As most of you know, this winter has not been kind to the Southeast. We have had more snow, cold and wet than the past 10 years combined. Not only has this made our winter training miserable, it has left our trails under lots of snow. Now one of the reasons we go to NC the end of February every year is to ride on some of our favorite trails. WE LOVE PISGAH. Well this year mother nature was having none of it. I arrived in North Carolina Thursday evening to snow. The mountains over there were even harder hit than Chattanooga. They were still under many inches of snow. And even if the trails were somehow miraculously rideable, there were so many trees down that there was just no way it was going to happen. We were not going to ride our favorite trails this year. Boo. I guess we've got to go to "plan B".
One happy team.
Camp "officially" started Friday night but Anina and I were there and ready to ride on Friday morning. Scott had been talking to the locals and the word was that if we wanted REAL, dry, rideable trails we needed to drive about 40 miles to South Carolina. Clemson was close, not in the mountains and had some fun trails. The same ones we race on mid-season. Ok. I'm game for the drive. We loaded up and off we went. 
Happy brithday Emily.
What a great idea. It was so fun to FINALLY get to ride my new bike on actual trails. I felt like I was flying. I had to keep reminding myself that we were on a fun ride and I needed to slow down a bit. I was like a kid on Christmas. My new bike, a Trek Top Fuel WSD 9.8, totally ROCKS. I cannot wait to race her. 
All smiles while the dirt was still frozen.
By Friday night, we were all there except for Catherine who was still recovering from wisdon tooth removal and was joining us in the morning. We played a really fun game that Emily had gotten for her birthday called Scrabble Slam. It is essentially speed Scrabble with cards. The whole game is played with four letter words (yep, we MIGHT have been a little inappropriate at times). We were all amazed at how good Shannon was at it until we realized that she had been cheating the whole night. To her credit is was unintentional. 
Still calm and correctly spelled...
Saturday we awoke to cold temperatures but the sun was shining and the weather man said it was going to warm up. We decided to hit the "trails" (open fire roads) at DuPont State Forest before it thawed and got too muddy. We went on a nice 2 hour ride and saw some really pretty waterfalls. As things started to get muddy we were heading back for lunch and a swap to the road bikes. Catherine arrived mid-morning and her teeth (or holes where the teeth used to be) were feeling much better.
Emily enjoying the view atop Ceasar's Head Mountain.
The afternoon ride had been revised to a road ride up and over Ceasar's Head mountain. Wow, what a view. It was an awesome long climb and then we descended to South Carolina. We then turned around and headed back up and over the mountain again. Fun times. It was great to have Amy driving sag for us. She's still recovering from surgery and is not allowed to ride outside so she was our "support crew". Amy, you were AWESOME. Thanks so much for driving our food and warm clothing around behind us. 
The Team with a view behind.
Saturday night was more yummy food, birthday cake to celebrate Emily's 17th birthday, (Amy and I had some "issues" hiding on the porch trying to get the candles lit. We accidentally blew it out about four times and laughed so hard we almost peed ourselves...), and good times playing more Scrabble Slam. Amy made up her own words and gave us definitions to go with them. She also somehow kept winning.... Hmm.
Amy, what does this word mean????
Sunday we did a four hour mountain bike "adventure" at DuPont State Forest. We actually pedaled our bikes for about 2 of the four hours we were out. It was still a great day with good friends. And you all know how I feel about ADVENTURE!!!! I am covered with bruises and scratches from hiking over a downed FOREST of trees, but it was worth it. Catherine also got the award for entertaining us for the day with the most "girlie" scream I have ever heard. And it lasted forever. She was riding over a frozed puddle and the ice slowly began to crack. As she started to fall through she screamed. And screamed. And screeeeeaaaaaamed. She never got wet or came off the bike. Impressive.And then our weekend was over and it was time to go home. I had such a great time with my teammates. And such a great time seeing Scott. I am so excited for the season to start so I can spend more time with everyone. The racing is just an added bonus.
Some things we learned about everyone this weekend:
1. Amy is quirky.
2. Next year Scott is registering for Leadville as "Scottina" in hopes of getting in.
3. Shannon knows a lot of 4 letter words
4. Catherine had a lot of stuff stuck in her hole all weekend.
5. Anina determined that the 2 man luge is the "gayest" sport in the olympics. Watch it, she has a point.
6. Emily LOVES ice cream.
7. Emily HATES Withering Heights.
8. Kym is writing the list so we don't get to pick on her... :)
Thanks for reading...
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