Bamboo on Neuse River Trail

Could it be true?  On the hillside overlooking Capital Blvd we found a small grove of bamboo.  Obviously not native, but interesting none the less...

Yup, No Training Wheels

So we figured Myra is ready to begin to ride without training wheels.  I took them off Friday and we have spent two days riding around the neighborhood.   Looks like she may pick it up pretty quick too!
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Long, cool run today.  About 6 miles, and kept an under 10 minute mile.  Good, good, good...

Rainy, Cool Day!

Loving the past two days. Barely into the low sixtys, today rain. I LOVE FALL! Today I went out on the Neuse and Abbotts Creek Trail. Noticed a new sign for the Herons. Pretty nice.

New Vibrams!

Wow! Seeing (and wearing) is believing! The one on the left, obviously, is one of my old Vibrams. A year old, all kinds of holes, and man, do they stink! Got the new ones today. What a difference! Should be interesting to run in them!!

Signs...Signs...Everywhere on the Greenway there're Signs...

Ok, so my rock singer career won't take off, but boy, can I take Greenway pictures! Lately I have been going around the Greenway and noticing all the signage. Today I just went to do hill repeats up Falls River Avenue, inbetween the two Greenway entrances and I found two of these arrow markers. Pretty interesting...

Movie on the Green

Went to Lucy's school Friday to see Gnomeo and Juliet outside. Old school drive in style. Fun to do things like that as a family!

Twisted Sister

So tonight I queued up a YouTube video for Grease 2's 'Let's Bowl,' since we were bowling tonight. Then Myra asked what music I listed to when I was a boy. Twisted Sister came to mind, so we watched the "We're Not Gonna Take It' video. Afterward, Myra continued to sing that around the house. Funny!

Let's Bowl...Let's Bowl...Let's Rock n Roll...

Went to a bowling birthday party for one of Lucy's friends. We all got to bowl a little. Fun!

New Vibrams!

Yup, ordered a new pair--another pair of Black Sprints. The existing ones are fine, but two toes have holes in right down to my toe. Definitely need to get them replaced. Doing the Tar River 5K next weekend. Going to really try for a sub 28 minute time. We'll see!

Another Neuse Greenway Update

This is quickly becoming a Neuse Greenway update blog! After three days on it this weekend, figured I would give some updates. I went out biking today, following the Greenway East from the Bedford community. Got as far as the Railroad Underpass just West of Capital Blvd when I got stuck with workers working on the roofed walkway. I guess they figure we all could be at risk going under the railroad bridge. I did actually get to see a train pull out, then back up, probably in that quarry along US 1. You can see it up there in the trees. -- Good Labor Day weekend. Lots of running, lots of fun, lots of family time. Now the next scheduled day off is Veterans' Day--in November--which means CHRISTMAS MUSIC!!!!

Another Myra/Lucyism

One of our fun games we enjoy playing is Taco Monster. I think he is semi-related to Uncle Gary's Garbage Man. Anyway, the Taco Monster is roughly a zombie, coming around growling with arms out. When he gathers a victim, he wraps them up in a blanket like a taco.. FUN!

Labor Day Weekend

Thank goodness we may it to a 3 day weekend. I think all four of us share exhaustion. Busy week. Good day so far. I went running with my EVO, Vibrams, and Rocketfish headphones. The trinity that makes running so much better for me. Listening to Google Music through the headphones, and also using Runkeeper.. I went out to Capital via the Greenway. Coming along nicely. Stayed around 9 minute pace for the whole time--so hopefully next week's 5k will be around 27 minutes.

One odd thing was the roof they are putting over it under the railroad crossing. I guess the anticipate things falling from the crossing.

Hurricane Irene

Yup, first Hurricane of the year, and first to hit our coast for sometime. Luckily we made it through without too much trouble. Lots of rain and limbs down. Went on the Bedford Greenway today, and 4 trees and lots of limbs down. But pretty lucky! Now five days, and a 3 day weekend!!

The Rest of the Trail...

Approaching one of two new bridges on this stretch. I like the retro 'rusted metal' bridges here. This is the 4th from the Dam to Capital.
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This fence runs along a good stretch of the trail. I believe it is the factory/quarry the runs along US-1, right across from Sheetz.
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Yup, that's Capital. Lots of traffic! Trail is not quite finished through this area. It transitions from asphalt to concrete under Capital, in preparation for the long boardwalk bridge over some apparently swampy land.
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So this is as close as I could get. Around the bend, I spotted some construction workers. So we'll wait for a weekend and begin exploring further!

