Week in Review .. a Week to Renew

Skip showed up late Sunday night and he and I damn near welcomed daylight getting caught up. I believe it was 5 AM when we finally shut down.

Monday was spent playing with the tractor and a chainsaw. I had started a trail through the property early last fall, but the project was short-lived. I didn't think the chainsaw I had would take down a tree that laid across the path I was trying to blaze.

Skip made short work of that tree. The path needs to be about 8' wide so I can get the tractor through. Where the path crosses this tree was about 15' from the roots and had branched out by this point. There were quite a few branches to cut down to forge a path. Most being about 15" + in diameter.

We finished up before daylight expired and retired to the house to fix up dinner and sip a few excellent beers. This is how the rest of the night went -- although we didn't come close to 5 AM this time!

Tuesday's agenda was to spoon a rear and front tire on the KLR then head over to Asheville to hit a beer store. Like we needed more beer! Meh! you can never have too much beer!    ; )

The front tire came off rather easily, but we were struggling to get the valve tube inserted in place. After a quick look on the internet, we found a clue to make it easier. If you inflate the tire a little bit, it will help provide enough stiffness that it will go into the hole easier (I TRIED to find a NON-sexual way to word that, but failed so went back to this).  Besides the easier insertion, if it is aired a bit, it is less likely to get pinched as you slip on the rubber. (okay, that's all the sex references)

The rear tire also came off rather easily. Having searched the web earlier, we also found what seemed an easier approach to mounting, so the installation of the tire went easier than the front tire did. After the tires were mounted on the wheels and the wheels back on the bike, we headed towards Asheville.

We managed to find both places we were going to without complication, which is a feat for me. I have never been to Asheville when I didn't get misdirected at some point. Once the beer was obtained, we were headed back to the house to .... drink more beer!    ; )

Wednesday's forecast was for clear skies and 50* temperatures. It's time to see what these tires can do. They are billed as a 60/40 (60% on-road and 40% off-road) tire.

We are cruising along TN-32 which is an immensely fun stretch of freshly paved road that eventually turns to gravel. However, there were many white patches within the curves and IN the lane of travel. They looked like salt, but when you get closer sometimes it was salt, sometimes it was just discolored pavement (maybe from salt).

I had a problem distinguishing between the two and took a more cautious approach. Hey! I've crashed *enough*! ... and I'm with Skip, so we are doubling our chances for something to happen.

From there it would be forest roads and goat paths. The tires did fine on the asphalt. Although, off-road ... they were less successful. They are not knobbies and the KLR is a heavy, sluggish pig. Those two factors added together can be limiting.

We came to a trail and took it. We were scooting along fine until we came across this.

The picture doesn't do the steepness of the hill justice, nor can you see how rocky it is about halfway up.

Skip was able to take his KLX right up it without issue. I got stuck about 3/4 of the way up. I turned around and headed back down as I was getting no traction in the rocky/muddy substrate that halted my progress.

After getting back down and catching a breath, I decided to give it another go. I got to about the same spot, hit the same rock, and got the same result.

I turned back around again, and Skip suggested we abandon this trail and go find another. I was willing to try or to let him and see if it was just the rider, but he insisted we go find somewhere else to explore. So, that's what we did.

It didn't take too long to find another path and we are getting along it rather well. We get to the crest of a hill and it starts a long, steady descent. The trail is not super slick but it is a little "soft". Skip asks "Do you think you can get back up this if we have to?"

Since there was no rock to slow me down, I tell him I may throw it down, but believe I can get back up. Cool! off we go!

We followed this trail until we had no alternative but to turn around. There were logs (well, okay, a fallen tree or two) strewn across the path and there was no visible way around them ... at least not for my bike and it's limitations (not to mention the rider's limitations).

It's hard to see, but the sign down there by the highway is the "Tennessee Welcomes You" sign on westbound I-40

We hung out here briefly and chatted and then it was decided turning back would be our best option.





