I rode through Patapsco Park on Sunday, possibly for my last time this year. Normally I'm a year-round rider, weather permitting. (Though I'm not an ice-biker, unless I get really desperate!) It was a beautiful, if chilly, day. I love the fall weather, and we tend to have a lot of days like that throughout the winter too, so with any luck I'll be back out in January. So why no more this year? Remember this post? Well, it turns out I tore the ligaments in my thumb and need surgery. They call it "Gamekeeper's Thumb," which has to do with the way the old Scottish Gamekeepers used to kill bunny rabbits, or something like that. I'm really not happy because it means I'll have to stay off my bicycle for 6-8 weeks. I could have declined the surgery, but then will the pain ever go away? Also, I am constantly dropping things. During Mass last week, someone else dropped their choir music binder, and the choir director immediately looked at me. It wasn't me for once! Thumbs are very important. Sure, I have an indoor bike, but in comparison to the great outdoors, it's torture. :-)

I wanted to write more about my bike-riding excursions last September, but the more time goes by, the less likely it is that I will get it done. I've uploaded some pictures to make it a kind of photo journal of our time in Victoria and Vancouver Canada. I hope you enjoy them, and if you are looking for bike-friendly vacation spots, these cities are great! And if you ever get the chance to see Butchart Gardens, near Victoria Canada, GO!

See ya next year, if not before...