Happy Thanksgiving (belated)

Originally this post was going to be about my trip to “Charleston Lake Provincial Park”. Two weeks ago I booked a campsite when the weather forecast was perfect for a final getaway of the year on the bike. The plan was for Thanksgiving dinner Saturday since Tess was working Sunday and Monday, and I would leave Sunday and return Tuesday. Sue was going to her sister’s cottage on Sunday and join me at the park on Monday with the Moose for some hiking. However, I cancelled my trip because the forecast for my ride home on Tuesday was now cold and rainy. You know me and riding in the rain, and with the cold in the mix, no thank you.

Decisions, decisions

Like I said, when I made the reservation, the weather was perfect, sunny and around 18 degrees all three days. However, as time went on the forecast changed, then changed again, and yet again. Last Saturday night I looked at the forecast and it called for beautiful weather Sunday and Monday, but rain was coming in Monday night and into Tuesday. I was on the fence, so I packed my bike and would wait until morning to decide whether or not to make the trip.

Pros and cons

The Moose woke me up Sunday morning around 6:30 for his walk. I checked the weather and there was no change, but I was still on the fence. While Moose and I were on our walk I started listing the pros and cons of cancelling in my head:

Pros

• I could have a Zwift ride with my friend Veera on Monday
• I would be able to make my Spin class on Tuesday
• Seattle Seahawks were on tv Sunday night

Cons

• I wouldn’t be able to camp, and it was probably the last chance this year
• Paul wanted me to track the trip so it would show up on the website, which would have been cool, but wouldn’t happen
• I wouldn’t be able to try a bike trail which we had come across on our last trip, which goes from Smiths Falls to Napanee.

All’s well that ends well

Besides the rainy ride home on Tuesday, the thing that really tipped my decision to cancel was Covid. Sue’s sister’s cottage is in Val-des-monts. On Saturday the Quebec government deemed Gatineau and surrounding area a red zone for Covid and non-essential travel was discouraged. Sue also brought up a good point about me travelling while Ottawa was deemed a hot spot.

It all worked out for the best however. On Sunday Sue and I had a wonderful Thanksgiving bike ride along the Ottawa River then up the Rideau Canal. We stopped for coffee in Confederation Park at the new bistro. On Monday we took the Moose out for a long walk in the forest close to where we live. As I look outside while I’m writing this on this rainy Tuesday afternoon, I’m thankful for my decision. All and all, a great Thanksgiving…and the Seahawks won.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone, I hope you all are safe and healthy.

Safe ride

Bill