Friday, September 24, 2010

On Becoming Bike-centric ...

(I can't believe it has been almost a year since my last entry ... pathetic!)

At any rate, in the intervening months it seems I have somehow become fascinated with mountain biking (albeit of a much tamer variety than most enthusiasts). I must admit that I never saw it coming as my interest in exercise and the outdoors has always been marginal at best. Somehow that changed without me noticing, and I have found it all but impossible to resist the charms of the beautiful Wasatch front (where I live) and go for a least a brief ride 6 days a week. The picture above was taken this summer as I rode with my 2 brothers-in-law (both a good decade younger & fitter) through the trails of Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park near Vernon, British Columbia ... that's in Canada for those who might think B.C. sounds like an island somewhere ... or a chronological term (and no, I'm not being snide ... I met people while attending an American university who asked those very questions in perplexed sincerity).

Here's a shot of the trail map ...
... and of the spectacular view (one of many).

I have to admit that not all of my family's summer vacation activities this year were as uplifting ... we arrived at my parents farm just in time to help with the annual "chicken harvest" ...
... and yes, I usually play "Chief Harvester." Believe it or not, this grizzly chore does actually provide some pretty hilarious bonding moments (as most hard work usually does).