Sneaking on the Trail

So I decided to do a little exploring today on my run. I have been running the new Neuse River Greenway from the Falls Lake Dam, along the Neuse behind the Bedford Community. Today, I decided to turn right, navigate a small stream since the bridge pictured was not complete, and keep on.

Fun Weekend

Our last hurrah before the school year starts up again for all. Had a great three day weekend with the family. Lots of parks, trails, running, and Friday we went over to North Hills for Five Guys and other things. The girls LOVED the fake grass area, along with a lot of other kids. LOVE seeing our girls enjoy the simple things!

Neuse River Greenway

Yup, it's coming along. Looks like this bridge is the last step needing to be completed, then it will be nonstop from the Falls Dam to the Wake Dump. Exciting!

Lucy and I on the Racer

FRONT SEAT!

Myra's Prize

Look at what I won for my daughter! I traded in a Kennywood arrow for this, although I did win another arrow for me!

KENNYWOOD!

More to come when we head home (tomorrow), but some of my joy from today! The girls on the Turtle!

Me Under the Falls

Today's Trip--Buttermilk Falls

Today we took a bike ride (Lucy, Myra, and PapPap) and run (Kerry and I) down to Buttermilk Falls. The Falls is a local state park with a waterfall not found much around the area. Also, its claim to fame is the McFeely Farm was located here. The McFeelys, of course, were Fred Rogers grandparents, so yes, Mr. Rogers spent time near my folks. Yes, this was way before they were here, but still pretty neat.

Horseshoe Curve

In Pennsylvania for our annual summer trip. Lots on the agenda this time, including KENNYWOOD tomorrow!! I cannot wait! Yesterday we went to Gallitzin to visit Horseshoe Curve, something Kerry was looking forward to. A brief history lesson--in the 1800s, PA was losing the race to bring freight west. Their solution to get over the mountains with the barges was railroad. Then they needed to navigate a large valley between two mountain ridges. They filled in two runs and had trains (four now) go around a sharp horseshoe curve. Westward is uphill, eastward is downhill. Pretty fun!

Ah...Summer in Raleigh...

The heat index is another ten higher...

Mmmm...Raleigh's Own

Myra's Zinnias

Myra grew Zinnias this year from a seed packet. They have grown HUGE and so colorful. She stayed home with me today and noticed a yellow and black bird on one, eating the seeds.

Fishing and Running

Went over to Kerry's folks for Shannon's birthday yesterday. Good time. Myra and Lucy caught the only fish. A HUGE bass for Myra and a HUGE sunfish for Lucy. Pretty neat.
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Did a NINE miler in the Vibrams today. Still dealing with the chaffing...but good!

Summer Fridays

How I love summer hours! I spent the day yesterday accomplishing all kinds of tasks. Changing the oil in the Kia (K&N filter, yeaa!). Cleaning up the house. Grocery shopping. Helping the neighbor. Going for a run along the Greenway in the cool. Nice day. Would love 4 10s all year long!

Let the Work Week Come...

Phew! Rarely do I say that...but what a busy week! Today I did a 7 miler in the HUMIDITY. Came home for about 30 minutes, then went on about a 4 mile bike ride with the girls and Kerry's folks along the Bedford Greenway. Humid again. Came home for a few hours, then off to a birthday party for Lucy. Wow. Busy day!! But lots of fun memories.

Another Myraism--'fuhgetaboutit'--she started saying that randomly, but within context...

Popsicles

Since it's that time of year...

You Are Successful

You are both practical and courageous. You are willing to act boldly when it really matters. You are creative and good with your hands. You are naturally an artist. You are totally logical. You don't let emotions sway you - you look at the facts. You've found it easy to succeed in the business world. There is a logic to making money that you understand.

The Popsicle Test

Blogthings: We Have a Quiz for Almost Everything

Another Myraism--Ssssssh!

Love this! Whenever Daddy gets secret candy for the girls, not to tell Mommy, I get the sssssh from Myra, although the finger goes on her nose! LOL!

Fun at Blue Jay Point

Met some old friends we hadn't seen (if you don't count the interwebs) at Blue Jay Point this morning. Lots of playground, hiking, wading fun. They were all soaked. Then we found the dog who not only swims out for tennis bowls, but digs for rocks! Fun!

Villians Beware!

Captain America, Thor 1, and Thor 2 are on the scene!

Silly Girls...

Yeah, my two awesome, awesome girls--Little Bear and Little Bug...

Fun at the Playground

Ahh...the 'Park By Us' also known as Cokesbury. So many fun times here. I remember when just Lucy came, before Myra, and she was afraid to try the slides. Both are now big enough for everything, even the pole! And of course Daddy got to give 'Super Dog' pushes on the swings.

