Where did the time go! I can not believe that I turned 70 this year and for some reason it seemed to hit me harder than other birthdays. I was perfectly content to let the day just roll past but Esther, Greta ad Robin thought I should have a party. Esther asked me a few weeks earlier what I wanted to do for my birthday and said ride my bike. The Athens Twilight Gambler 50K was on Saturday, April 26 we decided to that together.

We weren’t sure how we would feel after and didn’t want to party too much before so we decided to have the party the weekend before.. Robin and Andrea drove up and Greta flew in for the occasion. Nick was not able to make it. Greta flew to Macon and made it to Robin and Andrea and then the next day they all drove up to Athens together.

It was small party and we fired up my new outdoor pizza oven and made personal some sized pizzas. I hired Carol B to help with the food but I think Andrea and Greta the bulk of the work – which left me with nothing to do but enjoy the party. Guests: Robin, Andrea, Greta, Andy, Jen, Steve, Debbie, Clare, Ed and of course me and Esther.

I’m a chocolate chip cookie addict and always have to have a stash in the freezer – so on that note Robin and Andrea made tee shirts for the family and Andy with 70 chocolate chip cookies on it – bottom right cookie has a bite taken from it – it was a fun event and I appreciate all the love that went into making it happen.

April 6, 2025

Esther and I wanted to get a little bike conditioning and training in before we did the 50K Gambler ride on April 26. so we decided to go spend the night in Travelers Rest, South Carolina and ride on the Swamp Rabbit Trail a wonderful Rails to Trails.

We stayed at the Swamp Rabbit Inn a very small Inn in Travelers Rest, just across the road from the trail. There are only 3 rooms in the main building and maybe 3 cottages on the property. The shared kitchen, living room and pool are very nice and comfortable, This would be a great place to stay with a group of friends.

About 7 miles down trail towards Greenville there is a produce stand, café and coffee shop. Where you can get fresh local produce, sandwiches, snacks, specialty coffee drinks and all kinds of muffins, scones cookies and other goodies. As you can see strawberries were in season. Another time I was there peaches were in and very good. Cleanup from a recent hurricane had just been completed and the sides of the trail were littered with trees and debris.

There is a very nice Tap Room across the street from the Inn and Topsoil, a farm to table restaurant, is very good – so good, in fact, Esther and I went twice and we were in town only for one night.