15 February

Spent last week in NH, which was nice, but the circumstances sucked. Mom had fallen a few times lately and wound up needing surgery, which was a week ago last Wednesday. Bill went up for support, but had to leave on Saturday, which was the same day they put mom in a nursing home. I arrived Monday. Mom was so weak she couldn't walk, couldn't stand, couldn't get around in a wheel chair, couldn't do anything. Over the rest of the week there was no improvement. I'm worried, but I got to spend some real quality time with her.

But, making the best of things, I stayed at Tim's place on Goose Pond and worked when I wasn't with mom. It was rough. And then the biggest blizzard since 78 blew in, closing Massachusetts and Connecticut just as I was heading home. Wound up spending an unplanned night in Keene before cutting across Vermont on Rte 9 to NY and points south. Got home Sunday.

The home away from home office









The view





It was pretty rough.









Also got a chance to visit Mug, and found a whirligig store: Steve's pet store in Leb sold me a cat on a bike. Awesome.



And a lake check. Nice ice fishermen.











And ye olde house check. Damn.



Started snowing my last day there







The next morning in Keene-- 18" -- then across VT. Breezy, but the roads were fine





View from Hogback Mtn



And smooth sailing from there. Sunset in PA



Coming off Fancy Gap VA/NC



And the car post-road trip.

27 January

An outstanding day in the mountains with Tom yesterday. We went to Table Rock, but hiked to Pinnacle Mountain instead, the highest mountain fully in SC. Our route was Table Rock trail to Panther Gap, then Ridge Trail over to Pinnacle Trail, which took us up the mountain on the easy side. Most of the climbing was on Table Rock. Then down from Pinnacle on Pinnacle trail (STEEP!) to an awesome overlook, then down to where Mill Creek trail joins Pinnacle trail and on to Carrick Creek trail for the last mile or so. Phenomenal rock gardens on Mill Creek/Pinnacle. I think the best way to do this route is the opposite of what we did, and maybe coming back down the Mill Creek connector instead of all way out to Panther Gap. Either way though, this beats the hell out of the standard hike up Table Rock, and has far fewer people on it as an added bonus. About 8 miles. We left the house at 8, started hiking a little before 11 and finished at 4, no rush.

Climbing Table Rock





On Pinnacle Trail.



A false peak. We thought this was it, so we got a picture.



Ok, NOW we're on Pinnacle Mountain.



This sucks Dad. I hate being up here. ;)





At the overlook on the way down.



Where's Tom?



And the rock garden.

22 January

Very nice weekend. Friday night I went out for a quick ride after work. Nice that there's just a little more daylight already. Every little bit helps.

Saturday I braved the cold with the Summit crew from the cut-through. 40 miles in a very smooth paceline. No drama at all. Soothing.

Then Monday I played hooky and explored dirt roads over in McCormick. Pretty day.

5 January 2013

Meh. Terrible day for a ride. Didn't get above 40 until 10am, and then just watery sun. Should have stayed home and watched TV. ;)

Hopkins






A pristine South Carolina stream


Site of New Light Beulah Baptist church








Cotton




Industrial






Almost home

2 January 2013

A very fine end to the year, with a nice little start to the new one as well. After Poinsett Tom and I went up to Dupont the next day and rode around Fawn Lake, then went to the Khares for the night. Next day we hiked down from Sassafras to Eastatoe Creek/Laurel Valley/178, where Tom and Bergen were convinced to go swimming. On December 31. Heh. Then yesterday Tom and I rode Harbison.

Good stuff. And overall, I wound up with about 4400 miles on the year:

1551 on the Surly
60 (whopping miles) on the tandem
1252 on the Allez
560 on the Voodoo
970 on the fix