What an action packed Memorial Day weekend!
It started Saturday with a neighborhood yard sale. I hate yard sales. Sure we got rid of a lot of stuff, but it sat in my garage waiting for the sale for half a year. From now on, if it is determined that we no longer need something then it will be given away, sold, or thrown out within the week. I'm laying down the law!
After the yard sale it was time to get out of the 'sac (short for cul-de-sac) as we call it. Dr. P was feeling all lame from overdoing the squats two days before so we went to the shop and test rode some bikes instead of going for a real ride. I'll probably be buying a new bike in a few weeks so I'll let you know what I get when I get it.
On Sunday I began reorganizing the garage now that all of the stuff was gone to make room for more bikes and gear. It didn't take long before I was enticed on a quick mtb ride by neighbor Mike before the big 'sac Memorial Day BBQ.
The highlight of the weekend came on Memorial Day itself with a family bike ride along the C&O Canal Towpath.
The plan was to load up the bikes, drive to White's Ferry in Leesburg, VA, cruise the towpath for a mile or two and have a picnic lunch. My youngest Claire (aka Clairebear) is only five and we figured a couple of miles would be all she could take. Since we had never been there we really didn't know what to expect.
Lo and behold Clairebear was the star of the day as she toughed it out for more than eight miles of riding.
Now, if you'll indulge me for a few moments, here are some narrated photos of the day:
White's Ferry crossing the Potomac River from Maryland to Virginia. We drove across and parked on the Maryland side. Once on the ferry we were halfway across before we even realized it was moving.
I went to scope out the path and talk to the general store manager about any points of interest. While I was away Jack and Claire ate the post ride snacks - pre ride.
We rode about four miles to the ruins of an aqueduct along a small creek.
We poked around the aqueduct for about an hour. Jack wanted nothing more than to walk through the water with his new Keen's. Claire was a bit more aprehensive which is unusual for her.
Mommy (known to me as Kathy) joined in on the fun. We saw some interesting fish, a toad, and wild strawberries on our little side venture.
Kgirl wondering what's next. "I think I'll pleasure my husband when we get home." Ahem...oh...excuse me...this is a family show you say...I'm sorry I must have been daydreaming...let's get back to the story.
Clairebear wanted to lead on the way back to the car. She did a great job on her twitchy 16 inch tired bike and led us for more than a mile. The poor thing had to work so much harder than the rest of us.
She set a blistering 7.8 mile per hour pace. At one point Jack and Mommy took off and left us in the dust. Claire wanted to take a break, but I knew that we had left then a mile left. I challenged her to catch up to Jack. That was all the motivation she needed. She stood up on those pedals and mashed for 10 or 15 yards. Her legs started going a mile a minute...she settled in and hit 11 miles per hour. I thought the bike would just rattle apart.
Jack and Mommy decided to wait for us. When we caught up it was time for a much needed break.
Jack led the peloton for the last mile.
What an unbelievable day. The kids are growing up so fast.
