Follow the runners

Today, I had the chance to support and take photos of my son and his fiancée during their first 50 K run. It was the Mountains-to-Sea Trail 50 K challenge.  The Bull City Running Company, a local running store, hosts the race. It's a smaller event with about 100 participants and is very well organized.

They woke up at 5:00 AM to head to the race while I cared for Lulu (the dog). When they reached mile 13, I went to the race site, about 40 minutes away, to cheer them on for the second half. I managed to meet them four times before the race ended. At the first stop, Kira was in third place. They were averaging about 30 seconds per mile faster on the return of the out-and-back course, averaging about 10:24 per mile going out and well under 10 minutes per mile coming back.

They finished with an official time of 5 hours, 29 minutes, and 9 seconds, averaging 10 minutes, 21 seconds per mile. Kira finished second, and Jordan ranked in the top 15. It was a great run for both of them!

It was a fun day.  Carry on my friends!

A few days away, I needed that!

Given that Jordan and Kira are currently home and I am responsible for caring for the dog over the weekend, a brief excursion could provide a refreshing respite from my customary routine. I departed Cary on Tuesday at 10:00 AM and embarked on a journey to Hanging Rock State Park. Throughout the day, I engaged in hiking and photography activities within the park before subsequently lodging at a hotel in Mount Airy, North Carolina.

Since I arrived in Mount Airy before sunset, I walked downtown to explore the sights. Gaining fame as the birthplace of actor Andy Griffith and the supposed inspiration for the fictional town of Mayberry in the "Andy Griffith Show," Mount Airy has capitalized on its connection to the series. It hosts annual events like Mayberry Days and attractions such as Floyd's Barber Shop and the Andy Griffith Museum. The University of Greensboro estimated that the local impact of these attractions brings in about $5 million each year.

Floyd's is still open.

Wally's Service

I was exhausted from all the walking and climbing, and even though the Comfort Inn, Mount Airy had a VERY UNCOMFORTABLE bed, I was able to get some sleep. The hotel was also very dated and not in the best location. I woke up at 6:30 AM and tried to get much-needed rest without any success. I decided to get breakfast and head out for more sightseeing.

After breakfast, I went to HB Rowe Environmental Park, which was established in 2010. It was a letdown compared to what I expected from their website. It's a nice place for a walk, but it’s pretty similar to most parks in larger cities. After a quick walk, I hit the road to Pilot Mountain.

Pilot Mountain State Park was a fantastic place to visit. It offers stunning views and easy trails. Spending half a day there and having a nice picnic would be simple. I will let the pictures speak for themselves.

After Pilot Mountain, Bethabara Historic Park in Winston-Salem, NC, was the next stop. This was another letdown after reading the website. After less than 20 minutes, I headed to the Tanger Family Bicentennial Garden and the Bog Garden at Benjamin Park in Greensboro, NC. This area is perfect for a full day of leisurely strolling, lunch, and relaxation. It is well-maintained and offers a wide variety of activities and peaceful spots. However, I visited during off-peak hours on a Wednesday. I assume weekends are overcrowded and might take away much of the tranquility I enjoyed. Here are some images to give a sense of the beauty. 

By the time I finished walking the Bog, it was time to head to Chapel Hill, where I was going to grab dinner at Time Out Restaurant before heading to the Eastern Carolina vs. the University of North Carolina softball game. It was a phenomenal game that went 9 innings, with NC beating ECU 6 to 5.

It was a great two days!  Carry on my friends!

Hard to be me

My son has been very challenging lately. I'm unsure of the cause, but his behavior reminds me of what I experienced with his mother. Being in North Carolina with him has significantly heightened my stress levels. He complains about everything I do. For instance, he asked me to help degrease his bicycle chains, which need to be rinsed thoroughly with water. When I returned to the garage with the chains in a paper towel and my hands wet, a few water droplets spilled on the floor. He yelled at me, saying, "Just go away, and I will do it myself!" It was only a few drops of water.

Last night, I cooked pizza for dinner. He was in his office, ignoring me, so I left the pizza out for him. About an hour later, he came upstairs, annoyed that I hadn't cleaned up or stored the pizza. He asked if I was going to put it away. While he went for a short run, I went downstairs, packed up the leftovers, cleaned everything, and returned upstairs before he could come back and complain about my breathing.

This morning, I went downstairs and saw him take pizza out of the refrigerator, heat it in the microwave, and eat half of what was left. I took the dog for a walk, and upon returning, he criticized me for using the wrong collar. For breakfast, I prepared yogurt with berries and nuts, but he complained that I chewed too loudly. Feeling upset, I went upstairs and stayed there until he locked himself in his office. Later, I decided to go for a long bike ride to clear my mind.

I have 11 more nights, and I hope I can get through this, which is almost abusive behavior

Carry on my friends!

Over 120 miles in 5 days

On the home front, Shelley thought it was the perfect time to upgrade her car, given the proposed tariffs and the current economic conditions. She’s got a 2016 Subaru Crosstrek with 125,000 miles, and since she’s retiring in four weeks, she’s planning more road trips. Plus, the new cars are significantly more comfortable and worry-free regarding breakdowns. She typically owns a white or silver car. She had a light brown one for work, but I don’t think that’s her favorite color. I was totally surprised when she told me she bought a 2025 Subaru Crosstrek Limited in Burnt Sunburst!

And just like last year, when I came to North Carolina in March, the weather back home was all over the place, with snow and melting snow almost every other day. It’s such a great time to escape Minnesota, and I’ll be back as spring starts, when the weather should be nice for a few months!

My son's dog, LuLu

For most of the trip, I’ve been super busy hanging out with Lulu, my son’s adorable dog! But this week, I finally got to catch a North Carolina vs. Charlotte softball game in Chapel Hill on Wednesday, and I had more time to ride my bicycle. Over the last five days, I’ve ridden a whopping 120 miles! It could have been even more, but the temperature is climbing to almost 80 degrees, and the humidity is just making it unbearable.

I eagerly anticipate watching the Women’s March Madness Final Four games this evening. The Women’s Final Four will be held on Friday and Sunday, while the Men’s Final Four will take place on Saturday and Monday. These games promise to be highly competitive basketball.

Today, I took photos while riding along the American Tobacco Trail. Many spots between mile markers 15 and 22 offer great photo opportunities. I am pleased with the results, but I’m still getting accustomed to my new Nikon Z7II camera. The controls are a bit different, and I often fumble when trying to take pictures. 

The middle images below show two geese fighting. One goose attacked, and I thought one would die in the fight. However, the goose escaped and flew away, so it must have been some territorial issue.

Looking forward to a few weeks away when these trips will no longer be solo!

Carry on my friends, Carry on!