family schedule he's only able to get about one ride in a week.  Now it's my turn accommodate him.  So...for the past few years during the summer months...we have a standing Tuesday mountain bike date each week.  Sometimes it's just Tim and I...but this summer was special.  The summer of 2016 saw the return of Glenn, Kristian, Mikey, & Bill...Mark was able to make most of the rides...and Matt was able to get time away and join us a couple of times.  Regardless of who is in the group, our Tuesday rides have become one of the things I look forward to each and every week...and I'm hap...

Just as the steam rising from PPL Power Plant helps me gauge the direction and speed of the wind during my bike rides...the height of the corn in the the fields of central Pennsylvania helps me gauge my summer break.  As I wrote earlier this summer...I first heard the phrase " knee-high by the Fourth of July " from my father.  Well...it's safe to say that the local corn has hit it's peak which means...at least for me...another school year is about to start.  Personally, I really don't mind heading back to school .  As a matter of fact, my biggest pet peeve is listening to people I work with gripe about it.  We are giving 3 amazing gifts:  June--July--August.  I try to make the most of all three of them.  When I can't mountain bike...I head out on the road.  What I find is sometimes just as breathtaking.  Here are a some of my favorite road cycling pics from the summer of 2016.  Enjoy! Keeping a eye on the corn .   ...