Bikes and Trees - Biking to Reston

Tree
planting...

and
biking

my
two
favorite
things
in the world!

Don't
tell
Tom.

So
here we go
on Day 5
of the
STIHL
Tour
des
Trees.

This is

my last day

with

my SAG,

Shelley.

She goes

back

to Indy

tonight.

I've
enjoyed
her
company...

and
her
enthusiasm.

This
morning
she looks out
with a
groan...

Fog!

:(

Wonderful!
I say.

I love
photos
with
atmosphere!

So
we follow
the bikers
out
onto the
dim
country
roads.

Bikers
in
the
mist...


......

shouldn't
wear
black.

Finally
the
sun
begins
to brighten...

the
bikers
smiles
brighten
too...

and
we
arrive
at last
at the
arboretum!

They've
set
out
our trees...

leaves
dripping
with
dew...

and
spiders'
art

sparkle alive

for

one

brief moment

of

glory.

We're
planting
the entire
hillside.

Cut
down
on lawn,
say
the forester.

I cheer!

Flat grass
never
did
anything
for me.

Let's
get
to
work!

Of course
I have
my own
work
to do....

They
plant.

I pict.

Come
plant a tree
with
me
says AJ.

How
can
I
resist?

I toss
down the
camera....

Toss down
the
red
jacket

and
find my
love

of the
planting
of a
tree.

the
warm
roots

the
resilient
trunk

the
glorious
leaves.

Something
there is
that
loves
a
tree....

that
loves
a
tree...

Fifty new trees

now 

grow

at the

Virginia

Arboretum....

Fifty
new trees
for
the
future...

And
as the
Johnny
Appleseeds
of the
Wheelset....

we
take
for
the road!

Beautiful country

roads

here in

Virginia.

passing
corn...

and
rivers...

and
more
tunnels.

We
come
to a fork
in
the road....

and
we need
to make
a
turn...

into
traffic!







dodging
cars....

to
get
ourselves
to....

Harpers
Ferry
USA!

But
I have
to skip
lunch...

so
I can
get
on
bike...

and
get to
the next
tree planting
on
time!

But
I
immediately
get
lost....

then
I find
the
trail....

then
I
get
lost
again!

Follow me!
says
the
man
in the truck.

He
gets me
to the
Rust Library
just
in
time!

As I
bike
in
the kids
cheer!

But
where
are
the other
bikers?

Do I
have to
represent
the Tour
all by
myself?

Luckily
Professor
Pricklethorn
is
here!

He
entertains...

and
enlightens
the
kids...

as
more
bikers
arrive....

for
the
tree
planting.

What
kind
of tree
is it?

A black gum

with
its
brilliant
red
fall
color!

After
the guys
get
the big tree
into the
ground....

the
kids
take
over...

for
the
planting....











of
the
tree.

Good-bye,
Black
Gum
Tree.

Good-bye,
kids!

We're
back
on the
trail
for
Reston!

It
should be
a
relaxing
ride...

so glad
we're
not
with
the
commuters.

But
I need
to
hurry

so I can get
to Reston
before
Shelley
leaves.

Wouldn't 

you 

know

I 

get 

lost.

Again.

But
with
help...

I find
the
Hyatt....

in
time
to say
good-bye
to my
SAGstress.

Thanks
for your
help
Shelley.

Have a
nice
flight
home
to Indiana.

I only
have
one
more day
biking into
DC.

and
in
the
meantime

The Hyatt
and I will take
very
good
care....



of
Shelley's bike,
Stella,
the
Black Steed.