27.5"

Well, I'm not sure how to keep this blog running without the helo photos, considering a recent company memo regarding online media and anything to do with the company.  I'll have to cease and desist, despite my being very careful to not give away state secrets.  I doubt I can hold much interest with just mountain biking and fishing......perhaps my blog will develop into more of a travel log with frequent philosophical meanderings...

Nevertheless; I had my trusty Norco Faze out today, my forty-seven year old body pumping the pedals through mushy Nova Scotia fire roads, wondering if I'm too old but not really caring.   Having left my old bike with it's broken frame in Africa,  I bought myself a capable but inexpensive Giant Talon and it's already tore apart and safely stuffed into my duffel bag for the trip back to Africa in early May.  Forget bike bags and extra bike fees.  Break it down, stuff it into a hockey bag and claim it's sporting gear.  Save on those exorbitant bike bag fees!  I'm excited to see how those slightly bigger 27.5" wheels that are all the rage will handle that beloved East Africa single track; bunny hoping over puff adders and dodging ladies with huge loads of fish balanced on their heads.   Lots of biking planned this next tour.  It clears my head like nothing else.

And then there's fishing with my buddy Tim; two hour hikes through some pretty unhikeable bush to get to hidden Nova Scotia trout streams.  The blacks flies aren't out yet so it's a very good way to kill a day, even if the fish aren't biting.  Fly rod or spin rig the only troubling query.

It's good to be home to unwind, reconnect, fish, bike, movies, restaurants and friends.  Priorities get skewed, often intentionally, just to try things on, but being home does wonders to realign.  I do miss the flying.  I am missing the cutting loose to that African pulse, giving myself over to the music and mayhem, sweat soaked dancing into the wee hours.  There's lots to be said for being way out of one's comfort zone, and Africa can provide that in spades for the adventurous, but one needs home too, to relax and find some solid ground, even if it is only for a few weeks.  I wasn't looking forward to heading back.  Been there, done that, and frankly I'm tired of the bullshit that goes with the adventure, but heck, I've always made the most of what's been placed in front of me, and will continue to do so.  Never fear.  Change is coming, whether you are looking for it or not.  Change is the only constant, so stay loose and enjoy the ride.....


Rainy days I pick up my trusty Les Paul, plugged into a tube amp cranked just a little past the point of tasty distortion, and crank out some tunes....life ain't so bad....