When we took off, Skip told me to take the lead. The logic was that if he had to help, then he was behind me and wouldn't have to come back down, just to go back up. I think he just wanted to see me throw my bike on the ground. Being the obliging fool that I am, that is just what I did.

The very first "whoop" I came to, I managed to drop it ... HARD! I am not sure how I did it.

I recall putting my feet down because I hadn't carried enough momentum to counter the muck. It was thicker than I had planned. I had my feet down. the bike started to tip, I had saved it, then ... BAM! down me and the bike go.

I couldn't get it righted being on an incline, so Skip had to help me. We decide we will see how much is rider and how much is bike by switching rides.

HOLY CRAP! I jumped on his bike and just eased on up the hill. If I needed to power through, it was there, ready and able. His KLX is so much lighter and more nimble than that pig of a KLR is. Riding up that hill was ... effortless!

I got up there much quicker than he did so brought out the camera and got a few shots of him coming up the hill ...

Again the picture doesn't do the slope justice

We kept on trying to find new territory to explore that the KLR and I could handle. Once again, a short piece down the "road" we found more. We came to an old homesite with nothing but the chimney remaining and stopped once again.

The sun (hidden by clouds now) was getting low on the horizon. We needed to come up with an "exit strategy" to find pavement before it got dark.

On our way back to "civilization" we found this little roadside waterfall. 

We stopped and Skip played with the camera for a bit. 

Skip called it Smiley Falls ... here's why ...

Just hangin' out while Skip plays with the camera

This road put us back on TN-32 and we were a short half hour from the house. Once again, I was rather timid (probably too much so) as I couldn't determine what was salt in the road and what was discoloration. Either way, we got back to the house, fixed dinner, and polished off the night with some more excellent beers.

Thursday was spent at the house. We had intended to go caving, but that didn't pan out. No worries, we hadn't played on the lathe yet, and there is no shortage of material to turn here.  ; )   We went back down to the tree we had cut on Monday and snagged up a couple pieces of that. We cut and treated what we weren't going to use right now, and processed a piece so that Skip could turn a bowl out of it. Here he is workin' it ...

After we finished in the garage, the rest of the night was spent .... you guessed it, sippin' on some good barley, malt, and hops. 

It's always a great time when Skip and I get together. This one seems to be even moreso. Maybe because it's fresher on my mind, I don't know, but it just seems that this visit was not just appreciated, but needed. I have a renewed feeling. 

It is so easy to get into a rut here. I think this break was beneficial for me, plus we discussed some stuff that gave me something to think about.

complacency

Why can we not just appreciate what we have ... EVERYDAY we have it? I am not referring to any specific phenomenon, but just things ... life ... in general! Why can we not appreciate it when we have it?

Why does it have to be gone before we realize how good we had it?

Life is hard enough without us making it harder. I don't understand why I don't have a greater feel for what I have, WHEN I have it!

I am blessed, I know this. Sometimes, I get trivial and take for granted what I have.

I suppose we all do, to some extent; maybe it's just human nature. It doesn't mean I understand it, or that that fact makes it any better.

I love my wife! I DO! That poor woman endures a LOT!

I don't always let her know where she stands with me (with words), yet by now, I would think that she SHOULD know by now where she stands with me. The point is, I don't take the time to say those magic words women want to hear -- I'm not that guy, never have been. She KNOWS where I stand, I just don't say it.

I have a great love for my kids. They both drive me crazy ... in different ways. Yet, I love them, again this is not shared with words. Yet, again, the point is that I don't necessarily show proper appreciation of them in that moment.

I used to have a job. It was a menial job, yet it was a great feeling to work and feel like I was doing something that mattered (at some point). Due to circumstances that are what they are, I have not worked for the past 5? years. Funny, there were mornings I  used to dread going to work. Heh! What I wouldn't give to suffer that again!

I obviously know the things that matter. Why can I not appreciate them at the time that I have them? NOT when they are gone!

