May 16, 2010

White Dog, Quinn and Dragon were not quite sure what the story was when the Sunday bike team all piled out of the car at the Bosque...and there were NO bikes! Gregg's bike was still in the repair shop getting the blown back tire replaced. Not to waste a beautiful Albuquerque morning Steve, Candace and Gregg decided to "give the pups a treat" and hike the trails of the woods with them instead.

Leads were clipped and water bottles strapped on; White Dog and Steve led the way with Dragon bouncing from one side of the trail to the other dragging Gregg as he sniffed and lunged and investigated every leaf and rock he saw. The Other White Dog led Candace on a stately, gentle stroll through the filtering light, stopping every now and again to listen to the bird calls.

A little over an hour later the troupe returned to find me under the giant cottonwoods, menu on my lap, as I put together a carry out order from our favorite Vietnamese restaurant. Everyone liked the idea of picking up a ready made feast and going home where we could take shoes off of hot feet, stretch out in the doorway to catch breezes and greet the hot afternoon comfortably. White Dog held the list as I finished and dialed in the order for spicy meatball sandwiches, cooling shrimp salad, curry (sweating is good), grilled stuffed grape leaves, lemongrass chicken, and crunchy eggrolls. White Dog chose diced beef fried rice for herself, brother and friend.

Everyone shared the coconut and taro root and avocado frothies (White Dog loves coconut and Quinn discovered a fondness for the avocado blend).We all agreed we should take an occasional break in the bike riding for more walks in the woods (and feasting, added White Dog seconded by both Dragon and Quinn)!