Obsessing over the bike ride...

Ok, I have been obsessing over the bike route I took in the triathlon in the 7th grade in California.  I remember running through Santa Barbara, swimming in the Pacific, the tar in my bathing suit, then climbing over the mountain on the bike, then coasting down the hill by myself overlooking the beach and the ocean.  I can see the blue of the ocean and the greens and browns of the landscape.  That was in one day, but it seems like such a long journey.  I think I might have figured out the bike route, but at the risk of sounding like a weirdo, I may send a FB message to one of the few people I can find from those days.

I remember so much about that year so vividly.  Then I remember going to Chattanooga for the summer and just knowing I needed to stay, but now I can't figure it out.  I wouldn't trade that time with Grandma and Grandpa Littell, which ended up being way too short, or the time with Les and Dad, but then I think, how could I leave out there?  All of the opportunity and beauty and most importantly, mom!  I loved the school I went to, but I can't imagine not going to Baylor.  I guess I should just be thankful I got to experience and be exposed to both.  Also, now I have more of an appreciation for wine country than I did when I was 14...go figure :)

Everything about the years between 6-9th grade just stand out like a movie.  I remember the rest, and I am sure I have forgotten a lot.  I am thankful for the friends I developed over this time, and some of them still remain among my best, and I think I went home because I needed to be home during that particular time.   At least now I can go back and re-explore.  A few years ago, I drove through Solvang, and it did not look the same.  Maybe I should keep my memory of some things...

I think this might be where we ended up at the end of the triathlon...
http://www.winecountrycycling.com/html/bike_to_beach.html