I fear one day it will get to that point where I realize it and is too late. Right now, my wife and kids deal, hopefully, I will mature before those are gone as well. My history gives me little hope, my stubborn, persistent attitude makes me think there's a chance.

Jest chillin'

So Friday morning Melissa comes in from work (she is on third shift now) and informs me "It's an icy, wet wonderland out there. You're crazy for going!"

I responded, "Yes dear! i *know* this!"

I will admit, I was a bit intimidated and unsure what crossing the mountain was going to be like. I am on a bald rear tire, the roads will be wet, at best, and either icy or snow-covered at worst. I don't recall being so concerned about my safety to get on a bike before. I seriously considered driving over -- for all of a minute! Additionally, it's GOING to be cold, with a high of 28*F for the day, but should get warmer once I turn south.

She attempts to instill the fear of God in me once more, telling me the driveway was scary and that the road that our driveway joins is also slick. Okay! I got up and got the last minute stuff ready and packed the bike. Then, walked the driveway and the road and am confused.

This woman has grown up in Indiana. She has seen some serious weather! As I walk the driveway and the street, it's relatively fine. The driveway was a piece of cake. I *did* see some ice on the road, but it was avoidable.

I planned on being in Greenville, SC by 6 PM, when Christopher would be off from work. My only planned stop would be at Oskar Blues Brewery to pick up a couple beers for later. Google Maps puts the drive at 3 hours. So if I leave at 1:30 PM, I should be fine to make it to Christopher's by 6.

And that's what I did. By now the weather was probably as warm as it was going to be for the day. I had my thermals on, a long-sleeved shirt, sweatshirt, and an insulated flannel. All this underneath my riding suit with upper and lower liners. I also donned my balaclava and thick winter gloves.

The roads were relatively clear. I only had one butt-clenching moment. The second tunnel eastbound on I-40 was covered in white. I wasn't sure if it was ice, snow, or salt. There were two tire tracks per lane and I pointed the bike's tires in one of them and somehow managed to keep it there throughout the tunnel. It was scary! It may have only been salt, but I didn't want to find out that it wasn't -- *especially* with a bald tire --in a tunnel -- with traffic behind me!

I found Oskar Blues with very little problem. I ordered a Deviant Dale's (YUM!) and took the free tour of the brewery. Then I purchased a few to take to Christopher, since OB is one of his favorite brewers.

I was a little bit chilled upon arrival (not bad, since I still had feeling in the fingers and toes), but after about a half hour or so at the brewery, I was feeling back to "normal". I packed the beer on the bike and then headed out.

I never got cold again for the rest of the ride. Of course, the temperature was a balmy 40*F now that I had gotten further south and into lower altitude.

I got to enjoy almost all of 276 without interruption. I was cooking along just fine, when I came upon a line of cars with a cop at the head of it. SIGH! Luckily, he turned off soon after as did a couple other cars and I was back to exercising Cloud9 and wearing out the rest of that bald tire now that I'm on dry roads.

The fun part ended all too quickly and I was now ready to get to Christopher's and have a few brews. I got a little turned around and *almost* wished I had a GPS, navigating in the dark is a pain when you don't know where you are. By the time I found his place it was 7 PM. Greetings were exchanged and Christopher's wonderful lady, Sara, had picked me up a Chic-Fil-A sandwich. Thanks, Sara. I sat down and enjoyed dinner with the four of them.

Shortly after dinner, She had to head out and Christopher and I went over to Mo's to hang out. Around 9 or so we headed back to his place for some more beer and just to catch up. We saw the wee hours of the morning solving the world's problems and chatting about nothing. Great night!


 Saturday morning, Ethan, Christopher's boy, had a basketball game and I felt privileged to be able to attend it. It's been YEARS since I had been to one of these. Such fun to watch these kids.

Ethan is #22 in white

The beauty of it was, that the ref's were there only to stop play for timeouts and the clock. There were no fouls called and there was some blatant travelling going on ... I mean just outright running with the ball in hand. It was comical.

