Category Archives: The Bike

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There and Back

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The five days spent on the Outer Banks was, as you might expect, perfectly wonderful!  For those not familiar, the Outer Banks is a 200-mile (320-km) long string of narrow barrier islands off the coast of North Carolina.

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Photo Credit: Wikipedia

Each year, the GOAs (Girls of August) reunite for food, fun, and fabulous times, and this year our destination was Nags Head.

The 420 mile ride to the beach took me through the small town of Warrenton, NC, where, once they recovered from the shock of “it’s a girl under that helmet”, they pumped my gas for me.

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I rode through rain for some of the trip (check out this blog post to read about riding in the dark), but it felt so good to be on the bike for a good, long ride that I didn’t even care.  It also felt great to be able to have time to use my camera once I arrived.

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One of the reasons that I have always loved the Outer Banks is because it is a more low key, less developed beach community.  It is more about the ocean, the wildlife, and nature, and less about shopping and dining out (although you can find that, too, no doubt!)

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Clearly, I need to purchase another lens (AFTER the election), but I very much enjoyed seeing this pod of dophins.

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Each morning, after coffee and breakfast, we’d load up the cooler and head to the beach.  What a treat to put my chair right in the surf, and read my book (the first since starting the campaign!) with cold beverage in hand.

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It wasn’t until the last day that we saw a few drops of rain, which of course allowed us to have fun playing Rummy and Charades.

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The view of the sunset over the Roanoke Sound was pretty even with the power line.

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Despite starting for home in the rain, once the sun came out I enjoyed the colors along the way.

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After 30 weeks on the campaign trail, this short visit with dear friends was just the breather that I needed.

I’m so glad that I was able to find a moment to write a post.  With any spare time that I have this week, my goal is to visit all of you!

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Dems Da Rules

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So many things at the beach are camera worthy, and let me tell you, I sure do have a lot of  photos to work through!

The water!  The sunsets! The wildlife!

and yes, the signage!

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No Pets, No Fires, No Parking

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So many places you can’t go …

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and things you can’t do.

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Don’t litter,

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pick up after your furry friends,

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and be sure to call 473-5252 if your vehicle is gone.

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But you know what?  It’s all worth it!

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More photos from Nags Head soon!

 

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Nags Head, NC

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This woman is on vacation!  Woop Woop!!

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The 420 mile ride to Nags Head, NC included

*wonderful views and roads,

*a downpour that thankfully lasted only 15 minutes,

* riding in the dark with my way illuminated by lightning (which also illuminated the “Bear Crossing” signs –  I SO want to see a bear!),

and as always, a cold beer at the end of the ride.

I wish I was better able to express myself with words so that you would understand what it felt like to ride across the Intracoastal Waterway in the dark, to smell the water, and to see the lights in the distance, but not see the water.  To see the huge orange moon and not be able to stop and capture it with my camera.  To know that somehow I had to share the glory of that ride in words instead of photographs.

You’ll just have to trust me.

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Getting Around

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Yes! The campaign is affording me time on the bike! And of course that means, a teeny bit of time with the camera, too.  I’m not getting the practice I need, nor am I learning more about the camera, but it sure feels good to play a bit while working!

The 12th District in the Virginia House of Delegates includes parts of Pulaski County,

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The City of Radford,

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most of Montgomery County,

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and Giles County.

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I’ve knocked over 2000 doors, and I sure am fortunate to do it in such a beautiful place.

100 Days ’til Election Day!

(and in 7 days … VACATION!)

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Gratitude II

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It was a long time coming, but I finally had the chance to say thank you to everyone that helped me out after my motorcycle wreck.  Bad things happen, but good things can come of them.  For months I was showered with love and care and it has been a goal of mine ever since, to say thanks.

Family and friends gathered on the new porch this past weekend, and Tim captured the scene beautifully.

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Friends and family came from far and near.  For once it didn’t rain, and the sound of laughter was the only music we needed.

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Thank You.  Two simple words with a whole bunch of love all wrapped up in them.

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A New Milestone

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It’s been two weeks since I’ve posted!  Where did the time go?  🙂

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Thankfully, in between closing down the old practice, opening the new, and campaigning for Delegate, I was still able to find a few moments with the camera.

This first photo is from Carson’s Courtyard, a little resting spot in downtown Radford, created with Community Development Block Grants.

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On another day, I stopped by the American Legion Building.  Built in 1928, the building has served as a temporary courthouse, Catholic church, daycare center, Radford Arsenal hiring office, dance hall, voter registration office, polling place, and home to Main Street Radford.  The American Legion members have started a restoration drive to raise funds for this historic building.

