"I need to open myself to the possibilities here and now"

That is what I wrote in my journal this morning. Since my husband took a different job here, after we considered moving back to Utah or closer to Utah, I have been mourning the loss of being nearer my Utah family, friends, and the mountains. In doing so, I know I've been missing out on the love all around me here. I have not really invested in many friendships here, and then I wonder why I don't feel as close to some friends here as I did in Utah. I have not actively looked for a new mountain biking gang, because I was so lost in the feeling of missing my old one. And, although I've found beautiful places here in Texas, there is always beauty in nature, I know my eyes and heart have not been completely open. Until my bike ride this afternoon!

On a whim, I detoured from my usual "mountain bike" ride along a side walk. I had rationalized this was good training for mountain biking some day. Adrenaline from cars stopping at the stop signs just the nick of time. Swerving from sidewalk, to crossing road, to sidewalk.. surprisingly you have to be a little bit aware and agile!

Anyway, I have passed a two lane dirt road every ride. I look at it and go on. Today I just took it. I've always been a little worried it was private property, so much is here. But, I saw no sign. I followed it to a place it overlooks a clear river. I stayed there for a few minutes just listening. Five minutes from the road I found a little escape. Then I noticed a little trail, off of the steep hill on my side. I sent a text to Will, as I thought someone should know my general whereabouts! And, I found a roller coaster ride, sounds of water flowing and wind in the trees and birds singing, loose rocks and loose dirt, sharp turning, stream crossing, steep inclining, crunchy fall leaf laden, challenging roots crisscrossing (where once or twice I wondered if I was headed over my handle bars), TRUE MOUNTAIN BIKE RIDE!!! WHOOO HOO. One of my favorite places to ride in Utah was a little neighborhood park, 15 minutes away at the base of the mountains. Occasionally you would see houses, but you FELT like you were away from it all. That is how I felt today.

I won't bore you with my weight training stats today:) But off I go to work my legs a little bit more!

1 hour+ (who cares!) mountain bike ride