The Mountains Win Again and Walter Returns Home

Easter Sunday I headed out on my first “real” long bike ride since starting to train again. I say “real” because the route is on 9W heading into upstate NY and it is hilly to say the least. Knowing that it was going to be hard ahead of time is one thing, but you add 15- 20 mph wind into the mix and you have a recipe to become the cowardly lion!
Nevertheless, I packed the bike in the car with all my cold weather gear and headed to Williamsburg Brooklyn to start my Easter morning ride.
Going into the ride, I knew if I was going to accomplish my goal of riding 5 hrs I would have to seriously pace myself. The first hour and a half were really rough because of the wind chill, but by the time I got to the hills I was warmed up and positive about my decision to get out on the road despite the wind and the cold.
Luckily, the wind was in my face going out, which meant I was going to have some help heading back in, on some of the steepest climbs. I didn’t encounter the most extreme inclines because I only was going 30 miles out (2:30 hrs) then turning around, but I did go far enough to I realize my decision to practice diet discipline and drop these last 20 lbs by limiting my weekend splurges will help immensely the next time I head out there in two weeks.
However, even with the tail wind coming back I have to say that the mountain won this battle, but I did survive. I love those gut check type workout on such nice days and in such beautiful places .
I saw some funny things on the ride that I have never seen before. As I climbed a hill I could hear this music coming up behind me, thinking it was a car approaching I eased further into the median. Only to laughed out-loud as another cyclist rode past with 2 small speakers stuck in the back pocket of his jersey blaring hip-hop from his ipod . The other was an older gentlemen blowing past looking like he stepped out of a picture from the1960 Tour de France, wearing and using all old school vintage cycling equipment. It was awesome.
As I headed back, the wind was blowing the hardwood blossoms off the trees and I could see the slightest hint of green color in the distance. I took the moment in as long as I could…..
By the time I got to Central Park this song by Blues Traveler was playing in my head.
So keeping with my theme of adding a sound track here is that song.



Yesterday evening after Faith and the girls rescued me from locking my keys in the car (lack of sleep?) Faith made a comment about our youngest cat “Walter” going missing. This isn’t unusual because he has always been a cat that marched to the beat of a different drummer and he comes out when he’s ready.
Walter is named after John Goodman’s character, “Walter Spochak” from the movie The Big Lewbowski, which is probably my favorite movie. After finding a 2 week old kitten in the street about 5 years ago I knew this would be his name. Since then he has always retained some of the character traits from the movie. Here is a compilation vid of some of “Walter Spochak” and his famous lines!





Back to the story:
The trick is to shake the treat bag to get all 3 cats to come running. This works no matter what.
We shook the bag, but still no Walter. We searched the house literally inside and out and still, No Walter. We even walked down the street shaking the treat bag and still... No Walter.
Going to bed last night we were very sad and worried about our Walter.
As I told Faith goodbye this morning, she asked me did I see Walter. I said, no :(
When I walked out the door I stopped, stood really still and called his name…………….. thinking just maybe he'd respond. I waited...............

“meow”
I called it again….

“meow?”

I kept calling him till, I found him in our neighbors backyard under one of their kids toys. I reached under it and grabbed him then took him inside and surprised Faith!
Not a scratch, just a little scared.
The Family Still Intact! Thank Goodness!