A Slice of the Perfect Day/The Perfect Ride

It was that perfect day.
A perfect ride seemed only natural.About 25 minutes north of us is the mountian town of Galax Virginia. Sadly past it's prime as most of these little towns now find themselves. It is never-the-less, blessed with "one sweet ride".
Rails to trails are parks where there was once a railroad. The rails, now pulled up, what is left is a 56 mile "linear parkway" running from Galax to Pulaski Virginia. Along most of it's length it follows the beautiful New River.
All of the trestles, bridges and tunnels are still here. Many park features have been added for camping and picnicing. And may I add that the Virginia Parks System keeps things in top shape. It is quite simply, the jewel in the crown for this part of Virginia. We consider ourselves extremely fortunate to live so close to a "treasure".
Now, bicycles have been a part of my life since I was, maybe, 5 years old. I remember the feeling, the freedom, my world was suddenly bigger. I was a big kid now. Sandy and I try to ride as often as possible. While we are living in France, velos (bicycles) are the norm. We use them to get almost anywhere in or around our little seaside village. It's really quite liberating. That is there, this is here. Here, it is more casual, more recreational. Not so practical as the principal way to get around.
Today, however, a ride for ridings sake. 12 miles down to Fries Junction, on the river, and 12 miles back. Nearly flat all the way. Following Chestnut Creek, a broad stream tumbling over boulders, even a waterfall at one point. Shaded a good portion of the way, trees arching over the trail. It couldn't possibly be a more perfect ride. Long curving trestles, high above the stream. A tunnel, it's cold breath blowing out at you, maybe a hundred feet before you enter. Blackness, a disc of light ahead, almost spooky as you make your way tenatively through it's darkness. And, at the junction, a nearly 1/2 mile long bridge taking you across the New River, the clap, clap, clap of the floor boards as your tires pass over. Mesmerizing!
Beautiful just doesn't do it justice.
Oh... and today, I'm in good form. I've got the legs. I've got the lungs. 12 miles to the junction. 43 minutes. Oh yeah! You do the math! And Sandy... right there with me. So cool! She rides an hour a day either on stationary or on a trail. I'm impressed, for her and for me. Then, I remember watching the Tour de France last month. 16-17 mph, they were doin' it uphill, 12 percent grade.
Oh well. I'm still plenty happy with that. A brief rest. heart's pumpin', a bit slower now. The air, so clean, the breathing easy. warm sun, a subtle breeze, the river lazily courses by. I have absolutely no problems at this moment. Except, perhaps, the thought of 12 miles back to Galax.
I had ridden hard this morning on the trip down. Won't so hard on the trip back. Don't have it in me to ride that hard back. But hey, trails like these are just made for a lazy ride. Just like the river, we will get there.
This time, I see, hear and feel more, but one benefit to slowing down a bit. Summer's peak. Everything's so green. flowers blooming, the creek tumbling over it's boulders to my left. Nice! So nice! About the midpoint, we stop at Chestnut Falls, a now fimiliar picnic shelter with a four star view. The rest, welcome by now. The sub sandwich, surprisingly tasty. We are refreshed. it's a lazy 6 more miles back to Galax. Have to admit, I was a bit knackered by the time I reached the parking lot at Galax. But, I had ridden well, very well this morning.
A good ride. No... a perfect ride, and, a slice of the perfect day.
A little tradition has evolved to cap these now somewhat frequent rides. Up the road from the park, maybe half a mile, Bea's Resturant. The object of my desire, the ice cream. A large cone of the darkest chocolate soft serve I've ever seen.
Does that hit the spot!
I just love these little traditions.
Don't you?

