when it rains...

it pours and when it pours you have some options...

you can wait it out 
you can grab an umbrella and muddle through it 
you can embrace it 

we all have our own ways of dealing with the storm 

i shift my focus to the sun
i think about the days spent reveling in the sunshine 

the loss i experienced this week will hurt for a long time 
what has made it easier is knowing that for 11 years we played in in the sunshine and splashed in the puddles 

i don’t mind the rain

4015 days

Eleven years to the day she came into my life, her heart stopped beating and mine broke. 


The hardest part about loving something so much is the hurt you feel when it's gone.

like clockwork

Their visits are like clockwork. 

She visits me every Sunday. It seems to be the only time she can catch up on the details of my life without anyone knowing. And I don’t mind, because I know that she cares...but it would be much nicer if we could do it in person. 

There is more to my life than these words, the ones you’ve been coming back to for the past three and a half years. I will never understand the reason why...add it to the list of unanswered questions.

the stars aligned...

and everything fell into place...i walked off the plane and my connecting fight was waiting...it was easy and i didn’t have to think.

but then i started to wonder if it made sense. one door closes just as another opens...the opportunity presented itself, but was it the right one and even if it wasn’t did i have a choice?

I entered a place I wish I hadn’t. Next time the "stars align" I’ll give it more thought.

The Tumbleweave Diaries

Bus Stop Weave...

Ramsey's Revenge

I registered for this race a while ago because I had heard that Brandywine was a beginner friendly park. Then, I realized that the race was on the same day as my team's sponsored road race, Tour de Pitman. This meant I'd be up very early to work race registration before heading over to Wilmington for my 12:30pm start, right around the time I'd be wanting to take a nap.

I arrived at Ramsey's Farm while the first race was still in progress. I talked to friends and got some feedback on the course...logs, streams, rocks, roots and my favorite "bomb down" a hill...I can go up all day, but when it comes to going down I'm probably faster walking.

I checked out the prologue section, selected a gear for the start and chatted with a couple friends who were in my field. The horn sounded and we were off, some of us (the winner) faster than others (myself). I settled into a nice pace on the first uphill section, in second place with the leader in sight...then things got "technical" (at least for me they did) and I found myself off the bike (at logs and stream crossings) more than I was on the bike. On the climbs and flat open sections I would make up ground only to lose it on the down hill and technical sections.

The battle for second place lasted the entire race, but I was able to pull away on the the final climb. I might not be that lucky next time. It's definitely time to start working on technical skills!

Catskills 3500: Balsam and Eagle Mountains

May 30, 2014 

Balsam Mountain: 3609 Feet 

Eagle Mountain: 3609 Feet 

Distance 9.2 Miles Round Trip 

Elevation Gain: 2200+ 

Clockwise (Red, Yellow, Blue) to Balsam 

Out and Back (Blue) to Eagle, then Red back to Rider Hollow Road parking area

Straight up, just like every trail I've hiked in the Catskills.

Summit of Balsam Mountain

Summit of Eagle Mountain

Comments: There is no view from the summit of Eagle Mountain, but there is a side trail that will lead you to a spot with Cairns.

Hiking the Red Trail counter clockwise will put the stream crossings at the end of your hike.

Catskill 3500: Panther Mountain

May 29, 2014 

Panther Mountain: 3725 Feet 

Distance 10.6 Miles Round Trip 

Elevation Gain: 2000+ 

Access via Phoenicia East Branch Trail (Yellow) at Woodland Valley Campground to Giant Ledge-Panther Fox Hollow Trail (Blue) 






The Phoenicia East Branch Trail was a bit more challenging than anticipated, with elevation gain and rocky terrain.

Snack break with a view at Giant Ledge, an excellent place to hear your echo!

Summit of Panther Mountain

Comments: 150% LESS BUGGY than hiking in this region at the end of June last year.