Mountain Biking Lakeview

It had been quite some time since we biked the Lakeview Trails at Pocahontas Park.



Mountain Bike Mike joined us for the Memorial Day spin and Dynamo was our talented photographer.





It was a beautiful morning for a ride!



We had so much fun! And, even took advantage of the beautiful new benches on the trail!



The trails were in great shape! It was just a gorgeous morning for a ride!







And, sure enough...our snake family was back this year at the creek. Eek! I think we counted between 3 and 4!



One just sunning on top of the rock!



I guess we weren't the only ones enjoying the morning at the park. So were the creatures!

Mountain Bike Monday - Some single track riding

Finally, we were able to get back to some single track riding at Poco over the weekend. We even caught up with our friend, Mountain Bike Mike!



The boys were all smiles! It was good to be back out in the beautiful green woods! What a great time of year to be riding.



The trails were so smooth and packed. They were fast and flowing. I just love the green and blue trails at Poco.



Even though the weather was really warm, it wasn't too bad under the tree canopy.



We snapped some pics of Dynamo rolling over the rocks!





What a star! Like it was nothing to it!



Look at the smile!





We have been mostly riding on the road and trying out our new bicycle built for two, so it was a lot of fun to explore the park again!



We ventured over the boat ramp to the Forest Exploration side of the park. We wanted to try and find the new trails that are part of the IMBA Richmond Ride Center.



And, there it was! The new trail!



It was hard packed clay and was fast!





We had a ball flying through!



It will really be awesome when it's finally completed. Such amazing things going on at our favorite park!!



It was such a great time being back out there together. I love riding with my Dynamo! And, it was a bonus having our friend, Mike, there too!

Hiking Beaver Lake

Yesterday was such a great day that we decided to head over to Pocahontas State Park. Dynamo went for a ride on his bike while Charlie and I hiked around Beaver Lake.



Charlie was so excited to get out on the trails to celebrate his 3rd birthday! There were lots of dogs and people out enjoying the beautiful day!!



It was all I could do to keep Charlie from jumping in the water! I knew it was way too cold for that!!



But, I did let him get his paws damp!



The sun shining down from above was so bright and the air was so crisp! We just felt so rejuvenated being outside with all the goodness around! I just loved the bright green moss amidst all of the brown leaves!



Charlie did not like having to stop for pictures, but I just wanted to enjoy the warmth of the sun!



The hill at the lake had such beautiful moss! I made him pose for a few pics there!



We stopped at the top of the dam on Beaver Lake! The water was rushing over. I didn't want Charlie getting too close!



Next, we went over to the boat ramp area to wait on Dynamo.





Eventually Dynamo came riding in like a knight in shining armor!!



We had a wonderful time enjoying the park! Charlie got an over 4 mile hike in!!

Hope your weekend was fantastic!

Shotgun Rider

With Monday being a holiday, we decided to get out and enjoy the fresh air! There were lots of others at the park enjoying the day as well!



Each day we have to remember to be grateful for the time we have together to be outside enjoying God's creation.



I am thankful for the warmth of the sun on our chilly rides, and the sparkle that it gives to the water it shines over!



I am thankful for a husband who WANTS to ride with me at my pace. He is always patient, kind, and supportive of me. He lifts me up!



When we get to the dam we always stop and stare in awe of its beauty. Dynamo mentioned the sunlight in the background just over the top! It still amazes me everytime we ride up and see the rushing waters!



We enjoy being with one another. We enjoy the time away from the rest of the world, away from the phones and the internet. It's a time to ride and reflect and just be together. And, there's always time to stop and just look at the world around you and admire it's beauty. Every single leaf, acorn, mossy tree trunk and creature is God's work.



And, silly me just had to make Dynamo give me a mooch! But, the park is a special place for us. It's just full of peace and beauty. There's no noise of the world around, just the two of us together!



Sure, the trails can be tough. It's just like life. But, we can make it. Together, with those we love we can make it. Without Dynamo's love, support, and encouragement I wouldn't be where I am today on the bike (and in life). He takes the time to help me and love me. He patiently waits for me at each of the peaks and turns during our ride, knowing just when to push me along. He encourages me out of the tough valleys and together we have both grown as people and bikers. We have to support one another and encourage each other to be the best we can be. There's a Tim McGraw song called "Shotgun Rider." I always want to be Dynamo's shotgun rider! I want to always be with him and by his side through the good times and the bad. He is a blessing and a gift from God.



I pray that each of you will stop and take a moment to think about all you have to be thankful for and show those you love how much you love them. Protect them and love them with all you have. But, mostly, be thankful to God for each and every blessing you have.

Chilly Willy

Saturday was a day to be together and take a stab at the mini Monster Cross route at Pocahontas State Park! Dynamo and I bundled up for the 21 mile ride and it was a good thing we did! The temperature was a chilly 34 at the start and registered in at around 28 degrees by the finish. Let's just say it was so cold that we didn't stop much to take our hands out to snap pics! So, we only got this one from the start!

This new year we are grateful for our health and for one another! Even though the temperatures were quite cold, it was still refreshing and good for our bodies and minds to get out and smell the air! It was a great ride and we just barely made it back to the Jeep in time before dark!

This is the Day!

This past weekend could easily be described by the song "This is the Day (that the Lord hath made)". It really was glorious to be outside in the fresh air!



Charlie could barely stand the wait from the time we mentioned the word, "park," at the house!



There was no holding him back once we got there! First, we hiked the Beaver Lake Trail at Poco. This goes around the lake and is about the distance of a 5k.



The trees were starting to lose their leaves and change color!



And, Charlie wanted to just get going! No time to stop and take pictures, mom!

There are quite a few pretty bridges/walkways around the lake! The sun just glistens on the leaves.



And, there are always others walking with their fur-children!! This was Paxton!



This is Charlie's favorite spot in the park because he can get wet! And, you know how much that little man loves water!



We even let him off-leash here to fully enjoy the experience!



There's so much splashing and running to do at this spot!



It comes almost in the middle of the hike, so it's the perfect spot to cool down!



He says to us, "Do we have to move on now?"



It really was glorious at the Park. People were all around hiking, biking, and enjoying the VA Hops and Harvest Festival.



We finished up the Beaver Lake Trail and Charlie still wanted to venture around some more!



We looked for the snake family at the bridge by the dam!





Then, we headed over to hike Forest Exploration Trail to see 'split rock.'



There were kayakers enjoying the water!



Then, we finally made it there!



What a blessing to have our health to be able to enjoy these wonderful places on earth! We wrapped up with about 8 miles and Charlie was still ready to go more! Not me! Time for a break!