Sometimes everything goes right.

Although it turned out differently, there were no hints going in that last week might be any good at all.

It rained for days. 

The county commissioners were all set to sell off the "unused land" (i.e., the off-road bike trails) in Wickham Park. 

And although it was a car this time and not a boat trailer, Popeye acquired another smack down on his bike.  The second one in six months. 

Mondays around here are usually rest days.  Which is not a bad thing, considering the rest of the week just took off and ran away with us. 

If it's Tuesday, there's a ride.  For the roadies, there's the Hospital Ride.  For holdouts on the Dark Side, there's the Beer Can Scramble. 

For me, it's a triple feature.  A quick trail run, then the ride, then the scramble.  (Which is actually all quite politely done, but it makes for a snappy moniker.)
 
In spite of all the rain, or maybe because of it, Turkey Creek has been just plain awesome all summer long.  When it rains, Turkey Creek trails only get faster.  (If only I did too.)

The bridges dry quickly. 

The sand stays wet.

Perfect!

By Wednesday though, the rain was pretty steady all day.  Bad for the street ride, but good for making progress on that baby quilt I've been meaning to finish. 

I like to hang each quilt top for a backlit picture before it gets quilted.  Even when it's gray outside, there's a stained glass effect.   

 

 

Rain, rain go away... 

 

Because the rain cleared up a bit by Wednesday night, we both went ahead with our planned rides. 

Popeye's commute home turned out much shorter than expected.

I was probably just arriving at the start of the Full Moon ride as he was being slammed to the pavement by the car behind him at the light on Palm Bay road.  His back wheel took all the damage, though.  Whew!  

 

I always feel safer off road.

Even with this bunch.

 

 

 

Don't look back!  

Ouch.

 

  
Friday morning we take a quick loop up Tropical Trail.  Popeye rides his Fuel, since the commuter bike is non-functional.  I instantly fall off the back.  As usual.  No matter what bike he rides.  At least we got in a bit of a workout.  (Well, I did anyway.) 

Because the afternoon was pure, over-the-top fun. 

Tree Top Trek!  

More like Tree Top Time Travel. 

Wanna be a kid again?  Here's your ticket.  First of all it's at the zoo.  Then you get to wear a bad ass climbing harness.  A few pointers from the guide, and up you go, into the trees. 

Rope challenges throughout the canopy. 20-60 feet up.  Over the heads of zoo animals.  Interspersed with zip lines.  

An Ewok's dream come true.   

 First (and easiest) challenge.

 

Nice landing! 

Yes, the final zip does go right over the alligators.

 

 

There's one now.

Right about the middle of the photo - see it's head?

 

Saturday is another full day.

Long ride in the morning.  Sailing all afternoon.  

And a  check of the new local Intracoastal Brewery Saturday night. 

Thumbs up on every single beer we tried.

4 down...   ??? to go?

Sleep in on Sunday.  Much coffee.  Econ Sunday afternoon.   No stopping - for photos or anything else.  One fast loop around and arrival at the car just before the first spatters of rain come back. 

So, it was 7 straight days of over the top, 100% fun.  I don't know if Popeye forgot all about his near death experience, but I'm pretty glad I did.  And so very grateful for how lucky he was.

(And grateful the Florida texting-while-driving law goes into effect Oct 1st.)

And then even more good news, right before the Beer Can Scramble started the new week off  all over again.

Yes!   The new college did the right thing, even if the county commissioners probably wouldn't have.  The Wickham Park trails are safe - for the time being anyway.

http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20130924/NEWS01/309240022/Eastern-Florida-State-College-drops-park-purchase

 

 

Saved, not paved. 

For now....