Let's finish up that bike trip and get on with my life.
Well, last I talked about that bike trip, I'd just taken my run (almost) around Lake Vesuvius. Ryan and I met up the next day. It was rainy, so he'd gotten off work early and was waiting for me when I went by his trailer about 5. It was a very warm meeting. He offered me a beer and we listened to the radio, played banjo and made plans to head to Ironton for dinner. We settled on El Toro Loco, an "authentic Mexican-American" restaurant (watch out for those poser Mexi-Ameri places!).
I slept in Ryan's trailer that night (it was equipped for 3 people, but only he was in it), and the next morning I went into work with him. We spent the day surveying a section of the forest that had heavy damage from a nasty ice storm of the previous winter. Lots of broken trees and thick brush. It was another rainy day, too. By the time we were finished up, my shoes were soaked with rain and sweat, and because I had no socks to wear, those shoes will forever reek of sweaty foot nastiness. Seriously stomach turning stench. I mean, Ryan made me throw them in the back of the Forest Service pickup truck on the ride back, and even then my feet were still stunk. (side note: those shoes still stink, so bad, in fact, that I went out and bought a new pair of sandals. Chacos to be precise. There's a picture of 'em in the pics I posted yesterday.)
Well, Ryan and I had a real good time that week hanging out, hiking and cooking back at my camp. I went into work with him one more day and volunteered with a group collecting wildflower seeds for a seed bank project. In all, my volunteer experience was encouraging because I was keeping up with Ryan and the other group as far as plant ID went. Just from my personal studies I think I know enough to do seasonal work at the Wayne, like Ryan is doing.
Ryan is also learning the banjo (check out the pic of him and Alex jamming out on College Green here in Athens). I was able to teach him some music theory that had him sounding pretty good real quick. It made me proud that I can actually teach theory to someone and in a half hour have him playing I-vi-ii-V progressions like a old pro. It's also a testament to Ryan's abilities. He's a real relaxed guy; good at going with the flow. He picked up that theory pretty easy.
The trip really cemented Ryan and me's friendship. We've hung out a lot since I came back to Athens (he visits here frequently). He's taught me a lot about just chillin' out, relaxing, letting life take me where ever. And, we have a mutual learning thing happening. We teach each other about the forest and music - and life and goodness! If that's one thing I've been getting better at through all this time off - retirement is what I call it - it's how to be a social butterfly, how to interact with my peers. All of my relationships feel a lot smoother all of a sudden, and my stress level is incredibly low. I feel like I am following my instincts better than ever, and that makes me feel fulfilled and content. I've suddenly feel deeply rooted to this area of Ohio. I've got a new band. I'm meeting lots of people. I'm eating well. I'm respected as a performer, and welcomed as a friend. It's tough to think of leaving Athens for a winter stay in Puerto Rico. Can I really stand to be gone for a whole five months (November-March)?????
I slept in Ryan's trailer that night (it was equipped for 3 people, but only he was in it), and the next morning I went into work with him. We spent the day surveying a section of the forest that had heavy damage from a nasty ice storm of the previous winter. Lots of broken trees and thick brush. It was another rainy day, too. By the time we were finished up, my shoes were soaked with rain and sweat, and because I had no socks to wear, those shoes will forever reek of sweaty foot nastiness. Seriously stomach turning stench. I mean, Ryan made me throw them in the back of the Forest Service pickup truck on the ride back, and even then my feet were still stunk. (side note: those shoes still stink, so bad, in fact, that I went out and bought a new pair of sandals. Chacos to be precise. There's a picture of 'em in the pics I posted yesterday.)
Well, Ryan and I had a real good time that week hanging out, hiking and cooking back at my camp. I went into work with him one more day and volunteered with a group collecting wildflower seeds for a seed bank project. In all, my volunteer experience was encouraging because I was keeping up with Ryan and the other group as far as plant ID went. Just from my personal studies I think I know enough to do seasonal work at the Wayne, like Ryan is doing.
Ryan is also learning the banjo (check out the pic of him and Alex jamming out on College Green here in Athens). I was able to teach him some music theory that had him sounding pretty good real quick. It made me proud that I can actually teach theory to someone and in a half hour have him playing I-vi-ii-V progressions like a old pro. It's also a testament to Ryan's abilities. He's a real relaxed guy; good at going with the flow. He picked up that theory pretty easy.
The trip really cemented Ryan and me's friendship. We've hung out a lot since I came back to Athens (he visits here frequently). He's taught me a lot about just chillin' out, relaxing, letting life take me where ever. And, we have a mutual learning thing happening. We teach each other about the forest and music - and life and goodness! If that's one thing I've been getting better at through all this time off - retirement is what I call it - it's how to be a social butterfly, how to interact with my peers. All of my relationships feel a lot smoother all of a sudden, and my stress level is incredibly low. I feel like I am following my instincts better than ever, and that makes me feel fulfilled and content. I've suddenly feel deeply rooted to this area of Ohio. I've got a new band. I'm meeting lots of people. I'm eating well. I'm respected as a performer, and welcomed as a friend. It's tough to think of leaving Athens for a winter stay in Puerto Rico. Can I really stand to be gone for a whole five months (November-March)?????
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