Daddy Longlegs

The Daddy Longlegs (the Pholcidae- I think) has long been an okay spider in my book. They're not particularly jumpy (hate that kind), or hairy, or thick- which are all spider qualities that I like to avoid. Great information about the Daddy Longleg here as well as other spider facts here.

Daddy Longleg Island

Random story- one summer I was doing a multi-day canoe trip with a group of about ten people. I was dying, dying to go the bathroom for like two hours. We finally paddled our way over to a small island in the middle of the lake.

I hopped out of the canoe, scrambled through the pricker bushes and ran into the middle of this island. I was so happy to be peeing- that I hadn't noticed the entire island was moving. Yes, moving. Moving because there were hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of Daddy Longlegs running up and down the trees, over my feet, in all the leaves.

Now, I can deal with Daddy Longlegs, but I can't really deal with a few hundred Daddy Longlegs. Needless to say- I hightailed it back to the canoe and paddled the heck out of there.

Cycling Events

Riding with a group, for a cause, or at an event is some of the most motivating cycling out there. The Bicycle Coalition of Maine has a fabulous website and calender. If you are anywhere near the northeast you should really check it out.

Some of my handpicked events include the Women's Ride with distance options 5, 15, 25, and 50 miles.

Also, the Lobster Ride and Roll- mainly because I love lobster. Last year when I rode part of the Maine seacoast on my bike trip I devoured seafood regularly. So I really know for a fact that seafood and cycling go perfectly together! (Check out my bike trip by days: day 1, day 2, day 3, day 4, day 5, day 6, also read about the killer campfire pizza)

Fireflies

I came across this beautifully illustrated children's book during my yard saling over the weekend. I particularly like it because they are all the common backyard insects and critters. I thought I would feature an insect a day (or maybe more!). Enjoy!

Some firefly facts:

• Fireflies are "distasteful" and somewhat poisonous for other vertebrate predators.
• Light is produced through a process called bioluminescence.
• The light emitted is also considered to be a warning sign to hungry predators, since the chemicals the fireflies contain is so nasty tasting and poisonous.
• Tropical fireflies synchronize their flashes of light, so they all blink in unison. Apparently in the US you can see synchronized fireflies in parts of South Carolina, Tennessee, and in parts of the Great Smoky Mountains.

The Year of Misty

I'm excited to say that this may be the year of Misty. We've been trucking her around with us everywhere. She's enjoyed the glory of parking lots empty of cars, fields with no baseball players, and woods without another person in sight.

She has also given up her many mini-bad-behaviors. Things like chewing the seat buckles off when you leave her in the car. That one will stop you from bringing your dog along.

I think she has finally realized that just because you see an old man in the woods and he probably smells fabulous and is super nice-- you shouldn't jump all over him. This is a dog who doesn't even jump on me when I come home, but she finds old men irresistible. What the heck?

Lastly, I'm not sure if this is a warning breed, but there have been very few squirrels and chipmunks around lately. Thus, Misty has been around a lot more lately. Small furry critters are her true passion in life.

So, you see, this very well maybe the year of Misty. The year she explores new forests, swims in new rivers (ha! doubt that), and camps in between new trees. Yes, this should be a good one.

Scouting out Spring

It's really, truly, finally, hitting me that the winter is done and spring (yes!) is here. I put away my heavy winter coats yesterday and can't wait until my crazy schedule lets up a bit.

We spent the weekend scouting around going on jaunts through the woods. See the green is just beginning to peak out.

It's funny how green is so much more sharp and noticeable this time of year. It' hard for me to determine if it's because my eyes have seen such little green lately or because it is the only green in a sea of browns.

Either way it's lovely.

Things I love

The weekend is getting closer...I can hardly wait. In the meantime, somethings I've been loving lately:

• A&W rootbeer with aged vanilla (there is no comparison)
• Ranger Rick Magazine (did you know that RR tweets? for real)
• My new iTouch. I'm hardly ever this up with the technology. Except, maybe I'm really behind because it is all about the ipad these days...Anyone have any app recommendations? Especially anything outdoorsy/referency-ish?
• My Terry cycling knickers- I've been getting my money's worth out these lately.
  
• Ruffwear's dog blog
• Weezer's Ratitude album
• Must I mention the Safire women's mountain bike by Specialized?
• The fact that my butt is the sorest it has been in months? Sometimes sore bike butt hurts so good.
  

Can You Say Heck Yeah

This sweet little movie titled Women of Dirt will be making it's Boston debut on April 21st. Check out the deets here.

New Wants

New season, new wanting, perhaps some new backpacks. I've been eyeing Osprey backpacks for years and I think this might finally be the season for a new backpack. The few times that I got out last year with my old gigantic clunker really made me realize how old-school my packs are.

Anyway, here's what I've been loving lately: The Osprey Women's Ariel pack 75 (pictured above, found here). Perfect for longer trips.

The Osprey Women's Aura backpack 50 (the 35 is pictured here, found here).

I'm even loving this mini backpack- Osprey Talon 22 (here).

I tried the Aura 50 on this weekend at a store and let me tell you people- like butter. The pack fits like a glove because of all the adjustments on the straps. They come in several torso lengths. And my favorite part, that backpack designers of the world need to know- the top torso strap that goes across the chest is fully adjustable. So, you can decide exactly where you want it to rest. Perfection I tell you. Perfection.

A Thing Called Mountain Biking

Remember when I used to ride my bike and write about it? I barely do myself it has been so long... I think I'm back to blogging again. Blogging has always come in fits and bursts for me, but this bike season is looking promising as I suit back up and head back out again.

I've been mainly road biking for the past month, trying to build back up the biking legs. Yesterday, I went on my first legal mountain bike ride- whoo-hooo! Legal in the sense that many of our trails here in New England are closed until mud season is over. One by one they are starting to open back up again. So it looks like more mountain biking and less road.

Hope your season is looking fun and starting early!