Week of May 8, 2005. It is actually the 11th. I'm a little late in updating here. I have got that headache again - the bear headache. He, or she, was back today while I was at work and chewed on the spa top again! I can't figure out why he is so interested in it. He grabs it and tries to pull up on the top, but it rips because it has locks on it. So the bear ends up with a mouth of vinyl and styrofoam insulation. Is he thirsty? The bird bath is right next to the spa and is not empty. From the muddy footprints on the spa top, it looks like he bit the top, walked to the side where the bird bath is and leaned over to it. There are muddy footprints on the side where he leaned over. This is weird. There is also a bird feeder (empty) untouched. I stopped filling the feeder, put the garbage can in the garage, and leave no food outside. I don't get it. I've lost bird feeders to bears before, but never a spa top. I'm going to sprinkle a little red pepper around the edges too. Usually a bear won't hand around if there is nothing to eat. And I really don't think the spa top tastes good...

Any way, we spent most of last week looking at mountain bikes. It was very confusing. What to look for, how much to spend, what size. So when in doubt, seek an expert. We went to Liberty Bikes in Asheville. Great! First thing they do after a few questions is put you on a bike. Outside. Riding it. It was an interesting moment considering how long it has been since I road a bike. Much less one with 21 gears. Obviously, I am still alive. And it was great! It was "just like riding a bike"!

Sunday, May 8, 2005: Mother's Day. Tony and I went mountain bike riding for the first time at Bent Creek. Obviously, I survived or I wouldn't be writing this paragraph. It was more than survival, it was wonderful! We went with mild expectations as to what we could do, and we did more than we expected. We picked a trail that was easy and not too long, but we actually road for about 2 hours since it wasn't too difficult. One hill was hard, and I have great admiration for bikers I see doing extreme rides on the parkway when I am cruising in my car. Alot of fun. I took the camera and took a few pictures. Here are: Tony and I - Lake Powhatan in Bent Creek - "Pooflies" (self-explanatory)

       

After work all week long, on Friday May 13, we went for a bike ride on the campus and farm property of Warren Wilson College in Swannanoa. We wanted to find a place near the house for an afternoon ride, since everything is further away. The college is about 2 miles from the house, so that makes it about perfect. They were setting up for graduation the next morning, so there were more people around than usual. We parked near the river (which was way under water last fall). Then rode to the farm area of the school around the dirt roads. We saw great views from the farm and we saw the Belgian draft horses hooked up to the wagon for a wagon ride. They were teaching someone how to "drive" the wagon. These horses were very big! We saw the pig area that had a Mallard duck sitting in the middle of the pen. I wonder why he was hanging out there??? We rode all over this beautiful campus with the outstanding views, large trees, and friendly atmosphere for about an hour. It is so nice to have explored this campus that I drive through everyday going to work.

Saturday, May 14, we took another ride out at Bent Creek and went much further. We rode with much more confidence too. I am really enjoying this! We went through Bent Creek and onto the NC Arboretum property and all the way to the front gate area. We even took a side trip up Cedar Ridge to the main building at the Arboretum. Now that road was heart pounding steep! But no pedaling is required downhill, just stay in control. We rode for about 2 hours. It's hard to believe that last week when we bought the bikes and they said to bring it in after 30 days or 12 hours that we would hit the 12 hour mark before the 30 day mark. This is one addicting sport! Also a good cardio workout. You don't even feel like it's exercise when it's fun. I'm not sore or tired at all. I hate to quit. It's like when you are a kid and your mother calls you in for the night because it's dark, and you beg for more time to do the fun stuff you are doing. It's definitely like that. No, mom, I don't want to go to work! I want to ride my bike! Pleasssseeee...

Anyway, we crossed the creek at Bent Creek and it had some seriously big trout in it. I just wanted to post a couple of pictures here too. ROW ONE: Tony - Denise - Wild Stonecrop (had to stop halfway up Cedar Ridge to take this one. i.e."rest break") - Bent Creek (full of trout) ROW TWO: another view of Bent Creek - Arboretum - Back of Arboretum (with the bikes) - Flowers at the Arboretum (do you think I could talk them into making my yard look like this???)

               

               

So that brings us to Sunday, the 15th. It's raining, which is why I had time to work this up and put online. I am currently trying to figure out how I am going to tape Survivor and watch Desperate Housewives or visa versa, and NOT have someone tell me what happens in either before I get a chance to watch both. I could skip work tomorrow... but the nasty bills never take a day off. sigh