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On July 4th, I rode the motorcycle to visit a few of the communities in the 12th District.

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One of three covered bridges in Giles County, the Sinking Creek Covered Bridge was built in 1916.

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This next one was taken with my new Samsung Galaxy.  Those of you who know me well, will realize that I have changed phones after 15 years as a Blackberry user.  Not sure it was a good move yet …

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The Newport Parade

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was followed by the Blacksburg Parade,

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and then it was back home to the City of Radford for music and fireworks.

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A few days later, the campaign office was buzzing with the sound of volunteers and staffers working the phone bank.

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So thankfully, despite the pace of life, I’m still finding moments to pull the bike over and enjoy the view.

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Next Stop:  Your Blogs!

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Just 30 Miles …

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… but oh the joy!

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Sunday rides used to be 200 miles long.  These days, I’m just grateful to ride down the road and along the river!

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I’m quite sure that my bike misses me as I much as I miss it!

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Think those mirrors need a bit of a clean?

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Yeah, but if I have any time at all, I’m going to spend it riding, not cleaning 🙂

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“Nothin’ to Sneeze At”

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Three years with WordPress is nothing to sneeze at!

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And what is the origin of that term, anyway?  According to the Word Detective, “To sneeze at” something or someone is a colloquial usage, first appearing in the early 19th century, to mean that the thing under consideration (Three years with WordPress) may appear modest or trivial but is actually at least somewhat important or impressive.

Impressive or not, three years with WP has had a tremendous impact on my life.  I’ll not tie you down with statistics, but instead offer thanks to all of you for being here with me.  Whether you regularly comment, or more randomly “like”, I’m grateful for all of you.  You’ve encouraged my growth as a photographer (Joe has even provided phone and text consults), have followed me on my motorcycle journeys, supported me after my wreck, contributed to my campaign, created beautiful gifts for me, and have spent time with me in Virginia.

You’ve become my friends, and my life is richer for all that you share.

Your photos and drawings, your stories and poems, your creativity and crafts, and your life lessons learned.

My sincere thanks.

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See ya on down the road!

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Back Track

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With just an hour or so to spare, I set off on the bike.

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It took me awhile to find a place to pull over to capture this view, and even then I had to hike back a bit.

For once, I didn’t have my camera with me.

Not too bad for my ol Blackberry, eh?

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Riding on Sundays

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Sunday rides are my therapy!

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My campaign manager and I have carved out 6 hours in the week for time on the bike and time with friends.  While the rest of the week is devoted to work and the campaign, those 6 hours on Sunday are for ME!  This ride was extra special because my friends and I were celebrating my birthday.

Dave led us through Craig County, VA on our most recent ride, and as we traveled along those curvy mountain roads, I was wishing I had a go-pro on my helmet so I could share the beauty of this county.  We stopped at Fenwick Mines, the site of a 19th Century iron mining site.

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Offering a wheelchair accessible trail that winds through woods and across wetlands, Fenwick Mines is a beautiful place to spend an afternoon.

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The reflections on this overcast day kept me shooting.

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The water was so still that the blue sky, breaking through the clouds, was visible in this reflection.

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We rode on to Tizzone, a new wood-fired kitchen and wine bar, owned by a friend.

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We enjoyed the Charcuterie and Cheese Platter, and I followed it with a Wood-Fired Smoked‎ Gouda and fig spread on Ciabatta bread.  Accompanied by a Raven’s Roost Baltic Porter, it was a delicious birthday meal. The extensive wine and beer list will require a return visit with a DD.

We left Tizzone and headed out to Parkway Brewing, a 2 year old brewery with “Fresh Beers, Artfully Crafted in the Heart of the Blue Ridge”.

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Riding a bike significantly limits the intake of alcohol for me (obviously) but learning the history of the places we visit and listening to local music always provides great entertainment.

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Another Roadside Attraction is a “husband and wife duo from Roanoke who perform mostly original songs on a myriad of eclectic instruments: from the Mexican guitarron, to a variety of ukuleles, to the haunting musical saw, and a homemade recycled percussion setup”.  Can you see that Jordan is playing the musical saw in this image?  Be sure to check out the link.  Another Roadside Attraction travels the length of the US and will be heading to Mexico later in the year.

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Sunday Riding: a great way to celebrate a birthday!  I walked in the door and the downpour began, as did the campaign phone calls.  I’m already counting down to next Sunday!