April showers bring....mud.

Beautiful sunny days like today make you quickly forget the pounding rain and thunderstorms of the night before. You are also quickly reminded when your afternoon bike ride turns into a major slopfest! I have loop route of about 3.5 to 4 miles that I have worked out around my neighborhood. Most of the trail is an old powerline trail used by off road vehicles, but it makes a pretty good route for a quick trail run or mountain bike ride that is close to the house. I found myself with an extra hour and a cloudless sky this afternoon. So, I thought I would get a quick ride in before I took the dog for a run. As is often the case once the wheels get rolling, I want to go farther or faster. I quickly found myself fording creeks that are usually streams. I found myself making oregon trail type decisions while standing ankle deep in red mud. The same red mud that is now dried om my clothes and face. It was exhilerating flying into a giant bog hoping the momentum will not leave you wading in it. There is a point you reach when you realize that your bike and clothes are trashed and there is really no reason not be a six year old child and jump with both feet into the largest puddle nearby. The only downer is that your responsible parents aren't the ones cleaning up the mess at the end of the day. Neverless, worth it! I still had enough light to get a couple of miles in with the dog. Hot dogs and couch time with my wife round out the best Tuesday I can remember.