The 4th in Greensboro

Ok, technically it was the 2nd, but it represents our annual trip out to Kerry's cousins and family. An informal family reunion. Lots of fun, and lots of cousins (2nd cousins?) for the girls to play with. And as usual, a bounce house. And as usual, we couldn't get Myra out of it!

New Falls River/Dump Greenway

Happy 4th of July! Today we decided on a bike ride on the new Greenway. This small terminus starts just down the hill from our usual Falls River Greenway and will eventually hook into the Mountains to Sea Trail along the Neuse. Lots of work still in the works though.
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Heading up the trail--a couple hills up and down along this stretch.
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The bridge at the bottom of the hill. These rustic looking bridges, pre-rusted, are all along the new Greenway. Really classy!http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif
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This bridge is over a swamp that will go to the trail head. From it you can go into the North Raleigh Landfill Park or left, and eventually tie into the MTST and go to Johnston County or Falls Dam. That way is not yet open, as they are building another boardwalk bridge over swampland. I'll try to take the EVO out for a run this week for some pics.

http://mappery.com/map-of/Raleigh-greenway-map will show you the entire current and planned Raleigh Greenway system. My documented part represents parts of #31.

Stand or Fall

Via: Medical Billing And Coding

So...New Headphones...

Figured I did not want the mess of the Motorola S9-HDs, so I research a little. I finally found Rocketfish, which, interestingly enough, is Best Buy's brand. Ugg. So yeah, I had to go into Best Buy. But so far so good. No runs yet, but I can go a lot further from them and keep a signal. We will see!

Swimming at the Lake...In a Pool...

Yeah, getting back to our roots, I guess...

Father's Day

Went over to the Lake last week for Father's Day. Girls had lots of fun playing with their cousins. Grandpa had a good time playing with his gift--some lacrosse sticks.

Myra's Flowers

So I lost the tomatoes to the raccoons again, but Myra's Zinnias continue to grow like weeds...

A 'wiring we will go...

Yup, got the new high school set up. Or really in the process. In the first picture is the core switch. Then I began patching in the nodes. Phew! It will take awhile, as the second picture is one afternoon's work...

Nice, Relaxing Weekend

Ok, so the pictures lies. We were pretty busy this weekend. Change the Forte's oil Friday, went to BJs, then Myra and I went to Lucy's end of year melt-a-thon, aka party (it was pretty hot!). Rotated the Forte's tires yesterday, went to Durant Nature Park and did some other shopping, then an 8 miler today and washed both cars. Phew! Gotta get back to work to rest! Although we did get in the new school last week, so we're busy setting up the infrastructure.

Karma

Yup, it's a b$&#*. The last post? You know, the one about the Best Running Accessory Evah? Yeah, they are on the way back to Amazon. Won't come on, won't charge. Figures. Hope to get them credited this week, then order new ones. I really dislike running with a corded headphone. Long run tomorrow too...

BEST--RUNNING--ACCESSORY--EVAH!

Got Motorola bluetooth headphones for my birthday. AWESOME! I can run with no wires. Heck, I can even put the player in my fuel belt. Loving it. And loving some of the long runs lately. Lots of 7 milers along the new greenway along the Neuse. Then an 8 miler yesterday through Durant Trails.

Happy Father's Day

Enjoying a good morning with my girls! I LOVE being a father! Thanks to my wife for making it happen.
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Of course, thanks to my father for helping to make me who I am. A great piece of advice I always follow from him--if a job is worth doing, it is worth doing right!

Biking on the Greenway

While my folks visited last week, we decided to take another ride down to the new Greenway behind Bedford. My dad was pretty excited, he brought his bike down. You see, the start of the Greenway is not fully paved yet, hence why I carried Myra's bike. Do you like her flowerpot-basket?

To the Beach!

My folks came last week, so we decided to go on our annual daytrip to the beach. We headed to Wrightsville Beach for the day, enjoying the WARM ocean water and hot sun. So hot, I got a little (ok, a lot) crispy on the back. Dealt with that for 3 days, even now, I am still peeling. Anyway, had fun, girls got a little more comfortable in the ocean, and all was well!

A Real Monkey!

Look at her climb! We LOVE the Dump Playground!

June Arrives...

Yup, pretty darn hot. 90s this past week, 80s this weekend, then back to the 90s next week. My folks came down last night and will spend a few days with us. Girls definitely love being the center of attention. Kerry and I went for a long 7 mile run today, then we get to go out this evening!!