Saturday

 

Roseate Spoon Bill

 

Sunset from the Pinellas Trail

 

We rode to Tarpon Springs today. There was a running race on the trail, made for an interesting ride. Someone offered to trade his water back pack for a bike. 

 

We gave a neighbor a bag of avocados a few days ago.  The husband flagged us down today to give us a gift as a thank you. Very nice. 

The wife said that they've been looking for us and asked if we had been away. I told her about Dee Dee. She said they lost their dog last year, so she understood.

 

 

We made it to the top of Lake Tarpon on our record-breaking ride today. The trail continues down the right side of the lake, almost to the bottom where there is a park: John Chestnutt, Sr Park. We might try that some time. It's not that scenic once you leave Tarpon Springs, but the park might make the trip worthwhile.

 

We had a good day today. We kept ourselves busy. It is easier to be away from home than it is to be at home. In time, I'm sure we'll be okay being at home again. We miss Dee Dee a lot, but we know we have to move on, and that doesn't mean forgetting her. 

We talked a lot about our vision for the future--what we are going to do with our time and energy. The pandemic makes it a bit complicated to consider volunteer work and other extroverted things. There is the option of becoming a volunteer park ranger or getting involved in litter pick-up groups on the causeway. I think for now, we'll focus on hanging pictures in the house, exercising, cooking, and picking up leaves in the front yard. I need to rediscover an interest in cooking. Right now, neither one of us has much of an appetite. John made a huge pot of chili that we're pulling out for dinner because it's easy.

We agreed that most people don't change very much as they age if they are happy, even when they have a major change in their lifestyle, such as moving or losing a pet. John did mention getting a goat or a pig for our next pet, but that's just John's active imagination considering all the options. We watched one pet goat video, and he changed his mind. If we do get another dog, we'd like to be able to take him with us by getting a dog carrier attachment for the bikes. Then he'd be able to go to the dog beach and parks with us as we ride. We've seen enough of them on the trail and the dog beach to know that it's possible. Besides, leaving your dog behind while you're out having fun is terrible!

 

I got my address changed with the NC Retirement System so that my first check will come to Dunedin. They require the first check to be mailed; thereafter, pension checks are deposited electronically. Depositing that first check confirms your retirement.

 

We got invited to a neighbor's house to swim this weekend. We might go since it's outside, but only if it's a small group and we can maintain our distance. I'm not sure I'm ready for that.

 

 Miles walked: 11 miles

Miles bike (mechanical): 33.75