A Perfect Day

Have you ever had a really perfect day? You know, one that figures to be just about perfect.
Well, I had one this week and if there's one thing I've learned in life is that a day like this just doesn't happen along very often. In fact they're quite rare indeed.
And you know what. When you luck out and one of these days happens to bless you, you have to take notice of it! Yeah, that's right! Birthdays, anniversaries and such, well they just happen. But hey, a really great day, now that's something that should grab your attention.
Now, you might be wondering, just what constitutes an excellent day to Kevin? Or.. not? It might sound a bit anticlimactic after all this fuss, but here goes....
first of all, in the mountians of North Carolina. Woke up around seven. It's cool this morning, deliciously so. It's been a bit too warm for days now. Man... I love this!
Breakfast on the back porch. There's a fog about, wafting through the trees. The sun is struggling to punch through. A lovely green "stain glass" effect envelopes me. It's just lovely, the green glow.
Breakfast, modest. A bit of cereal. Sliced fresh South Carolina peaches topped with fresh local blueberries, picked yesterday less than 12 miles from here. A cup of freshly brewed coffee, mine half milk, half coffee and a bit of sugar. Nice! Nice and simple. I sit, not wanting this morning to evaporate. But.. you know it does.
No walk up to Virginia this morning. Feel like a bike ride today. About 20-25 minutes north in Galax Virginia and we're on the New River Trail. A rails to trails park land. It follows beautiful Chestnut Creek down to the New River. Couldn't be a more perfect day. Sunny, breezy, maybe 78 degrees, but... more on that in a soon to be published post.
Wow, that was great! I feel great! Maybe just a little bit hot. Ahh, stop by Bea's in Galax for a spot of soft serve chocolate ice cream. Oh yeah!! Makes me feel like a kid all over, and, perhaps a little cooler.
Back on the "farm" and still, still perfect weather. Maybe 78, strong breeze, bright sun, puffy white clouds, and, a big ole wet pond just waitin' on me. So, me, some kind of suit, a cold beer (Stella), an inner tube a little splash. Slip into pure bliss! I could feel myself "sizzling and cracking", the bronze comming over me. That breeze, the rippled water, pushing my little boat self across the surface. I drift, looking upward aimlessly, those puffy white clouds slowly glide by. My inner child struggles to see the images. But it's not as easy as it once was. Still... how does it get much better?
A couple of hours later, and... I'm all pruney and that "sizzling and cracking" is now more of a burning. Perhaps it's time to retire to the porch for a spot of "porch sittin'" A sweating bottle of Pinot Grigio, Barefoot, yeah, you heard me. a surprisingly nice little quaff for... say $5. Two glasses, my lovely wife, that wonderful breeze. The warm sun, now beginning to create the evening version of green "stain glass". Again... how does it get much better?
Perhaps a bit of a "lie down"?
Oh my! That was nice.
The evening ages, but still, just as lovely. I'm gettin' a bit hungry by now. Pure joy to maybe grille out on an evening such as this. Think I'll thickly slice a pork tenderloin, rub it generously with dijon mustard, sprinkle with kosher salt and freshly ground pepper, a dusting with the herbes de provence I brought back from Provence. Fire up the ole Weber kettle grille. my mouth's watering just at the thought. A couple of those ears of local sweet corn my friend Randy brought by yesterday. A fresh Caprese salad, local tomatoes sliced thin, sliced whole mozza, "fresh my farm" basil, a splash of EVOO & balsamic, coarse salt & pepper.
UH--Huh!
A warm baguette and for desert, a fresh chilled South Carolina canteloupe.
Aint that some kinda menu?
The coals, now glowing. Clean and oil the grille. Lay on those little pork medallions, they sizzle as they hit the grille.
A cold Stella in a freezer chilled glass, a bite of that Caprese salad. Pull a slice of warm baguette from the basket, a liberal spread of warm (real) butter. Oh yeah! Oh yeah! this is it!1
Turn the medallions, now carmel and lined on one side. My god, that smell! It can drive you crazy! No smell can equal grilling meat. it's primal, pity the vegetarian.
No rush. No rush.
Meat, now pulled from the coals and rested, me, now drooling from the edge of my mouth.. fork tender, oh my god, yes!
Encore cold Stella.
Push back from the table.
Savor the flavors. Savor the company. savor the moment.
This day. this day, please do not end.
The light, now failing. The green now turned rose toned in the western sky as the sun dips behind the mountian. Still warm, although a perceptable chill arrives, falling fast. The breeze, softer now, do I feel a goosebump or two?
I feel absolutely great!
This day, I have been there every moment. I have thought no thoughts other than those immediately before me. I sought the day as I did as a child, moment by moment.
It comes to a close, I am not sad. The now 60 degree air, the blackness that almost seems to swallow you. The cascading symphony of cicadia, treefrog and bullfrog.
I shall sleep the sleep of a child tonight.
It was a day, a great day.. and I took it completely!

