Wow, today is one of those days (like most, actually) that you’re glad you woke up in the mountains. I got up at my normal 5 am to find that the natural world was also stirring. The sun had yet to rise, but a pleasant cacophony of birds calling to each other had begun to fill the air.

The wee hours of the morning are my favorite because I feel like I am privvy to a world that I alone experience. Even the dogs are still fast asleep, waiting for Kristin to wake up and cue their days beginning. It’s just as well, because the deer that sleep in the front fields probably haven’t roused yet either and the dogs would surely love to provide them with an early wake up call! The deer are pretty used to the dogs by now and while they still run when they see them, you get a sense that they aren’t really worried about them either. I would hate for Charlie to try and assert his canine authority on a herd of sleeping deer only to find out that they aren’t morning creatures. Deer can be wicked with their hooves when startled.

Now, as 9 o’clock approaches the world is well awake. Squirrels are bouncing around the property with a spring in their step as they search beneath the bird feeders for stray sunflower seeds and the birds that nest in the boxwoods scramble around inside them as I pass by. The leaves are ready to burst out of the trees and I can see that our world is about to turn green again. The sun is burning away the last of the mist of the night and soon I can hit the parkway for a ride. Speaking of this world I luckily call home, I think I need to cut this short and get out in it. I will spend enough time inside painting today and need to steal as much fresh air as possible before I start!

Stay well!

One of the worst things about breaking my ankle was the fact that I had just ordered a brand new bike from EastCoasters - a nice new Trek bike with an extra large frame for my extra tall frame. I picked it up the day I got my air cast put on at the orthopedists. As I was crutch bound, I dreamed of the day I could finally get on it and ride it for the first time.

That day actually came last Saturday after I was sure that my ankle could handle the strain. I went from Meadowood to the Mabry Mill and back, a formidable first ride to be sure. The second day, yesterday, I went all the way to highway 58 and back exactly four weeks after I broke my ankle. I am finding that the riding is like a combination pain killer, anti-inflamatory and swelling reducer for the ankle. Everytime I ride the pain of stiffness (the bone break doesn’t hurt) goes away and the swelling decreases much faster.

I went for a short two-mile ride this morning that was a mistake considering that I didn’t look at the temperature before I left and decided to brave the cold. I only went about two and a half miles total, heading North on the Parkway. When I got back I looked at the temperature and it was 38 degrees; not good for riding without gloves! I’ll have to delay my future rides until the thermometer is in the fifties at least.

I ordered a camera mount for my bike yesterday, so I’ll be able to put some photos of my rides in the gallery soon.

Ok, ok; I know it’s been forever since I’ve added to this. Blame it on Christmas, New Years, the depression of cabin fever these last few months or the broken ankle I suffered a month ago today. I procrastinated and I apologize profusely!

With that rambling spewed forth, you pretty much have the past few months in a nutshell, but I will fill in some blanks for you. Over the time passed in silence, we have made some plans and changes to Meadowood!

We are now a completely pet friendly inn, welcoming our four legged friends to enjoy the clean air, water and peaceful surroundings. We are also in the midst of some renovations here- namely the living room which is in progress where I am repainting to prepare for new carpeting and furniture. We’re working on redesigning the layout as well in the relocation of the big screen TV and replacing the woodstove with a fireplace insert for a more visually inviting source of warmth on cold days.

Two other projects are the retaining wall out front that is waiting to be made into a patio and barbecue area as soon as my ankle can stand that much strain; I don’t think it will be long since I just made my second bike ride today. The project next in line after the patio is the chicken moat/garden area where we will be getting all of our eggs fresh daily.

That brings me to another project: the blue ridge biking site that I have been designing. I plan to put a barebones version of the site up soon, but the basic focus of the site will be to offer parkway-centric information to the level of detail that bicyclist need and therefore all the info that anyone traveling the BRP could want. I’ll post the address here when I have the basic shell up, or you can email me at quidotaw@gmail.com if you would like more info. I will also be looking for submissions from Blue Ridge travelers of all types if you would like to place content.

Well, that is all for this day, stay well!