Dog Days of Winter

Yep, it's that time of year. The time where I find it really hard to live in the present and really easy to focus on what lies ahead.

Normally I love training. However, there have been a few too many rain-soaked rides with flat tires or hours spent on the trainer lately to really be in love with the training. I do occasionally find a bright spot in the routine - the times I get to sneak in a weekend ride between storms with the Rickster are especially nice. So, mostly I'm looking forward - forward to the start of the season (Bariani to shake off the cobwebs) and to sunny days ahead.

Also, I can't help but look forward to longer days. One time recently, I was able to leave work around 5:30, and I got about 3 miles from home before the light completely disappeared. Very soon, I will be able to get all the way home in the light, which also means I can pull out the TT bike for some of the training/commuting rides (assuming rain is not around). The downside is that I will be departing in the morning twilight, but since I rarely go out before 7, it's not much of an issue. I have enjoyed being able to wake up on my own at 6:30 with the light peeking in the windows. I am looking forward to the long days of late spring when the alarm clock becomes merely an insurance policy. I love being truly awake when I get out of bed.

There are a bunch of things in life (work and personal) right now that are in the "just put your head down and get 'er done" category. I'm working through the list. I should be feeling free and breezy about the beginning of April. For now I am a bit stressed. But, I am grateful for a full life and good friends, family and co-workers who are relying on me. I have a sense of purpose. It is all good - just a little over-full right at the moment.

And, of course, there is the Wanderlust. It has been bugging, itching, prodding screaming I NEED AN ADVENTURE!!!! Watching Rick Steves marathons on PBS does not help with this issue. I'm watching the foreign currencies take a nose dive and wanting to pounce on that. Fortunately we have the Fall tour of the Olympic Peninsula already in the planning stages. This will likely curb my appetite for a bit longer. Next spring we will need, need, need to bust out of the USofA and find an adventure - maybe Argentina will be back on the table, maybe the Danube tour, maybe just go for somewhere we know we will like - Umbria, Dolomites, Provence. There is some part of my soul that needs to ride through the countryside on my bike and linger through 3 hour meals sipping wine, soaking in scenery and 24x7 Rick. That is just the best thing ever, as far as I'm concerned. But, for now I must work in anticipation of that future time when we will commence our next adventure. And, I must find a way to make an adventure out of every day!