Road Trip Days 1-9

"For fast-acting relief try slowing down."

~Lily Tomlin~

I guess I hadn't really given much thought to blogging this year on my annual trip.  In truth, I haven't given much thought to blogging at all this year.  Well, that's not entirely true.  I think about it often.  It's the doing that's been lacking.  I spent the first 2 nights at my mother's house, visiting some family and helping her start her latest painting project.  I left a day sooner than planned and made a spontaneous stop at the home of my BFF, in need of the comfort and company of a good friend.  My BFF and I still don't utilize restraint or discipline in managing our time together well.  In other words, we visited until 4am, only to wake in the morning feeling half hung over from the pot of coffee we chugged the night before, and the lack of sleep.    

Next I headed home in my dazed stupor for one more night before setting out to see my brother at his new place in Ohio.  Having not ridden my bike in a full week before this point I was anxious to explore the trails the Cincinnati area has to offer.  I rode the England-Idlewild trail system just outside of the city, taking note that "advanced trail" indications here don't refer to technical rocks and jumps, but rather more elevation changes and tighter twists and turns.  

Since my little brother is working for the Cincinnati Bengals now, I had the opportunity to accompany him to a team/staff picnic on the ball field while there.  One night we chilled at a brewery with his bosses and coworkers, and the next night we got to hang out with a couple of the players on the team.  What happens when you get a bunch of NFL football players and staff together after hours?  Too much testosterone I tell you.  It was battle after battle to the end.  Darts.  Baseball; in the house mind you, with a tennis ball and a child's plastic baseball bat.  Which lasted until the bat split into two pieces.  Which was better than physical injury to the pitchers; my concern at the time.  Next was a round of tennis with a racquet and aforementioned tennis ball.  Then a more mild round of Washers before the guys headed back to the dart board.  At this point I retreated to the sanctuary of the outdoors, a bit overwhelmed by all the intense competition.  The next day my brother and I got to ride a nice little trail system at Mitchell Memorial Park outside of Cincinnati before heading back to his place to relax for the night.

So far the trip feels like it's been all about socializing more than anything else.  I'm feeling a bit anxious to step away from civilization for a bit and head into the woods.....