Finding Beauty in Constant Rain

July 3, 2013 by LB

Southwest Virginia: Big Sky Country!

July 1, 2013 by LB

I know … you thought that Montana was Big Sky Country. Well, we’ve got a little bit of that going on right here in Southwest Virginia, too!

You pull the bike over to take a few shots and you fall in love with the close up …

and then you marvel at the colors of the various grasses in the field.

You look up and notice how beautiful the grasses look against the clouds …

And then it hits you … you are indeed in big sky country!

Of Horses and Spiders

June 29, 2013 by LB

I delivered some dinner to a couple friends the other night and couldn’t help but go visit the horses on the adjacent property. When they weren’t staring me down, wondering what I was up to, or eating, they were literally kicking up their heels in play. Wish those photos had turned out … I’m still learning animal photography 🙂

I kinda liked these though.

And then there was this spider …

Hangin’ With the Big Dogs: A 500 Mile Weekend

June 26, 2013 by LB

I just LOVE the first long rides of the summer!

Those who truly love riding motorcycles, will ride all year long. Even on cold winter days, as long as the sun is shining. Winter rides are incredibly satisfying but they’re often shorter in duration, with far fewer miles covered. So when the warm weather arrives, the long riding begins, and there is nothing like it!

This past Saturday, during the middle of an early morning hair appointment, I got the call to ride. My two favorite bikers, Dave and Michael (My Guys) are great friends, awesome mentors, and have taught me so much about riding these past 5 years. They told me I had 10 minutes to be ready (I made it in 15) and off we went!

We rode 350 miles, through 8 counties, and on too many country roads to count.

This bridge was built in 1896 and was just closed to traffic this past year.

I’m told that this tower was used to measure river water levels.

It was a glorious day for riding!

Lunch at Devils Backbone Brewery offered much needed fuel for our bodies, and then we turned and headed for home.

We hit the Blue Ridge Parkway (BRP) and pulled back into Radford around 8pm that evening.

Sunday morning found us back on the bikes, this time joined by our good (and fun!) friends Cherie, Tim, Diana, and Jeff. Dave always leads the way and while I may not always know where we are headed, I am always confident that the ride will be a blast!

Total mileage today was 145 miles.

After a brief stop at Tuggles Gap, a restaurant and motel serving BRP customers for over 70 years, we took off in earnest.

Wide sweeping curves on the BRP and much tighter curves on Rt 8 in Floyd and Patrick Counties, eventually took us to Squirrel Spur.

Our final stop was the Kanawha Valley Arena. The arena “was formed in the interest of Equestrian Enthusiasts” and in addition to the professional arena, barn, and corrals, Kanawha has a Carriage House Museum and a Carriage House Saloon.

And a covered bridge!

This scene just made me chuckle and I had to take a picture!

What a weekend on the bike! I simply can’t wait for the next one!

Solstice Party

June 25, 2013 by LB

The longest day of the year inspires many things … photography, mass yoga gatherings, 5k races, dances, and parties. My friends held a Solstice Party, a wonderful celebration of summer, family, and friends.

We enjoyed great food and drink in a beautiful outdoor setting. Children played, adults laughed, and everyone danced, waving sparklers and glow sticks around with abandon. All this and a lovely garden tour, too.

I wish I could say that I had taken photos to capture all those moments, but it’s hard to dance and shoot pics at the same time.

Hopefully, you’ll enjoy these, taken earlier in the evening.

And in the Fairy Garden, for Boomdee 🙂

Piano on Solstice

June 23, 2013 by LB

While most of the photos from the Solstice Party on Friday were taken outside, this one was shot while I was inside getting a glass of sangria. Something about the light on the keys and the lovely wood …

More photos coming later!

Come On Over!

June 20, 2013 by LB

Come on over, ya’ll!!

It’s a beautiful evening here in SWVA, just perfect for Porch Time!

Sit back and relax with your favorite beverage …

I’ll be here all summer!

One Hour on the Bike

June 19, 2013 by LB

In just one hour after work, I was able to ride the motorcycle from the river …

to the farm …

to the woods.

Not a bad way to spend an hour!

Planning the 4th Solo Trip

June 18, 2013 by LB

My last post glorified the joy of being home, and I truly am excited to have the next four weeks at home without travel (other than day trips on the bike of course). It’s time however to get serious about planning the 4th Solo Bike Trip.

So many places to ride; so few vacation days!

You may remember that I rode the Blue Ridge Parkway and the Tail of the Dragon (in Tennessee) in 2010 as a way to celebrate my 5oth Birthday (photos taken with my old Canon Powershot SD1000)

2011 found me riding to the Outer Banks of North Carolina (again, with the old Canon)

Tennessee was the destination in 2012

So it seems that I have, not with purpose, alternated between the mountains and the beach.

This year then, I’m going back to the beach! I’ll ride to the Eastern Shore of Maryland, Annapolis, and possibly Delaware.

The near constant rain has had me less than motivated to pull out the maps, but this weekend I WILL get to it! After all, the day of departure is just 7 weeks away!

Let the planning begin!

It’s Nice to be Home

June 16, 2013 by LB

As much as I love to hit the road and explore new places, having traveled the last 5 of 7 weekends, I was missing what my friend Debbie calls “bonding with your house”.

I missed the baking and cooking …

Chicken Salad for a friend’s birthday