A great weekend!

Outformation! A guy I have known since Kindergarten (Jeff Lane) plays the bongo in the band Outformation. This band is based in Atlanta, GA, but they travel all over the US. They have opened up for great bands such as Widespread Panic! Saturday night here in good ole' K-town, Outformation played at Barley's downtown. They were AWESOME. I haven't seen Jeff since high school graduation in 93'...I think....way too long to go without seeing old friends. Smap and I hope to paddle and hang out with Jeff some this summer down at the Ocoee. I also hope to get to see Outformation perform again soon. We only stayed for the first set since they started playing at 10:45...a little late for me. I am not one who likes to stay out late, but staying until midnight this weekend was well worth it!

Our little Fisher. Below is a photo I took of him when we were bringing him home from surgery last Thursday. He didn't know what was going on and was a little confused. As you can see, he has a 6 cm stitched up incision where the doc went in and put a small screw. They think he will have a full recovery in about 8 weeks. The poor little guy is going crazy not being able to run around. The photo above is Fisher in his outside cell. We put him outside the last two days with us while we planted some new trees and worked in the yard. He really enjoyed being outside in the fresh air. We look forward to Fish being able to run and play soon!

Other than Fisher and Outformation, we had a great weekend. This past Thursday was the first Sundown in the City. Arrested Development played! I didn't listen to them that much in high school, but I did remember a few songs; "Tennessee" and "Mr.Windall". Sundowns are always a good time for the people watching and the good tunes. We also run into old friends and enjoy riding our bikes down to Market Square.

GOOD TIMES!

Poor little Fisher.

Our baby Fisher was hit by a car in front of our house on Tuesday morning. We have a huge problem with cars driving extremely too fast up and down our street due to our street being a long straight street. Something really has to be done about it!

Fortunately, Fisher is still with us but he did have to have extensive surgery last night on his pelvis area. The doctor put a small screw in him, and said he should be pretty good after 8+ weeks in his crate. Above is a shot of him Tuesday night. He was not happy to be in a cage, and I am sure he will be protesting everyday about it. We can't take any chances though. We love this little guy so much. We did sleep through the last two nights without any bites or scratching to get our attention to go outside...we really don't mind it though and I actually kind of miss it.

Please remember to drive slowly through neighborhoods and housing areas. There are precious animals out there who aren't always paying attention. We still don't know how exactly our little guy got hit. We are still trying to figure it out. We know what the car looks like and we know she lives in our neighborhood. Bad karma on her part for not facing up!

Keep the little guy in your thoughts!

Peace.

Raccoon Mountain...a really great place for single speeders!

This past weekend Smap and I and a few of our friends headed down to Raccoon Mountain which is conveniently located just outside of downtown Chattanooga.  There is a terrific trail system there that grows every year.  The trails are pretty fast with just enough climbing (just enough for a single speeder), lots of rock to navigate over and around, and just a bunch of miles of FUN.  Did I mention the temperature was PERFECT this weekend?  It can get pretty hot and muggy in those woods, but not this past weekend.

Here is Smap over looking East TN's version of the Grand Canyon.  Beautiful.  This lookout is off of the Small Intestine trail.  Probably my favorite trail in the system.  

After the fun, we headed downtown to the city to enjoy some cold frosty beverages and food at the local brewery, Big River Brewery.  Their fish tacos and burgers (as well as the beer) totally hit the spot!  I can't wait to go back down there for the riding and the after riding dining downtown!
Below is a really cool piece of art on the artsy plywood wall on the outskirts of Market Square in downtown Knoxville.  I met the artists as they finished putting up their version of the Velviteen (sp?) Rabbit.  I usually take photos of the different art left by the different artists who enjoy leaving their mark.  I especially love mixed media too.  Pretty cool huh!?!

It is April 6th and it is cold as crap outside!  I actually put my down jacket on to go to the grocery store a few minutes ago.  I am soooo glad it should only be cold for a few days because I just can't stand putting on real shoes and socks after it has been warm for a little while.  I also can't stand putting on long pants....ick! I am so over that cold weather wardrobe.  

Well, this weekend it looking to be warm again.  Friday is a school holiday!!!  GOOD FRIDAY!  I actually don't have to work on my birthday!  We are still up in the air what we are going to do....all I know is that I won't be cleaning house on my day off or on my birthday.  I got that taken care of today.  Maybe there will be some sort of dry trails remotely close by for my riding pleasure?  After riding my new Fisher SS, I really could care less about getting back on my road bike.  I will of course, but I won't be as giddy about it.  

Oh, I have a school count down going right now....I always do for the last grading period.  I am down to 31.5 days of school left this year!  Freaking awesome!  Hard to believe this is my third year of teaching and I got tenure already!  Such a relief especially with the school system cutting jobs! OUCH.  

Well, until later!  Peace.