Even better the timekeeper would stop the clock and wouldn't allow the buzzer to sound during a possession. He allowed the kids to finish up either with a basket or a change of possession -- really cool.

After the game, it was time to head to Mo's. There really wasn't much wrenching this year. A lot of tire changing (myself included) but very little wrenching. Poor ol' Steeeevvve was kept rather busy at the No-Mar changer. Thanks, Steeeevve for helping me out as well.

I had no issues getting the wheel OFF the bike. However, we were having some issues mounting my tire, but Mo came to the rescue before patience wore thin and announced it was time for everyone to wash up and go upstairs to eat.

After lunch it was back at the tire. We got it seated, but it took four people to do it. Damn low-profile tires!

As if that wasn't enough, it was tough getting the wheel to balance. We would place  a weight and let it spin and never got it right. We even cut weights looking for the right combination, but never really found it. We got close enough and left it at that.

When I finally got back to the bike, I realized I had put my brake pads in the wrong way. That was easy enough to fix, but just seemed to be the prelude of what was to come.

I couldn't get the wheel back in and keep the caliper mount aligned at the same time. There is a trick to it, but I had only done this once and couldn't recall what I had done last time. Then one of the guys helping suggested to put the axle in to help hold the caliper mount in place -- BINGO! *that's* what I did last time.

Why the hell couldn't I remember that? After that the wheel slid right into place and everything went back together -- with no extra parts.

A little later it was time for a beer run. I know *I* was ready for one by now.

Maryann and Mo put out quite the feast, as they usually do! I did my best to be disciplined, but with the delicious bounty prepared, it's just not easy to do.

We had to head back to Christopher's to get E-man to bed so we left at some point after dinner. My mind is a bit hazy at this point as a few quality beers had been consumed. I had decided to leave the bike, so I wasn't driving. A few more beers at Christopher's and this night was in the books as well

For maybe six years or so, Kent and I had discussed hiking up Table Rock. He and I had discussed hitting it Sunday, since I would actually be in town and wouldn't need to be home until 10:30 PM. By Sunday the Ryders had decided to join us.

It was a beautiful day for it. A nice, sunny, 50* day. Perfect for hiking.

However, I had NO idea it would be so long of a hike. I figured a couple hours, then I will break in my new tire. WRONG!

I knew it was a 1900' ascent, had *no* IDEA it was a 3 hour hike up and a 2 hour hike down. It was already noon-ish. So much for breaking in my tire, it will be near dark when we get done hiking.

The hike was worth it, though. It was a LOT of steps (over 6 miles worth), but the trail was well marked and well maintained. Quite a few rest stops were merited.

Kent and Mitchell

These were taken when we were "almost there". Kent and Mitchell had hiked this previously. I had no idea what I was in for -- neither did David nor Polly. Kent had fun baiting us with "we're almost there" and "it's just around the corner". 

After much more climbing and another mile or so of Kent's assuring us how close we were, we reached the summit.

at the top ... finally!

what a view!

 It was nice and quiet up there. The only sound heard was the cold wind blowing. It was 50* in the parking lot, but there was a dusting of snow at the top, and the dampness of the air cut through you when that wind was blowing -- you notice we are all sitting in the sun.  ; )

serenity
(photo taken by Kent Matthew)

On our way down, a very young deer had crossed the trail in front of us. We sat there watching it watch us for a few minutes. Then we noticed further up, that Momma's watchful eyes were fixed on us as well as this yearling's brother/sister.

David and Polly needed to head northwest, and Kent and I had to head back to Mo's to get our bikes. By the time we got there, it was dark and getting cold ... and I'm going north. BRR!

I was trying to get my mind set for the cold ride ahead. I layered up again, thanked Mo and the Goddess for their wonderful hospitality, and headed out.

Actually, it was nowhere near as bad as I expected. The roads were dry and what snow had fell that day was all gone. It wasn't even that cold going over the mountain. I'll take it!