The GOAT

Yet another new day. I apologize for the ramblings (I may jump around a bit). Starting with a Trey pic from the Bahamas! Yes it does not relate to the post but he loved the beaches in the Bahamas!

So yesterday I put out the word that I had lost my mind officially. As mentioned, I have left my job and plan to take a different path for the next few months. So, first thing to answer is the losing of the mind part. I put that in for my parents. Yeah, I think they think I'm losing it. Honestly, maybe I was a little but one thing I have learned from the past few years is that I have not done a good job of taking care of myself. I'm out of shape (that's putting it mildly) and have let my personal health get a little rough and when you live with a cancer patient (without good prognosis) then you have this dark black cloud in your mind all the time.

So, the plan is to get the house closed. It's close! Pack up a few things on the bike and jump a plane to Paris. Paris will be short lived with a train ride to Pau France where I will ride the bike through the Pyrenees to the village of St Jean de Pied Deport. This is the "gateway" to the Camino de Santiago or the traditional starting point for the French way (of the Camino).

Dad mentioned the other day that I was in bad shape. You know, he's right. So, I started riding the bike. I am a little over 3 weeks away from my start on the Camino so I am putting in some miles. Right now just steady base miles, kind of slow and honestly after about 1-1.5 hours my legs feel like I've ridden a century so I got a lot of work to do in a few weeks.

Yesterday's ride was interesting. I left the shop and hopped on the Goat. Everyone in Greenville knows the Swamp Rabbit Trail but for some reason I've always called it the Swamp Goat Trail. I guess its because I have no clue what a swamp rabbit might be or looks like or anything else regarding one of these mysterious creatures. I have never seen one that (at least that I am aware). Ty Houck, sorry man, love the trail and the vision is absolutely amazing! But the SWT is now the Swamp Goat trail in my mind (or just the GOAT).

One of my goals for the next few months is to keep a journal of my exploits. It will be more to get into good habits as I plan to have a daily update once I hit the Camino. I started yesterday with putting out the word that I am losing it. It's actually been amazing the responses I have received from friends and family. Pretty awesome actually!

I need to mention yesterdays ride. I hit the goat pretty early and was amazed to see a homeless man coming out of the woods at a section on the trail. He was folding up a box (I assume it was his shelter. He looked amazingly clean and had his hair brushed like he was heading to work (maybe he was not sure but it brings to mind how life is not easy). We all have it good and bad but there are others that have it a lot worst. Good reminder for the day.

I stopped for coffee in TR. Met a super nice guy named Dave Hughes. I hope he doesn't mind the call out but I am taking in one of Susan's lessons in life. Fate happens. Everything happens for a reason. Talking with Dave was actually pretty cool. I will likely see him at coffee again soon so I will ask him if I can mention our conversation but all I need to say is sometimes there are connections in life you don't realize until you simply talk to someone.

I finished my loop and rode back to the shop. All in all a good start of the day with an early morning ride and some coffee. For the first time in years I am actually looking forward to riding so this is starting pretty good! Tomorrow I am thinking I will head out again on the Goat!