I had a really good ride today, about 21 miles. Because part of the trail was closed due to flooding (mud), I had to ride the roads to get around the closure (on the way home; going out, I walked around the closure, through mud and muck and likely tick-infested vegetation.). I discovered that my detour home was.uphill. But I made it! And at the top of the hill, a Rita's, for ices and/or frozen custard!

The guy who waited on me was really nice; asked if I was okay (I was panting!), told me he runs long distance and he's had to run up that hill many a time, and offered to refill my water bottle. I told him that Rita's had been my beacon as I rode.

After I had my frozen custard (OMG, was it gooood!!!), I had a short steep hill to zoom down -- it's very steep, though short, and one cannot help but zoom -- to get back to the trail. I almost took out an old couple who were on the trail; they crossed the street without looking for traffic. I yelled apologies to them ("I'm sorry!!! Coming through!!! Can't stop!!!" "I'm sorry!!!"), which made them stop.

Saw an egret (Great Egret) in the swamp; I've never seen one there before. Such beautiful birds, these! And a Pileated Woodpecker flew over my head; this was also at the swamp. I also stopped to watch small planes taking off and landing at a general aviation airport, as there was an air show there today and they had way more activity than they usually do.

I felt really happy at the end of my ride! I ran out of daylight; I could have ridden more.

And I came home to find three packages on my porch, all with biking stuff in them, yahoo!!!