Carolina Spring Part II

All right, it's mid-May and the lovely piedmont spring is beginning to turn decidedly hot.
But... I've got a little trick up my sleeve. two hours north, about a mile from the Virginia border, maybe six miles from the awesome Blue Ridge Parkway, our little bit-o- paridise.
About 2600 feet, always 10-15 degrees cooler, lower humidity and a ubiquitous breeze. And guess what? It's just getting into spring-time there.
Now, I'm usually up here by late April, open the place up and cut the grass, but this year, lotsa rain in the mountians, bad back-me and numerous distractions back home.
Every year, the trepredations, will there be any water leaks? I dread it! whew! Just one small drip under the house, no, wait, I think that one was here last year, maybe before that. oh well, I'll fix that later.
But... But then, the grass. Oh my gawd, you've never seen grass like this!! As I said, I'm usually here in late April and I mow the drive and the pathways, but, this year, mid May, and what with all that rain, the grass is waist high in places. This'll take all day!! That is if the mower makes it! Hell if I make it! I mean the driveway alone is nearly a 1/4 mile long.
Yes, that did suck!! Yes the poor ole mower made it , just. And yes, I made it too! You know, people around here, they bale this stuff and call it hay. Oh well.
A few more small chores and time for the sweet life.
The Italians have a phrase for it, " la dolce na fariente" the sweet life of doing nothing. How about that! and belive you me, this place is what you call tailor made for it. Bring it on!!! Or something like that.

Mid May, and would you belive it... nights still in the upper 40's. I love it! Pile on an extra layer of blanket, and.. sleep like a baby. You know, the nights up here can be really chilly even on July fourth, no kiddin'.
No air conditioning, just ceiling fans. Front porch, Back porch, a cool pond and plenty of shade. All outdoor living all the time.
Fresh fruits and berries, canteloupes and watermelon, homemade sorbets and icecream, salads, light pastas and anything as long as it comes off a charcoal grille.
lagers and pilsners, whites & roses, fruity rum punches, Compari and Pastis 51. Yes,
this is living light and living well. Swwweeeet!

Mornings mean a hike up into Virginia. That just sounds way cool doesn't it? From our 2600, we top out at about 3000 and all in less than a mile. Whew!! But, on top, on the ridgeline, ya never seen views like this! Miles and miles of views. The Blueridge, the farms. No I never tire of this walk. Even though we've walked all over, The UK, France, Italy, Switzerland and Austria. This walk is, I feel, among the best and hey, all I gota do is just walk out my front door.
It's about the views, but more. It's the farms, It's the people. We've got some great neighbors around here. These are country people, no it's more than that, they're mountian people. I myself am from country stock and I have to say that I'm never more comfortable than when I'm with country folk, no matter where I find myself. Yeah, we each know that we're from different worlds. And.. I know I can never probably be of here, but, they somehow manage to look past that and see just me. You'll often hear them say, " well, so and so's a little different, but... they're good people".
Yes, they're "good people".

Somedays, we take our bikes up to Galax, Va. the New River Trail, an abandoned rail road grade, begins here and winds 55 or so miles up to Pulaski, all while following the lovely New River. Trestles, tunnels and those views! It's one magical ride. No, no, I'm not Superman. I don't ride 55 miles. I'm good for about 25. Picnic along the way. Followed up with a soft serve ice cream cone in town. It's just great fun!!

And, some awesome hikes nearby. Stone Mountian, Mount Rogers and just about anywhere along the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Hike more, I can eat and drink more. That's how I see it!

Wine country? Yep!! Would ya belive it, we're right smack in the middle of North Carolina's two AVA's, Yadkin Valley and Swan Creek. And then there's southern Virginia. This whole area is awash with wines. Some of it really quite good. And ya just know how I feel about wine, don't ya?

Finally, there's what I like to call the rythms of life. Settle in for long enough, they're there, wherever you happen to find yourself. Always, just a little different, you only have to look for them.
Wake with the sunrise, the birdsong.
Cows mooing and calling in the meadow, seeking one and another in the morning fog.
The milk truck chugs up the hill, every morning, three daries await him above me.
Tractors groaning on the hillsides.
The morning walks and the adventures they invite.
What's in bloom?
Sometimes a ride into town, something to pick-up.
Lunches on the back porch.
Perhaps a dinner in town tonight? Uhm, maybe fresh local pan fried rainbow trout, oh yeah!!
A familiar face, hi, how are ya?
Evening falls, cicadias, tree frogs and bullfrogs. All singing their songs of desire.
Plant the corn. Plant the pumpkins, the cabbages, all things green.
Cut the corn. Pick the pumpkins, cabbages and all those other green things.
Daybreak, milk the cows. Sunset, milk the cows.
And... so it goes.

Yes... this is the sweet life.
But... I'm doin' something.
I'm here. I'm in it. I'm lovin' it.
I'm now!

Se ya!
KC