A LITTLE TRIP THROUGH THE BLUE RIDGE

A number of people have expressed interest in how the bike tour went. I plan on doing a full, separate blog about it, sometime, but here's a summary...

Cast of characters:
Dave, Bill and I. Both are co-workers of mine, one current one retired. Both of them have done numerous self-supported tours in the past. The last one they did was also my first, the Natchez Trace Parkway. We hatched the plan for the Blue Ridge shortly after, but it had to go on hold for a couple of years. Among other things, one of them broke his hip (yes, on a bike) and the other had major heart surgery, and of course our wait for Elysa seemed endless at the time.

The trip:
Scheduled for 12 days, plus a couple travel days. No off bike days until the end. Flight to Asheville NC, car shuttle to Cherokee, NC. Ride the entire route of the Blue Ridge Parkway, and then Skyline Drive, south to north. We averaged about 50 miles a day, and, we estimate about 55,000 vertical feet climbed (total). We had terrific weather, met some very nice people, saw a swath of beautiful country, and generally had a great, though physically demanding, time. This was the hardest thing I've ever done on a bike. Here are a few pictures...


At the beginning, Cherokee, NC...


Typical morning riding...


The end of our longest day, 75 very long and steep miles. Oh for a beer...


The way riding should be, great pavement, no traffic, warm weather...


...I saw you the other day, standing on a corner, leaning up against a post...


Mayberry Trading Post...


Jean Miller, I could write many a word about her hospitality and cooking...


At the end, waiting for our ride into D.C.

What next? We've got some ideas brewing. And for those who asked about Elysa and how she dealt with my absence. I preplanned a couple of things to try and ease it for her, and they worked. When I got back though, she was a little aloof for about a half day. It's all good now though.

NEW MILESTONES!!!

Elysa FINALLY WALKED!!!!
I just have to figure out how to upload the video

She's walking/toddling about 5-10 steps at a time and she's still picky when she does it but I imagine she will be cruising right along in no time. She actually took her very first steps last friday, it was a very exciting day!!! Fred is getting ready to leave for 2 weeks on a bike trip and was really afraid she would walk while he was gone so at least he got to see her first steps. By the time he gets back she will probably be cruising completely so he will be in for a treat!!


Eating with silverware!!!




Her third haircut from her fav hairdresser....Marie


I can say "Nanna" therefore I can eat one by myself!!!!


Needing to peel skin down, and Miss Elysa not wanting it taken away...... hmm imagine that..........
Now does that break your heart or what????

She loves her Bannanas....


At a new indoor playground with cousin Aidan and rode in an electric vroom vroom...

UPDATED PHOTOS!!!

MAMA, DVD PLEASE, I am bored!!!. No toys or books in the car will keep her attention long enough, and she doesn't watch TV at home


FINALLY, they turned it on!! She doesn't even go to sleep when this is on...


Having fun at the playground w/cousin Aidan.......

FIRST, slipper slide ride.......she is completely fearless



FIRST, climb.....




and then the tree.....I am sure she can't wait to have her very own tree house....


FIRST, see-saw....she loved this...kept bouncing herself up and down and doing more till someone else got on....




AND LASTLY, we got a great view of a Frog on the playground...and some wonderful pictures.....

ONLY ONE DISAPPOINTMENT THRU THIS WHOLE JOYFUL JOURNEY!

Throughout this two year process of adopting and becoming a mother there have been many thoughts of fears, assumptions, and concerns that I have had to deal with. There was always one fear that I had in the back of my mind that I prayed, hoped and wished wouldn't come true, but low and behold it did...and it truly was one fear that deep down I really thought woud not come true.

OK, so what was my fear.....First, I am actually embarrased to even say this fear out loud and to even have these feelings of hurt and disappointment toward family, frieds, and co-workers but I think its important to share this...I believe people need to be aware that no matter how a child is brought into a family it is still nice to have a shower given to the child...And no matter how much time or work it may take it will mean a great deal to the parent and child in the future, to have their family, friends and/or co-workers give them a shower that celebrated becoming a family...

No one gave Elysa a baby shower!!!!............



So, I have a few questions for folks out there.....


Are baby showers for the parent or the child?

Do you know someone who wasn't given a shower for thier first child?

Does having a child through adoption make it so different that people don't give them baby showers?

Even though no baby shower was given to us we will ALWAYS celebrate our becoming a family every year on the day we finally were able to hold Elysa!!! She was in our hearts long before that day but that was the day we offically became a family!!!
Not only will we celebrate becoming a family but every year we will thank her foster mom for taking such great care of her for 10months, the Chinese government for matching us with the perfect daughter for our family and her biological parents for concieving and giving birth to her so she could be a part of our lives forever!!!

FUN PICTURES

We haven't posted for awhile, what with being back at work, getting sick from bugs she's brought home from Daycare and all, but we've been hearing from people who want to see and hear more about Elysa- so here's a qucik update, and some fun pictures of her....

Still no teeth, but she's working at it, and learning to brush...



Still not walking unsupported, but cruising furniture and using a walking toy...



Learning to appreciate Oreos and Milk (thanks grandma)...



Learning and using more words and signs all the time.

Meeting (and having to say goodbye to some new friends)...



Getting formal pictures taken...



And being an occasional drama queen...



And getting her 3rd haircut...

HAPPY FIRST BIRTHDAY ELYSA!!!!!!

On Saturday we celebrated Elly's first birthday. The day started with us running around decorating the house in anticipation of the PARTY. Elly was clueless and spent the morning crawling all over, following us around, and generally just looking at us as if to say "What ARE you two doing?"



The day started cloudy and cool, but finally cooperated, clearing up and getting very sunny and warm. We had a little pool set up in the backyard for the kids, and lots of relatives and friends in attendance.




After a whole lot of playtime, it was time for cake. We had two, a main one and a smaller one for Elly to dig into personally. And boy did she...



...Then it was time for presents. There were clothes, hair pretties, ruby/diamond necklace, solid 1 oz silver coin, lots of learning toys, handmade fuzzy bunny from Auntie Dawn and a handmade quilt from Grandma Taylor. Elysa also got more stuffed animal friends to add to her collection!!








At the end of the day after her bath....a very tired little girl signing off and saying A GREAT BIG THANKS TO ALL HER FAMILY AND FRIENDS FOR COMING AND MAKING A VERY HAPPY, FUN, MEMORABLE FIRST BIRTHDAY!!!!