ALL TRAILS LEAD TO ICE CREAM

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. ...

For me, there is a novelty in exploring places far from home.  Just the thought of..."Hey!  I'm riding my bike in Florida!" is really cool.   I've never, in my life, been to St. Augustine, Florida .   I've seen signs for it on I-95 the few times I've driven though the "Sunshine State."  Just the nerdy fact that it is the oldest permanent European settlement in North America made me want to go there.    Founded in 1565, St. Augustine is the oldest permanent European settlement in North America.   This year, the city is celebrating it's 450th birthday -- November 29, 2015 Each year, my wonderful wife, Robin, and I take a trip someplace warm when the temperatures in Pennsylvania begin to plummet.    The last two years we flew out West...spent some time in Pheonix and Sedona.  This year we decided to drive to West Palm Beach in Florida...and a stop in St. Augustine to site see and visit a friend of Robin's from grad school was...

Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday.  As a child, I remember the smells coming out of my mother's kitchen and my father carving the turkey.   My wife and I prepare the meal now.    I look forward to it every year.    We've begun a tradition of having our family Thanksgiving meal the day after Thanksgiving.   Might sound weird, but this way we don't have to schedule around other family's meals which allows everyone to come here for a large gathering of both family and friends.    My father carving the Thanksgiving turkey.  I am on the far left.  My younger brother, Jake, is to the right of me.  -- 1978 All that being said....Thanksgiving day is extremely relaxing for me.  I slept in until 7 this morning...had breakfast and coffee with my wife and my son...and then headed to Rocky Ridge for a quick mountain bike ride with my neighbor across the street, Brent.  The rest of the day will be consu...

Last year, the week of Thanksgiving, south central Pennsylvania got it's first significant snowfall.   Once that happens, it puts a serious damper on any road cycling.   It's not just the snow that keeps me off of my bike.  When Penn DOT is through clearing the roads they are covered with gravel, cinders, and salt...which make for treacherous riding and unhappy drive trains.    One of the many stone, one-lane bridges you will find in York County -- November 22, 2015 All the more reason for me to enjoy the weather so far this year.    No snow yet...and according to the local weather guys ...none in the near future.  With the outside temperatures holding steady at 40 degrees, I pulled on the amazing GORE jacket that my wife bought me four years ago, and down the driveway I went.  There was a time when I thought that every road ride had to be "epic."  Every ride had to take me somewhere far from home.   Today, without going any ...