My Instagram Life

Hello Everyone,

There's a phenomenon surrounding social media, particularly platforms like Facebook and Instagram, where because people tend to post only the best and most positive aspects of their lives, those reading or viewing these accounts can get the impression that everyone is living a great life and they are missing out. While my travels so far have been an adventure, I don't want to give you a completely false impression. It's not all sunshine and beautiful trails. Actually, the trails have been great, but last night I slept without the heater.

Briefly, I'm currently still figuring out why my camper battery won't charge well off the truck (waiting on a call back from the camper company emergency number) but without power, I can't raise and lower my roof. That' a bad scenario, so to avoid it, I turned off all power last night and slept in my wool underwear under 3 blankets. And snuggled with Arthur. I was fine and slept well, but it was mighty cold getting out from under those blankets.

While that has been occupying my mind, I haven't been standing still. Today was a beautiful day and battery or not, I was going to take advantage. I drove up to the Raccoon Mountain a pumped water hydro facility. Basically, it's a lake on top of a really big hill with trails all around it.

It's been recommended to me by a couple of people, and it didn't disappoint. I did a bit more riding than I had planned, and ended up circling the lake, so Arthur was pretty gassed by the time we made it back to the truck, but it was worth it. There are two trails in particular, High Voltage and Live Wire, that were incredible. They are both descents down to the river, so you have to choose which to ride down and which to climb back up. The former is shorter and steeper, so I rode that down (3.5 miles) and rode the latter up (5 miles). But then I was on the wrong side of the lake, so it was another 5 miles back to the truck.

Which brings me to Arthur. His life before this was one of regularity. He spent most of his time in an apartment, and got regular but not extended walks. His life now is one of randomness. He spends long stretches cooped up in the truck or camper, and then long stretches out on the trails, running his ass off. Given the choice, I'm not sure which he would prefer.

But he doesn't have a choice, so I hope he gets used to it.

If all works out with the battery, this will be my last night in Chattanooga. After this, I'm headed west like a young man, to the fabled land of Arkansas and the Ozark mountains.

wes

#Biking #Travel