Heart of the Econ
Sometimes I feel like a midwesterner giving directions. At the heart of the Econ is a set of three new bridges. The new bridges are next to where the suspension bridge used to be. (As in, "Look kids, there's the hole where the sausage factory used to be!")
The old bridge had a purpose. If you could set your bike up on the rear wheel and roll it ahead of you and walk, balancing on two parallel two-by-fours swinging between two steel cables 20 feet above gator infested water, then you earned your ride on the trails across the river!
The new bridges have a purpose too, I suppose. Presumably to allow fire fighting equipment to access the area. Though the thrill of swinging suspended from a cable while balancing a bike on a narrow board is gone, one must admit that the forest being gone would be far worse!
Trails were perfect! Sunny, temps in the low sixties, no wind, and no helmetless families lost and needing a lead out. No gators either, but we did see armadillos, a falcon, and a big black snake curled up on a dead branch, about two feet off the trail. The Tomcat did not like this at all and headed out quickly. The rest of us stood around and watched Grandad lean in within striking distance to get a better look. Fortunately the snake took no heed whatsoever. It clearly had it's spot in the sun and it wasn't budging.
The Econ is simply the coolest place around, and by far the most primitive. Sometimes it feels like a cross between Tarzan and Honey I Shrunk the Kids, but it's 15 miles of flowing singletrack and it's always, always fun!
What took you so long? Northstar and I may not be quite as fast as the guys, but we do know all the shortcuts.
Right before the water crossing, I got a call on my new phone that our adoption has been approved! Popeye and I can pick up our new baby this afternoon! Yahoo! No time to waste. Comin' through!
We take the two-bridge trail out to Florida Trail...
....and home again the same day...
To pick up the new baby!
Meet Gypsy!
Yes, that's right, no tail. She's a 1 year old Manx. She had eight kittens twelve weeks ago, and when I spotted her she was at the vet's recovering from being spayed. She was due to go back to the animal shelter in a few days to take her chances, but I said no need to do that! We are now max'ed at three cats. Sure hope this one is a good mouser. She is a good purr'er, that we know for sure!
You know, I do sort of miss the old bridge. Getting over was a bit of an adventure each and every time.
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