This was taken at dusk and as you can see I could not hold perfectly still for the camera, but pretty close. Jack asked us to all come outside to check out this cloud so I said (as I often have over the last year) "Let's get a handstand photo." I was hoping one of the bats swooping around our yard would accidently get caught in the photo! No such luck.
This shower, built by my husband, Danny, has been in the works since last summer. I had the idea of the shower stall as a round wooden structure. "Possibly with a stone wall at the base," I said to my husband. I believe I may have caught him rolling his eyes at the stone wall suggestion. The plumber/slash/ Harley guy took my vision and made it a reality. The circular bands are old wagon wheels with 2 inch redwood boards (to which he also rolled his eyes) are screwed on to form the round stall. A job only for a big stong guy! He and Jack went through several drill bits in the process. They had to cut the circular bands to make the door. They cut them then welded the end pieces on one side and attached the door with hinges on the other. The shower floor is gravel with a large slab of stone over the gravel. It's fabulous! (and so is my handstand)
Just a handstand in my backyard with my dog Gypsy. I can't imagine what's on her mind. Probably, "I think you should cover your belly." or "You should really try using both legs and arms on the ground, like me. It's really much easier than walking on your hands."
"Crank the Kanc" is actually a well known hill climb Time Trial well known to cyclists in New England which my friends Amy, Renee and I did not do! However, we are all preparing for cycling events that require a lot of hill climbing. Amy and Renee are training to complete the Mount Washington Road Race which is a 7.6 mile climb up Mount Washington with an average grade of 11.5%, extended grades of 18% and it finishes up with the last 50 yards at 22%. People pay good money to do this! Remarkable isn't it? I am doing something a little more sane. I will be biking 148 miles in one day for a good IPA at the end. The beer is free and I did not have to pay nearly as much as my friends to enter the event.
Amy mapped out an 80 mile ride that took us on our adventure over the Memorial Day weekend. There were some great mountain climbs and beautiful vistas of the White Mountains, waterfalls and rivers. We climbed Bear Notch Hill Rd, the Kangamangus Hwy, then into Loon Mtn area, through Franconia Notch and the Flume, past Twin Mountains and down through Crawford Notch! It was a specatcular and challenging ride!
My very first handstand photo for this blog was taken at the top of Mt Hale at Twin Mountain in the White Mountains last August. I have gone all the way back to the seed of this blog which is kind of cool. I had no idea I would be climbing these mountains by bike at the time I planted this seed last year. I will try not to get too philosophical here, but I love how life plays out as you go. I embrace the unexpected. I love having friends who expand my already adventurous spirit. I don't think I would have done or thought to do this. I was very nervous about this ride, but Amy planned it as if it was the most natural next step in our training, she got us out there and the next thing I knew I was doing it! It was more amazing than I ever could have dreamed!
