Before and After in Saratoga...and turtle eggs in NC!

On Saturday we headed out to Saratoga to spend the day with Joel Rhein. He had planned out a 30 mile training ride for us which included hills and views of the Hudson River. It was a hot one, 90 at least, but there was a slight breeze and the sun was shining brightly! The first 6 miles were fine (except for Joel's flat...that makes 5 so far!) and then came THE HILL. Since Joel Rhein has youth on his side and a sleek road bike to boot, he just flew up the steep and winding incline. Holly did not fare so well and Joel, being the good soul that he is, stayed back to help and encourage her to keep going for the top. Once we got there the downhill was a blast and the Hudson is truly beautiful. Luckily the route was a loop so we did not have to climb any more mountains, and we made it back to Joel Rhein's house by late afternoon...just in time for a cheese and cracker party with his housemate Julia. A delicious dinner at Dine was compliments of Joel Rhein in honor of Father's Day. Thank you again!!

As we spent our day on the roads in and around Saratoga, Paige and her two friends Madison and Sarah, were walking the beach in Emerald Isle, NC searching for signs of sea turtle nests (they all really wanted to be climbing those hills with us we know!) As luck would have it, they discovered one and contacted the proper people to report it. All 106 eggs had to be relocated to a safer spot on the beach. In addition to volunteering for the turtle watch, the girls are all working and enjoying their summer down south. We will be seeing them soon as we are heading down for th 4th of July!

Ferocious Dog!

Our planned 80 miler turned into a 60 miler (which in Holly's book is still nothing to sneeze at!)due to several factors including one very scary black dog on Palmer Road on our way from Rome to Camden. Holly was in the lead with Joel directly behind when we approached a house on this back road that just didn't feel right. Sure enough, there was an unchained dog on the porch that let us pass then came charging...it's fur standing straight up and it's fangs bared. Joel's very loud NO usually works, but not with this guy. Joel couldn't get to his pepper spray easily either so we just peddled really fast and kept screaming NO. We got away but it rattled Holly; however not so much so that she couldn't enjoy an omelet at the new "Vittles" in Camden, a visit to our friend Maria in McConnellsville, and then a chicken salad sandwich at Gary's in Verona Beach! Joel is used to battling these dogs. A couple of years ago he was attacked on a similar road which left him with a bloody leg. The other thing that put a damper on the day was the on again off again rain showers, but we were able to keep our heads dry thanks to these nifty plastic bowl covers that fit right over our helmets (thanks Dad!).

Hamilton Reunions!!

On Friday night our friend Scott Brinitzer came up from Washington, DC to have a backyard picnic with us before heading to our alma mater, Hamilton College, for his 25th Reunion (Holly's 25th was last year!!) We had a great time catching up, and look forward to staying with him when we cycle through the Capitol Region in September!

On Saturday, despite some ominous skies, we decided to bike the 20 or so miles to the College for the All Alumni Barbecue. We donned our matching Hamilton Cycle shirts and just beat the rain. On the quad we bumped into friends and staff from years gone by. It was fun to see Mary McLean Evans who we will be seeing when we peddle through Wilmington, NC. Just as we were about ready to begin the journey home the heavens opened up again and delayed us 15 minutes or so. We agreed to take a more direct route home in case it rained yet again (which it did as Joel was fixing our fourth flat this year just outside of Westmoreland!) So, we have another 40 miles under our belt. The next outing is in the planning stages...a one day 80 mile round trip through Central New York. Stay tuned!