As Kristen and the kids and I drove home to Lufkin on Saturday, we quickly realized that we were traveling the route of the infamous "Pineywoods Purgatory" bike race.
This is a huge bike race the originates in Lufkin and sends brave souls pedaling all over East Texas. Growing up in Lufkin, I've always been aware of the race, but not too familiar with the specifics.
After sharing the road with them, I have a few observations...
Observation #1. Why the heck are they allowed to drive in my lane?
Seriously...I thought bike riders were supposed to ride on the shoulder. Not on this trip, I guess. This was especially fun when I was driving on a two-lane road and kept veering into oncoming traffic simply to avoid striking one of the riders. Anybody know if this is common? Or are these riders supposed to stay on the shoulder and not share lanes with automobiles?
Observation #2. I have no idea where to buy biking clothes.
I'm not saying that all of these riders were from Lufkin, but I do know that many Lufkinites participate in the Pineywoods Purgatory. And I also know that there probably aren't many places to buy tight little shirts and shorts. I mean...how do you go about buying gear like this? Does a dude ride his back in normal t-shirt/shorts for awhile before getting all bike-geared up or are you supposed to get the outfit ready first thing?
Observation #3. I like seeing a chunky brother out there doing his thing.
If there was any upside to riding alongside these folks, it would have to be the frequency with which I saw "husky" gentlemen on this hellish ride. I'll be honest - that warms my heart. As a large man myself, I like to see big men living life to the full. I also lots of ambulances on the road. (These two things may be related...)
So...if you're a biker, help me out. Why do you drive in my lane? Where do you buy clothes? How many fat men have strokes during massive biking marathons?
Monday, October 06, 2008
On Biking...
Friday, September 12, 2008
My Friday
Woke up at 7 to take care of Finley. I let Kristen and Jonah sleep in...knowing I would could my chance for some day-off rest once they got up.
Finley watched some Dora while I ate a nice, healthy breakfast of chocolate pop-tarts and milk. (If only I hand't finished up the chocolate milk on Thursday night!)
Jonah woke up around 8 and Kristen let me sleep a little, too! It was so nice.
Once everybody was up, we lounged around the house, not doing a whole lot. Cartoons were watched, emails checked, breakfast shared, all that jazz.
We all ate lunch kinda' randomly...a sandwich here, a hot dog there, then all get ready to head "into town." (I'm glad I still live out of actual town, just like we did in Lufkin. Because I can say "Let's go to town!" and I sound like somebody from Little House On The Prairie. Not that I watch Little House, mind you.)
I know Tyler is big and all, but the traffic just blows my mind. I mean, are we really SO big that the intersections are filled every day, all day? Tyler folks...got any theories? So, we wade through traffic and hit up Target.
We get the kids in the buggy and walk toward the flashlight display. You know, so we'll have light in case Ike rips across Texas destroying homes and lives and trees and rivers? When all of a sudden, we see a camera dude filming the flashlight display. No doubt wanting that perfect shot of dozens of flashlights flying off the shelves. That's some good B-roll, right there.
Except no one will walk up there. Because who wants to be on TV, right?
I'll tell you who...ME.
I walk up there, grab a pack of flashlights and then face the camera and invite all of the Tyler area to morning worship services at Bethel Bible Church this coming Sunday. They probably won't put that in the news story though. Leftist, liberal media!
After Target, we headed back home. Finley fell asleep in the car. We laid her down, Jonah went to the play room, Kristen unpacked groceries while I watched football. (Kidding about the football. Only losers like football.)
While Finley slept and Jonah played, Kristen and I mounted our TV on the wall. We usually do pretty good at stuff like this...mainly because Kristen does all the work and I hand things to her. Believe me...we've tried it the other way around and it that never ends well.
Once the TV was mounted, Finley got up from her nap and we got ready for supper. We had supper, then bathed the kids. They watched The Spongebob Movie and then went to bed. Both went to sleep pretty fast...lots of playing outside today, I guess.
Kristen was out before 10pm and I went to bed not long after. No late-night for me, tonight. Too tired.
...praying for my Lufkin peeps. Hate to say "hunker down," but, you know...
HUNKER DOWN.
Tuesday, September 02, 2008
SCHEDULED POST #2
Today's post includes two lists. I thought it would be fun to try to concisely express my feelings, thoughts, concerns about leaving my hometown. Enjoy!
10 THINGS I WILL MISS ABOUT LUFKIN
- The people who played music with me every Sunday.
- Family. (We're big on family and we've been fortunate to have them so close by.)
- Downtown Lufkin. When Krist and I were dating, we used to just drive around the downtown area. We love it.
- SoundTechs - great music store.
- Hebrews Cafe.
- Ray's Drive-In.
- The Towne Square Four Cinenama. (I know, I know...it hasn't been around for awhile, but I can still miss it, can't I?)
- All the memories for me and Kristen. (Our first date, first kiss, first fight, etc.)
- So many folks from First Methodist and Harmony Hill.
- Cafe Del Rio.
10 THINGS I WILL NOT MISS ABOUT LUFKIN
1. Trying to get into Cheddar's.
2. Lufkin's Lowe's.
3. Panther Fever.
4. Lufkin radio stations.
5. Hospitals. (Not that our hospitals aren't good - I've just spent way too much time in them already!)
6. Not enough to do. How 'bout a concert or something every once in a while, Lufkin?
7. The Lufkin Police Department. (Current legal issues prevent me from saying why.)
8. That Paper Mill Smell. Haven't smelled it in a while, but it's stuck my brain!
9. Construction.
10. The 14 birthday parties a month for Kristen's family.
