Saturday, March 29, 2008

San Lee Park & Govorners Creek



Yesterday Tommy, Brannon and myself decided to go ride the trails in and around Sanford NC. So we loaded up and headed out. First stop, San Lee Park. The first thing you notice off the bat, is that this place has hills, and lots of them.

and creek crossings...




and even a good size log-hop or two


It was a great day, if you ever get the chance to ride here, don't pass it up.

Dirt Therapy at UNCW

Even though my Dad was still in the hospital, last Saturday I managed to sneak out to UNCW for some much needed riding. I loaded up the boys (TJ and Tyler) and the bikes and headed out to meet Fuzz, Whitney and Brannon.

It was a great ride, we put in a little over 14 miles and took a long time playing on the small hills at the back of the trail with the kids.

Whitney, TJ, and Tyler taking a break


T.J. coming down the hill


Tyler being a little cautious on his first mountain bike ride with us.


Brannon showing the kids "how it's done"


Whitney taking it easy on the trail


The Master (Fuzz) showing how to do it with style...


Me just trying to keep up with Brannon and Fuzz


Great times!

Monday, March 24, 2008

the picture says it all....

yes, I am thankful

Ok, so this has nothing to do with mountain biking, it has to do with life, and how precious it is. All my life, my hero has been my Dad. Growing up his wisdom guided me through the daily trials of being a youth. As I grew older, and started to figure out that my Dad worked around the clock it seemed, his work ethic was instilled in me, and gave me a standard to patten myself after as an adult. At 61 years of age, my Dad could still climb a light-pole, and out perform most of his co-workers that were half his age.

A month ago, my Dad had to have two vertebrae in his back fused, and have a few rods put in tot hold them in place. Major back surgery, but he's tuff and he'll get through it with no problem. Less than 24 hours after going home, he was rushed to the emergency room in an ambulance. He had suffered multiple strokes.

It was hard to watch everything that he had to endure just for the physicians to determine what happened, and how to prevent it from happening again. After thirteen days in the hospital, he went home again... only to be rushed back again a day and a half later with pneumonia.

My Dad's now been in the hospital a day shy of a month. The strokes have left him with a speech problem, and he has trouble with some of his memories. However, after all he has endured, he continues to hold on, and try to deal with all of this and not give up.

I don't know where to start or how to say exactly what I want to say. My Dad has always been larger than life in my eyes. It's so hard to see him have to go through with this. I am thankful I still have him, that the Lord above didn't call him home. That may be selfish, but he's the only parent I have left and I guess I try to justify my selfishness because of that. A nurse that we have all become close with told me the other night, that most people that have been through what He has, lose their ability to swallow, walk, talk and/or so many other things. And with therapy, he can recover and be close to normal. I hope God gives him the strength and the courage to keep fighting.....

Yes, I am so very thankful. If you are reading this, take a moment look around and behold life around you. Smell the roses.... You never know how fast life can be turned upside down.

Saturday, March 15, 2008

You have to watch this

Cool video, take the time to check it out.

ooops...

I hope things worked out okay for this guy.... great photo capture however.

Only on a mountain bike.....

just a couple of pictures that I saw on MTBR, that just really define the beauty and freedom of mountain biking.... enjoy.