OBX

Off to ride...



Sunrise: 6:49 am



Loki exploring the beach for crabs



eroding dunes...the snow fences are supposed to help

The light house at Corolla (aka Currituck Light House) where the 19 mile ride began

Just back form our annual vacation to the Outer Banks, NC. We have been vacationing there for over 10+ years around mid to late October. The past 3 years or so we have been going down the 2^nd week or so and have found the weather a tad warmer and many more sunny days. This year was no exception!

I fulfilled half a dream riding one way from Currituck Light house to the place we were staying 19.63 miles per ye olde bike computer. It was a steady headwind the entire ride but temps were in the mid 70’s and not a cloud in sight. Diane rode with me. I’m glad she did because it was a much lonelier ride than I anticipated. Next year I hope to make it a round trip ride up and back but much will depend on weather and how much I ride over the summer. I didn’t get to ride as often as I would have liked partly due to knee injury and partly due to being a lazy slug. I am stronger that I imagined but MUCH weaker than I was last year at this time when I was riding 3+ days a week.

I took advantage of the hot tub-Jacuzzi after the ride and it helped speed recovery! Then , addicted to the warm water and jet nozzles hitting all the knotted muscles in my body (Knees, shoulders, lower back) spent several more days and starry nights as well.

Visited our friends at Outer Barks on the first day there. Sadly, we didn’t make it back for Yappy Hour on Friday and when we stopped Saturday they wern't in the shop. We always enjoy a chat with Robin and Kevin. Hope we catch them again next year!

I also took a kayak tour with Mary and Judy. I enjoyed the quiet and the illusion of being secluded on a canal near the sound. I'm not overfond of being ON the water though. This was a short trip, about 1.5 hours and that was just about long enough for me. I can understand why folks like to do it but I don't think I'll be jonesing for a kayak any time soon.

I find it difficult to return home. I really like the scrub pines, crepe myrtle bushes and rolling unspoiled dunes. I like the cleanliness of the place and the politeness and the pace of life. I always think about just squatting and hoping no one will find me until can get established there. Of course I have no idea what I would do, no theaters as far as I can tell, and housing prices are surreal. This year was not quite as difficult as in the past. I think because I have been out of regular work for so long my day to day life at home already feels like an unwanted extended vacation. For those who think not having a regular job is like living on easy street, let me assure you that it is not. I don’t want to spoil my recent good trip with unpleasantness, suffice it to say that a sense of self worth and satisfying work go along way toward positive mental good health and extended unemployment and a lack of accomplishment go far in eroding that same good health.

Today in Philly it is damp, rainy and a tad on the cold side. It is hard to remember that just last week I was 400 miles away, beach side in sunny 80 degree weather. Sigh.